The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 102: Imperial Examination Results
Two bowls of medicinal soup were brought out from the Lizheng Hall, one bowl for His Majesty to dispel internal heat, and the other bowl was to be sent to the East Palace for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to calm his nerves and help him sleep.

It is said that His Majesty had a big quarrel with the Crown Prince of the East Palace, and they ended up parting on bad terms.

The news spread quickly. In one hour it spread throughout the palace, and in two hours everyone in the court and the country knew about it.

After hearing the news, Chu Suiliang fell seriously ill after returning home. He called a doctor and also invited medical officers from the Imperial Medical Bureau, but it was unlikely that he would recover without three or two months of recuperation.

Li Tai sat in his own mansion. He still liked to boil tea and add some walnuts or red dates to drink it as soup.

While drinking tea and listening to the explanation of the servant beside him, Li Tai frowned and asked, "Really?"

The servant replied: "Everyone in the East Palace, including the imperial guards surrounding the East Palace at the time, knows about it."

Li Tai put the file in his hand on the table, and lost interest for a moment, and asked: "Did the Queen Mother say anything?"

"Your Highness, the Queen didn't say anything."

Li Tai sat cross-legged, supporting his chin with one hand, and sighed again.

Night falls on Chang'an City and the Eastern Palace.

Li Chengqian was having dinner while his brothers and sisters were eating with their heads down. No one said a word and even the usual smacking sounds of eating were missing.

Everyone ate very carefully, with only the occasional sound of chopsticks hitting the bowls.

Seeing that his brother had finished his meal, he stood up with his bowl and chopsticks.

The younger brothers and sisters all stopped using their chopsticks at the same time, and looked sideways at their brother as he put the bowl and chopsticks into the bucket beside him, and then left.

Wait for the emperor's figure to leave the front hall and walk towards the back hall.

Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Zhi whispered, "Royal sister, my brother is so scary today."

Li Lizhi handed him a piece of stewed pork ribs and said, "Eat yours."

"Thank you, Imperial Sister." Li Zhi picked up the ribs that his Imperial Sister gave him and lowered his head to eat.

The emperor's elder brother had a big quarrel with his father, and his younger brothers and sisters dared not say a word during dinner.

Li Shen said: "Our royal brother is so brave."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "If it were you, you would have probably knelt down."

Li Shen sighed, "I didn't know what the emperor brother meant by idol before, but now the emperor brother is my idol."

Princess Dongyang, who was standing by, was so absorbed in listening that she forgot to swallow her food for a while.

After the princes had finished their meal, Xiaofu took the palace maids from the East Palace to clean up the dishes.

At night, it started raining again, and another thunder flashed across the night sky, illuminating the night sky of the palace.

In Ganlu Palace, a thunderclap sounded in the night sky, illuminating the emperor's gloomy face.

The old eunuch beside him whispered, "Your Majesty, you can have your meal now."

Li Shimin's breathing was still heavy, and he was still out of breath after returning from the East Palace.

Seeing that His Majesty didn't speak, the old eunuch looked at the cold food on the table and sighed.

The thunderstorm lasted for an hour before it stopped.

The next day, just as the sky was getting light, Li Chengqian finished his morning run. After having lunch with General Li Ji, he prepared to go to court.

As soon as I walked out of the East Palace, I met the teacher.

Fang Xuanling stopped in front of the East Palace and asked, "I heard that the Crown Prince and His Majesty had an argument yesterday?"

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "I was young and frivolous at the time. I am sorry to have made you laugh at me, teacher."

Fang Xuanling suddenly smiled and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's youthful frivolity is really different from that of ordinary people."

"Really?" Li Chengqian raised his head and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Teacher."

Fang Xuanling shook his head and smiled bitterly without saying anything, then walked towards the Taiji Hall.

Li Chengqian followed beside his teacher, and many court officials walked in front, entering the Taiji Hall one after another.

Walking in front were the two imperial uncles, the Prince of Hejian and the Prince of Jiangxia.

Li Daozong said: "The Dali Temple should not be involved in Li Yuanchang's case."

Li Xiaogong nodded and said, "The person belongs to our Zongzheng Temple."

Li Daozong replied: "This incident happened in Chang'an, so it should be under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Prefecture. How can it be handed over to the Dali Temple?"

Li Xiaogong said: "It shouldn't have been given to the Dali Temple."

Hearing that his two uncles were still arguing about what happened half a month ago, Li Chengqian stepped into the Taiji Hall.

However, as soon as the prince walked into the Taiji Hall, there were more discussions in the hall.

Li Chengqian felt many eyes on him. They seemed to be looking at some rare animal and even commenting on it.

So it can be said that the feelings of the Tang people were simple and honest. They could attract so much concern just by not seeing each other for half a month.

The discussions of the civil and military officials in the court sounded like the endless buzzing of mosquitoes in this hall.

Li Chengqian stood in his seat with a smile on his face.

Li Ke and Li Tai were also paying attention to the smile on their brother's face. They heard that he had a big fight with their father in the East Palace yesterday, so his smile was particularly bright today.

"Brother Royal?"

"what happened?"

Li Ke smiled awkwardly and said, "I thought my brother wouldn't come to the morning court today."

Li Chengqian lifted his collar and raised his head, saying, "My house arrest has been lifted, so I will naturally come to court."

Li Tai said quickly: "Brother, please don't be so disrespectful to father again in the future."

Li Chengqian nodded, "Qingque is right, you two should not follow my example."

Li Tai wanted to say something else, but stopped himself and could only shake his head and sigh.

Following the eunuch's loud shout, the emperor came to court.

Li Shimin sat on the throne and today's morning court session began.

Today's morning court was a little special as it was the day when the imperial examination results were announced. Fang Xuanling stood out of the court with a list in his hand and read out the names of those who had passed the imperial examination.

Among them, five Jinshi were selected in this imperial examination, and the top one was a young man named Xu Yushi.

Xu Yushi's father was Xu Shao, a native of Hebei. At that time, Xu Shao served as the governor of Yiling. He brought several states in Hubei to submit to the Tang Dynasty and was named Duke of Qiao.

And now, his youngest son Xu Yushi passed the imperial examination and ranked first on the list of Jinshi.

As for other names, Li Chengqian was not familiar with any of them.

After the imperial examination list was circulated, Li Chengqian saw that Li Yifu, whom he had noticed since the beginning of the preparations for the imperial examination, and Pei Xingjian had merely passed the exam.

There were only eight sons of noble families admitted to the imperial examination this time, and a total of sixty-seven people including Jinshi and first place.

The court was short of people, so even though there were only five Jinshi, there were more than sixty people who passed the exam. In other words, in order to select talents, the court relaxed the requirements as much as possible this time.

There were only eight children from aristocratic families who were recruited. After Li Chengqian looked through the list, he handed it to Li Ke and Li Tai who were standing aside.

Inside the Taiji Hall, all the civil and military officials in the court were circulating the list of successful candidates in the imperial examination.

Li Shimin nodded and looked at everyone, waiting for someone to raise objections.

There were a total of 1,300 people participating in this imperial examination, and 67 people were admitted. Compared with previous years, this imperial examination was much more relaxed.

This is also because there are really not enough officials in the Tang Dynasty, and the court needs to supplement officials, so the standards must be relaxed.

Fang Xuanling said in a clear voice: "If you have no objection, let's announce the results now." Everyone in the hall was still discussing, but no one raised any objections because this time the imperial examination used the anonymous system.

This was the first attempt of the Tang Dynasty to evaluate the talent and learning instead of the family background of the candidates in the imperial examination.

When the discussion in the hall stopped, Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Pass the order, the imperial examination results will be announced!"

The eunuch shouted: "The imperial examination results are announced!"

Next, the morning court entered into the formal process, with each department reporting on matters as usual.

Yu Zhining stepped out of the court and said, "Your Majesty, Minister Chu is seriously ill and unable to handle government affairs. I ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to continue to supervise the allocation of money and grain in the court."

All the ministers in the palace lowered their heads. No one looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and no one dared to look at His Majesty.

Both the civil and military officials heard that His Majesty and the Crown Prince had a big quarrel in the East Palace yesterday, most likely because of this matter.

No matter how courageous His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is, he would not dare to argue with Your Majesty in Taiji Hall in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, right?
The emperor's deep voice came, "Since the Crown Prince's house arrest has been lifted, he will still supervise the court's expenses."

Fang Xuanling stood up from the court and said, "I will do my best to teach His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please be at ease, Your Majesty."

Seeing that His Majesty finally nodded, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing that the father and son of the Tang Dynasty were in harmony and the government was stable.

When no one had any more important matters to report, the emperor stood up and said he would adjourn the court. After all the civil and military officials paid their respects, everyone watched the emperor leave.

The court officials left the Taiji Hall in twos and threes.

Li Chengqian walked towards the East Palace with his hands in his pockets, planning to go to the Secretariat after lunch.

Yu Zhining said quickly: "Your Highness, let's go to the Secretariat first."

"No hurry!" Another person's voice came from behind. It was Prince of Hejian Li Xiaogong and Prince of Jiangxia Li Daozon.

The two of them walked together, obviously intending to eat for free.

Li Xiaogong said: "I can't even remember the last time I had dinner with him in the East Palace."

Li Chengqian comforted Yu Zhining and said, "Let's go to the East Palace to have dinner first. It won't be too late to go later. Let's eat together."

Yu Zhining nodded and said, "Okay, but Your Highness, please finish your meal and go take care of the expenses."

Prime Minister Fang and his uncle did not come towards the Eastern Palace. Li Chengqian looked back and saw that the two of them were led to the Wude Hall by eunuchs.

Most likely, there are important matters to discuss, and as the crown prince, he is still far away from the core of the court.

Fang Xianghui will teach carefully, and his uncle will help the Eastern Palace whenever he can.

But once it comes to the secrets of the emperor's most powerful center, these two people keep silent.

I will say what I should say, and I will never say what I shouldn’t say.

After all, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace did not sit in the position of Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty.

Or maybe this time, after the imperial examination results are announced, the emperor will still pay attention to the reactions of the aristocratic families?

In the final analysis, emperors come and go but the aristocratic family remains. This aristocratic family has deep roots. They are like plastic bags buried in the ground, lasting forever.

For this reason, my father stood against the aristocratic families from the beginning of his reign when he wanted to implement the imperial examination system.

Of course, from the perspective of family, country and society, as the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, he must not only develop comprehensively in moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic aspects.

And you have to do the right thing at the right time.

If the emperor is unwilling to wield the butcher knife against the aristocratic families.

What else can a prince do?
I can only try my best.

The Eastern Palace had already prepared lunch. Summer was about to arrive, and the diet in the Eastern Palace had become much lighter recently.

In the Chongwen Hall, Li Yuan still loved tea eggs as always.

Li Xiaogong and Li Daozon were eating noodles, and after just a few bites they were sweating profusely.

While eating, Li Chengqian listened to Yu Zhining talking about the current expenditure situation in the court. Because Chu Suiliang first gave the money to the Ministry of Personnel, and then sent 10,000 strings of money to the Hexi Corridor, the Ministry of Works was short of money, and the Ministry of Rites missed the Grain Rain Festival.

Li Xiaogong asked, "How is your health lately?"

Li Yuan said: "After I quit drinking, I can sleep well. You should also quit drinking."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Uncle, when you have time, go see Divine Doctor Sun to check on your health."

Li Dao Zong said: "Brother, you should definitely go and take a look."

After listening to every word of persuasion, Li Xiaogong left after eating his fill.

Li Chengqian followed Yu Zhining and left the Eastern Palace and went to the Secretariat.

It was still busy here. As soon as the prince sat down, memorials from various departments in the court requiring the allocation of money and grain were piled up in front of him.

Different from Chu Suiliang's way of doing things, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince first sorted out the memorials in front of him and then began to sort out the accounts.

This is the prince's habit, everything must be neat and orderly.

Then he took out an abacus and began to arrange the expenses of the court.

People were coming and going in the Secretariat, and Li Chengqian was pounding on the abacus in his hand, concentrating on handling the accounts.

After the Crown Prince approved the request, memorials regarding the allocation of money and grain were released one after another, and all the departments in the court felt relieved.

The abacus is a very magical object. There are only two abacus in the court, one in the hands of Princess Changle Li Lizhi, and the other in the hands of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

From noon till dusk, there was a long queue outside the Secretariat.

Yu Zhining walked to the front of the Zhongshu Province with a memorial and said loudly: "The Censorate!"

Immediately, an official from the Censorate came forward. He took the memorial, thanked him, and left in a hurry.

Yu Zhining came out again and said loudly: "Taichang Temple."

After saying this, the officials of the Taichang Temple breathed a sigh of relief and expressed their gratitude repeatedly while holding the memorial.

Yu Zhining walked back to the Secretariat, and hurried out again, holding up the memorial and saying, "The Ministry of Personnel!"

Seeing the sun setting in the west, there were still many people waiting in front of the Zhongshu Province. Yu Zhining walked to the Zhongshu Province again and said to everyone: "It is getting late today. Please come back early tomorrow morning. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will sort it out overnight. Please go back."

The officials from various departments who were waiting at the door then left in twos and threes.

In the Secretariat, there was an oil lamp in front of Li Chengqian and a long roll of accounts spread out.

Yu Zhining looked at the sixteen-year-old Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. His expression was focused and his eyes moved up and down the accounts.

He looks focused and persistent, and seems very motivated.

After all, the prince was only sixteen years old, so the expenses of the court fell on his shoulders.

Li Chengqian said, "Yu Zhanshi, it's getting late, you should go back too."

Yu Zhining bowed and said, "Your Highness, please go to bed early."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "I understand."

This meant that Zhining also left the Secretariat, leaving the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace as the only one left.

Not long after, two small figures came quickly over. They looked left and right and confirmed that there was no one here.

Li Lizhi walked into the dark Secretariat carrying a food box. Only an oil lamp was lit, illuminating a table and her brother's face.

"Dongyang, hurry!"

Hearing this, Princess Dongyang nodded and walked into this central area of ​​the court timidly.

Li Lizhi walked up to her brother, put down the food box, and said, "Xiaofu made sauerkraut noodles today."

Li Chengqian put down the pen in his hand, took the bowl and chopsticks, and started to eat with relish.

(End of this chapter)