Under the leadership of the messenger eunuch, one hundred new academicians entered the palace and headed towards the political hall.
For these hundred new scholars, almost all of them set foot in the imperial palace for the first time. This is the heart of the entire Dali, the center of power, and the entire country revolves around this place!
It was the first time I came to this place. Except for Yunjing, it would be a lie to say that everyone else was not nervous or excited. Fortunately, everyone had received etiquette training since childhood, and it was almost ingrained into their bones, so they didn't show it too much.
obvious.
I don't know whether they are out of curiosity or excitement. Although each new scholar looks calm on the surface, their eyes can't help but glance around, seeing everything new.
Is this a eunuch? I have only heard of it before, but this is the first time I have seen it. He is not as feminine as the legend says, and his voice is not shrill. If he is not definitely a eunuch, he looks no different from a normal man on the surface.
Every one of the palace guards is a powerful character. Their cultivation level is at least late acquired, and there are many innate masters. That’s right, they have to protect His Majesty and the royal family, so how can they be qualified for such a position?
The maids are so beautiful, each one is at least one of a hundred, more beautiful than some so-called ladies of the world. Your Majesty is so sexually blessed, he can sleep with whoever he wants, and he doesn’t bring the same one every day...
After entering the palace, every new scholar had different thoughts, but no matter what they thought, they didn't show it on their faces. Are you kidding, can you say nonsense? Maybe some actions in a place like the palace are inappropriate.
Despite the taboo of decapitation, you can never go wrong by being careful.
There are many high walls in the palace, and the atmosphere seems a bit tense as no one talks while walking through it, only the sound of footsteps.
Many new scholars admire Yunjing, secretly saying that it is indeed a mythical realm. He can really keep his expression straight when he comes to a place like the palace. Having said that, if he comes down to the palace, it will be as easy as going home. Maybe he wants to try it.
Both the soft and hard majesties of the throne have to greet you with a smile.
The atmosphere was a bit depressing, and the eunuch who took the lead smiled and said: "Don't be nervous. For many of you, this is the first time to enter the palace. In the future, when you become officials in the court, entering the palace is a common thing. You are used to it.
Just like that, I will call you adults at that time. I am honored to lead you today, and I hope you will take care of me in the future."
"This father-in-law is very polite."
Hearing what he said, the group of new scholars really relaxed a lot. They felt that this father-in-law was a very good person and they could take care of him if they had the opportunity and ability in the future.
Yun Jing saw everyone's performance in his eyes, and sighed in his heart, they are all a bunch of young people who have never experienced severe beatings. It is easy to trust one person. His father-in-law is in a place like the palace, and they are plotting and scheming all day long.
, you are already proficient in talking to people and talking to ghosts. You just use your words. If you sell well, you will not lose anything. And you are all new scholars with a bright future. If you can make good friends, you will make a profit without losing anything.
In fact, what the father-in-law cared about the most was Yunjing's attitude. If he could make good friends with her, he would be very successful. He might be able to walk sideways in many places in the palace. However, under his unobtrusive observation, Yunjing remained unmoved.
, so he extinguished his unrealistic thoughts and focused on leading the way without saying anything. If he offended Yun Jing, he might not be able to see the sun tomorrow.
The palace is very big. Yunjing and the others walked for almost half an hour before they arrived at the open space outside the political hall. This made many people sigh that being an official is not easy, especially when you are a high official. It takes a long time to enter the palace.
There is a lot of time on the road. No wonder many officials have to get up in the middle of the night. Moreover, they are not allowed to ride horses or sedans in the palace, they can only walk, and they are not allowed to rush too fast. It is a big test for the old and frail officials. However,
Even if such a test comes to me...
The open space outside the political hall is very large. There are guards in armor every five steps around. There are palace maids and eunuchs walking around from time to time. Everyone looks attentively and moves lightly, which fully embodies the solemnity and solemnity of the palace. For a long time,
Living in such an environment may cause some changes in personal psychology.
After arriving here, the eunuch who led the way asked a hundred new scholars to wait here, while he went ahead to report.
One hundred people waited quietly, and some people carefully looked at the huge palace in front of them, which was as tall as a record-high 10 feet, and could vaguely see the figures of civil and military officials inside.
Many new scholars understand that after reaching this stage, as long as they don't make mistakes in the future, they will have a place in the hall sooner or later.
Being a Jinshi in the New Science Class A Ranking, the gold content is too high, there is a chance to be a highly respected minister, even the positions of the Three Gongs and Six Ministers are not unavoidable to be coveted!
While waiting, some people looked strange and wondered why they were still quarreling over there. Although they didn’t know what was going on, there were all high-ranking officials there. They usually didn’t smile when they saw them. How could they act now?
Is it the same as buying vegetables at the wet market? You say you are a common man and he says you are not a son of a man, but all officials are like this? Will we become like this in the future? Where are the usual etiquette gone?
Yunjing was amused, thinking that there was no point in quarreling when discussing politics. There were even people who shook their fists when they got excited. He was already used to it at San Luo.
Unless you reach a certain level, you will never know the true situation of certain circles. Nowadays, these new top-ranking scholars have already half-footed their feet in the upper-class circles, barely reaching the tip of the iceberg.
The waiting time was not long, and soon another eunuch came out of the hall and said loudly: "Please come to the hall to see the new Jinshi."
"Everyone is of the same year, please"
"Please and please"
One hundred new scholars exchanged polite greetings before stepping forward. They were polite and not competitive. I wonder if they will be able to maintain such a demeanor when they enter the officialdom in the future.
The political hall was so big that even though there were hundreds of civil and military officials there, it still seemed empty. After entering the hall, people did not look away and did not dare to look around, as if they were walking on thin ice.
When Yunjing and the others arrived, the civil and military officials had already retreated to both sides, leaving the middle open. After all, they were the protagonists on this day. As people who had been there, why should they block their highlight moments?
Even though these new scholars are still young, who knows whether they will climb over you in the future?
Yun Jing knew many of the ministers here, and they all gave Yun Jing friendly smiles, and some even raised their hands in salute.
People are different. It is true that Yunjing is a new scholar, but he also has another identity of cultivating in the mythical realm. Who dares to neglect him?
Yunjing saw his master's figure in front of the Civil and Military Officials Examination. The two parties made eye contact. Yunjing nodded in greeting, while Li Qiu cast a look of great relief.
He grew up watching Yunjing, and taught him face to face for many years. He was closer than a blood relative. Putting aside everything else, Yunjing's passing the Jinshi Examination was the greatest reward for him, and it was worthy of his many years of careful teaching.
Because of the special environment at the moment, the master and apprentice did not communicate much.
"Wei Chen joins His Majesty"
One hundred newly ranked Jinshis moved towards the front and bowed in unison. Kneeling is not practiced in Dali except under special circumstances. Therefore, they do not need to kneel down even when they meet the king. And if they are admitted to the Jinshi, they will
When he entered the court and became an official, he called himself a minister at this time.
Xia Ziyang, who was sitting high on the dragon chair, was wearing a golden dragon robe. He was obviously very happy. Facing the hundred new scholars below him, he actually stood up and said with a smile: "Without courtesy, you have studied hard for ten years, and now you have paid off all the hardships. You are my great master."
Li Liang has great talents, and I, Dali, have a sufficient stage to display your talents. I hope you can use your knowledge to benefit the people in the future."
"Thank you Your Majesty, I will definitely live up to His Majesty's instructions," everyone said in unison again.
Although this is the first exchange between a monarch and his ministers, every scholar has learned about dialogues on such occasions in the past. It is one thing whether he can use it, but if he doesn't, it will be embarrassing if he misses the key moment.
Looking down, Xia Ziyang paused for a moment after seeing the cloud scene, and nodded slightly to indicate that if he were in other places, he should lower his body and salute, but this occasion was not suitable.
Immediately he added: "Good talents and beautiful jade still need to be polished. Past achievements can only represent your past, but the future will be a new beginning. Well, let alone these, today can be said to be your happy day. Come here."
Sir, please sit down, I have to have a good exchange with all of you, the most talented people, and see your talent and learning."
"Thank you, Your Majesty"
Following Xia Ziyang's order, a large group of eunuchs and maids who had been prepared filed in and brought in several cushions. Everything was in order and was quickly arranged.
Of course, it is not that one hundred new scholars are given seats individually. All the ministers present have a share. They can't be allowed to stand on the side. It's just that the actions of those ministers are on both sides of the hall, and the one hundred in the middle
It is a place where new scholars stay, which makes a group of new scholars feel even more pressure.
After everything was properly arranged, Xia Ziyang nodded and said, "You don't have to be formal. This is not a court meeting. Just be casual and sit down."
The ministers bowed again before taking their seats.
There are pens, inks, paper and inkstones on the table prepared for a hundred new scholars. There may be questions and answers between emperors and ministers. There may be something that needs to be written. This is the imperial examination.
Different from the imperial examination, the imperial examination is more relaxed. Even if you don't write a word, it will not affect your Jinshi status. If you don't dare to win the top three places, you can perform well, even if everyone knows it.
The top three spots are probably already decided, but no one still has a chance until the last minute.
Xia Ziyang also returned to the dragon chair and sat down. He clapped his hands and said: "My dear friends, here are some of the most talented people selected from a million. This is a rare opportunity. If you have any problems in your daily life, you can ask them to test them.
Everyone can speak freely.”
The faces of a group of Jinshi were serious, and they didn’t know what kind of problems were waiting for them. If they couldn’t answer it, it wouldn’t matter, but how embarrassing would it be in front of everyone? It’s a small matter to lose face, but what if someone thinks that they are talented?
The surrounding civil and military ministers began to communicate and discuss who would come up with the topic, but for a while no one came forward to take the lead.
Seeing this, Xia Ziyang smiled and said: "It seems that none of you, dear friends, have encountered anything difficult to explain on weekdays."
As soon as this sentence came out, a minister immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty thinks too highly of us. With limited manpower, how can we not encounter difficulties? It's just that they are one of the most talented people in a million. I'm afraid some small things can't trouble them."
"
"General Qin said that. I guess he has something to say. Why don't you start by offering some advice?" Xia Ziyang looked at the person who spoke.
The speaker was the old general Qin Antai. He happily raised his hands and said: "Since your Majesty has said so, you are welcome."
As he said that, he looked at a group of new scholars and stroked his beard and said: "I am a rough man. Marching and fighting are just so-so. I am so tired of writing. I can't do such things, so I won't show my shame. Then, a few days ago, I
I have encountered a very puzzling question, why don't you please give me the total?"
"General, please general," a group of Jinshi nodded.
General Qin waved his hand and said: "Don't be so serious, be more relaxed. Here's the thing. One day I inspected the military camp and found that some people were gathering together to gamble. Originally, this kind of thing was handled by military regulations, but the problem lies in the way they gamble.
Above, the soldiers have too much energy after training on weekdays, and in the army, whoever is stronger can convince the crowd, so fists and kicks are inevitable, as long as they are not excessive. That day, the soldiers were also competing in fists and kicks, and they also
I placed a bet on who is better, and the losing party has to wash the winning party's clothes for a month. There are many participants, so the question is, is this indeed gambling? But with this kind of gambling, I should
Shouldn't I punish them? I haven't been able to decide for the past two days, why don't you guys give me some advice?"
After he finished speaking, he sat down, and upon hearing his question, many people present became thoughtful.
Yes, should this kind of thing be punished? It is not true that people gather to gamble. After all, the bets are made. However, this kind of gambling is obviously in a positive direction, which makes people confused.
Xia Ziyang said: "There is such a thing. No wonder General Qin is hesitant. Yes, should he be punished? Can you guys give General Qin an idea? You don't need to say it out, just write it on paper. When the time comes,
When the time comes, it will be handed over to the ministers for circulation, and the ministers will judge the best solution."
The question has been asked, and then it is the turn of a hundred new scholars to answer. Many people are frowning nervously and racking their brains. They are not familiar with the military system.
It’s not a problem to continue to struggle. The answer is yes, so some people answer that it should be punished. After all, there is no rule without rules. Strictly speaking, that kind of behavior can really be called gambling in a crowd. But some people answer that it should not be punished, but instead
Encouragement can be given on the grounds that such actions are positive and will certainly enhance the combat effectiveness of soldiers, and that kind of bet is not considered a bet at all, but is at best a punishment for the loser.
Yunjing thought for a moment and then wrote down his answer. His reason was that he should be punished, and he also suggested a heavier punishment. For this answer, he gave three reasons based on General Qin's question. First, General Qin
First of all, it has been shown that those people were gathering people to gamble, which is equivalent to defining the incident. In this way, those people have violated military regulations and will naturally be punished. The following rhetoric is just to confuse the public. Secondly, Yun
Jing had been to the army and knew that there was a clear rule in the army that prohibited gatherings of people to make trouble. General Qin said that there were many people participating in gambling, which violated this rule. In the end, although the incident itself was not considered a trouble,
But his behavior is undesirable, and it’s okay if nothing happens. Once resentment arises among soldiers due to such actions, it will affect the overall harmony. This kind of thing should not be kept private. In view of the fact that this kind of thing is inevitable, Yun
Jing suggested that senior management could organize some similar competitions with prizes in normal times. Only when they are organized can they really have a positive effect.
After he finished writing, the others had almost finished their answers. A eunuch took the answers away and showed them to Xia Ziyang first. He quickly read through them without any unnecessary expression on his face, and then circulated them to the ministers after he finished.
The imperial examination will not affect the previous imperial examination achievements. Therefore, Yun Jing does not care whether his own opinions can be recognized. He is just explaining and analyzing the matter from his own standpoint. If he were from the perspective of General Qin, he would answer the same question
handle this matter in that way.
Then Yunjing understood in his heart that General Qin's intention in raising this question was not to see what kind of answer these new scholars would give, but to examine whether they could do things. The army pays attention to the execution of orders and prohibitions, such as innocuous things.
, whether to punish or not is just a matter of the top management's thoughts. What is taboo is ambiguity and inaction.
To put it bluntly, what kind of answers these Jinshi give will determine where they will go next, whether they are suitable to enter the civil service group or the military generals group. In the end, those ambiguous wallflowers will probably only be sent to Qingshui Yamen to eat ashes.
The ministers circulated the answers of the Jinshi, and there was endless discussion. Some people nodded secretly and were full of praise, while others shook their heads and were extremely disappointed.
This made the hearts of all the Jinshis rise to their throats.
In the end, all the answers went to Qin Antai. After quickly reading through them, he laughed and said: "You are worthy of being one of the most talented people in the world. You have solved the problem that I am struggling with. Now you know what to do next."
That is what he said, but from the beginning to the end, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, including Xia Ziyang, did not say whose answer was better and who was worse, and there was no typical plan at all.
Again, these Jinshi are going to be officials in the court. Setting up examples at this time is just to attract hatred. As for whether the top three will be able to convince the public in the end, they don't care. When you haven't
When you step into the officialdom, you start to question your superiors. Who dares to use this kind of thorn without polishing it? This in itself is a test for a person. Whether they can figure this out depends on themselves.
The question raised by Qin Antai was over, and Xia Ziyang smiled and said: "My dear friends, don't stop. After today, all the great talents will go their separate ways. There is only one chance. Who will continue to ask questions?"
Yunjing was one of the Jinshi present, so Li Qiu naturally kept silent to avoid suspicion.
After a short pause, a rich old man stood up and said with a smile: "Since everyone is silent, let me come." After saying that, he looked at the group of Jinshi and said: "Let me meet you. My surname is Zhang, and I need your Majesty's favor and help.
Taking care of the country's money bag, everyone in the court is keeping a close eye on me and trying every possible means to get money from me, but there is only so much money, and good steel must be used on the blade, so I have offended a lot of people.
As for people, if you have a lot of money, why bother? So what I want to test on you is very simple, that is, how to increase the national income in a reasonable and reasonable way. Please, please."
As soon as his question came up, everyone in the civil and military circles laughed. Mr. Zhang manages the household department, but he is the country's money bag. You have to go to him wherever you want money, but you must not keep a close eye on him. This position will definitely offend people.
But who dares to hold a grudge against him? If he can’t think of asking for money, it’s too late to please him.
However, a group of Jinshi are a little confused. How to increase the country's revenue in a reasonable and reasonable way?
Yunjing was also speechless. He didn't know how others would answer. After thinking about it, he wrote down the four-word answer of "increase revenue and reduce expenditure". As for the specific plan, I'm sorry I don't have one.
After all, this topic is too broad, and there are countless people in the country making suggestions. Where can I come up with excellent answers at once, so I won’t bother with that.
Soon after, all the Jinshi answered one after another, and the answers were submitted. Just like before, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty did not clearly indicate whose answer was excellent after it was circulated. Anyway, they saw the answer.
After the two ministers, one civil and one military, raised questions respectively, no one asked any more questions. After all, the imperial examination is just a process, and there is no need to repeat it again and again.
Everyone understood it tacitly. When Xia Ziyang saw that no one stood up to ask questions, he smiled and said: "It seems that all of you are very reserved and don't want to make things difficult for the new talents. That's fine. That's the end of it. Then he looked at you.
The answer of the new talent is really eye-catching, and he is worthy of being one of the most talented people in the world.”
After a pause, he continued: "All the great talents are extremely good, but the top three places always need someone to bear the responsibility. That is a good reputation, but it is also pressure. It is really difficult to choose. I hope you can win the first place."
The list is in no particular order. The top three can only be chosen from the best among you. Come, the Four Treasures of the Study will serve you and wait for my decree!"
As soon as these words came out, the court fell into silence. The main event was coming. Who would be the top three?
Xia Ziyang finished drafting the decree and stamped it with a seal. This time, the top three in the new department were confirmed. He motioned to the eunuch beside him and said: "Declarate the decree."
The eunuch held the imperial edict in his hand and quickly read it in public, and said loudly in public: "The emperor is entrusted by heaven, and the edict says: To recruit scholars in new subjects, God will give talents. Today, we have Chen Yihao, who has both ability and political integrity. He is specially awarded the number one scholar in new subjects. There is also Bai Mo, a talented man with outstanding literary talent.
I am specially given to the second best person in the new department. If you have a famous name, outstanding talent and appearance, I am specially given to the new department to explore flowers. I will tell the world to show you this."
In the end, the dust has finally settled on the top spot in the top three. Chen Yihao won the top pick. He is already well-known and is one of the four most talented people recently. It is not surprising. The same goes for Bai Mo, who is second in the list.
As for Yunjing, the top pick, it was unexpected but also reasonable. Many people originally thought that he should be the number one pick, but looking at his appearance, he truly deserves the title.
As we all know, Tanhua is the most handsome person in the same period.
When the results came out, the sound of joy was endless.