When he returned to the inn, he was teased by a group of people, but no one told Shen Yun his true identity.

was kept in the dark like this, and went to the champion building to drink happily. The next morning, after waking up, the unsuccessful scholars prepared to go back.

Tang Shi once joked to Bai Juyi: Chang'an rice is expensive, and it is not easy to live in a big place.

When he arrived in the Great Song Dynasty, no one came to Bianliang, and then he thought that the Great Confucian told him that it was not easy for Bianjing Mi to live in a noble house. But that doesn't change the fact that it's hard to move around without money here.

The money left by Li Cao was only enough for these people to return to their hometowns. Even if Shen Yun wanted to keep these people for a few days to have fun, he really didn't have enough money.

The wharf outside Bianliang City is still in full swing. Shen Yun and Zhao Wenqing came here with some food on their backs, and accompanied the scholars who were going back to their hometowns. Everything at this time, the beginning and the ending seem to be markedly different. The verdant greenery of early spring has been spreading along the riverbank, and it is not as bleak as it was when it came. And those who left did not have the vigor they had when they came.

The merchant ships that could carry passengers kept shouting, and before long the group found a ship that they could ride.

"Brother Shen, let's send it here."

The departing people, led by Lu Fang, stood in front of the shore and refused to send a few people off further. In the words, of course, there is a little bit of embarrassment. When Shen Yun was down, he came to take the provincial exam, but now that Shen Yun is in high school, he has to leave gloomily. It's really unpredictable.

Nodding, Shen Yun took out a letter from his arms: "Brother Lu, I have been away from home for a long time, and it is inconvenient to write letters in the past, so I can only wait until today to ask you to bring a letter to my home." I have written the address on the envelope, and I hope that Brother Lu can bring it. ”

Shen Yun's movements made Shen Yan, who was standing in the distance, pale. Obviously, they were all of the same race, but Shen Yun pretended not to see him. Shen Yan, who was still a little lucky, also understood Shen Yun's plan at this time. Listening to Lu Fang's categorical promise, the loss in his heart was indescribable.

With Shen Yun taking the lead, Zhao Wenqing and the other three also took out the letter from their arms and handed it to Lu Fang.

After a few words of greeting, Shen Yun pulled Lu Fang elsewhere and took out a bag from his arms: "Brother Lu, this is the money left by Licao that day, and now it is used for food, clothing and flowers, and there is not much left." I left some for the four of me to stay, and you take the rest, and the right is for Sichuan. ”

Lu Fang couldn't refuse. Originally, like them, the government was not responsible for their travel expenses back to their hometowns. During the Renzong Dynasty, even if it was a palace test, many scholars could be dethroned, and some were trapped and unable to return to their hometowns, so they committed suicide by throwing themselves into the water in the capital. Renzong took pity on the difficulties of the scholars, so he ordered that all those who passed the provincial examination were basically hired, which made the situation improve a lot.

However, this is only for those who pass the provincial test.

If you can't even pass the provincial exam, you are not eligible to receive preferential treatment from the government.

Taking the heavy cloth bag, Lu Fang nodded: "Brother Shen, please rest assured, Lu will definitely let you brothers return home with peace of mind." I'll come back next year. ”

Watching the boat remove the cable and get farther and farther away from the riverbank, the people standing on both sides were relatively silent, just waving vigorously.

In order to facilitate the next matter, Shen Yun discussed with Zhao Wenqing, Zeng Mingli and Zhou Qingyun, and finally decided to move to the city. It's only a few days, and the house money doesn't cost much, and a few of you can still afford it.

In the reluctant eyes of the shopkeeper of the Wenchang Inn, the four of them came to the inner city with a salute. After staying near the Ministry of Rites, Meimei slept for a while, and Shen Yun explained to the three of them that she went to Fan's Mansion alone.

It's been two days since I accepted Fan Chun's invitation.

It's just that Shen Yun has been entangled in trivial matters for the past two days, and Fan Chun has also come to Xiumu, so he hasn't visited him for a long time. Until today, Shen Yun had inquired clearly, and then Shi Shiran came to the door.

As soon as Menzi heard Shen Yun's name, he ran in to say goodbye, but after a while, Shen Yun saw Fan Chun coming in person at the door. Seeing Shen Yun, he said with a smile: "I'm waiting for you to come, brother, and I'm waiting for the autumn water." Come in, please. ”

Holding Shen Yun's hand, Fan Chun pulled him into the living room of the second courtyard, and then instructed the servant: "Tell the cook to cook some good dishes today." By the way, take some of the tribute wine that the official family has rewarded this year, and ask for the flower carving of Shaoxing. I remember there were several jars of 20-year-old wine, which was said to be called Champion Red. When Brother Shen came, he naturally wanted to have a good fortune. ”

Fan Chun's enthusiasm made Shen Yun uncomfortable for a while: "Brother Fan, I don't think there is any need to be so polite." ”

"Yes, yes. You should know that since the second brother was admitted to the Jinshi in my family, my third brother and I have both been in the shadows. Although they were all given backgrounds later, they were also a thorn in their hearts in the end. Brother Shen is my pure acquaintance, if you win the match, you will be like me win, and you will definitely have to celebrate. ”

However, Shen Yun could only accept it.

After Fan Chun gave instructions in a hurry, he returned to the main seat and asked Shen Yun with a smile: "How many days will the palace test be held, how sure are you in your heart?" ”

When asked this, Shen Yun was stunned. Seriously, he really didn't think about what he could do during the palace exam. I just feel that after the provincial test, there is already a guarantee from now on, anyway, in the end, there is an official body. However, Fan Chun asked, and naturally he couldn't answer like this: "I don't dare to think about it." But strive to be in the second class. ”

Hearing Shen Yun's answer, Fan Chun nodded.

"In today's palace exam, I think you have heard the rumors, and the official family has the intention to only take one exam. So the question is naturally a question. And in today's situation, the New Deal is in full swing, have you ever thought about how to answer? ”

Fan Chun asked very steadily, and Shen Yun was not easy to hide: "In fact, Shen Yun is not preparing some new policies in his heart. ”

"Oh?" This was beyond Fan's pure expectations: "You must know that writing about the New Deal will be somewhat convenient in the ranking after all." ”

Shen Yun shook his head: "In the whole world, in addition to the New Deal, there are many things that can be said to be written and done. Today's New Deal, the situation is unclear, and the flattery of the moment will be even if it is beautiful for a while, but it will also sow disasters for the future. Besides, there are enough people discussing the new deal, and the examiner may get tired of it. ”

These words made Fan Chun laugh.

"You're right, in fact, if the official family comes in person, as long as you write well, I'm afraid I can give you a champion. These days, the old and new parties are sparse and sparse every day, and there are a few baskets of them. The two prime ministers also held on to each other, and each picked out some and sent them to the official's desk. This quarrel came and went, and the official family was a little difficult to decide. ”

Shen Yun smiled and continued: "I have to watch it again, at least it's better than the two sides arguing in the court." Thinking about coming to the official family must have been a headache. ”

Fan Chun smiled and pointed at Shen Yun: "You are narrow, but you really made it clear about the chaos in the court in the past few days." If this continues, it is inevitable that there will be turmoil in the DPRK situation. The second brother saw this and strongly opposed Wang Xianggong's measures, but he was released. This court, alas. As he spoke, Fan Chun was also worried.

Shen Yun was silent for a while, and suddenly spoke: "I think, such a drastic method, I am afraid that the backlash caused by such a drastic method must be unprecedented." Instead of worrying about this, Brother Fan might as well take advantage of the fact that it has not affected himself and think about how to clean up this mess when the time comes. In the past two days, I have also read a book, and I have gained a clear understanding of the situation between the DPRK and China. ”

"Oh?" Fan Chun didn't expect Shen Yun to say such a thing, and asked Shen Yun with interest: "Then what do you say, what should I do next?" ”

"Please go out and go to a place where things are calm. Once there is chaos in the DPRK and China, we can also stabilize the frontier and let the princes of the DPRK and China free up their hands to clean up the mess. Shen Yun said this, categorically, without any hesitation at all. Such determination made Fan Chun shake: "You dare to say it, but what you said does make sense." Take me to think about it, and I'll do it again in a while. ”

Shen Yun didn't ask, he knew that this kind of thing needed time to consider.

After Fan Chun finished saying this, he looked at Shen Yun and said very solemnly: "Brother Shen, you have to be careful, as far as I know, the Lu Heqing, who had a disagreement with you before, did not participate in the imperial examination this year. Since this is the case, then his brother Lu Huiqing must be determined to serve as the examiner of the palace examination. Although I don't know if it's a preliminary or final review, it's not a good thing for you. ”

Shen Yun's heart moved: "The test papers in the palace are famous, I don't think he has the courage to do this." ”

"The preliminary examination and other places, the final examination and ranking. I'm afraid, he has read your article, knows your style, and deliberately does something when the time comes. The matter of the article is inconclusive after all. ”

Shen Yun's heart sank.

Not to mention, there were indeed such things happening to examiners in previous years. The most typical is Ouyang Xiu. This once wanted to point Su Shi to the first class, so he remembered Su Shi's style. As a result, in the end, Su Shi went to the second class.

With a wry smile, Shen Yun spread his hands helplessly: "Since this is the case, then I can only change the style of writing." Fortunately, the only articles he could refer to were the test papers of the provincial examination of our state, and the others were not discovered by them. This is also a blessing in disguise. ”

Fan Chun laughed: "You can rest assured." Anyway, he is not the only examiner this time. At that time, if he makes too much trouble, even if he is Wang Xianggong's confidant, we will have a way. It is not impossible to even use this to expel him from the court. Be careful, though, and don't let him grab the handle. After all, according to the usual experience, in the end, it is not pleasing to both ends. ”

After talking about these bad things, the two talked about some interesting things that happened in Beijing. The originally depressed mood suddenly improved a lot. At noon, the two of them ate and drank, and Shen Yun returned to the inn.