Since he came to this world, the person who got along with Zhao Junchen the most was Xu Qingyan. In addition, Xu Qingyan never had any scheming in front of Zhao Junchen, so Zhao Junchen knew Xu Qingyan very well.
Now, looking at Xu Qingyan's expression, Zhao Junchen knew that something interesting must have happened.
This matter should not be small, otherwise Xu Qingyan's expression would not be so serious, but it should not be a confidential matter, otherwise Xu Qingyan's expression would not be so excited.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not worry about Chen Dongxiang beside him and asked directly: "Qingyan, what happened?"
"this……"
Xu Qingyan glanced at Chen Dongxiang and hesitated, as if he didn't know whether he should explain it in front of Chen Dongxiang.
Chen Dongxiang was also quite knowledgeable. As soon as he saw Xu Qingyan's hesitant expression, he wanted to get up and leave to avoid suspicion.
However, before Chen Dongxiang could speak, Zhao Junchen had already waved his hand and said: "Qingyan, you don't have to worry about anything, just say what you have to say. Mr. Chen is not an outsider, there is nothing to hide from him."
Although he knew that this was just Zhao Junchen's polite words, Chen Dongxiang had already become accustomed to Zhao Junchen's exclusion and alienation these days. Now seeing Zhao Junchen treating him so affectionately, Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but feel a little excited and happy.
Of course, Chen Dongxiang's facial expression was full of gratitude and emotion, quite like "a scholar will die for his confidant", and he deliberately let Zhao Junchen see it.
But Zhao Junchen also knew how credible such an expression was. It may not be higher than the few polite words I just said.
This is how it is in the officialdom. From Emperor Deqing down, everyone is an actor - he is acting, and he knows that the other person is acting, but everyone acts very seriously and understands each other tacitly.
This situation is actually quite funny and weird if you think about it carefully. But no one wants to change, and no one dares to change.
…………
On the other side, Xu Qingyan naturally did not notice these details, and he did not think that the news he was about to report would be a confidential matter, so after hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, he replied: "Young Master, there has just been news from the Ministry of Rites. Bian has finished reviewing all the answer sheets for the current examination, and the results have come out."
"Oh? The results of the test have come out?" Zhao Junchen said in surprise.
Talk about it. It has only been half a month since the end of the general examination, and the results have been released so quickly. Naturally, Zhao Junchen was surprised.
but. Although Zhao Junchen was surprised, he was not surprised.
Emperor Deqing was now focused on traveling to the south after the palace examination, so he kept urging for the results of the general examination. The examiners worked day and night to get the results ahead of schedule. It is also a reasonable thing.
…………
The results of the Chunwei Examination will naturally be a major event for all parties in the government and the opposition. Among them, Zhao Junchen has put a lot of efforts and plans - he plans to use the opportunity of this Spring Examination to recruit some talents for himself. Use - for this purpose. Zhao Junchen not only made arrangements early and sent Liu Zimin to recruit candidates who were willing to join him; he also put a lot of thought into it. He gained the support of the three elders Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao, and stole the test questions for the current examination and gave them to the candidates who had taken refuge in him. Now that he had finally waited for the results, it was no wonder that Xu Qingyan was so excited.
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen nodded and asked with interest: "What was the result? Who became the leader of Jinke Huiyuan? Is it Zhou Suwen? Or that Zhao Shancai?"
Zhou Suwen is the grandson of Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the dynasty. It is said that he has always been favored and loved by Zhou Shangjing. Not only his family background, he is also smart and studious. He has long been known as a "child prodigy" in the capital. Today, In the Spring Examination of the subject, the highest demand for winning the first place, and most of the examiners of this subject's examination are disciples of Zhou Shangjing, so naturally they will be biased.
As for Zhao Shancai, he is known as "the most talented man in the south of the Yangtze River". He is not only extremely knowledgeable, but also insightful and alert. He is also a close disciple of the former prince and grand master He Ming. He inherited He Ming's knowledge of the emperor's mind. Zhao Junchen The most valued young talent in the Jinke Examination - unfortunately, this man still has a naivety and persistence in his heart, and he only wants to serve Prince Zhu Heyu, but he remains indifferent to Zhao Junchen's repeated solicitations. It was a pity for Zhao Junchen.
In Zhao Junchen's opinion, the first candidate for this year's examination will only come from these two people.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Xu Qingyan became more excited and replied: "Master, you are wise. The candidate for Huiyuan for this year's examination is none other than Zhou Shangjing's grandson Zhou Suwen, and Zhao Shancai is ranked No. 1 on the apricot list. Two."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen was thoughtful, Xu Qingyan continued to explain: "According to the information I found, after the examiners reviewed all the answer sheets, they found that among the candidates, Zhao Shancai and Zhou Suwen's answer sheets were the best. It can be said that they are the best. Regardless of whether they are equal or not, whoever can be the Huiyuan is suitable. However, Zhao Shancai and Zhou Suwen are both famous young talents after all, and their calligraphy and paintings are also circulated in the capital. It seems that the examiners also did their homework before reviewing the papers, so Although the names were obscured on the examination paper, the examiners still recognized the handwriting of the two people, and thus distinguished the owners of the two answer sheets. In addition, most of the examiners were students of Zhou Shangjing's disciples and wanted to please Zhou Shangjing, so they insisted on doing it in Zhaoshan I found some flaws in my answer sheet, and then made Zhou Suwen the leader of the club!"
After he finished speaking, a look of disdain and hatred flashed across Xu Qingyan's expression.
Zhao Shancai had repeatedly rejected Zhao Junchen's solicitation before. Xu Qingyan was naturally dissatisfied with this and felt that Zhao Shancai did not know how to praise him. Now that he saw that Zhao Shancai failed to become Huiyuan, he was naturally happy in his heart.
And according to Xu Qingyan, if Zhao Shancai had been willing to accept Zhao Junchen's recruitment, then with Zhao Junchen's regard for Zhao Shancai, Zhao Shancai might not have lost the great honor of being the leader of Huiyuan so easily now.
"That's it." Zhao Junchen nodded again, not surprised by this, but felt a little sorry for Zhao Shancai, then his eyes narrowed, and then asked: "So... what about the results of other candidates?"
As for which candidates Zhao Junchen refers to as "other candidates", not only Xu Qingyan is very clear, but also Chen Dongxiang on the side - naturally refers to Liu Zimin, Zeng Wei, Xiao Wenxuan, etc. who took refuge with Zhao before the examination. A candidate under Junchen’s sect.
After all, Zhao Junchen did not deliberately conceal his idea of recruiting some talents for his own use through this conference. Most of his officials knew it well, and through a series of exchanges of interests, he obtained the three talents Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao. The support of a pavilion elder is not afraid of others knowing.
The examination results of these candidates are not only related to their own future development, but also to the future talent pool of Zhao Junchen and his group.
When Xu Qingyan heard Zhao Junchen's inquiry, he perked up and said, "Master, those candidates you recruited were quite successful in the current examination. Our efforts were not wasted! Among them, the one with the best score is Zeng Wei, the young son of Zeng Congrong, the chief envoy of Sichuan, ranked third in the Jinke Examination, second only to Zhou Suwen and Zhao Shancai! What a promising future! In addition, I didn't expect that Liu Zimin, besides being flattering, also had some knowledge. In terms of ability, he actually ranked ninth in the general examination. Among the candidates who took refuge with you, the young master, he was only inferior to Zeng Wei. In addition to Zeng Wei and Liu Zimin, there were twenty-one candidates who took refuge with the young master. Passed the exam!"
Then, Xu Qingyan pulled out a list from his sleeve, which seemed to be the results of the current examination, and then read to Zhao Junchen one by one the performance rankings of the candidates who had taken refuge with Zhao Junchen.
After listening to Xu Qingyan's report, Chen Dongxiang stood up and congratulated him: "Congratulations, sir. Congratulations, sir, for passing the examination, you have recruited so many promising young talents to your sect. It can be seen that your prestige and appeal among the government and the public are very high! It also shows that your influence in the government will definitely become stronger in the future! It will be a piece of cake for you to become the cabinet minister in the future."
Hearing Chen Dongxiang's compliment, Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, but his brows were slightly wrinkled, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
In the list read by Xu Qingyan, he did not hear the name "Xiao Wenxuan"!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xiao Wenxuan, Zhao Junchen was deeply impressed by this cynical candidate. When he was in private, he had a relationship with Xiao Wenxuan, and he could be regarded as somewhat appreciative after talking to him.
Although this Xiao Wenxuan has some knowledge and knowledge, because of his extreme and aloof temper, he always offends others without realizing it. Therefore, although he had the intention to join Zhao Junchen in order to gain fame, he was betrayed by Liu Zimin, Zeng Wei and others. Being excluded from the circle only gave him the bad reputation of "taking refuge in the corrupt official Zhao Junchen".
However, after Zhao Junchen's hint, Liu Zimin and others should accept Xiao Wenxuan again!
And Xiao Wenxuan himself is considered to be quite talented, and Zhao Junchen revealed the test questions in advance, so how come he didn't get a ranking in the end?
Is it possible that Xiao Wenxuan has lost his reputation?
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen raised his head and asked, "Why is there no Xiao Wenxuan's name?"
Xu Qingyan was also stunned when he heard Zhao Junchen's inquiry.
Xu Qingyan also had some impressions of Xiao Wenxuan, but Xiao Wenxuan was just a small person in his eyes and he didn't pay any attention to it. Now, with Zhao Junchen's reminder, he couldn't help but feel surprised when he saw that Xiao Wenxuan's name was not on the list of apricots.
However, Xu Qingyan didn't know what the reason was.
Seeing Xu Qingyan's expression, Zhao Junchen did not ask further questions, but waved his hand gently and ordered: "Go and find out."
