The court meeting ended.

Zhu Youzhu respectively called Wu Hao, the supervisor of Qintian, Cheng Minzheng, a scholar of Hanlin, and Lin Han, the son of Guozi, to the Qianqing Palace, as if they had something important to discuss.

The rest of the ministers went out of the palace separately.

After all the Wenchen came out of the Fengtian Palace, many of them came over and surrounded Liu Jian.

They seemed to want to ask Liu Jian for an "explanation".

"Elder Liu Ge, can you tell me, Li Guang has just left, and His Majesty has favored Fang Shi, doesn't it mean that there will be ministers in this court again?"

The Chancellor's opinion was great.

Obviously, he has regarded the unknown Fang Shi as a fierce enemy.

Liu Jian, as the first assistant, has to stand on the commanding heights first, and it is easy not to express his position.

Xie Qian joked and said, "Someone can predict the movement in advance, which is equivalent to doing the errand of Qin Tianjian, why should he be so resistant?" ”

In the sense of Xie Qian.

Now that someone predicted that the earthquake would save the dawn, you people were not only unhappy, but also seemed to be facing a great enemy.

Doesn't it mean that you only care about party strife and do not care about the life or death of the people?

When the ministers heard this, the attitude of the three cabinet elders on this matter was very ambiguous.

Listen to the meaning......

The cabinet did not intend to advise the emperor to stay away from "traitors"?

Li Dongyang said: "If this person just prophesied about the fire in the palace, predicted the movement of the earth, and did not do anything harmful to the imperial court, then he should not be forcibly dissuaded." ”

Like Du protested to Tu Dan in the matter: "If Your Majesty breaks the Ming Gang's regular etiquette law because of treacherous words, I am afraid that it will be too late to dissuade you." ”

"Yes!"

Many people agree with Tu Dan's statement.

This is to prevent trouble before it happens, how can we allow traitors to take advantage of it?

When the emperor asks about things, he can only ask us ministers, and no one can jump on our heads, which is both a principle and a competition.

At this time, how can your cabinet, as the leader of the civil ministers, retreat?

Even the old man surnamed Zhang began to get nervous, saying that he wanted to promote that Fang Shi to Qintian Supervisor, Wu Xun had a move, and we had to wait for that guy to bring disaster to the country and the people before making a move, but it was too late for anything.

Liu Jian really couldn't listen to it, and said coldly: "Let's discuss it again." ”

It means that if you want to participate in the impeachment, you will participate in the impeachment yourself, and don't involve everything in the cabinet.

Or are you not confident that you can bring down this traitor whom the emperor believes, and you have to make our cabinet come forward, and you are fanning the flames behind your back?

I want to myself!

……

……

Inside the Inju Palace.

Qingyun Hou Zhou Shou and Changning Bo Zhou Yu came over to visit the Empress Dowager Zhou after the Great Dynasty Meeting.

Empress Dowager Zhou was in a good mood, asked about some family matters, and suddenly looked at Zhou Shou coldly: "...... I didn't go out of my house a few days ago, is this a cure? ”

Zhou Shou said: "Back to the Empress Dowager, I am well from my illness." ”

"Humph!" Empress Dowager Zhou said, "The epidemic in Jingshi, everyone else has used medicine, why don't you use it?" If there is a pox epidemic next time, do you still have to stay at home? As a relative of the country, if you don't lead by example, how can you regulate the people? ”

Empress Dowager Zhou was angry because Zhou Shou used his old age as an excuse to let others take over, and he hid and didn't see anyone.

When the plague had passed, he ran out.

Zhou Shou's face was ashamed.

He also knew that this sister was the most important about the responsibility and face of the royal family, and he obviously did not take the lead in this matter.

Empress Dowager Zhou asked again: "I sent someone to tell you before, let Xiaoying and Xiaojiao go to study with Zhang Bingkuan, did you arrange it?" ”

"Not yet." Zhou Yu said, "Old sister, it's not that we don't want to, it's really not necessary, recently they have all received errands from the Governor's Mansion, and they are usually busy with official business......

"Busy with what?"

Empress Dowager Zhou was very impatient again.

The two younger brothers didn't seem to listen to her at all.

"Someone came to tell the mourning family early this morning, the earthquake in Xinye, Henan Province was given by him, such a person can win the trust of His Majesty, and if there are military and political events in the future, Your Majesty will definitely ask, you can't even see the direction of the wind? When the mourning family closes their eyes, who in the Zhou family is willing to put it in their eyes? ”

Empress Dowager Zhou was angry.

Zhou Shou said: "The Empress Dowager, Your Majesty is the most filial. ”

"Filial piety is also going to be when the mourning family is alive, don't you see how domineering the Zhang family is now? The mourning family sometimes can't be persuaded to move, that's a matter between His Majesty and his wife, the mourning family is still there, the Zhang family can't do anything to you, and in the future, there will be someone who will protect you in case of trouble? ”

Empress Dowager Zhou is actually preparing for her death.

She knows that she is old, she is seventy years old, and the old lady of this age, let alone a little urgent illness, even if she is not sick, she will pass it.

But the Zhou family seems to be accustomed to being protected by her, and they have no sense of crisis at all.

Zhou Yu said: "Old sister, don't be angry, after you go back, let the two small ones go over and have a look." ”

"Good!" Empress Dowager Zhou said, "This matter can't be delayed, I heard that the second son of the Zhu family, the Duke of Chengguo, is with Zhang Bingkuan every day, and even the son of the British old Zhang family is also over there, you should pay close attention." ”

Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu couldn't help but glance at each other.

It seems that the Empress Dowager is in the palace, but she doesn't close her eyes and listen at all, and she knows more about everything outside the palace than they do.

……

……

After the emperor met Wu Hao, Cheng Minzheng and Lin Han.

immediately sent Xiao Jing to Zhang Zhou's mansion.

On the one hand, it is to inform Zhang Zhou that the Xinye earthquake has occurred, and then to ask what other natural and man-made disasters have occurred recently, and by the way, it is also to convey a "good intention" of the emperor.

Xiao Jing ran to Zhang Zhou's mansion, but found that Yang Peng was visiting.

Xiao Jing looked at Yang Peng, who had just come out of the door, and frowned, "What are you doing?" ”

Yang Peng hurriedly said: "Father-in-law Xiao, this is not a matter of hearing about the earth's movement, so I came to inform you, by the way...... Let's talk about the rebuilding of Qingning Palace. ”

"Really?"

Xiao Jing was sneering.

You Yang Peng, don't think that others can't see it, you just came to talk to Zhang Zhou, knowing that he can't be knocked down now, I guess you still want to repeat the old tricks and make a match for Li Guang, right?

"The lowly post went first."

Yang Peng didn't expect to be so unlucky, he came to see Zhang Zhou, and he could also meet the governor of Dongchang, and looking at Xiao Jing's attitude, he seemed to have a lot of opinions about him.

He left with his head down.

After Xiao Jing watched Yang Peng walk away, he seemed to have made up his mind in his heart, probably to transfer Yang Peng elsewhere.

……

……

"Grandpa Xiao? Didn't Gonggong Yang come to tell me before? Would you like to visit in person? ”

Zhang Zhou is also direct.

Don't hide the news of Yang Peng's coming, Xiao Jing is also pondering, this Mr. Zhang won't think that Yang Peng was sent by me, right?

Yang Peng, Yang Peng.

If you do things arrogantly, you will not have a few days left in your good days.

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Your Majesty actually knew that the earth movement would definitely happen, otherwise the court would not have mentioned it, and Your Majesty also made a little trouble with your ministers about this matter, but it has all disappeared." Mr. Zhang used his strength to tell those ministers that you are a master, not a charlatan. ”

"Huh, huh?" Zhang Zhou didn't feel honored at all.

You say I'm not a charlatan, I'm not?

Zhang Zhoudao: "Isn't there a reward?" If not, Grandpa Xiao doesn't need to say it anymore, I'm busy here. ”

Xiao Jing was embarrassed.

Without saying a word, Zhang Zhou was about to issue an eviction order, and he was also thinking, if he brought a royal reward to the door, would he get better treatment?

This product is so awesome, why is it so picky?

"Mr. Zhang, if you don't like it, everyone has this love for money, but you can't break the principle because of a little greed, otherwise...... Even if you have the ability, it will be difficult to sustain it for a long time. Xiao Jing reminded.

Zhang Zhou was surprised: "Gonggong Xiao, what are you talking about?" Am I greedy for anything other than your majesty's reward? Your Majesty's reward, you can't say that I am corrupt and pervert the law, right? ”

"That can't be." Xiao Jing hurriedly said.

Zhang Zhoudao: "That's right, I saved a little, that's because I have lived a hard life, I know the pain of a family can't eat, people will only realize the importance of Jigu hunger prevention when they are down, and people who have not experienced hunger can't understand my feelings." Look what I'm talking to Grandpa Xiao, Grandpa Xiao, do you still have something? ”

"Yes, yes."

Xiao Jing smiled bitterly.

Talking to this Mr. Zhang, there will always be endless idle articles.

I can see it, this product just likes to talk nonsense.

Xiao Jing said: "No, Your Majesty summoned Wu Jianzheng of Qin Tianjian earlier and told him that in the future, there will be things such as Liuren occupying classes, so let him ask for the opinions of others more, and don't be complacent." In fact, His Majesty's intention was to ask him to ask Mr. Zhang's opinion more often. ”

"Oh." Zhang Zhou was stunned, and then shook his head, "The ugly words are in front, I don't have time to take apprentices, and I'm not good at this." I don't know how I figured it out. ”

"You're really good at laughing."

Of course, Xiao Jing regarded Zhang Zhou's words as self-humility.

But in fact, Zhang Zhouzhen doesn't know how to do divination, if he really asks him to do a set of divination processes, although sometimes he can be forcibly explained and far-fetched, but in front of a star calculation expert like Wu Hao, he will definitely be exposed.

"Also, Your Majesty also summoned Cheng Min Zhengcheng today, as well as the old man Lin of the Guozi Prison, and told them that he would select a few talents from the Guozi Prison to confer officials."

"What does that mean?"

Zhang Zhou heard that what Guozijian was selecting talents, it seemed that he was targeting him.

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Actually, what Your Majesty means is to find an opportunity for Mr. Zhang to be a good person." ”

"Huh."

Zhang Zhou smiled.

Zhu Youzhu was afraid that he would not be able to pass the Jinshi examination, so he would leave a way back.

Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty did not say anything to Master Cheng and Lin Sacrifice Wine, that is to say, let the prisoners in the Guozi Prison write some articles, poems, current affairs, etc., and write a topic in the name of Lin Lao's sacrifice wine, and the topic is ...... here."

"This ......"

Zhang Zhou was a little speechless.

said that it was for Lin Han to come up with the question, why did Xiao Jing send the question over first?

Xiao Jing really took out a note, on which was the title written by the emperor himself.

The royal pen inscribed ......

Zhang Zhou felt that this still left Emperor Hongzhi's ink treasure.

Gee.

"In fact, it's just a situation, you just have to answer the question, and then show it to learn, and send it to Beiyong, and then the Hanlin Academy will find a few Hanlin attendants to read, speak, etc., to help you refer to it...... Mr. Zhang rest assured, this is also a good relationship in advance, and our family will explain your ...... Will be chosen! ”

Zhang Zhou felt as if he had heard something.

The emperor specially opened a back door for him under the illusion of "fairness and justice" to prevent him from failing the examination in the coming year, and looking for any reason to prepare for the exam for three years and not being able to do things for the imperial court.

Therefore, Zhu Youzhu also omitted the steps and made an internal decision, so that you could be selected as an excellent student in the Guozi Prison to enter the court.

In the Ming Dynasty, it is not uncommon to raise people to be officials in the court, but once you accept the release of officials, it means that you will not participate in the examination in the future.

Raising people to enter the court, the magistrate can basically only achieve the prefect level, that is, the fourth grade, and there are few who can transfer six departments, let alone enter the Hanlin Academy.

Of course, there are some special cases, and most of them are in the early Ming Dynasty.

And the most recent one is Jia Jun, the former Shangshu of the Ministry of Works, who just passed away in the eighth year of Hongzhi, and he is the first person in the Ming Dynasty to do Shangshu.

If there is a precedent, then the emperor can make some fuss.

Zhang Zhou said: "Grandpa Xiao, is this ...... Not so good? As a literati, I should not accept such a thing. ”

The emperor and the ministers below joined forces to carry out this kind of small circle selection, and also made internal decisions.

If this gets out, it will make him have a bad reputation.

Of course, Zhang Zhou's goal is not just to be a lifter, but he has also been studying hard recently in order to be a top student...... Although it is a bit difficult, if you can get a few questions in the next year's exam, wouldn't it be a great chance?

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Don't worry, except for Your Majesty, Grandpa Dai and our family will know, others will not know." ”

"Didn't you say that Gonggong Xiao still had to instruct the people of the Hanlin Academy?"

"No, it won't." Xiao Jing said, "At that time, Your Majesty will personally transfer the exam questions to the palace and decide the ...... in the way of Your Majesty's Imperial Review."

Zhang Zhou secretly thought, this is probably the highest level of cheating!

The emperor and the celebrant seal eunuch and the Dongchang factory duke joined forces to help a person cheat.

If this was known by Old Man Lin Hanlin, it was estimated that he would vomit blood and die on the spot.

Xiao Jing said: "What's more, this is not the imperial examination selection on the right path of the Ming Dynasty, it is just a temporary addition, how to choose, of course, it is up to Your Majesty to decide." ”

The organizer reserves the right of final interpretation......

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, let's make an internal decision, it's also good, anyway, there is one more way, just enjoy convenience.

If you really want to try to fall off the list, you will have to prepare for another three years, and you will have to maneuver around Vanity Fair, but I am afraid that you will be even more powerless.

"Mr. Zhang, you have been consulting in detail for the past two days, but the topic will be made public later, this is not a leak, as long as it is the supervision of the Guozijian, you are eligible to report. First of all, congratulations on your ascension. Xiao Jing smiled and arched his hand.

even pretended to congratulate him.

Zhang Zhoudao: "It's early, right?" I'm still waiting for the next spring......"

"No conflict, let's go first, you don't have to send it. If you are delayed in preparing for the exam, I am afraid that our family will not be able to bear this responsibility. ”

Xiao Jing looked very humble, and left with a smile.

Although Zhang Zhou was not sent out of the door directly, he was still sent to the front yard, and was urged by Xiao Jing to go back to the inner courtyard.

……

……

"Husband, that ...... What is my father-in-law here for? ”

Jiang Pingyu came to deliver tea before, and when he saw Zhang Zhou's distinguished guests in the palace, he didn't dare to come in and disturb him.

Because the people who followed Xiao Jing in the courtyard were all swordsmen.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Oh, it's Gonggong Xiao from Dongchang, who came to deliver the exam questions." ”

"What questions? Will you try? Jiang Pingyu's eyes were a little more expectant.

Zhang Zhou took out the exam questions and looked at them, but they were only the exam questions of current affairs, a total of three, all of which were personally issued by the emperor.

The rules of the examination have also been set, not only to have these three exam questions, but also to add some items, such as poems, four calligraphy, etc., you can also make some discussions on personal aspirations and the current situation, but not to involve the royal and central affairs.

Zhang Zhoudao: "It's impossible, the main exam has not been decided, how can there be a test question?" But...... It's pretty much the same. ”

(End of chapter)