The continuous spring rain still did not stop, Shen Yichen walked out of the Forbidden City with an oil-paper umbrella, everything that happened just now was like a dream to him.

Is this the end of his imperial examination career in Daming?

To be honest, this feeling is like leaving school in graduation season, as if saying goodbye to a past life.

From now on, there is no need to read the books of the sages in the cold window, and what will greet you in the future will be an officialdom full of deceit.

At that time, will he be able to maintain his original intention in fame and fortune?

Thinking of this, Shen Yichen smiled.

Establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a life for the people, continue to learn for the saints, and open peace for all generations!

This sounds like a boiling of blood, and how easy is it to practice words with deeds?

The hustle and bustle of the vendors and pedestrians at the foot of the imperial city interrupted the illusory thoughts in Shen Yichen's mind, and he began to think about more realistic questions.

That is the final stage of the palace examination, what does Wang Zhen want to do?

There is no free lunch in the world, Shen Yichen is convinced of this, especially for people like Wang Zhen, he will not help you for no reason.

How much benefit you have received from him today, you will definitely return it with interest in the future.

What can he give Wang Zhen in return?

Thinking about it, Shen Yichen thinks that his greatest value may be the Sanding Jia's fame that has not yet arrived.

Could it be that Wang Zhen still has no dead heart, and must bind himself to the chariot of the eunuch party?

To tell the truth, if you are not afraid of thieves stealing, you are afraid of thieves worrying.

The conversation at Wang Shan's Mansion made Shen Yichen nervous for more than ten days, and now Wang Zhen has added another one, and he doesn't let people live.

In the final analysis, it is still because his own strength is too weak, and in the face of an authoritarian official like Wang Zhen, he has almost no ability to resist, so he can only be treated carefully.

But it's better to be cautious than to be arrogant.

After all, weakness and ignorance are not obstacles to survival, arrogance is!

Facing the spring rain, Shen Yichen returned to the Chengguo Mansion, but unexpectedly saw Zhu Yi standing in front of the mansion.

"Shen Yichen, you are still used to handing in the papers in advance."

Zhu Yi said lightly, since the township test, Shen Yichen has submitted the papers in advance every day, and he predicted that the probability of the palace test will be the same, and sure enough, his guess is correct.

It's just that at this point in time, it's a little too early, and I haven't heard of any new Kogons handing in the papers in the morning.

However, from this sentence, Shen Yichen can also know that it is not an accident that Zhu Yi is standing here, but waiting for him.

"Eldest son, is there something important?"

Shen Yichen asked rhetorically, without twisting and turning.

Zhu Yi's rank is much stronger than Zhu Ji, he has always belonged to the people who go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and he must have something to say waiting for him here.

"It's not a big deal, just to inform you that my father has entrusted the matchmaker to marry the Marquis of Taining, and the two sides have exchanged marriage letters."

"The next step is to choose a good day to hold the wedding, I don't know how long Aunt Shen will arrive in Beijing, don't miss your wedding."

That's it?

Shen Yichen felt that it was not that simple, at least this matter was not worth letting Zhu Yi wait for him in the spring rain.

"Thank you for telling the eldest son, I have sent the letter back to Yingtian, and my mother should leave for the north soon."

On the second day of the release of the list, Shen Yichen wrote a letter and asked the miner Wang Neng to take the post station to rush to Yingtianfu.

At the same time, he asked Ye Zongliu to ask for a few more people, and escorted his mother Shen all the way north to Beijing.

To be honest, Shen Yichen had long wanted to let his mother Shen come to Beijing.

After all, as he became more and more valued by Cheng Guogong, the more hostile the Lin family became, and it was difficult to ensure the safety of his mother thousands of miles away.

The marriage with the Marquis of Taining can be regarded as giving Shen Yichen a justifiable reason. And now with a large amount of money from participating in overseas smuggling, he can also support the living needs of the mother and son in Beijing, without having to send people to the fence.

"You are doing things safely, which is much better than the second brother."

Hearing Zhu Yi mention Zhu Ji instead, Shen Yichen immediately understood that this was what the other party really wanted to say.

"Eldest son, if you have something to say, you might as well speak up."

As the saying goes, it's easy to chat with smart people, but this sentence has a premise, that is, smart people are on their side.

If not, the so-called smart people may be scheming, and you can't figure out what the other person is thinking.

Compared to dealing with Zhu Yi, Shen Yichen is even more willing to fight with Zhu Ji, the former is like a scheming fox, and the latter is a standard gentleman who writes everything on his face, and it is much easier to deal with it.

"You have been preparing for the palace test in the mansion for the past ten days, and you don't know much about what is happening in the outside world."

"The second brother was upset and depressed last night, and drank with others, and said something about you and your father visiting Qian Zhangyuan before the test. In addition, on the day of the visit to the master, Qian Zhangyuan seemed to say that he would strive to change the ranking and take you as the Huiyuan. ”

"If these two things are connected by someone with a heart, I am afraid that there will be a gossip."

After hearing this, Shen Yichen's face became a little solemn.

How lethal the gossip in the scientific field is, and the "imperial examination fraud case" of Tang Bohu, a talented man during the Hongzhi period, has already given an answer.

Even if the final investigation result was "there was a reason for the incident, and there was no evidence", in order to calm the anger of the public, the emperor still chose to play 50 boards each, which cut off Tang Bohu's life and future.

Shen Yichen didn't know what kind of situation he would face, but it was certain that it would be very troublesome if it was too big, especially now that he was in the palace examination period.

There is another point that makes Shen Yichen puzzled, that is, is Zhu Ji so stupid?

If this matter can be known by Zhu Yi, the eldest son of the eldest son, it means that it is impossible to hide it from Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo.

Cheng Guogong's concept of "one glory and one loss", even his own servant son is clear, and he doesn't know this as a sister-in-law?

The ambition of Zhu Ji and the Lin family is nothing more than the second son to seize the title and inherit Zhu Yong's dukeship. Even if you want to eliminate yourself as a threat, wouldn't you be self-defeating with this kind of stupid means?

When the time comes, the snipe and the clam will compete, and the fisherman will only benefit from Zhu Yi.

And objectively speaking, on the road to Zhu Ji's victory, Zhu Yi's threat is even willing to himself.

Even if Zhu Ji is so stupid, Shen Yichen doesn't believe that the Lin family will be stupid, he vaguely feels that there is something wrong with the logic behind this.

Looking at the change in the expression on Shen Yichen's face, a subtle smile appeared at the corner of Zhu Yi's mouth.

Then he took a step forward, patted Shen Yichen lightly on the shoulder, and continued: "You don't have to worry too much about this matter, after learning that the second brother was drunk and talking nonsense, I have already warned the people at the table to ensure that they will keep their mouths shut." ”

In the face of Zhu Yi's words and actions, the vigilance in Shen Yichen's heart deepened.

If this matter is true, it means that Zhu Yi has been monitoring Zhu Ji all the time, and he is very clear about his every move, which is why he moves so fast.

can monitor Zhu Ji, and can also monitor himself, it seems that after this incident, you should ask Canghuo Tou if there are any abnormal people beside him.

"The eldest prince is really resolute."

Zhu Yi naturally heard the deep meaning in Shen Yichen's words, and he smiled lightly: "In addition to helping you, I am also helping the Chengguo Mansion." ”

is worthy of being the eldest son, and before he became a knight, he inherited Zhu Yong's theory of "one is prosperous".

Of course, even if there are doubts, how can I say that Zhu Yi has helped herself.

Shen Yichen still thanked him and said: "Today's eldest prince's help is in my heart, if there is nothing else important, I will go back to the house first." ”

Seeing that Shen Yichen was about to leave, and there seemed to be no follow-up action, Zhu Yi then spoke: "Shen Yichen, didn't you think about seeking justice for this matter?" ”

Hearing this, Shen Yichen, who was about to turn around, had a playful look on his face.

The master has made a move, and the most feared thing is not to know what the opponent's hole cards are, once it is played, then the pressure will plummet.

Zhu Yi's hand is still a plan to drive away the tiger and devour the wolf.

"Eldest Prince, what do you want to do next?"

Now that the hole cards have been played, Shen Yichen didn't hide the riddles, and directly asked Zhu Yi what he wanted to get.

"I think my father should know about this."

Today, Zhu Yi has finally taken off the mask of "brother, friend, brother, brother" and began to show his means as an "elite second generation".

Use me as a gunman?

When he first came to Beijing, in the face of Zhu Yi's methods, Shen Yichen was absolutely unmoved, and would continue to choose forbearance.

But on the day of the release of the list, Shen Yichen had already changed his concept, and in the future, the offensive and defensive trends would be different, and it would be his turn to take the initiative.

Ranwen

In particular, her mother, Shen, will also come to Jingshi, and Shen Yichen doesn't want her to be in danger of revenge all the time, and she must sweep away some hidden dangers.

If this matter is used well, it will deal a heavy blow to the Lin mother and son, and can even disillusion Zhu Ji's hope of winning the title.

However, Shen Yichen would not just run to Zhu Yong to complain so stupidly, on the contrary, he would think about it in the long run, and pull Zhu Yi into the water.

If you want to play to drive the tiger and devour the wolf, you have to have the consciousness of being bitten back, and it is not so easy to watch from the wall.

"The eldest prince reminds me that I understand."

Shen Yichen arched his hand, said no more, turned around and walked into the corner gate of the mansion.

Looking at Shen Yichen's back, Zhu Yi did not have the joy of the success of the plan on his face, on the contrary, he was vaguely uneasy.

Shen Yichen is not a person who is easy to manipulate and fiddle with.

But in any case, he stayed out of this matter, even if Shen Yichen did not act in the future, it also increased the conflict between him and Zhu Ji.

……

As the sun set, with the last new Gongshi of Fengtian Palace, he came to the Dongjiaomen Receiving Officials to accept the volume, which means that the orthodox ten-year Yichou Branch Hall test is completely over.

On the evening of the 15th, the Wenhua Hall was brightly lit, and the examinee sent the 300 candidates' test papers collected to the sealing official for sealing and blurring names, and then stamped with the seal of the pass.

Different from the township examination and the meeting examination, the palace examination does not have the step of transcription by the transcription officer Zhu Pen. Once the name is completed, it will be transferred directly by the Examiner to the East Cabinet Reader for grading.

On March 16, 17 examiners entered the East Pavilion to review the examination papers. The whole marking process is a circulation system, and each test paper will be reviewed repeatedly by different examiners.

If you think it's desirable, you will draw a "○" on the test paper, and if you think it's not good, you will draw a "×", and if it's not good, you won't do anything.

The more circles you get, the higher the final ranking, and the test paper that gets the cross will be directly judged in the top three.

However, before the circulation, the lower-ranked examiners will often pick out the first twelve test papers of the judgment and submit them to the cabinet elder and the six chiefs in advance.

That is to say, these twelve test papers are the top twelve in the palace examination, and they do not participate in the review of any circle, and they are directly qualified to kneel in front of the palace.

Of course, the birth of Sandingjia was also selected from these twelve test papers.

Shen Yichen's test paper was read by the emperor himself, and there was no doubt that he was ranked in the top twelve, and even placed in the top three.

However, whether it is the first to read the volume before the emperor and default to the champion of the orthodox ten-year B Chou family has not yet been finalized.

Because the struggle between the forces of all parties is still surging, the title of champion will not be released so easily. As long as the emperor did not explicitly appoint Shen Yichen, then the ministers would pretend to be deaf and dumb and push up the juniors they chose.

Looking at the twelve test papers placed in front of him, Yang Pu, who was sitting in the first place, looked around for a week and said: "Everyone, the top twelve of this palace examination have been selected, and the next step is to jointly select three imperial reading papers. “

"I also hope that you will uphold the heart of justice and select talents for Daming."

During the orthodox period of the Ming Dynasty, there was already a status gap in the cabinet, and there was also a chief cabinet elder, but there was no clear distinction between the first and the secondary.

However, the status of the "three Yangs" in the cabinet is transcendent, and now Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi have passed away, and the only remaining Yang Pu has the respect of "Shoufu", and the palace examination paper officials also tacitly take him as the leader.

Hearing this, all the book readers nodded in agreement.

"What Yang Yuanfu said is very true, and the official will start with it, thinking that these three test papers have the talent of the top three tripods, and the one in the middle is even more talented."

Naiheng, the waiter of the household department, was not polite, and immediately selected the three test papers on the table, and the one in the center was undoubtedly made by Shen Yichen from the handwriting!

Yesterday, during the palace test Shen Yichen's submission stage, Wang Zhen said the words that Nai Heng, who was standing nearby, could hear it clearly.

If before, he still had some doubts about Wang Zhenxin's belonging to Shen Yichen, then when the words "champion's capital" came out, there was no doubt.

Nai Heng is a hardcore eunuch, and the position of the household servant is all sitting on his thighs, which naturally pleases Wang Zhen.

Whoever Father Weng wants to choose, I will choose whoever he wants, and he will be loyal!

The other paper readers present looked at the test papers selected by Nai Heng, with no expression on their faces, but their hearts were like mirrors.

Because when it comes to the temple test, the name is basically equivalent to a formality. Not to mention that it can be confirmed by the handwriting style, just by inspecting the examination room, the article has been read in advance, can you still not know who wrote it?

So Nai Heng recommended these three people, except for Shen Yichen, who was uncertain about the emperor's personal reading, the other two were all eunuch disciples.

This is a bit ugly, do you want to wrap up the Sanding armor?

Since someone has taken the lead, and the ranking of the palace examination is related to the new forces of their own forces, the other paper readers will naturally not be polite.

Soon Libu Langzhong stood up and recommended three test papers, namely Shen Yichen, He Pingyan and Yang Hongze.

and put Yang Hongze in the first place, and it is obvious that he will be the champion.

"This official believes that these three people are outstanding in their talents and should be the top three tripods. The first test paper is a dictionary, and every word is beautiful, and it can be the champion! ”

These three papers are basically the result of a compromise between the entire civil service group.

He Pingyan is the nephew of the official Shangshu Wang Zhi, coupled with his own excellent knowledge and means, Sanding Jia is basically a sure thing.

It's just that precisely because he is Wang Zhi's nephew, Wang Zhi exists among the seventeen volume readers, and he doesn't have the power and status of Zhang Juzheng in later generations, so he has to keep a low profile to avoid suspicion.

Being able to enter Sanding Jia means that you can go straight to the Hanlin Academy, and the future is limitless. The title of champion is too eye-catching, Wang Zhi is not sure that the gossip and criticism that can be suppressed in the outside world can only make He Pingyan bow his head.

Yang Hongze is a person elected by Hu Hui, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, with an unusually low-key identity background, and he is also from a poor family. Before the test, it can be said that no one knew about his existence, and he completely belonged to the type of sudden attack.

With Yang Hongze as the champion, he can sell Hu Hu's face, and get his support for He Pingyan Sandingjia, which will not attract attention.

Maybe even in the eyes of the majority of literati, Yang Hongze's high school champion is regarded as a counterattack from a poor family. For this year's Yichou Kedian examination papers, add a little fair reputation, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

As for Shen Yichen, there is no way, the emperor must give face to read it in person.

"This official seconded Li Langzhong, but these three test papers are masterpieces."

"That's right, especially for the first test paper to be outstanding, to be the best in the world."

"This official also agrees with Li Langzhong's high opinion."

Almost instantly, five or six officials present agreed with the three tripod A test papers selected by Libu Langzhong, and the balance of victory gradually tilted towards Yang Hongze.

"This official disagrees!"

A deep voice sounded, and the attendant of the Hanlin Academy stood up and expressed his opposition to the selection of the Ministry of Rites.

"This official thinks that Lord Nai chooses the middle test paper, Yawen Jiwen, Zhan Shen Sutra, the first to open up the atmosphere, for the art of the forest!"

"If this article can't dominate, it will be a shame for Hanlin!"

This Hanlin scholar did not have any instructions from Qian Xili, but purely out of a fair heart, thinking that Shen Yichen's articles were astonishing and overwhelming!

It's just that he stood up, which made many people's faces look a little weird, and the group of old scholars in the Hanlin Academy actually stood with the eunuchs, which was really eye-opening......

Shen Yichen's palace test article broke the dimensional wall of Ming officialdom.

"This official also agrees with Yu Bachelor's words, and this article can be the champion."

Xu Xi, the secretary of the Ministry of War, said lightly that in addition to being a eunuch, he also worked with Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo.

In terms of talent, background, and connections, Shen Yichen is not bad, and he was read by the emperor himself.

It can't be rated as the champion, it's really upside down!

With the entry of the six chief officials, Hu Hu, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Wang Zhi, the secretary of the Ministry of Officials, Ma Yu and others also began to express their positions.

Like what Xie Yuan and Hui Yuan titles can be conceded in, the champion involves the battle between the court and the court, and it is absolutely impossible to back down.

So there was a rare scene in the Yichou Science Hall test, the sixteen paper readers were tied 8-8, and those who supported Shen Yichen and those who supported Yang Hongze actually accounted for half each!

However, among the group of paper-reading officials who support Yang Hongze, the proportion of high-ranking officials and important ministers is more, and Shen Yichen is at a disadvantage!

At this moment, everyone's eyes are on Yang Pu, as the head of the cabinet, he has a crucial decision-making power. And he is also the head of the civil service, and it is impossible to support the elected members of the eunuch party, the answer is already obvious.

At this moment, a eunuch who was the celebrant of the ceremonial eunuch walked into the East Pavilion, looked at the officials who read the papers, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency has worked hard, Father Weng asked me to give a word, Your Majesty thinks that Shen Huiyuan has solid knowledge and profound skills, I don't know how many places can be ranked in this palace examination?" ”

After finishing speaking, the eunuch didn't care about the reaction of the readers, and swaggered away.

In the face of this scene, many paper readers were stunned, and Wang Zhen was too rampant, where did he put the dignity of civil officials?

Your Majesty is optimistic? I'm afraid that this eunuch himself is optimistic, and then pretends to pass on the holy decree!

I was puzzled why Nai Heng elected Shen Yichen before, but now everything is clear, this son is a member of the eunuch party!

If Shen Yichen knew this scene at this time, it is estimated that he would be grateful to Wang Zhen's ancestors for eight lifetimes.

Originally, he won Yang Pu's appreciation in the palace examination, and if nothing else, the last vote was most likely voted for himself.

However, Wang Zhencheng is such a painting that adds to the snake, and the civil officials in the middle of the Ming Dynasty are not as soft as those in the Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian periods, and they are not subject to the eunuchs in power.

Or so to speak, more people are not convinced!

If you do this, even if you originally liked your own paper reader, you don't dare to continue to support it at this moment, for fear of being labeled as a eunuch.

What does it mean to be a disadvantage? Wang Zhen can be said to have performed a profound game, but I don't know if he has it intentionally or unintentionally.

"Motosuke-sama, I hope to make a final decision!"

"Li Lang's recommendation is a work of righteousness and heroism."

"That's right, it shows the character of our civil officials!"

Several officials who supported Yang Hongze hinted at Sang scolding Huai, and those who supported Shen Yichen and others before had complicated expressions at the moment and did not dare to speak.

Yang Pu looked at everyone's indignant expressions, looked a little indifferent, and then stood up.

Facing the expectant eyes of the paper readers, an incredible scene appeared, and Yang Puyan said calmly: "This official thinks that the test paper selected by Nai Shilang is better, and it can be the leader of the Yichou Kedian test!" ”

What?

The officials present seemed to suspect that they had auditory hallucinations, and the civil boss could also "defect to the enemy"?

may be in order to clarify his statement, Yang Pu directly placed Shen Yichen's test paper in the center of the table, and emphasized again.

"This test paper is excellent, containing the sage avenue, this official will read the paper in front of the emperor, waiting for the holy royal pen to approve!"

The audience was dumbfounded, Yang Pu's final decision was so unexpected that even the paper reader who supported Shen Yichen in advance couldn't believe it at the moment.

After a long time, I heard a voice from the seat: "This official seconded the proposal." ”

"Seconded."

"Seconded"

……

Sixteen voices sounded one after another, coupled with Yang Pu's statement, Shen Yichen was unanimously selected by the paper reader!

153 Exorcise the Tiger and Devour the Wolf (2-in-1)