Just when Wei Congxi stood in the front row of the new Jinshi, leading everyone to burst into tears of gratitude and shout long live together with the top pick and the second place winner, Zhao Tuo was extremely angry.
In front of him were several files transferred from the archives of the Ministry of Rites, including Zhou Wu's answer sheet from the previous imperial examination.
At the Baoyue Pavilion poetry meeting, he noticed this slightly shy student. His beautiful regular script and vivid poems left a deep impression on him. It also made him wonder why such a person failed to win the Jinshi twice?
So he ordered Eunuch Liu to quietly bring in his files to check. The clues can be seen at this glance.
Zhao Tuo has been studying with the masters in the palace since he was a child, so painting, pen and calligraphy are not a problem, and his familiarity with various papers and understanding of paper pasting techniques have reached a very high level.
Through careful observation, he found that part of the texture on the paper of Zhou Wu's test paper did not match the original paper. In the eyes of others, there was no difference, but in the eyes of experienced people, that part was added later.
And this part is exactly where the reviewer inscribed the word "中" after the paper was sealed. Only papers with this red letter written on them will be delivered to the capital for ranking and reading. Otherwise, they will be handed over directly to the Ministry of Rites for archiving and disappear into the pile of tens of thousands of papers.
Someone had done something wrong, dug out the Chinese character and then patched it up with a piece of paper of the same material. As expected, the Chinese character should have been patched onto another paper!
After Zhao Tuo found out, he didn't say anything. He called Liu Mu, the commander of the Yilong Guard, and asked him to send people to carefully check all the examination papers coming from Xi'an.
Two pairs of problematic dossiers were discovered. Two people bribed the bureaucrats of Xijing Gongyuan! The Yilong Guards cooperated with the Criminal Department and immediately dispatched, and all the criminals were quickly captured.
"I have failed your Majesty and have committed a crime of negligence. I beg your Majesty for your sanction!" Zhu Zhanzhen was so frightened that he crawled on the ground and trembled.
"Fifth brother (Zhu Zhanzhen's fifth son in the family), get up. I can't blame you for this." Zhao Tuo sneered: "If I hadn't learned a lot, I might have been fooled by them!"
"How dare these people? They commit such a big case just for four hundred taels!" Han Wei looked heartbroken.
"Hmph, to put it lightly is to make one's wits stun, to put it seriously is to deceive the emperor!" In the first month of the year, Hou Xie officially retired, and Xie Minhong got his wish and entered the cabinet.
He likes to play the role of the embodiment of justice when discussing matters. At this time, he speaks sternly: "Your Majesty, I recommend that these people who have no authority over the emperor be sentenced to death, so as to warn those who come and strengthen their moral integrity!"
"Investigation is necessary, but whether to impose capital punishment? Let the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple decide." The emperor glanced coldly at Yang Zhen, who had not spoken out his position, and sighed inwardly.
"Who is the Tixue in Xijing?" he asked, and immediately added: "By the way, Yang Qing, has Chen Tixue been recovered from Gansu?"
Yang Zhen trembled. He knew that he was about to ask why the Nanjing Criminal Department and the Left-behind Department put the shit basin on Chen Shi'an's head. Alas, each one is a trouble and a debt that needs to be repaid.
The problem is, some of the debts were left by that old guy Yang Shizhen, but he walked away, leaving himself to bear all this. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became, and he quickly replied:
"Your Majesty, Yang Chu is the cousin of the old minister who is studying in Xijing. His father is... Yang Tao. Chen Shi'an was caught up when he arrived in Lanzhou and should have returned to Xijing Prefecture (Xi'an) now.
The cabinet has investigated this case and the situation is basically clear. Please report it to Your Majesty. "
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Punishment, together with Yilongwei and Dali Temple, went to Nanjing to investigate the case. The final conclusion was that Su Mingju, the left-behind eunuch of the Nanjing Left-behind Department, after receiving a report, without verification, summoned officials from the six departments to get angry and solve the case within a time limit.
Liu Shifang, the head of the Ministry of Punishment, reported the crime to identify the criminal but was rejected because the name of the responsible official was not stated. Liu, on the hint of his superior, Han Ji, from the Ministry of Criminal Affairs, wrote that Chen Tixue should be responsible for this.
During the interrogation of Han Ji, it was learned that Lu Youde, the Minister of Rites in Nanjing, was holding a grudge because he did not receive the gift from Chen Tixue. He took advantage of the case to slander Mr. Chen and sent a retainer to instigate Han Ji to do this. This retainer has been arrested. And admit it.
At present, all the criminals have been suspended from their jobs and detained in Beijing. They are being held in the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple respectively pending investigation. "
"Lu Youde?" Zhao Tuo already knew about this from the Ministry of Punishment report the day before yesterday, and now he asked Yizhongsheng to tell him face to face, in order to draw out this Lu Youde. "What is his background?" the emperor asked seemingly casually.
"Lu was a Jinshi in the second year of Emperor Xuanzong's studies, ranking 17th in the first class. That year, he was the veteran examiner." Yang Zhen's face turned gloomy, he knelt down, removed his crown, and kowtowed:
"I have committed the crime of lax discipline, neglect of supervision, and unclear defense. I would like to resign as chief minister and beg for my body. I hope your majesty will grant you permission!" He said with sobs in his voice that he could not cry.
"Alas! Why is Yang Qing doing this? I also hope that we, the monarch and his ministers, can have a good relationship with each other and have a beginning and an end, but now it seems..." The emperor did not continue, but ordered Eunuch Liu to step forward to help Yang Min up and hold the crown again. It was handed back to him.
Zhao Tuo thought to himself that if you don't write your resignation when you go back like this today, then don't blame me for being rude.
"The persons involved in the case must be detained separately, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Ministry of Punishment and the Dali Temple will jointly review the case, and a disposal plan will be reported as soon as possible.
Furthermore, are there any innocent persons involved among the students involved? You must re-verify immediately, and any grievances must be corrected quickly!
At the same time, people were sent to Xijing to investigate the case and detain the criminals. An urgent order was sent to the commander of the Xijing Yilong Guard, instructing him to secretly control known criminals immediately and assist in the investigation.
As for Chen Shi'an, since he already knew that he had been wronged, Zhongshu drafted a decree. After Xijing Tixue was dismissed from his post, he was asked to act as Gongyuan on the spot until there was a new decree! "
What happened in the palace quickly aroused the attention and discussion of officials in the court.
Some people are surprised that Chen Shi'an is so lucky that he not only turned the crisis around, but also re-appointed the Xijing Scholarship;
Some people concluded that this was His Majesty's big move. Yang Taige seemed to be unable to hold his position this time;
Others immediately started running towards Xie Minzhong and Zheng Shou, hoping to get a good seat in this big change.
A note was posted at Zheng Shou's home: I am not feeling well, so please excuse me from visiting my colleagues. Please leave me a name, and I would like to thank you for the gift!
Despite this, there is still an endless stream of people coming to stab him. The disciple had Zheng Shou's strict order not to accept gifts. He politely took the assassination and handed it to the butler with both hands, with an absolutely humble and gentle attitude.
On the other hand, things were different at Xie Minhong's house. There was an endless stream of visitors, laughter was always present in the flower hall, and even the guests waiting in the corridor were assigned seats and received in order. Sure enough, he looks like a prime minister!
Xie Minzhong won the 310th place in the top three in this major exam. Although he was almost at the bottom, he was finally in high school and he was very happy. Pian Pianran feels like she can scold Fang Qiu.
Seeing his elder brother being welcomed and sent to his home, and his eldest brother being called "Thank you, Prime Minister, thank you", he seemed to have seen his own future. Wouldn't it be legendary if brothers joined forces?
He had made an appointment with a classmate to have a wedding, so he was walking out with a paper tube in his hand. He almost bumped into someone who came in, and he hurriedly apologized to the other person.
The man was an official in his forties. He was smiling and didn't care. He raised his hand to him and said, "Brother Minzhong, right? I'm Wang Gan, the minister of Honglu Temple, and I'm here to pay a visit to the Prime Minister."
Xie Minzhong was startled. He knew that this Wang Gan was the nephew of former university scholar Wang Ye. He quickly bowed in return and said, "I'm sorry for the collision, sir. My brother is visiting guests, and the person who came to see him today is really a bit strange." many!"
"Oh!" Wang Gan showed a disappointed expression: "That's really unfortunate. I got a Song Dynasty sticker. I know that Mr. Xie always pays great attention to giving away calligraphy and paintings, so I specially brought it to ask him to take a look. I didn't expect it to be like this. There are many customers waiting. So sorry!"
"Is that so?" Xie Minzhong himself also liked Song people's calligraphy and painting very much. After hearing this, he turned around and looked towards the living room and said softly: "Of course I have to make some compensation for offending you. Please wait a moment. I'll see if I can ask my eldest brother to spare his time. one sight."
"That's great!" Wang Gan was overjoyed.
Xie Minzhong quietly went around to the back and came to the eldest brother's side. Xie Minhong noticed it, frowned slightly and was about to speak. He immediately leaned forward and whispered something in his ear.
Xie Minhong was stunned for a moment, then made a surprised expression and said to the officials who were talking: "Everyone, I'm really sorry. Da Honglu's visit may be because His Majesty is about to go to the southern suburbs to worship heaven. Xie has to tell Sinful.
"
Several people would look at each other, get up immediately and say it's okay, come back to visit him another day, and then leave one by one. Xie Minhong walked to the door and asked his younger brother to invite Wang Gan to the study behind to talk.
Of course Xie Minzhong would not participate. After the introduction, he still staggered out and went out. It is said that the two talked secretly in the study for more than half an hour, and then said goodbye quietly.
However, the next day at court, a shocking news spread in Shangjing: Wang Gan was the first to stand up and publicly impeach Yang Jin for three major crimes at the October dynasty meeting: power manipulation, nepotism and inaction.
From his beginning, the court meeting deviated from the direction of the day. The ministers attacked Yang Zhi one after another and demanded that he resign and step down.
Zhao Tuo is so angry! Originally, he planned to use the two-capital study case to force Yang Zhen to submit his resignation. Unexpectedly, the old man did not do so until he went to court for some reason.
Zhao Tuo had already prepared a draft, and today he would take the initiative to agree to Taige's request to beg for bones yesterday. Unexpectedly, Wang Gan took the lead and disrupted the rhythm.
Once someone proposes impeachment, it will be impossible for Yang Zhen to escape unscathed, and Zhao Tuo will not be able to protect him in front of the ministers. That's what being an emperor means, you can't just do whatever you want.
The emperor is the leader of the ministers, the observer and defender of laws and morals. If you are willful, the result will be the collapse of the system and the establishment of a false system.
As a result, Yang Jin tremblingly took off his official crown and official uniform, and was sent home to be suspended pending investigation. For decades, Er Yang has controlled the government until today. The giant tree has rotted and collapsed!
Naturally, Han Wei was appointed as the chief assistant and became the head of the officials. But everyone actually understands that behind Han Wei is the Jinghu Clan headed by Zheng Shou.
Han Shoufu's victory was that the Jinghu clique defeated the Wuyue clique in Jiangnan. Xie Minhong would never give up and the new battle could not wait to begin.
Zhao Tuo originally didn't want the two sides to fight, but then he thought it would be a matter of time, sooner rather than later, so he simply let it go and used people as he wanted.
You can quarrel, but if you mess up state affairs, you will be punished. He just needs to stick to this bottom line and sit back and watch the civil servants fight among themselves.
But Wang Gan's incident made him wonder. This man was smooth and clever, but he didn't like to stir up trouble. How could he jump out and open fire first? Wasn't he afraid of getting burned?
The emperor thought more and more strangely, so he called Liu Mu, the commander of the Yilong Guard, and ordered him to send someone to Wang Gan's house as a servant.
"The closer to him, the better." The emperor said, "I want to know whether this person is reliable?"
Originally, Zhao Tuo had never paid attention to Wang Gan because of his uncle Wang Ye, so he and he were considered senior brothers. This time, Wang Gan really scared Zhao Tuo.
"These old guys are all unreliable!" he thought angrily.
On the day of the imperial examination, Zhao Tuo focused on inspecting a few students he was particularly concerned about. Among them were Wei Congxi and the fisherman Su You, and there was another person he decided to ask last.
"Wei Qing, you are not from the coast. How did you think there was something wrong with the salt bag?" He asked Wei Congxi with a smile.
"Your Majesty, everyone thinks that they are not at fault but the fault lies with others, so there is excuse in the world. In fact, I have no other insights. I only think about it from the word 'Gewu'. When salt meets water, it becomes tide. If you can make it This dispute would not have arisen if it had not been exposed to water. Therefore, did the maritime merchant declare to the salt merchant that it was for shipping, or did the maritime merchant pack the salt into a more moisture-proof packaging bag, and did the shipping owner have any complaints? It is stated that the items in the bag need to be protected from moisture. This is the key to solving the problem...!" He raised his head and glanced at the emperor quickly, seeing that he was nodding frequently, and continued: "We clamor every day to study things to learn, I think this is not empty talk. Only by looking for the truth and natural principles in every little thing and every object can we gain true knowledge. So when I see fish floating in the water, I wonder why fish can float but copper coins cannot? Some can I have come up with many reasons, but they are still not good enough. I am ashamed, it seems that I still have a long way to go before I can understand the great truth."
"You've done a good job, but it's just illegal." After saying that, Zhao Tuo raised his head and said, "Um... Su Boyu, you love fishing. Do you know why fish can snorkel but copper coins can't?"
Su You was shocked. He was a free and easy man.
Son, but you need to be cautious when you arrive at the Golden Palace. He hurriedly stepped forward and replied: "Your Majesty, I don't understand very well. But when I slaughtered the fish, I tasted the swim bladder, which has air inside and can float. I speculate that the fish's ability to snorkel is related to the swim bladder. . As for the copper coin, it is a solid one without a swim bladder, so naturally it cannot be filled with air, so it cannot float."
"Well, it makes sense. It's very interesting. I really want to know the answer." Zhao Tuo said with a smile: "I'll find another person to see who can answer this question." All the ministers in the palace were confused and felt that the emperor was too willful. when. But since His Majesty spoke, everyone had to stand and listen.
"First-A and Second-A are here, so...Third-A...the 184th, is Li Zhu from Jiangnan West Road here?"
Li Shushu also came to participate in the competition as a candidate for the exam last year. He was delighted to win the top three prizes and was very excited. He never expected that Emperor Chrysostom would point to him! He was stunned for a moment, then at the urging of the people around him, he hurriedly stepped forward, kowtowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, I am here, long live my emperor!"
"The question I just asked, Master Su You from Chongqing Prefecture, Number 34, is related to fish bladders. Do you have anything to add?" The emperor looked at him with a smile.
Li Zhu was stunned for a moment, and his mind was spinning. He remembered that he had asked Li Dan why the ship would not sink into the water even though it was loaded with such heavy stones.
He immediately replied: "Your majesty, please grant me permission. I need a few things: a small goldfish, copper coins, a couplet, a pair of small lamps, a pair of covered bowls and water. Then please ask an adult to help me take notes."
"Precisely!" Zhao Tuo immediately became interested.
So everyone in the hall craned their necks to see what he was doing.
I saw Li Zhu weighing the goldfish and copper coins first, and then filling the two tureens with water. He put the fish and the money in respectively, and the water rippled out and flowed into the small cup. Li Zhu put the lid on the tureen and set it aside. Then weigh the pair of small cups that hold the water.
After the calculation, Li Zhu bowed to the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, the goldfish weighs one, two, four, and two cents, and the water drained out after putting it into the cup weighs one, two, six, and five cents. The fish is lighter than the water that is drained out.
A copper coin weighs one penny and four cents, and the discharged water weighs only one penny and one cent. Money is heavier than water. That’s why fish can snorkel but money cannot! "
There was silence in the hall. No one expected that he had conducted such an experiment and reached such a conclusion. After a moment, Zhao Tuocai asked doubtfully: "I love you, those who are lighter than the discharged water can snorkel, but not vice versa?"
"Exactly."
"But this fish...how can it be light? It is much bigger than that copper coin!" An official couldn't help but say.
"Indeed." Li Zhu nodded: "But you forgot, it has a swim bladder in its belly!"
"oh!"
"How wonderful!"
Everyone suddenly realized. Zhao Tuo smiled and nodded approvingly, thinking that it really lived up to my expectations.
"You are so ingenious!" Zhao Tuo praised Li Zhu as he walked on the jade platform after coming out of the hall.
"This is not my ingenuity. I am just learning and selling it now."
"Ha, you don't want to say that this is what Li Sanlang taught you, right?"
"Your Majesty... you are truly wise. No wonder I always say that Your Majesty is a wise master."
"Oh? He said that?" Zhao Tuo was very happy: "I have been friends with him for a long time. I really hope he can be by my side now! Unfortunately, he is still young and has not achieved fame yet, so I can't help him." "
"My brother also understands, so he resigned from office and studies at home." Li Zhu bowed and replied.
"He knows things, very good!" Zhao Tuo nodded: "In the winter, he asked merchant Yu Qian to transport the stoves to the capital for sale, which solved the problem of insufficient fuel in the capital. When you wrote home, tell him that I am very grateful!
There will be a decree for you below. First go to the Hanlin Academy to prepare for the imperial edict. It will serve as a bridge between me and Li Dan, so as not to attract the attention of some people in the court.
I have found a good teacher for him, and I guess he should go to Yugan by now. When Li Dan comes to Beijing, I will release you to do some practical work. how? "
"I obey your decree. On behalf of Saburo, I would like to thank Your Majesty for His grace. Everything will be arranged by Your Majesty!"
In this way, Hong Lang, a Cantonese who was ranked number one in the new department, was awarded the title of Chancellor of Deqing Pavilion, and Shandong was ranked second.
Liu Wencan, a native of the state, was awarded the title of Shi Lecturer of Fuyuan Pavilion, and Wei Congxi was awarded the title of Inspector of Zhongshu.
Su You, who loved fishing, was unwilling to be a Beijing official, but the emperor did not make it difficult for him and awarded him the title of Chief of the Ministry of Works and Repairs (eighth grade).
He was given a copy of the "Complete Map of Guangxin Prefecture" drawn by Li Dan, and ordered him to take the lead in surveying and redrawing the national map according to this method.
Su You was overjoyed and did not mind that the official position was small, so he immediately accepted the decree and took office.
The rest of the people were also assigned to the Hanlin Academy, the Six Ministries, and various temples. It was only slowly that everyone noticed that Li Zhu, who called goldfish with a crotch, often appeared quietly next to the emperor and whispered answers or hints to him.
"It seems that if you have a certain skill, once you are chosen by His Majesty, you can leap over the dragon's gate!" Someone commented enviously.
