The spring is also the one who speaks of Tang Wangbo's "Buddha Fu of Shakya": "The dragon face of the treasure hall is happy, and the phoenix of the spring is He Yu." But Wang Bo's Chunfu refers to the prince of the East Palace, and has nothing to do with the ritual examination held in the second month of spring.

Just because it is before the big exam is held in the spring, the tributes admitted from all walks of life need to report to the Ministry of Rites, fill in the candidates' information, and issue the admission ticket (?). Therefore, it is more accurate to say that it is called the ritual test. And because the Ministry of Rites was originally under the jurisdiction of Zhongshu Province, it is also known as the provincial test.

As far as Fang Zhongyong is concerned, he doesn't think it's easy at all. Filling in personal information, investigating whether there is impersonation, whether it is replaced, whether there is an illegal record, and waiting for the Ministry of Etiquette to post a seat list is really cumbersome and boring. (Familiar, right?) Like the college entrance examination? ）

The Ministry of Rites test has been unanimously supported and supported by the whole country, from the official family to the common people of Limin, who have put out great enthusiasm to support the activities of the provincial yuan quiz. Everyone speculated whether Fang Zhongyong, the prodigy of Jinxi, could win five yuan or even six yuan, so Fang Zhongyong's odds were also the lowest one to one times two, and the higher odds were Xu Shou, Yang Cha, Zhang Tangqing and others, as well as Liu Yong's supporters who also brought Liu Yong into the top ten in the odds.

The most surprising thing is that Huang Zhen, the "sentimental and sickly" guy, didn't know what way to go, but he was actually licensed by the official family and signed up for the provincial examination as in history. As a result, as in history, due to physical reasons, I was once again unable to take the provincial examination in time. Although he heard that the official family raised him and authorized him to answer questions outside the court, he wanted to win the provincial yuan, but he couldn't. It really annoyed some speculators who wanted to bet on the dark horse upset, and there were many fans who turned black.

As for the main examination this time, in fact, the most suitable candidate is none other than Yan Shu. But Yan Shu refused on the grounds of avoiding suspicion.

As for what suspicion to avoid, everyone knows that it is not broken. Zhao Zhen also hypocritically said something "Ling Gongzi and your fellow villagers are all talented people, no need to worry", Yan Shu just insisted. Under the "helplessness", the firing line promoted the privy deputy envoy Wang Zeng to be the secretary of the Ministry of Rites and lead the provincial examination.

That Wang Zeng was the champion of Xianping for five years, and he was even a three-yuan person, whose morals and articles were very famous, and his qualifications were even higher than Yan Shu. If he hadn't been involved in too much of Empress Dowager Liu's affairs, he would have been the best choice for prime minister. With it as the main test, no one is convinced.

These things, since the Shangyuan Festival, he has been studying for more than a month, and Fang Zhongyong, who entered the Kaibao Temple Tribute Academy exam on February 17, did not know, and he did not have the heart to know.

Do you think that Yan Shu will be in great favor of Fang Zhongyong when he is the main exam? Pattern.

Perhaps, in order to show his fairness, impartiality, and openness, Lord Yan deliberately crossed out his name that was originally drawn up by the examiners? Of course, it can't be crossed out, but it's still possible to drop the ranking.

Yan Juhou, who also participated in the provincial examination, just left the examination room, and pulled Fang Zhongyong to talk about these doorways, which was really like a river, like a few treasures.

Asked how he did in the exam, Yan Juhou replied, "What else?" It's mushy! You know my bottom line. If you want to talk about poetry, it is barely possible, although it is not as far as Wenyuan, but it is safe to ask yourself for the exam. The scriptures and Moyi tests are rote memorization, and there are no major problems. But current affairs and policy discussion are not what I am good at. It's already a mess to make do with writing three current affairs. When it came time to talk about it, I didn't even know what I was talking about. If the examiner is not blind, it is a sure thing to be dethroned! ”

Seeing that Zeng Gong also came out of the examination room, Yan Juhou asked, "How is Zigu doing in the exam?" ”

Zeng Gong replied, "Not very well. ”

"How's it going?"

"Not good is not good!"

Zeng Ye, who came to take the exam, gave full play to the function of an unreliable brother and comforted: "It's okay. It's a big deal to retake the exam next time. ”

Seeing that the honest man Zeng Gong was about to cry, Fang Zhongyong asked, "But is there a difficulty in poetry?" ”

Zeng Gong said: "Actually, it's not that bad. It's just that I first tested the strategy and then the poetry, and I felt that the previous preparation had not been used, and I felt quite in a hurry. The writing is also very difficult, and I always feel that it is not vivid, so I can't say it well! ”

Look, this is the gap between the master who is strict with himself and the scum of Yan Juhou. People just feel annoyed that they didn't do well in the exam, and they are not ashamed of this baked paste, and they look like "I can't do well in the exam". Comparing himself again, Fang Zhongyong couldn't help but secretly feel ashamed. It seems that my heart and pattern still need to be improved!

There was already a family member of the Yan Mansion waiting outside the examination room, and the "high-spirited" Yan eldest son was taken back, and Fang Zhongyong only asked Yan Juhou to give Yan Rongyue the words "everything is fine", and did not go with him. also rejected Zeng Ye's suggestion to go drinking and relaxing, and went to the inn by car alone.

It doesn't matter what the result is, the most important thing at the moment is to rest. Well, take a break.

Unlike Fang Zhongyong and the others, who were relaxed in the next few days, the cadres in charge of reading the papers were already busy and turned to the sky.

Sealed, transcribed, and graded by the examiners of each subject. In the meantime, if there are several markers who disagree, it is necessary for the examiner to co-ordinate. Finally, the test papers of the candidates who are proposed to be qualified will be handed over to the examiner and the examiners of each subject, and the ranking will be unsealed and recorded together.

Opening the first test paper and seeing the name, Wang Zeng smiled and said, "The opinions of the princes are so consistent? Does this Fang Zhongyongguo have the talent to go through the heavens and the earth? ”

The examiner in charge of policy theory said: "I only care about policy theory, and as for poetry, I am not my strength, so I dare not talk nonsense." However, in my humble opinion, the words of this sub-policy and the governance of the people are quite in line with the way of combining rigidity and softness, and it has won the charm of Confucianism. I thought it was the son of a noble and high-ranking official, but I never thought that he was a scholar with no foundation, and it was not in vain to work hard in the next time. ”

Wang Zeng asked the two examiners in charge of poetry and scripture meaning: "Do you also think that Fang Zhongyong's poems and scriptures are the best?" ”

The two responded in unison: "Yes!" ”

Jingyi Timo is the lowest-level marking task, and the examiner has always had no say. But the poems that have always been the first of the provincial examination have become the second, Zeng Gongliang, who is in charge of the poetry evaluation, held back the fire in his belly and said: "That Fang Zhongyong has repeatedly come out with masterpieces, and the song "Qingyu Case" on the Shangyuan Festival makes Bianliang paper expensive. If we are rated as a middle and low, won't we make the world laugh? I only hate mundane affairs, and I have never met one side so far! ”

Wang Zeng smiled and said: "Ming Zhong doesn't need to mind, the old man just asked casually." On the Xuande Building that day, that Xuande Lang was in the limelight! It's just that the old man is far away, and he has never had a chance to talk. What a pity! ”

Everyone knew the root cause of Wang Zeng's change in position, and they didn't dare to answer.

The king couldn't help laughing at himself, what did he do with them? The official family is merciful, and this big exam is a great favor, how can you complain?

Wang Zeng Zhengse said: "In this case, Fang Zhongyong will be the head of this provincial test, do you have any objections?" ”

Everyone said "no", Wang Zeng picked up the pen and was about to write down his name, but he heard the official decree coming. He casually asked, "Who is the one who will deliver the message?" ”

The scribe replied: "It's Tianzhang Pavilion to be made Zhang Yaozuo." ”

Wang Zeng said angrily: "The provincial test is a ceremony for the country's talents, what does it matter to his relatives?" Missing! ”

A confidant tried his best to persuade: "That Zhang Yaozuo is the uncle of Concubine Zhang, and the adult has a difficult career, how can he rashly offend the nobles in the palace." And he came by order, and it does not damage the reputation of adults! ”

Wang Zeng sighed and said, "This official is also very difficult!" Take it! ”

You must know that the scholars and doctors of the Song Dynasty are still very arrogant, and the emperor is usually just arching his hand, calling him an "official", and the slaves who kneel at every turn like the Ming and Qing dynasties are very different.

After Wang Zeng saw Zhang Yaozuo, he just bowed his hand and said, "The minister accepts the order." ”

Don't look at Zhang Yaozuo doing nonsense outside in the name of a relative, but he is still very honest in front of Wang Zeng, who used to be the prime minister.

He said with a grin: "What is being passed down is the official family's dictation. Didn't you let Huang Zhen compete outside the field a few days ago, the official family thought that Huang Zhen was a talent after reading Huang Zhen's test papers, so he asked him to take it and let Lord Shangshu evaluate the grade, so that he could join the list and allow him to be born on the right path. ”

Wang Zeng pondered for a moment and said, "Please also ask Lord Zhang to take a look at the test questions of Huang Zhen." ”

At that moment, Zhang Yaozuo took out the test paper, and Wang Zeng carefully reviewed it. To say that Huang Zhen's level is really not low, it is not just luck to win the provincial yuan in history.

After Wang Zeng finished reading the test papers, Zhang Yaozuo asked eagerly, "How?" Is it possible to save dollars? ”

Hearing this, Wang Zeng glanced at Zhang Yaozuo very meaningfully: "Why does Lord Zhang care so much about this Huang Zhen? But is there a relationship with this person? ”

Zhang Yaozuo said with some embarrassment: "He is from Fenning, Hongzhou, and I am from Yong'an, Henan, who has anything to do with him?" It's just that this provincial test, the odds offered by the major handicaps in Beijing are all unsatisfactory. Only this Huang Zhen has odds of losing ten, and he bought 10,000 yuan on him in the next place. If there is an adult to help him, let him earn some money, he will not treat the adult badly. Of course, the official family also has its own subordinate words, so as not to embarrass adults! ”

"Oh, I don't know how much I can give to the old man?"

Zhang Yaozuo was fascinated by wealth, and he didn't notice the sarcasm in Wang Zeng's words at all, so he stretched out three fingers and said: "Sancheng, or 30,000 guan, can also be discussed." ”

Wang Zeng was furious and said, "What are you doing in this provincial test? Who are you as an old man? Such a grand ceremony has become a means for people like you to collect money. It's really annoying, it's really hateful. The old man is fighting for this official position, and he will not let you wait for the trick to succeed! Drop-off! ”

Zhang Yaozuo sneered: "Wang Zeng, you have thought clearly, this is the will of the official family, and it has the face of the concubine." It doesn't matter if you offend me, if you offend the official family and the mother, can you afford to offend? ”

Wang Zeng laughed angrily: "The old man only knows that there is a queen mother in the palace, the queen mother, I don't know which mother you are talking about?" Zhang Yaozuo, you are just lucky to be a villain, how dare you bark in front of the old man? And the official family is shengming, how can he give the will of the old man Zhuo Ba Na Huang Zhen as the provincial yuan. It must be your fox and tiger power, misinterpreting the will of the official, which is really an overbearing. He will go to court in the future, and he will not give up with you! ”

That Zhang Yaozuo is just rough and ink, and how his tongue is the opponent of Wang Zeng, who is connected to the three yuans. I had to say hatefully: "Good, good! I can't talk about you, but you are already an evil official, and this action will definitely make your head fall to the ground to vent the hatred in my heart! ”

Wang Zeng laughed wildly and said sharply: "A certain good head is here, if you have that ability, just take it." If a certain family frowns, it will be in vain for me to read the books of sages for many years! ”

After that, with a wave of his sleeves, he went back to the council hall directly, and he didn't want to stay longer for a moment.

When everyone in the council hall heard the commotion, they all looked at each other. Seeing that after Wang Zeng came back, he directly wrote Fang Zhongyong's name on the list, and everyone was shocked.

Zeng Gongliang persuaded: "Don't be impulsive! Also think twice. ”

Wang Zeng smiled and said: "Mencius said, I am good at nurturing my heroic spirit. The old man is not talented, and he often thinks about the sages. What should you do if you are in the situation of the old man today? ”

The crowd was silent.

Accept Zhang Yaozuo's conditions? Are you kidding? Is this an attempt to leave a stench for 10,000 years? Who has ever seen the provincial yuan outside the field in ancient times.

Don't accept it? That concubine Zhang was deeply loved by the emperor, and there were even rumors that the official family originally wanted to make her the queen. offended her, and I am afraid that my future career will be "no light".

Maybe, probably, maybe I still have to learn from Wang Shangshu!