After taking a short break, Zhu Pingan continued to read the second policy essay question. In fact, compared with the provincial examination, the number of questions in this scientific examination was reduced by about four-fifths. Just look at the second policy essay question. In the provincial examination
There are usually four policy questions, but there are also three or five questions, but this scientific examination only has one policy question.
The topic of this policy essay is also relatively short, not as long as the palace exam policy essay. The title is like this:
"If you use the law to show authority, you will know your kindness if you follow the law. If you limit it with nobility, if you increase the number of nobility, you will know the theory of honor."
This policy statement comes from Zhuge Liang's "Reply to the Law" of the Three Kingdoms. It means that when laws are used to create deterrence, when the laws are implemented, people will feel favored. When titles are used to show status, when officials are promoted, people will feel
glory.
What this means is that rewards and punishments are clear. This was analyzed thoroughly in later generations. Zhu Pingan could write several versions of the question almost as soon as he saw it. However, it was precisely because there were too many answers in his mind that it was not very good.
Deciding which one to use, after combining and deleting multiple answers in his mind, Zhu Pingan started to write neatly and carefully on the draft paper:
"It is the master's great power to reward and punish. The rewards and punishments should be clear, and then the right and wrong should be divided, and the principles should be followed. If the king does not give small favors, and the people do not have high hopes, the way of governing the country is similar. If the power of decline and weakness is accumulated, the government and the public should be clear and clear.
If you are serious, you will have both rewards and punishments, so you should strictly regulate the rules. That's good. Wu Hou's approach to the law is also true, saying that power is based on the law, and if you follow the law, you will know the kindness. If you limit it to the title, if you add the title, you will know the honor."
Don’t add anything, just do it in one go.
After he finished writing, Zhu Pingan became more and more satisfied with the article he had written. There were almost no flaws. He slightly raised the corners of his lips, thinking that if nothing else goes wrong, this scientific examination should be done.
The ink on the table was almost exhausted. Zhu Pingan placed the brush on the stand beside the table, took the inkstone aside, and began to grind the ink. Regarding grinding the ink, the ancients had a saying: grind the ink lightly and lick the pen hard.
Grinding the ink lightly means not to be impatient and not to press the ink ingot too hard. The ancients said that it is best to ask the girl in the boudoir to grind the ink. After Zhu Pingan took the inkstone, he placed his index finger on the top of the ink. He held it between his thumb and middle finger.
On both sides of the ink stick, start grinding, press it a little harder, and turn it gently and evenly.
The ancient ink is lightly rubbed and filled with fragrance, and the new inkstone bath shines brightly.
The ink Zhu Ping'an brought was specially bought Hui ink. It was such a good ink that he was reluctant to use it. When grinding good ink, it was soft and smooth and silent, while when grinding bad ink, the sound was rough. Until Zhu Pingan finished grinding the ink, there was no sound at all.
It does give off a faint fragrance of ink.
After grinding the ink, Zhu Ping'an put the inkstone to one side, rested for a while, and adjusted the state to the best. Then he took the brush and copied the draft on the answer sheet without any distracting thoughts and concentrated on it.
With one stroke, it looks like a runaway horse soaring into the sky and away from the dust; or like a dragon flying into the sky, moving around, coming from nothingness and returning to the void again. This almost crazy impulse of primitive vitality contains the essence of the universe.
Aura.
An eight-legged essay. A policy paper, completed in one go.
Zhu Pingan finished copying the test paper and checked it twice. He couldn't be more satisfied. There was not a single clerical error in the entire text, and the font was almost in his best condition.
At this time, someone had already handed in the paper. Zhao Wenhua, the academic officer on the high platform in the north, seemed to be asking questions, but Zhu Ping'an did not dare to raise his head and look around and behind him. The scientific examination is the same as the annual examination. The examination rules are very strict. If you look around, stretch your body.
Yawning and other indecent behaviors will be recorded by the tutor or instructor on the high platform. Regardless of whether your essay is good or bad, you will be demoted.
After checking and confirming that it was correct, Zhu Pingan reached out and asked for instructions to hand in the paper.
After a while, a clerk came over to check and accept the test paper. After checking Zhu Pingan's personal information, he stamped a seal on it, then put the paper away and signaled Zhu Pingan to go to Beitai with him to hand in the paper.
Because Zhu Pingan handed in the paper early, and there were only three or five people handing in the paper at this time, all the candidates present looked sideways. At this time, there was a candidate on the stage handing in the paper, and the clerk who led Zhu Pingan took Zhu Pingan to the
On the side below the high platform, wait for the people in front of you to finish handing in their test papers.
At this time, Zhu Ping'an could clearly see Zhao Wenhua, the academic official on the high platform. This was a famous treacherous minister in history. From his appearance, there was no trace of Zhao Wenhua being a treacherous minister. He was a man of about fifty years old.
The middle-aged and elderly official has a Chinese character face and a standard beard. He looks gentle and serious, and he looks fair and responsible.
However, Zhu Ping'an was not deceived by his appearance. Mr. Zhao was just hiding it well.
Because not many people had handed in their papers at this time, Zhao Wenhua was grading the papers on the spot. The man in front of Zhu Pingan came to hand in his papers with confidence, but he came down with a pale face. Because Zhao Wenhua and Mr. Zhao pointed him out on the spot.
The flaw in the test paper gave him a second class. Although second class is a very good result, it also means that he will miss the provincial examination. There are only so many places in the provincial examination, and only first class will have a chance.
After this gentleman stepped down from the stage, he was led to the door and met with the people who had handed in papers in front of him. He waited until there were enough people to hand in papers before letting them out together.
After the man finished handing in his papers, Zhu Ping'an followed the clerk to the stage to hand in his papers. He leaned over and walked to the table where Mr. Zhao was sitting on the stage, and knelt down to receive instructions.
In this evil feudal society, kneel to your sister! Or kneel to a treacherous minister!
Zhu Ping'an knelt in front of several cases, with a respectful expression on his face, but he was already complaining in his heart.
Hey, this student is so young?!
Mr. Zhao Wenhua and Mr. Zhao were a little surprised when they saw Zhu Ping'an. He was so young, but there was still a slight contempt in his heart. Such a young man should be a supervising student donated by his family. His true talent and learning may not be consistent. He could be given a third- or second-class rating.
.
However, when he received the test paper from the clerk, Zhao Wenhua was even more surprised, because it was marked on the test paper that Zhu Ping'an was actually the leader of this year's college examination! This young man was not a prisoner, but passed the exam himself.
Head of case!
When he opened it again and saw Zhu Pingan's answer sheet, Zhao Wenhua's breathing became a little rapid.
As soon as I opened the book, I felt a rush of energy.
This font seems to be alive, the pen moves like a dragon and a snake, the iron draws a silver hook, and the ink penetrates the iron inkstone.
Just looking at this font, it’s not an exaggeration to give it a first-class rating.
Looking at the content again, Mr. Zhao Wenhua and Mr. Zhao couldn't help but pick up the tea placed next to him and took two sips in succession. After reading Zhu Ping'an's eight-legged essay and policy theory, the clerk next to him had to refill Mr. Zhao's tea twice.
Zhao Wenhua read Zhu Pingan's test paper twice, stroked his beard and looked carefully at Zhu Pingan who was kneeling under the stage, put down the test paper in his hand and asked:
"How old are you?"
Zhu Ping'an, who was kneeling down and slandering, heard Zhao Wenhua's inquiry and respectfully replied:
"Sir, I am thirteen this year."
Zhao Wenhua nodded, looked at Zhu Ping'an and suddenly asked: "What's the indecent gift?"
Hearing this, the other examiners and instructors on the stage were also a little surprised. In the past, the practice was just to ask some scriptures and let the students recite one or two. It was just a formality. How could it suddenly become this difficult now?
Question, people around could not help but look at Zhu Pingan with some sympathy. (To be continued...)