Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 732 The poor cubs

Once the first-class list is set, it stands to reason that the tasks of the elders present have been completed. After a whole day of tossing from noon to night, it is time for them to go back to their respective homes.

However, all the elders stood there tacitly, without moving.

The list is set, but the matter is not over yet!

You know, in today's side hall, there are still ten poor cubs.

Chunwei is the most important code of the country. Although it is dominated by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy, for the sake of fairness, it is also to obtain more political resources. Therefore, the six ministries and the cabinet have always participated together.

Among the ten people who are now trapped in the side hall, each of the six ministries has a minister, three university scholars in the cabinet, and one Hanlin bachelor.

Most of them are their right-hand helpers. The disposal of these people has not been determined. How can the bosses leave with peace of mind?
However, what kind of people they are, naturally they would not directly plead with the emperor, they looked at each other, Mr. Hu's beard curled up, he stepped forward reluctantly, and said.

"Your Majesty, the first candidate for the palace examination has been determined, and the Spring Festival is coming to an end. His majesty personally summoned the ministers to re-read the papers for the palace examination. I think it must be that the previous officials who read the papers did not read the papers properly. For such a big matter, you should be punished for being so negligent and negligent.”

"Fortunately, His Majesty's holy candle illuminated and re-appointed a first-class man, so that the palace examination was successfully concluded. This is the blessing of the son. I believe that after this incident, these new scholars and the civil and military ministers in the court will definitely be cautious in their words and deeds. , self-restraint and devotion to public service, take it as a warning, fulfill your duties, and serve the court."

The old man said this beautifully, but secretly, the meaning is also very clear.

Just begging!

First, he severely criticized Xiao Yi and others, then praised the emperor's sageness, and finally swore an oath for them.

It is nothing more than saying, since the matter has been satisfactorily resolved, Your Majesty, you should make the big things into the small things.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Ao of the cabinet followed suit.

"Your Majesty, I think that what Uncle Da Zong said is true. It is a matter of celebration to release the rankings in the palace examination. If the turmoil in reading the scrolls arouses scholars' discussions and damages the dignity of the court, it is really inappropriate. Therefore, according to what I see Small punishments and big warnings are enough, no one has faults, Your Majesty has the world in mind, and his virtue is universal, I implore Your Majesty to be more merciful, so as to calm the hearts of scholars in the world."

After all, in this matter, Xiao Ying and others made a mistake. To put it seriously, it was dereliction of duty, and to put it lightly, it was also lax government affairs, so they must be punished.

Otherwise, the emperor will lose face.

For no reason, the original reading results were overturned, and the papers were re-read. If it wasn't that there was something wrong with these readers, then the emperor was messing around?
So, although it was an intercession, the bosses all tacitly wanted to treat them lightly, and didn't want to save them from suffering.

However, it is clear that the Son of Heaven has no intention of letting this matter go. Facing the euphemistic remonstrance of the ministers below, he did not deny face, but just said lightly.

"It's late today, and this matter will be discussed later. Uncle Da Zong will go back first, and after the arrangement of the ceremony of passing on people, we will discuss this matter after this spring is completely over. During this period of time, the people who participated in the reading are waiting , and return to the mansion first to be investigated."

"President Chen?"

At the end of the conversation, the emperor suddenly named Chen Yi, the censor of Zuodu, which made the ministers present feel a little uncomfortable.

Sure enough, after Chen Yi responded, the emperor said.

"Chairman, please work harder, stay in the hall for a while, I have something to discuss with the president, and the rest of the gentlemen, step back!"

Ah this...

The elders looked at each other, feeling a bit embarrassed for a while, and then they turned their attention to Chen Yi who was at the side.

However, there was no reaction on Chen Zongxian's face.

Among the many ministers present, he was the only one who had nothing to do with the paper readers in the side hall. The Metropolitan Procuratorate had a special system and was responsible for supervision, so it was naturally impossible to participate in such specific affairs.

And of course, once a problem arises, it is appropriate for the Metropolitan Procuratorate to intervene.

From Chen Yi's point of view, he didn't deliberately put on a cold face, but at this time, he couldn't make other actions, otherwise, maybe even he would be blamed.

Still the same sentence, although it is still unclear what exactly happened, but the emperor completely overturned the conclusions of the previous reading of the test paper, and there must be a problem in the process of reading the test paper.

So strictly speaking, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is also responsible for this matter. You must know that the reason why the Metropolitan Procuratorate did not participate in the whole process of Chunwei is to monitor the problems that arise at any time.

However, in the end, there was a mistake in the palace examination, but it was discovered and stopped by the emperor.

Although the entire process of the palace examination was very fast and was conducted in the palace, there was little possibility of problems, and there was little room for the Metropolitan Procuratorate to intervene.

However, these are all reasons to put it bluntly. If the duty is wrong, the duty is wrong. The emperor said these reasons and did not blame them. It was a great grace.

If he doesn't know good and bad at this time, he might have to taste what is called "thunder, rain and dew, all are the grace of the king"!

Seeing Chen Yi's expression, the emperor had already issued an order to expel the guests. These elders also knew that it was difficult to deal with it. However, although it seemed that the emperor would not let this matter go easily, the worst situation was not reached after all.

Therefore, in desperation, the elders had no choice but to bow their hands and said.

"Sir, please retire!"

Seeing Hu Yan and the others leaving the Wenhua Palace, Chen Yifang cupped his hands and said hesitantly.

"Your Majesty, my minister..."

However, the emperor didn't seem to want him to speak, but just waved his hand to signal him to step aside. Although Chen Yi was puzzled, he didn't say much, and obediently took two steps aside.

Afterwards, the Son of Heaven said a few words to Wynn who was beside him, and then Wynn hurried away to lead the decree. Not long after, Xiao Ying, a Hanlin scholar with a heavy face and footsteps, followed Wynn back to the palace in a dejected manner .

"Xiao Yi, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, greets His Majesty."

Seemingly sensing that the emperor was in a bad mood, Xiao Ying made a big salute when he came in, bowing his head to the ground, as if honestly admitting his mistake.

Sure enough, the Son of Heaven snorted softly, but he didn't let him lie down. Instead, he took out two test papers from the side, asked the servant to hand them to Xiao Ying, said with a sneer.

"Scholar Xiao is very talented, and he is the head of the Imperial Academy. Why don't you come and tell me, which of the two test papers in front of you is better?"

As soon as the words fell, the sweat dripped from Xiao Yan's forehead in an instant.

At this moment, the two test papers are not sealed, so the content and name on it can be seen at a glance.

Of course, this is not the original test paper, but the transcribed one. However, even if you don't need to read the content, just look at the final grades, and you will be judged from each other.

On the left one, there are three circles drawn on the top, and the names of the three major ministers, Hu Wei, Chen Xun, and Shen Yi, are signed on the bottom, and there is also a royal pen and Zhu Zhu, which clearly writes the six words "First Jia No. 1".

As for the one on the right, only Yu Qian's name was signed on it. This Master Shaobao gave him the top three!

Under the fierce eyes of the emperor, Xiao Ying couldn't help but wiped the sweat from his forehead, picked up the two test papers in front of him, and quickly scanned them.

Sure enough, the one on the left belongs to a scholar named Ke Qian, and the one on the right is the first-class candidate he recommended to the emperor, Cheng Zong!

As a fellow examiner of the examination, Xiao Ying is naturally very clear about the process of grading the examination papers. The current situation can only show that Cheng Zong's papers have already been ranked in the top three when they were first read, and even the final contestants There are no qualifications, so there is only one person's comment.

Carefully returning the test paper to the servant, Xiao Yi kowtowed immediately.

"Your Majesty is guilty of dereliction of duty."

The matter has come to this point, and there is no room for him to argue. Ke Qian's paper was jointly recommended by three ministers, and it was personally approved by the emperor. He definitely has no courage to say that this policy is not good at all. .

What's more, even though he had just skimmed through it for the first time, no matter in terms of the choice of words and sentences, the fluency of the writing, and even the meticulousness of the argument, this policy theory is the best choice.

In comparison, Cheng Zong's test paper paled in comparison.

Although Xiao Yi actually felt that Cheng Zong's test papers were not that bad, at least it would be no problem to enter the second class, but the name on it was Yu Qian, Minister of the Ministry of War.

He had to be so dazed that he would say Cheng Zong's goodness at this time...

However, facing Xueshi Xiao who obediently confessed his love, the emperor obviously did not intend to let it go. With the two test papers back, he leaned over and said lightly.

"Scholar Xiao, I'm asking you something!"

A few simple words immediately made Xiao Yan feel a powerful imposing force, the cold sweat on his forehead grew more and more, and he couldn't speak well, stammering.

"This...return...return to Your Majesty, the minister has little talent and little knowledge, and it seems that Cheng Zong's share is slightly inferior."

After the voice fell, a sneer sounded, followed by asking.

"Oh, less so?"

The dangerous tone in this short sentence made Xiao Yi's heart tremble immediately, he lowered his head and said.

"No, no, Your Majesty forgives the sin. The minister made a slip of the tongue. It is a high opinion. Ke Qian's policy is solid in content and brilliant in writing. Compared with Cheng Zong's, it is much better."

After saying these words, Xiao Yi obviously felt that the emperor's face seemed to look a little better, but his face was still dark, and he said coldly.

"In this case, Xiao Xueshi came to tell me why Cheng Zong's paper was among the ten first-class candidates presented to me, but the test paper you said was "solid in content and brilliant in writing" and fell into the second-class. Woolen cloth?"

Cold sweat broke out on Xiao Ying's forehead, but he seemed to be scruples about something, so he didn't speak for a while, but his attitude made the emperor even more angry, and he shouted sharply.

"Xiao Yi, tell me, what is the relationship between Cheng Zong and you? How many gifts did he give you? How many gifts did he give you? How can you, as the examiner of the palace examination, disregard your duties and use your power for personal gain to submit such a policy to my lord?" before!"

"Your Majesty has been wronged, my minister has been wronged!"

At this moment, Xiao Yan was completely panicked, kowtowed like pounding garlic, and said.

"Your Majesty, I have nothing to do with Cheng Zong, and I have never accepted any bribes. I have been entrusted by Your Majesty to be in charge of the Hanlin. How dare I do such an insulting thing? I have wronged you, Your Majesty!"

This defense was sincere, but the emperor didn't buy it, instead he became more and more severe, shouting.

"Injustice? Then you come to explain to me why Ke Qian's strategy is so excellent, but it doesn't catch your eyes, but Cheng Zong, who has nothing to do with you, can be placed at the front of the paper and handed over to me." In front of you?"

"You said, if it wasn't because you used your power for personal gain, then why?"

Now that the matter has come to this point, Xiao Yi didn't care about other things, so he hurriedly opened his mouth and said.

"Your Majesty, it is clear that Ke Qian's examination paper was not read by the minister, and Cheng Zong's paper was not submitted by the minister. The time for reading the palace examination papers is tight, and it is difficult for the minister to read them one by one. The best ones can only be selected by the readers. Work together, discuss and decide on the best work, and submit it to the imperial court.”

"In fact, when the ministers and others felt that Cheng Zong's test paper was the best, they put it at the top of the paper just now, and they never accepted bribes. There are traces on the original papers of these test papers, just read them. , you will know, please Your Majesty to observe clearly."

Zhu Qiyu frowned, but did not continue to ask, but sent someone to retrieve the original ten copies of the original papers. After ordering them to check them one by one, they found that, as Xiao Yi said, the papers of Ke Qian and Cheng Zong None of them were read by Xiao Yi, but by Jiang Yuan, a cabinet scholar.

However, after such an investigation, Zhu Qiyu immediately discovered something strange.

Logically speaking, each of the ten examination papers submitted to the imperial court should be recommended by each examiner. As long as the papers released are not too controversial or the quality is too poor, no one else will have them. What an objection.

Under special circumstances, if someone like Yu Qian is not easy to mess with, even if other people disagree, he can still present it to the imperial court.

This is one of the powers of the examiner. However, among the ten test papers, a strange scene appeared.

That is, Cheng Zong's test paper at the beginning of the volume was not read by Xiao Yi, but by Jiang Yuan, but the second, third, and fourth papers that followed were all recommended by Xiao Yi.

Scrolling down, it is the copy of each of the six assistant ministers.

In other words, among the three members of the cabinet, only Jiang Yuan released the top copy, and the remaining two, Zhang Min and Zhu Jian, did not recommend the test papers, which were equivalent to the quotas of these two, and they were evenly given to Xiao Yi. .

this is not normal...

No wonder Xiao Ying was hesitant when he spoke just now, the crux of the matter is this, after reading these ten test papers, Zhu Qiyu has a general idea of ​​the truth of this matter in his heart.

So, he didn't continue to entangle Xiao Ying too much, but put away the ten papers, put them aside, and then turned to Wynn to order.

"Go, call Jiang Yuan, Zhang Min, and Zhu Jian, no, call me to all the rest of the side hall, I have something to ask!"

(End of this chapter)