Northern Song Dynasty: Counterattack and became emperor after the Jingkang Revolution

Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair, staring at the ministers below with her deep eyes, and she had already made up her mind to severely punish those who caused trouble. At this moment, in an inn outside the imperial city, several candidates who were about to take the imperial examination were gathering together to discuss the exam that was related to their future.

"I heard that this time the imperial examination has added a new aspect of agricultural practice, what should I do?" A thin and thin examiner said worriedly.

"Huh, what are you afraid of? We are reading books from sages, how can we be troubled by these trivial matters in the fields?" Another burly man snorted disdainfully.

"Having said that, it is a new test link after all, so we still have to be more careful." A handsome-looking examiner reminded.

These candidates are Li Xuan, Zhang Qiang and Zhao Ming. Although the three of them have very different personalities, they all share a desire for fame and a longing for the future.

At this moment, a waiter hurried over and interrupted their conversation: "You three masters, there is an official looking for you outside."

The three of them looked at each other with some doubts in their hearts. They followed the waiter outside the inn and saw a man in official uniform standing there waiting for them.

"I am an official of the Imperial City Department who has been ordered by Your Majesty to convey your decree." The man said, took out a roll of yellow silk from his arms and read, "Your Majesty has a decree. Your sons, Li Xuan, Zhang Qiang, and Zhao Ming, are talented and of good conduct." Duanzheng, I am specially granted the qualification to participate in this imperial examination. I hope you and others will study diligently, work hard and enterprising, serve the court and benefit the people."

After hearing the decree, the three of them were filled with excitement and joy. They all knelt down to express their gratitude and expressed their determination to live up to His Majesty's high expectations.

The imperial examination was held as scheduled. Li Xuan, Zhang Qiang and Zhao Ming all successfully passed the written examination and entered the agricultural practical examination. They worked hard in the fields, humbly consulted the old farmers, and put forward many suggestions for improving farmland production based on the knowledge they learned. Their performance was highly praised by the examiners.

After the exam, the three of them met in a restaurant to celebrate. They toasted, drank, chatted and laughed, as if they had already seen the scene where they would be named on the gold medal list and return home in glory.

"This imperial examination has really benefited us a lot. It not only tested our talents and learning, but also made us realize the hardship and difficulty of farming." Li Xuan said with emotion.

"Yes, this also makes me more determined to benefit the people." Zhang Qiang agreed.

"It is a great fate that the three of us can take this exam together and achieve good results. I hope that we can work together and serve the court in the future." Zhao Ming suggested.

The three of them looked at each other and smiled, their hearts filled with expectations and longing for the future. They know that this imperial examination is just a starting point in their life, and there is still a long way to go, but they are ready to meet all challenges and opportunities.

In the imperial city, Zhao Yingluo also learned about the outstanding performance of Li Xuan, Zhang Qiang and Zhao Ming. She nodded slightly, her heart full of admiration and expectation for the three young people.

The imperial city in the golden autumn was shrouded in a chilling atmosphere. The fallen leaves spread a golden color on the bluestone. On the palace wall, Zhao Yingluo stood quietly, her eyes like torches, penetrating through the layers of clouds and mist, staring at the darkness behind the prosperity. As a princess of the Song Dynasty, she controlled the affairs of the young emperor Zhao Min and was the actual person in power in the court.

"Princess, I have something important to report." Wen Boyuan hurried into the imperial study, with a trace of solemnity on his face. Although Zhao Yingluo is not your Majesty, all the civil and military officials in the DPRK and China know that she is the one who can really decide the fate of the country.

Zhao Yingluo turned around and looked at the Imperial City Commander: "Why are you so panicked?"

"Princess, when I was investigating the fraud case in the agricultural practical examination, I found some clues that the examiner accepted bribes." Wen Boyuan whispered, with a hint of anger and unwillingness in his voice.

Zhao Yingluo frowned: "Oh? Tell me in detail." Wen Boyuan took out a secret report from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "This is the evidence obtained by my secret investigation. It involves several examiners and children from wealthy families. They used the power in their hands to provide opportunities for wealthy children to take the exams in the practical agricultural examinations, and obtained huge bribes from them."

Zhao Yingluo took the secret report and read it page by page carefully. Her face became increasingly gloomy, and the anger in her eyes seemed to ignite the secret report. These corrupt examiners dare to play tricks and taint the selection in the imperial examination. How audacious!

"How dare these morons do such mischief in the imperial examination!" Zhao Yingluo said through gritted teeth, with an endless chill in her voice. "Immediately arrest all the examiners involved and interrogate them severely!"

Wen Boyuan took the order and left, and a thunderous operation against the imperial examination fraud case quietly began. Several examiners were awakened from their sleep, and were escorted to the interrogation room by Wen Boyuan's Imperial City Division soldiers. Faced with Wen Boyuan's severe questioning, their psychological defenses quickly collapsed and they truthfully confessed their crimes.

Zhao Yingluo was furious after learning the results of the interrogation. She ordered that all the examiners involved in the case be beheaded and all their property confiscated.

Ten days later, Zhao Yingluo stood in the imperial study room, her eyes firm and resolute. Xiao Yan on the side lowered his hands gently, with a bit of worry on his face: "Princess, can this reorganization of the agricultural practical examination really completely eliminate the shadow of fraud?"

Zhao Yingluo smiled slightly and turned to look at her: "Xiaoyan, only true fairness and justice can restore the confidence of scholars. This time, we want those with real talents to stand out."

At this moment, a guard hurriedly came to report: "Princess, there are two princes asking to see you. They claim to have something important to report."

Zhao Yingluo raised her eyebrows: "Oh? Let them in."

Soon, two young men were brought into the imperial study room. One of them is tall and tall, the other has a delicate face, but both have a firm light in their eyes. The burly Juzi was the first to speak: "Princess, we and I learned that you want to reorganize the agricultural practical examination, so we came here to help."

Zhao Yingluo looked at them curiously: "What suggestions do you have?"

The handsome Juzi said: "Princess, we believe that some practical links should be added to the examination process, such as allowing the Juzi to personally cultivate, fertilize, harvest, etc. This will not only test their agricultural knowledge, but also allow them to see their practical abilities.”

Zhao Yingluo's eyes lit up after hearing this: "This is a good suggestion! What are your names?"

"I'm Li Xuan." The burly man said with cupped hands.

"I'm Zhao Ming." The handsome man also saluted.

Zhao Yingluo nodded: "Very good, Li Xuan, Zhao Ming, I will adopt your suggestions. I hope you can also achieve good results in the exam."

The two of them were overjoyed after hearing this. They thanked him repeatedly and left the imperial study.

Under Zhao Yingluo's careful preparation, the agricultural practical examination was held as scheduled. This exam not only added practical operations, but also specially invited agronomy experts to provide on-site guidance and scoring. The sons and daughters worked hard in the farmland, and their sweat spilled on this golden land, watering the hope in their hearts.

After intense competition and rigorous selection, the new list was finally announced. Li Xuan and Zhao Ming stood out with their outstanding performances and won the first and second places respectively. Zhao Yingluo looked at the names on the list and nodded with satisfaction.

In order to recognize their talents and contributions, Zhao Yingluo decided to assign Li Xuan and Zhao Ming to important positions in the Ministry of Agriculture.