Records of the King of Xin'an County

At the beginning of November, all the candidates sent by the prefectures finally arrived in Chang'an, and submitted documents such as public examination and passing to the Ministry of Officials of Shangshu Province to verify their qualifications for the provincial examination.All of a sudden, there was an endless stream of people coming and going around Miyagi.Mandarin with local accents seems to be heard everywhere.

The territory of the Tang Dynasty is so vast, with a total of nearly 360 states, and the number of candidates sent by each state may vary from a few to more than ten or twenty.If calculated carefully, there are about 2000 people who are eligible to enter the provincial examination for Jinshi every year, and as many as [-] people.But in the end, there are only a dozen or twenty people who can get the title—it is not an exaggeration to describe it as "one out of a hundred".

Of course, in addition to Jinshi, there are Mingjing, Mingfa, Mingshu and other tribute subjects. It is easier to get more scholars and enter the official career.However, it is also because it is extremely difficult to stand out from the crowd in the Jinshi department. Occasionally, a first-class leader can be famous all over the world.As a result, countless well-educated people took the exam year after year, hoping to become famous.

However, the Jinshi Kegong Examination is by no means one that can be passed only by talent and learning, and the recommendation of dignitaries is needed to increase the chance of winning.In every street and alley in Chang'an City, there seem to be more literati running around.For their own future, they are almost distributing texts widely, constantly going to the mansions of those high-ranking officials who are third-rank uniforms to deliver them, or trying to find ways to get close to the clan and nobles.Only when they are appreciated by one of them can they continue to study with peace of mind.

I don't know when it started, the news that a Guozijian student named Wang Zixian was recommended by many dignitaries gradually spread.It is said that not only many academic officials in the Imperial College spoke well of him, but even Yang Shijing, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, specially sent a post to Wai Lang, an examiner of the Ministry of Officials.In addition, he was recommended by all the royal families - King Xin'an, King Tianshui, King Siyue, and even Princess Changning.

Why is this person favored by so many dignitaries?What is his origin?from where?All of a sudden, all kinds of rumors became more and more numerous and spread uproariously.And this Prince Xian, who was previously unknown in Chang'an City, has almost become a well-known person.

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Li Huixuan sat in the corner, listening to the high-spirited discussions around him with some carelessness.He has never had any interest in this kind of literary meeting that seems to show off his talents, and he feels that even if he comes, it is just a waste of time.However, Du Chongfeng personally came to Prince Pu's Mansion and sent him a post, implying that his trip must be worthwhile, which really aroused his curiosity.But now, the Wenhui has only just started, and he is already a little bored.

Just as he finished drinking a glass of buttermilk and was about to change to a quieter place, Du Zhongfeng, who was wearing a green shirt and a silk cloak, walked over gracefully.His clothes were very similar to those of countless humble scholars, and he could not see the arrogance of the top aristocrats at all, but his demeanor carried an aura that ordinary people could not imitate, which was enough to make all passers-by look sideways.If it weren't for his being too young, he really didn't look like a candidate for the provincial exam, I'm afraid many people would not let go of the opportunity to make friends with him.

"I was supposed to go out to meet the king earlier, but I was caught in a hurry when I arrived. It's all wrong." Du Shishilang apologized and poured tea to each other, "Please don't blame the king."

"It was Zimu who welcomed me in, and the etiquette is very considerate, Du Lang-jun doesn't need to apologize." Li Hui raised his eyebrows and smiled, "However, I'm only here for the 'interesting thing' you mentioned earlier, as for the rest, I Not interested. It would be great if you could clear up my doubts earlier."

Du Chongfeng gently pushed the teacup in front of him, and with the fragrance of the tea, he smiled slightly: "Speaking of which, this matter is actually not an 'interesting thing'. It's just that I believe that the king will be interested. By the way, Wang Mr. Lang is also here today, and he is asking Senior Brother Yang for advice on the matter, would your majesty want to listen to it?"

"No matter who it is, when it comes to policy theory and poetry, it's very boring." Li Hui narrowed his eyes, the emotion in them was faint, but the smile on his lips was as gentle and amiable as ever.

He slowly picked up the cup of tea, took a sip, and praised: "The lingering fragrance is lingering, good tea." After finishing speaking, he looked around at the noisy people around him, and said: "In my eyes, Du Langjun has never been nothing. People who play tricks on mysteries. If there is something serious, why don't we find a clean place and talk about it?"

Du Chongfeng followed his gaze, shook his head and said, "This is the most suitable place." Then, he pondered for a moment, and said, "I don't know if Your Majesty has heard that the rumors in the Beijing and Chinese people have become more and more complicated recently? It seems that More than one person is behind the scenes, but the target is only one person—Wang Langjun."

"I'm not a scribe, so of course I haven't heard any new news. I don't know what kind of rumors Du Langjun is referring to?" Li Hui's face darkened.The rumors among literati, Wang Zixian, who was invited to participate in literary and poetry meetings everywhere, must know the most clearly.However, he didn't say a word these days, what is he hiding?

He was about to ask in detail, when he heard someone not far away angrily say: "If he is really a talented person, why didn't he have any literary name in Chang'an before? He has been recommended by so many high-ranking officials for no reason. Is there any other reason!"

Several people agreed one after another, and another person said: "You may wish to think about it carefully, what is this person's surname——surnamed 'Wang'. The mother of the King of Yue, Wang Taifei, and Princess Yue are both from the Wang family of Qi County. If they are the sons of the Wang family of Qi County, they will get a group of The recommendation of the clan king is not surprising. As for Guozijian Jijiu and Yang Shangshu, perhaps it is because of King Yue's face that he spoke well for him. In this way, His Highness King Yue really has a great face."

"Even in the face of the king of Yue, it is impossible to blatantly discredit Yang Zhuantou? Haven't you heard that the Guozijian Jijiu actually thinks that he is better than Yang Zhuantou, and he will definitely win the first place in this provincial examination. Head! It’s still early in the provincial examination, so he has spread such a reputation. If he is not the number one, or even has never been the number one, it will be a good show!”

"Tsk, you are really confused! With such a reputation spread, and so many people recommending it, if the merit tester Wailang doesn't give him a first-class title, wouldn't he offend those dignitaries for no reason? It's just a merit tester. Wailang, how can we stand up to the reproaches of several clan kings?"

"What?! You mean, this first-class head is destined to fall on the body of some prince?!"

"Hey, you forgot? Princess Changning also recommended him, could it be..."

"Princess Changning has already been betrothed to Duke Cheng's mansion, how can she descend to the Wang family of Qi County?"

"Hasn't the sixth rites not yet passed? As long as your lord is willing, what can't be done? I heard that the prince sacrificed his life well... I think it's just an embroidered pillow, which looks useless. In order to pave the way for the lord, I took the armor The reputation of No. [-] is just a decoration for myself."

In a blink of an eye, the resentful young scholars were divided into two groups: one group speculated in every possible way that the provincial examination had already decided the top candidate, which was obviously a fraud.I can only hate these high-ranking officials and dignitaries who are so powerful and cover the sky with their hands. These humble scholars have nowhere to ask.The other faction tacitly and wantonly speculated about the relationship between Princess Changning or other clan kings and Prince Xian, and many unbearable remarks were mixed in it.

Hearing these nonsense, the anger in Li Hui's heart almost ignited suddenly.But in the blink of an eye, he thought of the ulterior motives of the people behind the rumors: This is obviously a blatant killing!By publicizing Zixian's talent and the appreciation he received, he deliberately aroused the jealousy and doubts of all young scholars! !The more Zixian's reputation spread in Chang'an, the more people doubted him. Even if he really won the first rank, other people must think that this "first rank" came from a wrong way!

If you lose your good reputation, not to mention getting promoted in the future, even entering an official career will be a bit dangerous!In case someone sued this tribute for cheating and the censor took advantage of the issue, Zi Xian, as the person who attracted doubts, no matter how innocent he was, he could easily become a sacrifice to quell the matter!

In order to completely destroy him, he did not hesitate to build momentum and kill him!What a vicious thought! !

Although I know very well in my heart that at this moment, it is not appropriate to make this matter a big deal, but I should try my best to show Zixian's talent in order to calm the doubts of these scholars.However, as an elder brother, as a life-and-death friend, Li Hui felt that he could bear it no longer—he suddenly threw the teacup in his hand, and slammed it on the group of young people who were discussing unbelievable guesses in low voices. Among the scholars.

The warm tea splashed, and the shattered tiles brushed against the cheeks of several people.The group of people was in an uproar for a while, dodging around in a panic.Some people couldn't dodge, bloodstains fell on their faces, and they were suddenly furious, and they waved their fists and wanted to rush over: "Bastard, what are you crazy about?! Could it be that you are that shameful prince?!" Teacups, cups and saucers, pens, inks, papers and inkstones must be smashed.

Faced with such a chaotic scene, Li Hui was extremely calm against an enemy several times his size.He snorted softly: "'Bastards'? Du Shishilang, do you remember what the sixth of the ten deadliest crimes refers to?"

Du Chongfeng was startled. He was about to stop him just now, but it was too late. He could only watch the matter unfold completely. He will lose his composure in public, but will calmly draw it slowly.Could it be that his guess was wrong?

Although many thoughts turned in his mind, he still quickly recovered his senses, stood in front of Li Hui without a trace, and replied calmly: "The sixth of ten rebellions is the crime of disrespect. Objects, taking Yufu imperial things; stealing and forging imperial treasures; reconciling imperial medicines, it is not as good as our own recipes and sealing titles; It is a courtesy to defend the system, but not to be a minister."

"Insulting the orphan as a 'beast', insulting the orphan's parents, and even the ancestors, can it be called a courtesy of a man and minister? Beating the orphan with the intention of hurting the orphan, can it be called 'respect'?" Li Hui said indifferently. asked.

"Returning to Your Majesty, this is indeed 'big disrespect', and should be punished for the crime." Du Chongfeng continued in a very tacit understanding.

Of course, both of them understood that the Ten Deadly Crimes could never be so easily convicted.A word of insult, some teacups and saucers thrown over, can only make these scholars exile for a few years at most, and completely cut off their way of becoming an official.However, if the purpose is to scare chickens and monkeys, and not to teach those unbearable rumors to continue to spread, this is enough.

When the self-proclaimed "Gu" came out, and the title of "Great King" was added, all the scholars around who were still extremely angry just now were dumbfounded.Who would know that in the corner of the Wenhui, there is actually a nobleman from the Tian family sitting? !He listened to all their slanderous words? !However, the tea cups and saucers and the Four Treasures of the Study that had been thrown out could not be taken back. Not only did they splash Du Chongfeng all over his body, and his forehead turned blue, Li Hui was not spared either.

For a while, there was silence in this corner.The noise and chaos just now dissipated without a trace like a dream.

But at this time, Yang Qian, who heard the news, hurried over with a group of master brothers and guests Zheng Qin, Wang Zixian and others: "What happened?" There has never been such chaos in the Yang family's literary club. , the displeasure in Yang Zhuangtou's words can be understood as soon as you hear it.