On the afternoon of the eighth day of February.
In front of the three gates of Shuntian Prefecture Gongyuan, candidates are already preparing to enter.
Ming Dynasty's inspection of imperial examination candidates was very loose, and when entering, candidates were not required to "occupy a seat" in person. Candidates could enter by their own servants and place their own examination baskets in a certain position. Even if the seat is occupied.
If you are lucky, you will get a good ventilation position near the door, but if you are unlucky, you will probably have to go to the dung hole.
This time Zhang Zhou is going to take the entrance exam, and the person who will help him occupy his seat will be the grandson of the Hundreds of Jin Yiwei.
Sun Shangqi seemed to have never done such an errand, and he was still a little excited. He stood at the front, waiting for the gate of Gongyuan to open before rushing in. Others did not know his identity, but the soldiers guarding Gongyuan all knew him. He was a royal guard and had an official position. He had already blocked those who might compete with Sun Shangqi for his seat.
The starting line is further ahead than others.
Zhang Zhou estimated that he should be able to occupy a good position.
There are three exams in nine days, and you have to enter the palace three times. The first time is on the eighth day of the lunar month. The exam starts on the ninth day of the lunar month and the paper is handed in on the 11th.
The second session will take place in the afternoon of February 11th, and the exam will start on the 12th.
The third session will be entered in the afternoon on the 14th, the exam will start on the 15th, and the students will hand in their papers and leave on the 17th.
The grading of the general examination will be faster, and the results will usually be released before the end of the month. However, Zhang Zhou is familiar with history and knows that there is an exception for the scientific examination in the twelfth year of Hongzhi. If the problem still occurs, the court will re-check the examination papers and release the results. The time will be delayed until early March.
"Sir, Eunuch Xiao is here. He said he wanted to meet you before you enter the palace."
A Jin Yiwei came over and informed.
Zhang Zhou turned around and saw Xiao Jing's carriage parked there behind the huge crowd of candidates and test takers, greeting him from a distance.
"Excuse me!"
Zhang Zhou didn't have to occupy a seat by himself anyway, so he walked towards Xiao Jing under the guidance of the casual guards.
Along the way, I heard a group of scholars talking loudly.
In the Ming Dynasty, this group of scholars seemed to be the most well-informed and the most fond of discussing state affairs. The candidates came from all over the world, and some very talkative people were bragging about their knowledge. The one being talked about the most at the moment was naturally the Tatar Kou Bian.
…
…
Gongyuan is located on the corner of the street.
When Xiao Jing saw Zhang Zhou, he bowed respectfully, and the late Gongsheng students beside him all moved out of the way.
"Mr. Zhang, first of all, I wish you a gold medal." Xiao Jing said with a smile.
Zhang Zhougong raised his hand and thanked him.
Xiao Jing said: "Our family is here for Your Majesty, you should have already figured it out, right?"
"Eunuch Xiao, don't get me wrong. I won't do random calculations. I also said that the most difficult thing to measure in this world is the human heart. I don't know what your Majesty is thinking."
Zhang Zhou can't create an image for others. He likes to speculate on the holy will when he has nothing to do.
Xiao Jing said: "It's still about those two hexagrams."
"Is the earth moving?" Zhang Zhou smiled.
Xiao Jing was surprised. How could you still laugh at such a big earthquake?
Zhang Zhou said: "Eunuch Xiao, let me be clear, neither the earthquake in Shaanxi or Ningxia nor another one that is about to happen will be too serious, and there may not be any casualties, nor will it cause the earth to shake. It’s nothing more than a warning.”
"Oh, that's good, that's good."
Xiao Jing thought to himself, it's not serious, why didn't you tell me earlier? This has caused these people and His Majesty to worry about this.
"Mr. Zhang, one time was in Ningxia, Shaanxi Province. Where was the other time?"
Xiao Jing came here just to inquire about this.
This is also where Zhu Youtang struggles.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I told you it's not serious. Does it matter where you are?"
"This..." Xiao Jing almost wanted to hit someone. You made a prediction. Do you have to be so half-hearted to make people anxious?
Zhang Zhou said: "I think if the earthquake is a warning from God, in order to achieve the purpose of punishing evil and promoting good, it should be directional."
"What is directivity?"
"Eunuch Xiao, let me ask you, what do you think this punishment of evil and promotion of good is aimed at?"
Zhang Zhou’s question was very direct.
Xiao Jing smiled bitterly: "Sir, do you have to pretend to be confused? When your Majesty hears it, you will know that you are talking about Peng Quan, the commander of Jianchang Guard, who participated in the impeachment of Jianchang Bo and local bandits to rob the villagers."
Zhang Zhou nodded: "That's easy to guess. If it's Jianchang Bo, then the earthquake should happen in Jianchang Mansion, Jianchang County, Jianchangwei and other places... You said this is directional enough. Is it obvious?”
"..."
Xiao Jing wilted instantly.
How could it be so predictable?
He was secretly shocked, but after being silent, he couldn't wait to ask: "It can't be... such a coincidence, right?"
Zhang Zhou sighed: "Eunuch Xiao, I am not God. I just got some glimpses of God's meaning. God's omens are like this. Then I think it will be in these places. If it is not caused by Peng Quan, the commander of Jianchang Guard, , then I think it is most likely that God placed the earthquake in Jianchangwei. Eunuch Xiao, what's wrong with you?"
Zhang Zhou was talking here.
Xiao Jingren could no longer stand still, so he barely managed to hold on to the shaft of the carriage before he could stand.
Dongchang Fanzi, who followed Xiao Jing, also quickly reached out to help him.
"Mr. Zhang, please don't scare our family. Our family...can't stand being scared. If there really is an earthquake in Jianchangwei, you should know...this...sigh!"
Xiao Jing was almost speechless.
When earthquakes occur in other places, it can be said that they are forced to contact Zhang Yanling. However, when they occur in Jianchangwei, even he, a rational person who has never believed in this, feels that it must be caused by God. warning.
Otherwise, would things have been such a coincidence?
Zhang Zhou wanted to say that it was such a coincidence.
"Records of Xiaozong" clearly records what happened in February of the twelfth year of Hongzhi: "... Guimao, there was an earthquake in Ningxia, Shaanxi... Renzi, there was an earthquake in Jianchangwei, Sichuan."
These two earthquakes obviously didn't cause any major incidents, and they probably didn't cause any casualties.
If the ground just shakes a few times, there is no need for Zhang Zhou to mention it. Even mentioning it or not has nothing to do with warning the Ming Dynasty. Just like the earthquake in Ningxia, Shaanxi, he just made it clear and let the emperor know about it.
But this earthquake in Jianchangwei is very special... It happened that Peng Quan, the commander of Jianchangwei, reported Jianchang Bo, and it happened that an earthquake was about to happen.
It can only be said that you, Zhang Yanling, are having a bad time in your life. Your teeth are clogged even when you drink cold water. Is God deliberately trying to punish you?
It's true.
Are you angry?
"Eunuch Xiao, I am about to enter the imperial palace. Do you have anything else to ask?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.
Xiao Jing was already shocked by the news, but he couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure?"
"This situation will occur on the day of Renzi, which is the sixteenth day. Wait, let me do the math. The earthquake in Ningxia, Shaanxi, should be Guimao. It happened yesterday... You see, I am not very accurate. It is estimated that news of the earthquake will come in the next two days... Eunuch Xiao, shall we say goodbye?"
Of course Xiao Jing didn't want to just let Zhang Zhou go.
It was not easy to catch someone, but if he didn't ask for details, the person who was questioned by the emperor after he returned home and was worried was Xiao.
"Mr. Zhang..."
"The door is open! Come in, come in!"
A bunch of people were shouting from behind.
Zhang Zhou also looked very anxious and said: "We are about to go to the Tribute Courtyard, Eunuch Xiao, we have something to say after we leave the Tribute Courtyard. Anyway, we will still have a chance to meet in the future."
"Don't……"
Xiao Jing was about to persuade him to stay, but he found that Zhang Zhou ran towards the camp gate without stopping.
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
After Xiao Jing came back, he carefully informed Zhu Youtang of Zhang Zhou's speculation.
After Xiao Jing finished speaking, the scene was completely silent. The Chief of Ceremonies and several others looked at Zhu Youtang, not knowing what to say.
"Shall I convict Yanling and let Peng Quan go, so that God will not have this problem?" After a long while, Zhu Youtang finally asked this question.
Xiao Jingxin said, "Damn it."
Why didn't I ask about this before leaving? I was still thinking that I should ask all the questions, but it turned out that I was hasty.
At that time, Zhang Zhou should have been detained and let him finish all he could say. There was no rush to enter anyway, so why did he let him go? Now I have no chance to find him and ask him.
Dai Yi tentatively said: "Your Majesty, it should be... maybe."
Zhu Youtang did not comment.
Chen Kuan on the side interjected: "This kind of thing is not that mysterious, right?"
If you say there's an earthquake, then it's going to happen? It happens wherever it happens? Do you really think you are a god?
Several eunuchs looked at Chen Kuan again.
His eyes seemed to say, Chen Kuan, you really dare to say anything. If it really happens, are you going to make a bet?
Zhu Youtang said coldly: "If I don't take any measures against Yanling and another earthquake occurs in Jianchang Weizhen, then I... will be ashamed in front of my ministers!"
Dai Yi and others thought about it for a while.
The emperor was not confident and was afraid that not dealing with Zhang Yanling would anger God.
If an earthquake occurs, you can say it is a coincidence, but the problem is... neither the ministers nor the people believe it, and they will use it as an excuse.
"Then your Majesty, how about...a small punishment but a big warning?" Dai Yi suggested.
It can be seen that the emperor does not want to punish Zhang Yanling, but also wants to punish Peng Quan regardless of right and wrong, so let's propose that Peng Quan be released, and then punish Zhang Yanling with three drinks. Maybe God will exempt him from punishment?
Just as he was talking, a eunuch came to the door and said: "Your Majesty, the Queen, please come over."
"Again!"
Zhu Youtang was also annoyed after hearing this. He greeted Xiao Jing, "Follow me and explain clearly to the queen what Bingkuan said."
"yes!"
Xiao Jing didn't even dare to raise his head.
…
…
Inside Kunning Palace.
Zhu Youtang sat aside and listened to his wife's complaints. What she said was that someone was making things difficult for the Zhang family.
"Queen, I understand your feelings, but have you ever thought about whether God will punish you if you let me protect Yan Ling again and again? At that time, I will not be helping Yan Ling, but harming him and the Ming Dynasty. Guo Zuo She Ji..."
Zhu Youtang suddenly felt confident now.
When quarreling with his wife before, he always felt that he was the passive one, but with Zhang Zhou's so-called warning from heaven as a backing, he could stand up and argue with his wife.
Queen Zhang said: "Your Majesty, can those nonsense be believed?"
"It's not all nonsense." Zhu Youtang looked at Xiao Jing standing aside, "If you have anything, tell me."
Xiao Jing considered the words for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, the Queen, I have been outside the palace and met... Mr. Zhang. He said that there may be warnings from heaven recently to remind the court to punish evil and promote good. , if it goes against God’s will, a warning will be issued, or an earthquake may occur!”
Empress Zhang sneered: "Are the words of an alchemist so trustworthy?"
Xiao Jing said: "Empress, the earthquake in Xinye, Henan Province was predicted by Mr. Zhang. He also said that yesterday... In fact, earthquakes have already occurred in Shaanxi and Ningxia. Because they are farther away, it is estimated that there will be two or three more earthquakes. We won’t know the news until tomorrow.”
Empress Zhang was originally full of resentment and a bit distrustful of evil.
But thinking about Zhang Zhou's previous predictions and many things happened... even she couldn't help but shudder.
Thinking about it, those are too accurate.
What if this time...
"Your Majesty, now the alchemist is trying to stir up trouble in your Majesty's family affairs, are you going to ignore it?" Empress Zhang probably also felt that Zhang Zhou's prediction might come true, so she changed her strategy and put pressure on her husband, "Besides, even if there is an earthquake, , what does that have to do with my concubine’s brother?”
"Uh-huh."
Zhu Youtang cleared his throat, suddenly feeling that he had regained his dignity as a man, and gave Xiao Jing a look that meant you should continue talking.
Xiao Jing said: "Queen, Mr. Zhang said that this earthquake may occur in Jianchangwei, Jianchang Mansion or Jianchang County."
Empress Zhang became anxious when she heard this: "This is nonsense! How could it happen in these places by such a chance? He must be trying to use this to make a statement to His Majesty. He regarded himself as a remonstrator and asked Your Majesty to punish Yanling. When it didn't happen, he said it was His Majesty's fault for making up for it in time. In fact, there was no such thing."
When it came to the emotional part, Queen Zhang was so anxious that she almost cried.
"Queen, what's wrong with you?"
As expected, Zhu Youtang still couldn't resist his wife's crying move.
Previously he was still standing tall and pretending to be a real man, but now his true nature was exposed and he hurried to comfort his wife.
Empress Zhang shed tears and said: "I didn't expect that someone would bully the Zhang family. Even if my brother is at fault, a group of people in Jianchang Wei who used his name to do evil can still blame him." On your body?"
Ouch.
When Zhu Youtang heard this, even though Empress Zhang was still arguing, her tone... changed.
He no longer said that his brother was not at fault at all, but said that the fault lies with those thieves who falsely claimed Changbo's reputation.
Zhu Youtang said: "The Queen is right, I will immediately issue an order to take away the Xiaoxiao around Jianchangwei! We can't let this kind of dirty water be poured on Trillium again."
"Your Majesty, where is Zhang Bingkuan?"
Queen Zhang's pear blossoms bring rain.
I mean, how about your Majesty convict Zhang Zhou as well?
Zhu Youtang said with a serious face: "Queen, I never thought that Bingkuan would sow discord between me and the Queen's people out of thin air. He did not deliberately make things difficult for Yan Ling or ask me to punish anyone. I thought about it. However, I’m afraid that even if I do something to make amends, God may still give me a warning.”
Empress Zhang said: "That means whether your Majesty does something or not, there will be warnings and earthquakes will happen... Then why should you blame Yan Ling?"
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "If I do nothing and something happens, I will not be able to face my ministers. Otherwise, I will also take Yanling into prison. If the time limit is reached and nothing happens, I will Just let him out."
"What if that happens?"
Queen Zhang refused to give up.
"Then I might just..."
Zhu Youtang was embarrassed to speak too thoroughly.
After taking Zhang Yanling into custody, in the end there was a highly directional earthquake in Jianchangwei and other places, so I had no choice but to follow God's will and severely punish Zhang Yanling.
"Queen, I am not punishing for the sake of punishment, but actually to stop Youyou's mouth. I can only hope that by taking Yanling into custody, God will see my sincerity and stop punishing her."
(End of chapter)
