According to the rules, candidates are allowed to check the examination papers in the two township examinations.
Within ten days after the list is released, candidates who fail the list can check the test papers at the local government office. Shuntian is in Shuntian Prefecture, and each province is in the yamen of the governor. If you have any objection, you can appeal. However, if it is verified to be correct, the candidates who complained will be punished. Depending on whether the situation is serious or not, they will be suspended and will be punished for one to three subjects. Those who deliberately cause trouble will take fame.
The examination papers for the Jiyou Branch Examination have been sent to the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen. Many scholars have come to check the examination papers in the past few days, and the people in the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen are very busy. When Xue Tingxiang and others arrived, there were still many scholars waiting here. The three of them waited for nearly half an hour before it was their turn.
Xue Tingxiang reported his name, and the clerk in charge of finding the test papers entered a room next to him with an impatient face.
After a while, he came out and threw two rolls of things to him.
It is Xue Tingxiang's paper, one is the ink roll, that is, the original volume. The other is the Zhujuan, which is the test paper that the examiner will read after transcribing.
"Don't damage it, return it after reading it." After that, the clerk stood by and looked at the three of them. The reason for this is to beware of any damage to the test paper or something else. After all, the test paper will be kept intact afterward.
Xue Tingxiang first picked up the Zhu scroll and looked at it. Before he opened the seal of the test book, he saw that a place behind the test book had been hit with two dots and three crosses.
No wonder the clerk had such a contemptuous look on his face, he probably saw this too. A person who was hit with three crosses in a row actually felt injustice and dared to look up the exam papers, which made people want to scold and take pictures without urinating.
He quickly finished the Zhujuan. In fact, there is nothing to see in the Zhujuan. Even if there is a problem, it should be a problem with the ink scroll.
He went to look at the ink roll again.
The exam paper for the exam is different from the rural exam, and some are similar to origami. In addition to the blank page on the first page, which was printed with the words of the Yiyou Branch Examination, as well as the candidates' names, places of origin and other information, attached to the back were three pieces of vermilion vertical paper, one open on both sides and one eight-open.
The three exam papers correspond to three exams respectively. After the exam, they will be mounted together and folded together to form a stack.
Xue Tingxiang first looked at the top page with his name, place of origin and other information on it. It was indeed his information, but when he opened it and looked back, it was not his handwriting on the test paper at the back.
This herringbone character is acceptable, but unfortunately the article is done incomprehensibly.
Seeing this, Xue Tingxiang already understood how the other party stole the dragon and turned the phoenix.
This method is really simple. It only needs to cut off the top page and exchange it with each other. It can be done without anyone noticing.
Of course, if candidates look up their exam papers, they will be exposed.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all plan in the world, if it weren't for the experience in his dreams, he would have confidence in himself. I am afraid that any one of them has probably already embarked on the road of returning home sadly at this moment.
Mao Badou and the two were also watching, and naturally saw that it was not Xue Tingxiang's handwriting. However, because of the previous incident, in this Shuntian government office, they did not dare to make a loud noise.
"Have you finished reading it? If you have finished reading it, hand it in." The clerk next to him said, probably really impatient with these three people's serious opinions.
What's so beautiful, can't you recognize it when you write it? !
Xue Tingyan's eyes flickered, he took the two exam papers and walked closer, lowered his voice and said, "Brother, do you think this will work?" He showed a shy and cramped smile: "This is the first time for the boy to go to spring. My family was looking forward to it, but who would have thought that I would fall short. The boy's hometown is not in the capital, and the old man in the family can't read. The heart of the fist."
The little official glanced at him: "That's not possible, this ink roll has to be handed over to the Ministry of Rites."
Xue Tingxiang hurriedly said: "I don't want ink scrolls, but Zhu scrolls. Do you think it's feasible? Anyway, after the exam is over, even if the Ministry of Rites seals the examination papers, it will only seal the ink scrolls. How can I pay attention to the Zhu scrolls. Especially, I am not famous. Talented man, do you think you can be accommodating?"
As he said that, he continued to block his body and stuffed a silver note into the little official's hand.
The clerk only saw the color from the back and knew that it was a 100 tael bill.
One hundred taels
This country bumpkin is really rich, and he is probably the son of some small landowner in the backcountry.
"Well..." he dragged his tone.
Seeing this, Xue Tingxiang shoved another one into his hand, and the little official showed a smile. He didn't say a word, and took a few steps to the side. Xue Tingxiang immediately understood it, quietly stuffed the red scroll into his sleeve, and then bowed respectfully to the little official and offered the ink scroll.
The clerk didn't say anything, just took the ink roll and left.
No one else saw all this, but Mao Badou and Li Datian caught it.
It was not until he left the gate of Shuntian Mansion that Mao Badou asked, "Ting Yan, what do you want with this Zhujuan?"
Naturally, it is useful. Xue Tingxiang has always liked to be defensive in his work. Although he has not yet decided whether to do something, he has already prepared in advance.
He didn't know that not long after he left, someone came from the Ministry of Rites and wanted to get back the exam papers in advance.
Originally it was ten days, but now it's only seven or eight days, but since the Ministry of Rites said it, the people below naturally can't say anything.
The Wu Mansion, located in Straw Hat Hutong, does not usually look like an old mansion.
The mansion with only three entrances is incomparable with those luxurious mansions that the royal family members often have more than five entrances, or the manor or other courtyards.
But the people who live here dare not let anyone ignore it.
This is the old mansion of Wu Ge.
Although Wu Ge is the second assistant, there is still a Xu Shoufu on it, but Xu Shoufu is already old, and he will start his official career in two years. After it was obvious that Xu Shoufu had entered office, Wu Ge would take the position of Shoufu, and no one dared to ignore him.
At this time, Wu Ge was so angry that it was no exaggeration to say that it was smoke from the seven apertures. He was clearly angry, but his face was expressionless. Only the old face that twitched slightly from time to time, and the old eyes that flashed occasionally, showed his mood at this time. Not so peaceful.
In fact, Wu Ge is not old, he is in his early fifties, his face is ruddy, his cheeks are full, and his gray hair and beard prove that he is not young anymore.
"Tell me, who made you do this, and why you never think about doing things! Who gave you the guts to give Hou Wenqing a note, and who gave you the guts to get Wu Wenxuan's trash into Huiyuan in the position?"
Standing in front of him was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a fat physique, who looked a bit like Wu Ge Lao, but was obviously not as imposing as the other. Wearing a robe with a dark blue satin embroidered money python, and wearing a huge jasper wrench on his hand, he looked very rich and noble. Although he is huge, he shrank his shoulders and looked scared, which made people feel both pitiful and ridiculous.
This person is Wu Ge Lao's only younger brother, Wu Qian.
Don't look at Wu Qian like a child in front of Mr. Wu Ge, scolding whenever he says, without even any face. In fact, in the Jiangnan area, it is also an existence that shakes the ground three times after stomping on the ground.
Wu Qian was not afraid of anyone in his life, but he was afraid of his own brother, Wu Yong.
Not only was his father told him to take his eldest brother as the leader before his death, but also because Wu Yong was always majestic in front of him. I have been used to being taught since childhood, and now that I have grandchildren, naturally I still can't change it.
"Brother, didn't I also want to give you a surprise. You said that the surprise is that you didn't know it beforehand, and you only know it after it happened, so it's called a surprise." His voice was low, and he looked guilty and short of breath.
"This is a surprise? You're trying to piss off your eldest brother! Do you know that the exam is over, and there's still a palace exam. When it's time to face the Holy Spirit, what do you plan to do with Wu Wenxuan? Do you know that Xu Shoufu abdicates now? Immediately, the eyes of the court are all staring at me now? You are not a surprise, you are causing me trouble, Hou Wenqing is also an idiot.
In fact, Hou Wenqing also wanted to ask for credit, but unfortunately he didn't get the credit, and instead made the wrong flattery.
Wu Qian showed a crying state and said: "Actually, we never thought about getting the name of Huiyuan before, as long as the ranking is not bad, who knows that if we randomly find a paper, we will make a leak of Huiyuan. "Brother, I know I'm wrong. I'm not afraid of an accident, so I hurried to find you."
Wu Qian didn't come by himself, but Wu Ge heard the wind and ordered someone to call him over. When I called him, he still didn't want to come, but Wu Ge got angry and ordered someone to tie him up, so he came down low and small.
"Besides, even if someone is staring at him, he doesn't know it. Xuan'er is not well-known in the capital, and no one knows him. After the palace exam, I will make a fake Ding You and let him return first. I will stay in Suzhou for two years and wait until the limelight has passed before I start working."
Wu Qian said another word in a low voice. Before he could finish his words, an inkstone smashed over, wiping the tip of his hair and hitting the wall behind him, making him so frightened that he was speechless.
"You planned very well. You have thought of everything. Ding You? Are you planning to let me die, or do you die yourself?"
"Brother, I..."
Seeing Wu Ge's old face turning into a pig's liver, Wu Qian hurriedly ran over, giving him comfort again, and admitting his mistake: "Brother, don't be angry, I know it's wrong, I'll never dare again, I don't I also thought that Xuan'er was the only one in our family... I couldn't study since I was a child, but you are a good seed for reading, I thought that Xuan'er should be like a big brother, but not me... I'm also on a short-term trip. If you are wrong, you will do stupid things..."
It was easy for Mr. Wu Ge to let go of his breath. He took a few sips of the cold tea on the desk before returning to his usual calm and deep appearance.
"Okay, don't betray me in front of me, when I don't know what you're thinking. Go away, don't stand in front of me!"
Wu Qian left immediately.
But he also knows that this matter is over, and as for the future, his elder brother will do it properly. Although he was a little unconvinced occasionally, he believed in his elder brother's skills.
Wu Qian couldn't help showing a smile and got into the car with the help of his entourage.
There was actually a person sitting in his car, a middle-aged man in his forties and fifties.
The man was dressed as a scribe, wearing a square turban, and had three strands of beard. Seeing that he looks gentle, it doesn't match Wu Qian's copper-smelling temperament.
"Master, I don't know—" the scribe cupped his hands.
"It's done." Wu Qian showed a smug look, and said again: "Huaiqing just likes to worry about the world. If you say anything else, it's fine, my elder brother won't do anything to me."
Lu Huaiqing said: "The old man is always dignified, and he is afraid of causing trouble for the owner when he is young."
This Lu Huaiqing was a diner in Wu Qian's house. He said he was a diner. In fact, he was also a bit like an aide. He was usually responsible for giving advice to the master's house, getting an idea or something. Lu Huaiqing has been Wu Qian's diners for many years and is deeply trusted by him. The reason why Wu Qian will bring Lu Huaiqing to Wu's house this time is because of Lu Huaiqing's idea.
Including letting Wu Wenxuan go to the exam without telling the truth. The Wu family is very powerful in the south of the Yangtze River, and it is also the base camp of Wu Gelao, relying on Wu Qian to pass the note through Wu Gelao's name, allowing Wu Wenxuan to go from a scholar to a juror smoothly all the way. As for the trial, Wu Qian knew long ago that the president of this time would be from Wu Ge, and he would definitely be Hou Wenqing, a disciple of Wu Ge.
Naturally, he continued to hand over the slips according to the script, and even rushed to the capital from Jiangnan in person.
In fact, it was wrong for Wu Ge to call Hou Wenqing an idiot before. Hou Wenqing knew that the teacher had no son, and Wu Wenxuan was the only seed in the Wu family. In other words, Wu Wenxuan was adopted into the old name of Wu Ge sooner or later, and he naturally became a favored man.
It's that Wu Qian's appetite is too great, and he actually wants his son to become a member of Yuan. Hou Wenqing was also afraid that something would happen, so when he came out of the Gongyuan, he specially ordered someone to send a letter to Wu Qian to say hello. It's just that Wu Qian, who uses his face to face forward, doesn't need to face back, and he doesn't take it to heart. When Wu Ge heard the wind, he was tied up.
"There's nothing left for us to do next. We'll go back to Jiangnan after the April Palace test."
"Yes, master."
After Wu Qian left, a woman walked into the study.
She had a melon-seed face, willow-leaf eyebrows, a slender body, and an incomparably weak posture. But every move is elegant and calm, and at first glance, she is a lady of high birth.
This person is Wu Wanqiong, the only daughter of Wu Gelao.
"Father, second uncle is gone?"
A servant walked in with his head lowered, cleaned up the broken inkstone on the ground at a very fast speed, and hurriedly withdrew. Wu Wanqiong went to the tea table and changed a cup of tea for Mr. Wu Ge himself.
Elder Wu Ge took the tea, took a sip, and nodded.
"I heard Yingge say that the second uncle gave Wenxuan the fame of Huiyuan, which made Dad so angry."
"Don't let your girl inquire about the affairs of Dad's study. The girl's family should have the appearance of a girl's family." Having said that, Wu Ge's old eyebrows did not seem to blame him, which seemed to be a casual sentence.
Wu Wanqiong also smiled and didn't take it seriously: "My daughter also asked a few more questions worriedly when she heard that Dad was angry. Dad, don't blame Amber, because you know it was me who asked, He will tell Yingge."
Wu Ge snorted lightly and did not speak, obviously this was not going to be pursued.
As a matter of fact, Wu Wanqiong, as the only daughter of Wu Ge, is extremely favored, so if Wu Wanqiong wants to know about the affairs in this mansion, no one will hide it from her.
"Second uncle is really too much. Dad just wanted to hide the limelight, but he would be able to steal the limelight."
"Your second uncle wants me to make a decision to adopt Wenxuan and let him have two houses. He thought that I wouldn't know if he didn't tell me, but he told Wenxuan two relatives in Jiangnan, and he was doing it. This plan."
Speaking of this, Wu Wanqiong naturally couldn't interrupt.
She is the only child of Wu Ge, but unfortunately she is a girl.
Elder Wu Ge also thought of this, and he couldn't help but sigh: "If you and Ziqi could have a son and a half daughter back then, Dad wouldn't have to worry so much now."
My own is always better than someone else's, even if it is a grandson. With the power of Wu Ge, he is not afraid that he will not be able to bring his grandson back to the Wu family as his heir. It's a pity that Wu Wanqiong's stomach is not up to expectations, this grandson is naturally just empty talk.
Wu Wanqiong forced a smile and changed the subject: "Then what should we do now? Nothing will happen, right?"
Wu Ge was very aware of his daughter's feelings, so he didn't say any more, and said, "It's okay, Dad will arrange it."
As he spoke, he raised his voice to call someone, and a middle-aged man in his forties walked in from the door.
This person is Amber, the housekeeper of the Wu Mansion.
"Have you got that paper?"
Amber hesitated for a moment and said, "I have already received the words of the master. Even if the Zhu scroll was not found, I don't know if the Ministry of Rites did not send it to Shuntian Mansion, or if the people from Shuntian Mansion lost it, and the old slave is asking people to find it. "
Wu Ge frowned slightly, but didn't take it to heart: "After finding it, let someone redo two copies, and then put it back in the Ministry of Rites, don't make any mistakes."
"Yes, sir."
After giving the order, Wu Ge also remembered that he still had a lot of things to do, so he said to Wu Wanqiong: "Go back to the room, your second uncle made such a thing, don't want to make any omissions, you have to take care of all aspects. I see your face. It's a little bad, but I've coughed again recently, so pay more attention to your body."
"Thank you for your concern, my daughter knows, and my daughter will go back to the room."
As soon as Wu Wanqiong turned around, he was stopped by Mr. Wu Ge.
He hesitated for a moment and said, "It's not too long for you to go home, and you have been guarding your child for three years. Dad plans to tell you about marriage."
Wu Wanqiong paused and did not speak.
"The deceased is dead, it is useless to do more nostalgia."
"But it's up to Dad to make the decision."
Elder Wu Ge nodded and waved his hand, and Wu Wanqiong left the room.
When she went out, a cold wind blew, Wu Wanqiong couldn't help but gather her clothes, Yingge walked up and put the cloak on her, and helped her away.
Wu Wanqiong walked all the way forward, but she thought in her mind what her father said before.
In fact, she is not nostalgic for her deceased husband, but she does not want to marry.