"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Before everyone could react, Zhang Juzheng retorted decisively.
"Master Li, like me, was a Jinshi in the 26th year of Jiajing reign. Besides, he was also the number one scholar in that year. How could he do such a self-destructive thing? This is a naked false accusation!"
"Master Zhang, calm down and wait for Master Zhao to explain the whole matter first." Yan Song glanced at Zhang Juzheng and said calmly, with some shock in his pupils.
In Yan Song's view, although this Zhang Juzheng is usually not showy, he has a calm personality, is smart and smart, and is quite experienced in human relations. He is a rare piece of diamond!
If he is more favored by His Majesty, he will definitely have a bright future in the future. Maybe after he retires, he will still have to take the position of chief minister of the cabinet.
At present, Li Chunfang, the examiner whom Zhang Juzheng personally recommended to the emperor, was accused of taking money from candidates and leaking the imperial examination questions! Everyone would be anxious about this matter, so Yan Song could understand Zhang Juzheng's mood at this time.
If Li Chunfang is really found to have leaked the test questions of the imperial examination, then Zhang Juzheng's official career as the recommender will come to an end.
Not to mention anything else, just a hat that doesn't recognize people can completely ruin a person who originally had a great future! Therefore, when these officials recommend people to the court, they recommend people who they know well.
Since ancient times, the imperial examination has been a matter of great concern to the imperial court, and no mistakes can be tolerated! This is not only about the selection and appointment of officials, but also about the destiny of the country. Anyone who wants to interfere with this will, without exception, die miserably.
The examples from the last imperial examination are still vivid in my mind!
"The thing is like this. Early this morning, our Inspectorate received an unsigned memorial! It states that Li Chunfang, the Taichang Shaoqing, took money from the candidates and leaked the imperial examination questions, and the name of this letter was Next, are the questions for this imperial examination."
After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he handed the impeachment memorial in his hand to Yan Song.
Yan Song took the impeachment memorial from Zhao Zhenji and turned it over to the back. On the back, he saw clearly written: "Sincerity is the foundation of heavenly virtue and the source of sanctity. Scholars are the first of the four peoples. Scholars practice... "
After Yan Song read the content on the back of the letter, his pupils shrank suddenly, handed the memorial to the others, and said in a deep voice: "You should also take a look!"
Immediately afterwards, Xu Jie took the memorial from Yan Song. When he saw the content above, he was extremely surprised: "This, this, this... isn't this the question of the imperial examination?"
"What?" After Zhang Juzheng heard what Xu Jie said, he took the memorial from Xu Jie's hand regardless of his reserve. After he read the contents, his eyes were full of despair, and he fell down on his seat.
"Show me the memorial." Yan Shifan said, took the memorial from Zhang Juzheng, browsed for a long time, and his brows became more and more wrinkled.
"In my opinion, this must be a false accusation!" Yan Shifan raised the memorial in his hand and said loudly.
"Oh, how can you see that?" Gao Gong on the side asked, seeing Yan Shifan's confident look.
After Zhang Juzheng heard Yan Shifan's words, the light of hope rekindled in his eyes.
"Look, assuming that Li Chunfang really took money from the candidates and leaked the imperial examination questions, then since the impeachment person knew about it, why didn't he directly present it to His Majesty? Instead of going through the Inspectorate?"
"Any major matter such as the leaking of questions in the imperial examination can be presented directly to His Majesty without reporting it! Assuming that the person behind this wants to impeach Li Chunfang to deal with Mr. Zhang, then directly inform His Majesty of the matter and get The effect is much better.”
"In this way, not only can we leave a good impression on His Majesty as someone who dares to speak out directly, paving the way for his future career, but he can also attack his political opponents! Why not kill two birds with one stone?"
Yan Shifan's mouth went dry as he spoke, so he picked up the teacup on the side and drank all the tea in one gulp.
"Well, that makes sense, but how should we explain the imperial examination questions behind this letter?" Xu Jie frowned and continued.
"As for the test questions behind the letter, I don't have a clue yet, but what I am sure of is that someone must have taken advantage of the loopholes in it!" Yan Shifan thought for a moment and responded.
"The most important thing we should do now is to control Taichang Shaoqing Li Chunfang first and see if we can get any clues from him! In addition, you will follow me later to present this matter to His Majesty." Yan Song quickly came up with a solution and spoke to everyone.
"In that case, I will take my leave!" Seeing that the cabinet had decided to report the matter to the emperor, Zhao Zhenji also said in time.
"Well, please, Mr. Zhao!" Xu Jie raised his eyebrows and said.
…
"Master Li, you have been working hard these days. How do you feel about thinking about the test questions?" Seeing Li Chunfang coming back, the colleagues on the side quickly asked him about his feelings.
"Oh, don't mention it. I'm locked in that dark room all day long and can't move freely! If I continue like this, I will go crazy sooner or later."
"Fortunately, everything went as expected!"
Li Chunfang raised her eyebrows and then added.
While Li Chunfang was chatting with his colleagues, a group of soldiers broke in, came directly to Li Chunfang, and asked, "Are you Li Chunfang?"
"I am Li Chunfang, what can I do for you guys?" Li Chunfang looked at this row of armored soldiers and suddenly felt bad.
"Take away!" The leading soldier did not talk nonsense with him, but called to his subordinates to take Li Chunfang away.
"What are you doing? I am Taichang Shaoqing!"
"Hmph, you're the one to be captured and taken away."
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
Jiajing looked at the five ministers kneeling in front of him and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and asked: "My dear friends, is there anything important that you need to report to me?"
"Your Majesty, I do have important things to report." After Yan Song said this, he raised the impeachment memorial in his hand high above his head and bowed again.
"Today, the Supervisory Office received an impeachment memorandum. It states that Li Chunfang, the examiner of this imperial examination, accepted bribes and leaked the test questions of this examination. Behind this letter, it has been leaked. Questions to get out!”
"What? Send me the impeachment memorial quickly!"
After listening to Yan Song's report, Jiajing couldn't help but feel surprised. Everything that happened in the last imperial examination was still vivid in his mind.
The last time the question was leaked, no one from the examiner to the clerks on patrol escaped. Now things are happening again. Aren't these people afraid?
Lu Fang quickly stepped forward and handed the impeachment memorial to the emperor.
Jiajing opened the memorial, and after reading the above content and the examination questions on the back of the letter, he slammed the table and said in a deep voice: "Check, check it for me! No matter who is involved behind this, no one will be left behind." Find them out for me, punish them severely, and don’t let anyone go!"
"Yes." Yan Song responded tremblingly.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty of the crime because I didn't know the person well. Please forgive me!" After Yan Song passed by, Zhang Juzheng stood up and said.
"Zhang Aiqing doesn't need to blame herself. Let's wait until the truth comes to light before making a decision. Don't unjustly accuse others."
Jiajing waved his hand and comforted softly.
"Wei Chen, thank you Your Majesty!"
After Zhang Juzheng heard what the emperor said, he buried his head deeply on the ground and cried.
"Well, you go down and check carefully. During the process of extracting the papers, anyone who can come into contact with Li Chunfang should be checked by me." Jiajing scanned everyone one by one and ordered lightly.
"yes."
(End of chapter)
