When Deng heard the sound of the drum, Emperor Liu had just woken up and was washing up under the waiters of the palace. It had only been two days since he returned from Mount Tai. It was probably because he was too tired from the trip to Fengchan and was physically and mentally exhausted. Emperor Liu had been particularly lethargic recently, and he didn't know how to open his eyes until the sun was up.
The original plan was to return directly to Luoyang, but when Luan Jia arrived in Kaifeng, Emperor Liu stopped leaving, as if he couldn't walk and didn't want to leave, so he let nature take its course and Zhao Pu and other ministers proposed to temporarily stay in Tokyo. Recuperate and return to Xijing someday.
Then, Emperor Liu continued to live in Chongzheng Hall in peace and contentment, as did his accompanying concubines and palace officials. As for the nobles, ministers, civil and military officials, they also returned to their own homes. After all, most of them had mansions in the two capitals.
Under the leadership of Zhao Pu, all the ministries and offices of the imperial court were stationed in Tokyo. The places were all ready-made and only needed the personnel to be arranged before they could be put into operation. This also meant that the imperial center returned to Kaifeng from Luoyang again. I just don’t know how long I will stay this time, but it looks like it won’t be short.
Being disturbed by the sound of drums made him a little irritated, but it also aroused Emperor Liu's interest, with negative emotions. The general information was circulated by Su Wei, and it was already known that Xu Shilian's identity could easily lead to speculation, and Emperor Liu immediately thought of this year's Spring Festival.
When Emperor Liu was enthroning Taishan, the new generation of the Han Dynasty was also in order, and the undergraduate examiner was Li Fang, the cabinet scholar.
"Where is Li Fang? Go and call him here too!" Emperor Liu ordered in a stiff tone after changing into regular clothes.
However, Yan Tuofang turned around and was stopped. He saw Emperor Liu's eyes were filled with suspicion, but he was very calm and said, "That's all, don't worry for now, let's meet the noble scholar first!"
"yes!"
"Your Majesty, Lu Duoxun!" Lu Duoxun came very quickly and was summoned before Xu Shilian. However, when facing Emperor Liu, he lowered his head and lowered his eyebrows, showing no trace of the previous interest on his face.
"Lu Qing acted very quickly! He couldn't be instigating Deng Wen!" Emperor Liu looked at Lu Duoxun and said calmly.
Although he really meant this, Lu Duoxun did not dare to admit it, but said respectfully: "I came to the palace this time to report on the political situation and people's livelihood in Zhejiang and Zhejiang, and to listen to His Majesty's instructions."
Without commenting, Emperor Liu stretched out his hand and said word by word: "In that case, sit down first! It's just right, let's listen to the situation together!"
"Yes!" Emperor Liu was obviously in a bad mood, and Lu Duoxun couldn't help but be a little more careful.
Soon, under the supervision of guards, Xu Shilian, a scholar who boldly sought information, successfully set foot in Chongzheng Hall and saw the beauty of heaven. When I arrived, I had the mentality of risking everything, fearlessly, and giving it my all. However, when I arrived in front of the emperor, all the passionate worship and generosity were suppressed at the first opportunity.
Xu Shilian was not from a completely lower-class background. His family was also an official. His father had been the Shanyang Order. Before participating in the scientific examination, he had also served as a knife and pen official in Chuzhou, so he still had some experience.
But this so-called knowledge may only be described as superficial and crude when it comes to the palace hall and the Emperor of Han Dynasty. Emperor Liu's look made Xu Shilian feel like he had been seen through.
Trying his best to calm down the anxiety in his heart, Xu Shilian hurriedly prostrated himself, almost falling to the ground. He couldn't help but trembled: "Student Xu Shilian from Chuzhou, please see your majesty!"
"Get up and speak!" Emperor Liu couldn't show his authority in front of this little scholar, there was no need at all.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" However, Xu Shilian did not dare to move. Perhaps for him, it would be easier to speak while kneeling.
"Raise your head!" Emperor Liu frowned for a moment and said softly.
Xu Shilian slowly raised his head, but his eyes were regular and his eyelids drooped, staring only at the bridge of his nose. To avoid offending, he did not even dare to glance at Emperor Liu on the throne with his peripheral vision.
Emperor Liu observed this bold scholar, who was quite talented. Seeing his fear, he couldn't help teasing him lightly: "Half of the imperial city heard how you beat the drum. The guards said that you are generous and fearless. You want to express your grievances in front of me, but now that I am in front of you, why are you so cowed? Tell me, what kind of grievances are worthy of your speaking out like this!"
Emperor Liu's words seemed to have the effect of stabilizing people's hearts. After hearing this, Xu Shilian finally calmed down a little from his nervous mood. After all, he had already done enough psychological construction. He took a deep breath and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the student has a question. When the imperial court opens a subject to recruit scholars and promote talents for the country, should it be based on emotion or talent? Should it be based on talk or talk? Get practical results?"
"If you have something to say, tell me about your grievances!" Emperor Liu actually didn't like this style of asking questions, and preferred to be straightforward. Xu Shilian may just want to set a tone through such questions and attract Emperor Liu's attention. Unfortunately, he used the wrong target.
The hint of dissatisfaction in Emperor Liu's tone was enough to scare this young scholar. Xu Shilian's expression couldn't help but suffocate. He didn't dare to make any more excuses. He paused and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am informing you that Li Fang, who was promoted as a student, was chosen unfairly and based on personal interests!"
As soon as these words came out, Emperor Liu's expression did not change, while on the side, Lu Duoxun looked at Xu Shilian with curiosity in his eyes.
Emperor Liu raised his eyebrows slightly, and said calmly: "Xu Shilian! I have ordered people to investigate, and it is said that you are a failed scholar in this department. Since you failed, there is a reason for it. Maybe you can't learn, or you are not performing properly. Or it may not meet the requirements of the imperial court for recruiting scholars. If you feel dissatisfied because of this, express your anger at the examiner, and complain to the examiner, I will not listen to your resentful words and will punish the ministers of the imperial court!"
He never expected that Emperor Liu would have such an attitude. Xu Shilian felt as if he was hit hard, with so much anger accumulating in his chest that he could almost hold back his internal injuries.
"If Your Majesty wants to protect his close ministers and treat students badly, then the students have nothing to say and are willing to go to jail!" Xu Shilian said with a sad face.
"Insolent! Are you complaining about His Majesty's injustice and showing favoritism?" After hearing what he said, Lu Duoxun scolded him sternly. After carefully observing Emperor Liu's face, Lu Duoxun said meaningfully to Xu Shilian. road:
"Xu Shilian, your Majesty has always been selfless and upholds the principles of heaven. But if you blame the court ministers and dignified cabinet scholars based on your words alone, then where is the legal system of the court?
You said that Scholar Li was seeking favoritism for his own interests. What evidence is there? "
Lu Duoxun's words seemed to wake up Xu Shilian. Xu Shilian came back to his senses and hurriedly said: "Jinshi Wu Jichuan is from Li Da Shixiang!"
"Ha!" After hearing this, Emperor Liu laughed immediately, his interest suddenly dropped, and his tone became sharp: "This is not evidence! The imperial court does not avoid relatives when promoting virtuous people, let alone people from the same hometown, even if they are his heirs , as long as you have talent, you should be admitted? As you said, every time the imperial court opens a subject to obtain scholars, can't it admit the people from the same country who are taking the examination?"
"Your Majesty, the students have no intention of doing this! However, the students also know Wu Jichuan. Although the bachelor is short-sighted, he thinks he is above it! Your Majesty only needs to read the examination papers or take the exam in class, and you will know!" Xu Shilian road.
Hearing what he said, Emperor Liu became more and more impatient and smiled faintly: "You are quite confident!"
Obviously, Xu Shilian's words were not convincing at all, and saying he was confident was not a compliment. In Emperor Liu's eyes, it might be arrogance and ignorance.
However, when someone accuses you, you must have an explanation. Seeing the seriousness on this young man's face, Emperor Liu still had some doubts in his heart.
While I was thinking about it, the general came to report that Prime Minister Zhao Pu came. Obviously, he came after hearing the news.
After being summoned, Zhao Pu entered the palace with only a brief glance. Just as he was about to greet him, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said, "Qing Zhao is here at the right time!"
Pointing at Xu Shilian, Emperor Liu ordered: "This scholar has complained to the public, saying that the examiner used sentiment and the court was unfair in selecting scholars. He has sued me, and we need an explanation to get to the bottom of him, so as to avoid the world's criticism. !”
"Deploy a group of people and work with Lu Duoxun to check all the examination papers and answers of the Jinshi admitted by Jinke, re-rank them, and see how different they are from those recorded by Li Fang!" Emperor Liu ordered.
"Yes!" Zhao Pu and Lu Duoxun said together.
"Also, pass on that Wu Jichuan!" Emperor Liu's eyes fell on Xu Shilian again, and he said softly: "Didn't you say that Wu Jichuan is not worthy? I will give you this opportunity to compete in front of you!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xu Shilian was overjoyed when he heard this and knocked hard, almost with tears in his eyes.
Seeing Xu Shilian's confident and excited look, even if Emperor Liu trusted Li Fang in his heart, he couldn't help but murmur that Li Fang would not let him down...
