I'm really not doing business

Chapter 1004 Is there ever a crown prince who can reign for forty years?
The news that Fu Zuozhou had been released brought a sense of calm back to the previously unsettling officialdom.

Before Fu Zuozhou was released, everyone wondered what Zhang Juzheng meant by this move. Did he want officials to get things done, or did he want them to be morally upright and honest?
In an era where it takes half a year for a memorial from Yunnan to reach the capital, and for troops to be deployed to Sichuan and Yunnan, it takes at least half a year or even a year, officials in a region sometimes have to follow certain unspoken rules, and may even be the ones who create those unspoken rules themselves.

With Fu Zuozhou released, the answer to this question became clear: Zhang Taiyue, like Wang Zhuan, was ultimately punished because he was greedy and insatiable.

Once the uncertainty is determined, then you'll know what to do.

The worst thing in officialdom is not knowing what the higher-ups want to do. Therefore, figuring out the superiors' intentions is the fundamental task of being an official. Once you can determine what the superiors want to do, you only need to follow their instructions.

If they don't allow excessive greed, then they'll just take less. For officials, power is the foundation of everything. Even if they don't get silver or land, as long as they firmly grasp power, they'll have all of those things.

When they learned that it was His Majesty who had saved Fu Zuozhou from Zhang Taiyue, the officials in the capital once again shouted that His Majesty was wise. When Zhang Taiyue went mad, at least there was still one person who could stop him.

But soon, a chilling question arose in the hearts of the officials: if Zhang Taiyue were to pass away and His Majesty were to go mad, who would stop him? Qi Jiguang? Qi Jiguang would only go mad along with His Majesty! Shen Shixing? Shen Shixing would only nod in agreement, he wouldn't dare!

The 20th year of the Wanli reign was another year for the imperial examinations. Preparations for the metropolitan examinations had already begun in the first month of the lunar calendar. Springtime was also the time when the smog in the capital was at its worst. The candidates, who were entering the capital for the first time, couldn't help but put on masks when they saw the smog that was shrouded in a bewitching purple halo.

Rumors circulate in the capital that His Majesty intends to stay in Songjiang Prefecture every year for several months to half a year. This rumor seems to be true, as His Majesty, a person of such high status, would naturally avoid the smog that plagues the capital.

After all, air is different from lychees. Lychees can be transported to the capital by specially built lychee roads, and nobles in the palace can enjoy a bite of fresh lychees. But how can air be specially supplied?

On the nineteenth day of the first month, good news came from the palace: the Empress gave birth to the Ninth Prince Zhu Changze, and Consort Gu gave birth to the Tenth Prince Zhu Changcong. Naturally, the "Auspicious Box of Everything" was distributed. The two princes had become one, and people couldn't help but say that the Emperor was as stingy as ever. But in the mouths of the officials, it was a song of praise for his frugality, and there was a chorus of flattery.

The Empress's four sons were the eldest prince Zhu Changzhi, the fourth prince Zhu Changhong, the sixth prince Zhu Changhe, and the ninth prince Zhu Changze. People were discussing that the next emperor would surely be one of these four, with the newly born ninth prince Zhu Changze being the most favored.

The reason is quite simple: age.

Your Majesty is thirty years old this year. Given Your Majesty's physique and his tendency to cherish life, it is basically no problem for you to live to the age of Emperor Taizu, who was seventy. Then, wouldn't Crown Prince Zhu Changzhi be crown prince for forty years? Is there such a thing as a crown prince for forty years?
If the Crown Prince sits on the throne for too long, the Emperor and the Crown Prince will inevitably grow tired of each other. The Fourth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and other princes will inevitably become restless. In the end, the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the Sixth Prince will all perish in the struggle for the throne, and the Ninth Prince will just happen to be the one to take advantage of the situation.

The Ninth Prince is at the perfect age, neither too young nor too old.

It's not impossible for children born to concubines to have a chance, but the chances are slim. Even if the emperor is willing, those old scholars in the court who regard ancestral laws as the law of heaven will not agree. They will do everything in their power to obstruct it, because ancestral laws are the only thing that can restrain imperial power.

"Father, I heard people say that the Ninth Prince will definitely sit on the throne." Zhu Changzhi is already ten years old and has begun to follow his father and listen to government affairs, just like when the Prince of Lu was ten years old and had to listen to government affairs and even express his own opinions. His father will not allow a useless person with no experience in government affairs to sit on the throne.

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, Feng Bao abruptly looked up. Clearly, the palace maids and eunuchs were gossiping, and the Crown Prince had overheard them! Feng Bao had already made up his mind: since these tongue-wielding fellows were of unknown purpose, he would pluck them out!
The eunuchs and palace maids who served the Empress Dowager, His Majesty, and Empress dared not utter a single nonsense!

But the palace maids and eunuchs who served the young master always felt that the child was too young to say anything.

"Who told you that?" Zhu Yijun stopped writing and asked with some curiosity.

Zhu Changzhi calmly said, "I heard it from their pageboys when the lecturers were talking about it in private. Father, I don't mind what I heard, but some of those lecturers are not very respectful to you."

"The lecturers receive the emperor's salary but are not loyal to the emperor. What Father asked them to teach, they do not teach; what they did not ask them to teach, they forcefully stuff into the children. Father himself has also read the Four Books and Five Classics and knows the rise and fall of dynasties through history. Father did not let the children see the notes he used when he was studying, but insisted on listening to them explain them."

Zhu Changzhi was determined to file a complaint today. After throwing out a shocking topic, he changed the subject and turned to the issue of the disrespectful lecturers.

No one can predict what will happen in the future. If you're destined to be on the throne, then be on it; if not, then don't. But these gossipy people must be dealt with.

Upon hearing this, Feng Bao breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that the problem wasn't in the palace, but rather that these lecturers who came to the palace to teach couldn't control their mouths!
Feng Bao thought about it carefully. He himself had risen through the ranks from a lowly eunuch in the palace. With His Majesty's imperial power growing stronger every day, which eunuch or palace maid would dare to gossip like that? Did they want to be boiled alive?

Feng Bao quickly replaced the prince's cup with hot water, as the previous one had gotten a little cold.

Zhu Changzhi's reason for filing a complaint was simple: the content of the lectures did not match the situation he saw. He had long been in charge of government affairs in the Wenhua Hall. Although the ministers were well-mannered, they could be quite fierce when they argued, and were far from being refined and gentle.

The discrepancy between cognition and practice naturally puzzled Zhu Changzhi. With doubts, he naturally sought answers. He wanted to see his father's old study notes to clarify his doubts, but the scholars at the lecture hall refused. Zhu Changzhi immediately realized that these scholars had their own ideas.

The emperor was a man who couldn't sit still. He wanted to make a southern tour and stay in Songjiang Prefecture. Naturally, the crown prince, Zhu Changzhi, felt some pressure.

"It's not that they won't allow it, it's that they don't have it either." Zhu Yijun had Feng Bao take the notes written by the emperor himself from the bookshelf and handed them to Zhu Changzhi, saying with a smile, "There's no need to change the lecturers. What they say is certainly correct, but it may not be useful."

There are some things that lecturers dare not say, preferring not to do them rather than to do them wrong. This is why Zhu Changzhi felt awkward.

Giving lessons to the Crown Prince is no easy task; even if the lecturers knew, they wouldn't dare to answer.

Should we tell the Crown Prince that from the day they are born, every vein in their blood flows with blood that has become extremely dirty due to skinning?

How could a scholar dare to give such a lecture?
Local gentry, powerful figures, high-ranking officials, princes, and emperors were all meat-eaters.

Since they couldn't tell the truth, they could only spout empty platitudes. It would be strange if Zhu Changzhi didn't get annoyed by it.

"Zhi'er, if the Ninth Prince really has the last laugh, what will you do?" Zhu Yijun was somewhat curious about Zhu Changzhi's views on the struggle for the throne over the years. His current answer did not represent his future thoughts; it was just casual conversation.

"Then let him do it!" Zhu Changzhi said matter-of-factly after careful consideration.

This matter-of-fact attitude made Zhu Yijun frown, and he asked in confusion, "Why?"

Zhu Changzhi wanted to answer, but his eyes darted around, and he knew he couldn't say it directly, or he would get a beating. So he looked around the imperial study before saying, "Father has examined my performance today, so I will take my leave."

Zhu Changzhi knew how terrifying his father was. After saying that, he turned around and tried to run away, but Zhu Yijun reached out and grabbed Zhu Changzhi by the back of his collar, pulling him up to his face!
Zhu Yijun said fiercely, "Zhu Changzhi! Your imperial uncle laughed at your father for being a donkey working the millstone, and now he's working the millstone himself! Don't laugh at me, you can't escape either!"

"You little brat, you think you're all grown up now, daring to laugh at your father!"

Zhu Yijun knew what Zhu Changzhi was thinking the moment he saw Zhu Changzhi's eyes darting around; he was up to no good!
"I'm going to check on Ninth Brother!" Zhu Changzhi broke free and disappeared in a flash, leaving only an echo behind.

The throne is certainly good. Even though Zhu Changzhi was only ten years old, he knew that everything he enjoyed today came from his emperor father. But Zhu Changzhi also knew that being an emperor was not easy. Being a tyrant meant suffering, while being a wise ruler was too difficult and tiring.

Under the influence of his father's teachings, Zhu Changzhi sincerely rejected the idea of ​​a tyrannical ruler.

"You little brat." Zhu Yijun smiled as he watched Zhu Changzhi run away. He hadn't grabbed him hard, otherwise how could Zhu Changzhi have broken free so easily?
After Zhu Changzhi had gone far away, Zhu Yijun had Feng Bao retrieve the memorial and continued to handle state affairs.

The chief examiners and co-examiners for the imperial examination in February have been determined, and the examination questions have been submitted to the emperor for review. The emperor can choose one and seal it, or he can draft one himself. The same applies to the mathematics examination papers. The Academy of Natural Sciences has produced a total of nine papers, from which His Majesty can select one.

General Liu Ting of Sichuan returned to Sichuan from the front lines in Dongyu. While resting in the heart of the Ming Dynasty, he also posed a threat to Yang Yinglong of Bozhou. Yang Yinglong had better not make a mistake, or Liu Ting would surely chop off his head.

Guangxi has encountered a new situation this year: the passes have been closed, prohibiting Annamese people from entering the Ming Dynasty to work.

Last year, some Annamese people went to Daming to cut sugarcane. After they finished, they refused to leave and secretly stayed in the deep mountains and forests, causing considerable trouble for the local government. After the border was closed this year, these guys were arrested, their bells were removed, and they were forced into hard labor.

To the surprise of Qi Jimei, the General of Guangxi, many Annamese people were willing to have their bells removed rather than leave the Ming Dynasty. The situation in Annamese was very bad, with four factions fighting each other and the country in complete chaos.

The Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, Liu Jiwen, reported that the amount of imported grain from Annam was still increasing.

Zhu Yijun inquired about some questions in detail, and after giving his approval, he sent the two memorials to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue.

Annam is now in chaos. The four major families are exploiting grain and foreign slaves while fighting each other. The war and grain exports are pushing Annam towards the abyss.

Food is life. In a country where small-scale farming is still the foundation, Annam's export of grain is causing its order to crumble.

Since Zhang Juzheng first proposed the concept of imported grain in the sixth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, the situation in Annam has deteriorated step by step. Last year, Annam sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty, begging the emperor to grant them mercy and stop the trade in imported grain, but the emperor refused and did not even allow the Annamite envoys to have an audience.

As Prince Lu said, the Ming emperor was indeed a cold and ruthless person.

The planting area of ​​cinchona trees in Coconut Sea City, Java is still expanding. Although the production of cinchona powder still cannot fully supply all the Huimin Pharmacy in the Ming Dynasty, it is not as tight as in previous years.

Cinchona tree became Java's plant gold, after all, it really can cure malaria, and Southeast Asia is a place where malaria is rampant.

"Huh?" Zhu Yijun picked up a memorial, somewhat puzzled.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture, Xu Zhenming, obtained a small chrysanthemum from the West. This chrysanthemum, whether it was a chrysanthemum that had cheated on him or a wormwood that had gone astray, possessed the dual characteristics of both chrysanthemums and wormwood. After cultivating it extensively, Xu Zhenming discovered its wonderful uses.

These little chrysanthemums are really strange. They don't need any pest control throughout their entire growth cycle. Xu Zhenming originally grew them as ornamental flowers, but he soon realized their wonderful use: repelling insects.

The small chrysanthemums are picked whole, dried, and then placed in strong liquor. After heating and drying, they are added to the liquor. This process is repeated three times to obtain an extract. Then, after high-temperature and high-pressure distillation, chrysanthemum oil that resembles pine branches is obtained.

Chrysanthemum oil is crushed and added to spices such as agarwood and sandalwood to make incense sticks or pillars. One stick can keep you away from mosquitoes all night.

"How did you come up with the idea of ​​putting it in a pressure cooker?" Zhu Yijun asked with some curiosity.

Feng Bao thought for a moment and said, "It was all discovered through trial and error."

Wine, ferrous sulfate oil, light oil, low temperature, high temperature, etc., are all tried one by one. You never know when it will work. Try it little by little, and you will gradually find the answer.

“Your Majesty, pyrethrum is not picky about the land.” Feng Bao thought carefully and added his opinion. This thing can grow anywhere, it is not picky about the land, and it can even grow without watering, just like wildflowers all over the mountains and fields.

The whole world knew that His Majesty the Emperor liked seeds after Antonio became King of Portugal.

Moreover, prior to this, only Antonio had been granted the right to receive His Majesty's war loan and purchase Ming warships, and Antonio was never stingy in sharing his story.

This story, passed down orally and through misinterpretation, evolved into the belief that offering seeds as sacrifices to the Ming emperor could earn him divine favor, gradually shifting towards a religious direction.

As His Majesty's mentor in agronomy, Xu Zhenming, the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Agricultural College and the Baoqi Department, wielded immense power. He wanted to plant everything, and that's how Little Chrysanthemum was discovered.

The fact that it is not picky about land is what made Xu Zhenming decide to invest heavily in it. Once successfully cultivated, it will become an economic crop for farmers, just like Artemisia annua.

"How much is this?" Zhu Yijun asked, holding up a stick of incense, which would only last for one night.

"One tael of silver," Feng Bao said cautiously.

"One?" "One."

Zhu Yijun paused for a moment, then said, "Xu Zhenming, why doesn't he just rob them! One coin a piece! Even the old monks in the temple wouldn't dare to rob incense money like that!"

One qian of silver can buy thirty to fifty jin of rice, and Xu Zhenming actually prices a single mosquito repellent incense stick at one qian of silver. Who would be willing to burn such an expensive thing!

According to Xu Zhenming's memorial, these chrysanthemums can grow anywhere and are no different from wild grass in the mountains, yet he dared to sell them for such a high price.

"Offering incense money won't bring Buddha's blessing, but it can bring the Grand Minister of Agriculture's blessing so you won't get bitten by mosquitoes." After thinking for a moment, Feng Bao still said a good word for Xu Zhenming.

Even if you go to a temple to burn incense, you'll still get bitten by mosquitoes. Buddha doesn't care about that; the Grand Minister of Agriculture does.

"Can it be sold?" Zhu Yijun frowned. He was reluctant to spend money.

Feng Bao said in a low voice, "The supply can't keep up with the demand. The Jieku Academy has studied this very clearly. Many plagues are spread through mosquito bites. So, sometimes, this incense is the life of a person."

The reason they were expensive was because people valued their lives. Poor laborers didn't have the money to buy these things, but local gentry and gentry would buy some to keep on hand, so that they could save their lives in critical moments if a plague broke out.

"Your Majesty, half of the profits from the chrysanthemums sold on the imperial estate go to the Imperial Treasury, 20% to the Baoqi Department, and 30% to the farmers." Feng Bao thought for a moment and then explained the profit sharing, which was almost the same as that of the official factory. The mosquito-repellent chrysanthemums were all grown on the imperial estate farm.

"That's really not expensive." When Zhu Yijun heard that it was for saving his life, he immediately thought it wasn't expensive. When he heard that half of the profit went to the imperial treasury, he immediately stopped caring about the price.

Imperial estates covered all the prefectures and counties of the Ming Dynasty. Maintaining these imperial estates and the capital garrison also required silver. The goods in the imperial estates were expensive, and the reason they could sell for such high prices and still have buyers was because of the emperor's credibility.

They're all genuine, high-quality items.

"There are so many rich people in our Great Ming Dynasty." Zhu Yijun was amazed that it was so expensive and still in short supply.

Feng Bao nodded repeatedly and said, "Indeed, there are so many that we can't kill them all."

Seventeen years later, His Majesty made a southern tour and killed 622 powerful families in the southern government. That area has now become prosperous again.

"Don't talk nonsense, don't be so bloodthirsty!" Zhu Yijun reprimanded him sternly. The killings in the tribute selection case were because they disregarded the law of the country, not because of the money confiscated from their homes.

Gao Qiyu was the chief examiner in the 20th year of the Wanli reign. This was the opinion of the cabinet, the suggestion of the second minister, and the approval of the prime minister Zhang Juzheng. Gao Qiyu presided over this imperial examination and later had his own disciples.

Originally, Gao Qiyu was not qualified to be the chief examiner. As a third-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), presiding over the provincial examination was already the limit for him.

He failed the imperial examination and was not admitted to the Hanlin Academy. Who would let him preside over the metropolitan examination?

However, Ling Yunyi made a suggestion, and no one in the cabinet objected. The Hanlin Academy was weak, and even the Hanlin Academy was under the management of Gao Qiyu, so the scholars of the Hanlin Academy naturally had no way to object.

At this moment, Gao Qiyu was holding a letter in his hand and was in a dilemma. The letter was sent by Ling Yunyi’s family and asked him to take care of his nephew.

Ling Yunyi said that his grand-nephew was rather unruly and somewhat dull-witted since childhood. In addition, he was a bookworm and naive. Ling Yunyi himself had only returned to the capital last year and did not have many old friends there. Therefore, he asked Gao Qiyu to take care of him and to burn the letter after reading it.

Upon receiving the post, Gao Qiyu immediately had many questions.

The first question is, is this grand-nephew that Ling Yunyi mentioned really just a grand-nephew? If it's just a grand-nephew relationship, is it really worth Ling Yunyi writing a post about? If it's not a grand-nephew but a grandson, then it immediately makes sense.

The second question is, what did Ling Yunyi ask Gao Qiyu to take care of? This grand-nephew of his is taking the imperial examination this year. Does taking care of him mean that Gao Qiyu should take him under his wing and teach him carefully, or does it mean that Gao Qiyu should turn a blind eye to his grand-nephew's cheating?

The third question is whether or not to burn the post. If he turns a blind eye and the imperial examination cheating scandal breaks out, burning the post will leave him to bear all the blame alone.

Gao Qiyu sat upright in his study at home, staring intently at the post under the light of a lime torch, and his three doubts gradually disappeared.

It's definitely a grandson, not a grandnephew. The reason it's a grandnephew is to avoid suspicion and prevent others from gossiping.
Secondly, he absolutely had to help, and it was very likely to involve cheating, not taking him on as a disciple. Taking someone on as a disciple wouldn't require such a huge favor. Without Ling Yunyi's nomination, Gao Qiyu wouldn't have gotten this job as the chief examiner.

Finally, it must be burned. If something really happens, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself. Keeping it won't do any good. After the incident, the post will no longer be written by Ling Yunyi. Whether it's the handwriting or the seal, the final result will definitely be fake.

Ling Yunyi is extremely ruthless and would not leave such obvious evidence.
For the sake of appearances, the imperial court would treat even genuine handwriting as fake.

Gao Qiyu stared at the post in front of him, caught in a struggle. He was somewhat confused. The imperial examination was a matter of national importance, a means to select talents for the country. If the emperor found out about this private exchange, what would happen to Ling Yunyi? Gao Qiyu didn't know, but he, Gao Qiyu, would surely die.

If he doesn't help, Gao Qiyu won't be able to advance in his career, and he'll be made difficult by the Second Assistant Minister.

Gao Qiyu fetched a brazier and threw the letter into it. He hesitated to throw the tinder into the brazier, as he had resolved his three doubts. A new confusion arose in his heart: this letter was a bit strange.

The problem isn't with the post itself, but with the timing of the post.

Whatever the reason why Ling Yunyi decided to risk public condemnation and interfere with the results of the imperial examination, this letter should not have been given to him only after the chief examiner was selected. Instead, if Gao Qiyu did not agree before the chief examiner was selected, Ling Yunyi recommended someone else.

Gao Qiyu ultimately did not burn the post. He closed his eyes to rest for a long time before his eyes flashed with a cold light. This was a deadly situation.

He is a ruthless man. If someone wants him dead, then no one else should live either. He has already made a complete plan and intends to drag everyone down with him.

He decided to grant this favor. Once the results of the imperial examination were announced, he gave the notice to Xu Chengchu, asking Xu Chengchu to impeach him. He prepared a final petition in advance. At the same time as Xu Chengchu's impeachment, he sent the final petition to the emperor and then hanged himself, just like Zhu Wan had committed suicide years before.

Gao Qiyu didn't know Ling Yunyi very well, but he was somewhat disappointed. They were all heroes of the Eastern Expedition. If Ling Yunyi hadn't been the governor of Korea, the Ming Dynasty's assimilation of Korea and its coercion of Japan wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

His Majesty summoned Ling Yunyi back to court and entrusted him with an important task. Ling Yunyi turned out to be this kind of person!
Gao Qiyu understands His Majesty very well. After he hangs himself, His Majesty will definitely not swallow his anger like Emperor Shizong did after Zhu Wan committed suicide!

Anyone who tries to harm Gao Qiyu is doomed; mutual destruction is Gao Qiyu's only option right now.

Gao Qiyu sealed the invitation and carried it with him to the examination hall to preside over the imperial examination. As he walked, he still felt something was wrong. He stopped the carriage in front of the examination hall but did not get out.

"Go to Tonghe Palace." Gao Qiyu walked to the gate of the examination hall, then ordered the carriage to turn around and head towards Tonghe Palace.

It wasn't that he was afraid of death, but he found it a bit strange. It wasn't unusual for high-ranking officials to interfere in the imperial examinations, but to do it so blatantly was a bit too audacious.

In short, the methods were really too crude.

When in doubt, seek the Emperor's help; Gao Qiyu enjoys the Emperor's favor.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well." Gao Qiyu bowed to His Majesty and presented Ling Yunyi's letter before the Emperor, asking His Majesty to make a decision. If His Majesty approves, he will do it; if His Majesty disapprove, he will not do it. A loyal subject should act like a loyal subject.

After reading the letter, Zhu Yijun asked, "What do you think?"

“Your Majesty, if Vice Minister Ling really had such a strong desire for power, he wouldn’t have ruined his reputation like this. The whole thing seems rather suspicious.” Gao Qiyu still felt that Ling Yunyi had some compelling reason.

But does the Ming Dynasty still have such a capable person? Someone who could force the Vice Grand Secretary to such a desperate situation?

"The Junior Minister of Rites had already arrived at the Examination Hall. Before coming to Tonghe Palace, what were your original plans?" Zhu Yijun asked with some curiosity.

"I will hang myself, following in the footsteps of Zhu Wan." Gao Qiyu answered the question quite decisively: death is acceptable, but I must leave behind a clean reputation in the world.

Zhu Yijun was startled and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Young Master Zong, you must not hang yourself! I have just lost Wang Zhuan, an upright official, and I cannot afford to lose Young Master Zong as well."

"Young Master Zong, where did this letter come from? Did Vice Minister Ling give it to you personally?" Zhu Yijun asked with a furrowed brow.

Gao Qiyu shook his head and said, "No, I saw it when I checked the visiting card after I got home, but the gatekeeper said it was delivered by Vice Minister Ling's gatekeeper."

"Then you don't need to worry about it. Go and preside over the imperial examination. I will arrange for the imperial guards to investigate." Zhu Yijun indicated to Gao Qiyu that he should focus on presiding over the imperial examination and leave the rest to him.

Zhu Yijun, still somewhat uneasy, said, "Young Master Zong, if you encounter difficulties in the future, don't think about hanging yourself and destroying everything. The gates of Tonghe Palace aren't that high for you. Just come and ask if you need anything."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." Gao Qiyu bowed again and left Tonghe Palace. Now that His Majesty had taken on the matter, he could focus on presiding over the imperial examination.

Gao Qiyu couldn't find the candidate surnamed Ling at the examination hall, and he wasn't quite sure what had happened outside the examination hall.

On the day the results of the imperial examination were posted, Gao Qiyu left the examination hall and, without hesitation, went straight to the Ministry of Personnel to find Shen Shixing to inquire about the progress of the matter.

"You impeached me a few days ago, making me look bad, and now you're here again! Ask, ask, ask! Let me tell you, my surname is not Shen! Go away, go away!" Shen Shixing was furious when he saw Gao Qiyu and waved his hands repeatedly to chase him away.

"Isn't it a bit petty of you, Senior Brother?" Gao Qiyu's sarcastic remark left Shen Shixing speechless, his face turning red with anger.

Shen Shixing, seeing Gao Qiyu clinging to him like a leech, felt somewhat helpless. He welcomed Gao Qiyu in and recounted the whole story from beginning to end.

Shen Shixing shook his head and said, "Vice Minister Ling is ruthless and has a bad reputation. When he went to Korea, everyone thought he had been exiled. The Ling family of Taicang removed him from the family genealogy."

"Who knew that Vice Minister Ling would return to the capital as Vice Minister again last year? The political situation is changing rapidly. The Ling family of Taicang is fickle, so they turned around and started to curry favor with them."

"The Vice Minister Ling was of a strong and unyielding nature, so he naturally didn't bother with them."

"The head of the Ling family has a good-for-nothing grandson who bought a degree in Suzhou and then set his sights on the imperial examination. As soon as the news spread in the court that Vice Minister Ling had recommended you to be the chief examiner, the Ling family had already bribed the gatekeeper with a large sum of money to forge that letter."

"The letter is fake. Vice Minister Ling is seventy-three years old this year and can no longer hold a pen steadily. Since returning to the capital last year, the Secretariat scribes have been writing the memorials on his behalf."

"How dare you! Aren't you afraid of being exposed?!" Gao Qiyu roared in anger.

Shen Shixing shook his head and said, "You didn't dare to verify the authenticity of the letter with Vice Minister Ling, did you? As long as you don't verify it, or even do it out of gratitude for Vice Minister Ling's support, this matter will be settled."

"How can you verify the truth of something like this..." Gao Qiyu immediately understood why these guys were so audacious. They were betting that he, Gao Qiyu, wouldn't dare to verify it, and he indeed didn't.

“Vice Minister Ling is getting old and can no longer control his subordinates,” Shen Shixing sighed.

(End of this chapter)