Now is the early years of the dynasty, when the civil and military forces are weak and the imperial power is highly concentrated. It is the best time to defeat the family of saints who have become the same as the country.
Especially Zhu Yuanzhang's background. He was not a Confucian, nor did he receive formal Confucian education. However, his achievements were so great that even if he indirectly forced the death of the previous Yan Shenggong, everyone pretended not to see it.
Zhu Biao naturally wanted to seize the opportunity. Without his father, it would have been extremely difficult for him to bring down the Kong family. After all, the prince also had to respect his teachers.
It’s useless even if the direct line of the Kong family who committed the murder is all dead. How many years has it been since the Spring and Autumn Period that the Kong family spread its branches and leaves? Even if the direct line is dead, there are still collateral lines. Scholars don’t care what kind of dog is sitting on the chair of Duke Yan Sheng. Anything, anyway, as long as it is of the blood of a saint, it is enough.
The situation couldn't be better now, with the pro-military Duwei Mansion adding fuel to the flames. It was only a matter of time before Kong Xixue came to Beijing. When he came, he would have to run for Mencius, but who could do anything if Zhu Yuanzhang didn't let go.
Nuanyu brought the lotus seed soup: "Master, come and have a taste. It's delicious."
Zhu Biao came back to his senses and smiled: "How do you know it's delicious? Did you eat it secretly?"
Nuanyu pursed her rosy mouth and said, "I didn't eat it secretly. You see, these lotus seeds are big and round. They are delicious at first glance."
Zhu Biao took the bowl and said, "Okay, your mouth will be watering after a while. I should make more than one bowl later. You can share the rest."
Nuan Yu's eyes lit up, but she still finished serving Zhu Biao before running to eat the lotus seed soup. She could also share it with the well-behaved little palace ladies, so that they would help her wash clothes.
Zhu Biao was too lazy to care about her. Yun Jin and Liu Jin were watching in the East Palace. No one dared to make trouble. Zhu Biao leaned on his chair. When the news came out that Duke Yan Sheng was coming to the capital, all the smart people in the court would react. .
In this era, you must not underestimate anyone. Officials who can reach the third rank or above are all outstanding people, and few are simple. Zhu Biao feels that Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen and others have probably guessed it.
However, when they became officials, they were no longer just scholars. Compared with Yan Shenggong, they paid more attention to their own wealth and life. The more they got to know Zhu Yuanzhang, the more they knew how terrible he was. There would be no good consequences for going against him.
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On the other side, thousands of scientific examination scholars gathered together, waiting for the imperial list. Whether they can leap over the dragon gate depends on today. Further away, you can see many big men carrying wine bottles and talking dirty words. They gathered together and looked at Yushu Lingfeng's scholars like ducks.
There were a few middle-aged men in a restaurant nearby sitting in plain-colored coarse cloth and silk clothes. These clothes were not very comfortable to wear, but their food and drinks were extremely sumptuous.
One of them, who was slightly fatter, said, "Yes, these scholars are not very old. It would be better if there are still some who have not made an engagement."
A more elegant person on the side said: "Then find some young and generous people. Even if you don't pass the exam this time, please go home and be your uncle. In the future, you can also educate the children at home to study."
Another man with a full beard said: "I heard that the Holy Emperor specially ordered the state governments to recommend young scholars to participate in Enke. It seems that it is prepared for His Highness the Crown Prince. It is a rare and good opportunity."
The rest of the people laughed tacitly. If these people pass the exam and can enter the East Palace, they will have a bright future. What's more, those who can participate in Enke are the most outstanding young people in the country.
The more elegant one said: "The Holy One is showing mercy today. He not only reduces the business tax, but also allows my children and others to take part in the imperial examination. What a kindness this is."
The rest of the people also agreed. Although they are still at the lowest level of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, as long as they can participate in the imperial examination, sooner or later they will be able to change from the lowest level to the highest level.
Zhu Yuanzhang did not agree with the discriminatory regulations of the Tang and Song Dynasties that prohibited "businessmen from serving as officials". He believed that "merchants are all people" and did not agree with the proposition that "sons of industrial and commercial skills are not allowed to serve". He treated businessmen with equality and humility. Therefore, their children were allowed to take the imperial examination.
After a while, the imperial list was brought out, and all the scholars were excited. Fortunately, the officials holding the list were escorted by guards. The golden list was finally hung up. The candidates below also had different expressions and were happy. There is sadness in it.
Several wealthy businessmen who were in the restaurant just now also walked down. The fat ones and those with beards were all eyeing the group of people who were happy, while Wen Ya was writing about choosing those young and elegant people who could still have a calm mind even if they didn't win. son.
The official who released the results looked at them for a few times and ignored them. No one could care about this kind of thing. Liu Jin on the other side looked around and then turned around and returned to the East Palace.
All the way to the entrance of Hui Palace, Liu Jin showed his order. It is not that easy for the eunuchs in the palace to leave the palace. They must have a warrant issued by the Supervisor of Ceremonies before being allowed to leave the palace.
Of course, Liu Jin's status in the eunuch system was similar to that of Zhu Biao. Everyone knew that he would be in charge of all the eunuchs in the eunuch system, so they naturally supported him, and no one dared to take back this token.
The general on duty today raised his hand to Liu Jin and said, "Eunuch Liu, you are too polite. We don't know your appearance yet, so why bother paying for the token?"
Liu Jin smiled and said: "There are free rules in the palace, and I am no exception."
Liu Jin greeted them with a few polite words, and even arranged to have a drink together on a free day. Liu Jin walked into the palace happily, and then the smile on his face dropped, and he looked a little tired. He was on night duty yesterday, and he was scared after not sleeping all night. Zhu Biao woke up in the middle of the night and he didn't know.
In fact, given his status, he didn't need to stay on night watch. After all, he had to run errands for the prince during the day. Zhu Biao also said that he wouldn't need to stay on night watch, but Liu Jin didn't agree.
Along the way, many palace maids and eunuchs greeted Liu Jin respectfully when they saw her. Some of the higher-ranking ones even came up to compliment her, and some small gifts were quickly stuffed into Liu Jin's arms.
Finally returning to the East Palace, Liu Jin patted his face, then cheered up and walked in. He first put all the things in his arms over to Da Shuang'er. This was Yun Jin's rule.
They are the most personal servants of the prince, and there are naturally people who want to curry favor with them both inside and outside the palace. Yun Jin can accept the things he has decided on, but he must write them down and visit his highness every month, so that his highness will know what happens. .
Besides, His Highness has always been generous to them. He would ignore these things at a glance. Why bother to be sneaky? If something goes wrong, His Highness the Crown Prince's trust will be lost.
Moreover, at this time, no one inside or outside the palace had much money, and the gifts they gave were only small trinkets, at most ten taels of silver.
What's more, Liu Jin never cared about these things. What's the use of saving money for a person like him? The other eunuchs were afraid that they would be kicked out of the palace when they got old, so they were eager to make money. But didn't he know who his Highness was?
His Highness is nostalgic. As long as they don't make big mistakes, they can spend their whole lives comfortably in the palace. With His Highness's trust, does Liu Jin need to spend money for what he wants?
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