Prime Minister

Chapter 163 Favor
The place where Chen Xiang lived was considered to be a remote alley, and the sound of firecrackers being set off by the neighbors was very noisy.

In the narrow hall, several old servants were busy in and out.

On such an occasion, Chen Xiang and Zhang Dun were talking.

When Chen Xiang saw Zhang Yue, she called him to sit down and talk.

Zhang Yue sat at the side, and Zhang Dun sat at the front.

After Zhang Yue sat down, Chen Xiang smiled and said to Zhang Yue: "I just talked about poetry with Zihou. Don't be greedy for a good sentence, and then fail to make sense, and become a language problem."

"For example, I said, 'Admonish the grass in your sleeves to go to the sky, and return to the banquet with palace flowers on your head'. Sincerity is a good sentence, but the admonition must be written in chapters, so why use the principle of drafting."

"However, Zihou gave an example. The bell rings to the passenger ship at midnight under the Hanshan Temple in Gusu. It is really a good sentence, but after thinking about it, is it the time to ring the bell at midnight? You should remember it carefully, and you must not write poems in the future. If you are greedy for a good sentence, you must be plain and approachable.”

Zhang Yue listened and said: "Student remember."

Chen Xiang nodded, but Zhang Dun said: "Sir, I will go ahead."

Chen Xiang waved his hand and said, "Wait a minute."

Chen Xiang said to Zhang Yue: "Sanlang, tell me first what you have learned in Taixue this year?"

Zhang Yue said: "Mr. Hui, apart from poetry and articles, I have income for basic necessities of life."

Chen Xiang smiled and said, "Just talk about the food?"

Zhang Yue said: "Mr. Hui, students are often not full when they eat in Taixue, but there is no limit to vegetable soup, which is eaten by students themselves, so they often scoop up a few more bowls of soup to satisfy their hunger. The vegetable soup is so big. The pot, if you don’t stir it with a spoon on weekdays, it will appear clear to the bottom. Everyone wants to make some vegetable soup to cushion their stomachs, but how to make vegetable soup is a science. The students have not learned anything else in the dining hall this year. Yes, I learned how to scoop vegetable soup."

Chen Xiang laughed: "This is really a field of knowledge, Sanlang, please tell me."

Zhang Yue said: "It's sir. The students have accumulated experience over time, and they have passed on the formula to their classmates. This formula is 'skid the edge, sink to the bottom, fish lightly, and rise slowly'."

After Zhang Yue finished speaking, the old servant beside Chen Xiang couldn't help laughing.

Zhang Yue also said to the old servant in a serious manner: "The old man may not understand, so I will explain it more carefully, that is, 'dry a spoonful to the end, slowly rise along the side, don't panic in your heart, it will be full of soup!" A science can be described as broad and profound.”

Chen Xiang didn't think it disobedient when she heard the words.

Zhang Dun said: "What's the use of talking with a gun and a stick? I heard that your homework is very poor, and you were almost dismissed by the Imperial Academy and returned to your hometown."

Zhang Yue kept silent.

Zhang Dun said: "Since you have been in the capital for almost a year, you don't know how to meet your second aunt?"

Zhang Yue said: "I have seen it."

"When did you see it?"

"I saw it when Brother Dun sent a letter home."

Zhang Dun looked at Zhang Yue and said, "You still blame me for not sending home letters with your words now?"

"How dare you blame me? When Brother Dun escaped from marriage and left home, I didn't dare to have such extravagant hopes."

Zhang Dun said: "Alright, it seems that today you want me to explain clearly, don't you?"

Zhang Yue said: "Of course, I heard it from different sources. Brother Dun, you ran away from marriage. Everyone is looking for reasons for you. Others are not as good as you. I will believe what you say."

Zhang Dun was silent.

Chen Xiang said: "You brothers talk to yourself."

That's all, Chen Xiang left.

The atmosphere between Zhang Dun and Zhang Yue froze for a moment.

Zhang Dun said: "You are like 'If you point to the moon with a foolish opinion, you can't see the moon. Those who count famous names don't see my truth'."

"Escaping marriage is a month, or is it a finger?"

Zhang Dun said: "The reason you want is that if you want to give an explanation, then I might as well tell you that although I was the first in the county school in the township, Jianzhou is really a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger. It’s even difficult to pass the provincial exam. So I left home because it was easy to pass the water exam in Suzhou, but it was difficult to pass the exam in Jianzhou, that’s all.”

Zhang Yue said: "Then you have passed the water examination, why didn't you accept the order to appoint an official in the end?"

Zhang Dun said solemnly: "Without him, Emperor Zhenzong said in the past that 'brothers should not be promoted together', have you forgotten about the uncle and grandfather?"

"But the Zeng family's four brothers are all Jinshi."

Zhang Dun said: "How can the affairs of today's officials be compared with those of the Zhenzong Dynasty?"

During the Zhenzong Dynasty, the two brothers Zhang Jia Zhangpin and Zhang Di were both selected as Jinshi, but Emperor Zhenzong decreed that only one of the two brothers should be selected.In the end, Zhang Pin gave up Jinshi and gave up to his younger brother Zhang Diji.

Zhang Pin is Zhang Wei's grandfather, and he is related to Zhang Yue and Zhang Heng before they left the fifth server.

Zhang Dun said: "Six years later, my cousin's uncle won the Jinshi and passed the test. He was awarded the secretary of the provincial school, and he knew Nanchang County. What can you see?"

Zhang Yue said: "The secretary of the provincial school is a Beijing post, and only two or three Jinshi in the first department are awarded the Beijing post, and the rest of the Jinshi are selected."

Zhang Dun said: "Of course, this is what Emperor Zhenzong compensated his uncle. Ziping has already won the Jinshi in the previous department, and the officials suppressed my ranking in order to balance."

"Instead of rushing to become an official, it's better to take the exam or postpone a subject. It's just a Jinshi two years later."

Zhang Yue said: "I also said that you are arrogant and unwilling to accept the order."

Zhang Dun said: "It depends on how you choose, how many chips you have in your hand, and how many chips you can lose."

"Just like being alive, you will meet many people, and many people have a crush on you. Because of this, some of them don't like you. You can throw it away if you want, and you don't have to be nostalgic."

Zhang Yue laughed angrily: "So brother Dun and I were left behind by you?"

Zhang Dun said: "If you want a reason, I will give you a reason. At the beginning when I was awarded a Jinshi, I heard that my brother collected a lot of money in my name, and you immediately stopped thinking about it, and went around looking for girls. went?"

Zhang Yue couldn't help but hesitate, this is true.

Zhang Dun said: "If you are like this, then I don't have to look up to it."

Zhang Yue looked livid and said: "I understand, Brother Dun is always a person who cares about himself. In the past, I had some fantasies, or I always found reasons for you in my heart, but now I completely understand."

Zhang Dun nodded and said: "It's good that you understand, study hard, and if you can become a Jinshi in the future, you will be regarded as a high-ranking scholar."

"You can write a letter for me and go home. Bring your elder brother, sister-in-law and Xi'er to live in Bianjing. My second aunt has a vacant house in the east of the city, and now I gave it to me. Anyway, it's empty, Xi'er It’s reading material, and I’m afraid I’ll spoil it in the future if I’m by my brother’s side.”

Zhang Yue resolutely said: "No need, it's very good that Xi'er is worshiped by Mr. Boyi, besides, she has her sister-in-law to take care of her, so she will never go astray. Besides, why doesn't Brother Dun write the letter by himself?"

Hearing this, Zhang Dun stood up from beside Zhang Yue, turned his face and said, "Brother is always the one who is most concerned about you, no matter how ineffective you are, even Daddy."

Zhang Yue felt that Zhang Dun's tone was a little different from before.

After a pause, Zhang Dun said: "Li Taibo (Li Gou) is rigorous in his studies, and his speech is a bit harsh, but he is a talent who understands the past and the present. You can learn a thing or two from his school, at least in terms of the backbone of a scholar."

"As for Mr., whether it's management or learning, you can learn everything from them. If you can learn [-]% of them, that's impressive."

"But remember one thing, to learn with all your heart, to be sincere, to be sincere, to push things to be reasonable, to be sensible, to be human, and to be harmonious, to be spiritual. It is not only for reading, but also for life in the future. Don't always Counting on relying on others and enjoying the benefits by myself, this is what I hate the most. Learn hard, if you can't stand out, I will be ashamed to see you in the future."

Zhang Yue said: "Brother Dun just take care of your own future at ease, don't worry that my brother and I will drag you down, if you fail this subject, it will really become a joke."

Zhang Dun said: "Alright, remember to write a letter with my brother, and go."

After speaking, Zhang Dun strode away.

Zhang Yue doesn't look at Zhang Dun either.

In the hall, the sound of firecrackers was heard everywhere, and the old servant was serving the New Year's Eve dinner on the table.

Chen Xiang personally put a plate of dishes in front of Zhang Yue and said with a smile: "This is the Mi Zhai from my hometown. The villagers brought it to Beijing. In my hometown, everyone eats some during festivals. Now I steam it myself. , you also have a face to eat."

"Thank you sir. I have no appetite."

Chen Xiang smiled and said: "Sanlang, you are a man of integrity, but I'm telling you this, not to ask you to repay your grievances with virtue. Why do you think we worship the Buddha when we see the Buddha?"

Chen Xiang said: "It's not to ask you to bow down, but to let you know that you need to be respectful in your heart. It's like spending money on charity not to buy merit, but to warn you not to be greedy."

Zhang Yue looked at Chen Xiang, but saw the other party smiled and said: "When I was young, I was tired of the philistines in the village. I just wanted to get a name early in the exam. It is not only the glory of the ancestors, but also leaving the remote village. Now half my life is gone, and the experience The world is too hot and cold, so I know that nostalgia is the most important thing, it seems that Bianjing is so prosperous, but what should I do? I will go back in the future."

Zhang Yue thought a little when he heard the words.

"Eat some, some of your senior brothers will come later, and I will introduce them to you one by one. They are all greedy, and I'm afraid there won't be much left."

Zhang Yue nodded and took a piece with chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

"how?"

"Delicious." Zhang Yue nodded fiercely.

Chen Xiang said with a smile: "The outside is made of Ruo leaves. When it is steamed, the fragrance of Ruo leaves will be mixed into it. The stuffing inside is glutinous rice, so I hope it will be safe."

"Yes, it's Chinese New Year." Zhang Yue said with a smile.

At this time there was a knock on the door, Chen Xiang said with a smile: "Your senior brothers are here, if they give you something later, don't refuse, just accept it."

"Okay, sir." Zhang Yue said.

After Chen Xiang pushed the door, she saw a group of scholars gathered outside the door...

"Meet sir."

Zhang Yue saluted and said beside him: "I've seen senior brother..."

"What? Didn't hear..."

Zhang Yue looked at Chen Xiang, and Chen Xiang smiled and said, "This person is your brother Wu Dao Wu, the most unruly..."

Zhang Yue knew that Sun Jue was the most famous under Chen Xiang's sect, but now he was an official outside, followed by Zhang Dun and this Wu Dao, and the rest were not well-known.

But everyone was smiling, without the slightest restraint, Zhang Yue felt that such an atmosphere under the sect was just right for him.

The wine has been prepared in the hall, Chen Xiang, Zhang Yue and all the teachers and students gathered together to chat with each other over the wine, which was very enjoyable.

Jiayou's three years passed without any disturbance.

Jiayou arrived in four years.

After the beginning of spring in Jiayou four years, it was Chunwei.

Compared with Jiayou's second-year list, Jiayou's four-year list is slightly dimmer, but there is still a lot of fighting.

The results of the ranking came out, and the number one scholar was obtained by Zhang Yue's head of fasting, Liu Ji, who changed his name to Liu Hui.

Although Ouyang Xiu was not the chief examiner of the provincial examination, he was the examiner of the palace examination.Before reading the papers, he said to the left and right: "Get rid of the evil and the book, and now we must reprimand the frivolous people to get rid of the harm of the article."

At that time, there was a scholar's palace examination article saying: "The Lord collects the essence and stores the Ming under the crown."

Ouyang Xiu looked at the paper and confidently said to the left and right: "I've got Liu Jiyi." After speaking, he was about to dismiss this person.

At that time, the topic of the palace examination was "Yao and Shun Xingren Fu".

One examinee said: "So being quiet and prolonging life is the longest life of the five emperors; moving and being brave is the punishment of the four crimes."

Ouyang Xiu praised him greatly and considered him the number one scholar, so he was promoted to No.1.

Later, when the name was removed, it was known that the number one scholar was Liu Hui, and others told Ouyang Xiu that this was Liu Ji and changed his name to Liu Hui.

As for the article that Ouyang Xiu mistook Liu Ji for, it was written by Xiao Ji from Wu.

Ouyang Xiu was stunned for a long time when he learned the truth.

However, Ouyang Xiu still admitted his defeat with great grace.He found Liu's few papers again, and saw that there was a sentence in it, "The virtues of safety and conduct are accumulated in the heart, and they are given to the sky."Ouyang Xiu thought that the word "ji" was close to learning, so he picked up a pen and changed it to the word "yun".

As for the second place Hu Zongyu is the nephew of Hu Su, the chief examiner of the provincial examination.

As for Zhang Dun, who abandoned his decree in the previous subject, he won No.5 this time.

It can be said to be Gaudi.

Many scholars don't understand why Zhang Dun got such a good name in the re-examination after abandoning his purpose in arrogance.

But because there are too many redundant officials, the emperor wants to restrain Jinshi and junior officials.

Except for Liu Hui, the number one scholar, who was awarded Dali Temple as a judge, and Hu Zongji, who was second in the list, was awarded Guanglu Cheng, the rest of the Jinshi were not allowed to be officials in the capital, and they were all chosen by Shi Brown.

Although Zhang Dun is the No. 5 Jinshi, he is only awarded the county magistrate of Shangluo County.

In addition to Zhang Dun, among the people Zhang Yue knew well, Cai Que also became a Jinshi, and joined the army as the manager of Binzhou.

This is the last official position in the selection process. There are state managers, household divisions, justice, household cao, and law cao joining the army. Even lower than the county magistrate.

Even so, Zhang Yue was still happy for Cai Que.

In addition to Cai Que, there is another person who is Xiang Qi from the same fasting.

Xiang Qi's lower ranking is only the fifth, and he must defend the election, but even if he defends the election, he will be an official in the future without accident.

Looking at the list that day, Zhang Yue cried with joy at the moment when he saw Xiang Qizhong Jinshi.Then he was spotted by five or six merchants, and they fought around him for a long time, and staged a scene of catching a son-in-law under the list.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi looked at Xiang Qiyu's refusal and welcome, and felt shameless and a little envious.

As for Liu Zuo, who was originally a classmate and friend, he just smiled slightly.

Zhang Yue thought to himself, one of the two good friends won a Jinshi, and the other went home to start a business, and the cloud and mud will be different from then on.

"Sanlang, Shiro, what are you doing in a daze? Mr. Zhai, no, Mr. Zhuangyuan invites us to have a drink at Qingfenglou tonight!"

All the students burst into laughter, and someone asked enviously: "Are you the students of the current champion?"

One person smiled and said, "Not only are we classmates, but we are also in the same room."

"I admire you!"

The ethos of the Song Dynasty was to admire scholars from top to bottom, and the number one scholar was even more admirable.When the common people heard that Zhang Yue and the others were Liu Hui's classmates, they immediately made room for them.

All the students are smiling.

"Let's go, let's go to Qingfenglou for a drink."

Zhang Yue also smiled, and wanted to stride away, but when he looked back, he saw Liu Zuo looking into the distance.

Zhang Yue followed his gaze, but saw that it was exactly where Xiang Qi was.

Seeing Zhang Yue, Liu Zuo smiled and walked over and said, "What do you think of being a Jinshi in Xiangqi Middle School?"

Zhang Yue said, "I'm a little envious."

Liu Zuo smiled wryly and said, "I'm really uncomfortable. Thinking about boasting to Qi every time about the exam, and thinking about how I failed the exam, my heart hurts once. I'm afraid this friend will have nothing to do..."

"Master..."

Liu Zuo said: "Don't blame me for being stingy, I'm just talking from the bottom of my heart. Xiang Qi is very good. Although his family is poor, he has been holding back his energy all the time. He wants to have a blockbuster day, so that everyone who looked down on him in the past can see him." What he looks like today. He has come a long way now, I am really happy for him from the bottom of my heart, but I only hope that he will not be happy in front of me."

Zhang Yue said: "She Zhang, you really won't go back to Taixue from now on."

Liu Zuo nodded and said: "I'll go back and clean up, Sanlang, I've told you what I said earlier, but we can't break our friendship. You have a kind heart, if you get rich in the future, I will only be happy for you, There will never be any jealousy."

Zhang Yue said embarrassingly: "The head of the house really thinks highly of me, it's okay, come to me often in the future."

"Of course, if there is any embarrassment in Bianjing, Saburo will let me know."

After speaking, Liu Zuo looked at Xiang Qi again.

But seeing a wealthy and powerful man relying on his large number of people, he forcibly put Xiang Qi into a sedan chair, played and sang, and the others smiled and pointed all the way, and several boys clapped their hands and sang happily.

That night Zhangyue, Huang Haoyi drank all night in Qingfeng Building.

Liu Ji was also very powerful. After drinking, he called another twenty or thirty official prostitutes.Normally, you would not see any of the high-ranking officials and dignitaries, but now they all came here for the sake of the number one scholar.

Everyone was eating, drinking and having fun all night long. After returning to the fasting house, Zhang Yue also slept until the sun was shining.

On this day, the Taixue will also be very reasonable and not check the accommodation, allowing the students to spend the night outside.

At noon, I saw Xiang Qi come back.

Yesterday Xiang Qi was still wearing a veil, but now he is wearing a brocade robe and fine satin leather boots, and he returned to the dormitory in style.

Zhang Yue saw Xiang Qi and hurriedly pushed Huang Haoyi to wake him up.

"Qilang, are you an uncle now?"

Xiang Qi laughed, didn't say anything bluntly, and immediately sat on the chair and said, "I don't have any water to drink, I'm so thirsty."

Huang Haoyi kindly said: "There is water in the clay pot, go get it yourself!"

Xiang Qi complained: "Silang, you don't have any winks at all. I'm going to be an official now, and you don't know how to serve. How can I support you in the future?"

Huang Haoyi scolded with a smile: "Well, Xiang Qilang, you are only the fifth best, so come to Sanlang and me to put on a show."

Xiang Qi laughed and said: "Just kidding, we are friends of ordinary people, no matter what happens to me in the future, you and I will still forget our friendship."

After speaking, Xiang Qi Xiang Zhang Yue cupped his hands and said: "Sanlang, I have received a lot of favor from Xiang Qi on weekdays, and I will definitely repay you in the future."

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Qilang, what are you talking about, I don't think I can help you with anything on weekdays."

Xiang Qizhengse said: "Sanlang, I know you have always been generous and never cared about others. But I will remember Xiang Qilang in my heart even if I have received a little favor from others these years, right, what about Liu Zuo?"

(End of this chapter)