I. Preface
In the long river of history, in the court during the Qianlong period, there was a legendary story that was praised by future generations.
Ji Xiaolan, with his wit and knowledge, became a double-edged sword in the heart of Emperor Qianlong - both a powerful assistant and an opponent who challenged authority.
The battle of wits and courage between them is like a wonderful chess game, and every move is full of wisdom and suspense.
Second, Ji Xiaolan, who is inspirational and has nothing to do
During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, in a deep courtyard, Ji Xiaolan's childhood was surrounded by books and ink.
His father, a serious official, was convinced that his son could accomplish great things.
Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight shine through the window lattice, Ji Xiaolan reads hard in the study.
In front of him was a stack of heavy books, and behind him were the expectant gazes of his parents.
Under such pressure, Ji Xiaolan's talent was gradually revealed.
Under his pen, poems gushed out like springs, and articles were like war drums on the battlefield, passionate and powerful.
Whenever he finishes an article, it causes a small stir at home.
The joy and pride of his parents became the driving force for him to move forward.
Third, the scenery is in the office, but it is difficult to break through the fog of officialdom
In 1737, Ji Xiaolan stepped into the examination room of the imperial examination, which was the first major examination in his life.
The tip of his pen danced quickly on the test paper, and every word condensed his sweat and wisdom.
However, fate seems to have played a joke on him, and he failed to pass high school in the entrance exam, but his talent was not buried.
The officials of Zhongshu Province saw his potential and gave him key support, which made him stand out in the palace examination and become a jinshi.
The life of officialdom is not as glamorous as Ji Xiaolan imagined.
He finds himself trapped in a complex labyrinth, full of unknowns and challenges at every step.
His talent doesn't seem to be appreciated here, and the road to promotion is extremely difficult.
In the dead of night, he is often alone, facing the dim candlelight, thinking about how to break through this fog and regain his former glory.
Third, the stroke of genius is jaw-dropping
Ji Xiaolan's reputation gradually spread in the court, and his talent was like a sharp sword, cutting through the dullness of officialdom.
In 1746, he was appointed editor of the Rehe Chronicles, a stage that tested his true strength.
In the study room where the volumes are stacked like mountains, Ji Xiaolan is immersed in the proofreading and sorting of ancient books, the tip of his pen is like a divine help, and every stroke and painting reveals his respect and love for history.
Emperor Qianlong's eyes finally fell on this talented editor.
When Ji Xiaolan stepped into the palace for the first time, facing Qianlong's test, his heart beat like a drum, but his eyes were as firm as rock.
Every problem raised by Qianlong, Ji Xiaolan can deal with it with flowing words, his answers are as natural as spring water, and every word is full of wisdom and strength.
A hint of surprise flashed in Qianlong's eyes, and he began to realize that this young editor was not just an ordinary civil official.
Fourth, witty and clever words, repeatedly defeated the Son of Heaven, and lost face
With the passage of time, the battle of the couplets between Ji Xiaolan and Qianlong became a major event in the court.
Every encounter is like a silent contest.
Qianlong asked the question, Ji Xiaolan responded, and the intelligence of the two collided in this game.
Qianlong's upper link is ingenious and full of deep meaning, but Ji Xiaolan can always find the perfect lower link in an instant, and his wit and clever words make Qianlong both surprised and admired.
At the Qiansu banquet for 50 years after Qianlong's accession to the throne, Ji Xiaolan's couplets shocked the audience.
His words are like pearls, both profound and elegant, which makes Qianlong's face show a rare smile of satisfaction.
However, when Qianlong pointed out the "rats are old regardless of size" in the mouse hole on the ground by chance, his eyes revealed a trace of cunning, as if he was looking forward to Ji Xiaolan's embarrassment.
But Ji Xiaolan just smiled slightly, his gaze swept over the corner of the palace, and then he made a couplet of "Parrots are both male and female", which made Qianlong's smile freeze on his face, while the surrounding officials were in an uproar.
This contest of wisdom once again ended with Ji Xiaolan's victory, and Qianlong's heart had a little more complicated emotions for this talented courtier.
Fifth, there is a huge disparity between pitches, and the masters are playing against each other
The contest between Ji Xiaolan and Qianlong was tense and fierce, but it was humorous and elegant.
Every confrontation is like a game between two masters on a chessboard, and every move is full of wisdom and strategy.
Ji Xiaolan's wit and erudition allowed him to repeatedly gain the upper hand in this game, and Qianlong, although he was repeatedly defeated, appreciated his talent even more.
Above the court, the interaction between the two was full of drama.
Qianlong often challenged Ji Xiaolan in a half-joking tone, and Ji Xiaolan could always resolve the embarrassment with clever answers, and even rebelled against the army.
Their conversations often left the onlookers stunned and unsure of what to do.
Ji Xiaolan's humility and knowledge generally made him occupy a special position in Qianlong's heart, and Qianlong's tolerance and appreciation also made Ji Xiaolan full of respect for him.
VI. Conclusion
Ji Xiaolan's life is a legend closely linked to the imperial examination and officialdom.
His diligence and talent won him Qianlong's appreciation and reuse.
Although their competition never stops, this competition is more like a mutual grinding and growth.
With his knowledge and wisdom, Ji Xiaolan left a strong mark on the court, and Qianlong, with his assistance, realized the value of a courtier more deeply.
Ji Xiaolan's story is not only a history of struggle of a literati, but also a microcosm of an era.
His life shows the style of a Chinese-style literati bureaucrat: a family scholar, talented, and at the same time humble and a sense of the overall situation.
In the works such as the Siku Quanshu, which he participated in compiling, we can get a glimpse of his extensive knowledge and profound insights.
Ji Xiaolan's life is like a wonderful history book, recording the glory and changes of an era, and also letting us see the wisdom and charm of a literati.