I studied in modern times

Chapter 1071 Qionglin Banquet (2)

The tenth day of the sixth month of the third year of the Yuan You era (the day of Yi You).

In the Qionglin Garden, all the officials gathered, and drums and music resounded.

Zhao Xu sat at the head of the table, leaning against the cushion, looking at the assembled officials in the hall.

The veteran officials, ministers of the two governments, ministers of the two systems, and scholars of the Imperial Academy were all present.

Aside from the grand court ceremony on New Year's Day, there are few occasions where so many important officials can be gathered together.

The ministers were whispering and talking amongst themselves in the courtyard.

Zhao Xu suddenly remembered something and gave a hint to Tong Guan beside him, who immediately stepped forward and whispered in his ear.

Zhao Xu asked softly, "Tong Guan, do you know who the third-ranked scholars are this year?"

The title of "Tanhua" is no longer exclusive to those who ranked third in the imperial examinations.

They were simply newly appointed scholars who were chosen as representatives of the new generation of scholars.

The process was even quite democratic—the newly appointed scholars were elected by one person, one vote, in a pre-examination gathering.

It usually involves two people, and by convention, the person chosen is usually young, good-looking, and has a good demeanor.

As the Tang dynasty poets said, the first banquet for successful candidates in the imperial examinations at the Apricot Garden was called the "Flower-Picking Banquet." Two handsome young men were appointed as Flower-Picking Envoys to tour famous gardens. If anyone else picked a flower first, the two envoys would be punished!
The scholars who passed the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty were very excited and proud to be selected as the third-ranked scholar.

After all, this is a rare opportunity to openly and honestly prove that you are a handsome guy!
Therefore, even in the late Tang Dynasty, scholars all over the country still flocked to the title of Tan Hua Lang (third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination).

For example, Weng Chengzan, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong, excitedly wrote after being selected as the Tanhua (third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination): "Hongya sent Tanhua to inspect the fragrant bushes and drink several cups. Three hundred deep purple, richly fragrant flowers, will bloom for me tomorrow."

However, during the Song Dynasty, with the development of the commodity economy, everything revolved around money.

Even the successful candidates in the imperial examinations could put a price tag on their own marriages.

Naturally, the election of the third-ranked scholar became chaotic and corrupt.

The power of money began to deeply influence the annual selection of the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations.

Then, all sorts of strange things began to happen.

Of course, no one would be foolish enough to openly bribe voters.

Otherwise, once the news gets out, their reputation will be ruined immediately, and everyone will suffer.

However, various forms of bribery, both subtle and covert, are never lacking.

The scholar-officials were naturally distraught, lamenting the decline of morality and the loss of traditional values, and condemning the young people for their lack of ethics and corruption by money.

But it's of no use.

Because, unlike Chang'an, Bianjing did not have a large number of 'apricot gardens'.

The third-ranking scholars no longer needed to go out and show their faces in public to pick flowers.

In this way, outsiders would find it difficult to know the beauty, age, and demeanor of the third-ranked scholars.

The Bureau of Appointment was a rather closed circle, consisting only of newly appointed scholars, making it difficult for external forces to supervise it.

As long as you pay attention to your table manners and don't choose the old and ugly Deng as the third-ranked scholar, and let outsiders know about it, it'll be fine.

Therefore, Emperor Huizong of Tang (Zhao Ji) could no longer tolerate it and simply changed the title of Tan Hua Lang (探花郎) to a ranking in the imperial examinations—thus the tradition of Tan Hua Lang becoming the third-place winner was established.

But Zhao Xu took it all in stride.

The selection of the third-ranked scholar within the imperial examination system was merely a matter of self-entertainment for the successful candidates.

He has no intention of interfering.

On the contrary, Zhao Xu felt that this was a good window for observation.

This reveals the quality of the newly appointed scholars.

This also reveals who among this batch of scholars was the richest or had the best social skills!
Tong Guan's ability to be remembered as one of the Six Traitors and be infamous for eternity in history speaks volumes about his exceptional memory.

After a brief moment's thought, he reported: "Your Excellency, I have heard that among the candidates selected in this year's imperial examinations, one is Xie Qian, who ranked third among the successful candidates, and the other is..."

He hesitated for a moment before reporting: "The 703rd Jinshi, Bao Cheng from Xizhou..."

"Bao Cheng?!" Zhao Xu chuckled. He wasn't surprised that Xie Qian was elected.

This Jinshi from Chengdu Road is quite young—not yet thirty this year, and his demeanor and appearance are both excellent.

At the same time, he was also the top scholar in the provincial examination (first place in the imperial examination), and his family background was also good.

His father, Xie Gongwang, was a great Confucian scholar from Sichuan who lectured in Chengdu for more than ten years.

When he and his elder brother Xie Shi were teenagers, they went to Yichuan Academy and became disciples of the Cheng brothers.

After Cheng Hao's death, he was ordered to go to the capital to "serve his sovereign and father" in accordance with Cheng Hao's dying wish.

These two brothers were among the first batch of civil servants to pass the civil service examination.

They are also among the best in the civil service examination for civil servants!
He successively served in the Street Office and the Shop and Residence Office, and later went to work in the county and town offices under Kaifeng Prefecture.

He was honest, upright, and simple, and was widely praised throughout Kaifeng Prefecture.

Both Cai Jing in the past and Qian Xie in the present have praised these two brothers.

It can only be said that they are indeed Cheng Hao's outstanding students! Zhao Xu had even heard of their reputation—these brothers' abacus skills were top-notch in the entire Kaifeng Prefecture!
Even Liu Weijian once borrowed them to do the accounting!

but……

What's the situation with Bao Cheng?
The officials from the Western Regions of Xihe Road have evolved so quickly?

Did this mean they suddenly entered feudal gentry society and infiltrated the landlord-gentry group?
Zhao Xu felt this was somewhat like science fiction!
Scholars have always been prone to belittling each other, and this was especially true of the scholars of the Song Dynasty!
As far as Zhao Xu knew, the scholar-officials of the Song Dynasty held the Tibetans, Qiangs, Dangxiangs, and Khitans, who were considered barbarians, in utter contempt and discrimination.

Even within their own ranks, they divide themselves into different classes.

Northerners reject Southerners, while Southerners look down on Lingnan people.

Within these hierarchies of contempt, there are further subdivisions based on geographical location...

The Luoyang Party, Shuoyang Party, and Shuzhou Party within the old party had strong regional characteristics.

There are also such factions within the New Party.

For example, those surrounding Li Qingchen were mostly New Party officials from Daming Prefecture and Anyang.

Cai Que was surrounded by a group of Fujianese.

These circles, large and small, are constantly undermining and despising each other, looking down on everyone else.

It can be said that unless there is a stroke of luck or exceptional fortune, it is very difficult for outsiders to integrate into a particular circle.

Therefore, Zhao Xu was very curious about how Bao Cheng was selected as the third-ranked scholar.
Money alone is definitely not enough!

Then he looked at Tong Guan.

Tong Guan lowered his head and reported what he knew to Zhao Xu: "Your Excellency, I have heard that this Jinshi from Xizhou, since joining the Qiji Bureau, has frequently invited other Jinshi to tour Bianjing, covering all expenses... Moreover, he is known for his generosity and magnanimity. It is said that anyone in trouble who seeks his help... will have their problems easily solved... Therefore, he is nicknamed 'Timely Rain of Xizhou' within the Qiji Bureau..."

"Is that all?" Zhao Xu didn't believe it.

Although the regional discrimination among the newly appointed scholars was much less pronounced than that of those who had already integrated into various circles.

But to get them to accept a 'Tibetan,' to sit down and discuss philosophy with them openly, and even to address each other as brothers...

it's out of the question!

Moreover, Bao Cheng's status as a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) was highly questionable—his success was entirely due to Zhao Xu's promotion of him.

In terms of literary talent, he was dismissed long ago!
However, he was a tribute student from Xizhou, and Xizhou had never produced a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the past!
At the same time, only three tribute students from Xizhou were admitted to the capital this year.

As a result, he successfully achieved first place among the three people.

He was admitted thanks to the preferential policies for candidates from remote/impoverished areas following this year's imperial examination reforms.

The Song Dynasty court did not publicize this matter.

However, all the successful candidates in the imperial examinations knew this.

Therefore, in Zhao Xu's view, Bao Cheng was completely covered in various debuffs.

He was lucky if he wasn't isolated in the group.

How could he possibly be selected as the third-ranked scholar?
(End of this chapter)