Qi Biaojia's two articles of preparation art have been done before noon, first written on scratch paper, checked three times before and after, to see if there are any violations, such as not avoiding the royal name, temple number, and mentioning their own family in the text, the test papers that violate these taboos are not admitted, this thirteen-year-old boy is extremely serious, once every three years, he must not fall short because of this negligence, check it correctly, and then use Duan Kai to transcribe the truth, and read the sentence himself, after completion, put down the pen and rub his hands, and see that Zhang Yuan in front of him is still composing - at this time, someone has already handed in the paper, Qi Biaojia was not in a hurry, waiting for Zhang Yuan, waiting for half an hour, seeing Zhang Yuan get up to hand in the papers, he also handed in the papers, the top ten candidates in each examination room can send the test papers directly to the lobby, and ask the great master for an interview, if the great master appreciates, you can decide whether to admit or not on the spot - Zhang Yuan turned around and saw Qi Biaojia following behind, so he slowed down, walked side by side with Qi Biaojia, and asked: "Huzi, why did the scribe remember my name before, it was not past noon, did you have to answer the question?" ”

Qi Biaojia participated in the last Taoist exam, compared with Zhang's original experience, and said: "There is no such thing as the field rules, otherwise you will be directly disqualified from the exam, I don't know how it is, it should be a customary habit in the field, and it has been an hour since the exam started, so you have to write a few sentences." ”

The thirteen-year-old boy looked like a teenager and an old man when he spoke, Zhang Yuan smiled "hey" and said: "If you don't answer the question for the time being, you are intending to cheat, just like going out without money and wanting to steal, and when you look at a beautiful woman, you just want to - it is really unreasonable." Heart said: "Eat a trench, grow a wisdom, this time is also my negligence, ask the eldest brother Zongzi in advance to test the rules of the test is not careful enough, this kind of thing must not have a second time, I want to understand everything that may happen in the field as much as possible during the township test, and I must take into account all possible things, time is not waiting for me." ”

Qi Biaojia said: "It shouldn't be okay, just remind Brother Jie Zi to answer the question as soon as possible." ”

The Grand Grandmaster, Xu Zhifu, and Hou Zhixian all looked at him in the hall, Zhang Yuan and Qi Biaojia didn't talk much, so they walked up to the lobby together to hand in the papers and wait for the interview.

Wang Tixue has read a lot of papers in the past few years, and his vision is old and spicy, so he first browsed the four books and eight strands of the two of them very quickly, and said to Xu and Hou: "Must take it." "The Dao test paper still attaches importance to the four book questions, and if the four book questions are done well, you can be admitted, as for the Five Classics questions, that is the ranking of the people.

Zhang Yuan and Qi Biaojia were expected to be reborn this time, Xu Shijin and Hou Zhihan said together: "Congratulations to the boss for appointing two more talents." ”

Zhang Yuan and Qi Biaojia hurriedly knelt down to worship the great master, and in the future, Wang Bian will be his teacher, and it is not uncommon for a scholar to have more than a dozen teachers from enlightenment to jinshi.

Wang Tixue first looked at Qi Biaojia's "Shangshu" inscription eight-strand text, nodded and said: "This article invents righteousness, Zhengda is mellow, and a thirteen-year-old boy can have such thoughts, rare, rare." ”

The young Qi Biaojia was full of expectations that the Grand Master ordered him on the spot, but when he saw the Grand Master put his test paper aside, he couldn't help but feel a little lost when he looked at Zhang Yuan's "Spring and Autumn" question.

Wang Tixue is a person who specializes in the study of "Spring and Autumn", and has written three volumes of "Spring and Autumn Decree", Zhang Yuan has read it carefully, and the book is still borrowed by Wang Yingzi, so this "Zang Xi Bo advises to watch the fish" of the "Spring and Autumn" title Zhang Yuan is a deep and strict code, detailed research, mellow and vigorous penmanship, Wang Tixue is to see the frequent nodding, after reading it, the meaning is still unfinished, and Zhang Yuan on the "Spring and Autumn" discussion - Wang Tixue said: "Viewing the "Spring and Autumn" caused by the intention, the name and the heart of kindness are seen, and its "righteous name" two sentences, see the "Spring and Autumn" ** so, Don't stick to deeds. ”

Zhang Yuan replied: "What the great master has seen is that the reading of the scriptures should be based on the righteousness of the matter, and the matter is just an example, and the focus is on the righteousness and not the matter, what is righteousness? One is the kindness of a saint, and the other is the ** of a saint. ”

Wang Tixue felt that Zhang Yuan saw the same as himself, and the more he talked about it, he talked about the "Spring and Autumn Period" from the rhetoric, the distinction of righteousness, and the scriptures, Zhang Yuan occasionally interjected a few words, just able to outline the lead, and those who were not intensive in studying the scriptures and meanings, and those who were studious and thoughtful could not make this statement, Wang Tixue greatly appreciated it, and regarded this examination shed hall as the "Spring and Autumn" lecture hall, with white beards fluttering, and discussing the "Spring and Autumn" - Qi Biaojia on one side was boring, and several other candidates were also waiting for the interview of the great master, but the great master was talking about Xing Zheng, and there was no time to answer them, one of the children said loudly: " The great master, the student's scripture is also "Spring and Autumn". ”

Wang Tixue was a little displeased, so he said: "Since you also govern the Spring and Autumn Period, then let me ask you, condemn Yu Wen Jiang Zheng to blame Zhuang Gong - is this theory true?" ”

This is not a simple question and answer question, if you don't know the Spring and Autumn Three Legends well and understand them thoroughly, you can't answer them, then the child is stumbling, and his face is flushed.

Wang Tixue's eyes turned to Zhang Yuan's face, his chin raised slightly, and said, "Zhang Yuan, you come to answer." ”

Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment and replied: "Wen Jiang killed his husband, mourned Jiang killed his son, his crimes are different, the Spring and Autumn Law is heavy 'repeated writing', although Zhuang Gong forgets his relatives, and Sun Di's case is here, it is probably the calligraphy of "Spring and Autumn", or heavy below, or heavy above, there is no need to stick to this sentence. ”

The candidates present who did not read "Spring and Autumn" or read it in general were very familiar with Zhang Yuan's words, but looking at the frequent nodding of the great grandmaster, they also knew that Zhang Yuan's answer was very good.

At this moment, a rumbling explosion was heard, and everyone in the hall thought at first that it was a cannon to open the door and put the first card, and then they heard a loud "rustle" sound, it turned out that it was a thunderstorm, and now the candidates sitting on the edge of the examination shed were miserable, and they could not compose, and they had to protect the test papers from being wet by the rain, and the handwriting was blurred, and the examination papers would be invalid - the rain had fallen for half an hour and refused to stop, but fortunately, more than 200 candidates had already handed in their papers, and after Wang Tixue inspected the examination shed, he agreed that those candidates sitting on the edge of the examination room would move to vacant seats, and the examination could be carried out normally.

At the beginning of the Shen period, Zhang Yuan and Qi Biaojia and other more than 200 candidates went out of the dragon gate, the heavy rain was still falling, on the square outside the examination shed, the dense starry tall lanterns when the fifth watch entered were now replaced with umbrellas, like mushrooms emerging from the forest after the rain, only to see the umbrella cover was not seen, the noisy sound and heavy rain could not be suppressed, boiling - today's Taoist test is really a lot of unpleasant, when entering the search, Sven swept the floor, and was named during the examination, and now he is suffering from heavy rain, from the examination shed to the dragon gate, Zhang Yuan's clothes have been wet, So he was not in a hurry to find a place to hide from the rain, he just looked at the exam basket, his eyes were dark, and a large oil-paper umbrella covered his head, Mu Zhenzhen's voice said happily: "Young master, you have passed the exam!" ”

Zhang Yuan looked sideways, Mu Zhenzhen's face as clean as a newly picked melon was close at hand, because it was close, Zhang Yuan could see the small raindrops on the tips of Mu Zhenzhen's fine eyebrows, a pair of dark blue eyes opened wide, containing pure joy, there were many umbrellas next to him, Mu Zhenzhen worked hard to raise the umbrella high, and the slightly narrow black Songjiang cotton jacket was tightened in front of his chest, and his slender protrusion - "Whose maid is this, I don't know what is going on, so hard to rush over, crowding people around!" ”

A person on the side glared at Mu Zhenzhen, and blamed him, this person must also be a relative and friend who welcomed a certain candidate's appearance, Mu Zhenzhen and Wuling were originally waiting on the other side of the dragon gate, Mu Zhenzhen saw the dragon gate open, his eyes looked for a moment, and saw Zhang Yuan walking to the other side of the bamboo and wood guardrail in the rain, and his whole body was soaked, Mu Zhenzhen hurriedly rushed over, although Mu Zhenzhen was vigorous and agile, but he was holding an umbrella on this rainy day, and he inevitably stumbled a little - Mu Zhenzhen blushed, raised one hand high, and didn't know how to apologize for a while, Zhang Yuan, under the umbrella, had already waved to the man: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, this rain is really heavy, I accidentally collided with Your Excellency, forgive me, forgive me." ”

The man looked at it fixedly, turned his anger into joy and said: "It turned out to be Zhang Gongzi, Zhang Gongzi must be in high school this time, have you ever seen the dog Lu Wenzhao?" ”

There are many people who know Zhang Yuan, but Zhang Yuan doesn't recognize this person, and said: "Ling Lang is still composing, the first card has not come out, the second card will definitely come out, and this time it must be high school." The right arm gently wrapped Mu Zhenzhen's waist and said, "Let's hurry home, I'm wet from my head to the bottom of my feet." Feeling the muscles of Mu Zhenzhen's back waist touched by the palm of his hand, he suddenly tensed, as if he was going to resist and be invulnerable - Wu Ling squeezed over at this time, he was thin and small, and he couldn't squeeze in if he held an umbrella, so he had to take the umbrella and drill over, wiped the rain on his face, and said loudly: "Young master, the young master of Xizhang's sect said earlier that he was waiting for you to drink at the Cross Street Restaurant, please go out of the examination room." ”

Zhang Yuan smiled: "How can I go like this." Seeing that Mu Zhenzhen was only concerned about giving him an umbrella, and half of his body was in the rain, he reached out on the handle of the umbrella and pushed it to Mu Zhenzhen, saying, "Don't cover me, I'm soaking wet anyway - why don't you bring more umbrellas?" ”

Wu Ling said: "Originally, I brought an extra umbrella, but it was borrowed by Young Master Zhang Dingyi. ”

Zhang Yuan didn't use an umbrella either, just took a step, Wuling was also wet anyway, and followed behind the young master with an umbrella and a smile.

Out of the crowded examination shed square, Zhang Yuan shouted: "Run." "It's like the year before last in the middle of the lake island in Taoyuan in the rainstorm, and Wuling two legs to run, Mu Zhenzhen followed, the umbrella cover was blown over by the wind, the master and servant three ran to the East Zhang Mansion in one breath, before entering the bamboo fence door, suddenly heard the sound of suona, the sound of gongs, only to see a group of drummers waiting in front of the door hugged out, blowing and blowing in the rain, congratulations, but it turned out that this group of drummers because there were too many people in front of the examination shed, it was difficult to find someone, knowing that Zhang Yuan was bound to hit, close to it, simply waiting in front of Zhang Yuan's house.

Zhang Yuan shook his head and smiled, this group of drummers has eaten him, and this is the fifth time to come back to report the good news.

The servant sent by Shang Zhoude was also waiting for Zhang Yuan's news in the foyer, and learned that Zhang Gongzi's exam was successful, and the Shang servant wore a bamboo hat and hurried back to report the letter.

The two brothers, Lu Chun and Lu Jie, like to play the drummer the most, said loudly on the side: "Blow more, I blow, blow a little longer, blow for a long, long time." ”

Mu Zhenzhen came over and said, "Young master, the water is ready, hurry up and take a bath, Mrs. is worried that the young master is cold." ”

Zhang Yuan hurriedly finished bathing, Mu Zhenzhen helped him dry his hair with a cloth towel and then comb his hair, and he could hear that the drummers in the front yard were still blowing in a boiling ear, Mu Zhenzhen pursed his lips and smiled: "The two young masters of Luchun and Lujie won't let this group of drummers go." ”

Comb the bun, Zhang Yuan wore a net scarf, wearing an azure lake shirt, with shallow heels on his feet, full of energy, Mu Zhenzhen looked at the young master in front of him with a slight shyness, the young master has grown extremely fast since last year, and he is almost as tall as her, when he cut new clothes in the ready-to-wear shop last month, the young master used the tailoring ruler to measure his height exactly five feet, and the young master also muttered "Five feet is one meter seven", Mu Zhenzhen didn't know what "one meter seven" meant, but she just felt that she didn't seem to grow much this year, and she would definitely be surpassed by the young master, well, it would be good to exceed it- Zhang Yuan went to see his mother and sister refreshed, and his sister Zhang Ruoxi smiled and said: "Xiao Yuan, hurry up and send that group away, their ears are almost deaf, how can they rely on those two little fools, they can't get tired of listening." ”

Zhang Yuan sealed three coins of silver and sent the group of drummers, but the two of them did not follow, Zhang Yuan said that after two days, let the drummers play again, and the two little brothers gave up.

Wu Ling came in and said, "Young Master, Neng Zhu said that the son of the sect and the third son are all waiting in the Cross Street Restaurant." ”

Zhang Yuan went in and said to his mother, and took Wuling to the banquet, but saw that in addition to the eldest brother Zhang Dai and the third brother Zhang Cao, Qi Biaojia and Qi Yiyuan brothers were also there, as well as Zhou Menong.

Zhang Cao smiled and said: "Brother Jiezi, Huzi said that you are undoubtedly the first person in the test, and you have to invite a table of flower wine." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "The great master only said that he wanted to admit me and Huzi, and He Zeng named the case. ”

Qi Huzi was still a little sullen, and said: "The Great Grandmaster treats you completely differently from other candidates, you are not the head of the case, who is the head of the case!" ”

Zhang Yuan said: "The eight counties of Shaoxing have only been tested in one county, how can the great grandmaster hastily point the case." ”

Zhang Cao said with a smile: "Huzi doesn't want to fight with Jie Zi for the head of the case, let Jie Zi make up a small three yuan, it will sound better." ”

Everyone laughed at what Zhang Cao said, and Zhou Menong said: "This flower wine, Zhang Jiezi must be invited, don't save him money, just say it today, go to Hangzhou, go to Nanjing, and then let Zhang Jiezi invite flower wine, the name of the old courtyard, a table of flower wine dozens of taels of silver, then Zhang Sanyuan will be as earth-colored as the earth." ”

Zhang Dai said: "The name loves talents, and sometimes you can rely on the red cui without spending a penny of silver, it depends on the ability of the disciples." ”

Zhang Cao said that he was very happy today, as if he had won the small three yuan, and when he asked, he learned that his grandfather Zhang Rulin had agreed to accept the prison for him, and if it went well, he could go to Nanjing Guozijian to study at the end of next month, and Zhang Dai would also go with him as a tribute student, Shanyin Confucianism has a tribute quota every year, and this year's quota was given to Zhang Dai, Zhang Rulin also considered that Zhang Dai would go to Nanjing to give Zhang Cao a prisoner, otherwise how could Zhang Cao be fooling around outside alone - Zhang Cao said: "It is said that the head of the examination case can also be recommended by the school officer to study in the Guozijian, Jie Zi, you must take the head of this case this time. ”

Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "I did my best, whether I am the head of the case or not is left to fate, even if I am not the head of the case, I can go to Nanjing, and I am not worse than Guozijian when I go to study under Jiao Taishi." ”

Qi Biaojia saw that the Zhang brothers were talking lively, so he said: "I will go to Donglin Academy to study next month, and Mr. Qidong has a letter asking me to worship under Mr. Jingyi." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Wuxi Donglin Academy, that must be visited." Xin said: "Gao Panlong is the leader of the Donglin Party, so I must visit him and listen to his high opinions." ”

At the end of the unitary time, the wine was scattered, Zhang Yuan returned home, washed up and prepared to sleep, Wu Ling came in and said: "Young master, there is one thing I forgot to tell the young master, outside the examination shed today, the second Miss Wang has been waiting." ”

…… The ninth day of April is the period when Huiji Tongsheng participates in the Taoist examination, Zhang Yuan easily went to Huiji to visit Wang Binglin, but the disciple said that the eldest son went to protect people, Zhang Yuan then remembered that Wang Binglin was a student of Huiji County School, since Wang Binglin was not in the house, the female dependents and young children of this door, of course he was not good to go in, left a post, and went back.

The next time, Wang Binglin came to Shanyin to visit Zhang Yuan, and took the two articles of Zhang Yuan's Taoist test to go back, so naturally Wang Yingzi wanted to read it.

After more than ten days, Zhang Yuan in addition to reading, learning words is with the eldest brother Zhang Dai and Zhou Monong and others tea tasting papers, Shaoxing Prefecture eight counties of the Taoist test has ended, Wang Tixue and Shaoxing Mansion Professor and the eight counties of the teaching is closed door to read the papers, more than 2,600 children are staying in the city to wait for news, these children are numerous, except waiting for the case to be released and have nothing to do, many children with inferior surnames wander in groups, relying on their large number of people, they do not pay after drinking tea in the restaurant teahouse, and some break into the private house Tuji house to stay, and do not pay, For a while, the two cities of Shanyin and Huiji were full of smoke and miasma -- on the morning of April 23, Zhang Cao came to the small building in the back garden and said to Zhang Yuan: "Jiezi, look at these people who read the sages and write the Bagu text, what kind of surnames are they, and they are similar to the bluffs of the bachelors, yesterday I met a group of children who ate white food in the restaurant, and also beat and scolded the guys in the restaurant, I saw how not to be angry, so I ordered Nengzhu and Feng Hu to beat the group of children, those fools are still calling them children, I said that the beating is the children." ”

Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Where are there no black sheep, there are children who do evil, and there are children with noble conduct like me, don't generalize." ”

The two of them leaned on the railing of the building to look at the water of the Mash River in front of them, and saw a slender beautiful maid walking over Xizhang, walking across the stone arch bridge and coming to the small building, Zhang Cao said "Ha": "This is Lianxia, does Jie Zi still remember his treasure?" ”

Lian Xia came here to hand over a letter to Zhang Yuan, Zhang Yuan's father Zhang Ruiyang sent back from Kaifeng Zhou Wangfu by post mail, Zhang Yuan opened the letter and looked, his father Zhang Ruiyang said in the letter that Prince Zhou had not yet returned to Kaifeng, because King Fu was in Luoyang in March, and the emperor ordered Prince Zhou to send King Fu to Luoyang, so King Zhou could not return to Kaifeng until the end of May, and Zhang Ruiyang would resign and return to Shanyin at least after the autumn - his father could not come back for a long time to make Zhang Yuan quite melancholy, but from his father's letter, he learned that King Fu finally left Beijing to become a vassal, Once again, the courtiers had overcome the emperor's will, and Eunuch Zhong must have known about it.

"Young master, young master, disaster has happened, a group of people came, with wooden sticks in their hands, and beat our bamboo fence to pieces."

The big stone wiped his sweat and flew to report to Zhang Yuan.

(To be continued)