Chapter 2616
Zhu Zian did not answer Bai Letong's question immediately, but turned to look at Shi Diwen first. Seeing that he had no expression, he responded: "The imperial examination is a system for selecting talents for the country. I have the desire to serve the country." Only with your heart in mind will you sign up for the provincial examination. Your question, do you doubt your sincerity in participating in the imperial examination? ”
Bai Letong shook his head and said: "It's not that I doubt your sincerity, but everyone knows that culture and education in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are prosperous and talents emerge in large numbers. The competition in the imperial examinations here has always been the most fierce. In previous years, thousands of students competed for hundreds of admission places. In comparison, if you take the provincial examination in the north, you will have a much greater chance of being admitted. You may not know this, and participating nearby can save you the trouble of traveling all the way to Hangzhou. In addition to your desire to serve the country, there must be other reasons for your move, right?”
Bai Letong could certainly imagine that the main reason why Zhu Zian came to Hangzhou to take the exam was probably Shi Diwen's promise that he would be given special care during the imperial examination to ensure that he would be named on the gold list and successfully enter the Haihan officialdom in the future. The official will also use him as a positive example to hype Haihan's orthodox status in the future and attract more talents to actively join Haihan. In this way, both parties can benefit, and in the long run it will indeed benefit the country and the people.
This arrangement may not be legal, but it is in the national interest. Bai Letong naturally has no way to object. After thinking about the stakes, he admires Shi Diwen's methods. Therefore, although he later showed less enthusiasm for the work of the rural trial, he did not try to challenge Shi Diwen's arrangements.
But the question he raised to Zhu Zian at this time was actually not malicious. Clear-minded local officials would definitely be happy to use Zhu Zian's special status to achieve political achievements for themselves. The conditions that Shi Diwen could provide Zhu Zian, Chen Yixin from the north I should be able to give it too. Moreover, King De's former vassal territory was within Chen Yixin's current jurisdiction. It should be that those who are close to the water should come first. Is it possible that Shi Diwen secretly poached Chen Yixin?
Bai Letong really wanted to know, if he could get a chance to stand out in the imperial examination in the north, why would Zhu Zian go far away and come to Hangzhou to take the exam?
"Let me answer this question."
The speaker was Shi Diwen. He seemed to be aware of Zhu Zian's uneasiness when responding to Bai Letong, so he took the initiative to take over the conversation: "Letong, I know what you are thinking, but it is not what you think. I can tell you frankly that the person who originally planned this incident was not me, but Chen Yixin, who was the one who arranged for Zian to go to Hangzhou to take the exam.”
When Bai Letong heard this, he already understood why Zhu Zian's response was evasive and untrue. This matter involves two high-ranking officials, Chen Yixin and Shi Diwen, and Zhu Zian himself is probably just a pawn in it. How could he dare to reveal the inside story to outsiders at will?
But Bai Letong really didn't expect that it was Chen Yixin who took the initiative and arranged for Zhu Zian to take the exam in Shi Diwen's jurisdiction. Since he knew that he could make a lot of fuss about Zhu Zian, why would he give up such a good thing?
Then Shi Diwen continued: "You may think that there will be complicated interests involved in this, but the actual situation is very simple. The reason why Chen Yixin did this is just that he didn't want to put all his eggs in one basket. If it were me Similar arrangements will be made to deal with this matter.”
Everyone suddenly realized that it turned out that this was neither Shi Diwen's poaching nor Chen Yixin's kindness. It was just a cooperation between two high-ranking officials. And Zhu Zian was not the scarce resource they thought. At least Chen Yixin had other children of the Zhu family who also participated in this year's imperial examination.
As for why Chen Yixin shared Zhu Zian with Shi Diwen, to put it simply, it was to share risks and benefits. If the subsequent hype can achieve positive results, both the Northern Region and the Donghai Region will benefit from it, and because the imperial examinations are held simultaneously in both places, the publicity effects achieved can be superimposed on each other and have an impact on a larger region. force. If the effect is unsatisfactory, or the executive committee believes that this move goes against Haihan's principle of holding imperial examinations, then at least it will lead to a situation where the law does not hold the public accountable.
Of course, judging from the current situation, as long as the follow-up publicity work can keep up, their plan is very likely to achieve positive benefits, and maybe the executive committee will also express its public support. Shi Diwen continued: "Le Tong, I know you have always had some opinions on this matter, so I specially called Zian here today. Maybe you will think that I am just using Zian's identity, but have you ever thought about how we could Would you take the risk of pushing a mediocre person to the stage as a role model? I chose Zhong Zian, not only because of his identity, but also because he is quite talented. He has studied the Four Books and Five Classics since he was a child and is proficient in poetry and poetry. Taking the provincial examination is just a small test. That’s it. If you don’t believe it, you can give him a test now to see if he has real ability.”
Zhu Zian also straightened his back at this time and looked directly at Bai Letong. It was obvious that he was quite confident in this.
Bai Letong actually thought about it more than once, looking for an opportunity to try out the real abilities of the characters who received special treatment in the provincial examination, and see if Shi Diwen found a idiot nobleman to use as a prop, but he really didn't care about this moment. When it came, he no longer had such desire.
Now that Shi Diwen has told the inside story frankly, he believes that there is no need for the other party to brag about Zhu Zian's knowledge at this time. Of course, there is another reason, that is, Bai Letong himself does not have many study books on the Four Books and Five Classics, and poetry and poetry are not his strong points. If he forced himself to come up with the topic, not only will it not be effective, but it will make the other party see through his shortcomings.
But if you ask questions based on what you have learned, it will be clear that you are bullying the other party. After all, the courses taken by the second generation are extremely special, and many of the contents are far beyond the academic level of this era. If you randomly pick out a question related to mathematics, physics and chemistry, Zhu Zian will probably not even understand it, so even if it stumps the other party, it will be nothing. It makes sense.
Bai Letong hesitated for a moment and was about to decline the proposal. Tao Hongfang, who was next to him, seemed to see through his mind and spoke before him: "How about I come up with a question and ask Brother Zian to answer it?"
Zhu Zian nodded without fear and said, "Please give me a question."
Tao Hongfang said: "I am not talented. I have only learned some ancient poems. I am absolutely incapable of creating my own. I have no ability to evaluate other people's works. So I would like to ask Brother Zian to choose an ancient poem to express his participation in this event." It would be better if the idea of the rural examination could be written directly.”
Tao Hongfang's method of formulating the question is quite clever, which not only avoids the risk of making a fool of himself, but also does not hurt the goodwill. Limiting the use of ancient poems to express aspirations can test Zhu Zian's knowledge. Even if his poetry is not good, as long as he can produce decent ancient works, he can pass the test. By referring to his calligraphy level, we can roughly judge whether this person has real talent and learning, or whether he is just a loser.
(End of chapter)