Zhao State, Handan.

The holding of the academy exam undoubtedly made the discussion on the imperial examination in Zhao State to a higher level. People were discussing many interesting things about the imperial examination. The most famous story is that a poor man who entered the top ten in the first exam was originally despised by the woman's family because he was not famous, but after the exam results came out, the woman's parents almost came to the house to agree to the marriage and promised to get married soon.

Some even have created it into books and began to spread it in a small way.

In addition, many large families are also starting to move, wanting to see if there are any good seedlings worth marrying through this imperial examination.

Zhao He couldn't help but feel a little amused when he looked at the folk customs sent by the people below.

As expected, nothing new happened under the sun. As a time traveler, Zhao He always feels quite familiar with these plots being staged.

A sound of footsteps interrupted Zhao He's thoughts, and he looked up and found that it was Xiangbang Feiyi.

"I've seen the king." Fei Yi saluted Zhao He.

Zhao He smiled and said, "The fat master doesn't have to be too polite. What's the matter?"

Fei Yi said: "King, the list of the academy exams has been released, with a total of 524 people. Please review it."

Zhao He raised his eyebrows, a little surprised: "There are so many?"

Although there are several thousand people who pass the first exam, they only ensure that they can become an official. To put it bluntly, they are still a person who goes to the grassroots level to do odd jobs. Only after passing the academy exam can they truly be qualified to be an official and can sit in the office and give orders to their subordinates.

For example, the current Zhao State Academy can contribute five or six hundred people every year when it is too often, and three or four hundred people are not missing. But don’t forget that after Qi State’s destruction and disbandment of Jixia Academy, the Zhao State Academy has become the highest institution of learning in the entire China. It is no exaggeration to say that it has gathered many elite scholars. I wonder how many scholars came from thousands of miles to worship a powerful disciple in the academy.

This time, more than 500 officials were admitted, and they were all comparable to the past academic year, which really surprised Zhao He.

Fei Yi smiled and said, "Did the king forget that the scholars in the academy can also take the exam."

Zhao He slapped his head and said, "I'm really stupid. By the way, how many people from the academy have been admitted?"

Fei Yi said: "It's about three hundred."

Zhao He nodded: "There are two hundred scholars from other places who are elites from other places? That's normal. Come on, let me see if there is a list."

Fei Yi handed over a stack of paper.

Zhao He expanded the list, and the first name made Zhao He exclaim: "Xunzi? He is the first again?"

This time, Xunzi's first thing surprised Zhao He.

Compared with the relatively looseness in the initial examination, how to answer the marking standards that can get points as long as you have knowledge points, the marking standards of this Academy Examination are more practical according to Zhao He's requirements. In other words, the more down-to-earth the things written are, the closer they are to reality, the higher the score. Although Xunzi is talented, he can know the local facts and propose targeted measures just now at a young age?

Fei Yi seemed to have thought of Zhao He's question for a long time, and immediately answered: "Return to the king, Xunzi's answer sheet was in the information that the old minister had just submitted. The old minister had read his answer sheet, and it was indeed every word, and he also sent someone to investigate his family. It is said that he was raised in Yu County near Jinyang when he was a child. His father once served as a clerk in Yu County. Later, he came to Handan with the then county magistrate to be an official. It is reasonable to be familiar with the local customs and culture."

Zhao He silently kept silent, looked through Xunqian's answer sheet for a while, and read it back and forth several times, feeling a little moved.

What is a genius? A genius is a genius when he was a child, a genius when he was young, and a genius when he was old!

Look at the article Xunzi, every word is gem, and it is simply a bit like genius between the lines.

Although many of the sentences in this answer sheet are different from the book "Xunzi" circulated in later generations, or are a little immature, it can be seen that his entire ideological structure has begun to take shape.

To use the more common statement in later generations, the world outlook, outlook on life and values ​​have basically been formed, but the only difference is that life experience has been polished and tempered more deeply.

"The integration of Confucianism and Law..." Zhao He tapped the table gently with his fingers and suddenly asked, "Fat Master, what do you think of Xunzi's answer?"

Fei Yi smiled and said, "King, this answer sheet is the first in the old minister's personal transcript. What do you think?"

Zhao He was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "I am thinking about it."

This response to the monarch and minister is not actually in the answer sheet itself, but in the thoughts revealed in the answer sheet.

The reason why Xunzi caused huge controversy within Confucianism in history and was even criticized by some Confucians as a traitor is because of his thoughts.

Xunzi's thoughts have Confucian connotations, but at the same time they absorb a large number of Legalism. Supporters believe that he is eclectic, while opponents believe that he is just a false Confucian scholar with "Confucian skin and legal bones".

You should know that as a powerful Confucian scholar, Xunzi actually taught two disciples, Li Si and Han Fei, in history, the two great Legalists, which is enough to explain some things.

The integration of Confucianism and Law is Xunzi's inheritance and breakthrough of Confucianism.

The huge controversy caused by this breakthrough led to the mixed reputation of Xunzi within Confucianism, and even after a thousand years, he had no qualifications to attend the Confucius Temple and be worshipped with the Confucian wise men.

But as a time traveler, Zhao He is very clear about history.

The famous Han Dynasty wise monarch in history completely destroyed the Xiongnu Empire, established the Western Regions Protectorate, and pushed the territory and national strength of the Western Han Dynasty to its peak. Emperor Xuan of Han once said a very famous saying when educating the prince: "The Han family has its own system, and it is originally mixed with overlords and lords!"

Domineering means Legalism, while kingly way refers to Confucianism. "The way of overbearing is mixed with it", which naturally means the integration of Confucianism and Law.

To put it in a more popular way, it is "one hand carrot and the other hand stick".

Historically, the blind preference for the Legalists created a short-lived dynasty like the Qin Dynasty.

If we blindly take Confucianism as the basis, we will create a weak dynasty like the Song Dynasty.

This is what is said to be too much or too little.

Only by combining Confucianism and Law and mixing the overlords and the way of the king can we create the Han Dynasty. The magnificent era of the Tang Dynasty is the true 5,000-year spirit and foundation of the entire Han nationality.

Therefore, Xunzi is right.

Perhaps in some specific knowledge points, Xunzi, as the "ancient people", also has his own limitations, but overall, the path of convergence of Confucianism and Law he took has been proven to be the correct path by history.

Thinking of this, Zhao He suddenly felt a little moved.

Perhaps, in the palace examination a few days later, you can start to make some small preparations and articles.
Chapter completed!