They all want to be officials, and they all know that the court is well treated, but it also depends on whether they are suitable. Every year, you can only see some of your strengths, but weaknesses may not be compensated for by strengths, which is also a very normal thing.

On the day of the palace test, these more than 100 newcomers stood on top of the main hall in high spirits. The civil and military officials are separated on both sides, and the emperor jointly selects the talents he needs. The brief descriptions of more than 100 people have been written and distributed to every adult, and the ministers are free to ask questions as they wish.

Sima Hongyan and everyone stood in the middle of the main hall, and the ministers on both sides gathered around, looked down at the roster, and then looked up at the newcomers in the hall, whispering between two or three people from time to time.

Emperor Yanzhen sat behind the dragon book case, looked at the hall with a smile, and didn't say a word!

The ministers discussed for a while before some people began to ask questions one after another. Everyone who is questioned must stand out of the crowd and bow in front of adults before answering. If any adult asks a question, he will change to another person, and then salute and answer, looking tired, Sima Hongyan couldn't help frowning slightly.

After going on intermittently for a while, Sima Hongyan suddenly found out. All the people who were questioned and even had a good chat with an adult were all men, and none of the ministers of military affairs asked questions about women, and they didn't even look at the women when they looked closely.

After a few moments, the chosen men stood behind a certain minister one after another, and seeing that the situation was good, they decided on the teacher to follow.

There were only a dozen women left in the middle of the hall, and no one cared. Even Shi Jinyan is no exception, and there is not a single minister who has been assessed. Sima Hongyan could feel that the girls around him were slightly disappointed.

She sneered and peeked at the emperor who was high above, but saw that the emperor's expression was the same, looking at everyone below.

After a while, the ministers had basically chosen to stand back in the court, and the selected students stood behind them. The hall, which had been a little loud, gradually returned to silence.

At this time, Emperor Yanzhen opened his mouth and asked, "Can you choose Aiqing?" ”

The ministers replied together, "The ministers have been chosen!" ”

Emperor Yanzhen asked again: "Aren't you Aiqing still the same as in previous years, don't you choose a female student?" ”

Sima Hongyan suddenly felt in his heart, not only them, but no one wanted the women who entered the palace every year.

The ministers are silent!

After waiting for a while, Emperor Yanzhen said: "This year is different from previous years, these new talents have to compete with the other four countries, the meaning is different, I suggest that you Aiqing can think about it again!" ”

The ministers continue to be silent!

Seeing that the ministers still insisted on their opinions, Emperor Yanzhen called out to a minister: "Wu Shilang! ”

A civil official about forty years old came out of the ranks, bowed down and said, "The minister is here!" ”

Emperor Yanzhen asked: "You didn't choose the right students this year, and the more than ten women here are no worse than the men, don't you have a favorite?" ”

"This ......," Wu Shilang hesitated and didn't continue.

Emperor Yanzhen said: "All of you only pick men, which will inevitably make these women who don't let their eyebrows feel unconvinced." Why, then, do you not say? Let them understand too. ”

Although these women are ordinary people, most of them are the daughters of ministers of the DPRK and China. Not choosing a woman has been the default rule for so many years, and the emperor in previous years just gave some soothing rewards and gave an inconsequential title, and it was over. Even if the daughters of some high-ranking officials are among them, they won't say anything, and this year's palace test will be over. But today the emperor openly asked, how can you say this, it is really difficult to say this for this Wu Shilang, anything you say may offend people, but you can't help but answer, because the emperor is waiting!

After thinking about it, he didn't find a good explanation, and Wu Shilang's forehead sweated.

Seeing his embarrassed look, Emperor Yanzhen didn't ask any more questions, and called another one: "Commander Zhao, what do you say?" ”

A military general with a darker face and about forty years old came out of the ranks, bowed down and clenched his fists, and only two words popped out of his mouth: "This ......" is another one without a follow-up.

Emperor Yanzhen was slightly unhappy when he saw the two of them spitting, and said loudly: "Which of these women in the palace is their father's, stand up!" ”

The emperor had an order, and I saw many adults come out one after another, both civil and martial. Including Shi Jinyan's father Shangshu Shi Hanhai, and Ban Lingruo's father Ban Jingchong, the deputy capital, are all among them.

Looking at these dozen ministers, Emperor Yanzhen said, "I know that you don't speak because you have scruples, okay!" Now my daughter's minister in the palace has called out. Let these fathers speak first! Who wants to speak first? ”

Among these ministers who stood up, Shi Hanhai Shangshu from Yipin had the largest official position, so he took a step forward and said, "Enlighten the emperor!" The minister thinks that you have a last resort for not choosing a woman. It is good for a woman to be talented and learned, but after all, she still has to marry and have children, and her family and husband are the most important, even if she becomes an official in the court, it will not last long. What's more, for many years, the stability of the country has been a man's cause, and it has always been so. Please forgive the emperor and all the talented women! ”

Hearing that Lord Shangshu said this, Wu Shilang, who had been silent for a long time, said at this time: "What Lord Shi said is extremely true! Xia Guan does have such concerns! ”

The emperor ignored him and said to Shi Hanhai: "Shi Shangshu, as far as I know, your daughter has won three firsts and two seconds, which is really a rare talent, and the dignified men are also succumbed to it, if it can't be used by the court, it is really a loss for the court." ”

Shi Hanhai said: "The emperor is sage! The little girl has really loved literature since she was a child, and she has learned and succeeded. However, even if you can't enter the court as an official, you can help your future husband's family with what you have learned, and it is not considered to be a buried ability. ”

"Oh?" Emperor Yanzhen smiled: "Listen to Lord Shi's meaning, you have already chosen your daughter-in-law's family?" It seems that he is still the son of the minister of the DPRK and China? ”

Shi Hanhai was stunned for a moment, but he didn't expect that his words revealed a mystery. Busy said: "Your Majesty, the minister has no such intention. What the minister means is that no matter what kind of family the little girl marries in the future, with her talents, she can help the family, and it can be regarded as a contribution to the country! ”

Emperor Yanzhen smiled, did not mean to ask again, and said to everyone: "What you Aiqing said is your own thoughts, and I can only use it as a reference." But I also want to listen to the talented women in the temple today to see if they think the same way. ”

Shi Hanhai and several other adults secretly glanced at each other, and said in unison: "Yes! "Retreat to the throne.

Sima Hongyan thought to himself: "The emperor is only reasonable like this, just listening to the patriarchal remarks of these old guys, it is really difficult to convince the public!" ”

Emperor Yanzhen swept the more than ten women in the hall and said to one of them: "Poetry and Yan! You can be regarded as the first place in this competition, the first talented girl in Yanling. What do you think? Can you agree with your father? I want to hear from you. ”

Shi Jinyan, who had not moved at all and had not even changed her expression, heard the emperor's question, stepped forward, knelt down and saluted, and said softly: "Go back to the emperor!" The courtiers did not object to their father's statement. ”

"No objection!" Emperor Yanzhen smiled and said, "Is this your own idea?" ”

Shi Jinyan still said softly: "Yes and no!" It is a fact that the father said that it is common sense for a woman to marry and have children, and all women in the world take this as the standard. So the courtiers are not against it! However, since the courtiers participated in the martial arts competition, they hoped that what they had learned in their lives could be used for the country and benefit the people. If you can't experience it yourself, but it's a pity, all the courtiers will inevitably regret it! ”

This sounds like he can't disobey his father and wants to make a difference, but if his father doesn't allow it, he can only choose to accept his father's arrangement with regret. If she only talked about Shi Jinyan's thoughts, she would be willing to enter the court as an official.

Shi Jinyan's statement not only saves her father's face, but also expresses her own thoughts, which can be described as comprehensive. However, Emperor Yanzhen listened noncommittally.

It is estimated that someone else will also say this way, after all, filial piety comes first, and women have instilled three virtues and four virtues since childhood, and if they are not married, they must listen to their father's words and follow their father's arrangement. Even if you have your own thoughts, you have to bury them in your heart and slowly turn into regrets!

At this time, Emperor Yanzhen saw Sima Hongyan who was gritting his teeth in the crowd with a disapproving face. He smiled secretly in his heart and said, "Sima Hongyan! What do you think? ”