The imperial examination system is the longest-lasting talent selection system in ancient China, which originated in the Sui Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song dynasties, and matured in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Different from the previous Jiupin Zhongzheng system under the gate valve system, the imperial examination system broke the monopoly of the family on power and opened the door for private talents to enter the upper class of society.
The ancients said: "Ten years of sharpening a sword, the frost blade has not been tried." This shows that low-level scholars need to go through a long period of hard work and precipitation in order to gain fame. Once you become famous, you can not only gain social status, but also get the recognition and support of the imperial court.
During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the imperial examination system had not yet been officially abolished, and countless young scholars from all over the country flocked to the bustling capital with dreams in mind, preparing to face the upcoming big exam.
Most of these scholars were born in poor families and were shy in their pockets, so they naturally couldn't afford to live in an inn in the capital, but they couldn't give up looking for a suitable place to live. As a result, the land temple outside the city became the first choice for these poor scholars.
A group of more than 20 people were crammed into a dilapidated temple, and the living conditions were extremely difficult, however, as scholars, they did not care about these hardships, but read more diligently until dawn, immersed in the sea of Confucian classics, unable to extricate themselves.
Reading hard late at night, sleepy and unstoppable, the breath of the book seems to be a heavy iron chain, restraining the will of every student. Just when they were tired and drowsy, a figure suddenly broke into the ruined temple.
He was unkempt and ragged, and at first glance he was clearly a beggar. The scholars were about to get up and drive him away, but the beggar did not panic, but sat down slowly, took out a bundle of incense from his bosom, and beckoned everyone to come around.
He claimed to be a local, and thanks to the blessings of his ancestors, he inherited a secret recipe for making Tibetan incense. He told everyone that lighting this incense can refresh the mind, dispel drowsiness and make you more awake even when you are most sleepy at night.
When the scholars heard about this, they begged the beggars to give it a try. Without saying a word, the beggar took a stick of incense from the bundle of incense and lit it on a candle. Soon, the aroma of Tibetan incense permeated the entire land temple, and after the scholars smelled it, they suddenly felt clear-headed, and the feeling of sleepiness was swept away.
At this time, they had a flash of inspiration, if they could have this kind of Tibetan incense and light it under the lamp in the room, wouldn't they be able to concentrate on reading at night? So, they hurried to ask the beggar**.
The beggar calmly stretched out three fingers and loudly asked for three taels of silver, there was exactly one month left to take the exam, and there were thirty incense sticks in the incense bundle, which was more than enough for one a day.
For each scholar, three taels of silver is indeed a lot of money, but it is not difficult for twenty people to scrape together this money. So, both parties paid the money with one hand and delivered the goods with the other, and each left with their beloved.
The next evening, the scholars were anxious to light an incense, but the fragrance was so different from the previous one that they even coughed repeatedly. Only then did they realize that they had been deceived by the beggars.
The indignant scholars decided to look for the beggar theory, but in the vast sea of people, where to find his traces? At this moment, the little monk who added the lamp oil heard the news and revealed the truth to them.
It turns out that incense is not really Tibetan incense, but just a trap, and the real Tibetan incense is a tribute from the imperial palace, and it is impossible to flow into the people. The beggar only dropped the bag when the scholar bought the incense.
What is even more frightening is that even if the scholar discovers this trick, it will not help. At this time, the beggar's accomplices would pretend to be officials to investigate the case, threaten them with imprisonment, and force the scholars to pay the fine.
If the scholars do not compromise, they will immediately take them out into the wilderness, join the others** to rob them by force, and even strip them naked for more silver taels.
The scholars broke out in a cold sweat on their backs when they heard this, and they never thought that there would be such a dangerous ** in the world. In the end, they had to give up. If you think about it carefully, it's not a loss, you can understand a serial ** for three taels of silver, and buy a big lesson, which is very cost-effective.