The Prosperous Era of Longwan

The Hanlin Academy was established in the early Tang Dynasty. It was an institution dedicated to the palace. It housed talents in literature, classics, divination, medicine, monks and Taoism, calligraphy and painting, and chess. They accompanied the emperor on banquets and entertainment. It was collectively called the Hanlin Academy and was not an official official office.

During this period, the Hanlin Academy recruited more people with expertise from all walks of life, especially in entertainment.

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, after the vassal rule and the chaos in the world, it gradually became an important institution for drafting confidential edicts. It was not until the Song Dynasty that it became a formal official position and was in line with the imperial examination. It was known as the "Emperor's Private".

In the Ming Dynasty, due to the establishment of the cabinet system, the Hanlin Academy gradually lost its responsibility as the emperor's secretary and became a place for cultivating talents. It was responsible for compiling books and writing histories, drafting edicts, attending readings for royal members, serving as imperial examination examiners, etc., with a clear status. expensive.

Although the Hanlin Academy is only a fifth-rank yamen, because the original cabinet actually belonged to the Hanlin Academy, the rank of cabinet bachelors is still only a fifth-rank yamen until now. However, Hanlin bachelors have always been the highest-status scholar group in society, and they have concentrated The elite among intellectuals at that time had a superior social status.

The honor of becoming a Hanlin bachelor has also led a large number of scholars to take part in the imperial examination, hoping that one day they can be "nominated as a Hanlin scholar".

In the past, the concubines who entered the Hanlin Academy often traveled together to report to the Hanlin Academy.

However, this year is a little special. As long as Wei Guangde gets this grace alone, even if it is the emperor's personal decision, it is not the choice of the Hanlin Academy.

Wei Guangde had already learned from other channels the whole story of his being "nominated as a member of the Imperial Academy". Except that he couldn't figure out what the emperor was thinking, everything else was already clear.

Fortunately, when Wei Guangde was at home in the past, his father would tell the family history during ancestor worship every New Year. Otherwise, Wei Guangde would have thought that his family had something to do with Lao Zhu's family.

After arriving in a carriage outside the gate of the Hanlin Academy, Wei Guangde jumped off the carriage and said, "You guys find a place to rest nearby. It's time to eat."

Because it was his first day to report to the Hanlin Academy, it was impossible for Wei Guangde to bring Zhang Ji in. He didn't even know whether he had an independent office, what he was assigned to do, and who was assigned to be responsible for his studies.

Asking Zhang Ji and Li San to find a place to wait, Wei Guangde walked to the gate of the Hanlin Academy and presented the note from the Ministry of Etiquette to the guard on duty, and he let him in.

Wei Guangde felt a little uneasy at the moment, because he had decided early in the morning that there would be no admission of common people into this department, so the Hanlin Academy had no intention of recruiting people. Now that he was personally appointed by the emperor, he didn't know whether he would be welcomed by others.

A few steps into the door, Wei Guangde planned to find someone to ask himself who he should talk to. Although Yin Tai was now in charge of the Hanlin Academy, he still held the title of Young Master Zhan of Zhan Shifu, so he might not be here now.

Wei Guangde looked unfamiliar, so he was naturally noticed by a passing Hanlin. He walked past Wei Guangde, stopped in front of him, and asked curiously: "Are you Wei Chuanlu?"

"I don't dare. The underachieving student Wei Guangde pays homage to your lord."

This man wore a black gauze hat, a cyan collared shirt, a belt with engraved silver ornaments on his waist, and a white pheasant on his chest. When Wei Guangde saw the front of the visitor, he immediately knew that he was a fifth-grade official.

Wei Guangde didn't know this person, so he knew that he was definitely not from Jiangxi.

"Haha, let me call you Guangde. Are you here to report at the Hanlin Academy?"

The visitor obviously knew that he was a concubine. In fact, it had spread in the official circles of the capital a few days ago. This year, Emperor Jiajing appointed Wei Guangde to enter the Hanlin Academy as a concubine.

"yes."

Wei Guangde replied respectfully.

"No need to be restrained, my name is Wu Qing, and I am a bachelor's student in our college. When you first arrive, you should go to Mr. Yin's place first."

Wu Qing smiled and then looked back. He guessed that Wei Guangde might not know Dao, so he continued, "Well, I'll take you there. It's a good idea anyway."

"Thank you, Mr. Wu."

Wei Guangde immediately expressed gratitude.

Wu Qing led the way, and Wei Guangde quickly chatted with him for a few words, knowing that he was only promoted to bachelor's degree this year. Before that, he was just an editor, and he took several years to pass the exam before he was promoted.

"Perhaps if I stay for a few more years, I will be sent out to study abroad like Brother Ziyi."

At the end, Wu Qing said helplessly that the brother Ziyi he was talking about was Kang Siqian, the test room master of Wei Guangde Association.

The outside world knows that the Hanlin Academy is noble and noble, and it is the prime minister, but how many people in the Hanlin Academy can cross that hurdle to become a bachelor respected by thousands of people and enter the cabinet.

More Hanlins are actually sent out to various provinces to serve as academic advisors. Only a handful of them have the opportunity to return to the central government to serve as Ministers of the Six Ministries or the Inspectorate. They still retain the opportunity to continue to attack cabinet ministers. Most of them do it outside. This is the end of the level of Chief Envoy.

Soon, Wu Qing took Wei Guangde to the door of a public house.

"Master Yin should be inside. Shu Jishi reported today that he will not fail to come."

Wu Qing smiled at Wei Guangde, then clasped his fists, turned and left the public room where he was meeting.

After Wei Guangde respectfully saluted Wu Qing, he glanced at the rather grand public house and walked over.

Today is the day when Shu Jishi enters the Hanlin Academy. As the head of the academy, Yin Tai will naturally arrive.

After the clerk took Wei Guangde into the room, Wei Guangde hurriedly bowed to Yin Zhanshi and said, "Wei Guangde, a junior student, pays homage to Mr. Yin."

"Guangde is here, please sit down."

Wei Guangde felt quite good about Yin Tai, so he did not put on any airs, but showed Wei Guangde his seat very kindly. After the clerk brought the tea, he said: "I think all your teachers should give some advice. You still have a long way to go in terms of learning, so I won’t say more.

Now that you have been favored by His Majesty and admitted to the Hanlin Academy, you should settle down and study hard in the past three years. With His Majesty's regard for you, you will surely prosper in the future.

However, before that, after entering the Hanlin Academy, you should calm down and don't worry about things outside, especially those in the court.

Even if you really have something on your mind, tell me first. Don't take the Jinshi to the Rites Yamen like you did last time. Do you know how bad the impact will be? "

Not long after Wei Guangde sat down, he heard what Du Yintai said and knew that he was trying to remind him. He quickly stood up and saluted and said, "Student, remember."

Although Wei Guangde has an official status, he has no official position. On such occasions, he can only call himself a student, and cannot even use the words "lower official" or "lower position".

"I was a student at the time, Meng Lang. I did something like that only when I first heard about the Shanshan disaster and the court's failure to treat it. I won't do it again."

Wei Guangde hurriedly added.

"Sit down, don't be nervous, it's not that restrictive."

Yin Tai smiled and waved for him to sit down.

At this time, Tao Dalin, the number one scholar in Jinke's class, and Tao Dalin, who came second in the rankings, entered the house to pay homage to Yin Zhangyuan, and Tanhua Jinda also arrived soon after.

The three of them all had official positions as editors and editors, so naturally they were not comparable to Wei Guangde.

The three of them paid homage to Master Yin and exchanged greetings with Wei Guangde.

After talking for a while in the public room, Yin Tai called the clerks to go through their entry procedures and assign them errands.

Wei Guangde is a concubine, but Yin Tai has not thought about how to assign him to follow the bachelor. He still needs to discuss it with the bachelors.

In the Hanlin Academy, there are positions such as serving as a reader, serving as a lecturer, editing, editing, reviewing, etc. Later, there are also titles such as doctor of the Five Classics, classics, serving book, waiting for an edict, etc., but these are miscellaneous officials of the eighth or ninth grade who are not high-ranking.

The Hanlin Academy has no plans to recruit scholars this year. Naturally, the existing bachelors have not planned to recruit anyone before. In the past few days, Yin Tai has been delayed by other things, and he has not had time to ask if anyone wants Wei Guangde to come and help. , so I just arranged for him to stay in a public room first, and I first took some books from the library to read.

Although there are many official positions in the Hanlin Academy, there is actually nothing to do.

Scholars who served as scholars and lecturers published classics, lectured on classics and history for the emperor and the prince, and served as consultants.

Compilation is responsible for compiling the history of the country, compiling actual records, recording the emperor's words and deeds, lecturing on classics and history, and drafting manuscripts related to ceremonies; editing is responsible for compiling narratives, revising the history of the country, actual records, and conferences of previous dynasties; review is responsible for compiling the history of the country, Proofreading and finishing.

Shujishi were students who served as scholars and lecturers. They gave lectures to emperors and princes, and they were usually assigned to prepare the scriptures by reading ancient books and searching for sources.

Scholars who serve as readers and lecturers often also have the task of editing books. Naturally, it is the common people who do the copying and correction.

But now, because there is no crown prince, Emperor Jiajing does not often hold economic feasts. Naturally, the bachelors have nothing to do but study and play, but there is no shortage of manpower.

Wei Guangde's position is naturally a bit embarrassing.

Wei Guangde had a premonition of such an environment early on. After all, he knew that Jinke had no intention of taking a commoner, and the placement would definitely take time, so he was not in a hurry.

Wei Guangde was led to his official residence. The clerk in charge was called Lu Bu, which was a very interesting name.

The public rooms have been cleaned out early in the morning. Although there are many people in the Hanlin Academy, there are even more public rooms.

Sitting in front of his desk, Wei Guangde drank the tea brought by Lu Bu and chatted casually with him to learn about the situation in the Hanlin Academy.

These things are unknown to people outside the hospital. It happened to be free now, so Wei Guangde learned about the situation from Lu Bu.

"So, there isn't much going on in the Hanlin Academy, and everyone is quite leisurely?"

Wei Guangde asked for a long time, frowned and said.

"That is to say, there is still something to do in editing, editing and reviewing, but there is nothing else to do. Even those bachelors often just read the books they like and say to others that they are editing books.

If they really want to seriously study the books, they can only study them under the emperor's decree, so they will save their energy. After all, they can see the results after putting in the effort. "

Meishang, this is easy to understand.

The emperor asked people to repair books, and naturally they would be rewarded and financially supported if they repaired the books.

"Then take me to the library tomorrow. I'll find some books to read first."

Wei Guangde asked Lu Bu, "By the way, can I bring my own book in to read?"

"There is no prohibition."

Although he didn't know what book Wei Guangde wanted to read. All the books in the Hanlin Academy's library were gone and there would be no shortage of books to read. However, when faced with Wei Guangde's question, the scribe still answered.

"Do you have your own meal at lunch in the Yamen or is there a cafeteria?"

Wei Guangde asked again.

"I usually eat by myself. The cafeteria has been closed for a long time, and people don't want to eat from there."

Lu Bu replied.

"There's one more thing."

Wei Guangde finally expressed the question in his heart, "I have seen the official system of the Ming Dynasty. How are the salaries of these common people calculated?"

Wei Guangde now only has an official status but no job title. He wears a blue collared shirt but no patches. He feels a bit nondescript about himself.

Even though Lao Kan and others who were watching the government dressed like this, their time was short, ranging from three to five months, or as long as one year before they were promoted to official positions. However, I had to stay in the Hanlin Academy for three years.

"Salary? The common people have no salary."

Lu Bu was stunned by Wei Guangde's question, and then said: "In the past, the adults who came to the Hanlin Academy did not receive any salary. They only received some subsidies from the ministries. They were transferred from each ministry. When the time comes, Master Wei will go directly to the academy. Just take it.”

"No salary? How much subsidy are there?"

Wei Guangde asked curiously.

"The Ministry of Household Affairs gives one tael of silver for lamp oil, the Ministry of Punishment and Shuntian Prefecture give one tael of silver for pens and ink, and Guanglu Temple subsidizes two and a half taels of silver, four and a half taels of silver per month. Others, such as this building, are considered subsidies from the Ministry of Works. They I am also responsible for repairs. I was sent here, and the wages were allocated by the Ministry of War."

After listening to Lu Bu's words, Wei Guangde blinked, I only have an income of four or five taels of silver per month?

Is this enough money to eat and drink by yourself?

"Just a little money?"

Wei Guangde still doesn't believe it.

"It's quite a lot. It's almost the same as a seventh-grade official. It's better than an on-the-job official. At least I won't give you any treasure."

Lu Bu immediately said, "As far as I know, even the editor-in-chief receives only three taels of real silver per month as a discount. He also has one stone of rice and some silk banknotes, which are only worth more than five taels of silver. All you received was cash."

"This is going to impoverish labor and capital."

Wei Guangde roared in his heart, no wonder officials want to be corrupt. According to this salary, what can a county official do with a few taels of silver per month?

After Lu Bu went out, Wei Guangde put his left hand on the table and supported his head and began to meditate.

I was still thinking about buying a yard in the inner city, which was a waste.

For the salary of the Ming Dynasty, four taels of silver per month was enough?

Wei Guangde had to reconsider buying a house. He only had more than two thousand taels of silver in his hand. He spent most of it to buy the yard. He only had a few hundred taels left in his hand. How long would he be able to stay in the capital?

Now Wei Guangde's monthly expenses are about dozens of taels, which does not include shopping and favors.

Book prices are very high these days. For a Taoist book with more than forty volumes, I dared to ask for one hundred taels of silver.

Well, if Wei Guangde buys a house in the capital, he will only have enough money left to buy a few more sets of books.

I don’t know if my letter has reached Jiujiang?

Wei Guangde's family letters were brought by businessmen who returned to Jiujiang. This was the role of the guild hall in these days. Anyone from Jiujiang in the capital could find the guild hall, and the guild hall would find businessmen who returned to their hometown and bring the letters back.

I don’t know if my family will send me money, otherwise I really wouldn’t dare to buy this house, so I have to keep the money as a backup.

Although Wei Guangde estimates that his father will definitely prepare a sum of money for him, he has not received it yet, and he does not know how much it is, whether it is a few thousand taels or tens of thousands of taels.

No, then you can only buy a house first, and if you don’t have enough money, borrow some first. If your family doesn’t give you money, you can only wait for Zhang Hongfu to send the interest on the money released to the capital. Otherwise, you will be hungry in the past three years in the capital. Death is not an option.