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254 Ambush
Everyone was confused by Xuan Pinghou's actions.
what's going on? Dignified Xuanping Hou will actually tidy up clothes for an examinee? This is not as simple as an ordinary love. Generally speaking, only people with very close relationships or people who value themselves especially.
Xiao Liulang's reputation in the whole capital may not be considered big, but he was completely famous in the imperial examination circle. He came from a poor family, but he was tied for the first place with King An in Chunwei, which made him famous.
In addition, he is not good at it, and people pay more attention to him.
He is very recognizable, after all, there is no second lame man who has come to participate in the palace exam.
Most people's first reaction when they see him is, this kid is too good-looking, right? The second reaction is how to be a cripple? And after the two reactions, this little lame was actually admitted to Huiyuan?
Everyone regretted him, admired him, and dismissed him...In short, the emotions were very complicated.
But no one present could predict that he would be in the eyes of Xuan Pinghou.
That's right, even if Xuan Pinghou showed his respect for Xiao Liulang, no one guessed about the relationship between them.
Everyone whispered secretly, isn't Xuan Pinghou a general? Isn't he most despised of those sour scholars? How many outstanding talents have been produced in Lijie Chunwei, how can you not see that Xuan Pinghou favors any of them?
What was the point of this little cripple that moved Xuan Pinghou, so that Xuan Pinghou, who had never been in the early morning, got up early to send him into the examination room?
Xiao Liulang remained the same, and could not see the joy or gratitude.
Xuan Pinghou was not upset either, still tidying up his clothes with a special spirit.
Xuan Pinghou has never been a very competent father. He spends most of his time in the barracks and cares little about his son in the family.
Xiao Heng was able to become the most talented young man in the capital. In addition to his extraordinary talent, the rest was basically the credit of Princess Xinyang.
Princess Xinyang is a kind mother and a strict mother. She has read poems and books since she was a child. She hopes that her son will also be full of economics in the future. She teaches him carefully, so there is Xiao Heng in the eyes of the world.
When Xiao Heng was very young, he waited at the gate of the mansion every day to recite poems to him.
But he always came back very late, and Xiao Heng fell asleep on the threshold.
Otherwise, Xiao Heng listened to it in a perfunctory manner and nodded and said yes, Xiao Xiao Heng was very angry and said, "You didn't listen, you didn't listen! I clearly memorized three words wrong!"
The young and energetic Xuan Pinghou could not lose face in front of his son, so in order to conceal his talents and lack of learning, he bluffed at his son: "What's so great about memorizing poems? Man husband, go to battle, kill the enemy, defend the country. Ability! Can you use a gun or dance a knife?"
Xiao Heng was very injured.
Xuan Pinghou hadn't learned how to be a good father, Xiao Heng died in the fire, and only he knew how much he regretted.
Xuan Pinghou looked at Xiao Liulang who was expressionless and lost for a moment. After a while, he recovered, patted Xiao Liulang on the shoulder, and squeezed his sleeves: "Go in."
The first time he sent someone into the examination room, he didn't have much experience. He didn't know what to do, so he just got dressed and learned this from Mr. Zhuang Taifu and Yuan Shoufu when he got off the wagon.
Xiao Liulang went in without looking back.
Du Ruohan was a little dumbfounded behind Xiao Liulang. He was the closest person to Xuanpinghou except Xiao Liulang. Xuanpinghou was taller and more handsome than the rumors. His gestures were all expensive and his eyes were deep and heavy.
This is a man who can stand beside him without fear of falling apart.
The aura was too strong, and Du Ruohan felt that he was about to suffocate.
But such a powerful man stopped for Xiao Liulang and treated Xiao Liulang like a parent.
Du Ruohan died of madness, so jealous! What kind of shit luck is this guy?
Xiao Liulang didn't know that he had been reaping Du Ruohan's jealous little eyes all the way. They entered the main hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and found their place according to the exam number, no different from the quiz.
The hall test only takes one day and only one test. The papers will be issued at four o'clock in the morning, and the papers will be collected in the afternoon. The papers can be handed in in advance. No food is allowed in the middle of the examination, and it is not allowed to bring your own dry food.
Candidates who have passed the rural and meeting examinations are all good in physical fitness. Hungry for a day will not cause problems. The only worry is that they will not perform well.
After all, today is the emperor personally invigilating the exam. The emperor will come here after the morning, but no one knows how long the morning will be. In case he writes, the emperor suddenly appears behind him——
That scene, thinking about it, was pretty scary.
After a series of prosperous visits to the worship process, the examination officially began. Officials from the Ministry of Etiquette distributed test papers for each candidate. The Shangshu Book of the Ministry of Etiquette, Hongyou Temple Qing, and four cabinet scholars sat on the stools on both sides of the examination room. There is a table and chair in the middle, which should be reserved for the emperor.
In addition to these few invigilators in the hall, there are also the Imperial Guard and the eunuchs on duty. Therefore, although there is no separate examination booth, it is difficult to cheat under so many eyes.
Furthermore, the policy question is not a dead question like the post scriptures, and cheating is of little significance.
Xiao Liulang quickly got his own test paper. This is a question from the emperor—asking how the emperor’s government and the emperor’s heart can govern the country in Anbang?
After experiencing the proposition sent by the feudal clan and the elder elder, this question appears to be much gentler, at least no answer can be wrong, at most it is whether the content of the talk has a practical effect.
It can be exaggerated, as long as the writing is gorgeous enough; it can also hit the shortcomings of the times and have a clear banner.
The emperor is selecting talents, but these candidates have not yet been officials. To put it bluntly, they are all on paper. The emperor does not expect to solve the problems that the civil and military officials have not solved in a palace test, otherwise so many experienced officials are needed. What does the imperial court commander do?
The emperor really wanted to see the pattern of an examinee.
The prime minister can hold a boat in his belly, and how big a person's structure is, how wide the road in the future will be.
Most candidates are not aware of this, they are racking their brains, scratching their heads and thinking about new ways of governing the country.
Xiao Liulang didn't worry about writing, he first typed up a draft.
He doesn't actually have the habit of drafting, but the draft is an important piece of evidence when checking the results, and he usually leaves one or two drafts.
After about an hour, he deliberated the wording, deleted and subtracted, and about an hour later, he began to answer the paper formally.
This is a policy question. Before answering the question, a minister must first indicate that he is answering the emperor's question.
"The minister is right:
In the case of the emperor, there must be the real government of the manager, and then the people can be restrained, intricate, there must be the rule of Yongxi; there must be a solid heart of advocacy, and then it can inspire all workers and vibrate general affairs. There is a reason to reach Zhilong.
Li Ji Gang, Fu Fa Du, Hang Zhu Xiang Wei's table, written in Ling Jia, first in Yanlang Chaoning, scattered in Baifu of Zhusi, and at the sea corner of the county, Jing Zhiwei, Hong Juxian, There is no lack of equipment, full and thorough, and there is no leakage.
What is solidity? Vibrating laziness, inspiring shrewdness, originating in the deep, between the secrets, beginning in the palace and the Muqing, the wind is in the corner of the state, infused in the frontiers, the degenerate is harmonious, the spirit is worried , All are unobstructed, the skin is skeletal, and the one who has no frustration is also..."
Xiao Liulang mainly emphasized the importance of governing the country according to law and implementing positive evidence. Laws and regulations must permeate the people, and the voice of the people must be heard.
At the same time, it also proposed to educate the people with Confucianism, vigorously punish corrupt officials, and fill the treasury.
Of course, he also emphasized that the emperor is the emperor, and everything he does is ordered by the sky-setting up an official position is for the emperor to appoint a virtuous person for the sky; to get rid of a treacherous evil, the emperor is for the sky to conquer the guilty person.
After Xiao Liulang wrote it, he realized that this question was really difficult. The ease when everyone first got the test paper was gone. Everyone was immersed in writing and no one turned in the paper ahead of time.
Xu Shi wrote too deeply, even the emperor stood behind Xiao Liulang for a while without noticing Xiao Liulang.
From the emperor's perspective, only one skull of Xiao Liulang could be seen.
The emperor didn't look at it for too long. He didn't have the evil taste of putting pressure on the candidates in the examination room. He just came in and happened to pass by Xiao Liulang and saw Xiao Liulang's delicate handwriting.
He glanced quickly, writing well.
He looked at the candidate's name-Xiao Liulang.
Oh, is that the poor student who ranks first with King An?
There is a crutch next to him. Is it injured or disabled?
In fact, the officials elected in this dynasty looked a little bit at the face, mainly because Xuan Pinghou's personal appearance heightened the emperor's aesthetics of civil and military officials. It was too ugly to let him go outside after a few years.
The emperor was a little disappointed when he saw the crutches.
It's not that the emperor just looks at his face, and Lao Jijiu does not look good. He can still be photographed by the emperor. It is really that Lao Jijiu is too powerful.
The emperor quickly walked past Xiao Liulang and sat on the front chair.
The invigilators all knew that the candidate was noticed by the emperor, and they didn't know whether the impression was good or bad.
After the emperor sat on the invigilator seat, he did not pay attention to Xiao Liulang. After all, it was too far away to see clearly.
He let people bring the memorial, and silently review the memorial while invigorating the exam, and waited until the end of the exam.
The examinees got up and saluted the emperor. The emperor randomly ordered a few examinees and asked a few questions. The grandsons of King An and Yuan Shoufu were all ordered.
Xiao Liulang was not spotted.
At three quarters, everyone left the palace.
Don't look at the exam for only one day, but everyone is more tired than the township examination and Chunwei.
Except for a few candidates, most people have never seen the emperor in their lives, and under the same roof with the emperor, they almost can't write even words.
"So nervous." Feng Lin's back was soaked.
His exam number is relatively high, he sits in the first row, it is really under the emperor's eyelids, but he dared not look up at the emperor, for fear of being punished with disrespectful charges.
"I feel like I failed the exam, and I don't even know what I'm writing later."
He said dejectedly.
Du Ruohan comforted: "Don't be discouraged. Everyone is just like you. Your Majesty has forgotten what was in his mind."
The emperor was still sympathetic to them. He came only after noon, and everyone's draft was almost done at that time, otherwise he would sit there from the beginning and ensure that half of the people couldn't even type the draft.
When the emperor stood behind Xiao Liulang, he was also shocked. The two of them were sitting next to each other. Behind Xiao Liulang was in front of him. He could smell the ambergris on the emperor, and his scalp made waves of nervousness. numb.
However, thanks to being stimulated by Xuan Pinghou early in the morning, it seems that can bear it a little bit better.
"How was Liu Lang's test?" Feng Lin asked Xiao Liulang.
Xiao Liulang said: "It's okay, I have written everything I think about."
Feng Lin asked Du Ruohan and Lin Chengye again. The performance of the two is considered normal, but the question of policy is too subjective. Whether or not they can be admitted to the top list depends on the preferences of the examiners.
This is not what they can control, they can only do their best to obey the fate.
The group returned home.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the scoring officers began to review the test papers. Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites and Hongyousiqing served as the chief and vice presidents, and the four cabinet scholars served as the scoring officers. This time the test papers will not be reviewed in groups. It was reviewed by six people.
The top twenty players will be sent to the emperor.
A good test of Chunwei does not mean that he can do well in the hall exam. Being able to bear the emperor's coercive and stable performance is part of it, and it happens to be a part of his field of expertise.
However, candidates like Xiao Liulang who had tied for the first place with King An Jun got the attention of the emperor, not to mention that the emperor stayed beside him for a while during the palace examination.
Therefore, if his test paper is not in the top twenty, the emperor will definitely ask, and it is likely that someone will bring his test paper over to see how it falls out of the top twenty.
The examination papers of the palace examinations will not be copied. After all, the emperor needs to be presented to the emperor. The emperor needs to read the candidates' handwriting, but before presenting them to the emperor, they will simply paste their names. In other words, the examiners will not see the candidates' names.
But if you want to see it sincerely, it's not difficult.
What's more, after the quiz, the examiners have already written down some of the candidates' handwriting.
Xiao Liulang's test paper soon arrived in the hands of Hongyousiqing. He recognized at a glance that it was Xiao Liulang's character, and Taifu Zhuang had already issued an order not to let Xiao Liulang overpower the King of Anjun.
If Xiao Liulang's essays are not good enough to pose a threat to King An, Honghusiqing will safely put him in the top 20.
But obviously, Xiao Liulang's article is too brilliant.
This is an article that an examiner of any taste can't fault it, and it is definitely a huge threat to King An.
During the meal break, Honghesiqing quietly went to Gongfang.
Near the Gongfang, Mrs. Zhuang has been waiting for a long time.
"How?" Mrs. Zhuang asked.
"I haven't changed to King An's." Hongyousiqing said, "Only Xiao Liulang's was changed."
Taifu Zhuang handed him a draft paper from his arms, which was rewritten in memory after King Anjun returned to the mansion, and it was almost the same as the paper for the palace exam.
After reading the book, Hongyousiqing's expression became solemn: "The exam papers of the two are not equal."
No matter how good you are?
Mrs. Zhuang frowned, thinking of something, and asked: "What's the matter with Xuan Pinghou? I think he seems to have taken a fancy to this son?"
Hongyousi Qing said: "Tao Fu, you... I'm afraid you didn't take a close look at Xiao Liulang's appearance."
Mrs. Zhuang was puzzled: "What's wrong with him?"
She is so good-looking that Xuanpinghou has taken a fancy to it? But Xuanping Hou, although lovable, is not good for men.
Hongyusi Qing said: "He looks like the late Little Lord Marquis, and he was really shocked when he saw him for the first time. Perhaps because of this, Xuanping Hou favored him."
Mrs. Zhuang sneered: "My own son is dead, should I find a similar one to replace it?"
Your Majesty intends to suppress the dealer. If there are people who are not like King An, it is unlikely that your Majesty will choose King An to be the first. Before today, it is unlikely that your Majesty will choose Xiao Liulang to be the first.
Xiao Liulang's background is too bad. If he is too popular, he will be hated by others. If the emperor really loves Xiao Liulang, he will not give him the champion.
Your majesty will select another person as the champion. If the ministers have objections, your majesty will take out Xiao Liulang's test paper and say that this kind of person did not get the first. How can King An get the first?
As for the exam paper for the champion, Your Majesty will not let anyone see it.
This is Chaotang, this is the examination room!
However, Xuan Pinghou came forward.
He was telling everyone that the people Xiao Liulang he was going to cover, whoever dared to touch Xiao Liulang, had to weigh them first.
This matter will reach your Majesty’s ears sooner or later, and your Majesty knows that Xiao Liulang has a backer, so there is nothing to worry about.
A cold light flashed in Taifu Zhuang's eyes: "This kid is fond of my grandson and Xuan Ping Hou. It's a good one! What the old man looks down on is this kind of person who is in the heart of Cao Ying!"
After five days, all examination papers have been reviewed.
The top twenty were placed in a box by the Book of Rites and sent to the emperor.
The emperor was in Jinluang Temple, not far away.
However, as soon as Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites walked halfway, he met the oncoming Xuanping Hou unexpectedly.
Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites was slightly startled. So early in the morning, why did Xuan Pinghou enter the palace again? Has this guy been in bed lately?
Xuanping Hou Junmei smiled faintly, and said politely: "Where is Li Shangshu going?"
The book of the Ministry of Etiquette said: "I want to send your majesty the examination paper."
"Oh, it's coming out." Xuan Ping Hou raised his eyebrows and reached out to touch the box containing the test papers.
The Book of Rites took a step back, his face sinking: "Xuan Pinghou! What are you going to do!"
Xuanping Hou smiled faintly: "Ben Hou see if you have done anything on the test paper."
Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about! We are all examiners appointed by your Majesty, how can we do such a thing? Are you not afraid of beheading?"
Xuanpinghou said, "I'm afraid that some people are really not afraid."
"Xuan Pinghou is saying who is not afraid?" Mrs. Zhuang walked over leisurely.
Xuan Pinghou turned around and looked at Taifu Zhuang with a smile but a smile: "Oh, Taifu Zhuang is here."
The Book of Rites gave a salute: "Tao Fu Zhuang."
Mrs. Zhuang nodded in return, and then he looked at Hou Xuanping: "Is Hou Xuanping dissatisfied with Li Shangshu? Or dissatisfied with the cabinet? Or dissatisfied with your majesty?"
Xuanping Hou smiled faintly: "Don't buckle your hat too much, this marquis just wants to see if these test papers have been manipulated?"
Only Xuan Pinghou dared to question the cabinet in this way.
Taifu Zhuang said, "If Hou Xuanping doesn't believe it, just look at it for yourself."
Li Shangshu looked at Mrs. Zhuang in surprise, and Mrs. Zhuang said: "This official believes that Xuan Pinghou will not take advantage of the opportunity to manipulate the candidates' test papers. Although Li Shangshu will let Xuan Pinghou look at it, the official will be responsible for what happened. ."
Speaking of this, Li Shangshu is not good not to show it to Xuanpinghou.
Xuan Pinghou opened the box and turned over each test paper. There was an illegible name on the test paper, but he still recognized Xiao Liulang's words today, after all, he read it many times in private.
He saw Xiao Liulang's test paper.
Mrs. Zhuang looked at the test paper, then at Xuan Pinghou, and sneered, "Is there a problem?"
Xuanping Hou looked at Taifu Zhuang deeply.
Taifu Zhuang said frankly: "If there is nothing wrong, these test papers will be sent to your majesty, and your majesty is still waiting for review."
Xuan Pinghou put down the test papers, hesitated for a moment, and looked suspiciously at Taifu Zhuang for a moment.
Mr. Zhuang was unrivaled from beginning to end.
Xuan Pinghou finally let Li Shangshu go, and he also stepped out of the palace.
Looking at his unsuccessful back, Mrs. Zhuang smiled coldly.
Knowing this would happen, he had guarded Xuanping Hou a long time ago. Did Xuanping Hou really think he saw Xiao Liulang's test paper? The handwriting is exactly the same, and even the content is similar, except that it has been modified in a few key places.
Xuan Pinghou, a reckless man, couldn't see it.
Don't underestimate these little details, they are enough to offend the emperor.
So, what's the use of putting it in the top 20?
Xiao Liulang might not even be able to pass the second grade Jinshi!
Taifu Zhuang left the palace triumphantly.
His carriage was waiting at the gate of the palace. When the people saw him coming, they hurriedly tied the curtain for him. He was in a good mood and smiled and got into the carriage.
But he never expected that there was a person sitting in the carriage!
Mrs. Zhuang was so scared that he trembled: "Xuan Pinghou?!"
What does his coachman eat? Why did Xuanpinghou come up?
"Come here!" he shouted sharply.
Xuanping Hou Dan said: "Go."
The carriage is gone.
Mrs. Zhuang's face turned pale. He opened the curtain and looked at the driver in the front seat. Only then did he realize that he was not his driver at all.
Where is his coachman?
Where did it go?
His carriage has been parked at the gate of the imperial palace, and there is guarded by the imperial guards. How did Xuan Pinghou drop his coachman?
Taifu Zhuang looked at the other party angrily: "Xuan Pinghou, what do you want to do?"
Xuanpinghou sneered: "Put Xiao Liulang's test paper back, otherwise, your horse will be frightened. Benhou can't guarantee that you can land safely. After all, you don't know martial arts, right?"
Mrs. Zhuang was taken aback: "You..."
Hou Xuanping said: "I want to ask how Benhou discovered it? Benhou doesn't understand the examination papers, but Benhou still understands you, Mrs. Zhuang."
Taifu Zhuang was choked and his face was pale, and Xuan Pinghou's arrogant arrogance often made people think that he was a reckless man. Look at what he did today!
Mrs. Zhuang gritted his teeth: "You are so bold!"
Xuan Pinghou: "With each other."
Mrs. Zhuang snorted coldly: "Do you... do you think this can threaten the official?"
Xuanping Hou spread his hands: "No, I just give you a suggestion. Since you don't want it, Benhou still has a copy for you."
There was an ominous premonition in Taifu Zhuang's heart.
The carriage came to a halt quickly and stopped on an empty official road. No pedestrians were seen back and forth. Only the carriage stopped opposite the two.
Mrs. Zhuang opened the curtains, and someone in the other carriage opened the curtains, revealing the King An, who was tied up with five flowers and covered his mouth with a cloth.
County King looked at Mrs. Zhuang excitedly, muttering, unable to speak a complete sentence.
Taifu Zhuang was almost shocked by Xuan Pinghou's boldness.
They almost went out of the palace one after the other. Xuan Pinghou had no time to arrest people after checking the test papers. In other words, before checking the test papers, Xuan Pinghou was sure that he would touch Xiao Liulang's test papers. The prince caught it!
"Do you know what you are doing? You are not kidnapping the imperial palace, you kidnapped the king of Zhaoguo!"
Xuan Ping Hou leaned back in his chair lightly, looking at him in time: "So?"
There was no trace of fear in his eyes.
Arrogant as a wild horse that could trample on everything at any time.
Mrs. Zhuang actually didn't take any reason. They were all crimes of beheading.
Taifu Zhuang clenched his fists and stared at Xuan Pinghou.
Xuanping Hou Man said casually: "Benhou doesn't have much patience, so I will tell you one more time and send the test paper back."
From the beginning to the end, Taifu Zhuang did not admit that he had moved the test paper, but this did not seem to affect Xuan Pinghou's threat to him.
If he was a literati, he could still walk around the other side.
Xuan Pinghou did not.
He doesn't give you a chance to detour at all.
Mrs. Zhuang felt a deep sense of powerlessness, but he did not surrender so quickly: "Xuan Pinghou, don't be too arrogant!"
Xuan Pinghou looked at Mrs. Zhuang and raised his finger faintly.
In the other carriage, Chang Jing drew his dagger, and without hesitation, pierced King An’s thigh with a knife.
Blood burst out, and County King gritted his teeth, but still made a stern sound from his teeth.
Mrs. Zhuang changed his color: "Heng'er!"
Xuan Pinghou lazily leaned against the car wall, raised his eyebrows and said, "Remember, this is arrogance."
Mrs. Zhuang was trembling with anger, and his whole body was thunderous: "You are not afraid of killing? My grandson is dead, do you think you don't have to pay for it?"
Xuanping Hou smiled coldly: "Do you think I will be scared?"
Mrs. Zhuang was startled.
------Off-topic ------
Two more in one.
Note: The original text of the test paper is from the hall test paper of Zhao Bingzhong, a candidate from the Ming Dynasty, and part of the translation is from Sohu.com-Calligraphy Lecture Hall.
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