The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Yang Dachuan and Yang Dachuan left the Forbidden City angrily and everyone dispersed.

Yan Chengjin walked slowly, and a figure followed suit, also walking very slowly. In front of the Meridian Gate, there was someone who dared to rob someone. He suddenly turned around, but he didn't know it was Wang Shouren.

Wang Shouren muttered in a low voice: "When I entered the palace this morning, several brothers all gave their names, but Brother Gao only gave his last name."

Sure enough, Wang Shouren noticed it!

Yan Chengjin was surprised at first, and then guessed Wang Shouren's intention: "I didn't expect that Brother Bo'an would still remember that He Lao, a native of Biye, was worried about Brother Bo'an. Mr. Wang is an official of the East Palace. Now, Brother Bo'an also has an unlimited future. , It’s better not to deal with such vulgar people as Lao Gao, so as not to hurt your dignity.”

Scholars all thought highly of themselves. Wang Shouren was very happy. He secretly felt that this man had an interesting temperament. He was obviously the son of An Dingbo and Huiyuan of Jinke, but he refused to reveal anything about it.

Wang Shouren pretended to test: "I look at Brother Yan's clothes. They look like rough clothes on the outside, but they are made of fine silk and satin on the inside. It is said that the son of Anding Bo is very low-key in his behavior, but he has a very similar personality to Brother Yan. Yan My brother’s surname is Yan, so his given name shouldn’t be Cheng Jin, right?”

The Eye of Sherlock Holmes?

Yan Chengjin decided to go back and make a fortune.

Silently he took out the mouth of the human cage, put it on, covered most of his face, and then said: "Brother Bo'an, I'm glad to meet you!"

Wang Shouren: “…………”

In Dongge, Li Dongyang led the marking officer to review the papers and make a rough outline.

The rankings will be released tomorrow, so tonight the first and second grade personnel will be selected. As for the first grade, it will be decided by the emperor in person.

Recruiting a scholar is not a piece of cake. The examiners who were born as Imperial Scholars will first select the outstanding papers, and then Li Dongyang will read them over.

Li Dongyang saw a paper. The calligraphy matched his body and soul. There was no doubt that it was Yan Chengjin's.

He couldn't help but snorted coldly, and imitated my regular script again!

But looking at Yan Chengjin's answers to the questions, they were very organized and logical. First, "Meng Mu" actually understood His Majesty's deep meaning. Then looking at water control, this candidate was incredible! The words are reasonable and well-founded, and even the counties where the dredging was carried out are clearly aware of the floods in the Ming Dynasty. It can be said that they are very familiar with the floods in the Ming Dynasty.

But he is someone who cares about court affairs.

Li Dongyang struggled for a long time, thinking that he didn't want Yan Chengjin to be the top pick, but this guy's answer was perfect, which was really great.

Let’s first draw up a first and a second.

The results of the palace examination were released today, and Emperor Hongzhi needed to see them in person, so he got up extra early.

Just after dawn, Emperor Hongzhi had already arrived at Nuange. He looked through the first-class answer sheets and lists sent by the Ministry of Rites. Among the three answer sheets, one was written in Li Dongyang's regular script. The handwriting was good and the questions were answered well.

His insights into Mencius's mother's three migrations were profound.

"This guy is a great talent!"

"To control river troubles, we should make the best use of the situation, dredge where we dredge, and remove choke points..." Emperor Hongzhi compared the other two answer papers and saw the ranking on the list: "I think this paper is a good answer. , it’s more than enough to win first place, why only second place?”

Li Dongyang said: "This is the first time I have made a decision, and I will ask Your Majesty to make the final decision."

But he secretly thought that this kid didn't mean what he meant.

Isn't Wang Yue the kind of person who should move? If Yan Chengjin is trying to get closer, it's obviously duplicity.

But he also knew the importance. Apart from being too close to Wang Yue, he had nothing to blame.

Emperor Hongzhi didn't think so. He could obviously be ranked first, but the Ministry of Rites only gave him second place. Isn't this a stumbling block? He is a man of justice and fairness, so how could he see something like this happen?

He frowned and said calmly: "I am aware of the fight between Mr. Li and Yan Kesong in the literary world, but when the court recruits scholars, I ask Mr. Li to put aside the feud."

Li Dongyang was speechless when he wanted to argue. What else could he say? He couldn't refute Emperor Hongzhi, so he could only say "yes".

………………

Yanfu,

Yan Chengjin didn't want to be admitted to the first place, as his talent would be destroyed by Lin Feng, so he just wanted to be ranked among the top two.

When the eunuch came to deliver the edict, Yan Chengjin was startled.

Did you win the No. 1 prize?

It's another thing if the title of No. 1 pick really falls on one's head.

Emperor Hongzhi also ordered the Ministry of Rites to hold a Qionglin banquet. All the second-level and above people would attend the banquet. Since he was the number one scholar, should he give an acceptance speech when the time came? What should he do?

Yan Chengjin racked his brains and asked for leave. If he didn't go, wouldn't he be denying Li Dongyang face?

At this moment, He Neng came in and announced: "Master, my classmate is here and wants to congratulate the master."

My father’s classmates were crying loudly, as if they were as happy as if their son had passed the No. 1 exam: "Three Yuan and passed the exam! Three Yuan and passed! Do you know how many people have passed the Three Yuan exam since the beginning of the Ming Dynasty?"

Luo Qi, the editor of the Hanlin Academy, wiped his tears: "When your father is in the capital, don't let me disturb you, otherwise we will sit separately. If the imperial examination has passed, Shibo will come in a hurry. I will prepare the book for your father today and make a decision." Such a marriage is my parents’ order, and you will be my good son-in-law in Luofu.”

"What nonsense!" Qu Shen snorted coldly: "I'm afraid that my personal letter has already arrived in Ningxia."

Yan Chengjin fled in despair: "Students have to go to the palace for a banquet. Let's say goodbye first. Shibo should go back early."

Only when you enter the palace can you be considered pure.

Eunuch Liu, the supervisor of the inner palace, went to Yan Mansion twice to announce his decree. He recognized Yan Chengjin, bumped into him in the palace, and took the initiative to guide him.

What should I say when I give my acceptance speech later?

Yan Chengjin asked: "May I ask my father-in-law, will your Majesty go to this banquet?"

Eunuch Liu: "Your Majesty holds a banquet in person, so naturally he will not be absent."

Yan Chengjin carefully speculated whether Emperor Hongzhi would be tested on his knowledge in public and whether other eunuchs would be in trouble if Emperor Hongzhi were present.

We have to guard against this.

When we arrived at the Wenhua Hall, our companions and maids prepared a banquet.

Emperor Hongzhi was frugal in spending money and had relatively few officials. Most of them were scholars who were seeking scholars this time. Yan Chengjin only saw Emperor Hongzhi, Li Dongyang, and Zhu Houzhao.

Eunuch Liu said: "No. 1 Scholar, your place is over here."

Yan Chengjin was next to Li Dongyang, with Wang Shouren behind him, and Li Kang and Yang Jingxin not far away.

Wang Shouren ranked seventh in the second-class team, while Li Kang and Yang Jingxin ranked 33rd and 35th respectively.

Yan Chengjin glanced at the scholar next to him. He must be the second-ranked scholar Lun Wenxu. He was of average appearance and obviously a little timid. He lowered his head and did not dare to look at anyone.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled kindly and said: "One person governs the world, and the world does not serve one person. I always think about it and use it as a mirror. Therefore, there is no need to be formal at today's Qionglin Banquet."

Zhu Houzhao happily picked up his big glass and drank it all in one gulp. Emperor Hongzhi was so angry that he blew his beard and stared.

Not far away, Li Kang said to Yan Chengjin: "I didn't expect that Brother Gao is the number one scholar. Congratulations!"

Lun Wenxu on the side said timidly: "In Bu Cai's eyes, Brother Yan is not a fluke. Brother Yan comes from a scholarly family. His father is Mr. Yingke Song, a great scholar. He wants to be different from others. It's just that Mr. Ying is guarding the border. , it’s a pity that we can’t raise a toast together, but the bandits are all in Hetao, living near the border of Ming Dynasty, so we should thank Brother Yan’s father for ensuring peace, so why don’t you give me a toast to Brother Gao.”

The war on the border is a matter of concern to scholars. Every time this topic is discussed, various people will speak enthusiastically.

A Confucian general who could write books and guard borders, my father had a profound influence on the minds of scholars.

Yan Chengjin was gentle and courteous: "I thank Brother Lun on behalf of my father. As a minister, this is my duty."

Li Kang sighed: "It is difficult to suppress the bandits!"

Wang Shouren had a different view: "The forces of the bandits are scattered, and the grassland is vast. If our army can be united into a rope and assemble in the north to suppress the bandits, the scattered bandits will not be afraid at all. It is a pity..."

Emperor Hongzhi heard voices discussing the military affairs in the north and asked, "What are you discussing? You might as well tell me."

Zhu Houzhao was a little excited: "I heard this. Lao Gao and the others are discussing the matter of annihilating the bandits. Lao Gao, my father is calling you, Lao Gao, Lao Gao?"

Yan Chengjin's face was ashen.