Roselle Peony

At dawn, Li Renyi and Zhang Songcai both returned. Their faces were flushed and embarrassed. They must have stayed overnight in a brothel last night.

When Zhao Liuyi woke up, except for an inexplicable swelling on the back of his head, he didn't remember anything about being drunk.

Lu Shangqiu breathed a sigh of relief, shook his head amusedly, and couldn't help but sigh for these crazy moves.

However, Zhao Liuyi did not forget what happened before he was drunk, he still owed a whole lot of debt to the brothel.On the second day, Zhao Liuyi hurriedly went to the brothel to exchange the banknotes for the bond, but was kicked out by the gatekeeper when he wanted to see Young Master Li.

From then on, Mr. Zhao stopped reading books, and often opened the window, staring at the west side in a daze.

The spring was cold and the wind was blowing, which made Li Renyi yell at him.

***

In the spring of the first year of Changshou, Empress Wu Zetian of the Great Zhou Dynasty came to the palace examination site in person, and called her son Baiguanshan long live.

The entourage is Liang Wang Wu Sansi, Ding Wang Wuyouji, Ding Wangfei Princess Taiping, Wei Wang Wu Chengsi and other martial arts family members.At that time, Emperor Ruizong Li Dan was imprisoned, and Zhongzong Li Xian was demoted to be King of Luling.Prime Minister Di Renjie was framed by Wu Chengsi and Lai Junchen for treason and sent to prison.The brothers of the Wu family are favored by the Holy Master, and they hold great power, so they are naturally majestic.

There are four examination rooms in Chunwei this time, all located in the Hanyuan Hall, the front hall of the Daming Palace.There were hundreds of candidates in each examination room, and Wu Yaya actually filled the Hanyuan Hall to the brim, which was very spectacular.The main examiners of each session are: Zha Shaoyu, the official censor, Zhou Xiaowu, a native of Fenggeshe, Junchen Zhongcheng, the censor, and Xu Wei, the official Zuo Jianyi.The number of deputy examiners.Zhao Liuyi and Li Renyi were in the first test room, Lu Shangqiu was in the second test room, and Zhang Song was assigned to the fourth test room.

The first question of the palace examination classics and history written examination: "On the advantages and disadvantages of the imperial examination system."

Many examinees have prepared this question in advance, so naturally all of them have a well-thought-out plan and draw their pens one after another.I saw that some of them were flying around and finished the drafts in their stomachs in one go; some of them carefully wrote the drafts in block letters;

Lu Shangqiu is naturally one of those people with a well-thought-out plan. I saw that he was not in a hurry, imitating Wang Xizhi's calligraphy style in the Han Dynasty, and writing in a calm manner.Zhou Xiaowu, the chief examiner, was patrolling the field and saw a scholar transcribing a paper in running script, so he couldn't help but stop and take a second look.Seeing that the scholar's scroll is neat and smooth, the lines between the lines are like flowing water, the whole article has a clear idea, the writing is well-founded, and it is calm, I can't help but praise it.

After the examination papers were handed in, there was a break at halftime, and candidates who cheated were kicked out of the examination room.The examinees breathed a sigh of relief. The first question is not difficult, and I hope the second question is not too difficult.

The second question of the written test: "On the merits and demerits of Emperor Taizong."

Seeing this question, many candidates were dumbfounded.How dare a country scholar dare to comment on the merits and demerits of the former emperor, not to mention that the former emperor is the first husband of the current emperor, if he accidentally writes something wrong, it will be a crime of beheading.

All over the field, some of the candidates shook their heads and looked left and right; some scratched their ears and scratched their cheeks, thinking hard;

Lu Shangqiu was secretly shocked when he saw the topic. One was surprised that the empress had the audacity to ask the students to comment on the imperial government. The other was Taizong Li Shimin's rule of Zhenguan.He recalled what Zha Ge said to him a few days ago, and decided to find another way, so he came up with an idea, thought for a while, then calmly picked up the pen, and swayed a line of clear lowercase letters on the paper.

"...Taizong cited the Sui Dynasty as a warning, open up the way of speaking, know people and use them well; follow advice like a stream, and the officials will be clear; rest and recuperate, improve the imperial examination; pacify the four barbarians, and the country will be peaceful. If the merits are too small, the career will not fall. You can emulate it. …If you fight against the outside world, you must first secure the inside. The barbarians in the western borders are not enough threats, so you can send people to make peace with them, so as to strengthen your career; Give a deterrent..."

The Zhenguan period was a rare enlightened and prosperous age in history, and Taizong Li Shiming was a rare hero in the world.During his reign, the Tang Dynasty had a vast territory, attracting countries from the East and the West to come to the DPRK.The only shortcoming is that in his later years, Taizong became more and more outspoken, and he was fond of fighting. Several western expeditions failed, and he wasted money.

Zhou Xiaowu passed by and saw that the scholar's writing was fast and clear, and his arguments were clear. He recounted Taizong's merits and remonstrances, and added his advice to this dynasty. He sighed again: "This is a talent that the Great Zhou can make."

After leaving the examination room, the four candidates met at the Danfeng Gate of Daming Palace.

"Brother Qiubai, you look good, you must be confident." Li Renyi said.

"Brother Renyi has a red face, he must have done well in the exam." Lu Shangqiu clasped his hands back.

"Where is it? It's just a compliment. Brother Zhang, how did you answer?" Li Renyi turned to Zhang Song.

"Don't mention it, I don't know what is wrong with Emperor Taizong, so I can only boast about it." Zhang Song shook his head.

"Brother Ziwu, what about you?" Li Renyi asked Zhao Liuyi, who had been depressed after leaving the examination room.

"I..." Zhao Liuyi hesitated.

"Come on, what did you write?" Li Renyi punched him on the shoulder.

"I—— handed in a blank paper." Zhao Liuyi had a generous expression on his face.

"No!" The three exclaimed together.

"Don't tell my father." Zhao Liuyi looked frustrated.

***

Everyone stayed in Chang'an for a few more days, waiting for the day when the list would be released.

In the early morning of this day, a group of people dressed in official uniforms suddenly poured into the inn in the south of the city, and the remote inn suddenly became lively.

Lu Shangqiu and his party heard the commotion and were about to open the door to ask what happened.

Hearing only one voice, "Help me!", I saw a few people in court uniforms walking towards the scholars.

Everyone recognized him as the eunuch in the palace, and knelt down one after another.

The envoy came forward: "Lu Shangqiu listens to the order!"

"The grass people are here."

The envoy said: "Lu Shangqiu, a Jinshi in Bingzhou, top five in the high school gold list, declares that you will enter the hall immediately to face the saint. Receive the order—"

"Thank you Lord Ron!"

Lu Shangqiu couldn't believe his ears for a moment.

"Congratulations, brother Qiubai!"

"Congratulations to Lu Jinshi Jinbang High School!"

After Lu Shangqiu accepted the order, the scholars and customers surrounded him.

Among the imperial examinations, Jinshi is the most difficult to obtain. Some scholars go to Beijing to rush for the exam every year, and they fail to pass the exam until they are gray-haired.Lu Shangqiu took the Jinshi exam for the first time, and he was No. 5 in high school, which was really unexpected.

The good news of the high school Jinshi made Lu Shangqiu dizzy. Seeing the crowd gathered around to congratulate him, he lost his words and didn't know how to answer.At this moment, he wished he could spread his wings and fly home, report the good news to his father and mother, and honor the ancestors of the Lu family. He also wished he could immediately get a pen and paper, and pass the good news to Brother Yuan, so that he would know that he lived up to his instructions. Finally able to stand out.

The envoy urged from the side: "Jinshi Lu, hurry up, our family is still waiting to go back and reply to the Lord."

Lu Shangqiu hastily cupped his hands and said: "Envoy, please appease your anger. I will clean up quickly and follow you to face the saint."

***

Lu Shangqiu and several other Jinshi were waiting outside the Zichen Hall.After a while, he was envoyed, and Xuan Jinke Jinshi entered the palace.

"Long live my emperor!"

After kowtowing and saluting, and giving up their praises, all the Jinshi looked up, and saw a dignified and beautiful woman in front of them: Fang Yi has a wide forehead, a dragon with raised eyebrows, a phoenix with long eyes, and a beautiful charm.

Wu Zhao was dressed in a dragon robe and sat upright in the hall.The eunuch who had just led several Jinshi into the palace stood on his left holding a whisk, and a beautiful young female official in red accompanied him on his right.

Several Xinke Jinshi originally thought that Tianzi was an old woman, but seeing her without any wrinkles, plump figure, charming eyes, and unparalleled beauty, they were fascinated by her.

The eunuch shouted: "Bold."

Wu Zhao waved his hand at the eunuch, signaling him to back down.She has always been very proud of others admiring, even obsessing with her own appearance.

At this time, the eunuch sang: "Doctor Cha is here, Zhou Sheren is here, Zhongcheng is here, Doctor Xu is here—"

I saw the chief examiners of each field filed in, and after meeting the emperor, they stood still in front of all the new scholars.

"Mr. Cha," Wu Zhao's vermilion lips parted lightly, "I heard that there is a shortage of your subordinates. I will hand over Yuan Shuji, the current number one scholar, to Mr. Zha, and ask Mr. Zha to cultivate talents for me."

Cha Shaoyu respected the decree and signaled the champion Yuan Shuji to come and stand beside him.

Wu Zhao gave such instructions again, and after a while, Zhou Sheren of Fengge stood next to Liu Shijin, the second in the list, and Dr. Xu, Minister of Shangshu, stood beside Tanghua Peng Sui and Jinshi Guo Zhen.

At this time, only Lu Shangqiu, a new Jinshi, was left in the middle of the hall.

Emperor Wu of the Great Zhou Dynasty looked at Lu Shangqiu, only to see that his two thighs were fighting and his scalp was numb.

"Jinshi Lu Shangqiu." The queen spoke slowly. "Do you know why you are standing here?"

Lu Shangqiu was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Wu Zhao blankly, and replied, "I don't know if I'm a slave."

"You are so brave!" the empress said angrily, "No one has ever dared to criticize the late emperor's mistakes in front of me."

Lu Shangqiu knelt down on the ground with a plop, only feeling "buzzing" in his ears.He was not at ease about his answer before, but now he is sure that his answer has violated the holy will and made a big mess. This time he must be finished, and his head may have to move.

"As a slave, I do nothing, talk wildly, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

The queen didn't speak, and let the Jinshi Lu Shangqiu knelt in front of her, fiddling with her nails.

The hall was so quiet that even the sound of a needle falling on the ground could be heard.

The Holy Majesty is notoriously moody, and it is not impossible to drag the new Jinshi out for the crime of disrespect and behead him.All the ministers were sweating for Lu Shangqiu.

After a long while, Wu Zhao left the dragon seat, supported by the red-clothed female official, and led to the new scholar Jinshi.

"Head up."

Lu Shangqiu raised his head, stared at the ground, his hands trembled, not daring to look at her.

"Look at me." Wu Zhao was dissatisfied and ordered.

He only felt that the back of his neck was not in control, and he raised his head after exerting a lot of strength, only to see the Queen's face was full of anger, and he was so frightened that he buried his head again.

Wu Zhao looked at Lu Shangqiu like a big cat playing with a little mouse.It wasn't until she was about to scare the tender new Jinshi to tears that the empress had had enough of playing, and accepted her prestige in satisfaction.

"However," she returned to her seat and sat down, Fang Xuxu said, "I think those suggestions of yours really won my heart."

"Woo—" Cha Shaoyu, who had recommended him, let out a long sigh of relief.

Lu Shangqiu felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders in an instant.

He finally got some strength, and quickly thanked the Lord Ron.

The female officer in red winked at Wu Zhao behind his back, stuck out her tongue, and smiled tactfully, very playfully.

Wu Zhao turned to Yushi Zhongcheng Lai Junchen: "Lai Xianqing, I heard that there is a shortage of supplementary records in your place? This person will be your subordinate."

"Obey my minister." Lai Zhongcheng took the order.

***

In the first year of Changshou, Wu Zhao hand-picked the champion of the imperial examination as Yuan Shuji from Cangzhou.Second place is Liu Shijin from Guangxi, Peng Sui from Tanhua Hunan, Guo Zhen from Weizhou in the top four, and Lu Shangqiu from Bingzhou in the top five.

Among them, Lu Shangqiu, a Wujia Jinshi, was granted the title of Yushitai Procuratorate Gishilang, the eighth rank, and took office at the Yushitai Pavilion outside the Xuanzheng Hall. After returning home to visit relatives for half a month, he took office in March.

Li Renyi, No. 60, was appointed as a government official and praised by Taichang Temple; Zhang Songming, No. 130 of Jingke, was named Sima of Bingzhou, and took office immediately; Zhao Liuyi was unnamed on the list.

A group of people returned home in fine clothes, but Zhao Liuyi was the only one who was downcast.

Alas, some families are happy and some are sad.

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Volume one finished

Note: The two prefectures refer to Chang'an Mansion in the capital city and Luoyang Mansion in the eastern capital

Volume [-] Beginning of Official Career