The concierge's post was handed in, and not long after, someone invited them in.
"Cunzhi, is this suitable for us?" One of them thought that Mr. Hu from the cabinet was here, and then thought about the turbulent remarks now, and he still felt a little uneasy.
"What's wrong with visiting Mr. Examiner?" Gu Yu replied in a low voice without squinting as he followed the boy in Tsing Yi walking upright.
When he came to the living room, he heard a loud laugh.
"Come, come, I have a chance to meet these talented people today."
It was Mr. Hu who stood up first.
This was the first time they had come into contact with a cabinet minister, and they couldn't hide the shock on their faces, and they all hurriedly saluted each other.
"This is the name of this conference, Jiankang, Gu Yu and Gu Cunzhi." Mr. Li introduced Gu Yu with a smile.
Master Hu looked at Gu Yu, surprised at his youth, and nodded repeatedly.
"Cunzhi studied under Master Li?" he asked.
Gu Yu nodded in agreement and continued, "This disciple came from Jiankang in March and became a disciple of Master Li in April."
The person who is under the door is the person under the door. His words at this time were quite superfluous.
But Mr. Hu's eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Public opinion is a force that cannot be underestimated, especially the public opinion among the scholars. When it is powerful, it can fully represent the will of all people in the world, and this Li Daru is the leader of the scholars in the capital.
Because there were guests, the three of them sat for a while and then stood up to leave. Mr. Li did not leave the meal politely.
After the three people left, the two adults sat down again and had tea respectively. It seemed that they had nothing to talk about, and the atmosphere in the room was a bit strange.
"That's it, I take my leave." Mr. Hu stood up and said.
Mr. Li didn't stay and got up to see off the guests.
"Your Excellency, you should think carefully about what I say." Mr. Hu said with a smile.
Master Li smiled without saying a word and sent him out.
"I was outside the door just now and saw seven people coming, but only three came in at the end. It seems that I have dragged Master Li down." When Master Hu got on the sedan, he seemed to have thought of something and said with a playful smile. .
Mr. Li's expression seemed to be stiff, he twisted his beard and said nothing, watched the sedan go away, then turned around and entered the door.
"Sir, seven people did come, and then the four turned around and left... I don't know who they were..." the concierge said respectfully.
"No problem." Mr. Li waved his hand and motioned for the concierge to step back.
The three hundred scholars were all chosen by him, and his names have long been memorized. Now that a month has passed, he already knows who has come and who has not.
Gu Yu and his party left Mr. Li's residence. Two of them still looked excited, but when they looked at Gu Yu, they looked calm.
"This talented person will definitely be the number one scholar this time, and will join the cabinet as prime minister in the future..." One of them guessed the link, and couldn't help but feel a bit envious. Since he joined the cabinet, he would be colleagues with these cabinet ministers, so there is nothing wrong with it. Excitedly, "...Unlike us, it is only open to the outside world... This time I go to the palace to see Tianyan for the palace examination. This is not the first time, but it may also be the last time..."
Gu Yu shook his head, not sure whether he disagreed with their statement or was modest, "The imperial examination has not yet started, so you cannot make false claims about your ranking. Everything is judged by the emperor. You and I can just learn from it with peace of mind."
Look, now the cabinet minister has the aristocratic attitude. The two looked at each other and stuck out their tongues.
The two were chatting and laughing when they suddenly saw Gu Yu in front of him reining in his horse, turning over and dismounting.
"What are you doing?" they asked.
"Dismount." Gu Yuzheng replied, reaching forward and pointing forward, "I can't see where I am."
The two of them raised their eyes and saw a majestic mansion standing on their right. This street was basically filled with mansions of ministers, but this one was the most eye-catching among them.
The wide gatehouse, white jade steps, vermilion gate, and even the two stone lions placed at the door give people a strong sense of awe at a glance.
When the two students saw it, they immediately dismounted without saying a word.
The three of them led the horses forward cautiously, bowing their heads and keeping their breath. As they walked, they couldn't help but quietly turn their heads to look.
During the day, the four gates were closed tightly and looked deserted. Two large lanterns were hung on the gate tower, with the words "Zhu Mansion" swinging in the wind.
Gu Yu felt his heart surge, and he couldn't help but tighten his grip on the horse's reins.
This is the residence of the chief minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This is the residence of the most powerful ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This is a noble place that can change the fate of one person and more than ten thousand people. With special approval from the emperor, military attachés dismounted and civil servants dismounted. The Great Zhou Dynasty The number one scholar in Bingchenke is now the residence of Prime Minister Zhu Chunming.
He is just such a person. What is ridiculous is that he is a group of students who are overestimating their abilities and self-proclaimed literati. They accuse others of being traitors and harming the country, and falsely accuse Zhongliang. His crimes are punishable, but he does not know that in the eyes of others, they are just a group of clowns having fun. If he wants, he can crush you to death with just a finger.
As expected, Gu Hai did not go to see Mr. Li again. He just handed over a post with words of thanks and attached a letter, listing Da Jin's crimes when he went south and General Ye Zhen's achievements over the years. Its significance is self-evident.
After Mr. Li picked it up, there was no response, just like a stone sinking into the sea and a mud cow entering the river.
"Have you lost your mind and gone crazy?" Gu Yu couldn't laugh or cry when he found out, "Do you know what you are doing?"
"It's natural for me to study, become an official, and become an official." Gu Hai replied in a deep voice with a calm expression.
When Gu Yu smiled, he almost forgot that this boy was also nicknamed Silly Wood. The wood was already dull, and adding the word "Silly" showed how deep his temper was.
Ever since he entered the clan school and his talent was suddenly revealed, he almost forgot about it, and no one called him by this nickname anymore. As the saying goes, a person's nature is hard to change. Although he studied diligently and excelled in his studies, Gu Hai It was still Gu Hai, not a different person.
The life and death of others was not in Gu Yu's heart, what's more, the person in front of him was Gu Hai.
Although he would try to win the championship in one fell swoop, there was still the palace examination, which was supposed to be a certainty, but looking at the calm and composed young man in front of him, his eyes couldn't help but twinkle slightly.
"When are you going home?" He changed the topic and said calmly.
"Why, Cunzhi wants to keep me company?" Gu Hai asked with a smile.
"No, it depends on when you leave so I can miss the day." Gu Yu also smiled.
Both of them just said this to avoid the topic. One didn't want the answer and the other didn't want to say it. They would disappear as soon as they laughed.
"Cunzhi" someone came over with a smile on his face, holding up a post, "Master Chief Assistant's Hairpin Banquet"
It is customary to parade through the streets after winning the first prize, but after the examination, there is also an unwritten custom, that is, the chief minister of the cabinet leads the North Korean Central University to invite three hundred scholars who have fought out of thousands of troops to a banquet. One is a reward, the other is a brief training before joining the officialdom.
The reason why it is said to be unwritten is that whether this banquet will be held or not depends entirely on the mood of the emperor and the chief minister. In the Zhou Dynasty, it was held only five times in total. After all, these scholars will all be emperors after passing the palace examination. Disciple, the teaching should be implemented by the emperor. Therefore, although the emperor secretly promised it, when it came to actual implementation, the chief ministers were still very cautious. The emperor's mentality was difficult to fathom.
Before this exam, everyone was speculating whether there would be such a hairpin banquet. However, with the changes in the situation between the DPRK and China, everyone thought it would be impossible. Unexpectedly, the Chief Minister, who was currently in the limelight, would hold it. He was not afraid that a hot-blooded scholar would pop up at the banquet and throw his shoes at him, or curse him loudly. This would be very embarrassing, and even if he killed the student, it would be difficult to wash away the shame.
"However, not all of them will participate." The student who held up the post said while looking at Gu Hai.
Gu Hai immediately understood that he was excluded this time.
"The name was determined by the examiner. In view of the continuous wars and the suffering of all the people, it is not appropriate to waste it..." After so many words, the man continued, "...so the top ten, the middle ten, and the bottom ten are chosen as representatives. ….”
Although it was hosted by the Prime Minister, it was attended by officials such as the Grand Secretaries. It was a banquet of the highest standards except for the banquet given by the emperor after the palace examination. Both passionate scholars and neutral students were yearning for it.
Gu Hai couldn't hide a hint of disappointment on his face, he, the one hundred and fifty, was not among them.
This decision sounds reasonable and does not seem to target students like them who have made unkind remarks.
"Everything depends on luck, Hanzhi, don't take it too seriously." Gu Yu said with a smile.
Gu Hai was in no mood to look at the ridicule on Gu Yu's face anymore and turned to leave.
Because of this incident, Gu Hai's return home schedule was advanced. The thought of going home made his recent depressed mood much better.
"What do you like, young lady?" Standing in the Duobao Pavilion, the largest in the capital, Lingbao felt dazzled and distressed.
"I wonder how old that young lady is?" the waiter on the side asked with a smile.
Ever since Gu Hai threw out a handful of gold leaves, the waiter no longer dared to smile contemptuously at the thinly-clad Lingbao.
"This hairpin is the most popular style in the palace. It is a must-have for all the ladies in the capital." The boy introduced it enthusiastically while holding a box.
The gold hairpin beads and flowers are piled up delicately, which is really exquisite.
Lingbao turned to look at Gu Hai, who shook his head.
"Go and have a look at the bookshelf over there." He smiled and walked over first.
Yes, the young lady likes reading and not dressing up. Lingbao also followed her.
Picking out seven or eight hard-covered medicinal herbal books, Lingbao smiled with his eyes crooked: "Young lady must like the gift from the young master."
Gu Hai smiled. After all, this was not a gift. It was still the Eighteenth Mother’s money.
"What does Lingbao like?" Gu Hai asked, looking at the poor and thin Lingbao. The weather was cold, and he was still wearing a single shirt, which was too short, exposing a part of his wrist, and his small hands were rough.
During these days, she refused the support of herself and Shiba Niang, and made a living by making some cleaning medicinal materials in the medicine shop. In addition to barely making ends meet, she spent all the money she earned on looking for Lingyuan.
"Thank you, Master," Lingbao shook his head and refused.
Gu Hai sighed, in this situation, it would be better to leave some money for her.
The clerk packed the books and personally delivered them to the carriage. Gu Haicai said goodbye to Lingbao when he saw a guard in red clothes walking up to them and respectfully handing over a post.
"Master Gu, please come to the banquet." He lowered his head and said.
Gu Hai couldn't help but be a little surprised when he didn't introduce himself to his family and spoke without any beginning or end. His brows jumped even more when he looked at the gold-plated invitation handed to him.
This is..Hairpin Flower Banquet’s post
"Who is...your master?" Gu Hai asked.
"You will know when the young master arrives. My young master will be very happy to see Mr. Gu." The guard lowered his head, then saluted and strode away.
It was that person. Gu Hai held the invitation and suddenly realized that he was qualified to see him.
Finally meeting that person, Gu Hai's heart couldn't help but pounding. If he could get invitations to the banquet where the participants had already been confirmed, this person must have a lot of background.
Who is this person? Is he really someone he knows
The hairpin banquet was not held at the residence of the Chief Minister, but at an old prince's residence on the west side of the palace, which has been taken over by the imperial court.
Early in the morning, the invited scholars stood in front of the palace gate, dressed in new clothes and looking excited.
Gu Yu was at the forefront, with a bright look in his eyes that had always been calm. The examination was a threshold. Only by crossing this threshold would he have a chance to rise to the top...
Those who once trampled on him, those who had suffered humiliation in the past, will now crawl in front of him and look up. This is not enough, he will step on them heavily and return those humiliations to them one by one...
There was a sudden noise behind him, and he couldn't help but turn around to look, and his face suddenly changed in shock.
"You, why are you here again?" he asked in a voice.
Gu Hai strode closer to him and looked at him, with a feigned confusion on his face as if he wanted to be punched.
"I don't know either..." He shrugged, spread his hands, and said helplessly.
Gu Yu wanted to vomit blood.
Gu Hai smiled at him and shook the invitation in his hand, "I think it might be luck."
Without further ado, the door opened, and bachelors wearing python robes and jade belts appeared in front of everyone.
"Fellow tributes, please."
Everyone dressed up and returned the courtesy in unison, filing in with excitement and dignity.
"Save it, please." Gu Hai smiled and walked away without waiting for Gu Yu to leave. He couldn't hide the curiosity and expectation in his eyes, and his steps were hurried.
Gu Yu watched him pass by, his thin lips tightly closed. Is it really luck? How could there be such luck? A cold light flashed in his eyes, why did he have such good luck? He always gets what he doesn't deserve. If he has more luck in the imperial examination...
"Save it..." someone whispered from behind.
Gu Yu came back to his senses, calmed down his expression and followed the flow of people in.
The banquet was no different from other banquets, except that there were a few more speakers, a dozen or so academicians, who spoke for an entire hour. The only standing scholars had numb feet and sore legs. Although there were seats, they were in front of the emperor’s important ministers. Who among them dares to sit
However, there were no inappropriate remarks or actions at the scene. From the gossip, it was speculated that the laughter and laughter of those incompatible bachelors could not be seen to have caused a big fight in front of the emperor's seat in the court.
But the First Assistant didn't show up at all. After finally finishing his lecture, the presiding bachelor motioned for everyone to sit down. Before the students could even sit down, they heard a feminine chant.
"Prince Wenjun has arrived—"
This sound caused the tributes to stand up straight in shock and all looked towards the stage.
Emperor Longqing of the Great Zhou Dynasty once had a son, but unfortunately he died of fright when Dajin raided the imperial city. After that, Emperor Longqing had no children, so he had to choose a successor from the clan. The sons of princes have been invited to the capital one after another. The royal palace, and this King Wenjun is one of them. He is the son of King Xiu of Yanzhou and is named King Wenjun.
Although the undercurrent of scholars among the royal heirs was unclear, they also knew that for the Zhou Dynasty, which had no prince, the status of the county prince was extremely noble, and he was most likely to be the future emperor.
Unexpectedly, a county prince would come to this banquet, no less than the emperor coming in person. Some scholars' legs were trembling, not sure whether they were excited or tired...
Gu Hai looked at the stage like other students without blinking, and saw a tall and thin young man, surrounded by a group of maids, led by the chief minister himself. Wearing a lavender robe and walking calmly, the academicians had already stood up and stood aside. He walked to the center of the stage and slowly turned around.
The moment he turned around, Gu Hai felt his head buzzing.
"It's him, it's him." He looked shocked and opened his mouth slightly in a loss of composure. He only had this thought when looking at the gorgeous young prince in front of him.
Cai Wen Cai Wen Cai Wen, a lonely student in a primary school in Xianren County
At the same time, Gu Yu, who had been staring closely at Gu Hai, his eyes lit up, and then he looked at Prince Wen on the stage with a hint of surprise in his expression.