Chapter 6 6. There are also poor officials in Beijing
Yang Yi, a child prodigy from Fujian Province, is outstanding in learning and has already shown amazing talent at the age of seven.When he was eleven years old, Emperor Taizong of Song Dynasty called for an examination, and it was indeed very good, so he immediately awarded the official secretary Shengzheng.Song Taizong asked him, you have been away from home for a long time, do you want to miss your parents?Needless to say, of course I miss him, but Yang Shentong is a prodigy after all, even if he wanted to, he couldn't say it, Yang Yi said to him: "I see Your Majesty, just like my parents." Zhengzi, mainly in charge of book errata and proofreading, with a monthly salary of 16 guan.Rent a single room in the shop housework, at best follow three or two servants, sixteen strings of money is enough for them to live in the capital.
When Yang Yi was 18 years old, he was awarded a Jinshi degree. As he grew up, his life experience gradually enriched, and his expenses increased significantly. Especially when he was a Hanlin bachelor, his financial situation was very tense.Hanlin bachelors are close to the emperor, and they have a special position, but they don’t get paid, and they don’t have regular salary to take. And other daily necessities.
In the Tang Dynasty, the Hanlin Academy was an institution that served artists. Since Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the Hanlin Academy was divided into two types, one is the Hanlin Bachelor, and the other is the Hanlin Enshrinement.The Hanlin Academy is a Qingshui yamen, with no real power at all, very little oil and water, and the envoy money given by the imperial court is not much on the individual's head.Unlike other departments that have their own income generation, such as the Herds Department, who manage the army's war horses, they sell horse manure as internal activity funds.Other wealthy departments put their spare money in goods negotiation and official lending.
The work of a Hanlin bachelor is similar to that of a secretary, but it has nothing to do with the life of the leader or office administration.A prestigious title, but not as affordable as the little Doctor Too Often.Dr. Taichang is affiliated to the Taichang Temple, which is in charge of the etiquette of the ancestral temple. There are four people, with a monthly salary of 20 guan. The social status and subsidies such as silk and satin are not as good as those of the Imperial Academy. For such an inconspicuous job, its gray income is much higher than that of the Imperial Academy. Bachelor.
The Song Dynasty stipulated funeral standards, such as the death of a royal family member or a senior member of the dynasty, the imperial court sent a ceremony officer to preside over the funeral affairs for the head of the funeral, which was called "sacrifice", and four Taichang doctors took turns in charge.Four people share the silk from one job, the officiant gets 14 bolts, and the others get 12 bolts.The appearance of court ceremonial officials is a great honor for the bereaved head. Those who catch up with wealthy families have extra hard work. After a year, they can eat and drink without worrying about it.They had nothing to do and strolled around the city to see if there was any business recently. Once, several elderly royal relatives came out of the court, chatting while walking, Dr. Yi Taichang snickered and said: "These old guys are all talented." ( "Confucian Tan Yuan") Hanlin bachelor's title is resounding, and in terms of material benefits, how can he be compared with Dr. Taichang.
Yang Yi had no money and complained constantly. In addition, he had a hobby of gambling, and often gambled with Zhang Dexiang (Prime Minister of Renzong), Li Zong'e (son of Prime Minister of Taizong Li Fang) and others.Once Zhang Dexiang lost 300,000 yuan, and with the experience of betting nine times out of ten, he has every reason to believe that Yang Yi often loses more than his face. ("Song History Zhang Dexiang Biography") Yang Yi then asked to go to work in the local area, with more than a thousand words on the table, including the sentence "the servant of the empty spring of sweet spring, and finally the ghost of Mo Ao".
Yang Yi came to the capital at the age of 11. He has been an official for many years and should have some financial strength. If an official like him with little personal life burden is about to starve to death, it is expected that those new scholars with their families want to stay in the capital. It takes guts and courage.In contrast, Wang Anshi's choice is more objective and practical.
Wang Anshi ranked fourth in the Jinshi examination. At that time, his father had passed away, but his mother was still alive. He had two half-brothers, six younger siblings, and several servants. The living expenses of fifteen or six people all depended on him. salary.Wen Yanbo recommended him to go back to Beijing and directly enter the Pavilion to work without passing the Pavilion Examination.Wang Anshi wrote in "Begging for Examination": "Siblings and sisters should marry, and the family is poor, so it is difficult to live in the capital." The reason is simple. The family's economic conditions are poor. With a large population, it is difficult to live in the high-consumption capital.Wang Anshi continued to work in the local area for nearly thirty years.
Local consumption is relatively low, the living environment is very monotonous, and personnel relations are not so complicated. The imperial court has relevant policies for officials who go to the local government. This is the reason why many new scholars give up the central government.The huge political temptation of the capital made many Xinke Jinshi scramble to stay here, and the super high prices made them discouraged.Even if the prices are so high, the cost of relationship maintenance is even more stretched. Jinshi who have no money want to maintain the relationship with colleagues, leaders and other high-ranking officials. They can only sell their talents by giving poems and essays.
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