Brother Song Taizu

Chapter 46 Be at the top of the list
Inside Chongwen Hall.

Wang Pu came to Fan Zhi with an excited look and said loudly: "Great talent! Great talent! Fan Xianggong, look, this is a great talent! This poem, this poem is so well written Well, everything is inferior, but reading is good. If you ask me, just based on these poems and essays, even if the strategy is a little poor, this person should be awarded a Jinshi. I say, these three kings should be read carefully. In this poem, if you have not yet completed your self-cultivation, you should not think about harmonizing your family, governing your country, and bringing peace to the world."

Seeing this, Fan Zhi took it and read it. He couldn't help but sigh with emotion and admitted that the poem was indeed well written.

"My lords, if you don't have any objections, is this the first title of this poem?"

All the examiners nodded, and Wang Pu even praised: "This is an article written in the prosperous times. It is indeed a great blessing for our country to have such a talented person at the beginning of the founding of the Song Dynasty."

"But I don't know where this candidate is from? Unfortunately, the names have been blurred."

Wang Pu said, "What's the point? Just take a look. Anyway, it's decided to be him."

Then he took matters into his own hands to clear up the name.

Although everyone also felt that this seemed a little inappropriate, after all, this was the first time that the name anonymity method was used, and it was even the first time that the imperial examination was finally more formalized, so naturally there were no big rules.

Until the sealing wax that obscured the name was opened bit by bit, and the words "Kaifeng Mansion Zhao Guangmei" were revealed on it, Wang Pu's eyes couldn't help but almost bulged out, as if a bird was stuck in the neck. Like chicken.

"Ah...this..."

However, Fan Zhi nodded repeatedly after being shocked, and said in admiration: "Did it come from the hands of the three kings? It's true that... the intention is lofty."

And in front of him, looking at Zhao Guangmei's name on the scroll, Wang Pu took a while to react. His face was extremely embarrassed, and he muttered: "Actually...actually...this article...may not really be the best among all."

Fan Zhi glared at him and said angrily: "Don't you want to live anymore?"

Wang Pu knew that he had made a mistake, and he repeatedly accused him of it. All the bachelors, bachelors, and bachelors in Chongwen Palace also said that he had not meant what he said and would not say it out loud, so he relaxed a little.

"The way of poetry and prose is ultimately a small way. In my imperial examination, we should focus on policy and theory and ignore poetry and prose."

This is true. Fan Zhi pulled out an article and said: "On one subject, Wei Xianggong and I agree that this article is the best. What do Wang Xianggong think?"

"Truth and justice are performed by a gentleman, but punishment is meted out to villains. Punishing the dead is a heinous crime, and this is especially the case for villains. He would rather die with righteousness than live happily, but regard death as home. This is especially difficult for a gentleman. Also. In the sixth year of Emperor Taizong's reign in the Fang Tang Dynasty, more than [-] people were imprisoned. Even if they returned home, they were promised to die on their own. This is because it is difficult for a gentleman to do it, but it is certain for a villain to do it. The prisoners are as good as Period, and there is no such thing as a dead man. This is what is difficult for a gentleman, but easy for a villain. Is this close to human feelings? It may be said: The sin is great and evil, and he is a sincere villain; and if you show kindness to him, you can make him Become a gentleman......"

"Good! Good! Good! Wonderful!"

Wang Pu couldn't help but cheer again and again.

To be honest, Ouyang Xiu's handed down works, which can be included in Chinese textbooks, would be a dimensionality reduction blow in an era such as the early Song Dynasty when literature was not outstanding. Wang Pu looked at it and was simply heartbroken.

"Good article, this is truly a good article that will be remembered for centuries. This must have been done by a learned scholar. The writing skills of this candidate are probably better than those of us. Very good, very good."

Fan Zhi teased: "So, Prime Minister Wang also thinks this article should be at the top of the list?"

"It's natural."

Fan Zhi asked Wei Renpu again: "What does Wei Xianggong mean?" "Based on this theory alone, I should be admitted to the First Class."

Fan Zhi smiled and said: "Wang Xiang, are you interested in seeing who wrote this?"

"The ranking has been established, so why not dare? It's impossible or..."

As he spoke, he opened the package, and then looked at the three characters Zhao Guangmei on it, once again dumbfounded.

However, Fan Zhi sighed as if he had expected it: "Dragon and phoenix among people are indeed the same. We can't judge them by common sense. The ones who will bring chaos to the world in the future will definitely be the officials and the three kings and brothers."

Wang Pu refused to give up and said: "Isn't there still a strategy? Strategy is the real talent and learning."

Fan Zhi said amusedly: "Ce, do you still need to look at it?"

Fan Zhi smiled and found an examination paper and said: "This strategy is especially superior to the Pingbian strategy used by the former emperor. Even the prime ministers like us are probably far behind in their knowledge and strategy. Among the candidates, except Among the three kings, who can have this insight? This is not a test paper at all, it can be considered for use as a national policy. Prime Minister, do you want to take it apart and see the name?"

Wang Pu opened his mouth when he heard this, then sighed and shook his head as if appointing.

Indeed, if the poems and essays of the three kings could all take the top spot, there is no need to look at this strategy at all, it must be him.

Poems and essays are all about knowledge and literary talent. These things can be learned, but policy is about knowledge. It is useless to study hard behind closed doors. The three kings can access the information in the Privy Council all day long. These are those that are beyond the reach of the candidates. In fact, before the exam, the ministers generally have an idea in their minds. The poems and treatises of the three kings may not be very good. It would be good to have one in the middle, but the strategy will definitely be particularly outstanding. .

I reluctantly took the paper and looked at it. When I saw the title "Strategies for Peace in the World", I couldn't help curling my lips, thinking that the title was too big. However, after reading it for a while, I actually felt astonished.

"how?"

"This... doesn't need to be named, it must have come from the hands of the three kings. This strategy... this strategy... is indeed far superior to the Pingbian strategy."

Then he raised his head and said with profound meaning: "Yunwen and Yunwu, the three great kings are all extraordinary people. I came to see them, especially above the late emperor and Zhuangzong of the later Tang Dynasty. You are so powerful, but you don't know what the world is like." Fortunately or unfortunately.”

After that, he put away the examination papers with a sigh and left lonely.

When others saw his expression, they felt a little bit sympathetic for a moment, and they couldn't help but sigh.

Chai Rong, he uses civil servants as secretaries. When the ministers disagree with him, he doesn't listen to a word. If you dare to give up your choice or don't do it well, he rolls up his arms and sleeves and does it himself, and then after the job is done, I'll deal with you again.

Li Cunxu, not to mention, just stay close to the actors and stay away from the virtuous ministers.

To put it bluntly, for the civil servants, what they like most is the kind of emperor Song Renzong, the kind who throws all his administrative power to the prime minister and is unable to be taken back by future generations, and then with the help of his ministers "Under this, we will jointly govern a peaceful and prosperous era.

Of course it is not good if the emperor is too stupid, but in comparison, an emperor who is actually too strong and too smart may be even more uncomfortable to serve than a stupid emperor.

(End of this chapter)