Zhang Cong didn't want to get too close to the people in Prince Xing's Mansion.
But now we happened to meet him, and they even extended a special invitation. If he just left without giving me face, then not only would he not be a friend, but he might become an enemy in the future.
After careful consideration, he could only explain the situation to his two friends, saying that he had old friends to see and could not accompany him to watch the announcement of the results. However, he did not say that he was from Prince Xing's palace, for fear that his friends would spread the news.
Everyone went to the teahouse together.
Gongsun Yi had known Zhang Cong before and felt that he was just an old and useless person who had failed the seven examinations.
Tang Yin was very unfamiliar, and he was also curious. Zhu Hao had met a Juren friend who looked mature and dignified...with a rather strange appearance in such a short time after arriving in the capital?
Couldn't this be the legendary Zhu Hao's enlightenment mentor who "sees the beginning but not the end of the dragon"?
"Sir, let's sit down and have a cup of tea together."
After Zhu Si sat down, he directly extended the invitation.
At a square table, Zhu Si, Zhu Hao and Tang Yin would definitely sit down. The last seat was originally reserved for Gongsun Yi or Jiang Lunzhong, but now that Zhang Cong is there, Gongsun Yi can only sit at the next table.
Jiang Lun also smiled and waved his hands, indicating that this was a gathering place for literati and he would not join in the fun, so he sat at the table next to him.
Zhang Cong was a little embarrassed, but after looking around, he saw that the entire floor was covered. Since he was not afraid of being discovered walking with people from Prince Xing's Mansion, there was nothing to worry about.
"I can't bear it."
Zhang Cong cupped his fists and said.
Zhu Si smiled and said: "You are Zhu Hao's admired friend, that is, my friend, sit down and talk."
When Zhang Cong heard this, he said, "Oh, Zhu Hao, this little friend is quite respectable. If he didn't brag and insist on saying that he has a close relationship with Prince Xing's Mansion before the relationship, then I really dare to sit there."
As soon as Zhang Cong's buttocks were in place, Zhu Hao made the introduction.
Except for Zhu Si, there is Tang Yin.
"This is a tutor from Prince Xing's Mansion. I mentioned to Brother Zhang before that Jiangnan talented man Tang Yin and Tang Bohu..." Zhu Hao said with a smile.
"Ah? This..."
How could Zhang Cong, as a person from the Jiangnan region, not have heard of Tang Yin's name? Unexpectedly, a legendary figure was sitting next to him? It gave people the feeling of an idol crawling out of the grave.
He wanted to stand up and salute, but when he saw Tang Yin smiling peacefully, he tried his best to suppress the surging waves in his heart.
The rest of us need no introduction.
After that, Tang Yin asked about Zhang Cong's situation.
Although Tang Yin was not from Zhejiang, he knew all the places in the south of the Yangtze River very well. After asking, he found out that he had some connections with Zhang Cong's school, and they also had some overlap in communication.
Tang Yin sighed with emotion: "Speaking of it, I haven't been back to Jiangnan for many years, and I don't even remember what the mountains and rivers of Jiangnan look like. I wonder how many talents have emerged in Jiangnan in the past few years? Who is the most famous among them?"
"This... there are so many literati in Jiangnan that I can't go into details."
Zhang Cong seemed a little nervous in front of several big bosses.
As a civil servant, he should not feel inferior, but Tang Yin was famous and there was Prince Xiaoxing sitting next to him.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Tang, Mr. Zhu, the results have started to be announced outside." Lu Song came over from the window and reminded in a low voice.
Zhang Cong suddenly became nervous.
Whatever happened to King Xing, Tang Yin, it was just a coincidence. The most important thing today is whether he can make it to the eighth test in his life. For others, there will be another time if he fails, but for him... his life has failed.
After seven times, I still haven't selected or released officials. If I don't win again, I'm afraid I will regret it for the rest of my life.
…
At an age when he almost knows his destiny, it is unknown whether he will still have the energy to take the exam in Beijing three years later.
…
…
In the Confucian Temple, the deacon of the Ministry of Rites came out.
The examination is a joint examination of the Ministry of Rites, and the list and results are all completed by the Ministry of Rites.
Immediately, two yamen officers ran out from inside, and this was regarded as the first place on the list: "Mr. Zhou of the Zhou Dynasty of Min County, Fujian Province, ranked sixth in the high school Gengchen Science Examination, and won the imperial examination consecutively!"
The first person who comes up is not Huiyuan, but starts from the sixth place.
Immediately, there was an uproar at the tea stall next door. It seemed that this Zhou Chaofu was a fellow countryman they knew, or he might have been at the tea stall. As the messenger walked towards the Fujian Guild Hall, some people left in a hurry, as if they wanted to go ahead.
Annunciation.
It doesn't necessarily have to be a Zhou family member or a friend of the Zhou Dynasty. It could also be a Fujianese doing business in Beijing. When he heard that the Zhou Dynasty was a Jinshi, he would definitely want to win over him and send gifts or something in advance.
If you can send gifts at this time, you will become a related household in the future.
"Master Yang Xun of Xindu County, Sichuan, the seventh tribute scholar in the Central Examination..."
After the sixth place was registered, the seventh place came next.
In the first batch, everyone reported the news one by one to show that they were ranked high. Basically, the number one scholar in this palace examination will be among these people, so the news reports were very cautious, for fear of making mistakes, so the voices were extremely loud.
It is loud and clear so that the audience can distinguish it clearly at one time.
Zhu Si originally wanted to ask Zhu Hao about the situation, but when he heard the news outside, it was so lively, and everyone was called by name, he couldn't help his curiosity, and ran to the window to look outside.
Luo An hurriedly stepped forward to remind: "Your Highness, be careful."
Zhu Si waved his hand and said: "It's okay, it's okay. On such an occasion, could someone stab someone in the back? Who knows me?"
Luo An was still very nervous and could only stand by and look around warily.
King Xiaoxing did not sit down, and others were too embarrassed to sit down, especially Zhang Cong. He was very concerned about whether he could pass the exam. He looked more nervous than Gongsun Yi. When he came to the window and stood still, his legs could not help but tremble a little.
, maybe others didn’t notice, but Zhu Hao saw it.
It is obvious that Zhang Cong cares too much about the results of this examination.
But at this moment, the eleventh place was reported: "Yang Weicong and Yang Juren, Gu'an County, North Zhili Province, are the eleventh tribute scholar in the Central Examination, good news!"
Everyone's style of announcing the good news is different. Basically, they start with the province and county, and then the name and ranking. The rest will be slightly different. Basically, it is very rare for a county to have the same name and the same surname and come together to take the exam, so basically
Don't be afraid of misunderstandings or anything like that.
"good!"
I had not noticed it before, but when Yang Weicong's name was reported, the second floor of the teahouse opposite instantly became excited.
It was obvious that Yang Weicong was right across the street.
When Zhu Si heard the noise, he raised his head and looked over. The window on the opposite side happened to be completely opened at this time, and he saw Yang Weicong standing at the window. But then he also found Zhu Hao and his party looking at them across the street, with faces on their faces.
He was a little happy, but when he saw Zhu Hao, his face immediately turned grim.
"Oh, I'm an old acquaintance." Jiang Lun looked over with a sneer on his face, "This guy can pass the Jinshi examination? God is so cruel."
…
After all, the road was not wide these days, only wide enough for two carriages to run parallel, so Jiang Lun's words were probably meant for the other side.
I don't know if the person on the other side heard it, but Yang Weicong glared at Zhu Hao with a demonstrative look, then closed the window and left in a hurry with his servants. It seemed that he was rushing back to his residence to prepare for the good news and arrange a celebration banquet.
etc.
…
…
The episode passed and the rest was uneventful.
There is no Zhu Hao's name, no Gongsun Yi and Sun Ru, and no Zhang Cong.
But one thing is that there are quite a few candidates in the Huguang local examination, which is no less impressive than those in major imperial examination provinces such as Nanzhili, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi.
Whenever a certain candidate from "Huguang" reported, several people pricked up their ears to listen, but unfortunately no familiar name rang out.
Zhu Si listened for a long time and said anxiously: "Mr. Tang, this means that Zhu Hao missed, right?"
Tang Yin said: "It stands to reason that we will try to recruit about 450 people this time. This number is not even 80 people. It's still early."
That being said, Tang Yin is obviously not very confident that Zhu Hao can make it to high school.
Even if Zhu Hao's knowledge is good in his opinion, the question is which candidate will be tested and whose level is poor?
"Zhejiang Yongjia County Juren Zhang Cong, Mr. Zhang, ranked 92nd among the tribunals in this year's examination. Special report!"
Just at this moment, a familiar name rang out, but it was not the people who came with Anlu to take the exam, but Zhang Cong who was anxious and uneasy beside him.
When Zhang Cong heard his name, he was startled for a moment and didn't react yet.
Tang Yin smiled and said: "I would like to say congratulations first, Your Excellency."
"Is...is it me?"
Zhang Cong was still a little unbelievable for a moment.
Zhu Hao smiled and nodded: "Exactly."
"I...then I..."
Zhang Cong didn't know what to say. If he hadn't been surrounded by mostly strangers and wanted to maintain some manners in front of King Xiao Xing, he might have burst into tears on the spot.
It’s hard to explain this feeling to outsiders, having spent a lifetime taking the exams and taking eight exams before finally passing the exam.
Zhu Sidao: "You are hit now? Do you need help?"
"No... no need..."
Zhang Cong's words were all in vain.
A pair of small eyes were watery, and there was not even a servant around Zhang Cong at this time. Zhu Hao said: "Brother Zhang, let someone go to your place to help you organize it. Do you think it's okay?"
"Don't dare bother."
Zhang Cong naturally does not want to owe anyone a favor.
Zhu Si said to Lu Song: "Lu Dianzhan, go and do me a favor. We are all destined to be together. There is no chance that we will meet again in the future."
Zhu Si was also very happy. Zhu Hao recommended an old man to him, and he became a Jinshi. This is equivalent to knowing him at a young age, and he may be able to use this person in the future.
As he spoke, he looked at Zhu Hao with admiration, as if to say, you are a good judge of people.
…
…
Zhang Cong left accompanied by Lu Song.
What follows is the follow-up announcement.
At this time, they no longer come out one by one, but two or three together.
You have to listen carefully now to identify who is on the list.
It was getting close to the end of the 400th place, but Zhu Hao's name was still missing.
After listening to it for a long time, Zhu Si became upset, sat down and said, "Nothing happens without us, not even a name."
He was originally in high spirits, but now he is a little downcast.
Tang Yin said: "That's not necessarily true. According to the order of good news, the top five candidates for the general examination have not yet reported."
Jiang Lun asked: "Mr. Tang, do you think Zhu Hao... has a chance to be among the best?"
"What do you want me to say?"
Tang Yin didn't know how to describe it.
Saying that Zhu Hao doesn't have the qualifications doesn't damage Zhu Hao's self-confidence and Zhu Si's enthusiasm? Saying that he does have the qualifications... does Zhu Hao really have that level?