After Shao Song

Chapter 189 Extra: One Hundred Years Later

Wang Zhen took part in the imperial examination in the fifth year of Taiding. According to the chronology of later generations, that year was also 1292, when he was 21 years old.

In the process of taking the exam, he also met a good friend and opponent, Zhang Yanghao from Jinan Prefecture, who was one year older than him.

The two have different academic views and different hobbies: Zhang Yanghao writes good lyrics and music, which can be exchanged for wine money by the Jiaofang Secretary; while Wang Zhen has been farming for generations. In addition to reading, he likes to dig into the soil to study the growth of crops, and also He once received the "Science and Technology Progress Award" from the Dongping Zhang family for improving corn yield.

It needs to be added here that the Dongping Zhang family is a branch of the descendants of Zhang Rong, King of Lu in the early years of the Kingdom. They settled here and took root, and became a prominent family.

But everyone had a bad impression of their family. When Zhang Yanghao heard Wang Zhen talk about it, he sneered and said: "Half of the fields in Dongping belong to their family. My good brother has made a difference for them, so he should be rewarded." .”

Wang Zhen sighed and said: "Brother Ximeng (Zhang Yanghao), I don't know that I am helping the emperor to do evil, but my family has been a minor official in Dongping Mansion for generations. If I offend them, my family's forty acres of land may not be able to be saved." , my father can’t do it anymore.”

Zhang Yanghao was angry and said, "His Majesty, Shizu, named Yan 36 meritorious officials. He once said that if anyone has 150 acres of fertile land, I will definitely annihilate him like the Jurchens. It's a pity that King Lu Wei loved the people and soldiers all his life. In his later years, he still made decisions for the people. Who knew he would only be [-] years old?" , there are such unworthy descendants, ruining his old man's reputation for the rest of his life."

Before Wang Zhen said anything, another Dongdong scholar said angrily: "Your Majesty Shizu helped the world, not to mention the achievements of the ancestors of this dynasty, even the emperor of Qin, Han and Wu. But look, how many of his ancestral precepts are there now?" In accordance with the rules, the princes and pavilions in various places are doing their own thing, and Sichuan and Shu have been forced to rebel several times. The Secret Pavilion controls the power of the world, but they hope that the Lord will not ask about everything, and the harem is also eager to try. Some time ago, the censor Guan Hanqing questioned several princes at the Great Court. 'His Majesty the Patriarch taught you to tell others everything, how are you doing now?' After saying that, he did not wait for the royal guards to drag him away, he abandoned his clothes and went home to write dramas."

Wang Zhen replied: "This little brother knows it. Lu Wenhuan was furious and wanted to expel him from his position. But he was dismissed by Wen Xianggong. He also brought Ma Jijiu and Mr. Yangzhai to persuade him, but unfortunately Mr. Guan refused. ”

There was a student named Yue beside him who was excited and said: "Xiangong Wen is the humerus of the country. It's a pity that he was suppressed first by Jia Sidao and then by Lu Wenhuan. God is unfair!"

Some people around said: "Chuanhe, we know that you are the fifth generation grandson of King Yue, and your grandfather Yue Ke is also a great master. Yue Ju, who is within the fifth service, has appointed an envoy to the Lianghuai system, and someone in the big house has given birth to a princess." Of course you are not afraid, if word of this spreads, will we still have a future."

Although the Yue Family Chuanhe was not angry, Zhang Yanghao had already started to attack the case and cursed: "Taizu's ancestral teachings are not to kill the person who wrote the letter. Even the ancestors did not break it (Goulong Ruyuan, what about me?), leaving behind and Zong Zhongwu and Li Zhuangyi (Li Guang) have a long-lasting story, but now it’s no longer enough to discuss current affairs, so why should we discuss politics at the Imperial Academy?”

Yue Chuanhe immediately found his confidant and said: "Ximeng is really my confidant. It's not good to be arrogant before the exam. After I finish writing, I will invite you to have a drink and watch "Save the Fengchen"."

"Save the Fengchen", Guan Hanqing's new work after returning home, has become popular all over the country.

However, they did not pass the exam this time and did not watch it as a drama. The eighth emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, who had been ridiculous for 20 years, went to meet his ancestors. No matter how mediocre he ruled and doted on the demon concubine, he was still the king of a country. The whole world was in mourning. The provincial examination It was postponed for a month and the person in charge of the examination was changed.

Before he arrived, the Ministry of Rites gave him the posthumous title of "Huan Emperor".Emperor Huan's only son died early, and his concubine Li always persuaded him to adopt another branch of the clan, but the former emperor Jingdi still had a living son, so the cabinet has always disagreed.

Sure enough, the new emperor ascended the throne on the fifth day of the third month in front of Emperor Huan, and seven days later he sent Concubine Li to see Emperor Huan.Pursuing the favor of his family does not involve the merits of Li Qiong, the prince of Anyang County.

A month later, Lu Wenhuan was dismissed from office on suspicion of corruption.Lu Xiufu succeeded him as prime minister, and Zhang Shijie became privy envoy.

The royal family was very popular, and Prince Shen Zhao Xin, who was over [-] years old, was said to have lamented, "Since Emperor Wuzong, the country finally has a clear leader."

Of course, after Wuzong, none of the young emperors lasted long. In the end, the youngest son of King Wu of the outer vassal was elected as emperor. The harem and the cabinet struggled for power. In the end, the biggest rebellion after Jianyan broke out - Wu Lin, the grandson of Wu Lin, cousin of the Empress Dowager Wu. Xi's generation in Xianrenguan coerced the refugees to rebel with great momentum. Some counselors said that the loyalty and filial piety of the three generations of the Wu family for 80 years were wiped out in one fell swoop.

Wu Xi said that he had decided to proclaim himself king, and immediately went to the weapons depot and summoned the soldiers to explain the reason. Lu Xi and others congratulated him and expressed their obedience.Wu Xi faced north to receive the royal seal.

This move shocked the whole country, and Empress Dowager Wu fainted at court. She cried loudly before her death and could not enter the imperial mausoleum. It was difficult to see the late emperor, Shizu, and Xuanzong.

Of course, Wu Xi’s behavior is still related to the improper management of Bashu. During Jianyan, although he paid in advance for food and taxes in order to fight Yaoshan, but after the victory, it was reduced. Shu has certain tea and horse monopoly benefits; although Wu Zong is tough, he can patrol the middle of Shu several times, build water conservancy and use copper coins for civilian use, which greatly eases social conflicts.But then the center became unstable and the Qingtang War caused hardship to the Shu people again and again.This rebellion was not quelled until the new generation of star Meng Gong was born. The Guandong Wu family founded by Han Hui Wang Wu Jie completely declined. With death, the tribe moved out of Guanzhong, but this also led to the decline of the Song Dynasty's policy of generals that lasted for a hundred years.Since then, the combat effectiveness of the Western Army has dropped again and again.

Then two emperors in a row were mediocre and enjoyed themselves, but it was strange that the government was good.How many ministers cried and shouted, "Your Majesty, please open your eyes and take a look." However, the current emperor does not know what he will experience when he arrives in the underworld.

Of course, for the students of Jingdong Mansion, the exam still had to be taken, but Zhang Yanghao didn’t need it. His old works were seen by Ma Zhiyuan, and he was greatly appreciated. He recommended him to Yanjing Taixue in his own name, and directly participated in Enke.

It is necessary to say here that the Wenzhi of the Song Dynasty has always been excellent. The imperial examination has been reformed for more than a hundred years. A lot of.

But no matter what, after the exam, Wang Zhen brought bacon to visit the chief examiner (but not the examiner) Xu Yan, who was also his hometown and mentor. Xu Yan was very easy-going and met him in the study, saying : "Although I didn't look at your test paper to avoid suspicion, the test this time is about the combination of water conservancy construction and agricultural production. You are definitely expected to pass. Congratulations in advance."

Wang Zhen smiled bitterly, "The teacher teased me for playing tricks on the class."

Xu Yan was a well-known primitive scholar, and he also served as an official at Laiwu Iron Smelting Bureau. After taking office, he was busy creating pit smelting, developing [-] households, specializing in smelting, and exempting half of their taxes. , the three supervisors of Tongli, Baocheng and Kunqi were established. Under the supervisors, they set up smelting servants to burn and cast. The policy was very comprehensive.

At the same time, he was very interested in improving agricultural tools to increase crop yields. He and his friends visited the countryside many times and discovered Wang Zhen, a great talent. He funded his studies and became his disciple.

Xu Yan smiled wryly and shook his head, pointing to the case and said, "Your master Meng (Meng Qi)'s "Nongsang Collection" has been compiled. He works too often and can't leave Beijing. Send it here and let me give it to you."

Wang Zhen was very interested. He hurriedly bowed and took a look at it. He didn't want to use too much force and actually knocked over some of the teacher's manuscripts. He was shocked and quickly packed it up to leave, but he suddenly found that it was a "Book of Begging Bones", which means Please resign.

Wang Zhen was shocked and turned pale. He didn't care about avoiding suspicion and asked: "Teacher, now that the Holy Lord is coming to the court, and the teacher is in his prime, how can he have such an idea?"

"Bo Shan (Wang Zhen's nickname), I won't hide it from you. I have had this idea for a long time." Xu Yan sighed with his hands behind his back and said, "I am a person who loves learning. In the past, many of my colleagues were vegetarians. Now that I have resigned, You have to do a good job in your official position. Seeing that today's people are vigorous and resolute, there will be no shortage of people to do things. Why don't I retreat to the countryside to concentrate on my studies and cultivate some great talents like you."

Looking at his lover, he wanted to persuade him again, and said with a smile: "In the past, Liu Ziyu, the Prime Minister of Jianyan, entered the palace to study the original science in less than fifty years. His achievements and abilities are not as great as being a teacher. Everyone has their own ambitions."

After saying that, he walked to the writing desk again, paused with his pen, and it was exactly:

"In the morning we set out to conquer the land, our servants packed up their gear, and saddled their horses with carved saddles. I sighed that it was difficult to get close to each other at the party, and I thought about how to let go of our love, but my thoughts were related. It is difficult to stay no longer and hide my tears. When I leave, I will cherish the good and protect my beauty. Then Xiudao Feng is alone, sleeping in a cold quilt. When he comes in the future, it will not be like today."

Wang Zhen was speechless for a moment, almost forgetting that the teacher was still a romantic seed.

Three years later, Wang Zhen successfully entered the court.He first served as the county magistrate of Xuanzhou Jingde (today's AH Jingde), and required farmers to plant a number of mulberry trees every year; he gave guidance on hemp, grass, millet and other crops from sowing to harvesting methods one by one; he also drew various patterns of agricultural tools. , Let the people imitate the trial production and use.After his term of office expired, he was promoted to head of the household department on the recommendation of Zhang Yanghao, and wrote "Wang Zhen Nong Shu".Later generations commented that this book was the first to make a more comprehensive and systematic discussion of the so-called agricultural production knowledge in a broad sense and to propose the traditional system of Chinese agronomy.

Zhang Yanghao, on the other hand, had a prosperous official career, outstanding literary talent and noble moral character. The "Advice for Government" written in his later years represented his dominant thought throughout his life in advocating for an honest official.Divided into three parts, it is sincere advice to local officials, supervisory officials, and central officials.

Of course, later generations will remember him for his literary talent, among which "Shanshan Sheep·He Shizu" is one of the representatives:
"Looking around Lishan Mountain, Afang was torched. Where is the luxury at that time? I saw the grass is sparse and the water is lingering. I still hate the misty trees. The countries Zhou Qi, Qin, Han and Chu, won, they all turned into soil; lost, they all turned into soil. earth."

　In fact, most of the officials written about in this article were officials of the Yuan Dynasty, but in the Shao and Song Dynasties, they all became good men of the Han family, and the north and the south were no longer divided.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)