In the Wenhua Hall, Xiao Tan cursed Jiang Yuan in his heart, but there was no rebuttal on his face.
At this point, he finally understood.
This time, he was completely plotted by Jiang Yuan!
Seeing Jiang Yuan tell the "truth" with a calm face, Xiao Tan was so angry that he almost exploded with anger. However, this could not change the situation, and the situation was developing in an increasingly unfavorable direction for him step by step.
Because, after Jiang Yuan finished speaking, the examiners from the Sixth Department also looked at each other and hesitated to speak.
Seeing this situation, the emperor first took a deep look at Jiang Yuan, then glanced at everyone present, and then asked.
"My lords, what Mr. Jiang Ge just said is the truth?"
this……
Facing the emperor's questions, several elders looked at each other.
The truth is the truth, but there is always something wrong.
It should be said that although several other readers present had some vague guesses about some of the inside information, they did not see the whole picture, so they just subconsciously felt something was wrong.
However, the emperor asked a question and had to answer it. After hesitating for a moment, Yu Shanshan, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward and spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty, when I was reading the papers, I did have an argument about the ranking of some of the papers. During this process, Academician Xiao did praise the papers of Cheng Zong and others. However, after all, it is difficult to have a definite conclusion when discussing the papers. Standard conclusion.”
"Moreover, the list that was finally submitted was agreed upon by the ministers and others. In addition to Academician Xiao, Mr. Jiang Ge, Mr. Zhang Ge, Mr. Zhu Ge and others also believed that this policy should be based on both moral merit and merit. And I got it, and Cheng Longgu used it to solve the problem. Therefore, although the ministers had some objections, they did not insist too much."
It should be said that Minister Yu Shanyu, who was transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, has a kind character. He has the integrity of Yu Qian, but does not have his anger-provoking spirit.
These words are impartial and can be regarded as a relatively objective restoration of the facts.
However, it is still disadvantageous for Xiao Tan.
Again, when it comes to policy and discussion, everyone has a different understanding of the topic. When looking at Jiang Yuan on this point, the most we can say is that he has insufficient knowledge and shallow knowledge.
Compared with Xiao Hao, who tried his best to defend Cheng Zong during the discussion, Mr. Jiangge was really untouchable.
And this is obviously what Jiang Yuan wants.
After Yu Shan finished speaking, Jiang Yuan immediately kowtowed again and said.
"Your Majesty, I know that I lack talent and knowledge, and do not recognize people properly. I failed to accurately judge the grade of the palace examination paper. I have failed His Majesty's holy grace. Please punish me!"
Now that things have developed, many things have become clear.
Many people present realized that there might be some ulterior secret between Jiang Yuan and Xiao Tan.
However, I have to say that Jiang Yuan's hands and feet were too clean, and every move he made was within the limits allowed by the rules.
Cheng Zong was the person Jiang Yuan wanted to recommend, but whether it was during the deliberation process or when the final list was finalized, it was Xiao Fan who came up with the idea.
This made it difficult for Xiao Tan to explain clearly in this matter.
Unless he is willing to put the "deal" that he and Jiang Yuan reached in private on the table.
But the question is, does Xiao Tan dare?
Under the gaze of everyone, this Academician Xiao remained silent.
He...dare not!
Because once this matter is spoken out, it is proper to hurt yourself before hurting the enemy.
As a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, a clear scholar, and an examiner for the Imperial Examination, he cannot be impartial and only promote talents based on their virtues. Instead, he regards the first-class spot as a transaction, uses power for personal gain, and operates in secret. If this matter is confirmed, Xiao Tan Not only will his official career come to an end, but even his reputation will be ruined in one day.
This kind of thing has been done by some people, such as Xue Xuan, the former minister of Dali Temple.
They would rather sacrifice themselves and demand justice, but not everyone is Xue Xuan.
Perhaps Wang Wen or Yu Qian would have such courage, but unfortunately, Academician Xiao is not such a person who dares to die together.
Furthermore, even if Xiao Tan can make this determination, he may not be able to do anything to Jiang Yuan.
Only today did Xiao Tan truly realize that in the past, he had indeed underestimated the old Jiang Ge.
It should be said that among the people in the cabinet, Jiang Yuan's presence is not very strong, and he is usually very low-key. Except for being unlucky with someone, the court does not pay much attention to him.
Although he can be seen in many major political affairs, most of the time, he is the one waving the flag and shouting in the background, not standing out, not standing out, and not attracting attention.
Therefore, after he came to the door, Xiao Tan agreed without taking any precautions. But who would have thought that this old guy would be so scheming.
The current situation is almost a dead end.
Regardless of whether Xiao Tan said it or not, he could not escape the blame. Even after telling the truth, he might be able to hold Jiang Yuan on his back, but it was more likely that Jiang Yuan would be able to escape unscathed.
If you listen carefully to what he just said, you will know that he opened his mouth because other members of the cabinet can testify, and closed his mouth because the readers saw it with their own eyes. This means that he has already thought of an escape route for himself.
In the current situation, it seems that the best way for Xiao Fan is to admit that he was not accurate in solving the questions and misjudged the test papers of Ke Qian, Cheng Zong and others, just like Jiang Yuan, and then accuse him of improper marking of the papers in the palace examination. Take it to yourself.
In this case, it may be a crime of dereliction of duty, but it will not be more serious, and the other readers can barely escape.
However, after glancing at Jiang Yuan next to him and seeing a hint of pride in his expression, Xiao Tan still couldn't swallow this breath.
After a quick spin in his mind, Academician Xiao discovered a possibility while trying to protect himself. After hesitating for a moment, driven by unwillingness, Xiao Tan finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. In fact, I had my doubts about Cheng Zong's test paper. However, at that time, Mr. Jiang Ge praised it very highly. I was confused by it for a moment. Just now during the discussion, I also praised Cheng Zong's test paper. A few words."
"Now that I think about it, it was Jiang Ge Lao, Zhang Ge Lao and Zhu Ge Lao who initially praised Cheng Zongzhi's superiority to Ke Qian's and advocated that it should be obtained with both moral merit and Cheng Long Gu's era. , I, like the other reviewers, had doubts, but in the end I was convinced."
"This minister has a weak mind and lacks talents and learning. However, as your Majesty said, Mr. Jiang Ge is in Hanlin, from the six ministries, and joined the cabinet. He is very familiar with Wenhan affairs and court affairs. Why can't he judge Just two test papers?"
"This minister is confused, please let your majesty clarify it!"
The meaning of these words is actually a hint that Jiang Yuan and Cheng Zong have an ulterior relationship.
Jiang Yuan wanted to put the blame for the failure in the palace examination on Xiao Ni, so Xiao Ni would turn the blame back.
After all, Jiang Yuan judged the examination papers of Ke Qian and Cheng Zong in the beginning, and Jiang Yuan also proposed the initial ranking opinions. Although Xiao Tan agreed with him in the end, if he was wrong, then Jiang Yuan Yuan can't escape either.
With Jiang Yuan's knowledge, it was impossible not to see the advantages and disadvantages of the two test papers. However, there must be a reason why he recommended Cheng Zong instead of Ke Qian.
Xiao Fan didn't think about it carefully at the time, but now that he thinks about it, this might be the way to break the situation.
After all, Xiao Tan really couldn't imagine that he and Jiang Yuan had any grudge that would warrant Jiang Yuan targeting him like this.
Moreover, at this point, Academician Xiao no longer expects to escape. He just hopes that he can drag Jiang Yuan into the water while ensuring that he is not completely doomed.
It should be said that this is a key flaw.
However, there are often times when the only flaw is likely to be left on purpose.
After Xiao Fan said these words, he immediately regretted it, because after he finished speaking, Jiang Yuan not only did not panic, but actually relaxed a little.
Therefore, Xiao Tan secretly thought that something was wrong, but it was already too late.
I saw Jiang Yuan kowtow to the ground twice, his face full of grief and anger, and said.
"Your Majesty, although I have made mistakes in the examination papers for this palace examination, I am not talented enough and cannot distinguish between high and low scholars. I am indebted to the Holy Grace. However, I consider myself to be impartial. How dare I use a public weapon for personal favors?"
"The records of Cheng Zong and Ke Qian were made wrong by my Majesty, and I have no complaints because of this. However, if I say that I engaged in malpractice for personal gain and deliberately suppressed the scholars, this is false, and I will never dare to admit it. Things."
"I don't know why Scholar Xiao slandered me so much, but I dare to guarantee it with my life. I have nothing to do with Cheng Zong. Even before reading the book this time, I didn't know this scholar. If your Majesty doesn't believe it, I I am willing to be interrogated by the judicial department. As long as I can prove my innocence, I will not be afraid even if I am imprisoned by the Imperial Guards. Please be careful, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Qiyu couldn't help but sigh when he saw Jiang Yuan's sincere expression, which almost had the word "grievance written on his head".
Xiao Tan, as expected, he is still too bookish!
They have already been plotted by others, and they cannot be careful in their words and deeds. This is just speculation. Without evidence, is it allowed to talk nonsense?
Now that Jiang Yuan has countered this army, he has been directly pushed to the forefront, and more importantly, as a result, Zhu Qiyu is also somewhat unable to get off.
Jiang Yuan had already said this, and there were only two ways Zhu Qiyu could do it. One was to conduct a strict investigation, but it was possible that nothing would be found in the end, and the other was to be lenient.
Glancing at the boy next to him, Zhu Qiyu sighed helplessly, his face finally turned gentle, and he spoke.
"Mr. Jiang Ge, please call me. I can certainly trust your character. Although there were mistakes in this palace examination, I believe it was a misunderstanding. All the ministers are important officials of the imperial court, so they will not be influenced by mere officials. He will ruin his reputation for a lifetime."
This means handling it with care. Everyone present could not help but breathe a sigh of relief after hearing this.
However, Jiang Yuan did not just go down the steps, but continued to grab the ground with his head, saying.
"Your Majesty's holy grace is so great that I am so grateful. However, I have not been punished for my mistakes and my discipline is not correct. I did not read the papers properly in this palace examination and failed to promote talents for the country. I have really neglected my duty. I have asked for a three-month salary penalty to think about my mistakes behind closed doors. I sincerely request your majesty’s permission!”
Zhu Qiyu's eyes narrowed and he said nothing. Such an expression made Jiang Yuan's back feel a little cold. However, he still endured the discomfort and knelt on the ground without raising his head.
Now that the matter has come to this, Zhu Qiyu can naturally see that Jiang Yuan's move seems to be asking for punishment, but in fact it is "asking for justice."
Although it is said that there is no ranking of the examiners for the Imperial Examination, but, again, because of the special nature of the Hanlin Academy, Xiao Tan occupies a dominant position among the ten examiners.
So, if something goes wrong now, he will naturally receive the heaviest punishment.
More importantly, from the moment he entered the palace, Jiang Yuan pressed forward step by step, and every piece of evidence he presented proved that the evaluation of the palace examination was improper and Xiao Tan was responsible.
Under such circumstances, if Zhu Qiyu wanted to punish Jiang Yuan, it was naturally impossible not to punish Xiao Tan.
Moreover, this punishment can only be more severe, otherwise, as Jiang Yuan said, the court's rules and regulations will inevitably be damaged.
His eyes wandered between Jiang Yuan and Xiao Hao for a moment. Zhu Qiyu breathed out softly and finally made a decision in his heart. So, he turned his eyes on Xiao Hao and said.
"Xiao Bo, do you know your guilt?"
In fact, just now, when Jiang Yuan was crying and crying, Xiao Hao had already realized that he was too reckless.
However, there is no regret medicine in the world!
By this time, he knew in his heart that any further struggle would only make the situation worse.
So, with a low and anxious mood, Xiao Hao knelt on the ground, cupped his hands and said.
"Your Majesty, I made a mistake for a moment, please punish me!"
"A slip of the tongue?"
Zhu Qiyu snorted coldly, looking a little dissatisfied, and shouted sternly.
"When the court slanders an important minister of the court, is it just a temporary slip of the tongue and can it be done perfunctorily?"
"I put more trust in you and entrusted you with the imperial examination. However, you not only did not want to be loyal to the country, but instead neglected your duties. You almost turned the pearl into dust and made the court's selection of scholars a laughing stock in the world. I personally interrogated you in the golden palace and you did not bow your head. They admit their mistakes, but instead blame each other and show no accountability, which really disappoints me."
"Wynn?"
"My slave is here..."
Hearing the emperor calling for someone, all the officials present knew that today's matter would finally come to an end, so everyone, including Jiang Yuan, couldn't help but raise their heads.
Then, the emperor thought for a moment and said.
"Immediately pass on the decree, Hanlin bachelor Xiao Tan, improperly marked the papers, insisted on going his own way, and was ordered by me to preside over the palace examination, but failed to promote talents for the country. In the Wenhua Palace, he even argued with the examiners in the court, and did not want to repent. He was very disappointed. I am determined to temporarily suspend my official duties from now on and return to my hometown to await investigation."
"Jiang Yuan, a scholar in the cabinet, and other reviewers were unable to dissuade Xiao Tan and allowed him to do whatever he wanted, which almost made the court's talent promotion ceremony a laughing stock. This was a dereliction of duty. They thought he had served the country well and did not do it deliberately. He will be fined for half a year and demoted one level, but he will remain in his original position to serve as a warning to others!"
After the words fell, the expressions of the elders below could not help but twitch.
Especially the group of six ministers felt even more miserable.
For them, this matter was an unforeseen disaster. They just came to read a paper. At most, during the collegial discussion, they did not get past Xiao Fan, Jiang Yuan and others, and selected a few articles with less radical views. A candidate.
As a result, now, I have lost half a year's salary inexplicably, and my official rank has also been reduced by one level. Although my position has not changed, it is embarrassing to spread the news!
Of course, what is even more pitiful is that Xiao Tan, who presided over the palace examination, was dismissed from his official position by the emperor. Although he said he would temporarily dismiss it, there is a high probability that the Hanlin Academy will not be able to stay when something like this happens. Otherwise, it will He was scolded to death by the scholars of the world.
There was a complex feeling in their hearts, and everyone knelt down silently and bowed their heads.
"I obey your order and thank you for your kindness!"
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