In Pingzhou, the servant saw his master standing still, so he hurriedly squeezed forward and asked worriedly, "Master, are you feeling unwell?"
All the servants in the mansion knew that the Marquis loved the young master the most, and they were really afraid that they would have a hard time explaining if the young master fell ill.
Changzhong waved his hand, "I'm fine, your young master. Let's go back to the house. I need to take a good bath."
The smell on his body was considered a good thing. Although he had someone to serve him, he had also developed the ability to take care of himself because he had to take the imperial examination. The candidate next to him was the one who was having a bad time. Sometimes water was spilled, sometimes ink was spilled. Fortunately, he was able to stay calm and was not affected.
The servant raised the kettle in his hand and said, "Here is the soup. I have been keeping it warm. Sir, have a few sips to warm your stomach."
In his heart, the young master suffered a lot for having to take three exams in a row. Fortunately, the young master had a good foundation in martial arts since childhood. Listen, someone came out coughing again.
Changzhong took it and drank it, and his stomach felt much better. "Where are the others?"
There were many references from the Zhou family this time, including several sons-in-law of the Zhou family. Yes, sons-in-law. Women from the Zhou family never have trouble finding a husband, and the more they marry, the better. Most of them are scholars. Changzhong also met many sons-in-law of the Zhou family when he went to the clan school to give lectures.
The most direct manifestation of the clan's strength is that married women have a strong position in their husband's family. Also, because the Zhou family's women are literate and well-mannered, they have never been domineering. Married women understand that the family's good reputation is hard-earned, and they will also maintain the reputation when they get married. This has led to many Zhou family women getting engaged before they reach the required age.
The servant replied, "Most of them have come out and are waiting at the carriage."
"Let's go too."
The servant couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Sir, are the questions difficult?"
Changzhong has the right to speak. The test questions for this autumn exam are not difficult at all. This is also related to the region. The country is too big to set questions according to the standards of the south. This has resulted in very few northern students ranking high in the spring exam. Brother Wu Ming is a genius!
Even if he became the top scorer, there is still a gap between him and Brother Wu Ming. He grew up with an elite education, while Brother Wu Ming only has himself to rely on.
Changzhong shook his head slightly. The servant understood and became anxious. "What should we do?"
He heard from his master that the harder the test questions, the greater the gap between the students, and his master was going to win six prizes!
Chang Zhong smiled, "Okay, let's go."
In Beijing, Zhou Shuren went home and changed his clothes. The food was already on the table. "What day is today? Why is it so sumptuous?"
Zhulan sat down and said, "The day your son's autumn exam is over."
"I said I forgot something."
"Really forgot?"
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "I haven't forgotten. It's time for this kid to go home."
"Yeah, I don't know how the results are."
Zhou Shuren has confidence in his son, "It won't be bad."
The worst thing is not understanding the Yuan.
Zhulan handed the soup to her husband and said, "I'm not worried about Changzhong, I'm worried about Changzhi. The case will be tried after the autumn examination, and it will also be the time when the counterattack will be the most severe."
Zhou Shuren said: "I also asked the emperor recently, and the emperor only told me that he was collecting evidence, and the officials sent by the Ministry of Revenue to Chuanzhou will take some time to arrive in Chuanzhou."
Zhulan drank a few sips of the soup herself. Mm, the mushroom soup was delicious. "I feel more at ease when Zhang Jinghong comes over."
Zhou Shuren said, "It is precisely because he is so capable that I chose him to help Changzhi."
He was indebted to Zhang Jinghong, and Zhang Jinghong had also wrestled with the King of Qi and others. He felt relieved that Zhang Jinghong was helping Chang Zhi.
After the couple finished their meal, the temperature was good, so they got up and went to walk around the garden. Zhulan said as they walked, "Minghui rewrote the book he compiled and gave it to me this afternoon."
"Well, I'll go back and take a look later."
Zhulan smiled and said, "The third son's letter arrived today, and everything is fine with my little grandson."
Zhou Shuren was worried about his grandson whom he had never met, "I don't know when I can see Minghu again."
Zhulan also sighed. The child was too young. The couple would be reluctant to send the child back if the child was older. The couple were old and wanted the child to be around.
Zhou Shuren added: "Today the Emperor mentioned the marriage of the Third Prince."
"I thought the emperor was still angry about Chuanzhou!"
Zhou Shuren curled his lips, "Your Majesty has long known that his recent anger was all acted."
Zhu Lan asked, "Oh, it seems that the Third Prince is doing a good job in the Ministry of Works."
Otherwise, the emperor would not have mentioned it so much. Ignoring it since childhood will form a habit.
Zhou Shuren nodded, "Yes, the Third Prince has broken down the various technologies improved by the Ministry of Industry and also evaluated the prices they can be sold at. The Third Prince is quite attentive."
Zhu Lan's eyes were filled with sarcasm, "I heard from Chang Yi that the Second Prince is still not doing his job conscientiously."
"Um."
The next day in Chuanzhou City, Chang Zhi woke up in a daze. He was surprised to see the daybreak. He got up, dressed, and saw Ding Jue, "Why didn't you call me?"
Ding Jue said: "It's rare for you to have a good sleep, I want you to rest for a while."
Chang Zhi slept for more than three hours, and his mind was much more relaxed. "I had a good rest, and I can try the case today."
Ding Jue suppressed his excitement and asked, "Sir, whose case will you try first today?"
Changzhi, "... "
There are too many cases, and almost all the officials in Chuanzhou City have been imprisoned. The emperor has already sent people, and it will take some time for the new prefect to arrive.
Ding Jue asked, "Sir?"
Chang Zhi washed his face first before saying, "Let's start with Prefect Shi."
Ding Jue said: "Yes."
Chang Zhi's meals were all prepared by the emperor's men, because he still managed to get some deadly stuff into the government office. He had a simple breakfast, put on his official uniform and went to interrogate the prefect Shi.
Governor Shi is indeed cautious. Once the door is opened, it will be easiest to find all the evidence. Behind his cautiousness is his arrogance. He arrogantly believes that his confidentiality measures are foolproof.
I know that the case is being tried today and there are quite a few people outside listening to the trial.
Prefect Shi was brought up. He was over 40 years old. After being in prison for so many days, he had lost his elegant temperament and looked more than ten years older.
Chang Zhi did not abuse anyone. He asked the soldiers on guard not to make things difficult for them and to pay more attention to prevent anyone from committing suicide out of fear of punishment.
Prefect Shi was standing in the court. He had not been convicted yet. He looked up at Zhou Changzhi. He had underestimated this man.
Chang Zhi was not intimidated at his first trial. He presented the charges and evidence one by one, "Do you plead guilty?"
Prefect Shi was dejected. He knew that not only was he finished, but his entire family was also finished. His son and daughter would be implicated. "I plead guilty. I hope you will show some mercy to my son."
Chang Zhi, "Since you plead guilty, sign the pledge."
He was not surprised that Magistrate Shi was so happy. It would be better to confess his guilt and seek leniency than to struggle in vain. Unfortunately, Magistrate Shi was charged with too many crimes and no one could protect his family.
In the following days, Chang Zhi tried cases in the morning and reviewed test papers in the afternoon. He was like a spinning top. Because the deputy examiner and others were arrested, Chang Zhi borrowed academic certificate officials from several nearby states to come over, so that he did not have to rush around and affect his results.
The case in Chuanzhou was heard very quickly, as Chang Zhi's large-scale move caught everyone off guard and the evidence was not moved, making it easier for Chang Zhi to try the case.
Of course, there were also those who refused to plead guilty and cried out for innocence, but they were all slapped in the face by the evidence and had no choice but to plead guilty in the end. As the trial went on, some small fish were also caught and the prisons were full of people.