After traveling through time, I took command and led the troops to conquer the mountains and rivers.

Chapter 394 Favoritism and Malpractice
"If you have something to report, please report it. If not, please leave the court."

As Hong Deshun sang, the ministers in the Golden Palace prepared to leave in an orderly manner.

"Minister, I have something to report!"

Everyone steadied themselves and looked towards the center of the hall.

It was Ding Yuanshan, a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy.

"What's the matter?"

Li Guoli raised his eyelids and glanced at Ding Yuanshan, suddenly feeling impatient.

Not only Li Guoli disliked this person, but everyone else was also troubled by him.

In the imperial examinations over the years, various factions wanted to use this opportunity to place their own people.

Emperor Li Guoli was no exception.

Although this matter is not in compliance with the law, it is in line with human nature.

But some of them are not presentable.

Ding Yuanshan was the examiner of the last autumn imperial examination. Not only was his management strict, but even the emperor's people were not allowed to get in.

But the emperor couldn't say much, after all, it was someone else's duty.

This time, Ding Yuanshan's report was probably about something that did not need to be discussed openly.

"Your Majesty, the examination papers have been graded and the results are out."

This was beyond everyone's expectations.

In the past, the examination papers would not be graded until at least mid-November, but this time the progress was nearly a month faster.

Li Guoli was a little surprised, "Oh, so fast?"

The emperor's words affirmed the work of the Hanlin Academy.

Ding Yuanshan was very pleased with himself.

"This is all thanks to the efforts of the Imperial Academy and other departments. The emperor is so gracious and God blesses the Great Zhou."

“The talent this time is outstanding!”

A look of worry emerged on Li Guoli's face. If he was really outstanding, he would not have mentioned this matter in the hall.

"How do you stand out?"

Ding Yuanshan took out a list from his chest and presented it to Hong Deshun.

Li Guoli took the list and looked at it carefully.

Ding Yuanshan glanced at the ministers behind him and spoke loudly.

"The candidates this time are very talented in writing, and judging from their household registration, they all come from the Bashu and Jiangnan areas!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Bashu was Li Yanzhao's fiefdom, and Jiangnan was adjacent to Bashu.

If Li Yanzhao had any intention, it would not be a new thing for him to bring Jiangnan under his command.

Jiangnan is an important area for salt taxation, and the tragic massacre of Cao Jinyu’s family is still fresh in people’s minds.

Li Guoli put down the list and threw it on the table.

"Ding Yuanshan, you are the chief examiner this time. Can you tell me what is going on?"

Favoritism and corruption are serious crimes.

Ding Yuanshan's move was undoubtedly a blow to his own life.

He said calmly.

"Your Majesty, there is no problem with the marking of the examination papers."

The chief examiner and other examiners were gathered together from three days before entering the examination room until the examination papers were completed.

Moreover, every move was monitored by someone, so there was no chance to do anything.

"So what do you think is the problem?"

"Your Majesty, I dare to guess that the problem lies in the test questions!"

As soon as Ding Yuanshan finished speaking, the Minister of Finance Ishihara Mamoru stepped out.

"That's nonsense. The test questions were jointly participated by all the people in the Ministry of Revenue and decided by the emperor. How could there be any problems?"

"You'll have to ask Minister Shi about this!" Ding Yuanshan remained calm and unhurried.

Ishihara Mamoru shook his sleeves and said, "How ridiculous! What should I know?"

"I didn't set the test questions myself. I just reviewed them and handed them over to the emperor for his decision. Don't try to put the blame on me!"

"So, you admitted it?"

Ding Yuanshan continued.

"What did I admit?"

Ishihara Mamoru was a little confused. "Master Ding, you also said that most of these students are from the south." "Why would I leak the test questions to them?"

Ishihara Mamoru's daughter, Ishi Molan, was the prince's concubine. Who doesn't know about what happened between her and the prince in a side hall in the imperial garden?
Although it has been abandoned now, scientific research was still very popular back then.

Ishihara Mamoru had no reason to give Li Yanzhao any favors.

Ding Yuanshan was a well-known stubborn person. He received news that someone was going to report to the emperor that there was favoritism and fraud in the imperial examination.

As the chief examiner, he cannot be held responsible for this matter. Anyway, he did not do anything wrong.

He decided to go all out and expose the matter.

"Ding Yuanshan, according to what you said, the fact that the imperial examination was corrupt and abused for personal gain is a foregone conclusion?"

Ding Yuanshan bowed and saluted, "Your Majesty, I have confirmed it. I hope Your Majesty will understand it!"

"Come here, arrest Ding Yuanshan, Ishihara Mamoru, and all the people from the Hanlin Academy who participated in the examination!"

"Let the Ministry of Justice investigate this matter!"

Li Guoli stood up, swung his sleeves, and said, "Dismiss!"

"Your Majesty, I am wronged!"

No one cares about Ishihara Mamoru's cries of injustice anymore.

As soon as Liu Zhonghuan reached the door, he was stopped by Li Yanqing.

"Your Highness the Wise King!"

Liu Zhonghuan bowed and saluted.

Li Yanqing nodded and smiled, refreshing like a spring breeze.

"Master, how are you? How are you these days?"

Liu Zhonghuan's expression changed slightly, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

The two of them had no interaction on weekdays, and Liu Zhonghuan was very surprised.

Li Yanqing glanced at the scattered ministers and deepened the smile on his face.

"I heard that the Grand Master did not participate in the examination for various reasons. Do you have any regrets?"

Liu Zhonghuan looked indifferent, "A blessing in disguise. If you force anything, it will backfire."

The smile on Li Yanqing's face froze slightly, and then it was as if nothing had happened.

"Master is right!"

"What do you think of today's incident, Master?"

Liu Zhonghuan remained respectful, "I did not participate in the imperial examination, so I have no right to judge right and wrong!"

Li Yanqing looked deep in the eyes and approached Liu Zhonghuan.

"Taifu, what you said is wrong. If the disaster today happened to you, would you still be able to stand by and watch?"

"They today will be you in the future, or even your students!"

Liu Zhonghuan shook his head and said, "Your Highness, my duty now is to teach His Royal Highness the Crown Prince well. I don't have any other thoughts."

"Are you so sure that the prince can succeed to the throne?"

"Aren't you afraid that you might make a wrong bet?"

Li Yanqing approached Liu Zhonghuan step by step, "Master, do you really want to put all your hopes on the Crown Prince?"

Facing the pressure from Li Yanqing, Liu Zhonghuan raised his head, "Your Majesty!"

"I have said before that my duty is to teach His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"As for the succession you mentioned, that is something that those in power have to worry about."

"Zhonghuan has a small heart and can only do his duty!"

"Duties?"

Li Yanqing's tone was mixed with violence as he pressed towards Liu Zhonghuan.

"Master, please don't be ungrateful!"

Li Yanqing felt like he wanted to cut the person in front of him into pieces, only then could he relieve his hatred for the ungratefulness!

Liu Zhonghuan also refused to give in, "Your Highness, please respect yourself!"

After saying this, he bowed to Li Yanqing and took his leave.

After Liu Zhonghuan left, the guards behind Li Yanqing looked vicious, "My Lord, are you going to kill him?"

Li Yanqing shook his head, "Now is not the time."

"When I am free, I will make you wish you were dead!"

The issue of favoritism and fraud in the imperial examinations was a hot topic, and people in the streets and alleys were talking about it.

Even so, Li Yansheng still felt that the impact of this matter was not enough!