Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Liang Xuexiu once won the imperial examination, and won twice in a row.

Although he failed to pass the Jinshi exam, he made a small profit by selling goods at a stall during the exam period.

During the Song Dynasty's national college entrance examination, the first thing that scholars did when they came to Beijing was not to go to the Yamen to get their admission tickets, nor to attend various cultural gatherings. Instead, they found a place to set up a stall, and thousands of candidates sold goods together. The scene was spectacular and could be called a spring wonder in Kaifeng and Hangzhou.

I don’t know why, but there are so many imperial examination papers from the Song Dynasty in Qidian, but none of the protagonists set up a stall in Kaifeng.

Liang Xuexiu failed the imperial examination twice, and later failed the imperial examination. He successfully switched to business.

It happened to coincide with the decline of business in Hanzhong. After several attempts, all the money was lost.

Now at a young age, he has to be hired to teach in the mountains.

Every time he thought about it, Liang Xuexu burst into tears, and gradually began to paddle, telling his own story, and the schoolboys making trouble with the schoolchildren.

"When I was young, I also studied the Book of Changes."

Just when everyone was reminiscing about the new explanation, Liang Xuexuan began to speak again: "I have read many annotations of the Yi Jing, and it was not until ten years ago that I bought a copy of "Cheng's Yi Zhuan". After reading this book, I had an enlightenment, but it was a pity that it had already passed. The year of destiny. If I had obtained this book twenty years earlier, I am afraid that I would have passed the Jinshi examination."

Xiang Zhixian said: "Mr. Yichuan (Cheng Yi) is indeed good at Yi Ye."

Liang Xuexiu continued: "Hexagram 35, the symbol says: Ming comes out of the earth, Jin, a gentleman uses himself to show his Ming virtue. Mr. Yichuan annotated this sentence, which means Ming Ming virtue is in the world, and Ming Ming virtue is outside. When I read this, The old man was astonished that the "Book of Changes" actually matched the "Book of Rites". The way of learning is to explain the Jin hexagram."

Cheng Yi's "Yi Zhuan" was written fourteen years ago. At first, it was only copied on a small scale, and later it was published and distributed in Guanzhong. Today, many scholars have not yet come into contact with it.

Xiang Zhixian and others who were present knew that this book was not the "Book of Changes", so they were even less likely to read this new book.

Hearing what Liang Xuexue said, everyone seemed to have realized something.

Liang Xuexuan added: "Today I listened to Xiao Langjun's explanation of "Mencius", and suddenly I felt as if I read "Cheng's Yi Zhuan" ten years ago. As far as this sentence is concerned, "Book of Changes", "Book of Rites", and "Mencius" It’s all connected.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked and looked at Ju Ming again.

They finally realized that Ju Ming was using the metaphors of Jin Gua to explain the meaning of "Great Learning", and then explained the content of "Mencius".

This is not simply a matter of studying the Three Classics. One must thoroughly read the "Book of Changes", "Book of Rites", and "Mencius" in order to string together the three classics to corroborate each other.

At such a young age, he has already mastered the Three Classics!

Ju Ming didn't dare to admit it, so he quickly said: "I just had a whim, and I haven't read through several classics."

Bai Chongyan was so impressed at this moment that he said: "You don't have to be too modest, a master. A master is a teacher. I have benefited a lot from being taught today."

"Of course!" Li Hanzhang agreed.

Zheng Hong stared at Ju Ming with wide eyes. He was not very knowledgeable and didn't understand much, but he had already figured it out. This young man who loved telling stories was particularly awesome.

Xiang Zhixian's eyes lit up, and an idea suddenly came to his mind.

He can report to the court that he has discovered auspiciousness. A teenager who is more than ten years old can understand the three classics. What is this if not auspiciousness?

If a child prodigy appears in your jurisdiction, it means that you have done a good job in educating them!

Of course, a memorial to a county magistrate must first be handed over to Zhongshu. Whether it can reach the emperor's hands depends on luck, because there are so many auspicious things in various places that officials have long been numb to it.

When Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty came to the throne, he built a garden specifically to collect auspicious things from the world.

Things that fly in the sky, things that swim in the water, things that run on the ground... They are all divided into categories, and there is almost no room for them in the garden.

A child prodigy is nothing unusual and will most likely be ignored.

"Master, it's time to serve the food!" the butler ran over and said.

Old Bai asked the troupe to stop outside and was helped up by his servants. While the food was being served, he said: "Today is my ninetieth birthday. I would like to thank all the dignitaries and wise men for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the banquet. I would like to express my gratitude on my behalf." Thank you for your kindness...I am here with the magistrate as a parent, and it will make the humble house shine. Please give me your instructions without hesitation."

Xiang Bi immediately stood up, first congratulated him and recited a birthday poem he had written, and then changed the topic: "The Holy King is coming to the court, the sea is rich, and the people are happy. This is a prosperous age that has never been seen in ancient times. However, there are barbarians in the west. , coveting our territory of the Song Dynasty day and night. The imperial court wants to train archers on Qinfeng Road, and our Lizhou Road is within easy reach, so it is our duty to do so. This year’s money for selling and buying will go up. In the past ten years, The tax, no matter whether it is a big household or a small household, must be paid back and replenished..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole place was in an uproar.

Some people have already received the news in advance, but more people have just learned about it.

"Looking at Xixiang County, all of you here are prominent figures," Xiang Bitu said, "On the occasion of the old lady's birthday, I have spoken from the bottom of my heart and said so many things. It's time for you all to get ready. Bai Yuanwai Do you think so?"

Old Bai wanted to scold her. He had already guessed Xiang Bi's intention, but he never expected that Magistrate Xiang would speak so straightforwardly.

Moreover, he was forced to express his position before the banquet even started!

Lao Baiguanwai said bravely: "Last year there was a drought, my family's harvest was not good, and I had to help my neighbors, but there was not much money and grain left. Since the imperial court has dispatches, I should do my best to respond and try my best... to satisfy the government. .”

Naturally, Magistrate Xiang was dissatisfied with such an ambiguous statement and asked directly: "Can you still afford thirty bolts of silk, five hundred stones of rice, and seven hundred thousand dollars?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell silent.

This time it was really dead silence, no one spoke, only the sound of servants carrying food and walking.

He asked the county magistrate Lion to ask Old Bai to give him about one thousand guan, while the Bai family's total floating property was only more than 5,000 guan.

Old Bai put his hands under the table and clenched his fists tightly at this moment. If it hadn't been for his mother's ninetieth birthday, he would probably have turned and cursed her on the spot.

After waiting for a long time, he finally suppressed his anger and said in a begging tone: "The county Zun Rong Bing, the land in the countryside is barren, and the tea gardens have to pay heavy taxes. There are really not many left in the family. What's more, it is full payment and purchase money. He Bianqian is far from reaching a thousand guans."

Xiang Bi reminded: "There is still Bu tax. The people of Xixiang have ten years of tax debt, and they have to pay it together this time."

Many of those tax arrears come from people who have fled their households.

Although people fled into the mountains, their household registration was not eliminated and remained there. The state also knows what's going on, so we all fool around together. Occasionally, in order to make up for political achievements, they will also levy exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes to make up for it.

Now, it has become an excuse to collect taxes from the magistrate.

Moreover, the state issued an official document that only required the taxes for the previous three years to be paid, but the magistrate actually asked the magistrate to make up for the taxes for the previous ten years.

Lao Bai's plan was to let the five Baiford brothers respond.

What this Xiangzhi County official said was directly for the landlords present to answer!

The county magistrate dared to be so tough, but he only accepted a good dog - Zhu Zhushu, who was a rebel.

All the squires present were looking at Mr. Bai.

Old Bai's scalp was numb and his mouth was dry as he said, "My family can only afford twenty bolts of silk, three hundred stones of rice, and three hundred thousand dollars."

"Okay, barely enough!" Xiang Bi immediately finalized the amount.

Mr. Bai felt weak all over. It was not easy for him to save money. He was forced to bleed profusely today.

Xiang Zhixian looked at the other squires and said with a smile: "Where are you?"

The squires already regretted that they should not come to the birthday banquet today.

Old Bai Yuanwai had just been forced to pay taxes and had already set a standard. Anyone who dared to refuse would definitely be remembered by the magistrate.

The impoverished and remote Xixiang County didn't even produce a few Jinshi, so where could it have strong backers? Immediately assessing their own situation, the squires were forced to pay taxes one by one.

Xiang Zhixian finally smiled and deserved some praise and encouragement.

He only needs to complete 90% of the tasks assigned by the state, and the remaining tax dollars can be used as he wishes. Take the bulk of it yourself, I hope the chief clerk will share some of it, and throw the rest to the county officials, so that everyone can be fat.

The local officials of the Song Dynasty were so dignified and much more imposing than their counterparts in the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, it also depends on the place. If it were Jiangnan, doing this would be just seeking death, and it would also bully the backwoods.

Zhu Ming witnessed the wonderful scene throughout the whole process and secretly winked at his father.

Dean Zhu finally saw what feudal society is. Being a landlord can only be oppressed by the government, and you have to be an official to have a future.

What was forcibly assessed to the county magistrate today were only two kinds of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, as well as the land taxes in arrears from previous years. As for this year's land tax, it has not been levied yet, and there are other exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes.

This kind of forced apportionment is actually a response and fully complies with the regulations of the court.

The landowners who had their flesh cut off by the county magistrate could find the villagers to suck their blood and get some money back.

A birthday party was extremely frustrating.

…

That night.

Xiang Zhixian took the initiative to find Mr. Bai, held his hand affectionately and said, " Mr. Bai is tired."

"I don't dare." The old white man didn't have a good expression.

Xiang Zhixian was all smiles: "I'll forgive you, Mr. Bai. I have no choice but to borrow the old lady's birthday banquet as a dojo. The money and food distributed by Mr. Bai can be halved when I hand it over."

"Thank you, Lord, for your mercy." Old Bai was in a slightly better mood, but he still had resentment in his heart.

This Xiang Zhixian still knows how to hold back.

Lao Bai has been the chief clerk for twenty years and has promoted many officials. This is his foundation. Xiang Bi must give him some face.

There are probably a few of the squires here today who will also get half of the distribution.

After sending Xiang Bili out of the house in person, Officer Lao Bai called his eldest son: "When lending money, the interest rate will be reduced by one point. Find a few more reliable slaves to watch on the hills every day. If anything unusual is found, come back and report immediately!"

"Father, do you think there will be civil unrest?" Bai Dalang was really not stupid.

Lao Bai said: "We have been apportioned a lot this time, and we have to pay summer grain next time. Some big households have suffered losses, and they will have to make up for it with the common people, and there may be trouble. As long as they don't rob my house, the bigger the trouble, the better." , I can only relieve my anger by killing that person named Xiang! I have lived for more than seventy years, and this is the second time I see such a shameless piece of shit!"

The last time was ten years ago, when Cai Jing cleared the entire country and the magistrate of Xixiang took the opportunity to mess around. In the end, civil unrest broke out, and Master Zhu rebelled at that time. He struggled in the ravine for several years before he was recruited.

(Thanks to brothers Lei Dong Jiutian for the reward.)

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