With the examination coming soon, the scholars were either concentrating on their studies or cramming into their studies. Their figures disappeared from the banquets of major poetry societies, but another group of people became active.
Who are they? The main sects of the major aristocratic families that have been divided into sects.
The Li family, the Zheng family, the Lu family, the Liu family... all of these people gathered in the capital without leaving home, and met with the clansmen from different clans in a social gathering, which was called a Shura field.
Either the main family is treating the branch family coldly, or the branch family is ridiculing the main family. One party is scolding the other party for forgetting their ancestors, while the other party is scolding the other party for being stubborn... The exchange of words and exchanges is very lively.
These gossips came to Ye Zhenzhen's ears, making her feel happy and puzzled at the same time: she was lucky that she refused various gatherings to avoid suspicion, otherwise she would inevitably be in such an annoying and embarrassing situation;
Why are the big families flocking to the capital? Do they have nothing to do in their hometown?
I heard that Dafang also came to the capital.
Uncle Six just sent a letter a few days ago. The process of returning the tenants was blocked by Cui Shihong, and there was a lot of disputes. However, the return was welcomed by everyone. Even if Cui Shihong instigated the demons and monsters to cause trouble secretly, they still could not stop the return.
conduct.
According to what he said in his heart, the tenants of the Cui family to which Qinghe belonged had already started to cause trouble. What was Cui Shihong doing in the capital while leaving Qinghe alone?
"Looking for a turning point."
Cui Weizhen answered her after returning from the lower office: "They have seen the emperor's intention and have to come to the capital to attract all parties, whether they are new scholars, or court officials, or even surrender to the princes and princes, as long as the court weighs the
There are forces from all sides, and the emperor will not attack them easily."
Ye Zhenzhen suddenly realized.
New scholars who have just entered the country and have relatively clean backgrounds are the best candidates to win over. If you make political investment in them in advance, your income will increase exponentially.
Moreover, if I remember correctly, Cui Shihong and Wang Ke had flirted with each other before, and they may get involved again when they go to Beijing this time.
"Don't worry, they're just a bunch of autumn grasshoppers."
Cui Weizhen didn't take them seriously at all. He changed into his regular clothes and sat down softly. He picked up the miscellaneous books that he had not finished yesterday and glanced at Ye Zhenzhen: "Aren't you curious about the secret history of the Su family?
Come here, I’ll have time to talk to you in detail today.”
Ye Zhenzhen was immediately attracted by the gossip and could no longer care about the family grudges.
The days passed like this, and soon it was the ninth day of February.
On the ninth day of February, the first day of the examination, and it was also the day of the Great Court Meeting, Emperor Xuanwu officially announced the names of the chief examiner and six co-examiners.
The examiner is Bai Siming, a Hanlin scholar, and his co-examiners include Zheng Tingzhen, the restaurant owner of the Imperial Academy, Zheng Hanwen, the official of Guanglu, Bao Ming, the official of the Yushitai, Cui Weizhen, the minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Zhao Siyuan, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhao Hongrui, the minister of the Ministry of Punishments. All forces check and balance each other.
, which shows Emperor Xuanwu’s good intentions.
Cui Weizhen received the appointment at the court meeting and had to go to Gongyuan immediately. He could only tell Mo Yan to go back to the palace to make an announcement. Fortunately, Cui Weizhen had already received the news revealed by Emperor Xuanwu, and Ye Zhenzhen had also been prepared and had it ready in the morning.
He took out the food box and said: "I will deliver it myself."
It was still early, but the streets were already lively, and most of them were scholars or servants heading to Gongyuan. When the carriage hanging from Jingning's residence appeared, pedestrians gave way and the carriage was able to pass smoothly.
The weather in February was freezing and cold, the weather was gray and it seemed like it was going to snow. The icy cold wind poured in from the thick coat, and it was biting. Ye Zhenzhen quickly put on her gloves, thinking about such weather.
, it is really difficult for scholars to write hard in a narrow and cold room.
The carriage stopped at the gate of Gongyuan.
There were already many scholars waiting at the entrance, all wrapped in thick blankets. Even so, their noses were red from the cold, and some even couldn't help stamping their feet to keep warm, which showed how cold the weather was.
In order to prevent cheating, large blankets and jackets were not allowed to be worn. After the scholars took off their clothes for inspection, they only had to wear single clothes to enter. Of course, all naan bread, food, etc., had to be crushed to check whether there were any inclusions.
The examination is of great importance and cannot be too strict.
Ye Zhenzhen got out of the carriage carrying a food box, attracting a lot of eyes. Although there were many family members walking around to take their families to the examination room, the one like her was the one carrying a food box alone.
"This...isn't this Mrs. Ning Guo?"
A slightly familiar voice came, and Ye Zhenzhen couldn't help but turn her head and saw two men looking over. The speaker looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before, but when she saw Zhang Yun next to her,
, she immediately remembered the name of the person next to her.
Li Qian.
Zhang Yun took him to the fund-raising party she held for Yongshan Hall.
The imperial decree from the examiner and fellow examiners should have been announced at the gate of Gongyuan. Zhang Yun was a little hesitant, undecided whether to come up and say hello.
Ye Zhenzhen also wanted to avoid suspicion and nodded to him from a distance. Zhang Yun seemed relieved and bowed to her in return. After her back disappeared into the crowd, Zhang Yun was quickly surrounded by people around her.
"Brother Zhang, is that lady Mrs. Ning Guo?"
"I heard that Brother Zhang and Uncle Jingning are old friends. I guess you receive a lot of reminders."
"I wonder if Brother Zhang has any inside information? I'm willing to pay 2 silver to buy it."
…
Zhang Yun was inundated with all kinds of temptations and harsh words, and Li Qian was filled with guilt. He blamed him for calling out Mrs. Ning Guo's identity and causing his friend to be entangled. He rolled his eyes and immediately shouted: "Look, it's...
Bai Hanlin! Dear examiners, here you are!"
Everyone's attention was immediately attracted. Li Qian took the opportunity to pull his friends out of the encirclement and took a deep breath: "It's terrible. These people don't work hard on weekdays and just want to make ends meet. They don't want to think about the fraud in the 31st year of Xuanwu."
In the case, Xiao Yan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was beheaded in public. The lessons from the past are still there, how could any examiner dare to take such a risk?"
Zhang Yun smiled bitterly: "There are always people who are lucky."
Because of his status, I don't know how many people came to visit and inquire about information these days. He couldn't bear the disturbance and hid with Li Qian to get some peace and quiet. Otherwise, he might not be able to review his poems and books.
During the discussion, a bell suddenly rang. Everyone looked up and saw seven officials in official robes standing at the gate of the Gongyuan with solemn expressions. The leading official had a gray beard but was in high spirits. From his official robes,
From the looks of it, it should be Bai Siming, a Hanlin scholar known as the internal minister.
All the scholars became solemn, knowing that the examination was about to begin.
