A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 195 New Regulations
Tiansheng four years.

June.

Song Xuan and Doctor Wang were standing outside the door.

Mrs. Gu gave birth in there.

Because of the assassination, and the fact that Song Xuan was not on the list, the weight of Song Xuan as a victim naturally increased.

Whether it was harm in the imperial examination or the killing of an official in the street, the court represented by the prime minister of the Song Dynasty would certainly get to the bottom of it.

Even if Dou Wen and others refuse to admit it, there is no evidence.

However, the prime ministers headed by Wang Zeng still demanded severe punishment, coupled with Gu Zimo's witness testimony and the Fire-Eyed Suanni who was captured with a large reward.

Dou Wen naturally had no ability to defend himself any further.

According to the unique policy of the Song Dynasty, they were directly thrown into Hebei to perform hard labor to atone for their sins.

Even though Gu Zimo came to his senses and turned back, he was still considered an accomplice in the early stages and was escorted to Tokyo by the court for trial.

But unfortunately, he died of illness in prison before the verdict.

Song Xuan guessed that the wrong blood was transfused, and it was just a chronic hemolytic symptom.

The Gu family has not returned to their hometown yet, mainly because the court still has grace for Madam Gu's posthumous child and has not taken back Gu Zimo's official land in Yingtian Prefecture.

After this incident, Gu Zimo's parents became ill again.

Now his father is just holding on with all his might, waiting for the birth of his eldest grandson, hoping that the Gu family will have a successor.

For this purpose, he specially invited Doctor Wang and his son's savior Song Xuan to come here and take charge, so that they can protect the child if necessary.

Song Xuan heard this, but he rolled his eyes in his heart.

However, he also understood that if the Gu family had no descendants, they would surely be wiped out by others.

This is the rule in today's feudal era.

The upper echelons have their own ways of devouring people, and the lower echelons naturally have their own ways of devouring people.

The so-called morality is nothing more than a fig leaf for hurting each other!
At this time, the midwife in the room also asked two experienced midwives to wait.

After all, according to the current situation, giving birth is really like walking through the gates of hell for women.

Doctor Wang looked at Song Xuan who was becoming more and more handsome.

At this time, he was pacing outside anxiously, forgetting that he was still a virgin and had never experienced giving birth.

"Shi Er Lang, don't worry."

Doctor Wang grabbed Song Xuan's arm:

"Why are you so anxious?"

Of course Song Xuan couldn't tell the secret between him and Mrs. Gu. She was giving birth to his child, so how could he not worry?

"Doctor Wang, I'm a little worried."

"After all, those are two lives. It would be better if I didn't know about it."

Doctor Wang nodded, indicating that he understood, and then he smiled:

"Shi Er Lang, you must study hard. When you get married and have children in the future, you won't be so panicked."

After Song Xuan left his hometown Lema Town, his hometown accent began to blend into Songcheng.

Even during the Chinese New Year, he did not go home, but spent the New Year here with a few of his friends.

There is always an excuse to study.

It is actually normal for students who study hard in the academy to leave home for several years without returning.

Wang Gui was chatting with the little maid from the Gu family.

Over the past year, he learned a lot of words and became very fond of the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms written by Song Xuan.

Not only that, nowadays, all the storytellers in teahouses, big or small, even in Qinglou, are telling this story.

Such as Liu, Guan, Zhang, Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu and so on.

There are even some people among the public who are busy with their work, all trying to rank who is the most powerful.

"Ow."

There was a loud cry in the room.

As they were talking, a midwife came out of the room with a happy look on her face:

"Congratulations, congratulations to the Gu family on the birth of their daughter."

When the old man of the Gu family heard this, he couldn't hold his breath and fainted.

Doctor Wang hurried over to give him an acupuncture.

Instead, Song Xuan signaled Wang Gui to give some money to the midwife as a gift.

The midwife hurriedly thanked him.

"How's the pregnant woman?"

"So that the young master can know that mother and daughter are safe, congratulations."

Song Xuan nodded, then went over to watch Doctor Wang give him acupuncture.

When the old man slowly woke up, Song Xuan also realized that he was at the end of his life.

……

Song Xuan and Doctor Wang walked out of Gu's house together.

"The Gu family's mother is a widow, and the old couple are so sick, I'm afraid they will be bullied."

Doctor Wang has seen too many things and naturally understands these things very well.

"I'll send someone to check on one or two of them."

Song Xuan pointed at Wang Gui behind him.

"Shi Er Lang is truly a man who does not bear grudges. With such a broad mind, he is worthy of being a prime minister."

"Hahaha."

Song Xuan couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"Dr. Wang is so optimistic about me, I would like to thank you very much."

The two thanked each other and said goodbye.

Song Xuan looked at the bookstore on the roadside where people were buying lottery tickets.

That’s run by the Lei family.

Ever since Song Xuan failed the imperial examination, Zhao Xingtou, the head of the silk business, immediately started the lottery business, hoping to divert Song Xuan's customers by the number of tickets.

However, he only learned the basics, and was cheated out of several large sums by Song Xuan and Lei Yuanwai. The shop was also known for its dishonesty, and deliberately controlled the sound of the winning numbers.

After a few months, he lost a lot of money and closed several businesses, and was eventually taken over by Mr. Lei.

By the way, the position of the head of the Silk Guild also fell into the hands of Mr. Lei.

Now his shop also employs a group of family members of the Guide Army. In addition to sharing the profits with the academy on a daily basis, he also has to help others from time to time.

In this way, with the support of the military and the government, the lottery business was completely stabilized and ensured that everyone else was excluded.

With this industry, several paper mills were opened to provide some supply.

Yan Shu's political achievements also increased in terms of business taxes compared to last year.

Song Xuan sighed slowly. There were still two months left before the test was scheduled.

Ten months passed in the blink of an eye.

Ever since he learned that Mrs. Gu was pregnant, Song Xuan gave up.

I went to the academy every day to attend classes and listen to the teacher's lectures. Even after school, I was called over by the teacher for private lessons.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was simply dictated by him and written by his buddy Xiao Zhihong.

Juanbi's life once made Song Xuan feel like he was back in his senior year of high school.

I study day and night just to get one more point in the exam so that I can surpass everyone in the playground.

The competition is so fierce!
After Yan Shu made that decision, he was worried that Song Xuan might give up on himself.

But fortunately, I still know Song Xuan, and he can withstand the setbacks.

Song Xuan ate a few mouthfuls of food and returned to the academy to continue his afternoon studies.

Teacher Wang Zhu has been working harder in the past few months because so many students in Class A failed. Now he even has a few white hairs on his head.

"Song Twelve."

Wang Zhu immediately called out Song Xuan's name and began to test him on Mo Yi.

Song Xuan stood up obediently.

One reason was that he really wanted to take the imperial examination, and the other was that he couldn't bear to see that these students didn't perform well in the examination room, so he had to train them hard.

"The Analects of Confucius says: 'A benevolent man, when he wishes to establish himself, establishes others; when he wishes to achieve himself, he achieves others."

Master Wang Zhu paused with the ruler in his hand:
"Expound the connotation of 'benevolence' and its importance in governing a country and maintaining national security."

"Ren" is one of the core concepts of Confucianism.

It has rich connotations and is both a form of moral cultivation and a practical principle.

Confucius mentioned "benevolence" many times in "The Analects".

Song Xuan thought for a while before answering calmly:

“If you wish to establish yourself, help others to establish themselves; if you wish to succeed, help others to succeed. This statement reveals the essence of benevolence: it means putting yourself in others’ shoes and treating them with empathy.”

"In governing a country and maintaining peace, benevolence is particularly important."

"Benevolent government is the core of the Confucian political ideal. Mencius said, 'With a heart that cannot bear to see others suffer, and with policies that cannot bear to see others suffer, governing the world can be as easy as the palm of your hand.'"

"Benevolent governance requires that rulers put the people first, impose light taxes and levies, educate the people, and thus achieve harmony under heaven."

"In history, wise rulers such as King Wen of Zhou, Emperor Wen of Han, Emperor Jing, Emperor Guangwu, Emperor Ming, and Emperor Taizong of Tang were all renowned for their benevolent governance, and their ways of governing can serve as models for future generations."

"In summary, I believe that 'benevolence' is not only the goal of personal cultivation, but also the foundation of governing a nation and maintaining peace. Only by taking benevolence as the foundation can we achieve the common development of both individuals and the world."

Wang Zhu nodded and said to everyone:
"Does anyone have anything to add?"

Wang Tai looked at Song Xuan. This kid is so stubborn!

Ever since failing the exam, Wang Tai has seen that Song Xuan is really studying hard and is no longer as carefree as before.

This forced him to study hard and he even stopped going to brothels for a long time.

Even if it was Lu Lejian who invited him, Wang Tai would have directly refused.

Because he found that Song Xuan was making rapid progress in poetry and prose, and he was originally far ahead of him, but was constantly being surpassed by him.

Instead, I have to ask, how did you write it like this?
Wang Tai had to admit that Song Xuan, the fallen prodigy, had finally shown his power.

He absorbs any knowledge very quickly and is well-versed in many historical figures.

As for talent, no matter how hard you try, you may never be able to catch up.

In the Qinglong Mutual Aid Study Group, Song Xuan took the lead in rolling up his papers, forcing everyone to scramble to roll them up as well.

But everyone is young and energetic, and no one wants to fall behind others.

Many people became very venomous, complaining about the old failed students from time to time.

Even Han Qi, who is usually taciturn, can make a few precise complaints.

In Mo Yi's test questions at this time, Song Xuan not only answered correctly, but also added his own insights.

No one in the entire classroom spoke.

Is there anything that needs to be added?
The important thing is that you write down what Song Xuan said.

Wang Zhu nodded naturally:

"People must learn from shame and then be brave. There are still two months left for this year's exam. It has flown by in a flash. Now it's time for the real fight."

"I hope you can all show your strength and pass the exam, so that all your hard work and study these days will not be in vain." After Wang Zhu asked Song Xuan to sit down, he called on Wang Tai and asked him about the "Doctrine of the Mean":

"The virtue of moderation is the highest virtue! Few people can maintain it for long."

It is said to be a test of teaching, but it is also a reminder to everyone to enrich their knowledge.

For this kind of knowledge point, you can get points just by memorizing it, there is no other way.

This is also the key point in the imperial examination where you need to grasp the cheating part.

After Wang Zhukao taught for a while, he received a notice that he had to go to a meeting. He immediately dismissed the class and let everyone move around, rest if needed, and go to the toilet if needed.

Fan Zhongyan held the message in his hand:
"I just received news that the imperial court has issued an order. Starting this year, students who pass the pre-examination exam but fail the provincial exam will only have their exams valid for three years. If they fail the provincial exam, they will have to start over from the beginning."

When Wang Zhu heard this, he understood.

There are more and more scholars, and even officials are becoming redundant.

In this way, the court will definitely control the number of officials.

This is also why he was moved by Yan Shu to come to the academy to teach first, accumulate experience, and then go there when there is a suitable official vacancy.

If I can teach some good students, maybe I can be promoted better in the future.

Although the Song Dynasty had fought many wars, it was never completely unified.
In the north, the border between Song and Liao remained stable for a long time along the Yanmen Mountain-Damao Mountain-Baigou line.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun alone can accommodate a large number of officials.

In southern Xinjiang, the Song Dynasty had not yet regained control over the minority areas in the southwest that had broken away from its rule in the late Tang Dynasty, so it was able to accommodate many officials.

The reform of converting native peoples into Han people was not started until the reign of Zhu Di in the Ming Dynasty, and was basically completed until the 19th year of the Republic of China.

In present-day northern Vietnam, Zhao Kuangyin of the early Song Dynasty had already acknowledged the fact that the Ding Dynasty had broken away from Chinese rule and established a vassal relationship with it.

When they first defeated the Shu ruler Meng Chang, his generals submitted a declaration of war requesting to attack and destroy the southern barbarians of Dali at the same time.

However, Zhao Kuangyin waved his jade axe and acknowledged the existence of Dali. If he wanted to gain a firm foothold in the deep mountains and old forests, he had to station a large number of soldiers, and at that time, Hou Shu was still unstable.

With the powerful enemy Khitan in the north and the Southern Han, Southern Tang and Wuyue regimes in the south, Zhao Kuangyin was not allowed to use his limited military and financial resources to conquer the southwestern minority areas.

The most important thing was that Zhao Kuangyin wanted to accumulate strength to seize the territory of the tough Northern Han, and then compete with the Khitan for supremacy in Yanyun.

This is his strategic vision.

In particular, the poor transportation between Sichuan and Yunnan will only consume a lot of supplies, but will not have much effect on the offensive in the north.

In addition, they were very understanding with Dali. Ever since the Song army conquered Hou Shu with thundering force, they had sent people to congratulate them and hoped to establish diplomatic relations.

In the northwest, the rise of the Dangxiang tribe compressed the northwestern territory of the Song Dynasty to the east of Hengshan (now southern Yulin, Shaanxi).

Fan Zhongyan looked at the silent teacher:
"Starting this year, the imperial examination will become increasingly brutal, and the chances of students failing will increase."

"Don't hide this matter. All students must be informed immediately."

"It is also necessary to make those students who passed the pre-college entrance exam but failed the provincial exam more mentally prepared."

In the past, after passing a level, you could review the next level carefully. Even if you failed the next level, you didn’t have to start over.

Now that the rules have changed, we have to start all over again.

Because the prefectural examination can be taken twice in three years, but the provincial examination and the palace examination are generally held every three years.

Once this rule comes out, it will increase the pressure of competition.

Zhang Shide stroked his beard and said:
"That's fine. After all, during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, as the number of candidates increased, His Majesty exempted many from the Jie, Provincial, and Palace examinations."

This kind of free.

He is one of those who will be recommended to become an official.

This kind of situation never occurred during the imperial examinations of Taizu and Taizong.

As Emperor Zhenzong came to power, in order to maintain his rule, he actively showed goodwill to scholars.

This is a difficult situation now.

This is the classic phenomenon of the previous generation enjoying the shade while the next generation suffers.

Moreover, the later you go in the imperial examination, the more difficult it becomes!
Otherwise, why would it only appear once in the thousand-year Dragon and Tiger List?

Fan Zhongyan shook his head:

"I roughly estimated that this year, there will be over 10,000 students taking the Fajie exam in Yingtian Prefecture alone. By then, it will really be a one in a hundred chance."

Many teachers showed embarrassed expressions.

After all, they are all their students. It will become increasingly difficult to pass the imperial examination in the future, and many students have wasted their best years.

The sunk costs are really too high.

"Fortunately, the notice wasn't issued until after the exams. By then, many students would have inevitably caused trouble. We still have two months left, so please continue to work hard."

Fan Zhongyan stood up, looked at everyone and said:
"After this exam, it will all depend on next year's provincial and palace exams."

The teachers naturally responded. No matter how difficult it was, since they had chosen this path, they had to move forward courageously.

"Twelve Lang."

Lei Qi came over with a smile.

He was a little scared before.

After all, Song Twelve ranked third in the entrance examination, which was really scary.

But since he failed the college entrance examination, Lei Qi was willing to interact with him and even introduced him to many other failed students.

Song Xuan was speechless about this, but he could understand it.

Everyone has their own circle, and sometimes it’s impossible to fit in even if you try hard.

As for the famous two Cheng brothers, their father was also a failure in the imperial examination. Chu Zhaofu's great-grandson and Liu Mengsou's grandson Liu Zimo were all poor students.

"What's wrong?"

Lei Qi said with a smile: "We want to go to the temple to study after school, do you want to go?"

"You go to the temple to study?"

Song Xuan's eyes showed a strange look, because this group of people had given up on themselves, and the word "study" probably didn't belong to them.

"Yes, let's go outside the city. There is a little nun there."

Lei Qi squinted his eyes repeatedly: "It's a good opportunity to show you."

"I'm studying the Spring and Autumn Annals." Song Xuan said naturally, "How can I have the time?"

"Hey."

Lei Qi clapped his hands anxiously. The four irons of life that Song Xuan mentioned in the Songcheng Prison had already spread.

Isn't this just about inviting him to go together and complete one of the four irons?
"Shi Er Lang, think about it carefully. This is really very interesting."

"The imperial examination is less than two months away. To be honest, I really don't want any more trouble. I just want to concentrate on preparing for the exam."

Song Xuan patted Lei Qi on the shoulder:

"Sanlang, we are actually different. Your father and I have built a lot of wealth for you. Even if you have no intention of taking the imperial examination, you can still live a rich life. But I am different."

"My father is a gambler. Not only will he not help me, he will also drag me into the quagmire."

"After my mother married someone else, she didn't care about me at all. I also understood that she married into the Song family just for money."

"So I can only rely on my own imperial examinations to carve out a path, because there's no one to back me up, do you understand?"

Lei Qi felt a little embarrassed after hearing what Song Xuan said.

In fact, he had become lazy about the imperial examinations since he failed repeatedly.

But his father insisted that he study in the academy, even if he failed to pass the acting exam, he would still act, at least there was hope.

"Shi Er Lang, it's me who is ignorant."

Lei Qi bowed and left with a guilty conscience.

When Song Xuan said this, he actually didn't care at all. He just used it as a shield and it wouldn't hurt anyone.

He walked slowly towards the classroom and heard:

"Twelve, this is the notes I carefully prepared for passing the test. Take a look at it during this time."

The person who came was my good brother Song Hao.

Since Song Xuan failed the exam, the relationship between the two sides has become relatively closer.

After all, many people believe that "academic masters" have a temperament that makes others not want to approach them.

But it’s different for those who fail the exam.

"Thank you, fifth brother."

He also has such notes.

Last year, Su Xun's second brother Su Huan gave his imperial examination notes to Song Xuan.

"Well, there was a reason for what happened last time. Do well this time. Then we can go to the provincial exam together. This was given to me by the Song brothers."

Song Hao and others passed the preliminary examination, but failed the provincial examination.

Last year, the Soong brothers, who had double egg yolks, came back to visit their family, and they all went.

Only Song Xuan did not go, and he gave the same reason as Fan Zhongyan.

Anyway, it’s not like I won’t see you again in my lifetime. I’ll be able to see you when I pass the imperial examination and become the top scorer.

As the elder brother, Song Yang naturally said encouraging words such as "good ambitions".

Compared to the introverted eldest brother Song Yang, the younger brother Song Qi has a more rampant personality. He laughed for a while and wanted to be the top scholar, but he couldn't even pass the Fajie test. What a boast!
Song Hao knew that Song Xuan was arrogant, but he didn't say this to him.

"No need."

Song Xuan returned the notes in his hand to Song Hao. His seventh brother Song Ming had told him about that matter.

"Twelfth brother, the Song brothers really always win first place. This notebook will be of great benefit to you. Take a good look at it and study it hard. They won't know."

"Fifth brother, Song Qi obviously looks down on you and me, so I don't need this favor."

"You've been stubborn since you were little!"

Song Hao was a little confused about what Song Xuan was insisting on.

He is capable. There are so many scholars in the Song Dynasty, and not everyone can become the top scholar.

With the help of their notes, you will definitely benefit greatly.

"Fifth brother, I don't need their notes to help me. I'm aiming for the top prize this time."

"First place?"

Song Hao didn't understand why Song Xuan spoke so arrogantly.

"Are you kidding?"

Song Hao felt that with the help of his brothers, he had greater confidence in passing the provincial examination, but he did not attempt to take the exam for the top prize or something like that.

I just hope to be on the list for a long time!
"of course not."

Song Xuan naturally responded. This time he was more prepared and he had to get the top prize.

Otherwise, you will feel sorry for yourself for living such a long time!
Song Hao's chest heaved with anger at Song Xuan: "You really don't know how to appreciate kindness."

"Seventh Brother, take Fifth Brother back to rest. I appreciate your kindness. Take this thing back."

Song Xuan snorted and laughed: "So that I won't be too confident when I talk back to the Song brothers!"

Song Hao and Song Ming looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.

They all understood that when Song Xuan said this, he had already made up his mind.

Song Xuan watched the two brothers walk away. This was the first time he told others that he wanted to take the imperial examination.

"Shi Er Lang, what are you standing there for? Come in quickly. I have something to tell you."

Teacher Wang Zhu looked solemn and walked into the classroom at a very fast pace.

(End of this chapter)