Chapter 830 Marriage

Among the imperial examination rankings, the most well-known ones are probably the top picks in the first class, besides the first place in the first class, and the third place in the first class. On the contrary, the second place in the first place is not as dazzling as the first and third places.

It is understandable that the number one scholar is the top student, after all, he is the top student selected from all the students in the world. It can be said that to win the number one scholar is to stand at the top of the culture at that time. Although the third overall pick is ranked third, it still loses a lot of luster compared to the top pick.

Why is Tanhua so famous? This is inseparable from the Tang Dynasty. Although during the Tang Dynasty, talents selected through the imperial examination could not hold high positions, in order to show that the court valued talents, those who passed the imperial examination and passed the imperial examination during the Tang Dynasty would undergo gardening. Tours are celebrated in the name of "Flower Visiting Banquet", and young and beautiful people are called "Flower Visiting Envoys".

This custom continued into the Song Dynasty. Due to the Song Dynasty's reform of the imperial examination, it was added that Jinshi must pass the emperor's palace examination, and the emperor determined the first place, which were number one, second place, and third place.

Since there was a celebration banquet named "Tanhua Banquet" handed down from the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty named the first and third person "Tanhua", and mostly selected young and beautiful people as Tanhua, which can also be said to be a kind of respect for the third person. Compensation, or a political need.

This also leads to the fact that the second place in the first class is far less famous than the top pick. After all, who doesn't like young and talented young talents. As a result, Tanhua became the favorite of all imperial examinations, and became the object of competition for the daughters of various families who were waiting to be married.

The official designated Li Zhan as the third flower, not only because Li Zhan was young, but also because Li Zhan was handsome, with the appearance of Song Yu and Pan An, and he was very fond of him, so he was very fond of him.

However, looking at the chattering and protesting ministers, the officials reluctantly compromised.

"It is true that I failed to consider things this time. I will take this as a warning in the future. As compensation, this time I will be awarded an official position. The three people in the first grade should all be compiled by the Hanlin Academy of the sixth grade!"

Due to the gradual improvement of the imperial examination, some unspoken rules have gradually emerged in this dynasty. For example, non-Jinshi will not enter the Hanlin Academy, and non-Hanlin Academy will not serve as governors. Therefore, being able to enter the Hanlin Academy is a shortcut to rising through the ranks in the future. This is the same as other top two. And the unspeakable pain in this life for a top three Jinshi.

When Han Qi saw the look of regret on the official's face, he immediately bowed and responded.

"The official sage!"

This ended the debate and calmed down the storm. Of course, Li Zhan had no knowledge of these secret battles.

In the evening, news came from the Ministry of Rites that they had entered the palace to attend the Qionglin Banquet. The new Jinshi entered the imperial garden happily and participated in a grand celebration banquet under the auspices of the official family. During the banquet, the officials The family encouraged all the Jinshi, especially the first and third graders, and placed great expectations on them.

Li Zhan had a very good impression of the official family. The longest-reigning official in the Song Dynasty was a rare sage king who was virtuous and benevolent. "History of the Song Dynasty" praised: ""Biography" said: ' Being a king should end with benevolence. The emperor is sincere and worthy of shame." Historians summarized his reign as "the prosperous rule of Renzong". He is good at calligraphy, especially Fei Bai Shu.

After attending the Qionglin Banquet, the new scholars were given a few months' leave to go home to visit relatives, return to their hometowns in fine clothes, and then join their jobs and go their separate ways.

Li Zhan did not stay, so he rented a boat and returned to Yangzhou along the waterway. At this time, the Sheng Mansion had received the news that Li Zhan had won the lottery and was admitted to the Hanlin Academy. Sheng Hong was overjoyed, but felt a little sad in his heart.

As soon as Li Zhan entered the officialdom, he studied in the Hanlin Academy of the sixth rank, and he was almost on an equal footing with him. Sheng Hong started from the lowest level as an alternate governor (the ninth rank) and was sent to serve in a bitter and cold place. After many years of hard work, he was finally promoted to Yangzhou Tongpan.

In the main hall of Shouan Hall, three people sat separately, and the atmosphere was solemn and restless.

Old Mrs. Sheng sat in the middle, looking at the Sheng Hong couple on both sides, with a look of understanding on her face, calmly, waiting quietly for the Sheng Hong couple to speak.

Fortunately, Sheng Hong was an old man who had been in the officialdom for many years. The city was deep and he could suppress the anxiety in his heart and never spoke. But Wang Ruofu was different. He was impatient, outspoken and couldn't hide it in his heart. Seeing that neither Mrs. Sheng nor Sheng Hong opened their mouths, they couldn't hold it in anymore. They stood up anxiously and said impatiently.

"Mom, Zhan'er has won the third prize, and Hualan is already fifteen!"

Wang Ruofu may have spoken too hastily, so he didn't breathe evenly, and his breath was stuttered. He paused and calmed his breathing before continuing to look at Mrs. Sheng and speak.

"It was you who proposed the marriage between Hualan and Zhan'er before, and we agreed to it. In order not to affect Zhan'er's election, we didn't mention it. Isn't it time to finalize the marriage now?"

Wang Ruofu said loudly, speaking very fast, with obvious impatience on his face. After finishing speaking, he looked at Old Mrs. Sheng who was sitting in the seat with helpless eyes, feeling uneasy.

Old Mrs. Sheng glanced at Sheng Hong, who was nodding his head. Knowing that this was the common thought of the couple, she coughed, opened her throat, and then spoke to the impatient couple.

"Why are you so anxious? Zhan'er hasn't come back yet. After he comes back, it won't be too late to rest for a while!"

When Sheng Hong heard this, he couldn't control the anxiety in his heart. He quickly stood up and stopped Mrs. Sheng.

"Mom, no, this matter must be struck while the iron is hot to avoid long nights and nightmares!"

Mrs. Sheng glanced at Sheng Hong who was really anxious, sighed helplessly, and then said.

"We really can't rush this matter. If we bring this matter up as soon as Zhan'er comes back, it would be a coercion, which would be bad!"

Sheng Hong paused and felt a little embarrassed. He naturally knew this, but because Li Zhan won the lottery, he suddenly became very popular. The daughters of countless powerful families in Bianjing City coveted his intended son-in-law. Every family background They were all more prominent than the Sheng family and would be of great benefit to Li Zhan's future. He was really worried.

Seeing Sheng Hong's expression of embarrassment, Old Mrs. Sheng still couldn't bear to see her son worried, so she finally confided in her and gave Sheng Hong and his wife some reassurance.

"I actually mentioned this matter to Zhan'er in an indirect way. He is a smart man and naturally knows what I mean. He mentioned it to me before leaving Yangzhou. Regardless of whether he is in high school this time, after he comes back, Let’s discuss this matter! I also agreed to the marriage at that time, but I was worried that if Zhan’er failed, you and your wife would regret it, so I didn’t tell you!”

When Sheng Hong heard this, his old face turned red with embarrassment. The reason why he didn't directly arrange the marriage between Li Zhan and Hua Lan before was because he really had this consideration. He was worried that if Li Zhan didn't win, he might as well regret not mentioning it. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Sheng saw this matter clearly and absolutely.