After the Lantern Festival, Zhu Ming stayed at the inn in the morning to read, and in the afternoon went to set up a stall and cooperate with Chen Yuan to give lectures.

Yin Shengzhang of Kaifeng Mansion didn't come to trouble again, this guy likes to play conspiracy and tricks, and he plans and then acts, and is collecting evidence of disobedience to "Taoism".

That is, send someone to listen to the lecture every day, record the content carefully, and then pick the bones in the egg, and find an opportunity to arrest it.

Cai Jing didn't bother to pay attention to them, Zhu Ming was just a small person.

Cai Xianggong's attention was focused on the battle of the Western Xia, and the imperial court was also running around this major event.

The great eunuch Tong Guan had already led the forbidden army to set off and stationed himself in Lanzhou.

The Xihe Road passed through Liu Fa, leading 150,000 troops out of Huangzhou; Qin Feng passed through Liu Zhongwu and led 50,000 troops out of Huizhou. Their targets were the northern boundary of the Qingshui River (in Ningxia) and the city of Zhuoluo (Yongdeng, Gansu).

The problem of food shortage in the border army has also been solved temporarily, and the emperor is not short of hungry soldiers.

Throughout the spring offensive, the Song army went very smoothly.

Liu Fa is a famous general of the Northern Song Dynasty, and is known as a "natural god general" at this time. His reputation in later generations was not obvious because his son participated in the mutiny, and the court deliberately concealed his exploits, resulting in the "History of the Song Dynasty" not giving him a biography.

This person was in the Zhezong Dynasty, won all foreign battles, and beheaded more than 10,000 people in two years. In Chongning of the Huizong Dynasty for four years, he pursued hundreds of miles in the First World War and captured more than 10,000 people of the Western Xia army.

In the spring of this year, Liu Fa led an army of 150,000 to attack and once again defeated the Western Xia at Gugulong (Ledu, Qinghai).

It's a pity that Liu Fa is too upright and doesn't know how to flatter.

For example, a few years ago, Song Huizong formulated Da Shengle and sent officials to promulgate the world. Liu Fa, who was commanding the troops on the front line, did not personally greet the music officer, and was dismissed from his post as the envoy of the economy and the marquis of the three yadu.

Now facing a big war, the imperial court has to be reactivated, because Liu Fa is the first general in the northwest!

This old man had a bad relationship with Tong Guan, and later he was planted in Tong Guan's hands.

Tong Guan labeled him a "bully", forced Liu Fa's lone army to go deeper, and was attacked by the Western Xia army before and after.

In the case of hunger and cold, tired and hungry, surrounded by war horses, and thirsty to death, Liu Fa led the army to fight fiercely for most of the day, and successfully broke through the siege by night. He was intercepted by the Western Xia army in Zhugu Gorge, and Liu Falian fell off the cliff with his horse and broke his legs. The life and death of the main general are uncertain, and his subordinates are still fighting bloodily, rushing out of the valley with the remnants of the army.

And Liu Fa, who broke his legs, was found by the Western Xia logistics troops.

When the world's famous general, he died at the hands of a logistics soldier.

In this battle, the 20,000 troops led by Liu Fa were almost completely annihilated. The Western Xia army took advantage of the victory and marched, and the Song army finally lost 100,000 soldiers!

No matter what the future situation is, anyway, in the spring of this year, the Song army is good news is frequent, the court monarchs and ministers feast and drink to celebrate, and they have already given birth to the heart of destroying the Western Xia for three years.

……

Gongyuan, examination room.

The chief examiner of this year's provincial examination is Wang Hao, and the deputy examiners are Murong Yanfeng, Zhai Ruwen and Feng Xizai.

Wang Hao, one of the six thieves.

relied on Cai Jing to ascend to the throne, but under the inducement of Song Huizong, he had secretly united with Zheng Juzhong, and his relationship with Cai Jing became worse and worse.

Murong Yanfeng, Cai Jing's political enemy.

was once excluded by Cai Jing and demoted to the governor of Ruzhou. was recalled by Song Huizong, all the way to the secretary of the Criminal Department, and now he is a bachelor of Hanlin.

Zhai Ruwen, the political enemy of Cai Jing and Liang Shicheng.

Liang Shicheng forcibly demolished the graves of the people and occupied the land to build gardens. Zhai Ruwen was impeached, was squeezed out by Liang Shicheng, and was demoted to Xuanzhou Zhizhou. Recall the court, then degrade the governor of Luzhou, and then move to the governor of Mizhou. Because of the impeachment of Cai Jingyan and the people, Song Huizong recalled him to return to Beijing to be a bachelor of Hanlin.

Feng Xizai, Confucian, famous eunuch.

The relationship with Cai Jing is not good or bad, he has cultivated party henchmen for many years and has his own small circle.

Of the four examiners, one has turned his back on Cai Jing, two are Cai Jing's political enemies, and one is Cai Jing's potential rival.

Song Huizong's arrangement is easy to make people think that the "anti-Cai" officials are already celebrating in secret.

You must know that the last examiner was Cai Jing's hardcore henchman Cai Xue!

The four of them were locked in the Gongyuan waiting for the exam, and they didn't get along well, because Murong Yanfeng and Zhai Ruwen were both soft and hard. They didn't care whether Wang Hao had a falling out with Cai Jing or not, they only knew that Wang Hao was a traitor, and Cai Jing was a good deal.

"Huang has shallow qualifications, and when he first became a bachelor of Hanlin, he was ordered by the emperor to pay tribute," Wang Hao raised his glass and said, "The three ministers are old and serious, and if there is any omission in the contemptible, please give me more advice." ”

Feng Xizai said with a smile: "Your Excellency is the main examiner, and we are only the deputy examiner, how can we dominate the guests?" ”

Wang Hao secretly scolded the old fox and continued to smile and say good things. He wanted to win over Murong Yanfeng and Zhai Ruwen to form an "anti-Cai alliance" together.

And Feng Xizai has the same thoughts. This person has been forming gangs, secretly accumulating strength, and he has never confronted Cai Jing head-on.

Zhai Ruwen's face was expressionless, and he poured himself a drink: "The imperial examination is just a matter of dedication to the official family, and Bachelor Wang doesn't need to say much." ”

Zhai Ruwen looked down on Wang Hao, when he was traveling with Su Shi and Huang Tingjian, Wang Hao was still wearing open crotch pants. He even dared to spray Liang Shicheng and Cai Jingjing, just a Wang Huang, and a few more words would be counted as his loss.

"Eat and drink." Murong Yanfeng said.

Zhai Ruwen raised his glass to greet him, chatted with Murong Yanfeng, and was too lazy to look at Wang Huang again.

are all foxes for thousands of years, what are you talking about "Liaozhai"?

Murong Yanfeng and Zhai Ruwen knew why they were recalled to the court. As long as they don't anger the emperor, the harder they spray Cai Jing, the happier Song Huizong's side will be. Once they defect to any force, Song Huizong will be jealous.

The four examiners, although they don't like each other, still have to cooperate with each other.

They have to write the questions together and explain the questions so that their officials can correct the papers.

It is also necessary to review the qualifications of candidates, arrange and announce the seats of candidates.

Finally, they have to lead the marking.

Tens of thousands of candidates' letters of explanation have to be reviewed by the four of them, and the Lantern Festival has not yet passed.

"A native of Danyang, also surnamed Zhai. Brother Gongxun, this is your junior. Murong Yanfeng picked up a letter of explanation and said.

Zhai Ruwen leaned over to take a look and said with a smile: "Nephews and grandchildren, they are still young, and they are understanding for the first time. If you don't ask him to be on the gold list, it's good to see the world. ”

Murong Yanfeng said: "Brother Gongxun's family has a family history, and his nephews and grandchildren will definitely be able to go to high school." ”

"Not necessarily." Zhai Ruwen said with a smile.

While chatting, the two reviewed and signed the letter of solution, and arranged seats for the candidate who issued the letter of solution by the way.

Although Murong Yanfeng is an upright person, there is still a little favoritism. For example, arrange a good position for Zhai Ruwen's nephew. Not next to the toilet, and not afraid of the wind and sun.

Zhai Ruwen suddenly said: "Hey, this Zhu Ming and Zhu Chenggong seem to be the person who moved the master of Beijing with famous poetry." ”

"It's not just poetry," Murong Yanfeng said, "Two days before I entered the Tribute Academy, I heard that Chen Zhimo was lecturing by the Cai River, and Zhu Ming was a disciple of Chen Zhimo. ”

Zhai Ruwen asked, "Who is Chen Zhimo?" ”

Murong Yanfeng said: "Chen Yuan, Chen Yuan's nephew, Yang Shi's disciple. ”

"It's also a member of my generation." Zhai Ruwen shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Zhai Ruwen became famous as a young man, and he was also a teacher and friend with Su Shi and Huang Tingjian, a very obvious figure in the Shu Party.

Nowadays, regardless of the Shu Party and the Luo Party, they all belong to the difficult brothers, and even Shu and Luo are officially banned.

Zhai Ruwen not only gave Zhu Ming a good position, but also broke up the nine Yangzhou scholars who had settled with Zhu Ming.

Zhai Ruwen asked: "Then Chen Zhimo, do you dare to promote Luoxue in Tokyo?" ”

Murong Yan said: "I asked my disciple to listen for a day, and he claimed to be developing a new school, but in fact, it was not a sect. Instead, he learned from the strengths of others, put forward the three theories of self-foundation, square, and Tao, and said that the people's daily use is the Tao. ”

Zhai Ruwen was surprised: "The people's daily use is the Tao, and it is quite my Shu learning style!" ”

Murong Yanfeng quipped: "Don't put gold on your face, it's not like I haven't read Su Zi's article." ”

"Tell me, what are the three theories, and what is so new about them?" Zhai Ruwen said while signing the review.

As a result, Murong Yanfeng began to preach the theory of the Taoist School, and he was locked in the Tribute Academy early and only let his disciples listen to it for one day. He knew the general theory, but many details were not clear.

Zhai Ruwen put down the brush and thought, "Perhaps, you can support them to give lectures." ”

Murong Yanfeng said: "I think so too. ”

The school to which the two belonged was officially banned.

They urgently need to support a school of thought to fight with the mainstream new school and correct the heresy in the new school.

When the new school of thought becomes the climate, it is slowly mixed with sand and adds your own thoughts.

Until the evening, Wang Hao suddenly came in: "Two bachelors, we have an urgent matter at home, and we need to go back." ”

Zhai Ruwen's face turned ugly in an instant: "What's the urgency, it's more important than the imperial examination?" ”

Wang Hao said: "The young son is seriously ill. ”

Zhai Ruwen sneered: "Your Excellency is proficient in medical skills? ”

Wang Hao said: "I know a little bit about it. ”

Zhai Ruwen said: "Since you are not proficient in medical skills, then please stay in the Gongyuan!" ”

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, if the chief examiner dared to leave the Tribute Academy, he would be 100% imprisoned after being reported.

In the Song Dynasty, it was allowed, but other examiners had to be told that leaving without permission was also a big crime.

The chief examiner of the previous session, Cai Xue, left the Gongyuan halfway, and many people suspected him of leaking the exam questions, but he could not produce evidence and had to give up.

Murong Yanfeng sneered: "If Your Excellency leaves the Tribute Court, I will be impeached and make this matter public to the world!" ”

Wang Hao was stunned, he didn't expect these two to be so tough.

He was so angry that he walked away, his heart full of resentment, and he vowed to demote these two people from the court in the future.

Zhai Ruwen got up and went to the front and back doors of the Gongyuan, and after inspecting it, he told the soldiers guarding the door: "Cheer up, don't let anyone in." If anyone dares to approach the Gongyuan, arrest him immediately, and there must be no mistake! ”

"Yes!" The messenger hurriedly responded.

Tribute courtyards and the like, there are enough food reserves.

Someone sent meat and vegetable supplies, and they also watched the whole time, unless they could buy off most of the soldiers and miscellaneous servants.

Zhu Ming was lucky to meet two responsible examiners.

(End of chapter)