In the ninth year of Kangxi (167), when Liu Yan was 2 years old, she took the juvenile examination and successfully passed the county examination, the government examination and the college examination. In the examination room, Liu Yan soon finished the seven essays that should be written, and the time is the turn of the application (about 3 pm). The teacher who presided over the exam was very surprised. After reading his article, he found that he was too old to be successful, as if he had conceived it in advance, so he asked him if he could be more successful. Liu Yan then made two more articles. Therefore, Liu Yan was awarded the first place in this exam. In the second year, Liu Yan was first recorded as a catering student, and she was given four taels of silver a month. Liu Yan's name became more and more popular, and many people nearby came to ask him about his studies. Liu Yan also left home to set up accounts in Dongping and Feicheng, where hundreds of people were apprentices.
in the 26th year of Kangxi (1687), Liu Yan took the provincial examination and won the first place in high school. Zhou Qingyuan, the imperial examiner, read Liu Yan's examination paper and praised it greatly, saying that it was "like winning a prize". In the spring of the following year, Zhou Qingyuan tried to learn the political case of Linyi Water Year, and invited Liu Yan to enter the curtain. In the 3th year of Kangxi (1691), Liu Yan was admitted to Xin Weike Jinshi. After the exam, Liu Yan went to see Xu Xunzhai, the real estate agent, and Xu said, "Your article should be ranked first, but unfortunately it is beyond my power to recommend it as the first choice. However, if the article has its own evaluation, there is no need to regret it because it can't be won." In the next Korean exam, Liu Yan was selected to the Hanlin Academy, and was awarded the title of Qing Shu Jishi Shu. After three years of examination, the academician courtyard will be given a review. Soon after, he was elected as the official of compiling the national history of the Three Dynasties. After the book was written, the emperor gave the python a suit as a reward.
in the thirty-ninth year of Kangxi (17), Liu Yan was appointed as the examiner, refusing all requests from private parties, carefully marking papers, and objectively and fairly selecting and recommending them. Even the papers that were not recommended were reviewed, and the candidates all admired him as a confidant of the article, and they all asked for guidance as disciples. As a result, the list was published, and the people selected by him were all famous figures in Shilin. At that time, those who judged justice by public opinion agreed that Liu Yan should be the first person, and even was known as the "four gentlemen" in the world, and Liu Yan ranked first. In October of this year, Emperor Kangxi celebrated the 6th birthday of Empress Dowager Xiao Huizhang, personally wrote "Long Life Without Boundedness" and dedicated it to the Empress Dowager on the screen. At the same time, he ordered courtiers and Chinese literary attendants to write the same He Wen. At that time, there were forty-nine people who obeyed, and Liu Yan's work was rated as the first. Emperor Kangxi was very satisfied and gave Shi Ling as a reward. At this time, it happened to catch up with the vacancy of jiangning house magistrate. Kangxi wanted to send Liu Yan, so he asked the advice of the university student Li Guangdi. Li Guangdi is one of Xin Weike's examiners, and is regarded as Liu Yan's teacher. Li Guangdi said to the emperor, "Jiangning is the capital of Jiangsu Province, which is deeply influenced by the habits of the Six Dynasties. Its customs are arrogant and its people's feelings are thin and evil. You can't be a talented person without ethics, and you can't be a talented person without ethics. Liu Yan is excellent at both. I have long known him. He is the right person for Jiangning magistrate. " So the decree was to summon Liu Yan in Changchun Garden and immediately appoint him as the magistrate of Jiangning.
Liu Yan accepted the appointment of the magistrate of Jiangning, and immediately took a young servant on the road, traveling day and night, and soon arrived at the border of Jiangning, without greeting the government. He went through all the counties in jiangning house first, and made a general understanding of local customs and people's feelings and the quality of officials. The local officials sent to meet him went hundreds of miles away, but there was still no sign of the new magistrate, while the new prefect had been in China for two months. At the beginning of his tenure, Liu Yan sent notices to all counties to praise kindness, and repented and rehabilitated those who did evil but did not constitute a crime, and doubled the punishment for committing crimes again. Those who are corrupt, bribed, local ruffians and villains who do harm to the people all flee at the news.
At that time, an old gift was fashionable in jiangning house, and all trades and professions in the market offered gifts and gifts to the government. For example, the satin machine room should offer samples of satin once a day, which is 36 a year, and other trades also followed suit. After Liu Yan took office, it was stipulated that all the trades should share the fire consumption, and all the old gifts were not accepted, and all the supplies in counties were abolished. Longjiang Pass, under the jurisdiction of jiangning house, is the gateway to Nanjing. During the Ming Dynasty, there was a treasury pass for the household department, specializing in taxes such as miscellaneous use of millet and silk. In the Qing Dynasty, Jiangning supervised weaving and Longjiang customs, and those who passed the customs with silks and satins would be punished once they were found out. The guards in charge of the security inspection took the opportunity to be traitors, and even if they went in and out to carry daily necessities, they extorted money at will. The former magistrate also knew the disadvantages and ordered the ban on leather for many times, but the situation remained the same and seemed unbreakable. Liu Yan, on the other hand, adopted the method of allowing people to complain. Ten tiles were placed at the source of each city gate, sealed with paper with official seal, and if there were any victims who came here, they could hit the tiles and go away. According to the above report, the officials guarding the city gate would immediately take the blame and stop them, so as to put an end to the accumulated disadvantages of Longjiang Pass. The people in Jiangning unanimously praised the new magistrate, affectionately calling him "the Taishou who hit the tile", and the merchants loved him and worshipped him as the god of wealth. Even after he left, this custom spread to other places.
In addition, Liu Yan regularly preaches the imperial edict on the first and fifteenth day of the first grade, explaining it in detail repeatedly, so that ordinary people can understand it, and also pay attention to the litigation, expose hidden bad guys and things in time, prevent and correct unjust, false and wrong cases, and even the whole province of Jiangsu preaches that Jiangning has another dragon to protect the old. After dealing with political affairs, Liu Yan also loves to go to the academy to talk about knowledge with the students, correcting articles and commenting on their merits in person. Celebrities such as Liu Yan (Dashan) and Huang Yue (Jifei), who were later edited by the Imperial Academy, were all selected by Liu Yan. In just two years, there has been a new situation in Jiangning, where politics is harmonious, everything is flourishing, and customs are changing. These situations have been reflected to the court and the emperor.
in the winter of the forty-first year of Kangxi (172), there were vacancies in the academic administration of several provinces, and the competent authorities drafted the preliminary candidates twice, which was not in line with the emperor's wishes. Kangxi personally wrote the name of Liu Yan and handed it to the official department, which planned to send Guangxi, and Kangxi personally checked it for Jiangxi. In the first month of spring in the 42nd year of Kangxi (173), Emperor Kangxi visited Jiangnan for the fourth time, and arrived in Nanjing in February. Liu Yan took the ride and went to the emperor's apartment to meet him. Kangxi asked Liu Yan about local advantages and disadvantages, and Liu Yan answered them one by one. Later, the emperor talked to Liu Yan about the essentials of Confucianism. Liu Yan said: "The sage should be the heart of heaven and the ambition of the people. Its merit lies in self-denial, and it should be far away from the sages." The emperor ordered his attendants to bring pen and paper and asked Liu Yan to write these words. Liu Yan respectfully wrote three programmatic words and presented them. Kangxi was very satisfied, and he also wrote Zhu Xi's "Window Inscription" on the spur of the moment. End bow, is capacity, a longing "to Liu Yan. In addition, I was given a crown and a robe, which was extremely lucky. On one occasion, the emperor personally visited the jiangning house Department. There were two questions and answers between the monarch and the minister-Kangxi asked: "Jiangning has become so rich in years. I wonder if Aiqing has also become rich with it?" Liu Yan replied: "I only have a bright moon and I have nothing to do with it." When Kangxi left Nanjing, he ordered Liu Yan to drive to Suzhou, summoned with others, talked for a long time, and then stayed for dinner. When I returned to Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, I was summoned again, and ordered Liu Yan to go to Jiangxi as the new appointment, so I don't have to wait for the ride. Liu Yan knelt down and asked the emperor to instruct him. Kangxi gave him two words: "Draw true talents and be a good official." Liu Yan was specially given a seat, and he also wrote a special letter to Liu Yan, "Where learning politics is appropriate, no local constraints are allowed." Liu Yan thanked him.
On the day of Liu Yan's farewell to Jiangning, the road was full of farewell crowds. Some people refused to leave by pulling carts, others gave banquets and sent them away. From morning till night, the sedan chair and horse rarely took a step forward. Had to go back to the residence to stay, the second day early in the morning, Liu Yan rode a horse to get on the boat on the bank of the Yangtze River. When the boat leaves, the sound of drums and tears on both sides of the strait can't bear to say goodbye, and the voices are mixed, and there are hundreds of people preparing to send each other by boat. Liu Yan was deeply moved, and wrote three chapters on the spot, and once again resolutely declined everyone's kind offer.
after Liu Yan went to Jiangxi to study politics, he did not forget Kangxi's earnest entrustment, aiming at promoting advantages and eliminating disadvantages and selecting talents. According to the routine duties, first of all, the civil and military students in each prefecture and county are tested, all out of public interest, carefully engaged, and dare not be sloppy; Every time you come up with a question, you should write an essay by yourself as a demonstration. Whether it is to exhort the students before the exam or after marking the papers, it is necessary to explain the purpose of Confucianism, and to educate scholars first by paying attention to morality and advocating exercise behavior. Strictly put an end to asking for help in private affairs, and also choose people who are born in poverty but have real talent and learning. Scholars in Jiangxi praised Liu Yan as "hard-hearted and ice-hearted". The customs of scholars in Jiangxi have also changed, showing a thriving atmosphere. All the talents selected by Liu Yan are praised by ordinary people, even farmers, shepherds and women are praised as true scholars. When I arrived in Raozhou (now Poyang) for the exam, I found that the number of people in each county who took part in the college exam was only a few dozen, not only the number was small, but also the articles I made were not satisfactory. Liu Yan issued a notice, saying that all students who are well-known in the county examination can prepare to take part in the college examination, which is not limited by the original quota, and the examination time will be notified separately. The local state official who appointed the transfer officer criticized and criticized Liu Yan's actions. Liu Yan took out the imperial edict and said, "The imperial court gave me this edict, not just to look good, but to send me to select real talents, thinking that the country would prepare useful people. Do you want to confront the imperial envoys? " He will be impeached in anger, but he will give up because his colleagues earnestly plead. In the end, according to Liu Yan's plan, all the famous people in the county participated in the re-examination, and the results were really talented. There was no regret because the talented people were not hired. After the New Year's test, Liu Yan went to see the Governor Zhang Zhidong, and Zhang Huanran greeted him and made three salutations. Liu Yan said that he was not worthy. Zhang said: "The public is spotless, and it is necessary to pay homage to you; You cultivate the style of writing for Jiangxi. As a provincial governor, I have the responsibility of customs education and should pay homage to you. My hometown is Changyi, Shandong, you are Yanggu, Shandong, and we are fellow villagers. You have helped me, and I have been touched by my fellow villagers. This is the reason for the third floor to worship you. " In February of the 43rd year of Kangxi (174), Li Ji and his successor as governor paid more tribute to Liu Yan. When they met, Li took Liu Yan's hand and said, "In the past, when I was in the Imperial Academy, I only knew that your articles were famous. Now I know that your articles and politics are equally excellent, and you can really be called a gentleman who is consistent in appearance!" So he sent a document to the whole province, calling on the officials of the thirteen subordinate governments to follow Liu Yan's example. When encountering major policies, Liu Yan must be consulted before they are implemented. Liu Yan also sincerely tells you what opinions he has.
During his three-year tenure as a political student, he took the annual examination in the first year and took a job in the second year. According to the regulations at that time, all the students admitted to the year-old examination should make an inventory and send it to the Ministry of Ritual, and the first-class students in the year-old examination should also consult the gift-giving department for grinding. If mistakes and cheating are found in the review, not only the students will be punished, but also the serious academic affairs will be punished. After Liu Yan reported the new year's test book to the Ministry, the director of the Ministry of Ritual repeatedly asked for rules and regulations, but Liu Yan ignored them. The parties proposed to reduce Liu Yan's punishment by one level on the grounds that the book was wrongly drawn. When Emperor Kangxi visited the south of the Yangtze River for the fifth time in the spring of the forty-fourth year, he asked Ashan, the governor of the two rivers, "What about Liu Yan as an official?" Ashan replied: "Liu Yan is the official and upright, and the two rivers are the first." Kangxi asked Jiangxi Governor Li Jihe again, and Li replied; "Liu Yan presided over the examination, whether it was the college examination for the civil and military students or the annual examination for the civil and military students, he was really honest." Therefore, the emperor specifically exempted Liu Yan from discussion. Liu Yan thanked the emperor for his kindness in meeting him, and became more and more strict with himself and adhered to noble sentiments as a reward to the court. The villain who hates Liu Yan is not willing to stop there, and he wants to find opportunities to slander him more and more. At this time, some people argued to the Ministry of Rites for Liu Yan's integrity and integrity, but the party concerned replied, "We have also heard about qing. of Liu Gong. But the rules and regulations are all over the world, so why is he alone in Jiangxi? To say the least, even if Jiangxi doesn't send a courtesy, can't you even write a letter and say hello? At that time, if you were willing to take care of it a little, the Ministry would not have raised it! " This was passed on to Liu Yan, but Liu Yan still ignored it, relying only on his own arrogance and solemnity. After all, he did not write a word to the Ministry of Ritual. When the Ministry of Science, Examination, Publication and Newspaper reported, the parties proposed to punish Liu Yan for the same reason that calligraphy and painting were wrong. At this time, Emperor Kangxi was fortunate to be stationed in the newly-built Rehe Summer Resort. The party involved played a trick this time, mixing the discussion of Liu Yan with other things, and Emperor Kangxi actually agreed to the discussion together, so that Liu Yan would eventually fall to the first level.
Liu Yan didn't express how surprised he was when he received the news, but seemed very happy. He cited the example of Tao Yuanming, a former sage in Jiangxi Province, and said that Tao Yuanming didn't bend his back for the five buckets of rice and left a good article like "Going Home" to future generations. He is my role model! So I decided to resign and return to my hometown. However, although Liu Yan has been an official for many years, he is honest and upright, and he has nothing to lose. empty pockets's rhetoric has returned to his hometown. How can he get it back? At this time, the governor changed Lang Tingji. Lang Gong respected qing. of Liu Yan and generously presented Liu Yan with 32 pieces of silver for travelling expenses. Han Xiya, the former supervisor of political affairs, also presented 12 pieces of silver, and said to everyone: "It is the first time in the past 6 years that I have met him when I returned home from school." Many local gentry also wrote farewell poems praising Liu Yan and expressing their retention. Liu Yan has always loved binge drinking, so he paid off most of his wine debts, and the rest was taken by boat from the canal to his hometown in Shandong, and he wrote a famous poem "Xuanyuan" about it. The whole poem is: "Say goodbye to Jiangnan and return to his hometown, bringing a boat full of exotic things." A bright moon is idle, but nothing is busy. Wu Shui Wu Shan paid the wine debt, and Chu Hua Chu Cao entered the poem bag. Affectionate and riverside willows, clouds and smoke lock the sunset. " The old county annals included this poem, titled "Jiangnan's learning and politics are poor, and the wine is returned to a boat. People think that gold and silver are known from the beginning."
Liu Yan returned to his hometown to thank guests in Dumen, Zhang Qiu, and sent love poems and wine with pride. Colleagues and friends in Beijing have written to him many times, saying that today's emperor is like Yao Shun's near-re-embodiment, so you can't retire in the wild and persuade him to re-enter the official position, but Liu Yan will not answer. Later, Zhang Boxing, who was called "the most upright official in the world" and "the famous minister of Kangxi", was appointed as Yanning Road at that time, and went to visit Liu Yan on business from the canal. When Liu Yan refused to see him, Zhang Boxing went straight into the house. Liu Yan said, "The humble room is unbearable, so I dare not bother you." Zhang Boxing said with a smile, "Why not? Being unbearable is just showing a gentleman's demeanor! Those who live in Gaotang Building, where there is such a taste of Gao Zhuo! " Zhang Boxing's family's economic situation is relatively rich. Every time he lends Liu Yan a plate fee, he is asked to go to Kyoto to fill the post, and he says, "If you can't get out of the office, you intend to be good, but can you live up to the people of the world?" Liu Yan still resolutely resigned. Zhang Boxing was later transferred to the capital, where he played in the emperor's leisure banquet, and recommended Liu Yan to the emperor as a talented person in Wang Zuo. Compared with the ministers of the Han and Tang Dynasties, it would be of great benefit to recruit him to the court. Emperor Kangxi was deeply convinced that he was preparing to make great use of Liu Yan, who had passed away. This year was the fiftieth year of Kangxi (1711), and Liu Yan was only sixty-one. There were more than a thousand people who attended his funeral, even those who passed by and didn't know him expressed regret. Zhang Boxing cried especially sadly, saying that God didn't want this man to rise. Otherwise, how could he have taken Mr. Jiean away from the world so early? And personally wrote poems and articles to mourn, including the sentence "Fighting the mountain and losing Korea, we have never done anything". In the second year after Liu Yan's death, yanggu county and Zhang Qiu both listed him in the Xiangxian Temple, Jiangxi and Jiangning listed him as a famous official, and Liu Yan was one of them.
Liu Yan is an honest official. He has been honest and upright all his life. Liu Yan is also a scholar, a poet and calligrapher. He is handsome, unrestrained by nature, open-minded and full of literati temperament. Haolin