Han Shizu

Chapter 1531 dwarfs
Tokyo, Gongyuan.

A month ago, this place was still a place where [-] scholars took the exam, but a month later, it was too deserted. The new batch of guards added a little chill to the holy place of the imperial examination.

Wu Jichuan and Xu Shilian were temporarily detained here. After counting and counting, this Gongyuan is relatively suitable.

In front of the signing room, the guards stood silently, and in the room, Prince Liu Yang was sitting upright with a calm and indifferent face, accompanied by Murong Defeng.Not long after waiting, Wu Jichuan walked in under the pressure of two guards.

This person makes a very impressive first impression.It's not that the temperament is outstanding and the jade tree is facing the wind, but that the appearance and temperament are too rough.With a short stature, a short neck and a hunchback, and a wretched appearance, it is no wonder that he is despised by others.

Even if Liu Yang thinks he doesn't judge people by appearance, he can't help but pay more attention to Wu Jichuan's appearance. Of course, it's not surprising, after all, he has seen even uglier ones, such as Pan You.

But it is also possible to imagine why some people are skeptical about Wu Jichuan's admission. Some prejudices are ridiculous, but they are rooted in people's hearts.But Liu Yang was more inclined to believe in Li Fang in his heart, it was completely unnecessary and too conspicuous.

Wu Jichuan looked as if he had suffered a major setback, his clothes were fairly clean, but his demeanor was extremely embarrassing, his face looked frustrated, and he was even a little out of his mind.

"Wu Jichuan, when you see His Highness the Crown Prince, don't be rude!" Murong Defeng shouted.

Probably out of shock, he raised his eyes and boldly looked at the young but majestic prince, his confused eyes finally became turbulent, his legs softened, and he bowed down: "School, student, I greet Your Highness!"

This stumbling and timid performance is obviously unsatisfactory, and it is easy to arouse people's doubts.Liu Yang didn't say anything, but asked Murong Defeng: "Wu Jichuan, let me ask you, do you know why you are here?"

"I know, I know!" Wu Jichuan raised his eyes, and quickly lowered them again, already giving people a feeling of guilt.

"You and Zhi Gongju, Li Fang, a cabinet scholar, are from the same hometown. Have you ever known each other?"

"I don't know each other!" Wu Jichuan shook his head repeatedly.

"This is surprising! Among the Jinshi candidates in this department, you are the only fellow from Li Dashi's hometown, how can you not know each other?" Murong Defeng asked forcefully.

"Students really don't know Li Gong!" Wu Jichuan cried.

"Boldly Wu Jichuan, His Highness the Crown Prince, dare to lie and deceive?" Murong Defeng's tone suddenly turned serious.

"Students don't dare!" Wu Jichuan looked terrified, with a weeping voice, kowtowed and said: "Li Gong left his hometown very early and has not returned for more than [-] years. Although the students have heard of him, they have never met! I hope His Highness will learn from you!"

In desperation, Wu Jichuan finally said something useful.Murong Defeng asked: "For all scholars, this kind of fellowship is rare. Li Dashi is also the chief examiner. Before he came to Beijing for reference, he never visited him? But some people spread the word that before the examination , you have brought gifts to Li's residence."

Wu Jichuan hesitated for a while, then lowered his voice, and said: "Someone from the same department suggested this, and the students were also moved. They bought some melons and fruits in the market, but when they went outside the gate of the house, they felt that they were shallow and ugly, and they were ashamed. back through the door!"

"That's not right! Many people have testified, but you returned it empty-handed!" Murong Defeng questioned.

Hearing this, Wu Jichuan blushed with embarrassment, buried his head and said, "To avoid ridicule, the students return to the dormitory after eating the fruits and melons."

"So, it's true that you and Li Dashi have never been in touch?" Murong Defeng said indifferently.

Wu Jichuan was a little excited: "Extremely! Extremly! I still hope that the students will not dare to lie!"

During Murong Defeng's questioning, Liu Yang kept silent, but watched Wu Jichuan calmly, his every move, every look, every look, and he could see everything in his eyes.

Finally, Liu Yang said: "Remember the policy theory when you refer to it!"

"Remember!" Wu Jichuan nodded without thinking.

Liu Yang: "Recite a paragraph!"

"Yes!"

When mentioning his essay, Wu Jichuan seemed to have calmed down, he didn't need to think about it, and when he spoke, he stopped stuttering and read out his own essay very smoothly.

It's not a paragraph, but the whole article, more than [-] words, talking with eloquence, without stagnation, cadence and setbacks, and there is a joyful flying between the eyebrows and eyes that does not match his temperament.

The topic of today's policy discussion is just one item: the governance of Qianyou Kaibao.Wu Jichuan's article is gorgeous in rhetoric, exquisite in writing style, and most importantly, clear in conception. The whole article is full of praise for Emperor Liu's achievements, and the word "lick" is highlighted.

Judging from this article, it is understandable why he was able to be admitted, just from the article, it is too much in line with the tastes of the examiners.As long as the other answers are not too bad, it is not a big surprise to be ranked among the best.

Nodding his head slightly, looking at Wu Jichuan with tears in his eyes, Liu Yang pondered for a while, waved his hand and told the guards: "Take him down! This is a scholar of the imperial court, not a prisoner, so please take care of him, don't be rude!"

His Highness the Prince's peaceful words fell into his ears, and they quickly turned into a warm current rushing to Wu Jichuan's heart. He was as excited as if he had seen hope, and he couldn't speak. Only after prostrating unceasingly, he left with trembling footsteps.

This appearance is indeed pitiful.

However, Liu Yang looked unmoved on his face. After thinking for a while, he turned his head and asked Murong Defeng: "Rixin, what do you think?"

Murong Defeng was also thinking about it, after hearing and asking, he thought about it again, cupped his hands and said: "It doesn't seem to be a fake, I guess this person should have a talent for writing. It's just that the material is crude, inferior and inferior, so I don't dare to look straight at him. People. Shicai minister's question is correct, he should be in a hurry, how powerful is His Majesty, how can he be free?
The details he talked about can also withstand scrutiny, perhaps it was originally that simple.However, in the eyes of those with a heart, it becomes evidence of Li Gong's favoritism.

If there is a mistake, maybe it is Li Gong's fellow countryman, the mistake is ugly, and the mistake is vain.Bringing a gift to visit but not to enter, and finally to eat the gift by oneself, this kind of practice, if it is spread, it will be ridiculed."

Murong Defeng's analysis was more in line with Liu Yang's opinion, but Liu Yang didn't express his opinion, and waved his hand: "Take Xu Shilian!"

Soon, Xu Shilian walked in. Compared with Wu Jichuan, it can only be described as "no comparison, no harm".

The emperor had seen it all, and he still showed something. When facing the prince, Xu Shilian's demeanor became more calm. Although he was full of respect, he did not panic and saluted calmly.

As far as the difference in demeanor performance between the two is concerned, one won the first place and the other failed the ranking, and anyone would be dissatisfied with it.It was Murong Defeng who asked: "Xu Shilian, why are you so sure that Li Daxun will use his affections to select scholars and abandon public officials for personal reasons?"

Xu Shilian didn't rush, and directly used Wu Jichuan as an example.Hearing this, Murong Defeng recounted Wu Jichuan's statement to see his reaction.

And Xu Shilian couldn't help but frowned slightly, and said: "This is just his one-sided words. Now that the incident happened, in order to get rid of the guilt, he lied about his innocence!"

"However, as far as I know, the secrets you mentioned are also personal speculations, and there is no real evidence. The court's decision is not based on a family's opinion, there must be conclusive evidence! Do you have any?" Murong Defeng asked lightly.

Xu Shilian was a little excited about this, and his voice was a little louder: "Scholars in the same department all know the relationship between Wu Jichuan and Li Dashi, and everyone envies him. He never denied it before, and used it as proof. Now, but they deny it with pretexts, who can believe it?"

"Apart from those plausible rumors, what evidence do you have?" Murong Defeng smiled lightly and continued to ask, his tone also gave off a sense of oppression.

Xu Shilian was silent for a while, thought for a while, his eyes shifted, he turned from Murong Defeng to Liu Yang, bowed and bowed: "His Royal Highness, although the students have little knowledge, they also know that Li Dashi used to be the Grand Tutor. If you disregard selfishness and shirk responsibility for the teacher because of the friendship between teachers and students, then the students will have nothing to say. But, the hearts of scholars in the world are chilling!"

"Presumptuous!" Hearing his wild words, Murong Defeng couldn't help scolding: "Xu Shilian, is this the place where you made wild words? Can you represent the world's scholars? I think you represent those who can't learn The losers of the rankings!"

I have to say that Xu Shilian is quite emotional.Seeing Murong Defeng being provocatively angry, Liu Yang stretched out his hand to stop him, looked at this bold and confident scholar, and sighed secretly in his heart, sure enough, since he intervened in this matter, in the eyes of many people, he was inevitably suspected of favoritism It is not surprising that Xu Shilian has such an idea.

He didn't mean to be angry and blame him, Liu Yang smiled lightly, and said with a gentle attitude: "Can you tell me why you chose to break into the palace gate and report it to the news?"

Facing the gentle wind and drizzle of the prince, Xu Shilian, who was ready to be blamed, couldn't help being stunned for a moment, and replied: "Your Majesty set up the Dengwen Drum, isn't it just to give the world a chance to go straight to heaven for those who have suffered strange injustices? The imperial court selects scholars unfairly, and it also involves the great scholars of the current dynasty. The students have nowhere to redress their grievances, and they are full of anger. Why not take this way?"

"Your name is not on the list, it is unfair for the court to select scholars!" Probably not seeing this person's arrogance and conceit, Murong Defeng's tone showed a little sarcasm: "The imperial court opened a department to recruit scholars, and it accepts the talents of scholars from all over the world. Could it be that it was specially designed for you, Xu Shilian?"

Xu Shilian took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said: "Students are not talented, and they think they can do two more things than Wu Jichuan!"

"Not necessarily!" Murong Defeng said: "From my point of view, Wu Jichuan is indeed not as good as you in terms of cunning, eloquence, and eloquence. If you talk about writing and actual talent, you may not know it!"

After glancing at Murong Defeng, Xu Shilian replied that he had nothing to say, almost making Murong Defeng lose his composure again.

"Who gave you the suggestion to report on the news and criticize the examiner?" Liu Yang asked again abruptly, with a stern tone.

Suspicion flashed in Xu Shilian's eyes, he frowned, and said respectfully: "The student really doesn't understand what His Highness means, and every move is filled with righteous indignation!"

"Get back!" After observing this person for a while, Liu Yang waved his hand, and gave the same instructions to the guard as Wu Jichuan.

(End of this chapter)