Inside the lecture hall of the Hanlin Academy.

The lecturer Han Shineng got a new calligraphy and painting, and he proudly took it to the Han Courtyard and showed it to his colleagues, which was also to show off.

This time, Han Shineng's acquisition was the Tang Dynasty painter Zhou Fang's "Lady Waving a Fan".

Chen Yuma, who was on the side, couldn't help but say: "Brother Cunliang, the preciousness of your lady's fan-waving picture is no less than the cold food post you got at the beginning." ”

Han Shineng was very happy and said: "Where, where, Brother Yuan Zhong, you are a painter, taste one or two for me." ”

Chen Yuma hurriedly said: "Don't dare to be, don't dare to be, if you want to appreciate where I can get a bachelor of light, you might as well ask a bachelor of light." ”

Seeing that he mentioned himself, Zhang Wei unceremoniously held the painting and tasted one or two: "The painting is a good painting, and one stroke and one painting shows the graceful and plump state, this is undoubtedly a genuine handiwork." ”

Han Shineng was very happy to show the painting to Lin Yanchao and asked, "What does Master Lin think?" ”

Lin Yanchao didn't dare to say a word at the moment, and then praised the painting a few words.

Yu Shenxing, Xu Xianqing is really accomplished in painting, and the two and Han Shineng discussed it very seriously.

Lin Yanchao looked at it, this is also the normal life of the Hanlin Academy, but in fact, there is no big deal.

In addition to reading and studying history on weekdays, it is also a pleasure to talk with colleagues, unlike other yamen who are busy with official documents every day.

This is the nobility of Hanlin!

Just as he was about to speak, someone outside came to greet him: "Bachelor Qiqi, there are officials from the Ministry of Rites outside the door, and there are many brocade guards, and the battle is very big, I don't know what's going on?" ”

Zhang Wei was slightly surprised and said, "Immediately set up the case and receive the order!" Everyone, follow me to the door of the ceremony to welcome the order! ”

After speaking, Zhang Wei took Lin Yanchao and others to Hanlin outside the Yimen.

When everyone saw it, it turned out to be Shen Li, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and there were Zhu Geng, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites, and several officials in charge of Langzhong.

Shen Li was dressed in red, holding a holy decree, very majestic.

The rest of the officials of the Ministry of Rites also looked solemn and stood behind Shen with their hands.

Shen Li immediately said: "The officials of the Hanlin Academy have received the order!" ”

Zhang Wei led the officials to bow down, Shen Li glanced at everyone, and then said: "Fengtian carries the emperor, the edict says...... Wang Xijue, a scholar of the Ministry of Rites and a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion University, and Lin Yanchao, a scholar of the Zuo Chunfang of Zhan Shifu, and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, were the scholars of the Ministry of Rites, and the officiating department was ...... Chin this. ”

After the officials thanked him, Shen Li handed over the holy decree to Lin Yanchao and said: "The imperial court ordered Master Lin to take the test of Nangong and recommend talents for the country, which is the trust of the Son of Heaven in Master Lin. ”

Lin Yanchao was solemn, and said to Shen Li: "The lower officials should remember the teachings of the ministry, be impartial, and live up to the emperor's grace!" ”

Shen Li nodded.

Below, Zhang Wei and the others all congratulated Lin Yanchao.

Everyone was a little shocked in their hearts, they originally thought that the main exam of this subject was Shen Yiyi, although they heard that Shen Li was against it, but everyone still thought that this was a sure thing.

But it's also a relief to think about it, the exam was presided over by the Ministry of Rites.

Of course, the Ministry of Rites has the right to express its opinion on the candidates for the chief examiner of the examination requested by the Cabinet.

Under the vigorous opposition of Shen Li, Shen has always won steadily, but in the end, he fell short, but he was cheaper than Lin Yanchao, who was killed halfway.

The twenty-five-year-old examiner of the examination, I am afraid that there is no second person in the past.

If someone else is changed, they will definitely be unconvinced, but Lin Yanchao's qualifications are really terrifying, everyone can be the top student in the exam at the age of nineteen, or three yuan and the first, so it is natural to become the examiner at the age of twenty-five.

Han Shineng, Yu Shenxing, Chen Yuma and others congratulated Lin Yanchao one by one, saying that it was impossible without the slightest jealousy, but this little emotion was nothing compared to this promising Lin Sanyuan.

Among the people, Zhang Wei knew it in his heart, and when the two of them looked at each other, they knew it in their chests.

Lin Yanchao knew that he was the chief examiner of the examination, so Zhang Wei and Zhu Geng's favor was also owed.

At this time, Shen Li looked at Lin Yanchao again and said, "What else does Master Lin have to say to his family?" ”

Lin Yanchao nodded, and immediately ordered someone to call Zhanming to come.

In front of Shen Li and the officials, Lin Yanchao instructed Zhanming: "The Son of Heaven has appointed me to preside over the Spring Festival, and I can't go back to the house until the list is released, you go back first to tell my wife on my behalf, please feel at home and don't worry, you can go back to the house in a few days." ”

Zhan Ming couldn't help but be surprised: "Master, then your change of clothes?" ”

Lin Yanchao glanced at Shen Li and asked what he meant. Shen Li pinched his beard and said: "You immediately go home to pick up the clothes, and send them to the Yamen of the Ministry of Rites no later than the time, and someone will pass them on to your master at that time!" ”

Shen Li asked again: "Does Master Lin have any standing medicine at home, and he also brings some with him?" ”

Lin Yanchao said with a smile: "More ministry care, Xia Guan doesn't have the habit of taking medicine on weekdays." ”

Shen Li applauded: "That's good." ”

At that moment, Shen Li said: "Master Lin, please!" ”

Lin Yanchao nodded, and immediately turned around to say goodbye to Zhonghanlin.

All the colleagues returned the salute together, and then looked at Lin Yanchao's back with envy.

After Lin Yanchao walked out of the Hanlin Courtyard, he saw a team of brocade guards standing outside the door.

Jin Yiwei wore a bright yellow flying fish suit, an embroidered spring knife at his waist, and then the four of them carried a sedan chair and rested in front of the door.

A brocade guard stepped forward to salute Lin Yanchao and said, "The subordinate Jinyi guard commands Yu Mocheng, I have seen the president, please get on the sedan chair!" ”

Lin Yanchao nodded and then got on the sedan chair, and the left and right sedan curtains were touched, and they were airtight.

After Lin Yanchao got into the sedan chair, the left and right brocade guards surrounded him, not only as a guard, but also as a surveillance.

After walking for more than a cup of tea, the sedan chair stopped.

Yu Mocheng said outside the sedan chair: "The president has arrived." ”

Lin Yanchao got off the sedan chair and looked, but saw that this was the right gate of Chang'an, at the foot of the imperial city.

There are a few board rooms in front, but I saw that the brocade guards were monitoring this board room on three floors inside and three layers outside. In addition to the Jinyi Guard, there are also two imperial historians of the Metropolitan Procuratorate standing outside the door.

The two imperial historians each saluted Lin Yanchao, and Lin Yanchao asked, "Is it locked here?" ”

The two said together: "Back to the president, it's here." ”

Lin Yanchao was about to take a step at the moment, but saw another team of brocade-clothed guards escorting a sedan chair from the foot of the imperial city to this place.

It was the chief examiner Wang Xijue who walked out of the sedan chair.

Lin Yanchao saluted Wang Xijue from afar, Wang Xijue nodded, and then the two of them tacitly did not speak, and then went to a board room.

In the panel room hangs a portrait of the saint Kong.

And then there's a collapse, a case, a clean bucket, and nothing else. The doors and windows were nailed, and only one pane could be opened to deliver food and so on.

Then through the pane, you can see the Jinyi guard guarding the courtyard with three steps, one sentry, and five steps and one post.

This is the treatment of the examiner in the hall.

This is the system of locking the hospital, which started in the late Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and was the basic rule in the Ming Dynasty.

In the Tang Dynasty, the imperial examination was a common practice, causing candidates to compete with powerful ministers.

Then the examination adopts a vague name system, which puts an end to the solicitation, but there are still candidates who want to go through the examiner, and then the imperial court locks the examiner from the day the chief examiner appointment is issued.

As the chief examiner, he is not allowed to go home, see relatives and friends, or socialize with ministers outside the hospital before the release of the results.

So Lin Yanchao is locked in the courtyard now.

Of course, if the courtyard is not locked, Lin Yanchao will return to the house now, it will definitely be a crowded city, with an endless stream of cars and horses.

At this time, Lin Yanchao had to hang the sign of 'No gifts for the festival this year' in front of the door.

Thinking of these days, I can't help but feel a little depressed that I have to do this until before the exam, but Wang Xijue, as a cabinet scholar, should also be like this, Lin Yanchao's heart is a little balanced.

Lin Yanchao paced in the room, knocked on the door and asked for a pot of tea first.

This time the deputy examiner is him, which is not surprising, but the chief examiner is Wang Xijue, which is a little unexpected.

Because the chief examiner in the eleventh year of Wanli is Yu Youding, and the deputy chief examiner is Xu Guo.

When it comes to this year's examination, the chief examiner should be Xu Guocai, who has never presided over the examination.

Because the chief examiner of the examination is the main and the second, the chief examiner selects the cabinet scholar who has not yet taken the examination, and the deputy examiner chooses the minister of the Hanlin Academy of the Zhan Shifu, which is the default rule for many years.

But the Son of Heaven bypassed Xu Guo and ordered Wang Xijue as the main examiner, which means distrust of Xu Guo or the importance of Wang Xijue, it is unknown.

However, Lin Yanchao thinks that it is most likely the latter, Wang Xijue is arrogant and conceited, and it is not easy to deal with, but the Son of Heaven is very important to him, and most of the people who will replace Shen Shi in the future will be the first assistant.

So Lin Yanchao had the heart to accept him, but after thinking about it, this time he would try the two of them as the main examiner and the deputy examiner, and there must be some places to discuss, and it was a little difficult to grasp the proportions.

(I read a lot of book friends ask, casually mention that the chief examiner of the 14th year of Wanli in history is Wang Xijue, and the deputy examiner is Zhou Ziyi)

Just when Lin Yanchao was thinking about it, the change of clothes and shoes and socks sent by the family had arrived.

Lin Yanchao looked at the things sent by Lin Qianqian's big bags and small bags, and the preparation was very meticulous and thoughtful, but he liked Lin Qianqian's delicate thoughts.

Even if he was well prepared, he thought that he would be away from home for many days, which was really uncomfortable. He's quite a family lover.

Just when he locked the hospital, the news that Lin Yanchao was the chief examiner of the examination suddenly spread all over Beijing. In the capital, the leaders of various guild halls, inns, and green buildings are discussing this matter.

In the past, students had to guess the preferences of the chief examiner and deputy examiner in the annual examination.

For example, what kind of paper can you get a high score for writing.

If the examiner is a great master of science, then if you write an article advocating the study of the mind, you are looking for death.

If the examiner is inclined to learn from the mind, then your essay can lean in this direction in moderation.

The examiner is the main pavilion, so understand the Hanlin article, the examiner is retro, and the candidate has to figure out more about the Qin and Han articles. The examiner admires the Tang and Song dynasties, so Wenyi has to lean on the two Wenzong of Su and Han.

The purpose is to be able to go to high school during the exam.

Therefore, as soon as the news of Lin Yanchao becoming the chief examiner came out, the candidates immediately rushed to tell each other.

In a teahouse in the Great Smoke Factory.

This has always been the place where the leaders of several major imperial examination provinces in Nanzhi, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi gathered.

As a lifter, the Four Books and Five Classics have long been familiar with the chest by this time, so it is not so useful to study hard before the exam, and everyone likes to come to the teahouse to listen to the news.

Now the second floor of the teahouse is full, and dozens of people are sitting, all of whom are scholars who are participating in this examination.

At this time, several shopkeepers stepped on the stairs and went upstairs, and then said: "Ladies and gentlemen, Lin Sanyuan's former examination room articles have been bought, and all the articles outside have been bought off, and the villains have desperately visited several bookstores, so they have grabbed more than a dozen copies." ”

"Fortunately, we went early, and now we can sell it for three taels of silver, which is just slaughtering!"

"There are still readers waiting, and various bookstores have started to reprint since the news came out, but it is still difficult to find a book."

One of the scholars in the crowd stood up and said, "Three taels of silver, not expensive or expensive, you go outside again, and buy as many books as you want!" If you have a school handout, you can also buy it. ”

At that moment the scholar took a piece of silver and threw it over, and then took the article and distributed it to the people.

The above people all knew that this person had always been generous, and they didn't say politely to him: "Thank you, Brother Ji Shi!" ”

This Brother Ji Shi is none other than Gu Yuncheng, Gu Xiancheng's younger brother.

When Lin Yanchao was demoted to Guide as an official, Gu Xiancheng returned to his hometown to guard the system for 27 months.

After Gu Xiancheng returned to his hometown, he did not take in many protégés idlely, just like Xiang An Xifan, Gao Panlong all asked Gu Xiancheng for business, and then was included in the door.

After Gu Xiancheng completed the system, he returned to Beijing to serve as the director of the seal inspection department of the Ministry of Officials, and also brought his younger brother and two protégés to Beijing. They all have to sit for the examination of this subject.

Everyone flipped through the article and read it carefully.

One person asked, "Brother Ji Shi, don't you read it?" ”

Gu Yuncheng has the style of his brother, and said with a smile: "I am already familiar with the president's article. ”

A Zhejiang man said with a smile: "I heard that Brother Gu is the same year as Mr. Xuegong, so I must have admired Mr. Xuegong's talent and learning on weekdays." ”

Gu Yuncheng smiled and said with a little pride: "That's natural, my husband and Mr. Xuegong are not only the same year, but also very good friends, he once said that his learning is different from that of Mr. Xuegong, but the learning of merit can be distinguished from Zhu Lu and become unique." ”

Hearing Gu Yuncheng say this, all the readers showed a look of deep understanding.

A scholar said: "I usually study with Cheng Zhu and Lu Wang, and I have also dabbled in forestry, but I think it is too miscellaneous, and it is not the way of the imperial court to take scholars, so I didn't study it carefully, so it's a pity today." ”

"Yes, I heard that before the exam, some ministers wanted to pay equal attention to the policy and the scriptures, but I don't think so. At present, Mr. Xuegong is the president, and he must value this part of the policy. It's a pity that I don't study weekdays, so I'm afraid this question is not easy to answer. ”

"Not necessarily, not necessarily. Mr. Iguan's articles have always been not mysterious, but teach people the way to work hard, and it should not be too difficult for us to ask questions, but it will not be too easy to answer. ”

At this time, Gu Yuncheng smiled and said, "Yes, you don't need to panic. Whether it is the scriptures or the righteousness, the policy is mainly based on the article, and the article is written first, and it becomes half of it. Brother An, you have always admired Mr. Xuegong's articles the most, what do you think? ”

Everyone looked at An Xifan.

An Xifan nodded, and said unhurriedly: "Brother Ji Shi, if you ask anything else, I can't answer." But Mr. Xuegong's article is asking the right person. ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, Yu Guanlin Sanyuan's articles, from "For Learning" to "Cao Disadvantages Theory", to "Self-Presentation Table", "Advice and Two Things", the recent article "A Hundred Years of Tree People", as well as the text of Guanqi Science Field, its rhetoric from complex to simple, seemingly no rhetoric, not heavy and scattered, but extremely rhetorical, and dispersed."

"The article has reached this point, it is already a big coincidence, if it is lacking, we can't learn it, and if we learn, we can't do it, but Mr. Guan's early articles were deeply influenced by Su Han, so if I have a grasp of the article, I can lean on this point."

Listening to An Xifan's words, everyone couldn't stop nodding.

Especially in the articles here, the readers who like to imitate the Tang and Song dynasties said with joy on their faces: "Brother Fan's words are true. ”

Gu Yuncheng nodded and said: "I think so too, but everyone, Lin Xue's governance is mainly applied to the world, and you must not use clichés and empty words in order to make up the eight-strand format as in the past, and advocate that it is mainly practical and practical." ”

"If you don't have full confidence in your article, you must not force your director, otherwise even if you pass the examiner, you will be defeated in front of the president."

All the readers felt that they had gained a lot after listening to it. picked up Lin Yanchao's article and read it carefully.

And in Gu Yuncheng's table, there was a scholar who had not spoken before, and then Fang said: "Everyone, do you see that the Son of Heaven uses Lin Sanyuan as the president, does he intend to promote merit and study instead of science?" ”

The scholar's name was Xue Fujiao.

Gu Xiancheng and Gu Yuncheng were both employed by Xue Yingqi, the grandfather of Xue Fujiao, when they were young. Xue Yingqi's learning, the collection of Wang Xue, Cheng Zhu Lixue.

Xue Yingqi studied Wang Xue when he was young, and when he was old, he thought that returning to Cheng Zhuzhi's study was the authentic Confucianism.

There is a sentence in Xue Yingqi's study that the ancients admonished no officials, and sent them to the people of the world with the public opinion of the world, so that the people of the world said it, and this is prosperous.

His proposition is that the world is not a private discussion.

This point was later absorbed by Gu Xiancheng and became the 'school motto' of Donglin Academy, the sound of wind and rain, the sound of reading, and the concern of national and family affairs, and everything in the world.

Hearing Xue Fujiao's words, everyone fell silent.

These people are all real scholars, and in their eyes, emperors and generals are all floating clouds, and only spiritual immortality is long-lasting.

Therefore, if you want to be immortal, you must make meritorious contributions, establish virtues, and make words!

If the study of merit replaces the science of science as the manifestation of science, it does not mean another level of immortality.

Gao Panlong said: "Lin Xue is a practical and speakable learning, Lin Sanyuan has been in Guide for three years, and he has been in Germany for three years, and he can know that his knowledge has reached the unity of knowledge and action, and the Son of Heaven appointed him as the president of the examination, it is really difficult to say how it will be in the future." ”

Gu Yuncheng said: "Not to mention anything else, after this test, I'm afraid that more and more readers will study forestry." ”

Saying that, several people fell into deep thought, they all studied under Xue Yingqi, Gu Xiancheng, and taught Zhu Zhijiao since childhood, of course, they think that science is the authentic Confucianism, and at the same time, they do not reject forestry in their hearts.

This may also be the mentality of many young readers at the moment.

They are never averse to new things.

"Thinking so much, let's study Lin Sanyuan's article first, and then say, the title of the gold list is what we want."

Hearing Gu Yuncheng say this, everyone was relieved and smiled and said, "That's right." ”