Tribute Courtyard, Mingyuan Building.

The chief examiner, invigilator, and fellow examiner of this autumn festival, a total of more than a dozen people gathered together, but they were all worried.

"Ahem."

Seeing that no one was willing to take the initiative to speak, the chief examiner, Yan Ne, cleared his throat and reminded him: "Everyone, regarding whether the third exam will be postponed, we are afraid that we will have to come up with a charter before noon." ”

Zhili Qiufu is divided into three sessions, each lasting three days, and now the second exam has just been completed, but there is a problem that the candidate was infected with the epidemic and died.

In view of the menacing epidemic and the fact that it is very likely to be rampant in the Gongyuan, whether the third exam should be held as scheduled has become a top priority that the examiners urgently need to determine.

"What else is there to say about this?"

Before the words fell, on the first chair on the left, someone sneered: "Please Lord Lu come out with a charter, let's just do what we are told." ”

These yin and yang strange words were directed at the invigilator Shuntian Mansion Yin Lu Shizhong.

Lu Shizhong's face sank, and his hands in his sleeves clenched tightly on the chair, but he couldn't do it again.

First, this strange disease did come out of the Shuntian Mansion, and now it has spread to the Gongyuan where he invigilated, no matter where it starts, he can't escape the blame.

Second, although Hu Zhengmeng, who spoke this time, has a low official position, he is a waiter of Yuwangfu, a serious old man in the shallow mansion, and a minister of the dragon.

At present, although Lu Shizhong is in the third grade, the other party is only a mere sixth grade, but it is not yet known which will be higher or lower in the future.

But even if he didn't reply, the atmosphere in the Mingyuan Building still became tense.

Fortunately, Yan Ne was not a person who fell into the ground, and immediately started a round: "Since the fifth day of the first lunar month, Lord Lu has been locked in the tribute courtyard with us, and he has also suffered for others." ”

Immediately, the scope of the discussion was framed: "Now is really not the time for a battle of wills, everyone might as well express their opinions to see whether this third test should continue or be postponed." ”

"Naturally, it has to be postponed!"

Hu Zhengmeng sneered again: "There must be some people among the candidates who have already passed the disease, if they are not postponed, and then put them in the examination room, let the strange disease spread in the Gongyuan, how can I suffer the sin?" ”

"But when is this going to be a head?"

Unlike when he mocked Lu Shizhong just now, someone immediately retorted: "If this epidemic gets worse and worse, what should we do?" ”

"yes."

Without waiting for Hu Zhengmeng to respond, some people echoed worriedly: "The candidates are already panicking, and they can't wait to leave the capital after the exam, so we will announce the postponement of the third session at this time......

"That's why we can't start the exam as scheduled!"

Hu Zhengmeng stood up abruptly and said loudly: "Otherwise, the candidates will return to their hometowns with illness, wouldn't this epidemic spread to the entire Zhili?!" ”

As he spoke, he looked around at the crowd: "If it is really expected by my Hu someone, there is one person here, and they are all sinners of the Ming Dynasty!" ”

The hall was silent again.

It wasn't until Hu Zhengmeng slowly sat back in place that someone asked angrily: "Is there any news from the Tai Hospital?" There are also Daolu Division, Monk Record Division, usually the cowhide blows the earth-shattering sound, when it comes to seeing the real chapter, why don't you see people? ! ”

When everyone heard this, they all turned their attention to Lu Shizhong - he was an invigilator, but if there was any news coming in, he would definitely report it to him first.

Facing everyone's expectant eyes, Lu Shizhong said in a sullen voice: "In just the past few days, five imperial doctors have died, and more than 30 monks and Taoists have died, and even the abbot of Huguo Temple has ......."

After a pause, he shook his head and smiled bitterly: "What if you just force them all in?" If it doesn't help, it doesn't help. ”

The examiners fell silent again.

In the next half an hour, a dispute would break out in the Mingyuan Building from time to time, but what caused the dispute was only a few details.

To put it bluntly, no one is afraid of taking responsibility at this time.

The only one who clearly expressed his support for the postponement of the third exam was Hu Zhengmeng - but he was from Yuwangfu, who dared to push the blame on him indiscriminately?

Seeing that no matter how much they discussed, it was just a waste of effort, and after Yan Ne and Lu Shizhong exchanged views, they finally made a decision:

All the examiners jointly played, please make up your mind!

…………

When the Gongyuan report was sent to the Cabinet, the Cabinet and the Six Ministries were also discussing countermeasures against the pandemic.

However, unlike the leaderless dragons of the Gongyuan, Yan Shifan took the lead and came up with a plan for a strong man to break his wrist at the beginning.

"Dispatch people from Jinyiwei, Jingying and the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses, first declare martial law in the city, and then be guided by the people of Shuntianfu to extinguish the epidemic one by one!"

"Considering that the corpse needs to be incinerated on the spot, it is necessary to prepare fire extinguishing materials in advance everywhere......

"If a civil and military official is hiding......

"Out-of-town ......"

He was scolding Fang Yu in front of the city defense map, and when he received the urgent performance of the Gongyuan, he was annoyed and changed color at that time, and turned his head to Yang Boli, the secretary of the military department, and asked: "The person who is responsible for guarding the autumn festival this year is the one who guards it?" ”

Seeing Yan Shifan so arrogant and rude, Yang Bo's eyebrows drooped down, his eyes looked at his nose and his nose, but he didn't pay attention to him at all.

Although Yan Dang is powerful, he Yang Bo is also the master of Jane's heart in the emperor's heart, and he has always been unapologetic to the Yan family's father and son, especially Yan Shifan.

Yan Shifan's face was even more angry.

Since beating his son and becoming an idiot, he has been full of anger in his heart, and he can't stand the provocation of others.

Seeing that the two were about to clash, Yuan Yi, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites on the side, hurriedly interjected: "I heard that it is the third guard of the left post of the fifth military camp. ”

Yan Shifan slowly withdrew his gaze from Yang Bo, and raised his voice again: "Let the right post immediately allocate manpower to change the guard-all the officers and soldiers who participated in guarding the Gongyuan must be inspected to confirm whether they are infected." ”

After a pause, he flicked the sleeves of his robe and said: "There are more than 100 households in the third guard of the left post, all of them are suspended and waiting to participate!" ”

This categorical and unquestionable tone made the hall suddenly quiet and audible.

"Shiban."

Yan Song, who had been closing his eyes at this time, finally spoke unhurriedly: "Since it is a matter of discussion, how can I listen to you alone?" ”

As he spoke, the old eyes looked around, and then asked, "Ladies and gentlemen, are you okay with him doing this?" ”

"Xiao Ge Lao's disposition is naturally appropriate."

Xu Jie arched his hand at the bottom, and said with a pleasant face: "But the most important thing at the moment is the third session of this autumn festival, whether it should be held as scheduled." ”

"Of course it will be held as scheduled!"

Yan Shifan said without hesitation: "After a thousand years, I have never heard that the imperial examination will be abandoned halfway!" ”

Yang Bohuo Ran raised his head, glared at Yan Shifan and asked, "Then if there is a big epidemic in the Gongyuan, who should be responsible?" Could it be that you are here from Xiaoge? ”

"Haha, hahaha, that's ridiculous!"

Yan Shifan laughed wildly a few times, looked at Yang Bo viciously with one eye, and sneered: "What do you have to do with me at this time?" Yan Ne and Lu Shizhong should be responsible! Especially Lu Shizhong, this epidemic started from Shuntianfu, he is not responsible, who is responsible? ! ”

Yang Bo leaned forward suddenly, intending to confront him, but then slowly leaned back in his chair.

Although Guy Yan Shifan's attitude is bad, it is reasonable to blame Lu Shizhong.

At this time, Ouyang Bijin, the secretary of the Ministry of Works, picked up the book and shook it to everyone: "Which ......?"

"Dismiss!"

Seeing that Yang Bo retreated, Yan Shifan became more and more arrogant: "Let the Gongyuan decide for themselves - according to the rules of the imperial court, the examiner should not have any contact with the outside during the autumn season!" ”

This is clearly trying to blame others.

Although it is said that it is the pot that the Gongyuan threw first, after all, this is a ceremony for the imperial court to take talents, and it has gathered the seeds of reading in a province.

However, those who have some public intentions will find it difficult to accept this laissez-faire approach.

What's more, the chief examiner Yan Ne is a person from Xu Jie, and Lu Shizhong is not a strict party, and there is also a Hu Zhengmeng who represents Yuwangfu......

However, in the face of this sudden strange epidemic, everyone really couldn't think of a solution.

So from the Xu step down, they can only be silent.

And Yan Shifan was lonely on the 'stage', and his face was a little unhappy.

Just as he was about to signal to the henchmen of the Yan Party, he came out to greet him, but suddenly someone outside reported that Huang Jin, the eunuch who was the master of ceremonies, had arrived.

Could it be that the emperor also heard the rumors, so he issued a decree specifically for this matter?

Everyone was full of doubts, Yan Song raised his hand to signal his son, helped himself up, walked a few steps forward tremblingly, and only turned back when he came to the door:

"Guys, come out with me to meet you."

Xu Jie hurriedly followed, and the rest of the people also rushed out.

When he arrived at the door, Huang Jin had already gone up the steps, seeing such a battle, he hurriedly took a few steps with his robe, hugged Yan Song, and said in his mouth: "How dare Lao Ge come out to greet him, this is really torturous to our [ZA] family." ”

Yan Song smiled and said: "Gonggong Huang is here at this time, isn't there any will of the Holy One?" ”

"Not really."

Huang Jin shook his head, and pointed in: "Let's go in and sit down and talk, don't you dare to let the elder get wind outside." ”

So everyone surrounded Huang Jin, the Yan family's father and son, and Xu Jie, and returned to the hall of the cabinet deliberations.

After the guests and hosts were seated, Huang Jincai continued: "This time, our family took the liberty to come, but it was reported by the Dongchang side that they had a method, saying that they might be able to control this strange epidemic in the city. ”

"Really?!"

Yang Jian jumped up when he heard this, and then bowed down and gave a deep salute: "If this is really the case, Yang will first thank Huang Gonggong for the kindness of Huang Gonggong for his life for the people of the city and the students of Zhili." ”

"Deserved, deserved!"

Huang Jin hurriedly got up and returned the salute, and said: "Whether this succeeds or not, it is still between the two, so I can only say that I can try my best." ”

"If you can give it a try, at least it's better than those who are untested and can only pass the buck!"

Yang Jian said, squinting at Yan Shifan.

Yan Shifan was angry, and just as he was about to sneer at him, Yan Song nodded first and said: "What you said is reasonable-dare to ask Huang Gonggong, what is the method reported by Dongchang?" ”

"There is a hundred households named Wang Shouye in the East Factory."

Huang Jin said, and also looked at Yan Shifan: "I heard that he also saved the son of Xiaoge's hometown. ”

Yan Shifan didn't dare to offend him, a close minister of the Son of Heaven, and nodded immediately: "There is such a thing." ”

Huang Jin continued: "This person has seen the Blue Immortal and said that he was born with a strong soul, so he is not afraid of the relics that will seduce the soul, so he has been guarding the relics recently. ”

"This time there is a big epidemic in the city, then Wang Baihu is thinking, maybe he can use relics to drive away evil spirits......"

Speaking of this, seeing that some people in the hall showed suspicion, Huang Jin hurriedly added: "He is not thinking out of thin air, on the first day of the eighth month, there were still two strange fish in the Fusi of Beizhen - I heard that they were possessed by the unjust soul of the drowning baby - and they were tempered by the Sanskrit chanting of the relics, and half of the body became ashes. ”

Everyone in the hall look at you, I look at you, and their faces are a little dazed.

Although not all of the people present were atheists, it was the first time that these gods and ghosts had been discussed in the cabinet.

When discussing 'Hooking Ghost Hands' before, they have always been called epidemics and strange diseases.

After a while, Xu Jie turned his head and asked Yan Song respectfully: "Elder Yan Ge, do you think this is feasible?" ”

Yan Song nodded slowly: "Just let him give it a try, if it can really be done, it can be regarded as God bless me." ”

After speaking, he muttered thoughtfully: "Is it really an unprecedented world?" ”

Only Xu Jie heard these words clearly, and his face was silent, but he secretly kept the words 'Wang Shouye' firmly in his heart.

[There is also at night.] 】