Chapter 679: The couple enters the examination room
As of September 15, 1793, all candidates for the new imperial examination in Beihai Town had completed their registration. According to the plan, the examination will be held three days later.
The candidates who came to take the exam this time were all children and scholars, a total of 241 people.
The total number of children born is 189, of which 143 are from the four counties of Jiaodong, 18 are from Yangzhou, 15 are from Changzhou, and 13 are from Funing County, Huai'an Prefecture, the earliest stronghold of Beihai Town in the pass, which is the home of Sheyang Lake Farm. jurisdiction.
The total number of scholars, that is, Gongsheng students, is 52, of which 5 are exiles from Ningguta who were exiled to Ningguta due to literary inquisition. The oldest among them is 55 years old; the remaining 47 are from Yangzhou, Jiangning, Zhenjiang, Taizhou, and Zhaowen (Changshu) were all disciples of Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi.
However, on the afternoon of September 15, an unexpected registration application caused an uproar in the examination committee. Everyone was instantly divided into two groups, and a heated discussion began.
"No! I won't agree! Even if King Zhao is here, I will still say the same thing!"
Seeing Zhao Yi blowing his beard and staring, 77-year-old Yuan Mei put down his tea cup and said with a smile: "Brother Yunsong, don't be anxious. Sit down and talk."
"Brother Zicai, you said you are almost eighty years old, how can you let your disciples do whatever they want! Where is Sun Tzu Xiao, call him here! Is this how he usually manages the family?"
Zhao Yi looked at Yuan Mei and felt angry. He said to himself, "You are not in a hurry. Xi Peilan is the "chief disciple" among your female disciples. If she can take part in the imperial examination, you, Yuan Zi, will be the great disciple. Have a face.
Hong Liangji on the side persuaded: "Ou Beigong, you have been in Beihai Town for more than two months. No matter in factories, schools or hospitals, or in the security police and the army, there are women. Under the rule of King Zhao, equality between men and women is emphasized. , you have also been to the administrative school, but there are no female students."
"Don't do this to me! You, Mr. Hong, have just received the salary from Beihai Town, so you will naturally say good things, but I didn't take it! Women are educated and literate, it is for the sake of etiquette, and they can take care of their husbands and children at home. Don't take advantage of Beihai Town's salary. The situation fooled me. King Zhao told me that it was because there were not enough manpower that women were allowed to work. Although I felt it was inappropriate, I also knew that King Zhao was short of manpower at that time. But the imperial examination is a national talent promotion ceremony, how could it be possible? Letting women participate? It’s ridiculous!”
After Zhao Yi finished speaking, he looked at Duan Yucai and Liu Taigongji who were silent, stared at him and said, "What do you two say?"
Liu Taigong opened his mouth, then closed it again. He thought to himself, this is really a fight between gods and devils. You two Jinshi are quarreling, why did you bring us in?
On the other hand, Duan Yucao also felt that it was inappropriate for a woman to participate in Beihai Town's first imperial examination. He pondered for a moment and said to Yuan Mei: "Cangshan Gong, you'd better advise Mrs. Sun, or wait until next time... ..."
Zhao Yi slapped the table: "Not even next time! No woman has participated in the imperial examination since ancient times!"
Yuan Mei picked up the cup and took a sip of tea. The water temperature was just right. He turned to look at Wang Zhong who was silent and said with a smile: "Rong Fu, what do you say?"
Hearing Yuan Mei ask himself, Wang Zhong frowned and said: "Zhong thinks that this matter is indeed inappropriate. But..."
"But what?"
"What Mr. Oubei said is not entirely correct. Since ancient times, there have been women who took the Tongsheng Examination and were admitted. They are still disciples of the emperor."
After hearing this, everyone present except Yuan Mei remained silent. Although everyone here is a scholar, the one who has read a lot and has a photographic memory is the number one among them. After all, It has the reputation of “no book can’t be read”.
Yuan Mei said: "Tell me about it."
Wang Zhong said with helplessness: "It is recorded in "Miscellaneous Notes of the Government and the Public since Jianyan" that in the summer of the first year of Chunxi, the girl Lin Youyu took the examination in the post-examination examination, and the forty-three scriptures she recited were combined. In April Xinyou The imperial edict specially granted the title of "Ruren".
Yuan Mei nodded slowly and said to Zhao Yi: "Brother Yunsong, Rong Fu has a reputation for not reading books when he was young. I believe him. Zhao and Song, who are in a corner of peace, can accommodate a female tribute student. Is it possible that the achievements in the territory far exceed those of the past dynasties? Beihai Town can't tolerate it? It's just a title. If you really want to be an official, I won't agree to it."
In the feudal history of China, there was only one woman who participated in and passed the imperial examination. That was Lin Youyu during the reign of Song Xiaozong, the second emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty. She was only nine years old when she took the Tongzi Examination. Because the imperial examination law at that time was not clear It was written that women were prohibited from participating, so Lin Youyu took advantage of this loophole. Not only did she register for the exam, she also passed the reexamination of Zhongshu Province, and was finally named a seventh-grade Ruren by the emperor.
Of course, Lin Youyu's ability to pass is also related to the tolerant social atmosphere of the Song Dynasty. Women before the Ming and Qing Dynasties focused on "virtue" rather than "sexual chastity" in terms of chastity, so talented women not only did not suffer criticism, but even Will be appreciated by the world.
However, the fact that Lin Youyu was admitted to Gongsheng was still a slap in the face to those ministers of Neo-Confucianism. So when Song Ningzong, the fourth emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, another eight-year-old woman named Wu Zhiduan took the boy examination and passed the written examination. But this She was not so lucky once. When she took the re-examination of the Zhongshu Province, she failed due to collective opposition from the court ministers.
By the way, the well-known "female champion" of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in another time and space... Hehe, that was fabricated by later generations.
Speaking of Xi Peilan's application for the imperial examination, Yuan Mei agreed after repeated consideration.
You must know that the Ming and Qing Dynasties emphasized the "great defense of men and women", and it became even more serious in the Qing Dynasty. Most women studied with female teachers, or were taught by their fathers and brothers at home. There were few people like Yuan Mei who did not shy away from wide-ranging education. Dozens of female disciples. His behavior naturally brought him a lot of criticism.
Zhao Yi once joked that he was "a gentle person, no matter if he is a man or a woman." Even old friends said this, and naturally others had even worse things to say.
Speaking specifically of Sun Yuanxiang's wife, Xi Peilan, this daughter, Yan Ruizhu, and Jin Yi were the most valued by Yuan Mei among the dozens of female disciples who followed her in the garden. She was first-class in poetry and literary talent, and even Wang Zhenyi admired her.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! Xi Peilan was smart since he was a child. He finished studying "Mao Shi" at the age of eight, and later studied "Ode to the Green Window". At the age of fourteen, he became a disciple of Yuan Mei, and at the age of seventeen Married to Sun Yuanxiang. Her husband Sun Yuanxiang is also a mediocre person. He could read Li Du's poems at the age of four, and started learning the Four Books at the age of eight. He was already famous in the capital in his youth, but he failed in many exams. That is, his father three years ago After his death, now that the observance of filial piety has ended, the couple was abducted by Yuan Mei.
Xi Peilan originally did not want to participate in the new imperial examination in Beihai Town. She was just a married couple. Unexpectedly, after arriving in Beihai Town, she found that not only the scenery here was different from that in the pass, but also the high social status of women surprised and puzzled her; on the street
You can see exposed women everywhere, and they are engaged in various jobs just like other men.
Later, when she visited the primary school in Beihai Town, she accidentally met Wang Zhenyi, who had just finished class. The two of them had a feeling of being late for each other since they first talked, and they soon became close friends. When she learned that Beihai Town not only has female doctors, but also female doctors.
Xi Peilan was extremely shocked after seeing that there were many women in factories, the army, and the security police.
But what surprised her even more was what came next. Wang Zhenyi told her that the key to Beihai Town being able to do all this is that the law clearly prohibits infanticide, child brides, and concubinage; boys and girls must study at the age of seven, otherwise the government has the right to do so.
The family land was confiscated. This fundamentally improved the social status of women.
As for women working in the field, it was because when Beihai Town was founded, there were more women than men, and King Zhao did not discriminate, so the foundation was laid.
Well, although Wang Zhenyi didn't blush when she mentioned the words "no concubines", she still felt a little panicked.
When she learned that Wang Zhenyi had not only participated in map surveying and studied arithmetic with her teacher over the years, but would soon become the first batch of students at Beihai Town Institute of Technology, Xi Peilan had a bold idea: she would take part in the imperial examination.
Although Sun Yuanxiang greatly admired his wife's talent in poetry and literature, and the couple were very affectionate on weekdays, after learning what the other party was thinking, they actually laughed out loud and joked.
Although Xi Peilan usually has a graceful and quiet temperament, she is just like Wang Zhenyi in her heart. Otherwise, she would not ask Yuan Mei for help when the Xi family proposed marriage to the Sun family and was rejected. Later, when they got engaged, she still refused to admit defeat.
Sun Yuanxiang was stumped by the question, and he was so anxious that he didn't even think about food or tea.
So out of anger, Xi Peilan went directly to his teacher Yuan Mei and expressed his thoughts. Yuan Mei was originally a temperamental person. If he dared to accept so many female disciples, he would not be afraid of criticism from the world. Moreover, a few days ago
After a conversation with Zhao Xin, he felt that this person's attitude and approach to many things were different from all the kings who rebelled and conquered the world since Zulong. Moreover, the system in Beihai Town did not discriminate against women, so he decided to test it out and see.
Does Beihai Town really dare to be the first in the world?
Although Wang Zhong pointed out examples from the previous dynasty, Zhao Yi still refused to agree. He said that if Xi Peilan dared to take the exam with other candidates, then he would resign the consultant and honorary examiner of Lao Shizi, and the disciples he brought would also stop taking the exam.
.
Seeing that Zhao Yi was stubborn, Yuan Mei had no choice but to write a letter and asked Wang Zhong to forward it to Zhao Xin. Although Wang Zhong looked down on Yuan Mei, he also knew the significance of his coming to Beihai Town, so he agreed.
"Prince Zhao's" home was heavily guarded in the eyes of outsiders, but Wang Zhong came as soon as he wanted. He came to the door with a letter that afternoon. Zhao Xin listened to Wang Zhong tell what happened and read Yuan Mei's letter. Gulu
His eyes were silent for a long time.
This matter is really difficult to handle. It would be fine if Xi Peilan was a teenage girl. But she is already 23 this year, and even her son is five years old. Yes, in ancient times, there were women who participated in the imperial examination, but never before
Even a mother can take the imperial examination, which might turn into a big joke.
But then he thought about it, if he disagreed, wouldn't Beihai Town's "equality between men and women" become an empty talk? And what about those women who are already wives and mothers and are engaged in various jobs? The technical ratings are the same.
It’s time to take an exam!
Zhao Xin was then indignant at Zhao Yi's old-fashioned attitude. He thought to himself, what's wrong with being in the same examination room? How could he turn into a tiger and eat people?! This old guy actually led his disciples to stop the examination. Whatever, without Zhang
Butcher, I don’t know how to eat mixed pigs!
Huh? Zhao Xin suddenly had an idea, put his chin on his hand and said to Wang Zhong: "Mr. Rong Fu, can you repeat the last sentence Mr. Oubei said?"
"He said that if Xi Peilan dares to take the exam with other candidates, he will take the exam with his disciples."
"That's it!" Zhao Xin clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Let's do it this way..."
After hearing Zhao Xin's idea, Wang Zhong couldn't laugh or cry, thinking that if Zhao Yi knew about this, he might have to protest again. Zhao Xin said nonchalantly: "It's okay, as soon as the test results come out, it will be too late for him to know. I just
I want to show the people under Beihai Town that a woman can also be a gentleman."
At noon the next day, Xi Peilan received the admission ticket handed over by her husband in disbelief. She was so excited that it was hard to describe. Sun Yuanxiang smiled bitterly and thought to himself, no wonder the Manchu court said that Beihai Town was a group of monsters and actually let women take part in the imperial examination.
It’s really shocking. The problem is this woman or my wife. There is really no place to reason.
Yuan Mei had called him over before and when she handed him the admission ticket, she also said that it had never happened since ancient times for a husband and wife to take part in the imperial examination together. King Zhao admired Yunfen (named by Xi Peilan) very much for her actions.
, in order to make her the first female scholar in Beihai Town, and to avoid material disputes, a separate examination room will be arranged for her in the administrative school. If she passes the exam, King Zhao and the princess will personally issue her a certificate.
When Sun Yuanxiang heard what King Zhao said, he could only agree with dejection.
In the early morning two days later, the first new imperial examination in Beihai Town was held as scheduled.
Chen Qingsong didn't brag to Zhao Xin. When a group of candidates walked into the examination hall carrying their schoolbags with stationery, they saw gongs and drums roaring, firecrackers blasting, and colorful flags fluttering in the wind. On the two three-story buildings used for the examination room
There were several huge red cloths hanging with big white slogans on them. Everyone who saw it was refreshed and said that this was the first time they had seen this scene.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Abide by the rules in the examination room and maintain the dignity of knowledge!", "Be calm and down-to-earth!", "Look at the heights of life, only hardships lead to positive results!"
...Okay, these are all copied from exam slogans from another time and space.
Since Beihai Town has its own means of detecting cheating, no body searches were arranged for the candidates. However, in the eyes of the candidates, this was a new trend in the new dynasty.
Many people said to themselves when they saw the slogan, although the statement is straightforward, the truth is not simple. Knowledge has dignity, and we scholars also have dignity. It is really degrading to be polite to strip and search like the imperial court!
Because there were only 241 people taking the exam, and scholars and students were in two buildings, even though there were only 20 people in each exam room, many rooms were still empty, which could be used as dormitories during the exam period.
All candidates are provided with a set of bedding, and the classroom used as a dormitory is also divided into partitions. The invigilator will remind candidates that they are not allowed to communicate with each other. In addition, three meals during the examination are provided by the Beihai Town Canteen, which is comprehensive and nutritious, so you will definitely be satisfied.
Taking into account the educational background and habits of the examinees, this imperial examination still includes eight-legged essay content, but it is shortened to two sessions. Whether it is a child student or a scholar, it lasts six days and five nights. The first session is the four-part essay, and the second session is
Application.
At 8 o'clock in the morning, all the candidates found their seats in the examination room according to their admission ticket numbers. There was a glass of water on each person's desk, which could be used for drinking or grinding. Everyone was busy taking out their pen and ink to prepare.
At the same time, the invigilator read out the "Examination Hall Rules" hanging in the room.
At 8:15, with the piercing bell ringing, the invigilator handed out brown paper bags containing test questions, answer sheets and scratch paper to the candidates.