I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 624 A Family of Bastards
Caijia Pozi Restaurant, located in Hulu Lane in the south of Changsha, is a bit simple and is a favorite place for porters and some poor scholars.

There are actually two private rooms at the innermost part, but the soundproofing is a bit poor. The bustling sounds in the hall are like an autumn breeze, blowing in.

"Eight horses!"

"The top five!"

The drinking orders of the porters are so plain and simple, without any rhyme or elegance, just for the purpose of creating fun.

Amid the noisy sound of finger-guessing games, the smell of alcohol from every mouth gradually filled the hall and blew in through the thick and thin gaps with the wind.

Three young scholars were sitting in one of the private rooms.

"Brother Qinglian, why did you choose this place!" complained a fair-skinned scholar in his twenties.

"Brother Wenjian, do you still want to go to Yunfeng Tower?" Brother Qinglian was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with an ordinary appearance, but a pair of particularly bright eyes. His slender fingers flexibly held the chopsticks and picked out the edamame from the dish to eat.

"Don't eat all the edamame. If you can't go to Yunfeng Tower, you should go to Baihua Tower and Kuixing Tower." Brother Wen Jian said with bulging eyes.

“We can’t go. We can’t go to any of the three restaurants in Changsha City. We can’t even go to the slightly famous De Le Lou and Guang Yue Lou.

The place was full of people from Shigu Academy and Yuelu Academy. There were teachers and students, students under their tutelage, local gentry who had passed the imperial examinations, and famous scholars who taught there. What were we going to do there? We would be asking for trouble.

Li Xiaogui, the son of Li Laogui, is very popular and jumps around. He can be seen in every restaurant. If we meet him, we will fight on the spot.

They are powerful, hide, hide first."

Brother Wen Jian curled his lips and said, "This Li Lang has already regarded passing the provincial examination as a sure thing, so he is so arrogant and complacent."

"Of course he is proud of having a good father. It is said that among the two chief examiners and three co-examiners sent by the Ministry of Rites this time, one is Li Shan's former official, and they have a special relationship."

"I heard that the Censorate sent four invigilators this time. One of them was Li Shan's mentor, and he had already said before he arrived in Changsha that he would keep a close eye on Li Lang."

"Maybe they are just acting. It has been a principle since ancient times that officials protect each other."

The two chatted for a while, and couldn't help but look at the third scholar: "Brother Dian En, why don't you say a word?"

"The provincial examination will be held in ten days or so, why aren't you in a hurry at all?"

"What's there to worry about?" Brother Qinglian laughed.

"This provincial examination is the first of the new examination system, and also the first time Hunan has become a province. The new rules have been changed, and the test items have also changed greatly. Aren't you anxious?"

"Anxious? Can you pass the exam if you're anxious? The new exam rules were issued at the beginning of the year. It's been more than half a year. You should have learned them thoroughly by now. There's no point in being anxious now."

Brother Dian En sighed, "Why change it? In the past, the first exam had four questions on the meaning of the classics and three questions on the meaning of the Four Books. Now, there are three questions on the meaning of the classics and two questions on mathematics.

In the past, the second exam consisted of one essay, five judgments, one imperial edict, one imperial decree, and one memorial. Now, the exam consists of one policy essay, one official document, one proclamation, and one practical application question.

Previously, the third exam had five questions on classics, history and current affairs, but now it has one question on historical policy and one question on case analysis. It’s all messed up.”

Brother Qinglian laughed, "If you think the questions are not well-posed, you don't have to refer to them. The emperor is ambitious and has great talents, so he won't indulge those sour scholars."

Brother Wen Jian said, "I heard that when the new examination method was issued, there was a lot of criticism from both the government and the public. In Hunan, Yuelu Academy and Shigu Academy were the most vocal.

Some went to the Confucian Temple to cry, some wrote protest letters, and some signed petitions. But once the Nanwei fraud case and the Fuxing Society conspiracy case came to light, the voices immediately disappeared.”

Brother Qinglian chuckled, "Nearly half of the scholars in Jiangnan, who were the most opposed, were swept up by the three major cases. The court was clearly making a warning, and the others either kept silent or immediately agreed to the new examination system.

The most prosperous literary talent in the world is nowhere better than in Jiangnan. If they are like this, what can we Hunan barbarians do?
This is a good test. Originally, they were supposed to separate politics and law, but this time they'll be tested together and separated next time."

Brother Wen Jian shook his head and said, “The new examination system has changed the examination content, which is indeed a headache.

However, the qualifications for the provincial examination have been relaxed now. All students from across the province can take part in it, and the examination will be held once a year.

In the past, the quota for the provincial examinations in Huguang was 90. I thought that after the division of provinces, Hunan would get 30 to 40. Unexpectedly, it was directly given to 60 Class A, 367 Class B, and 479 Class C. "

"It's different!" Brother Dian En immediately retorted, "After the provincial examination, there will be one examination every year, but there will be two more. In the future, only students under the age of 25 will be allowed to participate. I am already 24 years old. If I fail this year, I will have to take the exam twice next year and the year after next, and then I will have no chance."

"My brother Dian En, you are full of talent. There are so many places available each year. Are you still afraid that you won't be able to pass the exam?"

Brother Dian En said pessimistically: "Only the sixty people in Class A can actually participate in the examination.

The remaining 367 Class B officials simply stayed in the province to work as clerks.

The 479 people in the C-level cannot become officials yet, but are only admitted to the Imperial Colleges in the north and south and various colleges. "

Brother Qinglian said, "That's enough. Didn't Mr. Fengwu write to you and say that it would be easier to take the imperial examination after studying in the Imperial Colleges of the North and South and the various colleges. Even if you fail the imperial examination, it is easy to enter the official career through supplementary admission."

Brother Wen Jian echoed: "How many students are there in Hunan Province? We have held the examination for three consecutive years. In addition to the A level, there are 700 to 800 admissions for the B and C levels every year.

Students who are around 25 years old or older are basically all admitted, as long as they are not as pedantic as a rock. What are you worried about? "

Brother Qinglian continued, "To be honest, in this provincial examination, our Yehou Academy has gained a great advantage.

Two years ago, the headmaster received a letter from Mr. Fengwu and started to offer subjects such as mathematics, current affairs, historical essays and case analysis at an early stage. He also invited teachers from the Imperial College and Southeast Public School to teach.

Although Yuelu Academy and Shigu Academy are in a state of jubilation, they are actually feeling insecure. Just wait and see, this time, our Yehou Academy will definitely leave them behind. "

"Haha, well said! It's worthy of the fact that Yehou Academy, which values ​​economics and saving the world, has cultivated such a great talent as Pan Shaoyin."

A sudden sound came from the window next door, startling the three of them.

Brother Qinglian's face changed, and he asked sternly, "Who is sneaking around?"

Ren Boan and Liu Huan came in from the side door, glanced at the three people's faces, and their sharp eyes made the three people feel a chill in their hearts.

"Yang Yan, courtesy name Zi'en, was from Anren County, Hengzhou Prefecture. Luo Sheng, courtesy name Wenjian, was from Liling, Changsha Prefecture."

Liu Huan mentioned the name.

"Qiu Qizhuo, also known by his courtesy name Qinglian, is from Xiangxiang, Changsha Prefecture. The three of you are all students at Yehou Academy. Qiu Qizhuo, your father was a good friend of Pan Shaoyin's father, and was also Pan Shaoyin's first teacher."

Qiu Qizhuo's eyes were like swords, and his face seemed to be smiling. "You two know our details so well, you must be extraordinary people. Please enlighten me."

"I am Ren Boan, the officer of the Hunan Dispatching Bureau of the Jinyiwei Zhenfu Division, and this is Liu Huan, the chief of the Investigation Section of the Dispatching Bureau."

Yang Yan's face was pale and his legs were shaking with fear.

Luo Sheng had an unsightly expression, pursed his lips, and stared at Ren Boan intently.

Qiu Qizhuo's face remained normal, with a smile on his face. "The Jinyiwei of the Wanli Dynasty is not the Jinyiwei of the past. They are doing public duties that benefit the country and the people. Brothers, there is no need to panic."

Liu Huan smiled broadly, "You, my dear, are really good at talking."

Ren Boan also smiled, "You are indeed the heroes of Yehou Academy. I am glad to have found you three this time, and I have something to ask of you."

"What's the matter?" Qiu Qinzhuo asked.

"Li Lang!"

Qiu Qizhuo's eyes flickered but he remained silent.

Luo Sheng said puzzledly: "Li Lang is just a scholar. Even if his father is the former Minister of Works of Nanjing, it would be easy for the Jinyiwei to arrest him."

Ren Boan smiled and shook his head.

Qiu Qizhuo shook his head: "Xiang Zhuang's sword dance is aimed at Pei Gong, and the Jinyiwei wants to deal with the old ghost Li Shan. Li Lang is just a brick that breaks the door. It's a piece of cake to catch him, but we can't let Li Shan get suspicious. Ren Dushi, is this the case?"

"clever!"

"So what do we need to do?"

When Ren Boan told him the plan, Qiu Qizhuo thought about it and shook his head: "It is my duty to deal with Li Lang. But if this matter gets out of hand and he goes to jail, I will have to follow him.

The provincial examination will be held in ten days or so. If I go in, it won’t be worth it to miss it.”

Ren Boan laughed, "If you guys fight, the police department will arrest you. We will arrest everyone and we will decide who fights.

We will make up some names and say they had a fight with Li Lang and then fled. You guys can do whatever you need to do. "

"A word is settled!"

"Brother Qiu, you have a say in Pan Shaoyin. Others may not know what kind of person Pan Shaoyin is, but I know it in my heart. Framing you is equivalent to offending Pan Shaoyin. I am not so stupid as to ruin my own future."

Qiu Qizhuo chuckled, "Ren Du is quite frank! Okay, we will take the lead in this matter.

Not long after Li Lang enrolled in Shigu Academy, he went to Hengshan for a trip. He was talking rudely at the gate of Yehou Academy and I pinned him to the ground and beat him up.

This hatred was established. From now on, whenever this guy sees me, he will immediately turn into a mad dog."

"Haha, mad dogs are great, I specialize in beating mad dogs!"

Li Lang "followed his father's orders" to socialize with famous scholars from Yuelu Academy and Shigu Academy for a whole day. The next day, he finally had time to gather with a group of friends in the private room on the fourth floor of Baihua Tower and have a great time.

Encouraged by everyone, he stood up from his seat, fan in hand, and stood beside the singer.

"My dear, let's sing a duet."

"I am so lucky."

The singing girl bowed, her eyes were charming, she flicked her sleeves, and sang in a beautiful voice: "I just reported the money, and all the money has been spent. The fake scholar in formal attire, the flowery and flowery things, there is also a hundred thousand to spend. I have waited for years, and now I am short of money to support myself."

Li Lang turned the folding fan in his hand and began to sing: "In the land of flowers and wine, you can enjoy everything as you like. In the halls of orchids and paintings, there are music and singing every night.

Don't talk about the Five Tripods, don't talk about the Three Dukes, just enjoy the lotus brocade curtains and the powder and red makeup. How can the Jianghu know the busyness of the imperial court? The dancing girls play with colorful clothes and drink from golden cups. Three pieces and two lies, it is really a paradise on earth. "

Everyone cheered in unison.

"Mr. Li sings well!"

"He is indeed the most talented and romantic person in Hunan!"

When everyone's voices slowed down, a loud shout was heard from the next door, "Fuck, who is screaming like that? What the hell is that? It's worse than my dog ​​barking."

The private room suddenly became extremely silent. Li Lang's face turned red, then black, and then blue.

No one in Changsha dares to say this about themselves!
Today I must let him know that the Horse King has three eyes!

The hanger-on sitting next to him saw Li Lang's face change, and he slammed the table and shouted: "Where did you come from, you bastard, to dare to humiliate our Fourth Master Li?"

"What is Mr. Li Si? A new breed of dog from the West?"

The door was pushed open, and Qiu Qizhuo walked in with seven or eight scholars, among whom was Luo Sheng, and the rest were disguised as guards from the Pacification Division.

As soon as Li Lang saw Qiu Qizhuo, his eyes instantly turned red, and his whole body was burning with fire, burning him so hard that he couldn't breathe. The countless resentments in his heart exploded instantly, blowing his rationality to pieces.

"I'm going to kill your mother!" Li Lang roared and rushed forward. The hangers-on behind him did not dare to be negligent and rushed forward as well.

Suddenly, the private room was filled with the sound of ping-pong, and from time to time, bowls and dishes flew out of the window and landed on the street, scaring passers-by so much that they avoided them from a distance, jumping up and down and cursing.

"Chop off your head!"

"You pig, watch this!"

The bandits were very good at fighting, and the fight was very fierce and lively, but in fact, only the dishes, chopsticks, tables and chairs were damaged. The singer, the musician and the weak scholar who came with Li Lang hid in the corner, trembling.

After a few minutes, a group of police officers rushed in. The people hiding in the corner burst into tears, saying, "You're finally here."

The leading police officer saw people lying all over the ground, including the guard who had just lay down after hearing the noise. They exchanged glances, and the police officer spoke righteously and waved his hand.

"Take them all away!"

Three days later, Li Shan, who had been busy socializing with scholars and officials, finally had time to sit down in the study in his mansion.

The list of successful candidates in the provincial examinations in previous years had been drawn up long ago, but the cheating case in the southern examinations scared many people.

What are you afraid of!
When a new emperor ascends the throne, he always has to do something new, with new trends and atmosphere!
Those people in Jiangnan were unlucky this time. They were found out and ran into the emperor's knife, becoming an example to them.

However, once the storm passes, the matter will be over. Isn't this how the country has lived through two hundred years with so many emperors?
Could it be that the emperor wants to wipe out all Confucianism?
Haha, if he dares to do that, all the scholars in the world will rise up against him, and he will not be able to sit firmly on the throne!

This time, the chief examiner, co-examiners, and invigilators moved into the Imperial Examination Hall early, and the guards blocked the hall tightly.

Pretend to be impartial!
As for this exam, some treacherous officials made random changes to the system, making it a complete mess, which is really infuriating!

He has already discussed it with the gentry in Sanxiang, and has also made arrangements with the mainstays of Hunan and Xiang's famous education, Yuelu Academy and Shigu Academy. When the time comes, he will teach the imperial court a lesson and teach Wang Yuying a lesson!
There are only seven days left before a shocking event.

I, Li, must let the scholars of the world see that I, the scholars of Hunan, am willing to stand up for the orthodox teachings of Neo-Confucianism!

Li Shan's heart was pounding and she suddenly felt like she was twenty years younger. A warm current surged from the base of her tail.

The glory is restored!

He lifted his clothes and walked to the backyard.

"Is the Sixth Madam in the room?"

The steward quickly replied, "Master, the Sixth Madam is in the backyard."

Li Shan's mind immediately emerged with the Sixth Madam's smooth and graceful figure, which made her heart surge even faster and her steps quicker.

The steward followed behind him in small steps: "Master, the fourth young master hasn't come back for several days."

"He is outside doing some work for me." Li Shan replied impatiently.

It is common for Li Lang not to go home for several days.

"Master, there are rumors in the city that the fourth young master..."

Li Shan had already rushed into the backyard like a wild dog that had broken free from its leash.

The steward was stopped by the strong woman at the backyard door, with half of the words in his mouth, and only saw Li Shan's back disappear into the backyard corridor.

In Qiaokou Town, Xiangyin County, in the Guard Army camp, Li Lang was locked in a room. Ren Boan looked at him and asked with a sneer, "Li Lang, you are really capable.

She contracted a dirty disease in a brothel in Wuchang and had to go see a doctor secretly.

The Rumor Newspaper loves to report the dirty things that happen behind the walls of a large compound, and is willing to pay a high price for the news. Hehe, this official can make a small fortune."

Li Lang's face turned pale.

(End of this chapter)