Chapter three hundred and sixty seventh Gongyuan fire
At this time, the atmosphere in the Grand Duke was extremely tense. There were rows of red candles, and it was as bright as day. Wu Daonan, a bachelor of the cabinet, and Liu Chuxian, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, were sitting in the middle.
There were conferring officials, copying officials, reading officials, as well as room officials from the 20th Five Classics Room and eighty-two grading officials. The light and shadow of the candlelight, bright and dark, reflected everyone's faces and various expressions, including surprise and astonishment.
, sneer, cold eyes, anxiety, worry, confusion, fear, it has nothing to do with oneself, gloating...
There will be a short period of silence after the fierce dispute. At this time, outside the gate of Gongyuan, which is more than half a mile away from Zhigong, the surging noise reaches the ears of the examiners like a river tide. Even though the gate is heavily guarded,
I can't stop this sound...
As a cabinet minister, Wu Daonan encountered such a difficult problem for his first time presiding over an examination. His expression was extremely solemn——
This afternoon, Wu Daonan and deputy examiner Liu Chuxian discussed ranking the 344 Chinese-style red scrolls. Among these 344 red scrolls, there are 205 southern scrolls and 139 northern scrolls.
, this must be determined first, and then the top of the five classics, "Poetry", "Yi", "Li", and "Book", are all determined after some discussion, but the top of the "Spring and Autumn" classics
But it made the two examiners very embarrassed. The problem lies in the ink scroll whose first question violates the temple taboo of the late emperor. If we talk about the eight-part inscription on the Spring and Autumn Period in this ink scroll, it is undoubtedly the title of "Spring and Autumn", but we can't adjust the ink yet.
When the test paper comes for examination, it is impossible to determine whether the examinee made a mistake in his busy schedule or was framed by someone. If the examinee made a mistake on his own, then it would be a joke to designate this red examination paper as the best one. But what if he was framed by someone?
There will be a big commotion when the ink roll is called -
Liu Chuxian said: "This volume is not appropriate as the leader of the Spring and Autumn Annals. It has too much influence. It can be ranked sixth. If the candidate is indeed framed, ranking sixth will not be a disgrace to him. In fact, he will test the ranking."
It doesn’t matter, as long as you get the best result. The real ranking is still in the palace examination - and if the candidate’s mistake is his own, then he will be deposed. It is better to depose a sixth place than to be deposed - that’s a lot more words."
Wu Daonan said: "Liu Shangshu's words are reasonable."
So according to Liu Chuxian's suggestion, a paper recommended by the second room of "Spring and Autumn" was designated as the leader of the "Spring and Autumn" classics. Now that the leader of the five classics had been decided, he began to fill in the red number draft list until the evening, and immediately completed it.
The draft list was handed over to the outer curtain. The supervisor, the promotion officer, and the officer who received the roll collected the corresponding ink scroll according to the number. At this time, the keys of the inner and outer curtains were opened, and the inner and outer curtain officials gathered at the Zhigong. Press
It is customary for the examiners to first eat a bowl of pink fruit to satisfy their hunger. This kind of pink fruit is made from pounded japonica rice and soaked in lard to make the outer skin. It is then stuffed with tea leaves, fresh bamboo shoots, meat cubes and amanita, which is the name of the capital.
A little bit, it can suit most people’s taste——
Wu Daonan, however, didn't have time to eat the pink fruit. He invited Liu Chu over first. The two examiners first found out the ink scroll that was ranked sixth according to the number. After checking it, they both breathed a sigh of relief and asked Zhang Heming.
He and Xu Guangqi were called over and asked to look at the ink scroll——
Zhang Heming looked at the first title of the ink volume. As expected, the word "Mu" was not missing, and it was indeed illegal. He sighed repeatedly: "What a pity, what a pity!"
Xu Guangqi put on the goggles given to him by Zhang Yuan and examined them carefully. It was clear that the character "Mu" was not missing in the first question. Xu Guangqi looked through the second and third questions and finally discovered a major problem. He straightened up and took off the
Glasses, said to the two examiners and Zhang Heming: "Master Wu Ge, Liu Shangshu, Master Zhang, the handwriting and ink color of this question are slightly different from the other six questions. I think this ink scroll has been exchanged."
"
As soon as this statement came out, it was so shocking that all the examiners heard it. They stopped eating the delicious pink fruit and gathered around to ask what happened——
Wu Daonan had a look of hesitation on his face. He didn't want to make any mistakes in the examination he was presiding over. Originally, he thought that the matter of checking the ink scroll would be over and the unsealing roll call could go on as usual, which meant that one less Jinshi would be admitted.
That's all. Unexpectedly, Xu Guangqi seemed to have decided that there was a big problem with this scroll, and also made the shocking statement that the ink scroll had been exchanged. This is more serious than the transcriptionist secretly changing the ink scroll——
Wu Daonan frowned and said, "Xu Zanshan, this matter is not trivial. You should be careful what you say."
Xu Guangqi said: "Please carefully compare the handwriting on the first question of this ink paper with the other six questions. The handwriting on the first question is similar to the candidate's handwriting on other papers at first glance, but you can still see the difference if you look closely.
The small regular script calligraphy of the first title is soft, and it inadvertently reveals the writing style of the two kings. It can be said that the writing skills are profound. Except for this title, the other titles include the imperial edicts of the second field and the policy questions of the three fields. The small regular script style is unified.
He is dignified and unrestrained, but his calligraphy is actually mediocre and not good. It is not as good as the calligraphy of the first question. It can also be seen that the writer of this question deliberately imitated the candidate's small regular script and suppressed his own.
Advantages: Looking at the ink color, although they all use pine smoke ink, as long as the ink is not from the same inkstone, you can see the subtle differences in the ink color. The length and priority of grinding the ink have an impact on the ink color——
"
Xu Guangqi talks about Tao Lai, Wu Daonan, Liu Chuxian, Zhang Heming and others deal with pen and ink all day long. They have been immersed in Taoism for decades. After a closer look, it is natural to know that what Xu Guangqi said makes sense, but the subtle differences in pen and ink cannot be used as evidence after all.
The first volume is completely different from the other volumes. As for the difference in handwriting, it is difficult to say. Unless there is an obvious difference, it is normal for the handwriting written by the same person at different times to have some differences. The second room of "Spring and Autumn"
Official Wei Guangwei pointed this out——
Xu Guangqi said: "In addition to the main paper, there is also a rough paper. I proposed to transfer the candidate's rough paper for review."
The candidate's main paper and drafts must be handed in. The main paper is handed over from the examiner's office to the sealing officer, and the draft paper is kept by the examinee's officer. The draft paper does not have a header -
The officer who was awarded the title of Mi was Zhou Yingqiu, a fifth-rank doctor in the Ministry of Rites, who was a member of the Wei family of Jinshan in Songjiang Prefecture. Zhou Yingqiu said with an expression of anger, "What does Mr. Xu mean by this? Is he suspicious that Zhou cheated during the ceremony?"
Xu Guangqi cupped his hands and said: "Mr. Zhou, I have no intention of doing this. I am just doing it for the sake of justice. There are many doubts about this scroll. We should find the grass scroll and compare it. If the grass scroll matches the ink scroll, then Mr. Wu Ge and the others will be fine."
Open the envelope with peace of mind and write down the correct list. Otherwise, if there is a mistake, the examination will be returned to the examinee as a failed examination. Then the examinee will see that this question was not written by him at all, and I am afraid it will not look good if he makes a fuss.
."
Zhou Yingqiu sneered and said: "In any subject, there are no failed candidates who go crazy and make troubles. I have never seen failed candidates who have to hold the examiner accountable whenever they cause trouble - I'm afraid Mr. Xu has other motives."
In order to preserve the dignity of the examiners, the imperial court would not pursue any minor errors that occurred during the marking process. For example, some candidates failed the examination and found that the examiner only read the first four lines of his first performance. The examiner was so irresponsible, but the candidates except
What can you do if you complain——
Xu Guangqi said: "As examiners, we are ordered by the emperor to select scholars for the country, and it is our duty to be rigorous and fair. Except for the first question in this examination paper, which is illegal, the rest of the questions, whether they are questions on the Four Books and Eight Parts, the Spring and Autumn Period, or the imperial edict and policy questions,
.There are 421 examination papers in one room of "Spring and Autumn", and no one is better than Wu Ge Lao and Dean Liu. It is also a pity for talents. This paper is left behind and will be determined after it is found to be correct.
Or be deposed, why not? Why would Mr. Zhou be involved with other motives? Can't we have a fair heart in doing things?"
Zhou Yingqiu sneered and said: "Everyone thinks they are fair, but who is being unfair?"
"Xu Zanshan is so concerned about this examination paper. Does he know who this candidate is?"
The person who spoke was Wei Guangwei. Wei Guangwei and Xu Guangqi were Jinshi in the same subject. They were both the examiners of the Spring and Autumn Room for the Guichou Examination. Because Xu Guangqi recommended three of the examination papers that Wei Guangwei had rejected and all of them were eventually awarded Jinshi. Wei Guangwei himself
He felt that he had lost his face and hated him ever since. It was Wei Guangwei who spread rumors that Xu Guangqi had invaded and occupied farmland in Tianjin Wei——
Xu Guangqi was very well-educated and did not get angry. He pointed at the sealed ink scroll and said: "This ink scroll was only seen by the official at this time, and the seal has not been opened. How could the official know the name of this candidate? Could it be Wei?"
Sir, do you know?"
Wei Guangwei narrowed his slender eyes and asked solemnly: "What do you mean by Master Xu's words?"
Xu Guangqi said calmly: "Master Wei asked me if I knew this candidate. I said no, and then asked Master Wei, why not?"
Wu Daonan frowned and said, "Your Majesty, no disputes are allowed."
Official Zhou Yingqiu naturally knew who the examination paper belonged to. At this time, he heard Wei Guangwei and Xu Guangqi arguing. His mind flashed, and he raised his hand to Wu Daonan. Liu Chuxian said: "Mr. Wu Ge, Liu Shangshu. All the examiners are here, you might as well be a
Witness, please open this ink scroll now and see which candidate with extraordinary powers can be recommended to the Supreme Lord by the marking officer for violating the taboos of the late emperor's temple?"
Zhou Yingqiu wanted to divert the attention of the officials from the examination papers to the candidates. He knew that Xu Guangqi and Zhang Yuan had a common teacher, Jiao Hong. As long as he grasped this fact, Xu Guangqi would have trouble telling the difference——
Although Xu Guangqi was not sure that the test paper was Zhang Yuan's, how could it be Yingqiu's trap last week, saying: "Now we are talking about the test paper, not the candidates. There has never been a rule in the school to open the paper before admission is confirmed."
Wei Guangwei sneered: "These ink scrolls were obtained from the outer curtain according to the red number draft list. Aren't they all those who have been admitted? What is the rule for the ink scrolls that have not been admitted to appear here?"
Wu Daonan spoke: "It is my decision to write this examination paper into the draft list. I will bear any responsibility. Now let's invite Dr. Zhou, Xu Zanshan and the examinee Li Langzhong to go to the outer curtain to adjust the draft paper and check it. How about it?
"
Zhou Yingqiu coughed all the way and went outside to spit. He came back and said: "Mr. Wu Ge, there are 8,000 copies of the scrolls, none of them are numbered. We need to compare the text and find out when. Wouldn't it be a mistake to write the list? Gongyuan
There are eight thousand people waiting outside the gate."
"There is no harm in releasing the results an hour later." Wu Daonan was determined to find out the matter, and ordered: "Send two more clerks, and compare the question of 'Is the Old Gentleman' in the second part of the first session, and it will be right.
That's it, the title of this scroll is -" He opened the scroll and looked at it, and read: "I have been worried all my life, and I have been blessed with good worries." He read it again and asked: "Have you remembered the three of them?
"
Xu Guangqi and Li Langzhong both said they had remembered it. Zhou Yingqiu was the most cautious. He walked to Wu Daonan, looked at the paper carefully, and softly recited the question "I am an old gentleman" twice, and then walked out with Xu and Li.
But he came back and said: "Mr. Wu Ge, Liu Shangshu, the transcriber who copied this scroll must be detained first, otherwise he may flee in fear of crime."
Zhou Yingqiu changed his previous attitude and seemed to side with Xu Guangqi, believing that the transcriber had been framed by fraud——
Wu Daonan waved his hand and said: "It is still uncertain whether there is fraud or frame-up. How can we arrest people randomly? Let's go and check the straw papers first. You three adults, please go and come back quickly."
After Zhou Yingqiu, Xu Guangqi, and Li Sicheng left, the Duke became quiet, and all the officials looked at each other. At this time, the ink scrolls in the past department were already being opened, the names were called loudly, and the official list was written with laughter. But on the eve of the release of the results in the current department, this was what happened.
Such a scene!
All the officials sat silently, waiting for Zhou Yingqiu and three others to take out the grass rolls for inspection. Suddenly they heard a commotion behind the Duke, and faintly heard someone shouting: "There's a fire, there's a fire!"
All the officials were shocked and came out to see. The noise came from the direction of Jukui. Jukui was close to the north end of Gongyuan, half a mile away from Zhigong. Even a fire would not threaten this place. Looking at the intensity of the fire, it did not jump up to the eaves, but only seemed to be shining brightly.
There were a few more lanterns lit over there. It was expected that the fire would not be very big. The officials felt relieved. A supervisor rushed to direct the trumpet troops to put out the fire. I thought the fire would be put out quickly, but unexpectedly it only lasted for less than half an hour.
The firelight gradually dimmed——
Liu Chuxian looked at the fire in the direction of Jukui and whispered to Wu Daonan: "Mr. Wu Ge, the place where the fire broke out seems to be the house where the ink scrolls and grass scrolls are kept."
Wu Daonan's long eyebrows trembled and he said in a pensive voice: "What a powerful method. In the inner city of the capital and under the emperor's feet, these people are allowed to do whatever they want." He ordered the patrol censor and the transcriber to immediately arrest the man named Zhuo Xiaosheng.
The transcriber came to question him——
After waiting for another two moments, the officers Li Sicheng, Xu Guangqi, and Zhou Yingqiu came back. All three of them participated in organizing the army to put out the fire. At this time, they all looked embarrassed. Li Sicheng looked extremely ugly and turned to Wu Daonan.
, the two examiners Liu Chuxian apologized and said: "Xiaoguan neglected to protect himself, causing most of the preserved manuscripts to be destroyed, and more than a hundred copies of the ink scrolls were burned. I will resign tomorrow."
Xu Guangqi sighed: "The remaining small part of the grass roll has become mushy due to the water being poured on it to put out the fire, making it tasteless and unrecognizable."
Without saying a word, Wu Daonan returned to the Supreme Court and waited for the patrol censor and the transcriber to reply. The transcriber came back first and reported: "Mr. Wu Ge, the transcriber named Ye Xiaosheng has been nowhere to be found. I must have found him."
He took advantage of the fire and chaos to escape."
Wu Daonan patted the case and said: "Immediately investigate and we must catch this Ye Xiaosheng."
Transcription students and intercom students are all recruited from students in the prefectures and counties near the capital. They have names and surnames, so there is no escape. But now, how to write the list?
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