Han Shizu

Chapter 1533 Is this the truth?
After listening to Zhao Pu's advice, Liu Yang fell into thinking again. Although there was not much expression on his face, it was obvious that he was very conflicted.Entanglement also means that there is intentional movement.

However, after a little hesitation, Liu Yang finally shook his head.He understood what Zhao Pu meant, and at the same time he didn't really consider it clearly in his mind, but he refused almost instinctively.

After opening his mouth, Liu Yang's tone was very firm: "Since the facts are so, why hide it? I know Prime Minister Zhao's concerns, and I'm afraid it will cause more criticism and speculation!
However, since the imperial court has made a clear investigation, confirmed the facts, and announced the situation, if there is a cover-up, wouldn't it be more guilty and suspicious?
It is easy to block people's hearts, but difficult to convince people's hearts. It is impossible to cover up one's ears and steal one's bell. Besides, the court is arbitrarily determined, so why cover it up? "

The prince's words are righteous and strict.Of course, when Liu Yang made this statement, he had already made it clear in his mind. Of course, there were considerations in what he said, but also because so many people participated in the second review, and the matter has been leaked. It can guarantee that the result will not be spread out.

As for Zhao Pu, facing the dignified prince, he didn't feel ashamed to be a villain in vain, he just responded calmly: "What your highness said is reasonable, it's because I didn't think carefully!"

In fact, in Zhao Pu's view, this matter is easy to solve. If you want to keep secrets from being leaked, you just need to give enough deterrents.

Of course, such an approach may seem extreme.However, Zhao Pu only gave a suggestion, expressing his attitude and position on this matter to the crown prince. As for whether to adopt it or not, it depends on the decision of His Highness the crown prince.

Liu Yang's decision was also quickly expressed clearly and forcefully: "As for the situation of the second trial, the judgment of fairness, and the two lists, report the facts according to the facts, and act according to the edict!"

Liu Yang is still smart, and the final decision depends on Emperor Liu.

"Then Wu Jichuan is on the new list?" Liu Yang asked suddenly.

Zhao Pu nodded, and said in a playful tone, "Yes! Not only yes, but also among the top three!"

"Among the newly proposed nine, is there Xu Shilian?" Liu Yang raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Still nothing!" Zhao Pu's eyes were clear and his tone was affirmative.

At this time, Liu Yang was also a little surprised, and said: "Just now I also interviewed Xu Shilian. Although he is a bit conceited, he does have some talent. Can't he be admitted as a Jinshi?"

Mentioning this, Zhao Pu was silent for a while, then turned around, took out an answer sheet from the book case, and handed it to Liu Yang: "Your Highness, after reading this and that Xu Shilian's policy, you will understand it!"

A little curious, Liu Yang took it and spread it out to read carefully. After reading a paragraph, he raised his head and said, "It's well written, but it's quite insightful!"

Zhao Pu: "Please read the second half, Your Highness!"

Liu Yang lowered his head again, and soon, his frowns squeezed away his curiosity and doubts, and even his eyes became a bit solemn, he slowly raised his head, and uttered a sentence: "This Xu Shilian, I'm afraid he is too conceited." His Majesty’s merits need to be evaluated by him? How dare he, a mere scholar, criticize the great affairs of the court? He was a county magistrate and knew some knives and pens, so he thought he could give advice?”

"Your Highness, calm down!" Zhao Pu politely comforted him.

Realizing that he had lost his composure, Liu Yang also listened to the persuasion, quickly calmed down, bowed his head and read Xu Shilian's strategy again, and he calmed down again.

Obviously, Xu Shilian's article is very unusual for the crown prince to be overwhelmed.Discussing the rule of Qianyou Kaibao is a very big topic. When discussing, many scholars choose the middle section, one event, and one politics to discuss.

However, it is inevitable that there are people with outstanding talents, such as Wu Jichuan, Song Zhun, and Xu Shilian.Wu Jichuan flattered and praised without reservation, highlighted his literary talents, and also showed his insight. How could an examiner dare to give a low score for such an article.

Xu Shilian is not the case. This one has to be unique, and evaluate Qianyou Kaibao from a macro perspective.The achievements of Emperor Liu are also recognized, especially the unification of the Qianyou era, which is also a big praise.

However, in the affirmative tone, some new tricks have also been developed, such as clearly pointing out the sufferings of the common people of the Han Dynasty in the Qianyou era, excessive taxes, and excessive corvees.

For example, Emperor Liu's reforms in many systems did not follow Confucius and Mencius, and did not respect saints.

In addition, Emperor Liu's military officials were tolerant and harsh to civil officials. Although this is not the case, it is the case for many literati who have come all the way from the Qianyou era.

As for after the opening of the treasure year, Xu Shilian pointed out more problems.What a big hero, the treatment is too generous.What is the repeated use of swords and soldiers, endless attacks, and a waste of national power for some poor and despicable places that cannot make ends meet.As for extravagance and waste, the continuous tribute is a trivial matter.

Xu Shilian's thoughts fell on the paper, and his words might be a little more cryptic, but between the lines of words, the gushing meaning is naturally vivid to the eyes of the examiners.

Liu Yang pondered for a while, looked up at Zhao Pu, and said in a tone of asking for advice: "According to Mr. Zhao, is Xu Shilian writing this article with a high standard to attract people's attention, or is he sincere, bold and straightforward?" admonish?"

"It's hard to say." Zhao Pu sighed lightly: "So far, the old minister has only met this person once, and I really don't understand him!"

After a pause, Zhao Pu continued: "However, to be able to write such an article, it is undeniable that this person has some talents, but he is too frivolous, ignorant of awe, and slanderous, so there is nothing wrong with being rejected by the examiners!"

Liu Yang also recognized Zhao Pu's opinion.However, looking at it from the beginning through this theory, Xu Shilian is so bold and frivolous, conceited and self-respected but not aware of it.

If that's the case...are you being paranoid?Liu Yang couldn't help thinking secretly.

"Your Highness!" Zhao Pu called softly.

"If that's the case, how will this matter end!" Liu Yang took a deep breath and sighed, looking a bit embarrassed.

The root cause of Xu Shilian's failure was found, and the twists and turns were sorted out, but Liu Yang was a little uncertain about how to deal with it.

"Your Highness, Xu Shilian is conceited of his ability, arrogant and arrogant. He made irresponsible comments on government affairs. He thought he was young. He didn't question him and punish him. If he refused to admit him, it is the court's tolerance and love!" Zhao Pu said:
"However, he didn't think about his mistakes, went home to reflect behind closed doors, and then planned for the future. Instead, he harbored resentment, blamed the unfairness of the court's record of scholars, slandered the examiner, and blamed the same year.

Because of his narrow-mindedness and self-righteousness, he caused such a huge uproar in the court and caused such a bad influence, which led to rumors of fraud in the court's promotion of talents.

This is all Xu Shilian's fault, the veteran thought that Xu Shilian should be punished more, to set the record straight and to warn future generations! "

"So, is it too strict?" Liu Yang said calmly, "Xu Shilian is certainly arrogant and self-willed, but since the imperial court issued examination questions, it was originally for people to discuss, listen to their opinions, and choose the best ones to record. In other words, it might be inappropriate to use it in this matter.

Although this person's views are bold and pungent, if he is guilty of this, I am afraid that his majesty's monarchy will be lost! "

Hearing what Liu Yang said, Zhao Pu complimented with a chuckle: "Your Highness is truly a benevolent lord! It's just that the old minister's advice is not for his advice, but because he doesn't distinguish between right and wrong, black and white, and arbitrarily accuses and slanders the minister.

This matter has already affected the prestige of the imperial court, bewitched people's hearts, and corrupted the imperial government. If what it said was true, it would be another matter. But now that the facts are clear, everything is Xu Shilian's speculation. It has caused such evil results. How can he not be punished? ! "

Zhao Pu's opinion is tough.In the face of his insistence, Liu Yang also had to give the prime minister some face, so he could not question it directly, pondered for a while, and said: "We should report to His Majesty first, and then discuss it after listening!"

"So, that's good!" Zhao Pu looked at Liu Yang a little bit, and secretly praised him in his heart.

Obviously, with people like them as guarantors, Li Fang's grievances of fraud can basically be cleared. In this case, Liu Yang should feel relaxed.

However, nothing could be seen from his face, every word and deed of Liu Yang revealed a kind of caution and prudence.For a prince, it's not about making remarkable achievements, on the contrary, it's more important to keep quiet and not make mistakes.

In addition, Zhao Pu also discovered that the current His Royal Highness, the city is getting deeper and deeper.This is not reflected in his reticence, but in his style of acting.

His Royal Highness, the crown prince, is really too stable, unmoving like a mountain, the kind of stability that does not change when Mount Tai collapses in front of him.

"I have to trouble Mr. Zhao to make a report on the results of the second trial!" Liu Yang said with a gentle attitude: "I should also draw up a report and hand it over to His Majesty!"

"It should be!" Zhao Pu said calmly.

(End of this chapter)