On the Avenue.

Chapter 293: No Compromise (asking for monthly tickets at the end of the month)
That night, the results of the battle between Chen Shi and Chen Tang and his son were compiled into a document and immediately sent to the desks of senior officials from major forces such as the Cabinet, the East Factory, the Five Armies, Shenshu, and Shenji.

The battle between Chen Shi and Chen Tang is already very touching.

Chen Shi’s strength is difficult to assess, but we can estimate it based on this battle.

Former Prime Minister Yan Xianzhi also received a copy of the information. He quickly read through it with a serious expression.

"Chen Shi's strength is improving too fast. If he continues like this, it will be difficult for you to win."

He frowned slightly. Chen Shi was in the Nascent Soul stage, and Chen Tang used his strength in the Spirit Transformation stage to fight Chen Shi. The fighting power of both sides was evenly matched.

However, although Chen Tang used the cultivation of the Spirit Transformation Realm, his vision and knowledge were far beyond that of the Spirit Transformation Realm, and his strength could not be measured by that of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

"The Nascent Soul Realm versus the Divine Transformation Realm Chen Tang should not be underestimated."

Yan Xianzhi closed the file and couldn't help recalling the time when Chen Tang went to Beijing to take part in the metropolitan and palace examinations.

At that time, Chen Yindu was not yet the butcher of Xijing, and was busy searching for the truth about the decline of the True King era. Chen Tang left his hometown and came to Xijing to participate in the imperial examination, which amazed Xijing.

"In every imperial examination, there must be thirteen people from thirteen aristocratic families who take the first thirteen places in the imperial examination. As for the number one scholar, it is nothing more than Yan, Xia, Zhang, or Li, and it rotates from time to time. Only that time, Chen Tang tied with thirteen young masters from thirteen aristocratic families in the martial arts test of the imperial examination."

He had a strange look on his face. At that time, all the people who had fought against Chen Tang were equally matched with him, with no clear winner or loser.

It is not difficult to be on par with one person, but it is difficult to be on par with everyone!

At that time, some people said that Chen Tang had accommodated the young masters of the Thirteen Families.

Many of these young masters have already become high-ranking officials in the imperial court.

The one with the highest status among them is Fei Zhong of the Fei family. He is now one of the thirteen ministers of the cabinet. He holds a high position and is the mouthpiece of this ancient family in Xijing.

Fei Zhong was also a strong contender for the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

Chen Tang indulged him back then.

But Yan Xianzhi knew that among the thirteen people, one was the future patriarch of the family. This person was Yan Hanqing, the current patriarch of the Yan family.

Yan Hanqing just turned fifty this year. In the imperial examination fifteen years ago, he tied with Chen Tang.

At that time, Chen Tang was a scholar from the countryside. He took a few fellow candidates from Xinxiang to participate in the imperial examination. He was a man of measure and knew how to advance and retreat, so he ranked 14th. The essay he wrote during the imperial examination was widely circulated at the time, and paper was expensive in Xijing. The gorgeousness of his writing was breathtaking.

"The foundation of an aristocratic family is far beyond the reach of others. The higher the realm, the greater the gap. After all, Chen Tang is not from an aristocratic family. How big is the gap between him and Master Fei? How big is the gap between him and the sect master?"

Yan Xianzhi whispered, "Chen Shi is at the Nascent Soul stage and tied with him at the Spiritual Transformation stage. Can he match the young master?"

He looked out the window. The Thirteen Families had been constrained for a long time. Only by taking advantage of the changes in the True God from outer space and supporting the True King could they accumulate strength to fight against him.

And will Chen Shi be the stumbling block to this drastic change?
"The children of the thirteen noble families who were sent to Xijing to take part in the imperial examination have disappeared. This must be related to Chen Shi. He is too lawless."

He looked at the full moon in the sky and whispered, "Family Thirteen, it's time to give Chen Tang a lesson and let him discipline his son."

At three o'clock in the morning, Chen Tang left the Chen Mansion as usual and walked towards the Meridian Gate.

The streets in the inner city were empty, with no one on the street. When we arrived at the Meridian Gate, many officials had already arrived.

The morning court sessions were nothing more than the usual routine, reviewing memorials from various places, disaster relief, and demonic changes. Then the officials would attack and quarrel with each other. Finally, the chief minister of the cabinet would speak, reprimand the civil and military officials, and announce the adjournment of the court.

This kind of thing has long been monotonous, but civil and military officials never get tired of it and come up with many new ideas every day.

Under the Meridian Gate, many senior officials were chatting and laughing, waiting to go to court. They gathered in groups of three or five, discussing state affairs.

Chen Tang did not participate. Apart from explaining his own duties in the court, he rarely participated in other matters.

The court also knew his character and therefore rarely disturbed him.

The cabinet has clearly divided who are the officials who do practical work, who can be moved, and who cannot be moved.

Taking down an official like Chen Tang would be like stabbing a knife into the aorta of the Ming Dynasty; it would only cause blood to spurt out and the body to cool down faster.

But with a temper like Chen Tang's, not many officials were willing to get close to him.

This person is too stubborn. He can talk endlessly about business matters, but he becomes silent when discussing personal matters or chatting about personal relationships.

"Master Chen! Excuse me for a moment."

Chen Tang looked at the visitor and bowed, "Master Xia, what advice do you have?"

Xia Canghai smiled and asked him to come to the side of the Meridian Gate. He said with a smile: "Master Chen, I think you have noticed the change in the weather. Now the night has come four quarters earlier. The weather has become abnormal in various places. There are many disaster victims, and the evil spirits have become unusually active."

Chen Tang nodded slightly and said, "This time I will speak about this matter in the court and ask the court to reduce taxes this year."

"We can discuss tax cuts later."

Xia Canghai said seriously, "I have another important matter to discuss with you. In this imperial examination, tell your son Chen Shi not to compete for the top spot. This top spot belongs to the young master, and even if he competes, he can't beat the young master. The title of the young master is very useful, and the speed of change will be faster and faster. The court can no longer be in disarray."

He said meaningfully: "Master Chen, you should know that Xiniuzhou needs a true king."

Chen Tang said, "I don't know. Please enlighten me, Lord Xia."

"you!"

Xia Canghai got angry and lowered his voice, "Haven't you heard of the origin of the young master? The young master's surname is Zhu!"

Chen Tang asked, "Isn't his last name Ren?"

Xia Canghai swung his sleeves and said angrily: "Are you pretending to be confused? Tell your Chen Shi not to compete with the young master for the top prize. This is a matter of righteousness!"

Chen Tang remained calm and said, "Master Xia, don't you remember? The court still owes my son a top scholar."

Xia Canghai frowned, knowing that he was talking about the incident of the child scholar.

When Chen Shi’s divine fetus was cut off, all thirteen noble families had a share!

"Chen Tang, don't mention the past. You and your son should take care of yourselves." He turned away.

Chen Tang was about to return to the Meridian Gate when another voice came over, saying with a smile, "Master Chen, please stay."

Chen Tang looked at the person who came, it was Yan Shuhe, the cabinet minister of the Yan family, and asked, "What's the important matter, Lord Yan?"

Yan Shuhe came to his side and said with a smile: "Master Xia's words just now were not malicious. If there is any offense, please forgive me, Master Chen. But don't let your son compete for the top scholar position this year."

He smiled and said, "I also know that the court owes your son a number one scholar. No one wants to remember what happened eleven years ago. As compensation, you let your son wait for another three years. He will still be the number one scholar when he takes the exam again three years later. As for this year's number one scholar, I will give it to you, young master."

Chen Tang said solemnly, "Master Yan, are you planning to cheat in the imperial examination? Do you know what crime cheating in the imperial examination is?"

Yan Shuhe got angry and left with a wave of his sleeves: "You are a stubborn person!"

As soon as he left, Lord Cui Zhegui came to Chen Tang and said with a smile, "Lord Chen, please stay. I am here to be your lobbyist today." Chen Tang treated him with courtesy.

Cui Zhegui said the same thing. What he said was nothing more than persuading Chen Tang to let Chen Shi not compete for the top spot this year.

Chen Tang said, "My son has already decided to compete for the top spot. If he doesn't compete now, others will think he is not as good as you. In my son's name, I will help you. As a father, how can I tolerate this? Don't mention it again, Lord Cui."

Later, cabinet ministers including Jiang, Zhai, Fei, and Ma came to persuade Chen Tang to give up the competition for the top spot.

Chen Tang refused them all.

Among the thirteen ministers of the cabinet, only the Prime Minister Zhang Fuzheng did not come forward to persuade.

Finally, the court meeting began, and the civil and military officials moved their feet and walked towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Master Chen."

Minister of War Ren Xiong lagged behind by a step and came to Chen Tang's side. He walked forward slowly, raised his head and looked forward, and said calmly, "My son will take part in the imperial examination this year and wants the first place. Please let him go and don't compete for the first place."

He is tall, with thick and broad shoulders, gray hair, dignified appearance, and a deep voice. He is in charge of all the military forces in the world and has a demeanor that makes him majestic without being angry.

As soon as he said this, it seemed as if it should be so. If Chen Tang did not give in, he would be the enemy of the world.

"Sir Ren, a father is honored by his son."

Chen Tang looked forward without looking sideways, and said, "For a surname other than the Thirteen, reaching the position of Vice Minister is already the highest. The Ren family is not from an aristocratic family, but Mr. Ren has become the Minister of War, a second-rank official, which is rare. The main reason you can sit on the second-rank official is because of your son's face."

Ren Xiong looked at the door of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and followed everyone up the stairs. He asked, "What do you want to say?"

His voice was filled with anger, causing the officials around him to quicken their pace and avoid the two men.

Chen Tang said, "Your last name is Ren, but your son's last name is Zhu. Lord Ren, have you ever thought that the young master is not your son? You are very generous to raise a son for someone else."

Ren Xiong clenched his fists and suddenly laughed, "Chen Tang, I am in charge of the world's military forces and hold great power. My cultivation has reached the peak of the spirit refining realm and I have stepped half a step into the realm of returning to the void. I command millions of cultivators. Wherever my sword points, everything will turn to ashes. Wherever my long sword points, all demons will bow their heads. Now my son wants this top scholar position as a gift for his 24th birthday. It is reasonable. Will you give it to me?"

All the civil and military officials in the court heard these words clearly, but they acted as if they didn't hear them and continued walking towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony, talking and laughing.

"No."

Chen Tang said, "My son also wants to compete, so let's see how capable we are."

"No?"

Ren Xiong suddenly leaned sideways, leaned heavily, and bumped into Chen Tang.

Xia Canghai, Yan Shuhe and others frowned but did not look back.

They knew that the Minister of War Ren Xiong had a bad temper, and Chen Tang would definitely suffer a great loss if he offended him this time.

However, Chen Tang was unmoved and it was better for him to suffer a little loss so that they would not waste their time and energy trying to persuade him.

Ren Xiong is the prince's adoptive father. He is a general responsible for protecting the royal bloodline and is loyal to the royal family.

The prince was nominally his son, but in reality he was of royal blood. He first lived in the Ren family, and was later sent to the mansion of Marquis Zheng in Yudu for foster care. When the prince came of age, he contacted the Thirteen Aristocratic Families, promoted Ren Xiong, and gave him control of the military power.

Ren Xiong practiced the skills taught by the young master and once demonstrated his power in front of the five camps. His skills were unfathomable and he was powerful and overbearing.

When the two men collided, it was as if thunder was rolling in the void in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The sound was dull and shocking, and it was also like the collision of two ancient behemoths, shaking everyone's steps so much that they felt a little unsteady, and their blood and qi fluctuated accordingly.

"Oh!"

A loud noise was heard from the Zhongji Palace in the distance. All the civil and military officials looked in the direction of the sound, only to see the tall and strong body of the Minister of War Ren Xiao pressed against the wall of the Zhongji Palace in a big shape, shaking the powerful weapon that suppressed the fortune of Xiniu Xinzhou so that it shone brightly, and the light went straight into the sky!
Ren Xiao fell from the wall with a thud, hit the ground, his body twitched twice, and then he fainted.

All the civil and military officials were horrified and turned to look at Chen Tang.

Chen Tang was still standing on the stone steps leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, his body motionless.

Just now, the Minister of War Ren Xiao bumped into him, and it was like bumping into a solid wall, seriously injuring himself and sending him flying!

Civil and military officials were in confusion.

Chen Tang, what is your cultivation level?
The Minister of War, who had reached the great perfection of the Spirit Refining Realm and was only half a step away from returning to the Void, seemed to have no power to resist him at all!
Chen Tang raised his foot and continued walking towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony, saying calmly, "I am kindhearted to accommodate others. Don't force me to use force."

Yan Shuhe, Xia Canghai and others looked at each other and frowned.

At this time, Zhang Fuzheng turned around and smiled at Chen Tang, "Master Chen, please."

Chen Tang bowed: "Please come in, Sir Zhang."

The civil and military officials were dignified, looked at each other quietly, and entered the court silently.

Soldiers from the Shenji Camp came hurriedly outside, put the Minister of War Ren Xiong on a stretcher, and carried him away in a hurry.

In the early morning, Chen Shi came to Sandaokou Hutong on Chang'an Street, downstairs of Tingyu Tower. Just as he was about to go upstairs, he heard a child's voice: "Hey, are you here to look for Chen Wu?"

Chen Shi looked in the direction of the sound and saw the child who often played Cuju with the Creator Xiaowu, whose name seemed to be Yuan Xiaoye.

"Yes." Chen Shi nodded, "Where are the others?"

"He's gone!"

Yuan Xiaoye ran over with the ball and said, "He asked me to tell you that he is very happy that you defeated Chen Tang. Xijing is not fun anymore, and he is going to look for some secrets. He asked me to give this to you."

Yuan Xiaoye took out a palm-sized bronze mirror from his arms. It was the fox-grape mirror that contained the Small Heavens.

Chen Shi was stunned, feeling empty inside.

He looked up and saw a cloud appeared in the sky.

The familiar cloud disappeared without a trace, and no one knew where it went.

"Did he say where he was going?" Chen Shi asked.

"do not know."

Yuan Xiaoye put the ball down, kicked it with his foot, and said, "He just said that you should take the exam with confidence, and get the top scorer, so as to regain what you have lost. If you fail, you should just commit suicide to avoid bringing shame to the Chen family. Is it so easy to get the top scorer? It's really strange. My father worked so hard, but he could only get the title of scholar."

Chen Shi laughed.

"It's easy to pass the exam to become the top scholar. You can pass it if you have a hand. In a few days, I will pass the exam and become the top scholar!"

——It’s the last two days of the month. Brothers, please check your accounts to see if you still have monthly tickets. Please give me monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)