Chapter three hundred and seventy third palace test questions
The seal of the first-place ink scroll was removed. The clerk took a look at the name at the beginning of the scroll, cleared his throat, and loudly called out: "Zhang Yuan, Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province."
All the officials in the hall looked at each other and nodded. Zhang Yuan's craftsmanship has indeed withstood the test. Although he suffered setbacks and various criticisms, he once again proved his innocence with his excellent craftsmanship in this re-examination of the Ministry of Rites. He Caixue.
Deputy examiner Liu Chuxian also breathed a sigh of relief. It would be a pity if Zhang Yuan failed to perform well on the spot this time. It would also be very detrimental to the reputations of the two examiners, namely him and Mr. Wu Ge. Now Zhang Yuan ranks first in the re-examination. Once it blocks the mouths of those who have ulterior motives, it is clean and neat and very satisfying——
However, Huiyuan and Shen Tonghe lost the election, what should be done?
The official examiner Cong Zhe said: "Find Shen Tonghe's paper from among the unanswered papers."
The examiners from several rooms started to open the envelope together, and soon found Shen Tonghe's paper and handed it to Fang Shoufu. Fang Congzhe looked at Shouyi and frowned and said: "This 'letter and then admonishment' is very good, why can't it be recommended?" Come up?"
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Since Fang and his assistants all admired Shen Tonghe's craftsmanship, which examiner dismissed him? Is there a hidden secret behind it?
Han Guanghu, the official of the "Li Ke" in the Sutra Room, came forward and reported: "This paper was deposed by a lower official. The first work is indeed excellent, but please take a look at the next few chapters."
Fang Congzhe turned to the second Mencius question on "Zhiyi". He shook his head secretly after reading the question and the beginning of the speech. It was obviously far different from the first question. The third question on "Medium" was not good either. The contrast between several "big comparison" questions was unclear and the meaning was unclear. , look at the two classic questions again, Shen Tonghe is a student of Li Jing, but the first scripture question was not completed, and the second question was simply blank. Of course, such a test paper cannot be recommended——
Fang Congzhe tapped his knuckles on the desk and said thoughtfully: "When it comes to his first act, Shen Tonghe is talented. Why is he so abnormal later on?"
Han Guanghu said: "Zhao Mingyang also studied the Book of Rites. And this Shen Tonghe probably hasn't read through the Book of Rites, so I don't know the source of the second question, so I can't solve it. This is a piece of art. I'm guessing which book it must be from. I jotted down the collected works of the time and copied them silently when I happened to come across them."
It is very common to copy old works of predecessors in the examination room. Fang Congzhe recited about ten sentences of Shen Tonghe's first art to the examiners present, and asked: "Do you know which famous eight-gu master made this art?" Gui Zhenchuan Or Tang Jingchuan? The style of this article is similar to these two?"
The officials searched hard and shook their heads and said they couldn't remember.
Fang Congzhe glanced around and saw that the clerk in charge of opening numbers stretched his neck and hesitated to speak. Then he asked, "What do you have to say?"
The scribe hurriedly knelt down and said: "Master Qi, I have read this article before——"
All the officials in the hall paid attention to this fifty-year-old scribe. Fang Congzhe asked: "Who wrote it? In which collection did you see it?"
The scribe said: "It was written by Zhang Yuan of Shanyin. I read it in the collection "One Hundred and Twenty Essays of Zhang Jiezi's Time"."
All the officials looked at each other.
Fang Congzhe said in a deep voice: "Don't talk nonsense. Is there any evidence?"
The scribe said: "The junior official still has this collection of contemporary articles. You can take it and show it to the elder."
The clerk lived in the house in the back hall of the Ministry of Rites. He quickly took the volume of "One Hundred and Twenty Essays of Zhang Jiezi's Period" and turned it to this topic and presented it to Fang Congzhe. Fang Congzhe took a look at it and closed the book. To this scribe he said, "You are well versed in knowledge and memorization."
The scribe said respectfully: "I love reading all kinds of collections of contemporary essays. When I encounter a good eight-legged essay, I will drink and dine with it."
After saying this, several officials of the Ministry of Etiquette in the hall laughed. They had heard that there was such a person in the Ministry of Rites, who often read aloud eight-legged essays while drinking wine, and murmured to himself that if this essay was written by me, then wouldn't I? High school——
The other officials looked at each other in shock. It was a big joke that Shen Tonghe copied Zhang Yuan's old work. But it makes sense when you think about it. When you encounter this kind of question in the examination room, you can't do it well, but you just remember an article by the same author. When the essay was written, it was natural to copy it. If it weren't for this scribe, the examiners would not have known that the essay was plagiarized by Zhang Yuan. They were just suspicious. This is also due to Shen Tonghe's poor craftsmanship. In the past, he relied entirely on Zhao Mingyang, he doesn't even read the classic "Book of Rites". Otherwise, if he copies the first chapter of this re-examination, and if the next few chapters are passable, I'm afraid he won't be deposed. Of course, if it is revealed afterwards, then the world will The scholars will ridicule the examiners for their lack of knowledge and skills. The examination room is always full of all kinds of surprises——
The problem is now very clear. Shen Tonghe's examination was conducted through fraudulent Chinese methods. Shen Tonghe must go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice for trial and confess his accomplices in cheating. As for how Zhao Mingyang will be dealt with, that will be decided after the results of Shen Tonghe's interrogation are released.
The list of six people still had to be written. The list of six people was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Rites and posted on the screen wall outside the gate. It was attached next to the main list. The first place was Wen Zhenmeng, because Zhang Yuan did not count the six places he got in the re-examination. Among them, it was deserted when the results were posted, it was still dark, and the curfew was still in place. At noon, the curfew was lifted, and more than a hundred candidates arrived at almost the same time. Only Shen Tonghe and Zhao Mingyang did not come. Zhang Yuan saw that among the six people on the list, there were The names of Wen Zhenmeng and Xu Guanji were very happy. Two of the five members of the Han Society who participated in the re-examination were successful. This can be regarded as an unexpected help to the Han Society from the fire in Gongyuan. In this way, the Chinese style of the members of the Han Society in the Bingchen Science Examination The number of followers reached ten, and the influence of the Han Society in the DPRK began to take shape——
Although there were only six names of Wen Zhen and Meng on the re-examination list, the news that Zhang Yuan ranked first in the re-examination still spread quickly. Zhang Yuan's reputation was at the top among the 8,000 candidates in this exam, as well as Shen Tonghe It became a joke that Shouyi plagiarized Zhang Yuan's old works that had already been published. It's a pity that Yang Shixiang hasn't spread the book to the capital yet, otherwise Zhang Yuan's collection of contemporary essays would be more expensive than paper in Beijing——
In the afternoon of the day when the results of the re-examination were released, Shen Tonghe, a member of Jinke Hui, was arrested and brought to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation. Because the fifteenth day of this month was the period for the imperial examination, Emperor Wanli ordered that Shen Tonghe’s fraud should be found out within three days. In fact, it did not take three days. , Shen Tonghe has been pampered since he was a child, has good food and clothing, and has never suffered. Although Zhao Mingyang had previously told him to stick to it because he was in a bad mood during the re-examination, which led to his absurdity in arts and science, but in the face of the fierce and ferocious jailer of the Ministry of Punishment, Shen Tonghe had not even been punished. He was so frightened that he confessed everything. The person who arranged for him to live next to Zhao Mingyang was none other than Zhou Yingqiu, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites. There was also an eighth-rank deputy envoy of the Ministry of Rites named Fang who was also an accomplice. In order to smooth things over, Shen Tonghe sent Zhou Yingqiu away. Six thousand taels of silver were given. As for the two trumpet troops, each of them was temporarily given ten taels of silver——
The evidence is solid. Zhou Yingqiu, the doctor of the fifth rank of the Ministry of Etiquette, was finally imprisoned. The next step was to investigate the Gongyuan arson case. Zhao Mingyang was also questioned immediately. Jinke Huiyuan and the seventh place were cancelled. There was no Huiyuan in the examination. This is the Ming Dynasty It had never happened in more than 200 years for the imperial government to recruit scholars. Wu Daonan, the Second Assistant to the Cabinet, and Liu Chuxian, the Minister of Rites, jointly submitted a petition to the Wanli Emperor to replace Hui Yuan with Zhang Yuan. However, the Wanli Emperor did not give his approval——
Zhang Yuan didn't care much about whether he could replenish his title of Huiyuan. Huiyuan was just a false name. The key was to perform well in the palace examination. He was now fully preparing for the palace examination. The palace examination only tested one policy essay, which was personally composed by the emperor. Generally,
They were all issues concerning the national economy and people's livelihood that the emperor was more concerned about. Internal affairs, diplomacy, finance, and trade were all possible. However, by the end of Wanli, the imperial examination strategies had deteriorated somewhat. Most of the policy questions were based on the king's virtue, his heart, the emperor's heart, the holy knowledge, the holy government and other exaggerated lies.
Candidates only need to write some big words, empty words, and compliments according to fixed routines to successfully pass the palace examination. The palace examination will not depose the candidates, and will only rank the top three according to the policies and texts——
Since Zhang Yuan became a scholar in Sanyuan Lianjie, he has spent relatively less time on craftsmanship, and has paid more attention to various policies and current conditions of the Ming Dynasty. His foresight and foresight are unmatched by others, and this time he was tested in the palace.
He didn't intend to write some clichés of compliments and praises. He wanted to write about his true insights. From now on, the scholar's salvation of the country will begin——
On March 13, the Bureau of Ceremonies reported that Emperor Wanli had appointed a record reader and a deacon. The record reader consisted of two ministers from the cabinet, the Six Ministers, the Metropolitan Inspectorate, the General Affairs Department, and the official of Dali Temple, as well as
James Mansion and the Hanlin Academy were composed of fourteen officials. The examiners were the two censors, the examiner was the Ministry of Industry Yuan Wailang, the examiner was the director of the Ministry of Works, and the official Mi Feng was the secretary, Supervisor Cheng.
The anti-reading officers are Sicheng of Shangbaosi and two editors of the Hanlin Academy. The other supervisors and inspectors are responsible for suppressing the Qianhu of the Si.
…
At the end of Yin time on March 14, Zhang Yuan got up early and took a shower. Mu Zhenzhen rubbed his wet hair and helped him put on the robe, crown and boots issued by the Ministry of Etiquette yesterday. The examination basket was still prepared with pens, ink, and inkstones——
It was still dark, and the lights were flickering. Mu Zhenzhen looked at the young master who was freshly dressed and looked very relaxed. He was not nervous about the imperial examination, and asked: "Master, do you want to bring some Wanping plums to eat?"
Zhang Yuan likes to eat those kind of plums, but at this moment he shook his head and said: "Eat it after you come back from the palace examination. Your stomach should be empty during the examination. When you are full, you will not think about anything."
There was a knock on the door, and Shang Zhouzuo's voice said: "Meson, how are you preparing? Let's eat together with the plaque, and I will go to Chengtianmen with you."
Zhang Yuan ate half a bowl of meat-stuffed food. It was already dawn and he went out with his brother-in-law Shang Zhouzuo. Jing Hui walked out of the second door and said to Zhang Yuan: "Uncle Zhang, no one dares to harm me this time when I take the exam in front of the emperor."
If you do, you must get the top score in the exam."
Zhang Yuan turned around and saw that the little girl's front hair was cut flat, and the neat ends of her hair were just above her eyebrows. She had black hair, delicate eyebrows, clear eyes, and pursed lips with a smile. She was very cute, vaguely like a little aunt.
Dan Ran's shadow, Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "If Dan Ran gives birth to a daughter for me this time, I wonder if it will look a bit like Xiao Hui?" He smiled and said: "Okay, I will definitely work hard."
Shang Zhouzuo smiled, thinking that his sister-in-law did not dare to say that he would be number one this time. It was very possible for him to be in the top three.
When the carriage drove outside the Daming Gate, it was bright. Zhang Yuan got off the car with the examination basket, gathered in the lobby of the Ministry of Etiquette, and lined up according to the examination ranking. Zhang Yuan was sixth in the examination, and now he is fifth. The top four are ranked respectively.
It was Laifu, He Fengsheng, Qian Shisheng, Hong Chengchou, and Wen Zhenmeng who re-examined the Chinese style. The six people were at the bottom. A total of 348 people walked through the Qianbu Corridor under the leadership of He Zongyan, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the official of the Five Classics Room.
and the Jinshui and White Jade Bridge, arriving outside Chengtian Gate——
In addition to the usual Jinwu guards on duty at Chengtianmen today, there are also two hundred Han generals from the Imperial Guard. The Han generals are not really generals, but also palace guards. Each of these Han generals is nearly six feet tall, wearing wind-winged helmets and golden armor.
, tall and majestic, majestic, neatly lined up on both sides of Chengtian Gate, holding their hands on the hilts of their knives, staring at the candidates passing in front of them——
This time the inspection is not focused on carrying books, but on whether you are carrying weapons. This is just a precaution. Which candidate would bring a sword into the palace? Isn't this looking for death?
After the inspection, the Five Classics Room Officer stayed outside the gate. Three hundred and forty-eight candidates followed He Shilang into Chengtianmen, Duanmen, passed the Sixth Corridor, and then entered the Meridian Gate. There were Jinwu on both sides. The Yulin Guards lined up like
Welcome is like surveillance——
On the right side of the Meridian Gate is the Huiji Gate, inside which are the Cabinet Room, Wenhua Hall and the Imperial Pharmacy. On the left side is the Guiji Gate. Opposite the majestic gatehouse is the Huangji Gate. In front of Jiajing is called Fengtian Gate. At this time, that
The red lacquer door several feet high was still closed tightly, and all the candidates were silent. After waiting for a moment, the morning sun shone over from the imperial pharmacy, but they heard the sound of drums and the door slowly opened. Zhang Yuan, who was standing in front, saw the emperor.
The square in front of the Ji Palace and the Huang Ji Palace built on a three-story stone platform at the end of the square. Although it is still a mile away from the gate, the majestic royal style has enveloped it, making people feel excited.
A sense of solemnity and solemnity.
He Shilang led the candidates through the bluestone-paved square in front of the palace and stood outside Danbi. Then fourteen record readers and dozens of deacons, headed by Fang Congzhe and Wu Daonan, came in and stood outside Danbi.
Your Majesty, according to the ancestral system, the emperor is required to ascend to the palace, accept the salutes of hundreds of officials and give advice on the spot. However, Emperor Wanli has not been in court for many years. He has not come to the imperial examination in recent years, and Jinke is no exception. Two cabinet ministers
He led all the officials to bow before the emperor's throne, and the 348 candidates also kowtowed five times and three times, and then stood on both sides——
The officials of Guanglu Temple have already neatly placed the 348 examination papers in the main hall. The Huangji Hall is 32 feet wide and 16 feet deep. It is grand and tall and can accommodate nearly 400 examination papers.
All the candidates took their seats in order and began to polish their ink and wait for the papers to be handed out——
The fourteen examiners stayed in the Wenhua Hall last night, and each drafted a topic. The eunuch who was the Supervisor of Ceremonies sent the eunuch to the Qianqing Palace to have the emperor circle a topic with his pen, and then sealed it and returned it to the cabinet, which was in the cabinet lobby.
The chamberlain who was ordered to be a prisoner printed three hundred and forty-eight copies on the spot. The inner and outer doors were isolated when printing the title, and the title was never allowed to be leaked out in advance——
The project title was handed out, and when Zhang Yuan stared at it, the title printed on the front of the volume was:
"Zhi said: I have inherited the great authority, and have been working hard day and night. I only want to correct the outline and spread it to all eyes, cultivate benevolence, kindness, and govern the country, so that people's ethics will be better than those below, and the customs will be thicker than those below. The people will be rich and have no worries about losing their homes.
However, there have been frequent famines in various provinces in recent years. I am anxious and have few good strategies for disaster relief and famine preparation. If you have any good strategies to alleviate disasters and bring good fortune to me, please write them down clearly in this article. If you don’t want to be too general, I will take a look at them personally.
"
————————————————————
Thank you book friends for your support and encouragement, and continue to ask for all kinds of votes.
{Piaotian Literature www.piaotian.com thanks all book friends for their support, your support is our greatest motivation}