rebirth first official

In the palace examination, Li Changzhi even discarded the questions that Gao Qiang had prepared for him in advance, and came up with his own questions.The officials of the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin scholars who knew the topic in advance were a little surprised, but no one dared to interrupt the emperor in front of the audience, so they could only listen.

Li Changzhi said: "Since the emperors of the past managed the people and consolidated the achievements of the concubine, the first priority was to comprehensively verify the names and facts. In the time of Tang and Yu..."

What Li Changzhi asked was actually the way the country employs people.He first talked about the ancient way of selecting talents for kings, and then talked about the way of selecting scholars today. Gao Zhanming originally thought that his policy question was related to the imperial examination policy, and he was eager to try it. Scholars are superstitious about ministers and eloquence, saying that the bureaucrats in power are arrogant, extravagant and dissipated, and have no intention of state affairs.

Li Changzhi became more impassioned as he spoke, but the expressions of the civil and military officials and scholars below gradually froze.

——What Li Changzhi said was alluding to the Gao family!Not only the Gao family, but many prominent families were scolded by Li Changzhi.

The face of the eunuch standing beside Li Changzhi changed again and again. Seeing Li Changzhi getting further and further away, he finally couldn't help reminding in a low voice: "Your Majesty..."

Li Changzhi was talking to his heart's content, no matter what, he just continued talking on his own.

The subordinates below recorded the main points of Li Changzhi's words, and gradually became a little embarrassed, because the emperor opened up the topic a little bit, but they didn't know which sentence was the key point of the policy question.

The eunuch couldn't help but said again: "Your Majesty...it's almost time..."

Li Changzhi felt that he had lost his composure, so he finally paused, brought the topic back, and said: "Everyone expresses what they think, and I will act on it." Then he finally shut up.

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites quickly lit the incense to mark the time and sang: "The countermeasure begins!"

All the candidates had trouble facing the answer sheet.Should the strategies and countermeasures I made be the way for the country to select scholars, or how to manage the powerful clan and consolidate the imperial power?After all, the number of words is limited and time is limited, so it is difficult to cover them all.What about the articles that the emperor likes?What should I do to please the Emperor?

Gao Zhanming bit his lip.Others don't know, but he does. Gao Qiang had given him the topic of today's policy question before, and what he said at that time was clearly related to the country's overall economic planning, which is exactly what he is good at. The previous article can be easily answered by changing it.Suddenly, the topic of policy questions changed.It is impossible for Gao Qiang to lie to him, and there is no need for that. It seems that Li Changzhi temporarily changed the topic of the question.

Gao Zhanming's mood was rather complicated, and he sympathized with the emperor.What Li Changzhi said today should have been resentful for a long time, and he couldn't help but take this opportunity to express his feelings directly.What he said was rather tactful, he only said that the phenomenon of bureaucratic arrogance and corruption is very serious in the world today. Although he didn't explicitly refer to the Gao family, anyone with a heart can tell that he is not falsely referring, but is alluding to the Gao family and other big families.

Gao Zhanming thought: After all, the emperor is still young, and he is indeed a bit more energetic.He advocated on his own, changed the topic of the policy question, and did not offend the Queen Mother, he was afraid that he would offend more people with this policy question.

Some scholars from poor families also resented for a long time the powerful family's arbitrariness of power, so they wrote as soon as they raised their pens, and wrote several paragraphs in a short time.

Gao Zhanming was in a bit of a dilemma.Of course he knows how to write an article that makes the emperor applaud, just like if he speaks ill of the Zhao family in front of the empress dowager, the empress dowager will treat him as a confidant for a while.But now he is very clear about the situation in the imperial court. He said that the imperial examination is judged by the emperor, even if the final result is determined by Li Changzhi, and the palace examination articles will be sealed in the palace so that no one else can see it, but at least the Imperial Academy, the Privy Council and Those two from the Gao family will definitely watch it.Although he is not used to the current situation of the Gao family's hegemony, but if he only follows the emperor's wishes, he will inevitably offend the Gao family and others, and the gains outweigh the losses.

After deliberation, Gao Zhanming finally sighed lightly, concealed his edge, and wrote a moderate article.

Not long after, the incense burnt out, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites sang: "It's time, close the scroll!"

All the candidates contributed their pens one after another.Officials from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward to collect the test papers, and handed over all the test papers to the Hanlin Bachelor.

After the palace examination was over, everyone kowtowed for their grace and withdrew from the court.There are [-] papers in the palace examination, and the names are not determined on the spot, and the results will have to wait three days later.

Li Changzhi changed the topic of the policy question on the spot, which naturally made Gao Qiang very unhappy.However, Li Changzhi had a bad breath in his chest, and immediately hid in Zhao Jinyan's palace, and recruited several imperial doctors, declaring that he was unwell, so as to save himself the trouble of asking the queen mother for peace, and he did not want to honestly go to see him again. To be scolded.What he did was for a moment of peace, but he didn't know how Gao Qiang cursed Zhao Jinyan behind his back and was heartbroken for his disobedience.

Although the palace examination is hand-picked by the emperor, not all [-] test papers are reviewed by the emperor, but the Hanlin scholars first review, and finally select the ten best papers and hand them over to Li Changzhi, and the top ten rankings are determined by Li Changzhi .

The last ten articles were handed over to Li Changzhi, and Gao Zhanming's article was also among them.

Li Changzhi read Gao Zhanming's article for the first time, and he was in a mixed mood after reading it.I have to admit that Gao Zhanming's literary talents are very good, and the main purpose is clear, but the topic is a bit off. It talks about how courtiers should abide by the way of being courtiers and assist the emperor in governing the world.It seems that there is nothing wrong with it, it is quite satisfactory, and there are even some thought-provoking lines occasionally, but this is not what Li Changzhi wants to read.

Among the ten articles sent up, there was an article written by a man named Jin Tianyou who was more sympathetic to Li Changzhi. If you have the ambition, you can help the world.In fact, articles with more violent words have been eliminated. After all, they are articles for the imperial examination. When selecting essays for Hanlin bachelors, there are many considerations. Articles that dare to insinuate too much in the article will definitely fail.Su Yu chose this article, and she was also under a lot of pressure.In his heart, he also regards the Gao family as a long-standing evil. To change the world and change the customs, what he wants to change is the worldly ways of the world, and what he wants to change is the customs of the wealthy and relatives who succeed in success and ascend to heaven.

After looking at it, Li Changzhi found that most of the other articles, like Gao Zhanming, used the sage's old words or said nothing. There was no article that could touch his heart, so he wanted to send Jin Tianyouqin who wrote that article The point is the number one scholar in this subject, but he hesitated to write.

At this moment, someone outside announced: "Eunuch Guo is here."

Li Changzhi threw the pen angrily, and said, "Let him in."

After a while, Guo Yulian walked in.

Guo Yulian bowed to Li Changzhi with a smile, and said, "Your Majesty, the empress dowager asked me to ask you if you have finished reading the palace examination articles. After you finish reading, the empress dowager also wants to read it."

Guo Yulian didn't ask whether Li Changzhi's ranking in the palace examination had been determined, but asked Li Changzhi if he had read the article. It seemed that the Queen Mother did not intend to let Li Changzhi personally determine the ranking in this year's palace examination.

Li Changzhi felt very angry, but he didn't dare to offend Gao Qiang, so he had to swallow his breath and hand over ten copies of the article to Guo Yulian.Guo Yulian received the article and was about to leave when Li Changzhi suddenly said, "Grandpa Guo, please tell the queen mother that I want to order the first prize and the second place in person." The implication is that Gao Qiang is willing to be the champion.

Guo Yulian was stunned for a moment, she thought that Gao Qiang didn't care about other proposals, it was just for Gao Zhanming, so she said kindly: "Your servant must pass on the emperor's words to the queen mother." She thanked her and left.

In the past, Gao Qiang didn't care about the imperial examinations, but now, Gao Zhanming participated in the imperial examinations, and Gao Qiang was no longer satisfied with listening to the government behind the curtain in the court hall, and even the selection of the new champion had to be decided by her.

Li Changzhi was not angry, but in the end he couldn't help it, so he could only let out a long sigh.Not long after Guo Yulian left, Li Changzhi got up and left the palace, heading towards the palace where Zhao Jinyan was.

Seeing Li Changzhi coming, Zhao Jinyan hurriedly served him tea and water, squeezed his shoulders and beat his legs.Although she is not beautiful, she is obedient in front of Li Changzhi, but she doesn't need a maid who can serve herself.Li Changzhi was constrained by the Gao family everywhere in the court, and many of the empresses and concubines in the harem were selected by the Gao family for him. What pillow talk he said to the concubines could be spread to the ears of the Queen Mother Gao and An Guogong in a blink of an eye. Go, and only here can be honored in every way.Therefore, Li Changzhi would rather abandon the beauties in the harem and the beautiful Empress Xu, and favor Zhao Jinyan alone.

Seeing Li Changzhi's frowning face, Zhao Jinyan changed her mind and said, "Your Majesty, aren't you reviewing the palace examination articles?"

Li Changzhi sneered, "What difference does it make if I don't see it?"

Zhao Jinyan covered her mouth pretending to be surprised: "Could it be..." He said immediately, "In the end... it's too much."

Li Changzhi said: "Then what can we do?"

Zhao Jinyan said: "Does the Empress Dowager want Gao Zhanming to be the No.

Li Changzhi sneered and said: "What's amazing is not the flattery of those young people, I don't think so. His article is really mediocre, mixing some sage's words is like fooling around. His own point of view But I didn’t see a word. But according to my opinion, it’s my policy question that made him speechless. Isn’t it just people like them who are talking about extravagance and licentiousness!”

Zhao Jinyan said: "If he wins the first prize, then he will be the three-yuan winner, exactly the same as Su Hanlin at that time, and he is younger than Su Hanlin at that time. Wouldn't it be a sensation in the world?"

Li Changzhi just shook his head.

Zhao Jinyan rolled her eyes quietly, and said, "Your Majesty, that Gao Zhanming was able to pass the imperial examination with the help of An Guogong and others, and he had to prepare the questions in advance for the imperial examination. As soon as the emperor changed the questions, he was able to answer the questions. Not good. It's a pity that the outsiders don't know about him. They really think he is a powerful person. In the previous examination, Gao Zhanming failed. I heard that it was because of the change of the examination papers. There may be some cases of fraud, but with Gao Zhanming’s background, can’t he bribe the officials of the Ministry of Rites? Even if he doesn’t bribe the officials, how can anyone dare to change his articles, so they are not afraid of offending the Queen Mother and Duke An? The concubine’s selfishness Thinking about it, maybe there is something tricky about the thing that I will try."

Li Changzhi frowned and said, "I also think this is unusual, the Queen Mother never cared about imperial examinations."

Zhao Jinyan said: "The concubine thought about it, maybe that Gao Zhanming bribed someone to change the paper for him, but unfortunately the subordinate staff did it wrongly, instead of changing him with a good paper, he gave him a bad one. The examiner who graded the paper didn't know it, so he failed the exam for him. Gao Zhanming came here for Sanyuan and the first place. If he failed the exam, he would not be able to enter the household department. Send someone to investigate the case of fraud. Or, there is no such thing as changing the papers at all. The Gao family wants Gao Zhanming to win three yuan in a row, but they don't want the world to say that he got it by cheating. It's fair, Gao Zhanming was promoted, but who knows if it's true or not?"

Li Changzhi slapped the table hard: "It's really abominable! It's like a thief shouting "Stop the thief!"

Zhao Jinyan pretended to be helpless and said: "It's a pity that Gao Zhanming is now the number one scholar in the department, and I'm afraid he won't be able to escape."

Li Changzhi said: "It doesn't matter who the number one scholar is. I'm just afraid that the Empress Dowager and An Guogong will bring this number one scholar to suppress me, saying that I ordered it myself. I can't refute his words."

Zhao Jinyan smiled slightly, and said: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about it. The concubine has an idea. Didn't Gao Zhanming get up by cheating? It's a pity that outsiders don't know, and they mistake him for something capable. Praise him. If people outside know—don’t talk about others, just talk about those candidates who have worked so hard to get to this day, but let Gao Zhanming be crushed under their feet. If they know, Don't you hate him? Let Gao Zhanming take the first prize, I don't think he can feel at ease, and in the future he will wander among those Jinshi, but he will be pushed out everywhere, and he may not have a good life."

Li Changzhi was taken aback: "You mean..."

Zhao Jinyan said: "Tomorrow the emperor will meet with the top ten candidates, and he will point out a few words on the spot. Since Gao Zhanming has lost face in public, others will understand? They can still know that the emperor is just in his heart, who is better?" Who is bad, the emperor can see very clearly, it's just that he is a little helpless."

Li Changzhi was silent in thought.

Before the public list of the palace examination, the emperor will have to summon the top ten new scholars separately, and ask and answer them face-to-face in detail about the articles on the palace examination, and then the final ranking will be announced.

On the second day, Gao Zhanming was called into the palace again.

Ten Xinke Scholars knelt in two rows in the hall, and Li Changzhi sat on the dragon seat with ten articles by his hand.

Li Changzhi commented on these articles one by one, and then asked and answered questions in the articles with Jinshi on the spot.

When asked about Gao Zhanming, Li Changzhi called out, "Gao Qing."

Gao Zhanming hurriedly responded.

Li Changzhi was silent for a moment, and said: "Gao Qing, I... am not very satisfied with your article."

Gao Zhanming was taken aback.Not to mention Gao Zhanming, all Jinshi present were a little surprised.Li Changzhi had just commented on the articles of other Jinshi, and he may have asked about points of confusion, or pointed out points of disapproval, but he did not comment on the quality of the articles, and all the results will be known when the rankings are released tomorrow.But he actually said on the spot that he was dissatisfied with Gao Zhanming's article, which is a bit... serious.The other Scholars thought that Gao Zhanming was already the No. [-] Scholar in this subject, why did something seem wrong?

Gao Zhanming hurriedly said: "The grassroots are bold, please enlighten me."

Li Changzhi knew that the ranking of the final imperial examination might have already been set, but he only had this chance to express his views on these articles, and he didn't want to pretend to be deaf and dumb.Li Changzhi said: "You are off topic. Do you still remember how I planned to ask the question that day?"

Gao Zhanming said: "The grassroots remember. The emperor asked... Now that the officials are corrupt and the government is corrupt, how should we manage the situation."

Li Changzhi raised his eyebrows in surprise: "You are very clear. Then why do your articles quote many Confucian sages and speak out all the truth, but they are all mediocre words? I heard that you are quite If you have political views, why are you so devious in this article?"

Gao Zhanming said: "What I said in the article is the way of being an official and a person. If the emperor asks the whole court to read ancient books, learn the words of sages, and use this to discipline themselves, presumably the evil will be driven out." Gao Zhanming actually said There was something in it, but he didn't dare to say it too clearly.How can this be done by making the whole court read the Holy Word?Fundamentally speaking, then select those who have both good conduct and good conduct to enter the court, changing the way the court selects scholars today.However, this matter is far-reaching, and Li Changzhi is unable to do it now.

Li Changzhi laughed and said, "Do you think your articles can teach court officials?"

Gao Zhanming hurriedly said: "The grassroots dare not."

Li Changzhi said: "Now I ask you the policy, how should I govern this court? If they can stand on their own, I still need to ask you! I ask you what I should do!" Li Changzhi was furious Next, the mood became a little excited.He really has a long history of grievances. Since the death of the previous emperor, he has been controlled by the Gao family and Gao Qiang. At that time, he was young, just in his early tenth year. An Guogong wants to assist the government, so he can only admit it and endure it.He is now 25 years old, and his son is also six years old. As the emperor, sometimes he can control things even worse than the six-year-old little prince.

Gao Zhanming secretly sighed inwardly.How could he not know about Li Changzhi's situation?Like Li Changzhi, he was also born in the shackles of the Gao family, so his hands and feet were bound.However, he is much luckier than Li Changzhi. His starting point is low, so he is not subject to too much control. He can expand outward bit by bit with his own efforts, but Li Changzhi has difficulty taking a step forward.

Gao Zhanming hesitated for a moment, raised his head, glanced at Li Changzhi, then immediately lowered his eyes, moved his lips, and read a word softly: Ren.

Li Changzhi was stunned, almost suspicious that he had read it wrong.Gao Zhanming is telling him to endure?He immediately felt even angrier!

In Li Changzhi's heart, Gao Zhanming is Gao Qiang's confidant.If not, how could Gao Qiang be so keen on the imperial examinations, and still insist on letting Gao Zhanming win the triple award?Therefore, in Gao Zhanming's eyes, the word "forbearance" is not admonishment, but ridicule.Gao Zhanming was telling him that as the emperor, he could only allow the Gao family to treat him as a puppet emperor, and it was impossible for him to compete with the Gao family.No, even a junior from the Gao family dared to laugh at him!

Li Changzhi sneered and said, "Your article seems to be well-documented and logical, but in fact it is empty. I am not very satisfied." Then he pushed Gao Zhanming's article aside, and began to question and answer with another Jinshi.

One day later, Yang Zhaolin was ranked third in the palace examination and won Tanhua; Jin Tianyou, who had won the Huiyuan in the first trial but lost it due to a retrial, ranked second and won the second place; The leader, hit three yuan in a row!