The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

The day of the exam was getting closer, but Zhang Fan felt relieved. He had read the book almost enough, but it would be bad to read any more.The Guozijian also knew about Zhang Fan's situation and allowed Zhang Fan to return home.

Since the conversation with Xu Jie at Zhang Juzheng's home that day, Zhang Fan has deeply offended the chief assistant.Of course, the current Zhang Fan will not have any troubles. If he really passed the general examination and obtained the qualification of Gongsheng, he knows that there will be no troubles before the palace examination.But Xu Jie's words clearly told Zhang Fan that there would be big troubles waiting for him in the palace examination.

It is said that the exam is held every three years, every Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei years. The Ministry of Rites presides over it. The emperor appoints the chief and vice presidents.This test should have been scheduled in February, also known as "Chun Wei", but this year is the first test of the new emperor's ascension to the throne. In addition to the war at the beginning of this year and the "sick leave" of the chief assistant Gao Gong in the cabinet, this It was only brought forward.However, those candidates who were waiting for the exam had no complaints, at least they could read more books in half a year.

This test is divided into three sessions, and each session lasts three days.Candidates will live in that hut.In the past, candidates were mostly afraid of the cold, but this year it seems that they will be afraid of the heat.

Zhang Fan wasn't very worried about the exam, at least he put a lot of effort into his homework.He also heard that the imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty were very dark, and there was a lot of buying questions, missing questions, and cover-ups, but he was not too worried.I don't even think about who recommended him, Zhang Juzheng, Minister of Rites, this exam is presided over by the Ministry of Rites, if someone plays tricks at this juncture, with Zhang Juzheng's character and temper, it is not as simple as "dual track".

Mrs. Zhao was very worried about her son. The three-day exam was fine, but there was no one to take care of her during the three days, which made her very worried.The girl Xiao Xiangmei can read some characters and understand some principles now. She knows that her young master is a Juren, let alone how much she admired him at that time. Now that Zhang Fan is going to take the highest-level exam, the little girl is also very happy. Excited, even when he went out to buy groceries, the expression on his face was a little proud.

"Mother, don't worry about me. It's not like I haven't encountered this kind of day before." Zhang Fan said helplessly, "It's hot today, Xiangmei, just prepare some vegetarian dry food for me."

Although Zhang Fan said so, it was just that Mrs. Zhao would not give up, she was still asking.

After everything was ready, Zhang Fan came to the examination room.It is said that the output of such things as Jinshi is [-] every three years, but there are very few people who can pass the exam, and how many people stay in the position of juren for a lifetime.There were many candidates at the entrance of the examination room, and Zhang Fan also saw that there were old and young, with a wide range of ages.Candidates were checked one by one and locked in a hut. After everyone entered, the chief examiner came to the courtyard and read out the holy decree, and gave some encouragement. After that, the examination papers began to be distributed and the examination began.

Zhang Fan browsed through the test papers, and found that there was nothing too difficult about the illness, but some basic ones were things that were relatively biased in the books. Fortunately, he had read a lot of books during this time.Moreover, this exam is also different from the previous purely stereotyped exam questions. It may be because this year's president is Zhang Juzheng himself, and the direction of the questions is also somewhat different.

This kind of exam lasted for a month. On the day of the final appearance, some people were really happy and some were worried. The epitome of life can be seen here.

When Zhang Fan returned home, he still lived the same life as before.Sometimes Zhang Juzheng would ask him to have a discussion, and the two became more and more speculative, and Zhang Fan even became his student.Zhang Juzheng also likes himself as a student very much. Not to mention his flexible mind, he is also very forward-thinking.

Half a month later, the day for the release of the list came, and the place where the list was released was full of people, all wanting to see who the lucky star was.But those who take the exam are all waiting in their own residences, some are full of confidence, and some are anxious.

The sounds of gongs, drums and firecrackers were constantly heard in the city of Beijing on this day, from morning to afternoon.Mrs. Zhao also knew what day it was, but she was very anxious because she had waited for a whole day and no reporter came to her door.Xiangmei also went to see Zhang Fan from time to time, and felt relieved when she saw that her young master was very calm.

Zhang Fan was quite sure of himself, and as expected, there was a faint sound of gongs and drums.Mrs. Zhao was very nervous when she heard the voice, and didn't dare to go out to watch.It wasn't until the sound stopped in front of his own house that he stopped his nervousness, and then there was another burst of ecstasy.Her son has won a Jinshi, which means a lot to her.

"Is Young Master Zhang Fan there?" A voice came from outside the door.

The girl Xiangmei quickly went to open the door and said, "Yes, what is my son's place?" The door of the house was also full of people.

The reporter didn't blame a little girl for being like this, he had seen this kind of thing a lot, but the expression on his face was also very festive, even a little respectful: "Congratulations to Mr. Zhang's senior high school Jinke exam! "

How could this girl Xiangmei know what Huiyuan was?

As soon as Zhang Fan came out, people saw it.Now he is the focus, and many people are watching him.

"The lord is here." The reporter saw Zhang Fan, hurried over, and said with a smile, "Congratulations Mr. Zhang, you won the No.1 in the National Examination. I heard that Mr. Zhang is also the No.1 in the provincial examination. Yuan, congratulations, congratulations!"

Before Zhang Fan could speak, another person came in from outside the door, the leader was wearing an official uniform.Zhang Fan saw that it was an official from the Ministry of Rites.

"Congratulations to Mr. Zhang, the famous Huiyuan from high school." The official greeted Zhang Fan first, and said, "Please also ask Mr. Zhang to report to the Ministry of Rites with us."

"Naturally, I have to trouble my lord to lead the way," Zhang Fan said.

Here, Mrs. Zhao didn't know what happiness was like. The little girl Xiangmei was also very happy to hear that her son had won the first name, but she didn't know what it meant, so it wasn't too much.After reminding Mrs. Zhao, Mrs. Zhao came back to her senses, and hurriedly ordered Xiangmei to give the gift money she had prepared to the reporter.

Zhang Fan followed a few people to the Ministry of Rites. There were already a few people here, and they seemed to be the first few candidates who would take the test, and they came to the Ministry of Rites to report.Zhang Fan greeted several people, and these people also greeted Zhang Fan festively, but there was always a more or less different atmosphere in their words.Zhang Fan was also very relieved. Since ancient times, there has been no one in literature. If a scholar can completely convince another scholar, that would be a miracle.

At that moment, the officials of the Ministry of Rites naturally came to register the names of several people. When everything was over, an official came to inform: "Master Zhang, Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the University of Martial Arts Hall, wants to meet you."

Zhang Fan walked in very calmly, but the people around him were trembling like chicken blood, and he didn't know if it was excitement or something else, especially when Zhang Fan saw that there were older people among them. , I was afraid that he would be too happy and dizzy.

There is nothing to hide that Zhang Juzheng did Zhang Fan's teacher, but some people don't know it yet. Of course, Zhang Fan will not spread the word all over the world by himself.After seeing the teacher, he saluted and didn't pay attention to the eyes of the other people.Zhang Juzheng encouraged everyone and asked Zhang Fan to stay.

"Yuande, this time you won the Huiyuan, I feel very relieved for the teacher!" Zhang Juzheng was also very happy, at least the person he liked was not only good at reading, but after a period of time, he found that Zhang Fan's character was also very good. Very good, I can find a like-minded person, how can I be unhappy.

"Thank you teacher for your compliment," Zhang Fan said.

"Now that you have become a member, it is estimated that there is still half a month before the palace examination." Zhang Juzheng said, "The palace examination will be written by the emperor himself, but we don't know what the emperor wants to test, maybe it is not something in the book at all. You You can also take a break for a while, don't be too tired."

"Mr. Xie's point, Zhang Fan understands." Zhang Fan said, and then remembered something, and asked, "Teacher, I heard from some old Juren who have passed the exam before, but this time the exam Why do the test questions feel so different from the past?"

"This time the emperor asked me to participate in the examination paper, and I tried my best to reject all opinions, and even gave it to the emperor, which gave the general direction of the test questions." Zhang Juzheng said, "Although it is very difficult this time, but This has strengthened my determination to reform, if the court continues like this, something will happen sooner or later."

Zhang Fan was a little indifferent, what Zhang Juzheng said was right at all, although the feudal society was decayed, it also had its bright side, at least the one sitting on the throne could be regarded as a good emperor, at least the current Ming Dynasty could still be saved!

"It's just that during the imperial examination..." Zhang Juzheng said worriedly.

"Teacher, there is no need to worry. Aren't the test papers in the palace examination all vague?" Zhang Fan said.

"That's what I said, but when the name is decided, the emperor will definitely be with several academicians from the cabinet." Zhang Juzheng is still very worried, "I'm just afraid when the time comes. As a teacher, I also want to help, but I also want to ask the emperor Having mentioned you, the emperor appreciates you very much, alas, everything depends on God's will. If the teacher insists on obstructing it, there is nothing he can do as a teacher."

It was very late when Zhang Fan returned home, and the people had already dispersed.Mother Zhao was still immersed in great joy, and Xiangmei also made dinner early, waiting for Zhang Fan's return.When Mrs. Zhao saw her son coming back, she chatted happily with him. After dinner, her excited mood calmed down, and then she felt extremely tired, so she went back to her room early to rest.It was very late when Xiao Xiangmei finished packing, and found that the light in Zhang Fan's study was still on, so she couldn't help but go to check.

"My lord, you haven't rested so late, don't be exhausted." The little girl seemed to be very concerned about Zhang Fan.

"It's okay, I'm used to it, but I couldn't fall asleep earlier." Zhang Fan said with a smile.In fact, he is not reading now, but he is thinking about things in his mind and cannot sleep.

"By the way, you are from Zhangjiakou. I don't know your last name." Zhang Fan suddenly realized that he knew nothing about the little girl in front of him.

"My original surname is Li." Xiangmei probably didn't expect that Zhang Fan would ask herself this, she was a little caught off guard, but she still answered truthfully.

"I know your parents are both dead, but do you have any relatives at home?" Zhang Fan asked again.

"Yes..." Xiangmei was a little hard to say, after a while, she gritted her teeth and said, "There is an uncle at home."

"Then why don't you go to him and almost be sold... there." Zhang Fan was embarrassed to say that word in front of the girl, and was vague for a moment.

When Xiangmei heard this, she couldn't bear it anymore, and burst into tears, Zhang Fan who was crying was at a loss.

"Stop crying!" Zhang Fan hurriedly persuaded, but Xiangmei didn't intend to stop at all. Zhang Fan was afraid of waking up his mother. If he saw Xiangmei crying in front of him, he didn't know what to misunderstand. , became cruel, and hugged the tearful little girl in front of her eyes.

A girl from Xiangmei had been hugged by a man since she was a child, and this really made her stop crying.

Seeing that his actions had achieved results, Zhang Fan let go of the girl in his arms.The little girl blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment, not daring to look at Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan also felt that what he did just now was really too much, and wanted to skip the embarrassment, he said softly: "Xiangmei, no one here will force you to do anything, tell me, what happened?"

The little girl hesitated for a long time, and then said: "After my parents passed away, my sister and I were left alone. The family lacked income, so I had to ask my uncle to help me. It's just... it's just my aunt... She wants to make money I sell it!"

Zhang Fan really didn't expect this to happen, and asked again: "Then your uncle didn't say anything?"

Xiangmei shook her head and said, tears fell down again.

Zhang Fan was very speechless about this situation, there was nothing he could do, and here he scolded these beast-like characters and couldn't change anything.

"What about your sister?" Zhang Fan asked.

"My younger sister is still too young to do work, so I have to entrust my neighbor, Aunt Sun, to take care of her." Xiangmei said, "Fortunately, the housekeeper Li who bought me asked someone to arrange for me."

"That's it." Zhang Fan thought for a while and said, "I don't think it's better than this. How about you go and bring your sister to live with you?"

"This..." Xiangmei was very happy when she heard Zhang Fan say this at first, but then she became gloomy, "My sister is too young to do anything, and what if she disturbs my wife?"

"Don't worry about that, my mother likes children very much." Zhang Fan said, "Besides, you two sisters live together so you can take care of her, saving you from worrying about her every day."

"But..." The little girl seemed a little worried.

When Zhang Fan saw it, he immediately said, "Don't worry, I'll talk to Mother."

On the second day, Zhang Fan and Mrs. Zhao talked about Xiangmei, and Mrs. Zhao had no reason to disagree, so she asked Xiangmei to fetch her sister immediately.

Xiangmei's younger sister is Xue'er. The little girl is only six years old. She looks very cute, but her long-term malnutrition makes her look very thin.As soon as Mrs. Zhao saw the little girl, she held her in her arms and refused to let go. Xiangmei felt relieved when she saw how much Mrs. Zhao liked her sister.

This small episode at home has passed, and the days are still passing day by day.On this day, another official from the Ministry of Rites came to inform Zhang Fan that the day of the palace examination was coming.