Oriole Line

Mind, all of a sudden there is no sound.The imperial examination was an opportunity that he never thought he would encounter in his lifetime.He was born in a poor family, and every step he took was extraordinarily difficult.In the past, he was both civil and military, surpassing the children of aristocratic families by a hundred times and a thousand times, but he had to rely on Qi Dai's favor to gain a foothold in Guangling Academy.Later, he left Guangling, and by chance, he became irreversible with Pu Chen, and became his personal guard, counselor, and... lover.However, everything he has depends on Pu Chen's power and status, without Pu Chen's appreciation, he is a nobody.If he takes the imperial examination, his talent will break through the world, become famous all over the world, and let everyone know his name.

But, Pu Chen... Wen Tao heard Pu Chen's attitude from his words.This is Zhou Yu's imperial examination. If he wins the imperial examination, he will become Zhou Yu's courtier. He no longer belongs to Pu Chen. It is impossible for Pu Chen to not care about this matter.

Wen Tao weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Between Pu Chen and proving himself, Pu Chen is more important. They are people who have experienced life and death together.Pu Chen has a heavy army in his hands. Although there are no foreign enemies around at the moment, the military affairs are heavy, and the five states in Jiangbei also have a lot of military affairs that need to be rearranged. Only when he is by his side can he help him better.Wen Tao sighed softly in his heart, but he didn't realize that the sigh in his heart turned into an inaudible breath, breathing on Pu Chen's vest.

"I won't take the imperial examination. I'm your chief registrar. I'll stay with you in Wuchang." Wen Tao's voice was as calm as ever.

Pu Chen didn't speak for a long time, he felt that Wen Tao's left hand on his chest was getting colder again, so he stretched out his hand to hold him.At this moment, he very much hoped that the person who opened the subject to obtain a scholar could be himself, so that he could watch Wen Tao happily enter the Hall of Divine Martial Arts, show off his talents in front of the scholars of the world, and watch him enter the cabinet Paying homage to the prime minister and leaving a name in history, it was not in vain for a person like him.However, after all, he would not covet Zhou Yu for such a reason. His father once told him that he should be responsible for every choice he made.At that time, since he chose to assist Zhou Yu to ascend the throne, he naturally had to bear all the consequences of this choice.He doesn't want to be a thief who steals the country, he only wants to be a pure minister.And being a pure minister has never been an easy task.

"If you really want to go, you might as well give it a try. Even if you enter the cabinet to pay respects, I can come to Luoyang to see you." In the darkness, Pu Chen's voice was very clear, even with a hint of feigned ease.

"Ah...ah?" Wen Tao didn't expect Pu Chen to say that, he froze in place, and the "ah" came out of his throat so naturally.

The "ah" somehow caught Pu Chen's smile, he turned over suddenly, just in time to catch Wen Tao's surprised expression that he didn't have time to put away.Wen Tao's facial features are very good-looking, but he has always been calm, and his facial features can't show [-]% of the vividness they should have.At this moment, Wen Tao's eyes widened and his lips parted slightly. His eyes were full of surprise and emotion. The shining brilliance reminded Pu Chen of the white rabbit lantern they hung beside the bed in Wuchang.Pu Chen laughed unconsciously, sweeping away the melancholy just now.He then thought that even if Wen Tao really passed the imperial examination and became an important minister of the Dingding court, he would still be his Taotao. At worst, he would make a few more trips to Luoyang. Even if he stayed in Luoyang, it would not be a big problem. The strong enemy of Yan is gone, and Wuchang's strategic position is not as important as before. The new line of defense should be moved northward. It will not be difficult to ask Zhou Yu for a favor and build the Da Sima Mansion in Luoyang.

The more Pu Chen thought about it, the more comfortable he became, and he laughed louder and louder unconsciously.Wen Tao's initial emotion has dissipated at the moment, and when he thinks of Pu Chen being rude and mocking to him tonight, he can't help but feel angry, and sees that he bumped Pu Chen hard with his knee when he was unprepared. place.Pu Chen exclaimed in pain, and said in a broken voice: "Taotao, you are murdering your own husband!"

"Hmph, who said you are my real husband?" Wen Tao was not to be outdone.The two fought back and forth on the couch for a while, and Pu Chen held Wen Tao's hand under the quilt, pretending to be yin and yang, and said: "The temple in Wuchang is too small to afford Taotao, the great Buddha. Go to the Shenwu Hall to glow and glow."

Wen Tao snorted softly: "Hey, I don't know if I can pass the exam yet, so don't flatter me."

Putting his head on his elbows, Pu Chen said to Wen Tao, "If you fail the exam, then your Majesty is blind."

Wen Tao covered Pu Chen's mouth: "Don't talk nonsense, this is the palace."

Pu Chen took Wen Tao into his arms with the other hand, and said softly: "I have long known the hills and valleys in your chest. The ancients said that if you are successful, you will benefit the world at the same time. Now the world is peaceful and prosperous. A talent like you should contribute to the court."

Wen Tao buried his head in Pu Chen's arms, and tapped it lightly.

At this year's New Year's banquet, Zhou Yu announced the long-prepared policy of selecting scholars through the imperial examination. As soon as this policy came out, the world shook.

The children of poor families in the world are all boiling.The world has suffered from aristocratic families for a long time, and how many talented people have no way to serve the country because of family status, so they can only rely on aristocratic families to have a bright future.They never thought that without relying on their family background or recommendation, they would also have the opportunity to enter the imperial court, open a course to obtain scholars, be fair and just, and treat everyone equally.All the people, no matter those who plan to take the imperial examination, or those who wait and see, are watching every move of the court, and they are waiting for the arrival of a new era.

Three months later, Wuchang.

The day of the imperial examination was on the first day of April, and Wen Tao set off from Wuchang ahead of schedule.Pu Chen had already prepared chariots and horses for him, and the accompanying chariot entourages were all his personal guards with high martial arts skills.

Wen Tao got up when he was in Mao, changed the long-sleeved shirt he usually wears, and changed into a narrow-sleeved plain suit that is convenient for traveling.At some point, Pu Chen walked behind Wen Tao, put his hands on Wen Tao's shoulders and asked him to sit down.He untied the cloth strips on Wen Tao's bun, and said with disgust: "Why are you also a person from my governor's mansion, how can you dress so shabby?"

Wen Tao explained: "I come from a poor family, so this is in line with my identity."

Pu Chen curled his lips, noncommittal, took out a brocade box calmly, opened it, it was a hair crown, hollowed out in silver, very delicate.Just as Wen Tao was about to speak, Pu Chen said, "Silver ones are not extravagant, so don't refuse."

Wen Tao saw that the hair crown was unique in shape and not too eye-catching, so he didn't object any more.Pu Chen took the opportunity to put it on for him, and Wen Tao noticed the hollow pattern on the side of the hair crown, which looks like flowers and plants at first glance, but it is actually the Chinese character "Pu" in big seal script.

Wen Tao was embarrassed for a while, and was about to take it down and said: "Hey, this... this is too ostentatious."

"What's the matter!" Pu Chen avoided Wen Tao's fingers trying to take off the hair crown, "This is a hollowed-out pattern, it's worn on your head, and you can't see it unless you look carefully."

"But it would be too embarrassing if people saw it." Wen Tao argued hard.

"Hmph, who dares to look carefully at your hair and crown?" Pu Chen sternly said, "My crown guards against those villains who covet you. If I were a gentleman, I wouldn't pay close attention to the clues on your crown." , if those people have ulterior motives, hmph, they will know that you are my Pu family, so don't think about it."

Without waiting for Wen Tao's reaction, Pu Chen helped him put on the hair crown, and reminded, "This hair crown must be worn every day."

Wen Tao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, looking at the silver hair crown in the bronze mirror, it was really suitable for him. After wearing it on his head, the hollowed-out "Pu" character was really not obvious, and he had to stare carefully to find it.He had to admit that although Pu Chen's move was a bit excessive, his words still made some sense, so he had no choice but to change the subject: "It's getting late, I should go."

Pu Chen hid the reluctance in his heart, and personally sent Wen Tao to the carriage.It wasn't until the shadow of the carriage completely disappeared from his vision that Pu Chen sighed deeply, and the loneliness in his eyes suddenly overflowed.

Tang Yu, who was following on the side, wondered: "The Patriarch is reluctant to leave Wen Tao, why didn't he just say it?"

Pu Chen rolled his eyes at him angrily and said, "Get lost."

87, 87.

Spring in March, Luoyang.

When Wen Tao arrived in Luoyang, it was March 3000rd, several days before the imperial examinations began.This year is the first time for the emperor to open a subject to select a scholar. The liberal arts are scheduled for the first day of April, and the martial arts are scheduled for the first day of June.The city of Luoyang was crowded with scholars from various prefectures. As long as the household registration and registration information were submitted to the Ministry of Officials one month in advance, they could participate in the imperial examination after being reviewed by the Ministry of Officials.It is said that there were more than [-] examinees who passed the review of the Ministry of Civil Affairs this time. The emperor specially set up the Luocheng Hall in the south of Luoyang Palace as an examination room. The Luocheng Hall is magnificent. It can accommodate [-] people.

When Wen Tao arrived in Luoyang, he settled down in Pufu.People from the Pu family have been taking care of the Pu Mansion all year round, and they have known for a long time that Wen Tao is coming, so they made an appropriate contact.Wen Tao was exhausted all the way, and he slept for two days as soon as he arrived at Pufu, feeling refreshed, but his belly was full of gluttons.The food in Pufu is not bad, but the food in Luoyang is even more tempting. Wen Tao thought that it would be better to treat himself before the exam if he came here once in a while.

He tidied up briefly, and only wore an ordinary light green long-sleeved gown. There was no decoration on his whole body, making it impossible to tell the depth.Wen Tao did his homework in advance and headed straight to the famous Guiyun Restaurant in Luoyang.Guiyun Restaurant is most famous for its roast goose. Their goose only selects the goose that has just grown up between three months and half a year, and the meat is fresh and tender.When cooking, it is first marinated with dense ingredients, then air-dried, and finally baked in a copper furnace that has been used for many years. The daily supply is limited to [-] pieces, and the supply is often in short supply.

It was just noon when Wen Tao arrived at Guiyun Restaurant, and there were already many diners sitting inside.