As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes immediately turned to Sun Shutong.
Sun Shutong was thinking about something, but when he heard Song Liang mention his name, he came back to his senses as if he had just woken up from a dream.
"Your Highness, the last time I met with Grand Scholar Wang, he made it very clear!"
"The minimum requirement for running for a bachelor's degree is that he must be an official of the imperial court in Daliang."
"If he hadn't been an official of the imperial court, he would never have had the chance to take part in the Wenyuan Pavilion exam."
"Even Grand Scholar Wang, who is the head of Wenyuan Pavilion, has no way!"
Song Liang deliberately asked in front of Zhou Nan, hoping that Sun Shutong could give an answer to solve the problem, so as to save himself face.
But who would have thought that Sun Shutong would throw out a difficult question right after he opened his mouth, which made Song Liang instantly dissatisfied.
"Master Sun, as the Minister of Civil Affairs, this shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"
"Isn't it a piece of cake for you to solve the problems that Grand Bachelor Wang can't solve?"
Sun Shutong deliberately looked embarrassed.
"Your Highness, the day after tomorrow is the day when Wenyuan Pavilion will hold the assessment."
"Young Master Zhou just arrived in the capital today. Time is really tight and it's difficult to arrange..."
Zhou Nan raised his head and glanced at Sun Shutong, with a sneer on his lips.
Like a mirror in his mind, he could see Sun Shutong's intentions at a glance.
After quarreling for a long time, this guy was beating around the bush, accusing himself in front of the third prince of coming too late and delaying important events!
Zhou Nan was arrogant and arrogant, and naturally he would not get used to Sun Shutong's intentional or unintentional sarcasm.
"I heard that Mr. Sun was from a mediocre background. I can't imagine how busy he would be if he came from a noble family and was involved in many things every day."
"Moreover, I heard that the current Holy Emperor has listened to Prince Rong's suggestion and is already building a tribute courtyard."
"The imperial examination system will be officially implemented in the spring of next year."
"The civil service department has lost the power to select talents. I'm afraid it will become more idle, right?"
It was okay not to mention this matter. As soon as he mentioned it, the anger in Sun Shutong's heart suddenly "sparked" and jumped several meters high.
As the current person in power in the Ministry of Personnel and the most likely candidate to become the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in the future, Sun Shutong naturally hopes to have as much power as possible in his hands.
In the past, the Ministry of Civil Affairs had the power to select imperial officials. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was the most important department among the six departments.
But now, since Prince Rong proposed the imperial examination system, everything has changed dramatically.
Overnight, the great power that Sun Shu had been dreaming about day and night ceased to exist in an instant!
How could he not be angry or resentful towards Song Huan who proposed the imperial examination system?
Thinking of Song Huan, he was so angry that his teeth itched.
That Prince Rong was enough to cause trouble for him, but now, an even more annoying Zhou Nan appeared out of thin air!
Why is everyone working against themselves!
Seeing Zhou Nan's proud face, Sun Shutong was angry and immediately retorted: "Young Master Zhou's words are wrong."
"Once the imperial examination system was implemented, the most affected people were naturally the major gentry."
"If this were not the case, I am afraid that Mr. Zhou would not go north easily, right?"
"From now on, the life of the nobles will not be easy..."
"you!"
Zhou Nan had never been so depressed before. He immediately slammed the table and stared angrily at Sun Shutong opposite.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the box became tense.
The two faced each other tit for tat without giving in, and were about to fight.
Song Liang's expression was already very ugly. Seeing Sun Shutong's aggressive attitude, he became even more angry.
But in front of Zhou Nan, he didn't want to make the scene too ugly.
"You are a guest even if you are far away, so Mr. Sun should also show some etiquette to treat guests."
"Besides, you didn't tell me when I mentioned this matter before. Time is tight and you don't have time to make arrangements, right?"
"Master Sun, if you don't think about it carefully, what should you do about this matter?"
These words have made it very clear that it was you, Sun Shutong, who vowed and patted your chest to ensure that this matter could be accomplished.
Now you are embarrassing me in front of outsiders. Isn't this deliberately trying to make me stand down?
I'll give you one last chance.
You'd better answer carefully, otherwise, never mind that I didn't show mercy to you!
Sun Shutong had been in contact with Song Liang for these days and already knew Song Liang's temper well.
If the third prince gets angry, it means that things can still turn around and will not fall into a desperate situation.
But if the third prince is as calm as water, it means that he is really angry!
Sun Shutong did not dare to anger Song Liang, so he had to swallow hard and lower his voice.
"Although this matter is difficult to handle, it does not mean there is no room for maneuver."
Hearing that Sun Shutong surrendered, Song Liang's face reappeared with a smile.
"In that case, there is Lord Laosun."
"I don't dare," Sun Shutong broke into a cold sweat, "It's just..."
"Although there is no problem here with Wei Chen, the last time Academician Wang was vague, he did not make it clear to Wei Chen whether this matter would be successful or not."
"What's more, Your Highness still remembers that Lin Zhihuan was infatuated with Prince Rong and planned to publish a collection of works..."
Recalling this matter, Song Liang immediately frowned deeply.
The day after tomorrow is the day for the assessment. Logically speaking, if Lin Zhihuan really wants to publish a portfolio, he should strike while the iron is hot and act quickly.
Why is it that now, the other party is still unhurried, slow and slow?
Song Liang even sent people to inquire in advance. The large and small printing shops in Bianjing City had never heard of any rumors related to Lin Zhihuan's poetry collection.
This made Song Liang even more puzzled.
The fourth boy has always been scheming. I wonder what conspiracy he plans to pull off this time?
Song Liangliang was in a state of confusion. Facing the urgent looks from Sun Shutong and Zhou Nan, he could only sigh with pretended disdain.
"Whether Lin Zhihuan publishes a collection of works or not, it has nothing to do with us."
"Master Zhou's collection of poems has been prepared and will be circulated in the capital early tomorrow morning."
"I don't believe it, then Lin Zhihuan's ability can be stronger than Mr. Zhou's?"
Song Liang gritted his teeth and selected these fifty top-quality works that he was most satisfied with among his many works.
Not only that, but he also spent nearly a thousand taels of money to print a thousand books of poetry in just a few days.
With all the money and effort put into it, could it be possible that this time, he could still lose to the fourth child and the submissive and unknown Lin Zhihuan?
Hearing that Song Liang was so interested in him, Zhou Nan immediately smiled and glanced at Sun Shutong, half to show off and half to demonstrate.
"Thank you for taking the trouble, Your Highness!"
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I'm well prepared for this."
"As long as I can successfully pass the assessment in the future, I have the confidence to enter Wenyuan Pavilion smoothly!"
Seeing Zhou Nan's triumphant look, Sun Shutong became angry and extremely disdainful.
Let this illiterate fool around for a few more days, and I want to see how your position as a bachelor, which you earned through dishonesty and ill-spoken words, can actually make you count down your arrogance!
