The next morning, in the imperial study.

The old eunuch Ning Fuhai bowed down and stepped forward to Emperor Jingfeng and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Cai Zhichuan, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, is here, saying that the admission list for this examination has been drawn up, please read it." ”

Emperor Jingfeng didn't raise his head, but still focused on criticizing the folds: "Well, let him come in." ”

After a while, Cai Zhichuan walked in from outside the hall and knelt down towards Emperor Jingfeng: "Minister Cai Zhichuan, see Your Majesty." ”

"Get up." Emperor Jingfeng glanced at him casually, then lowered his head and continued to look at the recital, "How is the admission situation for this year's examination?" ”

Cai Zhichuan took out the list and handed it to Ning Fuhai on the side, and said respectfully: "If you go back to Your Majesty, this year's examination will be the same as in previous years, and a total of 300 tributes will be admitted. Among them, there were 237 scholars from the south and 63 from the north......"

"Only sixty-three? So little? Emperor Jingfeng paused, then raised his head, "I remember that the last time Enke took the exam, there were only ninety-one northern scholars, why is it that after three years, there are fewer and fewer people?" ”

Emperor Li Zheng of Jingfeng is only in his twenties now, and he has been on the throne for only three years and has absorbed the imperial spirit, his joy and anger are invisible, and his every move contains a faint coercion, and his momentum is even more powerful than that of the first emperor.

At this time, being stared at by Emperor Jingfeng, Cai Zhichuan suddenly felt as if a big mountain was slowly approaching him, the air in the hall was a little stagnant, and his body was involuntarily bent.

Cai Zhichuan's throat rolled and explained: "...... Perhaps, perhaps, it was because the northern state capitals had just experienced a great locust plague last year, and the people had not yet recovered their vitality, and the style of study was relatively withered......

Cai Zhichuan said as he cautiously observed his words and expressions, and saw that Emperor Jingfeng's expression was still calm and did not fluctuate, so he said tentatively: "Your Majesty, if you think it is inappropriate, the minister will go back and renegotiate with Fang Shoufu and them......

"That's it, that's it, you have a point." Emperor Jingfeng's eyes closed, and he reached out to take the list handed over by Ning Fuhai, "Since this admission list has been drawn up, it is not good to revise it in a big way, after all, it will be unfair to the southern scholars who rely on real learning and real learning." ”

"What's more, since you dare to submit this list, it means that you are calm in your hearts, and there is no cattiness in the process, and I believe you."

Cai Zhichuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief silently.

Emperor Jingfeng opened the roster, and as soon as he read the first page, he frowned slightly: "When I went to avoid the examination room of the candidates that day, I found that there was a scholar named Gu Yunji who answered very well in the paper, why didn't I see his name here?" ”

Cai Zhichuan was stunned for a moment, quickly went through the names of the candidates in his mind, and finally remembered: "Back to Your Majesty, this scholar named Gu Yunji was recorded, and he should be in ...... On the second or third page, you can scroll back. ”

Emperor Jingfeng flipped back, and sure enough, he saw Gu Yunji's name at the end of the second page, and when he saw this, he raised his eyebrows unexpectedly: "I have read his volume, the writing is brilliant, the views are novel and profound, it stands to reason that at least it should be ranked in the top ten, why is the ranking so low?" ”

"Could it be that this year's exam-taking exams have been excellent to this point, and they are equal to each other, and even Gu Yunji's level has to take a back seat? What about other people's rolls? Bring it to me. ”

Cai Zhichuan hurriedly handed over the papers prepared in advance, and said, "Your Majesty, there are only the top ten rolls here, if you still want to see other people's, the minister will order someone to go back and get them." ”

"No, that's enough." Emperor Jingfeng waved his hand, picked up the scroll and looked at it.

After reading the top ten volumes one by one, Emperor Jingfeng nodded: "The top ten have their own merits, each volume has different characteristics and strengths, and it does have the ability to rank among the top ten." However, in my opinion, it is still a few points worse than Gu Yunji's answer. ”

"Although Gu Yunji is Gu Yuanhui's cousin and needs to avoid suspicion appropriately, he shouldn't bury talents so much and rank him so low."

Thinking of Fang Shu's nervous appearance during the invigilation that day, Emperor Jingfeng knew in his heart and laughed lightly: "It seems that Fang Shoufu was scared that day, for fear that I would think that he and Gu Yuanhui were secretly having a personal relationship, so I deliberately lowered Gu Yunji's ranking." In fact, he was too cautious, how can I be so suspicious? ”

Cai Zhichuan looked at his nose and nose, and did not dare to answer rashly.

"Since the answer to the paper is indeed good, you should be fair and give people a fair ranking." Emperor Jingfeng said, then picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, "Virtuous people do not avoid relatives, and scholars should naturally be like this." The purpose of the imperial examination is to select talents for the imperial court, and if you blindly suppress talented people in order to avoid suspicion, it will be a waste of time. ”

After making a few changes on the paper, Emperor Jingfeng returned the list to Cai Zhichuan: "The final ranking of the list will be based on this, and nothing else needs to be changed." ”

Catching a glimpse of the fresh ink on the list, Cai Zhichuan's eyes flashed with surprise, and then quickly returned to normal, bowed his head and said respectfully: "The minister obeys the order." ”

——

In the room of the Imperial Examination Hall, hearing the words conveyed by the steward of Gu Yuanhui's mansion, Gu Yunxiao was stunned, and he couldn't believe it: "...... What does my cousin mean that my third brother and I have both been hit? ”

"Exactly." The steward smiled and nodded, "At present, there are still a few days before the release of the list, in case the two young masters are too worried, the master specially sent me to give you a thorough understanding, so I can prepare in advance." So as not to hear the good news suddenly, there are many complicated affairs, and the two young masters can't cope with it. ”

Recalling the township test, Gu Yunji was worried for a long time, and after a lot of ups and downs, he learned that he had been lifted, and he almost went crazy on the spot because he couldn't bear it for a while; Now that it's time to take the exam, but I know the results a few days in advance, the sense of surprise is greatly reduced, and the township test is simply two extremes, which makes Gu Yunji cry and laugh.

But compared to the surprise, Gu Yunji still wanted peace of mind, at this moment, a big stone fell in his heart, Gu Yunji suddenly felt relaxed, looked at Gu Yunxiao with a smile and said: "Anyway, it's good to win, congratulations to the eldest brother for finally getting what he wanted and making up for the regret of three years ago." ”

Gu Yunxiao's eyes were filled with tears, and he took several deep breaths before suppressing the excitement in his heart: "Yes...... Yes, it's finally a hit. I also congratulate the third brother for winning the first place in one fell swoop, much more promising than the eldest brother at the beginning! ”

The steward reminded: "The two young masters are happy, but now that the list has not yet been released, it is better to keep a low profile, so as not to be jealous." ”

Gu Yunxiao nodded: "We naturally understand this." ”

Gu Yunji said: "It's a pity that I don't know what Cheng Yan's results are, otherwise the three of us can start celebrating now." ”

Cheng Yan smiled slightly and teased: "You always have to leave some suspense, don't you?" Now it's just right, a big room of people are most concerned about my grades alone, everyone is a little nervous for me, but I don't have to be nervous! ”

Gu Yunji shook his head and smiled: "Yes, yes, on the day the list is released, everyone will open their eyes wider, and only look for your name!" ”

After speaking, the room continued to cheer.

(End of chapter)