Chapter 175: The Imperial Plan, Prepare for a Rainy Day

The palace examination ended at exactly noon.

Of course, the court officials would not let their new colleagues leave the palace hungry.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites had already prepared the wine and food for the palace examination. Each table had five plates of snacks, five plates of fruit, one serving of rice, four dishes, and five cups of wine.

Each Jinshi was given two steamed buns and a bowl of soup.

The food was relatively simple because the Ministry of Rites also organized a dinner - all the good things were at the dinner, with goose, lamb, deer, roasted pork, smoked legs, and everything else. To use the auspicious words of Liaodong, "you'll eat to death from all this."

However, although the food at the Jinshi dinner is good, not all tribute students will attend the banquet.

The palace examination was over, except for the candidates aiming to become Shujishi who were still on edge, the rest of the candidates completely relaxed the moment they walked out of the Huangji Hall.

In this relaxed state of mind, what he was thinking about was not the Ministry of Rites banquet.

Instead, they would go back to their rooms and have a good sleep, or invite a few good friends to go to a brothel to recite poems and compose couplets.

Li Kun belongs to the former.

He asked the official from the Ministry of Rites for leave to attend tonight's banquet on the grounds of abdominal pain.

Then he put the steamed bun in his arms and hurriedly left the palace.

too tired.

Since I passed the imperial examination at the age of 26, I have been taking the imperial examination for 13 years.

The clan's earnest expectations, the day and night of hard work, and the declining spirit and energy pressing on him... He sighed in his heart that he was tired, but the word "tired" was already very subtle and restrained.

At this moment, he just wanted to let go of everything, forget about the imperial examinations, Jinshi, and Shujishi, and sleep soundly until the results were announced five days later.

pity.

Being an official means working for a living. From the moment you enter high school, you have no control over when to rest.

As soon as Li Kunfang undressed and lay back on the couch, there was an inopportune knock on the door.

Benedict.

Tuk Tuk.

Li Kun lifted the quilt, his eyes already looking at each other in anger.

These people from the Henan Guild Hall are really incompetent. Can’t they wait until the others have rested before flattering them?

Visit every day, visit every day!

He is either a wealthy man from Beijing or a fellow villager from Henan. I am already fed up with him. He said he wanted to rest today, but you chose to disturb him at this time!

Mr. Li Kun was in high school and was doing whatever he wanted. He no longer cared about any Qi-nourishing skills.

He got up angrily, rushed to the door and pulled it open with force.

He was about to scold him.

However, they were not the familiar faces from the Henan Guild Hall, but two unfamiliar faces.

The two men were dressed in ordinary clothes, but their faces looked slightly feminine, which made Li Kun feel inexplicably familiar.

Li Kun couldn't figure out where this person was coming from, so he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth: "What are you two doing?"

The leading man did not exchange pleasantries, but went straight to the point: "Master Li, my master has a book for you."

As he spoke, the person behind him opened the wooden box in his hand, took out a book and handed it forward.

Seeing that the two were so rude and didn't even inform each other of their origins, Li Kun became even more suspicious.

He took the book as if possessed by a ghost and looked down at "Lü's Township Covenant".

Li Kun frowned, what does this mean.

After all, he was a prospective Jinshi, and he was also very familiar with these "non-best-selling ancient books".

This is a book written by the "Four Lüs of Lantian", namely Lü Dazhong, Lü Dajun, Lü Dalin and Lü Dafang, in the ninth year of Xining. It is used to restrain the villagers - it goes beyond the state government office and stipulates that the villagers "encourage each other in virtue and deeds, correct each other in mistakes, interact with each other in etiquette and customs, and sympathize with each other in times of trouble."

During the Hongwu period, the aristocratic gentry were immoral, so Emperor Taizu followed Xie Jin's advice and "imitated the Lantian Lu Family Covenant and the Pujiang Zheng Family Rules, and took the lead in setting the right conduct among the aristocratic families", that is, he used the Lu Family Covenant as a model for the aristocratic families to behave.

During the Zhengde period that followed, there were constant uprisings by mountain people in the Nan Gan area. While Wang Yangming was clearing up border troubles, he developed the "Nan Gan Township Covenant" based on it to restrain the Jiangxi compatriots who did not obey government orders.

But, whether it is a model family or a way to restrain the common people, what does it have to do with him, Li Kun?

Who sent this book?

Li Kun thought of this and closed the book, intending to return it: "I wonder which elder is your master?"

The feminine man looked businesslike, shook his head and stepped back: "My master means that he hopes Master Li will study hard."

After saying that, he turned around and left without waiting for Li Kun to reply.

Li Kun stared at the two of them as they left, his face filled with sorrow.

After a long while, he closed the door.

Li Kun threw the book onto the table.

He lay back on the bed, covered himself with the quilt and closed his eyes.

Guess, guess! Even kids are guessing!
In his life, Master Li hated people who liked to make people guess riddles the most!

Debt collection is one thing, but please explain clearly whether it means losing status or something?
You don't learn your lesson all day long, just like Emperor Jiajing!
While Li Kun was complaining in his heart, his vision became blurry again.

Obviously, the episode was not enough to stop Mr. Li from feeling sleepy.

Soon, snoring sounds were heard in the room.

……

Three days later.

Li Kun put "Lü's Village Agreement" and "Nan Gan Village Agreement" back on the table, and only took a copy of "Pujiang Zheng's Family Rules" and went downstairs to eat.

He found an empty seat and sat down, ordered a few of his favorite dishes, and started reading again with relish.

He certainly didn't want to guess, but since an elder asked him to study a certain book carefully, he didn't disobey reason.

Listen to people's advice and eat your fill.

It's just that the surroundings are a bit noisy, so the efficiency of reading is not very high.

"The dust should have settled today, right?"

"To be precise, it was all settled yesterday. According to the imperial custom, two days after the palace examination, the emperor will go to the Wenhua Hall, and the examiner will read the papers aloud. Then he will give his approval to the top three candidates, and the rest will be sent to the cabinet officials. So it was all settled yesterday, and the next two days will just be copying the yellow list."

"I don't know who will win the top three prizes."

"We will know who will win the prize the day after tomorrow. Maybe you and I will be among them."

"Hahaha, just based on Brother Qian's auspicious words, I'll treat you to dinner today."

Li Kun was reading a book, and he couldn't help but be amused when he heard this - although the Henan Guild Hall was stingy, it was still very generous to these prospective Jinshi. Before the results were announced, they were allowed to eat and drink as they pleased, so there was no need for others to treat them.

"We may not know until the day after tomorrow. Those below the second place will be taken back to the government office by the examiners to open the papers and fill in the yellow list. There are three people in the first place. Since the emperor made the decision yesterday, rumors have spread."

"Is there a rumor?!"

"Of course, there were more than a dozen examiners, plus the Zhongshu Sheren and the eunuchs and female officials on the scene. It would be strange if no news leaked out."

"Tell me about it! Tell me about it!"

"What are you talking about? I just heard some rumors last night. It was said that a Jinshi named Sun had lofty ideals, gorgeous rhetoric, concise language, and powerful arguments. He was directly selected as the top scholar."

"That grandson of Sun Jigao, right? I've heard about him too. He figured out the emperor and the cabinet's inclinations and forced the topic of 'reform'. He's a complete villain."

"Well, you can't say that. There are outsiders here."

"Outsider? I would say the same thing to his face!"

"Okay, okay, let's wait until the yellow list is released. It may not be accurate. Yeah, what about the runner-up and third place winners? Any rumors?"

"The second and third place winners are not as popular as the first place winner. Not much news has been leaked. I only heard that the third place winner's surname is Li."

"Could it be Li Sancai, that son of a government official?"

"..."

Li Kun was eating and drinking at the next table, and couldn't help shaking his head when he heard this.

As expected of someone who likes to form associations, as soon as someone mentioned his surname, Li, everyone guessed it was Li Sancai.

Why don't you guess yourself?

Everyone’s surname is Li.

Of course, he was just complaining in his heart. Based on his understanding of himself, it would be more practical to think about how to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

"Indeed, let's think about how to pass the exam to become a Shujishi."

"Need I tell you? I have already prepared 15 ancient essays. I will submit them to the Ministry of Rites after the results are announced."

"Alas, my father told me that passing the imperial examination would be easy, but I never thought that now that I have passed the imperial examination, I have to start thinking about the selection test for the Shujishi. There will be monthly and annual examinations for Shujishi, and the division into the Jieshizhong and Hanlin Academy three years later. It's like I have to keep taking exams until I die."

"Speaking of Shujishi, I have heard that Shujishi of this year's exam may not be admitted to the Hanlin Academy."

"What do you mean? What do you mean you won't be admitted to the Imperial Academy?"

"Yes, the Prime Minister said so in the court meeting yesterday. He said that since the implementation of the performance evaluation system, many officials have retired, been dismissed, or demoted, and the vacancies in various places have gradually widened. The central government still has talents to fill, but the local areas have already begun to lack officials in prefectures and cities. Therefore, the Shujishi of this year's exam are very likely to be sent to the local areas."

"Ah? No way? How can the imperial court treat Shujishi so harshly?"

"Shujishi? I'm afraid even the first-class scholar may not be able to stay in the Hanlin Academy."

The sound gradually stopped.

The people at the table talked for a long time, and finally dispersed after eating and drinking their fill.

Only Li Kun was left at the next table, chewing slowly.

Mr. Li looked at the village covenant in his hand and fell into deep thought.

……

March 20th, in Wanshou Palace.

Zhu Yijun handed the approved memorial to Zhang Hong.

Then he picked out a separate book and asked the secretary Wu Zhongxing to send it to the Ministry of Rites: "Go to the Ministry of Rites and convey my intention. It is to say that whether Wang Shouren can be enshrined in the Confucius Temple should not only be based on his attainments in classics, but also on his orthodoxy."

"In the past, is it a continuation of the tradition from Confucius? In the future, can we create something new? Is it in line with the people's pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty?"

"It just so happens that the Kong family and Wang Shouren's direct disciples are now in the capital. Let the Ministry of Rites find out the details, and then come and tell me about the matter of being enshrined in the Confucius Temple."

Wu Zhongxing didn't ask any more questions.

After receiving the oral order, he responded and went out quickly with the memorial in his pocket.

After Zhu Yijun gave the order, he stretched and leaned back.

He casually asked Zheng Zongxue who had just taken over: "Has the yellow list been posted?" Early in the morning, there was the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates. Zhu Yijun sat in the Huangji Hall for a while and listened to the official in charge of the imperial examination shouting a few words, "Heaven has opened up the literary fortunes, and talented people have been promoted to the rank of ministers. It is proper to celebrate." After completing the formalities, he went straight back to the West Garden.

There is no time to wait until the results are announced.

Zheng Zongxue replied softly, "Your Majesty, when I entered the palace on duty, people were watching the yellow list outside Donghua Gate."

"The top scholar Sun Jigao, the second place Yu Menglin, and the third place Li Kun should have started parading through the streets by now."

Zhu Yijun sighed inexplicably: "They are all good men who were called out outside Donghua Gate."

Zheng Zongxue reminded him, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Censor Hai is still waiting in Chengguang Hall."

Only then did Zhu Yijun come to his senses.

He nodded and said, "Let's go. Censor Hai is a good man now. We shouldn't let him wait too long."

Since Hai Rui returned to Beijing from Huguang last year, he has been recuperating for a while.

It is not correct to say that it is self-cultivation, it is more accurate to say that it is preparation for exams.

For this reason, Zhu Yijun did not assign any important tasks to anyone.

Now that the exam is over, if people are not allowed to do any practical work, Hai Rui may be even more anxious than Zhu Yijun.

He is the most considerate emperor to his subjects.

After saying this, Zhu Yijun set off for Chengguang Palace.

Of course, there is some homework to do along the way.

He called the head of the East Depot to his side and asked Hai Rui about his daily life: "What has Censor Hai been doing lately?"

Li Jin almost blurted out, "Your Majesty, since the beginning of this year, after Hai Yushi was promoted to the Right Deputy Chief Censor, he has been assigned the responsibility of assisting the Censorate in the examination of the law."

"At the end of January, Ge Du Yushi will hand over the inspection of Guanglu and the warehouse to Hai Yushi for supervision."

"There will be an imperial examination in February. The Censorate did not assign too many tasks to Hai Yushi. They only gave Hai Yushi the case files of the customs inspection for review."

"This month, I was also assigned to inspect the inner treasury, the imperial city, and the Five Cities Military Department."

Zhu Yijun listened quietly.

Ge Shouli didn't know whether he was trying to figure out the emperor's intentions or was planning to retire.

From what Li Jin said, it seemed that he was unloading the burden on Hai Rui too quickly.

Unfortunately, I thought too much. Hai Rui is just a brick and can be moved wherever he is needed. It is not yet time for him to sit in the Censorate and enjoy his retirement.

Furthermore, if Ge Shouli, the Left Censor-in-Chief, retires, there will be no one in the Censorate who can suppress Huo Ji. Wouldn't this guy be trying to get in touch with the Minister Ni Guangjian at court meetings every day?
Xiao Ge is only 70 years old this year, so delaying his retirement by five years is not excessive.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but laugh.

He coughed lightly and asked casually, "How about life?"

Li Jin thought for a moment before answering, "Your Majesty, Hai Yushi is always the same."

"I take care of my mother, do housework, and help my neighbors. I often help the people draft lawsuits, which gives Shuntian Prefecture a headache."

Zhu Yijun asked, "Where is the concubine I gave to Hai Yushi two years ago?"

Hearing this, Li Jin couldn't help but carefully consider and said, "No movement for the time being."

Zhu Yijun sighed, feeling a little regretful.

"But the palace maids who often visit said that although Hai Yushi's family tradition is not romantic, the two of them are also respectful and supportive of each other, and the family's atmosphere has increased a lot."

After all, the concubine was sent by the emperor. In order to prevent the emperor from feeling that he was doing useless work, Li Jin emphasized the positive significance of the concubine.

Zhu Yijun was really comforted.

He nodded: "I visit people in the palace from time to time and help with anything."

This is extremely necessary.

For the people Zhu Yijun appointed out of the palace, it was one thing to discipline them and make them abide by the rules, but it was another thing to take care of them and prevent them from being bullied - after all, loyal ministers are loyal ministers, and the family atmosphere is probably not that good.

While the emperor was talking to the head of the East Depot, a group of people arrived at the Chengguang Hall.

Zhu Yijun glanced inadvertently and saw a figure standing upright outside the palace gate.

As if hearing the noise, the figure began to salute from a distance.

"His Majesty."

Zhu Yijun quickened his pace, walked closer and grabbed Hai Rui's hand.

After he helped the man up, he took his hand and dragged him into the hall: "You are a Jinshi today, do you feel any different?"

Hai Rui was held by the emperor's hand, and his expression was calm, not feeling that there was anything wrong at all: "Your Majesty, your words make me ashamed. How dare I shamelessly call myself a Jinshi when I was granted the imperial examination by your grace?"

"The fact that I was ranked among the top three in the imperial examinations shows my talent and learning."

"Now in front of the Grandmaster, I feel ashamed of myself."

Zhu Yijun looked at Hai Rui in surprise. It was amazing that even a rigid person could make a joke that sounded quite realistic.

He nodded with satisfaction: "You have become more lively these days. As a master, I am very pleased."

Hai Rui smiled along with the emperor but did not respond.

He himself was not sensitive to whether his mood was lively or not, but as he saw that the emperor was now working hard and the national situation was stabilizing, this scene that only existed in dreams appeared in reality, and he felt indescribably relieved.

Now, Hai Rui no longer even refused the nourishing foods given by the palace, just hoping to live more years.

Zhu Yijun let go of Hai Rui's hand, walked to the imperial desk and sat down leisurely: "I gave you a background so that you can do better for the country. Whether you are talented or not, you have been an official for many years, and everyone in the world can see it."

It is the second half of the National Dynasty. Hai Rui was able to reach his current position as a mere juren without any backing. It would be too modest to claim that he has no talent.

Hai Rui knew that the emperor had not summoned him to the Western Garden to chat, so he volunteered: "If the country is in trouble, I will not refuse even if I die."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Don't be so eager to die. It's unlucky."

He paused and said slowly, "In two or three years, the land will be measured. I want you to guide this batch of Jinshi."

Hai Rui looked up in confusion.

It is easy to say about Du Tian. He has been preparing all the time since he was revived in the sixth year of Longqing until now in the second year of Wanli.

But what did the emperor mean by "bringing in a Jinshi"?
Zhu Yijun did not keep the secret and said in short: "The tasks assigned to you before were temporary assignments to investigate major cases."

"Now I intend to let you go on a tour of duty and stay in charge for a few years."

"By the way, bring along the Jinshi of this subject... well, your seniors, and teach them some specific political affairs."

For Jinshi candidates in the same exam, their age is not mentioned, but their ranking is used to determine their rank. So it is appropriate to call them seniors.

Hai Rui suddenly understood.

He said without any ambiguity, "Your Majesty, please give your orders."

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "You don't have to measure the land right away. I just hope you can sort it out and be prepared in your heart and hands. I will wait for the opportunity to issue orders."

"Nowadays, farmland is hidden all over the country, especially in Huguang, Sichuan and Shandong."

"In Huguang, Liang Menglong, a student of the Yuanfu, has just taken office. As for Shandong, I want to give Governor Yin a favor. So, are you willing to go to Sichuan?"

Sichuan...

Hai Rui hesitated for a moment, then asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, when will I set out?"

He skipped the question of whether the emperor was willing and asked directly about the time.

When Zhu Yijun saw Hai Rui hesitate for a moment, he naturally understood the reason.

His mother had been seriously ill and should have died last year.

But now, perhaps because the palace gave him too many tonics, he is still hanging on.

Hai Rui must be thinking of his mother now, and he is torn between his conscience and his desires.

Zhu Yijun smiled and said comfortingly: "Don't worry, wait until the selection of the Shujishi is completed and they finish their concentrated study in the Hanlin Academy. I will inform you in advance then."

"Now I'm in a hurry to summon you to the palace, I think it's to give you a position first. As for taking up the post, you can wait for a while."

Hai Rui heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this.

His mother was bedridden, and if she passed away while he was traveling far away, it would probably be a lifelong regret for him.

He gathered his thoughts and asked about the matter: "Position?"

Zhu Yijun hummed and said, "He will be appointed as the Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief to inspect Sichuan, oversee the government affairs of Sichuan and take charge of pacifying the Duman."

Hai Rui was stunned: "Your Majesty, I don't know anything about military affairs."

It's okay for government affairs, but he really doesn't understand military affairs.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and said, "Most of the Duman have been pacified. Lingxiao City and Dudusai have been brought under the rule of our dynasty. Now there are only small groups of barbarian bandits roaming around. After you leave, you will only have to pacify the people and eliminate the bandits."

After listening to the emperor's explanation, Hai Rui nodded slowly.

As for why he was assigned the task of clearing out the bandits, he did not think much about it.

Zhu Yijun was unwilling to explain too much - Hai Rui's mother did not have much time left, and he was afraid that Hai Rui would become stubborn and insist on observing a three-year mourning period.

He changed the subject: "The top scorers of this year's exam are Sun Jigao, Yu Menglin, and Li Kun, the second place is Li Sancai, and the third place is Gu Xiancheng. You should focus on disciplining one or two of them."

"Among them, Sun Jigao advocates reform. You can take him to the governor's office and let him see what it means when superiors hinder, subordinates bite back, and local gentry rebel."

"Yu Menglin was born in the Imperial College. He has a pure character and little experience. Just let him go out and take charge on his own."

"Li Kun, I have a special arrangement for him. Let him explore the grassroots governance of the countryside."

"As for the latter two... they are not bad in skills, but they love to talk nonsense. Hai Qing, train me hard!"

Hai Rui was inexplicably distracted after listening to the emperor's detailed list.

How busy must the emperor be on this day to be able to have a comprehensive understanding of the classics of all dynasties while also being so meticulous about government affairs that it even takes one to understand the personality and character of a particular Jinshi candidate?

Just thinking about it.

The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department suddenly stepped quickly into the Chengguang Hall.

Zhang Hong ignored Hai Rui, walked straight to the emperor, and handed over a memorial with the Ji-Liao seal on it.

The emperor put the memorial into his sleeve and nodded calmly: "Hai Qing, the imperial edict will arrive later, you should go and review the Sichuan case files first."

Hai Rui readily accepted the advice and bowed and left in a formal manner.

But in his heart he was sighing at how busy the emperor was. He had announced the names of the successful candidates and arranged the imperial examinations this morning. Now he was summoning his ministers and was also taking care of military affairs at the border whenever he had time.

Judging from the fire seal pattern, it must be urgent news of a war involving more than 10,000 people.

The country is in trouble.

(End of this chapter)