Shen Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites pressed his hand on test paper No. 66 and said loudly: "It must be this one!"
Everyone took a closer look at test paper No. 66 and saw some key sentences.
"The heart desires profit but the mouth does not speak of profit. It is called giving in but in reality you cannot give in!"
"When you govern with wisdom and skill, you actually have selfish interests in competing with others!"
"Therefore, although Fu Qiang has written books, the disadvantage is that he speaks in favor of other schools, and he becomes the same person!"
"Purity is not enough to govern a country. It is wrong to say that inaction is wrong!"
The people standing here reading the test papers are all bachelors, Jiuqing, and Hanlin bachelors, and they have perfected their sensitivity to words.
After reading this article, everyone felt that the whole article was full of fresh air. The feeling of being cynical and criticizing the world's customs was so authentic.
And after careful consideration, everyone could feel that every word in article No. 66 seemed to be secretly mocking Shen Shoufu.
Let’s refine a few key words, such as “governing with wisdom and control, competing with others for profit”, “it is called concession but in reality it cannot be compromised”, “harmony with light and dust”, “governing the country is actually caused by inaction”.
Looking at the combination, although I didn’t name anyone, who else could it be if it wasn’t Shen Shixing, the chief assistant?
There are no fools here. Isn’t it true that Shen Shoufu is kind and tolerant on the outside, but he is full of desires on the inside? He pays attention to appearance and is the same as the dust, and is known for his purity and inaction in governing the country?
No wonder Shen Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites recommended test paper No. 66 alone. It was too obvious that it was not the Qingliu forces themselves who could not write such an article.
"There are many evils in current affairs, but this is a shocking work!" Shen Li said loudly.
At this moment, Shen Shoufu's face looked a little ugly, but he couldn't say anything directly, otherwise he would just take his seat without asking for help.
But one of Shen Shoufu's party members, Wu Shilai, the censor of Zuodu, stood up, held up another test paper and said, "I think test paper No. 88 is better."
Everyone read the test paper No. 88 again, and all they saw were the core sentences:
"It is too strict to distinguish between righteousness and benefit, and whatever is done is only about its righteousness. However, it must be done to show violence and traces must exist, lest it involve the slightest bit of benefit;
Because we deeply seek the truth of what is right and what is wrong, whatever we do must only be right. However, we must avoid suspicion for the sake of worship, lest we be involved in what is wrong.”
"The distinction between righteousness and benefit is not unclear, but those who see it think that they are righteous and claim that the whole world is benefited;
It’s true that we don’t know what is right and wrong, but those who insist on it are self-righteous and say that everything in the world is wrong.”
The idea of the 88th paper is relatively "practical", which is basically "talk more about issues and less about doctrines", and don't mean to engage in moral kidnapping.
After everyone carefully thought about it through the text level, they felt that this test paper No. 88 had an anti-Qingliu tendency.
After all, the characteristic of the Qingliu forces is that they hold "excessive opinions", hold people to extremely high moral standards, advocate political preaching, and insist on distinguishing right from wrong.
However, the No. 88 test paper emphasizes a pragmatic aspect - don't be too rigid and don't get entangled in right and wrong at the level of general principles. What people are most afraid of is extreme "self-righteousness", which will lead to nothing being accomplished.
No wonder Wu Zongxian recommended this test paper, which was obviously a tit-for-tat battle with Shen Shangshu.
Wu Shilai also said to Shen Shangshu sonorously and forcefully: "No. 66 is just empty talk to please the public, but No. 88 is a good word for economic development!"
This is interesting. Test paper No. 66 has hacked the first assistant, and test paper No. 88 has cheated Qingliu.
Who said that eight-part essay is a rigid style that cannot express one's own thoughts?
You know, the first three test papers are to be presented directly to the emperor, and no one wants to let the opponent's essay be put in front of the emperor.
So other people on both sides left the room one after another and started arguing fiercely. Wenyuan Pavilion, which had been silent for two days, finally became lively.
After arguing for half an hour, a eunuch suddenly arrived at Wenyuan Pavilion and asked, "The emperor has already arrived at Wenhua Palace, why haven't you seen the test papers yet?"
As the chief examiner, the chief assistant still has the privilege of making the final decision. He took the opportunity to make the final decision: "How dare I keep you waiting for so long? I will choose test paper No. 88!"
Although Shen Shixing appears to be generous and kind, when he can take action, he will never be sloppy.
And he always felt that the "anti-moral kidnapping pragmatism" flavor in test paper No. 88 was very Lin Tailai's style.
After all, Lin Tailai talked a lot about government affairs when he was in front of the chief minister, and Shen chief minister also understood some of Lin Tailai's thoughts.
Therefore, throwing test paper No. 88 in front of the emperor can also be used as a test for the emperor.
The ministers have not seen the emperor for several months, but today they can get a glimpse of the emperor.
More than a dozen document readers walked up to the Wenhua Hall, shouting "Long Live the Mountain" together, with mixed feelings in their hearts.
I haven't been shouting "Long Live the Mountain" for several months, and I feel a little rusty.
According to the usual procedures, the Minister of Rites, as the chief promotion officer and the tribute examiner of this year's competition, is responsible for making an overall report on the examination work to the emperor.
Shen Shangshu read with emotion: "Your Majesty, with the qualifications of a great sage, occupies the position of king and teacher, and brings good fortune. When the Zhongxing is prosperous, he has the cultivation of deep benevolence and bounty, which is like the gentle rain that nourishes all things and has the growth of talents. Sheng.
Today, there are 5,000 scholars from all over the world who have been tested, and there are some surprises. The most outstanding ones were picked out in three rounds, and their foreheads were cut off immediately, and 348 people were selected for the top list."
I don’t know which old timer from the previous dynasty wrote this cliché, but it is quite useful and is not out of date now.
The ministers who had been reading the paper for two days also listened drowsily, thinking that they were recuperating.
Everyone thought it was just going through the motions, but suddenly Shen Shangshu showed up!
"First of all, I would like to remind Shen Shixing to use his own selfish interests and reject examination papers that criticize the shortcomings of the cabinet's governance!
In fact, he has betrayed his public spirit, lost his faith, blocked the way of speech, is extremely irresponsible for the country's recruitment of scholars, and has failed his Majesty's entrustment. Please take a closer look at it!"
Everyone was shocked. They did not expect that Shen Shangshu would suddenly burst into rebellion at this moment.
Before anyone else could react, Shen Shangshu took out the Palace Examination Paper No. 66 and raised it high!
At this moment, Shen Shangshu's momentum rose to a new level, and even Emperor Wanli on the throne felt it.
Shen Shoufu turned his head and scolded softly: "Shen Li! You have gone beyond the rules!"
According to the regulations, only three test papers are submitted, and the remaining first-class test papers are only used as backup papers. If the emperor is not satisfied with the three test papers, he will use other backup papers to review.
As a result, you, Shen Li, secretly brought a copy over again, breaking hundreds of years of rules!
Shen Shangshu ignored Shen Shoufu, and only said to Emperor Wanli: "What I said is the truth, and I await the Holy Judgment! If there is a foul, I am willing to accept the punishment."
A dignified minister of the Ministry of Rites, who has been criticized by Shen Shixing and his gang on imperial examination matters for so long, if he doesn't respond, are he really treating a tiger as a sick cat?
You Shen Shixing has already controlled Jieyuan and Huiyuan of Nanzhili, do you still want to continue to control the imperial examination?
For the glory of the Qingliu forces, and for the dignity of the Minister of Rites, today we must use all our strength to project our will on the imperial examination list, at all costs!
Emperor Wanli did not expect that the confrontation would be so fierce, and he hesitated for a while.
It is obvious that Teacher Shen is desperate and has no way out.
Shen Shixing did not care about his dignity and directly retorted to the emperor: "Shen Li also has selfish motives. The writing in the 88th paper was not in line with Shen Li's wishes, so he tried his best to criticize him!"
After that, the eunuch took test paper No. 66 from Shen Li and placed it on the imperial case in front of the emperor.
Emperor Wanli was also well-educated and quickly scanned all the test papers, especially those excellent sentences that were standardized.
Including the first three test papers, as well as test paper No. 66 that Shen Li brought privately.
Sometimes the imperial examination is not a technical issue, but a political issue.
Emperor Wanli considered repeatedly for a while between No. 66, who hacked his chief minister, and No. 88, who rebelled against the Qing Dynasty.
It can be seen from the emotions just now that Shen Shoufu is relatively calm, while Teacher Shen is very excited, as if he can no longer afford to lose.
It can be judged that the result of this palace examination seems to be innocuous to Shen Shoufu, but it has a huge impact on Teacher Shen.
The emperor finally picked up his pen and wrote six words on the No. 66 test paper that had been hacked by Shen Shoufu - first, first, first.
Then he carried out his good deeds to the end and took out the anti-Qingliu test paper No. 88, threw it to Shen Shangshu, and put it back into the backup paper.
This first-place finisher is commonly known as the top pick.
Shen Shoufu's expression remained as usual, and he muttered in his mind, "Damned Emperor's Balance Technique."
I don’t know if this No. 66 is a junior member of the Qingliu force, Gao Panlong of the Gu family class? Ye Maocai? Xue Fujiao? I will go back and slowly clean up the officialdom!
But Shen Shangshu relaxed completely, and the joy of victory filled his body and mind.
He wants the world to know that the chief assistant can never cover the sky with one hand! He, Shen Shangshu, said it! Neither can the chief assistant of the Jinbu Gang!
According to normal procedures, although the top three test papers have been determined, the seals of the top three test papers will not be opened at this time.
Generally, no one knows the specific ranking of Sandingjia, so the last suspense should be kept.
It will not be until the Golden Palace Biography Ceremony that the top three test papers will be opened, revealing the real names and corresponding rankings of Sandingjia.
However, this is obviously an abnormal imperial examination, with too many irregularities.
When the monarchs and ministers collectively developed a strong curiosity, the No. 1 test paper could no longer remain mysterious.
Emperor Wanli personally opened the seal of the No. 1 Scholar examination paper, looked down at it, his expression was a little confused, and subconsciously exclaimed: "Lin Tailai from Wu County, Suzhou Prefecture?"
All the ministers in the palace were silent. This No. 66, who had a shady character in the test paper that tainted Shen Shoufu, turned out to be Lin Tailai?
Damn it! The broad-minded first assistant almost behaved in front of the emperor and scolded his mother.
Damn it! Mr. Shen, who strongly recommended No. 66, has a blank mind!
At the same time, he hurriedly opened the test paper No. 88 in his hand and saw the words "Gao Panlong, Wuxi County, Changzhou Prefecture" written on the top of the paper.
This No. 88 who was anti-Qingliu in the test paper is actually Gao Panlong from the Gu family class!
The king and his ministers were shocked when they saw the truth!
Lin Tailai's essay is about being the first assistant, and Gao Panlong's essay is about being against Qingliu. What kind of magical plot is this? Are all young people today so good at playing it?
The most magical thing is that Shen Shangshu is Lin Tailai's "elector".
If Shen Shangshu hadn't risked everything and brought test paper No. 66 to the emperor without hesitation, Lin Tailai would never have won the first place again.
After the numbness of the sudden severe blow passed, Shen Shangshu, who was being watched by all the people, finally couldn't hold it anymore. He was so angry that blood oozed from the corners of his mouth and his body was shaking.
The royal guard in imperial robes was afraid that Shen Shangshu would behave inappropriately in front of the emperor, so he kindly went up to help him. Then he saw Shen Shangshu's eyes closed tightly and he fainted.
Wang Zhiyuan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, who was so low-key that he had no sense of presence, looked at this scene and couldn't help but sigh.
Brother-in-law Lin's Lianyuan was a bit expensive for the ministers. He was sacrificed to Mr. Xu Ge in the examination and to Shen Shangshu in the palace examination.