Qian Qianyi smiled and nodded, Wu Chunlai slowly walked up to the top of the stone steps in front of the bulletin board, turned around and glanced at the audience, and said loudly: "Fellow villagers, students. The official Wu Chunlai, on the order of the imperial court, was the main examination of this year's Spring Festival with Lord Qian. After half a month, the gold list has been announced today. The official and Mr. Qian can declare that there was no mistake in the undergraduate examination. No cheating, no leakage, fairness and justice, smooth and smooth. Lord Qian and I have lived up to the trust of the Holy Lord, and we have not failed to live up to the appointment of the imperial court. ”

The crowd crackled and applauded. At this time, the examiners naturally want to brag about their own merits, and it is not an exaggeration. There is indeed nothing bad about this year's Spring Examination, and this Wu Chunlai Wu still has some ability.

"The official knows, you are all waiting for the official to post the gold list. The official doesn't want to be bored with rambling. But according to the rules, the official has to explain some things, so that no one is confused. This one...... This year's imperial examination began in September last year, and a total of 3,571 candidates have been qualified for tribute in the 15th week of the whole year. According to the plan of the imperial court, there are 1,000 and 9 scholars on the top three list of the current branch of Chunqiu. The results of the Spring University Examination are determined by a total of 18 chief and deputy examiners of the undergraduate Spring University, and they are arranged in order of ranking. The results of the judgment will be reported to the government hall for verification by the Ministry of Rites. The top 10 are all reported to the Holy Lord. Therefore, all the results are produced through normal procedures, and there is no irregularity. After the announcement of the gold list, the Ministry of Rites accepted the students' complaints and questions within three days. The review fee is 10 taels of silver. However, those who make trouble without reason will be severely punished according to the law. In addition, the top 10 of the first class are the ruling of the saints, and they are not allowed to be reviewed and questioned. ”

What Wu Chun said is actually normal, these are all standard procedures, and they are all the same in previous scientific expeditions, which are basically the same. It's no secret that some information has been released before the big exam. As the main exam, it is also a standard process to repeat it before the list.

"Without further ado, the gold list will be announced immediately. By the way, there is another important thing, the first thirty-eight high school lifters need to report to the Daqing Gate before three o'clock, and after entering the palace to see the driver, the saint will give the first three hairpins and red robes to the royal horse, and parade through the capital market. This is a glorious moment for the world, and it is indispensable. Wu Chunlai said with a smile.

The crowd was buzzing and talking about who would be the lucky ones. Thirty-eight in the first class, that is the best thirty-eight people. Even if he is not an official in the capital, he does not have to wait for a vacancy, and can be directly granted an official position. The second and third class students do not have this special treatment, they are not qualified to stay in the capital, they must be trained as officials in other places, and they must wait in line for vacancies. Before they take office, they are only alternate officials, with no power or position, and they only recognize their official ranks. As for the top three, it is even more glorious. The champion list looked at the hairpin and traveled all over Bianliang Long Street in a red robe, and thousands of people competed to see the champion, what a glory it was.

Wu Chun finished what he had to say, turned his head to look at Qian Qianyi, and Qian Qianyi smiled and nodded. Wu Chunlai raised his hand and shouted: "Zhang Bang! ”

Hulala, the yellow silk gold list was unfolded in the hands of several soldiers, and the huge gold list was like a brilliant flag flying in the wind. Everyone's eyes were fixed on these flags, which were densely covered with small black letters, and on them were the names of the lucky ones.

The gold list is divided into two parts, the first part is the first list. A few soldiers quickly pinned the gold list above the long bulletin board. On the gold list, which was covered with a blood-red jade seal, thirty-eight eye-catching names were arranged from right to left in order of ranking. Everyone's eyes naturally fell on the names of the top three. Someone couldn't help but read it aloud.

"The first champion of the first class, Lin Jue, a native of Hangzhou Mansion on Liangzhejiang Road. The second place in the first class, Du Weichuan, a native of Haizhou, Jingdong East Road. The third place in the first class is Tanhua, Liu Xiding, a native of Shuzhou, Huainan West Road. ……”

"Sure enough, it's that Lin Jue. It was rumored to be him. When the emperor inspected the examination room, he was going to appoint him as the first at that time, and now it seems that this matter is true. Awesome, awesome. ”

"Yes, this Lin Jue has read his words below, and he is really a talented person. Before the big exam, I estimated that he would take the first place. Hey, people are more popular than people, why am I not as talented as him? That Du Weijian is also a talented person, I know him, he didn't get the first place, I guess he will be unhappy. ”

"Let's find our own name, don't worry about others, the second and third grades have been announced."

The second-class and third-class gold lists, which are more than ten meters long, have been posted below the first-class gold list between the words. The names of more than nine hundred lucky winners are written on it in turn. Everyone began to stretch their necks and stare at the names of their own people who took the big exam on the gold list. After a while, the crowd erupted in bursts of cheers. The person who found the name he wanted to find let out a cry of surprise and rushed out of the crowd to report the good news. And those who didn't find it were still anxiously staring at the dry eyes, looking for them all over again in those dense names.

As time passed, the sounds of jubilation in the square came and went. The high school gold list lifters were overjoyed, but some also howled and cried with joy. After more than ten years or even more than twenty years of hard work, it finally paid off, and every cell and nerve in the body was relaxed, and there was no need to suffer from it anymore, how can others experience this feeling.

Many people have lost their family property in order to study, and their wives have been separated. Received countless white eyes and ridicule, and suffered countless accusations. Today is finally the high school gold list, and all the pain of the past has disappeared, how can they not be ecstatic.

Although the imperial examination was cruel, at this moment, he gave some ordinary people in this era a chance to be fair and upward and break through the class solidification. Even if it was just such a small opportunity, a little hope, as small as the light of fireflies in the night, it was better than the darkness of no light at all. What is called changing fate, this is called changing fate. The imperial examination high school is like a carp jumping over the dragon gate, and since then, the wind and clouds will meet and ascend to the sky in one step.

The news that Lin Jue of Hangzhou Mansion won the first place soon spread throughout the square. Lin Jue and the others also quickly learned the news. In order to confirm that it was correct, Lin Hu used his strong body to kill a bloody path and made the final confirmation with his own eyes.

Xie Yingying, Yingluwu and others congratulated Lin Jue one after another, while Xie Danhong and Red Sleeves, who had just learned about it, were stunned. Where did they think that Lin Gongzi was actually in high school, and he was the top student. On weekdays, he still giggles with Lin Gongzi, but he doesn't dare anymore. Of course, they are also very happy. Lin Gongzi is the champion and is going to be an official, that is to say, the Jiangnan Grand Theater also has a backer, so there is no need to be afraid in the future.

While everyone was happy to congratulate, Lin Youde's face was gloomy. Although he had a premonition, when the fact that he fell into the first place was in front of him, Lin Youde, who had already made psychological expectations, was still sad. I have been studying for half my life for this dream, and now the dream is shattered, and all kinds of feelings in my heart are indescribable.

Lin Jue saw Lin Youde's loss, and comforted him in a deep voice: "Cousin Youde, don't worry too much. As I told you that day, you don't necessarily have to go to the department to enter the office, and it's good to live a peaceful and stable life. I've already thought about it, and I'll arrange an errand for you. Some of the errands of the boat company at home are not suitable for you, so I want you to come to the Grand Theater to do something. I told Sister Danhong Yingying that our Jiangnan Grand Theater in Hangzhou City is now short of a manager, and you will take care of the affairs of the Grand Theater for us when you go back. Salary is 12 taels a month. Of course, it's all based on your wishes, and it's okay if you don't want to go. In short, what I want to tell you is that don't be depressed because of the failure in the imperial examination. ”

If it was in the past, Lin Youde would never go to the Grand Theater to do things, because he has always regarded himself as a decent scholar, and he felt that the Grand Theater was still a place for some crooked and evil ways to entertain people. But now, he has long changed his concept and knows that Lin Jue's theater is a serious business, and he has long lost any prejudice. But Lin Jue asked him to be the steward of the Hangzhou Grand Theater, which was obviously taking care of himself. I don't understand anything, what can I do? Lin Youde is still self-aware.

"Lin Juegongzi, I am willing to go to the Grand Theater to do things, but I can't do it, I don't have to spoil the big thing. I'll only go to do chores, and you can give three or four taels of silver a month, and I'm only worth that price. If you ask me to be a steward, I will not be at ease, not even if I take more money. Lin Youde smiled bitterly.

Lin Jue nodded, Lin Youde's quality is still simple, and he is not a person who sees money. Such a person can still be relied upon. With the expansion of business, I do need some personal help, for example, the two grand theaters in Hangzhou are now in the stage of being managed, which is somewhat uneasy.

"That's it, cousin Youde, you go back this time and put on the name of a deputy steward, and take care of the money and property for us. You're a reader, and you're good at it. Slowly, you are familiar with things, and then you are promoted to be in charge. As for the salary, ten taels of silver a month. My sister-in-law doesn't have to sew and wash in other houses, and she also goes to the theater to sweep and run errands, so that after a year, you can change your house and live a prosperous life. What do you think? ”

Lin Youde was still waiting to resign, for fear that he would not be competent, Xie Danhong said on the side: "Oh, how are you grinding and chirping." Today is the big day for Lin Gongzi's high school champion, who has time to grind with you here. This matter is settled, you can't even manage the accounts, what books are you still reading? Isn't it a joke? Really. ”

Lin Youde was stunned, and there was a sense of anger in his heart, he was actually despised by an old bustard in a green building. She can open the door to do business, manage a large group of people to be obedient, but she is not as good as her? No longer hesitated at the moment, nodded in response. Once he responded, he would have a career to earn a living in the future, and Lin Youde's heart would also settle down.

On the square, basically the famous people on the gold list have already learned the good news, and more than 1,000 lucky people have also brought their relatives and friends to celebrate with smiles. But there are still many people who are not on the list who find it difficult to accept this fact, and they are carefully looking for their names in front of the notice board, for fear that they have missed it.

However, it is basically impossible to see what you missed, and if you look at it more than once, you will be disappointed again. The hard work of studying for more than ten years in the cold window was put down at the last moment, and the grief in my heart was indescribable. Comparing the happy smiles of the people with the title of the gold list, and then looking at the lost souls of the frustrated, like walking meat, it can't help but make people sigh and sigh about the cruelty and creation of fate. The high school gold list is surrounded by groups of people, and in addition to congratulating, they also take the opportunity to climb the friendship and speak in harmony, which can be described as a spring breeze. And there was no one around the loser to comfort him, and even the relatives and friends who accompanied him looked ridiculous and complaining. The circumstances are very different.

Sometimes life is so cruel and straightforward. The winner takes everything, and the loser suffers. The victors enjoy the envy of everyone, enjoy praise and sycophancy, and the losers suffer only white eyes and indifference, and no one pities or sympathizes with them.

At this time, tragedy is most likely to occur.

"Hahaha, it's so dangerous, I'm ranked 970th among the three families, and I'm only one short of falling to Sun Mountain. It's good that my life is good. If I go back on the list, will I still have a face? When I came, I borrowed money from all over the world, and I suffered a lot of stares and ridicule. Now I'll go back and see what those who won't lend me money say. There is kindness and revenge, hehe, this is called a happy life. ”

Next to the Shangma Qingshi next to the royal road, a lucky man with a short stature was pointing and spitting and talking, and a group of onlookers next to him nodded and agreed. A student who failed the list lowered his head and was passing by like a walking corpse, and after hearing these words, he was stunned for a long time, and suddenly remembered that he was similar to him when he came. When borrowing the travel expenses, I promised to pay back twice as much when I was in high school, which is good, what will I pay back when I go back? I have no power to tie the chicken, and my wife and children at home are waiting to be fed, how will I live in the future?

was already like ashes, but when he heard this person's words, he was even more discouraged, and he had no thoughts of life. So he looked up to the sky and sighed, rushed towards the bluestone stele, and hit his head with a bang. The surrounding people screamed in horror, and the soldiers of the forbidden army came to inquire and sniffed, but the people were gone. So the soldiers carried the body and laid it at the temple at the entrance at the southwest corner of the Suzaku Gate for temporary storage, and then disposed of it to restore order in the square. After some sighing and horror, the matter was soon forgotten. This life, which came with hope and ambition, was finally buried in this imperial examination.

In fact, these things are nothing new, and dozens of lives cannot be spared in the two major examinations of the imperial examination in a year. This is not the first, nor will it be the last.

The Yijia Jinshi were soon summoned to a fixed location on the east side of the Royal Street, and were escorted by a small group of forbidden soldiers to meet in front of the Daqingmen Palace in the inner city. A large group of people followed bustlingly to see the excitement, and the crowd continued to increase when passing through the lively markets on both sides of the Bianhe River along the way, blocking the entire royal road with a width of more than 20 zhang.

Lin Jue met Du Weijian and Liu Xiding, both of whom are young talents. In comparison, Du Wei gradually seemed to be a little arrogant, and when he met Lin Jue, he could see his unconvincing in his eyes. As a well-known and conceited celebrity from all walks of life in Jingdong, Du Weijian has always refused to participate in the imperial examination. He once openly said that once he participated in the imperial examination, he would definitely win the top prize, and no one could take the first place away from him. But now it's second. Maybe that's why he's a little unconvinced.

In comparison, Liu Xiding is much more humble. This person is ordinary-looking, but has a calm bearing. is also obviously a few years older than Lin Jue and Du Wei. spoke politely and was very polite to Lin Jue, and Lin Jue's impression of him was much better. Especially when Lin Jue heard that Liu Xiding had studied with Xue Qian and Fang Dunru for a year in Songshan Academy, the distance between the two was shortened. When the two talked happily, Du Wei gradually fell silent beside him, and he didn't want to participate at all.

Surrounded by the crowd, the first-class jinshi of the new branch who were full of spring breeze arrived at the square in front of Daqing. The square in front of Daqing Gate is also where the two governments are located, so the people are not allowed to come in at will, especially so many people who watch the excitement. The soldiers blocked the crowd and their families outside the square, and the thirty-eight new scholars were taken to the gate of the Ouchi Palace.

There were already chamberlains in the palace waiting in front of the palace gate, and after verifying their identities, the new branch scholars were guided by the chamberlain to enter the inner hall from the palace gate, pass through the Xuanyou Gate, pass through the Zichen Palace, and the Cloud Hall to arrive at the Chongzheng Hall of the Weekday Morning Dynasty. Walking up the long and high stone steps and entering the Chongzheng Palace, many people's eyes were filled with tears. Although this is only a part of the road, this is the real process of entering the house. To be able to enter this inner palace, to be able to stand in this splendid Chongzheng Palace, how much effort and hardship I have paid. And now, the dream has come true.

Guo Chong was already waiting for these people in the side hall. The crowd bowed and prostrated and shouted long live. Guo Chong was in a good mood, and everyone was rewarded with a glass of wine, raised a glass and drank with everyone, congratulating everyone on the title of the gold list. After that, Guo Chong said another word of encouragement, which was nothing more than to encourage everyone to be loyal to the country, serve the people, share the worries of the court, and be a qualified official after joining the office. We must use what we have learned in our hearts to govern the country, live up to the people of heaven and earth, and be honest and honest.

After the hadith is completed, the next step is to give the top three people a red robe, a hairpin and a gazelle, a five-flower royal horse, and send the Sima army honor guard in front of the palace to escort the parade. This is the final climax of the undergraduate examination, and it is also the most exciting time. The whole city is waiting for this moment to see the demeanor of the top three people in the current department.

After seeing the completion of the drive, he came out of the palace, and the parade honor guard and the entourage of soldiers and horses had been prepared. The champion of the list of tanhua in turn, the gong to open the way, the drum music followed, all the way out of the square to the south to the royal street.