Chapter 16 Participating in the Provincial Examination
He has already completed two of the four goals, and can slowly achieve the remaining two goals.
Be famous first? Wu Zhi thinks it’s not possible, at least not too famous yet!
People are afraid of being famous and pigs are afraid of being strong. He cannot act arbitrarily before he has passed the provincial examination or passed the examination. Being in the limelight before the examination will arouse jealousy and hatred for him, and he will become the target of public criticism, which will easily lead to cold shots from others, leading to
There is a possibility of falling short in the provincial examination. There are many examples of this happening throughout the ages. He did not want this to happen to him again. So what he has to do now is to tuck his tail between his legs.
Hibernate quietly, prepare well, and cope with the exam. Take the provincial exam first and then talk about it.
In fact, what Wu Zhi didn't know was that he had already become famous! The phrase "Tian Jing Sha Qiu Si" he wrote when he was explaining the examination in Enzhou had already been recited by the scholars who went to Beijing to take the examination in Enzhou.
The word spread in Bianliang, the capital city. All the literati and dignitaries in Bianliang City copied and sang it one after another. For a time, everyone knew that a talented man named "Wuzhi" came out of Enzhou and wrote a wonderful poem.
It's just that Wu Zhi didn't go into romantic places, so he naturally turned a deaf ear to what was going on outside the window and seemed ignorant.
In the blink of an eye, winter entered and the weather became colder. Wu Zhi and Pan Wei took the time to report to the Ministry of Etiquette, stating their family status, age, place of origin and the number of times they had participated in the imperial examination. After passing the verification, they were finally qualified to participate in the provincial examination.
Everything was done. From then on, Wu Zhi spent the rest of his time at home, reading and brushing his teeth, except occasionally taking Xiao'e out for a walk, asking about the shopping malls in the capital, and going out to taste delicious food and have a toothpaste.
He also asked Pan Wei to answer questions, meditate, practice boxing, and kick Cuju (he also brought the Cuju he bought before to the capital). At the same time, he asked Pan Wei to help him delineate the general scope of the exam and draw up some question types for him.
After all, Wu Zhi was a Jie Yuan, and there was no limit to learning, and those who mastered came first. Although Pan Wei was full of doubts, he also followed him to read the book carefully and brush up the questions.
Pan Wei was observing Wu Zhi every day, and found that Wu Zhi, who was full of energy, had never run into the fence since he came to the capital. He was advancing and retreating in an orderly manner and was very self-disciplined. Feeling ashamed, he originally had some thoughts.
The arty thoughts of going to Wasegoulan were also given up, so I could only go with the flow and follow Wu Zhi to review his homework in an orderly manner every day, reading books and answering questions.
Taking part in the provincial examination for the first time, Pan Wei obviously lacked confidence. He didn't have much expectations about whether he could pass the provincial examination. He only thought it was to accumulate examination experience and wait for the next time he came to pass it, so he met Wu Zhi.
Relax, and he is happy to relax.
Xiao'e and Wang Er took care of their daily lives every day. They took care of all the shopping, cooking, laundry and sweeping the floor. Wu Zhi couldn't get involved even if he wanted to, but whenever he interfered, Xiao'e would always roll his eyes with resentment.
I had no choice but to let her take care of everything.
But every time Xiao'e went out, Wu Zhi asked Wang Er to follow him. Being in the capital, personal safety was a problem, and he couldn't be careless. Xiao'e was someone he regarded more closely than his own sister, and he didn't allow any slightest inkling.
of mishaps.
As for Wu Xiu and Feng Niang, Wu Zhi wrote a letter to Ping An's family on the third day after arriving in the capital, and sent it to the Qinghe County magistrate's office by post, entrusting Pan Weimin to deliver it on their behalf. Within dozens of days,
They should be able to receive it.
In this way, time flies, the first month of the fourth year of Shaosheng comes quietly, and the new year has arrived! In the first month, Bianliang, the capital, is full of New Year flavor, with lights and colorful decorations everywhere in and outside the city, the sound of firecrackers bid farewell to the old year, and the spring breeze brings warmth.
Tusu, every household wears new clothes, replaces old charms, and celebrates the New Year lively.
Wu Zhi and his party were far away from home and homesick, so they all felt sad and dull. They spent a slightly deserted New Year in the capital, which was out of tune with everyone.
It’s not surprising that so many people paid homage. Although he was feeling sad, after the first day of the first lunar month, Wu Zhi didn’t forget to send Zhou Tong, Lin Chong, and Wang Jin a New Year’s greetings, so as to keep in touch and enhance the relationship between master and disciple.
After the Lantern Festival, when the spring breeze in February was like scissors, and the warmth turned cold, the "du list" of the provincial examination seating chart drawn up by the Ministry of Rites was finally announced two days before the examination. Wu Zhi and Pan Wei went together to come.
Before arriving at Gongyuan, I checked my exam seat number. There were many students taking the exam, and they were divided into different exam rooms.
At around nine o'clock on the third day (i.e. five o'clock in the morning), it was just dawn, and the breeze was a bit chilly. The provincial examination, which occurs once every three years, arrived as scheduled.
After a strict body search, Wu Zhi and Pan Wei carried book boxes with examination supplies on their backs and food boxes in their hands. Under the eyes of Xiao'e and Wang Er, they walked resolutely into the Gongyuan, rushed to their examination rooms according to the order, and found their seats.
Sit down and prepare for the exam.
Just like the examination, after all the candidates enter the Gongyuan examination room, the Gongyuan will be closed for three days. Within three days, candidates are not allowed to enter or leave. They will have food, accommodation, rest, and exams in their own seats. Within three days, there will be four consecutive exams.
The first test was about the classics, the second test was about the classics, the third test was about one essay, and the fourth test was about three current policies. This provincial test was presided over by Chen Xianlai, the minister of the Ministry of Rites.
When the questions were handed out, as expected, the scope of the examination was almost all around the reform of the new law, the attack on Yuanyou's old party and the war against Xixia. It seems that the imperial court attached great importance and urgency to the reform of the new law and the war against Xixia!
When Wu Zhi saw the question, he smiled, then put aside his distracting thoughts, began to think slowly, and answered the question in a leisurely manner.
When Pan Wei got the test questions, he was obviously surprised: "My dear, why are the range of questions so familiar? They are almost all from reading and practicing with Wu Zhi during this time!"
If Pan Wei had not been following Wu Zhi during this period, he would have suspected that Wu Zhi had received the questions in advance and missed the questions. Although he was pleasantly surprised, he did not dare to be careless and slowly started to answer the questions.
Pan Wei kept telling himself in his heart to be calm, calm, and calm again!
The three-day locked-in examination was very boring and cruel. During the three days, except for walking around under the supervision of the yamen when going to the toilet, the rest of the time had to stay in one's seat, take examinations, and eat.
, Rest, whoever has experienced it will know the uncomfortable feeling. It is really hard to describe and painful.
The first test on the classics, that is, the test on the meaning of the great classics, is to take out-of-context quotes from the "New Meanings of the Three Classics" to examine the candidates' understanding of the meaning of the classics and how to explain them. The "New Meanings of the Three Classics" refers to the "Yi Guanyi" and "The Book of Songs"
", "Shu Jing", "Zhou Rites", and "Book of Rites" are five books. This time when I try this book, I quote from the "Book of Rites": "In ancient times, those who wanted to establish virtue in the world first governed their country;
If you want to govern your country, you must first regulate your family. If you want to regulate your family, you must first cultivate your body. If you want to cultivate your body, you must first rectify your mind. If you want to rectify your mind, you must first be sincere in your intentions. If you want to be sincere in your intentions, you must first be honest.
"To know first; to know things is to study things", how should we explain it and how to do it? In this passage, "pacify the world", "govern the country", "order the family", "cultivate oneself" and "rectify one's mind"
, "Sincerity", "Zhizhi", and "Studying things" are very important keywords. In fact, they are asking the students how to cultivate themselves, manage their families, govern the country, and bring peace to the world, how to cultivate their moral integrity, and how to study things to gain knowledge. Wu Zhi directly quoted Fan Zhongyan's
Let’s start with the famous sentence “Be worried about the world’s worries first, and be happy after the world’s happiness”. Let’s talk about it in a eloquent way. Try to explain your views according to the taste of the New Party without digressing from the topic.
The second test is to quote a certain chapter from "The Analects" and "Mencius" to examine the students' learning results of these two books. This time, the questions in the "Combined Classics" test are to quote from "The Analects of Confucius" In the Weizheng chapter - Duke Ai asked: "Why do you do it and the people obey it?" Confucius replied: "If you raise the straight and wrong, the people will obey; if you raise the straight and wrong, the people will not obey." This passage requires candidates Discussing how to govern and serve the people? This question is a bit simple. It is nothing more than appointing talents, appointing talents only, recruiting based on virtue, staying away from treacherous villains, etc. Wu Zhi followed the script and did not want to answer too strangely. Just fit the meaning of the question.
The third trial discussion is to comment on the proposition, which is equivalent to an argumentative essay. The title of this trial discussion is "Political Discussion on New Laws for the People's Benefit". This topic is very simple and crude, and it exposes the New Party's intention to praise itself. It was expressed! Wu Zhi felt very contemptuous in his heart, but he still followed the trend and followed the thoughts of the new party members. With his literary thoughts flowing out, he went against his will and praised the benefits of the reform and reform, while belittling Yuanyou's old party.
The fourth test, that is, the question and answer question, requires candidates to make "countermeasures" in response to the questions raised by the examiner. This test asks: How to strengthen the army? How to deal with the invasion of the Xixia people? How to ensure border security? These three questions were also very direct, putting the issues that the court and the New Party were most worried about and concerned about in front of all the candidates. These three questions were not difficult for Wu Zhi. He picked them up easily and wrote thousands of words in a eloquent way. words.
For each exam, Wu Zhi first drafted the draft step by step. After checking and revising it, he slowly copied it onto the answer sheet after confirming that it was correct. After checking that there were no typos, the answer was considered completed. For each exam, Wu Zhi usually only It took him a few hours to finish answering the questions. After answering the questions, he did not hand in the paper in advance. He just rested quietly, slept, and passed the time slowly.
The terrible exam pressure forced some candidates to leave the examination room early. Some of them quit sadly because they did not do well in the exam. Some were carried out by the yamen because they were exhausted and cried. All the different aspects of life are here. .
The three days of intense and tiring exams finally ended. When Wu Zhi handed in the test papers and waited for the sealing officer to seal the test papers and the transcription officer to transcribe the test papers, he easily walked out of the examination room and left Gongyuan with a bookcase on his back and a food box in his hand. At this time, the sky was dark. It's completely dark now, and the lanterns are starting to turn on.
At this time, Pan Wei happened to walk out of the tribute courtyard with his suitcase and suitcase on his back. He looked tired but very excited. He walked up to Wu Zhi with joy, looked at Wu Zhi with complicated eyes, and then nodded to Wu Zhi with a smile. , Judging from his appearance, he should have done well in the exam.
The two returned home in silence. Xiao'e and Wang Er had been looking forward to it. After having a delicious meal and taking a hot bath, Wu Zhi didn't think about anything and fell into a deep sleep. I slept until noon on the second day, when I woke up, and then I came back to my senses and returned to normal.