Rise From the Humble

Outside the south gate of Xiyuan, the inside of the Cabinet Zhilu is brightly lit, as if it were daytime!

The examination papers started at four or five o'clock in the morning, and except for a short break for eating in the middle, the rest of the time was spent on examination papers. Finally, when it was nearly Hai hour, all the test papers were evaluated according to the fifth-class symbols.

The grading work has not yet been completed. After the review is completed, a comprehensive review is still required. The chief grading minister will serve as the overall reviewer and lead all the grading officers to conduct a comprehensive review. At this time, everyone can speak on the test paper, and after the speech is finished, the chief minister of paper reading will determine the ranking of the test paper.

Yan Song is the chief test-reading minister, and he is leading the review this time. Basically, all test papers are ranked according to the order of the fifth-level symbols that everyone has reviewed, with only one exception.

Yan Song, Yan Shoufu, looked at everyone carefully when he comprehensively reviewed the test paper that contained the words "The relationship between officials and officials is the most important thing in the country. Respect the monarch's authority, select officials for appointment, teach officials their duties, supervise officials' conduct, and provide rewards and punishments". There are six "○" and two "△" marks for the fifth-class evaluation. Yan Shoufu paused holding the test paper in his hand, and put the test paper on the table.

"This test paper is well-written and full of literary talent. The grading is open to discussion. What do you guys think?" Yan Songyan asked after putting the test paper on the table, looking at the readers.

"Your Majesty Yan is right. This is an excellent work in the test paper. The reform of official administration mentioned in this paper is penetrating. It should be ranked in the first and second ranks." As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, an examiner praised the test paper. Absolutely.

"Um"

Afterwards, several examiners nodded in agreement with what the first examiner said.

When Yan Song objected to the grading of this test paper, Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites was a little confused at first. He didn't understand why Mr. Yan Ge suddenly praised this test paper. The content of this test paper is completely a popular choice for the champion test paper, and it must not be submitted to the imperial examination, so as to ensure that Ouyang Zhong's champion is safe, but why does Mr. Yan Ge still praise this test paper? Did my nephew Ouyang Zishi pass the exam?

The left minister of the Ministry of Rites fell into deep thinking.

"The calligraphy and literary talent of this test paper are excellent, like the jade from the east mountain and the qin from the west mountain. In practice, it is a mere formality and deviates from reality. We uphold the laws of our ancestors and govern officials with a free system, how can we change the rules in a few words."

"However, good intentions are always good. As Lord Yan said, this text is brilliant in style and full of literary talent. What I thought just now is unavoidable to be critical. I would like to change my review and raise it by one level to show encouragement."

While Zuo Shilang was deep in thought, the cabinet assistant next to him spoke.

What? He wants to adjust the test paper evaluation from second grade to first grade? So now there are six "○" and one "△", this is going to enter the top two?

Why is this happening?

Could it be that I didn't explain clearly the content of Zhu Ping'an's test paper at the Yan Mansion banquet last night?

Zuo Shilang began to fall into deep self-repentance.

"Well, if that's the case, let's review it again." Yan Song Yan Ge took the board after everyone finished speaking.

Review?

Master Yan, what are you doing!!!

Just when the left servant of the Ministry of Rites was deeply puzzled, he suddenly saw Master Yan Songyan making a gesture as if unintentionally, pinched his hands together and put them on the test paper, took the test paper in his hand, and read it again , and then Mr. Yan Ge once again gave a "○".

At this time, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites finally understood the good intentions of Mr. Yan Ge, and the gesture Mr. Yan made for himself was to ask him to give "△" again when reviewing. I have to say that Mr. Yan Ge is far-sighted. How can Zhu Pingan be Hui Yuan? It's just one person, it's not so easy to be connected with Zhonghuiyuan and the champion! But if Huiyuan can't even get into the second class, it's too unreasonable! Even the emperor would be suspicious after seeing it, right? Give yourself a "△", and everyone else give "○", so that this test paper can be guaranteed to enter the top two.

After reviewing, this test paper finally got seven "○" and one "△".

After more than half an hour of statistics, the ranking of the palace examination is basically out. Of course, this is only calculated by the ministers who read the papers themselves. In the end, the emperor will review the imperial approval before the final ranking.

Under the impartial and strict review and statistics by the ministers who read the papers, the papers from the first to the tenth place in this palace examination were also selected, and they were ready to be presented to the emperor to rank himself.

Theoretically speaking, since all the test papers are sealed, no one knows the names and other information of the ten test papers.

However, the first place test paper contains the words "The world is the public, the sages are unified, the destiny is upheld, and the people's feelings are the bottom.".

Mr. Yan Songyan was full of praise for this test paper.

Uh, why use it?

Because there is another test paper, Yan Song Yan Ge, who is also full of praise. This test paper contains "the feelings of the husband and the officials governing the top and bottom, and the country is the most important thing. Respect the power of the monarch, select officials, assign official positions, supervise officials, and public rewards and punishments."

But it's a pity that this test paper ranked eleventh in the final comprehensive evaluation! It's only one place short, it's a pity, otherwise it would have been submitted for a preview, maybe there is still some hope of getting a No. 1 pick or something.

Mr. Yan Song and Yan Ge are also very sorry for this, but there is no way. This is the result. Mr. Yan Song and Yan Ge will review the papers impartially and cannot "follow" his own selfishness and list it in the top ten! Eleven is eleven, at least still in the top two.

It's already late at night!

It was too late, and we couldn't disturb Emperor Jiajing's rest at this time, so Mr. Yan Song gave up the idea of ​​submitting the top ten test papers at this time, and instead went to Xiyuan early the next morning to ask Jiajing. The emperor presented the top ten test papers of this palace examination.

Everything is planned.

In the early morning of the second day, Elder Yan Song and Yan Pavilion led the other seven ministers who read the papers and rushed to Xiyuan with the top ten test papers.

When Mr. Yan Songyan first entered the Xiyuan Gate, he happened to meet Huang Jin who led the two little Huangmen out of the palace.

"Huang Gong, why are you in such a hurry?"

Yan Song saw Huang Jin and the others from a distance, stopped in his tracks, smiled, and bowed his hands to Huang Jin from a distance to say hello.

"Sir Yan, you are here. Your Majesty has been reading for a whole day yesterday. I will be sent here early in the morning to see how your review is going, Mr. Yan." Huang Jin led two small Huangmen over and looked at Yan Song and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, that's a coincidence, I'm here to deliver test papers to the Holy One." Yan Song laughed when he heard this.

"What a coincidence, what a coincidence." Huang Jin was overjoyed.

"Then let's go." Yan Song said, knowing that the emperor is waiting for the test paper, he naturally dare not neglect.

"Don't be in a hurry, may I ask Master Yan what the test papers are for the offering to the emperor?" Huang Jin shook his head, looking at the test papers Yan Song and the others brought.

"According to the usual practice, the top ten test papers will be judged in this palace examination." Yan Song was a little puzzled by Huang Jin's words.

"Not enough, not enough. Add ten more." Huang Jin shook his head.

Ten more servings?

The ministers who read the papers looked at each other in confusion after hearing this, and then began to discuss in a low voice. According to the convention, the top ten people are all chosen by the emperor. Why are the top twenty people chosen for this palace examination?

"Why, do you adults disagree with the decision of the Holy One?" Huang Jin narrowed his eyes slightly, and asked softly with a half-smile.

"Don't dare." The grading ministers shook their heads one after another, joking. In the whole world, could it be the king's land, and on the shore of the land, could it be the king's ministers? Who dares to have any objection to what the emperor wants to do, let alone just reading ten more test papers? .

Theoretically speaking, all the papers of the palace examination should be read by the emperor, and ten copies is just a practice. Don't say that the emperor wants to read ten more copies, even if there are ten more copies.

It is rare for His Majesty to work hard, so why not do it!

However, Yan Song, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the cabinet ministers all looked a little strange. Maybe they were a little surprised that Emperor Jiajing suddenly made great efforts to govern and pay attention to state affairs. In the eyes of everyone, they were a little surprised.

In fact, Emperor Jiajing didn't want to make every effort to govern, it's just that he had a guilty conscience when he dreamed about Taizu last time.

In the ten years before his accession to the throne, Emperor Jiajing was still trying his best to govern and put his heart on state affairs, and it was rare for the Ming Dynasty to show signs of revival. It's just that Emperor Jiajing practiced immortality and made alchemy later. So far, he has not been in court for N years.

I dreamed of Taizu, especially Taizu still looked at me and said nothing!

How could Emperor Jiajing not feel guilty? He wanted to perform well, pay more attention to state affairs, and put more effort into the country, the country, and the country. The current imperial examination happened to be a major event that related to the country, the country, and the country. Emperor Jiajing wanted to use twice as much attention. The previous rule was to read ten copies, but this time I read twenty copies, which is twice as hard as you! Do a good job, and next time you dream of Taizu, you can face Taizu.