The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

The Shuntianfu Township Examination is about to begin.

The candidates came in. It seemed that because Zhang Zhou was the examiner of this provincial examination, there were many more people than usual who came to take the examination.

"Are there so many people in the capital?"

Li Zhaoxian followed his family members who came to take the exam and arrived outside the Gongyuan of Shuntian Prefecture. When he saw the huge crowd of people, he couldn't help but sigh.

The servant said: "Perhaps all those who can take the exam are here."

"Is there anyone who doesn't take the exam as usual? Just because Mr. Zhang is the examiner this time, everyone comes to join in the fun? Are all those who came from the Imperial College here?"

The biggest difference between the rural examination in Shuntian Prefecture and other places is that there are many students from the Imperial College in the rural examination here. Among them, there are many Yin Gong students who are not very knowledgeable. For example, Li Zhaoxian... he is in that kind of orthodox examination In the eyes of students who have passed the Tongsheng Examination and the Academy Examination, they can actually be equated with the second-generation officials who are unlearned and incompetent.

Just as he was talking, a group of people came from the opposite side. Li Zhaoxian saw it from a distance and led them over.

"Yizhong." The person who came was none other than Xie Qian's second son, Xie Pi.

Xie Pi was much younger than Li Zhaoxian. He had just turned 20 and was in his prime, while Li Zhaoxian looked particularly old because he had experienced many vicissitudes of life.

Xie Pi was also very happy to see Li Zhaoxian and said: "I never wanted to meet here, but there is news about the exam? You might as well tell me something."

Even though the two of them usually knew a lot of friends in the capital, they seemed to avoid getting close to them before the exam.

It was also because both of them relied on their father's brilliance to enter the Imperial College to study. They did not pass the student examination and took the provincial examination.

Li Zhaoxian said: "Except that the examiners are Mr. Zhang and Yang Hanlin, I don't know anything else."

Xie Pi said: "I heard that Brother Li, you have met Cai Guogong before, which is really enviable. If this is the case, will this competition be closer to the spiritual point of view? Will the articles... be similar?"

Li Zhaoxian smiled and said: "Although Mr. Zhang is a master of mental studies, I believe he will not be so biased in selecting talents. We can just do our best to do a good job. I wonder how you prepared for the exam?"

"Fortunately, I have been bothered by family matters recently." Xie Pi said this with a little regret on his face.

After all, Xie Pi had just gotten married and had a lot of things at home.

Young people are not as "experienced" in dealing with emotional issues as Li Zhaoxian. Li Zhaoxian's attitude towards family affairs is basically the same, that is...macho chauvinism, I can do whatever I want.

"My wife is pregnant recently, and I am also tired of family affairs." When Li Zhaoxian mentioned this, there was a little regret on his face, but he couldn't help but smile.

"Congratulations." Xie Pi said, "Mr. Li will definitely be very happy when he finds out."

"Yes, my father is also very relieved about this, saying that I have finally done something humane, which makes me feel ashamed."

The two chatted like best friends while heading towards Gongyuan.

I saw many classmates and friends along the way, and I just met them face to face.

"Is this looking down upon others? Why do I feel like they look down on our knowledge?" Li Zhaoxian was more concerned about other people's opinions.

Seeing that those classmates who are usually close to each other are very indifferent to them, naturally I feel a little more dissatisfied.

Xie Pi said: "This is how the world is. You and I are all fine because of our ancestors. But when it comes to a competition like this, how can they be willing to discuss too much with us? If we can be ranked first in high school, Naturally, they will change their perspective.”

Li Zhaoxian sighed: "People's hearts are not as old as they used to be! Even if I succeed in the waiting list, I'm afraid it will be said to be because of my relationship with the examiner, and all kinds of criticism will come."

Xie Pi said with a smile: "You still need to be tough to make iron. I wish you brother Li the best in high school."

"To each other, to each other."

Li Zhaoxian also showed kindness to Xie Pi.

……

……

The two of them did not enter the venue at the same dragon gate, and waited until they were separated.

Li Zhaoxian's servant said: "Young master, is Mr. Xie really knowledgeable? He was not well-known before, but he looks so young, but he seems to be full of confidence."

Li Zhaoxian said: "Why, don't you think I have confidence?"

"That's not what I meant, I just said... Mr. Xie was very inconspicuous before," the servant said.

Li Zhaoxian said with emotion: "My father once mentioned that Yi Zhong has a lot of knowledge and has his own way of doing research, saying that he may be the number one scholar in the future. Although I think this is more of a compliment to Yi Zhong's father. But since I can have a father who is the number one scholar, why can’t I have a son who is the number one scholar? He comes from a good family background."

The servant said: "Then our family is also very good."

"Different."

Li Zhaoxian obviously didn't think his father was any better than Xie Qian in terms of talent and learning.

Although his father has a high reputation in the academic world, it is because he likes this reputation and is willing to travel among scholars.

"It's going to be hard these days, so I have to leave my thick clothes, and I can't leave the tribute hospital in advance. If I have something wrong inside, ask someone to ask questions and pick me out."

After all, Li Zhaoxian was born sick.

Suddenly he had to take the provincial examinations one after another, and he knew that he might not be able to endure the hardships involved.

"Yes."

The servant responded.

Li Zhaoxian said: "If I can win this ranking, then from now on, Mr. Zhang can be regarded as my teacher. It will be easier to study under him in the future."

"Young master, if you want to worship Duke Cai Guo, I'm afraid the master won't agree." The servant reminded.

"Why not be a disciple of a learned man? My father won't ask too much about my affairs. Leave all the preparations to me. You can go back first. Remember to tell your family that I Everything is fine here, so they don’t have to worry about it anymore!”

"Yes."

……

……

The Shuntianfu Township Examination was successfully launched.

As soon as the questions came out on the first day, Zhu Youtang got the questions from the first session of the provincial examination. Then Zhu Youtang was sent to Wenhua Hall so that his son Zhu Houzhao could participate in the examination at the same time.

"Father, what do you mean by asking me to write an article? Do you want to encourage others to grow?"

Compared with the rigor of the Gongyuan examination, the internal examination of Wenhua Palace seemed very loose.

However, the Gongyuan side wanted to cheat but could not. Zhu Houzhao had almost no chance of cheating because the eunuchs around him could not help him write this article. The cultural level of these eunuchs was not as high as his.

He tried to find someone to come back as a shooter, but he couldn't find him.

Gao Feng said: "Your Highness, please answer quickly. You have to write two articles and submit them before dark. If you can't submit them..."

"Are you being punished?" Zhu Houzhao curled his lips, "If you love punishment, you will not be punished! I have been punished so many times, and I have already understood the true meaning. That is, as long as I don't make mistakes in the hands of my father, even if I hand in an empty paper, I will be fine again." How about it? Since there are no officials here today, I will just relax for a while and then write a few articles for him after I take a nap at noon! Who is afraid of whom? "

Zhu Houzhao was not anxious at all.

Isn’t it just about writing articles?

Anyway, the articles I write are not really for taking the exam. Whether they are good or bad, I can be happy with them.

Does my old father think that I really have the ability to compare with those candidates?

"Your Highness, you'd better answer first and then rest." Gao Feng reminded hurriedly.

"Who has the final say here? My father didn't force me to say that I have to finish writing today. They have to take the first test of the provincial examination for three days. Why, I have to finish it in one day? It can't be like this. Are you trying to force someone to do something difficult? Bring the map and I will study the situation in the northwest again. It has been so long and I haven’t made any moves. Uncle Xinjian’s job is just that! When I go to the battlefield in the future, I will give him a break in three days. Big news is coming!”    …

……

Jinyiwei, Fusi, Beizhen.

Guo Ang, the governor of the town, was listening to Sun Shangqi's report. Although Sun Shangqi was still Guo Ang's subordinate, Guo Ang also vaguely heard that Sun Shangqi was going to replace him, so he did not dare to treat him lightly. .

"...Using the Huang family as a breakthrough, the Zhao family's guilt has been basically determined. However, the Caihuang family also proposed to meet her mother's family, saying that she had some arrangements for Cai Guogong, and I wonder if she should be given some. Accommodating?”

Sun Shangqi finally asked for instructions.

Guo Ang said: "What did Cai Guogong say?"

Sun Shangqi said: "Before Cai Guogong paid tribute to the court, he only asked her to see her father in prison and did not agree to anything else. I guess she wanted to control the Huang family and stir up trouble."

"Then you should ask Commander Yu Mou for instructions."

Guo Ang obviously didn't want to make decisions on his own in this matter.

"It's such a trivial matter. If you think about your humble position, it's better not to trouble Commander Mou." Sun Shangqi means, you can decide on this matter, I will listen to you.

Guo Ang said: "Sun Qianhu doesn't need to be humble. You are a member of Cai Guogong and a person who has been injured in official duties. You are a meritorious official. What you say will work. If you think it, the Caihuang family will not cause any trouble. , you can decide any little thing by yourself."

"That……"

Sun Shangqi hesitated.

Nowadays, it is not necessarily a good thing for your boss to give you face.

It seems that he has a backing that makes his boss afraid, but after all, Zhang Zhou is not his own person, and he has only done something for Zhang Zhou.

"Over at Dongchang, Eunuch Li asked Sun Qianhu about you alone. After learning that you were smart and capable, he also wanted to promote you. There are so many people in Jinyiwei, and the only one who knows how to do things and has the ability to do things... you are the only one who can do things right now... One more.”

When Sun Shangqi heard this, he even lowered his head.

The so-called ability to do things means having a clever mind.

To be able to do things...that requires putting your mind into practice, which requires a very deep background.

What Guo Ang means is, even though you are a subordinate, your resources and background are much stronger than mine. On major matters related to Jin Yiwei's handling, you have a higher say than me. You decide things better than me. Make the decision to be better.

"In this humble position, I try my best to do things well and live up to Master Guo's cultivation." Sun Shangqi still wanted to show his respect for Guo Ang.

Guo Ang said with a smile: "Don't be like this. We will discuss things more with each other in the future and refer to each other for details. If it involves a case, you will be asked to report to Cai Guogong in the future. Just remember to say a good word to the brothers."

"Yes, in front of Duke Cai Guo, it is natural to explain Master Guo's contribution clearly." Sun Shangqi said.

"Come on, let's go, brothers have wanted to entertain you recently, but you have never seen the end of the dragon. It's rare for you to return to the capital. Cai Guogong is still in the Gongyuan, so I will give the brothers a chance to express their gratitude to you. Speaking of Yongping Mansion It was only because of your injury that the tone was set. You took the greatest credit. The brothers must reward you well no matter what."

Because your grandson Shangqi was injured by an arrow, we Jin Yiwei followed you to drink soup.

Your grandson Shangqi is our helper in getting rich. Now that we know you have a bright future, why don’t we take the opportunity to curry favor with you?

……

……

That night Sun Shangqi accepted the banquet hosted by his colleagues.

At the time of the shift, Sun Shangqi withdrew from the banquet and did not return home. Instead, he took his trusted Baihu, subordinates and others to a secret government office of Jinyiwei in Beijing.

This is also where some prisoners are detained.

As for Caihuang, she had already been waiting at the entrance of the alley, and there was only one stone bench to sit on. When she saw someone approaching Sun Shangqi with a lantern, Caihuang quickly stood up to greet him.

"Master Sun." Caihuang walked over and saluted.

Sun Shangqi said: "You don't need me to tell you what should be reminded and what shouldn't be reminded, right?"

"Yes."

Caihuang lowered his head.

Then the two of them arrived at the door together. The people brought by Sun Shangqi knocked on the door, and then the door creaked open.

Entering the yard, it seemed very empty, and all the way to the backyard, you could still vaguely smell some blood.

Because of the pungent smell, Caihuang couldn't help but cover her nose.

Sun Shangqi said: "There is a pig slaughtering farm next to it. Don't think it's human blood. It's not that bloody here."

According to Sun Shangqi's opinion, if Jin Yiwei wants to use torture, he should use it in a place like the imperial prison.

Entering inside, everyone who saw Sun Shangqi came forward to greet him with courtesy. '

Everyone seemed to regard Sun Shangqi as a big shot in Jinyiwei.

"Those who bring people to see the prisoners have instructions from above and leave after seeing them." Sun Shangqi wanted to explain the purpose of his visit to the prison officer in charge here.

Although they are all Jin Yiwei, the people here are under the jurisdiction of Dongchang, and their status is higher. No matter how awesome Sun Shangqi is, he has not been officially transferred to Dongchang yet.

Or in the eyes of many people, it is better to serve Dongchang than Zhang Zhou.

A member of the household came over and said something in Sun Shangqi's ear.

Sun Shangqi said: "There should be some measures, but Cai Guogong doesn't care about it?"

"Sun Qianhu, you are right." Baihu said, "The person I want to see is in the east courtyard. Should I call him over, or should I go and meet him?"

"Call over." Sun Shangqi said.

"Then please wait a moment."

Then the hundred households sent people in to call for help. After a long time, they were called out.

A graceful thirty-year-old woman followed her mother-in-law out. She saw men with knives surrounding her, and she was already very frightened.

"come over."

Sun Shangqi said in a cold voice.

The woman came over and saluted Sun Shangqi.

"Someone is coming to visit your family. Go and meet him first, and ask someone to pack your things for you. Then go with him!"

What Sun Shangqi said later was for his mother-in-law.

The mother-in-law said: "To transfer someone, you need a warrant."

Baihu cursed: "You are blind, don't you know that this is Sun Qianhu? What are you talking about? Go in and pack your things! Sun Qianhu, there is a fragrant tea waiting next to you, please move."

"Ah."

Sun Shangqi said, "Don't worry, let them go in first, they may have something to say. After I finish talking, I have to go back and have a few drinks with Mr. Guo and others. I am a little drunk. Cai Guogong was still in Gongyuan recently. I still can’t take it easy.”

"Sun Qianhu, you are busy, so I will make some arrangements for you." Baihu said, waving his hand and saying, "Let the room next to it be empty for them to go in and talk first. Then we will bring out some good wine and tea. , give Sun Qianhu a taste." (End of this chapter)