286. The Talent of the Tang Dynasty's No. 1 Scholar (Please Order the Whole Book)

The officials in red and green robes who accompanied the examinees heard the two prime ministers talking, but they did not dare to interrupt without authorization. However, they were concerned about Bai Gui, who was mentioned by the prime ministers. There was no record at that time, and the record was not created until the Northern Song Dynasty. In addition, all the famous people on the list of famous people were invited to the court to take the exam. They took a few glances and found Bai Gui in the middle. It was not difficult to find him. Seeing that he was calm and composed, they could not help but nod secretly.

(Tang Dynasty officials above the fifth rank wore red robes, and below the sixth rank wore green robes.)

Just this method of nourishing qi was better than many examinees present. Ordinary officials were not so calm.

They took another look at Bai Gui's appearance and were very impressed.

"There are four methods for selecting people. One is the body, which means a sturdy and majestic appearance; the second is speech, which means dialectical speech; the third is calligraphy, which means a beautiful and elegant regular script; the fourth is judgment, which means good literary and logical skills. If all four are acceptable, then morality comes first, and morality is balanced by talent, and talent is balanced by labor." - "New Book of Tang·Election Records"

"Appearance is divided into four levels, and the face shapes are Guo, Jia, Shen, You..."

"This person has regular facial features, bright eyebrows and eyes, and a refined temperament. His robe is brand new with clear folds. He is a person who loves cleanliness. In terms of body, I think he can be ranked in the top level."

The accompanying examiner whispered.

Looking at the policy questions and poems and essays are the business of these chief examiners, that is, the prime ministers, and their duty is to evaluate the candidates' body, speech, calligraphy and other things during the examination.

At this time, since Bai Gui was famous in Chang'an for his calligraphy, his calligraphy in the "four talents of selecting people" was not a problem.

The possibility of passing the Jinshi exam is very high!

And the examiners had to select candidates with good looks in advance and conduct preliminary screening to prevent ugly people from passing the Jinshi exam, which would damage the reputation of the Tang Dynasty.

…

In the Imperial Academy, in the court.

“The questions were all about the same old things, such as how to rectify the administration of officials, cut redundant personnel, and some economic issues, how to solve land annexation, and the combat effectiveness of the soldiers recruited by the Fubing system was worrying, and they were no longer as brave as they were during the Zhenguan and Yonghui years…”

“Oh, and there is also the important task of managing the Western Regions…”

Bai Gui glanced at the five current affairs strategies and nodded.

He had already guessed these questions.

Now he no longer needs to cheat with the Kunlun Mirror to obtain the test questions and gain a first-mover advantage. Now he is full of strategies and has a plan in mind. With many years of experience in the future, it is not difficult for him to answer the questions of the Tang Dynasty. Besides, he was born as a scholar of policy theory and has studied history…If he wins by cheating, it will be a bit ridiculous.

"When writing articles, you can't be too sharp. A dragon that is too arrogant must regret."

"Current affairs policy is one of the examination contents for selecting talents in the imperial examination..., but obviously, whether it is the Tang Dynasty or the Qing Dynasty, it is just a form of assessment. The policy papers written cannot really be implemented as national policies..."

"There is a saying that big things are discussed in small meetings, and small things are discussed in big meetings. National policies will not be easily discussed in the court meetings, but will only be drawn up in the small meetings between the prime ministers and the emperor in the political hall..."

"There is also a saying that the prime minister must start from the prefectures and counties, because only with the experience of the prefectures and counties can he understand the country's economy, laws, land and many other affairs, so that he can write national policies."

Bai Gui was already familiar with the imperial examination.

So he thought about it for a while.

He knew how to write.

Looking at history, many famous talents and poets were frustrated and wanted to be officials, but they were not appreciated by the court and the emperor. They could only indulge in wine and curse the court and the emperor when they were free, and spent their lives like this.

But sometimes, it is not necessarily that the emperor is incompetent and the court is corrupt, but that these talented people are all angry young people, shouting for the emperor to expel the evil, quickly use him as a talented person, or reform the bad policies, etc.

If the emperor and the court really accept such people, they will be out of their minds.

The country will soon be destroyed.

"But writing policy essays cannot be empty, too empty, and only pursue gorgeous words."

"The degree of this must be grasped well!"

Bai Gui ground the ink, put the brush on the pen washer for a while, and began to write furiously.

He dared not say much about cutting redundant personnel in the administration of officials, which was something the emperor needed to worry about. If he said too much, it would easily offend people. In terms of economy, he dared not say anything at all, because all knowledgeable people knew that land annexation was a disaster for the country.

Therefore, in these policy essays, he only focused on the big and ignored the small, saying that it was wrong, but the specific improvement measures were only deleted and reduced from the works of predecessors, and then he did not say more.

However, when it came to the affairs of managing the Western Regions, he began to show his edge.

This matter has little to do with government affairs, and he has already said that he will take the imperial examination and the military examination at the same time. The military examination is not only about riding and archery, but also involves military strategies, so he can write more on this point.

For the policy questions, as long as one article catches people, it is considered a victory!

There are very few people with all-round talents.

"What is the trouble of the people today? It is that they know peace but not danger, and can rest but not work. This trouble is not seen now, but will be seen in the future. If we don't plan for it now, there will be something irreparable in the future."

"In the past, in the seventh year of Taizong, he assisted Emperor Gaozu to conquer the world and destroyed more than 30 countries. Although the world is peaceful, we still dare not forget to fight. But today, the Tang army is weak and dilapidated, Mochuo plundered Zhao, Ding and other states in the south, and Tubo invaded from the east..., we order horses and sharpen soldiers, and stay prepared for the day and night, in case of emergency. In the gap between autumn and winter, we take people to the fields to talk about military affairs, teach them how to advance, retreat, sit and work, so that their ears and eyes are accustomed to the bells, drums, flags and flags without confusion..."

"I want the scholars and officials to respect martial arts and learn the art of war; the common people in office should be taught the art of marching and fighting; the common people who are in charge of the police should be taught the art of fighting and stabbing. At the end of each year, they will gather in the county government, just like the ancient capital test, with winners and losers, rewards and punishments...."

After Bai Gui finished writing, he breathed a sigh of relief.

This is Su Shi's "Teaching War and Defense Strategy", which he deleted and revised to fit the military affairs of this policy. Moreover, this policy does not have any random finger-pointing, but only tells the court to prepare for war, be prepared for danger in times of peace, and will not offend any interest groups, and there is no content such as pacifying Liao in five years, which is the safest.

And the things mentioned in the article, such as Mochu Khan and Tubo, inadvertently reveal his erudition and concern for current affairs. He is not a scholar-official who talks about nothing, but a literati who cares about state affairs.

With these, it is enough.

Mochu Khan was the Khan of the Eastern Turks who rose to prominence during the Wu Zhou period. He repeatedly harassed the border and was the main enemy of the northern border of the Tang Dynasty at that time.

"Before the army was dispatched, Mochu plundered all the men and women of Zhao, Ding and other states, 80,000 to 90,000 people... Di Renjie led a hundred thousand troops to pursue him, but he could not catch up." - "Old Tang Book·Turkic Biography"

It was very eloquent, with more than a thousand words.

I entered the Ministry of Rites in the morning and answered questions until the afternoon.

"Bring Bai Meihe's test paper to me, I want to see it for myself."

Song Jing said to the accompanying examiner.

He was from Li Longji's faction. He had reviewed Bai Gui's test paper in advance. He knew Bai Gui's talent and wanted to promote him. In addition, Bai Gui was the first on the list of famous scholars, so there was nothing wrong with letting him take Bai Gui's test paper.

Not to mention Bai Gui's test paper, he could see the test papers of the candidates present in the examination room.

The imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty was not strict!

"Yes, Prime Minister Song."

The accompanying examiner did not bother the left and right clerks. He still had to listen to the prime minister's words and walked to Bai Gui's side.

He did not rush to take the paper. Seeing that the content in the paper had been completed without any ink stains, he nodded secretly, reminded Bai Gui softly, and then took away the five policy papers.

"The article is well written, it can be considered as above average."

Song Jing read them one by one.

As a prime minister, he was a Jinshi, knowledgeable and talented, with amazing insights. The good and above average in his mouth were already very impressive evaluations. If the candidates present could get such evaluations, they would not have to worry about whether they would pass the exam.

Although Bai Gui did not write the first four policy papers ostentatiously, he had a literary foundation, and it was not difficult for his policy papers to stand out among the candidates.

Not to mention that his calligraphy was outstanding, which was a great bonus.

"Huh? This military strategy is good, well written."

"He is a talent who is familiar with military affairs. No wonder he said he would also take the military exam. With this knowledge, he is not afraid of the military exam..."

"With this strategy in hand, even if the two essays later fail, he will pass the Jinshi exam this time!"

Song Jing nodded slightly and praised.

After that, he handed the five strategies in his hand to Jia Zeng, the Minister of Rites, and asked another examiner to grade them.

According to common sense, since one examiner has set the tone for admission, the other examiner will not easily refute it. Once refuted, it is equivalent to tearing off the face and not giving mercy.

So, since Song Jing has decided to admit Bai Gui, if Jia Zeng has no deep hatred with Bai Gui, he will also go with the flow and agree to this matter.

"Prime Minister Song is right. With this military strategy question in hand, he can pass the Jinshi exam this time."

Jia Zeng took the test paper, looked at it for a few times, his eyes lit up, and nodded.

He could still tell whether the article was good or not.

And he read the whole article and found that there was nothing taboo. So according to what Song Jing said, it was reasonable to select it.

In addition, Song Jing said that even if Bai Gui's two essays were not good, he could still be selected.

This is a joke!

For someone with such talent, his poetry is almost the same. Even if it is not good, it is just not outstanding.

Seeing that most of the candidates had completed the five essay questions, the two examiners improvised two essay questions and asked them to write two test poems.

Bai Gui happened to have taken the test of test poems in the county exam of Zishui County.

Test poems originated in the Tang Dynasty and were abolished during Wang Anshi's Xining Reform. They were not restored until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.

The test poems of the Qing Dynasty were stricter than those of the previous dynasties. The questions were based on classics, history, philosophy, anthology, and rhyme. One word was chosen from each rhyme of the level tone. Therefore, the examinees must be able to recite the words of each rhyme of the level tone. The poem cannot have repeated words, and the tone must be solemn.

Bai Gui even passed the stricter test poems in the late Qing Dynasty, so it is unreasonable for him to fall here.

Two test poems, after a little thought, were done.

Although not outstanding, they are also of upper-middle level.

In fact, most of the poems written by many famous poets are also of upper-middle level. It is impossible for them to write famous poems that have been passed down through the ages. Except for geniuses like Li Bai and Wang Bo.

"This boy has first-class policy, first-class calligraphy, first-class appearance, first-class speech..."

"He can be selected as the champion!"

"What do you think?"

The next day, after reading all the test papers of the candidates, Song Jing said to all the examiners and accompanying examiners in the Imperial Academy.

Since Bai Gui has the ability to get the top prize, Song Jing will not be stingy with his recommendation. Reviewing the papers is a common practice in the imperial examinations, and there is nothing unreasonable about his recommendation.

Of course, if Bai Gui does not have this ability, even if he knows that Bai Gui is close to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Jinxian, he will not go against his conscience and recommend him.

With ability and connections, it is natural to recommend him.

"Since Prime Minister Song has made such a decision, we also agree."

"We agree..."

"Agree..."

Many examiners looked at each other and nodded.

In this imperial examination, apart from Bai Gui, there is really no one who is too outstanding, so even if some of them belong to the faction of Princess Taiping, they are embarrassed to stop it.

After all, although there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts, everyone can tell the difference between good and bad articles.

In addition, most of the examiners who judge are ministers who come from the imperial examination and are recommended by the powerful. If they do not have a literary reputation, they are embarrassed to judge the papers of the candidates of the Jinshi exam. And the ministers who come from the imperial examination, such as the Jinshi exam, will naturally support the orthodox imperial power psychologically, that is, the lineage of the prince Li Longji, rather than Princess Taiping.

And the supporters of Princess Taiping, in the court, are mostly ministers from humble families who come from the recommendation system.

In short, Li Longji has more say in the imperial examination!

Later, in the early years of the Kaiyuan period, after Li Longji ascended the throne, he issued the "Edict on Rectifying the Administration of Officials", which was not only to cut redundant personnel, but also partly to expel the minions and wings of Princess Taiping from the court.

Li Longji basically did not touch the officials who came from the Jinshi exam.

"Since my colleagues have already decided on the rankings..."

"Then I will go to the palace and display the test papers to the saints for the saints to decide."

Seeing this, Song Jing nodded with satisfaction.

Although the final rankings had to be decided by Li Dan, the Emperor Ruizong of Tang, but these ministers had already decided on the rankings. Generally speaking, the emperor would not easily refute them. He would just take a look and agree.

After all, most emperors did not know these candidates. Even if they knew and admired someone, they would not make any moves in the national talent selection ceremony.

Enter the palace, Xuanzheng Hall.

"The list of Jinshi candidates listed by Prime Minister Song is full of talented people."

"I am also very satisfied with Bai Meihe being ranked first in the Jinshi category, but..."

Tang Ruizong Li Dan finished reading the test paper, placed it on the desk, nodded, and hesitated: "But since Bai Meihe has the talent of the top scholar and has a history with Princess Jinxian, I intend to recruit him as the son-in-law of the emperor..."

"I wonder if Prime Minister Song thinks it's okay?"

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Song Jing and asked.

To be the top scholar, one's appearance, knowledge, and character are not bad at all.

"The title of champion has existed in the Tang Dynasty. Since Empress Wu first tested the tribute scholars and put them in front of the palace, the candidates were ranked. The candidates who ranked first were called champions, or champions." - Zhao Yi, "Yu Yu Cong Kao·Zhuangyuan Bangyan Tanhua"

"Your Majesty, Princess Jinxian has been practicing Taoism since she was young, and has been ordained. It can be seen that she is determined. If you want to marry, please ask the princess first."

"In addition, if Your Majesty forces the champion of the Jinshi exam to marry, it may cause criticism from the world."

"Please be cautious, Your Majesty!"

Song Jing said, cupping his hands.

Although most Tang Dynasty princesses were beautiful, they were from aristocratic families after all, so they could not be too ugly. However, most aristocratic sons were unwilling to marry Tang Dynasty princesses. First, they were arrogant and domineering, second, they were not virtuous, and third, after becoming a son-in-law, although they were respected and did not cut off their future as officials, they still had some influence.

Although Song Jing supported the Li Tang royal family, supporting the Li Tang royal family and respecting the princess were two different things.

They could not be compared.

He also loved talents, so he did not want Bai Gui, the future prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, to fall into this fire pit.

"Prime Minister Song is right. There has never been a case of selecting the champion as the son-in-law of the emperor since ancient times. If I force myself on this, it would be a shame."

Li Dan sighed and shook his head.

Song Jing reminded him that the princesses of the royal family did not have a good reputation among the people. Although he was cowardly, he was not a fool. He knew how the people viewed the princesses of the royal family. Even though he thought that Princess Jinxian and Princess Yuzhen did not have these spoiled temperaments, he thought in his heart that if he really forced the champion to become his own son-in-law, he would probably end up with a reputation of being a frivolous scholar, and future candidates for the imperial examination would probably avoid him.

So, after thinking about it, he decided to give up on this matter.