A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 200 You are always blindly confident in him
Lu Lejian just wanted to watch the fun and didn't mind the big deal.

He stood up at this time, wanting to force Song Xuan to express his position and take his brothers to do it.

Even if you don't do it.

I, Lu Lejian, also want to take the lead!
Others are not aware of the benefits of the last success.

However, he knew about it because of the correspondence between Lu Lejian and his cousin Lu Yijian, who was the deputy prime minister.

After all, this matter became a hot topic in the academy overnight.

After Lu Lejian arrived at the academy, he hurried to eat the melon, and then he kept complaining in his heart.

Straight bitch!
How could such a thing allow Song Xuan to stand out?

I must get involved in it vigorously.

The Lu family also needs someone to make a name for themselves!
Obviously, they were all in jail together, but Dou Chou targeted Song Xuan.

With the death of Dou Chou, the only name that was spread was Song Xuan.

As for the rest of the people, they were all included in the word "etc."

Who doesn’t envy Song Xuan?

At least through Dou Chou, "those people" in the court knew about an ordinary student named "Song Xuan".

It even reached the ears of His Majesty.

During the palace examination in the future, will the emperor pay attention to this person named Song Xuan?
This is the opportunity that many people desire but cannot get.

Lu Lejian never doubted that Song Xuan would not be able to make it to the palace examination.

Now that they meet again, Lu Lejian naturally wants to get a piece of the pie!

It seems too eager at this time!
"Oh?"

Song Xuan looked at Lu Lejian and asked:

"Brother Lu, please tell me, how did this happen to be my plan?"

"That's how you dealt with Dou Chou back then. Now, if you use the same method again, wouldn't it be easy for you?"

"Hahaha."

Song Xuan naturally activated the laughing skill first.

The smile made Lu Lejian feel uneasy, and at the same time, a bad premonition flashed through his mind.

Just now, Song Xuan kept saying that it was not his idea, and he quickly retreated.

Lu Lejian knew that Song Xuan was not a stupid person, but he didn't expect why Song Xuan made such a statement.

If he did it, he should admit it in public!

"Then there was the past, and now is now. Brother Lu, think carefully. Back then, Dou Chou abused his power to bully others. Is the imperial court abusing its power to bully others now?"

Lu Lejian was speechless all of a sudden.

Who dares to say that the imperial court is bullying others by taking advantage of its power?

If you all study so hard and want to get your name on the imperial examination, you must serve the court!
"But, but compared to the students before us, the court's treatment of us is unfair."

"Yes, it's not fair."

"Unfair?" Song Xuan nodded:

"Then was the imperial examination system in the Song Dynasty fairer than that in the Tang Dynasty?"

"Most of you come from commoner families. How many of you come from aristocratic families?"

"Even if your talent is comparable to Li Bai's, do you have a chance of becoming a Jinshi in the Tang Dynasty?"

Facing Song Xuan's question, Lu Lejian said carefully:
"Things are different now."

"Listen, everyone knows that times are different now!"

Song Xuan has certain conversation skills and did not specifically mention Lu Lejian:

"There are countless Jinshi and Yinguan in the Song Dynasty, but there are very few official positions in the world. How can there be so many positions for you and me to serve?"

"In my opinion, the imperial examination will only become more difficult in the future, and new regulations may emerge endlessly."

"what?"

"Ah, this!"

Everyone was shocked by Song Xuan's guess.

If it is really as he said.

Wouldn't it be useless to make a fuss?
Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, it has been decided that a literati should be appointed as prime minister.

After so many years, there are still many people who have passed the imperial examinations.

Not to mention that since the Treaty of Chanyuan, there have not been many wars in the Song Dynasty.

The world has been at peace for a long time, and naturally many people have embarked on the path of imperial examinations.

There is no other way to succeed.

Even though Cao Wei was capable, he had not encountered any difficult battles, so he had no opportunity to demonstrate his self-worth.

Instead, he was manipulated at will by Ding Wei, who even wanted to kill him.

Nowadays, there are far more failed candidates than successful candidates who become officials.

"Not many official positions?"

"Of course, unless we follow the will of Taizu and Taizong and recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, we can place more and more scholars in positions of power. Otherwise, the imperial examination will only become more and more difficult!"

Song Xuan sighed pretentiously:
"The ministers in the court had no choice but to reform the imperial examination!"

Wang Yaochen always thought that the top spot in the imperial examination was a sure thing for him.

But after hearing what Song Xuan said, he was a little confused for a moment.

In fact, this phenomenon is obvious, but no one has ever thought about it.

However, as a teacher, Wang Zhu personally experienced what Song Xuan said.

After all, he was not very satisfied with the official position he was assigned.

Wang Zhu was just a county lieutenant of the ninth rank, and was recommended by Yan Shu to teach at the academy.

However, this official position was also one of the starting positions for those who passed the normal imperial examination. Many scholars who passed the imperial examination would be appointed as county lieutenants to maintain local public order, arrest thieves, and try cases.

Although of low rank, it plays an important role in local governance, allowing civil servants to accumulate grassroots experience.

If they performed well, they would be directly promoted to county magistrate, provincial official, or even promoted to the central government.

In short, the upper limit is very high.

The court had no choice but to issue new regulations at this time. In just a few words, Song Xuan shifted the topic to the fact that the territory was too small and there were not enough official positions.

They didn't know that Song Xuan was using a method to divert the conflict.

It is natural that some people began to reflect.

It's just a habit!
"Is that the reason?"

Wang Zhu actually just thought that the reform of the imperial examination was because there were too many students applying for the exam and the number needed to be controlled.

He really didn't expect the deep logic behind the change.

Being pointed out by Song Xuan was like an epiphany, and everything suddenly became clear.

I wish Song Xuan’s policy proposals would not always be so insightful.

This boy's insight is really good.

"Someone is using my name to stir up trouble in this matter. Their intentions are even more despicable!" Song Xuan struck while the iron was hot and said, "Do you really think the person behind this is only targeting me, Song Xuan?"

"He has you all figured into this."

"what?"

"This can't be true."

Lu Lejian really wanted to become famous so as to prepare for his future career as an official.

"If you classmates gather together to cause trouble, whoever goes will be arrested!"

"You missed the last minute cram session before the exam, and you also missed the final exam."

"Many people's places that should have been yours were vacated, but were taken away by the person behind the scenes who manipulated this matter. Their goal was achieved!"

Song Xuan pointed at Lu Lejian:

"You don't want to be so talented that you could pass the entrance exam, only to be tricked and outmaneuvered, and never be able to make it to the top, do you?"

His "alarmist" words at this time naturally made everyone surprised.

"Back then, when I opposed Dou Chou's oppression of power, I was hiding behind the scenes and secretly encouraging you to stand before me?"

Song Xuan pointed at himself and said:

"I, Song Xuan, will naturally stand first!"

"As for the disgusting act of hiding behind the scenes and instigating everyone to commit suicide today, I, Song Xuan, naturally disdain to do it!"

Although Song Xuan is young, he has the bearing of a leader among the students in the academy.

After all, he has long been famous.

Listening to Song Xuan's analysis at this time, which involved matters that could threaten their own interests more, Lu Lejian and others naturally stopped being impulsive and wanted to fight for their reputation.

There is really a trap here!
Based on their understanding of Song Xuan, they knew that Song Xuan was not someone who liked to eat alone.

He has always been good at eating meat himself and letting his brothers around him eat meat together.

Otherwise, how could it be called timely rain?

The head teacher Wang Zhu also took over the conversation:

"My fellow students, what Shi Erlang said is true."

"Think carefully about Song Twelve's character. If he was really the one who instigated this, would he hide behind the scenes instead of standing in front of everyone?"

"Don't let yourself be used by those with ulterior motives. If you become a knife, you will only harm your own future."

Song Xuan saluted his teacher Wang Zhu, and then saluted his classmates:

"Thank you all for trusting me, but this was definitely not done by me, Song Twelve. Heaven can bear witness to this!"

"That's all."

When Wang Zhu saw Song Xuan go back, he told everyone to read a book on their own for a while and think carefully about the whole matter.

Is it really possible that if we make some noise as everyone had previously thought, the court will cancel the new regulations?

If this leads to drastic measures, will you be able to accept it?
Song Xuan sat in his seat and glanced at Zhu Yu:
"uncomfortable?"

"It's a bit uncomfortable."

Zhu Yu nodded slightly, then shook his head:

"It's nothing."

"Remember to come to me if you have anything, don't leave it to the last minute." "Okay, thank you."

Song Xuan didn't ask any further questions. Everyone has their own thoughts, which is normal.

Wang Zhu patrolled around and then went out, leaving the classroom to them for discussion.

As the saying goes, the more you argue, the clearer the truth becomes.

Wang Zhu believed that anyone who was not a fool could understand what Song Xuan had just said.

After Wang Yaochen saw the Master leave, he immediately stood up and asked:

"Shi Er Lang, were all the things you just said just your own guesses?"

"Where did you refer to the place I just mentioned, brother?"

"Since then, there have been fewer and fewer official positions in the Song Dynasty."

Song Xuan also stood up:

"Of course. The total number of official positions in the eighteen territories and three capitals of the Great Song Dynasty remains unchanged."

"Brother Wang, do you think more people pass the imperial examinations within three years, or more people die in office within three years?"

"Of course there are more people who pass the imperial examination!"

Wang Yaochen blurted out the words, but his heart sank immediately afterwards.

No matter what, the official position is fixed!
The number of people who want to be officials and have the ability to do so is increasing year by year.

Moreover, starting from the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, the number of Jinshi candidates who passed the palace examinations was more than that in the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong.

Emperor Zhenzong naturally won the support of many scholars.

Now he is dead.

The new emperor is also said to have a very good personality.

That would naturally open up the path to the imperial examinations, and there would be more and more Jinshi.

But are there really so many official positions in the Song Dynasty?

"Could it be that we can only reduce the number of redundant officials after we recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun?"

Wang Yaochen sat down dejectedly.

After all, they signed a brotherly alliance with the Liao Kingdom.

This thing will not be ruined in any way.

No one can bear this responsibility.

If you start a war without permission at that time, you will become a sinner for all eternity!

Especially when the Song Dynasty attacked the Liao Dynasty, it had more defeats than victories.

Otherwise, they would not have been attacked and moved to Chanzhou, threatening the capital Kaifeng.

"Of course there are other ways."

"What method?"

Wang Yaochen and others naturally looked at Song Xuan.

We are all one no matter what.

In the future, there will be more and more people competing for the same official position, so when can I become the "Prime Minister"?
Who here has not dreamed of becoming a prime minister?
"Northwest makes contributions."

"Achievements in the Northwest?"

"Yes." Song Xuan looked around at everyone and said, "I've heard that the Western bandits always come to raid our border. Moreover, since ancient times, that place has been the territory of our Central Plains Dynasty. Retaking the Hexi Corridor will not only make the people rich, but also increase many official positions."

"The land there isn't entirely desert. I heard there are quite a few oases. Especially the women from outside the region, their appearance is different from that of the Central Plains. You can give it a try."

"Hahaha."

Song Xuan's final words made everyone burst into laughter.

As for the northwest.

I’m afraid it’s a bit difficult!

Everyone was worried about going to Shaanxi to serve as an official.

Not to mention places farther away than Shaanxi.

There are not only Western bandits there, but also all kinds of other barbarians.

Who knows what will happen? It’s even easier to be harmed by thieves!
Bao Zheng was in his class, listening to everyone's discussions, saying that if Song Twelve took the lead in this matter, it would surely be a great success.

When the time comes, it will benefit students all over the world, and we must join in this great event.

We must never back down from this matter!
Bao Zheng felt more and more that the rumors were terrible, as they could actually make so many people lose their minds!
Do they know Song Xuan?

Who on earth wants to harm Shi Er Lang by being so blindly obedient?

When Bao Zheng was questioning himself, the person next to him said excitedly:

"Brother Bao, I've always known that you and Twelve Lang are familiar with each other. Could you introduce them to me?"

Bao Zheng's dark face showed that he didn't want to communicate too much with them, but due to the friendship between classmates, he said:

"As far as I know, this was not done by Shi Er Lang. Where did you hear this news?"

……

Yan Shu received the news sent by Fan Zhongyan.

I hope he can send soldiers to stand outside Yingtian Academy and block it.

Prevent someone from making things worse!

Yan Shu quickly glanced at the contents of the letter sent by Fan Zhongyan again.

"Something's wrong."

"Someone is deliberately causing trouble."

"what happened?"

Yan Shu handed the letter to Song Shou and asked him to take a look at it.

"Want bad things."

After reading it, Song Shou was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Does Song Twelve really want to cause trouble?"

"Do you really think that the officials in the court will tolerate him once and will tolerate him a second time?"

Yan Shu waved his hand and said, "This is definitely not Song Twelve's doing. Don't fall into their trap!"

Song Shou naturally understood how much Yan Shu valued Song Xuan, just as he valued Zhang Fangping, so Song Shou still whispered:

"Uncle Tong, this matter is of no small importance. Even if Song Xuan wasn't responsible, once everyone sets him up, do you think he will remain indifferent?"

Yan Shu glanced at Song Shou strangely.

No matter what, Yan Shu believed that Song Xuan would not do anything stupid.

This is the consensus among child prodigies.

If you do something stupid, you will be ridiculed by others!

Yan Shu understood that Song Shou might not understand, so he patiently explained:

"In any case, don't think that Song Twelve took the initiative to do something stupid like this."

"That way, you won't be so prejudiced."

Song Shou was once again confused by Yan Shu's words.

You think too highly of Song Twelve!

"Don't you know that he has defeated all the ruffians in Song City?"

Song Shou glanced at the door:
"Is this what a scholar should do?"

"I remember Song Twelve had the reputation of being a horse archer, helping the government. He went to suppress the city's ruffians and prevented them from causing trouble. They all honestly dug manure, transported manure, cultivated fertilizer, and sold fertilizer. What's wrong with that?"

After all, bad incidents occurred one after another, and even the county magistrate of Songcheng was replaced.

It is to improve this environment.

As the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Yan Shu still had a headache facing the court's orders.

I never thought that Song Xuan could handle this matter by himself, and did it so beautifully!
"Song Twelve helped a bunch of scoundrels turn over a new leaf. No matter how you look at it, it's a meritorious service. Whether it's the government or the people, who wouldn't be grateful to him?"

Yan Shu looked at Song Shou and said, "Don't always focus on his shortcomings and think that his methods are not up to par!"

"That's the reputation Song Xuan earned by personally fighting."

Yan Shu did not agree with Song Xuan's method, but the result was a good execution.

That little trick is nothing. We can only praise Song Xuan for fully utilizing his advantage of bravery.

"And it didn't affect his studies. I heard from Wang Zhu that even if Song Xuan was taking a break, he would stop an imperial examination and ask him to mark the papers and fill in the gaps."

"You may not understand what he did, but you can't think he was a fool who would voluntarily put himself in the frying pan."

Song Shou immediately waved his hand: "You are right, you are right, okay!"

"Now that this has happened, what are you going to do?"

Yan Shu understood that Song Shou was anxious, so he laughed out loud twice:

"As the saying goes, the person who tied the bell must untie it. In this case, we should follow Fan Xiwen's advice and take the soldiers to the academy. No matter what, we must suppress this disaster within the academy. As long as they don't cause trouble in the streets, the court will not allow the students to complain."

"You still haven't figured out a solution!"

"I believe Song Twelve will have a way to resolve the current predicament. We just need to set the stage for him to prevent the situation from escalating."

"Humph."

Song Shou exhaled again: "You are always so blindly confident in him. Be careful, or he might throw you into trouble!"

"After all this time, you still don't think highly of him and don't believe he can do it!"

Yan Shu stroked his beard and said, "When I first saw this boy, I knew he was a good candidate for an official position."

"hehe."

Song Shou didn't want to discuss this topic because he felt that based on Song Xuan's personality, he would sooner or later get into big trouble.

"Wait until he passes the exam and becomes the top scorer before you say that."

Song Shou pointed at the contents of Fan Zhongyan's letter and said, "I want to see how he can solve this problem."

"Whichever it is, we'll have to wait and see."

The new judge has not yet arrived.

The previous judge Yi Jun was accused by the Dou family of accepting bribes. The previous judge returned home to observe mourning because a family member passed away.

Yan Shu then called Zhang Kang and asked him to bring his soldiers with him to Yingtian Academy to control the scene.

When Zhang Kang heard Yan Shu's narration, he subconsciously said "hmm"?
Could Song Twelve do such a brainless thing?
(End of this chapter)