Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 734
In the Wenhua Palace, Xiao Yi yelled at Jiang Yuan in his heart, but he couldn't say the slightest rebuttal on his face.

At this point, he finally understood.

This time, he was completely tricked by Jiang Yuan!

Seeing Jiang Yuan tell the "truth" with a calm face, Xiao Yi was about to explode with anger, but this couldn't change, and the situation was developing step by step in a direction that was more and more unfavorable to him.

Because, after Jiang Yuan finished speaking, the examiners from the sixth department also looked at each other, and hesitated to speak.

Seeing this situation, the emperor first took a deep look at Jiang Yuan, and then he glanced at all the people present, and then asked.

"Masters, what Jiang Ge said just now is the truth?"

This……

Facing the emperor's inquiries, the elders looked at each other.

The truth is the truth, but there is always something wrong.

It should be said that although the other examiners present had vague guesses about certain inside information, they did not see the whole picture, so they just subconsciously felt that something was wrong.

However, the Son of Heaven asked a question, but he had to answer it. After hesitating for a moment, Yu Shan, the servant of the Ministry of Officials, stepped forward and spoke cautiously.

"Your Majesty, when reading the test papers, the ministers and others did have disputes over the grades of some test papers. During the process, Xueshi Xiao did indeed strongly praise the test papers of Cheng Zong and others. However, it is difficult to have a firm conclusion after all standard conclusion."

"Moreover, the list that was finally submitted was jointly agreed upon by the ministers and others. In addition to Xiao Xueshi, Jiang Ge, Zhang Ge, Zhu Ge and others also thought that this strategy should be based on moral merit and merit. To get it, Cheng Long Gu Shi used it to solve the problem, so although the ministers and others had some objections, they did not insist too much."

It should be said that Yu Shanyu's servant, who was transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Officials, has a kind personality. He has the integrity of Yu Qian, but he doesn't have the energy to be so angry that people don't pay for his life.

These remarks are impartial, and can be regarded as restoring the facts in a relatively objective manner.

However, it is still not good for Xiao Yi.

It's still the same sentence, everyone's understanding of the topic is not the same. To pursue Jiang Yuan on this point, at most, he can only say that he lacks knowledge and shallow knowledge.

Compared with Xiao Yi, who tried his best to defend Cheng Zong during the collegial process, Mr. Jiang Ge can be regarded as a man who does not touch himself.

And this is obviously what Jiang Yuan wants.

After Yu Shan finished speaking, Jiang Yuan immediately kowtowed again, saying.

"Your Majesty, I know that I don't have enough talent and learning, I don't know people properly, and I can't accurately judge the grades of the palace examination papers. I have owed Your Majesty's grace. Please punish me!"

Things have developed to the present, in fact, many things are already clear.

Many people present realized that there might be some ulterior secret between Jiang Yuan and Xiao Yi.

However, I have to say that Jiang Yuan's hands and feet are too clean, and his every move is within the scope allowed by the rules.

Cheng Zong was the person Jiang Yuan wanted to recommend, but whether it was during the collegial process or when the final list was finalized, it was Xiao Yi's idea.

This led to it being difficult for Xiao Yi to explain clearly in this matter.

Unless, he is willing to put on the table the "deal" he and Jiang Yuan reached in private.

But the question is, does Xiao Ying dare?

Under the gaze of everyone, this Xueshi Xiao remained silent.

He... dare not!
Because once this matter is said, it is appropriate to hurt yourself before hurting the enemy.

As a Hanlin bachelor, a scholarly scholar, and an examiner of the palace examination, he cannot be fair and promote talents only by virtue and virtue. Instead, he regards the number one rank as a transaction, uses power for personal gain, and operates in the dark. If this matter is true, Xiao Yi Not only will his official career come to an end, but even his reputation will be ruined once.

This kind of thing has been done before, and Xue Xuan, the former Minister of Dali Temple, was like this.

He would rather sacrifice himself than ask for justice, but not everyone is Xue Xuan.

Perhaps, Wang Wen or Yu Qian would have such courage, but unfortunately, Xueshi Xiao is not such a person who dares to burn jade and stone together.

Furthermore, even if Xiao Yi could make up his mind, he might not be able to do anything to Jiang Yuan.

Only now did Xiao Yi realize that in the past, he had indeed underestimated Jiang Ge as an old man.

It should be said that among the members of the cabinet, Jiang Yuan does not have a strong sense of presence, and he is also very low-key on weekdays. Apart from being unlucky with someone, the court does not pay much attention to him.

Although he can be seen in many major government affairs, but most of the time, he is the one who hangs around and shouts, not standing out, not being prominent, and not attracting attention.

So, after he came to the door, Xiao Ying didn't take precautions and agreed, but who would have thought that this old guy's scheming was so vicious.

The current situation is almost a dead end.

No matter what Xiao Yi said or didn't say, he couldn't escape the guilt. Even after telling the truth, he might be able to pull Jiang Yuan on his back, but it was more likely that Jiang Yuan would be able to escape unscathed.

Listen carefully to what he just said, and you will know that other people in the cabinet can testify if you open your mouth, and the officials who read the papers have seen it with their own eyes.

In the current situation, for Xiao Yi, it seems that the best way is to admit that he was inaccurate in solving the questions like Jiang Yuan, misjudged the test papers of Ke Qian, Cheng Zong and others, and then charged him with improper marking of the palace test. Take it to yourself.

In this way, it may be a crime of dereliction of duty, but it will not be more serious, and the other examiners can barely escape.

However, after glancing at Jiang Yuan next to him, Xiao Yi still couldn't swallow his breath when he saw a hint of complacency in his expression.

Turning around quickly in his mind, Xueshi Xiao found out a possibility while barely protecting himself, hesitating for a moment, driven by unwillingness, Xiao Ying finally opened his mouth and said.

"Your Majesty, in fact, I also had my doubts about Cheng Zong's test paper. However, at that time, Mr. Jiang Ge praised it very strongly. I was confused by him for a while, so I also praised Cheng Zong's test paper during the collegial meeting. A few words."

"Now that I think about it, it was Jiang Ge, Zhang Ge, and Zhu Ge who first praised Cheng Zong's volume as superior to Ke Qian's, and advocated that it should be obtained with both moral merits and Cheng Long's ancient world. , the minister, like the other examiners, although he was skeptical, was finally persuaded."

"This minister's mind is not strong, and his talent and learning are insufficient. However, as His Majesty said, Mr. Jiang Ge was in the Imperial Academy. He came from the Six Departments and entered the cabinet. He is very familiar with both Wen Han's affairs and imperial government affairs. Why can't he judge? Just two test papers?"

"This minister is also confused, please learn from your majesty!"

The meaning of these words is actually implying that Jiang Yuan and Cheng Zong have an ulterior relationship.

Jiang Yuan wanted to put the fault of the imperial examination on Xiao Ying's head, so Xiao Ying would hold it back in turn.

After all, the test papers of Ke Qian and Cheng Zong were judged by Jiang Yuan at the beginning, and Jiang Yuan also put forward the first second opinion. Although Xiao Yi also agreed in the end, if he is wrong, then Jiang Yuan Yuan can't escape either.

With Jiang Yuan's knowledge, it is impossible not to see the pros and cons of the two test papers, but he pushed Cheng Zong instead of Ke Qian, so there must be a reason.

Xiao Yi didn't think about it at the time, but now that he thinks about it, this may be the way to break the situation.

After all, Xiao Yi really couldn't think of any enmity between him and Jiang Yuan, and it was worth Jiang Yuan's targeting him so much.

Moreover, the matter has come to this point, Xueshi Xiao no longer expects himself to be able to escape, he just hopes that he can drag Jiang Yuan into the water on the premise of ensuring that he is not completely dead end.

It should be said that this is a key flaw.

However, there are often times when the only flaw is likely to be intentionally left.

After Xiao Yan finished speaking, he immediately regretted it, because after he finished speaking, Jiang Yuan not only did not panic, but relaxed a little bit.

So, Xiao Yan secretly said something bad in his heart, but it was too late.

I saw Jiang Yuan kowtowed to the ground twice, with grief and indignation on his face, said.

"Your Majesty, although I have some experience in reading papers for the imperial examination, I don't have enough talent and knowledge, and I can't tell whether a scholar is high or low, and I have owed the grace of God, but I think I am just, so why dare to use public tools to favor one's own favor?"

"The volume of Cheng Zong and Ke Qian's verdict was wrong, and His Majesty conceded the crime because of this. I have no complaints. However, if you say that the minister is practicing favoritism and cheating, deliberately oppressing scholars, this is nothing, and I dare not admit it." Things."

"I don't know why Xiao Xueshi slandered me so much, but I dare to guarantee my life. I have nothing to do with Cheng Zong. Even before I read the paper this time, I didn't know this scholar. If your majesty doesn't believe me, I will give you a chance." I would like to be interrogated by the judiciary, as long as I can return my innocence, I will not be afraid even if I go to Jinyiwei Prison, please be careful, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Qiyu couldn't help but sighed seeing Jiang Yuan's expression of so much sincerity that he almost wrote the word "injustice" on his head.

Xiao Ying, as expected, he is still too bookish!
They have already been calculated by others, and we can't be cautious in our words and deeds. This kind of speculation is just speculation, without evidence, can we talk nonsense?
Now that Jiang Yuan turned against this army, he directly pushed himself to the forefront, and more importantly, Zhu Qiyu was a little bit hard to get off because of this.

Jiang Yuan's words have come to this point, there are only two ways that Zhu Qiyu can do, one is to investigate strictly, but it is possible that nothing will be found in the end, and the other is to be lenient.

Glancing at Xiao Zi next to him, Zhu Qiyu sighed helplessly, his face finally turned gentle, and he spoke.

"Mr. Jiang Ge, I can trust your character. Although there was a mistake in this imperial examination, I believe it was a misunderstanding. All the ministers are important officials of the court, so I won't judge you because of mere scholars. ruin your reputation forever."

This is to be handled with care, and everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief after hearing this.

However, Jiang Yuan did not go down this step, but continued to grab the ground with his head, said.

"Your Majesty's grace is so great, I am grateful, but you will not be punished for your mistakes, and the rules and regulations are not correct. This minister did not read the papers properly in this palace examination, and failed to promote talents for the country. It is really dereliction of duty. I ask for a three-month salary penalty. Close your door and think about your mistakes. I implore Your Majesty to allow it!"

Zhu Qiyu's eyes narrowed and he didn't speak. This expression made Jiang Yuan's back feel a little chilly, but he still resisted the discomfort and knelt on the ground without raising his head.

Now that the matter has come to this point, from Zhu Qiyu's perspective, it is natural to see that Jiang Yuan's move seems to be pleading guilty, but in fact he is "seeking justice".

Although it is said that there is no ranking of the examiners in the palace examination, but still, because of the special nature of the Imperial Academy, Xiao Yi occupies a dominant position among the ten examiners.

Then, if something goes wrong now, the punishment he will receive is naturally the heaviest.

What's more, since entering the palace, Jiang Yuan has pressed forward step by step, and every piece of evidence he presented proves that the evaluation of the palace examination was improper, and the responsibility lies with Xiao Yi.

Under such circumstances, if Zhu Qiyu wanted to punish Jiang Yuan, it was naturally impossible not to punish Xiao Yi.

Moreover, this punishment can only be heavier, otherwise, as Jiang Yuan said, the court discipline will inevitably be violated.

After wandering between Jiang Yuan and Xiao Yi for a moment, Zhu Qiyu let out a breath, and finally made a decision in his heart, so he set his eyes on Xiao Ying and said.

"Xiao Yan, are you guilty?"

In fact, just now, when Jiang Yuan was crying, Xiao Yi had already realized that he was too reckless.

However, there is no regret medicine in the world!

At this time, he knew in his heart that any further struggle would only make the situation worse.

So, with a depressed and apprehensive mood, Xiao Ying knelt on the ground and cupped his hands.

"Your Majesty, I made a slip of the tongue for a while, please punish me, Your Majesty!"

"A momentary slip of the tongue?"

Zhu Qiyu snorted coldly, looking a little dissatisfied, and shouted sharply.

"When the court slanders the important officials of the court, is it a slip of the tongue that can be perfunctory?"

"I put more trust in you and entrusted the palace examination to you. However, not only did you not want to be loyal to the country, but you neglected your duties, which almost made the pearl dusty, and made the imperial court a laughing stock. On the golden palace, I will interrogate myself, and I will not bow my head." Admitting mistakes, but instead blaming each other, there is no important minister to take responsibility, which really disappoints me."

"Wynn?"

"The servant is..."

Hearing the Son of Heaven calling for someone, all the officials present knew that today's matter would finally come to a conclusion, so everyone including Jiang Yuan couldn't help raising their heads.

Afterwards, the Son of Heaven pondered for a moment and said.

"Immediately pass the decree, Xiao Yi, a Hanlin scholar, failed to grade the papers, and insisted on going his own way. He was ordered by me to preside over the palace examination, but he failed to promote his talents for the country. In the Wenhua Palace, he even argued with the graders in the court. He didn't want to repent. My heart, from now on, I will temporarily resign from office and return to the residence to wait for investigation."

"Jiang Yuan, a scholar of the cabinet, and the officials who read the papers, could not dissuade Xiao Yi, let him do what he did, and almost turned the court's talent ceremony into a laughing stock. With a fine salary of half a year, he will be demoted to one level, and still hold the original position, just to make an example to everyone else!"

As the voice fell, the faces of the elders below could not help but twitch.

Especially for a group of six ministers, it was even more painful.

For them, this matter is really a disaster. They just came to read a paper, at most, during the collegiate discussion, they did not persuade Xiao Yi, Jiang Yuan and others, and selected a few articles with less radical views. A candidate.

As a result, half a year's salary has been inexplicably lost, and the official rank has also been demoted. Although the position has not changed, it is embarrassing to spread the word!

Of course, what is even more pitiful is Xiao Ying, who presided over the palace examination, and even his official position was dismissed by the emperor. He was scolded to death by scholars all over the world.

Complicated in their hearts, everyone knelt down silently and bowed their heads.

"Your Majesty will obey the order, thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

(End of this chapter)