A century-old family that runs through the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 43: In the third year of Hongwu, subjects were opened to obtain scholars

Willow River.

At this time, the Ming army had just won a great victory under the leadership of their left deputy general Chang Yuchun.In the Battle of Kaiping, more than [-] Yuan Tingzong Wang Qingsheng, Pingzhang Dingzhu and soldiers were captured, as well as [-] vehicles, [-] horses, [-] cattle, and countless treasures and goods.However, the Ming army, which should have been immersed in joy, was filled with a sad atmosphere.

In July of the second year of Hongwu, the deputy general Zuo, the prince Shaobao, and the Duke of E, Chang Yuchun, died in the army at the age of 40.

The emperor was so sad that he went to Longjiang to lay a memorial ceremony for him and paid tribute to him with the dignity of the emperor.

He was buried in Zhongshan. He was given the gift of Yi Yun, the hero of Xuande Jingyuan, the three ministers of Kaifu Yitong, Shangzhuguo, Taibao, and the right prime minister of Zhongshu. He was posthumously named King of Kaiping and given the posthumous title of Zhongwu. He was entitled to enjoy the Ancestral Temple and the portrait of the hero.
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In November of the third year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang granted the title of meritorious officials for the third time. Li Shanchang was the Duke of South Korea, Xu Da was the Duke of Wei, Yan Ling was the Duke of Yue, Li Wenzhong was the Duke of Cao, Feng Sheng was the Duke of Song, Deng Yu was the Duke of Wei, Chang Mao was the Duke of Zheng, the seventh Duke of the founding of the country.

Tang He and other 28 people were made marquises, and Wang Guangyang was granted the title of Uncle Zhongqin and Liu Ji was granted the title of Uncle Chengyi. They were all hereditary and retired with the country.
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In January of the fourth year of Hongwu.

A carriage was slowly driving along the official road towards the capital of the Ming Dynasty. There were three scholars sitting on it, accompanied by several servants on horseback escorting them.

The curtain on the carriage window was lifted, and a head poked out from inside. He looked at the majestic city in front of him, then shrank back, and then shouted to the other two people with excitement on his face:

"Second Master, Shiqin, the capital has arrived."

The man named "Shiqin" was also very excited. He stuck his head out and looked around. When he saw the city wall of the capital, he couldn't help but exclaimed "Wow". It was much taller than their home city.

"Second Master, shall we go to see Duke Yue next?" the young man who spoke first asked.

The "Master" who is called "Second Master" is actually not very old. He is about forty years old. He is wearing a green shirt and has a few beards. His name is Yan Ji, and he is Yan Ling's second brother. Today The second in command of the Yan family.

Hearing the sound, he opened his eyes. Although he tried to pretend to be calm, the excitement was still visible in his eyebrows.He opened the curtain and looked at the towering city wall of the capital not far away:
"Of course we have to visit my eldest brother. When we come to the capital, we need to rely on my eldest brother's care. The gifts have been prepared. Let's find an inn to settle down and pay homage, and then go to the Duke's Mansion."

He has been smart since he was a child and is good at poetry and calligraphy.Although he has begun to participate in the management of the family in recent years, he has not stopped working on the Four Books and Five Classics.Now that Emperor Hongwu had reopened the imperial examination, he and his two best-performing tribesmen, Yan Shiqin and Yan Xincheng, came from Mingzhou (in the first year of Wu Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that the word Qingyuan meant "celebrating the Yuan Dynasty", so he restored its ancient name to Mingzhou). ) set off, first took part in the provincial examination, and got three of the forty places for the joint examination in Zhejiang, and then came to the capital to prepare for the joint examination.

Just as planned, they arrived at Yan Ling's residence.

The red lacquered gate is covered with copper nails, the high wall and the four large characters "Yue Guo Gongfu" painted in silver hooks and iron on the plaque are majestic and show the power of the Duke.The three of them couldn't help but feel ashamed in front of this mansion. If it weren't for the fact that Yan Ling was Yan Ji's elder brother and the other two were nominal clan brothers, they would have turned around and left.

But when you come to the capital, you always have to meet this prosperous family head. Maybe you can get some advantages in the imperial examination, and one person can ascend to heaven.

They first found the concierge and handed over a greeting card: "Please also tell the Duke that Yan Ji from Mingzhou is here to visit with his two brothers." Since they were new here, they were still very polite even if there was only a small concierge in front of them.

But the concierge knew what was at stake. He hurriedly took the invitation and said, "The adults will stay here later. I will go and report to the father-in-law." and ran into the mansion quickly.

Seeing this scene, several people couldn't help but feel a little proud. Relying on the big tree of Yue Guogong, they were extraordinary people, and their backs couldn't help but straighten up.

However, time passed and the three of them stood outside the door for a long time, but no one greeted them into the house. Even the door was closed at some point.

"Second Master, what's going on? The concierge probably didn't inform you, right?" Yan Shiqin asked with some confusion. "Impossible, how can a servant be so bold... Maybe my eldest brother has something to do, let's wait a little longer." Yan Ji was a little confused and had a bad premonition in his heart, but he still said so.

They stood like this from noon until the sun set, and their legs were a little weak.

"Hey, Second Master, it's been so long and nothing can be done. Does the Master not want to see us on purpose?" Yan Shiqin couldn't help complaining.

"Shut up! Who gave you the courage to criticize the Duke of the country!" Yan Xincheng was an obedient person. When he saw Yan Ji's brows furrowed, knowing that the other party was dissatisfied, he immediately scolded Yan Shiqin, who also realized his gaffe and hurriedly Accused repeatedly.

Yan Ji's face looked slightly better, but he really didn't know what was going on. He pursed his lips for a while, but still didn't say anything under the gaze of the two clan brothers.

Fortunately, at this moment, a voice came from behind them:
"Xiaoji? And Xincheng, Shiqin, why are you here, why don't you hurry up and prepare for the test?"

Yan Ji turned around and saw Yan Kang dressed as a rich man. As if he had found his backbone, he immediately complained:

"Second uncle, we didn't plan to come here to pay homage to eldest brother first and ask him to take care of us. Unexpectedly, eldest brother left us outside for a long time and there was no news."

Yan Kang was stunned for a moment, then rolled his eyes and seemed to understand something. He quickly grabbed everyone anxiously and dragged them back.

"What, you are here... hurry up, hurry up, don't stay here any longer!"

Yan Kang himself is just a country scholar, but in recent years he has often traveled to the capital. And because of Yan Ling's status as the second uncle, officials inevitably came to see him. His political level has also improved in recent years. When they first met, With the attributes of "74", he is like a nerd, and now he has "85", which can be regarded as a slight gain in politics.

He immediately understood the stakes of the matter.

As he walked, Yan Kang controlled his voice and whispered:
"Do you know that the head of the family is the examiner of this exam! You are risking something big!"
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night, palace.

"There are three officials in the Yan family in Mingzhou. I went to Beijing today to see the Duke of Yue. The Duke stayed behind closed doors. I met Yan Kang and left with him." There was a middle-aged man kneeling in the imperial study. The name is Gao Jianxian.Since Yang Xian, he has been the new head of the school inspection, spying on the world for Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat back on the dragon chair and nodded slightly when he heard this, indicating that he understood:

"Go down."

Gao Jianxian respectfully withdrew, while Zhu Yuanzhang walked slowly to the window, looking at the stars arranged like chess pieces in the dark night.

"Ruixuan... still knows how to advance and retreat, and understands the rules." His eyes flashed with determination and murderous intent:
"Some people... are just too dishonest."

　Sorry everyone, there was an error before. I was dazzled by looking up historical materials, and ended up writing "Taking Dadu as Beijing". The "History of the Ming Dynasty" said "Taking Kaifeng as Beijing" and "Changing Dadu Road to Beiping Prefecture". Thanks in the letter. Friend "Yolala" pointed out.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)