Chapter 629

May 13th, at sunset, west of the Love Shenjing, Xiuchun Ward.

In a guest room of a villa in the ward, the smell of alcohol permeated the air. Outside the window, the sunset glow was as red as blood, shining on the man sitting leaning against the desk, casting a distorted shadow.

On the desk lay a sheet of snow-wave paper, filled with ink-splattered writing, next to which was a copy of "Liu Jichuan's Literary Records" and a half-new, half-old small blue-covered booklet.

The cover of that "Liu Jichuan's Literary Records" was brand new, but the creases were deep, and the edges of the book were curled, showing that it had been frequently read recently.

The man raised the wine pot in his hand and drank the last of the residual wine. His bloodshot eyes stared at the snow-wave paper on the desk, his gaze full of hesitation and jealousy.

Since failing the examination, Zhou Yan had intended to leave the capital and return home. Before he left, his clansman visited and said some words that struck him like a bolt from the blue.

Many days had passed, and the words of his clansman that day echoed in Zhou Yan's ears at all times, plunging him into infinite depression, anger, and unwillingness...

"Brother, you don't know that the day before the metropolitan examination began, the Hongxing Southern Goods Store on Yongchun Street was raided by the Court of Review, and the shopkeeper, his wife, and the clerks were all thrown into the Court of Review's prison.

Although the government did not make a public statement about this matter, under the eyes of everyone, the matter could not be hidden.

The shopkeeper and his wife were arrested because the soft-shelled turtle meat they sold to Huang Hongcang of the Ministry of Rites was actually poisoned. Minister Huang was therefore poisoned and in critical condition, which is why he could not take on the honor of being the chief examiner for the metropolitan examination.

I also found out by chance that your good friend Wu Liang somehow heard the news, and after the Southern Goods Store was sealed, he rushed to the vicinity to inquire about the matter.

Brother, you are a man of wisdom; as for what happened later, there is no need for me to say, you must be able to guess it.

Wu Liang must have learned from this that Minister Huang was poisoned and could not fulfill the honor of being the chief examiner.

As for that blue-covered booklet circulating in the market, I think you must have seen it. Among the candidates for chief examiner on it, the person whose official position and qualifications are closest to Huang Hongcang is none other than Xu Liangxiong.

A person of shallow learning like me can think of this, so Wu Liang, a dignified licentiate, must also be able to think of this point.

I remember when I had a small drink with you last month, you once said that Wu Liang's teacher had old ties with Xu Liangxiong and had once written a letter to recommend Wu Liang to Minister Xu.

You also happened to be there and were able to pay a visit to Minister Xu together with Wu Liang, and even received pointers on the topics from Minister Xu..."

……

Every word of his clansman seemed to drill into the bottom of his heart, full of seductive power, pulling him into a dark and gloomy abyss...

Zhou Yan was able to pass the licentiate examination, so he was not a man of foolish intellect. He carefully considered his clansman's words and found them to be interlocking, reasonable, and logical. Although there was speculation, it must be the truth!

Wu Liang must have learned by chance the day before the metropolitan examination that Huang Hongcang had been poisoned and had an accident, and deduced that Xu Liangxiong might be the person to replace him as chief examiner.

Zhou Yan thought of how, before he went to the metropolitan examination, he and Wu Liang passed by the Xiao family bookstore on Wenhan Street, and Wu Liang even bought a copy of "Liu Jichuan's Literary Records."

Because Xu Liangxiong highly praised Liu Jichuan's essay "Retrospective Notes," the topics he gave the two were also closely related to "Retrospective Notes."

At that time, he had even advised Wu Liang that since the metropolitan examination was imminent, he should ponder more on the topics of the chief examiner Huang Hongcang and not waste time on an irrelevant person like Xu Liangxiong.

Now that he thought about it, how ironic and ridiculous he was...

Zhou Yan felt hurried, depressed, and jealous in his heart. He did not expect Wu Liang to have such a heaven-sent opportunity, while his own fate was so decadent, missing such a great opportunity.

Wu Liang must have accidentally learned of the change the day before the metropolitan examination and deduced that Xu Liangxiong would replace him as chief examiner, so he spent the night pondering the topics set by Xu Liangxiong and Liu Jichuan's "Retrospective Notes."

Zhou Yan even sent someone to the Xiao family bookstore to buy a copy of "Liu Jichuan's Literary Records" and carefully pondered and read the "Retrospective Notes" in it.

The more he read "Retrospective Notes," the more difficult it was to restrain the regret and jealousy in his heart.

Because he discovered that Liu Jichuan's "Retrospective Notes" had a closely related connection to the topics originally set by Xu Liangxiong and the theme of the policy essay in the metropolitan examination.

Moreover, the major policy essay topic in the third session of the metropolitan examination was completely intercepted from the theme of "Retrospective Notes" and then slightly evolved and compiled.

If he could have carefully studied and pondered Liu Jichuan's "Retrospective Notes" before entering the metropolitan examination, he would definitely have been able to write an outstanding policy essay, and passing the metropolitan examination would have been a matter of course.

He was completely certain that the reason Wu Liang was able to pass the examination was that he had obtained this opportunistic advantage; otherwise, with his talent and learning, he would never have been able to achieve this result!

For these days, Zhou Yan had flipped through "Liu Jichuan's Literary Records" countless times. Every time he read "Retrospective Notes," the remorse and jealousy in his heart would increase by one point.

He and Wu Liang had originally agreed to have a small gathering the day before the metropolitan examination, but that day he had a small drink with his clansman and accidentally drank too much, missing the appointment with Wu Liang.

He had also thought that if he hadn't broken the appointment that time, perhaps Wu Liang would have told him in time about the change between Huang and Xu.

Or perhaps Wu Liang, for the sake of his own rise, concealed this matter and would not have told him at all...

Regardless of the result, it was unknown now.

But after the metropolitan examination ended, he had met Wu Liang outside the examination hall, and Wu Liang did not mention this matter at all, which was absolutely true, making Zhou Yan feel even more resentment in his heart.

Wu Liang's talent was on par with his, but Wu Liang used deceitful and opportunistic methods to peek at official fame and career, while he acted with integrity but failed the examination.

He was unconvinced in his heart, feeling how unfair heaven was. He had studied poetry and books hard for more than ten years, but had to endure such an unbearable result. He was unwilling in his heart!

……

His clansman seemed to be quite indignant about this matter and advised him not to let it go, but to report the chief examiner Xu Liangxiong and the candidate Wu Liang for engaging in malpractice.

Encouraged by his clansman, Zhou Yan wrote a petition in a fit of anger, but after writing it, he felt hesitant in his heart.

Since he could pass the licentiate examination, his learning and insight would not be too bad. The imperial examination had always been a major event for the court and the country. Once a case of imperial examination malpractice broke out, it would stir up a huge storm.

He, a mere licentiate, was about to confront a high-ranking official of the second grade like Xu Liangxiong. What risks would be involved in this, no one could say for sure at the moment...

Just as Zhou Yan was indecisive and drowning his sorrows in wine, footsteps sounded outside the door, and a young nobleman in luxurious clothes walked in with a leisurely gait.

As soon as he reached the door, he smelled the heavy smell of alcohol in the room and frowned with some disgust, but immediately calmed his expression and still walked in.

After entering the room, he just glanced at Zhou Yan and saw the snow-wave paper full of handwriting on the desk. His eyes lit up, as if he had found a treasure, and he picked up the paper to browse it carefully.

He finished reading the petition quickly and praised: "Brother, you are worthy of being a licentiate. This petition is written with clear logic, detailed narrative, and between the lines is full of righteous spirit. I admire you very much."

Zhou Yan's expression was hesitant, his tone somewhat uneasy, and he said: "Brother, the matter of imperial examination malpractice is no small matter. I failed the examination this time, and now I am reporting others for malpractice. Will I be criticized by others?"

The young nobleman heard this, frowned slightly, then straightened his face and said: "Brother, why do you say that? You and I are both scholars. The imperial examination is the life's work of scholars like us.

You have read the books of the sages and should know that the sages have said: 'The superior man is broad and at ease, while the inferior man is always worried.'

Now there are treacherous and evil people who tarnish the grand ceremony of the imperial examination of the country, recklessly engaging in ghostly and treacherous malpractice, opportunistically taking official fame, causing people of true talent and learning like you to fall into the state of failing the examination.

This matter is unbearable. You and I are both disciples of Confucianism and successors of the teachings. Since we know about it, how can we sit idly by? Would that not be a shame to the books of the sages?"

The young nobleman saw that his impassioned words did not seem to move Zhou Yan much, and the hesitation on his face was still difficult to remove.

He couldn't help but feel some contempt in his heart and continued: "Brother, you should know that the imperial examination is a grand ceremony for the court to select talent and has always been valued by the Emperor and the officials.

Both inside and outside the court, there is a deep hatred for imperial examination malpractice. You have experienced it yourself and know the inside story, so you should be duty-bound to report and expose it.

If you perform this righteous act, your virtuous name will spread far and wide within a few days, and your reputation will be great.

How many licentiates who have studied poetry and books hard like you have suffered injustice due to malpractice and failed the examination? They will all shout for you..."

The young nobleman's language was meticulous, his emotions were impassioned, and his words were upright. A surge of hot blood was stirred up in Zhou Yan's heart.

He thought that although he failed the examination, he could become famous in the scholarly world because of this matter. Wouldn't that be another good story...

The young nobleman continued: "I already told my father about your matter the day before yesterday. My father is a high official of the court and has always been valued by the Emperor.

My father heard about your matter and was also filled with righteous indignation. As long as you resolutely perform this righteous act, my father will definitely not stand idly by!

Once imperial examination malpractice breaks out, the scholars of the world will discuss it, and even the original metropolitan examination list will be sealed and re-selected. With your talent, there may not be no chance.

My father once said that if you report malpractice, you will be a hero of the country and a model for the scholars of the world.

The court will definitely reward you, perhaps with an official position, or even a gift of imperial examination status, which is not yet known...

Brother, a man of great character must be decisive in his actions and must not be hesitant. Many things in the world are where righteousness lies, and you must not easily miss the opportunity for fame..."

If one were to talk about the young nobleman's previous words, although they were impassioned and righteous, they did not move Zhou Yan much.

But the last words he said, such as the re-selection of the examination list, reporting imperial examination malpractice, and the court's certain reward, and even the gift of an official position and imperial examination status,

instantly pierced Zhou Yan's most burning desire, instantly igniting the ambition and evil thoughts in his heart, and the original scruples and worries were swept away...

……May 13th, the imperial city under the night curtain, compared to the majesty and magnificence of the day, had a touch of severity and gloom.

The three chief examiners of the spring examination, Wang Shilun, Chen Mo, and Xu Liangxiong, walked out of the Qianyang Hall gate one after another.

Four eunuchs carried lanterns to lead the way for the three of them, and the bright and flickering lights moved and advanced along the long path.

The light of the lanterns could only illuminate a distance of ten steps; beyond that, it was pitch black, as if swallowed by the majestic and spacious imperial city.

The distance from the Qianyang Hall to the Meridian Gate to leave the palace was not short. Wang Shilun and Xu Liangxiong were both in their prime and could handle the walk, but Chen Mo was over sixty and found it quite strenuous.

The four eunuchs leading the way often slowed their pace after walking a long distance, allowing the elderly Chen Mo to catch his breath.

By the time the three of them left the Chengtian Gate and were less than a hundred steps away from the palace gate, the palace drums sounded, just past the hour of the dog, and the three heard the sound of the Chengtian Gate being locked behind them.

Today, the three of them entered the Qianyang Hall to report the ranking of the three hundred palace examination papers to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and to discuss with the Emperor the final candidates for the top three in the first tier.

The rankings from the sixteenth place in the second tier onwards did not require the Emperor's concern, and the three chief examiners basically followed the opinions of the eighteen co-examiners.

Tonight in the Qianyang Hall, they mainly discussed and determined the top eighteen in the palace examination, and the candidates for the top fifteen in the second tier had also basically been determined long ago.

!

Therefore, what needed to be discussed between the Emperor and the three chief examiners were just the six candidates for the first tier, and finally choosing which three to select for the first tier.

How to select the top scholar, the second-place winner, and the third-place winner in the first tier was no longer just a matter of talent and essay quality, but more of a weighing of pros and cons and the needs of the overall situation.

Perhaps the three chief examiners had their own thoughts, but Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had already reached a conclusion in his heart after two days of weighing.

Therefore, by the time the matter was settled, the three chief examiners were still in time to leave the palace before the palace gates were locked.

……

By the time the three of them reached the Meridian Gate, the carriages and servants from their respective mansions had already been waiting for a long time.

Xu Liangxiong's expression was somewhat dejected. He first said goodbye to Wang Shilun and Chen Mo and got into his own carriage to leave.

At this time, the area outside the Meridian Gate was empty, and apart from the carriages and servants of the two families, there was no one else.

The huge lanterns hanging on the gate tower cast a hazy light, making the openness under the gate tower look shadowy, revealing an obscure meaning.

Wang Shilun watched Xu Liangxiong's carriage go away and said: "Minister Chen is an old official of two reigns, with broad experience and outstanding insight. He knows the vicissitudes of the world and the depth of the court.

You must know that Jia Cong's status is special and he has the talent of a top scholar, but he is not suitable to be a top scholar. Yet you recommended him before the Emperor, which makes me, the junior, quite confused."

At this time, the four eunuchs who carried the lanterns to lead the way had already returned to the palace.

Chen Mo did not answer immediately, but walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and his waist slightly bowed, as if strolling in a courtyard, and Wang Shilun followed him casually.

Whether intentional or not, both of them moved a little further away from their own carriages and servants...

In the empty and deserted Meridian Gate, the night wind was chilling, and their official robes fluttered in the wind.

Chen Mo said: "The current Emperor has profound strategies and makes his own decisions. Who is suitable to enter the first tier, the Emperor knows very well in his heart.

I recommended Jia Cong as the top scholar. Whether the Emperor agrees or not, where is there a need for others to advocate? But the Emperor asked for Hongren's opinion.

The Emperor already has a plan in his heart. Jia Cong's talent is outstanding, and he is both civil and military. The Emperor will definitely reuse him. How to show grace and use him properly depends on one's heart.

Some things are inconvenient for the Emperor to say and can only be said by us ministers. Yesterday, Hongren's reply before the throne was very appropriate.

Since some things are difficult to avoid, I just said it first to gain the initiative and strive for the best result under the Emperor's will. For others and for myself, for the monarch and for the minister, it is all a good thing."

In the night, Wang Shilun bowed slightly to Chen Mo and said: "I have been taught."

He asked again: "What does Minister Chen think of Xu Liangxiong?"

Chen Mo's expression was solemn, he stroked his gray beard, and said: "Xu Liangxiong's talent is outstanding, and he is shrewd and sharp, which can be considered a person of character, but he is too impatient for success and lacks grandeur and uprightness, so he is not enough to plan with..."

……

Love Shenjing, Court of Review office.

In the night, a fast horse galloped over. When it reached the gate of the official office, the rider on the horse dismounted and showed his waist badge to the gate-guarding constable, walking straight into the Court of Review office without stopping.

Although it was already the hour of the dog, the lights in the official office of the Court of Review official Zhou Junxing were still on.

The rider held the waist badge, passed through the heavy gates of the Court of Review, reached the door of Zhou Junxing's official office, bowed and said: "Reporting to my lord, the matter of Xiuchun Ward has been settled. I have brought the wax-sealed secret document, please review it, my lord."

Zhou Junxing stood up abruptly, his eyes shining, and said: "Present it!"

The person took out a bamboo tube the length of an arm from his backpack. Zhou Junxing checked the interface of the bamboo tube, the red wax seal was intact, and it was also covered with a circle of seals.

He nodded slightly, and the person stepped back a few steps and left the official office.

Under the candlelight, Zhou Junxing peeled off the wax seal of the bamboo tube and took out a paper tube from inside. It was a sheet of top-quality snow-wave paper, with neat handwriting on it.

Zhou Junxing browsed the content on the paper quickly, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, which then turned into a chilling and gloomy laugh, revealing an arrogant sense of control over everything, echoing leisurely in the official office.

He shouted to the constable on duty outside the door: "Someone, summon Zheng Yingquan to see me!"

After a while, Zheng Yingquan, the chief of the Court of Review, walked into the official office and asked: "What are your orders, my lord?"

Today, when it was time to leave the office, Zhou Junxing had passed down the word, letting Zheng Yingquan and the others stay in the office and wait for orders, as if there was an important matter to deal with, but he did not specify what it was.

"Yingquan, a major event is about to happen. After I go to the office tomorrow, there is an urgent matter that needs you to handle. You must be steady and gain the initiative!"

……

The 15th year of Emperor Jia Zhao, May 14th, Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Early morning, at the second quarter of the hour of the rabbit, Jia Cong lifted the bed curtain and got up, and Wu'er on the side couch also got up.

While helping Jia Cong dress and tie his belt, she asked: "Third Master, you are getting up so early today. Usually, I don't see you getting up so early to go to the office."

Jia Cong smiled: "There is an important matter at the workshop outside the city today, so I am going over earlier. If it goes smoothly today, I can relax for a while."

Wu'er didn't ask any more questions after hearing this, but just helped Jia Cong comb his hair and tie his bun. She knew that Jia Cong's errand at the Firearms Division had many taboos, so she had always asked little.

After Jia Cong finished washing and had breakfast, he left the mansion before the hour of the dragon.

A few days ago, the breech-loading gun firing pins had been improved and forged, and they could now fire twenty-six rounds consecutively without the firing pin breaking, only one step away from firing thirty rounds consecutively without failure.

Today, the workshop would produce the latest batch of breech-loading gun firing pins. It is said that the forging craftsmen estimated that their texture and strength were better than previous batches and were very likely to reach thirty consecutive shots without failure.

Under Jia Cong's presiding, the construction of the breech-loading guns had been going on for nearly half a year, and the final qualified construction might be in these few days.

Therefore, Jia Cong had been getting up early these days because it took a lot of time to travel from the Earl's Mansion to the workshop outside the city, and he wanted to know the actual effect of the new batch of firing pins as soon as possible.

His carriage passed near the Meridian Gate and saw that many officials had already gathered there. When the Meridian Gate opened at the hour of the dragon, they would enter the palace for the morning court session.

Jia Cong was now a fifth-grade official and the chief of a department under the Ministry of Works, so he was already qualified to attend the morning court session.

But he was in charge of the affairs of the Firearms Division, and all matters involved military secrets, so it was not appropriate to report them at the court session. Therefore, except for the grand court sessions, he did not attend the daily court sessions.

He glanced at the officials attending the morning court session outside the Meridian Gate, then lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage drove straight to the workshop outside the city.

The officials attending the morning court session gathered at the Meridian Gate were all chatting in groups of three or five, waiting for the Meridian Gate to open at the hour of the dragon.

Among the crowd, only Zhou Junxing of the Court of Review stood solemnly. No officials came up to chat, and the people around him seemed to be kept at a distance.

But he didn't care at all, his gaze was sharp, revealing an arrogant air.

Not far from Zhou Junxing, seven or eight censors from the Censorate were gathered, and Sun Shouzhen, a seventh-grade censor of the Yongzhou Circuit, was also among them.

The surrounding censor colleagues were all chatting with each other, and Sun Shouzhen would also say a few words, but his words were somewhat absent-minded...

(End of chapter)