Every morning at the time of the court, the ministers of the previous court had to get up at midnight and travel half of the capital to the noon gate. At the end of the day, the ministers arrived outside the noon gate and waited. When the drums on the tower of the gate were beating at noon, the ministers had to line up. At that time, the bell rang and the palace gate opened. The hundreds of officials entered in turn, walked across the Jinshui Bridge and formed a line on the square. If there is a cough, spitting or unsteady footing among the officials, it will be recorded by the imperial historian who is in charge of picketing on the side, and it will be dealt with after listening. Then, the emperor drove to the Taihe Palace, and the hundred officials knelt and kowtowed three times. Only officials of the fourth rank and above can have a dialogue with the emperor, and the ministers report to the emperor on government affairs, and the emperor asks questions or answers.

Of course, the above is just common sense, and it has nothing to do with the current Zhang Fan, but he and the hundreds of tributes also have to suffer this "sin" with the hundred officials, and they can only enter after waiting outside the main hall for the end of the early dynasty. Zhang Fan saw that many people showed an unnatural appearance in their bodies because of hunger, although their faces were still so calm and calm. Zhang Fan couldn't help but be glad that before leaving the house in the morning, Zhao insisted on asking Xiangmei to make some breakfast for himself, no experience is no experience, this morning dynasty doesn't know when to open!

Although in the past few years, the world of the Ming Dynasty has been relatively stable, and there have been no major natural and man-made disasters, but with the advent of summer, there are still some small-scale floods in various places. At the court meeting, there were officials who gave advice to the emperor, and the emperor also had to discuss the disaster relief with all the officials, especially the household department and the ministry of industry, which was very troublesome for a long time. It was not until the end of the day that the matter was tentatively agreed, and it was only then that someone remembered that today seemed to be the day of the temple examination.

"Xuan, now the Kogong warriors go to the temple." The emperor's orders were passed down layer by layer.

Zhang Fan is the most modern science and will be the yuan, so he naturally walks in the front row, and the tributes in the back are arranged according to their ranks. When they arrived at the palace, everyone knelt down the mountain and shouted long live, of course, the etiquette eunuchs in the palace taught them before.

"All of you." Emperor Longqing still attached great importance to the first batch of people who would become Jinshi after he ascended the throne.

"Emperor Xie!" The crowd thanked them again and stood up.

"All of you are the pillars of my Ming Dynasty, and it is not easy for me to stand out from tens of thousands of people across the country in the past ten years." Emperor Longqing encouraged them a few words, "Now this is the last level, and you should do it yourself." ”

On the top of the main hall, there was already a palace eunuch commanding his little eunuchs to prepare the desk for the palace test. Zhang Fan came to his desk first and sat down, and the others also sat down at one time. It has been four hours since I got up in the morning, and people like Zhang Fan who have eaten breakfast are a little hungry, not to mention those who have not eaten, especially some older people, are already dizzy from hunger, but how can they be rude in front of the emperor, they are secretly trying to support themselves.

In fact, the palace examination as the highest standard examination in ancient China is naturally incomparable, and the topics of the palace examination are formulated by the cabinet and then submitted to the emperor for selection. When preparing for the opening of the examination, a scholar took out the test questions from the yellow case in the hall and awarded them to the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Here is a landscape, this time it was Xu Jie's hand out and gave it to his student, Zhang Juzheng, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites. After the civil and military officials and the counselors of the tributes worshipped, the officials of the Ministry of Rites began to distribute the examination papers.

The test questions of the palace examination are mainly strategic questions, and the emperor asks a few questions on current affairs and politics or historical affairs.

After the written part of the palace examination, the candidates handed in their papers, and the officials of the Ministry of Etiquette led them to dinner. The test papers were handed over to the emperor to read in person. said that it was read in person, and where the emperor of the Ming Dynasty would do this work was handed over to the minister of reading the papers. According to the merits of the article, the fifth class is positioned, and then the top ten Gongshide test papers are presented to the emperor, and the names of the candidates are opened in person.

After handing over the selected articles to the emperor, Emperor Longqing casually asked Zhang Juzheng: "Zhang Aiqing, I heard that you have recently accepted a student?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, yes." Zhang Juzheng said, "It is Zhang Fan of Shaanxi Xie Yuan who followed the army to Hetao at the beginning of the year. ”

"I remember this man." Emperor Longqing thought of Zhang Fan when Zhang Juzheng said this, "This time he is also among the tributes in the palace test?" ”

"Exactly, it's Jinke Huiyuan, the one who sits closest to His Majesty." Zhang Juzheng said.

Emperor Longqing thought about it, but there were some shadows of Zhang Fan in his memory: "If this son can win Huiyuan, he must be a person who is willing to work hard." I have a good image of him, and if I can get Zhang Aiqing's appreciation, he will definitely be a talent of the humerus in the future. As he spoke, Long Qing laughed.

"Your Majesty has praised it, Yuande still needs to be honed." Zhang Juzheng said.

Long Qing said again: "I don't know how this palace exam is, how is this Zhang Yuande, I don't know if there is him in these ten test questions." As he spoke, he looked at the ten test questions on the imperial case in front of him. Without further ado, the emperor picked up the test question in front of him and looked at it.

"Good, good article." After a while, Long Qing's exclamation woke up the ministers present, "This article is really good, not to mention that the words are beautifully written, and the content of the article can also directly point to the subject I asked, without the slightest flattery." In particular, the proposal is really incredible. It's just that the slight fly in the ointment is that it is too sharp, and it seems that it needs to be honed. But it's much better than the other articles. ”

The ministers did not have a surprised expression, they had all read these articles, so they naturally knew which one Long Qing was talking about. Long Qing immediately ordered someone to open the seal of the test paper, and saw that the paper was Zhang Fan's name. Long Qing smiled happily, looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "Zhang Aiqing, you have accepted a good student." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compliment." Zhang Juzheng, who has always been very upright, also showed a smile at this time.

"It seems that Lord Zhang's beloved apprentice is now going to become the champion of this department, but Lord Zhang, as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, is in charge of this palace examination, and he is not afraid that others will have any gossip?" It was Xu Jie, who spoke.

As soon as his words came out, Zhang Juzheng knew that trouble was coming, and it seemed that he and the teacher had completely broken up. But things have gotten to this point, and there's no room for manoeuvre. It's just that now, as Zhang Fan's teacher, he can't say anything, so he has to be in a hurry, but he can't show the slightest expression of urgency on his face.

When Long Qing heard this, he was quite worried, Xu Jie saw that there was an opportunity to take advantage of it, and took advantage of the victory to pursue, and said, "The old minister also cited this Yuande's article to write very well, but if he is determined to be the champion like this, I am afraid that it will be a little bad." After all, just because the article is well written does not mean that the official has done a good job. ”

The other cabinet ministers on the side were puzzled when they heard Xu Jie's words, Xu Jie's previous personality was very open-minded, but now he is so aimed at one person, which is very puzzling. A few brains turned quickly, thinking of the relationship between Zhang Fan and Zhang Juzheng, they seemed to have some understanding in their hearts, and their eyes involuntarily looked at Zhang Juzheng.

Xu Jie's words made Long Qing very embarrassed, after all, he was very optimistic about Zhang Fan, and now he wanted to reuse him, but Xu Jie's words were not unreasonable. But then he let go of his brows, this scholar has taken so many exams in order to become an official, and isn't it good or bad just by relying on first-hand articles! said: "Although there is this kind of problem, but don't you avoid relatives in the internal move, the person who can write such an article, if it is buried for this reason, I am afraid that the Ming Dynasty will come to an end." ”

Although this is very unfilial, but this world is the master in front of him, so it doesn't matter what he says. The ministers also said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise. ”

"Now that this champion is decided, I'll leave the rest to you to comment, so good articles have been read, and then reading the others will be boring." Long Qing said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"By the way, since this Zhang Fan is already the champion, what official position can everyone give him?" Long Qing was just about to leave, when he suddenly thought of this again and asked.

"Although this Zhang Fan is very talented, and he is the top student in the current department, but the young man still has to go through the experience, don't give him too high a position." Xu Jie saw that the previous words did not work, so he made calculations here again.

"Well, that's too." Long Qing also thinks this is the reason.

"Why don't you let him go to the Hanlin Academy to do an edit?" It was proposed.

"It's not good, I'm afraid it can polish his sharpness, then it's not beautiful." Long Qing disagreed.

"According to the old minister's opinion, it is better to send him to a place, so that he can get acquainted with the people." Xu Jie had an idea again at this time. If Zhang Fan really went to the place, Xu Jie would have a lot of ways to deal with him, whether it was civil or political achievements, a little thought could make Zhang Fan bury him for the rest of his life.

"This is not good, Zhang Fan can be regarded as having the name of the champion, it is the time to set an example for the world's scholars, if he is put as an official, he will not be awarded too much official position, this is not to chill the hearts of the world's scholars, who will endure the ten years of hard study in the future, in exchange for such a scene!" Zhang Juzheng couldn't be silent anymore, he couldn't see Zhang Fan buried like this.

Everyone also thought deeply after listening to Zhang Juzheng's words, and finally Longqing said: "I see, let him take a trial bachelor's degree from the Hanlin Academy and accompany the prince to study." ”

The ministers didn't expect Long Qing to try this meaning, but they understood it in a blink of an eye. The crown prince Zhu Yijun was newly established this year, although he is only seven years old, he is at the age when he should receive education. It is naturally good to have Zhang Fan, the champion of the champion, to be a waiter. Moreover, he can also get in touch with some political affairs, or the emperor wants to test the prince, which is an opportunity for Zhang Fan. Not only an opportunity to hone one, but also an opportunity to grow one's qualifications. After watching Longqing, he wants to be of great use to Zhang Fan. However, the ministers also agreed with this proposal, and Zhang Juzheng had no reason to oppose it. However, this Hanlin Academy's probationary bachelor's degree is an official from the fourth grade, which is already very big for people who have just entered the office.

"But ......," Long Qing continued, "I heard that this Zhang Fan also has to understand the name of Yuan, it seems that my Da Ming is going to produce another high-ranking talent in the third yuan." ”

After being reminded by Longqing, everyone remembered this stubble. In the Ming Dynasty, there was a merchant before the people of Lianzhong Sanyuan, and Zhang Fan was the second. However, there was actually a person named Huang Guan before, who was also the head of the township test, the meeting test, and the palace test, but he offended Ming Chengzu and was stripped of the title of champion, and now no one mentions it.

On the second day, Longqing summoned the top ten new science and technology scholars, which is the so-called "little Chuanlu". Zhang Fan's seat is a champion who has been "determined", so he naturally has to arrive. Then when the political affairs were announced, the emperor summoned all the jinshi and filled in the big and small gold lists, and everything was over, which was the release of the list, which was the so-called "big biography". On the gold list, Zhang Fan's name was written on the top of the list. This time, the champion of the first class of the palace test, the list eye, and the flower exploration are given to the jinshi and the first; Seven people in the second grade, born as a jinshi; The rest of the people are all top three, and they are born as Jinshi.

Of course, the whole process of the temple examination is not over here. The champion of the new department, that is, Zhang Fan also led the fellow scholars to the "Qionglin Banquet" specially set up by the Ministry of Rites. After the banquet, the commissioner had to lead the Jinshi to the Confucian Temple to worship the Confucian sage, and after the worship, he had to go to the Guozijian to erect a monument and engrave the name of the new Jinshi on the stele, and the process of the palace examination was all over.

When the dust settled, Zhang Fan had time to return home. The Zhao family is really in good spirits on happy occasions now, and his son is now the champion, and he has been named an official from the fourth grade, where is there any reason to be unhappy. Although the little girl Xiangmei doesn't know how big an official Cong Sipin is, she has heard the word champion, but in the past it was only in the story, and now there is a live champion in front of her, which has also made this little girl excited for a long time.

Zhang Fan already knew where he was assigned, although the status of the prince did not have much power, but Zhang Fan also knew that this was a good place to mix qualifications. He knew that the crown prince Zhu Yijun he was going to accompany would definitely become the next emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and he also followed the old path of his teacher Zhang Juzheng. But it can speed up the achievement of his goal, and there is nothing bad about it. Some of the other jinshi were left in the court, and some were distributed to various places, and their official positions were gone.

Since Zhang Fan became the champion, his family has also become crowded. When the Zhao family was in Zhang Fanzhongju, they also experienced this situation, but now the identity of these door-to-door people is no longer ordinary neighbors, but they are the subordinates of some official at every turn, which really made the Zhao family panic for a while, but now they can naturally deal with various situations. But the little girl Xiangmei has not changed except for being happy for her son-in-law, although she has not seen much of the world, but she has always put herself in the position of the next person, but there is nothing she can't deal with. It's just that with Zhang Fan's change, even she can clearly feel that her status has improved, and there are more people who greet her when she goes out. Those who are close to the door know that Longqing favors Zhang Fan, and he is sure that he is flying brightly, how can he not try his best to make friends. What's more, now Zhang Fan has decided to go to the East Palace to accompany the prince, this is simply a shortcut to the sky, where is there no reason not to make friends.

It's just that they don't know that Xu Jie has a deep hostility towards Zhang Fan, and this matter is out of the three parties Zhang Fan, Xu Jie, and Zhang Juzheng, and only some people in the cabinet have seen some clues. Although Zhang Fan has crossed this hurdle now, it is not a smooth road that greets him, and there are more things that are not conducive to him waiting. Fortunately, although Xu Jie, although he hates Zhang Fan, he will not use too inferior methods to deal with him, but his decades of experience in officialdom can be described as very profound, and if there is really any conspiracy, it is very difficult to prevent! Zhang Fan thought that he had provoked this cabinet assistant before he entered the office, but he was a little helpless. Xu Jie can't deal with Zhang Juzheng, it's still easier to deal with him, it seems that Zhang Fan must be extremely careful in his actions in the future, and he can't be caught by it.

Although I won the champion, to be honest, I really can't make people happy! These scenes of prosperity in front of us are not reliable, and it is very likely that they will be wiped out in an instant!

A few days later, it was time for Zhang Fan to take office. This time I didn't go to the court, so I didn't have to get up so early. Zhang Fan first came to the Ministry of Officials, and his own officials registered him. At this time, the early dynasty had not yet ended, and Zhang Fan had no choice but to wait in the ministry, drinking tea while chatting with those officials who were quite idle for the time being.

It wasn't until the end of the morning dynasty that it was almost noon, and then someone came to inform Zhang Fan that Longqing wanted to see him.

When Zhang Fan was told that he was going to take this position, because he had to stay in the palace for a long time, he had already been taught by officials of the Ministry of Officials and the ceremonial eunuchs in the palace. On the way, Zhang Fan also met the ministers of the Scattered Dynasty, many of whom greeted Zhang Fan with a smile, and Zhang Fan also responded with a smile. It's just that Xu Jie, who was walking at the end, didn't look at Zhang Fan, and snorted coldly when he walked past him. Zhang Fan only said that his troubles had not passed, but he was not afraid of trouble, and he still responded with a smile.

Zhang Fan followed a little eunuch to the imperial study, and it was not yet time for lunch, and Longqing was sitting there reading a book.

"Wechen see Your Majesty, long live." Zhang Fan saluted Long Qing.

"Get up." Long Qing said.

After Zhang Fan stood up, he saw a person standing next to Long Qing, who was very familiar. Zhang Fan didn't think much about it, and found that Long Qing was looking at himself. This is the first time that Longqing has summoned Zhang Fan alone, and Longqing has observed Zhang Fan at close range this time. Zhang Fan is already handsome, which may be the reason why he has been on the battlefield, but he also exudes a sense of righteousness, and Longqing is very satisfied.

"Zhang Qing's family, I will hand over the crown prince to you. Serve the prince well and study. "No nonsense, Long Qing is very confident in his own eyes to see people.

"Weichen will do his best to assist the prince, and please rest assured." Zhang Fan said.

"I heard that you worshipped Zhang Qing's family as a teacher?" Long Qing asked.

"Mr. Zhang is rich and generous, which is an example for Weichen to learn. Besides, the teacher and Weichen also hit it off at first sight, and Weichen worshipped Master Zhang as his teacher. Zhang Fan said.

"Master Zhang's knowledge, personality, and official are also obvious to all in the court, and it is a blessing that you can worship him as a teacher." "But I found that there are people in this court who don't like you very much." ”

When Zhang Fan heard Long Qing's words, he couldn't help but be a little secretly surprised. In the palace that day, Zhang Juzheng also told him about the situation of Longqing discussing Zhang Fan's affairs with cabinet ministers, he didn't expect that Longqing also saw something from these words, it seems that the emperor has always been confused. It's just that Zhang Fan doesn't know what he means by talking to himself about these things now.

"You don't have to panic, this world is mine, and it's not difficult for me to know something." Long Qing saw Zhang Fan's somewhat surprised appearance and said, "The reason why I asked you to go to the East Palace to accompany the prince is also because of this consideration. I am very optimistic about you, and I will be of great use in the future, and I don't want you to be bothered by these unnecessary things. They are fighting back and forth, just for the word 'right', and I can go with them, but I also have a plan in my heart, and I must not let these things disturb my plan. You just need to serve the prince well now, and you don't have to worry about that. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Fan said. He thought about it, too, although he has entered the officialdom now, how can he worry about these things now.

"So, Feng Bao, take Zhang Qing's family to the East Palace." Long Qing said to the man beside him.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Feng Bao replied and said to Zhang Fan, "Master Zhang, come with our family." ”

Out of the imperial study, Zhang Fan remembered that the person in front of him was the eunuch Feng Bao who went to Datong last time to deliver the decree, and hurriedly greeted: "Gonggong Feng, it turned out to be you." ”

Feng Bao was also very happy to see that Zhang Fan recognized him: "Master Zhang, I have been separated for more than half a year, and when I can't think of seeing you again, I am already a high school champion, and I am a fourth-grade official!" Congratulations. ”

"Where, let my father-in-law smile." Zhang Fan said, "Isn't the public now the eunuch of the celebrant eunuch, why is he by His Majesty's side." ”

"As the master of ceremonies, our family will help His Majesty deal with some concerts, and it will not be until the afternoon that the concerts will arrive in various places." Feng Bao said, "In the morning, our family is waiting by the pen's side. ”

Although the eunuch Bingbi, who is the celebrant eunuch, is in charge of the "approval of red", he can even be regarded as handling the chapter on behalf of the emperor, and Liu Jin is considered to be the same position as the one decades ago, but Zhang Fan listened to Zhang Juzheng say that this Feng Bao can be regarded as decent, can also act impartially, and has a political vision. Zhang Fan also had a contact with him, and he felt that he was a very good person, and he admired this person very much.

While the two were talking, the East Palace arrived. As soon as Zhang Fan walked in, he heard a sharp voice shouting in a low voice: "Your Highness, hurry, come down quickly......"

Zhang Fan looked at Feng Bao very suspiciously, and the latter also looked helpless. "It seems that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not very easy to serve!" Zhang Fan thought in his heart and walked over.