Tokyo, Gongyuan.
A month ago, this place was still a dazzling place where three thousand scholars took the imperial examination. A month later, it was too deserted. A new group of guards added a bit of chilling atmosphere to the imperial examination holy place.
Wu Jichuan and Xu Shilian were temporarily detained here. After several visits, this Gongyuan was relatively suitable.
In front of the signing room, the guards stood solemnly. In the room, Prince Liu Yang was sitting upright with a calm and indifferent expression, accompanied by Murong Defeng. Without waiting long, Wu Jichuan walked in under the control of two guards.
This person makes a very deep first impression on people. It's not that his temperament is outstanding, but his appearance and temperament are too crude. With a short stature, a short neck and a hunched back, and a wretched appearance, it is no wonder that he is despised by others.
Even though Liu Yang believed that he didn't judge people by their appearance, he couldn't help but pay more attention to Wu Jichuan's appearance. Of course, it was not surprising. After all, he had seen uglier ones, such as Pan You.
But it is also conceivable why some people are skeptical about Wu Jichuan's admission. Some prejudices are laughable, but they are rooted in people's hearts. Even those who are knowledgeable and educated are more likely to be disparaging. Liu Yang, on the other hand, was more inclined to believe Li Fang. It was completely unnecessary and too eye-catching.
Wu Jichuan looked like he had suffered a major setback. His clothes were relatively clean, but his temperament was extremely embarrassing. He looked frustrated and even a little distracted.
"Wu Jichuan, you are still not polite when you see His Highness the Crown Prince!" Murong Defeng shouted.
Probably because he was shocked out of his wits, he raised his eyes and boldly looked at the young but majestic prince. His confused eyes finally had some waves, his legs softened, and he bowed down: "Student, please bow to your highness!"
This stumbling and timid performance is obviously unsatisfactory and can easily arouse people's doubts. Liu Yang did not say anything, but asked Murong Defeng to ask: "Wu Jichuan, let me ask you, do you know why you are here?"
"I know, I know!" Wu Jichuan raised his eyes and quickly lowered them, already giving people a feeling of guilty conscience.
"You are from the same hometown as Li Fang, the magistrate of Gongju and the cabinet scholar. Have you ever been acquainted with each other?"
"We don't know each other!" Wu Jichuan shook his head repeatedly.
"This is surprising! Among the candidates for Jinshi in this subject, you are the only fellow student of Li University. How can we not know each other?" Murong Defeng asked forcefully.
"Students really don't know Mr. Li!" Wu Jichuan cried sadly.
"Bold Wu Jichuan, His Highness the Crown Prince, you still dare to lie and deceive?" Murong Defeng's tone suddenly turned serious.
"Students must not dare!" Wu Jichuan looked frightened and cried, kowtowing and crying: "Li Gong left home very early and has not returned for more than 20 years. Although students have heard of his name, they have never met him! I hope His Highness will learn from it!"
In his eagerness, Wu Jichuan finally said something useful. Murong Defeng asked further: "For all scholars, this friendship with fellow villagers is rare. Scholar Li is also the chief examiner. Before coming to Beijing for reference, he had never visited him? But someone is spreading that before the examination started , you have been to Li Mansion with gifts."
Wu Jichuan hesitated for a while, then lowered his voice and said: "A fellow student suggested this, and the student also had an idea. He bought some fruits at the market. But when he got outside the house, he felt that he was ugly and ugly, and he didn't dare to buckle. Door and return!"
"That's not right! Many people have testified, but you returned empty-handed!" Murong Defeng questioned.
Upon hearing this, Wu Jichuan's face turned red with embarrassment and he buried his head and said, "To avoid ridicule, the student ate the fruit before returning to his dormitory."
"So, it is true that you and Grand Scholar Li have never had any contact?" Murong Defeng said lightly.
Wu Jichuan was a little excited: "That's right! That's right! Let's hope that the students will definitely not dare to lie!"
During Murong Defeng's questioning, Liu Yang remained silent, only observing Wu Jichuan with calm eyes, taking in his every move and look.
Finally, Liu Yang spoke: "Remember the policy you made during the reference!"
"Remember!" Wu Jichuan nodded without thinking.
Liu Yang: "Recite a paragraph!"
"yes!"
When it came to his article, Wu Jichuan seemed to calm down. He didn't need to ponder or think about it. When he spoke, he stopped stumbling and read out his article very smoothly.
Not a paragraph, but a whole article, more than 800 words, eloquent and eloquent, without any hesitation or cadence, and there is also a sense of excitement between the eyebrows and eyes that is inconsistent with his temperament.
The topic of today's scientific policy theory is just one: the governance of Qianyou Kaibao. Wu Jichuan's article has gorgeous rhetoric, exquisite writing style, and most importantly, clear intention. The whole article is full of praise for Emperor Liu's achievements, with the word "lick" highlighted.
Judging from this article, it is understandable why he was admitted. Judging from the article alone, it is really in line with the taste of the examiners. As long as the other answers are not too bad, being ranked at the top is not something worth making a fuss about.
Nodding slightly and looking at the tearful Wu Jichuan, Liu Yang pondered for a while, waved his hand and ordered the guard: "Take him down! This is a scholar of the imperial court, not a prisoner. Take good care of him, don't be rude!"
When His Highness the Prince's gentle words came to his ears, they quickly turned into a warm current that surged into Wu Jichuan's heart. He was as excited as if he had seen hope. He opened his mouth and couldn't speak. He just kept kowtowing and then left with trembling steps.
This look really makes people feel pitiful.
However, Liu Yang looked unmoved. After thinking about it, he turned his head and asked Murong Defeng: "Rixin, what do you think?"
Murong Defeng was also thinking about it. After hearing the question, he considered it again and said, "It doesn't seem to be a lie. I know this person should have some talent for writing. It's just that he may be inferior because of the crude material and dare not look at it." Man. When a talented minister asks the right question, he is always in a hurry. How powerful is your majesty? How can he be free?
The details he talked about also stand up to scrutiny. Maybe it was that simple in the first place. However, in the eyes of interested people, it becomes evidence of Mr. Li's favoritism.
If there is a mistake, maybe it is because he is from the same hometown of Mr. Li, because he is ugly, or because he is vain. Bringing gifts to visit but not coming in, and finally eating the gifts yourself, this kind of practice will probably make people laugh if it spreads..."
Murong Defeng's analysis was more in line with Liu Yang's opinion. However, Liu Yang did not express his position and waved his hand: "Take Xu Shilian!"
Soon, Xu Shilian walked in. Compared with Wu Jichuan, it can only be described as "no comparison, no harm".
The emperor had already seen him, and he showed his behavior. When facing the prince again, Xu Shilian's behavior became more calm. Although he was respectful, he did not panic and saluted calmly.
Just because of the difference in demeanor and performance between the two, one would win the ranking and the other would fail. Anyone would be dissatisfied if it were the other two. It was Murong Defeng who asked: "Xu Shilian, why are you so sure that Li Dajun is a scholar who chooses scholars based on love and abolishes public affairs for private purposes?"
Xu Shilian didn't panic and directly talked about Wu Jichuan. After hearing this, Murong Defeng narrated Wu Jichuan's petition to see his reaction.
And Xu Shilian couldn't help but frown slightly and said: "This is just one side of his words. Now that the incident has happened, he just lied about his innocence in order to escape responsibility!"
"However, as far as I know, the hidden story you mentioned is also a personal speculation and there is no evidence. The court does not judge matters based on the opinions of one family. There must be conclusive evidence! Do you have it?" Murong Defeng asked lightly.
Xu Shilian was a little excited about this, and his voice was a little louder: "Scholars in the same discipline all know about the relationship between Wu Jichuan and Li Dajun, and everyone is envious of it. He has never denied it before, but used it as a basis. Now, they are denying it with excuses, who can believe it?”
"Besides those specious rumors, what evidence do you have?" Murong Defeng smiled faintly and continued to ask, his tone giving people a sense of oppression.
Xu Shilian was silent for a while, thinking for a moment, his eyes wandered from Murong Defeng to Liu Yang, and he bowed and said: "Your Highness, the student may have little knowledge, but he also has a rough understanding. Bachelor Li was once a tutor. If, because of the friendship between teachers and students, you ignore any personal gain and absolve yourself of responsibility for the teacher, then the students will have nothing to say. But the hearts of all the scholars in the world will be chilled!"
"Presumptuous!" After hearing his arrogance, Murong Defeng couldn't help but scolded: "Xu Shilian, is this where your arrogance makes a mistake? Can you represent the world's scholars? I think you represent those who cannot learn from others. Be a loser!"
I have to say that Xu Shilian is quite good at stirring up people's emotions. Seeing that Murong Defeng was provoked to become angry, Liu Yang stretched out his hand to stop him, looked at this bold and confident scholar, and sighed in his heart. Sure enough, from the moment he intervened in this matter, he was inevitably suspected of favoritism in the eyes of many people. , it’s not surprising that Xu Shilian has this idea.
Without any intention of getting angry or blaming, Liu Yang smiled softly and said in a gentle manner: "Can you tell me why you chose to break into the palace and file a complaint?"
Facing the gentle breeze and drizzle of the prince, Xu Shilian, who was already prepared to be criticized, couldn't help but be stunned. He was stunned and replied: "Your Majesty set up the Wengu, isn't it just to give those who have suffered injustice in the world a chance to go straight to heaven? The imperial court's recruitment of scholars was unfair, and it also involved the great scholars of the current dynasty. The students had nowhere to redress their grievances, and they were so angry that they took this approach. Why not?"
"The reason you are on the list is because the imperial court selects scholars unfairly!" Probably not seeing the arrogance and conceitedness of this man, Murong Defeng said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone: "The imperial court recruits scholars through open subjects, and accepts talented scholars from all over the world. Could it be that it is specially designed for you, Xu Shilian?"
Xu Shilian took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said: "Students are not talented, but they think they are two fights better than Wu Jichuan!"
"Not really!" Murong Defeng said: "In my opinion, Wu Jichuan is indeed not as good as you when it comes to cunning and eloquent speech. When it comes to writing and talent, I may not know that!"
After glancing at Murong Defeng, Lu Shilian replied that he had nothing to say, which almost made Murong Defeng lose his temper again.
"Who gave you the advice to file a complaint and criticize the examiner?" Liu Yang asked again abruptly, with a stern tone.
Xu Shilian's eyes flashed with suspicion, he frowned and said respectfully: "The student really doesn't know what His Highness means, and every move he makes is out of righteous indignation!"
"Stay back!" After observing this person for a while, Liu Yang waved his hand and gave the same instructions to the guards as Wu Jichuan.
