After everyone listened to Ruan Yuan's words, the praises continued for a while. The cups in the flowing water gradually started to flow. Everyone drank and sang together, which was relaxing and comfortable. At this time, a subordinate of Qin Ying Daotai Mansion

The official suddenly came over and whispered a few words to Qin Ying. Qin Ying had no choice but to say to Ruan Yuan: "Bo Yuan, someone outside just sent word that this year's Zhejiang Provincial Examination Chief Examination has arrived. Although according to convention, you are not participating.

Regarding the provincial examination, I heard from outsiders that this person has something to do with your academic and political position. You'd better go over and meet him, and I'll take care of the things here on your behalf."

Ruan Yuan also asked: "Brother Xiao Xian, who is the examiner here?"

Qin Yingdao: "I heard they said it was Wu Shenglan. Alas, this person was originally He Shen's teacher. He came to take the exam this time, and he happened to have to spend some time with you. I'm afraid the person who came here was unkind... Boyuan, this year is unusual.

In the year of , I heard that there have been a lot of changes in the capital recently, and the Supreme Emperor has gradually stopped participating in government affairs this year. I am afraid that... something unexpected will happen."

Ruan Yuan thought for a while and said: "In that case, I have my own way of dealing with it. Brother Xiao Xian, I'll take care of the trouble here." After saying that, he said goodbye to everyone one by one, and took a sedan chair back to the city.

Came to Hangzhou Fuxue where Wu Shenglan was staying.

When Wu Shenglan saw Ruan Yuan, she was also happy and said with a smile: "Bo Yuan? Haha, long time no see! The last meeting in the capital was already three years ago. You and I were busy with official duties at that time, so we didn't

After seeing you for a few times, you left. Thinking about it this way, the last time you and I were able to talk about the classics in detail was seven years ago. Over the past few years, I have also heard in Beijing that you, Boyuan, are supervising schools and recruiting more talented people. The emperor and the emperor

The emperor, as well as He Zhongtang, are very satisfied. I believe that after Qiu Wei, Boyuan will be promoted again!"

What he said about seven years ago actually refers to the time when Ruan Yuan was working as Shao Zhan. That was also the first time Ruan Yuan worked with Wu Shenglan. After that, Ruan Yuan and he almost stopped interacting with each other. For Ruan Yuan, Wu Shenglan was close to He Shen.

He shouldn't have had many exchanges, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with it before. But that day, he heard Qin Ying say that there were many changes in Beijing. Maybe Wu Shenglan came to Hangzhou to test himself. When he thought about it,

The next answer should be doubly cautious, and he said: "Mr. Wu, you are very polite. I have been deeply grateful to the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor for knowing me. Naturally, I have to work harder to repay this infinite kindness. I work hard on weekdays.

It is the right thing to do the work. As for the matter of promotion, it all depends on the will of the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor. How can I dare to say anything that goes beyond the rules? Mr. Wu is here to preside over Qiu Wei. It is not easy for me to handle many official matters.

This year's school inspection has happened to be over, so I will naturally give my full support in this autumn matter, and let Master Wu do whatever he wants."

Wu Shenglan said with a smile: "Boyuan, I am naturally satisfied with your intention. However, when Qiu Wei comes, I will have to wait for the person who is in charge of the examination to handle this matter. Yu Zhongcheng is the governor, so naturally he will also participate in some matters."

, As for academic administration, there is actually no need to participate." This was also an unwritten rule in the imperial examinations in the Qing Dynasty. Academic administration and local students often have close friendships. If academic administration is allowed to participate in the provincial examination, it is very likely that academic administration will join candidates.

, the situation of coordinated cheating is that general academic administration does not need to participate in the provincial examination. Of course, Ruan Yuan's words are just to express his feelings, and he is not ignorant of this practice.

However, Wu Shenglan paused for a moment and then said: "Boyuan, you really don't have to worry about the provincial examination supervisor coming, but I have one more thing to do with you when I come to Hangzhou. This time I went south to preside over the rural examination, and the emperor also asked me to

By the way, you will also serve as the academic administrator of Zhejiang. In this way, your term of academic administration, Boyuan, will be completed. It is better to sort out all the official affairs in the academic department in these days. After I finish the autumn affairs, you

How about just handing over the official duties of academic administration? Haha, Bo Yuan, it is the time for the imperial court to employ people now. Although you have resigned from academic administration, I think you will be of great use in Beijing."

Ruan Yuan also paid homage to Wu Shenglan: "Thank you so much, Mr. Wu for your teaching."

Wu Shenglan nodded, but suddenly said: "Boyuan, when I went south, I once saw a poem in Zhenjiang Mansion. I remember it was... Beigu was full of wind and clouds this night, poetry and wine were high and golden. The sound of the river was full of pine trees at night.

A few pavilions, a jade-belt bridge in the cold moonlight. A misty sail with a solitary wild goose, and two temples riding the tide together in the vast expanse. I have also seen pictures of old travels, and my hometown heart has been shaking to the sea for ten years. They say this is the current cabinet bachelor's degree, Zhejiang University

Zheng Zuo, that is your poem, it is very good? But Bo Yuan, who are you and what do you do?"

Ruan Yuan was a little surprised when he heard this, but then he said calmly: "Actually, to be honest with Mr. Wu, my friend Zhang Zibai came to visit the academy last year. He had a picture in his hand, and it was the Jinjiao Er Mountain in Zhenjiang.

, Zibai said that although this painting is good, it would be even better if there is a poem to add to the fun, so I wrote a poem for him and wrote it on it. But I don’t know what the meaning of this painting is when Lord Wu asked about it."

Wu Shenglan asked again: "Bo Yuan, do you know who owns this painting?"

"I don't know about this," Ruan Yuandao said.

"Bo Yuan, if you think about it carefully, when Zhang Sheng came to your house, didn't he tell you anything about the origin of the painting and who the owner of the painting was? Or did he tell you but you forgot? Or maybe he told you.

"Actually, you haven't forgotten it either?" Wu Shenglan asked.

"Mr. Wu, Zibai is a close friend of mine. He is now appointed to the county, and I fully recommend him. Thinking about it this way, he will not hide anything from me. When he came, he only said that this painting was from him.

I got it accidentally on the market, and I don’t know about other things. Although this painting is indeed good, at present, domestic poetry, calligraphy and painting are all in their prime, so it is not surprising that there are occasionally one or two outstanding people among the people." Ruan Yuan answered this way.

He said, but at this moment, some beads of sweat gradually appeared on his palms.

After hearing Ruan Yuan's words, Wu Shenglan was indeed sincere, and did not want to dwell on this issue anymore, so she had to say: "Well, let me tell you, the original owner of this painting, named Xie Zhending, was a bold and unscrupulous person, but he also

A hypocritical person who claimed to be noble. In order to show his loyalty to the late Duke Awencheng, he deliberately found the carriages and horses of He Zhongtang's family and burned them. He Zhongtang was originally a generous person.

He Zhongtang made disrespectful remarks, but He Zhongtang ignored them, but he acted so wantonly and behaved so obscenely, but He Zhongtang couldn't stand it anymore, so he had no choice but to write a book about him and remove him from his official position. But I recently heard that

Said, this guy is quite restless in the countryside, and talks ill of He Zhongtang all the time... Oh, how can this person's mind be so narrow-minded? Boyuan, you have to be careful when choosing friends.

Be careful and don't get involved with such pretentious and hypocritical people."

Ruan Yuan also responded: "Master Wu taught me that I and Brother Zibai accidentally noticed that the painting still had some charm, so they casually wrote a few poems and forgot to see who painted it. I should double it after that."

Be careful, you will not interact with someone with ulterior motives like this." In fact, when Zhang Ruocai brought the painting to see Ruan Yuan last year, he had already told Ruan Yuan that the painting was made by Xie Zhending, so what happened to Ruan Yuan when Xie Zhending burned his car?

Don't you know? It was precisely because he knew that Xie Zhending was righteous that he wrote a poem for him. But he also knew that Wu Shenglan went south this time mostly to monitor himself, so the relevant details were also concealed. Fortunately, Wu Shenglan went south

There is also a lack of solid evidence, so the matter of this poem will remain undisturbed.

Wu Shenglan asked again: "Boyuan, even though you are not in the court, you should know about the important affairs of the court. He Zhongtang was promoted to the foreman of the military and aircraft minister. It will be one year soon. How about this year, the inspector was away and no one met him?

What's the trouble?"

Ruan Yuanzi also responded: "That's natural. In the past year, I have only felt that in the land of Yuhang, the weather is smooth, the country is peaceful and the people are safe. It is also because of the peace in the world that I have so much spare time to compile the poems and meanings of sages in Hangzhou.

He also talked a lot about the matter, so that the scholars of the two Zhejiang provinces know all about the Supreme Emperor and the emperor's holy virtues. He Zhongtang is in the middle of making decisions, so naturally he has to be grateful. I also told the students today that the style of the scholars of the two Zhejiang provinces is,

In recent years, I seem to be more active in learning than when I first came to Hangzhou. I think if He Zhongtang hadn't cared about cultural and educational matters and given us more advice, how could we have enjoyed the peace we have today?"

Wu Shenglan also nodded and said: "Boyuan, it is a good thing for you to have such a humble heart. But you have to be clear about compiling a collection of poems. There have always been some arrogant literati in Zhejiang and Zhejiang, and most of them speak rebellious words.

, if the Supreme Emperor finds out about it, not to mention that these arrogant people will not have a good end, I am afraid that as the person who compiles the poetry collection, you will not be able to escape the blame. You still need to be cautious when doing things on weekdays."

Ruan Yuan also quickly thanked Wu Shenglan. At the end of the day, seeing that Ruan Yuan was very talkative and praised He Shen mostly, Wu Shenglan gradually felt relieved. Afterwards, he secretly reported to He Shen and only said that Ruan Yuan was cautious as an official and treated He Shen well.

Shen was not dissatisfied, and Ruan Yuan finally passed the test successfully.

Wu Shenglan's secret report had not yet reached the capital, but another major incident occurred in the capital.

As the war on the front line was still tense, He Shen and Fu Chang'an had to return to the capital early to take charge of front line military affairs. That day, they heard that Wang Sanhuai's prison car had entered the capital, and the Ministry of Punishment was preparing to imprison him first, and then wait for Qianlong and Jiaqing to deal with him. He Shen

He and Fu Changan thought that if they killed the bandit leader, maybe the White Lotus Sect would be frightened and their morale would be low, and they each breathed a sigh of relief.

But Fu Changan suddenly said: "Zhizhai, according to my opinion, we might as well send someone to the Tianlao now to kill that Wang Sanhuai. Then he died of a sudden illness. Anyway, this guy was from Sichuan

It is reasonable for people to feel unaccustomed to the local environment when they arrive in the capital, don’t you think so?”

He Shen said: "Chengzhai, what you said is not wrong, but I don't understand why you are so eager to act? This Wang Sanhuai is already a trapped beast with his claws removed. Is it worth it for you to do this?"

"Have you forgotten?" Fu Chang'an said: "This guy is from Sichuan. There are many people in Sichuan who take our benefits to serve as officials and pay filial piety to us every year. I think the main reason is that he fights with our imperial army.

Those who are facing him are also Fu Ning, Huiling and the others. Among this gang of rebels, I guess he knows our details best. If we keep him for a long time, I'm worried that the nights will be long and we will have many dreams."

"Wait a minute. There is another edict from Chengde. Let me take a look first. In this case, even if we start first, I think..." He Shen was thinking about promising Fu Chang'an while looking at the edict.

Suddenly, he tightened his hands and said, "Chengzhai, this man cannot be killed."

"You...what did you write in this edict?"

"The Emperor has an edict, saying that he will return to the capital in the near future. He also said that after returning to the capital, the first thing he will do is to interrogate the bandit leader with the emperor in person. He also said that if the bandit leader makes any mistake in the capital, everyone from you and me to the Ministry of Punishment will take an example.

Asking the crime... Chengzhai, what happened to the Supreme Emperor? The Supreme Emperor has never seen this bandit leader, and usually there is a report. The killing of such a leader has never been so important to the Supreme Emperor. What is it..." He Shen thought about this.

Something happened, and I secretly felt that something was not right.

"I understand." Fu Chang'an said: "Zhizhai, it must be Dong Gao. He is now in charge of the Ministry of Punishment. It must be his idea! Zhizhai, what is going on? Dong Gao obviously went home to observe mourning last year.

It’s only been a year, but the Supreme Emperor asked him to return to the court, and even called Chengde specifically! Zhizhai, what do you mean, the Supreme Emperor... If this is the case, we’re afraid it won’t be easy for us to handle, right?”

He Shen remained calm: "What can he do? Dong Gao is just the acting minister of the Ministry of Punishment at the moment. Without the bachelor, the Minister of Military Aircraft cannot do it for a while. The Ministry of Punishment is only in charge of prison matters. If the world really changes, what will happen?

What can he do? As for Wang Sanhuai...even if he talks nonsense in front of the Supreme Emperor, how much will the Supreme Emperor listen to? This matter is not as difficult as you think."

At this moment, a pen sticker outside suddenly knocked on the door and said: "He Zhongtang, Mr. Fu, and Butler Liu of the He Zhongtang family have arrived. They said they have something urgent to inform He Zhongtang."

"Did he say what it was about?" Fu Changan asked in advance.

"I told you... there is something wrong with the lady in the middle hall, I'm afraid..." Before he finished speaking, He Shen had already put down the edict in his hand.

"Chengzhai, Madam's situation is very critical right now. I'm just afraid... you should take care of the military affairs department first. I know in my heart that the sky won't fall in a while!" After that, He Shen put on his clothes.

Official hat, I packed up a few things that I always have around me, and went out with the sticker.

When he returned home and saw Feng Jiwen, He Shen also felt sad. He saw Feng Jiwen lying on the bed, with almost no blood on her face. She looked at herself, her eyes barely opened, but she was completely powerless. It seemed that this time Mrs.

He couldn't survive it. No matter how lucky he was, it would only be in one or two days. He couldn't help but comfort Feng Jiwen and said: "Madam... I'm back. I have good news. This time I will bring down the bandit leader. The Supreme Emperor has decided to do it."

Give me a title, I will be promoted to a duke, and in half a month, you will be a duchess!"

"Zhizhai, you... you are really confused..." Feng Jiwen couldn't help but respond when she saw that He Shen was still greedy for the official title. However, her strength had weakened, and these few words had no power at all and were almost inaudible.

Shen had no choice but to fetch some water first and feed her to drink. However, Feng Jiwen waved her hands to the maids beside her, signaling everyone to leave first. For a while, only He Shen and his wife were left in the room.

"You...if I am really greedy for these powerful and famous people, then...then why did you ask me to marry you back then..." Feng Jiwen weakly smiled and said: "It's just...right now in the imperial court, I don't know what to do with it.

If you want to change, I'm afraid...I'm afraid that the higher your rank is, the more difficult it will be in the future. It's better...it's better to think of a way out first..."

"Madam, what are you talking about? I am the prime minister of the current dynasty. All major events in the world, including those of the Supreme Emperor and those under the Emperor, are decided by me. Why should I want to retreat?" He Shen said.

"I...I've heard a little bit about the things outside. The Supreme Emperor...I'm afraid the Supreme Emperor will soon..." Feng Jiwen saw that she was seriously ill and died, and she didn't want to cover up Qianlong's physical condition anymore. "Zhi Zhai,

You should also know that if the emperor comes to take charge, the first thing I'm afraid is to take action on you. You... you collect a lot of property on weekdays. If the emperor really comes to ransack your home, you... you will commit the unpardonable crime.

Can you escape? Zhizhai, I think you should... disperse your belongings at home as soon as possible, maybe you can..." As he spoke, his voice gradually became weaker, so he had to rest for a while before speaking again.

"Don't worry, madam. How much money do we have at home right now? We haven't accepted the gifts given by outsiders over the years." He Shen saw that his wife was sick and had no choice but to comfort him like this. Feng Jiwen drank some more water before she gradually gained the strength to continue.
To be continued...