Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Hmm? Looks like something interesting is happening!

Fang Chengyu's small eyes darted around. He had originally been preparing to leave, but upon hearing the Jin Yi Wei's words, he silently walked to Fang Zheng's desk.

Fang Zheng was startled and stood up: "Explain yourself clearly! Jianye Marquis is being besieged? Who's besieging him?!"

This is insane. The Jianye Marquis's residence isn't far from the Princess's residence. Someone dares to use force under the Emperor's feet?

I haven't provoked any ruthless people recently.

The Jin Yi Wei took a couple of breaths and said: "What this humble officer said isn't quite accurate. It's not exactly a siege, but a group of angry scholars are protesting outside the Marquis's residence!"

"They are all failed candidates from the imperial examinations, numbering several hundred! And it looks like more and more are gathering."

"Those failed candidates harbor great resentment towards the court's newly established science doctorate. They claim that Dongda is squeezing out scholars' official positions and are demanding the cancellation of the science doctorate. They are currently shouting at the gate, demanding that you come out to apologize and admit your mistakes. Then, they plan to jointly petition the Emperor to revise the policy."

Although Fang Chengyu didn't quite understand, his eyes were still full of curiosity: "Dad, we don't live there. Why are they running there to protest?"

Fang Zheng ignored him and said in a deep voice: "Who is leading the trouble?"

The rise and promotion of science will inevitably create huge conflicts with the current situation.

He had anticipated this in his heart, but he had been constantly working in the central government, constantly resolving deep-seated contradictions both openly and secretly. At least, he had initially resolved the upper-level contradictions through gentle means.

The imperial edict establishing the science doctorate was posted during the imperial examinations, and he felt a little uneasy.

However, among the common people, at least in the capital, he had been vigorously promoting and changing people's thinking through the Banshan Daily.

He thought that there shouldn't be too much trouble.

Unexpectedly, this contradiction finally broke out... and it came so violently.

Perhaps there are too many candidates from all over the country....

The Jin Yi Wei said: "The scene is chaotic, and the incident happened suddenly. It is still under investigation. However, from what this humble officer saw at the scene, there are probably several people taking turns speaking to the crowd, but I didn't see a definite leader."

"Has this matter been reported to the palace?"

"Someone has already been sent to inform the palace at the first moment."

"Good."

Fang Zheng pondered for a long time, then waved his hand: "Increase manpower to maintain order at the scene and do not disturb the people. Also, seal off the area around the Marquis's residence, and no one else is allowed to enter or leave, so as not to escalate the situation. You can arrange it first, and I will go and take a look myself later."

After the Jin Yi Wei left, Fang Zheng sat quietly in his study, thinking about countermeasures.

Fang Chengyu asked: "Dad, why do they want you to apologize?"

Fang Zheng turned his head to look at his son and suddenly smiled: "Don't do your homework. How about Dad takes you to see a big scene?"

"To the Marquis's residence?" Fang Chengyu's heart leaped with joy.

"Yes! The opportunity is rare. Clean up, let's go over now!"

......

In front of the Jianye Marquis's residence, hundreds of torches stood tall, illuminating the street in front of the Jianye Marquis's residence exceptionally brightly.

The clamor of countless scholars resounded above, and from time to time, passers-by who were eating melons joined in.

On the steps in front of the gate of the Jianye Marquis's residence, a person was giving a passionate speech.

Zhou Maoxue was in the crowd, quietly observing this scene.

Although he was of noble status and had a wide circle of friends.

But it was the first time he had experienced such a scene of one call and a hundred responses.

Although he had not yet entered the court as an official, the wonderful taste of power had already begun to ripple in his heart.

The servant beside him had already begun to tremble in his legs, quietly tugged at Zhou Maoxue's robe twice, and said with a crying voice: "Young master! Young master, this scene is too big, what if something happens? What exactly do you want to do?"

"We can't afford to offend the Jianye Marquis!"

Zhou Maoxue pulled his robe hard, shook off the servant's hand, and stared intently at the gate of the Marquis's residence.

"What do you know, you dog slave? The law does not punish the masses. Even if things get bigger, it is the fault of the imperial court. Who dares to punish us?"

"What about the Jianye Marquis? Does he dare to send the Jin Yi Wei to use force? Don't be afraid, the advantage is on my side! In a few days, I, the young master, will be the leader of the scholars in the world."

Zhou Maoxue pointed his finger around and said with high spirits: "Didn't you see that more and more people are joining? It is enough to see the support of the people!"

"The general trend of the world is the will of the people. As long as the will of the people is with me, then nothing is impossible!"

"I didn't expect it to be so smooth. Maybe I can even bring down the Jianye Marquis! At that time, I will let the world know that even if I don't take the imperial examination, I can still shine through the ages!"

The servant was shocked beyond words.

Although the young master was not very good at studying and had repeatedly failed the examination, he had always been a person who considered himself talented and ambitious.

His usual performance was indeed like this. He had many friends and was able to get along wherever he went.

But I didn't expect that suddenly his ambition would expand to such an extent that he even wanted to bring down the Jianye Marquis? Is this possible?

The scholars at the gate of the Marquis's residence had finished their speeches. Zhou Maoxue shook his sleeves and said triumphantly: "It's my turn. You can watch carefully below."

After saying that, he raised his hands and walked out of the crowd: "Fellow candidates! Brothers! I have something to say, please listen quietly!"

As soon as he spoke, the scene actually became much quieter for a while.

Many people below recognized Zhou Maoxue. This fellow candidate had previously organized a dinner and invited everyone to eat together. During the dinner, he exchanged toasts and had excellent eloquence, which won him a full house of applause.

Everyone was deeply impressed by him.

Seeing that he had controlled the scene, Zhou Maoxue was very satisfied and slowly opened his mouth and said: "Fellow candidates, I am Zhou Maoxue. I think there is no need to say more about why everyone is gathered here today."

"Although Zhou cannot boast of having a giant pen like a rafter, he dares to say that he has a heart for the country and the people. Since the establishment of Dongjiao University, the evil wind of science has prevailed, to the point where people's hearts are declining and the imperial examination is failing!"

Zhou Maoxue cupped his hands and continued: "Our Majesty is wise, and the officials are honest, but it is precisely because of this that people like Fang Zheng have taken the opportunity to sneak in, tamper with the Six Classics, and wreak havoc on the court! That science pseudo-scripture is promoted through the Banshan Daily, and its poison has spread widely! The newspaper exaggerates and panders to the public, and scholars all over the world have no intention of studying."

"Since the founding of my Great Jing, we have followed the words of the sages and inherited the old system. In terms of national system and national law, it is elegant and perfect, and cannot be changed! Moreover, the imperial examination is the lifeline of the country, but now someone has evil thoughts about it and attempts to use the theory of science to touch the lifeline of the country. The rude people of Dongda, who do not study the Four Books and Five Classics and Six Arts, dare to squeeze out the official positions of you brothers and ascend to the ranks of the court in a grand manner? If this is not a decline in morality, what is it?"

"The country is in trouble, and the folk customs are not ancient. How can we regard it as trivial? Zhou is not talented, but he is willing to take the lead in front of the Marquis's mansion to denounce Fang Zheng for five days. Within five days, Fang Zheng is willing to come out to debate with us, bow his head and admit his mistakes, and repent, then there is still hope! If not...." Zhou Maoxue quickly took out two envelopes from his sleeves.

"Zhou has already written two articles in his study at home. Although the two articles are only ten thousand words, each word is like a cuckoo crying blood. The first letter is a memorial to the Emperor, only hoping to use the power of everyone to present it to the Holy One. Sweep away the evil and establish the foundation of my Great Jing!"

"The other letter is a theory of science pseudo-scriptures, sent to the officials in the court, to restore the clear rule of Great Jing!"

"Brother Zhou, well done!!" A mountain-like roar of cheers rang out from the crowd.

The surging emotions of the crowd had greatly infected Zhou Maoxue, and the blood in Zhou Maoxue's chest was surging.

He excitedly raised his arms and shouted: "Zhou is drumming and calling for the sake of the people of the world today. I hope that you fellow candidates will stand firm with me here. If the court puts pressure, Zhou is willing to take the lead! Even if I die, I only hope.... to bring back the glorious age of my Great Jing!!!!"

.....