Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 905
On Jiang Yuan's forehead, dense sweat oozed out and wet his skirt.

It could be seen that he was very nervous at this time.

Originally, Jiang Yuan had already made plans to bow his head and plead guilty, but what Chen Xun said just now made him hopeful.

He was very sure that Chen Xun would never say these words for no reason, there must be some hidden meaning behind them.

But what is it?

Jiang Yuan was anxious for a while, he knew very well that when the emperor spoke, it was the last moment.

This may be the last chance for him to set foot in the court and speak in front of the emperor and his officials.

Once he misses it, he will never turn back.

Damn, it's too late...

Feeling that the gazes of all the people in the hall were focused on him following the words of the emperor, Jiang Yuan gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly.

However, at this moment, he suddenly seemed to notice something, and looked up in the direction of the cabinet, where there was an unusual gaze.

In the eyes of other people, there may be regret, there may be gloating, and there may be disappointment, but they are always facing Jiang Yuan.

But with this gaze, Jiang Yuan actually felt a sense of relief from inside.

Although it disappeared in a flash, under Jiang Yuan's highly tense spirit at the moment, he was still captured by him.

So, his heart suddenly moved, and he completely pierced the window paper, prostrated himself on the ground, and kowtowed.

"I'm ashamed of your majesty's grace, and neglecting the state's talent ceremony is a serious crime. In this palace examination, I did contact my colleagues and choose people unfairly, but I have no intention of manipulating the palace examination, let alone intimidating the officials, covering the sky with one hand Ability, I implore Your Majesty to learn from you."

After several reminders from Chen Xun, Jiang Yuan realized that the biggest mistake he made was manipulating the palace examination.

This violated the biggest taboo in the court, that's why this matter made such a big fuss.

Well, if he wants to get rid of the crime, no, it can't be said that he is getting rid of the crime. Up to now, it is a certainty that he and Xiao Ying will resign and return to their hometown.

The only difference is that Xiao Ying can still keep his family safe, but he may not be able to bear the crime of manipulating the imperial examination.

Therefore, if he wants to save his life, there is only one way.

In this case, in detail, both he and Xiao Yi are the masterminds, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that Xiao Yi was tricked by him.

What Chen Xun did just now inspired Jiang Yuan.

Political struggles, in many cases, do not talk about evidence.

When everyone thinks that you did it, then whether you did it or not, it is you who did it.

Therefore, in terms of the attitude towards Xiao Ying, everyone agreed that he was a loser in the political struggle, and it was enough to dismiss him from office and return home.

However, for him, Jiang Yuan, it didn't work.

He is charged with this crime, even if there is no real evidence, but under the precondition that the emperor and a group of important court officials have confirmed that someone manipulated the palace examination, the rest is not to find evidence, but to determine the most likely person, or Say, exclude the impossible.

This is what Jiang Yuan faced.

No one would believe that it was Xiao Yi who manipulated the palace examination, because he had already committed suicide by slit his veins, and no one would believe that Zhang Min or Zhu Jian was the one who manipulated the palace examination, because in this matter, they obviously followed Follow Jiang Yuan to do things.

After all, according to Xiao Yi's description, it was Jiang Yuan's idea to recommend Cheng Zong, which he couldn't deny.

As for the other servants, let alone, it is okay to say that they stand by and neglect their duties, but if it is said that they are the masterminds, not all of them are blind.

So in the end, Jiang Yuan could only be ruled out.

This is also the reason why he felt hopeless at first.

However, what Chen Xun said just now reminded him.

Still the same sentence, at this time, Chen Xun will not tell him anything old. Just now, Jiang Yuan was too excited, so he ignored the key information in Chen Xun's words.

Chen Xun is his teacher, and he has been kind to him. It can be said that every transfer of Jiang Yuan in the officialdom, more or less, has the shadow of Chen Xun, at least, he is behind the scenes.

Therefore, no one is more familiar with his promotion path than Chen Xun.

What he said just now seemed to be lamenting that he had gone astray, but all the previous words were nonsense, they just sounded touching.

If the element of exclamation is removed, then what Chen Xun wants to express is actually the last sentence.

"...You have been in the court for many years, and you have been in the cabinet for two years. Where did your original intention go?"

At first glance, this sentence has no special meaning, it is more like a question.

However, after Jiang Yuan calmed down, he immediately noticed the key.

If it is just sighs and questioning, then it is enough to say 'in the court for many years', why add 'in the cabinet for two years'.

This slightly abrupt sentence is the most important thing.

The cabinet... the original intention...

The so-called original intention, of course, at this time, it is impossible to say something like Anfu Sheji.

Chen Xun has been Jiang Yuan's teacher for so many years, and the fact that they had a falling out in the Chen Mansion last time made it clear to both parties that Jiang Yuan is actually passionate about being an official and hopes to continue his career as an official. high position.

Not many people know about this matter, but there is no doubt that it is Chen Xun's "original intention" that Jiang Yuan wants to think of.

In fact, up to this point, Jiang Yuan was the first to react when he heard these words.

However, this was obviously not what Chen Xun wanted to express in the end, because it was useless to the current situation.

This is also the reason why Jiang Yuan always feels that he is separated by a layer of window paper, and he can't grasp the final key in a hazy way.

Chen Xun gave enough guidance, any more would be too obvious.

The final point can only be realized by Jiang Yuan himself!
The first emperor looked calm, quietly looking at Jiang Yuan whose forehead was covered with sweat, neither continued to ask nor stopped.

This made Jiang Yuan calm down a lot, took a deep breath, kowtowed to the ground, and said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, I dare not shirk my responsibility for the crime, but I am no more than an ordinary minister in the cabinet. Among the ten officials who read the papers, I am not the one with the most outstanding qualifications, powers, and talents."

"Even if it's just the members of the cabinet who participated in the reading, the minister is not as good as Zhang Ge in terms of practical knowledge, and Zhu Ge is not as good as Zhu Ge in terms of courage and merit. Why do you make the two of you bow to your ministers and are willing to persuade Xiao Xueshi together?"

"Not to mention the other six examiners, all from the six ministries, and have no affiliation with the ministers. With only one minister, how can they keep everyone silent, manipulate the palace examination, and sway the grand ceremony of talent?"

Of course, these words are not asking the emperor, and of course, they are not denying that there was fraud in the palace examination as just now.

The intention of Jiang Yuan's words is already obvious.

There are those in the palace who have a keen sense of political smell, and they have already vaguely noticed the low pressure that is about to come.

Finally, in the silence, Jiang Yuan spoke.

"Your Majesty clearly learned that in this imperial examination, the ten officials who read the papers and the cabinet occupy the third place. The ministers are not afraid of ministers and therefore keep silent. They are really afraid of the power of the cabinet."

"There are three people in the cabinet, and the minister is not the most outstanding person, but he discusses with Xiao Xueshi as the main minister. It is not a taboo minister, but it is really taboo to recommend the three ministers as the examiners!"

Come on, this sentence is completely clear!
The eyes of all the ministers moved away from Jiang Yuan, and fell on Wang Ao, the head and assistant minister with a gloomy face at the front of the cabinet!
The meaning of Jiang Yuan's words is very obvious, that is, there is indeed a matter of manipulating the palace examination, but he is not the real mastermind behind the scenes, and he does not have the ability to make the officials bow their heads.

Whether it is Zhang Min, Zhu Jian, or other ministers, the reason why they are willing to cooperate is not because they are afraid of Jiang Yuan, an ordinary cabinet minister, but because they are afraid of the cabinet. , Wang Ao.

You know, as the chief minister of the cabinet, it was Wang Ao who suggested that three members of the cabinet should participate in the reading of the papers when they were discussing the candidates for the test paper examiners.

There is nothing unusual about this, the palace examination should be dominated by the Imperial Academy and the cabinet, and it is normal for Wang Ao, as the chief assistant, to actively strive for interests on this point.

But at this time, Jiang Yuan used this act of recommendation as a means to attack Wang Ao.

And this is the "clear path" that Chen Xun pointed to Jiang Yuan, and perhaps it is also Chen Xun's real purpose.

The so-called "initial aspiration" not only refers to Jiang Yuan's "initial aspiration" for becoming an official and cabinet, but more importantly, what Chen Xun really wants to remind Jiang Yuan is that he defeated Xiao Yi's "initial aspiration".

As early as that time in the Chen Mansion, when they fell out, Jiang Yuan's attitude had already been expressed very clearly. What he planned for these things was the position of Hanlin Bachelor.

As far as Jiang Yuan was concerned, he lacked local experience. He had worked in the Ministry of Criminal Justice for several years, but he could only be regarded as moderate. If Chen Xun was not standing behind him, it would not be easy for him to join the cabinet.

Therefore, if he wants to move forward, what he seeks can only be the reputation of Shilin. If he wants to achieve this, he must occupy his own position in the Qingliu.

Hanlin Bachelor is the best choice.

And Xiao Ying was the one who stood in front of him, that's why the palace exam was framed.

Because of this, Jiang Yuan didn't react for a while.

However, when he caught the fleeting gaze from the cabinet just now, he suddenly understood that he was in the wrong direction.

What Chen Xun wanted to remind him was his original intention, but he just wanted to let Jiang Yuan recall his original intention.

If there hadn't been so many twists and turns, if the emperor hadn't been keenly aware of something wrong, if Xiao Yi hadn't committed suicide by cutting his veins and proved his innocence, then what would he do next?
Of course it is to seek Wang Ao's help and let him help him master the Hanlin Academy!
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuan suddenly became enlightened.

What Chen Xun really wanted was not an insignificant him at all, but to target Wang Ao, the chief minister of the cabinet!

Such a person is worthy of Chen Xun's long time planning and waiting for opportunities.

Jiang Yuan...is not qualified yet!
For Jiang Yuan himself, only by moving out of Wang Ao can he alleviate his guilt.

His biggest mistake was manipulating the imperial examination. This point is already indisputable, but who is behind the scenes can be discussed again.

If he can succeed, then, although he still cannot escape the responsibility of the crime, he can be nothing more than a marionette at most. At least, he can save his life, and if he is lucky, he can return to his hometown safely.

This point is enough for Jiang Yuan to fight!
Seeing Wang Ao's gloomy face about to drip water, Jiang Yuan straightened his heart and said straightforwardly.

"I dare not lie to Your Majesty. Long before the imperial examination began, Lord Shoufu had a secret discussion with the minister, saying that Xiao Yi's talents and virtues are not outstanding, he is cowardly, and it is difficult for him to take up a big job. The Imperial Academy is selected by Qingliu Hua. How can he be in the hands of this generation? "

"At that time, Lord Shoufu also said that the palace examination was led by the Imperial Academy, and he was afraid of mistakes. Therefore, he would recommend ministers, Mr. Zhang Ge, and Mr. Zhu Ge to participate together, and said that after the palace examination, he would Advise His Majesty, transfer Xiao Xueshi to other places, and recommend ministers to take charge of the Hanlin Academy."

quiet!
You can hear the silence of a needle falling in the hall!
No one thought that Jiang Yuan would be so direct and openly accuse Wang Ao.

Although these words were not thorough, for the ministers present, it was no different from that.

In particular, after Jiang Yuan finished speaking, many ministers remembered that when the case of the palace examination first came out, everyone pointed their fingers at Xiao Ying.

It seems, it seems, probably, this Lord Chief Assistant once made a memorial, saying that there should be no delay in the selection of the nobles, so he recommended Jiang Yuan to be in charge of the Hanlin Academy temporarily?
Moreover, when Zhu Jian and Jiang Yuan jointly targeted Yu Shiyue, the second assistant, but failed, Jiang Yuan turned to please Yu Shiyue, but was humiliated in public, and turned to Wang Ao's sect after being aggrieved.

Many ministers knew very well that in the cabinet, Jiang Yuan and Wang Ao were very close. During this period of time, Jiang Yuan almost followed Wang Ao's footsteps.

At this time, Jiang Yuan said so, is it really groundless?
As a result, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became weird.

Wang Ao's status is different from Jiang Yuan's. As the chief assistant of the cabinet, he also has meritorious service in Liaodong.

And more importantly, these words were obviously discussed in private, but Jiang Yuan just said that, which shows that he can no longer control the rules of the court, nor can he control the sophistication of the world. He just wants to bite Wang Ao to death .

Looking at the chief assistant again, as expected, his face is extremely ugly at this moment.

Everyone looked at Wang Ao, but Wang Ao's eyes fell on Chen Xun!
After the palace examination case broke out, he has been very uneasy all the time, and what he is afraid of is the current situation.

The plan against Xiao Yi was not proposed by him, but by Jiang Yuan. However, he also got his acquiescence and cooperation.

At that time, he considered that it was Jiang Yuan who made the move, and once it was done, Jiang Yuan's control of the Imperial Academy would be of great benefit to him in stabilizing his position in the cabinet.

But who would have expected that Jiang Yuan would end up in a deep quagmire, and the matter of the Hanlin Academy would fall into his hands.

At that time, there were discussions in the court, but there was no follow-up, so gradually, Wang Ao didn't take it too seriously.

But as Du Ning tried to tell the matter face-to-face in front of the emperor time and time again, Wang Ao became more and more uneasy.

Until now, his premonition has finally been proved.

Chen Xun, the old guy, the person he will target in the end is not Jiang Yuan at all, but him... the chief minister of the cabinet!
(End of this chapter)