This is where the palace examinations are arranged.
The people who served as editors were Zhao Pian, the right secretary, Jia An, the Hanlin scholar, and Fan Shidao, the censor of Shizhi.
The Imperial Examination Arrangement Officer of the Arrangement Office needs to do two things. One is to be in charge of the arrangement of the font sizes of the examination papers.
There is another matter of grading candidates. This matter was originally handled by the scheduling officer alone. However, five years after Jingyou, this matter was handled by the inspection officer and the scheduling officer jointly.
The arranger and examiner will select 127 candidates from the 187 Jinshi examination candidates and rank them into the third, fourth and fifth grades. The remaining 60 will be sent to the preliminary examiner for determination.
For first and second class.
Zhao Bian, Jia An, and Fan Shidao, who served as editors, were all famous officials in the dynasty, and Jia An was the top scholar.
The red candles were shining brightly in the arrangement office. As soon as the three examiners received the papers, they first reviewed and approved the arrangement name. Soon they heard that the emperor was coming in person.
The three examiners left the meeting in a hurry. They all knew that although the emperor had been in power for more than forty years, he still paid close attention to the scientific examination. After taking the examination during the day, he went to the Chongzheng Hall, and after the examination, he visited the arrangement office in person.
One trip.
After hearing this, the emperor comforted the three examiners and left.
Immediately, the eunuchs from the Imperial Medicine Institute went to the Houshui Pavilion Arrangement Office to pass the order to the three examiners to attend the exams. After speaking, the two ministers brought a food case, which contained food and wine given by the emperor.
Seeing that the emperor attached so much importance to him, the three examiners did not dare to neglect him and immediately sealed his name on the 187 examination papers.
After sealing the paper, the editor will take the words from the jade chapter at the beginning of the paper and determine the font size, and then send it to the transcription office for copying. After that, the copied paper will be handed over to the inspection officer and the editor for joint review.
The examiner has the right to decide the grade, but the organizer can only supervise. If he upgrades the paper without authorization, he will be demoted one level.
The next day, I went to the examination center.
Several inspection officers and the arrangement officer worked together to determine the examination papers in detail.
The two inspectors were Sun Tan and Zheng Mu. Among them, Zheng Mu was a marquis and had a good relationship with Chen Xiang, and was known as the Four Binhai Masters.
The five examiners first selected sixty volumes and presented them to the junior officers, and then ranked the remaining one hundred and twenty-seven volumes.
Before the exam, the emperor personally set the standards for the fifth-class papers.
First-class knowledge, pure rhetoric, outstanding and unique, unparalleled.
The second-class talents should be proficient in learning, thorough in arts and sciences, and can be regarded as high-ranking among the crowd.
Third-class arts are acceptable, and students are proficient in arts and sciences.
As for the fourth and fifth grades, there is no need to say more.
That is to say, several examiners must first screen out sixty papers. In other words, the first and second-class papers must be able to make the examiners shine. As for the third-class papers, it is impossible to make mistakes. Although they have merits, they are not enough to stand out.
Several examination officials had just sat down, and the eunuchs of the imperial medicine office were about to serve tea when the imperial commander came to the examination office in person.
The five examiners were surprised. Counting this, this was the third time the emperor had visited in person.
In the past, although the emperor attached great importance to the palace examination, he had never been so concerned about it.
The five examiners, with Jia An as the leader, thanked the emperor. The emperor comforted the examiners with gentle words, and then ordered the internal officials to come and give wine and food to the examiners in person.
What can the examiners say to each other? The emperor is so gracious, so the only way to repay his kindness is to work hard to take the exam.
As for how to repay your kindness? That is to quarrel!
They were all fighting over the ranking of a paper, and everyone had to fight with anger to make a noise, let the eunuchs and servants of the imperial medicine hospital know about it, and then spread it to the ears of the emperor.
Zhao Pian glanced through the scrolls and happened to see a scroll, which was titled "The King Leads the People, One of the Four Seas".
Zhao Pian looked up and saw that the other four officials were reviewing the papers. He immediately picked up the paper titled "笾".
Zhao Pian read it over again. To be fair, this poem is average, but Naihe's poems and essays are so wonderful that he would recommend it highly. Naihe had just had an argument with two prosecutors and his face was red and his neck was thick, so it was hard to hold him back.
, so he said to Master Fan on the side: "What do you think of this volume, Zaduan?"
Fan Shidao glanced at Zhao Pian, and then said: "Wait a moment."
Zhao Pian held the paper and waited for Fan Shidao to finish reading the paper in his hand.
When Fan Shidao saw this, he thought that Zhao Si was really stubborn.
Fan Shidao thought of this and asked, "Si Jian, what's different about this volume?"
Zhao Bian said: "I have seen the names of the candidates in this paper before when I was arranging them, so in order to avoid suspicion, I also asked other people to discuss their merits."
Master Fan said: "That's it, let me take a look."
Fan Shidao read the first sentence first, but when he saw that the king led the people, he was one of the four seas, and he suddenly woke up.
Fan Shidao couldn't help but pick up a pen and write a circle on the side about Wang Ba's theory.
Immediately, Fan Shidao took a pen and read it word by word, line by line, and criticized it one after another: "The poem is good, and the theory is excellent, but it's a pity that the poem is a little inferior."
After Fan Shidao finished speaking, he handed it to Jia An and said, "Nei Han, please take a look. It was recommended by Zhao Si."
Jia An was born as the number one scholar. Not only was he good at writing, he was also known for his uprightness.
His expression was indifferent, which was in sharp contrast to Fan Shidao's surprise. However, he took the paper and looked at it. When he saw that it was full of Fan Shidao's dots, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Jia An sighed slightly after reading a few sentences, then read it with all his attention, and at the same time picked up his pen to make notes.
Sun Tan and Zheng Mu also looked over. Zheng Mu said: "I must have seen some good scrolls."
Sun Tan said: "It is not surprising that among the more than 180 Jinshi papers, a good one can be found."
Zheng Mu said: "I have only read one-fifth of the volume. How can we come to a conclusion so quickly?"
While speaking, Jia An had already finished reading and said: "The Fu is good, the theory is particularly wonderful, um..."
Jia An twisted his beard for a moment and then said: "But his poetry is mediocre... That's right, has Wang Jiefu accepted any students recently?"
What did these words mean? Sun Tan and Zheng Mu could not help but speculate.
Fan Shidao and Zhao Pengfang finished their conversation, and then said: "Zhao Si remonstrated to give up the right to recommend. I think this volume can be ranked first or second class. I don't know what Mr. Jia means?"
Jia Anxi's words were like gold and he said: "Yes."
Two of the three arrangement officers recommend it, but it still depends on the two review officers to decide whether to enter the first or second class.
After reading it, Sun Tan waited for the realization that the imperial examination article could be written, but he said: "I can't judge this article... I'd better ask Mr. Zheng to finish reading it."
Sun Tan handed it over to Zheng Mu. There are subtleties in the official evaluation. These people are all ministers of the dynasty. The higher they get to high positions, the more cautious they speak. They have not yet understood the mystery. The background relationship of the candidates will not be known.
He praises easily, but criticism comes easily.
Zheng Mu knew in his heart that this volume was very good without being criticized by these people, so he couldn't wait to see it.
However, Zheng Mu was known as a true Confucian and would not be prejudged by other people's opinions.
Even though Zheng Mu had been prepared in his heart, he was shocked when he first saw it. From the great unification of the Spring and Autumn Period to the noble people of Mencius, the transitions were very skillful and there was no sense of splicing. It can be seen from this that
This candidate has a very good foundation in Confucianism.
Zheng Mu thought that Mencius was most highly praised by Wang Anshi in both the government and the public. No wonder Jia Gonghui said that Mencius was a student of Wang Jiefu. Not only that, his writing style of being broad-minded but not single-minded, and concise but not trivial was also very similar to Wang Jiefu's.
Zheng Mu didn't think much about it. When he saw the final strategy, he couldn't help but marvel. The three paragraphs of the discussion were each surprising, and the final conclusion was the finishing touch.
Zheng Mu couldn't help but wonder who could write such an article. He was probably the leader of this department.
However, Zheng Mu suppressed the idea of asking. It was not up to him to decide whether he was the number one scholar. In this way, the first examiner, the second examiner, and the detailed examiner all agreed, and finally the emperor made the decision.
In the end, Zheng Mu's heart was in turmoil, but he just said lightly: "I have no objection."
Sun Tan then added: "I have no objection."
The five examiners actually reached a consensus without saying a word.
Finally, Sun Tan wrote a comment on the scroll: "Excellent knowledge, pure rhetoric, outstanding and unique, unparalleled."
The five examiners each wrote their names and unanimously recommended this paper as a first-class paper.
After that, put it together with the other volume.
It should be noted that only one-fifth of the examination papers are graded, and the first and second-class papers need to be discussed and combined with the third, fourth, and fifth-class papers before being recommended, so very few can stand out at the beginning. And these two papers can be determined so quickly,
It can be seen that it is indeed as the review said, "outstanding, unique and unparalleled". Even if we read another two hundred volumes, these two volumes can still be ranked first-class.
…
Zhang Yue asked Butler Wu to go to the Wu Mansion with gifts and tell him that he had finished the exam, and then rested for a day at Zhang Shi's house. On this day, Madam Zhuang came to see Zhang Yue, originally intending to make some remarks.
Posts, determine how to manage posts.
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Zhuang forgot about her original errand as soon as she saw Zhang Yue and was full of praise for his appearance.
"With such character and appearance, as well as such talent and knowledge, I used to say that your Zhang family is very lucky to be married to the prime minister's family. Now it seems that your family, Mr. Sanlang, is also married to the emperor."
Zhang Shi laughed and said, "I don't expect to be a consort, and besides, a consort can't be an official. It's better for the Wu family."
Mrs. Zhuang said yes again and again, then looked at Zhang Yue with a smile and praised him for a long time with a smile.
Mrs. Zhuang immediately discussed with Zhang Yue the situation of visiting the Wu family in the past few days.
The Wu family did not make any demands for the marriage. Instead, they were willing to provide a large sum of money for the land purchase for Zhang Yue and his wife, so that no one could find fault with the marriage.
Mrs. Zhuang has talked about paying eaves red today.
According to Bianjing's custom, after the two families exchange posts, the man puts eight flowers or eight silk ornaments into a wine jar with the woman's family. After the woman's family receives the wine bottles, the woman's family gives them two bottles of fresh water. Twenty-five fish and a pair of chopsticks were presented in the original wine bottles.
Mrs. Zhuang came today to tell Zhang Shi to prepare early. After Zhang Yue is admitted to the imperial examination, he will come to formally propose marriage, so as not to be overwhelmed with preparations when the time comes.
Zhang Yue didn't have the patience to listen to such trivial matters, so he left them all to his brother.
Zhang Yue had a quick chat with Mrs. Zhuang and then left home. He still had an appointment with Zhang Heng today.
Zhang Shi asked Tang Jiu to drive Zhang Yue in a donkey cart to Zhang Heng's home.
This time Zhang Yue arrived at Zhang Heng's home and saw his servants busy packing things inside and outside.
Zhang Yue couldn't help being surprised when he saw it, and hurriedly entered the hall, only to see Zhang Heng wearing casual clothes and reading a book, and he didn't look very good.
Zhang Yue hurriedly asked Zhang Heng: "Zhaizhang, what are you doing?"
When Zhang Heng saw Zhang Yue Lai, a smile appeared on his face and he said: "Du Zhi, you are finally here. If the imperial examination is delayed for a few days, you may not be able to see me."
Zhang Yue asked: "Isn't it fine after the provincial examination? Where is the chief going in such a hurry?"
Zhang Heng put down the book, leaned back in his chair and said: "You are busy with the imperial examination these days, and I didn't send anyone to tell you. A few days ago, I wrote to the emperor, saying that I don't know the amount of funds received by the three divisions now, and I don't have a budget. I am in a hurry. It took time to levy taxes from the people, to force them hastily, and to suffer hardships and make it difficult for them to pay.”
Zhang Yue was startled when he heard this and said: "Zhaizhang, are you saying that someone in the Third Division is taking free money?"
Zhang Heng nodded and said, "Isn't this something obvious? I have been serving as an official in the Third Division for two years, and I can no longer bear these things."
Zhang Yue said: "Why is the chief of the prison doing this? Now he has not only offended the officials of the Third Division, but also offended the envoys of the Third Division."
Zhang Yue thought that the current Third Secretary Quan was Cai Xiang. Zhang Heng had worked hard for him in the court because of Zhang Wangzhi's incident.
The two have been at odds for a long time, and now Cai Xiang has become Zhang Heng's immediate boss, from Quan Zhi Kaifeng Mansion to Quanli Third Envoy. Is this why Zhang Heng asked to leave?
But when I saw Zhang Heng said: "The relationship between me and Prime Minister Ji has long since passed. We just don't mess with the river. This alienation has nothing to do with him, but that I really can't stand it and don't want to collude with these people. After the alienation, I I had known that the three divisions would not tolerate me, so I had already asked the imperial court for the county, and the decree would come down soon."
Having said this, Zhang Heng said sternly to Zhang Yue: "Can you save it?"
Zhang Yue said: "Don't worry, the chief has always taught us Zhang family members to be lonely ministers."
Zhang Heng said with a righteous face: "That's why, if you want to be a lonely minister, you can't form cliques for personal gain, collude with others, and collude with others. That's why I wrote a letter to expose this matter, and then asked for a foreign appointment. Even if my career is frustrated, I can't be allowed to be Zhang Heng.
The reputation of our children has been damaged."
Having said this, Zhang Heng's silent face showed some color.
"Okay, let's not talk about this. Since you are here today, you should fulfill your authority for me. Your will will be in these two days. I'm afraid I won't hear about you until I'm on the way, but it doesn't matter. No matter where I am, I will
To be happy for you, let me have a few drinks today."
After speaking, the servant sifted the wine for the two of them and brought some side dishes to accompany the wine.
The two sat down and talked and laughed, telling interesting stories about their time studying in Nanfeng courtyard.
Zhang Heng changed the topic and said: "You are only seventeen years old this year. With your talent, it is not a problem to get into the first class. If you can get the first place, you will be the youngest number one in our Song Dynasty."
Zhang Yue put a piece of fresh fish in his mouth and said: "How dare you expect to be the number one scholar? The chief of the restaurant will drink wine."
Zhang Heng drank a glass of wine, his face turned red and he sighed: "That's right, the official selected me as the number one scholar four years ago, and your second brother as the fifth two years ago. You have to do this again in this subject."
After entering a higher education, I am afraid that many officials and scholars will criticize us, saying that our Zhang family is not alone. The official family will not nominate another Zhang family child to be the number one scholar after four years."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "I just want to be within the second class."
Zhang Heng said: "If you come second in the provincial examination, you just want to get into the second class. It's really worthless."
Zhang Yue was silent for a while, and then said: "It doesn't matter what rank you are in, as long as you can get a wife."
Zhang Heng heard this and said with a big smile: "You, you."
