Today's cabinet, nothing major happened, everything is the same as usual, there is no difference, after the next duty, Yan Shifan rushed to the tribute courtyard in a sedan chair.

Beijing Tribute Courtyard, the earliest built in the Ming Yongle 13 years, is built on the site of the Yuan Dynasty Rite Department Yamen, the whole Tribute Courtyard by the Dragon Gate, Ming Yuan Building, Zhi Gong Hall, Inner Dragon Gate, Huijing Hall and other buildings.

Because when the Gongyuan was built, the financial and material resources of the imperial court were stretched, so the buildings of the Gongyuan were very simple, and the materials used to build the examination booth were mostly wooden planks and reed mats.

And because the candidates generally use candle lighting, therefore, it is very easy to cause fires, the most serious of which has to be a few days for seven years, that year's imperial examination on the first night, more than 90 candidates were burned alive!

Later, at the suggestion of Zhang Juzheng, the imperial court rebuilt the tribute courtyard and replaced the old examination sheds with bricks and tiles, which reduced the probability of fire a lot.

Since the Gongyuan is only open when the township examination and the general examination are held, on weekdays, they are all sealed and guarded by soldiers, and no one is allowed to approach!

If it weren't for the upcoming examinations for the clans and nobles, the opening of the Gongyuan would have to wait until the next township examination and the guild examination.

At this moment, I saw Yan Shifan get off the sedan chair, looked at the tribute courtyard close at hand in front of him, and couldn't help but shudder.

"It's mid-June, why is it so cold here?"

Yan Shifan looked at the dark and extremely gloomy Gongyuan in front of him, and said.

At this moment, the official in charge of managing the tribute court saw Yan Shifan coming, and hurriedly greeted him, his face full of flattery.

"Xia Guan has seen Xiao Ge Lao!"

Hearing this, Yan Shifan nodded imperceptibly, withdrew his gaze from the official, and said.

"Well, this official came over today, just to take a look at the situation in the Gongyuan by the way!"

"Understood, Xiao Ge Lao, please come with the lower officials!"

After this, the official turned around and looked at the guards with lanterns beside him, and commanded.

"You guys, lead the way!"

"Yes, sir!"

Subsequently, Yan Shifan and the official followed the guards carrying lanterns and entered the Tribute Courtyard.

After entering the Tribute Courtyard, an inexplicable chill hit, and Yan Shifan subconsciously tightened the clothes on his body.

Seeing this, the official immediately explained to Yan Shifan after pondering for a moment.

"Little Pavilion Elder, do you know, the weather in this tribute courtyard is very different from the weather outside, even if the sun is scorching outside and the sun is like fire, inside this tribute courtyard, it is still as cold as winter!"

"It is said that the reason why the weather in the Gongyuan is so abnormal is because there are too many candidates who have died here, and the reason why the souls have refused to leave for a long time."

The official's face was full of sorrow as he said this, and he continued.

"Later, in order to solve this problem, we also thought of many ways, whether it was to invite monks to recite scriptures, or to let Taoist priests do the law, there was no effect, and in the end, we could only let it go!"

After listening to the official's matter-of-fact introduction, Yan Shifan rubbed his hands and immediately responded.

"Well, the weather in this Tribute Courtyard is indeed strange, and the last time this official was the chief examiner, he was deeply touched!"

When Yan Shifan said this, his words changed sharply, and he followed up with the order.

"By the way, everything will be as usual at that time, and it will still be done according to the process of the imperial examination, do you understand?"

"Obey, Little Pavilion Elder!"

As soon as Yan Shifan's words fell, the official answered without thinking.

Immediately, Yan Shifan and the official, accompanied by the guards carrying lanterns, visited the entire tribute courtyard, large and small.

After confirming that there was no anomaly in it, Yan Shifan and the official in charge of managing the Gongyuan left the Gongyuan.

After leaving the Tribute Courtyard, the cold feeling gradually disappeared.

Immediately, I saw Yan Shifan turn around, glance at the gloomy tribute courtyard not far away, and said secretly.

"It seems that when the time comes, we have to let the Ministry of Rites prepare more sacrificial animals for three animals and six animals, after all, this is an exam specifically for the clan and nobles, in case something goes wrong, it will not be good!"

After this, I saw Yan Shifan suppress the chaotic thoughts in his heart, get on the sedan chair, and march in the direction where Yan's mansion is located.

"Xiao Ge always walks slowly!"

After Yan Shifan left, the voice of the official who was in charge of the Gongyuan earlier came from behind.

……

Yan Shifan took a sedan chair and returned to Yan's mansion, so he hurried to Yan's study non-stop.

At this moment, in the study, Yan Song was sipping tea quite leisurely, and in front of him, there was a copy of "Journey to the West" that had just been opened.

"Well, this book, it's really interesting!"

Yan Song said so, picked up the teacup on the side, and took a sip.

The reason for the matter is very simple, after the next duty, Yan Song accidentally met Zhao Zhenji, who was in a hurry, slightly panicked and holding a package.

After a few words of greeting, Zhao Zhenji was about to leave, but he didn't pay attention to his feet, stumbled, and almost fell to the ground.

At the same time, the burden in Zhao Zhenji's hand accidentally fell to the ground, and the books in the package were also scattered.

Yan Song took a closer look and found that most of them were idle books, and there were even books such as "Journey to the West" that were banned by the imperial court.

Later, before Zhao Zhenji could intercede, Yan Song took the initiative to ask Zhao Zhenji to lend him "Journey to the West".

For Yan Song's request, Zhao Zhenji naturally had nothing to do, and then, Yan Song returned to Yan Mansion with the book "Journey to the West".

Just as Yan Song was immersed in the bizarre plots in the book, there was a knock on the door from outside.

Seeing this, Yan Song frowned slightly, so he had to take his eyes off the book and give instructions instead.

"Come in!"

When Yan Song's words fell, he only heard a 'squeak', the door of the study was pushed open, and Yan Shifan stepped in and saluted respectfully.

"Father!"

"Hmm."

Yan Song saw that it was Yan Shifan, nodded slightly, and after a moment of silence, he asked.

"What's the situation on the Gongyuan side, nothing is wrong, right?"

"Back to my father, everything is normal over there in Gongyuan!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately leaned down and replied in a deep voice.

"Well, if nothing goes wrong!"

After Yan Song listened to Yan Shifan's report, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and spoke unhurriedly.

Just as Yan Song was about to find a random reason to send Yan Shifan away, he accidentally caught a glimpse of Yan Shifan's face, the expression that wanted to speak and stopped.

Seeing this, Yan Song sighed helplessly, and immediately asked.

"Tell me, what's wrong?"

When Yan Shifan heard this, a trace of excitement flashed on his face, and after carefully considering the language, he asked.

"Father, the child has a question for you, has the weather over there been so abnormal?"

After listening to Yan Shifan's question, Yan Song couldn't help but have a touch of surprise on his face, and he fell into a memory.

After a long time, I saw Yan Song come back to his senses, turn his gaze to Yan Shifan, nodded, and said slowly.

"Well, that's right, the weather over there in Gongyuan has always been so abnormal!"

"The night of the Gongyuan is especially difficult, even if there is a charcoal fire to keep warm, it will not help, when your father and I took the exam, I came out of the Gongyuan and fell seriously ill!"

After listening to Yan Song's words, Yan Shifan's face was full of gratitude, and he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully.

"Thank you father for solving the child's doubts, the child knows!"

"By the way, why did you ask this question all of a sudden?"

At this moment, Yan Song's curiosity was also aroused by Yan Shifan, and he turned his gaze to Yan Shifan and asked in question.

In the face of Yan Song's inquiry, Yan Shifan did not have the slightest intention of concealing it, and immediately told everything.

"Father, in the near future, the imperial court will hold an examination for the clan and nobles in the Gongyuan, Your Majesty said not long ago, everything will be in accordance with the process of the imperial examination."

"That is to say, those candidates have to stay in the Gongyuan for at least two days and two nights, and the child is worried that the body of those clans and noble children will not be able to bear it, and if there is any trouble at that time, the child will be ......."

After patiently listening to Yan Shifan's worries, Yan Song also thought so, nodded, and then spoke.

"Well, such worries are not unreasonable, in this way, when the time comes, you can find some Taoist priests to go to the Gongyuan to open the altar and find comfort!"

Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, and after thinking for a while, he immediately asked cautiously.

"Father, do you need to find some other monks to come over, the child is worried about ......"

Before Yan Shifan's words were finished, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Song: "No need, you just need to do what I say!" ”

Yan Shifan saw that Yan Song's attitude was so resolute, so he had to nod yes.

"Yes, Father!"

After giving these orders, I saw Yan Song wave his hand quite casually and give the order to expel the guests.

"If there's nothing to do, you can leave!"

After Yan Song finished speaking, he returned to the bookcase, sat down again, and began to look intently at the book "Journey to the West" in front of him.

"It's the father, the child will retire!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately bowed to Yan Song, and then turned around and left the Yan Mansion study.

In addition, when leaving, Yan Shifan also brought the door of the study with him.

In the study, the orange candle flame reflected Yan Song's slightly clumsy figure, and at this moment, he was motionless, like a sculpture.

……

At the same time, the Forbidden City, outside the Qianqing Palace.

The sky had gradually darkened, and Lu Fang looked at the Qianqing Palace close at hand in front of him, and his heart was full of hesitation.

The reason is very simple, after the next duty, Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong found Lu Fang, hoping that he could replace the two and personally deliver a letter to His Majesty.

After listening to Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong's request, Lu Fang's vigilance in his heart suddenly reached the highest.

After all, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng are both cabinet assistants, and they are in high positions, just ask what else in this world, what else does it need to be jointly signed by the two cabinet group assistants, and it is through such a disgraceful way!

In the end, under Lu Fang's repeated questioning, he finally got some information from the mouths of Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng: "This letter is related to King Yu!" ”

After that, Lu Fang never heard any useful news from Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng's mouths.

After thinking about it for a long time, Lu Fang finally decided to do Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng a favor.

As the person who has been with Jiajing for the longest time, Lu Fang knows very well in his heart that Jiajing values Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng very much, especially Zhang Juzheng!

Lu Fang felt that Zhang Juzheng only needed to boil up his qualifications one more time, and even if he succeeded as the first assistant of the cabinet in the future, it would be a logical thing, so why not take this opportunity to form a good fate?

"Alas, no matter, let's go in first!"

Then, I saw Lu Fang suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and stepped on the steps outside the Qianqing Palace with great determination.

In the Qianqing Palace, at this moment, Jiajing was sitting cross-legged on the futon, his eyes seemed to be closed.

At this time, Jiajing had already fallen into meditation, and after Lu Fang entered the Qianqing Palace, he was already surprised by this scene.

Time passed slowly, I don't know how long it has been, I saw Jiajing open his eyes, slowly get up from the futon, and then asked.

"Lu Fang, you came to me at this time, do you have something to report to me?"

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, the expression on his face suddenly became extremely respectful, and he saw him take three steps and make two steps to Jiajing's side, lean down, and respond.

"Your Majesty, the slave does have something to report to you!"

"Say it!"

When Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words, he glanced at Lu Fang quite indifferently, and then immediately commanded.

"Your Majesty, here's the thing, after the next duty, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng privately found the slave maid, hoping that the slave and maid will personally hand over this letter to you, the content of this letter, the slave and maid have not read it!"

As Lu Fang spoke, he took out the letter from his sleeve and respectfully handed it over to Jiajing.

"Oh, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng asked you to send me a note?"

When Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words, he couldn't help but have a little doubt on his face, but despite this, he still took the letter in Lu Fang's hand.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Lu Fang saw Jiajing take over the song from his hand, and the whole person became uneasy.

After that, I saw Jiajing take the letter and go straight to the dragon chair and sit down.

When Jiajing opened the music in his hand, the content of it surprised Jiajing.

The content of the note is that Jiajing is requested to let King Yu become a vassal, and not only that, but in the note, the relevant reasons and corresponding evidence are also listed in detail.

After Jiajing finished reading the content of the recital, he put it aside casually and fell into a long silence.

When Lu Fang saw this, the whole person suddenly panicked, and his face was full of panic, and immediately, he plucked up his courage and asked Jiajing cautiously.

"Your Majesty...... Your Majesty, this ...... What is written in this letter? ”

When Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words, the expression on his face did not change, but he replied lightly: "Well, Lu Fang, it seems that you have not deceived me, if you know the content of this note, you will never hand it to me!" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, he secretly said something bad in his heart, and then, he saw that he reacted and knelt on the ground with a 'plop', and said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the slave is guilty!" (End of chapter)