Chapter 265 There is something fishy about the provincial examination
Zhu Bai walked over lightly.
Ding Fu was rolling his eyes and muttering something in a low voice. He was scribbling and correcting things on the paper. He was obviously not sure which of the several homonymous words should be used, so he was changing it again and again.
Zhu Bai himself has encountered this kind of situation: for example, if he memorizes passages of Chinese text, he can memorize them, but he has forgotten which word a certain word is.
But it stands to reason that these candidates only start thinking about the questions after they are given the questions, so there is no dictation step at all.
Unless Ding Fu already knew the title, and then asked the "gunman" to help write an article, then he memorized it, and now he writes it silently.
If this is really the case, it means that someone leaked the question, and it is really a big event!!
Zhu Bai calmly passed him and continued to move forward. At this moment, he began to look carefully at the candidates' test papers to see if anyone else had the same situation.
After walking around, there were five people including Ding Fu, all of whom happened to be playboys who had not come in the last few days.
The more Zhu Bai looked, the more his heart sank, and he returned to the back.
Zhu Biao finished reading and came back.
Zhu Bai lowered his eyes and stared at the words he had just written.
Zhu Biao saw something was wrong and asked: "What's wrong?"
Zhu Bai raised his head and said, "Ah, it's nothing. I think their handwriting is better than mine."
This sentence is absolutely true, even Ding Fu's handwriting can barely be read.
Zhu Biao smiled: "So why do we always ask you to practice calligraphy? Otherwise it would be really embarrassing."
Zhu Bai picked up the pen and started writing again.
After half an hour, he got up to patrol again.
At this time, candidates should start writing the second question.
Zhu Biao also stood up, and the two of them changed directions.
Zhu Bai focused on the five people just now.
The second topic is about writing a poem. The topic is about spring scenery in five-character quatrains, and the word "spring" cannot be included.
One of the lines written by Ding Fu is: "The ground was covered with white rustling all night long."
Zhu Bai laughed angrily: Isn't this because Lao Zhu changed the title "Winter" proposed by Chen Nanbin and others into spring.
Then Ding Fu found that the title was wrong and he couldn't compile it himself, so he had to rewrite the poem describing winter that he had memorized into a spring scene.
The same goes for the other four, but they are a little smarter than Ding Fu and know how to change a few words.
Zhu Bai was now completely sure of his guess and silently returned to the screen.
He wrote for a while longer, and the gong was being beaten and the scrolls were being rolled up over there.
Zhu Bai turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Brother, the test questions have been leaked. I will take the wives back to the palace later, so don't say anything."
Zhu Biao looked shocked.
I told Zhu Biao in advance because I was afraid that Zhu Biao’s expression would show up and affect the exam.
If I don't tell him, I'm afraid that Zhu Biao will blame him later.
When all the test papers are collected, they are packed in boxes, sealed, and awaiting correction.
Zhu Bai handed over to Chen Nanbin and the others and said: "Six adults, please bring all the test papers and go to the palace with me. After all, this is the first provincial examination. My father must be waiting for you."
In other places, it is easier to say that the provincial examination in Yingtianfu is right under Lao Zhu's nose, so it is normal for Lao Zhu to pay special attention to it.
The concubines didn't feel anything strange and asked a few guards to carry the examination papers into the palace.
Lao Zhu was reading the memorial and was secretly surprised when he saw Zhu Bai and Zhu Biao leading the concubines in and carrying the answer sheets.
He only asked the two sons to monitor him, but did not ask them to bring back the people and the test papers. Could it be that something else happened?
Lao Zhu put down the memorial and waited silently for Zhu Bai to speak.
Zhu Bai bowed his hands to Lao Zhu and said, "Father, I will invigilate the exam today and I saw some test papers that were particularly interesting."
Lao Zhu cooperated with him and raised his chin: "Bring it to us to see."
Then, with everyone watching, Zhu Bai opened the seal, found the answer sheets of the five people, and put them on the table.
He called everyone here just to open the box in front of them, Lao Zhu and Zhu Biao, leaving everyone speechless.
Liu Bowen and the others had no idea what Zhu Bai was doing.
Lao Zhu looked at the test paper, his face became darker and darker as he looked at it.
Zhu Bai knew he saw it.
Lao Zhu is so smart, how could he not see it?
He raised his head and said to Erhu at the door: "Close the door."
Erhu quickly closed the study door and stood guard outside.
The adults were getting even more hairy.
Lao Zhu sneered: "Okay. You guys are really brave. Tell me who leaked the question."
It was obvious that what was leaked was what he had done before he changed it.
The copy Chen Nanbin put together was burned immediately after he read it.
No one else in the palace had a chance to see it.
Then it is only possible that Chen Nanbin and the others who came up with the question leaked it.
Chen Nanbin said: "Your Majesty, is there any misunderstanding? These five questions were written by each of the five of them and then handed over to Wei Chen. Wei Chen copied them with his own hands and immediately sent them to the palace for you."
Lao Zhu narrowed his eyes: "That means you are the only one who is suspected."
Chen Nanbin was stunned and murmured: "Speaking of which, when I was copying, the other five adults were watching."
There are only six questions in total, and these five knowledgeable people can memorize them at a glance.
Lao Zhu glanced at their faces coldly: "What do you think, should I recruit you myself, or should I send you to the Criminal Department to torture you before recruiting you?"
The other five people all said: "I am wronged."
In fact, Lao Zhu didn't want to make the matter a big deal. After all, this was the first provincial examination in Yingtian Mansion, and the test papers had not been revised yet, so it did not cause any adverse consequences.
And if we have to talk about it, the leaked questions are not entirely the test questions.
These six people were all appointed by him in the court. If they make a fuss, it will greatly dampen the enthusiasm of candidates to participate in the examination...
He glanced at the name on the test paper on the table: Ding Fu.
Ah, by the way, isn’t this Li Shanchang’s nephew?
He looked at Deng Zhen solemnly: "Don't you have anything to say to us?"
Deng Zhen knelt down with a pop: "Your Majesty, Master Li did force Wei Chen, but Wei Chen did not leak the test questions to him."
Lao Zhu also frowned: because of Deng Zhen's relationship with Li Shanchang, he kept an eye on Deng Zhen particularly closely.
The key is that from the time Chen Nanbin gave him the test questions until today's exam, Deng Zhen didn't have any contact with Li Shanchang.
If Li Shanchang got the question, it might not have been given by Deng Zhen.
Neither Li Shanchang nor Deng Zhen would be so stupid.
Besides, the title of Ding Fu was given by Li Shanchang. How many other people were there?
Lao Zhu lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then asked: "Master Chen, think about it, when you copied the test questions, besides you, who else was present."
Chen Nanbin said: "The prince and the King of Xiang are not here. They deliberately avoided suspicion and never came in. There were only two book boys. One polished Wei Chen's ink for a while, and the other helped Wei Chen clean up. They accompanied Wei Chen to the gate of the palace.
.”
Lao Zhu called Er Hu in: "Catch the scholar from the Imperial College, and we will ask him personally. Who is so bold? Then call Li Shanchang and wait nearby."
Then Chen Nanbin and the others went out and waited.
The two bookboys brought me here and they hired me without asking a few questions.
