In the flower hall of the Chen Mansion, with Chen Xun's words, the atmosphere gradually became much more relaxed.
Du Ning and Jiang Yuan looked at each other and couldn't help but feel relieved.
After staying in the Hanlin Academy for so many years, they are still familiar with the temperament of their teacher. To put it bluntly, he is hard-spoken and soft-hearted and easy to compromise. Although he has principles in his heart, he will often make concessions based on the situation.
This point is completely different from a certain heavenly official who is as hard-spoken and stubborn as ever.
Therefore, this is also the reason why Du Ning and Jiang Yuan came here today. They were sure from the bottom of their hearts that their teacher, no matter how hard he scolded them, would never really let go in the end.
So, after pondering for a moment, Du Ning spoke first.
"Master Chen, the top priority right now is to appease public opinion and stabilize the mood of the scholars. Although the Spring Festival has ended, the arrangements for these new scholars have not yet been finalized. Therefore, it is important to select new Hanlin bachelors as soon as possible and preside over the election. The most important thing.”
"Students heard that in the spring of this year, in addition to Ke Qian, the number one scholar, among the top three first-class students, the second-ranked scholar Wang Yue and the third-ranked scholar Yu Zijun will go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs respectively to follow Yu Shaobao and Shen Shangshuguan. Politics, it can be seen that among the six ministries, they are also coveting these new scholars."
"If the academy selection is delayed, I'm afraid that at the end of the day, all those left will be top-three Jinshi. If the Imperial Academy is filled with this generation, how can it have the dignity to consider itself a top-notch scholar?"
This is quite true. Every spring is a battle for recruiting people for each ministry. After all, there are only so many people every three years. In this officialdom where personal connections are very important, a young and promising junior , can often have unexpected effects in many cases.
In particular, these new scholars were basically clean-blooded and had no backers. The yamen where they watched the government after joining the officialdom largely determined their initial network of connections in the officialdom.
Of course, in the past, the nobles in the Imperial Academy were noble, and after the transmission, there was the selection of the library, and after the list of Shujishi was released, it was the turn of the ministries to arrange to observe the government.
In terms of order, the Hanlin Academy has an absolute advantage. Other departments and academies can only compete with each other, but cannot compete with the Hanlin Academy for people.
However, the situation today is obviously different.
First, Xiao Tan was dismissed from office, leaving the Hanlin Academy without a leader. The election of the Imperial Academy must not be carried out normally, allowing other departments and academies to take advantage of it. Second, after the emperor ordered Wang Yue and Yu Zijun to join the Sixth Department to observe politics, other Jinshi seemed to have also I saw a different path than before.
Qingliu's qualifications are certainly impressive, but it's hard to say which one is more valuable than the opportunity of following Qi Qing for a whole year, learning how to govern.
If we talk about the impact on future career, there are people in the court who are sometimes more useful than their own so-called qualifications.
Again, if it weren't for this opportunity, they, a bunch of fledgling new scholars, might not even be able to talk to someone like Yu Shaobao, let alone follow him day and night.
Although these Jinshis themselves know in their hearts that they are the first-class treatment, but the initiator has no consequences?
In particular, their batch of Jinshi, due to their special circumstances, were all reviewed by these big guys in person. If they shamelessly insist on clinging to a relationship, it is not impossible to say that they have been "favored by knowing others".
With this kind of thinking, many Jinshi, especially those who feel that they may fail in the selection process, have actually begun to make plans to go to the Sixth Division and plan for themselves in advance.
However, Du Ning's words were serious, but Chen Xun didn't have much reaction. He raised his eyelids and said.
"So, who do you think is suitable to succeed this Hanlin bachelor?"
The question was so direct that Du Ning and Jiang Yuan, who had already made plans, hesitated.
After a moment, Jiang Yuan cupped his hands and said.
"Teacher, Hanlin bachelor's degree is different from other official positions. It has always been held by Qingliu Hua. However, it has only been through the previous inspection of the capital. In addition, in recent days, many people have left for the Ministry of War's rectification of military camps. They have sufficient qualifications and are still in the capital. There are already very few people.”
"Apart from Brother Du and his students, the rest are Liu Dingzhi, Chen Wen, Li Shao and others. However, these people are not qualified enough, and they have been compiling books in the Hanlin Academy for a long time and have never really entered the court. , it may be a bit difficult to deal with all the court affairs."
"So, the students want to ask the teacher to come forward and recommend Brother Du to also be in charge of the Imperial Academy affairs, so that it will not delay the imperial court's upcoming selection!"
The position of Hanlin Bachelor seems to be important, but in fact, its rank is not high, it is only the fifth rank.
However, because of the rarity of his Jinshi status and the convenience of being able to see the emperor from time to time in charge of banquets, people tend to overlook this shortcoming in rank.
For example, Liu Dingzhi, Chen Wen, and Li Shao, whom Jiang Yuan just mentioned, are also old people in the Hanlin Academy. However, they basically have one characteristic, that is, they are buried in books.
In terms of qualifications, they were basically Jinshi in the early years of orthodoxy. They became Shujishi through the selection process, and then stayed in the Hanlin Academy to serve in the Hanlin Academy after the academy was dismissed. They took one step at a time and made a very solid progress.
Among them, Liu Dingzhi and Chen Wen were already bachelor's degree students, and Li Shao was a bachelor's degree scholar. The three of them were responsible for various lectures and book editing in the Hanlin Academy. Also second to none.
However, their biggest shortcoming is that they are too focused on academics and have no intention of participating in government affairs.
Jiang Yuan said it euphemistically, but what he actually meant was that these people were not worthy of their responsibilities, so in the end, the burden of the Hanlin Academy would still fall on Du Ning.
In terms of background, Du Ning was the second-ranked scholar in the Xuande Dynasty. When he first became an official, he was taught as a Hanlin editor. In terms of qualifications, although Du Ning did not become a Hanlin bachelor, he gradually became a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. He is a bachelor, and once presided over the examination together with the then cabinet minister Takatani, and his reputation among the Qingliu lineage is very high.
In addition, Du Ning is also a good hand in practical matters. After being assigned to the Sixth Department, he was repeatedly praised. Later, he was appointed to take over as the Minister of Dali Temple, and he managed a number of criminal cases in an orderly manner.
You know, some time ago, the Ministry of Punishment sorted out old cases, which was extremely efficient. However, the reason why Jin Lian was able to do this was inseparable from the full cooperation of the Dali Temple in charge of Du Ning.
Therefore, at this time, it is appropriate to "add extra burdens" to Du Siqing.
However, after hearing these words, Chen Xun's brows furrowed, and he lightly knocked on the table with his right hand. He nodded first, then shook his head and said.
"Liu Dingzhi and the others are indeed not suitable to be in charge of academic affairs. Indeed, in terms of talent and learning, they are all first-class. However, the affairs that Hanlin bachelors are responsible for are complicated, and..."
As he spoke, Mr. Chen glanced at Jiang Yuan and the two people opposite him, causing them to lower their heads with guilt.
"In short, it is true that they cannot cope with their personalities. It is better to concentrate on teaching Shujishi. However, it is not the best choice to let Zong Mi also take charge of the affairs of the academy."
Zong Mi is Du Ning's name. Hearing Chen Xun's words, Du Ning looked a little anxious and said.
"Teacher, why is this?"
Chen Xun sighed, feeling a little complicated.
Of course he knew what Du Ning was thinking. In fact, Du Ning's official career seemed to be going smoothly, but it was also a bit frustrating and he was always a little bit behind.
When he first took the exam, his test scores were about the same as Ma Yu's, but in the end, Ma Yu took the top spot with a slight advantage, and Du Ning had to settle for second place.
Later, when he entered the Hanlin Academy, he made solid steps step by step, but he was always half a step behind others. Finally, Ma Yu was beaten to death. When he was only one step away from becoming a Hanlin bachelor, he was dismissed from the outside because of the lack of people in the court. Transferred into the ministry.
Du Ning has always regretted not being able to become the Master of the Academy.
Moreover, another very important point is that both Chen Xun himself and Gao Gu, who once sat in charge of Qingliu, were both bachelors of the academy. Du Ning, as the backbone of the younger generation, has only been a bachelor at most. In terms of qualifications, it is slightly insufficient.
Although Chen Xun didn't care about this, for Du Ning, this might be a difficult hurdle to overcome.
Therefore, after thinking for a moment, Chen Xun opened his mouth to explain.
"In the past, Hanlin bachelors often entered the cabinet as bachelors, and then added the titles of minister and minister. Therefore, the bachelors in charge of the academy were noble."
"But now, since the old man, no Hanlin bachelor has entered the cabinet. If the cabinet is full, it is fine, but the cabinet has been vacant for a long time, and Xiao Tan was promoted by the emperor. Even so, the emperor has added cabinet ministers several times. The fact that Xiao Tan was not allowed to join the cabinet only shows that the old man has no such plan."
"So, today's Hanlin bachelor's degree is no longer what it used to be. Although from your perspective, Liu Dingzhi and others are not suitable to serve as the head of the academy, I am afraid that in His Majesty's heart, if he had to choose, he would definitely think that they are better than the clan. Mi you are more suitable."
"What's more, no matter how you say it, the Minister of Dali Temple is also one of the Nine Ministers. Although he is not more noble than the Seven Ministers, it is not appropriate to distract himself from taking charge of the affairs of the fifth-rank Imperial Academy. Your Majesty may not agree."
Du Ning's face looked a little ugly and he opened his mouth, but did not speak. On the contrary, Jiang Yuan on the side shook his head and said.
"Master Chen's words are wrong. The Hanlin Academy is indeed in decline now, but that is because Xiao Tan has been messing around after he took office. The students believe that if Brother Du comes instead, he will be able to revive the Hanlin Academy and make the Hanlin Academy a better place. To regain His Majesty’s trust.”
"What's more, Brother Du has been working conscientiously in Dali Temple during this period and is well-known. Master Chen, you know this. Even if His Majesty does not agree to let Brother Du join the cabinet, it is not too much to be in charge of the affairs of the Hanlin Academy." .”
"This is also for the consideration of the imperial court, so that the new scholars can get the best education in the Hanlin Academy so that they can contribute to the imperial court in the future. It is also for the consideration of my Qingliu lineage. Master Chen, please think twice!"
After all, Chen Xun was not so easy to fool. He seemed to be speaking for Du Ning. However, when Jiang Yuan said this, Chen Xun immediately felt something was wrong.
He stared at Jiang Yuan for a long time, and then suddenly asked.
"Ding'an, when I asked you just now, you said it was because Xiao Tan had sectarian views and suppressed the current Shuji scholars in the Imperial Academy. You thought he was unfair, so you designed this, right?"
Jiang Yuan did not expect that Chen Xun suddenly turned back to this topic. There was no one else around at the moment, so he hesitated for a moment, but did not deny it and nodded.
However, next, Chen Xun narrowed his eyes and continued to ask.
"But, after all, this is a palace examination, a talent promotion ceremony for the imperial court, under the eyes of His Majesty. Aren't you afraid that if something goes wrong and the matter becomes too big, it will be difficult to deal with in the end?"
"Just now you said that even if His Majesty didn't find anything unusual, you would take the initiative to submit the Ke Qian and Cheng Zong test papers. However, these two test papers were originally judged by you. If you took the initiative to submit them, even if they were handed down by Xiao Hao in the end. Even if the conclusion is finalized, you will inevitably be doubted, which is unreasonable.”
"More importantly, you are not a dangerous person. There must be a reason for your actions..."
"Zong Mi came with you today, which means he knows about this matter. So besides Zong Mi, is there anyone else who knows about this matter? If so, who is it?"
After saying these words, cold sweat broke out on Jiang Yuan's forehead.
But Chen Xun didn't notice. In fact, he was asking Jiang Yuan as well as himself.
While speaking, Mr. Chen was also smoothing his thoughts. Therefore, Jiang Yuan did not need to answer, he already had the answer.
"Yes, Wang Jiugao?"
Chen Xun's eyes flashed and he softly spit out a name.
The chief minister of the cabinet, Wang Ao, was named Jiugao!
As soon as these words came out, Du Ning also frowned and couldn't help but look at Jiang Yuan next to him. Obviously, he didn't know about this matter.
However, after looking at it like this, he found that Jiang Yuan lowered his head and looked guilty, obviously being told something that was on his mind.
So, Chen Xun continued as if he was explaining to himself.
"Although the first and second assistants did not participate in reading the papers, as the cabinet responsible for drafting the edict, they must be the first people to come into contact with the test papers and the final list."
"This time, the emperor discovered an oversight while reading the paper, so he summoned me and others to re-read the paper. Although the matter has become serious, it is not yet irreparable."
"However, if the emperor has already named the top three among the ten, and only after sending it to the cabinet is it discovered that there are mistakes, then what Xiao Tan will face may not be as simple as dismissal pending investigation."
"It is almost inevitable that you will be thrown into prison for the crime of deceiving the emperor and neglecting your superiors!"
"In this way, the position of Hanlin Bachelor will be completely vacated. As an outsider in the imperial examination, he is the one who exposed the mistakes in the imperial examination. He is also the chief minister of the cabinet who has the closest connection with the Hanlin Academy and is the successor of Hanlin Bachelor. On this point, Wang Jiugao can have the greatest say..."
As he spoke, Chen Xun's thoughts became clearer and clearer. After saying the last sentence, he focused his attention on Jiang Yuan again and spoke.
"Ding'an, if I'm not wrong, even if something unexpected happens now, Wang Jiugao's memorial recommending you to also take charge of the affairs of the Hanlin Academy should be handed over to His Majesty's desk, right?"
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