Journey to the West, this Sun Wukong is too persuasive

Chapter 259 The Fourth Imperial Examination of Han Dynasty
Going to war?

Pang Tong was shocked when he heard this. He stuck his head out of the window and carefully observed the bustling streets downstairs. He used his innate martial arts skills to listen carefully to the transactions of the vendors.

As the saying goes, you can tell when you see the subtle things, and he quickly discovered the silent changes in the big man from these transactions.

At the same time, he also lamented that Kong Ming was still more careful than him. When talking to him just now, he did not forget to observe everything.

Then came the doubts. The Han Dynasty was so powerful that it had occupied a whole continent. Who would it want to go to war with?

Immortal islands in the East China Sea, or island countries in the South China Sea?

Pang Tong thought about it carefully and soon came up with the answer. He said to Zhuge Liang: "Has the imperial court finally decided to take action against those kingdoms in the west?"

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly: "Yes, we can see some clues from the news weekly published by the Ministry of Commerce in recent times. I, the big man, have successively terminated the commercial contacts of Wuzang Kingdom, Baoxiang Kingdom, Wuji Kingdom, and Chechi Kingdom."

Pang Tong had also read these news, so he could make this judgment. He knew that these western kingdoms were obstacles to the Han Dynasty's westward advance.

In addition, combined with the changes in various civilian industries, it can be seen that the Han Dynasty is adjusting various policies to prepare for war.

Zhuge Liang said again: "I won't drink anymore. I've been busy taking exams recently, and I didn't even have time to read the latest news from the court."

After saying that, he disappeared in a flash.

Pang Tong grabbed a handful of food and hurriedly caught up: "Wait for me."

……

The imperial examinations in the Han Dynasty were divided into liberal arts and martial arts.

Liberal arts originally had four levels: college examination, provincial examination, joint examination, and palace examination. Because King Liu Xiu delegated power to the cabinet, the palace examination was canceled and only the first three levels were left.

After the general examination, the final top three rankings were determined by the cabinet ministers jointly reviewing the papers.

The imperial examination is held every three years, and this year is the fourth liberal arts examination.

Before the examination, the examiners Guo Jia, Fazheng, and Lu Su were discussing the strategy for the third test.

Guo Jia smiled and said: "Let's make a plan for the Han Dynasty to march westward and see if we can catch a prime minister from these candidates."

Fazheng shook his head: "This is too difficult for them. The key information about the westward expansion is in the cabinet and has never been reported. I'm afraid there are only a few candidates who can see these subtle changes in their daily lives."

Lu Su frowned and said: "The candidates are all nervous about taking the exam. No one should pay attention to the recent changes in the DPRK, China and the people."

Although two people objected, the policy issue was still determined to be the Han Dynasty's westward expansion strategy.

Because Guo Jia is the main examiner, Fazheng and Lu Su are the deputy examiners.

In addition, Guo Jia was the top scorer in liberal arts in the second imperial examination, and Lu Su was second.

Fa Zheng was ranked second in liberal arts for three times. The top pick at that time was Zhou Yu, and the top pick was Yang Xiu.

……

After the examination began, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tongyi entered the Gongyuan together and found their respective examination rooms.

Because the imperial court specially arranged for immortal inspection, no one had the chance to cheat.

Pang Tong sat in the examination room and encouraged himself secretly: "This time I must beat Kong Ming and rank higher than him!"

He also fantasized about being ranked first, but there have been too many geniuses in the last 30 to [-] years, so he would be satisfied if he could surpass Kong Ming.

In the next exam, Pang Tong answered it very well and felt that he could at least get a top rank in the second class.

When the last question came up, Pang Tong was stunned.

The Han Dynasty’s strategy to advance westward?This is the topic!

He smiled bitterly again: "I'm not as good as Kong Ming."

After making tea around the stove last time, he and Zhuge Liang had been studying the various policy changes of the Han towards the West, and also deduced the strategy of the Han's westward march.

To be fair, he is inferior to Zhuge Liang in this regard.

On the other side, Zhuge Liang also saw the question asked by Ce. He smiled slightly and added another layer of strategizing thousands of miles away on top of his confidence.

This imperial examination is stable!
One month later, the much-anticipated liberal arts examination results were finally released.

There was a buzz of people in front of the Gongyuan Gate. From the top three, to the second, and then to the first, one list after another hung in the air, being seen by countless pairs of eyes.

"Xinke explores flowers, Sima Yi!"

"Pang Tong is second in the new department!"

"The new champion, Zhuge Liang!"

The three names were shouted by thousands of people, and soon spread throughout the streets and alleys of Chang'an City, becoming known to countless people.

Although Sima Yi was young, he was calm and composed. He was sitting at home reading a book without going to Gongyuan to check his results.

Until the servant who went to see the results came back and reported the names of the top pick, the second pick, and the top pick.

"Just looking for flowers?" Sima Yi frowned slightly.

He didn't look at the rankings. Firstly, because of his temperament, he was really calm. Secondly, he was very confident that he would definitely be the top pick in high school this time.

Because although his father Sima Fang was not the prime minister of the cabinet, he was a high-ranking cabinet minister. He was called Jing Zhaoyin and was in charge of the capital of the Han Dynasty.

Moreover, Prime Minister Cao, the most powerful person in the current dynasty, was supported by his father.

Therefore, his father was qualified to attend important cabinet meetings, and he would often talk to him about non-confidential matters every time he came back to cultivate his decision-making ability.

It can be said that he was very familiar with the preparations of the Han Dynasty to march westward, and he had also made deductions and had his own ideas.

Compared with other candidates in the same session, this time the policy question undoubtedly gave him points.

But unexpectedly, he turned out to be only No. 3 overall pick.

Sima Yi couldn't understand that Zhuge Liang, who was unknown before, and Pang Tong, could actually have better results than him!

Before the examination, he heard Zhuge Liang's name from his father and said that he was the person Prime Minister Cao was looking for, but he didn't care at the time.

"I wonder what his strategy for advancing westward is?" Sima Yi fell into deep thought. After a brief period of surprise and disappointment, he regained his composure.

I don't know how long it took, but his father Sima Fang came over with Chen Qun from Prime Minister Cao's house.

"Father, brother Changwen." Sima Yi stood up and saluted. Although Chen Qun was older than him, he was his peer.

Chen Qun smiled and said: "Zhongda, congratulations."

Sima Yi looked calm and only said two words: "Thank you."

Chen Qun knew that he had this temperament and was not surprised. He smiled and said: "Last time the Prime Minister asked you to do something, you were busy with the imperial examination. Now that the imperial examination results have come out, it is the time to make achievements.

By the way, the Prime Minister greatly appreciates your strategy for advancing westward. "

Sima Yi did not refuse anymore and nodded in agreement.

Sima Fang on the side did not speak, but there was a smile on his face.

No one knows his son better than his father. He knows his son's abilities best. Sima Zhongda has the talent of a prime minister.

……

After passing the imperial examination, those who ranked first, second or third were eligible to become officials.

They can obey the court's orders, or they can choose which faction in the court to work for.But except for the top picks, second picks, and top picks in the first class, most Jinshi follow orders rather than making their own choices.

Here, Sima Yi received orders from Prime Minister Cao.

Over there, a distinguished guest also came to Zhuge Liang's door. Prime Minister Liu, whom he had not met last time, came to visit again.

Pang Tong had already rushed to Prime Minister Sun's house, leaving Zhuge Liang alone.

Tongfu Restaurant knew that Zhuge Liang won the first prize and had arranged for him to live in the best villa and courtyard.

At this moment, Zhuge Liang saw Liu Bei and Xu Shu outside the courtyard door, and quickly saluted: "Liang has met Prime Minister Liu."

When Liu Bei saw the young man in front of him, wearing a silk scarf and a face like a crown of jade, he was immediately shocked. He turned over his hand and took out a pot of good wine, and praised with a smile: "Kong Ming, you have won the first prize today, so you should drink to celebrate."

Zhuge Liang readily agreed and sat opposite Liu Bei in the courtyard, while Xu Shu left with a smile.

After drinking a glass of wine, Liu Bei said directly: "Kong Ming's strategy of marching westward is very popular with me. Now that the Han Dynasty is about to march westward, I only need a mastermind. I wonder if Kong Ming is willing to make suggestions for me and make contributions to the Han Dynasty?"

Zhuge Liang stood up, saluted, and said solemnly: "Liang is originally a commoner, but if he gets the weapon of the prime minister, he will die as a result."

Then the two of them asked and answered questions, going over all the affairs of the Han Dynasty and the westward march.

Someone in later generations wrote a book about this matter and called it "The Couple in the Courtyard of Tongfu Restaurant".

Three days later, the Han cabinet held an enlarged meeting, and Liu Bei brought Zhuge Liang with him.

This made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei very unhappy, because their eldest brother had been very close to this new boy these days. They ate, lived and slept together and were inseparable. Now he even wanted to take him to the cabinet meeting?
What kind of status is it, isn't he the number one scholar in the new science?Can you be like them?
When Liu Bei saw the expressions on his two younger brothers' faces, he knew what they were thinking. He smiled and explained: "I have Kong Ming like a fish in water. I hope you guys won't say anything more."

Only then did Guan Yu and Zhang Fei understand Zhuge Liang's position in their eldest brother's heart, and they stopped talking.

Zhuge Liang looked on with a smile and didn't care what the two people thought, because status and respect can only be obtained through strength.

Moreover, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were already among the top five warriors in the current dynasty. They were both martial arts gods and had their own arrogance.

……

The story is divided into two parts. Let's say that Pang Tong arrived at Sun Jian's house. First, Lu Su heard that Pang Tong was coming and hurriedly went to greet him.

Pang Tong's uncle Pang Degong was a famous scholar in Jingzhou and had a great reputation in Shu and Jiangdong. Therefore, Lu Su had long known about Pang Tong's talent and learning, and even knew that he was known as Feng Chu.

Now that Pang Tong has passed the exam, it proves that Feng Chu's reputation is true.

Lu Su was happy for Pang Tong's choice and quickly took him to see Sun Jian.

On the way, they met Sun Quan.

Lu Su smiled and introduced: "This is the Prime Minister's second son."

Pang Tong saluted and said, "I have met the second young master."

Lu Su quickly introduced Pang Tong's identity to Sun Quan.

After hearing this, Sun Quan frowned and asked Pang Tong: "You are the second in the new class. I wonder how your talent and learning compare with Zhou Yu, the top scholar in the previous class?"

Pang Tong smiled and said: "What I learned is very different from Gong Jin."

Sun Quan was very dissatisfied. He admired Zhou Yu most in his life. Zhou Gongjin was beautiful, elegant, ambitious, proficient in music, and could dance.

Who is this Pang Tong?He has thick eyebrows and a raised nose, a dark face and a short beard. He is very ugly. How dare he be disrespectful to Gong Jin in his words?
Sun Quan did not reveal what he was thinking, but he did not look at Pang Yi any more and walked away.

After Sun Quan walked away, Lu Su quickly explained: "Shi Yuan, don't worry about it. The second master has always been like this."

Pang Tong just frowned slightly, but he didn't care, because the palace of Prime Minister Sun was dominated by General Sun Ce, the son of the Grand Duke, and Sun Quan, the second son, did not have much power.

Later, where Sun Jian and Sun Jian were practicing martial arts, Lu Su explained his purpose and introduced Pang Tong.

Sun Jian put down the sword in his hand, but did not put away the martial arts heavenly aura emanating from his body. When he saw Pang Tong, he did not hide the disgust in his brows, waved his hand and said: "Stay back, I will see you when I can use you." please."

Pang Tong looked unhappy and left immediately.

Lu Su's expression changed and he asked hurriedly: "Why doesn't Prime Minister use Pang Shiyuan?"

Sun Jian looked unhappy: "I am the prime minister of the cabinet. If I use such an ugly person, won't I make the world laugh at me? I will laugh at no one under my command?"

Lu Su couldn't laugh or cry, but he had no choice but as an adviser, he could only persuade again: "Prime Minister, now that the Han Dynasty is about to march westward, Pang Shiyuan can deduce a good strategy for the westward march based on just a few words in the news.

If he can serve the Prime Minister, he will certainly be able to help the Prime Minister achieve great achievements during his westward march! "

Sun Jian was a little impatient: "It's just a small second place in the ranking. Without him, I wouldn't be able to achieve meritorious service? My subordinate Zhou Yu is the number one scholar, how can he be worse than a second place finisher?"

Lu Su didn't know what to say. A ruler is long and an inch is short. Everyone is good at different things. How can we simply judge ability based on ranking?
Xiniu Hezhou is so big and the situation is complicated. Once the westward march begins, we will definitely encounter various situations. Naturally, the more advisers, the better.

Only to hear Sun Jian say again: "Besides, when I was grading the papers, I also read Pang Shiyuan's article. His strategy of advancing westward is very similar to Zhuge Liang's. I heard that the two of them are brothers in the same school, so he must have copied Got Zhuge Liang’s idea!”

Lu Su sighed and left helplessly.

It's a pity that the eldest son is not in the house, otherwise Pang Shiyuan will be used by Wu Hou.

You must know that Sun Jian was able to sit as a general and become the prime minister of the cabinet. The main help was the Grand Duke Sun Ce.

Without the support of Grand Duke Sun Ce, Sun Jian's current status might not even be as good as that of General Lu Bu.

Half a day later, Sun Ce returned from the army. When he heard about this, he became furious and gave Sun Quan a severe lesson in front of Sun Jian.

He couldn't beat me, so he could only vent his anger on his younger brother who couldn't accomplish anything.

Zhou Yu shook his head gently.

……

After the enlarged meeting of the Han Cabinet was held, Zhuge Liang followed Liu Bei to the magnificent cabinet hall.

I saw a huge sand table placed in the center of the hall.

In the sand table, there are many star-studded kingdoms, with mountains, river valleys and streams crisscrossing them.

This is Xiniu Hezhou that has been shrunk many times!

At this moment, many civil servants and generals of the Han Dynasty were watching the sand table, and they were all amazed.

"Wonderful!" Zhuge Liang fell in at a glance.

This is much clearer than an ordinary map. When fighting, using this sandbox map can more clearly grasp the situation between the enemy and ourselves and make more accurate plans.

Liu Bei explained with a smile: "This is the sand table map that Wu Zu taught us to make when we went to see Wu Zu and the Human King last time. The detailed terrain of Xiniu Hezhou was also restored for us by Wu Zu using his magical power."

Zhuge Liang repeatedly praised: "Martial Ancestor is really a god, I wish I could see him!"

Bang!
He walked around the huge sand table and looked at it. He was fascinated when he suddenly bumped into an expressionless young man.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Zhuge Liang quickly clasped his fists.

Sima Yi was also fascinated by the sand table. He glanced at Zhuge Liang, then turned his head and focused his gaze on the sand table again, fascinated.

Zhuge Liang saw that this person was about the same age as him, and he was secretly curious. He didn't know who he was, but he actually had great talent!

At this time, Sun Jian came with Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Lu Su and other civil servants and military generals. Sun Quan was beaten until he was bedridden and did not come with him.

Zhuge Liang looked around but didn't find Pang Tong. He was a little confused. Didn't Shi Yuan choose to work for Prime Minister Sun?
There are not many powerful advisers under Prime Minister Sun. With Shiyuan's ability, he should be taken seriously. Why didn't he come to participate in this enlarged cabinet meeting?

　I think the characters of the Three Kingdoms are very interesting, so I wrote more related plots, which can be better unfolded later in Hezhou, Xiniu. Guys, please don’t call me stupid...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)