After the Yong Wang family was executed, Ma Guowei and Zhou Bing, the main members of the Yong Wang Party, also went to Huangquan Road.
As for the others, most of them had their homes confiscated and were exiled, and their female relatives were consigned to lowly status.
The matter went on for a while before it subsided, and then the court announced the time for the imperial examination.
In December of the sixth year of Jiayou's reign, Wang Gang, Sheng Changbai and Gu Tingye went to the palace to take part in the palace examination.
A total of nearly 300 people participated in this palace examination. Emperor Zhao Zhen personally marked the papers and Prince Zhao Shu supervised the examination.
Because of King Yong's rebellion, the imperial court fired a large number of officials. It was the time to appoint people, so the palace examination was particularly important.
The three of them, Wang Gang, are all Gongsheng students. Taking part in the examination is almost a formality. Jinshi is a sure thing, but the ranking in the palace examination still affects the quality of future official appointments.
The Imperial Examination was not as long as the Imperial Examination, only half a day. The emperor set the questions, and the students answered the questions on the spot. The Emperor and the Hanlin Academy officials then reviewed the papers and ranked them.
Among them, the top three are the number one pick, the second pick and the third overall pick.
After Wang Gang got the test paper, he finished it quickly. He was very calm from beginning to end, unlike other students who looked like they were thinking hard, which immediately attracted the attention of Emperor Zhao Zhen.
"Prince, what's the name of that student?" Zhao Zhen asked the prince next to him.
"Back to my father, that man's name is Sheng Changfeng, and he is the son of Sheng Hongsheng."
Zhao Zhen had some impressions of the name Sheng Changfeng. After all, he was from Huiyuan, and he almost got involved with King Yong's party. Later, if the prince Zhao Shu hadn't interceded, Zhao Zhen wanted to block Wang Gang's fame.
"It turns out he is Sheng Changfeng." Zhao Zhen felt a little unhappy.
Now Zhao Zhen doesn't like anyone who has some relationship with King Yong.
"I have read Sheng Changfeng's examination paper. It is indeed a good literary talent, but it is a pity that he is a bit young and should be tempered." Zhao Zhen said intentionally or unintentionally.
Prince Zhao Shu knew he was going to suffer as soon as he heard this. The officials wanted Wang Gang to fail the exam!
Being too young is an excuse. Zhao Zhen was jealous of Wang Gang because of what happened to King Yong.
Prince Zhao Shu stepped forward and persuaded: "Father, why don't you take a look at the paper Sheng Changfeng made first?"
Zhao Zhen said impatiently: "I have to read so many papers. Wherever I can look, let the Hanlin Academy select the top ten first."
Prince Zhao Shu knew that things were about to turn around as soon as he heard this.
The imperial examination was different from other examinations. The emperor would not ask questions about the Four Books and Five Classics, but would ask students to write a policy essay on current affairs.
This time Zhao Zhen’s topic was Business Tax, which happened to hit what Wang Gang was best at.
Regarding business and commercial taxes, I am afraid that no one in this era knows more than Wang Gang.
Based on the experience of later generations, he selectively wrote several suggestions for reforming commercial taxes, and even boldly proposed reducing agricultural taxes and increasing commercial taxes.
The whole article by Wang Gang is about policies that emphasize commerce and benefit farmers. It is full of practical information. Compared with the splendid articles written by other students, it is less empty talk and more practical.
The Hanlin Academy quickly finished reviewing the papers, and then selected the ten best papers and presented them to Zhao Zhen's desk.
Zhao Zhen picked up the first paper and saw that it was Wang Gang's paper.
"Prince." Zhao Zhen frowned and said to Zhao Shu displeasedly: "Didn't I tell you that I don't want to read Sheng Changfeng's paper?"
Prince Zhao Shu said respectfully: "Reporting to the emperor, after reviewing the papers of the Hanlin Academy, it was unanimously agreed that Sheng Changfeng should be the first place in this imperial examination."
Zhao Zhen was slightly surprised. He didn't expect that the Hanlin Academy would also have a unified opinion.
In the past imperial examinations, many officials of the Hanlin Academy reviewed the papers, each with their own opinions. There was always endless debate, and it was difficult to judge the first place.
After all, everyone has different eyes, and everyone’s criteria for judging whether an article is good or bad is different.
Zhao Zhen immediately became interested in Wang Gang's paper, picked it up and took a closer look, and then he didn't stop.
There is too much useful information in Wang Gang's paper. Not only does he have a commercial tax reform plan, the pros and cons of the reform are also clearly listed, and there is even a five-year plan.
When Zhao Zhen saw the end, he even thought he was reading the minister's memorial rather than the student's examination paper.
A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Zhen put down Wang Gang's paper, but he quickly picked it up and read it again. After three times, Zhao Zhen finally put down the paper.
"I have some insights." Zhao Zhen put down the paper, said something, and then picked up other students' papers.
Looking at Zhao Zhen as if chewing wax.
There is no harm without comparison. After reading Wang Gang's paper, Zhao Zhen looked at other people's papers. They were all fake and flattering, which made people sleepy.
In fact, it is easy to understand. Scholars in this era think that everything is inferior. Only those who are well-educated will not pay attention to such lowly industries as business. They know nothing about business taxes. It is strange that they can give good advice.
After reading several papers full of flattery, Zhao Zhen couldn't stand it anymore and said impatiently: "Prince, who do you think will win the first place in this imperial examination?"
Zhao Shu didn't answer for a while, guessing Zhao Zhen's thoughts.
There is almost no doubt that Zhao Zhen does not like Wang Gang. If Wang Gang is named the number one, it will definitely arouse Zhao Zhen's resentment.
But Wang Gang's paper was so well written that it might be unfair to be ranked first, not to mention that Wang Gang had a life-saving grace for Zhao Shu.
Zhao Shu was in a dilemma, but Zhao Zhen said:
"Don't worry about me, just tell me what's number one in your heart."
Zhao Shu finally said: "Sheng Changfeng is incomparable to other students in terms of his literary talent and vision, and he must be ranked first."
Zhao Zhen's smile faded, and his face became gloomy, as if he was very angry.
This was the first time that Zhao Shu had a disagreement with Zhao Zhen after he was established as the prince.
No matter what happened before, Zhao Shu always followed Zhao Zhen's lead.
Zhao Zhen picked up Wang Gang's paper again. Although he thought Wang Gang was the best, he felt uncomfortable when he thought of his unclear relationship with King Yong.
"I remember that Sheng Changfeng was a member of Jinke Huiyuan, how about the foreign examination?" Zhao Zhen suddenly asked.
Zhao Shu replied honestly: "Sheng Changfeng also came first in the provincial examination."
Zhao Zhen raised his eyebrows and said: "If he is the first in the imperial examination, he will win three yuan in a row?!"
Zhao Shu replied: "Sheng Changfeng's talent is obvious to all, and he is indeed capable of winning three yuan in a row."
Zhao Zhen asked: "The Sheng family, is it the Sheng family that married Mrs. Wang?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhao Shu didn’t understand what Zhao Zhen meant, so Prime Minister Han Qi stood up and said:
"Master Wang's legitimate daughter is married to Sheng Hongsheng."
Zhao Zhen suddenly laughed and said: "I remember that Mrs. Wang once won three yuans in a row and was entrusted with important tasks by the late emperor. Later, he became the prime minister."
Zhao Shu finally understood what Zhao Zhen meant.
At that time, Mrs. Wang's teacher won three prizes in a row, but she did not stay in the Imperial Academy. Instead, she was sent out as an official by the late emperor. After many years of experience, she was transferred back to Bianjing.
"I would like to inform my father, although Sheng Changfeng is very talented, he is still young. He can be awarded the No. 1 Scholar and then be released as an official for a few years."
Zhao Zhen was satisfied, took a pen to draw a circle on Wang Gang's paper, and said: "In this imperial examination, Sheng Changfeng has outstanding literary talent and extraordinary insights. He was selected as the number one scholar and was awarded the post of magistrate of Hongzhou Prefecture on Jiangnan West Road."
Zhao Shu frowned, he didn't expect that Zhao Zhen would transfer Wang Gang to Hongzhou Mansion.
Although Hongzhou Prefecture belongs to Jiangnan Road, it is closer to Jiangxi, is not wealthy, and is rich in bandits.
Wang Gang went to that place to become an official. Putting aside his future, he might not even be able to guarantee his life safety.
Zhao Shu wanted to persuade Zhao Zhen to take back the imperial order, but as soon as he took a small step, the Prime Minister Han Qi behind him tugged at his robe.
"Your Highness, the emperor's life is difficult." Han Qi said in a low voice.
Zhao Shu suddenly felt as if he was struck by lightning, and then he realized that if he tried to persuade Zhao Zhen again, he might be implicated, and it would be more likely to arouse the disgust of the officials.
After Wang Gang was selected as the top pick, the remaining candidates for the second place and the top pick were much simpler. Among the short ones, the top ones were chosen. Zhao Zhen randomly selected two papers that had passed the essays and decided on the second place and the top pick.
As for the other rankings, Zhao Zhen was no longer interested, so he let Zhao Shu decide the rankings.
"Prince, please make a copy of Sheng Changfeng's paper and take a good look at it."
Zhao Zhen just hated Wang Gang, but he was very optimistic about his commercial tax proposal. He asked Zhao Shu to take it back and study it, and make a list in a few days.
Could Zhao Shu say no? He thought he would have the opportunity to meet Wang Gang, and on the one hand he would appease him, and on the other hand he would ask for advice on business tax reform.
The third day after the palace examination is the day when the results are released, and it is also the busiest day in Bianjing.
Sheng Hong waited at home for three days, feeling as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.
After finally waiting for the day when the results were released, before dawn, I asked my attendant Dong Rong to look at the results.
He didn't wait for Dongrong to come, but he waited for someone to bring the good news.
When the person who announced the good news said that Wang Gang had won the first prize, and it was rare to win three prizes in a row, Sheng Hong was so happy that he almost fainted, but Wang Ruofu's quick eyesight and quick hands helped him to avoid making a fool of himself.
After the rankings are released, the top three in the first class need to go to the palace to thank them, and the emperor will officially confer official titles.
Wang Gang learned that although he won three yuan in a row, he was transferred to Hongzhou Prefecture as the county magistrate.
On the contrary, the second-place finisher with a lower ranking, and even the top five in the second-place finishers, all stayed in the Hanlin Academy.
He understood that he was still implicated in King Yong's affairs and was despised by the official Zhao Zhen.
