Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Jiangxi, Luling.

An official ship went north, carrying more than 20 scholars.

When we arrived in Nanchang to exchange for a larger ship, more scholars gathered. There were actually hundreds of people going to Beijing to take the exam, and this was just one of the ships.

In the month after Jiangxi surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, various prefectures and counties began to inquire about the status of the imperial examination. Hearing that next year would be the first rites examination of the new dynasty, Jiangxi scholars immediately became crazy and started to set off in a hurry without asking about the specific situation.

The situation is similar in Zhejiang and Fujian, both of which are provinces with major imperial examinations.

New and old officials in the three provinces could not suppress public opinion, so they had to rush to the court to inquire.

After Zhu Guoxiang and Ju Ming discussed it, they decided to agree to the participation of people from three provinces. However, due to the different selection methods from other provinces, candidates from the three provinces will be classified into one list next year, and the number of candidates from the three provinces will be limited to avoid being unfair to candidates from other provinces.

There is another special person on the ship in front of him. He is not a candidate, but a talented person jointly recommended by a large group of Jiangxi officials.

This man's name is Xiao Chu, he is sixty-three years old and has not yet married.

He failed the imperial examination when he was young, and stopped taking exams after that. He has been studying knowledge at home.

Spells, medical fortune-telling, divination, astronomy, geography, calligraphy, painting, music, local chronicles, swordsmanship... are all-encompassing and integrated into hundreds of schools of thought.

Song Huizong also wanted to recruit him, but Xiao Chu believed that treacherous ministers were in power and it was useless for him to serve as an official. He refused the court's recruitment three times.

Now, the new Ming Dynasty has just been established, and Xiao Chu has readily accepted the call.

The scholars who were rushing to take the exam learned that Xiao Chu was on the ship and took turns coming to ask for advice every day.

At this moment, Xiao Chu was sitting cross-legged in the cabin, his voice low and slow:

"When people in the world study the Spring and Autumn Annals, they emphasize the classics and neglect the transmission of the classics, but I emphasize the classics and neglect the transmission of the classics. When you take part in the scientific examination, you should study the classics. But the imperial examination is an imperial examination, and knowledge is knowledge. The imperial examination is only for a moment, but knowledge lasts forever. …”

"When you are really studying, you should not look for chapters and sentences, but go straight to the fundamental meaning of the classics. When studying "Spring and Autumn", you should start with calligraphy (writing style)..."

"Spring and Autumn" is based on the history of Lu and incorporates the aspirations of other countries. It should be a history book, but why is it a classic book?

"The scriptures are always there! It will never be easy to pick up the great road."

"Those biographies in "Spring and Autumn" are just Weishu. Weishu was suitable for the time, but some things are no longer appropriate."

"Only the "Spring and Autumn" classic, its main principles will never change. Just like people have to eat, it has been the same from ancient times to the present. This is the classic. But what was eaten in the pre-Qin period and what is eaten now is changing. It’s Wei Shu.”

"The same goes for governing a country. While one's principles should remain unchanged, the methods of governance can be ever-changing!"

"Where is the great road of classics and meanings in "Spring and Autumn"? It is nothing more than the four words "The Way of the Emperor"..."

In terms of structure, Xiao Chu's understanding of "Spring and Autumn" is more advanced than that of Huan Guo.

Huan Guo likes to pick up chapters and sentences and make far-fetched conclusions, which is still at the level of art for the time being, while Xiao Chu has pointed directly at the Spring and Autumn Road.

This gentleman also belongs to the "King-obeying Faction", which advocates strengthening the emperor's centralization of power and assisting the holy king in spreading the king's way to the world. Therefore, when encountering a foolish king, he resolutely refuses to accept conquest. He will not be able to use his talents at all. If he does use them, he will harm the people.

The official ship sailed from Jiangxi to Tokyo, and the candidates on the ship were fascinated by it.

If they can pass the examination in Jiangxi, their basic skills are naturally very solid. Now when I listen to Xiao Chu's talk about the Great Dao, everyone has benefited a lot, and they have also fully understood the scriptures and meanings they learned before.

"Sir, gentlemen, Tokyo has arrived!" the officer on the official ship reminded.

Xiao Chu stood up slowly, tied a sword to his waist, and his disciple Hu Quan helped him carry the piano.

Who is this Hu Quan?

In the first palace examination after Zhao Gou became emperor, Hu Quan wrote more than 10,000 words in his policy statement, mocking Zhao Gou for asking only the laws of heaven and not the people.

When Hu Quan was an eighth-rank official, Shangshu scolded Zhao Gou for being unqualified to betray the country because he opposed the peace negotiation with the Jin State. He also scolded Zhao Gou for not being as good as a child three feet tall.

Wen Tianxiang regarded Hu Quan as his idol all his life!

"I haven't been to Tokyo for thirty years, but I don't know if the scenery has remained the same." Xiao Chu disembarked from the boat and landed on the shore, and said to the scholars rushing to take the exam, "Let's disperse and find a place to stay."

The candidates bowed and said goodbye on the shore, all using the disciple's salute.

With only Hu Quan left by his side, Xiao Chu smiled fondly and said, "Follow me to Taiping Xingguo Temple and visit my friends."

Xiao Chu never married and had no children. He regarded his disciple Hu Quan as his biological son.

The north wind was howling, and Hu Quan was afraid that the teacher would be sick, so he hurriedly rented a donkey cart.

"No need," Xiao Chu waved his hand and said, "The clothes are thick enough. I am not a weak person. I can still enjoy the scenery of Bianliang while walking."

Xiao Chu also practiced martial arts and traveled half of the Song Dynasty with a sword. He also hated evil and often fought against injustice.

The master and apprentice first walked around outside the city, and Hu Quan asked: "Compared to thirty years ago, how is Tokyo now?"

Xiao Chu said: "There are not as many people in the city as before, probably because they have not recovered from the war. But there are no beggars everywhere, and the traffickers and lackeys are quite energetic. Today, Tokyo is managed well."

The two of them walked into the city for a while, and Hu Quan's stomach suddenly growled. Xiao Chu smiled and led him to the restaurant.

Seeing that Hu Quan was carrying a bookcase and seeing that they did not bring any entourage, the waiter concluded that they were poor scholars who came to Beijing to take the exam, so he took the initiative to recommend some relatively cheap food.

Xiao Chu was afraid that his disciple would not be nutritious enough, so he specially added a plate of meat dishes.

As soon as the master and apprentice started eating, a scholar came in and asked, "Do you have Huang Song here?"

The shopkeeper smiled and replied: "Our store is too small, where can I buy Huangsong? If my guest comes back in two years, this dish will definitely be available."

The servant of the scholar said angrily: "How can you, the shop owner, talk to me? My husband will definitely pass the exam and he will never come back in two years!"

The shopkeeper also realized that he had said something wrong and quickly apologized: "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. If you two dine in our restaurant, you will get a free serving of broth today."

"I searched more than a dozen stores but couldn't find Huangsong, so I'll eat it here." The scholar was quite disappointed.

The shopkeeper left the counter and greeted the master and servant himself.

Seeing that there were not many empty seats and Hu Quan had a bookcase next to him, the scholar came over and asked, "Li Yi from Yangzhou, can we put together a table?"

"Please." Hu Quan replied with a smile.

Li Yi was dressed quite smartly, looking like a handsome young man. He cupped his fists towards Xiao Chu and said, "I haven't dared to ask the old gentleman what his name is."

Xiao Chu said: "Luling Xiao Chu."

Hu Quan also said: "Hu Quan lives in Luling, his courtesy name is Bangheng."

"Yangzhou Li Yi, Zi Shunzhi," Li Yi said and sat down, "Brother Bang Heng is here to take the exam?"

Hu Quan nodded: "Not bad."

Li Yi added: "I am the one who governs the Book of Changes. I wonder which book my brother is responsible for?"

Hu Quan replied: "Spring and Autumn Period."

"Spring and Autumn" has a subtle meaning, but it is difficult to read," Li Yi said. "But the more difficult ones are mathematics and physics. I couldn't even buy books in Yangzhou, and I didn't know I had to take these exams until I arrived in the capital."

Hu Quan was startled: "Then how can I take the exam?"

Li Yi said with a smile: "I heard that the book has just been printed and is available in major bookstores in the capital. The yamen of the Ministry of Rites also posted a notice that only a small amount will be tested this time, which will not affect the imperial examination. Just like mathematics, the emperor will not understand it The created numbers can also be used, and the old arithmetic methods can still be used to solve them.”

"Your Majesty knows how to proceed step by step. This is a wise move." Hu Quan flattered the emperor smoothly.

Li Yi gloated: "I'm afraid it won't be so easy to be promoted in three years."

Hu Quan asked: "By the way, what is Huang Song that brother mentioned just now?"

Li Yi said: "A kind of cabbage was cultivated by Emperor Huang. The Agriculture Department outside the city planted a lot of it. The common name is Chinese cabbage. I distributed some to ministers and sold many to restaurants. I heard that those who have eaten Huangsong People say that this is the holy delicacy of winter vegetables. Unfortunately, I asked more than a dozen restaurants in a row, and they either said they were sold out or they didn’t have it.”

Hu Quan frowned and said: "It is naturally excellent for the emperor to focus on the wall. But if we indulge in this matter, will we miss the state affairs?"

Xiao Chu said: "It depends on what you are indulging in. In the old Song Dynasty, the emperor liked exotic flowers and trees, and he asked various places to donate them for appreciation. This is naturally very detrimental to the governance of the country. Today's people are indulging in farming, and they will never order all states to do so. Are you sending food to Beijing?"

"Hahahaha!" Li Yi was amused and laughed.

Hu Quan smiled and said, "That's right."

Xiao Chu asked: "Can we tell at a glance whether Master Zhiquan of Taiping Xingguo Temple is still alive?"

Li Yi shook his head: "I don't know. However, the palace of Taiping Xingguo Temple has been demolished and converted into some shops. The monks' residence has also been changed into official residence, and many petty officials from other places have lived in it."

Hearing that his old friend's temple had been demolished, Xiao Chu actually became happy: "The Emperor is indeed a wise man. There are indeed too many temples inside and outside Tokyo."

The three of them chatted while eating and drinking some rice wine, ranging from interesting things to knowledge.

After they were full of wine and food, Li Yi enthusiastically took them to find an inn.

"Dangdangdangdang..."

Suddenly I heard several bells ringing nearby.

Li Yi said excitedly: "I forgot to tell you two just now that there are two huge four-sided clocks in Tokyo. It doesn't require manpower or water power, but you can move around by yourself and you can see the time from a long distance!"

The master and apprentice didn't understand, so Li Yi led them forward. When they turned the corner, they saw the clock face.

Li Yi said: "The hour hand on the clock will move. Now it points to two, which is noon."

Xiao Chu looked at the big clock and immediately couldn't walk. He wanted to take it apart and take a look inside. He has even studied Qimen Dunjia, so he is naturally unable to resist such a sophisticated machine.

Several people walked to the bottom of the bell tower. There were many scholars gathered here, all of whom were candidates who had just arrived in Tokyo in recent days.

The candidates looked up at the big clock, pointing from time to time, with excitement on their faces.

Tokyo citizens have long been accustomed to it. They walk there with their heads held high and treat foreign scholars as country bumpkins.

Yangzhou and Hangzhou, as long as you leave Bianliang, no matter how prosperous they are, they still belong to the countryside!

Xiao Chu said with emotion: "I heard that the movable type printing technology of Nanchang booksellers was improved by the current prince. I think it is the same with this big bell. His Royal Highness is a genius. The prince will not lose his ambition by playing with things when he establishes the country. I will do it after the founding of the Ming Dynasty. There are two holy kings.”

This old gentleman belongs to the King-Zun sect, or the Imperial Way sect, and his ultimate ideal is to assist the Holy King in creating a prosperous age.

As long as he is not too stupid, even if he is not a saint, he will help him become a saint, that is, he will turn the emperor into his own shape!

This change was not to persuade the emperor to be benevolent and frugal. In Xiao Chu's opinion, it was something insignificant that only rotten scholars who studied hard would cling to.