When the outside world was noisy, a house near Fushi, Beizhen seemed very quiet. There were a group of Jinyiwei guards here strictly guarded by the front and back doors.

The lights in the main hall were brightly lit, and a group of officials were sitting here in a row. The left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, wearing third-rank official uniforms, was sitting in the hall.

In the 18th year of Hongwu, two chief examiners and eight examiners of the same examination.

Lin Weiran and other examiners were invited to this house and were under house arrest, making final preparations for the next examination.

Eight examiners sat on both sides according to the seat order, including two officials from the Hanlin Academy, three officials from the Kedao, and three officials from the six ministries, but there was only one deputy examiner missing.

This is true in the world, and there will always be various situations outside the plan. It is said that all the inner curtain officials will be invited here together when they go to the yamen, but I don’t know what happened, but the Jinyiwei couldn’t invite the deputy examiner.

At this time, they still hadn't had dinner, and some people's stomachs began to roar. However, no one dared to speak out, and seemed to sit here and drink tea, quietly waiting for the deputy chief examiner who had not arrived so far, while carefully observing Lin Yanran's face.

Lin Weiran saw the reactions of the eight examiners, but he turned a blind eye to them and was still sitting here pretending to be like a Mount Tai standing here.

It’s not that he respects the late deputy examiner there, but that he wants to pass this action and want these people to understand the order of superiority and inferiority, and even when they are hungry, they still understand the rules.

Two examiners couldn't help but report to Lin Weiran, and hurried to the cottage, and then returned here obediently to continue waiting.

"Sir, President!" Someone finally couldn't help but make a voice.

The officials turned their heads and looked over happily, but they saw that it was Sun Long, the head of the Ministry of Revenue.

Lin Qiran looked over with expressionless expression and asked in a deep voice: "What's the matter?"

Chen Long faced Lin Shiran's sharp gaze, but he couldn't help but swallow and spit secretly, and said incoherently: "Or...we...we... are fine!"

The officials knew what he actually wanted to say, and couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.

Lin Qingran took a sip of tea, but suddenly said, "Let's wait for another stick of incense. If the vice president is not yet, then let's have a meal together!"

He knew that these officials who were usually pampered and had reached their limits. These officials probably had already had dinner. Many things were too much, and now the effect of the attack has been achieved, so naturally there is no need to keep hungry.

"yes!"

When all the examiners heard this, their eyes immediately lit up and responded in unison. They felt that the noble left minister of the Ministry of Rites actually had some humanity, and they felt a sense of goodwill in their hearts.

After Zhang Siwei served as a co-examination examiner in the previous session, he became a co-examination examiner in the examination this year again, sitting here silently observing everything that happened.

He found that this junior could occupy the position of the Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites, which was not a lucky chance, but that this man was indeed very capable and knew how to take the right measures.

Before long, there was finally a movement at the door. First, two Jinyiwei pushed the door open, and then an official wearing a robe walked in, and the deputy examiner resolutely arrived.

"Let's welcome the vice president together and then have a dinner together!"

Lin Weiran did not intend to raise the airs and said to the examiner present.

Zhang Siwei and others naturally agreed. Some officials had already been devoted to dinner and had already resented the late deputy examiner of the exam.

"Old Ge Lao, please forgive me. I'm too late to come this time!"

The Hanlin Academy student Hu Zhengmeng came in from outside. Facing Lin Weiran and other officials who came up with him, he took the initiative to accuse Lin Weiran of the authenticity.

According to the usual fine tradition, the deputy examiner of the examination is usually selected from the Hanlin Academy, but is appointed by Hu Zhengmeng, a bachelor of the school.

Hu Zhengmeng was from Yuyao, Zhejiang, and was in Huiyuan in the 26th year of Jiajing. However, he won the top scorer for Li Chunfang in that subject, and he finished third in Tanhua.

In the 35th year of Jiajing, Hu Zhengmeng was admitted to the Hanlin Academy in the ninth year, and was promoted to the lecturer of the royal palace. Now he was promoted to the bachelor's degree in the general school, and the Yongle Encyclopedia.

Master Yuan?

When Zhang Siwei and others heard this title, they couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and turned their heads to look at Lin Weiran.

Lin Qingran was not angry, but responded with a smile: "Master, Master Yuan's son also participated in the examination this time. In order to avoid suspicion, Master Yuan was presided over the examination!"

The lights in the courtyard were dim. Hu Zhengmeng realized that he had recognized the wrong person and also accused him: "It turns out that it is Zuo Zongbo, and the old official's eyes are dim. Please don't take it to heart!"

"How dare!" Lin Qingran looked at his complexion, and invited him, "Master, I'm afraid he hasn't eaten yet? I've been waiting for a long time. Now let's have a seat first. Let's have a chat while eating?"

"Okay, please!" Hu Meng was secretly moved when he learned that these people had been waiting for him, so he hurriedly raised his hand and said.

The officials were already hungry and rushed to have dinner when they arrived at the dining room.

Hu Zhengmeng's face was obviously not good, and he looked sick, which made the officials present feel a little worried about his physical condition.

While having a meal, he also explained why he was late.

The Jinyiwei originally went to the Hanlin Academy to invite people on time, but the officials of the Hanlin Academy told Hu Mengzheng that he was sick at home today, but the Jinyiwei went to the Hu Mansion but was idle and said that he had been invited to Prince Yu's Mansion.

As a result, they ran from Mixiang in Dongjiang to Hu's Mansion in the east of the city, and then to Prince Yu's Mansion in the west of the city, and then brought people back to the east of the city. Time quietly came to night.

When everyone heard that this was the reason, they didn't know what to say for a moment, but they all shook their heads with wry smiles.

After dinner, Lin Qingran also politely reminded the officials: "From tomorrow, we will start to draw up the test questions. Each of them will get at least one set of questions. Let's get together the day after tomorrow to finalize the questions!"

The officials responded respectfully and returned to the inner house to rest.

Hu Zhengmeng's body seemed to be weak, but he was unable to stand firmly. Seeing this, Lin Qingran stepped forward and helped him, and asked Zhang Siwei to help him back to the room to rest.

Although he was determined to reform the standards for selecting chief examiners in the provincial examinations of the two capitals and thirteen provinces, the chief examiners at the level of the examinations still maintained the seniority-oriented style.

Although Hu Zhengmeng is not young and looks in good health, he is the most experienced bachelor's degree in Hanlin Academy and he is also the teacher of King Yu, but he is still the deputy examiner of this examination.

Lin Xuran also sighed inwardly about this, but it was not entirely a bad thing. If the court really arranged an energetic deputy examiner, he might openly sing a counter-tune with him.

The next day, the officials gathered together to discuss the exam questions.

The first four and five classics have twenty questions in total. The questions here are relatively fixed and have regulations. The questions should not be too simple and avoid being in conflict with previous questions.

This is also the most controversial topic selection content of the eight examiners, because everyone can use the questions and who have their own attack points, but they all hope that Lin Qingran will adopt the questions he is best at.

The interests of each room officer are actually in conflict. The quota for the examination is a fixed 300, but only the candidates selected from their own room will have a "teacher-student status". Therefore, everyone hopes that there will be more Jinshi in their room.

Lin Qingran was aware of this and tried his best to distribute the twenty topics as evenly as possible, and did not want to waste too much energy on these less important things.

When he was preparing to draft the third exam question, Lin Qingran solemnly asked: "The third classics, history and current affairs plan is mainly based on examining the candidates' vision and ability. You can choose some special current affairs plan, which is not concise!"

Although no matter how he selected the candidates in this exam, he was able to successfully receive 300 disciples from the Jinshi, for his own interests, he naturally hoped to choose some truly useful materials.

Xu Jie, who presided over the 32nd year of Jiajing exam, favored Zhang Juzheng, who had "incorrect teacher-student status"?

Chen Jin, the top scholar in the 32nd year of Jiajing, was sent to the Huizhou Prefecture, Guangdong for his poor service. Cao Dazhang, the second-ranked student, turned to the Yan Party, and Wen Yinglu was about the same age as Xu Jie.

Lin Fengran has been in the official career for so many years and knows the importance of winning students. Faced with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he naturally desires to select some capable students.

"Sir, obey the order!"

When Zhang Siwei and other officials heard Lin Shiran's words, they knew that the talent candidates for the reformist faction were indeed different from the past, so they bowed their hands and responded one after another.

These house officials are all smart people. I know that Lin Weiran actually wants to focus more on strategy theory this time and choose some strategy theory articles with a sharp and vision.

Although Lin Qingran's standards may be different from his own preferences, if he can give him a few more Jinshi in this room, it is undoubtedly a cost-effective business, so he naturally has to recommend the papers according to Lin Qingran's preferences.

The day of the imperial examination is held on the ninth day of the second month.

At the third day of the day, the sky was still dark, and the capital seemed to have suddenly woken up.

The lights of various guild halls or inns were lit up one after another, and not many carriages with red lanterns with the words "Shuntian Prefecture" appeared on the streets and came towards the Shuntian Gongyuan.

A drum sound came from the Shuntian Gongyuan, and the Shuntian Prefecture and Guards had already surrounded the place, and officials were commanding and maintaining order here.

In front of the dragon gate, there are crowds of people.

Four thousand and five hundred candidates were present one after another. They studied hard for another three years and were already ready to go, but they hoped that they could "jump over the dragon gate" today.

Lin Yuran, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites of the dynasty, was appointed as the chief examiner of this examination. This is well known, and the voices in the capital were surprisingly unanimously applauded.

This is not entirely flattery of scholars, but Lin Weiran's consistent style of conduct, which not only won the support of the people, but also won the respect of scholars.

In particular, the role of Lin Qingran set by the example has made more and more scholars abandon the idea of ​​getting promoted and making money, and instead want to become an official like Lin Qingran, who is loved by the people.

However, all kinds of accidents will occur. A carriage from the Guangdong Association has not arrived for a long time. When I sent someone back to search, I learned that the carriage had a sudden accident with a broken shaft on the way.

While waiting anxiously, the scholars were finally picked up by the carriage sent back.

Mengzhao and several candidates got off the carriage, and their faces couldn't help but show bitterness. This was really not a good sign, but they still expressed their gratitude to their fellow villagers waiting here with a smile.

"Brother Tinglun, you scared us!"

Wang Shiju and Li Tingchen were also waiting here, and smiled knowingly at the late arrival of Meng Lun.

Meng Zhao seemed dissatisfied and bowed to the two and responded: "Good things are so hard! In this high school, my mentor and I have been the teacher and student in the name of this teacher and student!"

"Haha... We also have this intention. We would like to hand the disciples to the other side together with Brother Tinglun!" Wang Shiju and Li Tingchen looked at each other and smiled, and said with confidence.

"please!"

"please!"

The three of them gave in to each other again, and then walked towards the dragon gate together, waiting in line to enter the venue with high fighting spirit.

A ceremony was being held in front of the Shuntian Gongyuan.

"Repay kindness with gratitude, and revenge with revenge!"

A Taoist was leading several officers and soldiers to waving flags and shouting, but he was actually dancing to the great god.

According to the tradition of the imperial examination, every year before opening the tribute courtyard, the Ministry of Rites will invite monks and Taoists to set up an altar on the Mingyuan Tower to perform rituals to drive away the unjust souls in the tribute courtyard.

Bang! Bang! Bang...

As the auspicious time arrived, nine salutes suddenly exploded, and the gate of Shuntian Gongyuan slowly opened.

Since Shuntian Gongyuan just held the Shuntian provincial examination in August last year, the place is not too dirty. After simple care, candidates can be allowed to take the exam.
To be continued...