The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

Although the banquet was over, the program was not over yet. The Ministry of Rituals had already arranged for three colorful horses. The horses were dressed in red and green and waited at the gate of Qionglin Garden. fame.

Entering from the west city gate, a group of yamen servants flocked to the left and right with blows and beats, and gongs and drums were beating, and they walked along the imperial street with great fanfare.

The common people gathered to watch, pointing and pointing, talking about the top three on the tall horse, smacking their lips and chewing their tongues when they commented.

"See? The one in the middle is Su Jin, the number one scholar in the department, the one on the left is Han Jiang, the second in the list, and the one on the right is Wang Anshi, Tanhua Lang. Look at the demeanor of these three people, they are worthy of the top three in the gold list, which is really enviable."

"Tsk tsk, Zhuangyuan Lang is so young, he doesn't look more than sixteen or seventeen, this is really a wunderkind."

"Aspirations don't depend on age. You and I are old. What's the use? I've decided that even if my child sells everything, I will let him study and pass the exam. He will be able to fight horses in Yujie like these three in the future." Alright, even if it boils my bones and blood dry, I will admit it."

"That's right. No, no, no, no, no, it's a matter of honor for the family to have a champion. It's better than making a living every day. Our life is over, but the children's generation can't." Follow the old path, Su Zhuangyuan is a role model."

"Hey, the two of us have also had a mouthful, how can it be so easy to pass the imperial examination, hey, it's difficult."

"You can't say that. Look at Han Jiang and Wang Anshi. It is said that these two are the sons of officials, and Su Jin won the champion. The emperor is now recruiting talents regardless of their background. It is said that Su Jin is from Luzhou." The son of a merchant, still suppressing the two officials at the back; what is there a saying? By the way, it is "the princes and generals have kindness". Maybe you and I can produce a big man from a commoner family, who? I know."

"Hey, don't talk nonsense if you are not proficient. Those words were said by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, the bandit leaders who rebelled in the pre-Qin period. Don't talk nonsense. You won't be heard by the officers and soldiers. I have arrested you and I will be the leader of the rebellion. Look, the team has passed. Let's go and see."

"..."

All the people followed the parade along the imperial street, and there were constant people who greeted the three of them loudly. It was a joy to be able to talk to the top three on the current gold list.

Su Jin and Wang Anshi greeted the people with smiles on their faces, and they talked and talked about how beautiful they were all along the way, but the second place Han Jiang said nothing, his face was gloomy, and he seemed unhappy; Su Jin chatted with him a few words out of politeness Su Jin didn't want to provoke him any more. After all, he was not familiar with this Han Jiang. Since he didn't give him face, he wouldn't try to make friends with him.

Han Jiang's unhappiness is written on his face. Han Jiang is the third son of Han Yi, a veteran of the current dynasty. Han Yi is a veteran of the two dynasties. In the end, he was awarded the post of deputy prime minister by tired officials. Let him retire.

Han Yi is a proud and arrogant person. Years of smooth official career have cultivated his self-esteemed temper. At the same time, his temper has also affected several of his sons, especially Han Jiang, who was favored by Han Yi since childhood. His temper is simply carved out of the same mold as Han Yi; originally he was only serving as a Zhailang in the Taimiao under the shadow of his father, the main reason is that Han Yi was an official in the court, and he didn't want to give others excuses to say that he was nepotism, so he didn't Han Jiang was allowed to participate in the imperial examination; after Han Yi became an official this year, his family no longer had an important position in the DPRK, so Han Yi called Han Jiang to participate in the imperial examination by name, and told him that if he wanted to take the exam, he would get the first place in the exam, and he would not be second in the exam. It counts.

Han Jiang didn't think he was the second either. He was smart and eager to learn, and he had already won the reputation of a well-educated person in the capital. This time he took part in the imperial examination, and even the chief official of the Ministry of Rites thought that he must be the number one; Unexpectedly, the plan was not as good as changing, and Cheng Yaojin came out on the way. From poetry interpretation to provincial examination to palace examination, although the journey went smoothly, he was still the second child in a thousand years.

Although Han Yi didn't say anything, Han Jiang could see the deep disappointment in his father's eyes, so he blamed himself; and this self-blame gradually turned into jealousy and hatred towards Su Jin, so he watched Su Jin happily touching In this way, Han Jiang wished he could leave without taking part in the parade.If it weren't for the fear of getting the name of being obedient, Han Jiang would never be willing to suffer foreign crimes here; Su Jin still wants to talk to him without knowing it.

Han Jiang secretly decided to go back tonight to apologize to the old man, and by the way, beg his father to go to the Ministry of Rites to show his old face and do one thing, that is, to copy a copy of Su Jin's examination paper for the Provincial Examination and Palace Examination. Comparing the answers to the questions, where is this Su Jin so brilliant?

An hour later, the procession arrived at the end of the parade - the Imperial Palace Square. There were servants waiting here specially, announcing that Su Zhuangyuan would enter the palace to meet him, while the No. [-] and Tanhua were at their own discretion.

Wang Anshi was fine, he made an appointment with Su Jin to visit Qi Shunbin together, and Yingtian Academy suddenly occupied the top three positions.But Han Jiang felt the difference in treatment. The champion Lang Huang wanted to see him on the pole, once in the hall today, once at the Qionglin banquet, and now he will be summoned again, just like a sweet pastry, and because he got the second place , so he could only pat his ass and go home, why not make people depressed; depressed, Han Jiang even forgot to thank her, was reprimanded by the servant, and left aggrieved.

Su Jin followed the servant into the palace. He didn't know what Zhao Zhen's intention was to summon him, but last night Yan Shu asked him to go to the Yan Mansion to discuss for a long time, and told Su Jin about the examination papers in Wende Palace, and gave him a stern warning Su Jinmo wants to violate the greatness of the world and do some mindless things; especially those proposals for reform, written on paper are hurtful, if they are put into practice, they will definitely attract attacks from all sides, and he clearly told Su Jin that he himself Absolutely disagree with this.

Of course Su Jin knew where the problem was. These ten suggestions were originally the content of the Qingli Reform proposed by Fan Zhongyan in history, but the reform failed in the end because of resistance from all parties. This article was the only topic in my mind, so I wrote it without thinking too much; now that such a consequence has occurred, it is naturally that I have suffered it on behalf of Fan Zhongyan, and Fan Zhongyan can't stand the pressure, let alone himself.

Fortunately, these are just hypotheses. The reason why I can still become the No. [-] scholar is because all of this is only on paper. Can't help the opposition of the ministers.

Su Jin made up his mind not to be taken advantage of. Fan Zhongyan's article can be borrowed, but Fan Zhongyan's old path must not be followed. If the emperor talked about the feasibility of these ten items when he summoned him, he must try his best to dispel Zhao Zhen's thoughts; For Su Jin, reform is not an option, but if it makes him a target for everyone, then absolutely not. [

Zhao Zhen summoned Su Jin alone in the Imperial Study Room. He was eager to summon Su Jin again because he wanted to learn more about the specific implementation methods of the ten suggestions written by Su Jin; The hope is pinned on him, but neither the civil and military men in the Manchu Dynasty are bosom friends, but what Su Jin wants to be compatible with him, who can he ask if he doesn't ask Su Jin?

After seeing that Su Jin had finished kowtowing, he stood respectfully aside. Zhao Zhen smiled and looked at Su Jin, who looked energetic in the uniform of the number one scholar, and said softly: "Su Jin, I didn't expect you to have today, and even won the three prizes. I'm also quite surprised to be the No. [-] scholar in the undergraduate course."

Su Jin hurriedly said: "It's all about the emperor's kindness. Su Jin, a mediocre person, can have today, apart from thanking the emperor for his great kindness, there is nothing to say."

Zhao Zhen laughed and said: "You don't have to be humble either. My imperial examinations in the Great Song Dynasty are based on the basics. If you are really talented and practical, I will nominate you as the number one scholar, but you will definitely be slandered by everyone. After seeing your explanation Although the examination papers of the provincial examination and palace examination cannot be said to be perfect, they are worthy of the title of champion."

Su Jin bowed and said, "Thank you for your majesty's praise. To tell you the truth, I don't like the fact that some people always use the imperial examination to talk about things. This time the imperial examination is also an act to prove myself, so I didn't dare to slack off."

Zhao Zhen nodded Su Jin's nose and said: "You are a stubborn donkey, you always refuse to admit defeat no matter what, I have forgotten the bet between Lu Xiangdu, Privy Councilor and the others, but you still have a big heart."

Su Jin said sternly: "A gentleman establishes the world with honesty as the foundation. Others can forget what he has said, but he must not forget it."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Very good, you can say this, enough to make me feel that you have changed a lot than before; if I didn't expect a lot from you, I wouldn't pamper you again and again. There are quite a few faults, and there are many people who have offended you. You have done a lot of wrong things. I only hope that from now on, you will restrain yourself as the number one scholar, and serve the court with all your strength. The number one scholar is just a At the beginning, there is still a long way to go, and you have to walk well on your own."

Su Jin was a little moved. It is really rare for the emperor to say these words to himself. As the emperor, there are few people who can be as close to his ministers as Zhao Zhen. Su Jin said sincerely: "Don't worry, the emperor, I think very clearly. In fact, working hard for Song Dynasty is actually earning a future for yourself, and there is no contradiction between the two; even if it is for yourself, I will not slack off."

Zhao Zhen said: "Your words are true. They are a hundred times stronger than those who say they are loyal to the emperor and patriotism, but secretly harm the public and private interests. I read you right."

Su Jinchui remained silent, Zhao Zhen got up slowly, walked a few steps along the red carpet in the middle of the study, stopped in front of Su Jin, and asked softly: "I have something I want to ask you, tell me the truth talk."

Su Jin's heart tightened, and he thought: "It must be that thing."