Records of the King of Xin'an County

Perhaps because of all kinds of inexplicable rumors, the number of young scholars visiting the Vineyard suddenly increased at some point.There are almost an endless stream of those who come alone and those who come with them.The threshold of the Fuji Garden was almost leveled by them, and there were all kinds of Mandarin with local accents, and there were chatter and laughter inside and out.

At the beginning, Mr. Song entertained them with great interest, and even held a few small essay meetings for them temporarily.He also specially invited his group of old friends to comment on the poems and songs written by these scholars, and point out their doubts in understanding the meaning of the scriptures and making strategies.Their comments spread quickly, and the subtleties need not be said too much. They won the praise of many scholars, and they seemed to be the rise of another group of celebrities in Beijing.

However, when Mr. Song realized that the purpose of many people's visits was not to make friends with literature, but to meet the Prince of Xin'an by meeting the prince, he immediately closed the door to thank the guests.After all, he is different from the well-known Mr. Zhou Jiyan. Although he often said that he would be famous in Chang'an with the prince's dedication, he actually disliked these opportunistic and fame-seeking actions, and he didn't like being used by others.

"I thought they really came here to answer questions, but I didn't want to—" Mr. Song couldn't hide his annoyance as long as he thought of his frank treatment these days, "I still feel sorry for them coming all the way to Chang'an to take the exam. , It is very difficult to get the posts of those good literature clubs, and they can’t find the right person to ask for advice when they have doubts. Unexpectedly, they only stare at the Xin’an County King! Only people who can speak well for them in front of the examiner Wailang! !"

He was extremely angry, while the rest of the hermits were much calmer, obviously they had already gotten used to it.This one said: "I still find it strange that so many people come to visit you all of a sudden. So it makes sense." Another said: "We don't have a good reputation in Beijing, so we can make these people come to visit you." Naturally, the scribes came here not because of you masters and apprentices, but because the place where you live is King Pu's other courtyard."

"The old man admits that our master and apprentice are indeed unknown people. But when these people came here, they seemed to know us quite well." Mr. Song frowned, "Some people really came for fame and fortune, and some People seem to be very interested in Zixian and want to make friends with him. This is strange, when did Zixian's reputation spread?"

This group of people are all hermits, and they only focus on learning behind closed doors on weekdays. All kinds of news have always been lagging behind, and no one has ever heard any rumors.Therefore, the gentlemen immediately ordered their disciples to go out to find out what kind of rumors are being spread by the scholars in Chang'an City.

"Speaking carefully, we can't blame them for chasing fame and fortune." Mr. Song seemed to have thought of something, and sighed suddenly, "there is only one examiner in the provincial examination, and he is a low-ranking official examiner named Wailang. If you can get Appreciation from high-ranking officials and aristocrats, strong recommendation in front of the examiner, maybe there will be a turning point. The more famous the examiner is, the more cautious the examiner is when reviewing the papers, and the less he dares to offend many admirers of this person. County examinations, government examinations, all do the same , the provincial exam is no exception. Since everyone behaves like this, if they don't follow the trend, they will most likely fail."

Nowadays, the selection of officials is based on a system of tribute examinations layer by layer, relying on the imperial examination to identify talents, so that the vast number of insightful people, regardless of their high and low families, will take the initiative to enter the official career.But in the final analysis, the influence of aristocratic families and aristocratic clans is still there, and there are still some legacy of investigation.Being recommended by noble people will affect the examiner's judgment to some extent, and it is easier to get a good evaluation.

Even if it is Wang Zixian, it is impossible to refuse the kindness of Xin'an County King's nomination for him, let alone the academic officials of the Imperial College who speak well of him in front of the official examiner Wailang.He has outstanding talent and learning, handsome appearance like Zhilan Yushu, and his background as a descendant of Langya Wang's family, these are all the strengths he possesses.Similarly, being appreciated is also his strength.The higher the strength, the more you get, which is reasonable.

At this time, another old gentleman asked: "Where is your disciple? Why haven't you seen him for the past two days?"

Mr. Song stroked his long beard and said: "He accepts many postings from literary and poetry meetings every day, and some of them are really hard to refuse, so he goes to the literary meeting. Speaking of which, he is busier than the old man these days Some, disappearing all day..." Complaining in his mouth, but his face did not hide his complacency, it was really speechless.

The old gentlemen who have endured him for many years simply couldn't bear it any longer, and rolled up their sleeves one after another: "Hmph, you have been only focusing on showing off your disciples all these years, have you forgotten yourself?! Did you forget about yourself today? Thank you behind closed doors? It’s just right, let’s compare each other, one by one! No matter what you want to compare, we will accompany you!”

Mr. Song was startled, and then raised his jaw confidently: "Okay! What do you want to compare? Come one by one!"

At the same time, Wang Zixian was sitting among a group of scribes, calmly talking about his experience in the past two or three years.He has traveled to many places, and when he mentions a few words, the scholar sent by the state government takes the words in surprise and joy.After the two talked, everyone around listened with gusto.Not long after, the people around him start to look at him with admiration—not to mention his talent and character, but in terms of his extensive knowledge, those who are decades older than him are not as good as him.

However, this group of people is just a corner of this literary meeting.More scribes still gathered around Yang Qian Yang Zhuantou who was not far away, listening to his talk with fascination, cheering from time to time.Some people even brought good wine, and every time they heard something happy, they toasted and drank freely, feeling very comfortable.

In fact, Wang Zixian did not expect that he could meet Yang Qian and his juniors in the literary meeting held by Zheng Qin and Mr. Zheng Lang.He didn't intend to avoid Yang Qian and others, but he decided to take a step back after hearing the rumors in Beijing.In order not to be used by others, Yang Qian would be displeased for no reason, prompting him to take the initiative to attack.

When he had not yet obtained the first rank, all these praises and reputations were vain, and naturally they could not compare to a real first rank.And he had no intention of stepping on Yang Qian's reputation to pave the way for himself at such a time.

Even if he intends to deal with Yang Qian, it's still too early.It's just that I don't know, what are the plans of the people who are secretly fueling the flames?He is just an unknown person, if he is pushed out to arouse Yang Qian's anger, the worst outcome is that he will be wiped out, and Yang Qian will probably no longer have the image of the handsome young man he used to be.

Oh, who can profit from it?

Wang Zixian's eyes fell on Zheng Qin who was walking here with a smile.After this Mr. Zheng got the middle-shaped head, his demeanor seemed to be much gentler than before. The vague sense of sharpness in the past disappeared without a trace, and he seemed to be more sophisticated in the world.Back then, because of Yang Qian's popularity, he retreated year after year, and only then did he regain his confidence to win the championship.However, the same champion, Jia Di and Yi Di are not the same, he is still firmly suppressed by Yang Qian.

Perhaps, it is this kind of jealousy and unwillingness year after year, day after day, that changes a person.How interesting is it that the person who accused Yang Qian of hypocrisy frankly in the past has become the same hypocritical person now?

Speaking carefully, Wang Zixian is actually not willing to speculate that these rumors are all promoted by Zheng Qin.However, thinking of Zheng Qin's words and demeanor in recent days - not even mentioning that he and Yang Qian have long since put aside old grievances and made friends, and tactfully and proactively conveyed these rumors and temptations to him; taking advantage of this time Holding a literary meeting, and quietly inviting him and Yang Qian over, as if expecting them to have a conflict in the literary meeting - all these things made him think a little more.

Does Yang Qian know that these rumors are all written by Zheng Qin?If he is aware of it, but still comes to this literary meeting, what is his intention?If he didn't know it and gave Zheng Qin as the master such face, how would he feel when he learned the truth in the future?Gee, that seems interesting too.

"Zixian, I haven't seen you for a few years, but I still look as good as before." Zheng Qin walked up to him, looked around the crowd with a smile on his face, "A certain Zheng Qin and Zheng Mianzhi have met all of you." Xu was born in the Zheng family of Xingyang, when he announced his name, He still has a somewhat reserved look, but it is not offensive.

"Why does Zheng Zhuangtou need to be so courteous? A certain class is just a white body, how can I afford it?" Wang Zixian smiled and returned the salute with his hands crossed.

When all the scribes heard him mention Zheng Qin's name, they immediately saluted and said hello.In any case, the other party is both the host and the chief, even if he was a little negligent just now, he only cared about entertaining Yang Qian and his brother Yang Zhuangtou, and neglected other guests, it is understandable.What's more, they are all candidates who intend to be promoted. In the future, the young leader will be a senior in the officialdom and a student of a high school. Naturally, he should make friends with each other.

After greeting each other, Zheng Qinfang sat cross-legged next to Wang Zixian: "I just saw you talking very freely from a distance, what interesting things are you talking about?"

"It's just talking about some travel experiences." Wang Zixian replied with a smile, "If Zheng Zhuangtou is interested, why not tell us about it?"

"The place where I live is nothing more than Xingyang and Chang'an. In terms of knowledge, it is really not as good as offering it to you." Zheng Qin paused lightly before replying.Since he was a child, he has been aiming to be the top student in the Jinshi department. After he got a famous teacher, he studied hard day and night. How did he have any free time to travel around?

Therefore, Wang Zixian changed the subject and asked Zheng Qin for advice on strategies, poems and prose, as well as the experience of provincial examinations and so on.Zheng Qin is quite proficient in this way, and he naturally eloquently, it seems that he almost taught him everything, and soon won the favor of the scribes around him.Everyone gathered around him, all their eyes were on him, and their topics were all around him, and Wang Zixian was just one of them.This situation is enough to make the smile on the corner of his mouth deeper.

Not long after, Wang Zimu came quietly and said in a low voice, "Brother, Senior Brother Yang wants to see you..."

Yang Zhuantou's invitation naturally had to go.Wang Zixian then confessed to Zheng Qin: "I will go see Brother Yang, and come back later to listen to Brother Zheng's advice."

Hearing this, Zheng Qin's face became more concerned: "If brother Yang has any misunderstandings, you can send someone to call me, and I will explain to him for you."

"It's just false rumors. Brother Yang, what can you misunderstand? Brother Zheng, don't worry." Wang Zixian said with a smile, cupped his hands, and left with Wang Zimu.And Zheng Qin glanced at the backs of the two brothers, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.