What Zhang Zong said is the truth. He Zhizhang was famous for his poetry and prose when he was young, but Zhang Zong remembered that he only participated in the imperial examination when Wu Meiniang was in power, and he also passed the top scorer in one fell swoop. He was also the first top scorer in Zhejiang history. But now Li Zhi is not dead yet, He Zhizhang actually came to participate in the imperial examination. Should he become an official in advance?

However, Zhang Zong quickly figured out the key point. Although He Zhizhang passed the top scorer during Wu Meiniang's tenure, it did not mean that it was his first time to take the imperial examination. In fact, many candidates almost went from being young to being old. There is a saying among poets and scholars, "Thirty Old Ming Sutra, Fifty Young Jinshi".

It is also very simple to understand. The Mingjing subject is relatively simple and the number of people admitted is relatively large, so it is very easy to get into the exam. Generally, even if you get into the Mingjing at the age of thirty, you are older, but it is difficult for Jinshi to get into the Qingtian. The number of people admitted is even small, sometimes there are only a dozen people a year, so some people will not pass the exam even if they have white hair.

So Zhang Zong guessed that He Zhizhang was the same. He seemed to have passed the No. 1 score in his thirties, but he might have taken the No. 1 score many times before. However, although he is talented, he doesn't seem to have a background. Although his family is wealthy, he is far away in Yuezhou and cannot give him much support. Therefore, he probably won't get any support from anyone in his thirties. It is a miracle to be able to get the No. 1 score in his thirties.

Thinking of He Zhizhang's life, Zhang Zong couldn't help but feel curious. He picked up the article he sent and read it. Although he was not very proficient in articles and poetry, he had been a bachelor's degree in Chongxian Pavilion for so long. He usually had a certain appreciation for articles and poetry. Now when he saw He Zhizhang's articles, he felt that he wrote very well.

"This He Zhizhang is said to be in his twenties, but he has already written a good article. If he can get the recommendation of the young master, it would be almost a foregone conclusion to be a Jinshi this time!" Wan'er stood behind Zhang Zong and nodded while watching.

"It's indeed a rare talent. Wan'er, please help me record it. After the candidates for the chief examiner are selected next year, don't forget to remind me to recommend He Zhizhang!" Zhang Zong finally explained to Wan'er with a smile.

The scholar gives articles to the powerful and powerful is called submitting papers, while the powerful and powerful can use their connections and influence to recommend the scholars to the officials in the examination. As long as the influence is sufficient, they can be selected as candidates for Jinshi. Although this is very unfair to many scholars, such as the children of aristocratic families monopolizing the quota of Jinshi, it is not yet time for changes.

After hearing this, Wan'er immediately agreed and a smile appeared on her face. She was happy because Zhang Zong's attention was finally diverted. Although diverting attention could not solve the problem, at least she no longer let Zhang Zong immerse herself in her previous thoughts and think randomly.

Zhang Zong was also thinking about He Zhizhang at this time. He was very curious about this famous leader of the Eight Immortals in the Drinking Festival. Moreover, from a historical perspective, He Zhizhang was a blessed person and had almost never suffered much in his life.

He Zhizhang was born in the prosperous Tang Dynasty and had a wealthy family. He was famous for his poetry and prose in the countryside when he was young. Later, Wu Meiniang attacked the aristocratic family and promoted officials from civilian origins. He Zhizhang took this opportunity to pass the exam as a civilian, and then taught in the Imperial College for nearly thirty years.

In his later years, He Zhizhang was recommended by others and his career was smooth sailing. He served as Minister of Rites and Bachelor of Jixian Academy. Later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Residence, the Prince's Right Son, the Prince's Attorney, the Prince's Guest, Yin Guanglu Dafu and the Secretary-General, and even served as a teacher to the then Prince, who later became Emperor Suzong of Tang.

Until He Zhizhang retired in his eighties, the prince personally led all officials to see him off. And when He Zhizhang died just ten years ago, the prosperous Tang Dynasty reached a turning point. The subsequent Anshi Rebellion caused the Tang Dynasty to take a sharp turn for the country and no longer the glory of the past.

It can be said that He Zhizhang's life almost ran through the prosperity of the entire Tang Dynasty, and he was also a representative of the poets of the Tang Dynasty, especially when he retired, he was in his eighties and was in the third rank of official position. When he retired, the emperor gave him poems, and the prince led all officials to send him off. In the history of more than 2,000 years, there was probably no precedent before and no one came later, so this one was the only one!

In contrast, the experiences of poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu are so sad that the listeners are crying. Li Bai has never been valued by the court in his life, let alone Du Fu, almost went through the entire process of the Tang Dynasty from prosperity to decline, but this also greatly changed his mood and became the only poet saint in history.

After thinking about He Zhizhang's life, Zhang Zong couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "This He Zhizhang is simply a lucky star. It's not difficult to be lucky for a moment, but the difficulty lies in the fact that he will be lucky for the rest of his life. His luck is simply amazing!"

"Should you find some time to meet He Zhizhang?" Zhang Zong thought to himself again. As soon as this idea appeared, Zhang Zong felt a sense of expectation. Now that he could see He Zhizhang, he was a few years younger than the other party. In this way, he might be able to meet the legendary poet Li Bai.

Thinking of Li Bai, Zhang Zong became even more excited, but soon he calmed down. He was still more than 20 years before Li Bai was born. According to the custom of early marriage in the Tang people, Li Bai's father might not have been born yet.

However, when Zhang Zong thought of this, he suddenly felt a little worried that he had changed history and the fate of many people. What if Li Bai's family was influenced by him and Li Bai was not born...

I have to say that Wan'er's method of diverting Zhang Zong's attention was very successful. Zhang Zong spent the afternoon in a mess.

But when it was almost dark, Taiping had not come back from Princess Chengyang, which made Zhang Zong worry again, fearing that Ning'er would have a conflict when she saw Taiping. If something happened again, he would regret it.

However, just when Zhang Zong was feeling uneasy, he suddenly received a report from his servant that Taiping finally came back, which made him stand up all of a sudden and quickly walked to the front yard. He saw that Taiping had just walked out of the carriage at this time.

"How is it, what's wrong with Ning'er?" Zhang Zong walked two steps quickly and asked anxiously in front of Taiping.
Chapter completed!