Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Ministry of Rites has established that sacrifices should be held on the second day of spring and autumn every year, and in the Ming Dynasty, the same is to worship Confucius on the first day of February and August every year, called "Ding Sacrifice".

The Ding Festival was a very important ritual in feudal society, flaunting the emperor's respect for Confucius and Confucianism, as well as the concept of governing the country with virtue.

Not to mention the grand sacrificial ceremony of the imperial court, the following colleges at all levels will also hold sacrificial activities on this day.

On the day of the Ding Festival, less than five watches, Pei Zhi County and the county master book and history officials, Zhou Xuezheng and Chen Instructor and other teachers all arrived early, and all the students and students also gathered in the county college to offer offerings and kneel to the statue of Confucius in the Dacheng Hall.

When he was done, he distributed the offerings to the big ones, and it was said that he was protected by the saints and gods, and he ate them to increase his wisdom.

Zhou Xuezheng invited Pei Zhixian to Minglun Hall for tea, and it didn't take long for Pei Zhixian to say: "I should have received the teachings of the two gentlemen, but there are a bunch of things about the autumn harvest in the yamen, and there is a lawsuit reported in the township.

So the two sent him out of the Lingxing Gate, Pei Zhixian got into a sedan chair and left, and the county officials also left.

The two scholars returned to Minglun Hall, and a cadre saluted them, and the two of them sat on their chairs.

It stands to reason that famous people such as Mr. Shen and Mr. Qianzhai, or Mr. Yunnong, Mr. Linshan and other old people should come over, but because the road is not close, and it is very bumpy, and it is old, so it is okay not to come. And those who want to get fame in the book must be present, like Shen Jiajike, who has no intention of fame, so he will not come, and he will put a few incense plants on the portrait of the saint at home, like Shen Jiamo, because he belongs to the Jinling Guozijian, has been in the name of filial piety to his old father, and took sick leave early.

The secretary put the roster on the table, and Zhou Xuezheng said: "Wait! Today, the big guys are here, and it happens to be about the most important things in school, let's discuss it together. There is a good article on the edict, but now it has been delayed for many days, and yesterday someone was sent to urge, and it can not be delayed any longer. ”

Speaking of this, Zhou Xuezheng took a sip of tea and changed his smile, "Today's gathering of sages is exactly what is said and what is said is public, you can speak freely without hindrance." ”

I saw that the scholars on both sides were smiling, but none of them responded, and they didn't know what they were thinking about.

After waiting for a while, seeing that they still didn't speak, Zhou Xuezheng said again: "Suzhou and Hangzhou are the cultural states of the south of the Yangtze River, and Wuxing is the center of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Moreover, it is also related to the dignity of Hexian County and the brilliance of Hexue, so you should not be modest, you may as well know each other. ”

But seeing this group of scholars, the young students are just standing in a proper manner, and there is nothing to do with them at this time, like Shen Shi, these young talents are the same, and most of the older talents can't hide their excitement, chirping and muttering, as if they are rare sounds, but in fact, they can't hear anything clearly.

They muttered for a long time, and gradually you pushed me, I squeezed you, but no one stood up to speak.

Instructor Chen frowned and said: "When the edict first arrived, you were scrambling to be the first, and you were not in a proper manner, and now let you say it openly, why are you hesitant?"

In fact, he knows better than anyone that which one of Xiucai is not a human spirit? Mingluntang is also officialdom, since it is officialdom, it is plain and honest to come here, and it will never be nosy, and it has always been like a gourd; The obedient ones naturally refused to say more, for fear of offending people by saying the wrong thing. And those who usually like to talk, when discussing in private, they can talk better than anyone else, but on this occasion, they hide behind others, pushing others vigorously, and Zhou Xuezheng is a newcomer, everyone still doesn't know his temperament, how dare he come out.

At this time, Cheng Xiwen, the head of the school, saw that it was not a problem, so he stepped forward and said: "Two teachers, if you teach your protégés to discuss this matter, it will inevitably be a lot of people, so it is better for you two to decide for yourself." If you want the teacher to be impartial and selfless, everyone knows it, and you can decide in one word, who can disagree?"

"Yes, yes."

Seeing this, the others echoed one after another, and Cheng Zhai was humble first, and then the two Xuezheng adults were polite again, went through the motions, and then started the main topic.

When faced with the future, some people can't help but be eager to try, hoping to be promoted by others, or thinking about when to speak and protect others.

How do you know that Zhou Xuezheng was born in Shujishi, has been a Hanlin for many years, and is qualified to enter the cabinet in the future, the more chaotic the moment, the more he can inspire his decisiveness and decisiveness, and he stood up without saying a word.

Seeing him arch his hand, he said: "Zhou's arrival is shallow, you can't know everything regardless of your character and talent, not to mention that there are still many people present who have not met. But after I arrived, Brother Tan's good deeds were actually talked about by everyone, so the day before yesterday, Brother Chen and I also sent him a plaque. Ladies and gentlemen, can this one be promoted? There is also Brother Shen Nian's achievements, I am the same year, and I have always known it, of course you know it, can this one also be guaranteed?"

As soon as these words came out, the four brothers of Shen Shi Shen Hua Shen Wei and Shen Zuo were immediately overjoyed, but they didn't expect that Lord Xuezheng would be able to be virtuous and not avoid relatives, of course, the fourth uncle did have this qualification.

As a newly promoted epiphysio, Shen Zuo was greatly unconvinced, and said in his heart that in terms of age and qualifications, it was obvious that my father was more suitable, but because it was not your year, it was omitted?

However, his words were slight, and he did not dare to raise objections in public.

Instructor Chen was also surprised, but it was logical to think about it, Shen Laosi was famous in Suzhou, and everyone was respected, not just because of his family background. What's more, ranking fourth, now there is only one Shen Laosan in the Shen family who is a petty official in the capital, although the Shen family is famous locally, it is nothing to look at the whole country.

Therefore, he said jokingly: "Lord Zhou is good at lifting, his two families are convenient, and he can afford to lift, after all, this is also very expensive."

The big guys naturally looked very disappointed, but Tan Juren and Shen Jiaji's "meritocracy" was indeed above them, and they couldn't find any excuses for not cultivating their private virtues, and they had too many relatives and friends, so they could be regarded as 'serving the public', besides, who wanted to offend his two families in public?

Then I saw that they looked at me, and I looked at you, and soon said in unison, "What your lord has seen is very true, so please make a decision."

Of course, Zhou Xuezheng was not stupid, and said with a smile: "It's not appropriate! It's up to you to decide. ”

Cheng Xiwen hurriedly said: "The hour is not early, if the protégés want to be judged, I am afraid that it will not be until February next year to recover."

"It's up to my lord, and these two officials are also in favor." Instructor Chen said, anyway, this is the name you proposed on the spot, and it is the so-called official business, and we can't blame the gift-giver.

Zhou Xuezheng smiled, looked at Cheng Xiwen deeply, no longer hesitated at the moment, and ordered the secretary in a loud voice, "You name first, the four fasting chiefs, the heads of hyperplasia and epiphyticism." ”

"Yes." The secretary turned to the name of the loud name: "Sizhai Chang Tingdian, Cheng Xiwen, Li Bingcheng, Zheng Weicheng, Yu Ming."

Below, Cheng Xiwen and the other four elders replied: "Yes!"

"Increasing the head, attaching the first listening point: increasing the birth of Su Lin, and the birth of Zhang Hongyuan."

"Yes."

Seeing that this matter was decided in such a word, the entire Minglun Hall became silent, and Zhou Xuezheng said slowly: "Six, now I will hand over the matter of protecting the virtuous and virtuous to the six of you." The presentation should be 'four or six', and the facts must be clear and decent. ”

"Understood." The six nodded in obedience.

Seeing that the matter was over, the scholars saluted to the two scholars, and walked away in a tasteless whisper.

Li Bingcheng, the eldest of them, said: "This is the grace of the imperial court, the teacher's life, and it will be handled now, if you wait for tomorrow's appointment, I am afraid that everyone will not have an appointment in the city and the countryside, and there will be no delay, so please just move to the next place."

Instructor Chen said with a smile: "That's very true, in addition to the offerings you received, I will ask someone to send you a pig's leg and a half-chambered sheep." Bingcheng, you have to entertain good guests, otherwise it won't be on my head. ”

Cheng Xiwen suddenly smiled and said, "The protégé received the offering, and he still thinks about drinking blessings."

"You're exactly like your father." Instructor Chen pointed at him and smiled dumbly, "That's it, there should still be some sacrificial wine left from yesterday's sacrificial wine, so I'll ask them to bring another jar." ”

Cheng Xiwen chuckled and said: "Since the teacher has given him a specialty, the protégés will understand it!"

Zhou Xuezheng, who had a good impression of him, listened to it and couldn't help laughing: "It is worthy of being the son of Mr. Linshan, with a sharp tongue and a sharp natural pen." This is a public submission, and the old man must be taught. ”

"The disciple doesn't dare." Cheng Xiwen said with a smile.