Han Shizu

Chapter 1529 Li Fang's Night Visit to the East Palace
The spring of the 11th year of Kaibao is an extremely unusual one in the previous scientific examinations of the Han Dynasty, and the collision with Feng Chan is the most important one. Even though Emperor Liu specially left Li Fang to preside over it, the overall impression and emphasis on it are not high. not tall.

However, it was such an extremely ordinary imperial examination that caught everyone off guard and once again set off a storm within the imperial court.

If there were no accidents, the next development of the matter should be that Emperor Liu held a palace examination in the Chongyuan Hall as usual, and selected the number one scholar or the top three from the thirty newly recruited scholars, and then restarted the Qionglin Banquet.

However, this process was completely delayed by Xu Shilian's bold and reckless appeal to the news, and even caused the suspicion of "the first imperial examination fraud case" since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In the evening, a family banquet was going on in the East Palace. Prince Liu Yang was in the main seat, and Concubine Murong and Concubine Zhao were on the side, all in a happy and harmonious state.

Of course, the so-called joy and harmony only refers to the interaction between Liu Yang and his son.The concubine crown prince sat beside her, her face was calm and dignified, while the concubine Zhao looked at Liu Yang and his son with peach blossoms on her face and a smile on her eyes.

The baby who is less than one year old is immature and can't bear to touch it with a little force. For his only heir, Liu Yang really loves it. Even if it's just some vague babbling, it makes him happy. That pure smile can almost make people feel happy. Liu Yang became excited.

Watching the interaction between Liu Yang's father and son, and noticing Concubine Zhao's complacent gentleness, even though Concubine Murong tried her best to restrain herself, her lowered eyes could not help showing a little sadness and grievance.

No way, who told me not to live up to my stomach?

Although concubine Zhao was accepted, even if a grandson was born, Liu Yang has never neglected Concubine Murong, but the melancholy in her heart is increasing day by day, and she feels that the prince is getting farther and farther away from her, and is getting closer infinitely Zhao's mother and son.

A huge sense of crisis has long shrouded the heart of Murong, who is also from a famous family, and even the position of the crown princess feels precarious.

Cabinet scholar Li Fang visits!The servant's report interrupted the princess's self-pity and self-pity, and also made Liu Yang recover from the joy of father and son.

"Our family can't eat this meal. You should leave first!" Liu Yang's eyes flickered with thought, and he handed Liu Wenhuan in his arms to Concubine Zhao, and said, "You should leave first, let the meal go!" Prepare a new copy!"

"Yes!" As soon as the crown prince spoke, the two concubines also knew that he had something serious to discuss, so naturally they didn't dare to entangle them, and stood up respectfully to salute and leave.

"Go and invite Master Li into the hall!" Liu Yang pondered for a while, pointed to a meal that hadn't been started much, and ordered: "Clean up the dishes and chopsticks again, and change to a new set of tableware!"

It didn't take long for Li Fang to appear in front of the hall, with heavy steps and an indelible solemnity on his face.Liu Yang greeted him personally, and said: "Master Li!"

"Your Highness!" Seeing the prince still addressing him so cordially and the contagious smile on the corner of his mouth, Li Fang felt flattered, and hurriedly saluted: "It's really helpless to bother you, please forgive me!"

For Li Fang at this time, the prince's respect can also penetrate his chest and directly point to people's hearts.Feeling Li Fang's uneasiness, Liu Yang personally took his hand and led him to a seat: "Master Li, what are you talking about, come to the table first, and have dinner with me!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

However, at this time, Li Fang didn't have the heart to eat. After sitting down, he didn't have the usual demeanor, so he couldn't wait to say: "Your Highness!"

"Master Li, don't worry, eat something first!" Liu Yang stopped him.

Looking at Liu Yang's calm face and calm eyes, Li Fang couldn't help but feel a little bit more at ease, and at the same time, he felt a little more emotional.When Liu Yang was young, as the crown prince, he taught him from time to time and forged a deep friendship. Now more than ten years have passed, and when things happen, it is his former students who come to educate him.

The monarch, the minister, the teacher and the student drank a sip of tea and ate a few mouthfuls of vegetables. Li Fang had almost recovered, before he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, you know what happened today, right?"

"How can I not know!" Liu Yang's expression became more solemn, and he said, "When the Dengwen drum sounds, it shakes half of Kaifeng City, and when the scholars ask for orders in the afternoon, it shakes the entire imperial court!"

For the imperial court, it was nothing less than a thunderbolt for the fallen scholars to accuse the imperial court, pointing out that the chief examiner of the current subject was unfair in obtaining materials for the cabinet scholars.However, after the news of this matter spread, the situation became more and more serious. More than 20 other scholars who also failed to rank gathered in front of the palace gate, asking for justice.

There is no doubt that this has formed a powerful vortex. Li Fang, who is in the center of the vortex, is under tremendous pressure.

Liu Yang could somewhat understand Li Fang's restlessness, and asked, "Has Master Li ever entered the palace to face the saint?"

Regarding this, Li Fang's old face showed obvious worry, and said: "Your Highness, I asked for an audience, but His Majesty refused to see him, and only sent a message to let the minister go back to the residence and wait!"

Although Liu Yang did not directly intervene in this matter, he has been paying close attention to it secretly since the incident happened. As a prince, it is impossible for him to stay completely out of the incident that has affected the hearts of the court and the wild.

"I heard that His Majesty personally summoned Wu Jichuan in the afternoon, and took an examination of the school policy together with Xu Shilian who had appealed. As a result, Wu Jichuan was at a loss and was not clear about his response. On the contrary, Xu Shilian responded fluently and behaved calmly! Although there is no conclusion, but Wu Jichuan has been brought under control together with Xu Shilian!" Liu Yang revealed another piece of news that was even more detrimental to Li Fang.

"This!" Li Fang's sorrow grew deeper, and his anxiety was beyond words.

After pondering for a while, Liu Yang raised his head, looked at Li Fang solemnly, considered his words, and said seriously: "According to Master Li's conduct and integrity, I shouldn't have asked this question. However, I still want to ask a question. , Is there no connection between Master Li and Wu Jichuan?"

Hearing Liu Yang concocting such a question, Li Fang was stunned for a moment, but seeing the prince's calm eyes, he immediately got up and bowed: "Your Highness, there has never been any contact between the subject and Wu Jichuan, even until the decision is made. After the candidate is selected, we will know this person!"

Li Fang's tone was firm, Liu Yang looked at him for a while, his expression eased, he motioned for him to sit down, pondered for a while, and said, "Could it be the staff who recruited scholars, secretly thinking about it, and recruiting in secret?"

This issue is debatable, but it is still not so friendly to Li Fang.If it is, then Li Fang, who is the main examiner, should also bear the responsibility. At least one of his supervisors is not strict, which also means that there is a real problem with the imperial court's selection of scholars, otherwise there would be no result of such a secret operation.

Li Fang hesitated for a while, and said solemnly: "Your Highness, I can assure you that all the procedures of the examination will be carried out in accordance with the imperial court system, and the subordinates below, no matter the invigilator or the examiner, will have no possibility of favoritism!"

Seeing what Li Fang said was affirmative, Liu Yang finally frowned, and said softly, "So what's the problem?"

"Has Master Li carefully reviewed all the examination papers recorded for Jinshi?" Liu Yang asked.

"The ministers have confirmed each one! Wu Jichuan's answers to the questions are outstanding in writing, well-organized, and to the point. From what I see, they are enough to be awarded a Jinshi!" Li Fang expressed distress: "It's just that I didn't expect it. Fellow countrymen, you have attracted such criticism!"

"I believe in Master Li!" After thinking for a while, Liu Yang said such a sentence.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Hearing such a sentence, Li Fang was on the verge of tears, stood up and said gratefully.

"It's just!" Liu Yang said with a twist in his words, "The matter has already reached the front of the imperial court, and the situation has become more and more expanded, causing a sensation in the government and the public. However, we still need to wait for the results of the investigation! What's wrong with it must also be investigated clearly. !"

"Master Li is upright, so he is not afraid of these rumors and attacks!" Liu Yang tried his best to appease Li Fang.

Hearing this, Li Fang nodded his head, but still couldn't help sighing: "At this point in the situation, I'm just worried about how it will end. The scholars are clamoring and questioning the injustice of the court. I'm afraid, I'm afraid."

Liu Yang raised his hand again, stopped Li Fang, looked at him, and said in a deep voice: "Master Li! The imperial court will not make trouble for a group of scholars, and it should not be the case to blame ministers on the spot! Public opinion is public opinion. Forced, in order to give an explanation to the scholars and appease the hearts of the people, they ignore the facts, how can the justice of the court to judge scholars stand! "

"Your Highness is wise!" Li Fang became more and more moved.

After listening to Liu Yang's words, Li Fang finally confirmed that His Royal Highness is no longer the student who was taught by him back then, but has grown into a towering tree that can protect the wings.

The turbulent public opinion and the hustle and bustle are hard to move his heart.This kind of thinking, this kind of bearing, is exactly what the prince needs.

Of course, Liu Yang certainly trusted Li Fang's character and integrity. Behind this trust, besides the friendship between teachers and students for many years, there is also a prerequisite, that is, Li Fang did what he said, and he did not disregard his personal interests in selecting scholars.

"Since His Majesty has issued an order, Master Li will go back to the mansion first. The matter will always be investigated thoroughly, and there will be a fair judgment, and you will be cleared!" Liu Yang said to Li Fang again.

Seeing this, Li Fang finally got up, saluted and left.However, before leaving, he said sincerely: "Your Highness, I admit that I am innocent, and I am not afraid of censure, and I am not even afraid of capital punishment! However, if everyone destroys their bones, if their reputation is pure for a lifetime, I would rather die because of this matter!"

"Master Li is serious!" Hearing what he said, Liu Yang stood up and comforted him: "Don't worry, it won't be like this!"

(End of this chapter)