Chapter 192: Scientific Exam
As time flies by, time slips away quietly at the tip of the pen, and October 20th arrives unknowingly.
Early in the morning on this day, a large area was designated in Yingtianbei City, and all businesses were stopped. A large row of covered tents rose from the ground, covering the top, bottom, left, and right, and they were solid. It can also keep out wind and rain. There are wooden walls all around, except the far side which is empty so that the examiner can check the candidates.
Zhu Ping'an wore a Confucian scarf, a blue robe, a pen and inkstone, and a wide bamboo water cup. According to the announcement issued by the academic officer a few days ago, he was ranked in Anqing Mansion. At the front of the queue, according to what the yamen servant said, the senior students are the first in the queue.
The fat man also went to his team in Fengyang Mansion just now to queue up and wait for admission. Although he had successfully given the gift, he was still a little nervous and apprehensive.
Before the students entered the room, some yamen servants carried several baskets of cakes and side dishes into the booth. These were the meals for Zhu Pingan and his colleagues during the scientific examination. They were quite frugal.
Master Zhao Wenhua, the academic officer, and several other officials were dressed in official uniforms and sat on a high platform in the northernmost part of the tent. There were bright lights in front of them, and there were tea and some seasonal fruits and vegetables. Zhu Ping'an couldn't see clearly what this famous traitor in history looked like from a distance, so he gave up after just one glance. He was too far away to see clearly.
More than 20 sergeants with swords outside were scattered on the mats in the shed, standing with swords in their hands. More than ten government officials stood at the door to check the students who entered. Except for pens and inks, inkstones and water jugs, the rest were all Not allowed.
According to regulations, Zhu Ping'an and all the students untied their robes to reveal their inner clothes, carrying pens, ink, paper, inkstones and water bottles in one hand, and socks in the other, waiting for the two government officials to search. Zhu Ping'an was in front. After the five brothers in front had finished searching, it was his turn. To be honest, he was still a little panicked when two big men were touching him randomly.
Passed successfully, Zhu Pingan put on his socks and shoes and entered the booth. There was an instructor inside who checked Zhu Pingan's identity. After the verification was completed, a government officer led Zhu Pingan to his seat.
The seats are very simple, with a table and a chair and nothing else. All candidates' seats face south, with their backs to the examiners, and the distance between the two tables is about four feet.
There is a corridor in front of the seat, and there are two large drowning barrels on both sides of the corridor. Fortunately, it is far away from Zhu Pingan.
After almost all the students entered the room, the test papers were handed out. The yamen officials handed out the test papers to the students one by one. The test papers were sewn with the seal of the academic officer and the serial number. The test paper in Zhu Ping'an's hand has the serial number Linshan No. 7. This serial number was randomly written by the academic officer. There is a blank space under the serial number for writing a name.
According to the announcements made a few days ago, Zhu Pingan wrote his name and personal information below: Zhu Pingan, a student in Huaining County, is thirteen years old and has not taken the imperial examination.
You need to write your name in the scientific examination. This is an important difference from the Tongsheng Examination, the Provincial Examination, etc. If you have a name, it will inevitably be somewhat cryptic. However, this kind of thing is generally not dared. Jinyiwei and Dongchang are not vegetarians. Even if they do, they will definitely be limited to the smallest range. It takes a brain to recommend academic officers. If all the places are allocated in this way, it will cause The students were so angry that they provoked the factory guards or stabbed the censor or the emperor. They couldn't eat and walked around.
After the yamen drum sounded three times, a yamen servant walked back and forth holding a sign with the title written on it. In addition, several clerks read the title out loud to ensure that even those with poor eyesight and hearing could understand the title.
There are only two questions, one is about eight-part essay and one is about strategy. Zhu Ping'an immediately copied the two questions neatly on the paper.
I have to say that although Zhao Wenhua's character is very poor, his literary accomplishment is still quite high. The official chronicles he wrote have been included in the Siku Quanshu. As far as these two questions are concerned, the standards are still very high.
The title of the eight-part essay is as follows: The Master said to Yan Yuan: "If you use it, you will do it; if you leave it, you will hide it. But you and I are husbands."
This is the title of a four-part essay. The question is not a difficult question, it is quite a satisfactory question. However, it is difficult to write this eight-legged essay well. This title comes from the original text of the Four Books, which was a discussion between Confucius and his disciple Yan Hui about the two life choices of ancient scholars. However, it is difficult to write it well. , but it is not easy.
This sentence is roughly the same as Confucius praising Yan Hui when he was bragging. The specific meaning is this.
Confucius said to Yan Yuan: If anyone can appoint me, I will promote the principles of governing a country and bringing peace to the world; when you cannot appoint me, I will hide these principles of governing a country and bringing peace to the world. Only you and I can do this.
In the eight-part essay, the title defines the content of the essay. The full text can only be expanded on the topic, and the scope cannot be expanded or narrowed at will, just like digging a well, it must be equally thick from the wellhead to the bottom. This topic can only discuss the issues of "Using equanimity to store possessions", Confucius' Yan Hui and Confucius's theory of Yan.
So, it is not easy to stand out among thousands of people and write this eight-legged essay well.
Comparing some eight-part essays he had read in his previous life with his own understanding, Zhu Pingan raised the corners of his lips and wrote the first sentence with confidence: < br>
"It is advisable for a sage to hide his secrets until those who are able to show them."
This first sentence is called breaking the title in the eight-part essay. This is the most important part of the eight-part essay. Is the article well written? , whether the score is high or not depends on this sentence. The problem-solving requirement cannot be repeated with the question, but the meaning of the question must be summarized
Zhu Ping'an is very satisfied with his problem-solving. With this sentence alone, his subject test is almost a success.
"Sage" refers to Confucius, and "neng" refers to Yan Hui. "The appropriateness of walking and hiding" refers to the just right "walking and hiding". The word "micro-sign" not only reflects Kong Yan's teacher-student relationship, but also highlights Yan Hui's understanding. It does not require heavy hammering to sound the drum. Zhu Pingan was very satisfied with this solution.
After finishing writing the topic, Zhu Ping'an dipped the brush in the inkstone, and then continued to write the title, the introduction, the tip, and the binding.
"It is difficult to regulate the behavior of a saint. You can only talk about it from the moment you look at it."
"Therefore, it is said that: a lifetime of experience can only be divided into one or two ways by listening to others." It is often rare to find something that is not limited to the situation. It is possible to be confident when you are alone, and you may be alone and have nothing to talk about. It means that the song he entrusted to you is suitable for you, and I am lucky enough to speak to you now."
"I have such a husband, but I am also a husband with you, and I will be happy to return to you at this time. "It is understood silently."
The eight-part essay written by Zhu Pingan can almost be described as a spring of literary thoughts, and the writing is like running water. The writing is completed in one go.
When I finished writing this eight-part essay, there were still candidates nearby who had not yet started writing.
At this time, he was a little thirsty, but Zhu Pingan still couldn't bear to drink water. A few days ago, I heard some students talk about drinking water during the scientific examination. You must not drink water during the scientific examination. Although there are tea servers in the scientific examination room, you must not drink water. No matter how thirsty you are, you must not drink water. If you drink water, it will be recorded by the examiner on the high platform. Even if it is not treated as cheating, your test paper will be lowered by a grade, no matter how well you write.
So, even though he was thirsty at this time, Zhu Pingan just licked his lips with the tip of his tongue and endured it. Be patient, and it’s not too late to drink water during breaks and meals. But you can't ruin your path to the imperial examination in a hurry. (End of this chapter)