I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 76 Ignoring it is the best policy

In the vertical arch hall.

Zhao Zhen looked at Su Liang and Tang Jie and said, "You should also be here for the disciples' sit-in at Xuandemen. Do you have any ideas to make the disciples leave quickly?"

Tang Jie stood up first.

He glanced at Wang Gongchen and said: "Officials, I think that my sons are sitting in meditation at Xuande Gate, which is an offense to the monarch's authority. This trend cannot last forever, and we should send people to drive them away immediately!"

"Just now, I heard Wang Zhongcheng outside saying that this matter was all Uncle Ouyang Yong's fault. I feel that Wang Zhongcheng has selfish motives because he wants to know about the tribute job!"

"Uncle Ouyang Yong was scolded, and then he jumped out to pick up the good job. This is not what a gentleman does."

"Tang Zifang, don't judge a gentleman with a villain's heart. Have I ever thought of this?" Wang Gongchen couldn't help but retort.

"Is it true? Who doesn't know that all previous Jinshi are students of the emperor on the surface, but in fact they all have a teacher-student relationship with the current examiner!"

Hearing this, even Zhao Zhen was a little unhappy.

What Tang Jie said is true.

The relationship between candidates and examiners is extraordinary, something that cannot be avoided in all previous imperial examinations.

Moreover, Zhao Zhen deposed the candidates in the palace examination, which actually made some candidates feel resentful.

Just when Wang Gongchen was about to continue to refute.

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said: "I let you solve the problem, not quarrel! If there is no better strategy than to remove Ouyang Yongshu from the post of Zhi Gongju, I will remove him first and eliminate all the candidates. Regarding the resentment, as for whether to delay the cultural and sports reform, we will discuss it after the disciples have dispersed!"

At this moment, Zhao Zhen was already a little anxious.

He didn't expect that it would attract such a huge backlash from his disciples.

At this time, Su Liang stood up.

"In the official family, the officials are angry and need to be appeased. However, removing Ouyang Yongshu from the post of Zhi Gong Ju is nothing more than wishing for plum blossoms to quench thirst, and cannot solve the actual problem."

"I believe that some candidates in this session have indeed suffered losses. Considering the current relationship between the examiner and the candidates, I suggest that the candidates be given a favor that will make them feel at ease."

Tang Jie was stunned.

Unexpectedly, Su Liang suddenly interceded for those rogues who did not know etiquette.

Su Liang continued: "I suggest that from now on, those who participate in the imperial examination will not be dismissed and will only be ranked."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but his eyes lit up.

Tang Jie's eyes also lit up.

Su Liang continued: "In the past, our dynasty deposed the emperor's son due to the palace examination, which caused a lot of troubles. The most representative example is Zhang Yuan, the emperor's son who was deposed due to the palace examination. He defected to the enemy of Xixia and even became a state official. Your Majesty, you are my great enemy."

When Xia Song heard the word "Zhang Yuan", he couldn't help but shrink his head into his collar.

This Zhang Yuan was the military advisor who defeated Xia Song and Han Qi in the Battle of Haoshuichuan.

He wrote the famous poem on the border: How did Xia Song rise? Han Qi was not surprised.Sichuan is full of dragon and tiger chariots, and they still talk about military plans.

This incident was not only a shame for Xia Song and Han Qi, but also a shame for the entire Song Dynasty!

"After being exempted from the palace examination, the candidates who are admitted to high school will be most grateful to the official family, not the examiner. This can also solve the problem of the relationship between the examiner and the candidates. Of course, if this is done, the marking of the provincial examination will be strict. Be harsher!"

"Good!" Zhao Zhen couldn't help but praise the case.

This move is not only beneficial to Zhao Zhen and makes the "Emperor's Disciple" more worthy of his name, but it can also quell the dissatisfaction of the candidates with this pre-examination change.It can be said that killing two birds with one stone.

The princes of the two governments and three departments all looked at Su Liang.

They were all wondering what was in Su Liang's mind and how he could come up with such an idea that the officials would praise him.

At this time, Xia Song stood up.

"Even if we implement the policy of avoiding demotion in the palace examination, I'm afraid it will be difficult to let the candidates leave! Their anger comes largely from Uncle Ouyang Yong. I am worried that even if the candidates withdraw today, they will not be able to leave after the provincial examination." It is very likely that he will be dissatisfied with the test questions given by Uncle Ouyang Yong. At that time, if he takes the test again (a second test), it will probably be even more troublesome!"

Tang Jie on the side couldn't stand listening anymore.

"It is a great favor to avoid being deposed in the imperial examination. What else do these candidates want? Prime Minister Xia is too fond of these candidates. If they threaten to sit in Xuande Tower for everything in the future, will the imperial court want them? compromise?"

Wang Gongchen immediately retorted: "Tang Zifang, one thing comes to another. If Ouyang Xiu hadn't insulted these people, how could they have done such an outrageous thing!"

Su Liang took two more steps forward.

"I believe that the best way to deal with these sit-in actions is to ignore them. As long as the officials pay attention to it, it will be a major matter for the court. If the officials ignore it, they will most likely not be able to persist and will retreat soon."

"Ignore it?" Zhao Zhen began to think.

"Nonsense! How can you ignore the nobles who are sitting quietly in front of Xuande Tower? Officials govern the country with benevolence, how can they treat scholars so harshly!" Xia Song said angrily.

Su Liang showed no signs of weakness and looked at Xia Song.

"It is benevolent for the officials to implement the policy of avoiding dismissal through palace examinations, which means a compromise for the candidates to sit in meditation. If these candidates are still ungrateful and ignore God's grace, just let them continue to sit in meditation. Such an ugly behavior, Once it becomes popular and the officials compromise once, there will be a second time!"

"Besides, not all candidates are sitting in meditation. Without these more than a hundred people, wouldn't the imperial examination be able to proceed normally?"

Su Liang looked at Zhao Zhen, cupped his hands and said: "Officials, if you don't pay attention to them, these disciples will leave in three to five days at most; but if you ignore them, they will continue to make trouble until the court compromises again!"

"What if something happens to one of the disciples? Who will bear this bad reputation if someone is killed?" Xia Song asked again.

Su Liang smiled slightly.

"Without eating or drinking, they can at least last for five days. I don't think they can last for five days."

"What if we persist for five days?" Xia Song seemed to be at odds with Su Liang.

"Xia Shuxiang, you think too highly of those students. I would like to make a bet with you. If the students are allowed to sit in meditation, they can persist for more than five days without eating or drinking. I am willing to go from Xuande Gate with my buttocks naked. Go to Nanxun Gate, if you can't hold on, you can do whatever you want!"

Xia Song was speechless. If he won, he would be bullying his juniors. If he lost, how could he walk naked?

He was originally about to speak, but his mind was completely disrupted by Su Liang's bet.

Su Liang added: "Of course, in order to demonstrate the benevolence of officials, I suggest that several medical officers be stationed in front of Xuande Gate. If someone has a physical problem, they can be diagnosed and treated on the spot!"

Hearing this, Tang Jie on the side almost laughed out loud.

If there are several medical officers standing next to those candidates, they will be even more impatient, because it means that the officials will have to fight a protracted war with them!

Zhao Zhen smiled and rolled his eyes at Su Liang.

"Su Liang, above the court, don't talk about such obscene bets. I...I am willing to believe you once. Such actions of the princes are indeed unacceptable!"

Xia Song and Wang Gongchen were speechless, looking helpless.

　According to historical facts, in the second year of Jiayou (1057), Zhao Zhenfang abolished the imperial examination and removal system. Because of Su Liang, this move was brought forward.From then on, until the last imperial examination in the Qing Dynasty, no candidate was deposed in the palace examination, and the palace examination only determined the ranking.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)