Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 797: Finalizing the List
The next morning,

The sky was clear, as if the haze of the past few days had been swept away above the capital. People got up early, and some strong laborers arrived at the dock first. Many delayed cargo ships were waiting for the first group of people to unload and then load. They set out in the early morning to travel a little further.

And inside the city,
These are the working figures of small traders, just to earn more money to support their families.

However, those noble families got up later, and there were only servants and slaves in their mansions, busying around inside and outside.

As for the palace,

Some places barely slept all night.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart,
At daybreak, the Hanyuan Hall and the Southern City Imperial Examination Hall simultaneously sent in the list of candidates who passed the imperial examinations. One copy was sent to the Cabinet, and the other to the Yangxin Hall.
The eunuch waiting in the Yangxin Palace was naturally Eunuch Yun. After receiving the list, little Yunzi looked extremely surprised. In just one night, the two examination halls actually sent the lists of the special examination to the palace at the same time. Could it be that they were all reviewed overnight? This was too, too hasty.

Although he had some doubts in his mind, he did not dare to neglect it, let alone flip through it casually. After accepting the letter, he told the eunuch in charge outside the palace.

"All of you, be careful and make sure nothing goes wrong. I will report this to the palace."

Wearing a silk embroidered dress, with her jet-black hair tied up with a jade hairpin, and with an undeniable majesty in her steps, Xiao Yunzi is no longer the same as before.

The eunuchs serving on the side, including several eunuchs in charge, quickly lowered their heads and replied;

"Yes, Eunuch Yun, don't worry, I dare not leave without permission."

"That's good. If any ministers come here, stop them first."

"Yes, Eunuch Yun."

After giving the instructions, Xiao Yunzi did not stay any longer. He turned around and entered the Yangxin Palace. Once inside, he bent his body, moved carefully, and entered the warm room in the back hall.

inside the house,

Emperor Wu had just changed his clothes and washed up, and was sitting at the table on the east side of the warm room, eating his breakfast. Dai Quan led a few confidants to serve him, and from time to time, he added some ginseng soup to his majesty.
When they were almost done eating, Emperor Wu waved his hand, put down his bowl and chopsticks, took out a brocade cloth, washed his hands, and asked;

"Has there been any important news in the past few days?"

"Your Majesty, there is nothing important. The southern army and the vanguard have arrived in Daliang City to rest. Wang Ziteng's troops will need a few more days. The troops that arrived earlier are all holding back, probably for the sake of safety. In the capital, only the Jia family has hung up white banners to prepare for the funeral. The rest are fine, except that the head official of the posthouse outside the city has been replaced by King Zhongshun."

In just a few words, she told the emperor what he was concerned about. There was no one in the entire palace who could do this.
"Oh, Lu Daiyuan's troops have arrived, so it's good to rest for a while. We can't be anxious about military affairs, and we can't panic. As for the Jia family, let them do what they want. As for Jia Zhen and his son, release Jia Rong and let him go back to the funeral. As for Jia Zhen, choose a day to exile him."

Emperor Wu straightened his robe, which was the same one he wore in his early years. He had developed feelings for it after wearing it for a long time. He still felt a little uncomfortable about the Jia family's affairs. The matter ended here.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I remember it."

There was a complicated look in Dai Quan's eyes, but he couldn't ask more questions for the time being. After all, he had been acquainted with the Jia family for a long time, and it was really sad to see Jia Zhen end up in such a situation.

"Also, as you just said, Jianan replaced the people at the post house. Are there any problems with those people at the post house?"

Zhou Shihong was still worried about what King Zhongshun had done. Although he was brave enough to do things, he was not careful and often had courage but no strategy. He was vaguely worried.
"Your Majesty, it's just that those officials in charge have made too much money, and Prince Zhongshun couldn't stand it anymore, so he changed the personnel to find out about the tribute teams from all over the country. The secret guards reported that the convoys of the West Prince Gong's family and the South Prince Lang's family have also arrived in the Central Plains. The East Prince's Palace and the North Prince's Palace may have heard about this, so they have also been buying things in the market these days to prepare the tribute items, and they have gathered all the tribute items."

As expected of the four kings of different surnames, they are well-informed and quick to act. Even when offering tribute, they have to present it in an orderly manner.

Emperor Wu chuckled, waved his hand, and said with a smile;
"Isn't this just joining in the fun? What, do the four princes also want to come to the palace to fulfill their filial duties?"

Now, the princes in the interior of the country have different thoughts and actions. All their ideas and actions, as well as what they have done in the past few years, have been reported to the palace. If Emperor Wu had not ignored these, the chaos in the court would have been more than just this.
Thinking about the four kings of different surnames, it is tacitly understood that they have to maintain respectability with the court at this point. Some small interests are harmless, but it is interesting for them to come to the capital together this time.

"Your Majesty, could it be that the four princes knew the news first?"

Dai Quan nodded slightly and looked towards Changle Palace in the northwest. Although the retired emperor was practicing Taoism and there was no fame about it, the various expenses in Changle Palace had increased significantly. The money was spent like water and entered into the account books of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The eunuch in charge of purchasing had also reported to him that the things wanted by Changle Palace were very strange.

"You mean that Changle Palace bought a lot of things. How is the Emperor's cultivation going?"

Emperor Wu was immediately alert. Perhaps the retired emperor was just like Jia Zhen from Ningguo Mansion, and practicing Taoism was just an excuse. Perhaps the news was spread from Changle Palace.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has been meditating in Wuwei Palace all day and has not come out. All the previous decorations have been discarded and arranged according to the arrangement of the Heavenly Master Dao Sect. Now we are still short of jade for the formation. We have arranged for Yang Chi to supervise the search for jade in Jiangbei when he goes south."

Dai Quan pursed his lips and told His Majesty about this matter. In Jiangbei, it only needs manpower and it will take some time, and a lot should be dug out.

Emperor Wu was angry. What jade for setting up the formation? Wasn't it just some rare stone that the emperor of the Song Dynasty wanted? Why do we need these now?

"Don't make this matter public. Just do it and keep an eye on it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The voice just fell,

He found Xiao Yunzi, hurriedly went outside the screen and waited, knelt there and shouted.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to hand in!"

Dai Quan had just helped Emperor Wu to his feet and was about to walk to the dragon couch to rest for a while, when he heard the voice and paused for a moment.
"Come in and answer."

As he spoke, he carefully helped His Majesty sit steadily on the dragon couch, and at the east end, he put a few more quilts there to make it more comfortable.
"It's the governor."

Xiao Yunzi stood up, lowered his head and walked in with small steps, then knelt there again without saying a word.
"Okay, make yourself comfortable here and ask what I want to ask."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will ask you right away."

Dai Quan covered Emperor Wu with the inner quilt and tucked the corners of the quilt before turning back and asking:

"What's going on? Didn't I ask you to guard the gate of Yangxin Palace so early in the morning?"

"Replying to the Governor, I have been guarding there the whole time. Who would have thought that not long after, a memorial was sent from Hanyuan Palace and Nancheng Imperial Examination Hall, saying that it was the list of names for this year's special examination. I asked them why they were so fast, and they said that Marquis Luo Yun and Lord Nan had been reviewing the papers all night without rest. Now the examiners and others are still in their respective halls and have just gone to bed."

Xiao Yunzi told the whole story in detail, and took the two lists sent by the two places and presented them with both hands.
When Dai Quan saw it, although he was surprised, he did not slow down, took the letter, and returned to the bedside.
"Your Majesty, these are the names of candidates admitted to the two examination halls."

"Yes, I heard it. I slept late last night and I'm not in a good mood."

Maybe it was because he had been reading the memorial for too long and didn't sleep well last night, so he felt a little unwell. Dai Quan was worried when he heard this.

"Your Majesty, do you want to ask the imperial physician to come and see Your Majesty?" "No, I don't need that."

He turned over and sat up, picked up the memorial and opened it, looking at it carefully. Dai Quan hesitated for a moment, turned his head and nodded to Xiao Yunzi, then silently opened his mouth and said, "Looking for the imperial physician." Seeing this, Xiao Yunzi immediately nodded, stood up and hurried out.
Emperor Wu, who was sitting on the dragon couch, flipped open the memorial and first looked at the one from the adult in the South City Examination Hall. There were not many people, only more than 30 people on the A list. The names of the top three were unfamiliar, and they should be children from poor families. However, the eldest son of the Zhongshan Li family stood out. The Li family could be considered a local wealthy family.

He picked up another memorial. I don't know how Luo Yunhou made the decision. When he opened the memorial, the first thing he saw was the top three. They turned out to be two students from the academy. It was rare. The third place, huh? It turned out to be Jia Lan from Rongguo Mansion. Who is Jia Lan?
"Dai Quan, isn't there only Jia Baoyu taking the imperial examination at Rongguo Mansion? How come there is an extra Jia Lan? Take a look."

Dai Quan was suddenly asked this question. He was stunned for a moment. He couldn't think of it at first, so he slapped his forehead.
"Your Majesty, I was confused and forgot to remember that Jia Lan was the one I told Your Majesty about. He was Jia Lan, the son of Jia Zhu from Rongguo Mansion."

"Oh, it's him. He is really a talented person. What a pity."

Emperor Wu shook his head and quickly scanned the list. When he got to the last person, he did not see Jia Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion, so he put his doubts aside.
"It's a pity, but it's fate. I can't help it."

Dai Quan was surprised. Your Majesty asked, could it be that Jia Lan from Rongguo Mansion was the one who got it?

"Okay, the list is like this, no need to change it, just use the seal, copy the list, and send it to Luo Yunhou and Nan Zixian. The list will be announced today, no delay."

Seeing that His Majesty was so anxious, Dai Quan quickly took it over. He wanted to ask again how the cabinet should respond, but he saw Emperor Wu half lying there, resting with his eyes closed. He did not dare to disturb him.

He turned around and went to the table at the west end, copied the list, put his seal on it, called the eunuchs, and ordered them to send the list out.

Hanyuan Hall,
In the early morning, except for the soldiers brought by Zhang Jinyu who were busy making soup in the yard, the rest of the officials, including Luo Yunhou, were all sleeping soundly in their beds. They had been busy all night. It was not until dawn that Lord Chu and Lord Shen, along with many examiners, finished cleaning up everything in the palace and went back to rest.
Only Zhang Jinyu came back to the tent a little earlier. Without taking off his clothes, he fell on the bed, covered himself with a blanket, and fell asleep. It was not until this hour that someone shouted,

"My Lord, my Lord, the sun has risen. Do you want to go back or wait a little longer?"

Ning Bian's voice came from outside the tent.

Inside the account,
Zhang Jinyu turned over, opened his eyes, and slept comfortably. Although he was a little tired these days, he was still relaxed in his heart. Could it be that this was the advantage of being single? However, thanks to his second brother, he couldn't be too selfish. He could have a good rest when he returned home today.

"Get up, let the brothers finish their meal and pack up their things, then we'll leave. We've been bored these past few days."

"Yes, Lord, the brothers have already packed up their things. The three princes have been escorted back to the palace by the Imperial Guards and the Imperial City Guards. There is no sign of the officials yet."

Ning Bian worked diligently and conscientiously. He got up early in the morning and prepared everything that needed to be prepared and packed everything that needed to be packed. As soon as the Marquis woke up, he would be able to leave the palace and return home. I guess the Marquis thought the same thing.

"Well, that's good. These three ancestors are really hard to serve. You can't beat them or scold them when they are around. They are bound to do things. By the way, have you sent the admission list over?"

Zhang Jinyu got up and prepared to put on her clothes. When she lifted the quilt, she saw that her clothes had already been put on. Then she remembered that she came back late last night and slept in her clothes, so she didn't have to put on clothes now.
He patted the wrinkled parts of his shirt, sat up, and shouted outside;

"Wash up,"

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Then, Ning Byeon led his personal soldiers, came in with a basin of water and a towel, put the water on the table, and the personal soldiers retreated.
"My Lord, the list of memorials was sent over early in the morning. The first one sent to the Yangxin Palace was the memorial received by Eunuch Yun. I think Your Majesty can see it first. In addition, the people sent by this general also saw the people sent by Lord Nan from the Nancheng Imperial Examination Hall in the courtyard of the Yangxin Palace, submitting memorials together."

Ning Bian handed the wrung towel to the Marquis. The action at the Nancheng Examination Hall was surprisingly fast, which was different from what he had expected.

Zhang Jinyu took the brocade cloth and wiped his face. He was not surprised when he heard about the events in the Imperial Examination Hall. Perhaps His Majesty had explained it to him. What he didn't know was how Lord Nan had determined the quotas overnight with so many candidates. He wouldn't have chosen them directly based on the names.

If it looks like this, then Nan Da Ren is really amazing.
"It's no big deal. They're here now. As long as the list is approved and released, those candidates and scholars can go back home sooner. Otherwise, with so many people wandering around the streets in the capital, they'll make a fuss and make a scene all over the world."

It's strange to say, ordinary people like to watch the fun, but those scholars not only like to watch the fun, but also like to exaggerate and spread rumors. They can make even the smallest things vivid and colorful, and when people who don't know hear them, they are likely to believe them.
As for some people, it would be fine if they add fuel to the fire, but I am afraid that they will make up stories out of nothing and spread them more and more outrageously, which would be terrible.

"Your Excellency is right. If the court had not given them two taels of silver as travel expenses, they would have left long ago."

Ning Bian put the brocade cloth that the Marquis had used to wipe it in the basin and groped around. Suddenly, someone outside the tent reported:
"Report, Lord Marquis, the eunuch came to the Yangxin Palace to deliver the imperial edict, saying that the results have been announced."

Zhang Jinyu had just taken the brocade cloth and hadn't wiped her face when she cried out;
"What, so fast!"

Besides being shocked, there was also some disbelief. The results were not announced randomly. They needed to be reviewed by the cabinet. After the number of candidates was discussed, they were submitted to the emperor for review and the emperor’s seal was used before the results could be announced. Moreover, there were people who were there to announce the good news that day, and it had only been a short time.
He looked at Ning Bian beside him suspiciously and asked;

"When did you send someone to deliver it so quickly? The ministers in the cabinet should not have reviewed it yet."

Although it is late at this time, it is not too late for the officials in the ministry. Maybe the people have not arrived yet. How do you think that these things can be done in such a short time? Or should they approve it directly?

Ning Bian was standing there, somewhat surprised.

"My Lord, it shouldn't be so fast. I sent someone there, and it only took a little over an hour. We went there just after daybreak."

Zhang Jinyu took the brocade cloth, wiped his hands, threw the brocade cloth directly into the basin, opened the tent and walked out.

Seeing a eunuch coming outside with a long imperial edict in his hand, he asked;
"Excuse me, sir, how can it be so fast? How are the places on the list determined?"

The eunuch who came was also an old man in the palace. He was very perceptive. When he saw the Marquis walk out of the big tent, he smiled slightly.
"Greetings to Marquis Luo Yun. I cannot accept the words of the Marquis. As for the imperial edict, it was handed to me personally by my ancestor. As for the list of names, I dare not look at it. There are two copies in total. The other one was sent to Lord Nan of the Imperial Examination Hall."

The father-in-law in front of me spoke in roundabout ways. He didn't mention important things, but he counted the unimportant things clearly.

Zhang Jinyu felt deeply moved. Fortunately, these cunning people were in the palace. If they were in the officialdom, they would all be powerful officials and jesters.

"Thank you for your hard work, eunuch. Please come and thank the Prime Minister on my behalf. Come on, give me the reward."

Zhang Jinyu didn't care about these things. The announcement of the results was a good thing. It was a way to get some literary airs. He was so happy that he asked Ning Bian beside him to reward them. He gave them a hundred taels of silver at the first move. Marquis Luo Yun was famous in the whole palace for his generosity and magnanimity.

The father-in-law who came here had his eyes light up, and after quickly taking it, he waved his hand;
"Thank you, Lord Marquis. These are the official uniforms for the top three on the list. According to the cabinet's decision, the first place will be a seventh-rank official, the second place will be an eighth-rank official, and the third place will be a ninth-rank official. The rest of the top-ranked officials will all be rewarded with ten taels of silver. The silver and official uniforms have also been sent to Lord Marquis. As for the cabinet, the ministers have not come yet."

Damn, what is a stroke of genius? This is it. He was given silver before he could finish his words. I don't know who these dead eunuchs learned this from. Zhang Jinyu's mouth twitched and he cursed inwardly. If he hadn't been given silver, he wouldn't have said the words later. The cabinet elders hadn't come, and the list was about to be finalized. His Majesty's word was the final decision, which was a great blessing for himself and Master Nan. The provincial examination gave him an official position, which had never happened in all dynasties. Looking at the smiling eunuch in front of him,

Zhang Jinyu took the list and opened it. He found that it had been copied out intact. Your Majesty is so kind.

Immediately kneel down and worship.
"Your servant Zhang Jinyu bows down to the grace of Heaven. Long live the Emperor Wu."

(End of this chapter)