The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Yan Chengjin wanted to say a few kind words for Zhang Cong.

Zhang Cong was smart since he was a child, but his road to the imperial examination was bumpy. He did not pass the imperial examination until he was almost fifty years old, but he was able to become the chief minister of the cabinet.

He defeated Yang Tinghe.

Yang Shen took the bricks and a group of ministers to block him at the Zuoshun Gate, chased him from the east gate to the west, and visited the Forbidden City without even touching the corners of Zhang Han's clothes, which made Yang Shen and the officials angry. My lungs are about to explode.

He scolded Zhu Houzhao and the Supreme Emperor, but was not beheaded. He believed that Zhang Cong, like Liu Jin, had great luck.

If there was a Times magazine in Ming Dynasty, he wouldn't even read it if it wasn't Zhang Cong on the cover.

"The Emperor does not allow me to plead for mercy, but I really think that this scholar is a talented person."

The Supreme Emperor's face moved slightly, and he couldn't help but look at Zhang Cong a few more times.

The gentlemen's breathing has become heavier, this kid is here to fool people again.

Zhang Cong looked at the official next to him from the corner of his eye. This man, who was wearing a crane scarlet robe and looked a few years younger than him, was actually already a first-rank official of the imperial court!

He, he was not the person he saw on the carriage.

He... is Yan Chengjin.

A great scholar who rarely leaks news in the court, and it is rumored that he does not accept disciples.

My Adam's apple couldn't help but slide up and down. I failed the two provincial examinations. Today I have the opportunity to meet the Supreme Emperor and the princes, show off my talent, and maybe enter an official career.

It is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive guidance from a great scholar present!

"It's true that students are in a good hometown and insulting the new emperor. How can a piece of paper test out a truly talented person? Wolong and phoenix chicks can't use their fists when encountering eight-legged essays.

The student failed the provincial examination twice before he made the rude remarks. "

The expressions of the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi and the princes softened.

He is an upright and sincere person who dares to admit the crimes he committed.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi said: "You are scolding the new emperor just because of this?"

What he wants to know is whether there are bad policies in the world that he doesn't know about, so that he can correct them in time.

If a scholar fails the exam twice, this is because one person's luck and ability are not up to par, which is not enough to show that the Ming Dynasty is not upright.

But the princes thought so and insulted the court just because of one thing.

This shows that this person is narrow-minded and cannot become an official in the court. It is better to send him back to his hometown as soon as possible.

The scholar Zhang Cong was kneeling in the hall, neither humble nor pitiful.

"The student is famous in his hometown at the age of thirteen. He dare not say that his talents are the best in the capital, but he is no worse than his fellow villagers. But he got the exam as he wished, but the student failed to get the exam. Why?"

There was a feeling of sympathy in the hall.

His fellow students passed the exam, but he failed. This was even worse than him passing the exam.

Is this a problem for scholars?

No, it’s a problem with the imperial examination system.

The princes looked hesitant, and the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi pursed his lips, and the light flashed in his eyes.

Yan Chengjin lowered his head, failed twice?

That means five more times.

Historically, Zhang Cong became an official in his later years, just like having a son when he was old, and he cherished the opportunity to be an official.

Therefore, when he became an official, he had the courage to reform the system. Zhang Juzheng was greatly influenced by him, and his whipping method also came from here.

Zhu Houzhao said: "What is the name of your fellow countryman?

Thinking that Zhu Houzhao didn't believe it, Zhang Cong raised his eyes slightly: "His name is Xiao Zhen."

"I just asked him to retake the exam, why do you have to scold me?"

Zhang Cong: "..."

Lords: "..."

Everyone's attention seemed to have shifted.

Zhang Cong lowered his head again, seemingly immersed in sadness.

"Students are still unhappy about something. There are so many hungry people in the world, but the imperial court gave money to the Tang and Song Dynasties and was not willing to fill the granaries of various places.

Since the Chenghua Dynasty, granaries in various places have been vacant to this day. "

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi stood up and walked in some.

"Distributing food relief from Taicang can also help people all over the world."

"Taicang is in the capital city. If a natural disaster occurs in Guangzhou Prefecture and one million stones of grain are transported to Guangzhou Prefecture, how much will be left?

The government is exploiting people at all levels, just like peeling off a cocoon.

Every time you go to a prefecture or county, you have to check the local officials. If you pass by the feudal king's fiefdom, you have to peel off a layer of skin.

Your Majesty, I'm afraid you don't know, right? "

Zhang Cong suddenly raised his head and looked at the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi's pupils suddenly shrank. He was transporting relief money and food to the south. How could such a thing happen?

Among the few memorials he had read, no one came to report them.

At this moment, I still don’t believe it.

"Is there any evidence for what you said?"

"The students have insulted the new emperor, and his head is in danger. Why should he lie when he is about to die?"

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi raised his head and looked at the princes beside him in astonishment. When he saw Cui Yan lowering his head slightly, he suddenly realized that no one came to report to him.

"Yan...Yan Qing's family, do you know about this?"

Yan Chengjin thought for a while, which dynasty would have such good things?

Although I know it, I can't avoid it. There are too many reasons to eat money and food. I was robbed by horse thieves. It sank when I crossed the canal. The slaves ate too much...

"I have not heard the report."

If such a thing were to come out, he would naturally investigate it thoroughly.

But the Metropolitan Procuratorate did not make any remarks. He analyzed the reasons for three reasons.

First, it was not too greedy and was within the normal range of losses, so the censor's assessment was normal and no report was made. Second, it was done secretly and quickly. Before the censor's thorough investigation, the money and food were given to the people. The third is that censors and officials are in the same flow.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi was out of breath, with an angry look on his face.

"How much will be lost when transporting from north to south?"

"Students don't know, maybe 30% to 50%, maybe 70% to 80%."

…

Half an hour later, outside the Meridian Gate.

Zhang Cong followed the young eunuch out of the palace, feeling secretly happy and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

What bad luck!

It seems that from now on, I can only scold Zhu Houzhao in his dreams.

"Thank you, eunuch. I hope you won't refuse this two taels of silver."

Yan Chengjin stood in the distance and saw this action... nodded with satisfaction.

After escaping from the predicament, he did not feel lucky to have survived the catastrophe, but remained steady and alert. He is indeed a master who can turn the tide against the wind.

He Neng trotted over and said to Zhang Cong: "Come here, my young master wants to see you."

Zhang Cong wiped the sweat from his forehead and was about to go to Jinfuji to eat a bowl of mutton noodles to calm down.

But he saw a blue sedan parked not far away, which was extremely plain and simple.

Although the sedan was changed, the sedan bearer and the servant looked familiar.

"Master Yan is looking for a student?"

"What is your dream?"

He Neng was proud of himself when he saw this. The young master hadn't said this for a long time. If he said these words, the scholar in front of him would be dead.

Zhang Cong hesitated for a moment and asked in surprise: "What is a dream?"

He Neng came forward and smiled frivolously: "It's your ambition!"

So it's an ambition.

Zhang Cong thought about it and bowed quickly.

"I want to pass the imperial examination and become an official, eliminate corrupt officials in the world, rectify bad policies, bring eternal peace to the people, and make a difference in my lifetime!"

After listening to Yan Chengjin, he didn't feel much. Most scholars have been brainwashed into this state.

Wang Shouren is an outlier. I want to be a saint and bring peace to the world. In other words, bringing peace to the world is my way to become a saint.

For myself, very sincere, unlike the gentleman's way of Confucianism, which eliminates human desires and prioritizes the world.

This is what a human being is.

After all, Zhang Cong can only compare with Liu Jin. There is still a gap between his awareness and Wang Shouren.

"Sir?"

Zhang Cong quickly reminded.

Yan Chengjin was a cabinet minister, and if he gave him some advice, he might be able to pass the imperial examination.

However, after waiting for a long time, only two words came from the sedan:

"Lift the sedan."