No war in the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 52: Qingli First List

Su Ze entered the courtyard of Wang Anshi's house. This time it was much more lively than last time.

After entering the yard, Su Ze met Zeng Gong. Although he failed the imperial examination this time, there was no look of disappointment on his face.

Su Ze also heard from Zhang Yaozuo that although Zeng Gong failed the imperial examination this time, the essay he wrote in the Ministry of Rites examination was noticed by the deputy examiner Ouyang Xiu, and Zeng Gong had already become Ouyang Xiu's disciple and studied under him.

With such a contemporary literary master as his teacher, perhaps Zeng Gong would have passed the exam next time.

Next to Zeng Gong was a little boy, whom Wang Anshi introduced as follows:
"This is Zeng Zigu's younger brother Zeng Bu. He could write at the age of seven. Brother Zigu often took him out to see the world."

Zeng Bu.

Su Ze looked at Wang Anshi, who was also the backbone of the future New Party, one of Wang Anshi's loyal followers, and a famous figure in history.

There were too many child prodigies in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Although Zeng Bu was only eight years old, he acted like a little adult and was very polite to everyone, which made everyone like him very much.

Then Wang Anshi began to introduce the guests present to Su Ze. He pointed to a humble young man and said:

"This is Wang Gui, the runner-up in the first division of this year's exam. He is also a student of Master Ouyang, along with Brother Zigu."

Wang Gui did not put on any airs as the runner-up. Instead, he took two steps forward and saluted Su Ze, saying:

"Gui has heard my mentor praise Brother Su's writing many times, saying it has the character of Fan Xiwen. It is a loss to the court that Brother Su cannot take the Ministry of Rites examination this time."

Su Ze also quickly returned the gift.

Wang Gui is also a famous figure in history and once served as prime minister.

However, his reputation was not very good. He held the position of prime minister for 16 years, but made no achievements either inside or outside the country. In front of the emperor, he would say "get the imperial edict" or "receive the imperial edict", but when he left, he would say "I have received the edict" to the officials. People at that time called him "the Prime Minister of Three Edicts".

Most of the young scholars nowadays are arrogant because of their talent, and they criticize people and discuss state affairs. Wang Gui has already ranked second in the imperial examination, but he is still so humble, which makes him an exception.

But as the person being complimented, Su Ze also felt very benefited.

Compared to the Northern Song Dynasty prime ministers who would spit on the emperor's face, Wang Gui's method was naturally very easy to use.

Wang Anshi introduced another older scholar to Su Ze and said:

"This is the third place winner of this year's imperial examination, Han Jiang and Han Zihua."

Well, another new legal backbone.

Han Jiang was a very well-behaved person. He was not as humble as Wang Gui, but he also did not seem arrogant. He just bowed to Su Ze calmly.

Han Jiang was older than everyone else. His father, Han Yi, had once been a prime minister, and he had already entered the officialdom through imperial favor.

Later, he studied hard and finally passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi at the age of thirty.

Finally, at the edge of the crowd, there was a young man with an aloof look. Wang Anshi said to Su Ze:

"This is the top scholar in the undergraduate exam, Yang Shenxian. His elder brother was the runner-up in the first year of the Jingyou reign. The fact that the two brothers were ranked first and second respectively has become a legend in Bianjing."

It turned out to be Yang Zong.

Yang Zong actually helped provide information about what happened to him last time.

His talent and fame spread throughout Bian Jing, and it was a testament to his true talent and knowledge that he was able to become the top scorer in the imperial examination.

However, this showy look is really displeasing. It turns out that people like Wang Gui are easier to get close to. Yang Zong took the initiative to talk to Su Ze:
"Su Lang failed to participate in this imperial examination, which made me, the top scorer, lose a bit of my status. What a pity, what a pity."

After saying this, even Wang Anshi's face turned a little ugly. What Yang Zong meant was that if Su Ze took part in the imperial examination, he, Yang Zong, would still be the top scorer?
Su Ze didn't take it seriously. He knew that with his poor poetry and prose skills, it would be difficult for him to get into the top class even if he took the exam, let alone compete for the top spot.

Although Yang Zong was arrogant, he was not a mad dog. Seeing that Su Ze had a good demeanor, he also wanted to make friends with him, so he bowed to Su Ze.

At this time, Wang Anshi's brothers and sisters moved tables and chairs from home, and Zeng Bu also helped to set up the banquet in the courtyard.

Su Ze handed the fresh bamboo shoots to Wang Anshi and said:
"Brother Jiefu, I know you don't like drinking. Bamboo is the most noble of plants. Giving you fresh bamboo shoots is not against the gentleman's friendship."

Wang Anshi also laughed and gave the fresh bamboo shoots to his brother to send to the kitchen.

After everyone had left their seats, Su Ze secretly investigated and found that the imperial examination in the second year of the Qingli period was indeed of great value. The only list that could be compared with this one was probably the one where Su Dongpo passed the imperial examination.

Wang Anshi, Han Jiang and Wang Gui who were present were eventually appointed as prime ministers. Su Ze looked at Yang Zong again. He couldn't remember why there were so few records about Yang Zong in history books.

Logically speaking, Yang Zong was a talented young man with outstanding abilities. His brother, Yang Cha, was the son-in-law of Prime Minister Yan Shu, so he should not have been buried.

The historical materials recorded by Su Ze about Yang Zong basically appear as footnotes to Wang Anshi.

Forget it, Su Ze didn't think about it anymore. Everyone started chatting with tea instead of wine, and soon the topic turned to the political situation.

There was no way around it. Jian Zheng was the favorite of scholars in the Northern Song Dynasty. Except for Zeng Gong, everyone at the banquet had actually embarked on an official career, and many of them were well-informed and had prominent identities.

Wang Gui and Zeng Gong were disciples of Hanlin scholar Ouyang Xiu, Han Jiang was the son of the former prime minister, and Yang Zong's brother was the son-in-law of the current prime minister. They were all better informed than ordinary scholars.

It was Yang Zong who first said:
"The Liao ruler has already sent an envoy to the capital, saying he wants to ask the emperor for the princess' hand in marriage."

When talking about the situation in the north, everyone frowned.

The Western Xia rebelled, and the Liao Kingdom also began to make moves.

The war in the northwest alone is almost bringing down the imperial court. If the north rises again, the country will be on the verge of destruction.

Yang Zong was the most informed. He said:
"The court has appointed Fu Bi, the Imperial Edict Master, as the escort envoy to the north to welcome the Liao envoys. They will arrive in the capital soon."

Yang Zong was indeed well-informed, and everyone pricked up their ears. Welcoming the Liao envoys was a very sensitive matter, and usually everyone would only know about it when the Liao envoys entered the capital.

Su Ze understood why Yang Zong was so well-informed. The accompanying envoy, Fu Bi, was also Yan Shu's son-in-law, and the brother-in-law of Yang Zong's elder brother Yang Cha.

Yang Zong whispered again:
"I heard that the Liao Lord not only wants a marriage alliance, but also wants to cede the land south of the Guan Pass."

When they heard that they had to cede land, everyone became indignant.

Wang Anshi stood up and said:

"The Liao ruler is ambitious and his ravines are difficult to level. Serving Liao with land is like the six kingdoms serving Qin with land!"

Everyone praised and felt that what Wang Anshi said made sense.

Su Ze shook his head inwardly. Young people are full of vigor and naturally cannot stand Song's appeasement policy. However, the current situation is here. In recent years, there have been constant disasters in the country and the war in the northwest is brutal. If the north breaks out in war again, the country may really be destroyed early.

Wang Anshi looked at Su Ze and asked:

"Brother Su, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)