Poor Family 1

  Chapter 267 Provincial Examination Starts

  At five o'clock, Liang Shicheng also got up on time. At this time, he had developed a habit for many years. As the closest servant of the emperor, it was his duty to get up early and get ready.

  However, getting up early is just his habit now, and he no longer has the need to get up at five o'clock.

   After Liang Shicheng finished washing, he returned to the study to take a rest, or read a book, or prepare for the things to be done today.

  Liang Shicheng just walked to the door of the room, suddenly stopped, and thoughtfully said to the little **** behind him: "If I remember correctly, today is the imperial examination!"

   "Teacher is right, the imperial examination officially begins today."

   "Did the prince's things come?" Liang Shicheng asked again.

   "I delivered it last night and put it in the study."

Liang Shicheng nodded, and walked quickly to the study. After a while, he walked into the study and sat down. There was an unopened gold-plated hard-shell envelope on the table. There was no word on the envelope, but Liang Shicheng knew in his heart that this was given by the prince own handwriting.

  He picked up a knife, cut open the envelope, and took out two pieces of letter paper from inside. A few words were written on the first letter paper, hoping that Zheng Rongtai would be admitted as a Jinshi.

There is an unfinished sentence hidden in it, that is, Zheng Rongtai passed the provincial examination instead of taking the palace examination. Of course, Liang Shicheng understood what the prince meant. Once he took the palace examination, he would be exposed and had to stop at the provincial examination. Abandoning exams due to illness, being late and being disqualified from the imperial examination, etc. The prince means that it is enough to pass the exam and be born as a Jinshi. He can also be appointed as an official, and he can even be a prime minister in the future.

  Liang Shicheng pondered for a long time. He was very clear about the prince's intention, which was to make arrangements for his future enthronement. It was indeed a good move to reuse his relatives, but... would this Zheng Rongtai be a qualified candidate?

  Although Liang Shicheng had never met Zheng Rongtai, he heard from his adopted son Liang Qing that this Zheng Rongtai was ignorant and had a bad image, which made Liang Shicheng a little conflicted, but since the crown prince trusted his brother-in-law, he couldn't say anything.

  Liang Shicheng picked up the second letter, and there was only one sentence in the letter, 'Don't let Jia Wang win the list'.

  Liang Shicheng couldn't help being surprised. Could it be that the rumors are true and that King Jia will also take part in this year's imperial examination? Liang Shicheng is very aware of Zhao Kai's talent and learning. If he takes part in the imperial examination, he will definitely be able to pass the Jinshi exam, and even the top few. The crown prince obviously knows this, so he doesn't want his brother to be too brilliant, it will affect his The position of prince.

Liang Shicheng pondered for a long time, and tore up the second letter. Although he supported the crown prince, he did not listen to the crown prince. He knew in his heart the truth that the crown prince had no rivals, so he would not take himself seriously. , only the stronger the prince's opponent is, the more the prince will flatter himself. It is best for Zhao Kai to be stronger.

  He wrote another note, sealed it in an envelope, and said to the little **** at the door: "Go and get Erlang for me!"

   "I'm afraid. The little officials haven't gotten up yet." The little **** whispered.

  Liang Shicheng's face darkened, and he shouted angrily: "Then call him up!"

The little **** was so scared that he turned around and ran away. Not long after, Liang Qing, who looked sleepy, was brought to Liang Shicheng's study. Since the Fanlou incident aroused the anger of the emperor Zhao Ji the year before last, the party of the rich and powerful in the capital has quietly disbanded. The children all had work to do, and Liang Qing entered the palace as a bodyguard. Although he could not be said to have come to his senses, Liang Shicheng did not want to raise another useless prodigal son, and he had to run errands for his adoptive father.

  Liang Qing couldn't help yawning when she entered the door. Liang Shicheng was annoyed and slapped the table hard, "If you want to sleep, go back to sleep!"

  Liang Qing was so frightened that she trembled all over, she immediately came to her senses, bowed quickly and said, "Father please give me instructions!"

   "Did you do what I asked you to do last time?"

   "Report to father, it's already done, the Xiang family has promised to give up, and will no longer compete with father to buy the shop in Yujie."

  Liang Shicheng's face softened a little, he picked up the envelope on the table and handed it to Liang Qing, "Give this to Yu Qingxu, and ask him to tell his father, if this can't be done, go back to your hometown to retire!"

Yu Qingxu is Yu Shen's youngest son, who was once a member of the elite party. Now he is the same bodyguard as Liang Qing. Many people seek Yu Shen's help through his son. Now that Yu Shen has entered the Gongyuan, it is difficult to contact the outside world, but Liang Shicheng knew in his heart that the Yu family must have a way to contact Yu Shen.

   "My child obeys!"

  Liang Qing took the letter and turned to leave. Liang Shicheng stopped him again, "What I said just now, repeat it to me."

   "Father said that if this matter can't be done, Yu Xiangguo can retire and return home."

   "My original words are, if this matter can't be done, I will go back to my hometown for retirement. According to my original words, neither one less word will do, nor more will do!"

   "My child remember!"

   "Go!"

  Liang Qing saluted and left. Liang Shicheng closed his eyes. He wanted to see how Zhao Kai would perform in this year's imperial examination.

  Li Yanqing's examination number is No. A 25-84, A is the nail examination room, that is, Gongyuan, 25 is the lane number, and 84 is his examination room.

  Li Yanqing and dozens of Tai students came to the Gongyuan in a bullock cart. The square of the Gongyuan was already crowded with people, and five teams lined up in a long line.

   "Hurry up, let's start entering!"

  Tai students jumped off the bullock cart one after another and ran towards the square, "Yanqing, follow up!" Wu Bangchang turned around and shouted.

   "You go first, I will come right away!"

  Li Yanqing turned his head to look at a group of scholars who were running, and one of them was very familiar. After a while, a group of scholars ran close, and one of them was Zhou Chun.

   "Yanqing!"

  Zhou Chun also saw Li Yanqing and waved to him anxiously.

  Li Yanqing greeted him with a smile, "Did I forget to ask which exam room you were in last time?"

   "I am in examination room A, and Dazhi is in examination room B. What is your name?"

   "Twenty-fifth Lane, what about you?"

   "I'm a little ahead of you. I'm in Lane 4, No. 8. Fortunately, I'm not next to the toilet."

  The two walked quickly to the square, Zhou Chun said with a smile: "After I went back, I made preparations according to the details you said that day, and I felt much more at ease."

   "Then are you preparing for the relationship between Song and Liao?"

   "Of course I prepared. This is a must. The professor of our academy said that the war between Song and Liao may happen in the past few years. This year's imperial examination will have this trend."

  Li Yanqing couldn't help secretly admiring the level of the professors at Yuelu Academy, their insight into the details, and their ability to see major trends. He asked again: "Then what is your attitude?"

   "Of course it is to support the Song army to fight and recover Yanyun. This should be the consensus of the Song people!"

  Seeing that there was no one around, Li Yanqing whispered in his ear: "But Yu Shen, the chief examiner, is against the Song and Liao wars. I have read his open border theory and Liao theory, and his attitude is very clear."

   "Why?" Zhou Chun asked in amazement.

   "Because of Jin Guo, the lips are dead and the teeth are cold!"

  Zhou Chun hesitated. Supporting the war between Song and Liao is the consensus of the government, the opposition and the people. If he does the opposite, will the risk be too great?

  Li Yanqing understood his worries, so he smiled and said, "You should write according to your own ideas, but you can mention the threat of the Jin Dynasty. It does not deviate from the consensus, but you also have your own ideas."

  Zhou Chun nodded silently, "I understand what you mean!"

   "Follow up!" A soldier maintaining order waved to the two of them.

Li Yanqing pushed Zhou Chun lightly, and the two followed quickly, but Li Yanqing didn't notice that among the dozen or so people in line behind him, a young scholar was looking at him with a smile. Yanqing must be very surprised to see him, this person also came to take the imperial examination.

The biggest difference between the Provincial Examination and the Fajie Examination is that scholars do not need to bring their own dry food. To be precise, they are not allowed to bring anything. Everything is provided by the examination room. Except for the floating ticket, which is the admission ticket, nothing is allowed to be brought. Once it is found that it is carried, it will be warned at the slightest, and the qualification for the exam will be directly disqualified. If it is found to be suspected of cheating, it will face severe punishment of being banned from the exam.

  The strictness of the provincial examination has long been known, but the cheating in the imperial examination has become more and more serious, but this kind of cheating does not lie in the examination room, but behind the scenes. The strictness of the examination room is often to cover up the dirty side.

   "I didn't mean to, I forgot."

  A scholar was found with a pen, and he desperately explained.

   "Nonsense! Is there anyone with a pen tied to their thigh?"

  The examiner took the pen and broke it with a click. A roll of slender silk was shaken out of the pen holder, and it was densely filled with small characters.

  The scholar's face turned pale, his legs softened, and he knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.

  The examiner was furious, "Trying to cheat but still refusing to argue, drag me down!"

  Several soldiers rushed forward like wolves and tigers, and dragged the scholar who was too scared to speak.

  There were whispers all around, Zhou Chun laughed in a low voice and said, "This person is not very clever. As far as I know, many people hide their things in dung doors, and it is difficult to search them out."

   "Actually, it's just such a little thing, and I can memorize it in an hour. Is it worth taking the risk?" Li Yanqing said disdainfully.

   "That being said, there are all kinds of birds in the forest, and people's hearts are unpredictable!"

   "Next...next!"

  The examiner shouted twice, Li Yanqing suddenly came to his senses, and quickly pushed Zhou Chun, Zhou Chun stumbled up.

  (end of this chapter)