fleeting photos

In the imperial study, Jiang Zhao was discussing matters with the left and right prime ministers.

It is now the end of February. According to the system of the Great Meng Dynasty, March is the time for the imperial examination in Beijing. As early as the beginning of spring this year, candidates from all over the country have entered Beijing one after another, just waiting for the examination of the Gongyuan.

This is the first time since Jiang Zhao came to the throne, the imperial examination was held. This batch of candidates who can enter the palace examination is also her first batch of disciples of the emperor, and they must be valued by the king.Therefore, for this Beijing exam, Jiang Zhao ordered the prime minister to personally take the exam.

After that dispute with Lu Cangyu in the court, Zhao Heng, the left chancellor, never brought up the matter of opening the harem again, and Jiang Zhao treated it as if that incident had never happened, so the monarch and his ministers were harmonious and there was no suspicion.

"In previous years, in the imperial examination, one had to take the aristocratic family first, and then the poor one, but I don't want to do that."

Jiang Zhaoduan was sitting behind the desk, wearing a purple long gown, the material was luxurious, and the dragon pattern was secretly embroidered, looking very dignified and stable.

Her eyes slowly swept across the faces of the two brachial ministers, she lowered her head and turned over a memorial, and said slowly: "Know the people's sufferings to know the people's livelihood, what you take from the people is for the people, and return to the people.

What I want is not only ministers who can only order arrows, but also ministers who can go deep into the people and uphold justice for the people. "

Zhao Heng and Qin Duan looked at each other, and said in unison: "I obey the order."

Jiang Zhao's grandfather, Emperor Taizong Jiang Yu, made great efforts to govern and expand the territory since he ascended the throne, making Dameng the first prosperous age since the founding of the Tai-zu, and was deeply loved by the people.

It's just that Emperor Taizong didn't have many heirs, and he only had three sons in his life. The eldest son died early, the second son was mediocre and was not favored by him, but the third son was a sick child.

Therefore, Emperor Taizong did not have a crown prince in his life. After his death, his second son, Jiang Min, was supported by his officials and ascended the throne. He reigned for 19 years and was protected by Taizong's remaining prestige.

The first emperor had some minor problems. In order to win over the courtiers and facilitate his control, he often bestowed favors on the aristocratic family.

Therefore, even if they managed to maintain a stable faction, in fact, the imperial court and even the local and state capitals were somewhat smoky. Although it would not harm the country, it would inevitably become a chronic illness over time.

Jiang Zhao had noticed this problem since he ascended the throne, but it was too young to uproot it.

Now that she has been on the throne for three years, she has grown rapidly and has accumulated some prestige. She probably has the confidence to start rectification.

She has some plans of her own. She doesn't plan to make drastic reforms. Instead, she starts with the rising stars and cultivates a group of courtiers who can really do practical things. In time, some moths can be replaced.

Today's style is indeed much stronger than that of the previous emperor, and he will probably be a generation of Mingjun.

The left and right ministers were all concerned, and discussed some other things with Jiang Zhao about the imperial examination. They didn't shut up until Gao Sheng'an knocked on the door and came in.

"Your Majesty, this is sweet porridge sent by Concubine Zhao."

Holding an exquisite food box in his hand, Gao Sheng'an walked quickly to the desk, pinned his whisk to his belt, opened the food box and took out a steaming jade bowl from it.

"It is said that the concubine made it by herself. Please drink it while it is hot. The empress advises your majesty to love the heavy dragon body."

Gao Sheng'an put the jade bowl by Jiang Zhao's hand. Jiang Zhao didn't want to drink it at first, but considering that Prime Minister Zuo was present, he still needed to give Concubine Zhao some face, so he reached out to hold the bowl and said, "The empress dowager has a heart."

She picked up the spoon and took two sips, glanced at the two prime ministers standing below, cleared her throat and said: "It's been a long time since I went to pay my respects to the concubine, do you two have other matters to discuss with me?"

"Nothing else." Zhao Heng cupped his hands and said, "Since Your Majesty is going to visit the Empress Dowager, then the old minister will not bother His Majesty."

Right Prime Minister Qin Duan also nodded and said: "The ministers will take their leave."

After the two of them left, Jiang Zhao put down the jade bowl, pressed his neck and twisted it.

"Let's go." She stood up and said, "Let's drive to Tai'an Palace."

Tai'an Palace is the residence of Concubine Zhao. Apart from several concubines, the current masters of the harem also have two princesses who have not left the cabinet. Since the Queen Mother passed away, all affairs in the harem have been handed over to Concubine Zhao. She please.

Concubine Zhao likes to be lively, but there are no concubines in the palace now, and the two princesses are too polite. She thinks that the other concubines are not fresh enough after being together for a lifetime, so she occasionally invites a few relatives' children to the palace.

Jiang Zhao knew about this, but he didn't care about it. Before going to pay his respects, he would ask people to go to Tai'an Palace to inquire about it. He hadn't met Concubine Zhao's natal nephew for so long.

This time it was a coincidence, and it happened that Concubine Zhao was entertaining guests.

"It's so lively here, Your Majesty." Jiang Zhao came from outside the hall, passed by a group of princes and noble daughters, and went straight to Concubine Zhao.

"The emperor is here." Concubine Zhao waved to her, and when she got close, she held her hand, looking very close.

Jiang Zhao took the opportunity to sit next to her, and said with a smile: "I drank the sweet porridge that my mother gave me, and I heard that you cooked it myself. I was really flattered, so I came here to express my thanks to my mother, and I would like to greet you by the way. "

Concubine Zhao also smiled and said: "Knowing that the emperor is filial, you are busy with political affairs all day long, as long as you take care of your body and don't get sick again, I will be the happiest in my heart."

Jiang Zhao responded, and heard Concubine Zhao say: "Come and see Your Majesty soon."

She was talking to the group of young men and women in the hall, they had never met Jiang Zhao, they were just hesitant at first, after hearing what they talked about, if there was anything they didn't understand, after hearing what Concubine Zhao said, they all hurried over to pay a visit.

Jiang Zhao asked them to flatten their bodies, his eyes only flicked lightly, and he didn't pay special attention to anyone.

Concubine Zhao rolled her eyes, took Jiang Zhao's hand and said, "I heard that Prime Minister Zuo entered the palace today, he is still very old, and he is still valued by the emperor. It is the emperor's kindness to our Zhao family."

Although she is over 30 years old, she has always been well maintained. She looks like she is only in her [-]s. You can only see some fine lines at the corners of her eyes when she smiles.

Jiang Zhao glanced at her, lowered his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Zhao Xiang is an old minister left by my father and emperor, and also the arm of the Great Meng Kingdom. I am still young, and I still have to rely on Zhao Xiang for many things."

Concubine Zhao said: "Father is old after all, and there will be more capable ministers to assist the emperor in the future."

She seemed to be probing for something, and she seemed to be guiding something. Jiang Zhao pretended not to know, but just followed her words: "The purpose of letting the two prime ministers enter the palace today is to discuss this year's imperial examination. I hope I can really get a few." A capable minister."

"Speaking of the imperial examination." Concubine Zhao smiled and said, "My nephew, Chengming, will also take the imperial examination this year."

As she spoke, she looked at the group of young people and called out, "Where is Chengming?"

Jiang Zhao raised his eyebrows, followed her gaze, and saw a man in white clothes walking out from behind the crowd. He was tall, thin, handsome, and had a deep and pleasant voice.

"My humble minister Zhao Chengming, I have met His Majesty."

He nodded to Jiang Zhao, lifted the hem of his clothes, knelt down and bowed his head in a big salute.

"Exemption."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Concubine Zhao said from the side: "Brother Ming is the elder brother's Saburo, and he is among the best among the juniors. He even won the first place in the provincial examination last year, Jieyuan."

It can be seen that Concubine Zhao likes this promising nephew very much. Seeing him bowing his head and saying nothing, she smiled and said: "Brother Ming was born with a good-looking talent, why does he always keep his head down? Quickly raise your head and let Your Majesty take a look."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengming cupped his hands and said, "I dare not look directly at Tianyan."

Concubine Zhao looked at Jiang Zhao, and Jiang Zhao naturally wanted to give her some favors, so she said, "It's okay."

After her words fell, Zhao Chengming slowly raised his head, but his eyes were still slightly lowered, not daring to look directly at Jiang Zhao.

On the contrary, he kept the etiquette, Jiang Zhao thought to himself, but he was always on guard.

Zhao Chengming is tall and not bad in appearance, he can be regarded as a crown jewel.

He was probably in his early twenties, with black and shiny black hair tied neatly with a jade crown, a straight nose, thin lips tightly pressed, a white dress embroidered with green bamboo, a sachet at his waist, and a jasper pendant. The feeling of Yushu facing the wind.

He didn't dare to look at Jiang Zhao, but Jiang Zhao looked him up and down.

Concubine Zhao was overjoyed when she saw this, she pretended to be casual and said: "What does the emperor think of Brother Ming?"

Jiang Zhaodao: "Gentle and courteous, with an extraordinary appearance."

She didn't know Zhao Chengming well, so she could only give such a comment based on her first impression.

Concubine Zhao said: "Brother Ming has been eager to learn since he was a child, and he can't put down the books. He is the person who loves to read the most among the younger generation of the Zhao family, and he has also obtained fame early.

Many people said that he had the talent of the number one scholar, and this boy was not proud and complacent, and he was fully prepared for the imperial examination.

Although Bengong has some preference for this child, he did not pretend to be hypocritical, but he did not avoid relatives when he was a virtuous person. "

Jiang Zhao said with a smile: "Your Majesty is right. The imperial examination is coming soon. If he is really talented and can be named the No. [-] Scholar, I will naturally not treat him harshly just because he is a son of the Zhao family."

Concubine Zhao nodded in satisfaction, she just let Zhao Chengming show his face in front of Jiang Zhao, and was not too anxious to show him.

Jiang Zhao sat in Tai'an Palace for a while, got to know a few young people from the Zhao family, excused that there were still political affairs to be dealt with, and led Gao Sheng'an to leave Tai'an Palace under the watchful eye of the crowd.

Sitting on the imperial chariot returning home, Jiang Zhao played with a beautiful sachet hanging on his waist. This little gadget is the best in terms of fabric, workmanship, and even the spices inside.

It's just that Jiang Zhao still thinks it's not as good-looking as her blue purse.

She played with it for a while, then let it go, leaned her elbows on the armrest of the throne, and asked with her chin in her hand, "Grandpa Gao, do you think that the appearance of the Zhao family was a coincidence or intentional?"

Gao Sheng'an walked beside her, upon hearing this, he quickly laughed and said, "This slave dare not speak nonsense."

Jiang Zhao said with a "tsk": "You are my chief manager, if I tell you to say it, you just say it, what are you afraid of others?"

"Slave complies with the order." Gao Shengan replied, a little ashamed.

Although he is a eunuch, he has been in the palace for many years, and he is used to the warmth and coldness of people. He has also seen too many open and secret fights, conspiracy and conspiracy. When Jiang Zhao asked him, he really did not ask the wrong person.

"Although the empress dowager intends to recommend Zhao Chengming to His Majesty, the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. The empress dowager is a smart person, so naturally she will not really want her majesty to choose Zhao Chengming as the champion."

Jiang Zhao nodded.

Gao Sheng'an continued: "The imperial examination is just around the corner. If Zhao Chengming is really talented and wants to show his face in front of His Majesty, why not just pass the Sanyuan exam, and His Majesty will naturally favor him."

He stopped for a while, looked up to see that Jiang Zhao was listening seriously, and said with a smile: "However, Mr. Zhao is personable and handsome. If he is really talented, he is more worthy of Tanhualang than the number one scholar."

There was something in Gao Sheng'an's words, and Jiang Zhaoben was suspicious of Zhao Chengming, so he couldn't understand what he meant.

But she was not annoyed, she opened the corners of her mouth and gave a sneer, and said slowly: "I just said, Zhao Xiang's temperament of not giving up until he achieves his goal, how could he give me a dozen papers just to get a decree, how could he be rejected?" Uncle gave up his mind after a few arguments, so he was waiting for me here."

Although Zhao Heng was tricky, Jiang Zhao knew that he had never been disobedient. If he had been tricked like this in the past, Jiang Zhao might have let him do what he wanted, so as not to upset the heart of the old minister.

But now, she already has someone in her heart, and even if she can't get it, Jiang Zhao will never give up the place that belongs to Xie Jin, even if it is hypocrisy.

She lowered her eyebrows and grabbed the sachet at her waist to play with, but her heart was full of the purse embroidered with Bing Tilian.