After coming out of Xie's house, the warm sunshine shone on Xu Qian's body. Xu Qian stretched out comfortably and couldn't help but murmured: "The world outside is so wonderful."
This trip to the Xie family was well worth it. Although it was a disaster, it was also a blessing in disguise. What Xu Qian caught was Xie Qian's mentality of being scrupulous about reputation. No matter how noble a person is, he has his weaknesses, just like the Zhang family
Such a wealthy family is also afraid of Yizhuang, and a once-prominent figure like Xie Qian is also worried about his reputation.
Xie Qian had agreed to accept Xu Qian as a registered disciple, and he would write ten eight-part essays in the middle of every month to seek advice from him.
Having a master to guide him, especially a master who had lived through four dynasties and had been a top scholar and a cabinet bachelor, Xu Qian felt like he was dreaming even thinking about it.
Regardless of whether it was a dream or not, after staying here for seven or eight days in Xie Mansion, Xu Qian felt tired and quickly went to the inn to look for Deng Jian. Deng Jian originally checked out, but seeing Xu Qian at the top of the list, he checked in again.
, Marquis Xu Qian came back, and when he first saw Xu Qian, Deng Jian couldn't help but give Xu Qian a bear hug, and laughed loudly: "Boy, do you know you are in high school?"
Xu Qian was nervous and said: "Where do you rank?"
Although he had already vaguely guessed that his ranking in the government examination this time was not low, otherwise the Xie family would not have suddenly changed their attitude towards him so quickly.
Deng Jiandao: "You don't know yet? You have already ranked first in the high school entrance examination."
"Really?" Even though he was somewhat prepared, Xu Qian couldn't help but be excited.
How difficult it is to be first in the provincial examination, especially in Hangzhou Prefecture.
Deng Jian's face immediately started to cry again, and he said: "But there is bad news. You have to listen carefully. To tell you the truth, the eldest son of the Zhang family and the prefect's son together went to the prefect's Yamen to sue you.
For cheating in the exam, they united more than 70 scholars to present Chen Qing outside the magistrate's office, asking the magistrate to retake the exam, and said they would expel you from your academic career."
"Kill with a thousand swords!" Before the excitement of joy had passed, Xu Qian couldn't help but cursed. He had always wanted to pretend to be a gentleman. After all, he was now a respectable man with a reputation, but after hearing the news, he finally showed up.
own nature.
It would be fine if they were just a group of scholars, Chen Qing. In every exam in the Ming Dynasty, those who passed the exam were not overjoyed, and those who failed screamed that it was unfair? But the problem is that the prefect's son also came forward, and it was not very good here.
Simple.
In other words, if the prefect did not want to make things worse, he would never let his son come out to cause mischief. However, if the prefect can come out in a high-sounding manner, who knows whether it is the prefect's order this time.
The referee was already on his back from the very beginning, and these people's submissions were nothing more than creating momentum.
Xu Qian couldn't help but wonder, if the prefect is making such a fuss now, he must have recovered from his illness, but why does he want to overturn the previous imperial examination? What is the benefit to him?
After thinking about it seriously, it became clear to me. First of all, it is not good for him as a prefect that a boy from a poor family and a notorious reputation won the first place in the prefecture examination. In a sense, the prefectural examination is a way to distinguish between local officials and
The bond that binds the gentry together, overturning the results of this examination at this time will inevitably be supported by the gentry in all counties in Hangzhou. Secondly, this prefectural examination was not led by the prefect. There is no pressure on the prefect to overturn the results this time, as long as there is doubt
If there is cheating in this exam, not only will there be no loss to his reputation, but he will be rewarded with the added benefit of being able to see through the cheating.
Moreover, the prefect was ill a few days ago, and now that he has recovered, he must give his subordinates a show of strength to demonstrate his authority as the chief official.
Xu Qian couldn't help but sneer and said: "This prefect is going to put me to death."
Deng Jian said with concern: "The Hangzhou magistrate presides over government affairs. If such a sudden commotion occurs this time, even Su County Magistrate will be unable to protect himself."
Xu Qian couldn't help but be stunned and couldn't help but think: "Yes, I am the first in the county examination. Now the prefect overturns the first place in the prefectural examination and says that the prefectural examination is cheating. Doesn't he also imply that the county examination is cheating? This time it is not just targeted.
If you learn to be righteous, even Magistrate Su will be killed."
It seems that this matter not only involves the interests of the gentry, but may even involve the entire Hangzhou officialdom.
Deng Jian was also worried and said: "On the contrary, Wang Gonggong may be able to help you. He is the guarding eunuch. If he leaves a note and goes to the prefect's Yamen, the prefect will have to consider the situation. At least he will not dare to show off like this. But.
Your Majesty, it is also difficult for you to save yourself when crossing the river. You have just been taken into the Xie Mansion, and news came from the capital. It is said that the current emperor is working hard to get rid of the bad government of the former emperor, and now the palace intends to withdraw the guarding eunuchs. Once
In this case, the prince will have to return to the palace according to the order."
"Eunuch Wang is going back to the palace?" Xu Qian couldn't help but be a little surprised. Although some rumors had been vaguely revealed in the newspaper a few days ago, he didn't expect it to come so soon.
This really means that misfortunes never come singly. If the magistrate had taken action there and took the opportunity to revoke his official title, and the prince and his father-in-law would take more care of him, those gentry would hate him so much that they would not dare to act rashly, just because they guessed
I don’t want to reveal the relationship between myself and the prince, but if the prince leaves at this time, I’m afraid...
Deng Jiandao: "Actually, the last time the calligraphy and banners were stolen was related to the abolition of the guarding eunuchs in the palace. There were two father-in-laws in Hangzhou, one was Eunuch Liu. Princess Liu was in charge of the weaving bureau, and she was the governor of the weaving eunuchs in Hangzhou. And the prince was the governor.
The guarding eunuch is in charge of the shipping checkpoint. The prince has heard the news a long time ago, but he is unwilling to return to the palace, so he has been active, hoping to stay and transfer Eunuch Liu back to the palace, and the prince will take over as the admiral and weaving eunuch.
Of course, Eunuch Liu is not an economical person, so he hired someone to steal letters. He wanted to take the opportunity to attack Eunuch Wang. I heard that Eunuch Wang was moving around, so this matter was about to happen. Who knew what the palace's decree would be soon?
It's almost here, and it caught the prince by surprise. Even if he continues to walk through the door now, it's too late. Now that the situation is over, the prince has begun to make preparations to return to the palace."
Xu Qian couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "You mean that originally, Eunuch Wang wanted to drive Eunuch Liu away and continue to stay in Hangzhou, but Eunuch Liu was not a fuel-efficient lamp. Moreover, the palace's decision came so quickly that the king
Father-in-law can’t find a solution for a while?”
Deng Jian nodded and said, "Yes, that's what it means."
Xu Qian squinted his eyes, pondered for a long time, and said: "Brother Deng, do you think a man can be slaughtered by others while he is alive in this world?"
Deng Jian said: "It depends on the person. If a cat or a dog wants to kill me, I will scratch my ears and beat this shameless thing to death. But if an official or a prince wants to kill me..." Deng Jian said with a bitter smile: "
Then we can only leave it to fate."
"It's worthless!" Xu Qian cursed in his heart, "It took a lot of effort for me to get to this point. I have passed through many obstacles along the way. I can't just sit back and wait for death now. Since someone wants to kill me, I have no choice but to fight with my back against them."
They think that I am a poor scholar who can be manipulated at will. I will tell them today that they thought wrong and they will pay the price for their wrong thinking!"
Xu Qian took a breath and said: "You have to do me a favor. Go see Magistrate Su and Eunuch Wang immediately. When you meet Eunuch Wang, tell him that he will try to rescue him. As for Magistrate Su, you just tell him
Him, please choose the opportunity to act."
Deng Jian asked: "Isn't it difficult for the prince to protect himself? How can he be willing to rescue you?"
Xu Qian said: "You will know when the time comes!"
Deng Jian couldn't help but said: "Then you stay here..."
Xu Qian stretched out and dusted off the dust on his body, like a gentleman out of dust, he pursed his lips and smiled and said: "I won't stay here, I want to put on a good show."
Deng Jian did not dare to neglect, and quickly took Xu Qian's mission with him.
Xu Qian was not in a hurry. He first asked the waiter to prepare hot water for a bath, then had lunch and then walked out slowly.