Chapter 36: Imperial College (Part 1)

"Miss Zheng, I'm so sorry to have let you wait for a long time." This farewell ceremony was long and boring. If Chen Wanrong hadn't taken care of Chen Zairong's face, he would have run away long ago.

Zheng Qing was still so understanding: "Brother Chen, you are so serious. It's important to do serious things. We are not in a hurry. It's the same as late or early."

"It's good that you know!" Qing'e was not as easy as Zheng Qing, so she made a face at Chen Wanrong and said angrily: "Do we want us to wait for you until dark?"

Zheng Qing shouted lightly: "Qing'e, don't talk nonsense. How many times can you see off like this? Why don't we wait?"

Chen Wanrong can't take charge of this kind of reason. Even if you want to be quick, you can't get it. Long live understanding! Zheng Qing bowed to Chen Zairong: "Congratulations to Brother Chen!"

Chen Zairong hurriedly replied: "Thank you, Sister Zheng! Sister Zheng, let's leave now."

"Please!" Zheng Qing turned her horse's head.

She was riding a white horse with a divine horse, and her bones were not under the blue and white. Chen Wanrong looked at it for a moment and praised, "What a good horse."

"Brother Chen is too awarded, how can he compete with Blue and White?" Zheng Qing smiled and was humble, urging the white horse, running with Blue and White to compete with Blue and White.

Qing'e rode a dark horse, extremely handsome. There were many good horses in the Tang Dynasty, and Chen Wanrong, the master and servant, had such a majestic mount, was not surprised at all, but the white and black reflected each other, which was very interesting.

Chen Wanrong and Chen Zairong rode together, Zheng Qing and his servant followed each other, and the four rushed to Chang'an.

This is Chen Wanrong's second trip to Chang'an. The difference between the first time is that the spring is stronger. Only half a month apart, I looked around on the official road and saw the spring full of grass and birds and peanuts. Farmers are busy working in the fields, adding a few pastoral scenery.

The three horses were all very fast, and the four of them talked about it. Qing'e was occasionally angry with Chen Wanrong, but she was also lonely. She arrived in Chang'an without realizing it. Entering Chang'an from the Guanghua Gate in the north, Zheng Qing pulled the reins of the horse, and the white horse slowly moved forward, asking: "Brother Chen, where are you going to stop?"

That is, he asked Chen Wanrong where he wanted to stay. Chen Wanrong thought about it and just wanted to find a guesthouse wherever he could do it, and smiled and said, "Let's find a guesthouse."

Zheng Qing smiled and said, "If Brother Chen doesn't dislike him, you can live in our house. Our house is close to the Imperial College, which is very convenient for me. Besides, Impressive Brother is a junior student from the Four Sects and is more familiar with the Imperial College. I can give me some advice."

It's good, but I'm just receiving too much benefit from her. Chen Wanrong was a little embarrassed and smiled and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but I'm just always bothering you and I feel sorry for you."

"Where Brother Chen has gone, he is all from the villagers. It is very friendly to meet villagers in Chang'an." Zheng Qing invited him warmly.

Her beauty is really hard to refuse. Chen Wanrong asked Chen Zailaorong for his opinion: "Zairong, what do you think?"

Chen Wanrong can make a decision, but today he is the main person, and Chen Wanrong's enlightened person naturally wants to ask for his opinions. Chen Zairong didn't think about it: "Brother, you take the initiative, I will listen to you." He still trusted Chen Wanrong so much.

As Zheng Qing was eagerly looking forward, Chen Wanrong pondered for a moment and said, "Okay, thank you Miss Zheng."

Zheng Qingzhan smiled and said, "Please come with me, our family is in Pingkangfang." He pulled the reins and walked first. Chen Zairong controlled the reins and followed closely behind.

Chen Wanrong, a fang in Chang'an, was deeply impressed. After passing through the four fangs of Anding, Xiuxiang, Jincheng and Liquan, passed by outside the western city and saw the tall imperial city. Now it was the time for the ministers to handle the matter. Outside the imperial city, there were no court officials entering and leaving except for the guards of the imperial city.

Pingkangfang is right next to the imperial city, and after walking, he arrives. Zheng Qing and Chen Wanrong and his brothers passed through the gate of the yard, walked more than ten feet along the tall wall, came to a courtyard house, and turned over and dismounted: "Brother Chen, this is here."

The two Chen Wanrong and his brothers turned over and got off the horse. Chen Wanrong saw that the courtyard was much smaller than the Zheng family's courtyard in Ning County, but it was more refined.

"Brother Chen, Brother Chen, please!" Zheng Qing invited him warmly and walked in his head with the white horse.

Chen Wanrong asked and followed her into the yard. The yard was still in a garden-style layout, with trees spitting green, flowers blooming, and the fragrance of flowers was refreshing.

Just as I looked, a familiar figure rushed over and shouted from afar: "Sister, you are here! I won't say anything to me, I'll go pick you up!" He rushed to the front, leaned on Zheng Qing's shoulder, and pounded it naughtyly on Zheng Qing's shoulder: "Sister, don't tell me, I'll hit you, I'll hit you!"

"Brother, stop making trouble, there are customers." Zheng Qing's pretty face was angry, and her brother stuck out his tongue at her and made a face. Zheng Qing glanced at him and introduced him: "See Brother Chen quickly."

"Mr. Chen!" Zheng Qing finished his words, and her younger brother pointed at Chen Wanrong in surprise, full of surprises, as if he was excited to find a treasure: "Mr. Chen, why is it you?" It was not someone else, but Zheng Wanru, who had a relationship with Chen Wanrong on Leyouyuan. Half a month ago, Chen Wanrong showed off his poetry talent, which made him admire him. How could he not be surprised when he first saw Chen Wanrong?

"You know each other?" Zheng Qing was surprised when he came.

Zheng Wanru was extremely excited and grabbed Chen Wanrong: "Sister, we not only met each other, but also drank wine together. March 3rd asked you to go to the Leyouyuan to watch the night view. If you don't go, you will miss the opportunity."

"Didn't I want to help my mother clear the bill?" Zheng Qing replied with a smile: "I really didn't expect you to know each other long ago."

Zheng Wanru talked about Chen Wanrong endlessly: "Sister, Mr. Chen recited poems on the earth, and they both took the evening as the theme, but the artistic conception was very different, completely opposite."

Zheng Qing was very interested and gave Chen Wanrong a blank look: "Brother Chen, you are so nervous and don't tell me about it. Brother, what kind of good poem is it?"

Zheng Wanru was about to speak when a middle-aged woman quickly walked out of the house: "Girl Qing, you are here in Chang'an." Chen Wanrong saw that this woman looked very similar to Zheng Qing, but she was older and more mature.

"Mom, my daughter is here!" Zheng Qing smiled and bowed to her mother.

Her mother's surname is Zhou. After marrying Zheng Jianqiu, she called Zheng Zhou. She hurriedly helped Zheng Qing up: "Oh, girl Qing, you will be happy when you come. Don't have these common etiquettes." She pulled Zheng Qing, looked left and right, and had infinite love. She was so deep that she looked at Chen Wanrong.

"Brother Chen, this is my mother. Mom, this is Brother Chen." Zheng Qing hurriedly introduced to Chen Wanrong.

Chen Wanrong hurriedly bowed and said, "Chen Wanrong has met his aunt."

Zheng Zhou's right hand helped: "Brother Chen is exempt from gifts. They are all from the villagers. Don't be ruling those etiquettes, just treat it as your own home." His voice is sweet and more friendly, which makes Chen Wanrong enjoy it from his heart, "Rely on his parents at home and rely on his friends when going out." This is really reasonable. It is really lucky to get their help in Chang'an!

Chen Zairong stepped forward to greet him. Zheng Zhou grabbed Chen Zairong and took a closer look: "The head of the family said, are you here to take the exam? Our great nobleman in Ning County, Zheng Zhou was fortunate to meet Chen Guiren, and he was very honored!" Finally, he gave Chen Zairong a blessing.

Scholars are superior to those in the eyes of Tang people, not to mention that Chen Zairong's test this time is of extraordinary significance. In her eyes, it is difficult for ordinary people to see the prince.

The etiquette made Chen Zairong feel a little embarrassed. He flashed to the left, saying that he did not dare to accept her tribute, and hurriedly said, "Auntie, you are ruining me. It is not certain whether Chen Zairong can enter the Imperial College for the exam, so he is not as talented as Junsheng, a brother of the Fourth Junsheng."

It was indeed a very happy thing for Zheng Wanru to enter the four schools. Chen Zairong said this to her heart and said with a smile: "Guru Chen is really good at speaking! Please give tea in the house!" He led the Chen Wanrong brothers into the house.

This is a living room with extremely elegant decoration. The room has a complete set of tables and chairs, some ink treasures hanging on the walls and murals painted. It is beautiful and better than the living room in Ning County.

The girl brought tea, and Zheng Wanru moved a chair, and sat next to Chen Zairong. Although Zheng Wanru admired Chen Wanrong and was closer to Chen Zairong, after all, they were both scholars and had something in common: the Imperial College. In just a while, the two of them ignored the elders in front of them, and they were clinging to each other, and they were as intimate as two brothers.

"Like this child, I really don't understand the rules." Zheng Zhou saw it, and was happy in his heart, but he complained. She heard Zheng Jianqiu say about Chen Zairong and knew the importance of this exam. Once Chen Zairong became a person around the prince, Zheng Wanru would have a good relationship with him, and he would have some benefits. Which mother would refuse such a good thing?

Zheng Qing asked someone to deliver the meal. Chen Wanrong rushed to the road for a long time and was really hungry. He chewed with a lot of honesty and unceremoniously. After lunch, Chen Wanrong was worried about Chen Zairong's affairs: "It's like brother, we don't know much about the Imperial College. Can you please tell us?"

"Mr. Chen, there are many rules in the Imperial College. You will know when Brother Chen Nian enters the Imperial College. However, you should go to the Imperial College today to report. It's still early, so I'll take you there." Zheng Wanru was very enthusiastic.

It is naturally the best to have him, a student from the Imperial College, for help. Chen Wanrong has no reason to disagree: "Then I will be like brother."

"Mr. Chen, what do you say? There is nothing to mention about small things." Zheng Wanru and Chen Zairong walked in their heads with arms around each other, regardless of whether Chen Wanrong would go or not.

Zheng Qing rolled her eyes and said, "Mom, I'll go and have a look, don't let my brother make trouble."

Zheng Zhou smiled and said, "It's like being obedient, how could something happen? Well, you go and have a look, don't he run around."

Zheng Qing and Chen Wanrong left Zheng Zhou's family temporarily and followed Zheng Wanru.

The Imperial College is located on the second street to the east of Zhuque Street, very close to Pingkangfang. It took less than half a mile to arrive. When Chen Wanrong saw that the Imperial College actually occupied a yard of yards, one school after another, and I don’t know how many of them were.

Zheng Wanru led four people to the gate of the Imperial College, and saw a statue standing inside the gate. It was just the statue of the old Master who was known to all Chinese people, exactly the same as what we see in modern books.

Confucius is a saint in the minds of scholars. Those gentlemen and students who come in and out must bow to the statue of Masters. Before performing the ceremony, they must be solemn, neat and neat. Looking at the solemn expression of the scholar, Chen Wanrong thought of visiting the Martyrs' Cemetery, which was very similar.

Zheng Wanru and Chen Zairong no longer clasped their arms, tidied up their clothes, came to the statue of Lao Fuzi, and honestly performed the ceremony. Although Zheng Qing was a woman, she also studied a lot and followed the footsteps of the two. Only Chen Wanrong ignored her and walked straight past Lao Wuzi.

"Brother, you must not salute the saint." Chen Zairong reminded that he would drown when he was rude to the old master here.

Chen Wanrong's reason was very tight: "I am not a scholar, so how can I salute the saint? If I want to salute, it should be Shennong. Although I am a mud-legged person, I also know one thing. You can't worship the wrong saint. Do you understand this principle?"

So many people respect Confucius, except Chen Wanrong. Many scholars were already very angry and were preparing to teach Chen Wanrong a lesson, but Chen Wanrong didn't expect Chen Wanrong to say it first. Scholars worship Confucius, farmers worship Shennong, and merchants worship Tao Zhugong. This is the truth, and scholars choked.

No one could refute this. The scholar could only watch Chen Wanrong swaying past Confucius' statue, and sighing.

He was not completely rejecting Confucius Chen Wanrong, but he opened up the wisdom of the people. It was he who set the precedent for Chinese education. Chen Wanrong respected him very much. He just asked Chen Wanrong to kowtow to a statue like those scholars. Chen Wanrong couldn't do it anyway, so he found a verdict to get rid of the matter.

Shaking his head, Chen Zairong and the others followed. Zheng Wanru could not agree with Chen Wanrong's approach, at least there was no reason to refute it, so she had to put it aside and act as a voluntary tour guide: "This is Jixian Sect. It means that the wise men in the world will be widely copied and written by Emperor Taizong."

A mud gold plaque hung directly above the gate, with the three words "Jixianmen" written on it. These three characters are extraordinary, with gold hooks and silver strokes, as if they want to leap into the sky. Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty's flying grass is truly well-known.

Chen Wanrong was very respectful to Emperor Taizong of Tang, the wise king. Although he saw his handwriting, he felt respectful in his heart. He tidied up his clothes and bowed to the plaque.

When you see the emperor's word, it is like seeing the emperor himself. It is inevitable to perform a ritual. This action is in line with the regulations here. Those scholars who are unhappy with Chen Wanrong due to the fact that they are just a little relieved.

"Stop, what are you doing? This is the Imperial College, an important place in the imperial court, and no one is allowed to enter!" Five extremely tall soldiers came out of the Imperial College, blocked their way and asked.

The Imperial College of the Tang Dynasty occupied a yard with more than a thousand school buildings. It was too large to let go of the imperial city. Therefore, it was built outside the imperial city and was the only "central organization" in the Tang Dynasty that was not in the imperial city. The guards were naturally strict, so it was normal to see soldiers here.

Zheng Wanru smiled and said, "Brother Suo..." The officer who led the team was stern and scolded, "Zheng Wanru, don't be smiling, I'm doing serious business."

"Brother Suo, I'm talking about the serious business," Zheng Wanru's smile disappeared and she introduced: "Brother Suo, Mr. Chen Zairong, is ordered by the Imperial College to take the exam, and I'm here to report. You know, this exam is hosted by the prince."

The next sentence is to remind the officer named Suo not to be too rude. Chen Zairong is the one who can meet the prince. Everyone understands the following words. The officer named Suo sneered and said, "Even if you meet the emperor, you have to do this and verify the documents!"

Chen Wanrong was very grateful for his character of not fearing the powerful. Chen Zairong took out the document and handed it over to the officer named Suo and said, "It turns out it is Mr. Chen, please forgive me for being rude. Please come in, what should these two people do?"

Zheng Wanru introduced: "This is Chen Zairong's brother, I'll send Chen Zairong to report. This is my sister."

The officer surnamed Suo did not say anything. Looking at Chen Zairong, Chen Zairong understood what he meant: "Mr. Suo, Brother Zheng Nian is telling the truth, this is my brother."

"Then you go in. Remember, you have to follow the rules." The officer named Suo waved his hand and led his people back. It came quickly and went quickly.

Zheng Wanru explained: "Although the Imperial College is an important place in the imperial court, it is much more relaxed than in the imperial city. Family and friends can meet you when you visit."

Although the Imperial College trains talents for the court and is an official school, it is an academic institution after all. It is inevitable that scholars can visit and exchange academics. If the regulations are too strict and meeting is not allowed, it will curb the development of academics. Chen Wanrong appreciates this.

"This is Jingting. The gate to the east is called Jingchi Gate and Tong Confucius Temple. Whenever the sacrifice is made, the doctors and students come and go here, and people come and go." Zheng Wanru is really a good tour guide, introducing them one by one.

Entering through the middle gate, Chen Wanrong was stunned. The schoolhouse was one after another, wide and bright, and it was endless to see. Even modern higher education institutions were not of this scale. Chen Wanrong was a top student in higher education institutions. He never expected that the Imperial College was so grand. It would be impossible not to be surprised.

Zheng Qing and Chen Zairong were also surprised. Zheng Wanru smiled and introduced: "In the first year of Wude, Emperor Gaozu issued an order to run a school and build the Imperial College. At that time, the Imperial College was not big, with only about 400 people, all of whom were children of court officials, and there were no four-sect handsome students. In the seventh year of Wude, the war was quelled and the world was unified. Emperor Gaozu expanded the Imperial College and established the Imperial College. The common people could study in the Imperial College with their talents.

"During the Zhenguan period, Emperor Taizong issued an order to conquer the world's Confucian scholars and enrich the Imperial College. Emperor Taizong visited the Imperial College several times, and the Imperial College was so prosperous. The Imperial College was added to the Imperial College for a while. The Imperial College was expanded by 1,200 academic residences, and the Imperial College, the four major doctoral students and students were able to achieve their prosperity today."
Chapter completed!