The newspaper was sent to the officials of the imperial court by the Department of General Administration.

Chang Feng is now just a person, with no official or position. But he can read the newspaper from the political secretary to Chang Ponu at home.

On this day, he saw in his study that the newspaper contained "the imperial court opened a military post and paid silver to make up for the sins of the officials, and the silver was awarded to the prison, and the silver was awarded to the Buddha."

Chang Feng blurted out: "Liu Jin, stupid!" Stupid! Stupid! ”

Chang Ponu walked into the study when he heard the sound: "Dad, what's wrong?" ”

Chang Feng pointed out the paragraph in the newspaper to Chang Ponu: "What do you think this is?" ”

Chang Ponu sighed after seeing it: "Alas, I knew about this yesterday. I was afraid that my father would be angry, so I didn't dare to say it to you. ”

Chang Feng said: "Liu Jin is doing nonsense! If he has the ability to be straightforward, that's fine. But he can't even catch up with Shang Ming! ”

"Selling officials and spending money to atone for their sins, that is what Emperor Han Ling and the Ten Standing Servants did! The Ming army will rot to the roots! The Guozi Prison will rot to the roots! ”

"Also, can Buddha and Tao be sold casually? Those gods and sticks who deceive the people of money by pretending to be gods and ghosts, I'm afraid everyone will have to buy one! ”

Chang Ponu said: "Dad, there is no way!" In this matter, even Zhang Cai and Zhang Butang couldn't persuade Gonggong Liu. ”

"In today's court, if Zhang Cai can't persuade him, no one will want to stop him."

"There's nothing I can do about my old Tarzan."

Chang Feng sighed: "Alas, if you don't get rid of Liu Jin, Da Ming will die." ”

Chang Ponu said: "I'm afraid that Liu Jin will be defeated in the future, and my uncle and I will also be implicated." ”

Chang Feng said: "Don't worry." If I can't even keep you two, I'll be called a 'constant butcher.'" ”

At this time, Li Dongyang came to Changfu.

Chang Feng saw his in-laws in the hall after more than a year of absence.

Chang Feng's first words when he saw Li Dongyang were: "When will Liu Jin be removed?" ”

Li Dongyang replied: "It's not time yet. The key to getting rid of Liu Jin is not to find much evidence of his lawlessness. It's about whether the emperor has lost trust in him. ”

"For the time being, the emperor trusts him. The emperor used him as a tool to suppress us civil officials. ”

Li Dongyang's words hit the nail on the head. The reason why Emperor Zhengde was so indulgent to Liu Jin was to prevent the recurrence of the situation of checking and balancing imperial power in the later period of the Hongzhi Dynasty.

Chang Feng said: "Then let him do whatever he wants?" ”

Li Dongyang sighed: "Whoever is his enemy at this time is hitting a stone with an egg." Including me, the head of the cabinet! ”

"You should prepare well first, strive for nominations for the entrance examination, re-enter the government and return to the court, and then make plans later."

"Oh yes. The main examination of the undergraduate general examination has been decided. Although I am a good friend of Wang Wei. But this person is full of righteousness and will never reveal the exam questions to me. ”

Chang Feng said: "I don't disdain to rely on the title of the gold list of exam questions in advance." If that's the case, I don't even look down on myself. ”

Li Dongyang said casually: "Yang Tinghe's eldest son, Yang Shen, will also take the exam this year. Alas, Yang Ting and that person still couldn't hold their breath. At the critical moment of entering the cabinet, he repeatedly angered Liu Jin. ”

"Liu Jin has been quite dissatisfied with him recently."

Chang Feng was stunned: "Yang Tinghe is a smart person and won't do stupid things." ”

An idea came to him in his heart: Is Yang Tinghe learning from me? wants to draw a line with Liu Jin by angering Liu Jin. Save Liu Jin from being implicated after his defeat in the future?

Li Dongyang said again: "Actually, you can find Queen Xia to blow the wind on the pillow and return to the factory guard." The inner factory, the west factory, and Jinyiwei were all made into one by Liu Jin. The East Factory is still in the hands of Grandpa Zhang. ”

Chang Feng bowed slightly: "That's what I mean." But let's talk about this after the exam. ”

There is still half a month left before the exam.

Grinding guns in battle, not fast and light. He soaked in the study every day, studying the art of making and preparing for the exam.

At night, he didn't even go to sleep in Liu Xiaoyan or Mrs. Jiu's bedroom.

Of course, at the age of forty-three, he is no longer very good. Even if the two ladies lie down beside him, he can only look at the ocean and sigh: the young man does not know the value of essence and blood, and the old man looks at his wife and weeps.

Those who participated in the undergraduate examination with Chang Feng were not only Yang Tinghe's eldest son Yang Shen, but also Jiao Fang's eldest son Jiao Huangzhong.

Jiaofu.

Jiao Huangzhong is listening to Yangzhou thin horses playing the flute in the back garden.

Jiao Fang didn't know when he entered the back garden, and he scolded his baby son: "I'll try it in seven days." Why aren't you doing your job yet? ”

Jiao Huangzhong said with a smile: "Hengzhi Dad has a way to nominate me on the apricot list, and the palace test will be on the list." What am I anxious about? ”

Jiao Fang scolded: "Nonsense. Let outsiders listen to it, and think I'm going to help you cheat! ”

Jiao Huangzhong said with a smile: "Even if my son doesn't say so, others will think so." Dad, you are now the number one right-hand man under Gonggong Liu. What if I cheat? Who would dare to expose it? ”

Jiao Fang glared at Jiao Huangzhong and stopped talking.

At the same time, Yang Tinghe Mansion.

Opposite Yang Tinghe stood his eldest son, Yang Shen.

Yang Shen was 20 years old at the time.

The genes of the Yang family are very strong. Yang Tinghe was known as a prodigy when he was a child. The same is true for Yang Shen.

At the age of seven, Yang Shen was able to recite more than 800 Tang and Song poems. When he was eleven years old, he wrote close poems that even the old scholars were ashamed of. At the age of thirteen, he had already been admitted to Xiucai.

Last year, he returned to his ancestral hometown of Sichuan to take the township examination, and Liu Bing, a Sichuan academic politician, reviewed his examination papers as if he had obtained a treasure.

Liu Xuezheng commented: "I can't do Ouyang Xiu. But I got a student like Su Shi! ”

On the township trial list, Yang Shen ranked first in the Sichuan Laurel List.

Yang Tinghe looked at an eight-strand essay made by his eldest son and praised: "Well, it's good! With your current craftsmanship, when you can try, as long as there are no accidents, you should be able to enter the apricot list. ”

Yang Shen said: "What is the use of being awarded an official position after entering the apricot list and then appearing on the gold list?" The eunuchs are in power, and those who are officials can't tell the truth and can't do good things. Can only be a sounding board. ”

Yang Tinghe was stunned. What the son said made sense, and he couldn't refute it.

After a moment of silence, Yang Tinghe instructed his son: "Changfeng is my old friend. In the early years of Hongzhi, I lived and died with him in the southeast, and killed the Japanese side by side. ”

"Before the examination, it is common practice to learn from the people of the imperial examination. You will go to his house tomorrow. ”

Yang Shen nodded: "A year ago, Lord Chang dared to denounce Liu Jin as the first eunuch and the first traitor in front of hundreds of civil and military officials in the early dynasty. He was a man of integrity. I've wanted to make friends with him for a long time. ”

Yang Tinghe lowered his voice: "When you see Master Chang, tell him a word." Come over with your ears. ”

The next day, Chang Feng was working hard in the study. The subordinate reported: "Yang Ting and Yang Shen, the eldest son of the Yang Zhangyuan family, ask to see him." ”

Chang Feng said: "Hurry up, please hurry up, please hurry." ”

Not long after, Yang Shen was brought to Chang Feng by his subordinates.

Chang Feng saw Yang Shen dignified, quite Yang Tinghe's demeanor when he was young.

Yang Shen arched his hand: "Uncle Shi." ”

Chang Feng smiled: "Virtuous nephew." I've heard before that you and I are going to join the tribute temple this time. ”

Yang Shen said: "This rash visit, the little nephew brought a few articles on making art and learned from Uncle Shi. Uncle Shi is a senior in the field, don't blame the little nephew for getting an axe. ”

Chang Feng said: "What kind of seniors in the field! It's just an old man who didn't pass five subjects in a row. ”

Yang Shen suddenly lowered his voice: "My father has a message for me to tell Uncle Shi. ”

Chang Feng asked, "Oh? What words? ”

Yang Shen said: "My father said that he is learning from you!" ”

Chang Feng understands it. As he guessed, Yang Tinghe deliberately provoked Liu Jin in order to get Liu Jin to punish him. In this way, he can draw a clear line with Liu Jin.

In the future, when Liu Jin failed to be listed, he was implicated.

It seems that Yang Tinghe has also concluded that with Liu Jin's death, it will definitely not end well in the future.

Yang Tinghe is an understanding person!

Chang Feng said: "You told your father the four words 'tacit'." Okay, let me look at the art of the virtuous nephew. ”

Yang Shen handed over a few articles to Chang Feng.

Chang Feng read several articles word by word. sighed: "Virtuous nephew, great talent! Compared to your article, my clumsy works are just stinking! ”

"You're only twenty years old! I have to say that making a fuss depends on talent. ”

Yang Shen hurriedly said: "Uncle Shi has an overreputation. ”

Chang Feng handed over several of his articles to Yang Shen to read.

Yang Shen gave a good point. Changfeng has gained a lot.

In the evening, Changfeng left Yang Shen to use dinner at home.

Delicious dishes are served in the dining room. Chang Ponu also went on a business trip and came to the dining room.

Yang Shen saw that Chang Po Nu was wearing a three-grade official uniform. He asked, "Your Excellency is the Changfu Yin of Shuntian Mansion?" ”

Chang Ponu replied: "Exactly." ”

Yang Shen respectfully bowed to Chang Feng: "Uncle Shi, forgive the little nephew for being rude, take a step to say goodbye!" ”

Chang Feng asked: "It's all agreed to stay here with me for dinner tonight." How to go? ”

Yang Shen replied: "The little nephew disdains to drink at the same table with the backbone of the eunuch party!" You are a loyal and upright person who is not afraid of the eunuchs, but your son is a villain who is attached to the eunuchs! ”

Chang Feng's father and son were stunned.

After Yang Shen said this, he brushed his sleeves away.

Chang Ponu sighed: "Dad, the world misunderstands me too deeply. ”

Chang Feng was silent. It was he who instructed his son to temporarily attach himself to Liu Jin and maintain the influence of the Chang family in the imperial court.

For example, today everyone regards Chang Po slave as the backbone of the eunuch party, and Chang Feng is hard to blame.

Chang Feng said: "Alas, I hurt you." ”

Chang Ponu said: "Dad, don't say that. It is a fact that I followed Grandpa Liu. ”

"I'm a Jinshi in the eighteenth year of Hongji. Throughout the history books, how can there be a precedent for Jinshi to be promoted to the third rank of Shuntianfu Yin after three years of entering the office. ”

"If you get the benefits of others, you will naturally be scolded by others."

Chang Po slave is very calm.

Chang Feng said: "That's it." Let's sit down and eat. ”

Chang Ponu asked while eating: "How is my father's preparation for the exam?" ”

Chang Feng said: "Temporary cramming can be choking." I know my talents. If I had studied the Four Books and the Five Classics every day for more than 20 years, I might have been able to rank at the bottom of the top three. ”

"But for more than 20 years, I have been busy with Jinyiwei every day. I only had to study hard for a while before the exam. The title of the gold list is just an extravagant hope. ”

Liu Xiaoyan said on the side: "In my opinion, let Queen Xia blow the wind on the pillow." Let the emperor get back to you and go to Dongchang on an errand. The East Factory is in the hands of Zhang Yong, and it is our own land. ”

Chang Feng said: "My in-laws just told me this, let's talk about it after the exam." ”

Inside the leopard room.

Jiang Bin was playing chess with Emperor Zhengde.

Jiang Bin said: "Father, my son heard that Chang Feng has returned to Beijing. ”

Emperor Zhengde loves to mess around and has received a lot of righteous sons. Jiang Bin is one of his adopted sons. Three months ago, Emperor Zhengde instructed Jiang Bin to officially be called father and son.

In fact, Jiang Bin was much older than Emperor Zhengde.

Emperor Zhengde picked up a chess piece and hesitated. He said quietly, "Oh? Is there such a thing? ”

Jiang Bin said: "I heard that Chang Feng returned to Beijing to participate in the examination."

Emperor Zhengde smiled slightly: "This is a good reason. He has a reputation for being a person. ”

Jiang Bin said: "Erchen is afraid that someone will make a stumbling block during the test, and deliberately let Chang Feng's name fall to Sun Mountain." ”

Emperor Zhengde put down the chess pieces and looked up at Jiang Bin: "I have found out since last year that you like to speak for Chang Feng. ”

Jiang Bin "poofed" to Emperor Zhengde and knelt down: "Return to my father." Chang Feng is a loyal minister and your uncle. His sons should have spoken for him. ”

Emperor Zhengde said: "Chang Feng is loyal or treacherous, I know better than you." It's just that. It's not time to activate him. ”

"Let's see how he gets on the exam. Rest assured, the main examiner of the undergraduate examination is Wang Wei. Wang Wei is an upright old pedant, and he will not help Liu Jin rectify his normal style. ”

Seven days later, the test will begin. People carrying pens, ink cartridges, and food boxes entered the tribute courtyard.

This naturally includes Chang Feng, Yang Shen, and Jiao Huangzhong.

At the same time, in the celebrant supervisor, except for Zhang Yong, the members of the Eight Tigers gathered.

Liu Jin said: "Gu Dayong." When the exam is over, you have to do two things. First of all, don't let Yang Tinghe's son Yang Shen be recorded as a tribute! ”

"Yang Ting and this guy have been quite dissatisfied with me recently. Then don't blame me for ruining his son's future! ”

"The second thing is to keep Jiao Cifu's son Jiao Huang Zhongxing list title."

Gu Dayong said with a smile: "Gonggong Liu can rest assured. I have a way. Chang Feng also participated in the exam, I think it is better to let Chang Feng also fall to Sun Shan? ”

Liu Jin frowned: "Don't make your own decisions!" Chang Feng has been taking the examination for 20 years, which is his heart knot. For the title of the gold list, he doesn't know how much hard work he has put in. ”

"I can't intervene and secretly make things worse, so that his previous hard work will be wasted."

Gu Da secretly scolded with his heart: Liu Jin, Liu Jin, how ruthless you are to do things on weekdays. How can you be kind to the common woman alone?

Liu Jin said again: "Let Chang Feng take the test with his real skills." Hit, it was his years of hard work that paid off. No, it's because he doesn't make it well, and he can't complain about others. ”

"I'd rather he get it. The new science and technology jinshi should be awarded the sixth or seventh grade official position. Send him to the Hanlin Academy, and be a Hanlin official with no real power. ”

"It also saves him from going to Zhang Yong's East Factory to work and block me!"

Wei Bin smiled: "Grandpa Liu is really a person who misses the old love!" ”

Liu Jin scolded: "I miss Chang Feng's old feelings. But he counts me as your mortal enemy. ”

"This bastard! He could have been in power with me if he wanted to! How can he be reduced to no official and no position! ”

February 15 of the third year of Zhengde. The Gongyuan sounded the gong for the completion of the trial.

Chang Feng went out of the examination room with a group of students.

Yang Shen walked over.

Chang Feng asked: "Virtuous nephew, how did you do in the exam?" ”

Yang Shen smiled slightly: "It's okay." ”

Chang Feng smiled: "It seems that the virtuous nephew is confident." But I don't know it. Whether it is in or not depends on the will of God. ”

Yang Shen said: "Uncle Shi is too modest. I think you'll be able to go to high school. There is a way, God rewards diligence. You've been studying hard for almost thirty years, and it's time for you. ”

That night, the Imperial Palace, the Mandarin Palace.

The chief examiner, Wang Wei and the nine examiners, have already taken their seats, and the marking has begun!

(End of chapter)