When the bells and drums in Jixian rang in the early morning, many young scholars came out one after another from major inns. They wore plain headscarves and robes, and carried baskets in their hands. In the baskets were placed their
Pens, inks, paper and inkstones. Nowadays, pens, inks, paper and inkstones have become popular in Youzhou. They are no longer something that only wealthy families can have. These scholars all looked nervous and quite excited. Occasionally, one or two scholars smiled.
, it would arouse the disdain of other scholars, and these scholars started from each village and headed towards the school grounds in the city, because there was a test that decided their fate waiting for them.
Among these nervous and excited scholars, there was one person who looked indifferent. He was quite tall, and he seemed to stand out among the group of scholars. In addition, he had a delicate appearance and was wearing a starched white gown.
, causing many people to look at him, but this person still showed no expression. Suddenly someone shouted: "Brother Ji Gui! Please wait a moment!" The person looked back, with a smile on his face.
, the person who came was none other than his friend Mao Jie, whom he met not long ago. Mao Jie, whose courtesy name was Xiaoxian, was from Pingqiu, Chenliu County. He was originally a small official in Chenliu County. Hearing that Liu Lin held an opening ceremony to obtain scholars in Youzhou, he resigned.
After losing his job in the county, he took his wife to Jixian County, Youzhou, and rented a courtyard to live in the east of Jixian County. He happened to be next door to it, and the two became good friends.
"Brother Ji Gui, I went to your home just now. The boy at home said that you had just gone out. I thought you must not have gone far, so I quickly chased you out. Fortunately, I still caught up!" Mao Jie used
His sleeves were fanning. Even though it was already late autumn, he was really hot after jogging all the way. This person named Ji Gui, whose real name was Cui Yan, was from Wucheng, Dongdong, Qinghe. His ancestors had also been officials before, but since the resurgence of Guangwu,
, the powerful family controls the government, and ordinary people like them will never have a chance. Even so, the ancestors of the Cui family still hope that there will be a few officials in the family to light up the family, so they have always paid more attention to the education of their children. In Cui Yan's generation,
Although his father had never been an official, he left behind a lot of books, which were enough for Cui Yan and his two brothers to study. This time Liu Lin opened a subject in Youzhou to obtain a scholar. This was his opportunity, a leap from the dragon gate.
, although he attaches great importance to this opportunity, he also knows that there are so many poor families in the world, and many of them have great talents, so although he hopes for it, he does not show it.
Cui Yan saw that although Mao Jie's tone was calm, he was still a little dissatisfied. After all, he had promised to wait for him yesterday, but now he was gone alone. He handed over to Mao Jie and said apologetically: "I went to find you just now.
When I walked to the door, I happened to hear your wife talking to you, so I didn't disturb you. I hope Xiao will forgive me first!" Mao Jie knew Cui Yan's character. He didn't talk much on weekdays and had many things on his mind. This happened to him.
Relatedly, he is now 30 years old, but he is still poor. There is one brother in the family, but he has not yet married. He probably just saw his wife arranging his clothes, so he felt something in his heart and left. Mao Jie saw Cui Yan like this
, then he said with a smile: "Okay, it's my fault for wasting time!" After that, he glanced at the crowd in front of him and said, "Let's go quickly! It will probably take some time when we get to the front in a while!"
Cui Yan nodded after hearing this.
When the two of them walked to the school grounds in the city, many people had already arrived one after another. Most of these people were scholars in simple clothes. Of course, there were also a few young people in gorgeous brocade clothes, but standing among a group of commoners
Among the scholars, there was a slight feeling of standing out from the crowd, which made many scholars look down upon them. Of course, these people could not be the children of those wealthy and aristocratic families. After all, the wealthy and aristocratic families were not willing to come to such a place, and those who they usually looked down upon.
The common people from poor families fight together for these small officials. As soon as they are born, their fate has been determined that they will be the pillars of the imperial court in the future. They rely on the family's influence, rely on their filial piety and integrity, and rely on their family to aspire to the imperial court.
peak.
And these young men wearing gorgeous brocade clothes are the children of these merchants. Originally, they were scholars, farmers, industrialists, and merchants, and merchants were the most looked down upon. Originally, merchants were not allowed to wear shoes or brocade clothes outside, and could only wear coarse linen clothes.
However, Liu Lin carried out restructuring in Youzhou, which greatly improved the status of merchants. Not only could merchants wear brocade clothes, but they could also become officials as long as they were capable. The most obvious ones are Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping, both of whom have become Youzhou nobles.
Cao Shi, a householder in the state, is a leader among businessmen. Of course, the Mi family cannot compare with them. After all, he has a girl who is the wife of Yanhou Liu Lin.
Businessmen such as Mi Jia, Su Shuang, and Zhang Shiping became official officials. This caused a lot of sensation among businessmen. Many businessmen from all over the country went to Youzhou one after another, bringing rapid development to Youzhou's economy. Although these
Many people are not like them, but at least they see hope. Even if they have no hope, don't they have sons and grandsons? This is a good hope. They believe that one day, their children and grandchildren will
He will also become one of the imperial officials.
The scholars have gathered outside the school ground. The school ground in the city was originally where Liu Lin's garrison was located. However, for this imperial examination, Liu Lin ordered that the school ground be temporarily changed into an examination room. The school ground has been surrounded by fences, and from the military camp.
Three thousand sergeants were transferred from the middle school to maintain discipline in the examination room. When the second tom sounded, the gate of the school grounds opened and a group of soldiers walked out surrounded by a burly general. He was none other than General Hua Xiong of the Military Guard.
He was originally Dong Zhuo's general. When Liu Lin attacked Xingyang, he took refuge with Liu Lin. As soon as Hua Xiong came out, he shouted to the scholars outside the door: "According to the order of Marquis Yan, this scientific examination is for the purpose of
To prevent someone from cheating, all entry-level scholars must be inspected by sergeants!" Hua Xiong's expression turned cold when he said this, and he said loudly: "I said something ugly earlier, if some of the entourage is discovered by the sergeants, not only will the exam be cancelled, but they will also be punished.
It’s a bad thing, so I would like to advise everyone, if there is any, you should deal with it as soon as possible!”
Hua Xiong's words aroused dissatisfaction among some scholars. They shouted loudly: "We are all sons of sages. How could we do such a thing? You letting the sergeants search us is an insult to us. We protest!" Hua Xiong!
Xiong glanced sideways at the scholars and said loudly: "This is also to show fairness. If you don't want to, you can leave!" After saying that, he said loudly: "It's time to start!" Cui Yan and Mao Jie said to each other.
After taking a look, they walked forward. When they reached the door, a sergeant stopped them and began to search them one by one. The sergeant searched very carefully, not missing an inch. After a while, the sergeant finished the search, and Hua Xiong looked at it.
The two of them glanced at each other and said: "You two can come in!" With these two men showing off, the scholars standing outside the school grounds all moved forward.