Chapter 8 Floating Clouds Hanging in Mid-air Name 5

  Chen Dongxing has always been decisive in his actions, and he felt that his own article was not as good as Xing De's. He actually burned the article with the theme of "Advocating for ritual music to attract people from afar". The time for reviewing the policy essays was originally short, and in the end, he hastily pieced together an essay and handed it in. Everyone else was anxiously waiting for the results of this year's imperial examination, but he was the most carefree. He was convinced that Xing De's article would definitely be ranked first, and he was even more confident than Xing De himself.

  Zhao Xingde was still somewhat confident, but as time passed day by day, the Imperial Academy had not yet announced the results of this examination, and his mood could not help but become a little anxious. He took advantage of the current officials' fondness for grandiose schemes and drew a big pie in the "Ten Strategies for Expanding the Seas", claiming that if they followed his plan, within twenty years, the Song Dynasty would be able to expand its maritime borders by tens of thousands of miles, organize immigrants to open up vast tracts of land overseas, with both people and land fully utilized, the court would enjoy the rich products of all nations, the treasury would be full, and with the help of a strong navy, it would only need time to unify the world and bring about peace.

  Zhao Xingde also hid a small trick in this strategy, because the officials of the current dynasty were all fond of the prosperity of the capital and did not want to go far away to serve as officials. If they followed Zhao Xingde's strategy, going to distant countries to take up positions such as governor of vassal states would inevitably be viewed with dread by the vast majority of officials. However, Zhao Xingde hoped to secure such a position, and only needed to deliberately consolidate it, regardless of how the court politics changed, he would have a base and a way out.

  However, some of the methods he proposed in "Ten Strategies for Expanding the Sea" were still too innovative and it was unknown whether the new party, which was currently favored by the government, would accept them. As time passed, the examination results that should have been released long ago had not yet come out, and Zhao Xingde's anxiety grew stronger as he saw his fellow students from the Imperial Academy becoming increasingly restless.

  "The list is out, the list is out!" Just when all the students thought that this exam would not have a ranking list, it was released after all. "Quickly go and take a look!" Zhao Xingde squeezed into the crowd with his fellow students Chen Dong, Deng Su, Zhang Biao and others, painstakingly searching up and down, almost widening their eyes by a factor of two. Even Chen Dong, who had hastily cobbled together an article, was ranked 13th, but there was no sign of Zhao Xingde's name.

  "It's impossible!" Chen Dong spoke out for Zhao Xingde, "With Yuan Zhi's talent, it's absolutely impossible to fall behind!" As soon as his words fell, they sparked even more people's resonance. "Right! How could I possibly not have a ranking?" "Is this strategy really reviewed by the imperial court?" "I, a young master with exceptional talent, must have been wronged by this exam result!"

  Just as all the scholars were making a big noise, it seemed that they wanted to grab Pei Xuezheng, who was in charge of posting the list, and not let go. Pei Xuezheng was anxious: "What's the hurry! What's the hurry!" He pushed away the crowd with one hand and laboriously pulled out another list from his bosom with the other, "The list hasn't been posted yet, this is the first-class list!" After finishing speaking, he slowly and neatly posted the list of first-class examination results next to the original second-class and third-class lists. As soon as the list was unfolded, the three characters "Zhao Xingde" jumped out and ranked first!

  "Got it! Yuan Zhi is the first!" Chen Dong's expression seemed even more exaggerated than Zhao Xingde's. It was said that the top ten students who scored A in the Imperial Academy examination were personally selected by the emperor, and were considered to be authentic "sons of heaven", and would soon be appointed as officials. After that, their career path would also be smooth sailing.

  Zhao Xingde stared blankly at the red paper with golden letters, he had expected to be in the top grade but never thought he would be first on the list. Before he could even think it through, "Congratulations Brother Yuanzheng!", "The emperor personally chose the top candidate!", "You must be a candidate for the imperial examination!", "Don't forget about us fellow students in the future!" The surrounding cheers and congratulations had already drowned him out.

  Dr. Li Ge was delighted to inform his family of the news that Zhao Xingde had come first in the imperial examination on the same day, and took out the champion red banner that he had treasured for over twenty years to celebrate with wine. The eldest son of the Li family, Li Ruobing, who was still waiting for punishment, had been the top student in the Taixue Shangshe exam back then, and now Zhao Xingde, the future son-in-law of the Li family, also came first, becoming a popular topic of conversation at the time.

  Li Ruobing did not expect that Hang De's "Ten Strategies for Expanding the Sea" would be so remarkable. He specially found and read through it, and couldn't help but praise it: "The court's strategies for appeasing distant countries are mostly limited to using military might, enticing them with benefits, winning them over with kindness, and binding them with etiquette and morality. However, those barbarian countries often rebel and surrender unexpectedly, and due to the long distance, it is not easy to punish them, so many times the court has no choice but to tolerate them." Li Ruobing had previously served as an official in northern counties and had heard of many cases where barbarian tribes suddenly rebelled or surrendered, leaving the court helpless. He felt that some of the content in Zhao Hang De's strategy could also be used to deal with land-based barbarians. "Hang De has come up with a unique approach, although the 'using their own strengths against them' method may take a long time, it is like pulling out the plug from under the pot, forcing the barbarian tribes to serve China. I am impressed, younger brother."

  Due to the efforts of Xiang Bu Zhi and Li Ge Fei, Yang Shi, the sacrificial wine of Guozi Jian, Chen Gua, the left censor, and other renowned scholars submitted a memorial to impeach Hong Lü Temple. They believed that as the supervisor of the Western Post House, Li Ruo Bing's main responsibility was to take care of the vassals of the Song Dynasty, such as Dali and Gaoli. Although there were documents in Hong Lü Temple regarding the etiquette for the Liao envoys with the seal of the Western Post House, Li Ruo Bing had only temporarily taken charge of the affairs, and the clerks involved had fled in fear of punishment. This was not a responsibility that he should bear. Emperor Zhao You seemed to have remembered that Li Ruo Bing was a student of the imperial academy, whom he had personally selected as the top scholar of the Taixue examination. He kept all the memorials regarding this matter and did not issue them, thus putting off the case. Li Ruo Bing remained at home "awaiting punishment", still receiving his salary, and his mood became increasingly relaxed.

  "Brother, you're overestimating," Zhao Xingde humbly said, "It's just that it can't be rushed. It would be best to entice Dali to plant as much tea and other goods as possible, and less grain. This way, after several decades, as long as the roads with China are cut off, their country will be filled with starving people."

  Li Ruobing was about to nod in agreement, but Li Gefei said: "Yuanshi, from now on you must read more of the saints' books, don't be too fond of power struggles." Zhao Xingde hastily nodded in agreement, and when he looked up, he happened to meet Li Ruobing's gaze, both seeing a hint of a smile in each other's eyes. It seems that this elder brother-in-law had also received quite a bit of lecturing from his father-in-law.

  Zhao Xingde's joy at obtaining the top spot in the imperial examination was a welcome distraction from the gloomy atmosphere that had settled over the household due to Li Ruobing's impending punishment. Although it was just a family dinner, the entire house was decorated with lanterns and streamers, creating an especially festive atmosphere by dusk. Li Ruoxue, who was already engaged to Zhao Xingde, rarely spoke to him in everyday life, but now she sat beside him, and he took advantage of his slight intoxication to admire her beauty. Her face flushed bright red, and the crystal cups used for drinking reflected a kaleidoscope of colors, making her complexion shine like a sunrise, unmatched in its beauty. However, Li Gefei and his wife, Wang Shi, seemed oblivious to this, leaving Li Ruoxue feeling deeply humiliated.

  Li Ge Fei originally wanted to let Zhao Xing De and Li Ruo Xue get married after the next imperial examination, but this time Zhao Xing De got the top name in the Taixue Shangshe, and at any time he might be selected as an official and go out to serve, even outside the capital, so there was no need to participate in the imperial examination, and the wedding could also be advanced at any time. Every time she thought about it, Li Ruo Xue's heart would float up with a few hints of shyness and sweetness, unknowingly, she was also intoxicated by Zhao Xing De's more and more unbridled gaze.

  The banquet lasted until late at night before it came to an end. As Xing De's capacity for wine was shallow, he couldn't hold his liquor and ended up staying overnight in the guest room of the Li residence. After Li Ruoxue and her mother, Wang Shi, finished making arrangements for their guests, Wang Shi noticed that Li Ruoxue seemed to be weighed down by some heavy thoughts. She thought that it wouldn't be long before she got married, as women from official families usually followed their husbands on their postings all over the country. Some of them couldn't bear to leave home, so she smiled and said: "It's often said that women have limited vision, but your father has foresight. Zhao Yuan is truly a phoenix among men! They say that recovering Youyan is not as great an achievement as being the top scholar in the imperial examinations. This official family's number one scholar, who was personally appointed by the emperor, is only slightly inferior to the top scholar in the palace examination. He's much better than those idle young masters who rely on their ancestors' achievements! As your mother, I should also congratulate you on marrying into a good family!"

  Li Ruoxue was preoccupied with her thoughts and didn't respond. Suddenly, she heard Li Gefei's voice behind her say: "The Imperial Academy has no more than 3,000 students, and the top scholars are less than 1,000. The first place in the imperial examination is not something that can be compared to the number one scholar of the generation. It seems that our family's tradition of producing successful candidates for the imperial examination can only be continued by you, Ruo."

  Li Ruoxue and Wang turned their heads to look, but saw Li Gefei holding a white porcelain wine cup, with an expression on his face that seemed to be smiling but not quite, as if he had some regret. In fact, he was extremely proud and excited, and sighed: "A tiger father has no dog son, unfortunately Brother Zhao did not see today."

  Li Ruoxue saw that her father was already slightly drunk, and fearing that he might easily fall due to his advanced age, she accompanied Li Gefei back to the study. There, she saw her father take out three scrolls: one was the imperial examination scroll from the 9th year of the Xining era, on which were listed the names of successful candidates, including Li Gefei and Zhao Tingyu; the second was the ranking list from last year's Taixue exam, on which Li Ruoxue was ranked first in the top tier; and the third was the ranking list from today's Taixue exam, on which Zhao Xingde was ranked first in the top tier. Li Gefei gazed at these three scrolls for a long time under the lamp before finally falling asleep.

  Li Ruoxue carefully put away the three imperial plaques that represented her family's honor, and then helped her mother Wang serve her father to bed before returning to her room to rest. She leaned against the scented pillow, lost in thought, and unknowingly fell asleep on the desk. The lamp in the boudoir was like a bean, and as the oil burned out in the deep night, that warm light gradually dissipated, just like a young girl's countless thoughts.

  The plaque collected by the Li family is a vice-plaque. At this moment, the top-plaque of the current imperial examination and Zhao Xingde's "Ten Strategies for Expanding the Sea" are placed on Emperor Zhao You's green jade desk.

  "This young man has a unique insight, a broad vision, and is meticulous in his affairs. He is a talent to be cultivated. It's just a pity that he also bears the surname Zhao; otherwise, I could have made him a son-in-law for my daughter Rong'er." Emperor Zhao You said lovingly as he looked at his daughter.

  Zhao Huan was suppressing the excitement in her heart, staring at the top three words "Zhao Xingde" with wide eyes, and said, "Father Emperor is teasing people again." She casually took over the article written by Zhao Xingde himself, read it carefully, and bowed her head, saying, "Compared to others, this article is not bad, but it's not necessarily the best. Why did Father Emperor take him as the first?"

  Zhao You, however, ignored her attempt to change the subject and continued to tease: "I heard that this person is both literary and martial, and his appearance is not bad either. Even if he has the same surname as me, it doesn't matter, I can just grant him a new surname."

  Although Zhao Huan was often joked about by her father regarding marriage, and sometimes even said that he would send her to the State of Xia, at this time she had already thought of Zhao Xingde. When she heard her father speak seriously as if it were true, her face suddenly turned red, her heart beating rapidly. But then she heard Zhao You say in a changed tone, "However, in this way, such excellent talent would not be available for your older brother to use. Therefore, only my poor Huan'er can be sacrificed."

  Zhao Huan's eyes suddenly turned red, she was very obedient and sensible, neither following Zhao You's words to ask "For which brother is it used?" nor making a fuss, only holding back her sobs and saying: "Your child understands."

  Zhao You seemed to have not noticed his daughter's slightly unusual expression, and sighed: "As for the family, country, and the world, when it comes to the imperial family, family matters and national affairs can no longer be separated." He lovingly stroked his daughter's hair and slowly said: "The Emperor will definitely find a talented, gentle, and considerate husband for you. This Zhao Xingde," he tapped his hand on the character's name on the top of the Taixue examination list, and slowly said: "Although his writing is not the first, his insight is the first. I took him as the first, let him know that the emperor's grace is like the sea. But observing this child's writing, the bold and unrestrained air between the lines is too heavy, I would like to meet this person, see if he needs to be tempered, and grind his temperament." He paused for a moment and explained: "It's just like a fine horse has a fierce temper, it must be exhausted, starved, and even whipped with an iron chain, before it can be driven smoothly."

  Zhao Huan said, "Isn't this still teasing people?" Zhao You was taken aback and smiled wryly, saying slowly, "As the saying goes, 'thunder, lightning, rain, and dew are all the emperor's benevolence.' Among the three thousand scholars of the Imperial Academy, you can make your father, the emperor, think of teasing you - it's a great fortune."

  "What a joke!" Zhao Huan curled his lip, picked up Zhao Xingde's policy essay and read it again carefully, as if in thought.

  To demonstrate the fairness of the selection, the first-class essays and the successful candidates' papers from the Imperial Academy were published throughout the country. Zhao Xingde's essay was destined to be circulated throughout the country and even admired for centuries to come. However, before that, someone who had taken notice of this presented this essay to Emperor Chen Xuan of the Xia State, Zhao Yu's greatest rival.

  Chen Xuan had served in the Xia Kingdom's army for nearly a decade before ascending to the throne. Although he was approaching his fifties, his body remained robust. Despite having the Grand Chancellor's office handle daily affairs, Chen Xuan personally reviewed hundreds of memorials every day to stay informed about the situation across the land. When he came across Zhao Xingde's treatise by chance, he surprisingly put down the imperial treasury's account book and the report on the trial production of mobile cannons from the Military Arsenal, ordering a eunuch to bring up a jug of wine as he savored the meaning between the lines while pouring himself a drink.

  "Your Majesty, you seem to be in a good mood today?"

  "In the past, all sages and worthies were lonely, only drinkers left their names behind." Chen Xuan pointed to Zhao Xingde's essay and said to Prime Minister Liu Yi: "The ancients had a saying 'downing wine with Han books', today we have this extraordinary article, you and I, ruler and minister, will jointly get drunk."

  "Your Majesty should be dignified and self-controlled."

  "At first, after suppressing the horse thieves in Mobei 'Lao Dao Ba Zi', almost all the brothers in the camp were drunk to death, why didn't I see you come to persuade?"

  "This is one time, that is another. At the time, Your Majesty had not yet inherited the throne, now as a ruler, you cannot do things hastily. Even if all the people in the world are drunk, Your Majesty must be sober."

  "Alas... I already regret proposing that you take this position of Chancellor." Chen Xuan put down his wine cup with some regret, "By the way, last time Kang'er mentioned in his letter that he had made friends with a scholar in Bianliang, and this Zhao Xingde, are they the same person?"