Since the trial release of the list, those wealthy gentry in the capital have also become active, and they have begun to send people around to inquire whether those students are married.

And Xu Shixing, who ranked first in the examination, naturally received the most attention.

Every day, matchmakers come to the door to talk about matchmaking, and the people introduced are all women from large families, proficient in poetry, books, etiquette and music, and thoughtful in appearance.

There are even people who directly let out the wind, as long as Xu Shixing is willing to marry his daughter, he will give half of the family property.

Gradually, the conditions offered were getting higher and higher, and even many women from official eunuch families secretly agreed to Xu Shixing's deeds after hearing about them.

even did not hesitate to let go of his reserve, and begged his father, who served in the court, to seek this family business for himself.

Everyone is not stupid, since Xu Shixing was able to rely on his own strength, he got the first place in the examination.

Then in the palace examination not long after, it is not impossible to win the championship in one fell swoop and be the champion in high school.

If you can form an in-law relationship with a promising student like Xu Shixing in advance, then your family will have a pillar with a bright future.

In comparison, what is a little bit of scattered silver taels?

No matter how you calculate it, it's a sure-fire deal.

In this way, with the passage of time, even many official eunuchs joined in it, offering all kinds of superior conditions to win over Xu Shixing.

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this time, Jiajing and Lu Fang sat opposite each other, and between the two, there was a Go chessboard, and it could be seen from the battle situation on the chessboard that the current battle situation was at its most intense.

I only heard a 'click' sound, and I saw Jiajing pick up a black chess piece from the chess basket on the side and drop it on the chessboard.

Lu Fang, who was on the side, observed for a long time before dropping the chess pieces in his hand.

I saw Jiajing withdraw his gaze from the chessboard, raised his head to look in the direction where Lu Fang was, and asked, "Lu Fang, is there anything new in the capital recently?" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, after thinking for a while, he followed up with a gentle statement: "Your Majesty, since the trial release of the list, those wealthy gentry in the capital can't sit still, and they have begun to "catch sons-in-law under the list", sending people around to find out if those students are married. ”

"And Xu Shixing, who won Huiyuan in one fell swoop, the threshold of the building where he lives is about to be broken by the people who came to talk about the matchmaker!"

"Some people even threatened that as long as Xu Shixing was willing to marry his daughter, he would give half of the family property."

After listening to Lu Fang's narration, Jiajing's face was full of inexplicable looks, and immediately, he sneered and said to himself: "Half of the family property is too cheap, far from enough!" ”

After Jiajing finished speaking, he picked up a black chess piece and dropped it on the chessboard.

Lu Fang, who was on the side, heard Jiajing's words, and after dropping the chess pieces in his hand into the chessboard, he said peacefully: "Your Majesty is right, it is too whimsical to want to win over a promising official with only half of the family property!" ”

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Jiajing looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and asked with interest: "By the way, Lu Fang, there are so many people who go to talk about the matchmaker, does this Xu Shixing agree?" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, after recalling it for a long time, he spoke: "Your Majesty, according to the news obtained by the slave maid, Xu Shixing has recently closed his door to thank guests on the grounds of ill health, and lived in seclusion all day long, as if he was studying knowledge. ”

After learning the news from Lu Fang's mouth, I saw Jiajing nodded, a hint of approval flashed on his face, and commented: "Well, yes, I can resist the temptation, distinguish the priorities, and know what the most important thing is at the moment!" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, a look of hesitation appeared on his face at the right time, and he said cautiously: "By the way, Your Majesty, the slave maid has got some news, I don't know if to talk about it?" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he just glanced at Lu Fang quite indifferently, and said unhurriedly: "But it doesn't hurt to say it!" ”

After that, I saw Lu Fang organize the language in his mind, and said everything he had discovered: "Your Majesty, it is said that Xu Shixing's answer sheet was personally reviewed by Zhang Juzheng, not only that, but Zhang Juzheng also wrote more than 60 words of comments for Xu Shixing. ”

"And right now, there are rumors in the capital that Zhang Juzheng has a bad relationship with Xu Shixing's adoptive father, Xu Shangzhen, the prefect of Suzhou!"

When Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words, the expression on his face suddenly became extremely cold, and immediately, he sneered and said to himself: "Hmph, what a bunch of bastards, even such unrealistic rumors can be spread!" ”

After this, I saw Jiajing look in the direction where Lu Fang was, and commanded: "Lu Fang, after you come down later, you send someone to check and see who is spreading these rumors!" ”

When Lu Fang heard this, his expression immediately turned grim, and he responded in a deep voice: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

After this topic was over, Jiajing and Lu Fang played Go again with full attention.

After a tragic battle, Lu Fang looked at the situation on the chessboard, his face was full of helplessness, and finally chose to admit defeat.

"Your Majesty, the slave has lost!"

"Hmm."

Seeing that Lu Fang chose to vote and admit defeat, Jiajing had no intention of continuing.

Then, I saw Jiajing get up from the seat, and after moving his limbs, he followed and said, "Okay, let's get here first today!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Seeing this, the eunuch who was waiting on the side immediately stepped forward and put away the Go board in an orderly manner.

At this moment, I saw the guiding eunuch walking in with hurried steps.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, the guide eunuch subconsciously looked in the direction where Jiajing was, leaned down, and respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, the people from the Military Aircraft Department are asking to see you outside, saying that there is an urgent war report of 800 miles from the front line!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he couldn't help but perk up, immediately waved his hand, and ordered in a deep voice: "Let him in immediately!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's specific instructions, the guide eunuch did not stop in the Qianqing Palace for the slightest, and immediately left quickly.

After a while, I saw a Xu official step into the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, the official knelt on the ground with a 'plop', looked at Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair at the moment, and said in a deep voice: "Weichen knocks on Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

After this, I saw that the official raised his head, carefully took out the battle report from the front line from his sleeve, and held it high above his head.

"Your Majesty, here is the battle report sent urgently from the front line for eight hundred miles!"

Seeing this situation, Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, immediately stepped forward and took the battle report from the hand of the official without waiting for Jiajing's order.

Then, I saw Lu Fang come to Jiajing's side and hand out the battle report in his hand: "Your Majesty! ”

"Hmm."

After Jiajing answered, he took the battle report from Lu Fang's hand, then opened it and browsed it with great concentration.

When Jiajing saw clearly what was recorded in the battle report, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his face was full of excitement that he couldn't hide.

For no other reason, the contents of this battle report sent from the front are.

In the previous battle, the Ming army completed the encirclement of the remnants of the Tatar army, annihilating more than 50,000 Tatar troops in one fell swoop, and capturing 30,000 remnants of soldiers, countless captured swords, horses, armor, etc., and even Altan Khan himself died in the chaos.

"Okay, okay, I have finally avenged the original revenge, and from now on, there will be no strong enemy who can threaten my Ming!"

When Jiajing said this, he unconsciously clenched his fists, and his face was full of determination.

Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, saw that Jiajing was so excited, and he didn't know that the front line had won a big victory.

Immediately, he could not hide the excitement in his heart, knelt on the ground with a 'plop', raised his head to look in the direction of Jiajing, and said in a deep voice: "Under the hard work of His Majesty, the treasury of the Ming Dynasty has become more and more full, and in one fell swoop, it has swept away the problem of the southern and northern Tartars that have plagued me for many years. ”

"In the future, no one will dare to offend the frontier of my Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty Shengming, slaves and maids knock to see Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

After that, I saw Jiajing personally help Lu Fang up from the ground, and then handed out the battle report in his hand: "Lu Fang, you should take this war report immediately and go to the cabinet now, and let them spread the news!" ”

"In addition, tell them that I will hold a banquet in the Imperial Palace tonight to entertain hundreds of civil and military officials!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

For Jiajing's orders, Lu Fang naturally did not dare to slack off, and after responding, he took the battle report from Jiajing's hands.

Then, with an extremely eager pace, he left the Qianqing Palace.

……

After roughly browsing the battle report in his hand, Lu Fang finally figured out why Jiajing was so excited before.

In a previous battle, the Ming army completed the siege of the remnants of the Tatar army, annihilating more than 50,000 Tatar troops in one fell swoop, and capturing 30,000 remnants of the army, even Altan Khan himself died in the rebellion, and captured countless swords, armor, and horses.

As the closest person to Jiajing, Lu Fang naturally knew that Jiajing had always been worried about the changes that happened in the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing.

Whenever there is an edict from the imperial court, or an official document that deals with the word barbarian, Jiajing will ask him to write the word barbarian very small.

And now, Altan Khan, who commanded an army of 200,000 to plunder in the south, died in the chaos.

Since this moment, Daming can be regarded as truly washing away the shame of Jiajing's twenty-nine years!

Forbidden City, Cabinet.

At this time, everyone was methodically handling the notes sent by the officials, and chatting a few gossips from time to time.

Since the results of the examination have just been released, the topics discussed by everyone will inevitably involve this aspect.

I saw Gao Gong put aside the processed letter in his hand, and said with emotion: "Since the trial list, these wealthy gentry in the capital can't sit still!" ”

Even at the expense of "tied", he had to recruit a son-in-law for his family. ”

Hu Zongxian, who was on the side, heard Gao Gong's words, stroked his beard, and said with a smile: "Yes, those fledgling students, where are they opponents, they have become people's sons-in-law in a daze!" ”

"But it's not bad, and it's okay to have food and clothing in the future!"

Xu Jie was also very interested in this topic, and after finishing the letter in his hand, he also joined in.

"This is nothing, do you know that Xu Shixing, who won the exam, even let out a word, saying that as long as Xu Shixing is willing to marry his daughter, he will give half of the family property!"

"Even many ministers in the DPRK and China have privately sent matchmakers to talk about matchmakers!"

When Xu Jie said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued to add: "But this Xu Shixing is still sober, and he has not been carried away, but continues to bury himself in his knowledge and prepare for the next palace exam!" ”

Everyone present knew very well in their hearts that if Xu Shixing could win the championship in the next palace examination and win the top prize, then the reward he could get would far exceed everything now.

Nothing else is said for the time being, just by virtue of the identity of a champion, Xu Shixing can easily step into the sequence of high-ranking officials of the Ming Dynasty, even if it is not difficult to enter the cabinet.

Generally speaking, after winning the top prize, the road to be followed is traceable.

According to the usual practice, the champion will generally be awarded the post of revision of the Hanlin Academy, from the sixth grade, responsible for the compilation of national history.

In the position of the Hanlin Academy, after a period of time, he will slowly rise to the position of reading and speaking, and then he will be sent to the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Officials, and even the noble departments such as the Hanlin Academy, and continue to work on his qualifications.

In this process, he continued to study in Hanlin and obtained the status of a Shujishi, and his official position was mainly in the Hanlin Academy, as well as in the Zhan Shifu.

After being promoted to an official position of about five or six grades, he will be entrusted with important responsibilities and serve as the left and right attendants in any of the six departments.

After that, you can only see how your ability is, if you are strong, you can easily be promoted to Shangshu and achieve the position of the first assistant of the cabinet, and if you are poor, you may go all the way to Zhishi, and you can only mix with the official position of a squire.

In short, the champion can only guarantee the lower limit of you, not your upper limit, a person's struggle is important, but it still has to take into account the process of history.

Some champions, both in ability and conduct, are the best choice, but they are unlucky and have not waited for the opportunity.

Some of them were lucky, and they went all the way to the high position, and finally sat in the position of the first assistant of the cabinet.

At this moment, a rush of footsteps was heard outside the cabinet, interrupting everyone's communication.

After a while, I saw a servant running in panting.

After entering the cabinet, the official subconsciously looked in the direction where Yan Song and Xu Jie, leaned down, and respectfully reported: "Elder Yuge, Gonggong Lu asked to see him outside, saying that he was at the behest of His Majesty!" ”

When the official's words fell, I saw Yan Song glance at the official rather indifferently, nodded, and commanded: "Well, I know, let Gonggong Lu come in!" ”

"Yes, Yan Ge Lao!"

After answering the call, the official did not hesitate in the slightest, and quickly left the cabinet.

Not long after, under the guidance of the previous official, I saw Lu Fang's eager steps and enter the cabinet.

……

Under the leadership of Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet, I saw everyone get up from their seats one after another and salute Lu Fang respectfully: "I've seen Grandpa Lu!" ”

At this time, Lu Fang's face was full of smiles that could not be concealed, and as soon as he entered the cabinet, he faced everyone and said: "Ladies and gentlemen, not long ago, a battle report was sent from the front, saying that the imperial army had completed the encirclement of the remnants of the Tatar army. ”

When Lu Fang said this, he paused, and then truthfully told the news recorded in the war report: "In this battle, a total of more than 50,000 Tatar troops were annihilated, and 30,000 remnants were captured, and even Altan Khan himself died in the chaos!" ”

"In addition, Your Majesty also said that there will be a banquet for the ministers in the Emperor's Palace tonight!"

As soon as Lu Fang's words fell, the cabinet suddenly fell into a dead silence, and even Yan Song, who had always been unfazed, had a look of disbelief on his face.

"Altan Khan is dead! The Altan Khan, who commanded an army of 200,000 troops, plundered in the south, and invaded the Ming frontier is dead! ”

Everyone, you look at me, I look at you, and each other can see the shocked look on each other's faces that can't be concealed.

Time passed slowly, I don't know how long it was, I saw Yan Song come back to his senses first, looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and asked cautiously: "Lu ...... Grandpa Lu, is this news true? ”

Lu Fang took in the expression on Yan Song's face, nodded, and then said: "Well, this is natural, the reason why Your Majesty asked our family to come over is to inform the cabinet of this news!" ”

After Lu Fang finished speaking, he unhurriedly took out the battle report from his sleeve and personally handed it to Yan Song's hands: "Elder Yan Ge, take a look!" ”

When Lu Fang's words fell, I saw Yan Song trembling and taking the battle report from Lu Fang's hand, and then browsed the content on it word by word.

When he saw the handwriting recorded above, about Altan Khan's death in the rebellion, and his head has been beheaded, and he will be transported to the capital in a few days, he could not help but burst into tears.

Then, I saw Yan Song wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his thin hands, and kept saying, "Okay, okay, hahaha!" ”

After calming down, I saw Yan Song hand over the battle report in his hand to Xu Jie's hand on the side: "Elder Xu Ge, take a look at it too!" ”

"Hmm."

After Xu Jie answered, he took the battle report from Yan Song's hand and browsed it with great concentration.

"My Daming has finally washed away the shame of the past, and the frontier will be completely settled in the future, it's really fast, fast, hahaha!"

After reading all the contents recorded in the battle report, Xu Jie's face was also full of excitement that could not be concealed.

Soon, this war report was circulated in the hands of the cabinet ministers.

After browsing the contents of the battle report, I saw Gao Gong looking at Zhang Juzheng's vacant seat, and secretly sighed: "It's a pity, Zhang Juzheng, who is busy preparing for the next palace test, and couldn't witness all this with his own eyes!" ”

Then, I saw Gao Gong suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and proposed: "Elder Yan Ge, such exciting news, we should announce it quickly!" ”

Hearing Gao Gong's words, Yan Song reacted in hindsight, and couldn't help but respond: "Yes, how did I forget about this matter!" ”

Immediately, I saw Yan Song spread out the pen and paper and personally copied the content of the battle report.

When the last word fell, Yan Song breathed a sigh of relief, and when the ink on the paper was dry, he saw him summon the officials and ordered in a deep voice: "Immediately announce the news of the great victory on the front line and the death of Altan Khan in the chaos!" ”

"Obey, Yan Ge Lao!"

When the official heard this, he didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, so he took the paper from Yan Song's hand very solemnly, and then walked away from the cabinet.

After the official left the cabinet, Xu Jie, who was on the side, seemed to suddenly remember something, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and proposed: "Elder Yan Ge, for such a big matter, we have to go and congratulate Your Majesty!" ”

Regarding Xu Jie's proposal, Yan Song did not mean to refuse, but nodded, and said in response: "Well, what Xu Ge said makes sense, without further ado, let's go!" ”

"Hmm."

After that, everyone did not hesitate at all, and immediately stepped on the road of the Qianqing Palace.

……

"Then bother Grandpa Lu to go in and report it!"

"It's okay, it's just a small thing!"

Lu Fang didn't care about this, just shook his head and said with a smile.

After that, I saw Lu Fang retract his gaze, climb the stairs, and step onto the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

Taking advantage of the gap between Lu Fang and Lu Fang's report, everyone chatted with great interest.

At this time, Yan Song looked at the Qianqing Palace close at hand in front of him, his face was full of emotion, and he said to himself: "I really didn't expect it, there really is such a day!" ”

Xu Jie, who was on the side, heard Yan Song's words, and followed closely with Ying He and said: "Yes, Yan Ge Lao, until now I have a feeling that I don't really have!" ”

Then, Yan Song pretended to be inadvertent, looked into the distance, and said something like this: "This time, I have a long-cherished wish, and I have no regrets!" ”

When Xu Jie heard Yan Song's words, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a hint of surprise flashed on his face.

Although he looked very calm, Xu Jie's heart was already turbulent, and he glanced at Yan Song quietly, and said to himself.

"What did Yan Song mean by what he said just now, is it difficult to do it, did he come up with the idea of Zhishi, or did he want to lure me into the bait......"

After weighing the pros and cons, Xu Jie decided not to take this conversation, he wanted to see what kind of medicine Yan Song's gourd was selling.

Seeing that Xu Jie didn't answer, Yan Song didn't mention this topic again.

At this moment, I saw Lu Fang walking silently, coming to everyone and saying respectfully.

"You can go in, Your Majesty is waiting for you inside!"

"I'm tired of Grandpa Lu!"

Seeing this, everyone leaned down and arched their hands to Lu Fang to show their gratitude.

"You don't have to be so polite, this is nothing more than our family's responsibility!"

When Lu Fang heard this, his face was full of warm smiles, he waved his hand, and said indifferently.

"Okay, let's go, don't let Your Majesty wait in a hurry!"

"Hmm."

Then, under the guidance of Lu Fang, everyone stepped on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

(End of chapter)