Speaking of Xu Zheng, Qin Jian was also full of sighs.

Although the elders have already fallen out with each other, there is no big contradiction between Qin Jian and Xu Zheng himself, and Qin Jian doesn't even mind having a relationship with Xu Zheng. However, Xu Zheng has lived in a simple house for the past two years, and he rarely interacted with his cousins after his filial piety, so Qin Jian naturally did not rush to catch up, so he became estranged from him. But perhaps Xu Zheng has been famous for his intelligence among relatives and friends since he was a child, and his impression on his peers is too deep, even if Qin Jian feels that his knowledge has grown greatly, deep down, he is still very confident in Xu Zheng's talent, so after hearing about his ranking, he can't believe it.

Qin Jian said to Zhao Mo: "I also think his ranking is a little low. At the beginning, after he finished the examination, he wrote out the article silently when he returned home, and although it was only circulated in the hands of the family, I still managed to get a copy thanks to my cousin's blessing. His essays are brilliantly written, and they are excellent in terms of rhyme, plainness, combat, and diction, but the problem is a little different from what I thought, and it seems to be a little ...... Think shallowly. In addition, there are some deficiencies in practice. Today's section will test the question, Xinjun is obviously interested in promoting a group of practical people, so the question is biased towards practice, if you don't know the people's livelihood and economy, and know some ways to govern, I'm afraid it's not easy to shine. It was also when I went south to Jiangning with my third uncle that year, I did a lot of homework with you along the way and learned a lot of things, so that I would not be blind. Cousin Zheng's article...... I feel that there are some clichés, and when people read them, they will inevitably have some uncommon and exaggerated meanings. But even so, his article is still good, and he will not end up in such a ranking, at most, the ranking will not be high. ”

When Zhao Mo heard him say this, he understood a little: "I see, it's no wonder." In this Cohenko, Xinjun really has the intention of selecting a group of officials who are well versed in practice. Even if the style is slightly inferior, as long as the article has something to say, it can be accommodating. If you do this when you are going to take the exam, you might be criticized, but Enko is different. I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, now that the war in Liaodong has stopped, the southwest has also been calmed down, and the fiefs under the names of the previous rebellious clans and royal families have also been collected by the imperial court. The new monarch needs to send a group of officials to shepherd the place, and these officials must not only have character, but also have talents, and cannot be nerds who can only do poetry and articles, but do not understand popular affairs. This Enke is the first subject after the new monarch ascends the throne, and if he can be selected to serve as this group of officials, he will be a thorough protégé of the Son of Heaven, and he is expected to be more reused in the future. Therefore, Xinjun attaches great importance to Enke this time, not only the examiner has been carefully selected, but even the selection requirements are slightly different from previous years. Do you understand what I mean?"

Qin Jian understood when he heard this, and his heart couldn't help but become hot: "I see...... I heard Cousin Rong mention that I had suggested that Cousin Zheng go out to study and increase his knowledge, but Cousin Zheng didn't care, and his mother was not at ease...... It's a pity that although he has been famous since he was a child, the world will not wait for him. If he can't seize this opportunity, he can only watch others rise to prominence, and he can't blame others. ”

Zhao Mo smiled: "Who can blame him? his parents are his own parents, he reads his own books, and he takes the exam himself, whether the test is good or bad, can others still take responsibility?"

Qin Hanzhen listened on the side, and when he heard this, he said: "Although this truth is simple and understandable, I don't know if the Xu family's room can understand it." Has the eldest uncle and grandmother heard the news?How is she feeling?" She turned to Qin Jian and Yu Xinlan, "I see that so many people are happy for Brother Lobby and Uncle Kewen today, but I don't see any movement from the eldest uncle and grandmother, although her old man is sick now, but not even the big girl in her house has come forward, this is also a bit abnormal, right?"

Qin Jian smiled bitterly, and Yu Xinlan said to Qin Hanzhen quietly: "After my grandmother heard the news, she has been in a bad mood, she doesn't think about tea and dinner, and she is worried about the cousin of the Xu family. She wanted to invite someone to talk, but her father and mother, fearing that her condition would worsen, did not agree. ”

Qin Hanzhen tugged at the corners of her mouth, she understood. Xu's bias towards his nephew and grandson, but ignoring his own grandson, is really deep-rooted. She couldn't help but snort: "Xu Zheng is not off the list, it's just that his ranking is a little lower, is it worth this?"

Zhao Mo said with a smile: "This is Enke, unlike the Zhengke examination, you can see that there are less than three hundred people on the list, and you will know that the number of people in the second class will probably not exceed one hundred and fifty." There are more than 160 people, which are clearly the materials of the top three Tongjinshi. Even if the palace exam has not yet been held, it is enough for the parents to panic. Mrs. Chengenhou has always had high hopes for Xu Zheng, and she thought that he would be among the best, but who would have thought that he would fall into the ranks of fellow jinshi?"

Qin Hanzhen disagreed: "I have taken all the exams, this can only prove that Xu Zheng's strength is only so much, if you are unwilling, you will give up this subject and take the exam in two years." It's just that whether you can do better in the exam at that time is unknown. Not everyone can work as hard as Brother Lobby and Yu Shizi. Besides, Xu Zheng's shortcomings are still there, if he can't find them and can't correct them for a long time, even if he tries his best to endorse, read, and write articles, it won't work? Unless in the annual general examination and palace examination, Xinjun's questions are no longer biased towards practice, and the examiner happens to like Xu Zheng's style of writing, maybe he can still do a little better in the exam. ”

Zhao Mo just smiled at this: "Where is there such a coincidence?" Xinjun's temperament and preferences, he knows best.

Qin Jian said: "The Xu family's house is now married to Gui Shilang's family, and Xu Zheng heard that he has a good relationship with his brother-in-law, if he takes his article to ask Gui Ergongzi for advice, he should also be able to know his shortcomings." I used to have some doubts, he has heard about his dealings with Gui Er Gongzi for several months, and he often asks the other party for advice, why has he consulted for so long, and he has not found his real flaws?"

Zhao Mo said: "God knows if his dealings with Gui Er are for learning, or something else." Gui Er is not his serious teacher, but just a peer discussion, can point him out one or two questions, and can tell him in detail from beginning to end how to write an article? Gui Er is full of talent and learning, and there is no reason to teach his friends by hand. If Xu Zheng could have a truly knowledgeable and careful teacher to take him, study for two more years, and then go out to experience and experience, he may not fall into the current situation. But his elders were tightly restrained, and he couldn't stand up himself, so he blindly obeyed the orders of his parents, and it was natural for him to be hit by this. ”

Qin Jian couldn't help but sigh.

Qin Hanzhen said: "Let's talk less about him." Whether he did well in the exam or not, except that his uncle and grandmother would care, had nothing to do with us. It's Brother Lobby, the palace test is coming, you have to prepare well. Since the new monarch is more practical, you should pay more attention to this aspect. I think that if you have the conditions, you can find out all the government and news that have happened in the past year and re-examine them, and ask Shou Shanbo more for advice, maybe you can benefit from it. ”

Qin Jian smiled: "That's exactly what I mean. Yu Xinlan pursed her lips and smiled: "My father has already said that he wants to tell my brother about these things, and ask Xianggong to come over and listen to it." Hengzhu's father did not interfere in the imperial examination this year, so there is no need to shy away from it. ”

Qin Hanzhen smiled and said: "Ha, that's even better! If you encounter something you don't understand, you can not only ask Shou Shanbo for advice immediately, but also discuss it with Yu Shizi, and maybe you will also have a lot of experience." ”

Zhao Mo's heart moved slightly, and said with a smile: "I've not been busy lately, if you want to gather together for a tea party, remember to call me." There are also Brother Lu and Brother Tang. Brother Tang is not busy at the moment, although he is new to the court, he is better than the two of you newcomers. Listen to him, and you may be able to gain something too. ”

Zhao Mo is the person who can be used in front of the emperor; Yu Shizi has Shou Shanbo, an important minister in the court, who can pass on his experience; Tang Han first entered the Hanlin Academy, it was the time when he knew the preferences and preferences of the Hanlin scholars; Lu Chuming has been following his father Lu Pu, and he must have a lot of understanding of local affairs. If Qin Jian could get together with these four people, discuss with each other, communicate with each other, and help each other, he would definitely be of great help to his palace test. Zhao Mo's suggestion, at first glance, seemed to be just an ordinary trivial matter, but in fact, Qin Jian was thoughtful everywhere. How could Qin Jian not hear it?

He glanced at Zhao Mo gratefully: "This is a good idea, I will discuss it with Cousin Lu and Uncle Lu when I go back, and when I set a date, I will tell you and Brother-in-law Tang." ”

Zhao Mo smiled back at him: "Okay, I'll wait for your letter." ”

The four of them were chatting happily, when suddenly a housekeeper came from outside the door, with hurried steps and a solemn expression. Qin Jian and Yu Xinlan suddenly had some bad premonitions.

Sure enough, the woman knelt on the threshold and reported: "Zhenxi Hou Mansion came to report the funeral, Zhenxi Hou is gone this morning!"

Qin Hanzhen and Zhao Mo were stunned, Qin Jian and Yu Xinlan glanced at each other, but they were not surprised. Zhenxi Hou has been "sick" for so long, Su Boxiong, the son of Zhenxi Hou, has just pacified the southwest, and the second son Su Zhongying has made a small contribution in the battle of Liaodong, and Zhenxi Hou should also "die of illness" at that time.

Qin Jian asked her mother-in-law, "Has there been a report from Songfeng Hall?"

The mother-in-law said: "It's all been reported." The second master said, let the eldest young master quickly change his clothes and go to the Zhenxi Hou Mansion to offer condolences. ”

Qin Jian nodded: "Got it." You go and talk to your grandmother again, let her old man stop worrying about Cousin Xu's affairs, the little aunt is about to return to Beijing, she should worry about the little aunt first. ”