The Zhigong Hall of Shuntian Prefecture is seven rooms wide, with five ridges hanging from the top of the mountain. It has blue brick walls and glazed tiles. It is the most magnificent building in the Gongyuan of Shuntian Prefecture. The three characters "Zhigongtang" on the plaque were handwritten by Zhang Juzheng in the early years of Wanli when he ordered the reconstruction of the Gongyuan.
After the death of Zhang Juzheng, the Wanli Emperor liquidated him and almost opened the coffin to kill his body. Most of the effective New Deal implemented by Zhang Juzheng was abolished, but no one has replaced this plaque, and it still hangs high today——
There is a black painted wall in the third room on the right side of the Zigong Hall. The illegal red scrolls are posted here. There are about forty or fifty copies, covering most of the wall. Some of these illegal scrolls are because of the first seven chapters.
The words "Fanqi" and "Dajie" are the same, some are violations of the imperial edict format, and some are self-narrating life stories in the papers, but this is the only paper that violates temple taboos. Xu Guangqi bowed slightly and was reading the paper carefully.
As he turned the pages, from the second to the seventh chapter, the setting sun shone through the two persimmon trees in front of the hall that had lost all their leaves. Xu Guangqi looked solemn. He put down the paper he had lifted and walked on the corridor for a while.
Step by step, I made up my mind and returned to the first room of the "Spring and Autumn" review, and invited Zhang Heming, the room official, to come here to see the results——
After reading it, Zhang Heming said for a long time: "This should be the best work in the current examination. Unfortunately, it is a taboo. If it was just a violation of smearing on the paper, I would take the paper to Dean Liu to intercede. Unfortunately,
It's a pity that there is nothing I can do to help."
Zhang Heming shook his head repeatedly, his regret was beyond words.
Xu Guangqi refused to give up just like that. He dared to conclude that this paper was written by Zhang Yuan. He had to help Junior Brother Zhang and said: "Master Zhang, please carefully distinguish the difference between the first chapter of this violation and the other six chapters."
Zhang Heming looked at the first article carefully, frowned and said: "This first article is much inferior to the other six articles. Who knows why the examinee would be so confused and violate the temple taboo!"
"Master Zhang, please read this last article." Xu Guangqi turned to the last page of the paper and pointed to the missing word "jun": "This student wrote the last article. He should be exhausted when he was exhausted.
I still remember to avoid the taboo of the imperial name, how could I violate the taboo of the late emperor's temple in the first article!"
Zhang Heming raised his thick eyebrows. He looked sideways at Xu Guangqi with a solemn expression and asked: "Xu Hanlin means that there is an error in the transcription of the first chapter of this volume?"
Xu Guangqi said: "It should be done deliberately."
Fraud in the examination room is not a trivial matter. Zhang Heming looked at the stamp on the ink scroll. The transcriber's name was Zhuo Xiaosheng, and said: "But the seal and ink examination roll must be opened after the results are released——"
Xu Guangqi said: "If we wait to verify it after the results are released, wouldn't it be too late?"
Zhang Heming looked directly at Xu Guangqi and asked, "Do you know who this candidate is?"
Xu Guangqi shook his head and said: "I don't know, but talents are rare. I believe Mr. Zhang thinks so too."
Zhang Heming nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Brother Zi Xian and I will go to see Dean Liu to see if we can make an exception and test this ink scroll." Then he took off the posted scroll, and the room official took it off.
The illegal papers that were posted are then removed. This requires a certain amount of responsibility, because it is easy to be criticized and impeached afterwards.
Dean Liu is Liu Chuxian, the deputy examiner of the Jinke Examination. He holds many positions. He is not only the Minister of Rites, but also a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and in charge of the affairs of Zhan Shi's house. He is Xu Guangqi's immediate boss——
In the deputy chief examination marking room, Liu Chu first listened to the words of Zhang Heming and Xu Guangqi, and then carefully looked at the three scrolls. Except for the first technique, which was against the standard, the rest, whether it was eight parts of classics or imperial edicts, were all of excellent craftsmanship.
, Liu Chuxian muttered: "This matter is so big that we have to ask Mr. Wu Ge to make the decision."
So Liu Chuxian led Zhang and Xu to the examiner Wu Daonan. Wu Daonan was a native of Chongren, Jiangxi. He was ranked second in Ji Chou in the 17th year of Wanli. He served successively as Shaozhanshi, right minister of the Ministry of Rites, and was appointed to the cabinet as an assistant minister and an official last year.
He is honest, upright and approachable. He does not belong to Donglin, nor to the three parties of Zhejiang, Chu and Qi. However, Wu Daonan first exposed Han Jing, the No. 1 scholar in Gengxu Branch, for allegedly cheating on public relations six years ago, and Han Jing was Tang Bin, the leader of the Xuan Party.
Yin's protégé, the Propaganda Party naturally regarded Wu Daonan as an enemy. This time Wu Daonan presided over the Bingchen Science Examination. The Propaganda Party officials in North Korea and China were all staring at Wu Daonan. Therefore, Wu Daonan was extremely cautious behind the curtains of the Gongyuan and tried not to give others any leverage.
Unexpectedly, something happened. Deputy examiner Liu Chuxian and Zhang Heming from Chunqiu Fang, Xu Guangqi gave him a difficult problem——
Wu Daonan read the paper and found that the workmanship was indeed excellent. Even if he was chosen as the first Huiyuan, no one could criticize him. However, the taboos in the first paper were so clear and the transcriber had supplementary notes. This showed that the transcriber could not have made the mistake accidentally.
Then there are only two possibilities. One is that the original ink scroll is indeed like this, but the candidate has carefully crafted it, but there is a big loophole in the most critical part, which can only be blamed for his fate; the other is that the transcription student named Zhuo Xiaosheng was
The candidate was bribed to deliberately write incorrectly to frame the candidate, but the ink scroll was already sealed when it was delivered to the transcription office. How could the transcription student identify which ink scroll belonged to the person he wanted to frame?
Thinking about this, Wu Daonan couldn't help but feel horrified. If the transcriber really wanted to frame this candidate and could confirm the sealed ink scroll, it would mean that the transcriber had an accomplice in Gongyuan. If this was involved, it would be a big deal.
A big imperial examination case is about to happen, and I'm afraid it will be very unfavorable for him as the chief examiner. The spokespersons of the Xuan Party, the Qi Party, and even the Zhejiang Party will definitely make big waves with this matter, but if they say that they want to suppress the matter and ignore it,
Regardless of that, there will be endless troubles, and Wu Daonan is definitely not that kind of person——
After thinking deeply, Wu Daonan said: "The original ink roll was kept at the examination paper office in the outer curtain. Now that the inner and outer curtains are isolated, it is impossible to go to the outer curtain to retrieve the ink roll for testing. There is only one way at the moment. Leave this paper at my place for the time being.
It is considered successful. There are 344 people selected in this examination. When I filled out the red number draft list, I added the roll number at the end, and then handed it over to the supervisor to get the ink scroll for inspection. If the ink scroll is the first art,
If you violate the rules, you will be deposed. It is okay to select one less person. There is a precedent for this past examination. If there is really fraud and fraud, then we will start a strict investigation from this transcription student and never let go of the culprit behind the scenes - Liu Shangshu, the three of you.
What do you think?"
Liu Chuxian, Zhang Heming, and Xu Guangqi all said: "Mr. Wu Ge handled things very roughly, and the lower officials respect him."
In this way, the grading turmoil in the "Spring and Autumn" grading room has temporarily subsided. The grading and recommendation of the papers in the inner curtain are carried out as usual. The red draft list and the ink adjustment roll are written, the envelopes are opened, and the roll call will begin on the evening of February 26th.
February 27th is the official release date——
…
Early that morning, Zhang Yuan was practicing Tai Chi between two large lotus vats in the courtyard. Shang Zhouzuo opened the door and stood on the high steps to watch. Zhang Yuan stopped and saluted his brother-in-law. Shang Zhouzuo smiled.
He said: "Jiezi, today is Dan Ran's 20th birthday. Do you still remember?" The younger sister Dan Ran lost her parents when she was young and grew up with her brother and sister-in-law. Shang Zhouzuo paid more attention to his younger sister's birthday than his two daughters' birthdays.
I still remember it clearly.
Zhang Yuan responded: "Yes. I have been going to see Danran on her birthday in the past few years, but this year we are separated from each other. I miss her so much." What he is most concerned about now is Danran's delivery.
Zhou Zuo of Shang Dynasty raised his eyes and looked at the ridge of the house in the east wing opposite. His eyes were far away and he said: "It's February in Kuaiji, spring is warm and the flowers are blooming. The apricot flowers in Xinghua Temple are all blooming now. Time flies by, and my sister's eyes are turning indifferently in the blink of an eye."
It's been ten years, and I haven't seen her for more than five years." He lowered his eyes and looked at Zhang Yuan: "Jiezi, this time you won the Jinshi. You will take her to the capital, um, in July or August.
The weather was neither too cold nor too hot at that time." Shang Zhouzuo watched Zhang Yuan's three performances. He said he would definitely win, depending on his ranking.
Xiao Jinghui walked out with a smile. This girl is always so happy. The maid Fanghua has been waiting for her to wash up. The girl's hair covers her forehead in front and hangs down her shoulders in the back. She no longer wears bloated winter clothes and fur coats, but a thin coat.
She looked petite and smart in a long skirt. She first bowed to her father and Zhang Yuan, and then asked crisply: "Dad, when my little aunt comes to Beijing, will she also bring the baby?"
Shang Zhouzuo smiled and said: "Of course."
Xiao Jinghui asked Zhang Yuan: "Does Mr. Zhang prefer male babies or female babies?"
Zhang Yuan smiled and replied: "I like them all."
Xiao Jinghui said: "Then let each of the little aunts have one."
Shang Zhouzuo said with a straight face: "No gossiping."
Xiao Jinghui looked at his father's face and realized that he was not angry. He then said: "Dad, today is my aunt's birthday, so tomorrow is my birthday. Tomorrow I want Mr. Zhang's uncle to take me to visit Manjing. Please allow me."
."
Shang Zhouzuo frowned and said, "Are you going to pester your uncle again?"
Zhang Yuan said to Zhou Zuo of Shang Dynasty: "Brother, I have promised to go to Manjing with Jinglan and Jinghui a long time ago. Tomorrow my clan uncle, clan brother and Qi Huzi will all go. When the results are released, no matter if you win or not,
I’m afraid I don’t have time and I’m not in the mood to play anymore.”
Shang Zhouzuo nodded in agreement, and Xiao Jinghui was very happy. He raised his eyebrows and smiled at Zhang Yuan, and skipped to the backyard to see Mu Zhenzhen practicing the Xiao Panlong Stick.
Shang Zhouzuo looked at his little daughter's back and said to Zhang Yuan: "At first, I had my feet bound and cried in pain. I couldn't bear it, so I didn't let her have them bound. As a result, these two little ones are just like her aunt.
I’m not satisfied anymore, I used to worry that they wouldn’t be able to get married, haha.”
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Brother is wise, it's better not to tie your feet."
Zhou Zuo of Shang Dynasty said: "It's also fate. I happened to meet Jiezi and he didn't like to have his feet bound."
Zhang Yuandao: "I will call on my colleagues in the Han Society to abandon this bad habit of foot-binding, and Qi Huzi has already responded enthusiastically."
Shang Zhouzuo laughed loudly, and Fu's chuckle could be heard in the west wing room.
After Zhou Zuo of Shang Dynasty went to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Zhang Yuan also took Wu Ling and Wang Dachui out to Dalongfu Temple. Today he summoned everyone from the Han Society to gather at Dalongfu Temple. Zhang Lianfang, Hong Chengchou, Huang Ting, Sun Yuanhua, and others
More than a dozen Zhejiang juren also participated, showing their craftsmanship in their respective examination halls, criticizing and discussing with each other, and recommended Zhang Yuan's craftsmanship as the first. They believed that Zhang Yuan had a chance to win the first place this time. Zhang Yuan himself was of course very humble.
Yes, the results of the general examination are determined by the examiners, and the official recommendation of Han Society cannot be counted——
At dusk, Zhang Yuan returned to his brother-in-law's courtyard house. Mu Zhenzhen greeted him with several letters in his hand and said happily: "Young master, Miss Ruoxi, Weigu, and letters from Qingpu Yang Xiucai have arrived."
"Sister, they must have just received my letter. Why is there a letter coming?"
Zhang Yuan was very happy. He opened his sister's letter first and read it. His sister's letter was written on New Year's Eve. His letter had just been sent out at that time. Of course, his sister had not received it yet. She was just worried about her younger brother who was going to Beijing.
I wrote a letter first. Shengmei Company had entered into a cooperation contract with the Civil Information Bureau at the end of November last year. The Civil Information Bureau would give priority to letters or items from Shengmei Company and deliver them with high quality. Zhang Ruoxi informed her brother Zhang Yuan in the letter.
Knowing the recent development of Shengmei Company, apart from Qingpu, the Hangzhou branch is the most profitable. The Nanjing branch will open in early February of the new year. It is also prepared by Wang Wei. Wang Wei has a great business acumen. At this moment, she writes
Wang Wei was beside her in the letter. At the end of the letter, Zhang Ruoxi said that she would leave for her mother's house in Shanyin in early February to help her mother take good care of Dan Ran. Please rest assured Zhang Yuan——
But in Wang's WeChat message, there was no mention of Shengmei Company. The letter was full of affection. At the end of the letter was a poem she wrote when she was parked by the Baijiang River on her way from Nanjing to Qingpu. The poem said:
"A leaf floats endlessly in the sky, cold clouds and wind cut the water and flow westward. Every village has a pestle in the moonlight, crickets are everywhere in the frost. Autumn is everywhere in the sky. Guests think of dreams thousands of miles away at night, and the bells are ringing at the fifth hour of the night. I am worried. Where can I trust each other?
, the smoke in the desert is like a fishing boat.”
The poem is beautifully written and pitiful.
Zhang Yuan smiled and finally read Yang Shixiang's letter. Yang Shixiang reported to him the situation of Hanshe Bookstore. Twenty volumes of "Yu Shi Ming Yan" have been published and printed, as well as the first ten volumes of "Jing Shi Tong Yan", and the sales momentum is very good.
In the year of Yi Mao, Hanshe Bookstore (excluding Fan Wenruo's Suzhou branch) made a total profit of 1,867 taels. According to the contract that the bookstore's profits in the first three years will not be distributed as dividends, all of this money has been transferred to shareholders.
of additional share capital—
Xiao Jinghui came over and asked: "Brother Mr. Zhang, has my aunt replied to the letter?"
Zhang Yuandao: "No, it's a letter from my sister in Qingpu." He changed the subject and said, "We are going to visit Manjing early tomorrow morning. Are you ready?"
Xiao Jinghui said happily: "Are you ready? Will you go at dawn tomorrow?"
Zhang Yuandao: "Let the kitchen cook the food early, and then go after eating."
…
Early the next morning, Qi Biaojia arrived, hired two carriages, and had a meal at his father-in-law's house. Zhang Lianfang, Zhang Dai's uncle and nephew also arrived, and they all brought their wives, so they brought Jinglan and Jinghui sisters with them.
Let's go to visit Manjing together. Manjing is located in the northeast of the outer city of Beijing. It is about twelve or three miles from Dongsi Archway to Manjing. The carriage left Dongzhimen and turned north. It took half an hour to arrive.
In early spring, ladies and gentlemen from the capital gathered outside Andingmen, all coming to visit Manjing. However, when they saw the high willow trees and the embankment, the sky was vast. The ladies and gentlemen from the capital, who had been trapped in the city for several months due to the severe cold and ice, seemed to be freed from their cages at this time.
His face was beaming with joy, and he looked at the distant mountains. The mountains were washed by winter snow, and they were as fresh and bright as a beautiful girl's new makeup. Looking closely at the ancient Hao River, the ice and snow melted, the waves were bright, and the willow branches on the shore would be relaxed and soft.
The breeze is blowing and the spring is full of joy——
The two girls, Jing Lan and Jing Hui, were the happiest. After three years in Beijing, this was the first time they went outside Beicheng. Little Jing Hui looked around and asked, "Where is Manjing?"
Zhang Lianfang loves to swim. Every spring he visits the well. He points to an octagonal pavilion not far away and says: "The well is in the pavilion."
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The final highlight of the imperial examination, book friends, please have more patience and support, the results will be announced tomorrow, it will be exciting, uh, advertisement.
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