Such a change is undoubtedly shocking.
Originally, no one paid much attention to the duel between Fang Zhengzheng and Chi Guyan. After all, the gap between the fifty-third person on the Shenglong List and the first place on the Shenglong List was too big.
But…
The tenth place on the Shenglong List is different.
Moreover, according to people in Donglin City who witnessed the battle between the two, the battle was not as fierce as imagined. Yuwen Gu was defeated in just a few face-to-face efforts.
This made those who couldn't compare with Yu Wengu hesitate.
A person who is sharp but relatively weak in strength will naturally be criticized endlessly, but if this person is strong enough to enter the top ten of the Dragon Ranking.
Then who else would ask for trouble
No one is stupid.
…
In Yanjing City, in front of the Prince's Palace in the East Palace, carriages stopped, drove away, stopped, drove away...
In the palace of the Prince's Palace in the East Palace, officials in court uniforms were drinking tea and waiting while discussing political affairs of the DPRK, but no one was talking about Fang Zhengzheng.
Not long after, Prince Lin Tianrong, dressed in casual attire, walked in from the palace door, followed by Zuo Xiang Yu Yiping, dressed in red court clothes.
"Let's not talk about etiquette, let's just talk about our opinions on this palace examination!" Prince Lin Tianrong walked into the palace and sat directly on the chair, playing with a piece of warm jade in his hand.
His eyes slowly scanned the ministers below. His slender eyebrows looked weak, but there was a faint light flashing in his eyes.
Zuo Xiang Yu Yiping walked to the first place left in front of the palace, sat down slowly, and remained silent.
"Back to Your Highness, I have a little idea." A man in his twenties sat at the bottom of the table. The young man wearing a fourth-grade court uniform stood up at this time, and then slowly walked to the middle of the hall.
"Speak." Prince Lin Tianrong glanced at the young man. Said casually.
In the Great Xia Dynasty, those who can be promoted to the fourth rank of Beijing officials at the age of 26 can definitely be regarded as rising through the ranks. However, in the Prince's Palace in the East Palace, the fourth-rank official can only be ranked at the bottom.
Because, above him, there are various third-level, third-level, second-level, and second-level products. Even first grade…
Therefore, when the young man stood up, all the ministers glanced at the young man, with some disdain, some contempt, and even some shaking their heads and sighing.
"Young man, you are still too sharp!"
"Forget it, we have to give young people some opportunities."
Each of the courtiers sighed softly, and then they all wandered around. Each of them continued to discuss the affairs of the government.
"According to the common practice in the imperial court, the emperor himself sets the questions and writes the questions in the palace examination. Judging from the past palace examinations, the questions asked by the emperor are mostly practical, so I am thinking... why not take this opportunity to kill four birds with one stone? Lift.”
The young man's eyes were calm, and he didn't seem to mind at all the attitude of Prince Lin Tianrong or the looks of the surrounding courtiers. He first bowed and then spoke slowly, each word being sonorous and powerful.
"Oh? Kill four birds with one stone? Tell me in detail!" Prince Lin Tianrong heard what the young man said. There was a slight movement in his expression, and his body straightened slightly in the chair.
The faces of other courtiers were even more contemptuous. It's a good thing for young people to be energetic, but once they open their mouths, they can kill four birds with one stone. Has it been a while
"Yes, this first achievement solves the worries of the Holy One. Those who worry about the Holy One worry about the country, the people, the country, and the country. So, although the palace examination is very important, it is not related to the country, the people, the country, and the country. , even small ones are not worth mentioning. Since returning from Cangling Mountain during the last sentence, what worries the Sacred Heart the most is nothing more than the border concerns!" The young man's face remained as usual, his eyes did not squint or wander, and he spoke one sentence after another. , eloquently said.
"What's your name? What's your current position?" After hearing this, Prince Lin Tianrong finally looked at him seriously.
This question was not polite, and it could even be said that it should not be asked from the mouth of the dignified Prince of the East Palace. After all, although the young man in front of him was the last person in the palace, he could still be regarded as an adviser to the Prince of the East Palace.
He doesn't even know the names of his advisers, which is obviously not an honorable thing.
But Prince Lin Tianrong asked straightforwardly, and when Prince Lin Tianrong asked this question, the young man's face looked extremely happy.
After hearing the words of Prince Lin Tianrong, not only the young man was happy, but also the courtiers, who originally had expressions of contempt, had a hint of jealousy on their faces.
The minister has his way of being a minister, and the king has his way of being king.
The emperor's mind.
Knowing or not knowing is not important.
The important thing is whether you know or don't know in the future. Prince Lin Tianrong asked his name once in front of many courtiers, so it means that he will not ask a second time in the future.
In other words, from this moment on, the young man's name was remembered by Prince Lin Tianrong.
Likewise, it also represents the fact that the young man's name is remembered by the ministers present.
"His Royal Highness, my name is Su Qing. I am temporarily serving as an imperial envoy in the Royal Academy, and I am also in charge of writing for the imperial officials of the dynasty!" The young Su Qing said as he saluted again.
"Su Qing? Qing is better than blue, and better than blue. Well, not bad!" Prince Lin Tianrong nodded slightly.
"His Royal Highness, Mr. Su took the Imperial Examination for Level 2 four years ago!" An attendant standing next to Prince Lin Tianrong said quickly in a low voice.
"Oh? We were still in the second place in the imperial examination. Four years ago... wasn't that the year when Nangong Hao took the imperial examination?" When Prince Lin Tianrong heard this, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.
"Yes, I am not talented. I was defeated by Nangong Hao in the imperial examination four years ago. However, with Nangong Hao's talent, I did not lose unfairly!" Su Qing replied respectfully.
"Well, losing at the hands of Nangong Hao is not a loss. The border concerns that Master Su mentioned just now are referring to the Southern Mountains?" Prince Lin Tianrong nodded again and continued,
"That's right, the Zhenguo Mansion has sent troops to Cangling Mountain, and the news brought by Xing Hou must be known to His Highness, the Left Prime Minister, and all your lords. The events in Cangling Mountain this time were all caused by the demons setting up an ambush. However, The most important thing is that a royal family named Shanjia from the Southern Mountains is involved in this matter, so the problem of the Southern Mountains is the most worrying issue for the Holy Emperor at this time!" Su Qing immediately replied.
"Master Su is right. This is indeed what the emperor is most worried about right now. However, how can this matter be mentioned together with the imperial examination?" Prince Lin Tianrong added the word "sir" after Su Qing for the first time.
"Back to Your Highness. After I passed the imperial examination, I have been studying the questions of the ten previous imperial examinations. Judging from the questions of the previous imperial examinations, they all use actual combat to determine the leader. The literary examination discusses politics, the martial arts examination discusses military affairs, and the person who is political and moral is the emperor. It is also divided into six parts: workers, officials, households, soldiers, punishments, and rituals! The Holy Emperor has always focused on the palace examination, and the palace examination is the last test of the Taoist examination, so it is also It is the last step to lead the canal into the court, which is urgent for the Holy Emperor. If we look at the current situation of the court, it can probably be summed up in one sentence. This sentence is: hand it over to the four countries, and calm the hearts of the people below!"
"Send it to the four states and calm the hearts of the people?" When the courtiers heard Su Qing's words, they all looked surprised. It was not too surprising that an envoy from the Royal Academy was studying the questions for the imperial examination. However, it was somewhat surprising that a civil servant's eyes could actually see the four states.
"Yes. Your Majesty is not short of virtuous ministers who can build canals and open roads. What your Majesty is lacking is talents who can go on missions to the four countries and appease the four countries! Therefore, I make a bold guess based on my true intention. In the literary test of this palace examination, Your Majesty The test questions must be related to diplomacy and national security!" When Su Qing said this, he also showed strong confidence inexplicably.
"Master Su's words are really thorough. Using the Holy Concern to test the Holy Will, Master Su's concern for the country and the people is really commendable! Since Master Su can guess the Sacred Heart, why didn't he take part in the palace examination four years ago? "Prince Lin Tianrong's eyes lit up, and then he showed a hint of doubt.
"My heart is to assist the country, not to become a saint. Since I have spent twenty years studying the "Dao Canon" and passing the imperial examination, why do I need to spend more time to take the imperial examination?"
"Hahaha... Mr. Su's idea is a little different from what most people think. In the court, how many people turned to politics because they were unable to practice the holy way, but Mr. Su gave up the holy way for the sake of politics!" Prince Lin Tianrong also laughed when he heard this.
"I'm so petty, I've made His Highness laugh!" Su Qing said respectfully.
"It doesn't matter, everyone has his own ambitions. Since Mr. Su is dedicated to politics, his future future is bound to be limitless. Mr. Su, why don't you tell us in detail about your four achievements with one stone?" Prince Lin Tianrong waved his hand slightly.
"Yes, the first achievement is to relieve the sorrow of the saints, which is the way of filial piety for the prince as the son of man. I just made it clear, and the second achievement is to pacify foreign countries, which is the way for the prince as the prince to be the king. Dao, as for the third and fourth gains, they are planned for current events, not the original intention of the minister, nor the original intention of His Royal Highness, but actually forced by the situation, we have to make plans!"
"tell me the story!"
"Today in the court, the prince is in charge of the government and King Duan is in charge of the army. This is understandable and is a clear warning from the Sacred Heart. However, if the prince ascends the throne in the future and there is no one in the army... it will be detrimental to the country and the people. Therefore, for the sake of the Great Xia Dynasty For future stability, His Royal Highness should make arrangements in advance!"
"My father doesn't like my prince's involvement in military affairs."
"Indeed, if you participate directly, it will naturally be against the holy will. However, if you change the method, it will be in line with the duties that His Royal Highness is currently in charge of!"
"Oh? In what way?"
"I heard that the military sect's annual military sect drill is about to begin. If... this military sect drill has some relationship with the palace examination, it will be logical for the prince to participate in it again!"
"Associating military drills with palace examinations? What a good plan! What a good plan! Come on, tell me what your fourth score is?" Prince Lin Tianrong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he subconsciously looked at Su Qing in front of him.
He is dressed in court clothes that are straight and neat, with profound eyebrows and fair complexion. There is a depth in his conversation that does not suit his age, and most importantly, he is dedicated to politics!
When the other courtiers heard this, their eyes were as bright as a stick. No one commented in a low voice. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Su Qing.
Even Zuo Xiang Yu Yiping couldn't help but glance at Su Qing, but after taking one look, Zuo Xiang Yu Yiping didn't take a second look.
"The fourth one has to do with Fang Zhengzheng."
"Fang Zhengzheng? Hmm... What does Mr. Su think of this Fang Zhengzheng?" The prince was slightly startled and leaned back from his original sitting upright position. However, the expression in his eyes was more expectant than before.
"I believe that if His Highness the Crown Prince wants to sit firmly in the East Palace, his integrity is the biggest instability factor. If it can be eliminated, it will naturally be the best solution, but..."
"Just how?"
"Now Fang Zhengzheng has become an official. According to the imperial code, if officials of the fourth rank and above are to be convicted, they must be supervised by Dali Temple and then personally decided by the Holy One. Moreover, Fang Zhengzheng is now at the peak of his career, and there are too many troubles behind him. Clear factors, such as Chi Guyan of Shenhou Mansion, Prince Li, Xinghou of Zhenguo Mansion, Xiliang Yan clan... etc. Although these forces have not expressed their attitude, they still make people have to consider it!"
"You're right."
"Therefore, I believe that the time has not come to eliminate Fang Zhengzheng. Since the time has not come, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should sit firmly in the East Palace. However, if it is allowed to develop, the future trend will be somewhat difficult to estimate. Therefore, the fourth of my Yes, it's just a borrowed knife to kill someone!" When Su Qing said this, there was no murderous intention in his eyes.
Instead, it was as calm as a lake, as if murder was an extremely normal thing in his eyes.
"Killing someone with a borrowed knife? Well... you have mentioned these four things, so let's finally talk about what you want to do with this move, right?" Prince Lin Tianrong's face moved slightly, and his hands and Nuanyu subconsciously tightened.
"Yes, my move is actually very simple. His Highness the Crown Prince can sit back and observe the questions of the literary test in this palace examination, but for the situation of the martial test, His Highness can make changes. Most of the previous martial tests were in It will be held in the small world, but what happened in the Holy Heaven World a few months ago is still vivid in my mind. His Highness the Crown Prince can take this opportunity to say that the place for the martial arts test will be chosen in the Southern Mountains!" Su Qing solemnly said said.
"What? Choose the Southern Mountains as the place for the martial arts test?!"
"Master Su's move is to frame His Highness the Crown Prince for injustice. The current situation in the Southern Mountains is unknown, so how can the Holy Emperor set the location of the imperial examination in the Southern Mountains?"
After hearing Su Qing's words, all the ministers immediately stood up.
"My lords are wrong. It is precisely because of the unknown situation in the Southern Mountains that the Holy Emperor is most likely to set the location of the imperial examination in the Southern Mountains!" After Su Qing heard the words of the ministers, he shook his head firmly.
When a minister was about to speak, he was immediately grabbed by a minister next to him. Then, he faintly winked in the direction of Prince Lin Tianrong. The minister who was about to speak was slightly startled and glanced at Prince Lin Tianrong's expression. The words that reached my mouth were swallowed back.
"Master Su's words make sense, but what does setting the martial arts test in the Southern Mountains have to do with these four achievements?" Prince Lin Tianrong spoke again, with deep appreciation in his eyes. (To be continued.)