Peerless Pirates

The whole room is five feet wide and eight feet long. In the middle is a low table with a futon behind it. In the corner, there is a coarse quilt. Although it looks new, it is stained.

It was full of soil. Next to the quilt was a dirty wooden bucket. Song Zheng knew that this was the toilet. Song Zheng would spend the next three days and two nights here.

The walls of the entire house are made of stones, and the surrounding walls are tightly guarded. There is a small window at a height of one person, and the sunlight shines through, making it possible to barely see things clearly in the house. But the house is full of people.

It's dust, it smells pungent, and it has a dark, damp smell.

Song Zheng secretly thought, this is still the sunny side. I don't know what the dark side will be like. Wouldn't it be more painful? Damn, if I had known this, I would rather not take the imperial examination than come here to suffer this sin.

Cursing a few times, Song Zheng tore open the quilt, took out some cotton, wiped the table and the like, and finally cleaned it up, then sat down on the futon to relax.

At noon, the small window on the door opened, and the yamen officials began to distribute test papers.

The Daqi imperial examination is divided into four levels. The first level is the assessment of the liberal arts colleges in various places, and the admission is proportional, and the candidates who pass the examination are scholars. The second level is the examination held in various capitals, which is the later Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The "rural examination", those who pass the examination are considered to be juren. The third level is the general examination, held in Jiangning City, and those who pass the examination are tribute scholars. The last level is the palace examination, held in the Taiji Hall of Miyagi City, that is, all tribute scholars are assessed.

Those who pass the exam are considered Jinshi.

The palace examination generally does not depose tribute scholars. In other words, passing the examination is equivalent to becoming a Jinshi. The palace examination is just a ranking competition for tribute scholars. After the palace examination, all Jinshi are divided into three grades. First grade

There are only three people, that is, people

It is often said that the number one scholar, the second-ranked scholar and the third-highest-ranked scholar are given the title of "Jinshi and the same rank". The thirty second-class students are given as "Jinshi origin"; the rest are third-class, and are given as "the same Jinshi origin". Regardless of first-class, second-class or

The third class are all collectively called Jinshi.

The procedure of the examination is the same as that of the examination, that is, it is divided into four subjects, economics examination, history, policy theory and poetry. The judging method is also based on the four grades of A, B, C and D, and each grade is divided into three grades: upper, middle and lower.

The Classics examination is the most important. From the perspective of New Confucianism, the chapters and sentences of the Six Classics are demonstrated. When grading the papers, first select the first-class papers in the Classics examination, then compare the historical papers, and then compare the strategies. If the ranking cannot be decided, finally

Only then did he compare poems and poems (read the full text of Immortalism First Fast) until the final candidate for tribute was determined.

In order to prevent cheating, an important difference between the general examination and the general examination is that the examination paper needs to be re-copied before grading.

Song Zheng unfolded the test paper, and there were two questions on it. The first question on classics came from the "Spring and Autumn Annals", that is, "In the fifth month of the first year of Yin Dynasty, in the summer, Zheng Bo Duan Yu Yan."

Song Zheng couldn't help but take a breath when he saw this question. The story of "Zheng Bo Duan Yu Yan" can be regarded as a very famous conspiracy in the history of China's pre-Qin Dynasty. Zheng Bo, the king of Zheng State, Zheng Zhuang, wanted to kill him

The younger brother shares the same uncle Duan, deliberately picking

He took the indulgent approach and allowed his younger brother to continue to make mistakes and build the city walls of the fiefdom in violation of regulations. Zheng Bo himself, while accumulating his strength to wait for the opportunity, also continued to reward Gong Shu Duan. Finally, Gong Shu Duan wanted to rebel, but he was

Uncle Zheng killed him easily.

A famous saying from later generations, "Anyone who commits unrighteousness will inevitably perish" comes from here. Historically, Confucius had a negative attitude towards Gong Shu Duan, but more importantly, he criticized Zheng Zhuang, thinking that he was unethical.

The reason why Song Zheng was surprised was that this question was too subtle. People in Daqi had spread that the death of Emperor Gaozong of Qi was caused by his younger brother Pang Hui. Now, come up with the question "Zheng Bo Duan Yu Yan", it is very interesting.

The flavor of innuendo.

It is impossible for Huang Yuandu not to know that the Ministry of Rites asked such a question, and even Huang Yuandu asked this question. What is his intention? Is it to anger Pang Hui? Or to express a certain attitude?

Song Zheng shook his head, turned to look at the second question, and was even more surprised.

The second question comes from "The Analects of Confucius": "The Master said: "Lu Zhi has been in the public office for the fifth generation, and he has been arrested by the official for the fourth generation. The descendants of his old husband San Huan are few."

The literal translation of this sentence is "Confucius said: It has been five generations since the state of Lu lost state power, and it has been four generations since the political power fell into the hands of officials, so the descendants of Sanhuan have also declined."

Sanhuan refers to the three families of Mengsun, Shusun and Jisun, the descendants of Duke Huan of Lu. The background for Confucius saying this is that the power of the State of Lu fell and Sanhuan controlled the country (the latest chapter of the famous generals of the Han Dynasty). Confucius said this,

It expresses dissatisfaction with the current situation where the world is without justice and the monarchy has fallen apart.

This insinuation is even more obvious. It clearly means that the current emperor has no power, and the political power has fallen to Pang Hui, Huang Yuandu and others.

Song Zheng frowned. How could such a question appear on the test? Didn't Huang Yuandu know that this would cause trouble?

However, this matter is also very strange. Now the relationship between Huang Yuandu and Pang Hui has gradually eased. Although they are still in conflict from time to time, they both have an attitude of solving the country's difficulties, and cooperation is needed. Such as the problem of redundant soldiers, the problem of Dark Eagle's return to justice, and the problem of everyone in Jiangnan

, when all these need to be solved together. Isn't it right to take action on this kind of thing? Isn't Huang Yuandu getting himself into trouble?

Didn't these two questions come from Huang Yuandu? It's very possible! With Huang Yuandu's political wisdom, he would never make such a move.

Then who will take action? Pang Hui is naturally impossible. Is it the little emperor? To test the attitude of the world's officials? But Song Zheng knows the little emperor's ability. First, it is the most harsh dogma of the little emperor himself. It is impossible

Come up with this method. Secondly, even if someone provokes the little emperor, the little emperor should not be so eager to take action. What's more, he has not yet taken charge of the government, and even if he wants to seize power, he should not use this method.

This method is really too vicious. When the two questions are combined, it is clear that he wants to divide the imperial power and the ministerial power and provoke confrontation. From the test paper, Song Zheng clearly smelled the smell of "conspiracy".

At this time, Song Zheng also heard other candidates making surprised sounds in the examination room next to them. The loud noises were also scolded by the government officials outside.

Song Zheng thought for a while and then calmed down. Now is not the time to explore these issues. Answer the test questions first before getting down to business. Thinking of this, Song Zheng closed his eyes and thought about Song Jue's "Neo-Confucian Justice":

Come with useful ideas and content.

He drafted the manuscript repeatedly. In this era, there were no eight-legged essays yet, but there were also customized ones, that is, breaking the topic, continuing the topic, thesis, and concluding the topic. Each sutra topic requires about two thousand words. These two questions are equivalent to two articles.

Philosophy papers. The quality of an article depends on whether the point of view is clear, whether the logic is tight, and whether the conclusion is strong. It is similar to the compositions of later generations, with the head of a tiger, the belly of a pig, and the tail of a leopard, but it is more difficult (the latest chapter of Super House Servant

).

Song Zheng didn't care whether the test questions were aimed at the reality of Daqi. The most important thing was to have a clear-cut attitude in the article and discuss it in accordance with the theory of monarchy.

It wasn't until the evening that Song Zheng typed the manuscript several times and revised the text several times in his mind before transcribing it on the test paper.

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, Huang Yuandu sat in the hall with a livid face and clenched his fists. Huang Song stood aside with a solemn face.

"Father, did the one above take action?"

"Does he have such great ability?" Huang Yuandu snorted coldly, "Besides, it is still unknown whether he knows this kind of subject."

"If it weren't for him, who among the guys in the Ministry of Rites would have such courage?"

"That's impossible to say. I don't know who is behind the scenes."

"Father, the person in charge of this year's audition is Guo Xingjia, the Minister of Rites. You can just call him over and ask him."

"Confused!" Huang Yuandu scolded angrily, "I have already made it clear that I will not interfere with the examination this year, and the Ministry of Rites will make its own arrangements. If I continue to take care of it now, wouldn't I be criticized by others? Besides, these two questions are from the Six Classics.

It’s not out of line, how can I ask?”

"That's true. There had been rumors between the government and the public that my father dominated the academic world with power and blocked the mouths of the world's officials. That's why my father let go. I originally thought that over the years, the Ministry of Rites should have known what my father was thinking.

, they will check according to Neo-Confucianism when grading papers, who would have known that they actually wrote an article on the classic question."

Huang Yuandu nodded, "These are the masters. They may not be talking about theory, but the core of this question is directed at me and Pang Hui. It is a naked hard knife."

"Then Guo Xingjia was promoted by you. How could he do such a thing?"

Huang Yuandu shook his head, "The Difficulty of People's Hearts (Latest Chapter of the Journey of Exchange). This guy is Wei Buzhou's student. When I wanted to capture Wei Buzhou, this guy showed extra effort and did not hesitate to sing praises to Neo-Confucianism. At that time, this guy

He was just an editor at the Hanlin Academy. I saw that he could be used, so I sent him to

He was appointed as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites. Over the years, he had never taught anything about Neo-Confucianism and was considered respectful in his work, so he was promoted to the position of assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites. Originally, I thought that after he had presided over this examination, he would be dismissed as an assistant.

I was a high-ranking official in the border area, but I didn’t expect that he would suddenly stab me."

"Is he pretending to take refuge with his father? In fact, he does not agree with Neo-Confucianism, but still believes in Wei Buzhou's ideas?"

Huang Yuandu pondered for a while and said, "Now it is not a matter of whether he believes in Neo-Confucianism. Even if he does not believe in Neo-Confucianism, the students will still answer the questions according to the viewpoint of Neo-Confucianism. After so many years of arrangement, the entire Daqi liberal arts academy teaches students based on Neo-Confucianism.

How can you guys have any other way to answer the question? The problem this time is the question itself."

"What my father said makes sense. I will arrange more people to keep an eye on Guo. This thief is so bad!" Huang Song also looked indignant.

"It's okay to keep an eye on him and see who he associates with. However, you may not find anything in the short term." Huang Yuandu sighed.

"That side of Pang Hui..." Huang Song asked cautiously.

Huang Yuandu pursed his lips and said, "The prince and I haven't seen each other for a long time. I heard that he is not in good health. Maybe I should go see him with some wine."

"Are you going in person?" Huang Song looked surprised. As far as he knew, over the years, Huang Yuandu and Pang Hui often met in the court, but rarely went to the prince's mansion. After all, in Huang Yuandu's position, there are countless doubles in every move.

Looking at it with my eyes. In Huang Song's memory, it seems that Huang Yuandu only visited the palace once, and that was when Gaozong was in power.

"Hey, why is it only one hundred and seventeen catties and four taels? Isn't it one hundred and twenty catties?" In the Dachang Salt Shop not far from the Duke's Mansion, a man in green robes in his fifties asked suspiciously.

"Cousin, it's not much different. Besides, you can give me as much as you want!" A fat man said with a smile.

"That's fine, but you go back and tell that blue eunuch that I didn't take him seriously."

"That's it, that's it, I saw it with my own eyes. When I loaded it into the car this morning, there was only some left."

"Oh, that's it." The man in green robe responded, and then said, "Actually, I really don't want to do your business. This trip is not only troublesome, but also risky. If you get out of Louzi, don't

He said that you can't do the job as a handyman in the Forbidden Army camp, and you will lose your head. It will be uncomfortable for me if someone from the Ji family finds out."

"Haha, aren't we all getting rich? This is first-class salt, as white as snow. Don't you like it when you see it?"

"The stuff is good, but it's not easy to sell. How can ordinary people eat such good salt? They can only sell it to wealthy families." The man in green robe shook his head.

"If a wealthy family has money, the selling price will be higher, right?"

"Nonsense, which one of the big families in Jiangning City can we offend?" The man in green robe glared, "If nothing else, it's the Duke's Mansion next door. Do you dare to raise the price so high?"

The fat man chuckled and said, "Cousin, you're fooling me again. I know that you can sell your salt to the Duke's Mansion for three hundred and twenty coins."

"You know what the heck!" the man in green robe said angrily, "It's true that we sold it for three hundred and twenty cents, but the person who runs errands in the Duke's mansion is not allowed to take some money? Otherwise, why would people buy salt from us?

?”

Seeing that the man in green robe looked unhappy, the fat man hurriedly smiled and said, "Cousin, I don't understand what's going on here, don't be angry."

The man in green robe snorted and ignored him, but grabbed a handful of salt and squeezed it, "The salt this time is really good, it seems whiter than the last few times."

"That's the salt we eat in the restricted area. Is that any difference?" The fat man felt a little proud again.~

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