The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

When the emperor agreed, Zhang Zhou and Yang Tinghe were appointed as the examiners of the Shuntianfu Township Examination, which meant that a certain compromise was made on this matter.

In Zhu Youtang's original idea, the person who can cooperate with Zhang Zhou must be someone who can cooperate with Zhang Zhou in handling court affairs in the future. The best choice is Wang Hao, but considering that Yang Tinghe has been there for nearly two and a half years He was not in court, and it was impossible to say which side he was standing closer to, so he agreed to the matter.

In order to let Zhang Zhou know the importance of cultivating party members, after the matter was settled, Zhu Youtang summoned Zhang Zhou to the palace alone to give him face-to-face instructions.

"Bingkuan, you come up with the questions. You don't have to be shy. There are two examiners in name, but you can actually make the decision."

"When grading, choose the articles that you think are pertinent, and see their strategies for governing the country from the articles. You have been able to select so many capable ministers without having any contact with some people before. I believe that this article will be of great help. For reference, you can also choose a lot of good talents for governing the country."

"The errands under the inner curtain are more difficult. You may not be used to it. You can bring someone in to take care of your daily life. As long as you don't leave the inner curtain at will. In addition to when you need to do the questions yourself, you can also do it at other times including grading. Let others do the work first, and you are only responsible for reading some selected articles."

"As for Minister Yang, I will ask someone to inform him. He is also an old man in the Hanlin Academy. I believe he also understands the rules."

Zhu Youtang's care for Zhang Zhou cannot be described as inconsiderate.

Afraid that Zhang Zhou would not adapt to this closed environment of conducting examinations, Zhang Zhou was specifically allowed to bring people into the inner curtain, but these people were not allowed to have contact with the outside world, which was equivalent to saying that it was okay for Zhang Zhou to bring his family members in.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I am also a candidate, so I can actually adapt to these things. I am afraid that I will live up to your Majesty's high expectations."

"Bingkuan, there is no need to belittle yourself. Don't I know your abilities? Even if none of the ones you choose are good, it doesn't matter. Maybe people who are not strong in ability rely on you more. I have you to help the government. That's enough. As long as they can obey your orders and get things done, I don't need them to be very capable."

Zhu Youtang is very free and easy.

When selecting talents for the country, I would not be surprised if you select a group of losers.

What I want is that they are your allies and can listen to your orders and do things, then I will be satisfied.

These words made Xiao Jing, Chen Kuan and others next to him feel very uncomfortable after hearing this.

This is no trust, it is simply blind obedience.

Being an emperor just gave up the country, but other than that, I had never seen this kind of love between the emperor and his ministers.

……

……

Li Zhang was responsible for seeing Zhang Zhou out of the palace, and he also had to greet Yang Tinghe who was about to return to the city. Li Zhang went to give Yang Tinghe some "guidance."

"My lord, do you understand? His Majesty asked you to bring people in, as long as it does not affect your daytime work on setting questions and grading papers."

Li Zhang's face was still serious.

But what he said seemed to be flattering.

Zhang Zhou said: "This doesn't seem to be in line with the rules. It's not good to be impeached by ginseng."

Li Zhang said: "Actually, that's not the case. As long as the people in the inner curtain have no contact with the outside world, even the previous examiners would bring one or two boys in to start a fight. After all, the environment inside...is not as good as outside, and the food and drink costs are Everything is very simple. Our family will also find someone to help you make arrangements to ensure that you... can feel at ease inside and don't have to be distracted by things other than talent selection."

This means that you not only need to bring a tea and water person in, but also a cook, maids, etc., and make the examination room your own. As for the strange looks from outsiders, you don't have to care at all.

Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded: "Then thank Eunuch Li for your kindness first."

"You have to hurry up and make arrangements. You will be entering the inner curtain tomorrow. If you have anything that you don't have time to prepare, just let us know and someone will send it to you."

Li Zhang can also be said to be "considerate".

"Don't bother."

Zhang Zhou smiled and refused.

I'm only on a business trip for a few days, and I'm in the capital without leaving the city gate. Besides, food, food and accommodation are provided inside. Do I really need to prepare so many things?

I didn’t complain when I ran up the mountain during mining.

……

……

Li Zhang and Zhang Zhou said goodbye in front of the palace gate.

Zhang Zhou has to go back to his hometown first and preside over the provincial examination the next day. He will take a vacation that day to sort out his family affairs first.

Li Zhang was at the palace gate, watching Zhang Zhou's carriage leave from a distance, and his expression relaxed a little.

The commander of the Jin Yiwei, Mou Bin, immediately appeared behind him.

"What's the matter?" Li Zhang was not so reserved in front of Mou Bin, but looked very stern.

Mou Bin said: "When I get back to my father-in-law, everyone involved in the Yongping Mansion case has been escorted to the capital, because Cai Guogong has not yet made a choice among the families involved in the case. Only two families in front of him are definitely excluded from the case, and the rest... Since there are not enough prison cells, we have arranged them in the prison cells of the Ministry of Punishment. We have already sent people to say hello, and no one from the Ministry of Punishment is allowed to interfere."

"Where is Dali Temple?" Li Zhang asked.

"Dali Temple only sent one eunuch to cooperate. Regarding the case of imprisonment, the people in Dali Temple don't want to pay attention to it. After all, His Majesty has already set the tone at the court, and it is difficult for Dali Temple to change anything."

Mou Bin said, and immediately called a hundred households to come over and hand over more detailed cases to Li Zhang.

Li Zhang did not shy away from the occasion. He folded the book directly at the palace gate and looked like he was studying it carefully, but in fact it was just a glance at ten lines.

"There are still a lot of people involved in the case. As you said before, leaving 50,000 taels of silver...actually that much is not used. The rest can go directly to the inner palace. Cai Guogong has not made any arrangements for this matter." Mou Bin said.

Li Zhang said: "Cai Guogong is busy with official duties. How can he care so much about such trivial matters? He spoke for you Jinyiwei before in court. He is worthy of you! In this way, didn't I say before that two families must be together?" Did you check?"

"Yes." Mou Bin said, "One family's surname is Zhao, and the other's surname is Xiang."

"Since these two families can't escape, let's attack them first and use various punishments first. At least we can confirm their involvement in the case. They have betrayed the country. How can we punish three tribes? , also kill the prestige of this group of people, don't let them think that Cai Guogong is easy to talk to, and is ready to pardon them!"

Li Zhang had a murderous look on his face.

Mou Bin said: "Would you like to ask Duke Cai for instructions first?"

Li Zhang shook his head and said: "Tomorrow Cai Guogong will go to Wei to preside over the provincial examination. It is a major event for selecting talents. After entering, from the setting of questions to the end of the provincial examination, to the grading and listing of the deer's banquet, it will take at least half a month. You can let Cai Guogong sit in there. Preside over the exam and take care of these trivial matters at the same time?"

"No," Mou Bin said, "I have heard that there is a coal mine in Datong, and there is some conflict between the government and the officials below. Do you want to mention it to Your Majesty?"

"Uncle Xin Xin will take care of it over there, and Jin Yiwei didn't send anyone there, so what does it matter to you?" Li Zhang was a little impatient.

Mou Bin said: "I heard that Uncle Xinxin has not been in Datong recently. He has been in places like Maoerzhuang and Weininghai. During this border patrol, Uncle Xinxin has been deliberately lowering his figure. If something happens in Datong Town, he is afraid that it will affect him. The use of troops."

"Mind the matter at hand. The use of troops in the northwest has nothing to do with you. Do as we say."

"Yes!"

…    …

After receiving the order, Mou Bin hurried back to Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town, and called back Guo Ang who was working outside.

"Sir." Guo Ang saw Mou Bin sitting in the court and hurriedly went over to salute.

Mou Bin asked: "How did it go?"

Guo Ang said: "A total of twelve families, more than three hundred people, were escorted to Beijing one after another. Not counting those from the side branches. It was related to the Tongfan and the attack on the Jinyiwei. Not only were the men among them, but also the women's family members were also sent to the women's prison. , only those over sixty years old and under eight years old are temporarily exempted from being trapped in Yongping Prefecture."

Mou Bin waved his hand and said, "Show me the prisoner lists of the Zhao family and the Xiang family."

"Yes."

Guo Ang hurriedly asked someone to bring some files over.

After Guo Ang presented it to Mou Bin, he stood aside and waited for instructions.

Mou Bin looked around and frowned: "What's going on with these guys?"

"dead."

Guo Ang said, "The old man of the Xiang family heard that it was irreversible, so he hung his neck in the prison. He was already cold when he was found. There were also two hot-tempered women who threw themselves into the well when they went out for a walk."

"Snapped!"

Mou Bin slapped the table and said, "Who are you fooling? It's so good, so many people are watching, and you can commit suicide? Don't you think I don't know what's going on?"

Guo Ang's face was somewhat evasive, and he seemed very embarrassed: "It was Shouning Hou who sent someone to say hello and pick up the two women. They reported to the outside world that they had thrown themselves into a well. In fact, they themselves knew about it. Ming, he said that he wanted to ask Shouning Hou for help in this way."

Mou Bin sneered and said: "How can Hou Ning speak now? If Eunuch Li and Duke Cai find out about it and investigate it, what will happen to this matter?"

"This……"

Guo Ang looked embarrassed.

Mou Bin asked again: "How many people in Yongping Mansion are still moving their joints in the capital? Have they sent people to investigate their whereabouts?"

Guo Ang said: "There are a lot of people who have connections with these families, and they all paid money in advance. It is said that Cai Guogong's side is blocked, and they are all looking to come to you and Eunuch Li...or they just want to leave. Shouning Hou, because Uncle Jianchang is not in the capital, there is no one to ask for help. In addition, I heard that someone from Uncle Changning also went to give gifts..."

After hearing this, Mou Bin still looked very bad.

"Sir, does this case have to wait for Cai Guogong to give a prompt before it can proceed?" Guo Ang asked.

"No, Eunuch Li has already called over and asked the people from these two families to be tortured first to solidify the case. As for the other families, whether they should be pardoned or not depends on Cai Guogong's decision. These two families... ...There is no way to escape." Mou Bin said.

Guo Ang said: "It's not that you don't know, the torture has been used since the first day they were caught, but the evidence is still not clear enough. We haven't found any connection between them and Zhang Yu, the former governor of Liaodong."

Mou Bin said sternly: "If there is no evidence, we must find evidence! Why should others teach you such a thing?"

Guo Ang said: "Also, I heard that a family named Huang, who is a distant relative of Cai Guogong, is also involved in the case, right..."

"What relative?" Mou Bin frowned.

Zhang Zhou’s relatives also ran away from Yongping Mansion? And it’s still involved in the case? Is it such a coincidence?

"Most of them are Pan's relatives. They are very far away. Maybe even Cai Guogong himself doesn't know about it. I just want to inform him first, lest Cai Guogong finds out later and gets angry with the Jin Yiwei people?" Guo Ang is also very careful in doing things now.

He also seemed to know that Zhang Zhou was Jin Yiwei's real boss now.

As for Mu Bin and Li Zhang, they mostly relied on Zhang Zhou's opinions to do things.

"Tomorrow Cai Guogong will go to the Tribute Court to host a grand competition. How can he have the time? Since there may be relatives, let's not touch this family first, and don't go to jail first. Anyway, there are houses in the city, so we should circle up the people and keep a close eye on them. "

"Yes."

……

……

Zhang Zhou went home to pack his things and prepare to preside over the exam.

The whole house here is also very busy. After all, Zhang Zhou has only been back to Beijing for a few days, and he suddenly has to go on a "business trip" again. Although he is close, he just can't go home. Jiang Pingyu is in charge of cleaning up the house for Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou was playing with the children in the backyard.

Suisui is seven years old and can be considered a "big girl", while Zhang Lin is already walking very steadily and has his mother's inheritance. As soon as he can walk, he makes wild gestures with a small red tassel gun. He is very similar to Zhang in terms of IQ. Zhou, as soon as he could speak, already had the potential to speak eloquently.

As for Zhang Jun...

Recently I am studying in a boarding school and am not at home usually.

It was also Zhang Zhou's request to give this boy a "lesson" so that he would not have to go to the house to uncover the tiles.

"You don't need to pack so much, just bring a baggage. Besides, Mingshan will go in with me. She will take care of me, so you don't have to worry."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said to Jiang Pingyu who was busy.

Since it is possible to bring his entourage into the inner curtain, Zhang Zhou must take Wang Mingshan with him first. He is not brought in as a vase. Not only is he a personal bodyguard to protect him... and he is a day and night protector, and he can also talk to Zhang Zhou. From a cute half-grown girl who is actually a mature woman to a mother, she can find some family atmosphere.

Zhang Zhou is considerate.

"Sir, Master Liu came in to send a message, saying that Mr. Jiang is here in person."

The summer solstice comes and passes the news.

There are now more than a dozen maids in Zhang Zhou's house. Xia Zhi came with her from Nanjing. When she first came to Beijing, she was reluctant, but now she has come and is now the foreman of the maids in the house.

Zhang Zhou also knew that Xia Zhi and Liu Gui were flirting with each other, but now Liu Gui has a "high vision" and doesn't seem to want to marry, but is just looking for fun.

Poor Xia Zhi has been waiting to marry Liu Gui as the first wife.

"understood."

Zhang Zhou put down his hands in advance and came out to see Jiang Dezhong.

When Jiang Dezhong saw Zhang Zhou, his old face had a few more horizontal wrinkles, and he looked like he was smiling or crying.

"Old Taishan, I haven't seen you for a few months, why do you feel that you have become much younger and stronger?" Zhang Zhou actually wanted to say that you have become much older.

Jiang Dezhong said: "Bingkuan, you are joking. You are not young and healthy, but you are actually very old. This is not a private matter. Let me tell you... It is said that your mother's father is your grandfather. He has a daughter from his sister's family. He married When we arrived at Yongping Mansion, isn't this also related to this case? You should call her...cousin... she found me and wanted to make peace with her, so I'm just... coming!" (End of chapter) )