E56 赶考：秋闱初胜，拜谒文宗

E56 赶考：秋闱初胜，拜谒文宗

课程导读

上节课我们讲到，古代中国的传统婚姻制度，体现了中国人极其务实的特质。在苏轼与苏辙两兄弟完婚之后，父子三人也踏上了进京赶考之路。怀着两封致文坛大家的推荐书信，一行人穿剑阁，越秦岭，终于到了东都开封，以待秋闱。这一场的考试结果如何？苏家父子将以何种方式进入仕途？

英文原文

In May of 1056 the three Sus arrived at the capital and put up at a Buddhist temple, awaiting the tests that were to come in the autumn.

These were the preliminary tests given by the ministry of education selecting candidates for the spring examinations to be held under the personal supervision of the emperor. Of the forty-five candidates from Meichow, both brothers were among the successful thirteen.

Having nothing more to do than to wait for the palace examinations in spring, the father and sons stayed to look over the city and get an introduction to society.

Su Shün now submitted his works to Ouyang Shiu, the highly respected and loved leader of the scholar class.

The genial-mannered Ouyang Shiu had unusually white long ears and a short upper lip which revealed his gums when he laughed.

He was not particularly handsome to look at, but to meet this dean of letters and receive his favor was the dream of all aspiring scholars.

Ouyang Shiu had won the love of the literati because he had always regarded it as his duty to discover and encourage young talent.

He received Su Shün cordially, and through him Su senior was invited to privy councilor Han Chi's home and introduced to the high-ranking officials.

But with his aloof and somewhat self-important manner, Su Shün failed to make a good impression on the government leaders.