Chapter 661

Love Shenjing, Hongde Gate.

Perhaps few scholars would be like Jia Cong, paying attention to the grand ceremony and the imperial street parade. Three hundred scholars were all glorious, but Lin Zhaohe, who was ranked third in the metropolitan examination, was missing.

The imperial street parade team set off from the palace, passed the Great Zhou Tribute Institute, along the central axis of the Love Shenjing, passed Hanzheng Street, passed Hongde Gate, and finally stopped at the Ministry of Rites.

When three hundred scholars passed Hongde Gate, no one noticed that in the crowd of people watching at the city gate, a sliding pole was leaning against the city wall.

Lin Zhaohe on the sliding pole looked at the parade team of scholars for a few times, and the three top scholars on horseback. Finally, his eyes were calm and condensed, looking at Jia Cong, who had the best demeanor among the three.

Just looking at it for a few times, he turned his head and focused his attention on the bustling crowd entering and leaving the city gate, as if the glorious and bright scholar glory had nothing to do with him, he was just an outsider.

He was once proud of his spring breeze, and in the prosperous place of the imperial examination in the south, he won the name of Jieyuan.

Accompanied by his close friends and classmates, he went to the capital to take the exam, full of ambition, and even had the ambition to win the world.

But the sudden cheating case in the imperial examination completely involved him, with sand and mud flowing down, and clear and turbid difficult to distinguish.

The inhuman torture on the torture rack, the severe pain like knocking marrow and scraping bones, and the tragic suicide of Wu Liang in anger seemed to have permanently changed his will.

He once had the passion of youth, the longing for official career and fame, just like the red-hot soldering iron in the torture room, which was splashed and tempered by the bone-chilling well water, and solidified abnormally hard and cold.

Now for him, the glory and illusion of the grand ceremony and the imperial street parade no longer had much meaning.

He once prided himself on his talent, even if he couldn't make it into the top three, he should be able to be in the forefront of the second rank. But in the end, because of his damaged reputation, he could only stay at the end of the second rank.

But he was not too depressed because of this. Compared with Wu Liang's tragedy, he was lucky enough.

Even if his reputation was damaged, he was finally on the list. Being a scholar, his official career started, and that was enough. There is a long way to go, and things are done by people!

He thought of Jia Cong, who had helped him. Before the spring examination, he was a figure who was famous all over the world, and in the metropolitan examination, he won the top prize, and he was the choice of the world.

But in the end, he was inferior to Zhang Wenxu of Qingzhou, and in the final analysis, he was just tired of reputation.

Losing the glory of the imperial examination and becoming a second-rank end-streamer who was reduced to the crowd was not being skinned and dismantled, but reborn.

No one asks, the world is wide, the official career only asks for the original heart, the achievements hit the middle of the flow, and there is no more scruples……

……

At this time, the parade team passed Hongde Gate and went to the Ministry of Rites. The neat and solemn ritual robes of the three hundred scholars, with large sleeves flying, were indescribably grand and proud.

But all this brilliance and brilliance had moved further and further away from Lin Zhaohe, and for him, it no longer hindered his heart.

Yesterday, he resigned from the grand ceremony and the Enrong Banquet held by the Ministry of Rites on the grounds that his injury was not healed and it was difficult to walk.

Perhaps when he left the prison of the Tushiyuan alive, washed away the injustice, and was carried out of the Dali Temple, he was no longer the original Lin Zhaohe……

……

The sunlight on the city wall shone directly on Lin Zhaohe, making him feel abnormally warm and comfortable. He owed his stiff waist due to injury, and saw three carriages looking at each other, entering Hongde Gate in turn.

The carriage at the head had a familiar style, which was exactly his family's property, and the few strong young men who pushed the carriage were also Lin family's confidant servants.

One of the young men saw Lin Zhaohe and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him: "Young Master, we finally met you. The Madam and the Wu family lady are both in the carriage."

At this time, a young woman got off the carriage at the head. Seeing Lin Zhaohe on the sliding pole, her expression was mixed with sadness and joy, and she walked quickly to his side.

With tears in her eyes, she gently grabbed Lin Zhaohe's hand and asked: "Husband, what's wrong with you."

Lin Zhaohe smiled and said: "Don't worry, it's all skin injuries. It will be fine after a period of time. Things have passed.

And this time, it is a great fortune in misfortune. The imperial court has returned my innocence. Yesterday, when the list was released, I was already in the second rank. Years of hard study were not in vain.

Yan Niang, you have worked so hard to come thousands of miles. Actually, I have my cousin to take care of me, you really shouldn't be so tired."

The woman said: "You and I are husband and wife with the same life. My husband had such a big thing in the Love Shenjing, how can I sit at home? And my cousin insisted on coming, no matter how I persuaded her, it was useless."

Lin Zhaohe sighed: "Is the sister-in-law okay?"

The woman said: "She didn't eat or sleep well all the way, almost crying every day. I have been worried, fortunately she didn't get sick, otherwise thousands of miles away, I really don't know what to do."

Lin Zhaohe sighed: "Back then in prison, Yiwen was forced by the cruel officials. Because he didn't want to falsely testify against me, he had no way to go, so he died in anger. I will support his wife and children to the end."

The woman said: "This is natural, I will also help my husband handle this matter. When my cousin and I went out, the children were picked up at home and arranged for people to take care of them carefully, so my husband can rest assured."

She took out two letters from the package she carried, and said: "When I went out, Teacher Chen from the academy sent two letters, one for my husband, and the other for my husband to pass on to an old friend in the capital."

Lin Zhaohe's expression condensed slightly, and he suddenly thought that Wu Liang had told him that the teacher and the left minister of the Ministry of Works, Xu Liangxiong, were old friends. Wu Liang was because of this layer of relationship that he was able to visit Xu Liangxiong and finally caused trouble.

Lin Zhaohe sighed in his heart. Wu Liang was also one of the teacher's proud disciples. Because of his introduction, by mistake, Wu Liang was trapped in prison and suffered tragedy. I think the teacher must be guilty because of this.

……

Yan Niang asked: "Husband, Teacher Chen has always taught in Hangzhou Prefecture. My husband and Yiwen were enlightened by him since childhood. Hangzhou and the Love Shenjing are thousands of miles apart. How can Teacher Chen have old friends here?"

Lin Zhaohe said: "The teacher was a capital official more than ten years ago. Later, I don't know why he resigned and returned to his hometown, and focused on teaching. He rarely mentioned this matter to others, so few people know about it.

Now it's just more than ten years of time, it's not strange that the teacher still has old colleagues in the Love Shenjing."

Lin Zhaohe opened the letter written to him and browsed it quickly.

After reading the letter, Lin Zhaohe's expression was surprised. Looking at the other letter that was strictly sealed, and the four words "Xuanyu personally open" on the envelope, his expression became a little solemn.

Yan Niang saw his expression was different, and asked with concern: "Husband, is there any important matter in the teacher's letter?"

Lin Zhaohe calmed down slightly and said: "It's all daily matters. But yesterday the Ministry of Rites announced the gold list. The teacher is thousands of miles away, but he is also a god."

He said that since I have cleared my injustice, with my talent, the imperial court will not be hindered by the name, and will not abandon me, and I will surely be on the list. Don't worry about the success or failure of the moment, and take the affairs of the family and country as the priority.

The teacher also said that if I can be on the list, let me wait for the Ministry of Rites to select officials in the Love Shenjing, and take the official career and state affairs as the priority.

If it is inconvenient for me to return to my hometown, he will send two classmates from the academy to the capital to assist……"

……

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

After Jia Cong returned to the prefecture, he took a bath and changed clothes, then went to the outer courtyard of the East Prefecture, received several batches of visiting guests, and after some social interaction, he sent the visitors away and took advantage of the gap to return to the inner courtyard for a rest.

He just walked near his courtyard and saw Xiao Hong walking back and forth at the courtyard entrance.

Since Jia Cong let Xiao Hong be the steward maid of the Rongxi Hall, because he lived in the East Prefecture daily, he didn't see Xiao Hong often.

Seeing her dressed beautifully and exquisitely today, wearing a peach-red stand-up collar thin silk jacket, an outer black-bottomed scarlet-patterned satin vest, a rose-red long skirt on the lower body, and a snow-green flower sweat towel tied at the waist, she looked like a smart and capable appearance.

Xiao Hong saw Jia Cong coming, a look of joy appeared on her face, stepped forward and blessed, and said: "Congratulations to the third master for passing the examination, being granted Hanlin, rising step by step, and becoming more and more proud."

Jia Cong smiled: "Xiao Hong, I haven't seen you for many days, how are you? Why are you here today, do you have anything to do with me?"

At the window on the second floor of the Yashi Residence, Miss Xia saw Jia Cong's boundless glory, her pretty face flushed, her heart full of joy, and her whole body trembling slightly.

She thought to herself that only by winning such glory could one be considered a proper man, but in this world, there was only one such person, while the rest were mostly trash like Baoyu...

Although she was happy and intoxicated, unable to control herself, she also felt a bit unhappy.

Brother Cong was glorious, but those women were also very flirtatious, either tossing handkerchiefs or singing little songs, all wanting to show off in front of Brother Cong...

In a carriage not far away, the girl who had tossed the handkerchief leaned behind the carriage window, one jade arm supporting her pretty face, watching the excitement outside with great interest, and occasionally laughing knowingly.

The maid beside her said, "Miss, in the scholar's parade, shouldn't the most glorious one be the top scholar of the world? Why is the second-place scholar the one who is most glorious and causing such a stir?"

The girl said, "You don't understand; there is much more to this than meets the eye. The second-place scholar was originally the top scholar of the metropolitan examination, also a proper first-place winner. It is a pity that his official rank is heavy, and there are many taboos on him.

The second person on the metropolitan list, for some reason, didn't even make it into the top tier.

The third person on the metropolitan list was also a great talent, but he got into a lawsuit and ruined his reputation. Otherwise, it would be hard to say who the top scholar would be.

A scholar's talent and reputation are not determined by a single golden list; they are accumulated over time. There is no such thing as an overnight success. Even ranking first on the golden list does not mean truly ranking first in the world."

At this time, even if Zhang Wenxu disliked riding horses, he had long since climbed back onto the saddle with the help of the imperial guards, so as not to attract more attention. The third-place scholar, Chen Qirui, was in a good mood, shaking his head and reciting Jia Cong's "Full River Red" on his horse, looking quite intoxicated.

He laughed and praised, "Good poem, deep, melancholy, and elegant, the elegant sounds are clear and smooth. They all say the Marquis's reputation for poetry has spread throughout the world, but I had never witnessed it before.

Today's scene, with colorful silks dancing and the poem being sung throughout the street, has truly opened my eyes. I now know that his great reputation is not empty, and I admire him to the utmost..."

Zhang Wenxu, hearing Chen Qirui's words, felt even more stifled. He felt a wave of dizziness and infinite bitterness in his chest, wishing only that this damn parade would end quickly; it was truly too humiliating...

But things did not go as Zhang Wenxu wished, because the people in charge of this parade were two Grade 5 secretaries from the Ministry of Rites.

They were responsible for the etiquette and route guidance of the parade. Seeing that the atmosphere during the parade was so enthusiastic, with officials and commoners rejoicing together, it was harmonious and festive.

The commoners admired the prosperity of the imperial examinations, even coming up with various tricks, with colorful silks dancing and poems being sung, and everyone joining in—it could be called a fine story of the imperial examination parade.

The current Emperor had bestowed imperial grace, allowing the top-tier scholars of this year to parade through the streets, precisely to showcase that nobles and commoners are treated equally, that it is fair and just, and to show the true meaning of selecting talent through the imperial examinations.

The commoners' enthusiastic response did not prove that the imperial examinations of the dynasty were revered by the people, that the haze of corruption had been cleared, and that the Emperor's holy virtue had subdued all directions?

Such a matter of clear political virtue naturally should not be ended hastily. As officials of the Ministry of Rites, such foresight and pattern would certainly not be lacking.

!

Therefore, when they encountered anecdotes like colorful silks dancing and songs being sung throughout the street, the Ministry of Rites officials guiding the route intentionally slowed down the pace.

The progress of the entire parade naturally slowed down as well, and the commoners watching on the street rejoiced together, reaching an even hotter climax that lasted for a long time...

As for the fact that the most glorious and eye-catching person in the entire parade was the second-place scholar, not the top scholar, it was not a problem at all for the two Ministry of Rites officials.

The glory of the parade had no rules that the top scholar must be the most glorious; the three top-tier scholars each relied on their own popularity and ability.

Moreover, the two Ministry of Rites officials were even more happy to see Jia Cong being the most brilliant and glorious.

Because Jia Cong had always had a good relationship with the Ministry of Rites, and he also had quite a connection with the Ministry of Rites.

Back when he took the Yongzhou prefectural examination, the Minister of Rites, Guo Youchang, who was the chief examiner, had a discerning eye and named him the top of that year's prefectural examination.

Guo Youchang was Jia Cong's mentor in his studies, and Jia Cong was his proper disciple. This relationship was considered very close and intimate in official circles.

In the eyes of the two Ministry of Rites secretaries, Jia Cong was equivalent to one of their own.

Not to mention that he was young and successful, with a heavy official rank, and was already a person who should be drawn in and approached in official circles.

Just considering the face of their superiors in the ministry, they were happy to let Jia Cong have more glory and face; this was also the way of the world in officialdom...

Thus, the Hanzheng Street, which could have been walked in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, was walked by the two Ministry of Rites officials in the time it takes to eat two meals.

The scholars participating in the parade followed blindly, and no one would urge the Ministry of Rites officials to walk faster...

By the time the parade walked out of Hanzheng Street, the atmosphere of the entire street had almost burned to its peak, even more lively than during the holidays.

It attracted more and more commoners of the Love Shenjing, who came from all directions to admire the style of this year's scholars.

These commoners focused more of their attention on the dazzling second-place scholar who had stirred up the dancing scented handkerchiefs and the singing of the crowd.

The enthusiasm of the commoners of the Love Shenjing ignited along the way did not fade because they left Hanzheng Street, but continued to climb all the way, and the elegant literary event caused a sensation throughout the city.

The original parade could have been finished in half an hour, but in the end, it took more than an hour for the scholar team to reach the Ministry of Rites.

The third-place scholar Chen Qirui was in high spirits, chatting warmly with Jia Cong all the way.

The top scholar Zhang Wenxu's face was pale, his soul was lost, and his whole person seemed to be exhausted...

Three hundred scholars entered the Ministry of Rites and were told that at noon tomorrow, the Ministry of Rites would hold a banquet to celebrate the joy of the scholars' success in this year's examination.

Grand Secretary Wang Shilun, Minister of Personnel Chen Mo, Minister of Rites Guo Youchang, and other officials of the Spring Examination would all attend.

The scholars, upon hearing this, were all excited and spirited.

The banquet for successful scholars, bestowed by the imperial family, had existed since ancient times. The most famous one was the Qionglin Banquet of the former Song Dynasty, named after the banquet held in the royal garden, Qionglin Garden.

After the founding of the Great Zhou, the Qionglin Banquet was renamed the Enrong Banquet, and the banquet location was changed to the main hall of the Ministry of Rites.

Although the Enrong Banquet was a banquet held by the imperial family, the Emperor would usually not attend, and would send imperial princes or high-ranking officials in the court to preside over it.

The person presiding over this Enrong Banquet was the current Emperor's younger brother, Prince Kangshun, which could be considered a grand specification.

However, Jia Cong thought of Prince Zhao, whose wife had passed away suddenly, and had other thoughts in his heart.

Presiding over the Enrong Banquet for scholars was a glorious thing, and the person in charge would surely accumulate reputation because of it.

The previous Enrong Banquets were all presided over by Prince Zhao, but this time it was changed to Prince Kangshun, who had always been idle and detached from the court politics.

The deep meaning was self-evident. After the Jin Ling Guard case, the Emperor's doubts and suspicions had taken root, and he was becoming more cautious about the issue of the princes, not wanting to send wrong signals to the court officials again...

After the official business was finished, the scholars left the Ministry of Rites one after another and returned to their respective residences.

Today they had gotten up before dawn to enter the palace and participate in the entire ceremony, and everyone had stood still for an hour.

Afterward, they went out of the palace to parade through the streets. Except for the three top-tier scholars who had horses to ride, the other scholars had to walk on their own feet, and everyone was exhausted.

At this time, only the third-place scholar Chen Qirui was still spirited, chatting warmly with the scholars to say goodbye, and also told Jia Cong that after the Enrong Banquet, they would make an appointment for a small drink.

By the time the three hundred scholars filed out of the Ministry of Rites and scattered throughout the Love Shenjing, the anecdotes about today's parade spread rapidly throughout the city...

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

When the ceremony in the palace ended, not much time had passed before the east and west prefectures began to be filled with guests.

These guests were either noble families with generations of friendship with the Jia family, or old relatives and friends, as well as colleagues of Jia Zheng and Jia Cong from the government offices. In short, they were all inseparable from official circles.

They would only come to congratulate them after the ceremony ended because they knew Jia Cong was a top-tier scholar, and the palace would surely bestow an official position upon him.

Only by knowing the final result could they control the scale of their words and weigh the distance of interests when they came to congratulate them. This was the common sense of interaction among official families.

Today, high-ranking officials above the fourth rank in the court all participated in the ceremony. After the court dispersed at the Huangji Hall, the news that Jia Cong had been appointed as a Hanlin Academician had already spread like wildfire.

At this time, those who came to the prefecture were all well aware, and their congratulatory words became even more warm and intimate.

Not to mention that a family of military nobles had produced a Hanlin Academician, even if a family of civil officials had produced a Hanlin Academician, it was a major event that could not be ignored.

Not to mention that this Hanlin Academician was only fifteen years old, and his official rank was already heavy and dazzling. Now that he had made further progress, his future was destined to be limitless.

Jia Zheng received guests for Jia Cong in the Rongxi Hall and heard a bellyful of good words. Everyone praised him for his discerning eye, saying that he had seen Jia Cong's excellence when he was young, and that it was because of his grace and tolerance that the Jia family had today's glory.

These flattering words made Jia Zheng feel dizzy and happy, as if he were stepping on the clouds, not knowing where he was...

And those female relatives who came to the inner hall of Rongqing Hall to congratulate Grandmother Jia were even more enthusiastic, opening their mouths with "top-tier scholar" and closing them with "Hanlin family," which made Grandmother Jia very happy.

Many of these female relatives who came to visit also brought their daughters, and they congratulated Grandmother Jia together, and their manner was more intimate than others.

It was just that when these female guests entered the Rongqing Hall, they all saw an extremely strange scene.

The Jia family's former phoenix young master, Baoyu, who was rumored to have been born with jade in his mouth, was actually kneeling blankly at the entrance of the Rongqing Hall in front of the guests, looking quite miserable.

To say that he was paying respects to these guests, there was no such etiquette in the world, but he did not know what mystery the Jia family was playing on this joyous day...

(End of chapter)

Jia Cong felt awe-struck in his heart and asked: "Has the Embroidered Uniform Guard found out the root cause?"

The Marquis of Zhongjing said: "Under the torture of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, these two craftsmen confessed that they were bribed with heavy money and instructed to sneak into the workshop to spy on the secrets of firearms……"

(End of chapter)