Today is the day of the spring list.

A few big red posts were posted in front of the gate of the Gongyuan. Whoever is on the list is the tribute who has been taken by the Ding Chou Branch Examination in the 30th year of Hongwu. After getting the status of a tribute, the subsequent palace exam is just a formality, and the name of the Jinshi has been obtained, the only difference is that the ranking may change.

There was a crowd of people, and in front of the red list, countless people were looking forward to watching, and some were even stacked on a wall. There are people who are overjoyed and shouting "Hit! Hit!" and there are also people who lament that "the luck is not good, and the name is lost in Sun Mountain". It has been almost two hours since the list was posted, and the crowd still hasn't dispersed. I watched it over and over again, hoping only to see my name.

"Huh, my name is not there, why is Brother Shang Bin's name not there?" a northern man in a white scholar's robe suddenly said in a loud voice.

"Ah, isn't Brother Shangbin here?"

"Wang Hong, Song Cong, Yao Youzhi, Zheng Shanru... ”

Everyone took a closer look, not to mention Huang Guan's name, Jiao Sheng, Han Kezhong, and Wang Shu were not on the list. There is no name on the list of "hopes" of the northern lifters, so the rest...

After some exchange of ears, the scene was in an uproar.

"Gu is a southerner, and Gu is a southern student. Fifty-two people, without exception, took the tribute from the south!"

"Everyone!" jumped to his feet and shouted loudly: "As far as I know, Liu Sanwu, the chief examiner of this department, is from Chaling, Hunan, and the deputy examiner Bai Xinzhu is from Yuhang, Zhejiang, and most of the other examiners are from the south!"

"The number of people in the north is all gone, are we all wine bags and rice bags?!"

"Shameful! Pathetic! This is favoritism! Fraud! After decades of hard study, he has come to this point just for his own selfishness, and Liu Sanwu has lost all his conscience! Heaven is intolerable!"

The bold man on the list jumped and tore the red list to the ground, and under the tearing of everyone, it turned into countless pieces in a short time. "I'm going to sue the royal court!

One person's thoughts, a thousand people's views.

"Let's go!"

"Let's go beat the drums!"

More than 1,000 students marched in the direction of the Dengwen Drum Tower.

In the shadow of the corner, Xu Ruyi and Gu Yuezhen looked at the mess in front of the Gongyuan Gate and were silent.

"Now you understand?"

Gu Yuezhen's expression was complicated and she didn't speak.

"You haven't seen the emperor, but you should have heard of his temper, this time, it's a big deal. ”

"Great... How big it will be. Gu Yue asked astringently.

"Countless heads fell to the ground, and rivers of blood flowed. Xu Ruyi smiled: "Let's go, the emperor's will should go to Dongchang in a while." ”

Soon after, the deafening drum sounded, echoing over the city of Nanjing and also echoing in Zhu Yuanzhang's ears.

。。。。。。

Zhu Yuanzhang's purpose in setting up Dengwengu is to let the people of the world have the last place where they can be reasonable.

According to his regulations, the cowhide drum on the Dengwen Drum Tower, all the people of the Ming Dynasty, no matter who it is, can come to knock. But those who stand in the way will not be killed.

As long as the drums are heard, the emperor and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty must immediately go to the court, see the drummers on the top of the Golden Palace, and listen to them tell their grievances. The so-called direct listening to heaven is like this.

I still remember that a few years after Hongwu just set up the Dengwen drum in the third year, the drum was about to sound from time to time, and there were countless people in the world who came to beat the drum to redress their grievances, Zhu Yuanzhang raised the butcher's knife and killed the Quartet, the frequency of the drum gradually decreased, and in recent years, it can even be said that there is none. After all, under the torture of peeling daylilies, the officials restrained a lot. And the people of the Ming Dynasty are the most honest, but there is a way to live, and they don't want to come all the way to sue the people.

Now, on the top of the Golden Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the throne and looked at the three scholars kneeling between the civil and military ministers on the left and right, and his face was indescribably gloomy: "So you beat the drum of Dengwen to sue the examiners of the current section for favoritism?"

Han Kezhong bowed down first: "Your Majesty, the fifty-two tribute students selected by the current examination are all southern scholars, but all my northern scholars have failed to make the list. The students and their classmates thought that there must be something inside, could it be that the thousands of students in my north are wine bags and rice bags? That's why I have come here, and I ask the Holy God to give justice to my northern scholars. ”

"Justice?" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "I will give you justice!" Liu Sanwu!"

Among the ministers, Liu Sanwu slowly came out of the ranks, bowed to the ground in front of the jade steps, and said long live.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice: "You have also heard their words, what do you have to say as the main examiner of this subject?"

"Your Majesty. Liu Sanwu raised his head and replied loudly: "The fifty-two tribute students taken by this branch have been read by each of them. It can be said that they are all worthy of the name of the talents in the current examination. Your Majesty should know that when the examination papers are screened and approved, they are all confused, and even if the minister is the main examiner, he does not know who the paper in his hand is from when he marks the papers. In the end, the people selected were all southern scholars, and the old minister was also unexpected. But the old minister has been studying for more than 60 years and has a fair conscience. Regarding the results of the Ding Chouke examination, Lao Chen has a clear conscience. ”

Turning his gaze to the four people behind him, Liu Sanwu said softly: "Ten years of cold window, for the title of the gold list." Now that your name is in Sun Mountain, your feelings can be understood by the old man, but the fact is that the knowledge and writing of the southern juzi are indeed more than a step higher than yours, and the old man can't think about it. I only hope that you can study hard when you return to your hometown, and try your skills again in three years. ”

For Liu Sanwu's kind words and persuasion, Han Kezhong's expression was entangled, Wang Shu's face was disdainful, and he seemed to be arguing, only Huang Guan looked humbly taught and thoughtful.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Liu Sanwu's words with thorns, and his brows suddenly furrowed. He understands Liu Sanwu's character, but he still doesn't believe it in his heart, is the knowledge of the northern scholar really so unbearable?

The matter of fraud in the field has been a major case in all dynasties. If it is a case, there must always be a process of investigation and trial. This case involved the dispute between the north and the south of Confucianism, and even Zhu Yuanzhang had to be cautious.

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke: "Since I ascended the throne, I have paid the most attention to civil governance. The imperial examination is to recruit talents for the country. Now that such evil things have happened, as a great tomorrow, I will naturally uphold justice for the world's scholars. Zhang Xin, Dong Guan. ”

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's call, Zhang Xin and Dong Guan went out to bow down: "The minister is here." ”

"I order the two of you to select fifteen well-educated people from the Hanlin Academy, recheck all the candidates' examination papers for this examination, and then record a list and report it to me. Remember, be quick and strict, don't let me down, and give justice to the world's scholars!"

"Minister Zhang Xin (Dong Guan), obey the order. ”

"Retreat!"

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

。。。。。。

Wuying Palace.

Xu Ruyi and Zheng Feng knelt respectfully in front of Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon book case, quietly waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's holy car to arrive. Xu Ruyi is the factory director of the East Factory, and Zheng Feng is the new commander of Jinyiwei after Jiang Huan. Functionally, although the two are not considered hostile positions, they are not much different.

However, the position is the position, and it is always the people who do things. Zheng Feng, as the third commander of Jinyiwei, seems to outsiders to be infinitely beautiful, but in fact, sitting in this position, who knows who is guilty.

The first commander of Jinyiwei made Mao Xiang be divided by Zhu Yuanzhang's five horses, and the second commander Jiang Huan died violently in the mansion late at night. After thinking about it, Zheng Feng came to the conclusion that as long as the emperor didn't give him work, he should be able to be safe and sound for a while.

It is not surprising that Zheng Feng can come to such a conclusion. The dignified commander of the Jinyi Guard, in fact, in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, is not much different from the paper that wipes his buttocks, he drags it when he uses it, and throws it away when he finishes it, without the slightest hesitation.

I thought that there was not much left in the Chinese martial arts, and there should be no problem with me being more careful, but I didn't expect to catch up with people to make trouble, this is really Yan Wang Ye let you die three more, who can keep you to five more.

As soon as he thought of this, Zheng Feng's whole body couldn't help but tremble, and fine beads of sweat also secreted from his forehead.

Xu Ruyi looked at Zheng Feng beside him with some amusement: "Lord Zheng?"

The voice was very soft, but it was no less than a thunderclap in the ears of Zheng Feng, who was already like a frightened bird.

"Ahh

"Lord Zheng. Xu Ruyi said softly: "What are you thinking? There is no one else in this hall except our family, why do you tremble when you stand alone, but what is uncomfortable in your body?"

"Alas. Zheng Feng looked at Xu Ruyi, sighed, and then said with a wry smile: "Seeing that the turmoil in the court has calmed down, a bunch of sour and sour turbans have started to make trouble." The emperor's temper and father-in-law also know it, but I'm afraid that the emperor will want it again in the future... ”

"Oh, that's it. Xu Ruyi thought for a while and comforted: "Lord Zheng doesn't have to worry too much, those lifters are not satisfied with the results of the examination, according to the regulations, the emperor should be re-read by someone, maybe it is unknown if it can be turned into a big thing in the end?"

"I hope so. Zheng Feng nodded helplessly.

After another moment, a shrill shout came from outside the hall: "The emperor has arrived~"

Xu Ruyi and Zheng Feng hurriedly knelt down and waited for the palace gate.

In the blink of an eye, Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in a yellow robe, slowly stepped into the Wuying Palace. He is now seventy years old, and the erosion of time is difficult for even he, the emperor of the world, to resist. His figure was a little rickety, and although he still tried to straighten his spine and walk like he used to, he couldn't do it anymore.

Lao Zhang behind him was no better than him, and followed respectfully step by step. He wanted to help, but was rejected by the proud Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Slave Xu Ruyi (minister Zheng Feng) see Your Majesty. Xu Ruyi and Zheng Feng on the ground kowtowed.

"Get up. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The two got up and watched Zhu Yuanzhang slowly sit down on the throne.

Zhu Yuanzhang gasped for a moment, closed his eyes, and said a little lazily: "Do you know what I asked you to do?"

Xu Ruyi and Zheng Feng glanced at each other, and then replied in unison: "I know." ”

"Well, it's good to know. Stretching out his finger and pointing to the top of his head, Lao Zhang, who was standing beside him, came to Zhu Yuanzhang's back and slowly rubbed his temples for Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Let's talk about it, what's going on? Did anything happen when the Gongyuan was going to try? Zheng Feng. ”

"The minister is here. ”

"You speak first. ”

"Yes. Zheng Feng replied in a low voice: "Back to Your Majesty, according to the report of the Jinyi Wei scout, everything will be in order for the whole meeting, as before, and there will be no problems." ”

"Nothing abnormal?" Although Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes did not open, his brows gradually wrinkled.

"Nope. Zheng Feng shook his head and said: "There has been a long history of discord between the north and the south, and the reason why we are making trouble this time is because the tribute on the list is from the south." And the root cause of this seems to be because... ”

Say. ”

"Because of Mr. Liu, he... It's hard to get out. ”

"Is it difficult to solve the question? No matter how difficult the question is, no one in the north can answer it?"

Regarding Zheng Feng's explanation, Zhu Yuanzhang was really a little difficult to accept. The triennial imperial examination, in the 30 years of the Ming Dynasty, has experienced at least 10 times. Why did this time go wrong?

Snorted dissatisfiedly, and Zhu Zheng opened and closed slightly: "Xu Ruyi." ”

"The slave is here. ”

"Tell me about it. Is there any movement over there in the East Factory?"

"Back to Your Majesty. Xu Ruyi's voice was respectful, and he bowed down and replied: "Before the examination, on February 22, the thirtieth year of Hongwu, the north and south raised sons in a teahouse because of some quarrels and fights, so Liu Sanwu and Liu arrived in time, and no serious casualties were caused.

On the second day of the examination, on February 29, the thirtieth year of Hongwu, under a plane tree on the west wall of the Gongyuan, Liu Sanwu, the chief examiner of the examination, and Bai Xinji, the deputy chief examiner, had a long discussion, about two quarters of an hour before and after. Due to the remote location, the Dongchang spies could not know what the two said.

On the third day of the examination, the first day of the third month of the 30th year of Hongwu, after the candidates left the Tribute Academy, they held a banquet in the Zhuangyuan Building and the Pavilion to celebrate. According to the spies' report, everyone in the southern part of the pavilion seemed to be happy and the atmosphere was harmonious. The atmosphere of the banquet in the north of the champion building was sluggish, and everyone's face was sad and gloomy. ”

In and out of the words, Xu Ruyi did not do the slightest analysis, but just blandly expounded the facts investigated by the East Factory. Ordinary people may not be able to listen to it, but in the ears of the suspicious and violent Hongwu Emperor, things are obviously different.

Waving his hand to let Lao Zhang stand aside, Zhu Yuanzhang opened his eyes, looked at Zheng Feng and Xu Ruyi playfully, and said with a smile: "One Dongchang, one Jinyiwei." I have given you the same powers and responsibilities, but now that something has happened, I have heard completely different news, what is the reason?"

Hearing this, Xu Ruyi and Zheng Feng hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"I have ordered someone to re-review all the candidates' test papers in this subject, and everything is still unknown until the results come out. But don't be idle, any disturbances in the capital must be reported to me in time, do you know?"

"Zheng Feng. ”

"Minister... Minister... ”

"Hmph" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "You are far worse than Mao and Jiang." ”