Chapter 118 The highest level of cheating

The meeting ended.

Zhu Youtang called Qin Tian Jian Zheng Wu Hao, Imperial Academy Scholar Cheng Minzheng and Guo Zijian Guozi Jijiu Lin Han to Qianqing Palace to discuss something important.

The other ministers left the palace respectively.

After the civil servants left Fengtian Hall, many came over and surrounded Liu Jian.

They seem to be looking for an "explanation" from Liu Jian.

"Mr. Liu Ge, please tell me, Li Guang has just left, and His Majesty favors the alchemist. Doesn't it mean that there will be another sycophant in the court?"

The minister's opinion was very strong.

Obviously, the unknown alchemist has been regarded as a powerful enemy.

As the first assistant, Liu Jian must first take a commanding position and not express his position easily.

Xie Qian joked and said with a smile, "Someone who can predict earthquakes in advance is equivalent to doing an errand for Qin Tianjian. Why should he be so resistant?"

With Xie Qian's intention .

Now some people predict that earthquakes can save the common people at dawn. Not only are you unhappy, but you also seem to be facing a formidable enemy.

Doesn’t it mean that you only care about party strife and not about the life and death of the people

When the ministers heard this, they found that the attitude of the three cabinet ministers towards this matter was very ambiguous.

Listen to what you mean

The cabinet has no intention of admonishing the emperor to stay away from "treacherous traitors"

Li Dongyang said, "If this person is just prophesying about a fire in the palace, predicting earthquakes If you have not done anything harmful to the imperial court, you should not be forcibly dissuaded."

Tu Dan, the official of Li Ke, protested, "If your majesty breaks the Ming Dynasty's etiquette due to his treacherous words, you will be punished. I’m afraid it’s too late to dissuade him.”

“Yes”

Many people agree with Tu Dan’s statement.

This is to nip it in the bud, how can we allow traitors to take advantage of it?

When the emperor asks questions, he can only ask our ministers, and no one can jump on our heads. This is The principle is also competition.

How can your cabinet, as the leader of civil servants, back down at this time?

Even the old man named Zhang, the British public, began to get angry and said that he would promote the alchemist to Qin Tian Jian. Yes, Wu Xun has already taken action. We still have to wait for that guy to bring disaster to the country and the people before taking action, but it will be too late.

Liu Jian really couldn't stand listening and said coldly, "Let's discuss it later."

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

Or are you not confident that you can bring down this traitor whom the emperor believes in? You have to let our cabinet come forward, and you are fanning the flames behind your back

You want to do it yourself

Inside Renshou Palace.

Qingyun Hou Zhou Shou and Changning Bo Zhou Yu stopped by to visit the Queen Mother Zhou after the court meeting.

The Empress Dowager Zhou was in a good mood and asked about some family matters. Suddenly she looked at Zhou Shou coldly, "I have been staying behind closed doors for the past few days. This is because I have recovered from my illness."

Zhou Shou said, " The Queen Mother has recovered from her illness."

"Humph" Queen Mother Zhou.He said, "Everyone else has taken medicine for the epidemic in the capital. Why don't you use it? If there is a pox epidemic again next time, will you still stay at home and not be a relative of the country? If you don't set an example, how can you regulate the people?"

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

Wait until the plague is over before running out to get a cure.

Zhou Shou looked ashamed.

He also knew that this sister was most concerned about the responsibility and face of the royal family, but he obviously did not take the lead in this matter.

Empress Dowager Zhou asked again, "I sent someone to tell you earlier that Xiaoying and Xiaotang should both study with Zhang Bingkuan. Have you made arrangements?"

"No " Zhou Yu said, "Sister, it's not that we don't want to, it's really not necessary. They have all received errands from the Governor's Office recently and are usually busy with official duties."

"What are you busy with?"

The Queen Mother Zhou was very impatient again.

The two younger brothers seemed not to have listened to her words at all.

“Someone came to tell the Ai family early this morning that he was right about the earthquake in Xinye, Henan Province. Such a person can gain His Majesty’s trust. Your Majesty will definitely ask about any major military and political matters in the future. You You can't even tell which direction the wind is blowing. When the Ai family closes their eyes, who in the Zhou family will take it seriously?"

The Queen Mother Zhou was angry.

Zhou Shoudao, "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty is the most filial."

"Filial piety must also be with the Ai family while they are still alive. You haven't seen how domineering the Zhang family is now. Sometimes the Ai family is I can’t persuade you. It’s a matter between Your Majesty and his wife. The Ai family is still there, and the Zhang family can’t do anything to you. In the future, there will still be people who will protect you when trouble comes.”

This is actually what Empress Dowager Zhou is doing. Prepare for the aftermath.

She knew that she was already old, and she was already seventy years old. For an old lady of this age, let alone some sudden illness, even if she was not sick, she would just let it go.

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

Zhou Yu said, "Sister, don't be angry. After we get back, let the two young families go over and have a look."

"Okay," said Empress Dowager Zhou, "this matter cannot be delayed any longer. I heard that the second son of Duke Cheng’s Zhu family is with Zhang Bingkuan every day, and even the son of the British father’s Zhang family is also there. You should pay closer attention to Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu. The two brothers couldn't help but look at each other.

It seems that the Empress Dowager is not blind at all in the palace, and knows more about everything outside the palace than they do.

After the emperor met with Wu Hao, Cheng Minzheng and Lin Han.

Xiao Jing was immediately sent to Zhang Zhou’s house.

On the one hand, he wanted to inform Zhang Zhou that the Xinye earthquake had occurred, and on the other hand, he wanted to ask about any other natural and man-made disasters recently, and by the way, he wanted to convey the emperor's "good intentions."

Xiao Jing ran to Zhang Zhou’s house, only to find that Yang Peng was visiting.

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

Yang Peng said hurriedly, "Eunuch Xiao, I didn't hear about the earthquake, so I came here to inform you and talk about the reconstruction of Qingning Palace."

Xiao Jing was sneering.

You Yang Peng, don’t think that others can’t see it. You are just here to curry favor with Zhang Zhou. Knowing that he cannot be brought down now, you probably want to repeat the same trick and play matchmaking with Li Guang.

"I'll go to my humble job first."

Yang Peng didn't expect to be so unlucky that he would come to see Zhang Zhou, meet the Governor of Dongchang, and see Xiao Jing His attitude seemed to be very dissatisfying to him.

He left with his head lowered.

After Xiao Jing watched Yang Peng walk away, he seemed to have made up his mind, probably to transfer Yang Peng elsewhere.

"Eunuch Xiao and Eunuch Yang have already come to inform me before, but you still need to come in person."

Zhang Zhou is quite straightforward.

Without concealing the news of Yang Peng’s arrival, Xiao Jing was also thinking, Mr. Zhang wouldn’t think that Yang Peng was sent by me

Yang Peng, Yang Peng.

If you act arrogantly, your good days will be limited.

Xiao Jing smiled and said, "Your Majesty has actually known for a long time that the earthquake will definitely happen, otherwise it would not be mentioned in the court. Your Majesty also had a little dissatisfaction with the ministers about this matter, but it has all disappeared. Mr. Zhang used his strength to tell the officials that you are an expert, not a charlatan."

"Haha, really?" Zhang Zhou didn't feel honored at all.

You said I am not a charlatan, so I am not

Zhang Zhou said, "Is there no reward? If not, there is no need for Eunuch Xiao to say anything more. I am quite busy here."

Xiao Jing is very embarrassed.

Without even a few words, Zhang Zhou was about to issue an eviction order. He was also wondering if he would be treated better if he came with a reward from the royal family

"Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry to say this, everyone has this love for money, but you can't break your principles just because of a little greed. , otherwise, no matter how capable you are, it will be difficult to last for a long time," Xiao Jing reminded.

/p>

"That's not possible." Xiao Jing said quickly.

Zhang Zhou said, "That's right. I have saved a little. That's because I have lived a hard life and know the pain of a family not having enough to eat. Only when people are down will they realize the importance of accumulating grain to prevent hunger. , People who have never experienced hunger can’t understand my mood. Look what I’m telling Eunuch Xiao, Eunuch Xiao, you still have something to do”

“Yes, yes”

When talking to Mr. Zhang, there is always endless idle talk.

I can tell, this guy just likes to talk nonsense.

Xiao Jing said, "Isn't that right? Your Majesty previously summonedI met with Wu Jianzheng from the Qintian Prison and told him that if there were any matters such as Liuren's lesson in the future, he should seek more opinions from others and not be complacent. In fact, what His Majesty meant was for him to ask Mr. Zhang for his opinion more often. "

"Oh. "Zhang Zhouyi was startled, then shook his head, "The ugly thing is ahead, I don't have time to take care of my apprentice, and I'm not good at it either. I don't know how I figured it out. ”

“You really know how to 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 do a divination process, , although sometimes you can force explanations and make far-fetched explanations, but in front of an expert in astrology like Wu Hao, the secret will definitely be revealed.

"Also, His Majesty also summoned Cheng Min, Bachelor of Political Science, and Mr. Lin from the Imperial College today. I told them during the ceremony that I would select several talents from the Imperial Academy for official appointment. "

"What does this mean?"

Zhang Zhou heard that the Imperial Academy's selection of talents seemed to be aimed at him.

Xiao Jing smiled and said, "Actually, Your Majesty's intention is to find an opportunity for Mr. Zhang to serve as an official. ”

“Haha. "

Zhang Zhou smiled.

Zhu Youtang was afraid that he would not be able to pass the Jinshi exam and left a way out for him.

Xiao Jing said, " Your Majesty did not tell Bachelor Cheng and Lin Jijiu clearly, that is to say, all the supervisors in the Imperial College can write some articles, poems, current affairs policies, etc., and give the title in the name of Mr. Lin Jijiu. The title is here."

"This"

Zhang Zhou was a little speechless

It was agreed that Lin Han would give the question, but Xiao Jing sent it over first

Xiao Jing really took out a piece of paper, with the title written by the emperor himself.

Inscribed by Yubi himself

Zhang Zhou felt that this was still the calligraphy treasure of Emperor Hongzhi. < /p>

Tsk

"Actually, it's just a matter of situation. Just answer the questions, show off your talents, and send them to Beiyong. Then there will be some Hanlin scholars in the Hanlin Academy. , lecturer, etc., please help me check with Mr. Zhang. Don’t worry, this is also a relationship that has been established in advance. Our family will make it clear that you will be chosen for this job.”

Zhang Zhou felt that he seemed to have heard something.< /p>

The emperor deliberately opened a back door for him under the pretense of "fairness and impartiality" to prevent him from failing the exam next year and then looking for reasons to prepare for the exam for three years and not be able to serve the court.

So Zhu Youtang also skipped the steps and made an internal decision, allowing you to be selected as an official from the Imperial College.

In the Ming Dynasty, officials were ranked first. It is not uncommon to be appointed to the court, but once you accept the dismissal, it means that you will not participate in the imperial examination in the future.

In local officials, you can basically only reach the magistrate level, and that is not the case. It is rare for a fourth grade official to be transferred to the Sixth Ministry of Education, let alone enter the Hanlin Academy.

Of course, there are some special cases who can be promoted to the Sixth Ministry of Education.Most of the positions such as Shu, Zuodu Censor, and Minister were in the early Ming Dynasty.

The most recent one is Jia Jun, the former minister of the Ministry of Industry, who passed away just in the eighth year of Hongzhi. He was the first person in the Ming Dynasty to be appointed minister.

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

Zhang Zhou said, "Eunuch Xiao, isn't it good to do this? As a scholar, I shouldn't accept this kind of thing."

The emperor and the ministers below joined forces to do this. Small circle selection, and internal appointments are also made.

If this gets out, it will give him a bad reputation.

Of course, Zhang Zhou’s goal is not just to be a civil servant. Recently, he is also studying hard in order to get a Jinshi. Although it is a bit difficult, but if he can get a few questions in the exam next year, Isn't that a great chance?

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

"It's not that Eunuch Xiao is still going to give instructions to people from the Hanlin Academy."

"No." Xiao Jing said, "At that time, His Majesty will personally transfer the examination questions to the palace for His Majesty's inspection. Let’s decide”

Zhang Zhou secretly thought that this was probably the highest level of cheating

The emperor, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, and the official of the Dongchang factory teamed up to help a person cheat.

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

Xiao Jing said, "What's more, this is not the official imperial examination selection of the Ming Dynasty. It is just a temporary addition. Of course, it is up to your Majesty to decide how to select."

The right of final interpretation. Belongs to the organizer

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, it’s good to just let it be decided unofficially. Anyway, it’s convenient to have one more channel.

If you really fail the examination, you will have to prepare for another three years, and still have to deal with the vanity fair, I am afraid it will be even more powerless.

"Mr. Zhang, you have studied the details in the past two days, but the topic will be made public later. This is not a leak. As long as you are a supervisor of the Imperial College, you are eligible to report it. Congratulations on your ranking in the imperial class. Yes." Xiao Jing smiled and cupped his hands.

He even pretended to congratulate me.

Zhang Zhou said, "It's a little early, I'm still waiting for next spring."

"No conflict, our family will leave first, you don't have to send it. I'm afraid it will delay your preparation for the examination." Our family cannot bear this responsibility."

Xiao Jing looked humble and left with a smile.

Although Zhang Zhou did not send him directly out of the door, he still sent him to the front yard. After Xiao Jing urged him four times, he returned to the inner yard.

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

Jiang Pingyu came to deliver tea before, but when she saw Zhang Zhou meeting distinguished guests in the palace, she did not dare to come in and disturb him.

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

Zhang Zhou said, "Oh, it's Eunuch Xiao from Dongchang, here to deliver the test questions."

"What questions will you try?" Jiang Pingyu's eyes were a little more expectant.

Zhang Zhou took out the test questions and looked at them. They were just current affairs.There are three examination questions in Ce, all of which were asked by the emperor himself.

The exam rules have also been determined. Not only must there be these three test questions, but also some additional items, such as poetry, the meanings of the Four Books, etc. You can also make some discussions on personal ambitions and the current situation, but It must not involve royal and court affairs.

Zhang Zhou said, "It's impossible. The main test has not been decided yet. How can there be questions for the general examination, but it's almost the same." Please remember to bookmark the latest and fastest website for free reading without anti-theft