The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 118 The Highest Level of Cheating

The meeting ended.

Zhu Youtang called Zheng Wu Hao, Supervisor of the Qintian Supervisor, Cheng Minzheng, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, and Lin Han, the son of Guozijian, to the Qianqing Palace, as if there was something important to discuss.

The rest of the ministers went out of the palace separately.

After the civil servants left Fengtian Hall, many came to surround Liu Jian.

They seemed to be looking for an "explanation" with Liu Jian.

"Mr. Liu Ge, can you tell me that Li Guang has just passed away, and His Majesty favors alchemists. Doesn't it mean that there will be courtiers coming and going again?"

The minister's opinion is great.

It is obvious that the unknown alchemist has been regarded as a strong enemy.

As the chief assistant, Liu Jian had to stand on the commanding heights first, so he didn't take a stand easily.

Xie Qian laughed jokingly: "Someone can predict the earthquake in advance, which is equivalent to doing the job of the Qin Tianjian. Why are you so contradictory?"

In the meaning of Xie Qian.

Now someone predicts the earthquake and can save the people of Liming. You people are not only unhappy, but also seem to be facing a big enemy.

Doesn't it mean that you only care about party disputes, and don't care about the life and death of the people?
When the ministers heard it, the attitude of the three elders in the cabinet was very ambiguous.

listen...

Does the cabinet have no intention of admonishing the emperor to stay away from "traitors"?
Li Dongyang said: "If this person only prophesied about the fire in the palace, predicted the earthquake, and did not do anything harmful to the court, then he should not be forcibly dissuaded."

Tu Dan protested, "If Your Majesty ruins the Ming Gang's rules of etiquette because of treachery, then it will be too late to dissuade you."

"Correct!"

Many people agree with Tu Dan's statement.

This is to prevent problems before they happen, how can we let the treacherous people take advantage of them?

When the emperor asks questions, he can only ask our ministers, and no one can jump on us. This is both a principle and a competition.

At this time, as the leader of civil servants, how can your cabinet back down?
Even the old british surname Zhang started to tremble, saying that he wanted to promote that alchemist to be the supervisor of Qintian Supervisor. too late.

Liu Jian couldn't bear to listen, and said coldly, "Let's discuss it later."

It means that if you want to participate in the impeachment, go to the impeachment yourself, and don't involve the cabinet in everything.

Or is it that you are not confident that you can bring down the traitor that the emperor believes in, and you insist on letting our cabinet come forward, and you are fanning the flames behind the scenes?

Want to get on yourself!
……

……

Inside Renshou Palace.

Hou Zhoushou of Qingyun and Bo Zhou Yu of Changning stopped by after the court meeting to visit the Empress Dowager Zhou.

The Empress Dowager Zhou was in a good mood, asked about some family matters, and suddenly looked at Zhou Shou coldly: "...a few days ago, I stayed behind closed doors. Is this a recovery from illness?"

Zhou Shou said: "Go back to the Empress Dowager, the illness has recovered."

"Hmph!" said the Queen Mother Zhou, "Everyone else has used medicine for the epidemic in the capital. Why don't you use it? If there is an acne epidemic next time, will you still stay at home? As a relative of the state, why don't you lead by example? To regulate the peoples?"

The Empress Dowager Zhou was angry because Zhou Shou used his old age as an excuse to ask others to take over for something, while he hid himself from seeing anyone.

Wait until the plague is over before running out to get rid of it.

Zhou Shou looked ashamed.

He also knew that this elder sister was most concerned about the responsibility and face of the royal family, and he obviously didn't take the lead in this matter.

The Empress Dowager Zhou asked again: "I sent someone to tell you earlier that Xiaoying and Xiaotang should both go to study with Zhang Bingkuan. Have you arranged for it?"

"No." Zhou Yu said, "Old sister, it's not that we don't want to, it's really unnecessary. Recently, they all received errands from the Dudu Mansion, and they are usually busy with official duties..."

"What are you busy with?"

The Empress Dowager Zhou was impatient again.

The two younger brothers didn't seem to listen to her words at all.

"Someone came early this morning to tell Aijia that the earthquake in Xinye, Henan was rightly told by him. Such a person can gain His Majesty's trust, and His Majesty will definitely ask about military and political affairs in the future. You can't even see the direction of the wind." Accurate? When the Ai family closes their eyes, who in the Zhou family will pay attention to it?"

The Queen Mother Zhou was angry.

Zhou Shou said: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty is extremely filial."

"When the Ai family is still alive, don't you see how domineering the Zhang family is now? Sometimes the Ai family can't be persuaded. It's a matter between your majesty's husband and wife. The Ai family is still there. The Zhang family can't do anything to you. In the future, will there be someone who will protect you in case of trouble?"

The Empress Dowager Zhou is actually preparing for her death.

She knew that she was already old, and she was seventy years old. For an old lady of this age, let alone a sudden illness, even if she was not ill, she would pass it.

But the Zhou family seemed to be used to being protected by her, and they had no sense of crisis at all.

Zhou Yu said: "Old sister, don't be angry. After you go back, let the two young ones go over and have a look."

"Okay!" said the Empress Dowager Zhou, "this matter cannot be delayed. I heard that the second boy of Duke Cheng's Zhu family is with Zhang Bingkuan every day, and even the boy of the British father's old Zhang's family is there. pay attention to."

Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu couldn't help but look at each other.

It seemed that the empress dowager was in the palace, but she didn't close her eyes at all. She knew more about things outside the palace than they did.

……

……

After the emperor finished seeing Wu Hao, Cheng Minzheng and Lin Han.

Immediately sent Xiao Jing to Zhang Zhou's mansion.

On the one hand, I want to inform Zhang Zhou that the Xinye earthquake has occurred, and on the other hand, I want to ask about other natural and man-made disasters recently, and by the way, it is also to convey the emperor's "good intentions".

Xiao Jing ran to Zhang Zhou's mansion, but found that Yang Peng was visiting.

Xiao Jing looked at Yang Peng who just came out of the door, frowned and said: "What are you doing here?"

Yang Peng hurriedly said: "Eunuch Xiao, it's not that he heard the earthquake happened, so he came here specially to inform, and by the way... let's talk about the rebuilding of Qingning Palace."

"is it?"

Xiao Jing was sneering.

You Yang Peng, don't think that others can't see it. You are here to curry favor with Zhang Zhou. Knowing that he can't be overthrown now, you probably want to do the old trick again, and make a bridge for Li Guang, right?

"The humble job goes first."

Yang Peng didn't expect to be so unlucky, he came to see Zhang Zhou, and he could meet the governor of the East Factory, and judging by Xiao Jing's attitude, he seemed to have a lot of opinions on him.

He left with his head down.

After watching Yang Peng walk away, Xiao Jing seemed to have made up his mind, probably to transfer Yang Peng to another place.

……

……

"Eunuch Xiao? Didn't Eunuch Yang come to inform you before? Do you want to come here in person?"

Zhang Zhou was also straightforward.

Don't hide the news of Yang Peng's arrival, Xiao Jing is also thinking, this Mr. Zhang doesn't think that Yang Peng was sent by me, does he?
Yang Peng, Yang Peng.

If you act presumptuously, you will only have a few days of good days left.

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Your Majesty actually knew that the earthquake would happen a long time ago, otherwise the court would not have mentioned it. His Majesty even made a little displeasure with the officials over this matter, but it all disappeared. Mr. Zhang told me with his strength. Those officials, you are a master, not a charlatan."

"Hehe, is it?" Zhang Zhou didn't feel honored at all.

You said that I am not a charlatan, am I not?
Zhang Zhoudao: "Is there no reward? If not, Eunuch Xiao doesn't need to say any more. I'm busy here."

Xiao Jing was embarrassed.

Without saying a word, Zhang Zhou was about to issue an order to evict the guests. He was also thinking, if he came to the door with an imperial gift, would he be treated better?

This product is so awesome, why is it so picky?

"Mr. Zhang, it's not pleasant to say that. Everyone has this love of money. You can't break the principle because of a little greed. Otherwise... no matter how capable you are, it will be difficult to last for a long time." Xiao Jing remind.

Zhang Zhou was surprised and said: "Eunuch Xiao, what are you talking about? Apart from taking some rewards from His Majesty, I am also greedy for other things? You can't say that I was corrupt and perverted the rewards from Your Majesty, right?"

"That can't be done." Xiao Jing hurriedly said.

Zhang Zhoudao: "That's right. I saved a little bit. That's because I have lived a hard life and know the pain of not being able to feed a family. People realize the importance of accumulating grain to prevent hunger when they are in poverty. They have never experienced the pain of starvation." People can't understand my mood. See what I'm saying to Xiao Gonggong, Xiao Gonggong, do you still have something to do?"

"Yes, yes."

Xiao Jing smiled wryly.

Talking to this Mr. Zhang, there will always be endless chatter.

It can be seen that this guy just likes to talk nonsense.

Xiao Jing said: "Isn't that right? Your Majesty summoned Wu Jianzheng of the Qin Tianjian earlier, and told him that in the future, there will be Liuren occupying the class and so on. Let him seek more opinions from others, and don't be complacent. In fact, what His Majesty meant, Just ask him to come and ask Mr. Zhang for his opinion."

"Oh." Zhang Zhou was stunned, and then shook his head, "The ugly thing is before, I don't have time to take care of apprentices, and I'm not good at it. I don't know how I figured it out."

"You can tell a joke."

Of course Xiao Jing took Zhang Zhou's words as self-effacing.

But in fact, Zhang Zhou really doesn't know how to do divination. If he is really asked to come up with a divination process, although sometimes he can forcefully explain it and make it far-fetched, but in front of an astronomical expert like Wu Hao, he will definitely reveal his truth.

"Also, His Majesty also summoned Bachelor Cheng Minzheng Cheng and the Imperial Academy Lin Jijiu today, and told them that a few talents will be selected from the Imperial Academy for appointment."

"What does that mean?"

Zhang Zhou heard that the Guozijian's selection of talents seemed to be targeting him.

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Actually, His Majesty's intention is to find an opportunity for Mr. Zhang to become an official as a man."

"Ha ha."

Zhang Zhou smiled.

Zhu Youtang was afraid that he would not be able to pass the Jinshi examination, so he left him a way out.

Xiao Jingdao: "Your Majesty did not tell Cheng Xueshi and Lin Jijiu, that is to say, let the supervisors in the Imperial College write some articles, poems, current affairs policies, etc., and write topics in the name of Lin Lao Jijiu. The title is here... ..."

"This……"

Zhang Zhou was a little speechless.

It was agreed that Lin Han would write a question, why did Xiao Jing send the question first?

Xiao Jing really took out a note, on which was the title written by the emperor himself.

Royal pen personal question...

Zhang Zhou felt that this still left the calligraphy of Emperor Hongzhi.

Gee.

"Actually, it's just a situation. You just answer the questions, show off your talent, and send it to Beiyong. At that time, the Imperial Academy will find a few Imperial Academy attendants, attendants, etc., to help you with details... Don't worry, Mr. Zhang. This is also to establish a good relationship in advance, our family will make it clear that you... will be selected!"

Zhang Zhou felt as if he knew something.

The emperor specially used the illusion of "fairness and justice" to open a back door for him to prevent him from failing the exam in the next year, and then find some reason to prepare for the exam for three years and not be able to serve the court.

So Zhu Youtang also omitted the steps, and made an internal decision, allowing you to be selected as an official in the imperial court as a top student in the Imperial College.

In Daming, it was not uncommon for Juren to be an official in the court class, but once he accepted the dismissal, it meant that he would not take part in the general examination in the future.

When recruiting people to enter the court, local officials can basically only reach the prefect level, that is, the fourth rank, and few can be transferred to the six ministries, let alone enter the Imperial Academy.

Of course, there are some special cases. Most of them were in the early Ming Dynasty when they were able to hold the positions of Liubu Shangshu, Zuodu Yushi, and Shilang as Juren.

And the most recent one is Jia Jun, the former Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry who just passed away in the eighth year of Hongzhi. He is the No.

If there is a precedent, then the emperor can make a fuss.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Eunuch Xiao, is it... not good? As a literati, I shouldn't accept this kind of thing."

The emperor joined forces with the ministers below to conduct this kind of small circle selection, and even made internal appointments.

If this got out, it would bring him a bad reputation.

Of course, Zhang Zhou's goal is not just to become a Juren, he is also studying hard recently, in order to be a Jinshi... Although it is a bit difficult, if he can get a few questions in the next year's exam, wouldn't he have a great chance? big?

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Don't worry, apart from His Majesty, Eunuch Dai and our family, no one else will know."

"Didn't you say that Eunuch Xiao is going to instruct people from the Imperial Academy?"

"No." Xiao Jing said, "At that time, His Majesty will personally transfer the examination questions to the palace, and make a decision in the way of His Majesty's review..."

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, this is probably the highest level of cheating!
The emperor, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony and the eunuch of Dongchangchang, joined forces to help a juren cheat.

If the old man Lin Hanlin knew about this, he would probably vomit blood and die on the spot.

Xiao Jingdao: "What's more, this is not the imperial examination selection of the Ming Dynasty, it is just a temporary addition, how to choose, of course it is up to your Majesty to decide."

The final interpretation right belongs to the sponsor...

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, let's make an appointment by appointment, which is also very good. Anyway, there is one more way, and it is just to enjoy the convenience.

If you really want to fail the exam, you have to prepare for another three years, and you have to deal with Vanity Fair, I'm afraid it's even more powerless.

"Mr. Zhang, you have read the details in the past two days, but the topic will be made public later. This is not considered a leak. As long as you are a prisoner of the Imperial College, you are eligible to report it. Congratulations on your appointment to the court class." Xiao Jing smiled. Arch hand.

Congratulations even pretended to be up.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Isn't it a bit early? I'm still waiting for the next spring..."

"No conflict, our family is leaving first, you don't have to send it off. I'm afraid our family will not be able to bear the responsibility if it delays your preparation for the exam."

Xiao Jing looked very humble, smiled and left.

Although Zhang Zhou didn't directly send him out of the door, he still sent him to the front yard, and was urged by Xiao Jing three times and four times before he went back to the inner courtyard.

……

……

"Husband, what is that... father-in-law here for?"

Jiang Pingyu came to deliver tea earlier, seeing that Zhang Zhou was meeting the distinguished guests in the palace, she didn't dare to come in and disturb her.

Because those who followed Xiao Jing in the yard were all armed with swords.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Oh, it's Mr. Xiao from Dongchang who came to deliver the exam questions."

"What exam questions? Will you take the exam?" Jiang Pingyu looked a little more expectantly.

Zhang Zhou took out the exam questions and looked at them. They were just exam questions about current affairs policies. There were three questions in total, all of which were given by the emperor himself.

The examination rules have also been set. Not only must there be these three examination questions, but also some additional items, such as poems, four books, etc., can also be discussed on personal ambitions and the current situation, but they cannot involve the royal family and the imperial court. event.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Impossible. The main examiner of the examination has not yet been decided, so how could there be questions for the examination? But...it's about the same."

(End of this chapter)