283, County in Jinyang (Seeking Full Order)

Since the Tang Dynasty recognized Laozi as its ancestor, many Taoist temples were built in Chang'an. Google search reading

The Youxian Temple on Shaolingyuan is one of them.

It is not big, but not small either. There are dozens of old, middle-aged and young Taoist priests.

Bai Gui and the blue-robed Taoist priest left the backyard and arrived at the front yard. They saw that the palace maids, eunuchs and guards had surrounded the Doumu Hall of Youxian Temple. The place was quiet and quiet. From the gap between the doors and windows, they could see her graceful back. This female nun was performing a ritual. It should be a pure ritual. She had a jade leaf crown hanging on her Taoist bun, and a purple gauze on her body. She was wearing a blue Taoist robe inside. Her willow waist was tied with a yellow silk ribbon. She was kneeling on the ground with original-colored cooked hemp shoes next to her buttocks.

"Jiao" means sacrifice. Taoists have their own rituals for performing Jiao. It is divided into Qingjiao and Youjiao. Qingjiao is for praying for blessings, thanking the grace, curing diseases and prolonging life, wishing the country to welcome good fortune, relieving disasters, celebrating birthdays, etc. It is a ritual of Taipingjiao. Youjiao is for summoning the souls of the dead, bathing the bridge, breaking the prison and the lake, refining and offering food, etc. It belongs to the ritual of Jieyouduwang Fasting and Teaching.

"Master."

The two people bowed to the old Taoist priest standing at the gate of the Taoist temple with a whisk in their hands, with a respectful attitude.

A Taoist priest who is proficient in sutras and precepts, presides over fasting ceremonies, guides people into Taoism, and is a model for all is called a master.

This old Taoist priest has white hair and a youthful face, and looks like an immortal. He is one of the masters of the lower temple of Louguan Dao. Youxian Temple is the lower temple of Louguan Dao, like a branch.

His surname is Chen, and people at that time called him Master Chen.

"Meihe, Changji, you two are here."

"After Master Dongxuan prays for your father and brother, you will serve him and explain the scriptures to him. Be polite and don't let the princess dislike our Taoist temple."

Master Chen raised his whisk and fell on his left elbow, which was across his chest, and said softly.

Changji in front of him was his disciple. Although he was a little clumsy, he had a pure heart, which was the best heart for practicing Taoism.

On the other side, Bai Gui unfortunately had a serious illness a few years ago, so his family sent him to the Taoist temple to practice. Every year, he never lacked money for incense. He was very smart, well-read, and treated people with a spring breeze. He was not arrogant, which made him very satisfied.

Unfortunately, he had accidentally said that he wanted to worship Master Hou, the temple official of Zongsheng Temple, as his teacher. As the master of the lower temple, he could not take the lead, so he confiscated him as a disciple.

However, he had already informed Master Hou of Zongsheng Temple, and Master Hou also planned to accept disciples.

The young man had lofty ambitions, and this was not too ambitious.

It was just that Master Hou Shaowei was now the governor of Zongsheng Temple and the master of Haotian Temple, and his status was prominent, so he could not rashly accept disciples, so this matter was put on hold for the time being.

Haotian Temple was the former residence of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi.

"Yes, Master."

Bai Gui and Changji nodded.

After a while.

Princess Jinxian finished the ritual in Doumu Temple and walked out of the temple.

She saw two young Taoist priests beside Master Chen in front of the temple, and immediately understood that in the past, after the rituals were performed in various Taoist temples, this would often happen, which was a more obscure introduction by the Taoist temple.

The three talked about Taoism.

In the Sui Dynasty, there was Chongxuan Office, which was an official office specifically for managing Taoist monks and nuns. The emperors of the Tang Dynasty respected Taoism, so Chongxuan Office was changed to Zongzheng Temple, and monks and nuns were separately under the Shangshu Cibu. Generally speaking, Zongzheng, as one of the Nine Ministers, is responsible for the affairs of the royal family.

This shows that the Li Tang royal family is very good at Taoism.

"This Taoist priest is very eloquent and is well versed in Confucian and Taoist classics."

"Where is his family from?"

Princess Jinxian asked with her beautiful eyes.

She was attracted by talents and had a good impression of Youxian Temple, so she asked a few questions. In addition, it is now the second year of Jingyun. After experiencing the Shenlong Change and the Tanglong Change, the Tang Dynasty is in ruins and is ruled by her father and brother, Emperor Ruizong of Tang Li Dan, Crown Prince Li Longji, and Princess Taiping. Although she is practicing Taoism, she occasionally recommends talents to her father and brother.

"My surname is Bai Gui, and I am from the Bai family of Jinyang. My ancestor was Wu'an Jun in the Qin Dynasty. The First Emperor, in recognition of his ancestor's merits, granted his son the title of Jinyang. My seventh-generation ancestor was the governor of Jinyang in the Yuan Wei Dynasty. My great-grandfather made contributions to the Gao Qi Dynasty and was granted land in Hancheng. I am now temporarily living in Xiagui, Huazhou..."

"My brother, Bai Huang, is the lieutenant of Ruicheng County and is traveling outside." (Bai Huang is Bai Juyi's grandfather.)

Bai Gui bowed and replied.

He came to the Jingyun period of the Tang Dynasty from Bailu Village in a dream. His body was still the same, but his bone age returned to sixteen years old. However, during this period, he did have the memory of sixteen years in this life, just like a movie, playing back in his mind frame by frame.

He didn't quite understand the mystery, but he sensed in the Kunlun Mirror that this matter would only be good for him, not bad.

As for Bai Xiuzhu, perhaps she was reincarnated too late, and there is no news yet.

It is estimated that he will have to wait for many years.

"So the county is in Jinyang."

Princess Jinxian nodded slightly.

Wu'an Jun in the Qin Dynasty, also surnamed Bai, needless to say, this is Bai Qi. Qin Shihuang once conferred his son Bai Zhong in Jinyang because of Bai Qi's merits.

Although the Jinyang Bai family is not as good as the Jinyang Wang family, one of the five surnames and seven clans, it is also a famous big family. However, even in a big family, there are big rooms, second rooms, and third rooms, and each room enjoys different treatment.

For example, Tang Gaozong Li Zhi once issued a marriage ban, prohibiting seven surnames and ten families from intermarrying with each other. Among them, the Jinyang Wang family, the descendants of Wang Qiong, the prefect of Jinyang in the Northern Wei Dynasty, namely the Jinyang big room, second room, third room, and fourth room were listed as the banned marriage family, but the other rooms did not have this treatment.

Therefore, Princess Jinxian knew as soon as she heard it that although Bai Gui had a family background, he was already a poor family today.

A poor family is not a poor family that can be called a poor family by ordinary people, but can be called a poor family by small landowners and low-ranking nobles from the common people.

"The historian is in need of a fairy boy."

"You can follow me to the mansion. I will recommend you to the historian one day. What do you think?"

Princess Jinxian smiled and said.

If she wants to recommend someone, she can't just send a letter of greeting to her father and brother. She has to find an occasion and an opportunity. Therefore, the fairy boy who asked Bai Gui to become her master was just a temporary sinecure, similar to a keeper, and she would be recommended when the right opportunity came.

At the same time, he entered her family for a long time, which was equivalent to being branded with her princess residence.

Fairy boy, generally underage Taoist priests can be called fairy boys.

But just this honor is not something that ordinary people can get. For example, Changji was ignored by Princess Jinxian.

"Princess's kindness, I accept it with my heart."

Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed through Bai Gui's heart, but it was not shown on his face. He smiled freely and said:

"I have already applied for Jinshi and Martial Arts in November last year. In a few days, I will be admitted to Chang'an. I only need to get fame and fortune right away, and I won it with my pen. No recommendation from nobles is needed..."

Although by flattering the royal family members such as Princess Jinxian, one can obtain the qualifications for advancement, this is like a rootless duckweed. It can stand for a while, but in the long run, it will definitely lead to disaster.

The Shi Chongxuan mentioned by Princess Jinxian was a disciple of Princess Taiping. He was born in a poor family and was now Hongluqing. However, in the following year, after Princess Taiping and Li Longji failed in their struggle for power, Shi Chongxuan would also be executed.

In the Tang Dynasty, there were three ways to get ahead. One was the family shadow, which was suitable for the eldest son of a prominent family and the real generational hairpin. The other was the imperial examination, which was suitable for people with talent, knowledge and a certain family background. The third is the recommendation system, in which the children of powerful people recommend wise men to the court.

Among the three, the recommendation system is the lowest. Once the powerful official falls, his skin will be gone and his hair will be gone!

The imperial examination is based on the imperial court. It doesn't matter who is in power or the emperor. Mengyin is based on the aristocratic families. As for those who cling to the powerful and enter the vanity fair, the first thing they do is to fight for the power of the powerful officials. Those who are good at swimming will drown in the water.

Counting the prime ministers of the early Tang Dynasty, Pei Yan was born in Ming Dynasty; Zhang Jianzhi was born in Jinshi; Zong Chuke was born in Jinshi; Cui Riyong was born in Jinshi; Liu Youqiu was born in Jinshi; Zhang Jiuling was born in Jinshi; Zhang Jiazhen was born in Jinshi. Graduated from Ming Jing Ke...

"History of the Tang Dynasty" said: "The Jinshi Department began in the great cause of the Sui Dynasty and flourished during the Zhenguan Yonghui period. Although the Jin gentry was in a very popular position, those who could not be Jinshi would not be beautiful in the end."

If Bai Gui wants to practice Taoism in this world, just like in Xunqing, he must first have an identity.

Once you have an identity, no matter what you do, others will look high on you, and no matter what you do, others will listen patiently and carefully.

He has already tasted the benefits of this.

And since he had fought his way out of the imperial examination in the late Qing Dynasty, he had learned both Chinese and Western knowledge. There was no reason why he should be weaker than the literati at that time and could not seek any fame.

With fame, the road can be easy to follow.

"Oh, you want to take the imperial examination? Or the Jinshi examination?"

"By the way, I registered in November last year. According to the usual practice, the exam will start in February and March of the first month."

Princess Jinxian looked surprised and took a good look at Bai Gui, her expression still disbelieving.

Thirty-year-old Ming Jing, fifty-year-old Jinshi.

At first glance, this young Taoist priest was about the same age as her. How dare he dream of taking the imperial examination? !

The Jinshi subject only takes 20 to 30 people per subject, which is only one-tenth of the Ming Jing subject. It is the most noble among the subjects in the imperial examination and is the first among all subjects. Those who achieved the rank of Jinshi were also called "white-robed prime ministers" by people at that time.

When Meng Jiao passed the Jinshi examination at the age of forty-six, everyone was overjoyed.

"etc!"

"You just said that you planned to take martial arts and take civil and military exams at the same time?"

Princess Jinxian thought about what Bai Gui just said again, and looked surprised, as if she was looking at a madman.

"Princess, don't you believe it?"

Bai Gui smiled lightly.

It’s not that people today are inferior to the ancients, it’s just that most people like to worship the ancients. The subjects of the Jinshi examination are five chapters on current affairs, one classic, and two essays (poetry). When it comes to current policy, he is the least afraid of being a showman in policy theory. His poems and poems are just a little weaker, but with the insight of later generations, these two essays are just additional exams and are not too important. It is not difficult for him to obtain the Jinshi.

"If you are really talented, I would be willing to find someone who can help you!"

Princess Jinxian said casually.

In the imperial examination in the Tang Dynasty, there was no name-blinding system. Jinshi candidates could be publicly recommended before the imperial examination and became the general list. That is, well-known people are pre-listed in advance, and the winners are often among them, which is called the general list. Wenjuan... is to send one's works to people with literary reputation in the court to read, and even recommend them to the examiner. , this is warm volume.

It's a pity that Tang Bohu was not born in the Tang Dynasty.

Otherwise, his examination fraud was a common thing in the Tang Dynasty.

In the Tang Dynasty, before the imperial examination, it was easy to fail if you were not famous. So when Princess Jinxian said these words, Bai Gui was really moved.

Talking about Xuanxuan with Princess Jinxian is a bit like asking Princess Jinxian to make him famous and introduce him.

It's just that Fairy Boy... Bai Gui absolutely doesn't want to do this.

He is not a man without talent.

Since he is talented, it is best to regard Princess Jinxian as his wings.

As he spoke, Bai Gui walked straight into the palace.

In the hall, there are paper, pen and ink ingots used for Jiao Dazhai rituals.

Princess Jinxian and a group of maidservants and eunuchs from the palace accompanied her inside.

I saw Bai Gui using his pen so hard that it penetrated the back of the paper.

It's everyone's style.

"Gift to the Golden Fairy, a crowned woman"

"The eyes are like water and the waist is like a belt, and the black sand is wrapped in cold jade."

"She has the graceful demeanor of a girl, but when she looks back, all the powder and rouge are worldly."

"No one can peek into the misty pavilion and the clouded windows, and the carriages and horses in front of the door are free to go east and west."

"After the ceremony, the altar is quiet in the morning, and the ground is covered with fallen petals and crows are crying."

Princess Jinxian blushed slightly when she saw this poem. She started to practice Taoism when she was eleven or twelve years old. Although she was in the royal family and her mind was not calm, she was more indifferent than ordinary nobles. In the early years, her father and brother had not yet taken power, and she was the candidate to be bullied in the palace. The year before last, her brother Li Longji supported her father to ascend the throne, and she lived a good life for a few days. However, due to her status as a princess and a Taoist, even if someone wrote poems for her, they would not write so boldly.

However, the poems were really good, and she was fascinated at first sight.

It was written very appropriately. She entered the Youxian Temple to perform a ritual. After the ceremony, it was the beginning of the first and second months of the first lunar month. It was a spring scene. The Taoist temple was in full bloom, and the fallen petals were all over the ground...

And Bai Gui's handsome face made her mind fluctuate.

"Your calligraphy is unique. If Prime Minister Zhong saw it, he would definitely be happy..."

"I will recommend your poem to Prime Minister Zhong."

Princess Jinxian hesitated for a while and spoke.

The Prime Minister she was talking about was Zhong Shaojing, the seventeenth-generation grandson of Zhong Yao. He is now the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Minister of Machinery (the Minister of Machinery was the title of the prime minister in the Tang Dynasty. Having this was equivalent to being the prime minister. The Tang Dynasty had a multi-prime minister system).

For example, there is a sentence in the "Thousand Characters" that Bai Gui learned in Bailu Village, "It not only collects tomb classics, but also gathers heroes. Du Hao Zhong Li, lacquer books on the wall." The Zhong Li here refers to Zhong Yao.

Zhong Shaojing was admitted to Zhifeng Pavilion because of his good calligraphy.

"Thank you, Princess Jinxian."

Bai Gui bowed slightly.

Salute at this time is different from before. Before, thanking was inevitably suspected of flattering the powerful, but now he has proved his talent, so salute is reasonable and not arrogant.

People are double-standard.

He is not exaggerating. For example, Li Bai wrote a theme poem for Princess Jinxian's sister Princess Yuzhen, the "Yuzhen Immortal Lyrics" said: "Yuzhen Immortal, sometimes go to Taihua Peak." Isn't it also a flattering poem.

As for being explicit, there is no need to worry. The Tang Dynasty was open-minded. Li Bai wrote "Longing" for Princess Yuzhen, "Beauty is like a flower across the clouds. Above is the high sky of Qingming, and below is the waves of Lushui. The sky is long and the road is far, the soul flies bitterly, and the dream soul cannot reach the pass. Longing, heartbreaking."

You have to know...Princess Yuzhen is over 40 years old at this time.

Erlang Shen and Ximen Aunt are definitely not something that can only happen in later generations. Of course, it is also possible that Princess Yuzhen has the secret to maintain her youthful appearance, just like her grandmother Wu Zetian.

There is another interesting story about Li Bai. When he was young, he worked as a minor official in a county. He drove a cow past the county hall and ran to the bedroom in the backyard of the county hall to make trouble. The county magistrate's wife had just rested and had not put on her clothes. She half-bent her jade arm from outside the tent and scolded Li Bai. Li Bai wrote a poem: "The plain face leans on the railing, and the delicate voice goes out. If it is not the Weaver Girl, why ask the Cowherd."

Compared himself to the Cowherd, teasing the county magistrate's wife.

Princess Jinxian is now in her twenties, so Bai Gui wrote this poem without any psychological pressure.

"You are not polite now."

Princess Jinxian smiled and was not surprised. She was more satisfied with Bai Gui in her heart.

It is okay to have talent, but if you are arrogant, it will be annoying.

When she recommends such a person, she will also murmur in her heart.