That day, after walking out of Dongnuang Pavilion, Zhao Yao completely forgot about the imperial examination, military examination and founding of the military academy, as if he had never mentioned it. Next, it was not his place to worry about how the emperor, Prime Minister He and the others would conduct the imperial examinations.
From that day on, the emperor discussed holding the imperial examination with important ministers such as He Xiang and Xue Taichang, and they were still discussing it until the day before the New Year.
However, the imperial examination was a secret. Only He Xiang and a few important ministers knew about it. No one else, including the prince, knew about it.
When Mrs. Xue was called into the palace to discuss the imperial examination, he was deeply shocked and asked who came up with such a ground-breaking policy.
The emperor did not hide anything from Xue Taichang and told him that it was Zhao Yao who suggested it.
Xue Taichang didn't believe it at first, because His Highness was only eleven years old, how could he bring up such an earth-shattering issue of the imperial examination. However, he knew in his heart that the emperor could not lie to him. In addition, He Xiang said on the side that he heard His Highness the Tenth Prince say it with his own ears.
Although I have always known that His Highness Tenth is talented, I never expected His Highness to be so... stunning and talented!
Ignoring the turmoil in Xue Taichang's heart for the time being, he praised the imperial examination and actively discussed with He Xiang and others what the imperial examination would be.
Several people finally made preliminary plans for the imperial examination on the day before the Chinese New Year. After a few days of New Year, they will discuss it again. Then after the Shangyuan Festival, the emperor would announce the holding of the imperial examination in the morning of the first day of the new year, and the children's examination would begin after the Qingming Festival.
Regarding the process of the imperial examination, the emperor and He Xiang followed the instructions proposed by Zhao Yao. However, since the imperial examination will be held for the first time this year, we cannot take the exam immediately after announcing that it will be held. Candidates must be given more than two months to prepare, and each county must also be given time to arrange.
This year is the first year, so there are only three children's examinations: county examination, government examination, and college examination.
The county examination is scheduled for April 20th, the government examination is scheduled for May 20th, and the college examination is scheduled for June 20th. The county examination and the prefecture examination can be taken every year, but the county examination of the second year will be held in early February. The college examination cannot be taken every year, but it can be taken twice within three years. Only those who pass the college examination are eligible to take the provincial examination three years later.
The emperor and He Xiang had already agreed on the contents of the three children's examinations. After the court resumes writing, the emperor will issue an order to let some ministers participate in formulating the examination papers for the three children's examinations.
The emperor and He Xiang and the others discussed matters late every day. The other ministers were naturally curious about what the emperor and the others were discussing, but no matter how they inquired, they could not find out any information.
Seeing that Xue Taichang, He Xiang and the others looked mysterious, other ministers guessed that they must be discussing some important matter. If it wasn't a big deal, it would be impossible for the emperor and the others to be so busy even after the imperial court sealed the deal. Many people speculated whether it was related to the crown prince?
Although His Highness the Crown Prince has not yet been deposed, judging from the current favored status of His Highness the King of Chu, the Emperor may have changed his mind and quietly made a decree to appoint His Highness the King of Chu as the Crown Prince. Of course, this kind of speculation is not very reliable. After all, deposing the crown prince is a national matter. Even if the emperor really wants to depose the crown prince, he cannot do it quietly.
In the East Palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Zhen Guo Gong and his son, and His Highness the King of Wei were discussing what the Emperor, He Xiang, and the others were doing secretly.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had an ominous premonition in his heart. He frowned and said with a somewhat uneasy expression, "My father is not really going to depose Gu and make the fourth son the crown prince instead, is he?" He used to think that his father wanted to make him the acting king. , now he felt that his father wished he could make King Chu the crown prince immediately.
Duke Zhenguo said: "No, the emperor will not depose you at this time."
King Wei agreed with Duke Zhen's words and comforted the prince: "Brother, don't worry, my father will not be able to depose you for the time being."
When the prince heard what Duke Zhen and the others said, his worry did not lessen.
"In the past, before the Chinese New Year, my father did not call He Xiang and several of his close ministers to the palace to discuss things from morning to night. I feel that what my father and the others are discussing this time is a big thing, and it is not a good thing. ." He was getting more and more uneasy.
King Wei said: "Father, they seem to be very anxious. It feels like they want to settle the matter before the court writes."
The Duke of Zhen also felt this way. He said with a slight composure: "The emperor is so anxious, this matter is not trivial."
The Crown Prince of Zhenguo Palace said: "What can be the matter that makes the Emperor so anxious to settle it?"
The King of Wei thought for a while and said: "Before the court sealed the deal, except for the two major events of King Chu's return to Beijing and Marquis of Jingyang's collusion with the Huns, nothing else happened."
He added: "Nothing big happened in other places." It was true that nothing big happened.
The prince and Duke Zhen thought for a long time, but they couldn't figure out what the emperor and the others were plotting.
"We will know what the emperor is going to do when the court writes." Zhenguo Gong said this, but in his heart he didn't like the feeling that he was not in his control, especially at this time.
Seeing that the prince still looked worried, King Wei comforted him and said, "Brother, no matter what father wants to do, our soldiers will come to cover up the water and the earth when the time comes."
The prince smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid that my father will catch us off guard again." At this point, his face became gloomy and his tone became sinister, "I don't want another King of Chu to appear. "
"Brother, it's impossible for another King of Chu to appear, but I can't rule out that this matter is related to King Chu."
King Wei's words just hit the prince's heart. He said in a somewhat sharp tone: "I'm afraid that the conspiracy between my father and the others has something to do with the King of Chu." He suddenly thought that before the King of Chu went to Shu, the emperor called Zhang Gong and several other generals to the imperial study for discussion, and his face was filled with anger. He changed his mind and said, "Father, won't you want to pave the way for King Chu again?"
The Duke of Zhen Guo thought of another thing, and his face instantly turned ugly.
"The emperor doesn't want the King of Chu to be responsible for next year's inspection, right?" The inspection is one of the official recommendation systems of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Every year, the imperial court asks officials to recommend outstanding talents.
As soon as he said this, the prince's face was immediately filled with gloom. He gritted his teeth and said, "It must be this!"
King Wei also thought it was very possible. His face was as ugly as the prince's, but he was gloating in his heart. If the father really let the King of Chu be responsible for the investigation, he would put the fourth child on the fire rack.
The prince and Duke Zhen believed that what the emperor and the others were plotting during this time was to make the King of Chu responsible for next year's inspection. Next, they discussed how to oppose this matter and let the emperor give up the idea.
We must not let the King of Chu be responsible for the investigation!
Xuanpinghou and Dai Wang also thought of this. Because after the imperial court writes, there usually won't be any big things. The only big thing is to investigate.
Dai Wang and others naturally wanted to prevent King Chu from taking charge of the investigation. Of course, they would rather have their own people take charge of the investigation. However, this is unlikely, because He Xiang and the others are responsible for the inspections every year.
The prince and the king all thought about Chaju, and it was impossible for the king of Chu and Li Pushe not to think of it.
Before returning to Beijing, many ministers in the court supported King Chu, but King Chu ignored them. After returning to Beijing, the King of Chu could no longer ignore the ministers who supported him. Now, he has his own power in the court.
The King of Chu had many ministers who made suggestions. They also felt that the emperor would let him be responsible for next year's inspection, after all, he had already served in You Fufeng.
"Your Highness, we need to decide who to recommend."
The King of Chu nodded slightly and said, "Grandpa, please make a list first, and I will select carefully when the time comes."
"Okay, I will give it to you before the Lantern Festival."
The King of Chu warned: "The people on the list must be investigated clearly."
"Don't worry, the investigation will be clear and there will be no mistakes." Recommending officials to the imperial court is not a trivial matter. The emperor will test it himself. If there are problems with the recommended officials, the emperor will punish them severely.
"Don't all be our people." King Chu said with a serious look, "Anyone who has real talent and knowledge can be recommended, no matter who he is."
Li Pushe understood what King Chu meant, nodded and said, "This is natural." Li Pushe was not the kind of person who ignored important affairs of the court in order to study for power. In his heart, the King of Chu was indeed important, but national affairs were also very important. Recommending outstanding talents to serve as officials in the imperial court is a very important matter, because it involves the country, the country, and the country, and cannot be done for personal gain.
After the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, Li Pushe had been conscientious in cultivating talents for the Zhou Dynasty and officials for the court, and had never shown any favoritism in this regard.
"The investigation is very important. My father values me so much. I'm afraid I can't do it well..." Although King Chu always looks mature and steady in front of others, he is still a young man of about twenty years old now. Although he has done well in Liangzhou in recent years, how can Liangzhou be compared with Dazhou. The emperor valued him so much, so it was impossible for him to feel no pressure at all.
Li Pushe understood King Chu's mood and said to him lovingly: "Your Highness, the emperor values you because you have this ability. You don't need to think too much, just handle this matter with due diligence."
"My father is also testing me. I can't make any mistakes in this matter. I can't make any mistakes at all." Another purpose of his father entrusting him with important tasks is to test whether he has the ability to bear it.
"Your Highness, you will handle this matter well and will not disappoint the emperor." Li Pushe said in a kind tone, "We will help you."
King Chu did not speak and nodded gently.
"Since you came back from Shu, you have been tense and did not dare to slack off or relax at all." Li Pushe is the person who knows the King of Chu best. Although the King of Chu's face is no different than usual, he can see it. King Chu felt nervous all the time. "The Chinese New Year is tomorrow. Just relax and have a good rest these days and don't think about the court."
King Chu said obediently: "Okay."
Li Pushe said some more comforting words to King Chu, and then left and returned to Li Mansion.
The King of Chu and Li Houci personally escorted him out and onto an ox cart to leave.
"Your Highness, the New Year will be celebrated tomorrow, so don't be busy tonight." Li Houci took King Chu's hand and said with a slight blush, "Let's prepare things for the New Year and New Year's greetings together."
King Chu glanced at Li Houci with slight surprise, and then a smile appeared in his eyes, and his originally stern face softened a lot.
"good."
Seeing that King Chu agreed, Li Houci raised his head, a sweet smile blooming on his beautiful face.
"Your Highness, this is my first time preparing these things. I wonder if I have missed anything. You have to help me take a look."
King Chu took Li Houci's hand and walked towards her yard. He carefully checked what she prepared and found that there was basically nothing wrong with it, but the gift he prepared for Zhao Yao was wrong.
"You have not prepared enough gold for your tenth brother." Li Houci prepared a bag of golden beans for Zhao Yao. "You have to give him a large box of gold ingots."
Li Houci was shocked: "A big box of gold ingots, is that much?!" She felt that a bag of gold ingots was already a lot. "His Royal Highness is still a child, why do you need so many gold ingots?"
"The tenth brother doesn't have any special hobbies. He only loves gold. The more gold, the better." King Chu said with a fond smile on his face, "He wanted to go to Liangzhou before, but I didn't agree and made him angry. Come back this year , I must give him more New Year’s money.”
"Your Highness, you really dote on His Highness Ten."
"I am just such a younger brother, so naturally I want to pamper him." King Chu said with a smile, "I will prepare the tenth brother's lucky money."
"Then I will prepare more gold for His Highness Tenth Prince."
"If I give my tenth brother gold, he won't ask for it from you." King Chu said, "You don't have to go out of your way to give him more gold."
"I know." Li Houci asked about the gifts for other people, and King Chu answered them one by one patiently.
At this time, Zhao Yao, who was in Xingde Palace, had already fallen asleep.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and I will follow the emperor to worship our ancestors early in the morning. After worshiping the ancestors, they still have to pay homage. Go to bed early so that you can have enough energy to cope with the busy day tomorrow.
Although Zhao Yao was very busy in the next few days, he gained a lot.
Because he will go to Jinling to visit Mr. Meng after the Lantern Festival, his New Year's money this year is particularly generous. The kings of Chu and Wei were afraid that he would suffer hardship on the way to Jinling and that he would be wronged when he arrived at Jinling. They not only gave him a lot of money, but also prepared various things for him.
Zhao Yaoren has not yet set out for Jinling. Everything he needs to go to Jinling has been prepared by the kings of Chu and Wei.
The kings of Chu and Wei had a tacit understanding to help Zhao Yao arrange the food, clothing, housing and transportation for him when he went to Jinling. They would never let him suffer any hardship or suffer any grievance.
When the emperor saw that the King of Chu and the King of Wei had prepared so many things for Zhao Yao, he was a little dissatisfied for a while.
The fourth and eighth children really dote on the little ten!
The King of Chu and the King of Wei were also worried that the official ship Zhao Yao was traveling on was not safe. They not only went to check it several times in person, but also sent people to check it carefully several times. After confirming that the official ship was very strong and would not easily cause trouble, they then rest assured.
The emperor arranged for the imperial army to escort Zhao Yao to the south of the Yangtze River, but the kings of Chu and Wei were still worried. They all arranged for their own people to protect Zhao Yao secretly.
Sorry, fellow veterans, I’ve been working on the new chapter for a long time and I’m still not satisfied with it, so I haven’t published it yet. Will update again tomorrow.
Zhao Yao: Jiangnan, I’m coming!
In the end, I still shamelessly asked the veterans for monthly tickets! Please give me a reward! Please leave a message! ! !
