In the autumn of the fourteenth year of Shunzhi, the city of Taiyuan was more lively than usual. Ding Youxiang just passed the exam, and many scholars did not go home, so they stayed in the city and waited for the list to be released. The sages and sages have all left behind them, and they can be at ease for a few days. Song buildings, wine shops, and tea shops are all readers, fairy feather fans, and they are graceful. Either go to worship the Jin Temple, climb the Dragon Mountain, find monks and visit the Tao, poems and wine, sing harmony, so happy.

Outside the main gate of the Confucian Temple to the east half a mile, there is a Qingyun Inn, in which lives a scholar, called Chen Jing, a native of Zezhou, Shanxi, twenty years old. Only he rarely goes out, likes to stay in the backyard of the inn, reads and caresses the piano all day long, and relaxes by himself. His Chunitsyn is always in his hand. There is an ancient locust tree in the backyard, which is tall and dry. Every morning, the domestic maid Dashun didn't care about anything else, first took out Zhong Niqin and put it on the stone table under the ancient acacia. Chen Jing had already freshened up and was reading aloud in the courtroom. The shopkeeper got up early, he first heard Chen Jing reading, and then heard the sound of the piano later. He was so curious, others came out of the autumn bar, like a donkey unloaded and rolled around early. Those who drink outside, fight cocks, and visit kilns, where are there few scholars! Only this Chen Gongzi stays in the inn every day, either Zi Shiyun, or the mountains and rivers.

Da Shun is only thirteen years old, after all, he has a lot of play. After breakfast every day, when I saw the young master start to read and play the piano, I slipped out for a stroll. He always goes to a crowded place, where he fights cocks, where he tells stories, where he quarrels, he has to go in and see. I forgot the time while playing, and suddenly thought that it was not early, so I ran back to the inn. Da Shun saw that the young master didn't mean to be angry, so he told everything he heard and saw.

Not long after Dashun went out on this day, he ran back quickly, ignoring the rules, and shouted loudly: "Young master, you are hit, you are hit!" ”

Chen Jingqin's voice stopped abruptly, and he turned around and asked, "How many are they?" ”

Dashun touched his head and said, "How many?" I didn't count. ”

Chen Jing stood up suddenly: "Didn't count? It's definitely not the first! ”

Da Shun said: "Young master, it's great to be able to lift people, how can you win the first place!" ”

Chen Jingfu sat down again and bowed his head for a long time. He wanted to take the children's examination in Shunzhi for eight years and be admitted to Lu'an Prefecture School, but he was the first in it. Chen Jing was only 14 years old that year. He went to the exam with his father, but his father failed. He has been sent by his father since he was a child, and his father is not as good as his son in the exam. Although my father felt that his face was gloomy, he always liked to talk about it as a good story. Within a few years, Chen Jing's name spread all over the Sanjin Dynasty, and everyone in Shilin knew it.

Dashun was like he had done something wrong, he didn't dare to say more, and stood with his hands down. Dashun followed the young master when he was ten years old, and he knew that the young master didn't like to talk much, and he couldn't see his temper. But Dashun is afraid of him, and he is very careful in what he says and does. Chen Jing suddenly got up and walked out, without saying a word. Dashun hurriedly sent the guqin into the guest room, went out to catch up with Chen Jing, and followed behind with his head down.

On the eight-character wall outside the Temple of Literature, there is a place where the list is posted, surrounded by many people, and there is a lot of noise. At the bottom of the list stood two soldiers with swords, with straight faces and eyes, like two mud bodhisattvas. Chen Jing stepped forward and heard a few unsuccessful scholars complaining, saying that the examiner had collected the money, the wine bags and rice bags were raised, and the Confucian Temple had become a temple of the God of Wealth. Several scholars rolled up their sleeves and waved their fists, shouting to see the examiner. Chen Jing didn't recognize them, so he didn't bother to say hello, and only looked for his name from beginning to end. He finally saw his name, and he was in twenty-eighth place. Raising his eyes and looking at the top of the list, the name of the first Xie Yuan was Zhu Xigui, so he deliberately asked, "Zhu Xigui?" I've admired his name for a long time! ”

It turned out that the scholars all knew that there was a Zhu Xigui who took the exam this year, and he once wrote the word "expensive" as the word "worm", and everyone called him Zhu Xiworm behind his back. This joke has long spread among Shilin, and no one takes this surnamed Zhu seriously, only that he came with the exam. Who knew that he actually understood the yuan! It was at this time that a rich boy came on horseback, looked at the emperor list triumphantly, tilted his head to look around, and then glanced at Chen Jing: "In Xia Zhu Xigui, I tried the first place in Xilie Township, and I am called Xie Yuan, I have offended you!" ”

Chen Jing looked up and asked, "You are the Zhu Xigui who can't even write his name?" ”

Before Chen Jing could continue, someone had already spoken: "Zhu Xiworm is actually the first name of the township test!" Our Shanxi people are so glorious! ”

Chen Jing snorted and said, "You worm is really fat!" ”

Zhu Xigui didn't seem to be angry, and asked with a smile, "Which one are you?" ”

Chen Jing arched his hand and said: "Chen Jing in Xia Zezhou!" ”

Zhu Xigui sneered again and said, "Chen Jing? Check it out. Ha, you almost lost your name to Sun Shan, and you still dare to speak in front of Ben Xie Yuan? ”

Chen Jing said angrily: "Zhu Xiworm, you are so thick-skinned!" ”

Zhu Xigui laughed and said, "From now on, Zhu Xiworm has become Zhu Xilong!" ”

Chen Jing said: "Zhu Xiworm, you have also become a lifter, there is no one to read in the world!" ”

Zhu Xigui's face suddenly became fierce: "Chen Jing, you dare to insult Xie Yuan?" I'm going to teach you the rules today! ”

Zhu Xigui raised his horsewhip and was about to beat someone. Da Shun's eyes were quick, and he grabbed Zhu Xigui and pulled him off the horse. Although Da Shun said that he was small, he moved quickly, and Zhu Xigui was caught off guard, and he fell into a noisy place. All the scholars took advantage of the chaos to relieve their anger and flocked to Zhu Xigui. Zhu Xigui also came with someone, but there were many people, so he was so anxious to circle around the crowd. The two mud bodhisattvas under the list were alive when they landed, and they wanted to come forward to persuade them, but they couldn't get close! Dashun was clever, and seeing the chaos of the scene, he pulled Chen Jing and slowly squeezed out.

Suddenly, with a snap, a melon smashed on the emperor's list. There was this melon that started, and stones and clods of soil rained down on the emperor's list. It didn't take long for a whole word to be seen on the emperor's list. A stone bullet came back and hit Chen Jing in the shoulder. Da Shun hurriedly pulled Chen Jing out and said, "Young Master, let's go back, be careful to smash your head!" The more Chen Jing thought about it, the more he held his breath, and went back to the inn and shouted to Dashun to pack his luggage and go home today. Dashun said that the luggage can be packed, and if you want to go or Ming'er, you have to hire a carriage.

Chen Jing's resentment was hard to fill, and his mind was always the shadow of those examiners. Before the start of the examination, several examiners, all from the capital, sat in an open sedan chair to parade the streets, and all the scholars visited the streets. This is an ancient system, and it is very solemn. There was a scholar who didn't know anything, so he actually stepped forward to post and was dismissed by the examiner. Seeing this situation, the readers all said that the examiners were all iron-faced, and they were not afraid of who would go to the camp. How do you know that in the end it will be like this?

After a long time, I suddenly heard the voices of people outside the inn, and the shopkeeper came over and said: "Now this scholar is not like talking, it is really not like talking!" Chen Jing didn't ask what was going on, and ran to the street to see. It turned out that some scholars carried the statue of Confucius through the streets, and the icon was actually wearing the costume of the God of Wealth! "In the future, we will not worship the saint Kong, but only the God of Wealth! Reading is a fart! Earn more money, but are you afraid that you won't be lifted? The reader shouted, waving his fists incessantly. Both sides of the street were full of people watching the excitement, all of them looking dumbfounded. An old man cried out, "You can't be so ridiculous, you will be punished!" Chen Jing knew that this matter was not a child's play, so he stepped forward and pulled an acquaintance and persuaded softly: "This can't be helped, the government has arrested it, and it will kill the head!" The man said, "The fame of a scholar is his life, and we have no fame, and we die together, and we are afraid of losing our heads?" You've got it, don't come and join in the fun! ”

Seeing that everyone didn't listen, Chen Jing followed behind, only looking for acquaintances to advise. Chen Jing walked behind him, and he didn't think about going back. He was like a demon, his mind was empty and hot. The scholar carried the statue of Confucius in a big circle on the street, and returned to the Temple of Literature. The statue of Confucius was carried away from the Minglun Hall of the Temple of Literature, and it was brought back at this time. The statue of Confucius was put back in its place, but it was very funny because it was wearing the costume of the God of Wealth. Someone grabbed a few small coins and threw them in front of the statue of Confucius.

Suddenly, there was a fierce shout from outside the Temple of Literature. When he looked back, dozens of officials and soldiers rushed in with long sticks in their hands. The officials and soldiers were indiscriminate, and when they saw someone, they slashed their heads with sticks, knocked them to the ground, and tied them up. Where have you ever seen such a scene? I was so frightened that my face was like ashes. Those who are quick to flee will go, and there are also those who are strong enough to be beaten and their flesh open. Chen Jing thought he was fine, but still stood there. No matter how many people care, Chen Jing and the seven people who didn't run away were all tied up.

The person was called by Wu Daoyi, the governor of Shanxi. He had just had lunch and was napping under the grape trellis in the back office. Suddenly, someone reported that the scholar was carrying the statue of Confucius on the street, and he also wore the clothes of the God of Wealth on the stage on Kong Shengren. Wu Daoyi hated being dozed off and was noisy, and he was very irritable, so he shouted to take someone after asking a few rough questions, and shouted for the examiner to come to the yali to speak.

Wu Daoyi scolded a few words, changed his clothes and went to the signing room. After waiting for a long time, the official sent a roster in: "Lord Futai, here are a few people arrested, a total of seven." Among them, only this Chen Jing was selected, and the others were all unsuccessful. ”

Wu Daoyi glanced at the roster and said, "Is that the Zezhou prodigy Chen Jing?" What a hilarious activity he makes! At this time, another official came in and replied, saying that the examiners Master Zhang and Lord Xiang were coming and waiting in the second hall. Wu Daoyi was not angry, and he was not afraid that they would hear it, and said, "What are you doing in the second hall?" Still waiting for me to please? Tell them to come to the signing room! The official went out in response. Not long after, the chief examiner Zhang Gongming and the deputy examiner Xiang Chengsheng entered the signing room. I knew that something was wrong, so I didn't care about being polite, and my face was not very good-looking.

Wu Daoyi didn't look at anyone, lowered his head, and asked with a cold face: "Tell me, what's going on!" ”

Zhang Gongming looked at Chengsheng and wanted him to speak first. But Xiang Chengsheng was only confused, and Zhang Gongming had no choice but to say: "We are ordered to take soldiers, abide by the discipline and discipline, and have no partiality." To say that we accept bribes is pure slander! Those who fail to read the list don't learn and don't know how to make trouble! ”

Xiang Chengsheng chimed in: "What Lord Zhang said is extremely true! Those who failed to make the list made a miasma of fuxue, and even wore the clothes of the God of Wealth Bodhisattva on the stage on the body of Sage Kong. ”

Wu Daoyi didn't wait for Xiang Chengsheng to finish speaking, and was furious: "You are all examiners appointed by the emperor and sent from the capital. The court will investigate it, I want to drop the black gauze hat, you have to lose your head! ”

After all, Zhang Gongming is also a waiter in the Ministry of Rites, and he really can't stand Wu Daoyi's black face, so he said: "Lord Futai, I, Zhang, can swear to the heavens, if there is any unclean place, there is my own national law." However, after all, the matter is in Shanxi, and it is difficult to shirk your responsibility! It's useless for you to get angry at us, we are grasshoppers on a vine, we have to take care of each other! ”

Wu Daoyi looked up to the sky and sighed, shook his head and said, "I'm really unlucky!" Okay, you guys quickly draft an excerpt and put the matter to the court. Let's make the section on the trouble of the reader clear first, and then we will play the details after we have asked about the case. You can't hide it! ”

The matter was urgent, and I didn't care about asking the scribe to write on my behalf, so the three of them gathered in the signing room, and you and I quickly drafted the excerpt. Wu Dao looked at the fold again and again, but still not at ease, and said: "Lord Zhang, you are the literary attendant of the emperor's side, you have to be careful and careful in writing, the more appropriate the better." Zhang Gongming said a few words modestly, raised his hand to take the manuscript, and pondered it repeatedly. The three of them felt that the words were solid, and only then did they officially transcribe them clearly.

The excerpt was still halfway through, and Wu Daoyi didn't wait for the imperial court to come down, and first brought Chen Jing and others to ask a few questions, and then locked up Zhu Xigui. Wu Daoyi wanted to do it as soon as possible, in order to get rid of himself. Zhu Xigui did not confess, but Wu Dao expected that he must be in favor of others. Zhang Gongming and Xiang Chengsheng must have had a lot to do with this case, but the imperial court did not send a word, and Wu Daoyi did not dare to do anything with them. might as well shut up Zhu Xigui, and see that he knew what was going on afterwards. That Zhu Xigui is a fool, although he refused to spit out half a word in the court, he actually bragged about it in prison, saying: "Even if I, Zhu someone, even if I just gave silver, investigate it, it's a big deal not to lift this person!" My Zhu family has thousands of acres of fertile land, hundreds of cars and horses, and enjoys endless glory and wealth! What about you? Trouble with the house, insult Confucius, that is going to kill the head! ”

About ten days later, the emperor saw the excerpt and immediately summoned several ministers such as Sonny and Aobai. On that day, Sonny and Ao Bai made an appointment to go to face the saint together, but when they arrived outside the Qianqing Palace, the eunuch on duty only quietly kept his mouth shut, and did not announce that they were in the audience. Suddenly, I heard a crisp sound inside, and knew that it was the emperor who dropped the teacup. Several ministers were already waiting outside the palace, but they pretended not to hear anything. Ao Bai looked up at Sony, who only looked down at the gold bricks on the ground.

In the Qianqing Palace, the eunuch bent his waist and carefully went over to clean up. The emperor couldn't see anyone in his eyes at this time, and shouted to get out! The eunuch quickly picked up the porcelain pieces on the ground and bowed out.

Wu Liangfu, the internal supervisor, boldly played: "Your Majesty, Sonny, Ao Bai and other ministers are waiting outside. ”

The emperor roared: "I don't want to see them! told me the day before yesterday that there was an accident in the Jiangnan Science Field, and the scholars beat the examiner and made a big fuss; Yesterday, I told me again that something happened in the Shanxi Science Field, and Kong Shengxiang put on the clothes of the God of Wealth! What do you want to tell me about today? ”

Wu Liangfu didn't dare to say that the ministers were all summoned by the emperor, so he only said: "They are here to ask for a decree, how to deal with the Shanxi Kechang case." ”

The emperor smiled coldly, very terrifying: "I know that they will collect the silver, and I will do this murderous thing!" ”

Wu Liangfu said: "Everyone in the world knows that the emperor is benevolent! ”

The emperor pointed at Wu Liangfu and said, "Shengming is merciful! I'm going to kill! Those who blaspheme Confucius, those who give silver, those who receive money, and those who give money are all killed! Their parents, their wives, their children, their brothers, and the teachers who taught these unscrupulous students were all filled with Ningguta! ”

Five days later, the emperor's edict arrived at the Yamen of the governor of Shanxi. Wu Daoyi gave the holy edict and first took Zhang Gongming to Chengsheng. Five days later, the three Qincha went to Shanxi, investigating the case and re-sentencing the test papers. It turned out that although the emperor was furious, it was not easy to pity the scholars, and he couldn't abolish this year's scientific examination in Shanxi, so he ordered the examination papers to be copied and sealed again, and all of them were resentenced.

There is a Master Wei Xiangshu in the middle of the Qincha, a bachelor in charge of the Hanlin Academy, who is a native of Shanxi. The reader sent a policy discussion, and the writing was excellent, and the knowledge in it was inundated, the righteousness was profound, and the insight was subtle, which was really impressive. Wei Xiangshu read it again and again, clapped his hands and applauded, only saying that this article was not something that ordinary future generations could do. After the seal was opened, he knew that this candidate was Chen Jing, and all the examiners gave him a circle in the three exam papers. Wei Xiangshu had long heard that Chen Jing was terrifying, and he really lived up to his reputation. According to the test paper, Xie Yuan must be Chen Jing.

Wei Xiangshu was overjoyed, but he was immediately anxious. Chen Jing is in a lawsuit, and obeying the holy decree is to ask for death! No one dared to risk disobeying the holy oracle and ordered Chen Jing Xie Yuan. Wei Xiangshu was unwilling, and repeatedly recited Chen Jing's strategy, and straightened this posterity with great ambition and high talent, if the Toad Palace won the laurels, he would be an auxiliary minister. Several examiners who came with him saw Wei Xiangshu's thoughts, but they couldn't think of a way. Wei Xiangshu loves talents, and secretly makes up his mind, don't be busy setting the ranking first, and think of a way. It happened that on this day, Chen Sanjin, the housekeeper of Chen Jing's family, led Dashun to complain, and quarreled with his fellow disciples outside the line. Wei Xiangshu heard that it was someone from Chen Jing's family, so he hurriedly beckoned his subordinates to come in.

It turned out that as early as the day Chen Jing was taken, Dashun rushed back to his hometown day and night. On that day, the Chen family received the good news from the government within two hours, and the family was rejoicing, when Dashun suddenly ran back, saying that the young master had been imprisoned. When the old man heard this, he hurriedly ordered Chen Sanjin to go to Taiyuan quickly, no matter how much silver was spent, he must keep the young master safe and sound. Dashun also returned to Taiyuan with Chen Sanjin, and the master told him not to go anywhere, but to stay outside the prison to find out the news. Chen Sanjin's legs were broken, and a lot of silver was spent in vain, and for more than a month, he couldn't enter the door of any official master. The porter of the governor's yamen is an unreasonable old man, every time he receives the door bag, he just refuses to go in to report, only saying that no one can do anything about it, the emperor Lao Tzu has spoken, I don't know how many heads will fall to the ground, and it is useless to see the governor. Chen Sanjin became more and more frightened, and he didn't dare to go back, so he only stayed in Taiyuan and asked people around. On this day, I heard that there was a Qing official in the capital, so I led Dashun to come.

Chen Sanjin saw Wei Xiangshu, and before he could say the first half of his words, he knelt down first. Dashun is young, after all, he has never seen an official, he doesn't know the rules, and he doesn't know what to fear, so he shouted that our young master didn't follow those scholars before, but later came out to see the excitement, and persuaded acquaintances to go back! Somehow, he followed. When I returned to the Confucian Temple, the government arrested people, and everyone else knew that they were running, and our young master stood there stupidly and stupidly, and was arrested by the government in a daze.

Chen Sanjin was about to scold Dashun for not knowing anything, but Wei Xiangshu waved his hand and asked, "Are you following Chen Jing?" Can you tell us more about it? ”

By the way, he read the list when he came out to play on the day the list was released, how he went back to tell the young master, how the young master lost his temper, how he yelled to go home, and how he heard the noise outside and came out to persuade people, one by one.

Wei Xiangshu listened carefully, and asked again and again, and he asked everything Chen Jing said. After asking, Wei Xiangshu knew what to expect, and hurriedly called Chen Sanjin to get up, and asked, "Have you looked for the governor?" ”

Chen Sanjin said: "I've been to the governor's yamen many times, but the governor just refuses to see him." ”

Wei Xiangshu said: "Chen Jing's case, the emperor has an edict, I must play the emperor with the governor." You will definitely go to the governor's yamen to meet Lord Wu before noon today. ”

Chen Sanjin was very embarrassed and said, "I can't see the little one!" ”

Wei Xiangshu smiled meaningfully: "Worship the Bodhisattva with sincerity, there is no official who cannot be seen." ”

Chen Sanjin seemed to understand what Wei Xiangshu meant, and hurriedly took out a silver ticket and said, "The little one knows, so I'll go to the governor's yamen." ”

Wei Xiangshu blocked the silver ticket back, still smiling, and said, "I came here to check this, I will be exempted here, it is important for you to go to the governor's yamen quickly." ”

Chen Sanjin seemed to understand what he meant in front of Master Wei, but he was confused when he went out. Everyone in the world says that there is no silver that cannot be given, and there is no official who does not want money, and everyone believes this. But this Lord Wei himself does not accept the silver, as if he is suggesting that others will send the silver. He pondered Wei Xiangshu's words repeatedly along the way, and soon arrived at the governor's yamen.

The porter has received the door bag many times, and this time Chen Sanjin gritted his teeth and sent it away, so the old man reported it. Wu Daoyi had actually heard that Chen Jing's family had come to intercede, but he refused to see anyone. This time, he refused to show his face as usual, and said angrily: "What a joke! The housekeeper of a rich man's family also wants to see Lord Futai? The porter replied, "Master, I thought you would see him." ”

Wu Daoyi: "Why did the old man see him?" ”

The porter said: "The little one listened to Chen Jing's housekeeper Chen Sanjin say that their family has a century-old foundation. The Chen family had been a jinshi in the previous and Ming periods, and he was no longer a rich man, but now his family has a lot of people. ”

Wu Daoyi: "I'm afraid that this person's head can't be saved!" Okay, meet him. ”

Chen Sanjin was afraid that Dashun would not understand the rules and break things, so he only asked him to wait outside, and he went in with the concierge. After a long time, Wu Dao came out with a puff fan in one hand, and the porter pointed to Chen Sanjin and said, "Lord Futai, this is the housekeeper of Chen Jing's family, Chen Sanjin." ”

Chen Sanjin hurriedly knelt down and saluted: "The little one is going to meet Lord Futai." My lord ......"

Wu Daoyi was very impatient and interrupted Chen Sanjin's words: "Got it! You don't have to say it, I know what you mean. You want to go to me and walk around the door and send money to save Chen Jing's head, right? ”

Chen Sanjin begged: "I beg Lord Futai to make a decision for my Chen family!" ”

Wu Daoyi said coldly: "The emperor has already made the decision for your Chen family!" Troublesome school, insult Confucius, capital crime! ”

Chen Sanjin kowtowed and said, "Lord Futai, I will kowtow to you for our master!" ”

Wu Daoyi snorted and said, "Kowtow can you save your head?" After that, he just shook the fan and ignored it.

Chen Sanjin took out a silver ticket, put it on several cases, and said, "Lord Futai, as long as you can save our young master's life, the Chen family will always honor your old man!" ”

Wu Daoyi said angrily: "Bold! What do you think of Ben Fu? If I take a penny of ill-gotten gains, my character is not worth a penny! Concierge, send-off! ”

The porter said: "Master, the little one looks at him and the Chen family is also pitiful, he has been so lucky that he has been lifted, but he wants to kill his head." ”

Chen Sanjin took out another silver ticket and said, "Lord Futai, please make sure that your old man will do it!" ”

Wu Daoyi didn't glance at the silver ticket, half-closed his eyes and said, "Concierge, did you hear that?" ”

The porter said: "Chen Sanjin, you better go, don't make our master unhappy." ”

Chen Sanjin took out another silver ticket, and before the words came out, Wu Dao threw a pu fan into several cases, just covering the three silver tickets, and said angrily: "Concierge, fight out!" Immediately ran into the two officials and dragged Chen Sanjin out.

Seeing that it was past noon, Wei Xiangshu took a sedan chair to the governor's yamen. Wu Daoyi was sitting in the flower hall and drinking, when he heard the porter report coming in and saying that Wei Xiangshu was coming, and hurriedly greeted him. Entering the flower hall, Wu Dao ordered someone to add wine and food. After drinking a few cups, Wei Xiangshu said: "Lord Futai, Zhang Gongming and Xiang Chengsheng were tried by you and me together, and there were nine people who bribed them, including Zhu Xigui. It is understandable that the unsuccessful readers went to the street to make trouble. ”

Wu Daoyi saluted Wei Xiangshu's wine, but said: "Lord Wei, the emperor has a strict decree, these scholars insult Confucius Sheng, make trouble with the house, and they have to be killed!" ”

Wei raised his glass to Wu Daoyi and said, "Among the troublemakers, there is a man named Chen Jing, who won the examination himself and did not bribe the examiner. ”

Wu Dao nodded and said, "I know, he is the Zezhou prodigy back then." What is he making a fuss about? I was hit by a good move, but I was going to die! ”

Wei Xiangshu was not in a hurry in his heart, but his mouth was very anxious, and said: "Please think twice about Lord Futai, this Chen Jing can't be killed!" ”

Wu Daoyi asked: "He has committed a capital crime, and there is a holy oracle here, how can he not kill him?" ”

Wei Xiangshu said: "Lord Futai, I came to you to find this matter. Now that the test papers have been re-judged, Chen Jing has drawn all the circles drawn by the examiners after the three games, and he should be the first in the township test! ”

Wu Daoyi was taken aback: "Are you saying that Chen Jing should be Xie Yuan?" ”

Wei Xiangshu said: "Exactly! Lord Futai, kill Xie Yuan, it is difficult to explain to the people of the world! ”

Wu Dao grabbed the wine glass in his hand, turned it back and forth, muttered for a long time, and said, "Then we won't let him be Xie Yuan!" ”

Wei Xiangshu didn't expect Wu Daoyi to say such a thing, but he hindered his face and said: "Although I can not point him to Xie Yuan, the old man sees that he is good at poetry and writing, especially if he sees Gao Yuan, he will be the pillar of the country." If such a talent is mistaken in our hands, he will be responsible for the court and the people! ”

Wu Daoyi said: "Lord Wei's love for talent is greatly admired, but do you dare to disobey the holy decree?" The lower officials don't dare! ”

Wei Xiangshu thought that Wu Daoyi had asked about Chen Jing's case, if he said that he had made a mistake in the case, he would definitely not be able to let it go, so he said: "Lord Futai, it's only because Chen Jing is young and doesn't know anything, he confessed to the death penalty in a daze but didn't know the severity." ”

As soon as Wu Dao heard what Wei Xiangshu said, he asked, "How can you say that he confessed to the death penalty in a daze?" ”

Wei Xiangshu explained Da Shun's words in detail, and then said: "Chen Jingyuan went to persuade others not to make trouble, but he was coerced by everyone and was arrested for being wronged. He knew he was okay so he stood still, otherwise he wouldn't have run? ”

Wu Daoyi's face gradually became mysterious, and he asked with a smile, "The Chen family originally begged Master Wei?" ”

Wei Xiangshu knew what Wu Daoyi thought, and he didn't want to make his words clear, so he only asked: "Presumably, the Chen family has also begged Lord Futai?" ”

Wu Daoyi laughed and said, "In this case, Xia Guan is willing to accompany Lord Wei to ask about Chen Jing's case again." ”

On the second day, Chen Jing was taken to the lobby of the governor's yamen for re-questioning. Wei Xiangshu has a bottom in his heart, he asked about the cause and effect of that day, and Chen Jing has no guilt on his head. He also persuaded others not to make trouble, which should be meritorious. Wu Daoyi received the money, and thought that he was closely connected with Wei Xiangshu, and he did not have any extraneous branches. But after all, Chen Jing's name is in the hands of the emperor, and he has to make a statement of repentance before he can make a difference. But Chen Jing had a strong temper, saying that he was trying to persuade others, so he mixed in with the crowd and had no regrets. Besides, it is well known to passers-by that the examiner took bribes, and there is a reason why the scholars are indignant and make trouble, and if they want to release them, they have to release everyone. Chen Jing refused to repent of his crimes, and if he couldn't do the official article, it would be difficult for the emperor to do it. Wei Xiangshu was really anxious now, and he couldn't think of a way. Chen Jing returned to prison and knew that the other six students who made trouble were also hit and some were not. They were all grateful to Chen Jing for his righteousness, and only advised him to save his head first. Chen Jing only said that everyone would die, and everyone would live, but he refused to write half a word.

But a few days later, the concierge of the governor's yamen suddenly found Chen Sanjin and told him to go to the prison and bring Chen Jing back. Chen Jing got out of prison in a daze, only to know that he had learned about the yuan. Looking at the notice on the wall again, it turned out that Zhu Xigui and the six troublesome scholars indiscriminately asked about the capital crime. I also heard rumors on the street that the two examiners were escorted to Beijing.

Chen Jing went through this prison disaster, like a different person, and returned home to be depressed all day long. His mother and his wife, Sook-hyun, persuaded each other, but he was always worried. All the people in Sanxiang and Wuli came to congratulate him, but Chen Jing just reluctantly entertained, and sighed behind his back. He still doesn't understand why someone else lost his head and came out alive. He was not lucky to be alive, and he felt very sad when he thought of the few scholars who had asked about the capital crime. Only Zhu Xigui is not wronged, and the examiner is not wronged. Seeing that the spring period was approaching, Chen Jing was reluctant to leave for Beijing. Old lady Chen is angry every day, and Chen Jing is still as strong as a donkey. For this matter, no one in the Chen family dared to speak loudly all day long.

Suddenly, Wei sent a letter to the scholar. It turned out that Master Wei went back to Shanxi on an errand, and happened to go home to save his relatives and stayed in Taiyuan for more than two months. Every day, there are scholars who come to visit, and during the conversation, Lord Wei heard that Chen Jing was disheartened because of this catastrophe, and he didn't want to go next year. Master Wei hurriedly wrote a letter and sent someone to Chen's house in Zezhou. In the letter, Lord Wei praised Chen Jing's strategy and literary brilliance, only saying that he was talented and ambitious, and if he got high school one day, he would be able to assist the monarch and the country, and help the people. Reading Lord Wei's letter, Chen Jing only felt a thorn in his back, and he was ashamed. I also think that this Lord Wei doesn't see him as a man who only wants his own fame, which is really a rare confidant. These days, my father and mother have persuaded and scolded and scolded, but he is like an evil demon who does not enter the oil and salt on his body. This time, Lord Wei woke up, he felt remorseful in his heart, knelt down respectfully in front of his father, and promised to enter Beijing to take the exam as soon as possible.