Chang'an at the beginning of spring, compared with other places, is a little more lively, a little noisy, and a little enthusiastic.

On the streets of Chang'an, this year's winter seems to be a little mild, not as cold as before, the rain is also a little less, the drizzle flutters with the wind, it takes a long time to fall, on the ground, in the soil, in the water, on the eaves, on the treetops, blowing green buds, red stamens, flowing rivers, more lively children.

The children are playing everywhere, ready to send away their last happy time, carefree, free, than others, Chang'an readers, other places of reading, from all over the world, from all directions, whether it is Guanzhong, Guannei, Lingnan, or more remote places, people who receive the news, have come.

Some people are covered in dust, wind and dust, over the mountains and mountains, tirelessly rushed to come, some sat in a carriage, swaying, very leisurely, some waited for a long time, lived in the hotel in Chang'an, went out to socialize last night, got up in a blur, looked like they had not woken up, the posture was varied, each had its own flavor, each had its own detail.

Among them, there are always some people who are very concerned about the news, and open their mouths to say the news they know: "This brother, can you know which part of the imperial examination is this time?" Ming Jing? Scholars? Or arithmetic? ”

The person he asked was speechless, he really didn't know what to test, he came from out of town, I heard that there was a matter of this, I couldn't wait to come, for this reason, he also used up most of his family property, just for this time, don't look at him very strange, so many scholars, there are many people who think like him, uncountable, after all, many scholars are not rich people.

In order to be officials, even if it is an official and a half-position, they are also happy, come with passion, they really don't know what to test, they are asked like this, a little dumbfounded, and looked at the person who opened the mouth in confusion, the person laughed and said: "I see that Brother Tai is from other places, I don't know the situation, I guess Brother Tai doesn't even know who the examiner is, right?" ”

The man nodded stupidly, he really didn't know, he didn't know anything, the only thing he knew was that it was said that he could become an official after passing the exam, I heard that this time His Majesty had prepared a lot of official positions for them, hearing this news, who didn't work hard to read, the Analects, the Tao Te Ching, all the books that could be read, just in case.

"This brother, I really don't know how to say hello to you, you know how to read, and you don't even know this bit of news, when the time comes, you will be unlucky."

The man begged me with a face, and I told you the look, which was very bad, but the reader didn't dare to offend him, and nodded again and again, who is the examiner, this is the most important thing, understand the examiner's character, what he usually likes, what he admires the most, you can vote for it, write something he likes, maybe you choose?

No one knows who the next Yipin official will be? Maybe it's the hillbilly in front of you? That person has wishful thinking in his heart, and he can help everyone he can, especially the kind of scholar who looks unattractive and has a local atmosphere, help them once, maybe there will be an unexpected return?

It's better to give charcoal in the snow than icing on the cake, this hillbilly in front of him is the fifty-fifth person he is looking for, many of them are people like him, he told them one by one, by the way, tell them his name, without asking for anything in return, if those hillbillies are admitted, although the first person to thank is not him, but there is always a position for him.

He doesn't study well, but the relationship is leveraged, and building a good relationship in advance will be of great help in the future.

"Dare to ask this brother, who is the examiner this time?"

Asking for advice with an open mind, the posture was very low, the man was very satisfied with the attitude of the scholar in front of him, nodded and smiled: "This brother is not saluting, this is going to be a brother, tell the truth for the brother, the chief examiner this time is Zhang Da'an, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, the brother shouldn't know who Zhang Da'an is, right?" Today, I will give you a good science popularization for my brother. ”

"Zhang Da'an Zhang, a few years ago, he was an official to a first-class official, one person is above 10,000 people, although he has been demoted, but he is also a scholar, and he is highly valued by His Majesty, Lord Zhang usually likes calligraphy the most, as long as your calligraphy is in his eyes, then brother, you are half of the success."

"The second is that Mr. Zhang likes poetry the most, no matter how big or small the poems, as long as he makes him happy, he attaches great importance to it, you say that if you write an unparalleled poem, or your calligraphy is not comparable to others, in the same case, who do you say Mr. Zhang will choose?"

When the man said this, he looked at the reader, and the reader subconsciously replied, "It's me." ”

"That's right, it's you."

The man was very excited and pointed to the reader: "The exam is not only a test of the Ming Sutra, Jinshi, but also the Ming Law, Jun Law, and calligraphy, but the most important thing is the Ming Sutra and the Jin Shi, as long as these two courses are passed, brother, you have already succeeded halfway, you look over there, are they all holding the Ming Sutra to read." ”

The reader was a little unconvinced, looking over there, this look, unbelievable, really like this, he couldn't wait to put down his backpack, and took out a book of Ming Jing that had been incomplete, which was covered with a lot of gaze, and looked carefully, this look, completely ignored the man next to him.

"Brother, brother."

The man was very embarrassed, touched his nose, waited for a while, the man did not react at all, his body and mind fell into reading, it can be said that he couldn't see others, the man touched his nose again, he had seen many readers, but he had never seen such a person, it was really strange.

However, he is not the kind of old stubborn, he pushed the man, he still didn't move, there was no way, he could only raise his voice a little: "This brother Tai, under the country of ten thousand Jun, ten million of ten thousand, the country of the country, the handsome of the handsome." ”

The scholar raised his head and glanced at him when he heard the sound, and quickly lowered his head to read the book, and it took a long time to hold back a sentence: "Yao Chong." ”

Then, there was no then, Wan Guojun saw that there was no play, waved his sleeves and left, and continued his next goal, and after he left, Yao Chong, who was reading, looked up at Wan Guojun's back and muttered: "Very good people, it's just a bit tricky, the young master is right, there are still a lot of capable people here." ”

The voice soon fell silent in the midst of the tumult, and he vanished.

…………

On the other side, Guozijian, Yang Jiong put down the book in his hand, looked outside, the silent Guozijian seemed to be a lot more lively, many scholars could not continue to read, and were affected by the outside environment, and he was the same, because the imperial examination was held three days later, this was the first screening, it is said that there are many scholars coming, and it is impossible to count it for the time being.

According to the rough estimation of those classmates and friends, let alone tens of thousands of people, so many people, just for those official positions, it can be said that there are many monks and few porridges, and the difficulty is undoubtedly much greater, but he is not afraid.

"Hey, I can't stand it anymore, I don't know how Brother Li and Brother Jiang are doing? Is it good or bad? I'm really worried about them. ”

Looking into the distance, some nostalgia, some worries, more wry smiles, the way of life of other people's families, reduce wages and go back to live a long life, give birth to children and daughters, live a happy, heirloom life, Li Zhou, there is no need to worry at all, he is a prince, this identity will not change, no matter where he goes, nothing will happen to him.

What about him?

It's different, if you want to have an identity without an identity, if you want a status without a status, you have to worry about three meals a day, he has to work hard, this imperial examination is the most important opportunity in his life, indispensable.

"I hope you're all well."

He looked a little nostalgic and a little melancholy.

"Smack."

"Smack."

There was a knock on the door, waking up Yang Jiong, who was thinking, and Yang Jiong said, "Come in." ”

Squeak.

The door opened, and a man walked in, wearing a white student uniform and black shoes, walked in excitedly, saw Yang Jiong, and said loudly: "Brother Yang, hurry up, what are you still doing here?" Don't you know that today is the time to register? It is said that many people are going to queue up, and it is not too late. ”

"Got it, got it, Brother Zhang, I'll be fine soon, wait for me to clean up the table." Yang Jiong was not in a hurry at all, he said in a good voice, this is a bad person, who cares about three seven twenty-one, he took Yang Jiong's hand and walked forward directly, at this time, what kind of table to clean up, it is important to sign up.

"Gee, wait a minute, I haven't cleaned up the table yet? Wait a minute. ”

With a puff of smoke, the two left the room, leaving an empty room, with three or two books falling messily on the table, and the flickering light shining on the ground, which looked very dazzling.

…………

Ministry of Rites, Zhang Da'an paced around, very uneasy, he looked at the officials around him and said: "You say what topic should be presented this time, it is neither too difficult nor too simple, it can satisfy His Majesty, and not let too many people pass the test, you think about it." ”

This question is stumped for him, it is not an ordinary difficulty, the latter are not the point, the point is to satisfy His Majesty, this time His Majesty gave a death order, not to satisfy him, then the black gauze hat on their heads will be difficult to protect, it is time to go home to cultivate the fields, and those who raise horses go back to raise horses, don't be embarrassed.

"My lord, it's hard for me to wait, Your Majesty's requirements are too high, what do you think we should do?"

Out of selfishness, this official did not say clearly, whatever question is raised, they can all have a way to let their heirs pass the exam, it depends on how this adult comes up with the question, Zhang Da'an glanced at them, that glance, as if to see through their hearts, these officials were suddenly startled, they bowed their heads, Zhang Da'an shook his head and said: "Then be like that!" ”

"Yes, sir."

The official quickly picked up the scroll on the table and left quickly, and the other officials followed, Zhang Daan shook his head and sighed, and walked outside.

"Hey."