On November 19, the 51st year of Qianlong, the passenger ship of Ruan Yuan and his entourage finally arrived at the Dongbianmen Wharf. A few days earlier, Jiangfu's fast horse had arrived in the capital, and Ruan Yuan's entry into Beijing was informed to Jiang Zhenhong of the Lianghuai General Commercial Pavilion, and on this day, Jiang Zhenhong had already prepared all the carriages and horses outside the Dongbian Gate, and Ruan Yuan and his entourage had just arrived at the wharf, and saw Jiang Zhenhong arranged properly on the shore, and soon commanded his subordinates to help carry the luggage. Only half an hour later, Ruan Yuan and his entourage of clothes and books have been moved to the carriage, and the Jiang family has always been generous, and they also helped Xie Yong, Qian Daxin and others to move all kinds of clothes and utensils.

The group gradually entered the Dongbian Gate, and then went straight to the west, through the Zhengyang Gate to the hotel. The city of Beijing is divided into two cities, the inner and outer cities, and the Dongbian Gate is the gate leading to the outer city, so after entering the gate, it is necessary to turn into the inner city again. At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty's entry into the Central Plains, it ordered the banner people to live in the inner city and the people to live in the outer city. But at this time, it has been more than 140 years since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, and the sale and leasing of private houses abound, so there are many ordinary Han people living in the inner city.

Seeing a group of carriages marching westward from the East Gate, about three miles away, they saw that it was already a city gate. Yang Ji has been in Yangzhou for a long time, and he knows that Yangzhou is only five miles away, thinking that although the Beijing division is big, half of the road should be completed. Then he asked the chauffeur: "This brother, this door in front of you is not the Zhengyang Gate you are talking about?" When you get to Zhengyangmen, why don't you go in? ”

"Brother Yang, this gate is called Chongwen Gate, and it is three or four miles away from Zhengyang Gate. Let's enter the gate, called the East Gate, and there is a West Gate opposite, and the two city gates are separated by twelve or thirteen miles. How easy is the front door? The coachman thought that Yang Ji came from Yangzhou, and he must have never seen a big city, so he couldn't help but say a little sarcastic.

Yang Ji said: "Brother, don't lie to me, I have lived in Yangzhou for three years, your young master can tell me, this world is so big, outside Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Yangzhou, why are you in the capital, so big?" In order to make it easier for him to speak, he called Ruan Yuan and Jiang Cai "Miss Young Master".

"Brother Yang, what is the capital? The five lakes and the four seas are treasured, and the talents of 18 provinces gather, this is called the capital! Then Yangzhou is not a provincial capital, why do you want to make such a big deal? I think you haven't seen the world, this scenery of the capital, you live in March, and you may not be able to see it! Not to mention the capital, it is the Haidian in the northwest, I think it is bigger than your Yangzhou! "The emperor of the Qing Dynasty lived in the Old Summer Palace, so for a while, the dignitaries and nobles bought mansions in Haidian near the Old Summer Palace, and Haidian was quite prosperous for a while, and the coachman would certainly have confidence in Haidian.

Yang Ji stuck out his tongue and said, "Brother, then why don't you have a stone slab on the ground?" I look at this road, it's all rammed earth, and our Yangzhou is all stone roads. Your capital is bigger, you don't even have a stone slab, you won't just have an empty shelf, right? ”

The coachman said, "You should make a stone slab, or what's the problem?" It's just that our capital is not far from the outside of the city, and there are a large number of camels and horses entering Beijing outside the mouth every day. Brother Yang, I said that you came from Yangzhou, and you haven't seen a camel yet, right? ”

Yang Ji said: "Then if it rains heavily for several days or dozens of days in this capital, wouldn't it be bad?" ”

The coachman said strangely: "Days, dozens of days of heavy rain? Brother Yang, what are you talking about? I have lived in the capital for 20 years, if it is said that it rains heavily for a day or two, I have seen this, but where is the reason for a few days of heavy rain? As for tens of days...... Are you fainting? However, if it rains in March and April, it is a bit difficult, when the wind is strong, and when it rains, it is full of mud. "In fact, Beijing also suffered heavy rain several times during the Qing Dynasty, and the scene was not clean. It's just that during the Qianlong period, heavy rains in Beijing were indeed rare, so the coachman didn't know that Beijing also had rain.

It seems that no matter how good the capital is, there is always a bad place, Yang Ji is satisfied, and snorted lightly: "Hmph, it's really an empty shelf, no matter how big the city is, people are uncomfortable, what's the use?" ”

The coachman was also reluctant to be verbose with Yang Ji, seeing the Zhengyang Gate, the carriage gradually turned in, and then passed through Jiaxiang, Yuan'er Hutong, took the lamp alley, and saw a mansion in front of him, thinking that it was the Lianghuai General Commercial Pavilion. It's just that opposite the hotel, there is still an official office, which is much larger than the main commercial hotel, and there are several soldiers dressed in front of the street, which is even more solemn.

The group gradually got out of the car, and there were already servants in the hotel who came out to carry their luggage. Yang Ji was quite curious about the official office, and when he saw Ruan Yuan, he asked: "Bo Yuan, what kind of place do you see it, I heard that this general business hall is already big enough, why is there still a big mansion?" ”

"That's not a house, it's Dali Temple." Although Ruan Yuan was also a newcomer to the capital, he had asked Xie Yong and Qian Daxin some stories about the capital before, so he already knew five or six points in advance about the surrounding environment of the hotel. He also said: "If you go further, there will be the lobby of the Criminal Department and the Metropolitan Procuratorate." The so-called three law divisions are all here. ”

"The Three Divisions? What are the Three Divisions? What is the difference between it and the yamen of our Yangzhou state capital? ”

"The so-called three law divisions refer to the fact that every time there is a difficult and unsolvable major case in the world, or to execute a prisoner on death, these three yamen must be jointly managed. The Criminal Department is in charge of the prison, the Metropolitan Procuratorate must supervise the Criminal Department, and the Dali Temple must conduct a review. Always do not let the people of the world die unjustly for no reason. "In fact, the regulations of the Three Law Divisions are more complicated than this, and Ruan Yuan was also afraid that Yang Ji would not understand, so he picked up some of the simplest ones and told him.

"That'...... If a case is tried by three parties, will there be no problems? ”

"It's almost, after all, there are so many people in the Three Law Divisions, it's difficult to make mistakes at the same time, right?"

"That Boyuan, if you become a jinshi in the future, can you come here to be an official? I look at the two county masters in Yangzhou, and they are confused. You help them see, don't wronged the good guys. ”

There are two yamen in Jiangdu County and Ganquan County in Yangzhou Prefecture, so Yang Ji will say "two county masters". Ruan Yuan naturally understood, and said with a smile: "This appointment is not something I can decide. It depends on the emperor's intentions, and the emperor thinks that I can do this business, so he can let me come here. Maybe the affairs of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Engineering are more suitable for me, and maybe, let me go to the east. ”

"Which of these many yamen is the best?" Yang Ji asked again.

"The responsibilities of different ministries and departments are different, and it is impossible to say which is the best. However, I heard Master Xie Enshi say that if you take the middle school, most of the first and second class students must enter the Hanlin Academy, and the Hanlin Academy has its own big examination every year, and only those who pass well in the examination can stay. Judging from the ranking, the one with the highest ranking is easy to stay in the Hanlin Academy...... Okay, okay, Hanlin Courtyard is on the east side, you can't see it. Ruan Yuan saw Yang Ji listening, and had already begun to look for where the "best" "Hanlin Academy" was, and hurriedly stopped it.

"That'...... What does Hallymin Temple do? Could it be that the Hanlin Academy can ...... Can you manage these three divisions here? "Yang Ji doesn't know anything about this.

"It's complicated, I can't explain it clearly for a while, you can go over and see, where did the box go?" Ruan Yuan was also afraid that Yang Ji would ask endlessly, so he had to take him away. Although Yang Ji was curious, he couldn't withstand Ruan Yuan's several urgings, so he had to go into the door first.

Jiang Cai also got out of the car, listened to Yang Ji's slightly childish questions, was a little funny, and said, "You are really, why didn't you explain it to him before?" He hasn't been idle along the way, asking questions every day, and you don't make it clear to him. ”

"Madam, he is only interested in sightseeing and temple fairs on weekdays. Who knew that today came and asked me about this? Ruan Yuan was naturally a little puzzled. Thinking about the inside of the hotel, I still didn't know anything about the situation, so I said: "Madam, we should also go in, the child and you are tired after walking all the way, it is time to rest." On the surface, he was talking about the child, but he was actually worried about Jiang Cai.

Jiang Cai immediately understood and said with a smile: "I know the child, what about the child?" You don't care? As he spoke, he walked in. Ruan Yuan immediately followed, but after taking a few steps, he still looked back in the direction of Dali Temple.

If you really get into the jinshi, what will happen in the future?

In the capital, there are three such ministers, they are all Jinshi and are also in high positions. And because of the similarity of official deeds, later generations revised history, and listed the three in the same biography.

One of them is Ruan Yuan's township test teacher, Zhu Jue, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites. On this day, he met Qianlong, stated the Jiangnan Township examination matters one by one, and also took a few well-written test papers, which were listed in the Qianlong case. After the official Chen performance was over, he knelt down and retired, seeing that he was close to Shenpai, his home was in the outer city, and he also walked faster, thinking about returning home earlier.

It can be from the Yangxin Palace to the Donghua Gate, and the road is quite long. As he walked, Zhu Jue also remembered that after he returned to Beijing, he received the news of the death of Liang Guozhi, a university scholar. In this way, there is one less important minister with old seniority in the DPRK and China. Just as he was feeling sad, he suddenly heard a familiar voice shouting from behind: "Brother Shijun, Jiangnan and his party, are you still safe?" ”

When Zhu Jue turned his head, he saw that there was already one more person behind him, looking at his appearance, although he was short and slightly fat, he was amiable, and he had a coral top on his head. He has a close friendship with Dong He, Dong He is a native of Fuyang, Zhejiang, and Zhu Jue is a native of Daxing, Beijing, but his ancestral home is in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang, and the two are also half of the same countrymen.

Zhu Jue and Dong He haven't seen each other for half a year, and when they met by chance, they were overjoyed and said with a smile: "Cane forest!" I haven't seen you for more than half a year, but you're still in the same spirit! How is it today, is the military aircraft department retired early? Why did you come out at this hour? "Dong He's word Yalun, the number of cane forests, is often called in daily life.

Dong He said: "It's really okay today, and I see that the four are gone." Leaving only the two of us, I took the first step and happened to see Brother Shijun. Brother Shi Jun tried Jiangnan, and it was half a year to go, and today the younger brother is doing the east, going to get a few good Jiangsu and Zhejiang dishes, how about picking up the wind and washing the dust for Brother Shi Jun? Both of them are from Zhejiang, so their food customs are similar.

But Zhu Jue listened to Dong Huan's words, but he felt that something was wrong, and said suspiciously: "Cane Lin just said that there are four people left in the military aircraft department, and there are still two left, but I have also heard that Liang Zhongtang has ......."

"Brother Shi Jun has just returned to Beijing, so he doesn't know anything, right?" Dong He said: "The emperor also knows that the military aircraft department is not manpowered, so there is a new person, Brother Shi Jun should be familiar with it, right?" Look, who's over there? As he spoke, he saw where Dong He came from, and a figure walked in slowly, and when he got closer, he saw that his long beard was hanging low, and his complexion was elegant, it was Wang Jie who had returned from the system.

"Great brother?! That's great! Zhu Jue was overjoyed, hurriedly turned around, and hugged Wang Jie. When he returned to Beijing, he also thought that Wang Jie was the only one left among the important ministers of the DPRK and the Central People's Republic of China, but it was doubtful whether Wang Jie could be reappointed as an official, and it was even more difficult to talk about entering the military aircraft department. Therefore, he did not have hope for Wang Jie's return. But now looking at Wang Jie, it is a first-class crown uniform, it seems that he has been reinstated, and listening to what Dong Huan said before, presumably Wang Jie has also entered the military aircraft department. What I was most looking forward to finally came true, and I was naturally happy.

Dong He was also happy when he saw the two reunited, and he couldn't help but explain, "Brother Shijun, in fact, a few days before you returned, Brother Weiren had already been removed and returned to Beijing. The emperor not only reinstated the great man's brother and let him continue to serve as the secretary of the military department, but also added the military aircraft department. Speaking of this, he felt that there was still a secret that could be revealed, so he quietly pulled Zhu Jue aside and whispered: "Actually, the emperor summoned me the day before yesterday and asked me about the replacement of the university scholar." Listening to the emperor's tone, the bachelor who wants to be reappointed is undoubtedly a great brother! Zhu Qizi was also overjoyed, but looking at Wang Jie's expression, he didn't seem to know, he knew Qianlong's temper, if he was too loud in advance, it was common to change the hexagram temporarily, so he secretly restrained himself. only pulled Wang Jie with one hand, and Dong He with the other, and said: "I think the last time the three of us got together was at the banquet of the emperor's southern tour, this time the three of us have to have a good chat!" With that, he continued to walk in the direction of Donghua Gate.

As he walked, he suddenly remembered something, and asked Wang Jie again: "Brother Weiren, I remember that He Shen was also at the military aircraft, and it was also because of him that you returned to your hometown to guard the system that day." What's the matter, he is in the military aircraft department, can he feel sorry for the great brother? ”

Before Wang Jie could answer, Dong Huan had already smiled and said, "The matter of the great brother, that's wonderful!" Brother Shi Jun didn't know that the great brother had just entered the military plane, and Na He Shen saw that the great brother had just entered the court, so he wanted to tease the great brother. Touching the hand of the great brother, he said: 'The hand of Shangshu, what is the soft and the ner? The great brother didn't talk to him about it, and he just said: 'Although Wang Jie's hands are good, he can't ask for money and ears!' "Haha, didn't you look at He Shen like that at that time, his face was so red that he couldn't say a word! ”

Wang Jie listened to Dong He's retelling of the words of the day, and couldn't help but smile slightly, and said: "Cane forest, it's not my business, how exciting. The emperor can think of me, it is always the emperor's grace, Wang is old, and his spirit is not bad, so he naturally wants to repay the emperor's kindness. That He Shen cares about the grace of the country and seeks personal gain, I stick to the right path and do not go the same way with him, I am worthy of the emperor and the acquaintance of the two of you. ”

Dong He said: "Brother Daren, rest assured, the emperor knows you well in his heart." It's just that...... It's just that this year, it's a pity that Cao Xibao Cao Yushi. ”

Cao Xibao's matter, Wang Jie and Zhu Jue have just returned to Beijing, so naturally they don't know, Zhu Jue said: "Cao Xibao, I have heard of it, and he dares to speak in the imperial history." I wonder what happened to him? ”

Dong Huan said: "Cao Yushi has long seen that He Shen can't do it, and since last year, he has been investigating He Shen, and when the evidence is complete, he will eradicate it in one fell swoop." It's just that Heshen's momentum has gradually grown in the past two years. Cao Yushi knew that it was very difficult to report Heshen head-on. I thought about going in a roundabout way, first finding out the bad deeds of his slave Liu Quan, Liu Quan was defeated, and He Shen's actions would naturally be exposed. ”

Later, Cao Yushi investigated in many ways, and finally found out that Liu Quan not only used usury for interest, but also used most of the carriages and horses, which were violated. Cao Yushi saw that he was well prepared, and one day, he went straight to the stage and impeached Liu Quan for all kinds of lawlessness. When the emperor heard this, he also ordered Shuntianfu to investigate. Thinking of that Liu Quan, he was already a sin that was unforgivable. But who knew that when the inspection was carried out again, the Liu family did not have any violations. ”

The next day, Shuntianfu found the money village mentioned by Cao Yushi, but after checking back and forth, the money village had nothing to do with Liu Quan. And the accounts are clear, and there is no such thing as usury. Now Na He Shen was proud, and the court directly accused Cao Yushi of being framed. All the evidence of Cao Yushi has disappeared, but how can he argue? took off the top immediately, and finally gave a dismissal and retention. Alas...... It's a pity that I can only say 'the emperor's mercy' when I see Cao Yushi's integrity. ”

Wang Jie said: "I have also heard of this Cao Xibao, he has always been upright, and he is the imperial history of Shaanxi Province, and at that time, I also visited my family's affairs one by one, and I will not show favoritism." I've always admired him, but because of his status, I can't make friends. Who knew that today, it was overturned by Na Heshen. ”

In the Qing Dynasty, civil officials embroidered birds according to their grades, but the officials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, regardless of their grades, only embroidered pigs on the supplements. Yu Shi usually supervises hundreds of officials, so it is not easy to interact with other officials, Wang Jie took the initiative to keep a distance from Cao Xibao, which is a behavior that respects him.

Dong Huan said: "The year before last, the great brother was designed by Na Heshen to return home and guard the system, in the past two years, seeing that there are some imperial histories in the court, he also began to say good things about Heshen. It is really chilling that people who are clear in science and technology are like this. But the great brother, I think the emperor is still a saint, the great brother was in the Kangshan Thatched Cottage that day, and he lost his words after drinking, the emperor not only did not reprimand, but after coming over for the past two years, didn't he still let you come back to the military aircraft department? ”

Zhu Jue said: "Cane forest, the return of the great brother is a good thing, but I think the emperor means, is it the same as always for Heshen?" The emperor is like this, but he can't recognize Heshen's greed, and I really don't understand. ”

Dong He said: "And Nafu Chang'an, these two people are at the military plane, singing and harmonizing like that, I get annoyed when I see it." Brother Shi Jun, after all, the three of us are Hanchen, and they ......"

Zhu Jue said: "Cane Lin is also relaxed, no matter what, Ah Zhongtang is the foreman, and Ah Zhongtang is also a flag man, isn't it closer to us?" The emperor uses Heshen, I think he has other ideas. ”

Wang Jie suddenly said: "Shi Jun went south this time, and among the people who were recruited, some of them seemed to you to have real talent and real learning?" ”

Zhu Jue said: "Jiangnan, there is always no shortage of talents, but I will try to always take five out of a hundred, I am in Jiangnan, and I learned after choosing with all my heart." Whether this will test Chinese style or not, it depends on the ability of the main exam. He looked at Wang Jie's eyes, he already understood, Wang Jie thought, the same as him, seeing that the next year's examination was about to start in three months, if he could quickly select a group of newcomers, maybe he could compete with He Shen.

Seeing the expressions of the two, Dong Huan gradually understood, and said: "Seeing that in the past two years, there are not many virtuous ministers in the court, and the court also needs some young people." Brother Great Man, if you take the exam next year, you will be the main exam, what do you think? He was originally the son of Shangshu Dong Bangda, and he was familiar with the government since he was a child, so Qianlong often had to discuss with him about the imperial examination. Hearing Dong Huan's words, Wang Jie and Zhu Jue both knew that Wang Jie would take the exam in the coming year, which was very promising.

Before Wang Jie could speak, Zhu Jue had already smiled and said: "That's wonderful, the great brother is the twenty-sixth year of Qianlong, the champion appointed by the emperor, you are the champion to preside over the examination, presumably the world's talents, you have to be called a great brother teacher!" "The imperial examination in the Qing Dynasty was similar to that of the previous dynasty, and the chief examiner of the examination was the seat teacher who was admitted to the Jinshi at that time. With this layer of teacher-student relationship, Wang Jie, Zhu Qi and others want to compete with He Shen in the future, and they will have a talent base.

Wang Jie naturally knew the stakes, but he also smiled: "When I first returned to Beijing, I was always not as familiar with the national system as the cane forest in Beijing for many years. What's more, when Cane Lin was twenty-five years old, he got the Chinese style, and the emperor originally ordered Tanhua, but later thought that you were the son of a minister, so he changed his hand. If Cane Forest is to do the main exam, I think the scholars will really meet Bole! ”

Dong He said: "Don't be humble to the great brother, I am only a second-grade at the moment, and I can't do the main exam." You are proficient in Guan Luo's learning, and you are good at simple learning, and you are a model today's model in learning and political affairs. When he said this, he also reminded Wang Jie that this imperial examination is a major event related to the future confrontation with Heshen, and if Wang Jie has hope, he must take over this important task, and at this time, he can no longer be modest.

Wang Jie listened and nodded. Seeing his expression, Zhu Jue was already determined to strive for the position of the main examiner. was relieved and said, "Cane Lin has been in the military aircraft department for many years, and I think it is time to be promoted to a scholar." Maybe in three years, there will be an exam, and the main exam will be the cane forest. ”

Dong He also smiled and said: "Brother Shijun, don't worry, I am only forty-seven years old this year, and I feel that my qualifications are still shallow." However, Brother Shi Jun entered the department fifteen years before me, so maybe he will take the main exam first! The three of them talked and talked, and gradually arrived at Donghua Gate, and went out of the palace to celebrate the reunion.

Of course, at this time, the three of them did not expect that in the first month of the fifty-second year of Qianlong, Wang Jie was promoted to a scholar of Zhengyi Pin Dongge University, and Dong He was also promoted to the head of the household department and ranked first. And the main examiner of this year's examination is also set by Wang Jie.

In the blink of an eye, it has been three months since Ruan Yuan arrived in the capital. It's just that in the past three months, Ruan Yuan has not had a smooth life at all.

Before Ruan Yuan came to the capital, Xie Yong told him that when he arrived in the capital, he must pay attention to the problem of adaptation to the water and soil, so he has always been cautious and does not dare to have any indulgence in his diet and daily life. But what he didn't expect was that the person who fell due to illness was not himself, but Jiang Cai.

When the Ruan family first came to the north, they underestimated the cold wind and heavy snow in winter, but in December of this year, the north wind suddenly arrived, followed by heavy snowfall. Jiang Cai saw the snow scene in the north, and he was still full of interest at first, but he was careless, and he wore less clothes, and when he arrived in the afternoon of this day, he felt cold to the bone, and after another day, he suddenly had a high fever that did not go away.

Ruan Yuan saw that his wife was sick, so he naturally found many doctors to come for treatment. But Jiang Cai's body was not good in the first place, but this time he was suddenly attacked by the cold, and he had a high fever that did not go away for half a month, and his appetite gradually lost on weekdays, so he had to take some light soup porridge. Ruan Yuan was worried about his wife and his unborn child, and unconsciously, he had to accompany Jiang Cai for most of the day to carefully dispel the cold and reduce the fever for her. On the other hand, the preparation for the test was delayed a lot.

Seeing the first month of the following year, Jiang Cai's fever gradually subsided, her original physique was weak, and after this serious illness, she still needed to take care of the child, even if the fever subsided, her body was still weak. But when she saw Ruan Yuan lying on the side of the couch day and night, she also felt sorry, and said: "Master entered Beijing to catch the exam, but this month's time was all used to accompany me, Master, you are really ......."

Ruan Yuan said: "Madame doesn't need to blame herself, you said that you are like this now, even if I go to read and review every day, I naturally can't let go of my worries." Reading like that is just self-deception, not to mention, I have been literate for 20 years. If I will try to be accepted or not, it will only be in this month, and I still feel that it has been in vain for the past 20 years. ”

Jiang Cai sighed: "If I had known this was the case, why did I have to be reckless at that time and have to come with you?" Master, I haven't been hot for the past few days, and I feel fine. It's just that...... This kid is ......"

Ruan Yuan said: "If you really enter Beijing to be an official, you have to consider these sooner or later." Mrs. doesn't have to worry about this, even if she is not used to living in the capital for a while, but seeing this child, the doctor said that it is almost six months. How else do you survive the hard work? Deal...... The big deal is to take the test again in three years. How can this imperial examination be worth the lives of his wife and children? ”

Jiang Cai naturally felt guilty when she heard Ruan Yuan say this, but seeing that her husband was working hard for herself, she didn't want him to really miss the test because of this. suddenly remembered the incident the day before yesterday, and said, "Master, today Mr. Xin Ling and Mr. Yuanru, didn't they ask the master to go out?" ”

Ruan Yuan said with a smile: "You see I forgot about this, Madame's fever has subsided, but her strength has not recovered." Promise me a good rest and don't be pushy. Saying that, he hugged Jiang Cai gently, and then prepared to go out and go to find Qian Daxin and others.

The place where Qian Daxin and other scholars made an appointment was the Outer City Hall, and Ruan Yuan was in the inner city, and he didn't want to trouble the people in the hotel, so he had to walk for more than half an hour before arriving at the place where he had made an appointment. Seeing that the sun was in the middle of the day, it was almost noon, and a lot of the agreed time had passed, and when I saw Qian Daxin and others inside, I had to apologize first, and said: "I'm sorry for all the seniors, I've been waiting here for a long time." Uchiko has been sick recently, and she has to spend some time taking care of it, and she missed the time, so she really can't help it. ”

Ruan Yuan saw that in front of him, Qian Daxin and Sun Xingyan were already seated at this time, and half of the tea in the seats had been consumed, and it was a lot of time to think about it. But seeing that Ruan Yuan was so sincere, everyone couldn't blame him, Qian Daxin asked: "Bo Yuan, Mrs. Ling's complexion, I saw it when I came, it's not bad, why have you been taking care of it for the past two months?" Today is the fourth time I've been looking for you, so I'm here? ”

Ruan Yuan said: "Neizi's body is weak, and he occasionally catches the wind and cold one day, and he doesn't like to eat and drink here, so he ...... So there was a delay. It's also soft-hearted on weekdays.,Seeing that Uchiko is in pain.,I can't bear to leave.,Three times before Mr. Xin Lin's appointment.,I couldn't come.。 Today, seeing that the inner child is gradually healing, this is gradually reassuring. If you are restless, I am afraid that it will be difficult to concentrate between these seats, and you will fail to live up to the teachings of your gentlemen. ”

Suddenly, I heard a rather unfamiliar voice say: "Bo Yuan, listen to what you said, Mrs. Ling is also unaccustomed to the soil and water, so she is bedridden, yes or no?" ”

Ruan Yuan followed the sound and saw that it was Sun Xingyan's first middle-aged Confucian student, his face was peaceful, but his eyes were thinner than ordinary people, and his left eye was dim, and he was gradually blind. He didn't know the name of this Confucian student, Qian Daxin saw that he was puzzled, so he said: "Boyuan, this is Mr. Yuyao Eryun, in the "Siku Quanshu", the history department has been repaired, and the first merit is Mr. Eryun, come over quickly, I have seen Mr. Eryun." ”

It turned out that this middle-aged Confucian was the famous scholar Shao Jinhan at that time, and Ruan Yuan listened to it and was busy paying his respects. Shao Jinhan also smiled: "It's okay, when I first entered the capital, I was also unaccustomed to the water and soil. It was only after living here for a long time that I gradually got used to it. If Mrs. Ling is ill, I still have the recipe I used back then, so I might as well borrow it from you. If you buy medicinal herbs and lack silver taels, you will come to me yourself. ”

Before Ruan Yuan could thank him, Qian Daxin had already smiled and said, "Eryun, don't worry about Boyuan's affairs." Bo Yuan lives in the Lianghuai General Commercial Pavilion, which has all the medicinal materials, money and goods, where do you still need those silvers? But I see that you have been in the capital for a long time, and you don't have any property, but don't think about helping the poor all day long, and forget that your wife and children are! Everyone around him gradually laughed for a while, but this smile did not mean the slightest sarcasm, Shao Jinhan is not only proficient in scripture and history, but also willing to give, and his conduct has always been admired by everyone.

Sun Xingyan also smiled: "Mr. Eryun's conduct is naturally known to everyone here. Bo Yuan, you are also proficient in Part B, and in the future, you will have Mr. Eryun as your teacher, and you will be able to travel thousands of miles in a day. Thinking about it, I spent ten years on "Shangshu", and this time I came to the capital, Fang Zhi and Mr. Eryun had no chance! "Ancient books are mostly classified according to the subset of classics and history, and historical and geographical works are often called Part B. Although Shao Jinhan has also made achievements in the Ministry of Classics, it is a pity that he is longer than the three biographies of "Poems", "Spring and Autumn" and "Erya", and the section of "Shangshu" is indeed not a big achievement, so Sun Xingyan has this saying.

Ruan Yuan also thanked Shao Jinhan, Shao Jinhan looked at Ruan Yuan, and said with a smile: "Bo Yuan only calls me brother, this teacher, I don't dare to be it." I was in Zhejiang that day, and the teacher was Mr. Xin Lin. If Bo Yuan worships me as a teacher, wouldn't he want to call his teacher a grandfather? In this way, it is inevitably too hard. ”

Qian Daxin also smiled: "Where did Eryun get those many portal views? Bo Yuan and I, that day, it was like a familiar sight, that is, to call the old man a sentence of Brother Xinlin, and the old man should also respond! Bo Yuan, don't listen to his nonsense. ”

Ruan Yuan saw that everyone was talking and laughing freely, and he couldn't help but be a little restrained, so he only said: "If it is...... If you don't have a view of the portal, then Houxue will call Mr. Eryun. Mr. Eryun, after learning from the five dynasties, this is a little unfamiliar, I heard that Mr. compiled the "History of the Old Five Dynasties", and has immortal merit to Xuelin, and I hope that Mr. will give him some advice. ”

Shao Jinhan said: "Bo Yuan, looking at your expression, you are already a little haggard, I'm afraid that if I talk to you about the five generations today, you won't be able to listen to it?" I heard Yuanru say, you are also the one who came to the capital to take the exam this year, you look like this, will you be able to cope with it? ”

In fact, in order to take care of Jiang Cai in the past two months, Ruan Yuan has been practicing pen on weekdays, and he has become a lot unfamiliar. Although he comforted Jiang Cai in every way, he had already begun to worry about the annual test in his heart. But even so, he didn't want the people around him to worry about him, so he said: "The matter of the test is a few days, and the students have done their best, so they have a clear conscience." As for whether to be accepted or not, I really dare not force it. ”

Shao Jinhan sighed: "Boyuan, this year's main exam, it is Wang Zhongtang, the most talent-savvy, if you miss him, wouldn't it be a pity?" Wang Jie has been promoted to a university scholar at this time, and he wants to be called "Wang Zhongtang".

Sun Xingyan looked at Shao Jinhan's face and knew that although he was also well-versed in scripture and history, he had no pride, on the contrary, he had been actively promoting future studies. also said to Shao Jinhan: "Mr. Eryun, Bo Yuan has a pure nature, and he is the most affectionate, and now Mrs. Ruan is unwell, and it is also a few days, and she can't barely come." Even if he is forced to read and practice writing now, I am afraid that it will be half the effort. ”

Shao Jinhan said: "Actually, Boyuan, you are very affectionate, I like it." People who read history must have the most sympathetic thoughts, if they only see the word 'profit' in everything, it will be no different from jackals and beasts. But I have another word, Bo Yuan and Yuan Ru, can you two listen to it? ”

Ruan Yuan and Sun Xingyan said together: "I would like to listen to Mr. Teach." ”

Shao Jinhan said: "This will try to take five out of a hundred, which has not been easy since ancient times." But if you two are willing to stay in the capital for a long time, you might as well listen to me. At present, in Beijing, the trend of learning is flourishing, and what the old man has learned on weekdays also feels that he is gradually not as good as some of the younger generations. If both of you are interested in academics. Why don't you choose your own strengths and write a book? In this capital, there are the most Confucians, and if you set up a new statement, if it is justified, someone will be able to respond. If you are lucky, in the examination room, it will be much more convenient to meet such a proficient examiner as Wang Zhongtang, and you want to be admitted to Jinshi. I just don't know what the two of you think? Yuanru is proficient in "Shangshu", I am not worried. Director Bo Yuan, but which one? ”

Ruan Yuan didn't think about this problem, and said: "Students are usually in the Ministry of Scriptures, and it is difficult to say what they are good at, but the "Book of Rites" is a little more general, and if you want to say something new, you will never dare." He also knew that what Shao Jinhan said was mainly to help him rather than Sun Xingyan. But he is only twenty-four years old this year, and he has never thought about it before.

Shao Jinhan also knows that the scriptures are complicated, and it is not a day's work. Said: "Then what I said, Bo Yuan, and remember, if you have this ambition in the future, it is not too late to prepare." As he spoke, he thought that after all, today's assembly was here to discuss academics. Let's get back to the topic, and prepare a few paragraphs of the Later Liang and Later Tang Dynasty and the Later Tang Dynasty and the Later Jin Dynasty in the "History of the Old Five Dynasties", and describe them in detail one by one.

In the next few days, Jiang Cai's body gradually recovered, and Ruan Yuancai calmed down and seriously prepared for the four books for the exam. But at this time, there is only one and a half months left before the first test of the meeting.

Since the Song Dynasty, there have been rules for the imperial examination to be vague and transcribed, and the examiner cannot recognize the candidate when selecting the candidate. It is precisely because of this that the imperial examination is also the fairest way to elect officials in the past dynasties.

Seeing that Qianlong's 52-year examination has been over in just nine days. As for the release of the list, it was only half a month later. In front of the day ceremony, the list has been posted. There were hundreds of people who came to watch the list at one time. But this year, there are only one hundred and thirty-seven tributes, and most of them can't see their names even if they see this gold list from the beginning to the end, and from the end to the end. I had to leave with regret and dejected.

There is no name Ruan Yuan on the gold list.

Although Ruan Yuan probably knew how he played when he appeared, after all, it was the first time he came to the test, and he was not reconciled, so he also came to take a look at the list on this day. But not long after the gold list was from the right, it was Sun Xingyan's name, but he couldn't find his own name.

Seeing that he didn't win this time, he had to stay in the capital for three years, and he was about to leave. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded behind him: "Bo Yuan, have you been accepted this time?" ”

When Ruan Yuan looked back, he saw that it was Qian Daxin, although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to shake his head and said with a smile: "Brother Yuanru's name is in the forefront, but I want to congratulate him." ”

Qian Daxin said: "Yuanru is bold but not as big as you, at such a time, I still hide in the room and dare not come out." But Bo Yuan, don't care too much, Yuan is more familiar than you, although he will try to win in one fell swoop, but before the township test, he took the five power of the direct test to get the Chinese style. ”

Ruan Yuan really didn't care too much, and said: "Sir, Brother Yuanru is good at "Shangshu", although I don't have much contact with him, but when I hear him talk about the allusions in the book, he is much more familiar than me. I am not as knowledgeable as him, and I should be. It's just that I think I have to wait three years before I can take the exam again, and I don't feel a little regretful. ”

At this time, I saw a few fast horses, galloping in front of Ruan Yuan and Qian Daxin, passing the gate of the Ministry of Rites, reaching the corner of the Tai Hospital, and galloping to the left. Qian Daxin looked at a few fast horses and said slowly: "Boyuan, I have some old friends in the court. They have told me that the emperor's eighty years of life are approaching, so you have to open Enke, maybe you can't wait three years, and then you will try again. ”

Ruan Yuan was puzzled, and hurriedly asked why, Qian Daxin said: "According to the past rules, if there is an emperor and a queen mother in the court, you will have to add Enke." Originally, the next exam was scheduled for the 55th year of Qianlong, but if it was a game with Enke, it would be no surprise that the 55th year of Qianlong would be changed to Enke's examination. The original examination of that year had to be moved to the previous 54th year of Qianlong. If so, Bo Yuan, in two years, you will still have a chance. ”

Ruan Yuan said with a smile: "If you are really so lucky, you have to thank Mr. for mentioning it first." ”

Qian Daxin said: "Bo Yuan, if you don't insist on being famous, I'll find a way to help you ask Wang Zhongtang, if you are unsuccessful in the paper, but there are also merits, make up a cabinet secretary, you will raise people's qualifications, and you can also be an official." What does Bo Yuan mean? ”

The so-called cabinet secretary is the official who writes official documents in the imperial court, and generally selects people from among those with the lower ranking in the Jinshi court examination and the better ones in the list. Although the cabinet secretary is not a jinshi, he also has the rank of seventh-grade official, and if he has excellent results in the future assessment, he may also be promoted.

It's just that the cabinet secretary is busy with official business on weekdays, and if he really goes, it will be difficult to have enough time to prepare for the exam. Therefore, Ruan Yuan thought about it, and hesitated for a while. Qian Daxin saw that it was difficult for him to make a decision immediately, and he didn't care, and said: "Boyuan, such a big event, let you make a decision for a while, and it will be difficult for you, why don't we go first, wait for your mood to calm down a little, and then make up your mind." ”

Saying that, Qian Daxin pulled Ruan Yuan and gradually went west, seeing that there were several fast horses on the road, although they had entered the inner city, they did not stop for a moment, and the direction they went was the same as before.

Ruan Yuan couldn't help but be curious and asked, "Sir, where are these many fast horses going today?" ”

Qian Daxin said: "At the corner of the alley over there, there is the military department." These horses were sent to the military department to send urgent paperwork. At the beginning of the year, Taiwan reported urgently, Lin Shuangwen, a native of Changhua, raised troops to resist the imperial court, and saw that the soldiers and horses on the front line had been fruitless for many months, so he had lost several cities. In this month, the military aircraft department of the imperial court has not had a day to spare. ”

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but sigh and said: "In fact, everyone in this court knows that the Fujian general Hengrui is a cowardly and incompetent person. With the war in the southeast, he should have attacked as soon as possible and annihilated the enemy in one fell swoop. But in reality? But it was for several months, and it was delayed. Seeing that there is Taiwan, General Chai Daji has taken Zhuluo, but he still does not enter the army. Seeing that in the past two days, it is estimated that the emperor will also choose another important person to supervise the war. ”