Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 37 Finally Cleared
After Wang Wenyan, the think tank of the Donglin Party who was hated to the core by Wei Zhongxian, was taken to Dongchang and imprisoned, Xiao Er, who poisoned Master Zhang, was also taken to the sky prison. Kneeling and saying: "I would like to report to the emperor, in view of the candidate Zhang Haogu being murdered by a traitor, he is already unable to answer the paper and complete the palace examination, the servant girl will ask the emperor to send down the rain, so that Zhang Haogu's palace examination will be exempted, and he will be directly awarded the honor to honor him. Loyalty." As soon as Wei Zhongxian said this, all the eunuchs headed by Wang Tiqian agreed, and the eunuch officials headed by Gu Bingqian and Cui Chengxiu also echoed, asking Ming Xizong to skip the palace examination procedure for Young Master Zhang and directly admit him.

"Your Majesty, although there is a reason for Zhang Haogu's inability to answer the test paper, the laws of the Ming Dynasty are as heavy as a mountain, and I believe that it cannot be violated." Yuanwailang Chen Xinjia jumped out again, and said darkly: "Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, I have tried to prevent the examiners from favoritism. Fraud, the kings of all dynasties insisted on presiding over the palace examination in person, and every candidate Jinshi must pass the palace examination before he can be admitted by the court and become an official. Zhang Haogu handed in a blank paper in the palace examination, but he failed the palace examination. If the emperor makes an exception at will , I’m afraid that the candidates in the future will not be able to study at ease if they are lucky, and if things go on like this, the consequences will be disastrous.”

"Chen Xinjia, are you making trouble on purpose?" Wang Tigan, the inspector of ceremonies, was furious, and asked angrily, "Zhang Haogu was framed by treacherous ministers and poisoned by mandala flowers. How can he continue the imperial examination?"

"My lord, I'm just talking about things as they are, and maintaining the rules and regulations." Chen Xinjia replied with a smile: "It's true that Zhang Haogu has been poisoned, but if the emperor makes this exception, then if the candidates for Jinshi in the next department also say What should I do if I am poisoned? If someone says that I have been framed, what should I do? Is it also to let them pass the imperial examination without taking part in the imperial examination?"

"You..." Wang Tiqian was trembling with anger from Chen Xinjia, but he couldn't find a good reason to refute for a while.Over there, Cao Yubian and other Donglin Party officials took the opportunity to agree with Chen Xinjia's opinion. Only Zuo Guangdou, who has always been upright, said something fair, "Your Majesty, it is true that Zhang Haogu was murdered by traitors, but it is also true that he failed the palace examination." Really. Since the emperor is in a dilemma, I suggest that Zhang Haogu should be re-examined, and re-take the general examination and palace examination."

"Your Majesty, grassroots people don't want fame." Just as Donglin Party and Wei Party were arguing endlessly about Young Master Zhang's palace examination, Young Master Zhang, the person involved, suddenly spoke, and his words were astonishing.Young Master Zhang said loudly: "Your Majesty, Caomin would rather not have fame, but only ask the emperor to promise Caomin one thing."

"What's the matter?" Ming Xizong, who was in trouble, looked at Young Master Zhang and asked.Young Master Zhang pointed at Zhang Shitou and said loudly: "Your Majesty, the grass people would rather not have fame and official titles, and only ask the Emperor to pardon his extrajudicial punishment of exile, and not to hold him accountable for knocking on the drum to report to the imperial court."

"Master, you don't want to lose your fame for me." Zhang Shitou was anxious when he heard this, and shouted, "Master, are you stupid? How happy would you be if you go home after taking an examination of merit? I'm just exiled and not beheaded. You can't do this for me."

"Don't be so wordy, do you want me to have a restless conscience for the rest of my life?" Young Master Zhang yelled at Zhang Shitou angrily, then turned to Ming Xizong and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Haogu is willing to die as a commoner, and I just beg His Majesty to pardon me as a servant." .”

Hearing the conversation between Master Zhang and his servant, Wei Zhongxian murmured in his heart, "This kid is stupid? As long as he becomes an official and has money, how many servants can't buy it?" Ming Xizong praised him greatly, and was about to speak However, Chen Xinjia stood up and said darkly, "Your Majesty, those who beat the drum and hear it will be exiled. This is the rule set by the emperor of my dynasty. If the emperor makes an exception, it will be a violation of the law of the ancestors."

"Yes, the law of the ancestors cannot be changed." The officials of the Donglin Party were used to cooperating in the court hall, and secretly hated Zhang Shitou's knocking on the Dengwen drum, which caused his party member Wang Wenyan to be imprisoned, so he couldn't help but rush forward and insisted The law of the ancestors is immutable, and the crime of beating the Dengwen drum is unforgivable. They firmly oppose Mingxi Zong's pardon of Zhang Shitou. Died in the golden throne hall!Although Ming Xizong said that he was inclined to the side of Young Master Zhang in his heart, but because he did not dare to bear the infamy of killing the rumor officials, he could only be dizzy and helpless in the sea of ​​saliva from the Donglin party's clean rumor officials-he was only eloquent and eloquent. In theory, although these Donglin party officials may not be able to defeat Young Master Zhang, they are more than enough to deal with a carpenter emperor Ming Xizong.

Seeing this situation, Wei Zhongxian couldn't stand it any longer, and gave Wei Dang's lackeys a wink, and the eunuch officials headed by Gu Bingqian and Cui Chengxiu immediately rushed forward and started a tit-for-tat debate with Donglin Party officials. Master and servant, I will protect them; if you want to exile the loyal servants of Master Zhang, I will offer to reward Zhang Shitou; plus the problems that have been formed in the past, during the debate, the two sides have to slander and attack each other, slandering and cursing each other, so they have to be on the spot. Move your hands.The Jinshi candidates who took part in the imperial examination were stunned. For the first time, they knew that the high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the Ming Dynasty had these virtues. In previous dynasties, not only Hai Rui scolded Jiajing for being stupid, suspicious, outspoken and cruel, but also Li Sancai pointed at Wanli's nose and scolded Wanli for being lustful, greedy, lazy, cruel, stupid, incompetent, and full of five poisons. There is also the one who beat his colleagues to death on the Golden Temple because of a disagreement. Only such scenes can be called truly wonderful.

"Oh, I knew it would be like this." Seeing that the senior officials in the court began to attack each other as usual, Ming Xizong sighed, heartbroken but helpless, in desperation, Ming Xizong had to tiptoe back to the dragon seat, planning to sleep first Wait until these ministers' voices are hoarse.However, when he passed the number one scholar Liu Ruozai, Liu Ruozai suddenly kowtowed and said loudly, "I want to report to the emperor, Caomin is willing to give up fame and fame, and only asks the emperor to pardon Zhang Haogu's loyal servant."

"You also want to trade fame for the innocence of a servant?" Ming Xizong asked Liu Ruozai with squinted eyes.Liu Ruozai kowtowed and replied: "That's right, brother Zhang Nian's master and servant are unparalleled in loyalty, they can be called gentlemen. Although the grassroots are not talented, they are willing to follow the example of the two of them and use the number one scholar in exchange for the innocence of brother Zhang Nian's loyal servant."

"Your Majesty, the grassroots are also willing to give up fame and fame. I just ask the Emperor to show mercy and pardon Brother Zhang Nian's loyal servant." Yu Huang, who was kneeling next to Liu Ruozai, was second in the list with enthusiasm, and also shouted loudly: "Brother Zhang Nian, master and servant, Bo Yuntian, a servant for Zhang Nian's sake." The master is willing to suffer the punishment of exile, a loyal servant can give up his fame, the grassroots are so moved, and they are willing to give up their bachelor's degree, just ask the emperor to fulfill Zhang Nian's request."

"Your Majesty, Liu Ruozai and Yu Huang are attempting to form a faction. Please be strict with your Majesty." Liu Ruozai and Yu Huang's words were like poking a hornet's nest. Fang Kezhuang, who had served as imperial censors for both Chongzhen and Shunzhi in history, was the first to rush forward. Righteous words remonstrated: "Your Majesty, Liu Ruozai and Yu Huang have colluded with Zhang Haogu before they were formally appointed as officials, in an attempt to exonerate the prisoners. The emperor immediately condemned and punished the two of them severely!"

"Yes, yes, Mr. Fang is right." "Yes, the two should be severely punished, and not punishing them will not be enough to anger the common people." "They will be stripped of their student status and sent to prison for punishment!" Other Donglin Party officials echoed and shouted yell.Over there, Wei Dang saw Wei Zhongxian's unkind expression, and immediately yelled understandingly, "Your Majesty, Liu Ruozai and Yu Huang are just friends, and they don't hesitate to give up their fame. This is an act of imitating the ancient sages! My minister thinks that they should be rewarded!"" Yes, Liu Ruozai, Yu Huang, and Zhang Haogu, the top three in the current discipline are all worthy of reuse!" During the quarrel, the officials of the two parties began to confront each other again, attacking each other like a dog biting a dog, cursing and accusing, ginseng and cock...

"Stop arguing! Shut up!" The unbearable Ming Xizong finally erupted, frightened all court civil and military officials to kneel together, and shouted loudly: "Long live!"

"Since you call me Long Live, then let me speak!" Ming Xizong roared angrily.Seeing that Ming Xizong was really angry, most officials quickly shrank their heads, for fear that Ming Xizong would point the finger at themselves in his fury.Only a small number of officials from the neutral faction looked as usual and faced each other calmly - among them was the British public Zhang Weixian who was well-known both in the court and among the people. However, when Ming Xizong looked around at the officials, Zhang Weixian showed some hesitation appearance.Ming Xizong also noticed Zhang Weixian's expression, and asked: "Master Yingying, you are a veteran of the three dynasties and a hero of the Ming Dynasty. Tell me, what should I do about this matter?"

Ming Xizong took the initiative to ask Zhang Weixian for his opinion. Knowing that Zhang Weixian was more inclined to the Donglin Party, the members of the Wei Party could not help complaining secretly, while the members of the Donglin Party were all beaming, thinking that Zhang Haogu, a thorn in his side, would be in trouble this time. .Unexpectedly, Zhang Weixian only hesitated for a moment, and immediately cupped his hands and replied: "Reporting to the emperor, if there are more loyal people like Zhang Haogu, Liu Ruozai and Yu Huang among the officials of my court, why worry about being a slave? out of fashion?"

"Ah!" Zhang Weixian, the British official who has always been at odds with the Wei party, actually spoke for Wei Zhongxian's godson. This was far beyond the expectations of the officials of Donglin and Wei Xiong, so many people screamed out. sound.Ming Xizong, on the other hand, was overjoyed, clapped and shouted: "What the Lord of England said is very true, I have decided that Liu Ruozai, Yu Huang and Zhang Haogu will not change their rankings, and they will pass the imperial examination at the same time!"

"Your Majesty, there is also the matter of Zhang Haogu's servant." Zhang Weixian said slowly: "Those who beat the drum and hear the drum, no matter whether the accusation is true or not, must be exiled to serve as an army. —But my Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty also stipulated that as long as the person who sues the imperial court is true, he will be innocent and meritorious."

"The Duke of England is so right." Ming Xizong was even more delighted, pointing at those Donglin Party officials who insisted on taking Zhang Shitou into the army, he shouted: "Did you hear that? The person who sued the imperial court has meritorious service and is not guilty. This is Taizu A decree made by the emperor! I will pardon Zhang Haogu's servants now, and if any of you dare to say that I have violated the precepts of the ancestors, I will punish him to kowtow in front of the mausoleum of the Taizu in Nanjing to apologize!"

"Your ministers will obey the imperial decree." The officials of the Donglin Party, who had been defeated repeatedly, finally gave up and had to kowtow in agreement.Liu Ruozai, Yu Huang, master and servant Zhang also kowtowed joyfully to thank each other and winked at each other to celebrate the victory. Everyone in the Wei party was even more happy and cheered in their hearts. Wei Zhongxian quietly approached Zhang Weixian and whispered: "British Lord, do you see clearly now? Our family and Donglin gang, who is an honest gentleman and who is a shameless villain?"

Zhang Weixian smiled, answered the wrong question and said in a low voice: "Congratulations to Eunuch Wei, you have received three rare talents."

After so much tossing, the palace examination of Yi Chou Branch in the fifth year of Tianqi is gradually coming to an end. At the same time, I have to admire these scholars in the Ming Dynasty. Today's Jinluan Palace is even more lively than the downtown area, but these Jinshi who participated in the palace examination are still not there. Too much distraction, most of them finished the examination papers ahead of schedule, and a small number of distracted students also rushed to catch up, and finally finished their essays before the sun set, and all passed the palace examination - there is another reason for this, that is, Wei Zhongxian In the past, many officials of the Donglin Party have been knocked down, and many positions have been vacated. Both Ming Xizong and Wei Zhongxian are eager to replenish talents and replace local officials.

After the last examinee handed in the paper, Ming Xizong, who had not done carpentry work for a day, immediately announced his withdrawal from the court, and asked all civil and military officials and palace examination candidates to go home to rest.On the way out of the palace, Zhang Guoji, the patriarch of the court, Taikang Bo, quickly caught up with Zhang Weixian, and whispered in Zhang Weixian's ear, "Mr. Yingying, what's the matter with you today? Wei Xie's power is already strong enough, what do you do?" He also speaks for his godson Zhang Haogu? And in this way, the number one scholar and the second place in this subject are likely to fall to Wei Zhongxian."

"Master, don't worry." Zhang Weixian looked around, and replied in a very low voice: "Master, do you think loyal gentlemen like Liu Ruozai, Yu Huang and Zhang Haogu would wholeheartedly sacrifice their lives for Wei Yan?"

Zhang Guoji was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted, and asked joyfully: "What the Duke means is to let them enter the Wei Party first, and then..."

"Wei Xie is very powerful and has many followers in the court. We alone cannot bring him down." Zhang Weixian replied slowly: "We can only cut him off bit by bit by starting from the inside and cooperating with the inside and outside." Only the root of the tree can we hope to succeed.”

"The Duke is brilliant, so what should we do?" Zhang Guoji asked understandingly.Zhang Weixian smiled, and replied: "The father-in-law can ask the queen to blow some pillow wind with the emperor, and let these three young people be reused first." Zhang Guoji nodded knowingly, and looked at Zhang Weixian with a smile.

While talking, Zhang Guoji and Zhang Weixian had already walked out of Chengtian Gate side by side. It was a coincidence that Zhang Shitou, who was carrying the sleeping Young Master Zhang, also walked out of Chengtian Gate. Hurry up and put Young Master Zhang beside the Jinshui Bridge, come over and kowtow to Zhang Weixian, thanking Zhang Weixian for his exoneration.Zhang Weixian waved his hands and said with a smile: "It's nothing to do. Why, your young master fell asleep again?"

"That's right, Master Xiao said, to let the young master sleep well, we can't wake him up now." Zhang Shitou replied with a mournful face.But at this moment, Young Master Zhang who was placed by Zhang Shitou by the Jinshui Bridge suddenly screamed like a pig, "Ouch! That young master who has no eyes stepped on you, is he blind?"

"Your eyes are blind!" A more arrogant and clear voice came, "Where is it not good to sleep? Go to the gate of Chengtianmen to sleep? You are kicking my...young master's feet!"

Hearing this voice, Zhang Weixian's face immediately changed, and he said with a wry smile: "It's broken, why is that little ancestor of my family here?"

(End of this chapter)