After the general examination is over, it’s time to rank in the palace examination.
In the early days of the Republic of China, the imperial examination was held on the first day of the third lunar month, and later on the 15th day of the third lunar month.
So, on the fifth day of the third lunar month, the Ministry of Rites read the scrolls and passed them on, the palace tasted wine and food, and the reading officer gave a banquet and other ceremonies.
The emperor agreed and issued an edict.
To test the world's tributes, the great scholar Zhang Juzheng, Gao Yi, Lu Tiaoyang, Wang Chonggu, Shangshu Wangguang, Zhu Heng, Ma Ziqiang, Zhang Han, Shi Maohua, the minister Shen Shixing, Wen Chun, Ge Shouli of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Ni Guang, the general affairs secretary
Recommendations include Chen Dong of Dali Temple, Wang Xilie of the Hanlin Academy, Tao Dalin of the Imperial Academy, etc., as reviewers.
On the seventh day of the third lunar month, the Qingming Festival, Zhang, the concubine of Yishi Temple, passed away and had to stay away from court for three days.
On the same day, the Imperial Academy offered wine to Tao Dalin and asked him to report his illness.
…
It rains heavily during the Qingming Festival, and pedestrians on the road feel like they are dying.
The emperor left the palace again.
Surprisingly, no one tried to stop me this time.
Even though Empress Dowager Li had some complaints, with the full support of the cabinet, she silently allowed the emperor to leave the palace.
Because Tao Dalin, a former minister of the East Palace and a former prince, was about to die.
After ruling out the risk of infectious diseases, the courtiers all had a positive attitude toward the emperor's personal visit.
Zhu Yijun waited for Xu Wenbi to arrange the guards around Tao Mansion, and then walked into the gate of Tao Mansion with the Tao family members looking flattered and frightened.
As soon as he walked to the door, the medical officer was released by the royal guards.
"Your Majesty, Taojijiu has been cold for several days and has not improved. Now it is an emergency caused by cold poison attacking the heart. I'm afraid..."
The imperial doctor stated the cause of the disease to the emperor and shook his head tactfully.
Zhu Yijun listened silently.
When cold poison attacks the heart, it is a heart disease such as myocarditis. In this era, it is indeed difficult to cure it with medicine or stone.
He did not blame the imperial doctor, he just waited for him to finish speaking and asked him to step aside.
Seeing that the emperor wanted to enter the house, Zhang Hong persuaded him: "Your Majesty, you are a rich man, so you can just visit him outside the door."
The door is not closed, but is blocked by a screen.
Since the medical officer said that Tao Dalin's medicine was useless, he must not be alive for a few days.
Even if it is not contagious, it is still somewhat unlucky, so Zhang Hong gave some advice.
However, the accompanying civil servants remained silent, neither admonishing nor refuting.
Accompanying the emperor on this trip were Minister Ma Ziqiang, Minister Zhu Dashou and other officials from the Ministry of Rites.
Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Tao Qing is my daily lecturer and my teacher. He is full of righteousness. How can there be evil spirits lingering in the house?"
After that, he followed the Jin Yiwei who opened the way and stepped directly in.
Once inside the house.
Zhu Yijun felt the smell of herbal medicine coming to his face.
The bottles and cans on the table were all put away, but traces of water stains on the medicinal soup were still everywhere.
Zhu Yijun's eyes moved from the desk to the bed.
They saw Tao Dalin looking pale, holding his chest with one hand, being supported by his family, and saluting with difficulty.
"His Majesty."
"Meet Your Majesty."
Tao Dalin came from a family of officials, and everyone in his family knew the rules.
In particular, his elder brother was the governor of Guangxi, the right capital censor, and had become an official. Faced with the emperor's sudden visit, the arrangements were very orderly.
Seeing this, Zhu Yijun stopped him and said, "If you are seriously ill, don't be rude. Just help the teacher lie down."
That is to say, teacher, otherwise, outsiders would really not be qualified to let Zhu Yijun come to visit.
After saying that, Zhu Yijun faced Zhang Hong and nodded Tao Dalin with his side face.
Zhang Hong understood immediately and stepped forward to help the person to the bed.
Tao Dalin was now suffering from palpitations and chest tightness. He was already severely weak and might faint at any time.
He did not expect that the emperor would come to visit him in person. As soon as he lay on the bed, tears flowed down his cheeks. He breathed weakly and said: "How dare you receive so much love from your Majesty that you actually care about your despicable body in person."
Zhu Yijun quietly looked at Tao Dalin's appearance at this time, completely losing the cleverness and cunning that he had hidden behind him during the court meeting.
This is the dying of man...
Tao Dalin is only fifty-nine years old this year. He is in good health and has no senile diseases.
Who would have expected that a respiratory infection caused the cold to attack his heart, and he was about to become the first acquaintance of Zhu Yijun to die in this life.
The emperor sighed in his heart and gave some words of encouragement - Zhu Yijun was a very humane emperor when conditions allowed.
What about getting well soon, taking medicine on time, bringing sheep wine to the teacher for a little warming, etc. Anyway, the auspicious words came out like no money.
Of course, these are all nonsense. Everyone present knows that there is an emergency that attacks the heart, and there is no cure in itself.
But even so, both Tao Dalin's family and the ministers of the Ministry of Rites behind Zhu Yijun were touched by this scene.
Tao Dalin suddenly sat up and waved his family to go out first.
Then he looked at the emperor: "Your Majesty, I had difficulty breathing last night, and I have fainted twice today. I know my own affairs best. I will definitely not survive."
Zhu Yijun felt pity and refused to answer.
Ma Ziqiang couldn't bear it, so he tried to persuade him: "Don't be discouraged when it comes to offering wine to people. There is no end to the road."
Tao Dalin smiled relievedly: "Uncle Zong, I'm afraid the Ministry of Rites has already written my obituary, right?"
Ma Ziqiang was speechless.
Tao Dalin looked at the emperor again: "Your Majesty, can I hear how the obituary is written?"
The one who dies like a lamp going out is Guizhou.
Before most civil servants died, few did not care about their posthumous names.
When Tao Dalin was lying in bed these two days, what he feared most was not that he would die soon.
Rather, I am afraid that I will be as light as a feather in the history books and will be forgotten by everyone before long.
On the contrary, if you can have a good reputation, not to mention building ancestral temples and enjoying incense, you can at least pass on your name. Maybe when future generations write novels, you can still live in books.
Therefore, it is really important for civil servants to finalize the coffin.
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and asked his entourage to wait outside.
The eunuchs withdrew without saying a word, and everyone in the Ministry of Rites hesitated for a moment before following them.
Only the monarch and his ministers were left in the room.
Zhu Yijun sat down beside the bed and said slowly: "I wrote the teacher's obituary myself. If it is not needed, then forget about it. If it is, the Ministry of Rites will not change it."
He could see that the dying man was able to see the emperor again, and his desire to express himself at this time had reached its peak.
Zhu Yijun was very tolerant when facing a dying person, and simply spoke to the old minister about himself.
Tao Dalin did not shy away from the fact that he was about to die, and said calmly: "Your Majesty, I want to hear it."
Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and recited: "Dalin, a native of Kuaiji County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, a Jinshi of Jiajing Bingchen, was awarded the title of Editor of the Hanlin Academy, Li Shidu, Nanjing Hanlin Academy Shidu Bachelor, in charge of academic affairs, the Imperial Academy of Wine, Shao Zhan
thing……"
He paused and said, "He is a man of resoluteness, a man of few words and smiles, and a Qingjie who holds a bow."
Tao Dalin twitched his lips: "It's hard for Your Majesty to find good words for me."
This means that he has no performance, no outstanding ability, and his only advantage is that his personal integrity is okay.
This comment made Tao Dalin look a little complicated.
Zhu Yijun shook his head and replied seriously: "Teacher always retreats bravely when encountering difficulties. Isn't this the final conclusion that the teacher wants in his heart?"
He is also a Japanese lecturer.
Chen Dong recommended himself in the matter of Nanzhili; Yu Youding was sent to Shandong to assist in the salt administration; Chen Jingbang lowered his status and went to supervise the martial arts examination.
Compared with these people, Tao Dalin's subjective initiative is much worse. Whenever he encounters trouble, he protects his colleagues. It's not like Zhu Yijun can't see it.
Tao Dalin took advantage of the emperor's speaking time to gasp for air and breathe rapidly.
After the emperor finished speaking, he slowed down his breathing and said with difficulty: "Your Majesty's lesson is correct. I have indeed betrayed your Majesty's trust."
Zhu Yijun asked curiously: "Does the teacher have a problem with me?"
He is simply curious.
As an emperor, he did a good job, but Tao Dalin never completely returned to his heart, and he didn't know what he thought.
Tao Dalin was silent for a moment.
After a while, he shook his head: "Your Majesty...it's quite good."
Zhu Yijun looked at Tao Dalin, waiting for his explanation.
Tao Dalin didn't know whether he had lost his scruples before his death or was already drowsy. He slowly opened his mouth to explain: "Your Majesty, my grandfather Tao Xie was the minister of the Ministry of War."
"While serving Emperor Wuzong, he was slandered by Liu Jin, labeled a traitor, ordered to jail for Emperor Wuzong, twice given the imperial staff, and denounced as a member of the people."
"When Sejong resumed his official position, he encountered a fire in the palace. He was suspected by Sejong, so he returned from Chen's official post."
"My brother Tao Dashun, from the rank of right deputy to the imperial censor, is the governor of Guangxi. He has fulfilled his duties and brought stability to the country."
"While serving the late emperor, I was framed and lost money. I had no choice but to make up for it with my family assets, but I was still dismissed."
Tao Dalin rambled on about what happened to his father and brother.
Finally he sighed: "Your Majesty, I am not dissatisfied with anyone, I am just afraid."
The official career is not easy.
The ceremonial officer was jealous, the emperor was suspicious, and his colleagues framed him. It was only luck that his father and brother did not die immediately.
Especially after he became a Jinshi in junior high school, he was young and ignorant, and was almost involved in the major impeachment case of Yan Song by Wu Shilai.
From then on, he walked on thin ice and was cautious.
I don't dare to make friends or do anything, for fear that I will never recover.
Don't look at the emperor, everything is fine now.
When Sejong first came to the throne, he was different from his grandfather, who was polite and virtuous, and spoke softly?
In a family of officials, the ups and downs experienced by the ancestors are all witnessed.
That's why he was told to be "calm and resolute, taciturn and smiling". He didn't dare to accept the troubles thrown by the emperor, and just wanted to be stable in his official career.
After Zhu Yijun listened to Tao Dalin's words, he didn't know how to respond.
As a minister, obviously you should not say such things in front of the emperor. Tao Dalin must be going through life and is a little confused.
Thinking in his mind, Zhu Yijun didn't make any further comments, but just nodded: "I understand."
It is difficult for the king and his ministers to get along with each other, especially when there is both ability and willingness.
If you want to unite these courtiers, it will be the same as recruiting soldiers. That is impossible.
Isn't it possible that Tao Dalin's situation is not the true mentality of some court officials today?
Therefore, Zhu Yijun did not get angry and scold him, but simply said that he understood.
Tao Dalin was in a daze: "What posthumous title will your Majesty give me?"
The posthumous title was originally chosen by the Ministry of Rites, but his obituary was written by the emperor himself, so obviously he would not let go of the posthumous title.
Zhu Yijun stood up from the edge of the bed: "I haven't decided yet. I am hesitating between Wenbi, Wensi, and Wenxun."
Historically, Tao Dalin's posthumous title was Wenxi.
In "The Compilation of Posthumous Annals of the Ming Dynasty", "Be cautious and fearful" is Xi.
In "Yi Zhou Shu·Posthumous Law Interpretation", there is a mention of "Xi".
This is not a good posthumous title.
Zhu Yijun also wanted to save some face for his Donggong Riguan, so he personally selected three posthumous titles that he liked.
After hearing the three posthumous titles given by the emperor, Tao Dalin felt as if he was having a flashback, and his face suddenly turned red.
He grabbed the edge of the bed and spoke with difficulty, and seemed hoarse: "To make up for past mistakes is called regret; to regret past mistakes is called thinking."
"Is Your Majesty annoyed that my corpse is a vegetarian?"
Peng Hua, a cabinet minister during the Chenghua period, formed a party with his fellow villagers Deng Changen and Lizi Province to seek personal gain and suppressed his colleagues. Afterwards, he regretted his mistakes and was given the posthumous title Wensi.
Zhu Yijun shook his head seriously: "I don't blame you. If a court official had the nature of a teacher, I would laugh out of my dreams."
If you have integrity, it is enough to do your job well.
It is impossible to expect everyone to want to make progress and circle around the emperor.
He thought about it for a moment and said slowly: "I suddenly realized that people are very kind. I just think that after the teacher took charge of the Imperial College, he did better than before."
Although Tao Dalin did not take the initiative, it must be said that the influence was subtle.
After Zhu Yijun came to the throne, he was always much more dedicated than before.
The blush on Tao Dalin's face subsided and he murmured: "No wonder he is put together with Wenbi."
Zhu Yijun nodded: "Choose the good and follow the example. Compared with before, after I came to the throne, the teacher has done a very good job in his job."
"If the teacher feels that the first two posthumous titles are inappropriate, then the posthumous title Wen will be better."
Whether a posthumous title is good or bad depends on the precedents of predecessors.
Since Tao Dalin was concerned that Peng Hua used Wensi in a bad way, it would be better to choose Wenbi - the latter had not been used in the imperial dynasty.
As for choosing the good and following it...it refers not only to my job, but also to him, Zhu Yijun.
This is the preferential treatment given to officials in the East Palace.
"As long as you are the emperor, the emperor can do better and better than me..." Tao Dalin's voice became smaller and smaller, "The talent is first-class, the power is first-class, the character is first-class, and even the academics are first-class."
Tao Dalin slowly closed his eyes and said in a voice as quiet as a mosquito: "When you were in Qing Palace, your qualifications were mediocre, and I couldn't help but feel disgusted when I gave you lessons. Who would have thought that you were so precocious that you actually learned to hide your clumsiness at that time."
"It was just hiding then, but I am still hiding now. After I took charge of the Imperial College, I often interacted with Li Zhi. You can't hide it from me... I'm afraid you have accumulated a lot of masters now."
"I also want to see how you are going to deal with Wang Ji and others in three days. It's a pity for me...it's a pity for me..."
Halfway through.
The body Tao Dalin was leaning on suddenly softened, and he fell directly out of the bed, about to fall to the ground.
Zhu Yijun, with quick eyes and quick hands, held him up.
He reached out and touched Tao Dalin's nose, then sighed, immediately laid him down on the bed, covered him with a quilt, and then turned around and left.
Zhu Yijun opened the door, and everyone hurriedly came to greet him.
He shook his head: "Tao Qing is gone."
Zhu Yijun said it very lightly, but there was no lack of emotion in his heart.
Especially, the death of such an old man made him a little panicked.
However, that's all.
Tao Dalin's family members burst into tears when they heard this.
When all the ministers saw this, they were all disappointed.
Zhu Yijun's mind was racing with thoughts, and he looked at Ma Ziqiang: "Tao Qing taught, read, served, and educated the world. All the credit is due."
"Yin Yizi was appointed as the imperial eunuch, and he was given Chaobumi, special permission for burial, and was given as a gift to the Minister of Rites. He was given the posthumous title... Wenbi."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Ma Ziqiang was a little surprised: "Wenbi?"
Choosing the good and following it is a good posthumous title, at least better than the Wen Xi discussed within their Ministry of Rites.
He hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, would you like to let the Ministry of Rites examine it first..."
The wording of the obituary is just that, and outsiders don’t pay much attention to it.
Posthumous titles are different.
This should be written on the epitaph and passed down for eternity.
How could the emperor decide matters that he had different opinions from the Ministry of Rites?
It is the law for civil servants to give posthumous titles to emperors. Why did Tiangang ask the emperor to give posthumous titles to his officials?
Even if he didn't care about Ma Ziqiang, he was not the only one in the Ministry of Rites.
Zhu Yijun heard this and nodded: "Then Ma Qing will discuss the results I want. Don't delay me in casting a stele for Tao Qing's portrait."
Ma Ziqiang hesitated and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Is the Ministry of Etiquette run by my family? Do we do these things every day?
On the side, Zhu Dashou, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, caught the second half of the emperor's sentence and subconsciously asked: "Is the portrait a monument?"
He was not dissatisfied with the posthumous title chosen by the emperor.
Tao Dalin was his relative, and he wanted to give Tao Dalin a good posthumous title. Now that the emperor had said this, he was happy to see it come to pass.
Zhu Yijun showed a hint of sadness: "I drive talents and treat people with sincerity. Now that the Chinese Renaissance is not half over, Tao Qing has passed away suddenly. I can't help but feel sad and emotional."
"I just happen to have some spare money in my internal funds, so I will build a palace, hang paintings and cast monuments to commemorate my memory."
Spending thousands of gold to buy horse bones, Tao Da also took advantage of the opportunity before his death.
The merit is not obvious, but it is suitable for expressing one's position. If you are squeezed into the back position, I am afraid that there will not be such a good opportunity.
As soon as these words came out, all the officials present in the Ministry of Rites were shocked and looked at each other.
Ma Ziqiang glanced at the emperor, he really wanted to raise Lingyan Pavilion again!
no!
Even so, how virtuous and capable is Tao Dalin? He is not as loyal and loyal as I am!
Zhu Yijun patted Ma Ziqiang's shoulder and said expressionlessly: "Let's go back to the palace."
Ma Ziqiang scratched his head and followed in silence.
…
The tenth day of March.
At this time, it was half past Yin hour and the sky was dark.
Xue Yingqi withdrew his testing hand from outside the eaves and nodded with satisfaction - it rained for two more days after the Qingming Festival, and it really stopped today. It is rare for Qintian Prison to be reliable.
He walked back to the tea room and said with emotion to Gu Xiancheng, who was sitting on his knees and pouring tea: "Your Majesty treats his ministers with sincerity. Tao Dalin is not famous, but he can be treated with such courtesy by your Majesty."
"When you become an official in the future, you must fully assist His Majesty."
When Gu Xiancheng heard this, he nodded respectfully: "I understand, teacher."
Xue Yingqi couldn't help but nodded when he saw that his disciple was not impetuous after winning the exam.
Immediately, he didn't know what he thought of, and sighed: "I was too hasty and asked you to go to Beijing to take the exam this year."
"Otherwise, with your level, if you polish it for another three years, you can at least touch the edge of a piece of armor."
Gu Xiancheng’s rank in the examination was not high, number 324.
It can be said that if it weren't for the Long Fei first test this year and the emperor's kindness to expand the enrollment by 100 people, this would be a failure.
That's why Xue Yingqi said that he acted too hastily.
Gu Xiancheng pushed the poured tea in front of the teacher and said seriously: "Teacher, what are you talking about? Since the enrollment is expanding this year, there is no reason not to give it a try."
"Although the rank in the current examination is not high, whether you can reach the second level depends on the palace examination."
"To say the least, even if I am a fellow Jinshi, I am only twenty-five years old, so I might not be able to choose a Shujishi."
He spoke unequivocally, clearly not regretting his decision to take the exam this year.
Xue Yingqi became more and more satisfied when he saw that his disciple had stabilized his character.
He sighed: "I hope so."
"This time, although you were defended by Li Zhi, you have accumulated a reputation and occupied a place among scholars."
"Relying on these accumulations, if you can choose Shuji Shi, the road ahead will be easier."
Fame is too precious.
Don't look at Gu Xiancheng who has suffered a loss now.
But as long as you keep watch, it's all worth it.
Mentioning Li Zhi, Gu Xiancheng's face finally had waves.
He looked at Xue Yingqi with some worry: "Teacher, are you really sure about Wang Shizhen's literary meeting today?"
Today is the tenth day of the lunar month, which is also the time for Wang Shizhen's invitation. Gu Xiancheng is a little worried about the teacher.
During these days, he suffered a complete defeat against Li Zhi.
But after all, he is just a junior, and it would not be shameful to lose. On the contrary, it will help him accumulate fame.
His teacher Xue Yingqi was different.
If he were defeated in public, it would really be a stepping stone for Li Zhi.
Especially since Xue Yingqi is already seventy-five this year and is already slow to think about things. How can he be as quick and agile as others?
Xue Yingqi took a sip of tea by himself and replied casually: "I will teach you one last lesson."
"Learning is not only done for oneself, but also taught to the world."
"Your knowledge can be mixed, it can be improved, and it can be modified."
"But never doubt that you are not as good as others."
"If you don't even believe in yourself, why should the world follow you?"
After saying that, Xue Yingqi glanced at his disciple and saw Gu Xiancheng frowning, lost in thought.
Xue Yingqi continued: "You, me and Li Zhi set up the stage first. No matter how bad our reputation is, we and Li Zhi should be in the same place."
"Now Wang Shizhen comes to interfere, why? No matter he wants to sing on his own or has ulterior motives, we cannot give up the stage."
"As for whether the debate is good or not, who will be the orthodox winner...and your master is here to hold the battle."
Gu Xiancheng seemed to understand and nodded thoughtfully.
The two chatted for a while.
Xue Yingqi estimated that the time was almost up and said, "It's almost Mao hour, let's go."
Gu Xiancheng stood up quickly: "I'll prepare the sedan."
Xue Yingqi hummed, walked under the eaves, put his hands behind his hands and waited.
He raised his head and glanced at the sky, only to see the faint morning light, and a stream of light cut through the early morning.
Chapter completed!