337. The Best Strategy Is to Learn From the Classics (Seeking Full Revision)

It will take some time to make the Five Emperors' Coins and the Talisman Coins.

Even with so many high-level Taoists, Rome was not built in one day.

If it was just the Five Emperors' Coins, with the profound foundation and inheritance of the five Taoist sects present, such creations could be successful in one day. It's not difficult. It's easy for the Talisman Sect to make some Talisman Coins.

But the Five Emperors' Coins that Bai Gui and the leaders of various sects need are low-cost and effectively anti-counterfeit coins!

So that they can circulate in the Tang Dynasty!

If the Five Emperors' Coins that are not easy to circulate cannot be made, it will be considered a failure of this attempt!

…

Two flowers bloom, each showing its own beauty.

When many high-level Taoists entered Beijing, it was already the early spring of the ninth year of Kaiyuan, and it was also the time for the imperial examinations every two years.

It was similar to the imperial examinations in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Every imperial examination was not only for the court to select talents, but also for the various political parties in the court to fill their wings.

For example, if Bai Gui follows the normal path of Jinshi and is promoted step by step, he will inevitably have to deal with the chief examiner Song Jing and be accepted by Song Jing's party... It's only a matter of time!

Although the party struggle at this time is not obvious and there is no clear party constitution, unlike the Ming Dynasty, when the Chu Party, Zhejiang Party, Donglin Party and other parties have clear flags and fierce party struggles, people are group animals, and they will naturally gather together for warmth, thus forming the power of various factions...

So although Bai Gui basically does not fight or compete in the political hall, when the Jinshi exam was held, he secretly made efforts to pay a visit to Song Jing, hoping that Song Jing could recommend him as the chief examiner this time.

Although Song Jing was a little surprised, Bai Gui's move was also within his expectations. Not only Li Linfu saw that Bai Gui was dormant, he could also see it, and the officials of the court could also see it.

However, the imperial examination is about culture and education. Although it is a good time to fill up the party, the time span is inevitably too long. After all, it takes more than ten or twenty years from a newly-appointed Jinshi to becoming an official with a blue and purple robe. Not everyone is like Bai Gui, and ordinary people can't wait so long to be promoted.

Therefore, Bai Gui's going to serve as the chief examiner of the imperial examination will not only not reveal his edge, but will also make Song Jing and the officials think that Bai Gui really intends to follow the rules and is willing to wait for some more time.

In addition... In the court, Bai Gui repeatedly agreed with him. This time he personally asked for mercy. Although he already wanted someone else to be the chief examiner in his heart, Bai Gui couldn't refuse to sell his face. After all, he was the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and he was more than qualified to be the chief examiner of the imperial examination. Even if he didn't ask him, he could get the position of chief examiner in person.

Therefore, Song Jing took advantage of the situation and personally recommended Zhongshu Ling Bai Gui as the chief examiner of the imperial examinations in the ninth year of Kaiyuan.

"Mr. Bai has the talent to judge people, and I and all the nobles know this... Since Mr. Bai is willing to serve as the chief examiner of this imperial examination, then I agree."

In Hanyuan Hall, Li Longji nodded.

This was not just out of his selfishness. Bai Gui not only appreciated Li Bai, who was good at poetry, but also because Bai Gui had made many military achievements during his time in the town, so his subordinates and staff must be considered talents. So it is not an exaggeration to say that Bai Gui has the talent to judge people.

…

The court established Bai Gui as the chief examiner of the imperial examinations, and the number of Chang'an scholars who sent business cards to the Duke of Dai, Jinxian Temple, and Yuzhen Temple increased day by day, from hundreds of letters a day to thousands of letters a day.

A few days later.

After leaving the court, Bai Gui asked his subordinate Yang Xuanyan, "Who are the top scholars in Chang'an now? Can you be promoted?"

Before the Jinshi exam, there is a list of well-known scholars, referred to as the list of famous scholars. During the Jinshi exam, the chief examiner will first look at the list of famous scholars and then determine the ranking. If the candidate is on the list, it will be beneficial to the imperial examination.

Therefore, scholars who are preparing to take the exam in Chang'an City will basically become famous during this period of time, hoping to be listed on the list of famous scholars, so that they will be favored by the chief examiner and rise to prominence.

In the Jinshi exam in the second year of Jingyun, Bai Gui was also favored because he ranked first on the list of famous scholars and won the top prize.

"Reply to Prime Minister Bai..."

"In Chang'an City, Li Bai, Meng Haoran, Wang Changling, Zhang Zirong, Wang Zhihuan, Li Qi, Cui Zhen and others are the most famous."

Yang Xuanyan thought for a while and reported the names of more than a dozen people.

As Bai Gui's subordinate, he had already made preparations in advance after learning that Bai Gui would be the chief examiner of this year's exam.

"I know..."

Bai Gui secretly smacked his lips. There were too many famous people during the Kaiyuan period. As the chief examiner, he still felt a little pressure.

"Notify the scholars on the list of famous scholars and the candidates in Chang'an that I will give lectures in the Imperial College in five days..."

He hesitated for a while, opened the curtain of the carriage, and said.

"Yes! Prime Minister Bai."

Yang Xuanyan nodded.

Before the imperial examinations in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the chief examiners had to be confined and not allowed to contact the outside world. This was called the lock-up.

In the Tang Dynasty, it was not so strict. It was a common behavior to review the papers in advance and pay a visit to the chief examiner. It was not surprising that the chief examiner even revealed the test questions in advance.

Five days later.

As expected, the candidates in Chang'an gathered.

There were about a thousand people.

In the lecture hall of the Imperial College, the scholars on the list of famous scholars were in the front, and the scholars with less fame were in the back. From the front row to the back, and even outside the doors and windows, there were still many scholars sitting on the ground.

The Imperial College clerks were in charge of discipline, so the entire lecture hall was silent.

This day was also a day off.

Bai Gui arrived late, dressed in a Taoist robe, and sat cross-legged on the futon directly above.

"I've seen Bai Xiang before."

The scholars in the front row stood up, and those behind him also stood up and saluted Bai Gui in a respectful manner.

"Excuse me, everyone..."

Bai Gui was not arrogant and had a smile on his face. He stood up and returned the greeting to these scholars and said: "You are all the talents of the country. I just entered the official career one step earlier than you. In the future, your achievements may be better than your true appearance, so There’s no need to stick to etiquette.”

After the words fell, many scholars' impressions of Bai Gui changed from the past, and their favorable impressions increased sharply.

Most of the scholars who have not yet entered the examination are arrogant. Even after learning about Bai Gui's achievements, although they admire Bai Gui in their hearts, they will also have the idea that I can do whatever I want.

Only after entering the officialdom for a long time can we understand the difficulties.

"The way of a university lies in being virtuous, being close to the people, and striving for perfection..."

Bai Gui began to lecture on the Classics. He was now in Taixue, so when he lectured on the Classics, he first talked about "The Great Learning" in the Book of Rites.

Talk from noon to sunset.

At first, many of the scholars here were a little careless, but as Bai Gui lectured, they realized how deeply Bai Gui had studied the classics. They immediately studied it tirelessly and carefully, not missing a word.

Of course, many of them also secretly guessed that these were test questions secretly leaked by the examiner Bai Gui, so they studied with extra seriousness.

"Today's lecture is over. In ten days, I will go to Taixue to lecture again."

Bai Gui closed the book in his hand and broke the silence in the room.

Many scholars stood up and bowed deeply to him.

Then they started to leave in twos and threes.

This sermon seemed to be just an ordinary activity.

Nothing surprising!

But how could Bai Gui do useless work?

"Establishing a party and driving them with profit is the worst policy. Driving them with fame and fortune is the middle policy. Driving them with classics and learning is the best policy!"

Bai Gui narrowed his eyes and thought to himself.

Song Jing and many other ministers "looked down upon" these scholars who were taking the exam, thinking that if they wanted to be successful and influence the government, it would take at least ten or twenty years, or even longer. time.

But he doesn't think so!

In the late Ming Dynasty, when parties and associations were formed, scholars who did not serve as officials could even influence the implementation of national policies, and it was not just these fledgling scholars who relied on them.

The power exerted by the combination of measures such as clearing discussion, raising hopes, and discussing politics cannot be underestimated.

In other words, fame and fortune do move people's hearts, but Confucian classics is a weapon that can change people's thinking...

Preaching and studying the Bible can gather disciples, and this has been the case throughout the ages. And these disciples tend to do things according to morality and sacrifice their lives.