At the warm greeting of Yan Shifan and others, Zhu Ping'an bowed to everyone present one by one, and then sat down at the table "flattered".
After taking his seat, Zhu Ping'an discovered a problem, that is, Ouyang Zishi was not at the banquet. Wasn't it said that this was a banquet to send off the emperor before the palace examination? Ouyang Zishi was also going to take part in the palace examination tomorrow, so why didn't he come to this so-called farewell banquet for the palace examination
So many things connected together all confirm that today's banquet is undoubtedly the Hongmen Banquet!
Yan Shifan was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, a third-rank official. His father, Yan Song, was the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, the Junior Tutor of the Yingwu Palace, and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, the Junior Tutor and the Grand Secretary of the Huagai Palace. He was second only to the emperor and above everyone else. Even the members of Yan's party present were figures who should not be underestimated in the court.
Although Zhu Ping'an had guessed it at the beginning and was now certain that this was the Hongmen Banquet, he still had to attend the banquet.
I understand the reason, but people still have to come. Reject
Try to refuse one of them. The pinky finger of any of them is thicker than your thigh. How can you refuse? Imagine if you suddenly received a banquet invitation from the governor or mayor, or an invitation from your school principal or company boss, and they sent people to invite you four or three times with sincerity, and said that if you don't come to the banquet, they will come to invite you in person. Try to refuse it, can you
"Ouyang caught a cold today and is resting at home. He is not feeling well and cannot attend the banquet. Otherwise, it would be better for Ouyang to ask Zihou for more advice." Yan Shifan was a very smart man. He guessed what Zhu Ping'an was thinking with just one look at his eyes, and explained with a hearty smile.
"That's really unfortunate, but I think Brother Ouyang is blessed by heaven, and he will be back to health tomorrow." Zhu Ping'an took over Yan Shifan's words and comforted him with a concerned expression, but he was full of sarcasm in his heart, but he didn't want to expose it.
"Thanks to Zihou's good words, as his cousin, I would like to drink a glass on behalf of Ouyang and Zihou to express my gratitude." Yan Shifan said as he stood up with the wine glass in hand.
Damn it. You are trying to get me drunk! The palace exam is tomorrow, but you got me drunk today. What the hell! Zhu Ping'an looked at Yan Shifan holding a wine glass, and the other people around him who were ready to go, and he was so excited.
Bullying by taking advantage of one's power!
At this moment, Zhu Ping'an's desire for power suddenly increased several times. Today, he is just not as good as others. However, Zhu Ping'an, who has read countless history books, knows the future situation of the Ming Dynasty. Yan Song can still be the prime minister for nearly ten years. Although the situation is forced at this moment, for the sake of his ideals and ambitions, he must lie dormant and wait for an opportunity. I don't want to be a cannon fodder! Xu Jie can endure it, so why can't I!
A gentleman hides his abilities and waits for the right time to act!
"How dare I ask Master Yan to toast me? I should be the one toasting Master Yan."
As he spoke, Zhu Pingan stood up with his wine glass in hand and toasted to Yan Shifan. The bottom edge of the wine glass was lower than Yan Shifan's, and he elegantly covered it with his sleeve. He dropped the hairpin into the cup without leaving a trace, and took a quick look. The silver plug of the hairpin did not turn black, nor did it change to other colors. The wine should be fine, and he felt relieved.
"However, Zihou has a palace examination tomorrow, so he can't drink too much. How about this, Zihou just has a little bit of wine."
Yan Shifan was quite satisfied with Zhu Ping'an's tact, but he didn't notice Zhu Ping'an's little trick. However, he didn't force Zhu Pingan to drink as Zhu Pingan expected, but instead said to everyone present:
"You too, don't let Zihou drink too much. We are here to cheer him up for the imperial examination, not to hinder him. This is the only glass of wine for Zihou today."
As soon as Yan Shifan finished speaking, the others present expressed their opinions, "Master Yan, please rest assured. Although Zihou is young, he is very talented and is a favorite for the top spot in the palace examination. How could we be so confused at this critical moment?"
This was somewhat beyond Zhu Ping'an's expectations. After Zhu Ping'an toasted Yan Shifan with wine, he sat at the table with a little surprise.
"Today we are here to cheer Zihou up for the palace examination. You have all been through the examination, so don't hide anything. Tell Zihou about any precautions and experiences you have and give him a helping hand." Yan Shifan said to everyone at the table.
Then, Zhu Pingan understood!
This is not the Hongmen Banquet. Zhu Ping'an stood silently outside the window, feeling depressed. Damn, although this is not the Hongmen Banquet, it is not a good banquet either!
"I'm Si Shang Dazhi, a Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel. I'm a second-class Jinshi in the Jiachen year of the 23rd year of the Jiajing reign. I'm not familiar with the palace examination, but I have some experience with it." A middle-aged man in his forties who was sitting not far from Zhu Ping'an looked at Zhu Ping'an and spoke. This man was Si Shang Dazhi, a Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel.
"Hello, Lord Shang. I would like to ask for your advice." Zhu Ping'an bowed.
"It's not so much about teaching, it's just exchanging experiences." Shang Dazhi picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, then began to speak, "The palace examination is a test of the emperor's will. The palace examination tests the current affairs policy. If you want to pass the palace examination, you need to know the emperor's mind."
Having said that, Shang Dazhi put down his teacup, looked at Zhu Ping'an meaningfully, and stopped talking for the time being.
It was not until Zhu Ping'an showed a "warm" and "cooperative" attitude that he continued to speak:
"In the sixth year of Jiajing, the emperor said, 'The writings in the imperial examinations must be plain and elegant, and not be extravagant or bizarre to ruin the style. The examinations will only be slightly polished according to the original texts of the scholars.' Zihou must know this well. The emperor likes writings that are pure, elegant, sincere and honest. Writings that are flowery, extravagant and beautiful are only temporary and will not last long."
Zhu Ping'an was just listening to Shang Dazhi's words. As for Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Ping'an had a historical advantage and could be said to know Emperor Jiajing better than ninety-nine percent of the people in the Ming Dynasty.
Emperor Jiajing was a fickle person. For example, he once carved with his own hands on a pillar in the main hall the words "Xu Jie is a villain and will never be employed"; however, Xu Jie is now the Minister of Rites. According to the historical trend, Xu Jie will enter the cabinet in about a year and a half!
It was the sixth year of Jiajing's reign. Now more than 20 years have passed, and Emperor Jiajing's hobbies have changed drastically in his practice of alchemy.
Pure and elegant, sincere and honest? Then tell me what Qingci is all about.
Of course, it does not mean that Emperor Jiajing did not like purity, elegance, sincerity and honesty. I liked to eat meat yesterday, but I cannot eat vegetarian food today! It depends on what Emperor Jiajing was thinking when he asked the question. As the saying goes, living with the emperor is like living with a tiger, especially for an emperor like Emperor Jiajing who is both smart and mysterious, one must be more careful and attentive at all times.
After Shang Dazhi finished speaking, another person quickly pulled Zhu Pingan aside to talk about his experiences.
He talked for a long time, and when he finally finished, another person came to add a few words, which took half a day, and when he finally finished, another person came to explain his experience. This cycle goes on and on, non-stop, like you finish singing, and I take the stage!
But when they were talking, they liked to ask and answer questions with Zhu Pingan, and forced Zhu Pingan to participate.
Zhu Ping'an's face was filled with gratitude. He listened to their endless and eloquent conversation, and answered their questions, but his eyes were watching the changes outside the window:
The sun was shining brightly outside the window at the beginning, then it slowly turned red and the sun was setting in the west, then it turned dim and yellow, and then it was dark outside the window with the moon above the treetops, and now it is already deep night...
The night watchman outside had already struck the second watch! It was already late at night!
"Okay, okay, you guys keep exchanging your thoughts. Zihou has to take the palace examination early tomorrow morning. Okay, Zihou, you still have to get up early tomorrow morning to take the palace examination. Hurry back. Oh, by the way, take my sedan chair. No one will dare to stop you even if there is a night curfew."
Finally, Yan Shifan interrupted Shang Dazhi and others who were at a loss for words while exchanging experiences, and spoke to Zhu Pingan with great concern.
Damn, we had a farewell banquet which lasted from noon till 11pm, and we had to endure a bunch of quacking ducks. What kind of experience were we exchanging? There were so many pitfalls in the words!
I’m tired of sitting, tired of listening, tired of chatting, damn, I have to go home in the middle of the night, I’m drunk!
...