Why did last year's imperial examination fraud come out at this time? The reason is really coincidental. Last year, a second-class Jinshi in the same department was drinking with his colleagues. Maybe he was in too high a mood, or maybe he was telling the truth after drinking. This Jinshi, who was so proud of himself and had an unlimited future, but had mediocre academic skills, could not Carefully revealed the inside story of how much money was spent on the question.
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was intentional. The colleague immediately reported it to his clan uncle Chen Yuan.
Oh haha! That's not bad.
After Chen Yuan's covert investigation, the real culprit behind the scenes was finally found out. It was Zhang Wencheng. Zhang Wencheng was not a member of the previous imperial examination, but as a cabinet minister, he directly participated in the formulation of the scientific examination questions and wanted to make some contributions from it. What can be said is very easy.
Chen Yuan was very careful in his work. He conducted overt and covert investigations all the way, collected evidence and drama, and was very careful. When the evidence was conclusive, he took it out in the court, which was equivalent to giving Zhang Wencheng a stick and completely confusing him.
The court was silent for a while, and even the first assistant Liu Ce was stunned for a while.
At this time, everyone woke up and expressed their opinions one after another. Some supported Zhang Wencheng, and some supported Chen Yuan. There were more people who protected themselves wisely. Anyone who can stand in the court is a human spirit.
Although Zhang Wencheng shouted that this was a frame-up, all his defenses seemed feeble in the face of conclusive evidence, so the case was transferred to the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Zhang Wencheng was suspended for investigation.
The imperial examination has always been a top priority for the imperial court in selecting talents, and no one dared to operate in secret on this matter. When Emperor Shengzu was in power, there was a precedent of having his house confiscated and exiled.
Therefore, the consequences of this matter are serious.
When the news reached the Xiao family, Xiao Han was still struggling in his backyard, looking like a miner coming out of a deep underground well in Shanxi Province. He only had time to roll his eyes and continue digging in the tunnel.
Xiao Ming just laughed it off and said, who is the best cheater? Zhang Sanlang in the capital.
After getting off the yamen, Liu Ce said goodbye to his colleagues and did not go back to the mansion directly. Instead, he ordered the coachman to circle the inner city twice. He waited until it was time to turn on the lights before letting the carriage go back. The carriage also entered the mansion directly, at the second entrance corner door. Stop everywhere.
Liu Fu, who had been waiting for a long time, saw the carriage coming, so he quickly stepped forward, took the pedals and put them on himself, helped Liu Ce out of the carriage, and said softly: "Master Zhang came here three times today, and he came back without waiting for you. ”
Liu Fu said, not forgetting to look at the sky. It was already like night. Master Zhang, who looked panicked, might come over again, but he would not be able to see the master at this time.
Before today, if Mr. Zhang came to the mansion, he would entertain him with good wine and tea, but today he was not allowed to take a step forward.
In his opinion, this is not just a matter of taking advantage of the situation, let alone adding insult to injury.
It’s entirely Mr. Zhang’s fault! If Zhang Gui hadn't secretly plotted against Young Master Le, and actually borrowed Liu's guards to boldly kidnap Princess Jinghe, he would still want to blame Young Master after the incident was revealed. I really don't understand.
If it weren't for Zhang Gui's incident, why would the master be so angry? Logically speaking, if such a big thing happened to Mr. Zhang, the master would help, but now! Mr. Zhang is afraid that his son will suffer misfortune.
How could royal majesty be so desecrated! Naturally, the royal family would not do anything to Zhang Gui in order to protect the reputation of Princess Jinghe, but when Mr. Zhang was in the court, there were many mistakes that could be made.
The official hat is crooked, the official crown is dirty, the words are rude... these are all major or minor sins.
Liu Ce did not mention Zhang Wencheng, but instead asked about the injured Zhang Gui: "I heard that the person was sent back. Where is he now?"
"It will take at least two or three months to go to Hu Province. They will take the waterway and will board their carriages and horses ashore in Linzhou. They are still on the boat at the moment." Liu Ce replied respectfully and followed Liu Ce. Walking slowly.
"Children must be raised well and educated to become talents. Otherwise, it will be the fault of the parents."
"Yes, the master is right, Zhang Gui is really useless." Liu Fu also sighed.
At this time, Liu Ce's face was calm and he did not mention Zhang Wencheng's arrival at all. The topic changed and he asked about the war in the northwest: "Is there any news from the northwest? How is Liu Gan?"
As a loyal servant, Liu Fu has long been accustomed to changing topics, but when he mentioned his eldest son, he also had a smile on his face: "Liu Qian sent a message back yesterday, and the letter said everything was normal." As he said, He didn't forget to take out the letter he kept with him and show it to his master.
"Liu Qian lost contact due to the snowstorm years ago, but now the communication has returned to normal, and he can deliver messages on time every time." Liu Fu said with a little joy in his heart. The second son has become a useless person, and for the eldest son, he Still satisfied, at least it works well.
He happened to be walking under the light, and Liu Ce actually read it. The content of the letter was not much, but Liu Ce fell silent for a long time after reading it. Liu Fu felt nervous and did not dare to speak loudly.
"Which letter is this?" Liu Ce suddenly asked.
"One letter every half month, this is already the fourteenth time."
"Do you see any difference?" Liu Ce asked again.
Liu Fu was startled. Facing his master Gu Jing Wubo's face, he suddenly didn't know how to reply. He had to bite the bullet and reply: "I am stupid, I only know that this is the same as the news from the past night."
Aren’t the letters Liu Gan brought back the same content as the military reports sent back?
The foreign tribes in the northwest were ambitious and kept wandering around to cause trouble and disturb the people's hearts. The northwest army had to travel around for reinforcements, and the war continued.
The general content of what Liu Gan sent back was also the same, but more detailed, such as where Ashena hit today, how many people he killed, how much food he stole, where Shi Tingyu went to reinforce today, how many foreigners he killed...
They are all the same news, the only difference is the time, location, and number of people...
"No, there is a big difference. The Ministry of Revenue only transported 30,000 stones of grain and grass last month. Shi Tingyu cannot insist on fighting a protracted war. This war should end before the autumn harvest."
What is the most consuming thing about war?
It’s supplies!
This war lasted for four years, and the imperial treasury was already empty.
From last year to this year, the Ministry of Household Affairs has been gradually distributing grain and grass, but the Ministry of War's weapons and armor have been cut off since last year.
"The Northwest Army is opening up wasteland to grow food in Xiaohan Mountain..." Liu Fu retorted weakly, but was met with a look like an idiot from his master.
The grain was planted in the beginning of spring, and it was not yet time to harvest. How much grain did the 100,000-strong northwest army have to eat in a day? There are also damaged weapons and armors. Where can I replace them?
What a weird thing! He should have thought of it earlier.
Liu Ce's head hurt, and there was a danger that everything was out of control.
Chen Yuan kept tripping him up in the court, and Xiao Ming kept making little moves, which made him so anxious that he neglected the situation of the war in the northwest. With his keenness, he should have been alert.
