Chapter 672 Banquet in the East Palace
Several people looked towards the stairs.
A guard in soap clothes came upstairs, walked quickly to Magistrate Xiao, and said in a low voice: "Report to the magistrate, we succeeded!"
Chang Sunman clapped his hands and said excitedly: "Well done!"
Wang Yuan and Zhu Qu also looked happy.
Magistrate Xiao obviously knew that the city was deeper, so he just nodded slightly and warned: "Move quickly, clean up your hands and tail, and never leave any traces."
"My subordinates understand!"
"Go!"
"No!"
He turned around and went downstairs. Changsun Man laughed and said: "It is indeed a local snake. Brother Xiao is strategizing, and we have a fortune falling from the sky. Come, come, come, let me give you a cup of tea instead of wine!" < br>
Wang Yu'an and Zhu Qu stopped bickering and raised their teacups together: "Drink Holy!"
"Drinking Saint!"
Magistrate Xiao took a reserved sip of tea, looked at the three people with a faint look, and said in a calm tone: "A sum of nearly 100,000 yuan, I think you should be satisfied. Although this time went well, everything is unexpected, and no one can It's okay to leave some clues, and people will find us based on the picture. Su Wen said that Fang Erlang is not a good person. He is probably coming to Suzhou in the near future, so everyone should keep a low profile."
Zhu Qu disagreed: "That Fang Erlang relied on his father's power in Chang'an and was protected by His Majesty. Naturally, he was lawless and unscrupulous. But Suzhou is not Chang'an, and no one would tolerate his shortcomings! When he arrived in Suzhou, even if he was a tiger, he would have to Let us Jiangnan nobles lie down quietly!”
The Jiangnan gentry have been in business for hundreds of years, so they naturally have their own arrogance.
Fang Jun's reputation still cannot suppress these local snakes. Not only could they not suppress him, but before Fang Junren arrived, this group of people had already made up his mind under Chang Sunman's instigation...
Magistrate Xiao looked at his accomplices who were a little carried away with cold eyes, without commenting, just sipping tea lightly.
But I have made up my mind that if I succeed this time, I must draw a clear line with these idiots, otherwise I may be dragged into the water...
Thinking of the letter from his elder brother Song Guogong Xiao Yu, Magistrate Xiao glanced at Changsun Man lightly and raised a strange smile on his lips.
If you want to make a fuss, just make a fuss yourself...
*****
Any system is gradually improved and developed, which not only depends on the quality of the system itself, but also depends on the fit between the system and the social environment.
Generally speaking, Fang Jun did not have much extravagant expectations for the imperial examination in the 14th year of Zhenguan. The foundation and influence of the imperial examinations in the former Sui Dynasty are still there, and people are greatly affected by them, and they are not necessarily able to absorb and accept the imperial examination system reformed by Fang Jun.
The most important thing is that this is an era of aristocratic families...
The monopoly on education that has existed for thousands of years cannot be completely changed by printing a few cheap books, writing a few popular enlightenment books like the "Three Character Classic", or even an imperial examination. The literacy rate of ordinary people is really low. Almost every literate person is a child of a noble family or a close relative. Real scholars from poor families are rare.
Only when the monopoly on education by aristocratic families is broken can the meritocratic imperial examinations truly develop.
Historically, the monopoly of education was at the end of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, when the world was in chaos and the people were in dire straits. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms came one after another. You sang and I came on stage. Those aristocratic families that had stood for thousands of years collapsed one after another in the shuffle.
Even the aristocratic family has disappeared, let alone monopolizing education.
Therefore, by the Song Dynasty, the cost of education became even lower, the opportunities for common people to learn to read and read were greatly increased, and the imperial examination really took off.
A good system still needs a suitable social environment to operate, otherwise it will be nothing more than words on paper and castles in the air...
Three feet of ice is not frozen in a day, and there is still a long way to go to support the rise of poor families and resist the aristocratic families.
He called his servants to hitch the carriage, and left the house in the drizzle.
There were few people on the street, but the restaurants and inns were bustling with people. Although the scholars from all over Guanzhong were taking the exam in the Ministry of Rites examination room, there were more domestic servants than the scholars. At this moment, they were all gathered in the wine shop and inn, chatting in small groups in low voices. Looking anxiously for the end of the exam.
Fang Jun was driving slowly through the street in a carriage, feeling quite good.
Although there is a long way to go before the imperial examination can truly achieve the goal of "evaluating talents only", as long as it attracts the attention of scholars all over the world, this initial stage will be considered a success.
Although the aristocratic families are a negative factor for the country's consent and stability, and they cannot fully implement the court's favorable policies to all states and counties in the world, for the current Tang Dynasty, talents for the rise of the empire still have to rely on the aristocratic families.
The literacy rate of poor families is really too low...
The carriage went through the streets and alleys, hooting, and arrived outside the East Palace Gate.
After getting off the car, General Wei Ying had already held up an oil-paper umbrella to cover Fang Jun from the fine rain. The chamberlain of the East Palace had already been at the palace gate. When he saw Fang Jun getting off the carriage, he immediately ran over, ignoring the rain that wet his hat and clothes. He half-knelt on the ground in front of Fang Jun and said respectfully. : "This servant respectfully welcomes the Prince Consort. Your Highness has a decree. As soon as the Prince Consort arrives, please immediately go to Li Zheng Hall."
Fang Jun hummed, took the oil-paper umbrella from Wei Ying, and walked toward the palace.
Under the rain curtain, the East Palace looks quiet and exquisite. It lacks the solemnity and grandeur of Tai Chi Palace, but it has a beautiful and exquisite charm. It can be said that each has its own merits.
The maids in the palace walked in and out of Li Zheng Hall like butterflies in flowers, and exquisite dishes and jars of fragrant wine were brought into the hall. When Fang Jun came under the rain corridor in front of the palace, a palace maid came forward and bowed to take the oil-paper umbrella in her hand, and then someone led Fang Jun into the palace.
It was drizzling outside the hall, but the atmosphere inside the hall was warm and harmonious.
Around the Persian carpet with dragon patterns in the center, a row of tables were placed. Seven or eight people sat behind the tables, drinking and chatting happily.
Seeing Fang Jun come in, Prince Li Chengqian, who was sitting in the main seat, waved his hands with a smile and said casually: "Why are you here, Erlang? Come and sit next to me."
These intimate words and actions showed that Fang Jun's status in the heart of His Royal Highness was very different from that of other ministers. There are people here, old and young, all of whom are distinguished people, but they are also secretly envious and jealous.
Not only is he favored and trusted by His Majesty, but he is also so close to the future Emperor. This boy really has traveled a long way...
No matter how sour his heart is, there is no doubt that Fang Er is now the most popular celebrity in Chang'an. Moreover, everyone here is gathered here today because they have something to ask of Fang Jun. Naturally, there is no trace of worry on their faces, and everyone is smiling.
"Haha, Erlang is newly married, and it is the sweet time for him and Her Highness Princess Gaoyang. I wish I could face each other in the morning and embrace each other at night. How can I easily step out of the bedroom?" The person who spoke had a round face, a fat smile, and a triangular smile. Almost invisible, it was none other than the consort Wen Ting.
Wen Ting was born in the Wen family of Taiyuan, which was also a wealthy family. His father was Wen Yanbo, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty and the Duke of Yu State. His brother Wen Zhen died of grief while Wen Yanbo was in mourning, and everyone praised his pure filial piety. Princess Qianjin, the daughter of Emperor Wen Tingshang, is his wife. Since he is a relative of the emperor, it is not considered rude to make some harmless jokes about Fang Jun.
Fang Jun said with a smile: "You know me, Prince Consort Wen! Back then, Prince Consort Wen was inseparable from Princess Wen, who had been married for three years. We were in the same car when we went out, and we were on the same bed when we came in. He was the envy of the world! He is not talented, but he wants to imitate the great achievements of his ancestors. , but I am full of ambition but not strong enough, I am ashamed, I am ashamed!”
"Wow haha..."
There was a burst of laughter. The prince-in-law Wen Ting blushed and remained silent.
Princess Qianjin is fierce and fierce, and is famous in Guanzhong. It is said that she was not satisfied when she got married to Wen Ting. She once complained to her close friends that Wen Ting was "short and weak", but he was afraid that she would attract bees and butterflies, so he followed her around like a shadow all day long, never leaving her side. , passed down as a joke.
Wen Ting failed to tease Fang Jun, but instead had his shortcomings exposed. How could he not be ashamed and angry?
Prince Li Chengqian laughed so hard that he almost burst into tears. Although he didn't want to see the rich princess aunt, they were still part of the same family. He patted Fang Jun on the shoulder and said with a smile: "It is said that you don't expose your shortcomings when you scold someone. Erlang's move is wrong." Demeanor, three drinks as a penalty, have you ever been convinced?”
Fang Jun chuckled: "Your Highness has an order, so of course I will sacrifice my life to accompany you!"
Wen Ting didn't know what was good or bad, but he didn't do any harm. Since he fought back, Fang Jun didn't care about himself and gave the prince some face by letting him go.
I drank three cups in a row without changing my face.
Everyone suddenly praised: "What a drinker!"
Fang Jun smiled and looked at everyone's insincere words, and secretly thought in his heart that he was really an actor. Looking at the posture, could it be that these people were asking for something from him today?
At that moment, he smiled and sipped his wine without interrupting. (End of chapter)