The fifteenth year of Qianyou (962), spring, February.
Due to the arrival of spring, Tokyo was obviously more lively. Scholars from all over the world gathered in the capital to add a bright color to the prosperous scene of Tokyo.
The development of things is sometimes bizarre. In the early years of the Qianyou reign, there were flaws in all the canons. However, the emperor paid special attention to scientific examinations. He wished that they could be held every year, and every time he recorded them,
The number of Jinshi scholars is several times or even ten times greater than that of previous generations.
However, with the development up to now, the imperial examination systems of the imperial court have been very perfect, and the three-level examination system from local to central government has also been established. However, since the ninth year of Qianyou, there have been several delays.
In the autumn of the twelfth year of You's reign, an examination was held to quench the thirst of the scholars in prefectures and counties who were waiting for examinations.
Speaking of which, this Spring Festival is nominally the second regular exam since the founding of the country. According to the emperor's wishes, from now on, the three-year exam will be a regular exam and considered a regular system.
However, compared with the previous year when all students were accepted according to the order, the requirements for the scientific examination are now higher. For literati, the benefits of the early years of the country have faded a lot, and the number of students enrolled in each subject has also dropped sharply and is strictly controlled.
One is that there are not so many vacant positions for big men, and the other is that it will be worthless if it is ruined on the street.
However, when Liu Chengyou came to power, no matter how things changed, the practical and comprehensive abilities of scholars were still more valued. People who were obsessed with reading were difficult to judge. No matter how good their articles were, Liu Chengyou could at most work as a reporter, clerk, or even
If you don’t have some knowledge of politics and government affairs, you won’t even be able to do paperwork well.
Of course, Liu Chengyou still respected the learned people and Confucian scholars very much. The Third Hall and the Hanlin Academy also accepted a large number of talents, and the local government also gave them more treatment. In terms of academic research and ethics, he still supported them.
Even so, the literati's enthusiasm for the imperial examinations has not faded. Instead, they have become more active, almost head-sharpening to delve into it. Especially going to Beijing to take the examinations is an opportunity to gain a starting point for an official career.
With the return of the country, politics has gradually stabilized, and the economy has become more prosperous. In the current Han Dynasty, the spring of literati has not yet completely arrived, but the era of military men showing off their ferocity has completely passed. The improvement of various systems is of great significance to civil servants.
In other words, what can be seen is a broad road.
This year's examiner is Liu Wensou, the Minister of Rites, who has some accomplishments in selecting talents for the imperial examinations. He is well-known for his ability to recognize people.
While the scholar was preparing for the examination, Emperor Liu Chengyou left the palace in civilian clothes and paid a private visit incognito, but the interview was not about the people's feelings. Under tight guard, the car stopped in front of the palace, and Liu Chengyou, who was dressed in dark silk clothes, got out of the car.
"Daddy!" The crisp call was very sweet.
"Don't worry!" Liu Chengyou's stern face revealed a gentle smile, looking at the delicate-looking girl standing on the car's shaft.
I wanted to hug her, but she was not willing, so she let Liu Cheng hold her hand and jumped to the ground. This girl was naturally the eldest princess Liu Jia, the emperor's favorite daughter, and she was now nine years old.
"Go and call the door!" He ordered a chambermaid beside him who had changed into regular clothes.
"yes!"
Liu Chengyou's head eunuch changed again. This time he was an old eunuch, over fifty years old. His name was Sun Yanjun. He had served as a chamberlain in both the Tang and Jin courts.
As for the previous Sun Yanxi, he had been executed on the order of Liu Chengyou. The reason was also due to the construction of Zhaolie Temple. During the supervision period, he killed many civilians and made it too ostentatious. In order to supply the construction, he also disturbed place.
The emperor attached great importance to Zhaolie Temple, so he cooperated in all aspects regarding its construction, which gave Sun Yanxi the opportunity to show off his power. Until Liu Chengyou inspected the project and noticed its abnormality, he became furious. He followed closely behind, Various accusations against Sun Yanxi have come one after another, including some illegal things he did while he was returning to Beijing to recuperate due to illness during the Northern Expedition.
As a result, he was executed. This was a trivial matter for the Han Dynasty, but it left a thorn in Liu Chengyou's heart.
Sun Yanxi was once the chief chamberlain and the emperor's personal attendant. In terms of status in the palace, he was the only one besides Zhang Dejun. During the time when he served Liu Chengyou, he was respectful and obedient. Although he was slow in speech and not quick in action, Liu Chengyou used it well. It went smoothly. However, where Liu Chengyou could not see it, there was such a hateful face.
At the same time, Zhang Dejun was also angered. As the imperial envoy, Zhang Dejun, as the imperial envoy, was not aware of Sun Yanxi's crimes. According to him, it was not easy to proceed rashly without proof. But how could such an excuse convince Liu Chengyou? , if you want evidence, why are there so many reports after he inspects the project?
The fact is that Zhang Dejun is pushing behind the scenes. As for the reason, it is also very simple. There is a conflict between the two people. And Zhang Dejun has been silently waiting for the opportunity to seize his fatal handle before pushing him...
Knowing this, Liu Chengyou found an excuse to scold him as a warning. Facts have proved that people's hearts are unpredictable, and it is never easy to control a person, especially for a person who holds a certain amount of power in his hands. For people like Zhang Dejun, when faced with matters related to interests and safety, they cannot help but seek personal gain.
Zhang Dejun was smart in not touching the bottom line and limiting his affairs to the internal fighting between house slaves and lackeys.
The palace is not the palace of a prince or a county prince, but the residence of the prime minister, Wang Pu, a great scholar of Chongzhengdian Palace. The courtyard is medium in size, not luxurious, not ostentatious, and has few servants, but the rules are strict.
Just like an unwelcome guest who came to the door and refused to report, Liu Chengyou directly put him in charge and led him to see Wang Pu. The accompanying guards were also unceremonious, occupying various places and sealing off the courtyards.
After passing through several winding corridors, the cautious steward led me to the hall where Wang Pu was. Before anyone arrived, I could already hear several coughs, and the air was filled with a faint scent of medicine.
Stepping into the room and looking around, what he saw was Wang Pu lying on the hospital bed. Beside the bed, his eldest son Wang Qian was serving medicine respectfully. When he raised his eyes and saw Liu Chengyou, the expressions of both father and son changed slightly.
Wang Qian put down the medicine bowl, stood up and knelt down directly, while Wang Pu struggled to get up: "Why do you need Your Majesty to come in person?"
"Don't get excited, you are inconvenienced, just lie down!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said immediately, and then motioned to Wang Qian.
Seeing this, Wang Qian also quickly stood up, took the pillow, and helped his old man sit up. Liu Chengyou sat directly beside the couch, and Princess Liu Jia also sat down with him. He weighed his calves. He was usually lively, but he should Even when he is well-behaved, he is also very obedient.
"I didn't know you were seriously ill!" Liu Chengyou sighed as he looked at Wang Pu's sallow, thin face.
Wang Pu's voice seemed weak, but still showed his awe for the emperor, and said: "It is my sin to pollute His Majesty's holy body with the bad luck of the decoction when I am suffering from illness!"
"You don't have to be like this!" Liu Chengyou comforted, "Since I am the Holy Body, I am naturally invulnerable!"
Compared with the official history, Wang Pu has been extended a lot of life. However, after all, it is just an extension of life. With his investment in state affairs, he has worked hard and exhausted his body. It is not easy to survive until now. In the past three years, he has not hesitated. It wasn't until last winter that I finally got sick.
When talking about his condition, there are only four words: he became sick due to overwork.
"You are an important minister of the country and a man of meritorious service. You have worked hard for the country for more than ten years. You still need to take good care of yourself. Don't take care of yourself!" Liu Chengyou said emotionally.
Hearing this, Wang Pu opened his mouth slightly, showing a smile on his sickly face. His eyes were sunken, but his eyes were full of energy, and he responded: "I can only use medicine and stones to repair this rotten skin. Those who are trying to save themselves and still persevere can only hope to see the unification of the Han Dynasty with their own eyes, then they will have no regrets even if they die!"
Wang Pu's words were full of enthusiasm for unification and the country, and Liu Chengyou couldn't help but be moved. Looking at Wang Pu, Liu Chengyou spoke concisely and concisely, like a solemn promise: "Your wish will come true!"
"With your majesty's great talent and broad strategy, you can achieve success!" Wang Pu was also very sure and looked at Liu Chengyou: "Is your majesty planning to launch a southern expedition?"
Nodding, Liu Chengyou did not shy away from this matter: "After three years of resting the army to support the people, it is time to end this troubled world and separate regimes!"
"Then I will congratulate Your Majesty in advance for sweeping across the south of the Yangtze River, clearing the inner world, and restoring peace!" Wang Pu's old voice seemed a little more powerful.
Seeing that he was a little excited, Liu Chengyou quickly comforted him.
"You have been idle at home for three years, right?" In order to take care of the patient, Liu Chengyou talked with Wang Pu for a while and then turned his attention to Wang Qian.
Wang Qian is in his early thirties, with a small beard, ordinary appearance, and thin body. In terms of demeanor, he is completely incomparable with his father, but there is a hint of shrewdness in his eyes.
When I heard the question, my mind moved slightly, and I quickly responded: "Your Majesty, that's right!"
Wang Qian was originally an officer in the Forbidden Army. His highest military position was the commander of the Third Army of the Left Wing of the Wujie Army. He was later transferred to the Ministry of War. Three years ago, he had a quarrel with his colleagues and was dismissed from his post. It was also because of this. Wang Pu’s relationship, otherwise he wouldn’t have been beaten to the end.
"It's okay to stay at home all the time. It's time to come out and do things for the court!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Qian was immediately overjoyed and said hurriedly.
He frowned a little, and to be fair, he should be more or less humble, especially when he was in front of his old father's bedside.
Here, Wang Pu dismissed Wang Qian and said to Liu Chengyou with emotion: "Your Majesty wants to use Wang Qian because of the face of the old minister. I feel this in my heart. However, I know that a son is not like a father, and Wang Qian is a middle-aged man. He has a little bit of talent. He has short talents, but is narrow-minded and eager for quick success. His Majesty can use them, but not to great effect..."
Looking at Wang Pu, the look of surprise on Liu Chengyou's face quickly faded, he pondered for a moment, and then sighed: "You are so public-spirited, you are the ultimate minister!"
When leaving the palace, Liu Chengyou felt a little heavy. Wang Pu's condition was not optimistic. As he said, he was almost holding on, hoping to see the day when he would dominate the world...