A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 58 Registration
Before Song Ming could answer, he heard Lao Qi say:
"Once my twelfth brother is admitted, will my fifth brother's poem be exposed?"

After all, the Song family private school does not only accept children of the Song family, but also other children.

Although Song Xuan is young, many people respect him.

It's a water tank like that, not everyone can break it and rescue people.

It's just that Song Xuan didn't put much effort into his studies, so he was given the title of a fallen child prodigy. Others could still laugh at Song Xuan.

But those who had been classmates with Song Xuan did not think so.

After hearing what Lao Qi said, a hint of unnaturalness flashed across Song Hao's face.

Song Xuan used his childhood poem about frogs to show off in the academy, and became very famous for a while.

He looks like a talented scholar from the Song family, but this matter is not something that the Song brothers can control alone.

Song Hao originally thought he would be on the list this year.

Who would have thought that I would fail the exam?

Instead, it was the Song brothers, who were distant relatives of their grandfather, who became the top scorers in the imperial examinations, and it had nothing to do with the Song brothers, the direct descendants of the Song family.

Otherwise, even if Song Xuan was admitted to Yingtianfu Academy, no matter what he said to refute the rumors, they would not have met each other long ago.

By then, I will be a Jinshi, so who will care about what a little student says?

If anyone tells others that Song Xuan is jealous of his own brother.

"Let's talk about this later." Song Hao was very conflicted.
"Even though my twelfth brother was very smart when he was young, he hasn't put his mind to studying for many years. It's hard to say whether he can pass the exam."

The seventh brother was also very tactful and didn't suggest that we go and help Song Xuan review.

After all, he stole someone else's poem.

It's not a face-saving thing after all.

"Oh oh oh."

Song Xuan held a folding fan in his hand and looked at the scene in the academy:
"Yingtianfu Academy is truly renowned. I wish so many scholars from around the world would bother to come here. Look at this doorplate, it's truly impressive."

This made Bao Zheng feel strange: "Shi Er Lang has been here for almost half a month, and he hasn't come to take a look here yet?"

"If I pass the exam, I can come every day. The academy is right here anyway. If I fail, there's no point in coming every day."

"Hahaha, that's right."

Bao Zheng was somewhat impressed by Song Xuan's insightful answer.

It is quite similar to when Emperor Zhenzong came here, everyone went to visit the emperor's attraction except Fan Zhongyan.

Today, Fan Zhongyan, the perfect man of the Song Dynasty, is not famous all over the world, and Bao Zheng mainly refers to Hua Yun's story.

Many students come from far away to get admitted here, but it is quite difficult.

This was not Zhang Fangping's first time here. He had been brought here by Song Shou to see it before, so this time he was the one to lead the way and explain.

The main reason was that the scale of the imperial examination in the Northern Song Dynasty became increasingly larger, but official schools were in a sluggish state for a long time.

There is a great demand for education among scholars, but how many good teachers and schools are there for you to choose from?
But where there is demand, there is a market.

As official schools are in decline, private schools are taking over.

Since the emperor bestowed the plaque, the private school here was transformed into an official school.

It is understandable that students from all over the world flock to it.

It was not until Bi Sheng's movable type printing technology was popularized several decades later that official schools across the Song Dynasty sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

Typography is fundamental.

Most books nowadays are collections and rarely circulate on the market.

Otherwise, students like Zhang Fangping would not have the job of copying books for others to earn money.

Printed books are at least easier to disseminate than handwritten books, and the price can be brought down.

Otherwise, why would Captain Ding Zhe prepare so much money just to let his son go to school?

If a child does not show any talent for reading in his childhood, who would be willing to sponsor him?

There are so many people in the world, do you really think that everyone can become a Wenquxing?

In the Song Dynasty, apart from the fifth year of Tiansheng, the second year of Jiayou was the year when the stars of literature descended to earth. Most of the great recitation masters of the Song Dynasty were produced under the guidance of Emperor Renzong of Song.

The three of them walked slowly along the way, crossed a stone bridge, and then stepped over the stone sign.

After entering the academy, the first thing you see is the Chongsheng Hall, where portraits of Confucius and his disciples are enshrined, and there are also drawings of Confucius' travels around the country.

Everyone tacitly bowed to Confucius. After all, one should respect teachers on the surface.

As for burning incense, there isn’t any.

Before taking exams, students usually go to the Confucian Temple to burn incense and worship.

The statue of Confucius here is just decorated with fruits and vegetables.

On the east side of the main hall, there is a stele with the inscription "Record of the Reconstruction of Guide Prefecture Academy" and a soapberry tree that is over a hundred years old.

It is said that Yang Que, a scholar from Yucheng, Songzhou, gathered people to give lectures with the help of Zhao Zhi, the general of Guide Army, and founded Suiyang Academy, which was the predecessor of Yingtianfu Academy. He planted it at that time.

After Yang Que's death, his student Qi Tongwen inherited his teacher's career and continued to run the school, but after Qi Tongwen died of illness, the academy was closed for a time.

It was not until Emperor Zhenzong bestowed a plaque on Qi Tongwen's son that he resumed teaching.

However, his son passed away two years ago, and now his grandson Qi Shunbin continues to manage the academy, but he is old and lacks energy.

Only then did Yan Shu decide to have Fan Zhongyan take charge of the academy.

Song Xuan and the other person listened to Zhang Fangping's explanation and continued walking forward until they arrived at the lecture location.

Fan Zhongyan and others were there registering the candidates and checking their information in an orderly manner.

Even though Fan Zhongyan was the "principal", he did everything himself.

The three of them lined up separately.

The scholar in front of Song Xuan didn't even raise his head and wrote quickly:
"Name?"

"Song Xuan."

"Place of origin?"

"From Lema Town, Ningling County, Yingtian Prefecture."

Just as Song Xuan was reporting his hometown, the scholar in front of him suddenly raised his head and began to look at Song Xuan.

Zheng Jian was very much looking forward to the student Song Xuan. What kind of magic did she have that made so many people look at her differently?

Now Zheng Jian saw Song Xuan's appearance.

Although he still looks childish, he has a handsome appearance and seems to be a good candidate to be an official.

Just this face alone makes people feel good about him.

It is a pity that Xiwen and others are quite protective of this boy.

But knowledge is knowledge, and there are many people who are all show and no substance.

But he was a little surprised that Song Xuan had the folding fan that was popular in the palace in his hand. This thing was not a popular item among ordinary students.

But Zheng Jian didn't say much. After looking at Song Xuan to get a rough impression of him, he continued to register.

He lost his father at a young age and studied with his former prodigy teacher Yang Yi. It was not until his teacher passed away two years ago that he returned to Wu to take part in the examination.

Song Xuan had never seen this young face before, but Zhang Fangping caught a glimpse of this scene and felt a little nervous.

He returned from here without having time to tell his twelfth brother about these things.

Because there was an outsider, Bao Zheng.

Who knows if he's a loudmouth.

After all, we just met, so it's taboo to talk too much.

Fortunately, everything went well. After everyone registered, they gathered outside the door again.

"Brother Bao, we are acquainted now. Let's have a meal together and prepare for the exam."

Bao Zheng immediately saluted and said, "Shi Er Lang, let's say goodbye now. I have to go find a place to stay."

(End of this chapter)