The Ming Dynasty started with caution

"Lao Gao, where did you go yesterday?"

In the main hall, Zhu Houzhao opened his big eyes, breaking the solemn and calm atmosphere.

Li Dongyang frowned. Every moment in the morning court was extremely precious. Ninety officials added up to one hour.

How could it be wasted on Yan Chengjin?

"The names for the general examination have been announced. Can the new emperor please take a look?"

This time, there is no precedent in history for recruiting scholars.

The imperial list needs to be stamped by the emperor and posted on the palace wall to recognize the status of Jinshi. Zhu Houzhao thought of Zhang Cong and Xia Yan and spoke expectantly:

"Show me."

Yan Chengjin also raised his head slightly, wondering if Zhang Cong and Xia Yan could win this time?

The magic of the imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty is that if you pass the provincial examination and fail the general examination, you may fail. Just like in the previous life, if you ranked first in the city, you would instantly become a scumbag.

Zhu Houzhao glanced at the imperial list, and then looked at Yan Chengjin with strange eyes.

"I think it will be changed this time."

Baiguan looked up at the book in Zhu Houzhao's hand, somewhat confused.

"But is there something wrong? Do you want me to wait and see?"

Yan Chengjin saw the imperial list filled in. The first name was Xia Yan, the second was Tang Gao, the third was Zhang Con...

I don’t know Tang Gao’s origins, but he must be a famous figure in history if he passed the imperial examination, right?

Mao Ji, the Minister of Rites, raised his head and asked: "How will the new emperor change the situation?"

"Xia Yan and Zhang Xuan are both in Huiyuan."

Zhu Houzhao preached and taught, so he was naturally the mentor of Zhang Cong and Xia Yan. How could he tolerate his disciples falling behind others? This was a great shame and humiliation!

Moreover, he is also quite familiar with the imperial examination. Who among the top three will get Huiyuan depends entirely on the emperor.

Li Dongyang knew Zhu Houzhao's little thoughts and said: "In order to avoid suspicion, it would be best for the new emperor not to do this. The palace examination will be held soon. Let's discuss this first, right?"

Jiang Mian nodded, and the emperor set the questions for the imperial examination.

The princes believed in Zhu Houzhao's talent and learning, but they were afraid that if he did not follow the rules and asked a question about horse politics, how many scholars would die?

However, it is an ancestral system for the emperor to leave the palace to test matters, and officials cannot overstep their authority.

"I will advise you. After the palace examination papers are sealed, the new emperor will rest in the East Palace for a few days to prevent the palace examination questions from being leaked."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Zhu Houzhao was a person who had sold imperial examination questions. If he wrote the questions himself, wouldn't he be able to sell them?

Yan Chengjin was a little confused. He turned around and looked around. He was the only one still standing.

Zhu Houzhao thought carefully about countermeasures.

If I offend hundreds of officials again this time, maybe some of them will be dismissed from office. It seems that I can only suffer a loss first.

"Then I will stay in the East Palace for a few days."

Three days passed in a flash, and the day of the palace examination arrived.

In Fengtian Hall, the morning light is shining.

Yan Chengjin, as the palace examination supervisor, stood on the highest step, looking down at the more than 2,000 low tables below, quite imposing.

For the python robe? I will think about the matter of Nahazhou for a few more days.

At the moment, there are more important things. I wonder what questions Zhu Houzhao asked in case he messed up the palace examination.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites led the candidates into the wide courtyard of Fengtian Hall and sat down one by one.

Li Dongyang looked at the candidates below anxiously, then turned to look at the little eunuch next to him.

"The new emperor's strategy hasn't come yet?"

The little eunuch hesitated, as if he didn't dare to answer.

Not long after, Zhu Houzhao walked out of Fengtian Hall, and Gu Dayong came with a stack of policy questions.

Li Dongyang wiped the sweat from his forehead, but he was still nervous. He couldn't completely relax before he saw Zhu Houzhao's proposal.

Mao Ji also felt uneasy, as if there was a big stone stuck in his throat, and he was extremely nervous.

Yan Chengjin glanced at Zhu Houzhao's policy question:

Asking about the skin of a thousand sheep and treating it by doing nothing

Translated into human words: How can you govern the world well without reading memorials.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Yan Chengjin happily and said, "Old Gao, how did my palace test questions go?"

"As expected of the new emperor, his performance is really not up to par."

"..." Zhu Houzhao.

Just as he was about to roll up his sleeves and walk towards Yan Chengjin, more than two thousand candidates below opened their eyes.

Li Dongyang coughed quickly, and Zhu Houzhao saw thousands of pairs of eyes below, walked back to the middle, and said with a cheerful smile: "Ask a question."

Zhang Xuan nodded in greeting, and some monkeys eagerly took over the strategy question: Ask about Thousand Sheep's Skin or rule by inaction?

Is this the way to be an official?

Thousand sheep comes from the biographies of Shang Jun in the Historical Records, and is a metaphor for selecting officials and governing by doing nothing, but it refers to eliminating cumbersome government orders, not restricting the people, and achieving great governance in the world.

He was shocked.

The two are contradictory. The purpose of selecting officials is to manage the world, but to govern by doing nothing is to allow the people to develop without managing the world. The problem of the new emperor...

It’s hard to get out!

Looking up, many Jinshi looked confused and looked up at Zhu Houzhao.

"As expected of the new emperor!"

"If you can come up with a strategy question, you must have an answer."

The candidates kept cheering themselves up.

Yan Chengjin saw that half of the candidates scratched their heads and bit the end of their pens but refused to write.

Even if he came here, he could only write eight versions of the answer to this question, let alone these Jinshi who were admitted because of the expansion of enrollment.

There is no contradiction between the Skin of a Thousand Sheeps and governance by doing nothing.

It is to recruit officials, establish order for the world, and finally achieve the ultimate goal of governing by doing nothing.

Li Dongyang also noticed this scene, "This question is a bit difficult."

But as long as you don't hand in a blank, you can choose a top three.

It does not hinder the acquisition of scholars.

After an hour passed, some candidates gradually began to write and answer. The sun was setting, and it was dazzling Youshi.

Mao Ji looked at the clerk next to him and said, "Ring the golden bell."

The examiner walked down quickly and collected the papers.

Half an hour later, Yan Chengjin was called to review the paper. The answer written by Zhu Houzhao was indeed the case, and there was no conflict between the two.

"Mr. Li, no one has the right answer, how can we determine the number one winner?"

Many candidates answered the question of choosing one of them to govern the world.

I haven't heard of anyone who failed the imperial examination, but maybe I will hear about it this time.

Xie Qian and others also looked confused and turned to look at Li Dongyang.

Early in the morning, Dong Nuan Pavilion.

According to past practice, the results will be released two days later, but there are six bachelors in the cabinet to review the results, so it will be released one day earlier.

Li Dongyang submitted the names of the top three, there were five people in total, Zhang Cong, Xia Yan, Tang Gao, Min Cheng, Luo Zhang...

"Please approve it from the new emperor."

Baiguan raised his head slightly.

Zhu Houzhao picked up the hesitant pen and ticked three names.

Yan Chengjin didn't have to guess, he also knew who Zhu Houzhao was hooking up with. Zhang Con had the tact of a eunuch, the strategy of a civil servant, and the potential to be a traitor.

Doesn't Zhu Houzhao like such officials?

…

Bazhou,

After waiting for three days, Emperor Hongzhi saw no letter from Yan Chengjin.

"Didn't this guy promise me a two-day deadline?"

Xiao Jing said cautiously: "I will send someone back to the capital to ask."

"If he is lazy in government, I will not forgive him lightly."

How dare you turn a deaf ear to the others? The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi blew away the tea foam in anger.

At this time, Jin Yiwei came riding on a fast horse, got off his horse in front of the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi, and handed him a booklet.

"Master, here we come."

The arrogance in the heart of the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi subsided a little. He opened the book and took a look. The clouds on his face disappeared and he gradually couldn't help but smile.

"Send it to the Yamen."

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