On April 21st, a grand palace examination should be held in the Baohe Hall in the Forbidden City.
The candidates came in at dawn and went through the roll call, passing papers, paying homage, saluting and other etiquettes, and then the questions were given out.
Emperor Guangxu personally presided over the palace examination in the Baohe Hall. Aixinjueluo Zaitan came up with a policy topic: "Three Sentences from the Sutra" and "Thousands of Willow Flowers in the Water", and more than 300 people The candidates took the exam for a whole day and then handed in their papers. Then three examiners including Taishi Taifu Weng Tonghe began to tick, and then handed over the tributes with the most O's to Guangxu's hand. In the end, the top three were awarded the gold list, Nantong Zhangjian High School. The top pick, Liu Jinzao from Nanxun and Xiong Xiling from Hunan Phoenix, were both ranked in the second place. Liu Jinzao was ranked 52nd in the second place and Xiong was ranked 63rd in the second place.
After the palace examination, Emperor Guangxu announced the rankings of the imperial examinations. On the day when the rankings were announced, the emperor went to the palace to announce, which was accepted by the pavilion gate and passed down the stairs. The guards announced the name in unison and shouted, which is called Chuanlu.
On the day when he was passed on, it was still dark, Luan Yiwei set up Lu Bufa in front of the palace, and set up Zhonghe Shaole under the eaves of the palace... The officials of Honglu Temple introduced the new Jinshi to their seats. Liu Anjiang and Zhang Jian were there. Standing straight under the steps outside the palace gate at the place designated by the imperial court, I quietly waited there for the announcement of the results of the imperial examination, feeling both happy and nervous.
A serious occasion must be in good order. I guessed that there were quite a few people waiting that day, but there was silence all around. Not long after, when the procession began, there was a chant, and the first call was announced: On April 15, the 20th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, a test was held for all the tribute scholars in the world. The first-class Jinshi was awarded to Zhang Jian of Tongzhou. As expected, Zhang Jian was the first-class scholar in high school, the number one scholar in the new subject.
Liu Anjiang was awarded Jinshi twice, ranking 52nd.
After the roll call was completed, the music was composed, and all the officials from the bachelor to the third rank, as well as the new scholars, knelt three times and kowtowed nine times. The Zhonghe Shao music played the chapter of "Xian Ping". After the ceremony was completed, the emperor returned to the palace in a carriage. A banquet was given to celebrate.
Since the banquet is held in the famous Qionglin Garden, the banquet is called the "Qionglin Banquet". After three days of attending the Qionglin Banquet, these people will be led to a specific place in the palace (legend has it that it belongs to the inner courtyard of the palace. It is the harem) to change clothes (you only get one chance to enter that place in your life). Of course, the top three have the privilege to walk the emperor's exclusive path once (in the same way, you only have this chance in your life, and you will overstep it in the future), and praise your official status after you go out Parade.
On the fourth day, he met with the Minister of Military and Aircraft Zuo Zongtang and learned the rules and regulations of officials (in short, there were many things). After returning to his residence, he chose a day to meet with the examiner, because this examiner would be his godfather in officialdom.
...
The 32-year-old Liu Anjiang was so excited that he received the second imperial examination and sent a telegram to his family: The second imperial examination is to be conferred. At the same time, he wrote another letter to his father. At that time, someone advised him, your family is rich. , why not donate money to buy a bigger official? Liu Anjiang was moved, so he wrote home to discuss with his father Liu Yong.
Liu Yong was really happy when he received the telegram and letter. His son was the first Jinshi in the Liu family. It was not easy for Liu Jinzao, but he finally showed respect for the Liu family. When the news came back to the town, the 70-year-old Liu Yong burst into tears with excitement. Zong Heng couldn't help himself. His son finally fulfilled his failed dream, which really made him feel proud of his ancestors. But he wrote another letter to Liu Anjiang. He wrote: My family's prosperity is all due to the good deeds of our ancestors. I didn't expect it to be like this. . What I am worried about now is that you are still not satisfied with this. Although my family has a rich ancestral wealth, we should leave some room for it. We should leave some for our children and grandchildren, how can we enjoy it all for ourselves? I hope you will be humble and take care of things, and manage your home diligently and prudently. In order to carry forward the virtues of our ancestors forever and never fall, I don't want you to be high in rank and rich in salary.
Liu Anjiang felt that what his father said was reasonable, so he no longer thought much about the size of his official position in the future.
This great wisdom of knowing how to advance and retreat became a family motto of the Liu family in the future. In the end, because his son Liu Jinzao passed the Jinshi examination and had a successful career, he was awarded the honorary official title of second-grade "Tongfeng doctor" by the emperor.
...
One day, a speedboat sailed on the Nanxun River. It knocked the gong at Liu's house, and along with "Liu Jinzao takes the imperial title! Liu Jinzao takes the imperial title!" a large group of people followed. At this time, a good person had already rushed in.
At the market, if you see dumplings, rice dumplings and other snacks, take them so that you can come back to entertain the reporter. Those selling dumplings and rice dumplings will never care about this person. They all want to be happy, but in the end they always pay the price.
Clear.
The Liu family's house faced the east, so they set up a table in the living room facing the north and lit incense candles. Although Liu Anjiang was still waiting for his appointment and did not arrive. Liu Yong wore a red tassel hat and coat and walked out, kneeling three times to the north.
After nine knocks, the imperial edict was opened. Tang Xuanxuan pulled out a gold earring from her head and opened the imperial edict. As usual, the gold earl went to the person reporting the incident.
The reporter also took out "golden flowers" and inserted them on the heads of Liu Anjiang's two wives. In short, it was an honor. When this routine was performed, the house was full of people. Because, for many years, there have been very few local people.
A Jinshi, especially the first Jinshi in the Liu family, is relatively rare.
Two messengers wrote "report" in the hall. The report was written on red paper in Song style: "Good news that your master Liu Jinzao High School has passed the Jinshi in the Sino-Japanese War of the Sino-Japanese War."
After the messenger left, a "congratulations" was held at home. Lanterns were hung up in the halls and courtyards, and festoons were hung. Governors from nearby counties, as well as relatives and friends from far and near came to congratulate them. The Qiu, Jin, and Jiang families all came, Dongmei, Qiu, etc.
Mei is also here. Everyone in Nanxun Town, including the Zhang family, the Gu family, the Pang family, and a large number of business gentry, come one after another to congratulate and send congratulatory gifts. Even Jiading Liu Yong's in-laws, Xiangguo Xiang, also sent a congratulatory message.
. It stands to reason that this gift is a considerable amount of income. Some people want to reach high places, and the gift is particularly heavy. If the gift is not accepted, the giver will have trouble sleeping and eating, and wonder whether he has offended the Liu family in some way. Liu Yong decided,
He simply posted a notice at the door: Liu Anjiang's success as a Jinshi in the Sino-Japanese War was the result of his upbringing by his fellow villagers in Nanxun. All kinds of congratulatory gifts were declined.
When people looked at this notice, they were all impressed by Liu Yong's realm.
Liu Yong stood at the door with a smile and greeted the guests with a smile. When the guests came in, three cannons were fired outside, and the music was played inside. The guests kowtowed, and the host returned the courtesy. After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a "horse racing table". The horse racing table means no matter what time it is.
, treat him to a table of wine, so as to avoid a big banquet, which usually lasts for three days. The whole Liu family was very lively, and the town of Nanxun was also full of joy.
...
Yu Yaqing was smiling on the surface, but she couldn't be happy in her heart. She knew in her heart that although her husband's official career had become bigger, he was getting farther and farther away from her. Her husband was an official in the capital, and the emperor was high in the mountains.
Far away, there will be a few young and beautiful women in the future, what can you do? Man, who can't have too many women around him? Therefore, Liu Anjiang has become a worry in her high school.
Jin Xiaoying was okay. She had a big belly anyway, and she had to be helped when she knelt or stood up when she was unsealing. She was already exhausted. Anyway, she and her children would not suffer in the future. How could she think so much. After the ceremony, she went back.
The inner room is resting.
...
After a few days of excitement, it gradually calmed down.
One day, Liu Yong said to Liu Anhui: Nowadays, your brother is an official in Beijing and cannot come back for a while. Your father is old and you are no longer young. You have to take care of the huge family property in Shanghai. Besides, the whole family is in Shanghai.
Life is also convenient. My father has to live in his hometown temporarily, and there are many things to deal with here. Why don't you go back to Shanghai first.
Liu Anhui said: Dad is right. It is my family's good fortune that you are alive. Don't worry, Dad, I will take care of things on my own. If you don't understand anything about real estate, I will ask Brother Zhou Xiangyun for advice. I will tell you now.
Arrange to return to Shanghai.
Liu Yong said again: As for your sister-in-law and others in the first house, whether they stay or go back is up to your sister-in-law. Anyway, they have nothing to do, it's the same everywhere.
Liu Anwen said: My sister-in-law's biggest concern is the upbringing of her nephew Chengqian. In my opinion, it is better for them to stay in Nanxun and Chengqian to study at Xunxi Academy. He will take the children's examination in a few years and the candidates will be under the jurisdiction.
The place is Huzhou Prefecture, so it will be convenient when the time comes.
Liu Yong said: What you said makes sense. She has really suffered in the past few years. Although a female generation has no worries about food and clothing, it is not easy to raise a child alone. But it is better to let her do what she wants.
Liu Anhui said, "That's right."
...
Liu Yong asked Yanyan: In the future, An Wei and the young and old will return to Shanghai. Aunt Xuan, An Bo, I, stay in Nanxun temporarily, and we may take care of some things. You can do whatever you want.
Yanyan said: I am really grateful that my father is thinking about his daughter-in-law. Although life in Shanghai is convenient, there are no acquaintances to get along with. Here, if you have nothing to do, you can go to your parents' house. Besides: let Chengqian study at Xunxi Academy and participate in children's education in the future.
For the exam, the place under the jurisdiction of the candidates is Huzhou Prefecture, so it will be convenient at that time.
Liu Yong said, "That's right." An Wei thought the same way. Anyway, we are here. If you have payment, just go to the accounting office to get it. I have already taken care of the accounting office.
Yanyan smiled and said: Thank you dad for taking care of me. I don’t have to worry about food and clothing. There is no expense.
Liu Yong smiled and said: Hey, you can't say that. In life, you have to treat people, especially women, rouge, pollen, etc., so why not spend money?
Yanyan smiled slightly. This chapter has been completed!