Do you know that it starts with Meng Tong?

As a result, Qin had reason to attack Zhao and demolish Shicheng. Next year, he attacked Zhao again and killed more than [-] people. King Zhao had to beg for mercy from King Qin in Mianchi, but was humiliated by King Qin.

All this debt can be attributed to Lin Xiangru. "

After hearing Wei Chen's words, Zhuang Jun was noncommittal and continued to ask: "But if King Qin still refuses to give it to the city after receiving the jade, then wouldn't Lin Xiangru be prescient in sending the bi back to his country in advance?"

Wei Chen smiled faintly: "Lin Xiangru can say to the King of Qin: I know that the king has given the city a lot of money, but the king has broken his trust with the world with a jade. How sad is it? Please die here to show the king's lack of virtue." !”

"Is this using faith to force King Qin?"

Zhuang Jun laughed and said: "There were no righteous wars in the Spring and Autumn Period, and there were no gentlemen in the Warring States Period. At that time, treachery was common among the vassal states. How could the King of Qin give in because of this?"

Wei Chen smiled lightly and said: "Faith may not be worth mentioning in the face of national interests, but right now, compared with it, it is just a jade wall with no actual value.

If the king of Qin loses his trust in the world because of a piece of jade wall, the princes no longer believe in the promise of the king of Qin, and the talented people are no longer willing to serve the king of Qin, which is more important, how will the king of Qin weigh it in his heart? "

“Faith has a price, that’s an interesting statement!”

Zhuang Jun gently stroked his long beard and said with a smile: "If you really follow your method, maybe the King of Qin will not give the city in the end, but he should take the initiative to return the jade wall. Lin Xiangru can bring the jade wall back to the country in an upright manner, and there is no need to play around with those things. So clever."

Wei Chen nodded and said: "In the final analysis, King Qin's request for He's Bi from Zhao was just a test of Zhao to see if the current King of Zhao is greedy for wealth and short-sighted, or if he is ambitious and plotting the world. man of.

It doesn't matter whether you get the jade wall or not.

Although Lin Xiangru's actions earned him a great reputation, it allowed Qin to find out the details of Zhao and exposed the cowardice of the upper class of Zhao who neither dared to offend Qin nor lost their property.

From a national level, Zhao Guo lost completely. "

Zhuang Jun nodded slightly when he heard this, and he quite agreed with what Wei Chen said.

If Wei Chen's evaluation of Lin Xiangru just made Zhuang Jun's eyes shine, then his analysis of the relationship between Zhao and Qin simply made Zhuang Jun look at him with admiration.

Zhuang Jun is familiar with history books and naturally knows that returning the jade to Zhao is not

An isolated event needs to be viewed in relation to the impact of the time before and after.

King Zhao Huiwen's father was the famous King Wuling of Zhao in history. He promoted riding and shooting in Hu uniforms, which greatly increased the national power of Zhao and even competed with Qin for a time.

As the successor of King Zhao Wuling, King Zhao Huiwen naturally cast a layer of mystery in the eyes of Qin.

At that time, Qin was at war with Chu. In order to avoid Qin falling into the dilemma of being attacked from both sides, Qin had to know what the national strength of Zhao was under King Zhao Huiwen and whether he would take the opportunity to attack Qin.

Just at this time, the news came that the State of Zhao had obtained He's Bi, and the King of Qin came up with the strategy of "exchanging the city for the Bi".

The so-called exchanging the city for the jade is just a rhetoric. The real intention of King Qin was to test Zhao's attitude towards Qin.

Lin Xiangru had a heated exchange of words in the Qin court. It seemed that he was not inferior in front of the King of Qin, but in fact he exposed the weak nature of Zhao's national power and the fear of Qin among the upper echelons of Zhao.

The role Lin Xiangru played in it was nothing more than a pawn used by King Qin to test Zhao.

In fact, when Zhuang Jun was young, he thought that Lin Xiangru was a successful politician and diplomat. It was not until he followed Yongyi Hou for several years in the south and north and fought in the north and south, and gradually gained more experience, that he had a deeper understanding of this character.

But now, at such a young age, Wei Chen could see the essence through phenomena, which naturally shocked Zhuang Jun's heart.

Zhuang Jun patted Wei Chen on the shoulder and laughed loudly: "Okay, just because of your wonderful subversion just now, you are qualified to be my disciple! That boy Shen Du has an average talent and a good vision. I will send you to him." Come to my place."

"Mr. has given you too much praise. It is an honor for students to listen to his teachings."

Wei Chen laughed along with him and rubbed his somewhat swollen shoulders, thinking that although this old man was old, his hands were quite strong. I heard that he was a swordsman when he was young. It seems that this rumor is not false at all!

At this time, Zhuang Jun had already stood up from the wicker chair. He straightened his robe and said solemnly: "Since you want me to learn a skill, you need to make it clear in advance whether you want to learn the way to prepare for the exam or the way to apply it? "

Wei Chen also straightened his expression and said solemnly: "May I ask, sir, what is the way to take the exam and what is the way to put it into practice?"

Zhuang Jun smiled and said: "The way to prepare for the examination is naturally taught specifically for the imperial examination, and of course it also talks about exegesis and the meaning of classics.

As for the method of application, the scope is very wide. At the top, you can be the teacher of the emperor, and at the bottom, you can be the commander of hundreds of miles.

Of course, I also know a little bit about other miscellaneous subjects such as astronomy and geography, divination, yin and yang pharmacology, and agriculture and mulberry production. "

Wei Chen secretly dumbfounded after hearing this, you have too much knowledge!

He thought for a while and said, "Sir, please teach me how to take the exam first, and then teach me how to put it into practice."

Zhuang Jun asked: "Why is this?"

Wei Chen said seriously: "Studying is naturally based on practical application, but everything has priorities. The first priority for students right now is to pass the college examination and become a student member, so I would like to ask you, sir, to teach me how to take the examination first."

"That makes sense, but he's not an ambitious person."

Zhuang Jun nodded approvingly.

His eyes lingered on Wei Chen for a moment, and he said calmly: "I see that you are weak and weak. Have you ever suffered from any serious illness?"

Wei Chen replied: "The student fell into the water years ago and suffered from the cold. Now he is almost recovered."

"The root of the disease has not been eliminated."

Zhuang Jun shook his head and said: "I have a set of Taoist Daoyin techniques here. If you practice them, you can warm your internal organs and regulate your body. I can teach them to you."

Wei Chen was shocked when he heard this, and immediately asked: "Is it the kind of guidance technique that can lead to immortality and make people fly like stars?"

"What are you thinking!"

Zhuang Jun rolled his eyes, gave Wei Chen a decisive shudder, and said angrily: "How can it be so cheap? Practicing this Daoyin technique can at most strengthen your body and prolong your life."

Wei Chen was a little disappointed, but he soon felt relieved. Although this is ancient times, it is also the real world. It is very rare for Guidance Technique to have the effect that Zhuang Jun said.

So Wei Chen no longer hesitated, bowed deeply and said, "Please teach me, sir."

Chapter 53: On the return of the completed jade to Zhao

Luoxia Ridge.

It is located on the main road going south to the south of the Yangtze River. From here, passing two hundred miles of waterway, you will reach Jiangning City.

At this time, a convoy of hundreds of people arrived outside the inn at the foot of Luoxialing Mountain.

As soon as the convoy arrived at the gate of the inn, there were countless people waiting outside. The target of these people was none other than the owner of the convoy, the new academic governor of Jiangnan Province, Walrus Gan.

Hai Xiangqian, whose courtesy name is Zikuo, was the second-ranked scholar in the second year of Jingping. His father Hai Shoude, cousin Hai Xiangjin, eldest uncle Hai Shouren, and grandfather Hai Shaoyan all served in the Hanlin Academy, so the Hai family won the title of "First Class". The reputation of "Five Hanlin".

Wale Xiangqian went to Jiangnan this time to replace Wang Wenqing, who had moved to Dali Temple for three years, to serve as the new academic governor and preside over the August college examination.

As soon as he got off the carriage, Walrus Gan ordered his attendants to bring him a kerchief and wipe away the few inconspicuous dust on his official uniform.

He comes from a Qingliu family, and he pays great attention to his appearance, especially since he is about to take up the post of academic administrator of a province and is a role model for others, so he must not neglect his behavior.

After tidying up his appearance, Walrus Qian ignored the crowd outside the inn and walked straight into the cabin prepared for him, and summoned the master who had come here in advance to check in.

The master reported: "Dong Weng, my predecessor, Xuezheng, left for Tokyo half a month ago. My subordinates have sealed all the official documents in the Tixue Dao Yamen until Dong Weng arrives and then deal with them."

"very good."

Walrus nodded, very satisfied with the master's ability in handling the matter. Just when he was about to give a few more instructions, a burst of noise suddenly came from outside the house.

Walrus Qian immediately frowned: "Summon the Yiyi Cheng here and ask him what's causing the noise outside?"

"Yes."

Master took the order and went out.

After a while, Yi Cheng arrived. He explained with a smile: "Master Xuezheng came to Xiaoyi. After hearing the news, all the local students came and wanted to meet Master Xuezheng."

Walrus Gan waved his hand: "Just say that I am exhausted from traveling and traveling. I don't see anyone today."

Yi Cheng said cautiously: "Many of the students have come all the way from Jiangning. Sir, would you like to read the post first?"

Walrus' dry face sank: "Didn't you hear clearly what I said?"

"Sir, please calm down. I'll go out and disperse the crowd."

Seeing that Xuezheng was angry, Yi Cheng panicked for a moment. After repeatedly confessing, he retreated in embarrassment.

After Yi Cheng left, the master on the side smiled and said, "Before Dong Weng arrived in Jiangning, there were people who wanted to come to camp in advance. The Jiangnan academic style doesn't seem to be very good?"

Generally speaking, every time a new academic administrator takes office, the examination must be conducted immediately. In addition to examining the children who participated in the college examination, the students in the county schools must also be examined to avoid people who are cheating.

Therefore, these students heard the news and came to meet the new academic administrator in advance. The purpose is naturally self-evident.

Wale Xiangqian had been an official for more than ten years and had always regarded himself as an upright man. When he saw the living people outside, he couldn't calm down his anger. He snorted coldly: "The imperial court has repeatedly issued orders and refused to ask for favors. This Jiangnan scholar does not know the punishment." Afraid, it can be seen that this evil trend has been around for a long time.

I am here to stop this unhealthy trend!

Send the order, from here to Jiangning,

I didn’t see anyone along the way. If any more students come to the inn to block the way and post messages, they will all be punished as bribes! "

"Yes."

The master responded respectfully and immediately went out to tell the postman to deliver the order.

As an academic administrator, Walrus Gan is qualified to deprive students of their honors. For these students, it can be said that he holds the power of life and death.

Therefore, after his words spread, all the students who blocked the door outside the inn suddenly left.

Hearing that it was clear outside the door, Walrus Gan's anger also subsided a bit, he closed his eyes and took a nap.

After an unknown amount of time, the two scribes each carried a thick stack of books into the room and placed the books on the case in front of Walrus Gan.

"Master Academician, these are the best-selling books in Jiangnan Road Bookstore, and many of them are written by disciples or students of local academies."

Walrus Qian opened his eyes, stood up and walked to the case, picked up a book at random and started reading it. After reading a few pages, he felt it was good. He nodded and said, "It seems that Jiangnan still has talents.

Now write down the author's name on a piece of paper.

This is Walrus Gan's habit. Whenever he takes up an official position in a place, he must read local books to understand the local customs and customs. This time when he was appointed as a scholar in Jiangnan, he specially selected articles by local scholars to read.

Walrus took out several books in one breath and looked through them. He wrote down the names of several talented people and also discovered a lot of famous people.

When Walrus picked up the next book, he took a quick look and saw that it was the directory of Jiangning Mansion examination questions. He couldn't help but be a little surprised.

I have only heard that the provincial examination and the general examination have a list of questions, but I never expected that a small Jiangning Prefectural Examination also has a list of questions?

Is the Jiangning prefect ignorant or arrogant?

With curiosity, Walrus Qian picked up the Jiangning Mansion Examination Questions Directory and read it.

But when he turned to the first page, he frowned: "Such an incomprehensible parallel prose can actually get the first place in the imperial examination? I have always heard that the writing style in the south of the Yangtze River is flashy, but I didn't expect it to reach this level!"

Walrus Qian wanted to give up the book at that moment, but then he thought about it, and there might not be some excellent works among the four or six parallel essays. Since this person could be ranked first in the imperial examination, the article should still have some merits, so he patiently read it. Read the article from beginning to end.

After reading a few lines, Walrus's face gradually softened. Although he didn't like this flashy writing style, he still recognized the insights in the article. It could be seen that the author of the article was not without talent.

After reading most of the title list, Walrus Gan recorded the names of Wei Chen, Sheng Changbai, Wang Yaochen and others on the paper.

I can't help but sigh in my heart, Jiangnan is indeed a place where culture and culture gather. Just Jiangning Mansion has gathered so many talents.