Chapter 644

Great Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

At the end of May, in the afternoon, the scorching sun outside the hall was already hot, but in the spacious hall, a refreshing coolness flowed.

Early summer is the most pleasant moment in Ganyang Palace. When it enters June, the sun in Shenjing is scorching, and ice mirrors must be placed in the hall to borrow this coolness.

The metropolitan examination fraud case was settled, and Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's irritable and angry mood was finally calmed down, his mood was peaceful, and his thinking became clearer and clearer.

He examined the transcript of the palace examination list, picked up the vermilion pen on the desk with no expression, and gently crossed out Lin Zhaohe's name from the three people in the first rank.

In this Spring Examination, Lin Zhaohe was one of the few whose talent for the examination could be compared with Jia Cong, and logically, he was also a very rare talent.

But the incident happened for a reason and was difficult to recover. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao would abandon it without hesitation and would not have any hesitation.

For the Emperor, the talents of the world are like crucian carp crossing the river. Figures like Lin Zhaohe are not in the minority. For the sake of the country's overall situation, he will not be tied to one person or one thing.

At this time, the Emperor felt a little lucky in his heart. Although the metropolitan examination fraud caused a wide range of disasters and implicated many students and officials, Jia Cong was not involved at all.

Although there are many talents in the world, Jia Cong's talent is outstanding and extraordinary, and it is difficult to replace...

If Jia Cong was also involved in the fraud case this time, the vermilion pen in Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's hand would not be able to cross it out lightly as he treated Lin Zhaohe...

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao quietly thought and planned for this palace examination list transcript. Less than half an hour passed, and the three officials who received the decree entered the palace to see him.

Ten days ago, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao summoned the three chief examiners of the metropolitan examination to enter Ganyang Hall to discuss the selection of the palace examination list.

By the time of this second selection, things had changed. One of the three chief examiners of the metropolitan examination had already left. Xu Liangxiong would never be able to step into the palace gate for the rest of his life.

The storms of the world, the dangers of the official career, winning today and losing tomorrow, who can fully control it...

Among the three officials, Minister Guo Youchang of the Ministry of Rites replaced him and participated in the selection of the palace examination list for the first time.

Although Guo Youchang was not the appointed chief examiner, Wang Shilun and Chen Mo would not think that he had no qualifications for selection.

Guo Youchang, as the Minister of Rites, is also a master of the Book of Songs famous in the scholarly community and has served as the chief examiner of the imperial examination many times.

He was originally an important candidate for the chief examiner of the metropolitan examination, but because he was Jia Cong's teacher in the hospital examination and had selected Jia Cong as the first in the Yongzhou hospital examination, he withdrew from the selection of the chief examiner of the metropolitan examination to avoid suspicion.

Now that the Spring Examination has gone through many changes, Guo Youchang has returned to the selection of the imperial examination, which can be considered as returning to his proper place.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at the three officials and said: "The Spring Examination has had many twists and turns, and the great fraud case has implicated many candidates and officials. The first round of palace examination selection had many shadows and flaws and needs to be re-weighed and selected.

The people in the second and third ranks can be discussed and adjusted by you, excluding those who are fraudulent and rebellious, and then select excellent ones from the failed candidates to supplement, and then make new questions to supplement the palace examination ceremony."

As soon as Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao finished speaking, Wang Shilun and Chen Mo submitted a list of ten people to supplement the palace examination.

Ever since the fraud case was uncovered, the main culprit Wu Liang was arrested, and nine candidates and two candidates were convicted and imprisoned, Wang Shilun and Chen Mo knew that the imperial list needed to be selected and supplemented, so they had done their homework in advance.

The ten candidates they selected to supplement were ranked closely behind the three hundred people on the metropolitan list when the papers were reviewed, but they were only a hair's breadth away and finally failed.

For these ten failed candidates, the matter of supplementing the list is no different from a great blessing and a rare opportunity in the world. Hearing the good news, I don't know how ecstatic they will be...

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao only took a slight look at these ten supplementary candidates and put them aside, because he believed in the rationality of supplementing the ten people.

He knew very well that this Spring Examination was too ups and downs. On the day the palace examination list was posted, these ten supplementary candidates would receive attention, I am afraid no less than the three people in the first rank.

There are still over a thousand failed candidates in Love Shenjing, and they will crazily verify the fairness of the ten supplementary people.

Wang Shilun and Chen Mo witnessed the severity of the fraud case and knew the seriousness of it, and would not take risks themselves.

They are all mature and cautious people and will never leave topics for others in this matter, nor will they give the thousand failed candidates an excuse to attack.

And the fact is that Wang Shilun and Chen Mo, as Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao thought, handled it cautiously and did not dare to have selfish intentions. The ten supplementary people were directly supplemented according to the ranking sequence of the metropolitan examination paper review, which made people unable to pick any flaws.

And the ranking records of the metropolitan examination paper review are documented in the examination office and the Ministry of Rites documents, and half of them cannot be faked.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said: "In addition to the ranking of the second and third ranks and the selection of the supplementary list, the most important thing in the selection of the palace examination list is the selection of the three people in the first rank.

The three people in the first rank are the hope of the scholars of the world and the face of the imperial court's selection of talents. In addition to outstanding articles, they must also demonstrate that the imperial court selects talents based on merit, regardless of nobility or commonality, and is fair and just.

I originally recommended Lin Zhaohe, a candidate from Hangzhou Prefecture, by Chen Mo. He was a Jieyuan and came from a plain family. His talent for the examination could be compared to the Huiyuan Jia Cong.

I watched his palace examination article, which was open and vigorous, a choice of the time, so I designated him as the top scholar.

But the metropolitan examination fraud case broke out. Lin Zhaohe was involved in the imperial examination fraud because of his close relationship with the main culprit Wu Liang, and was arrested and interrogated by the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice.

This matter was widely known, and although Lin Zhaohe was acquitted after interrogation by the Ministry of Justice, his reputation has been tarnished and he is difficult to bear the hope of the world.

The selection of the top scholar needs to be re-selected, and one person needs to be added to the first rank.

Lin Zhaohe was demoted to the middle of the second rank, not included in the Hanlin list, and kept a low profile to avoid causing criticism in the court and the public.

Regarding the selection of the first rank and the selection method of the top scholar, what do you have to say?"

Wang Shilun, Chen Mo, Guo Youchang, and others present were all proud sons of the examination field and naturally valued the honor of the Jinshi very much.

They all knew that Lin Zhaohe was designated as the top scholar and won the supreme glory of the readers.

Now, because of the crime of nothing, his reputation was tarnished, not only losing the glory of the top scholar but also losing the name of the first rank, falling into the second rank, and everyone was very sighing and regretful.

And the Emperor also specially decreed: his ranking in the second rank needs to be behind, and he is deprived of the qualification to enter the Hanlin, which almost cut off his official career.

The selection system for civil officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty is different from that of the previous dynasty, but there are also veins inherited.

Civil officials and civil positions, if they are not Jinshi, cannot be promoted to above the fifth grade in normal cases, and if they are not Hanlin, they stop before the third grade.

The palace examination ranking is behind the middle of the second rank, and it is certain that even staying in the capital as an official is impossible, and it is certain to be sent out as an official, usually just a county magistrate.

Jinshi who do not enter the Hanlin and are sent out as officials, because of the distance from the imperial hearing and the scarcity of connections, many county magistrate Jinshi stop at the sixth grade in their lives.

Some of them rose to the fifth grade, which is already a great opportunity. As for above the fourth grade, or with thick connections and backgrounds, or proper Hanlin background, it is not something ordinary people can hope for.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao designated Lin Zhaohe to the end of the second rank and deprived him of the qualification of Hanlin, destined that his official career in his life would be wasted in remote states and counties...

Just like when Jia Cong took the examination, Liu Jingan taught him earnestly that the Spring Examination is the end of the imperial examination, the road for scholars to climb the blue clouds, not only incomparably beautiful, but also extremely dangerous, and needs to be cautious.

A talent of the top scholar just fell like this...

However, the three civil official leaders present, even Chen Mo, who recommended Lin Zhaohe to the first rank, did not think that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's approach was inappropriate.

Because this year's Spring Examination was difficult and ups and downs, and could no longer withstand any questioning and criticism.

Wang Shilun said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, adding one person to the first rank is not a difficult thing. Anyone in the top eighteen of the metropolitan list can be weighed and selected.

The Emperor originally designated Lin Zhaohe as the top scholar, not only because of his outstanding talent in the examination, but also because he came from a plain family.

Designating Lin Zhaohe as the top scholar can demonstrate that the Great Zhou imperial examination selects talents based on merit, regardless of nobility or commonality, and is clean and fair.

Even people in wild villages, as long as they study poetry and books hard and have brilliant talents, can also get a way to serve the country.

This move can avoid the regret of missing pearls in the wild and make the scholars of the world return to their hearts.

The minister thinks that the Emperor can follow the previous method to select the top scholar, so that he can be impartial and the scholars and people will be convinced."

Chen Mo on the side heard these words, his slightly gray eyebrows picked slightly, and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Wang's words, although quite reasonable.

However, the imperial examination is a great ceremony of the country. Nobility and commonality are the same, regardless of family status, only discussing the merits and demerits of books and articles, and selecting talents based on merit is the true meaning of the imperial examination.

The minister once recommended Jia Cong and Lin Zhaohe to the first rank. At that time, Lin Zhaohe was designated as the top scholar by the Emperor. The minister was happy to see it. These two people are different in nobility and commonality, but both have the talent of the top scholar."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao listened to the words of Wang Shilun and Chen Mo, his expression was uncertain, and he did not express his position, just turned his eyes to Guo Youchang who had not yet spoken.

Guo Youchang, as the Minister of Rites, is proficient in the method of selecting talents for the imperial examination and knows more about the balance of government.

The generous words of Wang Shilun and Chen Mo just now, the language is dense and thorough, and in the final analysis, it is only one point: Can Jia Cong be designated as the top scholar!

Wang Shilun remonstrated with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao to follow the method of selecting Lin Zhaohe, select those from the top of the metropolitan list who came from plain families and had outstanding talents as the top scholar, so as to win the hearts of the scholars and people of the world. Chen Mo remonstrated with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao to keep the true meaning of the imperial examination, select talents based on merit, Lin Zhaohe is gone, no one can compare with Jia Cong's talent, and he should be designated as the top scholar.

Guo Youchang saw Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes looking at him, and he smiled bitterly in his heart. He seems to often fall into this situation...

Jia Cong is the Huiyuan of this subject, and his talent is high and unquestionable.

Moreover, he has a close relationship with Guo Youchang. He was designated as the first in the Yongzhou hospital examination by Guo Youchang. Guo Youchang is Jia Cong's teacher in the examination field, and Jia Cong is his most proud disciple.

But in terms of selfish thoughts, Guo Youchang hopes that Jia Cong can ascend to the position of top scholar, a disciple who has won three yuan in a row, a rare glory in a thousand years, and even to be recorded in history.

Later generations trace the source, and most of them will know that it was Guo Youchang who could see the pearls when Jia Cong was at the end, and designated him as the first in the hospital examination, so that he won several yuan in a row...

This kind of legendary thing, even the leader of the civil officials, will flock to it, and Guo Youchang naturally cannot be vulgar.

But precisely because of his close relationship with Jia Cong, he has to avoid suspicion, just like before, because of Jia Cong, he withdrew from the selection of the chief examiner of the Spring Examination.

And, what makes Guo Youchang think is another thing.

!

Outside the city, the Ministry of Works firearms workshop has been guarded by increased troops recently, and the inside and outside of the workshop are becoming more and more strict. Others don't know the inside story.

Although the development of firearms in the firearms workshop is a secret of the country, it is extremely difficult for outsiders to explore.

But the Emperor suddenly left the palace, led a large number of forbidden troops, and personally visited the firearms workshop, but he couldn't hide it at all.

And, after the Emperor returned to the palace, he immediately issued a decree to add Jia Cong as the fourth-grade Xinwu General, which was very eye-catching.

In the past, the firearms developed by the workshop showed great power on the Liaodong battlefield, and everyone knew it.

So it is not difficult to speculate that Jia Cong must have developed sharp firearms, which made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao visit in person and reward him for his merits.

Later, the palace issued a secret decree, and the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War all moved because of it, acting meticulously, and it is said that they are also selecting craftsmen in various places.

Guo Youchang is a person who has experienced the officialdom for a long time, and his experience and vision are experienced. He doesn't need to deliberately inquire.

He can guess that Jia Cong's new creation must be an amazing military artifact, and the Emperor will have big moves because of it.

A young nobleman, carrying the secret of the Great Zhou military country, I am afraid that in a few years, he will become important among the Great Zhou military nobles and cannot be ignored.

Does the Emperor really hope that such a person will reach the peak of civil honor while being destined to be prominent in military honor?

Therefore, Guo Youchang's heart tends to Chen Mo's proposition.

But regardless of avoiding suspicion or analyzing the situation, he has to stand on Wang Shilun's side.

He just thought slightly and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the imperial examination matter mentioned by Minister Chen, based on merit, although it has its own truth.

But today is different from the past. The Spring Examination has had constant twists and turns, fraud has occurred, the face of the imperial court has been damaged, the clarity of the imperial examination has been covered with dust, the scholars and people have discussed, and the hearts of the world are unstable.

The current situation cannot be ignored. Rectifying the wind, comforting and guiding, is urgent and imperative.

This time, focusing on the top scholar, not only to discuss talent and fame, but also to calm people's hearts, the person selected should be impartial, not cause criticism, so as to win the hearts of the scholars and people of the world and revitalize the name of the imperial examination.

My remonstrance is the same as Wang's, I agree..."

This discussion, the three civil official leaders, each expressed their own opinions, talked eloquently, and talked endlessly. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao listened in the middle, thinking and planning for balance.

Guo Lin, who was standing on the side, was dizzy from listening, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. These civil officials all have eighteen hearts, and it is really impossible to distinguish which sentence is sincere.

After a long time, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao listened to the public opinion, picked up the vermilion pen to cross out the name of the first rank, and asked Guo Youchang to draft the edict in court, and passed the decree to the Qin Tian Jian to choose the day of opening the list.

When the three officials saw the final ranking of the first rank, Wang Shilun was calm, Chen Mo closed his eyes slightly, and Guo Youchang was relieved...

This key palace examination list, in the eyes of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and the three high officials, considers major events such as the overall situation of the court, the balance of reputation and power, and the hearts of scholars and people.

But the entanglement and involvement caused by this, how can it be just these...

Earl's Mansion, Yingchun Courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, water pavilions and curved corridors, small pavilions, quiet chess boards, and fine breezes.

Jia Cong and Yingchun sat opposite each other, and the sound of chess was pleasant.

The breeze blew, Yingchun's skirt fluttered, her hair raised slightly, and her posture was beautiful.

Sisters like Daiyu, Xiangyun, and Xiuyan sat on the corridor outside the pavilion chatting, laughing and talking, gentle and pleasant.

The water pavilion under the corridor, the sun is just right, the mandarin ducks are swimming, the feathers are gorgeous, and it is beautiful.

Jia Cong dropped a piece, looked at the sisters chatting outside the pavilion, and asked: "Second Sister, Third Sister went to the East Road Courtyard yesterday, and she didn't come back in the afternoon. Did anyone pass a message?"

Yingchun picked up a piece and smiled: "I knew that Third Sister Seeing Tan Chun didn't come back last night, you must be nagging. In fact, she went back to the East Road Courtyard, and it has something to do with Brother Cong."

Jia Cong's expression was strange, and he said: "How does it have anything to do with me? Although Third Sister lives in the East Mansion, she misses the filial piety of the old man and goes back to live for two days every once in a while.

This time she didn't go back, what is the reason?"

Yingchun said: "Brother Cong is busy with official business, going out early and returning late every day, and he doesn't know much about the affairs of the mansion.

Recently, the East Road Courtyard has become lively. Many court officials have come to visit the Second Master. Some are colleagues and old friends of the Second Master, and some are entrusted to find the door.

It is said that the imperial examination fraud case broke out recently, involving many officials. The serious ones lost their official positions, and the light ones were demoted and transferred by the Ministry of Personnel.

Now these officials are looking for connections everywhere to open up for their future official career. They came to visit the Second Master for this reason."

Jia Cong felt strange in his heart. Jia Zheng is a rich official. In previous years, relying on the shade of his ancestors, he could help people introduce and seek official positions.

But the situation of the Jia family has changed greatly, and the second house has been relegated to a side branch, so I am afraid that such things are difficult to do.

What's more, the fraud case is under the eyes of everyone. It is not easy to open up for these officials who have committed crimes.

With Jia Zheng's current official position and situation, where can he handle such things? Why are there so many officials looking for the door?

But he just thought slightly and guessed some roots...

Yingchun saw Jia Cong's expression and smiled and said: "Brother Cong has always been smart, and he must have guessed the reason. They came to find the Second Master, but it was the intention of the drunkard.

They all know that Brother Cong is now esteemed by the Emperor and can speak in the palace.

But Brother Cong rarely socializes and feasts except for going to the office every day, and never sees strangers. They have no friendship with Brother Cong.

So they found the Second Master. Who in the capital doesn't know that Brother Cong grew up in the second house since he was a child.

Third Sister Seeing Tan Chun heard these rumors when she went to the West Mansion, and she was a little worried in her heart.

Brother Cong is a candidate for this subject. Now the imperial list has not been posted. How can he get involved in these things? So she went to be a scout for you."

Jia Cong smiled: "So it is, Third Sister is overthinking. The imperial examination fraud case is a major matter, how can I not know the priority, I will definitely not provoke it."

Yingchun said: "We all know that Brother Cong is cautious, so naturally we don't worry.

I heard that these officials came to the door, for the convenience of lobbying, and also brought female family members and gifts to show the friendship between the two families. The Second Lady must be entertaining guests..."

When Yingchun said this, Jia Cong understood the meaning, and knew the reason why Seeing Tan Chun rushed to the East Road Courtyard.

Now the second house of the Jia family is relegated, and Lady Wang forgets the power of the past and wants the second house to come out and be in the limelight.

If she is bewitched by the female family members of those officials and urges Jia Zheng to participate in mediating this matter, Jia Cong will certainly not take the move.

But if the rumors are spread, it will bring disaster to Jia Zheng.

Seeing Tan Chun is shrewd and knows the temper and style of her mother, so she rushed to the East Road Courtyard.

Jia Cong thought of this, and the chess pieces in his hand forgot to drop, and he felt a little worried in his heart.

I don't know what the situation is in the East Road Courtyard now...

(End of chapter)