In the Qianqing Palace, Liu Ji and Wang Hao were extremely respectful. They did not know the details and did not dare to ask questions. They only waited for Zhu Youtang to explain his reasons.
"...The two Qings have had a hard journey back from Nanjing. What did they learn along the way?"
Zhu Youtang asked about Zhang Zhou before he came up.
Liu Ji had a relatively high official position. On behalf of the two of them, he roughly reported to Zhu Youtang the disasters in the Huanghuai River that he saw along the way.
Zhu Youtang said: "I have sent people to investigate the disaster in the Huanghuai River. The breach has now been repaired, but it only hurts the people along the coast. I am planning to add more manpower to build the river before the cold flood comes next year. Local disaster relief matters , and the progress is going very smoothly. It is estimated that the victims of the disaster will return to their hometowns one after another recently, and the next spring planting will not be delayed. "
Liu Ji hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is worried about the people, which is the blessing of the people."
Faced with such compliments, Zhu Youtang didn't feel much. He suddenly changed the topic and asked: "In the Jiangnan Provincial Examination, I heard that a Gongsheng student named Zhang Bingkuan was selected as the Jieyuan. How is his talent and learning?"
"this……"
Liu Ji didn't know how to answer, and then his eyes fell on Wang Hao.
The general meaning is that if the emperor asks you about the Jieyuan you have chosen, you will answer it yourself.
Wang Hao could only report his thoughts truthfully: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, Zhang Bingkuan's annotations of the scriptures may still have shortcomings, but his articles have the world in mind, and reading his articles you can appreciate his concern for the country and the people. Heart, this is the reason why I chose him as Jieyuan."
Originally, Wang Hao wanted to defend himself.
He was very afraid that his reasons would be rejected by the emperor. After all, Li Gong's talents were so good. Everyone knew that Emperor Hongzhi was very discerning and could not be fooled. But when he was stating his reasons, Chen Kuan on the side actually took out a book that looked like a book. The things were placed in front of Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang only glanced at it roughly, as if he had seen this thing a long time ago.
"exactly!"
Zhu Youtang seemed to agree very much with Wang Hao's words. He pointed to the book in front of him and said, "I have also read Zhang Bingkuan's articles. I feel that this man has the style of serving the world and being a benevolent minister. I have read a lot in the past few years. Articles, but I have never been so impressed by someone with such talent, even if he wins the top prize, it is not an exaggeration. By the way, have you two met him? What is he like in real life? "
Liu Ji and Wang Hao couldn't help but look at each other after hearing this.
Does this still resonate with the emperor?
Could it be that what the emperor was looking at was the article written in Zhang Bingkuan's rural examination paper? Even if you have doubts about Zhang Zhou's talent and learning, you can just ask a few Hanlin officials to screen him. Does the emperor need to see it in person?
Wang Hao said with a slight regret: "During the deer-crowing banquet, I didn't see him."
Zhu Youtang asked Dai Yi on the side: "When is Zhang Bingkuan going to perform?"
Dai Yi said: "It seems to be the end of August."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "That's right. During the Luming Banquet, he was busy preparing medicines and presenting memorials, etc., so he must have been unable to get away. How could he have time to attend the Luming Banquet? He even became famous at the Luming Banquet. Regardless of all the opportunities, he devoted himself to the rise and fall of the royal family and the Ming Dynasty. Such a person really does what he says and his deeds are consistent. My dear friends, your trip to Jiangnan has been fruitful and has not failed me. I have my own rewards."
Now both Wang Hao and Liu Ji were confused.
do not understand at all.
Both of them were wondering, is this the same person His Majesty is talking about? Even if it's the same person, it doesn't seem to be the same thing, right?
Seeing the confused look of the two of them, Dai Yi couldn't help but laugh and said: "You two may not know that this Zhang Jieyuan, together with the second son of Duke Chengguo, gave medicine to the little princess, which caused her to suffer from acne. Later, the crisis turned into safety, and His Majesty was deeply impressed by his loyalty, so he invited you two to inquire."
Liu Ji looked shocked and said: "Your Majesty, I don't know about this."
He really didn't know anything. If he had known it, he wouldn't have worried about his mistake in choosing Zhang Zhou as Jieyuan on the way here.
Now not only have I failed, but I have also achieved merit. It is really the joys and sorrows of life, which are often so unexpected.
Zhu Youtang said: "I hope he can be ranked first in high school next year. After he arrives in the capital, I hope the two Qing family can give him more guidance."
"minister……"
Neither Liu Ji nor Wang Hao knew how to answer.
Can it still be like this?
The emperor actually asked them to train a candidate alone?
It seems that Zhang Zhou had a close relationship with the emperor. The emperor chose the two of them to be Zhang Zhou's tutors and provide some surprise training for Zhang Zhou to pass the imperial examination.
"Haha, do you think I have given you a difficult problem? I think that as long as you give a little guidance, with his talent and learning, he should have no problem becoming a Jinshi. I also hope that when he is preparing for the exam in the capital, he will not be disturbed by too many foreign affairs. It’s up to you to think about it.”
"I accept the order." This time Liu Ji took the initiative to take over the job.
Zhu Youtang finished talking about his business, but he still couldn't put it down with the article in front of him: "Great, the Ming Dynasty needed such talents, especially his sentence 'unity of knowledge and action', how well summarized is it? It's better to study one's studies than to govern one's heart, it's just right." It’s what I want.”
Wang Hao and Liu Ji also figured it out.
Because Zhang Zhou cured the little princess, in Zhu Youtang's eyes, everything about Zhang Zhou smelled delicious. Not to mention that Zhang Zhou's articles were originally good. Even if Zhang Zhou's articles really couldn't be published, I guess the emperor could. Find the bright spots and brag about it in front of them.
…
…
After Liu Ji and Wang Hao met the Holy Spirit, they came out of the Qianqing Palace, and their minds seemed to have not turned around yet.
Dai Yi followed him out and said with a smile: "Congratulations to both of you. His Majesty just ordered that the reward given to you will be sent to your house. Thank you for your hard work, I will send someone to escort you out of the palace. Take your leave."
Dai Yi saluted politely, and the two of them returned the salute.
After saying goodbye to Dai Yi and the two of them were almost at Donghua Gate, Liu Ji asked: "Jizhi, what do you think of this matter?"
Wang Hao shook his head.
He had mixed feelings.
Liu Ji said: "That's right. I have never met Zhang Bingkuan, but now I want to see him. What kind of person is he? He has just passed the Jie Yuan exam and he offers medicine? Things that have nothing to do with each other, but appear in one person. The body is puzzling."
Wang Haoze said: "If even His Majesty knows about him and still has expectations for him in Chunwei High School, it will be difficult for him to not be disturbed by worldly affairs. This will not be conducive to his imperial examination and official career."
Liu Ji smiled and said: "That's why Your Majesty asked us to teach him well, isn't it? Since he can speak the words of combining knowledge and action, he can calm down and prepare for the exam with peace of mind?"
"well!"
Wang Hao sighed, not knowing what to say.
…
…
In the imperial palace, in Qin'an Hall, Li Guang was listening to the report from eunuch Chen Xi.
"...It is said that His Majesty has sent someone to notify the Jinshi named Zhang Zhou to come to the capital as soon as possible to prepare for the next year's examination. If he comes to the capital and recommends a false and unreliable alchemist to Your Majesty, it will be detrimental to you, Heavenly Master!"
In recent years, Li Guang has won the trust of Zhu Youtang, and his power has begun to develop beyond the palace and has great influence in the court.
Of course, all this is based on the emperor's admiration for his ability to make alchemy and control Xuan Kong.
Li Guang cannot tolerate the existence of a second person with similar abilities to him, especially since he knows that his abilities are just words, and the less powerful a person is, the less confident he is.
When Li Guang heard Chen Xi's words, his face was red with anger and his breath was thick.
It looks like he is angry, but also nervous and afraid of falling out of favor.
Chen Xidao: "Master Tian, do you want to... send someone to stop Zhang Zhou on the road so that he cannot come to the capital at all?"
Li Guang said coldly: "He is a candidate for promotion and is appreciated by His Majesty. Do you think he can do this so easily?"
"But if he enters the capital and has another chance to meet the Holy Spirit..."
Chen Xi is also full of worries.
Nowadays, many people in the palace have followed Li Guangfei and Huang Tengda. If Li Guang falls and the trees fall and the hozens scatter, it will be difficult for these people who follow Li Guang to find a place to stay when the basic base of eunuchs in power in each family is fixed. Basically eliminated.
Li Guangdao: "In the final analysis, he is just a civil servant at best. After he arrives in the capital, if we use coercion and inducement, will he still be able to go against the Celestial Master?"
"Having said that..."
"You can also promise him some benefits. Since he is the only one who knows who the alchemist is, I will find a familiar fellow disciple and ask him to identify him, and then ask him to recommend him to His Majesty."
Li Guang's words surprised Chen Xi.
Chen Xi said with a face full of compliments: "The Heavenly Master is brilliant! By recruiting him under your command, the Heavenly Master will be even more mysterious and unfathomable in His Majesty's eyes! Your Majesty will also trust you more." When the time comes, the Celestial Master will still have his disciples to help you, who will be even more powerful, and the people in the court will no longer be able to make irresponsible remarks to you."
