Chapter 150 Donghua Gate Roll Call

The fifteen-year-old Huiyuan was a rare person even in the Song Dynasty when literary style was at its peak. On the day when the results were released, all the nobles in Bianjing City learned the news, and the Dongchang Marquis Mansion also became extremely lively, with people coming to congratulate him. There was an endless stream of people coming to watch the fun.

Qin Junye was really happy and immediately ordered his servants to hold a feast. Qin Liu was also busy greeting the noble family members. This was also the most proud day for her in these years. Those top noble family members who had dismissed her before were now Not to mention the politeness in her eyes, not to mention the envy in her eyes, I couldn't even hide it.

Because there were so many people, Qin Liu couldn't greet them by herself, so she even invited Xiao Qin to help.

Xiao Qin was also happy to be like this, and it made sense logically. Qin Hao was her nephew after all. However, with such a comparison, her biological son Gu Tingwei was a little confused.

Sure enough, other people's sons have never let me down!

Dongchang Hou Mansion held a flowing banquet for three days in a row, and there was an endless stream of guests. Qin Junye basically went to bed drunk, woke up, and continued drinking by entertaining the guests. In other words, there was no distilled wine in the Song Dynasty, and the alcohol content was relatively high. Low, otherwise he will get alcohol poisoning sooner or later if he drinks like this.

Qin Hao is not idle either, he has become a mascot-like existence. As long as those nobles come with their children, the boys will have contact with him, saying that they are infected with a bit of culture, while the girls will look at him from afar, probably Also trying to figure him out.

The key is that there are many seven or eight-year-old girls among them, who are still the same age as Xiao Douding. Should he say that the ancients matured too early?

After the three-day flowing banquet, Qin Hao saw that this situation could not continue, so he quickly stopped the activity on the grounds that he had to prepare for the palace examination, and ran to the Sheng Family Academy to hide.

In fact, Sheng Changbai's experience in the past three days was similar to Qin Hao's. The only difference was that the people who came to Sheng's house to congratulate him were all literati, and Sheng Hong's colleagues also had classmates from this class.

"Yuan Ruo seems to have failed the exam too." Sheng Changbai suddenly said regretfully.

Qin Hao had already guessed this news. According to the usual relationship between the Qin Liu family and Princess Pingning, this time Qin Hao's high school reunion, Princess Pingning just sent the steward to give a gift. She and Duke Qi both If he didn't arrive, it was obvious that Qi Heng failed the exam and was not in the mood to come.

Qin Hao could only shake his head secretly. It seemed that Qi Heng and Minglan were not destined to be together, but to be honest, with the character of Princess Pingning, Minglan would have to suffer a lot if she married her.

The time of the palace examination is not fixed, it mainly depends on when the emperor is free. Qin Hao and Sheng Changbai waited until April before being notified of the exact time of the palace examination.

On the 10th day of the fourth lunar month, a total of more than two hundred "tribute men" entered the imperial city, waiting for the most important exam in their lives.

Qin Hao stood at the front of the team, which was also a preferential treatment as a "Hui Yuan".

There are young people and gray-haired old people in the team, but this phenomenon is not uncommon. Thirty-year-old Mingjing scholars and fifty-year-old Jinshi scholars.

The Jinshi subject, which is held every three years, only admits 200 to 300 people per session. For a population of more than 120 million in the Song Dynasty, the admission rate was really pitifully low.

The students started from the Mongolian School and went through the county examination, the government examination, the college examination, the township examination, and the general examination. Finally, they had the opportunity to interview the emperor in this palace. After taking this step, they truly entered the class of scholar-bureaucrats.

The emperor of the Song Dynasty and the scholar-bureaucrats were not just talking about sharing the world. Nowadays, officials will be asked to make decisions in the main hall, even if they adopt a clan to inherit the throne. If an official wants to get away with it, he will be grabbed by the sleeves and refused to let go. If he left, if it were Zhu Yuanzhang, no one in the civil and military dynasty would survive.

After standing and waiting for a long time, a eunuch came to lead them into Jiying Hall.

"I will bow to your Majesty."

After becoming a tribute scholar, you are qualified to call yourself a minister. Otherwise, people without official positions can only be called common people when they meet the emperor.

"You are all the pillars of the country. There is no need to be polite. Just be on your own."

Qin Hao stood up and had the opportunity to see clearly the appearance of today's official family. He was a somewhat wealthy old man with a smile on his face and a very kind look.

The official also noticed Qin Hao and said with great interest: "Are you Xinke Huiyuan?"

Qin Hao bowed respectfully: "Back to the official's house, that's right."

The officials looked Qin Hao up and down and saw that although he was young, he had a slender figure and handsome features. He was not as thin as other scholars. He had a heroic spirit about him and his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, so he couldn't help but feel good about him.

"I've read your essay on horse politics. Although it has flaws, it still has some insights. Well, it's very good."

The other "tribute scholars" all looked at Qin Hao with envy. Each term had a Hui Yuan, but there were only a few who could enter the official family's eyes. Based on this alone, no matter what Qin Hao's ranking in the palace examination was, it would not matter. It’s a waste of time.

Afterwards, Qin Hao and others took their seats, and the examination questions were handed out. There was only one test item in the palace examination, and that was strategy.

Also called "Cewen".

Qin Hao was not in a hurry to answer, but began to examine the questions.

This topic is exactly the same as Ma Zheng's topic, both are a little biased. The central idea is: the Song Dynasty is now short of money, what should be done to solve the problem of "money shortage".

The other "gongshi" in Jiying Hall were all confused when they saw this question. This question was even more difficult to answer than Ma Zheng's previous question.

The reason is also very simple. These "question writers" who have determined to become scholar-bureaucrats since childhood either come from poor families and have never had much exposure to money since they were young. Have you ever been exposed to such issues in economics?

Qin Hao thought for a moment and began to write quickly.

In fact, the "money shortage" in the Song Dynasty was attributed to two problems. One was that foreign trade was too developed, and the other was that copper mine output was too low.

The Song Dynasty was a feudal society with unprecedented commercial development. From the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Ming Dynasty, no dynasty had ever reached such a level of prosperity.

The benefits brought by developed commerce are obvious. According to later generations, the Song Dynasty had a trade surplus with all trading countries. The porcelain, silk, cloth and other commodities of the Song Dynasty were sold overseas, bringing a large number of employment opportunities to the country. Many Even if ordinary people do not have farmland, they can still find work in workshops and survive.

But similarly, as a country with a trade surplus, the economy and culture of the Song Dynasty were particularly developed, and other countries did not have strong economic systems of their own. Although the Liao Kingdom had always pinned the Song Dynasty to the ground militarily, it was highly dependent on it economically. Song.

Even for a long time after the establishment of the Liao State, the Liao Kingdom did not have its own currency, and could only barter or use cloth as transaction currency. At this time, the coinage technology of the Song Dynasty was already very developed, and a large number of Song coins were The outflow caused the Liao Kingdom to have Song money used more frequently among the Liao people for a long time than the Liao Kingdom's own currency, and its value was also higher.

This is true for military powers like the Liao State, and even more so for the small countries in surrounding Southeast Asia and the Western Regions. Song money has also become their actual transaction currency.

This caused a phenomenon. The Song Dynasty continued to mint coins, but there were not enough.

There is also a phenomenon that it is common for people to hide money. Many wealthy families will hide copper coins in the cellar. Sometimes the rope stringing the money in the cellar becomes moldy and broken, so they can only take it out, clean it, and then dry it in the sun. , then tie it up with the rope again and hide it in the cellar again.

There are also some unscrupulous merchants who melt copper coins and cast them into copperware to make profits.

Generally speaking, this is an economic problem. Administrative orders cannot solve this problem. In fact, the Song Dynasty has long banned the melting and casting of copper coins and copper utensils. Unfortunately, as long as there is profit, some people will take desperate risks.

There are two solutions that Qin Hao comes up with. One is to increase the proportion of silver payment among the private sector. Silver is scarcer than copper, but there are a large number of silver mines in Fuso. A smelting factory can be built in Fuso, refined, cast and then shipped back to the country.

The other is to improve the casting technology of copper coins. While not affecting the appearance and durability of copper coins, it can reduce the proportion of copper used in copper coins, thereby increasing the proportion of other elemental metals such as iron, lead, and tin.

The proportion of copper in the copper coins of the Song Dynasty was as high as 62% to 68%. As long as the proportion of copper is reduced by 5%, most of the profit-making behavior of smelting copper coins and using them to cast copper vessels can be suppressed. After all, the smelting itself will cause losses. Once it is gone, Profits, naturally no one will take advantage of them.

After writing more than a thousand words eloquently, Qin Hao stopped writing, checked it again, and then handed in the paper.

At this time, the other "tribute scholars" in Jiying Hall were still immersed in thinking. When they discovered that Qin Hao had actually handed in the paper in advance, they all looked at him with incomprehensible eyes.

The princes and officials were a little bored waiting, but when they saw someone handing in papers, they suddenly became interested.

Naturally, the paper still had to be read by the official first. The official took Qin Hao's paper and started reading it silently.

Originally, the official did not care. This problem had actually existed since the establishment of the Song Dynasty. He did not expect to find a solution to the problem among these "tribute scholars" who had no experience in governing.

I just wanted to test how much these "tribute scholars" knew about the Song Dynasty.

However, Qin Hao's answer sheet gave him a big surprise.

While staring at the paper, the official waved to Mr. Han: "Mr. Han, come here and take a look."

Mr. Han didn't care at first. He just thought Qin Hao's article was well written and agreed with the official's wishes.

However, when he read Qin Hao's analysis of the lack of copper coins in the Song Dynasty in the opening chapter, he was immediately caught up in it. How could he, as the Grand Prime Minister, not know these reasons? How could a "tribute scholar" who had never been in power know?

Looking further, the two solutions given by Qin Hao also surprised Mr. Han. Although the second method of improving coinage technology is a bit difficult to operate, the first one is indeed feasible. As a vassal state of the Song Dynasty, Fusang allowed them to Donating the silver mine doesn’t seem like too much of a request, right? The worst thing is to give them some benefits.

The official asked in a low voice: "What do you think, Mr. Han?"

Mr. Han understood that what the officials were asking was not how well the article was written, but whether Qin Hao's two plans had executable value.

"Back to the official family, there are indeed many silver mines in Fusang. If a smelting workshop is built in Fusang, the cost of silver casting can be greatly reduced. Transporting the silver back to the country can alleviate the money shortage to a certain extent." Mr. Han answered respectfully.

The official frowned slightly: "What about Article 2? Can't the coinage law be improved?"

Grand Prime Minister Han shook his head and said: "Do the officials still remember the coin reform implemented during the late emperor's period? Because the proportion of copper in the final mint was too low, not only did it have poor circulation, but it was also heavily counterfeited by the people. This method needs to be done step by step and cannot be rushed. .”

The officials knew that what Mr. Han Daxiangong said was true. He had spent a lot of effort cleaning up the mess left by his father, but he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when he heard this. As an emperor, he didn't want to solve the problem.

While the two were discussing, the other ministers also gathered around. This was the Song Dynasty, and no other dynasty would have been so casual.

The officials did not blame him and directly circulated Qin Hao's article to them. Several husbands nodded frequently after reading it.

At this time, "Gongshi" began to submit papers one after another. However, after reading Qin Hao's paper, the answers of other "Gongshi" seemed too immature, let alone practical solutions, even " I don’t know where the problem of “money shortage” lies.

However, as there were too many "tributes" who handed in the papers, the ministers did not check them one by one and had them all sealed up.

According to the rules of the palace examination, the entire examination process will last for one day, and the final submission time will be until sunset. The examination will begin on the next day, and will be handed over to the emperor for ranking, and the results will be officially released on the next day.

Qin Hao waited for Sheng Changbai to hand in his papers, and then left together. Anyway, the palace examination did not stipulate that it was like the general examination. He could not go home until the gate of Gongyuan opened. It would be boring to sit there all day.

After leaving the palace, Sheng Changbai sighed: "Today's question is really weird, I'm afraid I won't get a good ranking."

Qin Hao smiled and said comfortingly: "Don't worry, I think it's strange, and no one else can answer it."

In essence, the imperial examination is actually a elimination game. If you are unlucky and encounter the imperial examination in the second year of Renzong Jiayou, you will be in the same class as Su Shi, Zeng Gong, Su Che, Zhang Dun, Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao and other outstanding people. I can only be a second-class person.

Sheng Changbai asked Qin Hao again what his answer was. Qin Hao didn't hide anything and just stated his point of view.

"Zihan really has a unique vision, but I didn't expect this." Sheng Changbai sighed in admiration.

After a tiring day, Qin Hao and Sheng Changbai each got into their own carriages and went back home to rest.

Two more days passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, an unpretentious wall outside Donghua Gate attracted countless people to watch.

This time, there were more people than there were to try. The roll-call drama outside Donghua Gate was only held once every three years. Both the traffickers and the noble merchants were very concerned about it.

In order to maintain the continuity of the scene, there were many officers and soldiers holding hands nearby to prevent anyone from disturbing this sacred moment.

Qin Hao was not at Donghua Gate at this time, but at Jiying Palace, where the palace examination was held two days ago. There were only three people with him.

The meaning of this is very obvious. The three of them are the tributes who won the first prize in this palace examination.

I just don’t know what the final rankings of the three will be, and who will win the titles of No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 overall.

Soon the officials and several great ministers came to Jiying Hall.

The officials kindly exempted the three of them from saluting, and then Mr. Han began to roll call.

"Li Yu of Yingtian Mansion, ranked third in the First Class, passed the Jinshi Ranking, and is a tester for the palace!"

"Zhou Quan of Daming Mansion, ranked second in the first grade, passed the Jinshi exam, and was ranked second in the palace examination!"

"Qin Hao of Bianjing, ranked first in the first class, passed the imperial examination, and became the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

After the Prime Minister Han finished singing his name, he suddenly congratulated the officials: "Congratulations to the officials for finding such a talented person. The number one scholar has won three prizes in a row at such a young age. It is really rare in the world!"

The official also smiled and said to Qin Hao: "No. 1 Scholar, are you satisfied with today's honor?"

Qin Hao was also a little confused. He did not expect to be selected as the number one scholar at the age of fifteen, and he won three prizes in a row. How could he be dissatisfied with such an honor?

He quickly bowed and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift!"

"Haha, come here, give me a red robe and red flowers."

Parade on horseback is a treatment only available to the top three. Soon Qin Hao and the other three were dressed up and mounted on tall horses.

At the same time as the roll call was taking place in the palace examination, the imperial list also began to be posted outside Donghua Gate.

The first ones to come out are those with poorer grades in the palace examination. Although they are also Jinshi, they are called "born with the same Jinshi", which means that they can get the same treatment as the Jinshi, but they cannot be regarded as real Jinshi in name. , generally such people can only be sent out to serve as officials, and are not qualified to enter places such as the Hanlin Academy and Yushitai to be trained as officials of the current dynasty.

The tributes waiting at the scene also had quite complicated emotions. They were all silently hoping that they would not be in the third place. If they moved forward enough, their future would be very different if they reached the second place.

However, the reality is cruel. The third list has the largest number of people, and most of the tributes are on it.

In the carriage of the Sheng family, Sheng Changbai was a little nervous, and Wang Ruofu wanted to stick his glasses on the wall where the imperial list was posted.

Seeing that the third list was finished, Wang Ruofu was ecstatic to find that there was no son's name, and he excitedly twisted the handkerchief into a twist.

Finally at eleventh place on the second list, Wang Ruofu heard Sheng Changbai's name.

"My son is in the top 11 of the top 2 in high school!"

Wang Ruofu was excited but also a little confused: "Why didn't you hear the name of the young marquis?"

At this time, the first list was also posted. This list was not so crowded, with only three huge names.

The first among them is Qin Hao!

"Oh my god, he actually won the top prize?" Wang Ruofu muttered to himself with his eyes widened.

Sheng Changbai was not surprised: "Zihan has the talent to be the number one scholar, and he deserves his reputation."

A student in the crowd who knew Qin Hao suddenly shouted.

"Win three yuan in a row, win three yuan in a row!"

Since Qin Hao's rural examination was taken in Jiangnan West Road, many people in Bianjing didn't know that he actually passed the examination and understood Yuan.

At that moment, there was a commotion in the crowd.

Winning three yuan in a row is the highest honor for a literati. Every name that wins three yuan in a row is qualified to be written into the history books.

What's more, he is only fifteen years old!