Chapter 415 Pen holder case (III)

Just after noon, hundreds of good news officials rushed out from the Zhuque Gate and ran towards the various yards. After a moment, the sound of firecrackers in the various yards in Chang'an began to rise and fall, gradually becoming a crowd of cheering people everywhere. Smiling scholars were helped to the horse, wearing red and green belts, heading towards the imperial city. Countless children ran with them, laughing, shouting, and pleasing money, all in one piece.

More than a hundred scholars were standing in front of Shunfeng Inn in Chongrenfang. They all stretched their necks and looked anxiously at the streets, like a group of geese crowded together. Bai Juyi was extremely nervous. Although he thought he was doing well in the exam, after all, more than 200,000 candidates, an average of 1,000 candidates could hire one person. The possibility was too small. Liu Zongyuan didn't care much. He was still young. If he failed the exam, he could take the exam again next spring. Guo Mu was also very calm. He knew that he had no hope. He was unable to finish writing the strategy theory in the end, which led to failure.

"Here you come!" Someone suddenly shouted, and there was a faint sound of drums and music from afar. The scholars began to be excited, and they were a little anxious and even rushed to greet them.

The drums and music were getting closer and closer. Dozens of officials and followers riding on horses beat drums and gongs and trumpets, appeared at the street intersection. The official in front held the good news in his hands and smiled. Several scholars ran under the horse and asked loudly, but the officials just smiled and did not answer.

There are several large inns next to Shunfeng Inn. At this time, nearly a thousand scholars rushed to the streets, surrounding the officials who reported the good news. The officials held the good news in their hands, which also means that someone here passed the exam. Everyone was tilting their necks and their eyes were full of excitement and expectation. Only a thousand people could pass the exam. Who would this be? Could it be yourself?

The official kept it a secret, and he lowered his head and shouted, "Do you know how many of you are?"

The scholars looked at each other and suddenly shouted, "Remember!"

The official laughed and started a good news: "The 120th scholar Zhang Yide of Yizhou."

Everyone was stunned and looked around. Where is this Zhang Fei?

‘Ahh!’ A thin scholar suddenly bit the bone of his hand and jumped three feet high. He turned his feet like crazy, and opened his mouth and laughed, “Hala! I passed, I passed the exam.”

He suddenly burst into tears again, "Dad, mom, the child passed the exam."

The official quickly pointed at him with a horse whip and ordered his followers, "Wake him up quickly, don't go crazy."

Several followers turned over and dismounted, ran to him with a big skin bag, pressed the skin bag, and a stream of water spurted out, which aroused the face of the scholar who was about to go crazy. His movements were extremely skillful, and Zhang Yide immediately woke up.

Several followers dragged him aside to change his clothes. The official of the announcement glanced at everyone again and continued to recite: "Ninth place, Chang'an scholar Liu Zongyuan."

Liu Zongyuan took two steps backwards. He couldn't believe his ears. He also passed the exam, and he was ranked ninth. With a look of congratulations and enviousness, his mind turned blank. He no longer knew where he was? Bai Juyi was also excited for him, holding his hand tightly, congratulating him, "That's great, Brother Zongyuan, you are ranked ninth, it's really not easy!"

At this time, most people knew that there was no hope. They reported from behind and had already reported to the ninth place. There would be no more inns in Chang'an, and there were more than 100 yards in Chang'an, and there were more than 200,000 scholars. It would be very good if they had two of these thousand men. How could they all gather here?

Many people wanted to part with each other, but were unwilling to give up. At this time, the official of the good news suddenly became excited and said loudly: "This year, the emperor's kindness is great, and the top scorer was specially set up in the discipline department, the second scorer and Tanhua, and one of you will have."

In an instant, everyone was stunned, silent, staring at the news agency, who shouted: "The first top scholar, Bai Juyi, a scholar from Zhengzhou, is he? Where is he?"

"Here!" The shopkeeper of Shunfeng Inn and several friends withdrew Bai Juyi. The shopkeeper was excited and shouted: "It's the scholar of our Shunfeng Inn. We will change our name to Zhuangyuan Inn tomorrow."

Suddenly, applause and cheers like storms sounded in the crowd. Dozens of people lifted Bai Juyi up and threw it high into the sky. Liu Zongyuan laughed loudly and cheered for the glory of his close friend. Guo Mu, who was standing at the end, also murmured: "I sincerely wish you Jinbang High School."

He suddenly sighed to the sky, "I, Guo Mu, have no worries, so why not go to Anxi to do a career?" Amidst the cheers, he turned around and left quietly.

The cheers became louder and louder, throwing the young Bai Juyi into the sky again and again. Bai Juyi looked at the blue sky and white clouds, and tears finally flowed quietly from the corners of his eyes.

In the Daming Palace, Zhang Huan sat alone in the imperial study room. He had been sitting for no reason. His son, who had just been born two months ago, finally died, which made him deeply in grief.

The pain of losing his beloved son was ruthlessly sucking his heart, and his beloved son didn't even have time to take a name, just then.

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Zhang Huan finally slowly closed his eyes, and the corners of his eyes became wet.

An Zhongshun, who was guarding the outside, had red eyes. His Majesty had few children, and finally got one, but he died. Alas! God has no eyes, but fortunately Concubine Shu was pregnant, I hope he would be a prince again!

An Zhongshun was sitting at the entrance of the study and was thinking randomly. At this time, an eunuch ran over to report, "Shangshu Han asked for His Majesty at the door. All the Jinshis who were listed on the list went to the Ministry of Personnel, and they were waiting for His Majesty."

"Damn it! Don't you have eyes? Can Your Majesty go now?"

"But..." The little eunuch was really hesitant and asked him to reply to Shangshu Han.

"There is nothing, but you go and tell Shangshu Han that His Majesty is in great pain now, and His Majesty cannot congratulate the Jinshi."

The little eunuch turned around and was about to leave when the emperor suddenly heard the hoarse voice from the room, "Please wait for a moment, and I will go immediately."

"Your Majesty!" An Zhongshun was stunned.

After a moment, Zhang Huan slowly walked out of the room, with no expression on his face. He handed a letter to An Zhongshun and said, "Send this letter to Mrs. Ping as soon as possible, and tell her that my concubine will ask her."

After saying that, he walked quickly outside the hall. An Zhongshun stared at him and walked away in a panic and ran back to the palace.

Under the steps of Zichen Hall, Han Huan was excitedly waiting for His Majesty's arrival. The two hundred Jinshi were all pillars of the Tang Dynasty. If he could choose materials like today every year, why worry that the Tang Dynasty would not become stronger as soon as possible?

"Shangshu Han, I have made you wait for a long time." Zhang Huan quickly walked down the steps and apologized to Han Huan and smiled.

Han Huan quickly saluted, "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, and I always disturb you, but I am sorry."

Not far from the Daming Palace to the Imperial City, Zhang Huan did not sit on a dragon chariot, but rode a horse and rushed to the Imperial City with Han Huan.

"Shu Lu said that the final review of the official examination may be completed in the afternoon. How is his progress?" Zhang Huan slowed down his horse and asked Han Huan.

"I heard that the draft has been finalized. This time, the official examination said that more than 900 people failed the qualifications, and the situation is worrying!"

Zhang Huan didn't say anything. He pondered for a moment: "Governing the country first requires governing officials. The original intention of this official examination was to cut off a group of officials, but I don't want to lose a truly talented official. Pei Xiangguo has always liked to be a good person, and Mr. Hu is a new official, so it is not suitable to take on this important task. So I have repeatedly considered that I will leave it to you for the layoffs of the Ministry of Personnel this time. The examination results are just an excuse. What really depends on the political achievements and virtues of the officials. Do you understand?"

Han Huan felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but he did not postpone it. He nodded solemnly and said, "I am willing to share your worries for Your Majesty!"

While they were talking, the two soon arrived at the Ministry of Personnel in the Shangshu Province and received the new Jinshi arranged in the lobby of the Ministry of Personnel. Two hundred new Jinshi were already in the hall. They were full of excitement and freshness. Some were knowing each other, and some were curiously looking at the most powerful yamen in the Tang Dynasty. There was a whisper in the entire lobby.

"His Majesty the Emperor is here!"

With a loud shout, the lobby suddenly became quiet. After a moment, nearly a hundred Yulin soldiers surrounded Zhang Huan and walked in from the side door. Hu Yong, the Minister of Personnel, hurried forward and reported: "Your Majesty, all 200 new Jinshis have arrived. Please give me a lecture."

Zhang Huan nodded, slowly walked to the two hundred new Jinshi with his hands behind his back, his eyes swept across the young and energetic sides, and finally fell on Bai Juyi's face and smiled slightly at him.

Bai Juyi's heart jumped up with a "bang!" It was indeed him. The person who appeared around him during the exam was indeed the legendary Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

"I welcome you to be the disciples of the Emperor. This is your luck, but it is also my glory. I have so many talented disciples..." Zhang Huan's voice was low and contagious. At this moment, he had temporarily forgotten the pain of losing his son. His whole body and mind were immersed in his ardent expectations for these young people.

"Studying and becoming an official is your always pursuit, but why you have entered the officialdom? Perhaps everyone has their own ideas. Some want to take power, but below one person, above ten thousand people, and some long for wealth, long for a beautiful wife and a beautiful house, and have thousands of hectares of fertile land. But I believe that most people have their own political ambitions and are eager to leave their own strong points in the great cause of the revival of the Tang Dynasty. This is also my expectation for you. I do not oppose your pursuit of power. A real man must not have power for a day. I am willing to give you generous salary so that you no longer have to bow for five dou of rice. But I only have one requirement for you, and this requirement is only four words: 'For the country and the people', you must remember it firmly today."

The grand ceremony of praising officials in the lottery began on Zhuque Street. The sound of gongs and drums and colorful flags were flying. There were almost 100 people in Chang'an. Every time the new Jinshi horse team went, it caused warm applause and cheers. This was the dream of scholars throughout their lives. In the countless admiring beautiful eyes, in countless praises and praises, they were surrounded by the gorgeous halo of glory.

The scholars walked all the way to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, where they left their name on bricks and stones, and then turned to Qujiang Pond, and would enjoy the grand state banquet specially prepared by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty for them. This day they would never forget.

Night gradually came, and the new Jinshi went to Qujiangchi before he returned to the rest of the city. The rest of the city had disappeared and the peace of the past was restored. Pingkangfang was particularly lively tonight, with all the restaurants full of guests, and the scholars were about to return home. After drinking the last glass of wine, they made an appointment to see each other again in spring.

Many officials were also depressed. Although the results of the formal examination and layoff plans had not been completed, various rumors had spread throughout the government and the country, and nearly a thousand people failed the official examinations. Almost all of these people were destined to be laid off. Many officials who knew that they did not have the ideal exam came to the restaurant to drink and get drunk, so as to forget their current worries.

Until the beginning of the moon, many drinks began to end. Drunk drinkers could be seen everywhere on the streets of Pingkangfang. Several men had finished drinking in front of a wine shop called Xiyuqing. Although they were wearing casual clothes, they could be seen from the demeanor of several people that they were all officials.

These people are all small officials from Guanglu Temple. After going to court, they made an appointment to come to Pingkangfang to drink. Some of them were in a bad mood and everyone was drinking a little too much.

"I'm so worried! They dare not let me pass, do you know how much I paid?" A man was drunk and spoke nonsense with the help of two people. He suddenly pushed a person away and pointed to his face and said, "Tell you, two hundred taels of gold. I actually spent two hundred taels of gold to protect this seventh-rank official. What do you think!"

The two officials who were supporting him looked at each other, and their eyes were full of shock. They quickly advised: "Let me go, stop talking nonsense, you have drunk too much."

"I haven't drunk too much! If you don't believe me, please see." The official pushed the two of them away, thinking of walking by himself. After only two steps, he staggered and fell out. After climbing for a few times, he didn't get up. Finally, he fell on the street and fell asleep.

At this time, several followers from his mansion came to him and carried him into the carriage. The carriage started and soon left.

"Bah! Power-money transactions, shameless things." An official who supported him spat hard at the carriage, while the other frowned, with some thought in his eyes.

In the twilight, a carriage stopped in front of Yan's mansion. For a long time, an official jumped out of the carriage carefully. He looked to both sides for a moment and quickly walked up the steps.

"I am an official of Guanglu Temple. If there is any major situation, I need to respond to Yan Zhongcheng." The official handed over a letter and whispered to the doorman.

"Wait a moment, I'll go and see if the master has rest." The concierge took the letter and quickly walked into the mansion.

The official standing at the door was very nervous. He covered his body into the darkness in the corner of the wall and watched the situation around him uneasyly. After a moment, the side door of Yan's mansion 'creaked!' opened a crack, and the official immediately rushed up and asked, "Are Yan Zhongcheng here?"

A man who looked like a housekeeper looked at him, then nodded and said, "Yan Zhongcheng wants to see you, please follow me."

The official was introduced to the mansion, and after several turns, he came to Yan Jiudu's study. "Yan Zhongcheng had already slept, so he got up for you, so it should not be too long."

"Thank you!" The official slowly pushed the door and entered the study. The light in the study was bright. Yan Jiudu was sitting at the table and carefully reading his letter. The official hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to salute. The Zhensha Office of Guanglu Temple ordered Yang Tao to meet Yan Zhongcheng."

Yan Jiudu glanced at him, raised the letter in his hand and said, "Is the things you said in your letter true?"

"Report to Yan Zhongcheng, this is Li Fangzhi's remarks after drinking. Not only did I hear it alone, but other colleagues also heard it. Yan Zhongcheng can ask Liang for an order to Ma Zhitu."

Yan Jiudu pondered for a while and asked again: "Did he say, "Who did he give to whom the 200 taels of gold?" Or is it the only one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is accomplices."

Yang Tao thought about the situation in the restaurant at that time, and after a long time, he shook his head and said, "I remember that Ma Zhitu ridiculed him for being ignorant of his lack of learning and his official position was difficult to protect. He was indignant and said he had revealed his mouth. He did not say anything else."

"Okay! I understand this. If the vocational examination fraud case is really broken, the court will remember you for one's contribution."

"Thank you, Yan Zhongcheng! Thank you, Yan Zhongcheng!" Yang Tao bowed to thank you repeatedly, as if he saw a bright future for his official career.

The small official of Guanglu Temple has already left, and Yan Jiudu is still thinking about this matter carefully. There is no evidence for this matter, it is just a one-sided statement. Moreover, the person involved said after being drunk. If the matter is false after being a big deal, he might offend Lu Qi. Yan Jiudu paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, and it was really hard to decide. He suddenly looked up and saw a piece of words on the wall: "Dare to be honest and honest." This was the message his father left to him before his death. Yan Jiudu felt a burst of passion in his heart. As the censor, when impeachment is unfair, what can he be afraid of?

Thinking of this, Yan Jiudu grabbed the letter on the table and walked out the door, "Prepare a carriage for me, I want to enter the palace to meet the saint immediately."

It was already deep, and the lights were still on in the imperial study room of Zichen Palace, and Zhang Huan was still reviewing memorials in the room. It was only half an hour before the palace gate was closed, but he had no intention of ending his return to the palace. He was so focused and calm, as if he had forgotten everything outside his body. Only An Zhongshun felt sad in his heart. He knew the sorrow in the emperor. The emperor had never eaten anything since the morning. He was actually using heavy court affairs to dilute the pain of losing his son!

At this time, a low footsteps came, and several guards came with one person from afar, and they heard them whisper: "Yan Zhongcheng, please come and report to His Majesty later."

"Does Yan Zhongcheng want to see the emperor?" An Zhongshun quickly walked up to him. Now he didn't dare to be rash. He knew that something must have happened if Yan Jiudu came so late.

Yan Jiudu pointed to the Imperial Study Room and asked in surprise: "Is Your Majesty still in official business?"

"Oh! Something big happened in the palace." An Zhongshun whispered a few words to Yan Jiudu. Yan Jiudu's expression suddenly changed from surprise to extremely shock, "You mean the third prince!"

"Shh!" An Zhongshun waved his hand in panic and begged him: "Yan Zhongcheng must not speak out. I tell you that I want you to know what you want to know and don't irritate the emperor too much."

"I understand." Yan Jiudu nodded in pain, "I am also your majesty's wife and I can grasp the right position."

"Then please wait for Yan Zhongcheng, I'll report now." An Zhongshun turned around and entered the imperial study room.

At this moment, Zhang Huan was concentrating on reviewing the final report of the official examination. There were 5,080 references in this official examination. There were 971 people who failed the official examination, and 18 cheaters were caught. There were a thick stack of officials next to Zhang Huan. These were all officials who failed the examination. At this moment, Zhang Huan was in his hands with the Ministry of Personnel’s assessments over the years. He was comparing with those who failed the exam one by one, hooking out all the officials who had been above and above the exam for two consecutive years. These were officials he did not want to lay off.

"Your Majesty! Yan Zhongcheng has something to ask for advice." An Zhongshun's humble voice interrupted Zhang Huan's thoughts.

Zhang Huan frowned slightly, immediately put down his pen and said, "Xuan him come in!"
Chapter completed!