A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 206 The Second Test
Zhao Zhen was still quite lonely, even though his father found many study companions for him.

In particular, Cai Boqi, a child prodigy who was granted the title of Jinshi at the age of three, tried to please Zhao Zhen everywhere.

But Zhao Zhen knew in his heart that Cai Boqi was not capable of taking on important tasks.

Although he accompanied me to study and play over the years, he did not improve his knowledge and just relied on his past achievements.

Now, in Zhao Zhen's view, he has become indistinguishable from everyone else.

He is no longer worthy of the title of child prodigy.

Another person who accompanied Zhao Zhen was the old prodigy Yan Shu, who used to correct Zhao Zhen's mistakes from time to time, which made Zhao Zhen very angry. Cai Boqi naturally agreed with Zhao Zhen and cursed Yan Shu behind his back.

But after Zhao Zhen became emperor, he finally realized it.

The emperor needs the assistance of people like Yan Shu.

As for Cai Boqi, who was devoted to flattering him, Zhao Zhen did not assign him any high-ranking official position.

Of course.

The current excuse is that all government affairs are decided by the Queen Mother.

Cai Boqi naturally hoped that he could be like Zhang Qi in the future.

He has money and power, but there is also an emperor behind him!
Only in this way can we justify the fact that he has been eating the imperial grain of the Song Dynasty since he was three years old.

However, the gap between dreams and reality still did not make Cai Boqi come to his senses, and he still hoped that Zhao Zhen could take power.

With the relationship of the two of them accompanying each other day and night since childhood, he will definitely be able to rise to the top.

Little did he know that Zhao Zhen had long wanted to use his childhood friendship to promote another person he didn't know.

Because according to the intelligence of the Imperial City Bureau's spies, Song Xuan is a very capable person.

It was only because of his family reasons that he missed the "Tongzi Ke" and did not enter the officialdom as a child prodigy.

Now he is working hard to take the imperial examination. This alone makes Zhao Zhen look at him with a higher regard.

Zhao Zhen was even more looking forward to Song Xuan being able to make it on the list in this examination.

Only in this way can he get closer to the event of his coming to Tokyo.

Zhao Zhen opened the letter and read it carefully.

Zhao Zhen had just learned that Song Xuan had disciplined the ruffians in Songcheng, defeated them all, and arranged for them to collect manure and sell it as fertilizer.

Because the information from the Imperial City Bureau is delayed.

After all, their official task was to deliver some new chapters of Song Xuan's books to the government in a timely manner, and they mainly ran stalls around Song Xuan's house.

Because it really makes money!

This business trip is really good.

The salary in the Imperial Guards is not small, but no one complains about having too much money, right?

What's more, living in Tokyo is extremely expensive.

Therefore, the imperial guards who were responsible for monitoring Song Xuan would draw lots to send someone out to inquire about other news about Song Xuan, and then return to report before deciding whether to conduct a detailed investigation and report.

As the news went back and forth, there was naturally a considerable delay.

"A beggar and a scoundrel combined?"

Zhao Zhen naturally knew that there was a ghost tower in Tokyo City, also known as Wuyou Cave.

He had been in there before, and was brought out by Song Xuan by chance.

The ancient city of Kaifeng was the capital of ten dynasties.

Today's Kaifeng City of the Song Dynasty was built on the ruins of past dynasties.

Because Bianliang was located too close to the Yellow River, the capital of the Song Dynasty often suffered from floods due to the overflowing of the Yellow River.

Moreover, because the city is home to many large and small water systems, it often encounters problems such as flooding that affect the city's development and operation.

Therefore, the underground drainage channels in Kaifeng Prefecture are very developed.

After so many years since the founding of the Song Dynasty, Guifanlou has become larger and larger.

In Lu You's "Notes from Lao Xue'an", there was the following description:

"The canals in the capital were extremely deep and wide, and fugitives often hid in them, calling them 'Worry-Free Caves'. Even worse, thieves hid women there, calling them 'Ghost Fan Towers'. From the beginning of the country to the beginning of war, these were common occurrences, and even talented officials could not prevent them."

Because once a child from an ordinary family is abducted into this "ghost building", it is almost certain that he will die or will never have the chance to be reunited with his family.

Whenever a child is abducted, the family will first inquire at "Guifanlou", where countless children have been kidnapped and trafficked.

The children who grew up here, under the guidance of the villains, either became accomplices in deceiving the people in the market and became the reserve force of the "Wuyou Gang", or were beaten and crippled and had to beg in Kaifeng City.

If it is a girl, the obedient ones will be sold to the brothel in Kaifeng and become the "golden bowl" of Guifanlou. The disobedient ones will stay in the underground and do the shameful prostitution business.

Even when Bao Zheng later became the prefect of Kaifeng, he was unable to wipe out Guifanlou several times.

No matter how strict the criminal law is, it is difficult to crack down on them. Since the hideout is right under the city of Kaifeng, they cannot be attacked by fire, and the tunnels are so secretive that the army cannot enter.

Very few people can get out of the maze below.

Zhao Zhen even felt that he was very lucky to have met the child named Song Wenwan.

The guys around him now must have been the ones he brought out of Guifan Tower.

Maybe someone got sick and died, because Zhao Zhen felt that the number of people who went to take a bath and eat together did not match.

"Song Twelve really has a way of getting things done."

Zhao Zhen was very happy that Song Xuan had reformed a group of people.

As for collecting manure, Zhao Zhen considered it a "punitive" job and he could not make any money at all.

But those ruffians and beggars all obeyed Song Xuan, which only showed that Song Xuan was a good fighter!

If there is a war in the future with such a capable fighter as the commander, I wonder if we can win?

Although Zhao Zhen was a kind and benevolent emperor, he still had a strong warlike nature deep in his heart.

During the foreign wars of Renzong's reign, the ideas of the pro-war factions such as Fan Zhongyan who were stationed in the northwest were not as radical as those of Zhao Zhen, the biggest pro-war faction in Tokyo!
Whether it is the ancestors' idea of ​​taking back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, or the current chaos in the northwest.

Zhao Zhen longed to conquer by force!
Because he doesn't have it, he longs to have it!

Zhao Zhen continued to read, and when he saw titles like "Songcheng Timely Rain", he couldn't help laughing out loud.

As expected, when he was out, he liked to give himself a nickname and would not easily reveal his real name to others.

The people from the Imperial City Bureau also heard that some students in the academy had some objections to the new regulations of the court. Some students even secretly wanted to go to the government to ask for an explanation in the name of Song Xuan.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen was also a little angry!
Fortunately, Song Xuan handled the matter quickly and no trouble was caused.

All these things made Zhao Zhen more convinced that Song Xuan was a capable man.

He will definitely become my right-hand man in the future!

Zhao Zhen was sure that no one else would ever imagine that he and Song Xuan had known each other for a long time.

Who said the emperor has no heart?

Zhao Zhen was a generous person, but that didn't mean he was as stupid as a pig. He was even more thoughtful.

It's just that because he is now suppressed by Empress Dowager Liu E, he has to keep many of his thoughts to himself and hide himself.

I originally heard this idea from Song Xuan casually.

"I really don't know if he can pass the exam this time."

After reading it, Zhao Zhen put the letter away and then picked up the Romance of the Three Kingdoms to continue reading.

……

The imperial examination was the only way for ordinary people to change their destiny. If they passed, they would become famous overnight, but if they failed, they would end up in poverty.

This time, because of the court's new policies, it is really like a huge army crossing a single-plank bridge.

The number of places to be solved is already limited, and many old students who have passed the test are competing for it. You can imagine the pressure on everyone.

On the day of rest, everyone sat at Song Xuan's house.

Song Xuan found that several people had blisters on their mouths.

He was obviously angry and worried that he would not be able to pass the imperial examination.

Song Xuan snorted and laughed: "Brother Wang, what's wrong with you?" Wang Tai turned his head away, not wanting to pay attention to Song Xuan.

No one in this room can compare with Song Xuan in mentality.

There are so few places in this examination, so there are bound to be many people who fail.

Zhang Fangping was still reading with his head down, trying to absorb all the history into his mind.

Avoid the results being too bad.

"You all said you wanted to compete with me for the top prize, but why are you all giving in before the exam even starts?"

"Who gave in?"

Wang Tai immediately came to his senses: "I'm just short of water. I've been studying too hard lately."

Everyone is taking advantage of today's break to get the insurance certificate.

In short, everyone is nervous.

Song Xuan didn't care and continued to comfort everyone, "Is it really necessary to take this exam seriously?"

Zhang Fangping also withdrew his eyes from the book, wanting to see what his twelfth brother had to say about psychological counseling?
After all, he had long said that those who took the imperial examinations all had some psychological problems.

They had indeed heard Song Xuan say, "Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, the imperial examination has been the dragon gate for scholars throughout the world, but beneath this dragon gate, countless bones have been buried."

Zhang Fangping's eyes widened immediately.

I never expected that Twelfth Brother would say such a thing.

"Shi Er Lang, if you can't speak, then don't speak."

Wang Tai covered his face in frustration: "How can you comfort everyone like this?"

"That's right. Song Twelve is usually quite eloquent. Did you call everyone here today just to attack us?"

"Hahaha."

Song Xuan couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"You all think you've become nothing more than skeletons on the road to the imperial examination, but I, Song Xuan, will become the best in the imperial examination and step on you, the skeletons of the past, to reach the shore. If you don't accept it, feel free to fight me in the examination hall."

"Good good."

As the oldest among the group, Bao Zheng snorted and laughed:
"Your provocation is really weak, but I will accept it."

"And I!"

Wang Tai naturally refused to admit defeat. Who doesn’t have the dream of becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination?

"Song Twelve, be careful. The person who wants to seize the title of Jieyuan is not in a hurry."

Although Lu Lejian did not have blisters on the corners of his mouth, he was also nervous about studying, so he immediately pushed someone out.

"Zhao Gai, you have an impression of him too, right?"

"He has been praised by literary luminaries like Liu Yun, Qi Lun, and Huang Zongdan. His poetry and prose, created in the Western Kun style, are far superior to yours!"

"If you want to pass the exam, I'm afraid it will be difficult."

Zhao Gai?

But the one who got the third place in the exam is very powerful!

"He also knows a few martial arts skills, and is very good at Taizu Changquan. He is also very friendly to others."

Everyone talked about Zhao Gai's advantages, saying that he acted almost the same as Song Xuan.

He has a kind and serious character, and likes to give money to help others.
The only thing that is inferior to Song Xuan is that he is similar to Han Qi, taciturn.

But unlike Han Qi, he doesn't like to interact with others.

"He has good character and is good at both civil and military affairs."

Song Xuan nodded: "So what?"

Everyone was stunned. He is so strong!
It will be very difficult for you, Song Twelve, to get the title of Jieyuan in Yingtian Prefecture.

"Twelfth Brother, considering that you didn't make the list last time, I'm afraid you'll get humiliated!"

Zhang Fangping felt that the exam was not easy.

Even if everyone has worked hard for a long time, no matter how many people have tried hard for the imperial examination, most people still end up failing.

What Twelve Brother just said, that many people are just skeletons in the imperial examination hall, is not nonsense.

No one is sure that he will pass the exam, and even be the top scorer!

"One must always give oneself some courage. It is not my character to be timid before a battle."

Song Xuan looked at everyone and said:
"At least I dare to speak out. The sound of ridicule is something that only people with fragile minds like you would find extremely embarrassing."

Wang Tai sighed secretly, Shi Erlang's knowledge was still far beyond everyone else's.

Everyone wants to save face in this kind of situation.

Those who can pass the test of interpretation are naturally very proud of themselves.

But those who cannot pass will of course be ashamed, and will be three steps shorter when talking to others.

As expected, Song Xuan's mentality is not something that anyone can easily compare to.

Fan Xiang wanted to join in the conversation, but he followed Han Qi's example and remained silent.

After all, I passed the test.

He also didn't have the courage to provoke other classmates.

"Shi Er Lang, are we really as fragile as you say?"

Ever since Bao Zheng met Song Xuan, he was surprised by his attitude of not caring about anything.

"There aren't many of you scholars with a good attitude."

Song Xuan couldn't help but shook his head and said:

"It's the imperial examination. Everyone hopes to be on the top of the list. This is perfectly normal."

"If I were you, I would definitely have to adjust my mindset."

"The exam is coming up. Are you still doing the questions today?"

"No, I won't do it. Your spirits are always tense. I'm afraid if we continue to train, you will all lie down in the examination room."

Song Xuan then asked everyone to go out and buy vegetables, and have a meal together today, waiting for the imperial examination.

Everyone was in a bad mood, but Song Xuan didn't care.

He simply took off his shirt, went downstairs in shorts to practice spearmanship with Wang Gui, just to relax his body and mind.

Time always passes quickly without you noticing, catching you off guard.

Today is the day for the test.

There was a long queue at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall early in the morning.

Song Xuan stood under the shade of a tree holding an umbrella.

Compared to the last time, he is more experienced this time.

Whether it is the things you prepare or the poems you practice yourself.

"Twelfth Brother, there are definitely more than ten thousand people."

Zhang Fangping fiddled with the knowledge he had learned, and there were over ten thousand people, endless.

"Ah."

Song Xuan responded and looked at the candidates entering in an orderly manner from a distance, feeling a little emotional for a moment.

"Learn the arts of literature and martial arts, and sell them to the emperor's family."

Song Xuan fanned himself with his folding fan and said with emotion, "But if you want to sell it to the imperial family, there are also thresholds."

"Twelfth brother."

Song Hao waved his hands in the crowd, then ran over and pulled Song Xuan:

"Twelfth brother, I've been under Song Qi's guidance lately, and I feel like I've gained a lot of experience. Are you confident?"

(End of this chapter)