On the Avenue

The cabinet chief Zhang Fuzheng's smug expression froze on his face. The scene in front of him was somewhat beyond his expectations.

In this battle for the top scholar, it seemed to be a battle between Chen Shi and the young master, and it seemed to be Chen Tang against the civil and military officials, but in fact, it was the chief minister Zhang Fuzheng who controlled the situation!

He was the one who really controlled the situation.

He openly supported Chen Shi and Chen Tang in the fight for the top scholar, provoked the courage of the young master and Chen Shi to fight a decisive battle, and promoted this duel. Chen Shi and Chen Tang would not guard against him, allowing him to approach the Nine Palaces of the True King at any time.

At the same time, he urged the Nine Palaces to stop Chen Shi from killing the young master at the last minute, fulfilling the interests of the thirteen families.

In this way, whether it is Chen Shi's side, the young master's side, or the thirteen families, they will become timid because of his actions.

He is the backbone of this decisive battle, he is the pillar of the Ming Dynasty, and he is the elder who shoulders the fifty provinces of Xiniu Xinzhou!

The former cabinet minister Yan Xianzhi resigned from the position of Prime Minister because of the arrival of Xiaowu, avoiding disaster and waiting for a comeback, eyeing the position of Prime Minister. Zhang Fuzheng took over the position in times of crisis, but he was not qualified enough, did not have enough connections, and did not have the prestige and authority of Yan Xianzhi. It was not difficult for Yan Xianzhi to take back his position.

But in this competition for the top scholar, Zhang Fuzheng made light work of the three forces, and the civil and military officials, Chen Shi, and the young master all had to rely on him!

His prestige and authority were bound to reach their peak, and Yan Xianzhi could no longer take back the position of Prime Minister! The only problem now was that he failed to control Chen Shi.

The young master was dead.

At the moment when Zhang Fuzheng urged the power of Zhongji Hall and shouted "Stop it", Chen Shi exterminated the young master under the power of the Ten Absolute Formation!

Zhang Fuzheng felt like the sky was falling.

It is not easy for the thirteen families to assist a true king who can control the situation. They carefully selected and cultivated them twenty or thirty years ago. Today, when it is time to blossom and bear fruit, they suddenly died.

He broke out in cold sweat on his forehead and his heart was cold.

His actions seemed clever, and he still stabilized his position and enhanced his prestige, but he knew that he had messed up.

At this time, the sky suddenly turned red, and the two suns slowly closed their eyes. The blazing flames in the eyes of the outer true gods were squeezed out by the eyelids, forming a sea of ​​fire that stretched for tens of thousands of miles in the sky 80 miles above Xiniu Xinzhou, burning like a sunset.

"It's dark, and it's one moment earlier!" The five senses of the Sitianjian Lingtailang hurriedly reported, which seemed to indicate an ominous sign.

On May 26, although it was a hot summer day, it didn't look like a hot summer at all.

Outside the Chenxi Teahouse on Wuchang Street, there is a chariot parked. It is extremely gorgeous, with various flying talismans painted on the body. In addition to the traditional divine running talismans and armor horse talismans, there are also dragon and phoenix patterns and thunder patterns. The canopy is also extremely luxurious, with pearls hanging from the necklaces, and the sun, moon and stars are painted.

The chariot is also pulled by dragons, two dragon horses, all blue and red, with wings already grown, extremely majestic.

When this thing runs, it will soar into the clouds and gallop in the air, and it is not a problem to travel thousands of miles a day.

Xiao Wangsun circled around this precious chariot for four or five times, and left reluctantly.

In the teahouse, Yan Xianzhi and Zhang Fuzheng sat face to face. The two old men looked at Xiao Wangsun who was dragged away by Jin Hongying, and they hesitated to speak.

After a long time, the tea was a little cold, and Zhang Fuzheng said slowly: "Lord Yan, I won this battle between you and me. Do you admit it?"

Yan Xianzhi used his magic power to warm the tea, picked up the teacup, and said solemnly: "Fuzheng usually doesn't show off his talent, but I didn't expect that you are a hundred times more talented than me. I also didn't expect that you could move between the three forces with ease. If Chen Shi's last attack was beyond your expectations, you would have won! I am not as good as you, and I lost with conviction! Let me toast you a cup!"

Zhang Fuzheng picked up the cold tea and smiled: "It is enough for me to be praised by Brother Xianzhi in this life." The two drank tea instead of wine.

Yan Xianzhi ordered the waiter to change a pot of hot tea and pour tea for Zhang Fuzheng, saying: "But, Chen Shi's killing of the young master is of great concern. How to solve it in the future is a big problem, which tests the ability of the prime minister. The Ming Dynasty is full of holes. If the prime minister of the cabinet did not have the ability of a paperhanger, it would have collapsed long ago. Can Fuzheng teach me?"

Zhang Fuzheng smiled and said: "Brother Xianzhi has been a cabinet minister for so many years, he must have had a plan in mind. But since brother Xianzhi asked, I will say something for the time being."

He paused and said: "The young master is dead, the monkeys scatter when the tree falls, everything is over, don't worry about him. The various forces that the young master has planted in the court and the local areas should be pulled out and incorporated. After all, it is also a considerable fortune."

Yan Xianzhi nodded gently.

Zhang Fuzheng continued, "Chen Shi's title of champion should be given to him without any punishment. First, it demonstrates the justice of the court. Second, it shuts up Chen Shi and Chen Tang. Third, the Chen family has accumulated wealth for three generations. Although the family is small, its strength can rival that of the aristocratic families. The court must maintain a certain respect for the powerful."

Yan Xianzhi said, "I'm afraid that the rest of the young master's army will not give up."

"That's their business with Chen Shi, and has nothing to do with the court. The court still mainly uses gentleness to deal with Chen's father and son."

Zhang Fuzheng drank tea and said, "As for the third point, it is how to give an explanation for the hard work of the thirteen aristocratic families over the years. Those who caused this situation must face punishment."

Yan Xianzhi sighed, "This is the most difficult point."

Zhang Fuzheng nodded gently, "This is indeed difficult. Brother Xianzhi, you buy the tea." Yan Xianzhi said, "I'll buy it."

Zhang Fuzheng stood up, walked down the teahouse, stopped again, turned around and said: "You didn't do anything, I did everything. I win everywhere, I beat you everywhere, I can't understand it, I really can't understand it ”

Yan Xianzhi smiled and said: "In the Ming Dynasty at this time, sometimes if you don't do something, you will win. If you do something, it will be wrong and you will lose."

"Is it right not to do something?"

Zhang Fuzheng shook his head, laughed, turned and went downstairs.

Yan Xianzhi waited for a while, then came to the window and looked down from a high position. He saw the coachman opening the door of the carriage and Zhang Fu was walking in with his waist bent.

The chariot set off and left Xijing.

This morning, Zhang Fuzheng's resignation was submitted to the cabinet.

Zhang Fuzheng did everything and Yan Xianzhi did nothing. However, Zhang Fuzheng did something wrong and had to give an explanation to the Thirteenth Family and resign as chief assistant.

Yan Xianzhi once again became the chief assistant.

When Yan Xian went downstairs, the storyteller in the teahouse was still talking about the battle between Chen Shi and the young master. He burst into tears and described Chen Shi, the number one scholar, as heinous and heinous.

Yan Xianzhi stood in the crowd and listened for a moment, shook his head, and thought to himself: "What these Shengdou people know is just superficial, one-sided, and emotional."

He walked out of the teahouse and walked slowly towards the inner city.

People in the streets and alleys were also talking about the battle between Chen Shi and the young master, describing Chen Shi's killing of the young master vividly, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

All kinds of rumors are flying all over the sky, some are extremely ridiculous, and some are very clear and logical. "When people leave, the tea cools, and the trees fall down, and the hozens scatter. These criticisms will all subside in a month. People, what should they do or what they should do, what is right and what is wrong, what does it have to do with firewood, rice, oil and salt?" He said silently in his heart.

He listened to people's discussions all the way, and then calmed down a bit when he entered the inner city. He came to Wenyuan Pavilion, entered the cabinet, and sat down.

At this moment, the other twelve ministers of the cabinet were already waiting for him, their eyes focused on his face.

Yan Xianzhi smiled slightly and said: "Gentlemen, it's time to decide on the title of Number One Scholar." "Mr. Ge, Chen Shi killed the young master..."

"In the battles for the number one scholar in the past dynasties, casualties are inevitable. This is an unfortunate incident. The cabinet expresses condolences to Ren Mu's family and the court is showing some sympathy."

Yan Xianzhi said, "Also, Ren Xiao, Minister of the Ministry of War, lost his son. He is grieving in his heart and he is getting older. The court should not delay his retirement. We will go to court tomorrow morning to persuade him to leave."

The twelve ministers nodded silently.

Xia Canghai asked: "So, where is Mr. Chen Tangchen? The right minister of household affairs is in charge of the eight warehouses and four warehouses. He must have made a lot of money in these years, right?"

He couldn't help but feel a little angry and said: "Master Cui, the Minister of Household Affairs, is like a fool and has no idea how much Chen Tang has been greedy!"

Cui Baihe was known as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and was also a cabinet minister. He was in the Wenyuan Pavilion. Hearing this, his face turned red and he slapped the table and said angrily: "Xia Canghai, you can be deceived by him even if you go to be the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. You must be like a fool! Who among you doesn’t think that he is a great minister? Who doesn’t think that he is a great talent?

Xia Canghai sneered and said: "He doesn't work under my hands, he works under your hands! Your people are so greedy that they have injured hundreds of civil and military officials. Even several ancestors were injured by him. The ancestors of the Ma family were also injured. Broken leg!"

Master Ma Lishu was a little unhappy: "What does it mean that the ancestor of the Ma family had his legs broken? The ancestor of the Li family did not have his legs broken? The ancestor of the Li family was bullied by Chen Wu and was beaten so seriously that he could not bear the injury. The injury was just a little bit better, and he was beaten by Bai Yi again. The fairy was beaten so badly that she couldn't bear the injury. She was slightly injured, but she was beaten so badly by Chen Tang that she couldn't bear the pain."

Li Xiaoshuang, Lord Li, slapped the case and said angrily: "Ma Lishu, what do you mean? Thirteen aristocratic families are in the same spirit. Which ancestor has not been beaten by Chen Wu? Which ancestor has not been beaten by the female fairy in white? If they had not left early, I will be beaten by Chen Tang this time too!”

The twelve ministers quarreled and almost got into a fight.

Yan Xianzhi left them to argue, feeling quite helpless: "The Ming Dynasty posters only deal with these matters."

When everyone was tired of arguing, Xia Canghai asked: "Mr. Pavilion, Chen Tang has done many evil things, including corruption and bending the law. How should we investigate and deal with it?"

"Investigate? Investigate what? Who will investigate?"

Yan Xianzhi spread his hands and said in shock, "If I don't go to investigate, who will? Mr. Xia, do you do the investigation? Mr. Ma, do you do the investigation? What's the point of being greedy for money? Isn't the Household Department still running smoothly? Isn’t it true that the court is in good order? Is it because you, Mr. Li, have never been corrupt, or Mr. Gao, or Mr. Fei? "

Everyone stopped talking.

Xia Canghai couldn't help but said: "That won't allow him to continue in this position. Over the years he served as the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he was able to secretly produce thirty-seven Talisman Gods. If he sits down again, how many Talisman Gods will he be able to accumulate? I don’t even dare to think about it! How about putting his position down?”

Yan Xianzhi shook his head and said: "You are not afraid of his thirty-seven Talisman God Tianji, but I am still afraid. Mr. Chen Tang works hard in the household department and has made great contributions. How can he be demoted? He should be promoted! Why not be promoted to honor? Doctor Lu, the official residence is from the first rank. What do you think?"

The twelve ministers smiled knowingly and nodded in praise. This move rises and falls secretly.

The right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the third rank in official rank, and the official rank of Ronglu doctor, from the first rank, seem to have been promoted two levels in a row, but the right minister is in charge of eight warehouses and four warehouses, and the Ronglu doctor has a false name but no real power. It can be regarded as a vacancy after Chen Tang was promoted. Leave him without access to any resources.

"Mr. Ge, what should we do with Chen Shi, the number one scholar? He must also be given an official position."

Cui Baihe said, "Chen Shi is serving as an ambassador in Guangjiku. In my opinion, he is not much better than his father. I am afraid that Guangjiku has become a rat warehouse for Chen Zhuangyuan."

Yan Xianzhi smiled and said, "Of course, he should be promoted. The ambassador is only a ninth-rank official. He should be promoted three levels first and go to the Hanlin Academy to be a historian and compose a book, so as to live up to his literary talent."

Everyone praised it.

So far, the cabinet has made a decision.

On the second day, the cabinet's decree was issued in the court. A large number of officials were dismissed from their posts, investigated, and the Minister of War Ren Xiong also begged for his bones and retired to his hometown.

In addition, the Fuzheng Pavilion was abolished, and the officials of the Fuzheng Pavilion were no longer employed. This matter caused an uproar in the court and the public.

In addition, Chen Tang's promotion also caused a lot of discussion.

The thirteen families were troubled by the Chen father and son, but Yan Ge Lao took action and calmed down the storm gently, which made people have to admire.

A few days later, the imperial court announced the results, Chen Shi was the top scholar in the Golden Examination, and Zhang You was the runner-up.

The third place winner caused quite a stir, and it was a female Jinshi named Hu Feifei.

Because the children of the thirteen noble families suffered heavy losses, and the children of other noble families could not beat Hu Feifei, and the fox clan was blowing her pillow, the third place winner inexplicably fell on Hu Feifei's head.

After the third place winner, there were the second-class Jinshi quotas and the third-class Jinshi quotas. Hundreds of people were on the golden list.

Two days later, the imperial court arranged official positions, and many Jinshi had official positions arranged, either in the local area or in Xijing as small officials.

Chen Shi's official position was also given, as a historian of the Hanlin Academy, from the sixth rank, which was already considered a big position, but it was also an idle position without real power.

Chen Shi didn't care about it at all. He went to the yamen of the Hanlin Academy to sign in, and then went home to rest, happy to be idle.

He got back Niangniang Shiji, the ginseng doll and other elixirs from Chen Tang, and also got back Xiaozhutian. Niangniang Shiji entered his small temple again, feeling satisfied. When she saw that there was already a woman in white on her shrine in the temple, her face suddenly changed and she was about to get angry.

However, she felt the breath of this woman and suddenly calmed down a lot, sitting obediently on the third shrine.

Chen Shi was also a little surprised, thinking: "Has Niangniang Shiji changed her temper these days? She didn't even drive this female scholar down."

He was also a little surprised. This female scholar had been in a coma for a long time and had not woken up after recuperating in his small temple for so long.

His Yuanshen sat on the shrine in the center, with the "female scholar" and Niangniang Shiji on the left and right. His true energy became extremely pure, and his Taoist body was naturally accomplished.

At this time, there was a noise outside Chen's house. Chen Shi walked out to see that it was Hu Guanghan, Tian Yue'e and hundreds of other scholars who came to Chen's house to ask for an audience.

Chen Shi hurriedly invited them into the Chen Mansion, but there were too many people and the Chen Mansion was too small to stand, so they could only talk on Ganyang Street.

"Master, we have been granted official positions and will go to local officials. Today we come to say goodbye to you."

Everyone bowed down.

Chen Shi hurriedly supported them and said with a smile: "You and I are both candidates of the same class. How dare I be your master?"

He asked these candidates one by one. Their official positions were not big. Most of them were county magistrates and chief clerks in local counties. The better ones were judges, experiencers, and governors in prefectures. They were all positions that did practical things, unlike him, a historian who was so empty.

Chen Shi also asked them one by one if they had any difficulties in their practice, answered them on the spot, and left everyone's Thousand Miles Transmission Notes.

When it was time to say goodbye, everyone bowed down together.

"Master, we have traveled a long way and don't know whether we will live or die. We bid farewell to you today. I hope that one day I can come to you and ask you to give me advice!"