Chapter 550: Steps to Heaven, 'Not Sleeping' Bachelor
Luoyang Imperial City, Imperial Study Room.
A small-scale imperial meeting ended shortly after it started.
Zhang Yu and Khu Fu, who hurried back to the capital to resume their duties, both retreated with serious faces.
Shi Lingzhen, a woman in colorful clothes who temporarily served as a female official after Rong Zhen went out, looked away from the backs of Di Fuzi, Xie Xun and others who had finished their speeches and left the house.
She stood next to a mysterious black dragon couch behind the bead curtain, lowering her head slightly, not daring to look at the expression of the old woman on the dragon couch in front of her.
In the imperial study room, outside the bead curtain, there were still five figures left, who did not retreat.
They are Li Lun, Wei Jisi, Wei Sixing, Princess Changle, and a young Princess Wei. She is the granddaughter of one of the empress's sisters, and she usually takes care of them... They are all clan relatives.
Several people were stayed by the empress Wei Zhao, who gave them seats by the stove and gave them pepper and cypress wine.
This is a custom during New Year's Day in Guanzhong. According to folklore, drinking pepper and cypress wine can drive away evil spirits and diseases and prolong life.
Today is New Year's Day. Empress Wei Zhao has just returned to the palace after presiding over the Eastern Suburbs Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony. She left the five clan members in front of her and prepared to chat warmly. However, she received Zhang Yu and Hu Fu who had returned from Jiangzhou in a hurry.
information.
So, Master Di was immediately summoned and entered the palace with Ouyang Lianghan's teacher Xie Xun.
Inquire about Ouyang Lianghan's resignation...
After Master Di and Xie Xun retreated, the old woman on the couch behind the bead curtain did not say a word. The atmosphere inside and outside the imperial study was a bit quiet.
Lingzhen, who lowered his head, felt Her Majesty the Queen's gaze on her. She felt pressure in her heart, and her obedient head lowered even further.
She bit her lip, and while her eyes were filled with embarrassment, she also felt a little... helpless.
As a female official with a pen, she drafted the specific imperial edict for Ouyang Lianghan's promotion. Her Majesty the Queen just gave a few instructions and arranged for the promotions of "Acting Jiangzhou Governor" and "Jiangnan Supervisor Zuo Deputy Envoy".
But knowing the Holy Heart deeply, second only to Rong Zhen, I know that I must protect His Majesty’s majesty and face.
So when drafting the reasons for promotion in the imperial edict, she took a roundabout way and only said that Ouyang Lianghan had fulfilled his duties as Sima of Jiangzhou, and that he was filial to his parents at home, and that he was promoted because of his filial piety and reputation.
It was as if he had been promoted naturally, and he did not mention his contribution to the recent crisis when he was ordered to clean up the mess in Xunyang City, as well as the imperial court's intention to continue building the Donglin Buddha in need of him.
Anyway, smart people will definitely understand.
But Lingzhen never expected that Ouyang Lianghan would directly borrow her words on the spot and refuse directly on the grounds of serving his sick relative.
In particular, I heard from Khu Fu and others that Ouyang Lianghan even said at that time, "Fuwei Holy Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety."
This is very filial.
When Lingzhen, who was standing by just now, heard this, he was silenced anyway, and he tried very hard not to look at the expressions of Her Majesty the Queen and several Li and Wei clan relatives outside.
At present, no one can blame Ouyang Lianghan for his polite refusal, let alone find fault with this sentence.
Three concessions and three concessions are not unusual in the court.
Although in the past, those who could make three concessions were either high-ranking officials like the Prime Minister of the Political Affairs Hall, or respected old officials who begged for their bones. Like Ouyang Lianghan, there were very few who had such troubles at a young age, mainly because of big officials.
Most young officials do not have this qualification.
However, the Donglin Buddha statue in Jiangzhou now needs this person, and he is almost the only one.
This Ouyang Lianghan is indeed qualified to push and bargain.
But it's a bit impolite for you to "make three concessions and three concessions" so skillfully.
Moreover, according to what Zhang Yu and Hu Fu said, Ouyang Lianghan's aunt came out to receive the order lively at first, but after someone finished speaking, she suddenly fell ill... Could you have agreed in advance? Pretend to be more like it.
?If you do this, everyone will be embarrassed, okay...
Lingzhen couldn't help but think, could it be that the words she drafted in the previous edict to demote officials were too harsh and cold, which made this guy hold a grudge?
Sensing Her Majesty the Queen's gaze, Lingzhen lowered her head deeply, understanding that Her Majesty was somewhat blaming her for her incompetence in drafting the decree.
On the couch, the elderly empress seemed to be holding her forehead and speaking:
"Tell me, what can I give you? Marriage is not enough, and I want him to stay in Jiangzhou. What else is suitable for me to reward him."
Lingzhen stood with his hands down, not daring to raise his eyes.
This was actually the suggestion of Hu Fu, the eunuch who had just been envoyed. He was familiar with Ouyang Lianghan and knew that Ouyang Lianghan and Xie Xun's only daughter, Xie Lingjiang, were in love, so he proposed that Your Majesty grant them a direct marriage.
Because Ouyang Lianghan was from a poor family, and Xie Lingjiang was a girl with the fifth surname.
When a poor man marries a noble woman, even if the poor man is good enough, there is always a gap in family status. If Her Majesty the Queen personally grants the marriage, it can be regarded as a reward.
However, this proposal of granting a marriage was blocked by a sudden memorial from Rong Zhen in Jiangzhou, and he was firmly opposed to it.
The reason is that Ouyang Lianghan still needs to govern Jiangzhou and preside over the Buddha. It is better not to do things like this that distract talented ministers at the moment.
Speaking of which, this memorial to Feng Rongzhen was brought back by Hu Fu and Zhang Yu from Jiangzhou. Apparently, Hu Fu, Rong Zhen, Aunt Song and others mentioned this matter before leaving.
Looking at the confused look on Khufu's face just now after hearing the content of Rong Zhen's memorial, he obviously did not expect that the previously silent Rong Zhen daughter Shi of Jiangzhou had asked him to submit the memorial, and she was directly opposed to this matter.
However, Rong Zhen's objection alone could not stop Empress Wei Zhao's intention. After all, granting marriage to a poor man like Ouyang Lianghan would indeed save trouble and effort.
But after just summoning Ouyang Lianghan's mentor Xie Xun to consult about the matter, the empress gave up the idea completely.
Because Xie Xun also opposed the reward of marriage in court.
Of course there are a lot of reasons, similar to Rong Zhen.
However, the two kings of the Wei family, King Xiang and other discerning people could see that the great scholar Xie Xun was doting on his disciple, so he refused this useless reward for Ouyang Lianghan and wanted to exchange it for a more substantial reward.
Anyway, his old father would definitely be able to make the final decision on things like marriage contracts. How could he look down on Han Shituer?
After hearing the news, everyone in the royal study was an old fox, including Mrs. Di, who was also vague and said that it was up to His Majesty to make a decision.
At a certain moment, Lingzhen quickly glanced at the stern expression on Her Majesty the Queen's face.
He knew very well that Ouyang Lianghan could no longer find excuses to refuse this time.
It doesn't matter if you refuse once on the grounds of "filial piety", but if you repeat "three resignations and three concessions" a few more times, will the court lose face?
"Why is the elder feeling unwell? He was fine before, but after receiving His Majesty's edict, he becomes unwell?"
Wei Jisi, who was sitting by the fire, did not drink the wine in the cup and muttered with a somewhat unhappy look on his face.
Wei Sixing nodded and said expressionlessly:
"Then send the imperial doctor over to give his aunt a look, so that he can finally get the order."
Prime Minister Li Lun stood up and advised with a serious look on his face:
"Mother, what the two princes said is inappropriate. Talented people still need to be appeased. As for rewards, why not start with Ouyang Lianghan's aunt and confer a royal decree..."
Princess Changle also nodded in time.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing heard the words and had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"Can."
Empress Wei Zhao nodded lightly and asked again:
"What else? Isn't it too petty to add just one?"
Everyone was speechless for a moment.
At this moment, a palace attendant held a tray, walked in, lowered his head and reported:
"Your Majesty, the elder said that his memory is not very good. I was going to present something to Your Majesty just now. I only remembered it when I walked outside the imperial city and asked my slave to deliver it immediately."
"what?"
Empress Wei Zhao picked up a lone piece of paper on the tray with great interest and unfolded it.
"One poem and one article?"
She raised her eyebrows slightly.
Li Lun, who was warming himself by the fire, seemed to think of something and couldn't help but look up.
The Queen Mother inside the bead curtain seemed to be looking down at the manuscript for a while. At a certain moment, she chuckled softly.
"Old man, old man, you are really... really supporting this junior." He said with emotion.
"Your Majesty, what did the elder say?" Princess Changle asked curiously.
"It's nothing, I didn't say anything. The old man only sent me a poem about chrysanthemums and an article called "Teacher's Talk". You all know the authors of these two poems."
"who?"
After saying that, Empress Wei Zhao raised her head and said calmly without giving everyone time to chew:
"I know what to reward him."
The empress uttered two words, and silence fell into silence inside and outside the bead curtain.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing looked a bit puzzled.
Even Prime Minister Li Lun and Princess Chang Le stopped drinking and looked at each other, and they could see the surprise in each other's eyes...
A few days after New Year's Day, a Wenhua banquet hosted by the palace was in full swing.
At the annual Wenhua banquet, the empress received the scribes and scholars from Luoyang, as well as outstanding scholars selected from various places, and received articles praising his virtues that were circulated like snowflakes.
In the middle of the dinner, Xiang Wang Li Lun presented to the empress two anonymous works that were temporarily unknown in Luoyang.
One is called "Inscribed on the Chrysanthemum" and the other is called "The Master's Statement".
The author is the same person, and he is also a name that frequently appears in certain court affairs... Ouyang Lianghan.
However, Shilin's previous impression of this name was more of a gentleman who refused to obey orders, and a water conservancy expert who was proficient in the hydrology of the south of the Yangtze River.
And these two articles... once they appeared, they completely eclipsed the other articles behind the entire Wenhua Banquet.
The celebrities in Luoyang were very surprised and whispered among themselves. They were all talking about how Ouyang Lianghan was so elegant? How could he not know it before?
The empress Long Yan was so pleased that she received great reviews and praises. After the banquet, she directly conferred the title of Bachelor of Arts on Xiu Wen Guan, Sima Ouyang Lianghan of Jiangzhou.
For a time, there was a heated discussion among scholars, and the literati were stunned and envious.
In the study room of the Prime Minister's Mansion, even Xie Xun, who had been mentally prepared, looked surprised and looked at the smiling fat old man who was working with his head down behind the desk...
The post of Xiuwenguan bachelor was originally established by Emperor Taizong of the Great Qian Dynasty. The bachelors who entered the library were known as the Eighteen Scholars in history. Most of them were old people from Qiandi. They were Taizong's confidants, equivalent to think tanks, and led the national policy of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Later, during the "Two Saints" period of Emperor Gaozong and Queen Wei, there was gradually a need to bypass the constraints of the existing bureaucracy and make decisions on political affairs. Therefore, a small group of close officials were conferred as bachelors of Xiuwenguan, who could directly They went into the palace to report affairs, make drafts, and participate in secrets. They were equivalent to the "secretary team" of the Second Saint. This group of people was known as the "Beimen Bachelor" at that time, and they had power over the government and the public.
Now that the Great Zhou Dynasty has been established, Empress Wei no longer needs to use the Bachelor of Xiu Wen Guan to share the powers of the prime minister. However, the Xiu Wen Guan still exists, and the Bachelor's degree has become more of an honorary position and has begun to serve as a fast track to the officialdom of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Of course, there are still hard conditions, and it must have a recognized culture!
Although there are only fifth-grade bachelors in the Xiuwen Guan, they are only in name only, but those who join the library are all potential candidates for the future political affairs hall recognized by the government and the public... Gradually, it became known to the whole world that the Empress of the Zhou Dynasty "valued academicians over Confucian scholars." Literary scholars all over the world began to respect literature and culture. The so-called Confucian scholars are those who are passed the exam step by step, while bachelors are people with outstanding literary talent.
However, there is actually an unspoken rule here! Because of limited vision and resources, most of the outstanding children from poor families follow the path of Confucian scholars and take the imperial examinations all the way; while the children of wealthy families and high-ranking officials have their elders to pave the way and directly Focusing on the road to becoming a bachelor, he disdains the humble imperial examination with thousands of troops crossing the single-plank bridge. As soon as he debuts, he works hard to gain the reputation of Wenhua and strives to enter Xiuwenguan... There are currently six Xiuwenguan bachelors in office, all of whom are political ministers or ministers. The young generation of talented people who come from a noble family are valued by the Empress and Prince.
Now, Ouyang Lianghan, who was born as a poor scholar, has entered the Xiuwen Hall and became the seventh bachelor in the Great Zhou Dynasty! He is also the second youngest among them.
For a time, people in Luoyang were talking about it. After the two poems by Ouyang Lianghan came out, there were various interpretations. For example, in some circles of ladies in the capital, there was another heated discussion, especially the sentence " "Being low in position is shameful, being in high official position is close to flattery." He praised and criticized the world's customs and current affairs, and was deeply loved by them.
Different social classes like Ouyang Lianghan's poems and sentences differently, such as "There is no high or low, neither long nor young. Where the Tao exists, the teacher exists." It was widely spread among the lower-class scholars in Luoyang. , deeply fits their pain points, and is full of praise. What most people like is probably the catchy quatrain "If I were the Qing Emperor in another year, I would be rewarded with peach blossoms blooming together." The most popular comment is, Ouyang Lianghan's ambition is to be an official and a minister in the political affairs hall, and become the second Concubine Di. He has great ambitions... In short, he is very good and very energetic!
A certain person didn't know that his article was endorsed by His Highness the Prime Minister, and the empress helped to make him famous. Moreover, because the allusion of "a good scholar has not gone to bed yet" was recently spread in the capital, for a while, the scholars in Luoyang affectionately nicknamed him "the bachelor who has not gone to bed". ”.
If he knew about it, could he be nicknamed a more serious one if he had to complain about it? Sleepless Bachelor? It sounds like an unscrupulous old scholar who stays up in the middle of the night and goes to romantic places...
Jiangzhou, Xunyangdu.
On a morning after New Year's Day when the snow had just melted, Rong Zhen received Khufu, Zhang Yu and his party who had disembarked from the boat again.
After hearing the latest news in Luoyang, she first thought about it with a slightly cold expression. After a while, a cold and beautiful face showed an expression of disbelief: "What, Ouyang Lianghan has entered the Xiuwen Museum? He...how did he get into the Xiuwen Academy?
In the museum, aren't there all Wenhua Ci officials there, and they are all related to aristocratic families, and he comes from a humble family in Jiangyou..."
"It's too late to explain, Rong Nu Shi, where is Ouyang Sima now?" Khufu asked impatiently.
"The New Year's Day holiday hasn't ended yet, and he hasn't come on duty yet. He should be at the Huaiye Lane residence." Rong Zhen said with a dazed expression on his face, obviously still digesting the previous news.
"Go quickly, the snow is almost melting, and the Donglin Giant Buddha can't wait any longer. Construction will start in early spring. We can't let Mr. Ouyang resign. If we go back and forth a few times, the old bones of the Za family will fall apart."
Zhang Yu, who was standing behind, urged with a grimace... After being a eunuch who delivered orders for so many years, he had never encountered such a difficult order. In the past, those who received orders would give him money, but now Zhang Yu couldn't wait for this Ouyang.
Sima can accept his money and receive orders.
However, although the matter was urgent, the group did not go to Huaiye Lane immediately. Instead, at Hu Fu's sudden suggestion, they rushed to the Xingzifang construction site and found a certain old woman with white eyes.
Aunt Song, the deputy superintendent of Si Tianjian, was burning morning incense in the mourning hall of her beloved disciple. She greeted the visitors with a lonely face. After a while, after Hu Fu and others expressed their intention to come, Aunt Song showed an incredulous expression and pointed at her own
A wrinkled face asked:
"What are you talking about? You want me to invite him in person? He deserves it, it's impossible, absolutely impossible!"
However, after learning the content of the imperial edict, Grandma Song's expression changed.