The spring of the eleventh year of Kaibao was an extremely unusual time in all previous scientific examinations of the Han Dynasty. The collision with Feng Chan was the most important one. Even though Emperor Liu specially left Li Fang to preside over it, the overall impression and importance given to it were Not high.
However, it was such an extremely ordinary imperial examination that once again caused a turmoil within the imperial court in a way that caught everyone off guard.
If there are no accidents, the next development of things should be that Emperor Liu holds a palace examination in Chongyuan Hall as usual, and chooses the number one scholar or the top three among the thirty new Jinshi, and then restarts the Qionglin Banquet.
However, this process was completely delayed due to Xu Shilian's bold appeal, which was even suspected of triggering the "first malpractice case in the imperial examination" since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
In the evening, a family banquet was going on in the East Palace. Prince Liu Yang was at the main seat, and Concubine Murong and Concubine Zhao were accompanying them, and they were all enjoying themselves.
Of course, the so-called happy relationship only refers to the interaction between Liu Yang and his son. The Crown Princess sat aside, with a calm face, looking like a dignified lady, while Concubine Zhao had a peach blossom face and eyes, looking at Liu Yang and his son with a smile.
The baby, less than one year old, was so immature that he couldn't bear to touch it even slightly. Liu Yang really loved his only child. Even the vague babbling made him laugh. That pure smile almost made him laugh. Liu Yang became excited.
Watching the interaction between Liu Yang and his son, and noticing the proud tenderness of Concubine Zhao on the side, Concubine Murong couldn't help but reveal a little sadness and grievance in her lowered eyes, even though she tried her best to restrain herself.
There is no other way, who can tell me that my stomach is not up to expectations?
Although she accepted Concubine Zhao and gave birth to a grandson, Liu Yang never neglected Concubine Murong. However, the melancholy in her heart was increasing day by day. She intuitively felt that the prince was getting farther and farther away from her and was getting closer. Zhao mother and son.
A huge sense of crisis has long enveloped the heart of Murong, who also came from a famous family, and even the position of the Crown Princess felt shaky.
Li Fang, the cabinet scholar, comes to visit! The servant's knowledge interrupted the Crown Princess's self-pity and sorrow, and also allowed Liu Yang to recover from the joy of father and son.
"Our family can't eat this meal, so please step aside first!" Liu Yang's eyes suddenly flashed with contemplation, and he handed Liu Wenhuan in his arms to Concubine Zhao, and said, "Please step aside first and let the food go." Please prepare a new copy for the room!”
"Yes!" As soon as the prince spoke, the two concubines knew that he had something serious to discuss, so naturally they did not dare to pester him, so they stood up and bowed respectfully to leave.
"Go and invite Master Li into the hall!" Liu Yangze pondered for a while, pointed to a meal that had not yet been started, and ordered: "Put away the dishes and chopsticks again, and replace them with a new set of tableware!"
Not long after, Li Fang appeared in front of the hall, his steps were heavy, and his face had a dignified look that was difficult to remove. Liu Yang went up to him personally and said, "Master Li!"
"Your Highness!" Seeing that the prince was still addressing him so kindly, and the smile on his lips was very contagious, Li Fang felt flattered and hurriedly saluted: "I have no choice but to bother you, and I hope you can forgive me!"
For Li Fang at this time, the prince's respect could penetrate his chest and point directly to his heart. Feeling Li Fang's uneasiness, Liu Yang personally took his hand and led him to sit down: "Master Li, what are you talking about? Come to the table first and eat with me!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
However, at this time, Li Fang had no intention of eating. After sitting down, he lost his usual nourishing demeanor and said eagerly: "Your Highness!"
"Master Li, don't worry, let's eat something first!" Liu Yang stopped him.
Looking at Liu Yang's calm face and calm eyes, Li Fang couldn't help but feel a little calmer. At the same time, he also felt a little more emotional. When Liu Yang was young, as the crown prince and tutor, he taught him all the time and formed a deep friendship. Now more than ten years have passed, and when trouble comes, it is his former students who educate him.
The teacher and the student, Jun, Chen, drank some tea and ate a few bites of vegetables. Li Fang was almost calm, and then he held his hands and said, "Your Highness, you know what happened today, right?"
"How could I not know!" Liu Yang's expression became more solemn and he said, "The sound of the drum will shake half of Kaifeng City. The scholars' request for orders in the afternoon will shake the entire court!"
When a disgraced scholar heard the news and complained to the emperor, he pointed out that the selection of candidates for the cabinet bachelor's degree examination was unfair. For the imperial court, it was nothing more than a thunderbolt. However, after the news of this incident spread, the situation became more and more serious. More than 20 other scholars who had also failed in the imperial examination made a lot of noise and gathered in front of the palace gate, demanding justice for them. They still pointed to the Jinke court to recruit scholars.
There is no doubt that this has formed a powerful whirlpool. Li Fang, who is in the center of the whirlpool, is under tremendous pressure.
Liu Yang could somewhat understand Li Fang's uneasiness and asked, "Has Master Li ever entered the palace to meet a saint?"
In response, Li Fang's old face showed obvious worry and said: "Your Highness, I asked for an audience, but Your Majesty refused to see me. He only asked someone to send a message and asked me to go back to the house and wait!"
Although Liu Yang did not directly intervene in this matter, he has been secretly paying attention to it since it happened. As a prince, he cannot completely stay out of this turmoil that affects the hearts of the ruling and opposition parties.
"I heard that in the afternoon, His Majesty personally summoned Na Wu Jichuan to take the school policy question together with Xu Shilian who had appealed. As a result, Wu Jichuan was at a loss and unclear in his response. On the contrary, Xu Shilian answered fluently and behaved calmly! Although there is no conclusion, but Wu Jichuan has been controlled together with Xu Shilian!" Liu Yang revealed another piece of news that was even more unfavorable to Li Fang.
"This!" Li Fang's expression deepened, and his anxiety was palpable.
After pondering for a while, Liu Yang raised his head, looked at Li Fang solemnly, considered his words, and said seriously: "Ordinarily, with Master Li's character and ethics, I shouldn't ask this question. However, I still want to ask a question. , is there no connection between Master Li and Wu Jichuan?"
Hearing Liu Yang's question, Li Fang was stunned for a moment, but seeing the prince's calm eyes, he immediately stood up and bowed: "Your Highness, there has never been any contact between me and Wu Jichuan, even until the decision was made. Only after the selection was made did we know this person!”
Li Fang's tone was firm. Liu Yang looked at him for a while, his expression softened, and he motioned for him to sit down. After thinking about it, he said, "Could it be that the officials recruiting the scholars had secret motives and were recruiting for their own benefit?"
This issue is worthy of discussion, but it is still not so friendly to Li Fang. If so, then Li Fang, as the chief examiner, should also bear the responsibility. At least one of his supervisors was lax, which also means that there is a real problem in the imperial court's recruitment of scholars, otherwise there would be no result of this secret operation.
Li Fang hesitated for a moment and said solemnly: "Your Highness, I can guarantee that all examination procedures are carried out in accordance with the imperial system. There is no possibility that the subordinates below, whether the invigilator or the marking officer, will give or take for personal gain!"
Seeing that Li Fang was sure, Liu Yang finally frowned and said softly: "Then what's the problem?"
"Has Master Li carefully reviewed all the examination papers for Jinshi?" Liu Yang said.
"I have all confirmed them one by one! Wu Jichuan's answer is outstanding in literary talent, organized and to the point. From what I can see, it is enough to be a Jinshi!" Li Fang showed distress on his face: "I just didn't expect that, just because I talked to you My fellow countrymen have been criticized like this!"
"I believe Master Li!" Liu Yang said this after thinking for a while.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Hearing these words, Li Fang almost burst into tears. He stood up and said with tears of gratitude.
"It's just!" Liu Yang's words also contained a twist, saying: "The matter has already reached the imperial court, and the situation has become more and more serious, causing a stir in the government and the public. However, we still have to wait for the results of the investigation to make a conclusion! What went wrong must also be investigated clearly !”
"Master Li will not be afraid of these rumors and criticisms if he upholds his integrity!" Liu Yang tried his best to comfort Li Fang.
Hearing this, Li Fang nodded, but still couldn't help but sigh: "At this point, I'm just worried about how it will end. The scholars are making noise and questioning the injustice of the court. I'm just afraid..."
Liu Yang raised his hand again, stopped Li Fang, looked at him, and said in a deep voice: "Master Li! The imperial court will not bother and accuse ministers on the spot because of a group of scholars, nor should it be like this! Public opinion is public opinion, if it is judged by public sentiment Come on, in order to give an explanation to the scholars and appease the public, you ignore the facts. How can the court’s justice in selecting scholars be tenable?"
"Your Highness is wise!" Li Fang became even more moved.
After listening to Liu Yang's words, Li Fang finally confirmed that the current Crown Prince is no longer the student he taught back then, and has grown into a towering tree that can protect his wings.
The public opinion is turbulent and the noise is turbulent, but it is difficult to move his heart. This kind of thinking and this kind of tolerance are exactly what the prince needs.
Of course, Liu Yang certainly believed in Li Fang's character and integrity. Behind this trust, in addition to the years of teacher-student friendship, there was also a prerequisite, that is, Li Fang did as he said and did not seek talents regardless of selfishness.
"Since your majesty has given instructions, Master Li will return to the government first. The matter will be investigated clearly, and there will be a fair judgment, and you will be innocent!" Liu Yang said to Li Fang again.
Seeing this, Li Fang finally stood up, bowed and left. However, before leaving, he spoke sincerely: "Your Highness, I admit my innocence and have no fear of censure, or even death penalty! However, if everyone's bones are destroyed, if my reputation is ruined by this, I would rather die!"
"Master Li's words are serious!" After hearing what he said, Liu Yang stood up and comforted him: "Don't worry, it won't be like this!"
