By the afternoon, it was still raining sporadically.
In the cabinet duty room, Liu Jian stood at the window and looked at the quagmire, water stains, and hurried figures outside, with a melancholy look on his face.
Li Dongyang took something and asked for instructions: "The list of examiners for the Imperial Examination has been drawn up and will be submitted to His Majesty in the next two days for His Majesty's approval."
March 12th, there are only three days left before the imperial examination.
Liu Jiandao: "There are too many things happening this spring, so we must be cautious when marking the imperial exams."
Before he could say anything more, he saw a group of people coming with umbrellas from a distance. From the window, he could see the figure of Dai Yi, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony.
When Xie Qian heard the sound of Jin Yiwei's boots hitting the ground outside, he couldn't help but go to the window. When he saw this scene, he couldn't help but sigh: "In the past, when I saw this Duke Yin, I had high expectations. Why do I always feel like nothing good is going to happen when I see him now?"
Li Dongyang said: "It's different from before."
What exactly is the difference? He didn't make it clear.
But how could Liu Jian and Xie Qian not understand?
The so-called difference is actually that in the past, the emperor could only rely on the cabinet and civil servants for anything, but now the emperor relies more on Zhang Zhou.
In the past, Dai Yi and other people from the Supervisor of Ceremonies mostly came to ask for advice, but now they come more often to inform them and ask them to cooperate.
…
…
"Three cabinet elders." Dai Yi entered the cabinet room to check in, and respectfully saluted and greeted the three cabinet members.
The politeness was very polite, but neither Liu Jian nor the other three felt honored.
"This is the list of officials who will read the examination papers drafted by His Majesty. If there are no problems, this will prevail. This year's examination questions should have been proposed by the cabinet, but Your Majesty is also prepared to come up with the questions himself."
Dai Yi came to inform about preparations for the imperial examination.
The questions for the Imperial Examination were originally supposed to be drafted by the cabinet or the Minister of Rites. There were several questions for the emperor to choose from, and the emperor chose one question to examine.
No need this time, the emperor himself came up with the questions.
The imperial examiner should have been invited by the cabinet, but this time there was no need. The emperor drew up a list himself.
It's not bad. After all, most of the elders and ministers are going to be the examiners of this palace. It's just a matter of details, such as who to choose for the Hanlin Academy, who to choose from the five temples and nine ministers, etc. This is decided by the emperor.
Come and decide.
"Um."
Liu Jian nodded.
Originally, in order to reduce the pressure on the emperor, the cabinet drafted the questions and the list of readers for the emperor. Now that the emperor wants to come in person, the cabinet has no right to object.
Dai Yi smiled and said: "Your Majesty also has instructions, saying that the selection of officials for this palace examination is a heavy responsibility. There were rumors about vendettas and other issues in the past, so it is possible that the shuji scholars who entered the palace will not be selected. Please also ask the three elders not to do so.
The candidates for this imperial examination are set up to be picky."
"What do you mean, Eunuch Dai?" Xie Qian asked with a smile.
Dai Yi smiled and did not answer, meaning that you understand.
Xie Qian naturally understood that this was probably about Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou was Hui Yuan in the imperial examination, and he probably performed exceptionally well in the palace examination. The palace examination did not seal the papers. If the cabinet wanted to suppress Zhang Zhou, it would not be wrong to look at Zhang Zhou's calligraphy to see his handwriting.
Li Dongyang expressed his position: "The palace examination is of great importance, and the cabinet and the palace examination examiners will not show favoritism."
"How can there be any favoritism? I just want to say that you shouldn't be too picky about some people, especially those who can do exams. The elders have said everything they need to say, and our family should go back.
"
…
…
Dai Yi was about to leave. Liu Jian, as the first assistant, personally escorted him out and asked him, "Eunuch Dai, I dare to ask, what is the significance of praying for rain today?"
Dai Yi smiled and shook his head, meaning I know, but I can't say.
From Dai Yi's simple reaction, Liu Jian knew that many things should not be asked, but in fact, there should be answers even without asking.
After Liu Jian sent Dai Yi and his party away, and returned to the check-in room, Xie Qian seemed to want to confirm the result, so he came over and asked, "How?"
Liu Jiandao: "I'm afraid we are inseparable."
He didn't say what it was about, but everyone knew that it was related to Zhang Zhou's role in praying for rain today.
Even Li Dongyang frowned and sighed softly.
"I can't stop him." Xie Qian said with emotion, "He understands the will of heaven and knows the ghosts and gods below. He is very knowledgeable and can understand people's hearts... But I don't know if this virtue is worthy of his ability."
It goes without saying in terms of ability, but what civil servants care about is the person's character.
This is superficial rhetoric.
The private rhetoric should be about whether he is sensible, willing to integrate into our civil servants, and be a courtier who abides by the rules... This kind of rules is only limited to certain aspects, and it does not make him rigid.
If he cannot integrate into us, then we can only conclude that he has "no moral character". Anyway, the discretion of a scholar lies with us.
If you don't join, will you be blamed?
…
…
Ningyuan.
After traveling day and night, Zhu Feng and others finally arrived on March 14th.
The first thing they did when they entered the city was not to rest, but to quickly summon the city's defense officials to arrange Zhang Zhou's arrangements for the defense around Ningyuan.
The patrol commander Qian Ying and the Liaodong garrison eunuch Ren Liang learned the news a few days in advance and rushed to Ningyuan. They didn't even know why the emperor suddenly sent a young and energetic Anbianbo here.
"...Everyone, I hope you will not leak the contents of today's meeting."
Zhu Feng first vaccinated everyone present.
Ren Liang looked at the eunuch Zhang Yong and Pingjiang Bo Chen Rui beside him.
He also didn't understand why Chen Rui and Zhang Yongzai, who had just helped Wang Yue achieve a great victory in Pianguan today, asked the unknown Zhu Feng to come out to preside over the pre-military meeting.
"Hurry up and go to bed after talking!" Someone urged impatiently, it was Jianchang Bo Zhang Yanling.
Wang Qiong, a civil official representative, a doctor in the Ministry of Household Affairs and a grain supervisor, asked: "Why has Zhang Zhongcheng, who is in charge of military affairs in Liaodong, not arrived?"
This is asking why Zhang Yu didn't come.
As the highest-ranking civil servant on the scene, Wang Qiong felt that this war should be strategically planned by civil servants, rather than completed by Wu Xun and the guarding eunuchs themselves.
Ren Liangdao: "Zhang Zhongcheng is busy with military affairs and can't come here. If you have something to say, please tell me immediately. We also have other things to do at home."
As the eunuch guarding Liaodong, Ren Liang had a strong background in the court. In the three-acre land of Liaodong, he felt that it was his own territory. He still looked down upon Wang Qiong, a household doctor.
Zhu Feng was obviously a little unable to control the situation. He said: "Your Majesty asked me to lead troops to set up an ambush to stop the coming Hulu."
"Haha." Ren Liang laughed.
When he smiled, everyone in the Liaodong system laughed with him.
Ren Liang smiled and said: "Uncle Anbian, are you kidding? We just came to Ningyuan to set up defenses. The terrain here is long and narrow. Even if the barbarians come to kill us, we can't set up an ambush. Besides, the barbarians are just here to plunder."
Once there is any disturbance, we only need to evacuate the troops to the earth city, wait for the barbarians to retreat, and then resettle them back."
Wang Qiong said: "Now that spring sowing has just ended, wouldn't it mean that Di Yi's horse hoofs would trample the seedlings in the field?"
"Wang Langzhong, look at what you said, whether it's Liaodong or northwest, the situation is like this. As long as the barbarians don't rob people and animals, what's the loss of a few young crops? It's a big deal to replant them!"
Ren Liang's strength made Zhu Feng a little unable to resist.
Zhang Yong walked over and stood next to Ren Liang. Ren Liang was a little confused, then Zhang Yong took out a letter and handed it to him in front of everyone.
Ren Liang wanted to open it, but found that everyone was looking at him. He only took a glance at it, and when he saw that it was Wei Bin's letter to him, he quickly put away his arrogance and put the letter in his arms.
Zhu Feng said: "I am here to carry out the edict."
"The edict is great, and the holy will comes first." Ren Liang changed his previous attitude and said, "Uncle Anbian, you have the final say. You have the final say on how to set up an ambush!"
Zhu Feng took out a sketch of the terrain around Ningyuan, which was given to him by Zhang Zhou. It described in detail the number of troops that should be garrisoned at each place, and how to gradually push the troops of Duoyan Sanwei into a dead end.
"...here, arrange manpower here..."
The more Zhu Feng said, the more beads of sweat became on his head.
Some experienced generals snickered when they saw this scene.
Why is Uncle Anbian, just a young boy, still serving as the chief patrol officer of the town?
Qian Ying listened to Zhu Feng's words for a long time and couldn't help but ask: "May I ask, who arranged this?"
As the commander of the capital, Qian Ying should be the commander-in-chief in the event of a war. But now he is not even the deputy commander-in-chief, and he is acting as a general to help Zhu Feng, Chen Rui and Zhang Yanling. How can he be willing to do so?
The arrangements in front of him sounded very strange, and of course he wanted to verify them.
Zhang Yong said in a sinister tone: "Commander Qian, is this what you should ask?"
Qian Ying was not too afraid of Zhu Feng, but he was very afraid of Zhang Yong.
How could it be said that Zhang Yong was also sent by the emperor, and they had already inquired about it. He was a close official of the queen, and he had contributed to Wang Weining's victory. How could his status be average?
As for Zhu Feng...
"Eunuch Zhang taught you a lesson." Qian Ying quickly admitted her mistake with clasped fists and a salute.
Zhang Yongdao: "Just listen to what Uncle Anbian says. Bring the sword given by His Majesty."
After saying that, someone immediately sent a sword to Zhang Yong. Zhang Yong pointed at Zhu Feng, meaning to give it to him.
Zhu Feng then picked up the sword in his hand, still a little uncomfortable.
"Your Majesty said that this war will affect the stability of Liaodong in the next few years, or even more than ten years. If anyone dares to disobey, everyone here, including our family, will be killed first and then punished!" Zhang Yong threatened those present on behalf of Zhu Feng.
people.
Even Ren Liang didn't expect this.
You powerful dragons, you haven't even stood firm yet, and you come here to scare us? You don't know the power of our local snakes, do you?
Qian Ying and others looked at Ren Liang for help.
Ren Liangzheng wanted to step forward, but was glared at by Zhang Yong. Then he thought of Wei Bin's letter that Zhang Yong had handed to him before, and then he realized that Zhang Yong was actually "courtesy first, then soldier".
"His Majesty ordered it, it sounds right, right?" Ren Liang's mouth began to twist, and he almost wanted to grit his teeth and say it, but he still held back.
Zhu Feng said: "Time is tight, we may only have less than eight days to prepare, so please hurry up."
"Work!" Ren Liang said angrily to the people present.
If he didn't give orders, it would be useless to rely on Zhu Feng and others alone. Ningyuan's generals still listened to Qian Ying, and Qian Ying and the commanders in other places also listened to Ren Liang.
…
…
"Father, I'm afraid this won't work. How can the generals of the army be willing to give orders to a brat? I'm afraid that when the time comes, the orders will not be effective and there will be chaos in the army."
Coming out of the General's Office where the pre-military meeting was held, Qian Ying and several of his generals hurried to complain to Ren Liang.
Qian Yingnian is nearly forty, but he has long since worshiped Ren Liang, who is only a few years older than him, as his adoptive father. Of course, this kind of thing cannot be publicized to the outside world. He will only call him this in private situations.
At this time, Ren Liang had lowered his head and read Wei Bin's letter.
Others didn't know the situation in the court, but Ren Liang knew a little bit about it. Wei Bin and Chen Kuan had both secretly sent people to communicate with him before, telling him who was in power in the court now.
Ren Liangdao: "Don't use the army to bluff people! You have no idea. Why do you think His Majesty sent a boy here? This boy has an extraordinary background. Now a Mr. Zhang has risen up in the court. He has unpredictable abilities. Your Majesty is right."
He is convinced that Mr. Zhang was introduced to His Majesty by Zhu Feng, do you understand the connection?"
Qian Ying was surprised and said: "Is this Mr. Zhang who helped Wang Weining kill all the enemies in Pianguan?"
"If not him, who else?"
Ren Liang was also helpless.
It is said that there are people in the court who are more likely to be officials. Now that there are people in the court, the people in the court will also be ranked high and low.
Who makes Zhu Feng's court background look more awesome than Ren Liang's?
He was still congratulating himself. Fortunately, Eunuch Wei wrote to me, letting me know not to confront this Zhu Feng, otherwise I would really have thought that my background was about to be too great.
"Wang Weining is so brave, but he still relies on Mr. Zhang to achieve a great victory in a small pass. Doesn't that mean..."
"Otherwise? Your majesty only wants to give the credit to Chengguo Gong's son, and even Uncle Jianchang has given it to him. You don't understand this?"
"Father..."
"Don't call us foster father! My father may not be as powerful as that kid's father."
"Yes, yes, Mr. Ren."
Only then did Qian Ying realize that he was not here to go through the motions, but to make meritorious deeds and gain military merit.
However, this kind of good thing seems to have nothing to do with him, and even his usually arrogant adoptive father is silent.
But even if Zhu Feng’s father is Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu, is he really better than you?
Ren Liang bared his teeth and said with a look of embarrassment: "The imperial court sent people to investigate the matter in Yizhou earlier, and our family had to rely on the nobles in the imperial court to advise them. His biological father is not good, but he has a good adoptive father...
…”
In Wei Bin's letter this time, he has explained to Ren Liang that you, Ren Liang, have left something to be desired in Liaodong. The emperor is almost certain that you are taking advantage of the situation in Yizhou. Now it depends on whether you can establish a clear relationship with Li Gao and the others.
Don't cause trouble at this time.
You may ask Zhang Zhou to speak for you later. If you cannot cooperate well this time, you may be punished for several crimes.
Qian Ying was curious.
Isn't that kid's backer Zhang Zhou? Who is his adoptive father? Is he so awesome?
"Ren Gong, Commander Qian, just sent word that someone is setting up cannon on the city." A messenger arrived.
Ren Liang and Qian Ying couldn't hide any movement in the city.
Ren Liang frowned: "Wuliangha's men and horses are not approaching the city wall, so what's the point of setting up cannons? It's better to use artillery carts to pile up the cannons."
Qian Ying sighed: "Ren Gong, it is a humble position. The boy named Zhu is just messing around. How can he have any experience in leading troops? How much does it have to do with him in the battle at Piantuan Pass? Wang Weining is the one with the most powerful power, not as good as us...
"
Ren Liang scolded: "You bastards, you have been more honest lately and just do whatever you are told! Don't you f**king cause trouble for me."
