"Did you know? Three days ago at the imperial meeting, an official was beaten to death!"
"This matter has spread all over the capital, and no one knows yet!"
"Alas, the emperor is so harsh on officials, it is not a blessing for the world!"
In an inn somewhere in the capital, the students had finished their morning review and the students were sitting around.
This time is mostly used to relax, so they basically don't discuss knowledge, but discuss current affairs news.
The most indispensable thing in Beijing is news.
Recently, taxes have been checked, the court has resettled the refugees, the government has measured the land... there are too many current affairs to mention.
In the past two days, the hottest topic has been about the imperial meeting on February 15th.
"Do you know why the emperor dismissed the court?"
Although the topic is very hot, there are many evolved versions.
War breaks out in the northwest, the Queen Mother reprimands the Emperor, and the Emperor sleeps in... Various versions are overwhelming.
While everyone was listing, the person who spoke earlier shook his head: "False, everything you heard is all fake!"
At this moment, there were dozens of candidates gathered in the courtyard. When they heard this, everyone's eyes glanced over.
"Is it possible that you know the inside story?"
"Hey, you really said you were looking for me. Uncle Yang is the head of the Ministry of Etiquette. Do you think I know that?"
Hearing this, someone immediately laughed and said, "Your uncle is the head of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, why is he crowded with us?"
If you really have a relative who is an official, you will have to make arrangements to go home and not stay in an inn outside.
Yang An looked ugly after being squeezed, but he straightened his back and said, "My uncle is an upright official. My family is crowded in a small courtyard. How can I bear to go and bother him?"
To be honest, a large number of Beijing officials are living in poverty, especially the more honest officials.
"If you think that being an honest official should be ridiculed, then just laugh!" Yang An said with an angry look on his face.
Everyone present was shameless, so naturally they couldn't laugh at Yang An anymore.
Ridiculing Yang An, he even bent down and bowed: "Brother Yang, I offended you, please don't blame me!"
In response, Yang An just nodded, and the matter was considered over.
After a few breaths, someone immediately asked: "Brother Yang, what was the secret of the meeting that day?"
This question aroused everyone's curiosity.
“Brother Yang, let’s talk to you!”
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Yang An finally spoke: "That day at the court meeting, the princess cried and the emperor went to comfort her, and then dismissed the court!"
"What? You're just waiting for something trivial?"
"I've heard about this too. I thought it was too fake before, but I didn't know that I really quit the government because of this!"
"Brother Yang, is what you said true?"
Everyone was talking, and when they heard the last sentence, Yang An immediately said: "What my uncle said, it will be false!"
"I never expected that the emperor would do such a ridiculous thing!"
"In today's troubled times, the world is uneasy, and billions of people are looking forward to a wise king, but who knows... Alas!"
Everyone started talking again. Although no one scolded Zhao Yanxun openly, they already labeled him as a coward.
"Actually, I think the emperor's trip may not be a bad thing!"
Hearing this, everyone glanced at Yang An, as if they wanted to hear something from him.
"The emperor is your father, and all the people in the world are your sons and daughters. If the emperor loves the people of the world as much as a princess, wouldn't it be a blessing to the world!" Yang An said with a serious face.
At first glance, this seems to make sense, but when you think about it more carefully, you will find something is wrong.
At least following this line of thinking, no one present could refute Yang An.
After a few breaths, someone said: "But... the official's advice was that he was innocent, and the emperor's order to kill him was too much!"
These people present will take the exam and will be awarded officials after passing it. Naturally, they will think about issues from the standpoint of officials.
In response, everyone nodded, obviously agreeing with this.
"Everyone, why are you admonishing me as an official?"
Yang An raised this question, which made everyone present feel confused. Does this question still need to be answered?
"Of course it's to be loyal to the emperor, right?"
Although everyone present said nothing, a few nodded.
"But if someone uses the name of admonishment to intimidate the emperor and his father, can his admonishment still be called loyalty?"
It's still the same routine. This statement sounds reasonable at first, but when you think about it carefully, it's not the case.
This time, everyone no longer tolerates Yang An.
"Brother Yang, the emperor is ridiculous and dismissed from the court. The officials' remonstrances are naturally loyal. How can it be said to be coercion?"
"Exactly, the so-called civil and military forces fight to the death. According to your statement, Bigan Wei Zi also coerced his father and traitorous ministers?"
Unexpectedly, Yang An asked: "Bigan Weizi admonished him to be King Zhou, is the current Holy Lord King Zhou?"
This question made everyone dumbfounded.
They did not dare to say that the emperor was a tyrannical king like King Zhou, although that was indeed the case.
But everyone was still unconvinced, so they cited other reasons and started arguing with Yang An.
People in the yard were quarreling, but there were people watching the fun at the windows upstairs.
"This Yang An is a bit unreasonable!" Chen Hongqing couldn't help but said.
Chen Hongqing's tone was full of joking, and it was obvious that he did not agree with Yang An's fallacy.
Unexpectedly, Wang Xin on the side said: "This person... has a lot of hope!"
"What? Just him?" Chen Hongqing looked surprised.
Chen Hongqing highly recognized Wang Xin's talents and knowledge and naturally valued his opinions.
Wang Xin nodded, but didn't say much.
He wanted to get the first prize, so he tried his best to implement policies in order to keep up with the emperor's ideas and will.
But in comparison, Yang An's natural "fascination" behavior seems more natural, and perhaps the effect will be better.
"This person may be my biggest opponent!" Wang Xin thought to himself.
As a young man, Wang Xin was able to avoid arrogance and impetuosity even though he was famous in his hometown. This was because he had the great ambition to govern the country and bring peace to the world. In comparison, the so-called "winner" was not worth mentioning.
"I heard that on the day of the Great Court Meeting, the imperial censor Cheng Jiyan was beaten to death, and several cabinet ministers came to the meeting together, but were angrily rebuked by the emperor..."
But Chen Hongqing sighed: "The emperor is so stubborn, I'm afraid our life will not be easy after we become officials!"
Unexpectedly, Wang Xin smiled and said: "It also depends on how you are an official!"
"If you are like the censor who was beaten to death, you are really asking for trouble!"
Chen Hongqing asked: "Is it possible that we shouldn't speak out and give advice?"
Wang Xin just smiled, but did not say any more. He was afraid of being overheard and becoming the target of public criticism.
Chen Hongqing continued: "No wonder you agree with Yang An, it turns out you have similar ideas!"
Wang Xin turned around and walked back into the house, ignoring the arguments outside.
"If you want to be on the list, you'd better think like this!"
Hearing this, Chen Hongqing hesitated slightly and said: "Isn't this a clinging villain? I'm afraid that by then, even the examiner will not be able to pass!"
"That's not necessarily true!" Wang Xin laughed.
Picking up the tea cup, Wang Xin continued: "As far as I know, the examination questions prepared by the Ministry of Rites and Cabinet have been rejected by the emperor several times in a row!"
"The final examination questions were drafted by the emperor himself. This is the first time since there has been a scientific examination!"
Generally speaking, the emperor only drafted the questions for the palace examination, and in many cases, the questions for the palace examination were also drafted by the Ministry of Rites.
"So what?" Chen Hongqing looked puzzled.
Wang Xin said calmly: "This shows that the emperor attaches great importance to this scientific examination, and he wants to find useful talents!"
"If you don't do what he likes, how can you be listed on the list with the personality of the current saint?"
Chen Hongqing was really surprised. He thought Wang Xin was thinking deeply before, but he still underestimated her.
"The emperor personally prepared the test questions, how did you know about this?" Chen Hongqinghu asked.
Wang Xin smiled and said, "You forgot, Yang An's uncle is an official of the Ministry of Rites!"
In one sentence, Chen Hongqing suddenly understood.
