To many officials, all this was just a small episode. After the banquet started, there was a sudden commotion. The prince, the prefect, the imperial envoy, the judge, and the naval commander Ning were all on the list, including almost all the chief officials in Hangzhou.
This kind of opportunity is even more rare. Officials, big and small, must seize this opportunity and leave a good impression in front of them. For a while, there was a lot of people drinking and drinking, and it was extremely lively.
All the officials lined up and raised their glasses to toast the prince and the imperial envoy and the prefect. Several officials who were good at this occasion even impromptuly told some interesting things about the wine table to make everyone laugh. The scene was harmonious and lively.
Lin Jue couldn't drink, so he toasted a few glasses with tea instead of wine, and then just ate the food. He turned a deaf ear to the lively scene and looked thoughtful. Guo Bing and Lin Bonian, on the other hand, raised their glasses to Lin Jue solemnly.
, which can be regarded as giving him a higher courtesy.
After three rounds of wine, the dishes were over five flavors. When the wine was halfway through, everyone let go. Several senior executives also stopped putting on airs. Even people like Yan Zhengshen rarely do this after drinking.
He started laughing with everyone.
In the midst of the commotion, Lin Jue suddenly stood up slowly. He cupped his hands together, saluted everyone and said with a smile: "My lords, I would like to take up a moment of your time. I have a few words to say."
Everyone stopped talking and looked at him in surprise, wondering what he had to say.
Lin Jue turned to Lin Bonian and cupped his hands and said: "Second uncle, you are the imperial envoy. My nephew has a few words to ask."
Lin Bonian wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, stroked his proud beard and said: "Nephew Lin Juexian, just ask. But if it's a family matter, it won't be too late for us to go home, so don't occupy your lords' time."
It’s time.”
Lin Bonian was aware of the conflict between Lin Jue and other members of the Lin family, and was worried that Lin Jue would make the family scandal public, which would not be good.
Lin Juedao: "It's not a family matter, it's my personal matter. It's about today's imperial edict and awards. I have some questions."
"Oh? Then... you might as well talk about it," Lin Bonian said.
Lin Jue said: "Thank you very much, uncle. Today, the Holy Spirit commended me. Lin Jue felt deeply the Emperor's grace and was extremely grateful. However, Lin Jue felt ashamed of His Majesty's commendation. First of all, the Holy Spirit commended me as a righteous man. To be honest,
The reason why I participated in the extermination of the pirates was entirely out of concern for my own safety and the safety of the Lin family, without thinking too much. I don't dare to deserve the name of a righteous man. I deserve this title."
Lin Bonian frowned and said, "What do you mean?"
Lin Jue said: "I don't want this title, I don't deserve this praise."
Lin Bonian frowned, wondering why Lin Jue was like this.
"Lin Jue, what are you doing? The fact that you can say this shows that you are magnanimous in your heart. Although your original intention was for yourself and the Lin family, in fact you helped us wipe out the pirates. This is called inserting a willow unintentionally.
Liu Chengyin. Since you have done something beneficial to the court, you should be rewarded. After all, this is a reward from the Holy Emperor, and it is not just for anyone to take it." Liang Wang Guo Bing said solemnly.
"That's right, it's just hypocritical. Just enjoy it secretly after receiving the reward." Someone murmured.
Lin Jue heard this and smiled and said: "Okay, then I won't be pretentious. I will just accept this name. But that is not what I want to ask. One thing I want to ask my second uncle is,
The quota for those who pass the commendation test directly..."
When everyone heard this, they all showed contempt. It was indeed hypocritical. In fact, what he cared about was how to implement the quota for the exam. This was indeed the most beneficial reward for him.
"Lin Jue, I will implement this matter soon. As soon as the imperial edict is issued and the Ministry of Rites documents arrive, I will instruct Hangzhou Xuezheng to implement the quota. You don't have to worry." He said solemnly.
Lin Jue hurriedly waved his hands and said: "That's not what I meant. I am asking whether the quota for the ceremonial examination given by the Holy Spirit belongs to me personally, or is it just a quota."
Lin Bonian said in shock: "What do you mean? I didn't understand."
Lin Juedao: "What I mean is, if this is just a quota and not limited to me, can I transfer this quota to others?"
"..."
"..."
Everyone was stunned.
"Lin Jue, do you know how precious this quota is? There are only 189 places for Liangzhe Road's annual ceremonial examination, but there are more than 20,000 students participating in the imperial examination. Everyone is struggling to get in. You have this quota
But you actually want to transfer this opportunity that everyone dreams of? Do you want to sell your spot and pay back the money? This is ridiculous." Yan Zheng scolded.
"Yeah, it's really outrageous. Isn't this crazy?"
"Yes, I am indeed from a merchant family. I don't even want this fame for money. The imperial envoy will be very angry."
A group of officials gnashed their ears and discussed.
Lin Bonian frowned and said: "Lin Jue, don't be ridiculous. You should listen clearly to what Magistrate Yan said. This position is an extremely precious gift, and it may be your future. Don't you want to become an official? I am
I heard that you studied under Fang Dunru and aspired to become an official and serve the country."
Lin Jue cupped his hands and said: "Second uncle, of course my ambition is to pass the imperial examination and become an official, but I don't think I need this quota. I have an acquaintance who needs this quota even more. If possible, I hope to help
He gave the quota to him. I will take the Qiuwei Examination together with other students. You also know that I am Fang Daru’s student. As his student, how can I take such shortcuts? This is a disservice to him.
It's disrespectful and doubtful about my ability. Although the reward from the Holy Spirit is a kind of gift and care, I also have my own self-esteem. I don't want anyone to point at me or my mentor in the future and say that I took a shortcut to get into office.
Since I want to be an official, I must be pure and clean and not receive any favors."
"..."
The officials looked at Lin Jue as if they were a fool. This kind of persistence and pride was really unnecessary. These days, no one can take shortcuts and build relationships if they can. There is no benefit to him, but he refuses.
If he doesn't accept it, he thinks this favor is an insult. I'm afraid this person is a fool.
"Have some backbone!" Yan Zhengshen slammed his hands on the table and shouted loudly.
Everyone rolled their eyes and looked at Yan Zhengsheng, thinking: "As expected, you are the only one who praises me. You are all the same. The stones in the pit are smelly and hard."
"I just like people with such backbone, and I was the same way back then. Because of my father, the late emperor asked me to enter the official position as a favor, or to participate in the civil service. But I insisted on participating in the imperial examination, because I didn't want anyone to do it.
Talking about gossip. From Lin Jue, I saw the shadow of my youth. When you are a person or an official, you must be clean, walk and sit upright, and you must not be ashamed of the world and your heart. Lin Jue, I support you." Yan Zhengsheng.
Wu Zi praised.
Lin Bonian did not agree with Yan Zhengsheng's words. He was a person who had been there before, and he knew the cruelty of the imperial examination road. Back then, he also studied hard and endured all the hardships before he managed to fight his way through.
You know. What's more, Lin Jue is his own son. If other people's children have such backbone, Lin Bonian will probably praise him a few words, but if the children of the Lin family want to be such a hero, how can Lin Bonian be willing to do so?
Sit back and watch.
"Lin Jue, you have to think carefully. This is not something to show off. The road to the imperial examination is very difficult and dangerous, and I don't know how many people want to take shortcuts but fail. Are you going to give up the grace of the Holy One? Don't act on your own initiative and seek praise from the Holy One.
It is a matter of great honor. Who would come to point fingers behind my back? You are wrong in thinking this way. According to what you said, wouldn’t everyone in the imperial court and those who entered the official position because of their ancestors be criticized? This is
The major events in your life must not be made hastily."
When it comes to the future of the children of the Lin family, Lin Boyong naturally cannot sit idly by and echoes: "Yes, what your second uncle said is that this kind of opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You have earned this grace yourself, why are you afraid of others gossiping?
You should think twice about this."
Lin Jue cupped his hands and said: "Master, second uncle, I am not acting on impulse, nor do I want to give up this quota, but just want to transfer it to others. I still feel that my true ability can only be shown by passing the exam myself. My nephew asks himself if he has the ability to do so."
If you have the ability to become an official, this quota should be given to those who need it more."
Lin Bonian frowned and said: "Who do you want to transfer the quota to? This is a gift, not for you to make a profit."
Lin Jue said with a smile: "Where did the second uncle think? I am not that kind of person. I actually have some selfish motives, just for the sake of my Lin family. If this quota can be transferred, I want to give it to Lin Youde, a son of the Lin family, who needs it most."
This is the quota for Qiu Wei."
"Lin Youde?" Lin Bonian turned and looked at Lin Boyong in confusion.
Lin Boyong explained in a low voice: "A disciple of the outer family studied for more than 20 years, took the exam four times, and failed every time in autumn."
Lin Bonian suddenly came to his senses and felt quite moved in his heart. Lin Jue was really based on the Lin family and considered everything for the Lin family. If he was really sure that he could pass the Qiuwei exam, wouldn't that quota be a waste? That's why he decided
He participated in the Qiu Wei Examination and gave the directly passed spot to another member of the Lin family. Although he didn’t know what relationship this Lin Youde had with him, as long as he was a member of the Lin family, this was called keeping the money from others, and it was a win-win situation.
Everyone in the audience rolled their eyes, and they all admired Lin Jue for his calculation. It turned out that he wanted to use this quota to obtain the maximum benefit for the Lin family. However, this kid was too confident. Why did he think that he would win in Qiu Wei? In the end, if
If he failed the exam, that would be a big joke.
"Lin Jue, your idea...well...I can't say anything. The quota granted by the imperial edict...I really don't know if it's just a quota or it's only useful to you. I can see you after I return to Beijing.
Your Majesty, please ask me clearly. If Your Majesty allows it, I can naturally do whatever you want. If it is just a personal grace for you, then it can only be used on you."
What Lin Bonian said was true. In fact, if he returned to Beijing, he would never ask the Holy Emperor about this matter. He only needed to go to the Ministry of Rites to clear things up a bit. Now that the imperial edict is issued, the Ministry of Rites only needs to issue a quota.
It is not a problem at all who uses this quota. The only problem is that if Lin Jue fails in the examination and cannot participate next spring, and the Holy Spirit suddenly remembers this matter and inquires about it, all this will be revealed. This requires
Lin Jue must pass the interpretation test. In front of the prince and other officials, Lin Bonian naturally relies on the approval of the Holy Emperor, so no one can say anything. If the quota is really given to others, it will be with the Holy Spirit's approval.
