In the past, it was just a mountain outside Zhongqing City with no official name and only a slang name given by local people. Now, because Lumen Academy is located here, it has the elegant name of Lumen Mountain.
There have been rumors throughout the country that this academy was built under the decree of His Majesty.
Not to mention that the plaque on the gate of Lumen Academy is the handiwork of Feng Bao, the eunuch who is most trusted by His Majesty today. It is said that the craftsmen who built the academy before were all transferred from the labor force, which made many people doubt this rumor.
Believe it or not.
A few days ago, the imperial edict that had just been issued allowed the disciples recommended by Lumen Academy to directly enter the second imperial examination without passing the preliminary examination. This made people who originally did not believe the rumors change their minds.
The Lumen Academy here has officially become the most sacred place in the country, second only to Jixia Academy. Countless scholars who were unable to study at Baijia for various reasons chose to study here.
The not-wide mountain path that was built before has been voluntarily widened by the college disciples. On the mountain path, the students wearing the uniforms of the college disciples are high-spirited, their eyebrows are flying when they talk, and they have the air of wanton young ambition.
With so many academy disciples, a market, albeit simple but lively, gradually appeared at the foot of Lumen Mountain. The nearby people gathered at the foot of the mountain carrying local products and goods.
There are also smart people who brought all kinds of snacks and put them in the open air, constantly attracting people and shouting. The students of the college were also very considerate, and the business was quite good.
Sure enough, everyone knows that college students make the best money...
Yang Yuhuan had a gauze on her face, and her eyes were shining brightly as she kept looking around. Under the veil, she sniffed lightly, looking curious and greedy.
This place, filled with the atmosphere of a folk market, was obviously something people like her rarely saw.
Xiao Cheng noticed her appearance, curved the corner of his mouth, and chuckled:
"Go and have a look yourself!"
Yang Yuhuan's eyes lit up and he said happily:
"May I?"
Although she said that, before Xiao Cheng nodded again, she stepped forward with joy, took Nan Rongshu's hand, and said:
"Sister Nanrong, let's go together!"
When Nan Rongshu heard this, a look of emotion appeared on her face. But she noticed Bian Liuyun standing next to Xiao Cheng, smiling gently.
He looked at the two of them tenderly and softly, with a tolerant look, which gave people the impression that he was leaning on his husband's side and looking at the misbehaving children with a smile on his face.
This feeling made Nan Rongshu uncomfortable. She frowned immediately, turned around and hugged Xiao Cheng's arm affectionately, saying:
"No, it's boring!"
The words were addressed to Yang Yuhuan, but his eyes were looking at Bian Liuyun, with a hint of demonstration.
But Nan Rongshu never noticed that her extremely childish behavior made her even more childish.
Xiao Cheng moved his arm, only to find that it was stuck in a soft and greasy state, and he couldn't pull it out at all.
He sighed with a headache, turned to look at Bian Liuyun, and said:
"You should go for a walk too."
Xiao Cheng left the palace today. Although he had serious business, he saw that the three girls had been bored in the palace for a long time, so he took the opportunity to take them out of the palace to relax.
Although Nan Rongshu and Bian Liuyun were not born to deal with each other, after all, they were just secretly jealous and never acted in front of Xiao Cheng, which made him forget about it.
Now that three of them are brought out at once, a problem has indeed arisen.
I have to say that I felt a little secretly happy when they were jealous of each other. But after a long time, they really couldn't stand it anymore, so Xiao Cheng simply let them go out and hang out, so that they could argue about anything without having to do anything.
Hearing Xiao Cheng's words, Bian Liuyun nodded slightly, took Yang Yuhuan's hand, and said with a smile:
"Let's go!"
After saying that, he glanced at Nan Rongshu with a half-smile, and pretended to pull her away with him.
Bian Liuyun had already seen Nan Rongshu's intention at this time, but still just pulled Yang Yuhuan to leave without saying hello to Nan Rongshu.
Obviously, this was a deliberate attempt to tease Nan Rongshu.
Xiao Cheng looked at Nan Rongshu beside him and said:
"Let's go together!"
Hearing this, Nan Rongshu leaned her head on Xiao Cheng's shoulder and said in a sweet voice:
"No, I want to stay with you, Your Majesty, Mr. Lang..."
Xiao Cheng had goosebumps all over his body, almost shuddered, and said hurriedly:
"No, how many times have I told you to speak normally!"
He paused and noticed that Nan Rongshu was still looking at the two people leaving. He immediately laughed and said:
"You really don't want to go? Today happens to be a coincidence. I will take you out next time, but I don't know when it will be!"
When Nan Rongshu heard this, her beautiful eyebrows moved, and her hands holding Xiao Cheng relaxed slightly, obviously she was a little moved.
But at this time, she still looked arrogant and turned around and said:
"I don't want to! I just like to be by your husband's side!"
Xiao Cheng curled his lips, changed the topic, and said like coaxing a child:
"You let her take Yuhuan away, otherwise the relationship between the two will get better and better in the future and leave you aside..."
As soon as these words came out, Nan Rongshu suddenly felt vigilant in her heart.
Win over the harem concubines and isolate yourself...
Suddenly, the various methods of palace fighting seen in the storybook appeared in her mind one by one, making her immediately alert.
no!
Thinking of this, Nan Rongshu suddenly let go of Xiao Cheng's arm and said with burning eyes:
"Nowadays, we are called sisters. The two of them rarely come out. I'd better take care of them reluctantly..."
After saying that, she smiled brightly at Xiao Cheng, waved her hand, and then quickly caught up with the two who had not gone far.
The three women are all graceful and beautiful women, but at this time, their faces are covered with gauze, so their appearance cannot be seen clearly. Not to mention Nan Rongshu, Bian Liuyun has superb martial arts and can be called a master.
Just saying that at this time, there were overt and covert Forbidden Army masters, guards at Sticking Station, and Dongchang fans protecting them, so Xiao Cheng was not worried about any accidents.
After seeing the three people off, Xiao Cheng looked up at Lu Mensheng Mountain and said in a deep voice:
"Let's go!"
Coming today, Xiao Cheng didn't forget that he still had serious things to do.
Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, Xiao Yu, Yang Yanhe, Wen Tiren and other officials, who had been very knowledgeable before, were far away behind them. At this time, when they saw the three empresses walking away, they quickly walked to Xiao Cheng's side and joined them together.
Heading towards Lumen Academy on the mountain.
Because of the previous regulations promulgated by the Central Government, students recommended by Lumen Academy can be exempted from the preliminary examination of the imperial examination.
Last year's preliminary examination of the imperial examination was actually not difficult. Any scholar who is determined to learn will not be stumped.
But now among the middle schools, apart from Jixia Academy and Lumen Academy, no other academy has this privilege. This can be regarded as recognition of the status of Lumen Academy, which has attracted many students to study here.
At this time, the academy on the mountain was undergoing major construction work to accommodate more students studying here. It is said that Sima Hui has also raised the admission threshold for the academy.
Gu Qin/span Judging from these two points, the Lumen Academy is no longer what it was when it was just built, with Sima Hui and Pang De Gong leading seven or eight disciples.
As soon as everyone reached the academy on the mountain, they were stopped by several young students in front of the door. They politely said to the group:
"I also ask for your understanding. Today, the academy is holding an exemption examination. No unrelated persons will be admitted. If you want to enroll, please come back another day!"
Xiao Cheng and his party, except for Wen Tiren, who is already quite young, and Zhang Zhao, who is old and tired because he has to prepare for the imperial examination in early September, the rest of them all look like young scholars.
Although the leader, Xiao Cheng, is dressed in regular clothes, his graceful demeanor has not changed, and he looks like a young master from a noble family. Therefore, it is reasonable to misunderstand that he is a scholar who came to enroll after hearing about the reputation of the academy.
When Zhang Zhao and others heard this, they all looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
Several people came here, but it was just for the recommendation of Lumen Academy to be exempted from the exam!
In last year's imperial examination, the most energy-consuming part was not the most important re-examination, the imperial examination. It was the preliminary examination, which seemed to be the simplest, to select scholars.
The original imperial examination relied on local officials to select the scholars who participated in the imperial examination.
But in today's Yun Kingdom, hundreds of schools of thought are prevalent, so this method obviously doesn't work.
After all, disciples of hundreds of schools of thought may have different ideas. When the rule of law of Legalism meets the rule of etiquette of Confucianism, there is an irreconcilable contradiction and it is inevitable to be biased.
Because of this, Xiao Cheng, after discussing with Zhang Zhao, proposed that the government and the public should recommend exemptions among officials and private academies, in order to reduce the pressure on the court from the large number of scholars participating in the imperial examination.
This method has never been used before. And this Lumen Academy is the test!
Feng Bao, who was waiting on the side, looked at Xiao Cheng, and after getting a nod from Xiao Cheng, he said:
"I'm sure your two college deans will not refuse today."
The student who stopped everyone was stunned for a moment. After recalling the previous explanation from the college teacher, he frowned and shook his head:
"Please forgive me. We have not received any notice from the teacher that we have a distinguished guest coming. We don't know whether what you said is true or false, so we are not allowed to let you in..."
The student looked at the extraordinary demeanor of the group of people in front of him, especially the young scholar at the head, who had a graceful and majestic temperament that was really eye-catching among the people.
The student suddenly hesitated in his heart, hesitated for a moment, and then said bravely:
"You might as well ask everyone to wait a moment and let me go in to report!"
When Feng Bao heard this, he subconsciously looked at Xiao Cheng.
After all, the student in front of him had fulfilled his duties and had done nothing wrong with his etiquette and attitude. Naturally, Xiao Cheng had no objections.
Xiao Cheng nodded and said with a smile:
"That's fine..."
When the student heard this, he nodded immediately and turned around to go in and report.
"Wait a minute!" Feng Bao called out to them.
Looking at the scholars who came in to report, Feng Bao took out a small seal from his arms and ordered:
"Give it to your college principal and tell him that my master has arrived!"
The student touched the jade seal in his hand that was extremely warm and expensive. He turned it over and noticed the word "Shuanglin" engraved on it. He suddenly felt that it looked very familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere.
But I can't remember it.
He did not dare to be careless in his heart, and hurriedly bowed and left.
Noticing Xiao Cheng's questioning gaze, Feng Bao quickly said:
"That is my slave's private seal. With this, Mr. Sima must recognize it and save you a long wait!"
When Xiao Cheng heard this, his brows suddenly raised, and he noticed the "Lumen Academy" plaque above his head, which was inscribed by Feng Bao himself. The signature in the lower left corner was "Mr. Shuanglin".
With Feng Bao's private seal, it didn't take long before I heard the sound of several rapid footsteps.
Sima Hui and Pang Degong led several old men in robes with unique temperaments, all of whom looked like well-educated men, and walked quickly towards here.
At this time, Lumen Academy was no longer what it used to be like with two or three big cats and kittens. There were so many students that Sima Hui and Pang Degong alone were no longer enough to teach in person.
Needless to say, the learned men following him must be the gentlemen of today's academy.
Sima Hui led everyone to the entrance of the academy, and happened to see His Majesty leading a group of important officials in the court. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately wanted to pay homage.
But before he could salute, Xiao Cheng stepped forward, held his arm, smiled gently, and said:
"Mr. Sima, you are fine!"
When Sima Hui saw this, he understood immediately.
Your Majesty, you don’t want to reveal your identity!
Thinking of this, Sima Hui immediately followed his advice and changed the worship ceremony to a bow ceremony, saying respectfully:
"Everyone who has come here, please don't be offended if you miss me from afar!"
Zhang Zhao and other important officials faced Sima Hui's salute and returned the salute without even saying they dared.
Mr. Pang De and Sima Hui have been together for many years and are close friends. They immediately cooperated with the other college gentlemen and introduced:
"This is Mr. Xiao, he deserves a courtesy from you all!"
The gentlemen of the college knew the character of the two deans and would never be so respectful to someone just because of their status.
The noble young man in front of me is certainly not simple.
Out of their trust and admiration for the two of them, all the college gentlemen did not hesitate at all and immediately bowed respectfully to the young man Xiao Cheng and said:
"I've met Mr. Duan!"
Xiao Cheng smiled lightly, accepted the bow from everyone, and nodded slightly.
Pang Degong continued to face Xiao Cheng and introduced him respectfully:
"This is Mr. Feng Yufeng, Mr. Ji Ruiji, Mr. Teng Suteng...Mr. Zhu Shengzhu..."
"These are all teachers from our Lumen Academy who are of high moral character and have outstanding talents."
When Xiao Cheng heard this, he took another look at the middle-aged Confucian scholar Zhu Sheng.
Zhu Sheng was an advisor to the founding of the Ming Dynasty and became a Hanlin scholar.
The nine-character policy of "Build walls high, accumulate grain widely, and slowly become king" that Zhu Yuanzhang implemented at the beginning was his suggestion. In addition, he also formulated a ritual and music system for the Ming Dynasty, which was initially establishing the world, and collected
The story of the concubine was compiled into the book "Female Commandments".
A typical Confucian scholar-official who valued etiquette, compared to joining the court as an official, Xiao Cheng felt that teaching at Lumen Academy was not bad.
After all, historically, before he served Ming Taizu, he was a teacher who was good at teaching.
Xiao Cheng looked away and chuckled at Sima Hui:
"The reason I came here today is to take a look at Lumen Academy's recommended exemption exams!"
When Sima Hui heard this, he immediately understood in his heart, saluted Xiao Cheng and said:
"If that's the case, please invite Mr. Xiao to come with me!"