To the public hall - the place where the girder will test and mark the papers.

In the public hall, at this time, there was a lantern, the examiners of the eighteen rooms, and the scribes sent by the Ministry of Rites and the Inner Palace, and there were always 200 people standing on the side of the hall.

They were all silent, nervous and solemn.

An elderly eunuch, at this time with a flat expression with a guard with a knife, quietly came in, although he did not make a sound, the sense of presence was very strong, and the examiner did not hold back, took a look, but was immediately discovered by the guards, swept coldly, and let the examiner hurriedly avoid the past.

This is Gonggong Zhang, the head eunuch who has some face in front of Emperor Hongzhi.

Immediately afterwards, listening to the chant of "Entering the Incense Oath", the three chief examiners led the eighteen examiners to line up in the copper basin to wash their hands, and bowed three times and nine times to the dragon card of "Long live, long live, long live", and the tablet of "Dacheng Most Holy Master".

The vow of the incense alliance is as follows: "We will be impartial for the country's society, without favoritism, without invitation, without bribery - if we have this heart, the gods will die together"

This is an immutable rule for hundreds of years, everyone is familiar with it, but everyone is serious, without it, there are really ghosts and gods in this world.

After the oath was completed, the candidates' papers were continuously transported by high-grade scribes.

When all the papers were placed in the spacious hall one by one, these twenty-one people sat solemnly, and the candidates who participated in the examination were fish and dragons, and their fate was basically decided in the hands of these people.

The two doors were closed, waiting for the examiner to speak, and the examiner Lin Huayu nodded slightly, swept his eyes, and said in a deep voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, although it is a cliché, I still want to say that the emperor attaches great importance to this imperial examination, and the person sent is Gonggong Zhang, I believe everyone knows him."

The scribes didn't dare to move a little, and everyone looked at the head, who came, the three chief and deputy examiners, and the eighteenth room examiner, none of whom they didn't know.

He came over, and this was obviously the patrol overseer.

Although Emperor Hongzhi also attached great importance to the previous examination, this time even Gonggong Zhang was sent to lead the guards to inspect and supervise, which obviously paid more attention than usual.

How can they not be more careful?

"Yili everyone is a grandmaster, I won't say more, I just want to say one thing - you are fortunate to be an examiner, no matter who you order, when I see you in the future, you will have to give the gift of a half-master."

"Therefore, is it worth it for you to try to cheat again? Not only did his personal fame and net worth go down the drain, but it also affected his family. ”

"The marking has not yet begun, think about your wife and son."

After the examiner finished speaking, he turned to Gonggong Zhang: "Does Gonggong have something to say?" ”

Gonggong Zhang restrained his surprise and said: "Lord Lin said this thoroughly, our family has always wondered, why did an examiner cheat?" ”

Gonggong Zhang's words resounded in the hall, with the slightest sound of gold and stone, everyone looked at each other, and listened again: "Although there are rules in the imperial court, the chief examiner only takes one term, and there is no reason to be re-elected." ”

"But even if there are 300 scholars, they will all be court officials in the future, and you all have to salute when you see you, how many benefits are there, I don't need to say more, why do some people still think of cheating for some silver?"

Grandpa Zhang was surprised, but he really couldn't figure it out.

It is impossible for the students to disobey the teacher's order for life, but the teacher-student relationship is always unavoidable, and the incense of the three hundred future officials, even if each person gives a trace, how much luck is it to gather?

I've already gotten the biggest benefit, and I still want some silver?

The deputy chief examiner, Gai Jingsheng, listened to his jaw, shook his head solemnly, and said solemnly: "So I wait, how dare I live up to the high expectations of the saint?" We must be cautious and select real talents for the country! ”

Grandpa Zhang laughed when he heard this: "Okay, let's wait to see the real talent you selected!" ”

As he spoke, he retreated, and saw the chief examiner Lin Huayu in a deep voice: "Read the papers!" ”

Of the three thousand five hundred volumes, three hundred of them must be chosen, and this is the choice of the tribute.

According to the rules of the Liang examination, more than half of the three chief examiners and the eighteen-room examiners passed the circle, and no one thought that it was impossible, so it was considered to have passed the preliminary examination.

The candidates for these papers are Gongshi, and if there is no accident, they can at least get the name of a third-class Tongjinshi in the palace examination.

And if all the twenty-one examiners pass, this is the next round to compete for the yuan, so that there are often only twenty or thirty copies of each paper.

But this year, it seems to be a little more than usual.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

Ben had been dazzled by the unanimous vote of the previous one, and a room examiner was surprised and clapped his hands.

His reaction immediately attracted the attention of other examiners.

Today is different from the past, with the head eunuch present to supervise, you can't help but lose your temper, how good is this volume?

An examiner then took the paper, and after only reading a few lines, it was difficult to suppress his appreciation, and when he finished reading it, he actually praised it.

"Iron and blood, it's really bookish! I didn't expect to encounter such an article in the exam, I'm ashamed, ashamed! ”

The three chief and deputy examiners were all attracted and came to see the paper.

"This ......" Although Lin Huayu has read the content, he feels that it is almost impeccable, and even such a person who has been immersed in Wenhai for many years is difficult to change a word.

But I feel that the content written by the candidates is quite excessive, and I can't talk about anything wrong, but I just think it's excessive.

Lin Huayu hesitated for a moment and asked the deputy examiner Zhang Xiu: "What do you think?" ”

Yu Guang frowned: "This article is full of talent, but the sharpness is too heavy, it seems that he is a young man, and he is afraid of the wrath of heaven in the future, if not, I am afraid it is a good appearance." ”

Yuan Yuan also commented: "That's true, when you read his articles, you always feel that the edge is too exposed, this is the reason why you are too talented, and you have to frustrate your temperament......"

As he spoke, the three of them looked at each other and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

And a few examiners have already circled this paper.

Seeing that everyone's faces were different, but none of them objected, the chief examiner Lin Huayu also secretly thought: "I have different opinions from everyone, I am a piece of love, but this article is really good, if I block it, I am afraid that I will end up with a notoriety of jealousy and jealousy, just agree, why don't I also push the boat?" It's just that this article is still too talented! ”

"But even Your Majesty, you won't just ignore your talent because of your heartfelt words."

Thinking of this, Lin Huayu also picked up the pen and drew a circle on the top of the scroll.

Suddenly, I thought of the party struggle in the city, and couldn't help but sigh: "I don't know if I promoted him or hurt him." ”

"After the preliminary examination, we passed two hundred and thirty-three examination papers together." After two days and two nights of hard work, careful selection, and finally included in the list of tributes, a total of 233 people.

"Rest for two hours, and then conduct a second trial." As food and hot water were brought in, the examiners, who were trapped inside and were not allowed to go out for the final result, entered the temporary sleeper and snorted and went to sleep.

Father-in-law Zhang asked him to move a chair and sat at the door with his eyes closed.

In two hours, the examiners cleaned their faces and hands with clean water, and once again devoted themselves to the second trial.

This time, it was much easier than the first trial.

But the pressure is not small.

After all, out of thousands of examination papers, more than 200 are selected, which is related to the fate of many people, and it is also difficult to choose the ranking among the 233 examination papers.

There were even examiners who had different opinions, even if there were eunuchs present, and in the end they were angry, and they almost rolled up their sleeves.

"Father-in-law, the second trial has been completed, and there are thirty-three exam papers." At the beginning, Gonggong Zhang was still a little interested in watching Wenchen arguing and quarreling, and he was sleepy after watching it for a long time, until he was drowsy, and he was suddenly said in his ear, and then he woke up.

"Done?" Father-in-law Zhang took a look, and sure enough, although the faces of several examiners were not good, they were indeed no longer noisy.

These civil officials, what a ...... Croaking.

"The one you commanded to keep an eye on is also in the thirty-three." The little eunuch whispered.

"Good!" This time he could go on a business trip, he knew that Emperor Hongzhi was not too important to this matter, so he just said it casually, and asked him to pay attention to the young people who could have contact with Princess Yongle.

But he was able to achieve this position by keeping every word of Emperor Hongzhi firmly in his heart!

The personal attendant must be careful!

Father-in-law Zhang got up directly and laughed sharply: "Since it has come out, then our family will enter the palace with the three adults." ”

"Let's go, three adults."

The three chief and deputy examiners who were about to go to see Emperor Hongzhi with the papers, although they didn't like eunuchs, they dared not speak out, nodded and stepped out.

Gonggong Zhang directly led people to follow.

It's as if he came here to supervise the audit, and he can go to the business if he has the results.

The examiners of the remaining eighteen rooms looked at each other, and did not say anything about what they thought in their hearts, and tried their best to remain calm on their faces.

Gonggong Zhang and the three chief and deputy examiners, the Gongyuan is not far from the palace, and there are guards to accompany them along the way, quiet, giving people the feeling that they are here in a blink of an eye.

"Grandpa Zhang, the emperor is taking a nap, and wait for me to go and say a word?" When a eunuch saw Gonggong Zhang coming back, he hurriedly whispered.

Father-in-law Zhang nodded: "You go, our family is here to accompany the three adults." ”

Generally speaking, Daliang treats his courtiers quite favorably, and in the side hall, the three adults drink hot tea from the little eunuch and talk casually with Gonggong Zhang, instead of kneeling down.

"The emperor has arrived-" After the second round of drinking, with the voice of a eunuch, the four people present got up busily.

"Your Majesty."

"Slaves and maids greet Your Majesty."

"Let's all be flat." Emperor Hongzhi waved his hand to get them up, and he sat down in his chair.

Zhang Gonggong went straight to the emperor's side, bent down slightly, and stood to serve, which is the duty of a domestic slave.

Lin Huayu took a step forward and told Emperor Hongzhi about the situation of this examination: "A total of 233 examination papers will be selected by the ministers for the preliminary examination, and the emperor will decide. ”

This is the rule of the Great Liang calendar, after ordering Huiyuan, two hundred and thirty-three tributes, including Huiyuan, will participate in the palace examination after that, and then divide the first, second, and third grades.

"Bring it in." Emperor Hongzhi spoke.

There was no need for a eunuch to come, Zhang Xiu personally held the scroll and sent it to Emperor Hongzhi, a total of thirty-three copies.

Emperor Hongzhi looked at the first one, and the first two didn't make him show a special expression, but when he saw the third volume, Gonggong Zhang suddenly coughed.

Emperor Hongzhi first glanced at the eunuch beside him suspiciously, and then suddenly remembered something, and bowed his head slightly!

After a pause, he unfolded the third volume, looked at the words, and nodded slightly, although this calligraphy is superior to Emperor Hongzhi, but in his capacity, what kind of calligraphy has not been seen in everyone's calligraphy.

It's already good that Ren Taixu's calligraphy can get a first-class evaluation.

After seeing the beginning, I was stunned.

"The king is anxious to change the law, and he ignores the discussion of the world. And the husband has the deeds of a master, and he will be defeated by the world; He who has sole knowledge will be seen by the people. ”

This is to say that the emperor should be firm in his determination to change the law, and have the tendency of being a lonely minister, and ask the emperor to make his own decision, not to be disturbed by the rest of the people, who interfere are people who can't see the situation clearly, and those who can see the situation clearly will naturally understand the emperor.

"This man is bold!"

This is the emperor's first impression, changing the law is a major event of the country, even the prime minister does not dare to mention it without authorization, let alone a small person?

But thinking about it, the emperor was a little puzzled, it stands to reason that such a crazy life, even if he can be named on the gold list, it is impossible to be recommended in his hands.

Could it be that this person is really brilliant and can't be suppressed?

Even if there is arrogance, can it be recognized by the rest of the examiners?

After thinking about it, Emperor Hongzhi continued to look towards the following article.

Looking at it further, the gist is that although the steps of the sky are difficult, as long as the emperor's ministers work hard, sweep away the filth, and redefine the program, they will be able to move forward in stride.

This is actually Ren Taixu flickering, the terrible thing about the law of rise and fall is not something that can be resisted by a Ming monarch and a famous minister.

But to a certain extent, even if every generation is a Ming monarch and a famous minister, the country will eventually decline and die, and it can only be postponed!

Take the human body as an example, if there is a person who exercises according to scientific maintenance everywhere, will he not be old?

Definitely not, and the court is no different.

But for the vast majority of people, this reason is sufficient, indeed, as long as the emperor works hard to sweep away all the evils!

We must sweep away all pests and pests, and we will be invincible.

There will be no end in the sky—the righteousness is sufficient.

This is also the reason why the examiner gives a high score.

After Emperor Hongzhi finished reading it, he immediately understood the reason why this article could be recommended.

The first is that the article itself, although it is impassioned, seems to be quite sharp, and it seems to be arrogant.

But as far as the article itself is concerned, Emperor Hongzhi can't find the slightest fault.

Not a word can be replaced!

It seems to have reached the realm of Zuo's Spring and Autumn Festival, where one word can be changed to a thousand gold.

At the same time, after seeing the content, the emperor understood why such an article could be strongly recommended!

Although this article is full of talking about changing the law, sweeping away the dirt and drawbacks.

But the dirty drawbacks in this article mean something - Xungui Group!

At this time, the party struggle between the DPRK and China was originally the hinterland of the Wenchen group, and such a reasonable and well-founded statement of the harm of the nobles, and even more clearly supporting the Wenchen group, naturally can be valued by the main examiner!

Not only did the main examiner think so, but Emperor Hongzhi at this time was also scratched by Ren Taixu's article.

In fact, there are many things that are said in this article, which are what he is worried about.

The reform of the military system mentioned in the article in various places, thereby reducing the military power of the nobles, made Emperor Hongzhi even more excited!

The soldiers in the hands of the nobles, as well as the influence stationed in the local area, are what he worries the most.

If it is really as Ren Taixu said, reform the military system, everything will be solved!

To be honest, although he had the idea of promoting the scholars of the Han family in the court in the past to balance the nobles and families, he had never had an idea of changing the law.

But after seeing Ren Taixu's article, Emperor Hongzhi's impression of the law change in his mind became more and more profound!

If it is really a change as Ren Taixu's article said, reducing the local influence of the nobles, and at the same time retracting the military power, it will have a lot of benefits!

Thinking of something again, Emperor Hongzhi shook his head again!

It's a good thing to change, but it's not the right time.

Whether it is a war between the north and the south, it is necessary for the nobles to contribute, and at this time, the reduction of military power is likely to cause a backlash from the nobles!

Emperor Hongzhi deeply remembered the three words "Ren Taixu" at this time!

It was a pleasant surprise!

Not only is he from a poor family, but he also has the heart of being a lonely minister, dares to talk about the taboos of the world without authorization, and is reasonable, and this person is brilliant, he is really a good minister!

If he really wants to change the law in the future, this person can't say that he can still be the sharpest knife in his hand, Emperor Hongzhi thought!

Although there are a lot of thoughts in his heart, Emperor Hongzhi's face is not revealed at all!

This is the Emperor's Palace!

"There is no god in the Lord, but there will be a cause below"

If the monarch can't be mysterious, his subordinates will have an opportunity, so the emperor's mind must not be easily revealed!

"The Word is invisible, but it is used in the unknowable!" It shows that the emperor's ruling technique lies in concealment, so that his subordinates cannot guess, and the technique is unpredictable, so that his subordinates cannot understand.

Everyone couldn't guess what the emperor was thinking.

But it was only after a while that I heard the emperor speak: "Although there are many arrogant words, scholars are sharp, and the literary atmosphere is too strong, but this volume is very good, so let's order it for Huiyuan."

"The Emperor Shengming!" The three chief and deputy examiners were a little happy.

Before, the emperor showed his attitude to the Xungui group, and he reused the veterans, which made them a little embarrassed.

At the same time, it also made them a little puzzled, wondering what the emperor thought?

But when he turned his head, the emperor ordered a Huiyuan who advocated changing the law and reducing military power, and they couldn't help but dislike it, the emperor was on the side of himself and others!

Before, it was just forced by the situation!

On the contrary, Gonggong Zhang on the side has served the emperor for many years, but he thinks more deeply than them, knowing that it is just balance!

sighed slightly in his heart: "In the end, the thunder, rain and dew are all Jun'en!" ”