Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Li Banghua looked at the three young men in front of him. They were all upright and dignified, with an unyielding light in their eyes. He smiled, but thought silently in his heart. These three and their families had a great reputation among the people, and each of them carried a heavy history and family expectations.

Gu Yanwu's great-grandfather was Gu Zhangzhi, the Grand Secretary of the Nanjing Military Department during the Jiajing period. The Gu family can be traced back to Gu Yong, the famous Prime Minister during the Three Kingdoms period. This honor and inheritance put too many expectations and responsibilities on Gu Yanwu's shoulders. His eyes showed the passion and impulse of a young man, as well as the calmness and determination given by his family.

Gui Zhuang's great-grandfather was Gui Youguang, a famous Ming Dynasty prose writer. His "Xiangjixuanzhi" left many students confused but unable to stop reading. Gui Zhuang's eyes revealed a kind of warmth and talent that is unique to literati. In his heart, he not only has the pride of his family, but also the love and pursuit of knowledge.

As for Huang Zongxi, his name was not known to the world for his fame and knowledge, but because of the sensational case in the first year of Lin Xiaofeng. Huang Zongxi's father, Huang Zunsu, was a backbone of the Donglin Party. During the Tianqi period, he impeached the treacherous minister Wei Zhongxian, and was dismissed from his post and imprisoned. He was tortured and lost his life. This family history of blood and tears made Huang Zongxi's eyes reveal a deep grief and determination. In his heart, he burned with a desire for justice, a longing for his father, and a deep hatred for that dark era.

Li Banghua raised his hand gently, motioning the three to sit down. His movements were graceful and calm, as if everything was under his control. He smiled and asked, "What is your intention in suddenly breaking into the posthouse?" His voice was gentle and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Huang Zongxi waved his stick and answered directly: "Of course I want to beat you up!" There was obvious anger and impulse in his voice, as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction.

"Why do you want to beat me, an old man?" Li Banghua smiled but was not angry. His eyes revealed a depth and wisdom, as if he could see through everything.

Gu Yanwu said angrily: "You have risen to the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet by virtue of your knowledge, but you have cut off the livelihood of scholars all over the world. Who else should I beat if not you?" There was obvious anxiety and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he wanted to vent all his anger on Li Banghua.

Li Banghua smiled and asked back: "When did I cut off the livelihood of scholars?" There was a hint of teasing and ridicule in his voice, as if he did not take Gu Yanwu's anger to heart.

Gui Zhuang supported the table with his left hand, slapped his right hand heavily, and said: "You let corrupt officials exploit gentry in the name of collecting taxes. The lightest ones had to pay money, the heaviest ones had to sell their property, and some even disappeared after being caught. In our Kunshan County, Suzhou Prefecture, many gentry suffered, some of them lost their families, and the survivors jointly wrote to the court, but the court did not respond. I wrote to you, but you never replied." There was obvious pain and helplessness in his voice, as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction.

Li Banghua said calmly: "So, I deserve to be beaten?" His eyes revealed a depth and calmness, as if he could see through everything.

"Of course!" The three answered in unison, with a determined look in their eyes, as if they wanted to pour all their anger on Li Banghua.

"Okay." Li Banghua stood up, took two steps with his hands behind his back, and stared at the three people with his sharp eyes. "Do you know how the Ming Dynasty collects taxes?" There was a hint of majesty and unquestionable atmosphere in his voice.

The three were stunned. Huang Zongxi spoke first: "After the Single Whip Law, the tax should be levied based on the acreage." There was a hint of doubt and confusion in his voice.

Li Banghua sneered: "That's only in theory, but in reality it is a tax farming system." There was a hint of sarcasm and helplessness in his voice.

"Take Kunshan County for example," Li Banghua pointed to Guizhuang, "Suppose there are 1,000 acres of paddy fields, and according to regulations, 78 shi of grain must be collected. If the entire county only has these 1,000 acres of land, then the county magistrate's task is to collect the 78 shi. But things are unpredictable, some fields are submerged due to river diversion, some people are too poor to pay taxes, and some even deliberately resist taxes. In order to meet the tax amount, officials will shift these burdens onto other people." There was a hint of grief and helplessness in his voice, as if he could see through all the suffering in the world.

"So," Li Banghua continued, "those wealthy gentry often default on taxes, while the burden on ordinary people becomes heavier and heavier. Over time, the people can no longer bear it, while those gentry instead regard not paying taxes as a privilege." There was a hint of anger and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction.

"I'm here this time to severely punish these people, the real culprits behind the victims as you said." There was a hint of firmness and determination in Li Banghua's voice, as if he wanted to sweep away all the darkness.

After hearing this, the three of them lowered their heads and fell into deep thought. They were filled with shock and confusion, as if their cognition had been completely overturned by Li Banghua's words. They knew that there was darkness in the world, but they didn't expect it to be like this. They didn't expect that the gentry and officials would collude to deceive the world.

"No!" Gui Zhuang suddenly raised his head, "I have seen the gentry paying taxes with my own eyes, and they took the lead in paying, how could it be false?" There was a hint of doubt and confusion in his voice, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

Li Banghua smiled and shook his head: "Silly child, before collecting taxes, county officials will first win over the gentry and let them pay first. The people will follow suit only after seeing the gentry pay. But after the gentry have paid the taxes, their money will be returned in full, and the people's taxes will then be truly paid to the court." There was a hint of sarcasm and helplessness in his voice, as if he could see through all the tricks in the world.

"What's worse," Li Banghua continued, "they will deliberately make the people pay more taxes, and then the officials and gentry will enrich themselves." There was a hint of anger and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he wanted to expose all the darkness.

The three of them were stunned and could not believe their ears. Their hearts were filled with shock and anger, as if Li Banghua's words had completely ignited the fire in their hearts. They knew that this world was far more complicated and darker than they had imagined.

Li Banghua continued to ask: "Have those gentry you mentioned really paid their taxes in full and on time?" There was a hint of majesty and unquestionableness in his voice.

The three of them looked at each other, unable to answer. Their hearts were filled with doubts and confusion, as if Li Banghua's words had completely broken down their inner defenses.

"If they have paid," Li Banghua continued, "then it is the officials' problem and I will rectify them. If they have not paid, it is their own fault and has nothing to do with me." There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice, as if he wanted to sweep away all the darkness.

The three scholars sat on the stools silently. Li Banghua's words completely overturned their cognition. They knew that there was darkness in the world, but they didn't expect it to be like this. They didn't expect that the gentry and officials would collude to deceive the world. Their hearts were filled with anger and helplessness, as if they were completely betrayed by this world.

"Do you have any questions?" Li Banghua was about to see the guest off. "If not, please go back. I'm tired." There was a hint of fatigue and helplessness in his voice, as if the world made him feel extremely heavy.

The three of them looked at each other, and Huang Zongxi spoke first: "Sir, don't you intend to punish us?" There was a hint of doubt and uneasiness in his voice.

"You are innocent. What crime have you committed?" Li Banghua answered with a smile, his eyes revealing a depth and wisdom.

"But we first insulted you outside, and then broke into the post house to hurt you. Isn't this a crime?" Huang Zongxi continued to ask, with a hint of anxiety and uneasiness in his voice.

"So you are indeed guilty!" Li Banghua looked at the three people carefully, "Who is the mastermind?" There was a hint of majesty and unquestionable atmosphere in his voice.

"I!" Huang Zongxi answered without hesitation, with a determined look in his eyes.

"And me!" Gu Yanwu hesitated a little, but answered firmly.

"I am the mastermind!" Gui Zhuang said finally, but his voice was the loudest, as if he wanted to take all the responsibility on himself.

Li Banghua's gaze moved among the three people and finally stopped on Huang Zongxi: "In my opinion, you are the most suspicious." There was a hint of teasing in his voice.

Huang Zongxi looked ashamed: "Mr. Prime Minister, you are very observant. I am indeed the mastermind." There was a hint of helplessness and self-blame in his voice.

The other two wanted to argue, but Huang Zongxi stopped them: "Your Excellency knows me well. There is no need to let them suffer for me." There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice.

"Okay." Seeing Huang Zongxi plead guilty, Li Banghua nodded to show his relief, "In that case, I will punish you to clear my name." There was a hint of relief and joy in his voice, as if all the problems had been solved.

"Ah? It's that simple?" Huang Zongxi was surprised, and there was a look of disbelief in his eyes.

"Yes, it's that simple. I'll be satisfied if you can accomplish this." Li Banghua replied with a smile, his eyes revealing a depth and wisdom.

Huang Zongxi thought about it and seemed to want to say something, but he held back. He suddenly remembered something: "Sir, I have something else to tell you." There was a hint of hesitation and uneasiness in his voice.

"Go on." Li Banghua motioned for him to continue.

"Tomorrow is the autumn examination. The candidates are discussing boycotting the exam. I hope the elders will know about this." Huang Zongxi's voice was filled with anxiety and helplessness, as if he wanted to pour out all his worries. He knew that this news might not be important to Li Banghua, but for those candidates who were about to take the exam, it was a matter of fate. He hoped that Li Banghua would pay attention to this issue and give those candidates a fair examination environment.

When Li Banghua heard that the candidates wanted to boycott the exam, he didn't show much surprise on his face. These young students had only two tricks to resist the court: one was not to take the exam, to express their protest by silence and absence; the other was to write some tabloid articles to incite people, hoping to make a big fuss, preferably in front of the emperor. In order to calm down the incident quickly, the emperor would often severely punish the troublemakers, and Li Banghua knew this better than anyone. He walked slowly, walked forward, and gently patted Huang Zongxi on the shoulder, his eyes full of the precipitation of years and the indifference of insight into the world.

"Can you tell me who is the leader of the boycott?" Li Banghua's voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained a majesty that could not be ignored.

Huang Zongxi was puzzled. He glanced at Li Banghua's deep eyes and thought to himself: "Does this old man want to send someone to arrest someone? I have to be careful." He hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to tell the truth.

Li Banghua saw his concerns, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips. He said, "Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who would do such a despicable thing. I just want to understand the situation so that I can prescribe the right medicine."

Huang Zongxi's doubts were slightly relieved after hearing his words, and he confidently reported the name. It was a name that was quite prestigious among the students. After hearing this, Li Banghua just nodded slightly, as if everything was within his expectations.

"Thank you very much," Li Banghua bowed to Huang Zongxi to express his gratitude, his gesture showed a kind of majesty and respect that should not be underestimated, "Is there anything else? If not, please go and help me clear my grievances."

Huang Zongxi bowed respectfully and said, "I need some information to assist you, Lord Prime Minister. Could you give it to me?" There was a hint of pleading and expectation in his tone.

Li Banghua said readily: "No problem, just make a list and I'll have someone send it to you." There was an unquestionable firmness in his tone, as if everything was under his control.

Huang Zongxi thanked them again and bowed to leave with the other two. Just as they reached the door, they seemed to remember something, turned back, picked up the wooden stick on the table, and left in a hurry. The wooden stick in their hands seemed to have become a symbol of some kind, carrying an unspoken determination and strength.

The room regained its calm, and Li Banghua began to ponder over countermeasures. He sat at his desk, frowning, his eyes flashing with deep thought. After noon, he bent over his desk and wrote several letters, signed his name, stamped them, and sent them off separately. Each letter carried his insight into the situation and his plans for the future.

The trend of boycotting the exams was unstoppable, and some people in Nanjing wanted to take advantage of the situation. Li Banghua thought, "If that's the case, let the storm come even harder." He had the support of the Ming emperor behind him, and no matter how powerful the Nanjing court was, it couldn't defeat the emperor. However, Li Banghua didn't dare to take it lightly. He knew that although he was a powerful dragon, he had to be cautious when fighting against local snakes. He knew very well that the undercurrents behind this storm were much more complicated than they seemed on the surface.

On August 16, the day of the Autumn Examination arrived. Scholars from Nanzhili gathered in Nanjing to prepare for the provincial examination, which was held once every three years. Before dawn, the city of Nanjing was already bustling. The soldiers guarding the examination hall got up early to eat, and then lined up outside the examination hall, their armor flashing a cold light in the morning light.

The vendors on the roadside also got up very early. They sold things that students needed during the exam, especially dry food, which was the most popular. Because the exam was long and the food was easy to spoil, these dry food became a must-have for students. This autumn exam was divided into three sessions, each lasting three days and three nights, with two changes in the middle, for a total of nine days and seven nights. This was a test of the students' physical and mental limits.

The first test was eight-part essays, and the questions were based on the Four Books and Five Classics. Candidates were required to write articles that met the standards in a limited time and in accordance with strict formats and requirements. This not only required them to have a deep understanding of the classics, but also to have a solid literary foundation and keen thinking ability.

The second test is about official document writing, which requires candidates to write official documents based on official document cases. This requires them to be familiar with the operation of the government and the writing format of official documents, and to have the ability to express clearly, accurately and concisely.

The third round is a policy question, which examines the candidates' views on national economy and people's livelihood. This exam is the most open and tests the candidates' knowledge and insights. They need to pay attention to social reality, understand national affairs, and have the ability to think independently and propose solutions.

At the beginning of the exam, the rooms in the exam hall will be locked and will not be opened until the end of the exam. During this period, most poor students can only eat fried noodles, sesame cakes, pickles and other military-grade food to fill their stomachs. Because they have a long shelf life and are easy to carry and store. Rich students will add some cakes to these to enjoy. Their food is more abundant and diverse, but they also need to consider the shelf life and portability.

On this day, Shi Kefa was worried about chaos, so he divided the troops of Nanjing Jingying into two parts: one part guarded the city wall to prevent any accidents, and the other part went into the city to assist the Wucheng Bingma Division and Yingtianfu Yamen in patrolling and maintaining order in the examination room. He knew the importance of this exam and the interests involved. Once chaos occurred in the examination room, it would not only affect the smooth progress of the exam, but also may cause greater social unrest.

Outside the examination room, the chief examiner and deputy examiners, along with soldiers, searched every candidate who entered the examination room. Their actions were rigorous and meticulous, fearing any omissions. The chief examiner was responsible for setting questions, marking papers, ranking and reporting scores; the deputy examiners were responsible for assisting the chief examiner. From the early Ming Dynasty to the tenth year of the Wanli reign, the qualification system for the chief and deputy examiners underwent many changes; it was not until the eleventh year of the Wanli reign that it was finally finalized.

The chief examiners of Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Huguang and Fujian provinces were Hanlin editors or reviewers; the chief examiners of other provinces were officials from the Ministry of Rites or six departments; and the deputy examiners were selected from local officials who were Jinshi graduates and served in the court. The chief examiners of the autumn examination in Nanzhili were Li Zhichun, the chief examiner of the Ministry of Rites in Beijing, and Wu Linwei, the deputy examiner of the Ministry of Personnel; the deputy examiners were officials from Nanjing. They were all strictly selected and reviewed officials with rich knowledge and experience in officialdom.

However, the six examiners waited outside the examination room for a long time but no candidate came in. Seeing that the examination time was approaching, Li Zhichun began to get anxious. He quickly walked to Huang Jin, the Minister of Rites of Nanjing, and whispered to him to ask the reason. Huang Jin sighed and said, "It's a long story. You will know it later." There was a hint of helplessness and worry in his tone.

Li Zhichun was even more frightened: "Could it be that the candidates really want to boycott the exam?" This was his first time as the chief examiner. If the boycott really became a reality, his future would be in jeopardy. He was filled with anxiety and uneasiness, as if a huge rock was hanging in his heart.

"What you fear will come true! Look over there!" Huang Jin sighed, pointing at the street corner. His tone was filled with helplessness and indignation. He sighed that these students were being taken advantage of without knowing it! No matter what the final result is, their careers will be affected!

Li Zhichun followed Huang Jin's gaze and saw a large group of people coming to the corner of the street. They were all wearing blue shirts and black scarves, holding incense in their hands and crying as they walked, with sadness and anger written all over their faces. The crying was so miserable that the residents in the nearby streets were alarmed and ran out to watch the excitement.

The team was so long that it seemed impossible to see the end. The soldiers guarding the examination hall raised their weapons as if they were facing a great enemy, ready to deal with any emergency. Their expressions were tense and solemn, as if a fierce conflict would break out at any time.

"Don't do it!" Li Zhichun and Wu Linwei looked at each other, then quickly stepped forward to block the soldiers and the examinees. They knew that if something happened to the examinees in the examination room, it would have little to do with them, the examiners; but if something happened outside the examination room, they would be to blame. Their actions were swift and decisive, as if they were using their bodies to block an approaching storm.

When they got closer, they found that the tablets held by the examinees read: "The Seat of Confucius, the Great Sage and Teacher". (Nine years before the Jiajing reign, the tablet of Confucius read "The Seat of Confucius, the Great Sage, the Great Sage, the King of Literature and Propaganda", and it was later changed to the current one.) The tablet in their hands seemed to have become some kind of sacred symbol, with a majesty that could not be violated.

The officials present also saw this scene. Ruan Dacheng, the military official, exclaimed: "Oh! This is the tablet of our ancient teacher Confucius! Everyone, kneel down!" So all the officials knelt on the ground one after another. Their movements were neat and swift, as if they were bowing their heads in salute to some invisible force.

Li Zhichun and Wu Linwei were stunned. They didn't expect that these examinees would bring Confucius' tablet here. In their minds, Confucius was a sage in the hearts of scholars and a supreme being. They never thought that these examinees would use Confucius' tablet to create trouble.

The examinees holding tablets stopped crying when they saw the officials kneeling. They shouted to Li Zhichun and Wu Lin, "Confucius is here, how dare you not kneel?" The two had no choice but to kneel down as well. After all, in the eyes of scholars, Confucius' status was higher than that of their ancestors! How dare they not respect him?
Then, the examinee holding the tablet said to the onlookers, "We are all students waiting for the exam. Today is the day of the autumn examination, but Prime Minister Li Banghua has allowed corrupt officials to exploit the people in the name of collecting taxes. The lightest punishment is to make us pay money, the heaviest punishment is to make us bankrupt, and some people have even disappeared after being arrested! What's worse, some have lost their families! On behalf of the 3,319 examinees from Nanzhili, I, Lu Gong, petition the court to remove Li Banghua from his post and hand him over to the three judicial departments for trial and conviction! As long as the court does not remove Li Banghua, we will not take the exam!" His voice was impassioned, full of dissatisfaction and anger towards Li Banghua. His eyes flashed with determination, as if he was...
After hearing the students' demands and seeing the tablet of Confucius being carried out, the officials present all looked shocked, as if they were shocked by a sudden storm. They looked at each other in bewilderment, as no one had expected the students to express their dissatisfaction in this way. This determination and passion, like a raging fire, instantly ignited the tense atmosphere in the entire officialdom.

Ruan Dacheng, the usually calm old official, also seemed a little flustered at this moment. He was the first to stand up, and his voice was a little hurried: "Quick, report this to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." When the other officials heard this, they nodded in agreement. There was both worry and expectation in their eyes, as if they hoped that the Crown Prince could become the stabilizing force in this storm.

Without waiting for anyone to tell him to do so, someone in the examination room ran to report to Zhu Cilang. He was a young guard, with a pale face and nervous eyes. His footsteps tapped out a rapid rhythm on the stone pavement, as if every step was telling of the seriousness of the situation.

"Your Highness, the students taking the autumn examination are holding Confucius' tablet and boycotting the exam. They have also surrounded the examination hall and the six government offices. All departments have suspended their duties. Please look into this." The guard's voice was a little breathless, and it was obvious that he had run all the way here.

"What?!" Zhu Cilang almost lost his grip on the cup. He stood up suddenly, the tea sloshing in the cup, as if telling of his inner turmoil. He wanted to throw the cup away and walk out. He felt an indescribable anger and anxiety, as if an invisible hand was strangling his throat.

Ni Yuanlu called him from behind: "Your Highness, where are you going?" His voice was steady and powerful, like a flash of lightning cutting through the night sky.

Cilang said with a worried look on his face: "The students in Nanzhili have boycotted the exam. I have to hurry to calm this matter down, otherwise it may spread to other provinces and other students will follow suit. That will be a big trouble." There was both anxiety and helplessness in his eyes, as if he was bound by an invisible net.

"Then how do you plan to calm them down?" Yuan Lu asked slowly, his eyes revealing some wisdom and depth, as if he had seen through Cilang's inner struggle. "I... I want to use my status as the crown prince to talk to them about reason and love... maybe I can let them continue the exam." Cilang's voice became lower and lower. He knew that this method might not work. It was a feeling of powerlessness, as if he was facing an unreachable mountain.

Yuan Lu smiled, a smile that was calm yet full of wisdom: "Your Highness, you are not afraid that other provinces will know, but you are afraid that the Emperor will know, right?" There was a hint of teasing in his voice, but it also revealed his deep understanding of Cilang.

Cilang blinked and said nothing, knowing in his heart that Yuan Lu was right. He was indeed afraid that Lin Xiaofeng would doubt his ability. It was a deep fear, as if an invisible hand was strangling his heart.

"Don't be afraid, Your Highness." Yuan Lu said firmly, his eyes revealing a bit of encouragement and trust, as if a ray of warm sunshine was shining on Cilang's heart.

"Why?" Cilang looked at Yuan Lu with some doubt. There was both confusion and expectation in his eyes, as if he hoped that Yuan Lu could show him a clear path.

"The emperor sent Li Banghua as the chief minister to the south to collect taxes. He must have his considerations and preparations. So, if anything goes wrong, the responsibility will naturally be on Li Banghua." Yuan Lu's voice was calm and rational, like a clear spring that washed away the irritability and uneasiness in Cilang's heart.

Cilang thought about it and felt that Yuanlu's words made sense. With Li Banghua blocking the way in front, he should have nothing to worry about. It was a feeling of relief, as if he had been reborn.

“But…should I just hide in the imperial city and do nothing?” Cilang said hesitantly, his eyes revealing a bit of confusion and uneasiness, as if he had been pushed to the forefront by an invisible hand.

"Of course not." Yuan Lu took a deep breath, his eyes revealing a bit of determination and firmness, "It has to look good on the surface, and it has to be handled properly on the inside." There was an unquestionable firmness and courage in his voice.

"Then how many troops can I mobilize?" Ci Lang asked anxiously, his eyes revealing a bit of anxiety and expectation, as if he hoped Yuan Lu could provide him with a clear answer.

Cilang counted and said, "The Jinyiwei, Dongchang and the imperial city guards have a total of more than 5,000 people. However, those guarding the imperial city cannot be moved, so about 3,500 people can be mobilized." There was some confidence and determination in his voice, as if he was fully prepared.

"Leave a thousand men to protect the families, Prince Yong and Prince Ding, and Your Highness, lead the remaining four thousand men to the streets." Yuan Lu turned his back to Cilang, his eyes as firm as iron. There was an unquestionable majesty and courage in his voice, as if a general was commanding a huge army.

"Are you going to arrest those students who are causing trouble?" After Cilang finished speaking, his neck shrank unconsciously. It was a deep fear and anxiety, as if an invisible hand was strangling his throat.

Yuan Lu glared at him, his eyes revealing a bit of dissatisfaction and reproach: "Your Highness, if you really go to arrest the students, within ten days, the emperor's desk will be piled with memorials impeaching you." There was a bit of severity and warning in his voice, as if a strict teacher was scolding a naughty student.

"Then what do you mean by asking me to lead the troops out?" Ci Lang looked at Yuan Lu in confusion. There was both confusion and expectation in his eyes, as if he hoped that Yuan Lu could solve the mystery for him.

Yuan Lu looked outside. Time was running out, so he pulled Ci Lang's clothes and walked away: "Let's talk while we walk." There was a hint of urgency and anxiety in his voice, as if a general was leading his soldiers into battle.

When they got outside the palace, Cilang ordered all the troops to assemble. Taking advantage of this gap, Yuan Lu explained: "As long as no one's life is lost, this matter will not be a big deal. Your Highness, your soldiers are not going to arrest the students, but to protect them, remember this." His voice was calm and wise, as if a wise man was giving Cilang guidance.

Cilang suddenly realized and began to understand Lin Xiaofeng's intention of asking him to worship Yuan Lu as his teacher. Yuan Lu was indeed very intelligent and always considered things one step faster than others. It was a deep admiration and gratitude, as if he had found a guiding light in his life.

Before Cilang had assembled his troops, Li Banghua had already received the news. However, the news came very quickly, because some examinees had already surrounded the posthouse. They were a group of examinees in tattered clothes with angry faces, and their eyes revealed a bit of determination and excitement, like a group of angry lions.

"I am dismissed from my post and apologize for my crime! I am dismissed from my post and apologize for my crime!" The candidates shouted loudly outside the posthouse, their voices were full of anger and dissatisfaction, as if they were going to tear the whole sky apart.

The soldiers drew their weapons and prepared to face the attack. But the examinees were not afraid and rushed forward with their swords on their backs. It was an indescribable bravery and determination, as if they were willing to devote their lives to this struggle.

The soldiers retreated step by step, and were about to retreat into the posthouse. The general drew his sword and shouted: "This is the residence of the imperial envoy. Who dares to enter without permission? If you take another step forward, I will kill you without mercy!" His voice was full of majesty and courage, as if a general was commanding thousands of troops.

"Retreat?" The soldier at the front looked at the general hesitantly. His eyes revealed a bit of confusion and uneasiness, as if he had been pushed to the forefront by an invisible hand.

The swords of the vanguard hit the shields, making a harsh sound; the spears of the central army cut through the air, making a whirring sound; the bowstrings in the rear were taut and creaking, as if they would break at any time. It was a tense and murderous atmosphere, as if a war was about to break out.

"Retreat! Retreat!" Hundreds of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices filled with helplessness and anxiety, as if their throats were strangled by an invisible hand.

The candidates were shocked at first, but then they were driven forward again by the anger in their hearts. It was an indescribable bravery and determination, as if they were willing to devote their lives to this struggle.

Just when both sides were about to fight, an old voice was heard from the inn: "Stop, let them in." It was Li Banghua's voice. There was some calmness and wisdom in his voice, as if a wise man was giving advice on the way out of this turmoil.

The general looked at the soldiers around him angrily and swallowed his saliva, fearing that they would lose control. It was a deep worry and helplessness, as if he was pushed to the forefront by an invisible hand.

"It's okay, let them in." Li Banghua, wearing a bright red official robe, stood in the yard with his hands behind his back. His eyes revealed a bit of calmness and composure, as if a general could remain calm and rational when facing thousands of troops.

The examinees rushed into the posthouse before Li Banghua could finish his words. There was an indescribable anger and excitement, as if they were going to swallow up the whole world.

Amid the curses, Li Banghua just stared at a middle-aged scholar quietly: "Are you the leader?" There was a sense of majesty and courage in his voice, as if a general was interrogating a prisoner.

"So what? Kill me if you have the guts!" The middle-aged scholar straightened up, his eyes revealing a bit of determination and bravery, as if a warrior could remain calm and composed when facing death.

Li Banghua smiled: "Why are you in such a hurry? If you have something to say, just talk about it. Don't mention life and death all the time." There was a hint of teasing and ease in his voice, as if a wise man was defusing a crisis.

The middle-aged scholar was choked and said with a red face and thick neck: "I am speaking up for the students of the world, how can I not be anxious?" There was a bit of anger and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he wanted to swallow up the whole world.

"I heard that you boycotted the exam and surrounded the examination hall and the six ministries?" Li Banghua asked calmly, his eyes revealing a sense of calmness and composure, as if a general could remain calm and rational when facing thousands of troops.

"That's right. When the court dismisses you from your post, we will take the exam again." The middle-aged scholar's voice was filled with determination and excitement, as if he was willing to dedicate his life to this struggle.

"Is that all?" Li Banghua smiled, his eyes revealing a hint of teasing.

On that spring morning, the sun shone through the sparse clouds and sprinkled on the bustling streets of the capital, covering the ancient city with a golden coat. Li Banghua sat in a luxuriously decorated sedan chair, wearing official uniforms, with a sense of dignity and calmness. In front and behind the sedan chair, followed by hundreds of soldiers and students, the team was so mighty that it was like a long dragon winding towards the examination hall.

The students were excitedly discussing the upcoming exams, but they did not notice that dozens of carriages were quietly following behind them. Next to each carriage stood three or four fully armed soldiers, their eyes alert, ready to deal with emergencies at any time.

When they were only one street away from the examination hall, they were suddenly stopped. On both sides of the street, there were shops everywhere, and the bustling crowd seemed to be attracted by this sudden scene and stopped to watch.

"Your Excellency, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived." Zhang Boxing, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, whispered in Li Banghua's ear, his voice containing a hint of nervousness and awe.

Li Banghua was shocked when he heard this, and he quickly dressed and got off the sedan chair to pay respect to the crown prince Zhu Cilang. Zhu Cilang was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, with a handsome face and an extraordinary demeanor between his eyebrows, but his eyes were filled with some worry.

"Are you going to the examination hall, Lord?" Zhu Cilang's voice was gentle and powerful, but the worry in his tone was hard to conceal.

"Yes, Your Highness." Li Banghua answered respectfully. His gaze lingered on Zhu Cilang for a moment, and he thought secretly in his heart.

"Can the Lord calm this storm?" Zhu Cilang asked again, his eyes full of expectation.

Li Banghua looked at Zhu Cilang, then glanced at Ni Yuanlu beside him with dissatisfaction, and whispered: "Your Highness, it's okay if you care about me in your heart, but it's probably not appropriate for you to come here in person." His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"What the Lord means is..." Zhu Cilang looked at Li Banghua in confusion, frowning slightly.

Li Banghua sighed, his eyes passed through the bustling crowd and looked at the battlefield in the distance, with an indescribable worry in his heart. "Your Highness, have you forgotten that there is still a war on the front line?" His voice was a little heavy.

When Zhu Cilang heard this, his mind suddenly buzzed. He had actually forgotten about the battle on the front line! His heart tightened. Once the war broke out, the court had to issue military pay, weapons, food, clothing, and pensions quickly, otherwise the army's morale would be dispersed, and defeat would be troublesome. Without the help of the cabinet, he had to deal with all these himself, and now the official documents were piled up like a mountain waiting for him to look at.

"You guys stay here, I have to go back to deal with official documents." Zhu Cilang said as he was about to leave, his steps seemed a little hurried.

"Your Highness cannot leave." Li Banghua said seriously, with an unquestionable firmness in his voice.

"Why?" Zhu Cilang stopped and looked at Li Banghua in confusion.

"Your Highness's troops are needed to maintain order and protect the safety of the students." Li Banghua's voice was steady and powerful, and his eyes revealed a deep wisdom.

Zhu Cilang was in a dilemma when he heard this. If he left, he was afraid something might happen here; if he stayed, the official documents needed to be processed urgently. He thought for a while and said, "How about I leave some troops to assist the elder?" There was a bit of helplessness in his voice.

"Good!" Li Banghua's mouth curled up slightly, and he was secretly happy. He had planned to borrow the prince's military power from the beginning! The students' riots were just a superficial phenomenon. In fact, the nobles in Nanjing were behind the scenes. They didn't dare to come openly, so they forced the students to boycott the exam. The students were easy to appease, but the nobles were not easy to deal with. It was different with military power. He could arrest people and even kill people.

Seeing that Li Banghua's plan was successful, Ni Yuanlu secretly admired it. This old fox used a trick to get the military power from the prince, which was really clever! However, he did not expose it because he was also an accomplice. There was a cunning light in his eyes, as if he was enjoying a wonderful chess game.

Zhu Cilang hastily transferred 3,000 soldiers to Li Banghua, and then hurried back to the imperial city. His figure gradually faded away in the bustling crowd, leaving only a bright yellow back.

After receiving the military power, Li Banghua was like a different person, full of energy. He ordered the East Factory, Jinyiwei and the Imperial City Guards to maintain order, and he personally led his troops to the examination hall. He was full of confidence and determination, like a general about to step onto the battlefield.

Soon, they arrived outside the examination hall. There were already huge crowds of people here, including students petitioning, onlookers, officials bowing their heads, and soldiers on guard. The road was blocked. The sun shone through the clouds on them, adding a bit of solemnity and dignity to this noisy scene.

"Get out of the way! The Prime Minister and Imperial Envoy Li is here!" The soldiers in front shouted loudly, pushing the crowd aside. Their voices were loud and powerful, like thunder exploding in the crowd.

The crowd automatically parted to make way. Li Banghua's sedan passed through the crowd and arrived at the entrance of the examination room. After he got off the sedan, he glanced at the crowd in front of him, and an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.

The candidate opposite, Lu Gong, took the lead and shouted, "The tablet of Confucius is here, Li Banghua, why don't you kneel?" His voice was passionate and powerful, like a thunder exploding in the crowd.

"Kneel down!" "Kneel down!" Thousands of students roared, the sound was deafening and frightening. Their eyes were full of anger and indomitable will, like a group of eagles about to spread their wings and fly high.

Tens of thousands of eyes were staring at Li Banghua like ants. But Li Banghua was no ordinary man. He was the chief minister of the Ming cabinet and the minister of the Ministry of War, and he was also the imperial commissioner in charge of disaster relief and tax collection. He knew that he could not kneel easily. He could kneel before the tablet, but not before the students. The imperial commissioner was inspecting on behalf of the emperor, and kneeling before the students was an insult to the emperor and a loss of royal dignity. At this time, dignity was more important than life.

Li Banghua looked at Lu Gong coldly: "Tell me your name." His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"I am student Lu Gong, a candidate for the autumn examination." Lu Gong's voice was loud and firm, and there was an unyielding light in his eyes.

"What are you holding in your hand?" Li Banghua's gaze fell on the tablet in Lu Gong's hand, and his eyes revealed a profound wisdom.

"It is the tablet of the great sage Confucius!" Lü Gong answered in a loud voice. His confidence came from this tablet. Confucius was the ancestor of scholars, and one had to kneel when seeing the tablet. If one did not kneel, one would be expelled from the circle of scholars. Even the royal family had to kneel.

Li Banghua looked at the complacent Lu Gong and asked leisurely, "What do you want to do by holding up this tablet of Confucius?" There was a hint of teasing and sarcasm in his voice.

Lu Gong was stunned by the question and felt that the topic was not right. He stared at Li Banghua angrily: "Don't talk about anything else, I just want to ask you why you didn't kneel when you saw the tablet?" There was some unwillingness and anger in his voice.

"Who said I won't kneel?" Li Banghua smiled with his eyes narrowed, his smile containing a bit of cunning and confidence.

“Kneel down!”

"Yes, kneel down quickly!" "Don't dawdle, kowtow and apologize!" The students echoed one after another, their voices filled with anger and dissatisfaction.

"Okay, I'll kneel now." Li Banghua clasped his hands and raised them above his head. Everyone thought he was really going to kneel, but he suddenly turned around and walked towards a carriage. His steps were steady and powerful, like a wise man who was about to solve a mystery.

He shouted loudly: "Someone, please bring out the tablet of Confucius!" His voice was loud and powerful, like a thunder exploding in the crowd.

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a four-foot-high sandalwood tablet with glittering gold characters on it: "The Shrine of the Great Sage Confucius". The road behind and beside the accompanying carriage had been cleared. Li Banghua bowed deeply to the carriage and then knelt down: "Student Li Banghua, kowtow to the great teacher Confucius." His voice was solemn and solemn.

The entire examination room suddenly became unusually quiet, so quiet that only the sound of heartbeats could be heard. Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect Li Banghua to bring a tablet with him, and his tablet was bigger and more impressive. The sunlight shone on him through the clouds, adding a bit of sacredness and solemnity to this solemn scene.

After paying homage, Li Banghua stood up and said to Lu Gong and the other students, "This is the real throne of Confucius. Why don't you kneel down?" His voice was full of majesty and unquestionableness.

The students at the scene were dumbfounded. They looked at each other, not knowing how to respond. The officials behind reacted faster. Li Zhichun, the head of the Ministry of Rites, and Wu Lin, the secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, smiled at each other and quickly ran to the front of the carriage and knelt down: "Students kowtow to our teacher Confucius." There was a bit of solemnity in their voices, as if they were paying tribute to this great teacher. (End of this chapter)