Chapter 2799: Xu Zisheng Made a Perfect Plan, and Xu Xinnian Composed a Poem in Seven Steps

"Your Majesty, I am wronged! I am wronged!"

Qin Yuandao, the Minister of War, came to his senses at this time and struggled desperately. However, he was just a weak scholar. He was no match for the big and round Royal Guards. He could not break away at all. He could only shout loudly, and his voice was shrill and frightening.

"Your Majesty, I wonder what happened that made Long Yan so angry?"

The Minister of Dali Temple was anxious and stood up quickly. The Minister of War was the core figure of their party. How could he be taken down for no reason and have to be handed over to the three departments for trial.

"Qin Yuandao is so courageous. He actually dares to embezzle 30% of the army's pay, involving hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. Death is not a pity!"

Emperor Yuan Jing closed the memorial on his case, which recorded the whereabouts of the money. It was very clear, even he who was not proficient in accounting could understand it.

Xu Zisheng sneered. The Minister of War's embezzlement of military pay was done perfectly. He also found someone who was proficient in accounting to make corrections, but he couldn't hide it from him. It only took him a day to sort it out. It was enough to make him completely unable to turn over.

Xu Zisheng did not speak for Xu New Year, but chose to surround Wei and rescue Zhao, and directly killed the minister of the Ministry of War. The remaining censor of Zuodu was left to Xu Qi'an.

After a moment of silence, Yuan Xiong, the censor of Zuodu, did not want to cause trouble and spoke again.

"Your Majesty, what Duke Cao Guo said is so heartbreaking! If Xu Xinnian is treated leniently because he is a student of Yunlu Academy, how will the Imperial Academy feel? How do the scholars in the world feel?"

"Back then, Emperor Wenzu established the Imperial Academy and swept the scholars of Yunlu Academy out of the court. Why? It was because the scholars of Yunlu Academy had no regard for the emperor and violated the law with their writing.

"Cheng Yasheng set up a stele in Yunlu Academy and inscribed the inscription: He died righteously to repay the kindness of the emperor, and his name will be remembered forever. It is to tell future generations how to be loyal to the emperor and love the country. Do you want to let the helplessness of Emperor Wenzu happen again?"

The minister of Dali Temple raised his lips slightly when he heard this. This is Wang Zha, and it involves the battle between the Imperial College and Yunlu Academy. It is a battle between orthodoxies. The ministers in the court will definitely not support Yunlu Academy. Because they all came from the Imperial College. If you dare to speak for Xu New Year, you have to consider your own position and whether you will betray the court and the ministers because of this.

"snort!"

At this time, a cold snort filled with overwhelming anger resounded in the hall, and everyone turned their heads following the sound. It turned out to be Prince Yu, who had been transparent in recent years. The prince in dark yellow dragon clothes stepped out, his face was ashen, and his two He has white temples and deep crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, making him look extremely old.

Yuan Xiong, the censor of Zuodu, who had been so emotional just now when he saw King Yu coming out, felt his heart sink in vain, feeling bad.

"Going forward two hundred years, I have never heard of a scholar from Yunlu Academy plotting to harm the princess. Is this what you Imperial College scholars call loyalty to the emperor and patriotism?"

King Yu's face was full of anger, and he cursed unceremoniously at Zuo Du Yushi.

"hypocritical!"

"Your Majesty, I don't care about the truth of the imperial examination fraud case. I just think that the officials in the Ministry of Punishment are ignorant and incompetent. If they knew how to handle the case, how could my poor Pingyang die crying for injustice? After a thorough investigation of this case, I am afraid that the injustice will not be redressed today. The imperial examination fraud case is of great significance. I hope that your Majesty can retry the case and have the three divisions jointly examine it together."

Emperor Yuan Jing frowned, looked hesitantly, and looked at all the civil and military officials.

King Yu knew how to show weakness, and he burst into tears immediately, with tears flowing down his face, making Emperor Yuan Jing look intolerable.

"Your Majesty, my poor Pingyang!"

“Shameless!!

The expressions of the Minister of Dali Temple, Yushi Zuodu and others changed drastically. The case of Princess Pingyang was a thorn in the side between the civil servants and Emperor Jing of Yuan Dynasty. The censor of Zuodu told Emperor Jing of the Yuan Dynasty that the scholars at Yunlu Academy could not control it. At this time, King Yu told Emperor Yuan Jing that the scholars in the Imperial College also had the intention to murder the clan and would take action.

Wei Yuan secretly laughed in his heart. He expected Xu Qian to ask King Yu for help, but he also had a rough guess as to why Lord Cao Guo turned his back on the battlefield.

Although Xu Ningyan is not good at party disputes, he is extremely savvy and sees the situation sharply. At this time, Cao Guogong and other nobles all agreed, and there was a potential for confrontation with the civil officials.

Wang Shoufu watched with cold eyes, but he was quite surprised in his heart. The current situation of confrontation between nobles and civil servants was something he had never expected. Duke Cao Guo and King Yu are not the same person, and neither are they the same person as Wei Yuan, but it is an indisputable fact that the two sides join forces. Who is manipulating all this behind the scenes?

"Cao Guogong, Wuxun Group, King Yu, could it be him!"

A guess flashed through the mind of Chief Assistant Wang Wenzhen, and his face paused slightly before returning to normal.

The situation took a turn for the worse, and Zuodu Yushi and others were shocked. If this case is retried and the police officer gets involved, all plans will come to nothing and eventually a situation of multi-party wrangling and stalemate will result.

Wang Wenzhen frowned slightly. From his standpoint, he didn't care who won or lost in this case. Firstly, Wei Yuan will not end up, and secondly, Xu New Year cannot represent the entire Yunlu Academy. If he really doesn't like it, he can just find a reason to send him to the corner of the corner!

"It's just that this case is no longer a simple case of fraud in the examination room, but a confrontation between the Wu Xun Group and the Civil Service Group. Xu Zisheng, the newly promoted cabinet bachelor, has taken action, which poses a certain threat to his status. He must suppress it. , otherwise he won’t be able to hold the position of chief assistant for long!”

"Your Majesty, I do have a way to resolve this case quickly."

"Whether Dongge Grand Secretary Zhao Tingfang leaked the exam questions or not, just test Xu Xinnian. Your Majesty can summon him to the palace, and you can personally set the questions for the test, and let him write a poem in front of the gentlemen. Whether the poem "Hard to Travel" was written by someone else will be known after a test. As for the classics and policy essays, the palace examination is imminent, and whether Xu Xinnian has real talent and knowledge, Your Majesty will personally decide after reading the essay. If he is really a fool, it means that the exam questions were leaked and cheated, and he will be severely punished."

Wang Wenzhen was changing the concept. Even if Xu Xinnian could not write a poem, it did not mean that he cheated in the imperial examination.

Emperor Yuan Jing, who had been in charge of the government for decades, naturally knew the difference. He looked at Wang Wenzhen deeply and nodded.

"This makes sense, so I will do as you say."

Xu Zisheng's eyes flashed with a gleam of light. The reactions of Emperor Yuan Jing and Wang Wenzhen were really interesting. It seemed that they did not want his power to expand and wanted to suppress his edge.

"However, Xu Qian'an was able to help Xu Xinnian predict the exam questions, so there is no reason why I can't do it. How could I not have expected this step!"

"It's a waste of effort, and it's all in vain!"

Xu Zisheng looked normal, without the slightest emotion. Prince Yu glanced at Xu Zisheng, and seeing that he was unmoved, he was a little worried, and hurriedly said.

"Your Majesty, this method is too rash. How can ordinary people easily write good poems?"

General Cao Guogong and other military generals also echoed and opposed this.

"In the examination room, time is also limited. Since Xu Huiyuan can write one, why can't he write the second one?"

"Prince Yu is wrong. Xu Xinnian can write a masterpiece that will be passed down through the ages, which shows that he is very good at poetry. When he writes another one, the two will be compared, and it will be clear."

"Your Majesty, this method is wonderful!"

The six ministers were just troublemakers, and they all spoke up to refute Prince Yu and agreed with the proposal of the Prime Minister Wang Wenzhen.

"I have made up my mind. Prince Yu, there is no need to say more!"

Emperor Yuan Jing waved his hand to stop Prince Yu's rebuttal, and said with a very serious expression.

After about an incense stick of time, Xu Xinnian, wearing prisoner clothes, slowly walked through the passage with scarlet carpet, passed through the ministers on both sides, and came to Emperor Yuan Jing.

"This is the Golden Palace!"

Xu Xinnian was extremely excited. He had studied hard for ten years just to step into the Golden Palace and be ranked in the court.

"Xu Xinnian greets your majesty!"

Emperor Yuan Jing looked at the handsome and elegant Xu Xinnian, and he had a little more favorable impression of him, thinking secretly.

"Are Xu Xinnian and Xu Qian'an really cousins? The difference in their looks is too big, which makes people feel comfortable looking at them!"

Emperor Yuan Jing retracted his gaze, restored the majesty of the emperor, and asked Xu Xinnian very seriously.

"I ask you, did the Grand Secretary of the East Pavilion accept bribes to leak the questions to you?"

"Your Majesty, the student is innocent and has never cheated!"

Xu Xinnian looked aggrieved, knelt on the ground, and shouted loudly.

"I will give you a chance. If you want to prove your innocence, you can compose a poem in this Golden Palace. I will personally set the topic. Xu Xinnian, do you dare?"

Xu Xinnian's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he was secretly surprised. When his elder brother visited him that day, he asked him to recite a poem, saying that Xu Daxue asked him to prepare it in advance. Could it be that he had expected this step? How is this possible?

Xu Xinnian's expression and face changes were seen by all the ministers, and by Emperor Yuan Jing. They all thought that Xu Xinnian was guilty.

Xu Xinnian swallowed his saliva, his hands and feet trembled slightly, and said in shock.

"Your Majesty, please give me a question!"

"Dying for justice to repay the emperor's kindness, leaving a name for eternity, this is a sentence that Cheng Yasheng wrote at Yunlu Academy. As a student of Yunlu Academy, you must have been deeply impressed. Today, write a poem on the theme of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country. I will give you one stick of incense."

"It's actually a patriotic poem!"

Xu Xinnian looked at Emperor Yuan Jing in disbelief. Could it be that your majesty and Xu Daxueshi had already discussed it? This is the real leak of the question! Otherwise, why is it so coincidental that it happens to be a patriotic poem!

Emperor Yuan Jing looked at Xu Xinnian expressionlessly. Every emperor is a master of observing words and expressions. This is a skill they have practiced when they were princes.

"He seems to be stunned. It seems that he really can't write poems!"

Prince Yu also thought that Xu Xinnian was scared. He coughed and wanted to plead for him, saying in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty!"

"Prince Yu, Xu Xinnian only has one stick of incense to write. Don't disturb him from writing poetry!"

The Left Censor-in-Chief looked stern, stepped forward, and stopped Prince Yu, his expression full of pride.

Xu Xinnian then reacted, remembering his elder brother's behavior in public during the Buddhist battle that day. He took a step forward, causing everyone to stop and look at him.

"So this is the feeling of being the center of attention. It's great!"

Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, Xu Xinnian took another step forward, his expression was calm, his steps were firm and steady, and people felt a strong power.

"Your Majesty, I don't need one stick of incense. My elder brother is the champion of poetry in Dafeng. Although I am not as good as him, I can also write a poem in seven steps!"

While Xu Xinnian was speaking, he took another five steps, turned around and looked at the ministers with a solemn expression.

"Seven steps to a poem?!"

Everyone looked at Xu Xinnian in surprise, their eyes full of disbelief. Xu Xinnian was so confident, could he be pretending?

"And he has already taken seven steps!"

At this moment, Xu Xinnian stood with his hands behind his back, slightly raised his head, his face full of solemnity, revealing an aura that made people admire him.

"Black clouds are pressing down on the city, and the city is about to be destroyed. The armor shines towards the sun and the golden scales are open. The horn sounds fill the sky with autumn colors, and the rouge on the frontier is purple at night. The half-rolled red flag is facing the Yishui River, and the frost is heavy and the drums are cold and can't be heard."

The civil officials frowned slightly, and there was a bit of shock in their eyes. This poem is really good and amazing.

The Left Censor-in-Chief and the Dali Temple Minister looked at each other with ugly faces, and hurriedly took a step forward and spoke at the same time.

"This poem is indeed good, but what does it have to do with loyalty to the emperor? You only wrote about the battlefield and the war. You are a champion, but you can't even match the title of the poem. If this is not cheating, what is it?"

Xu Xinnian turned a deaf ear to it, turned around suddenly, bowed to Emperor Yuan Jing, and his voice became louder and louder, echoing throughout the hall.

"Reporting your kindness on the Golden Terrace, I will support you and die for you."

Xu Xinnian knows how to show off in front of others. He was obviously influenced by Xu Qian'an and never missed any opportunity to show off. As soon as the last line of the poem came out, the Golden Palace was silent and everyone stood there in a daze.

"Reporting your kindness on the Golden Terrace, I will support you and die for you."

Emperor Yuan Jing savored it leisurely, then smiled, and was very pleased. From his tone and expression, anyone could see that he was in a very good mood.

"Good poem, good poem. You are worthy of being the champion, and you are worthy of being a talented person who can write "Hard to Travel".

"Xu Huiyuan's poetry talent is not inferior to your brother. "Hard to Travel" was written by you, and you have never cheated. I allow you to enter the Hanlin Academy."

The Hanlin Academy is also known as the place for prime ministers. Only those who enter the Hanlin Academy can be qualified to enter the cabinet. They are the first-class nobles of the dynasty.

Xu Xinnian was excited, bowed and saluted, and shouted loudly.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"I am tired, I will leave the court."

Emperor Yuan Jing rubbed his brows. He had watched such a big show, and he was exhausted. He stood up and left the Golden Palace.

At this point, the cheating case in the imperial examination was over and the case had been concluded. The faces of the ministers were strange. They did not expect that the case would end like this.

The Left Censor-in-Chief and the Dali Temple Minister looked very ugly. According to convention, as a student of Yunlu Academy, Xu Xinnian could not enter the Hanlin Academy. The best result was that he was assigned to Qingzhou and served as an official in the territory of Ziyang Layman Yang Gong. He would never think of entering the court in his life.

The six departments of the Imperial Censor and the other three-rank officials were disappointed and dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction almost reached its peak after hearing Emperor Yuan Jing's promise to let Xu Xinnian enter the Hanlin Academy.

How could a student of Yunlu Academy be qualified to enter the Hanlin Academy? There has never been such a thing in the two hundred years since the establishment of the Imperial College.

The officials in the hall and the ministers outside the hall dispersed with mixed feelings. When they crossed the square, they saw a silver gong standing with a knife. Facing the Meridian Gate and the ministers.

The Prime Minister Wang Wenzhen stopped, frowning, looking at Xu Qi'an, wondering what he was going to do. Could he dare to fight with them? Even Wei Yuan didn't have the courage.

Xu Zisheng did not stop, and continued to move forward leisurely. His figure surpassed Wang Wenzhen, passed by Xu Qi'an, walked forward all the way, and gradually disappeared from everyone's sight.

Xu Qi'an did not stop him. He waited until Xu Zisheng walked away, then he made a move, his eyes slowly swept over everyone, suddenly sneered, and said slowly.

"Your body and name will be destroyed, but the rivers and rivers will flow forever! Bah!"

Xu Qi'an spat fiercely, holding the knife, and walked away slowly. He came here just to curse this sentence and disgust the civil officials and ministers.

There was a dead silence inside and outside the Meridian Gate. Hundreds of officials seemed to have lost their voices collectively, and this ironic poem echoed in their ears. Only scholars can truly understand the irony in this poem, how sharp it is!

Scholars are not afraid of being scolded, nor are they afraid of quarrels. Some even regard quarrels as a discussion of the truth and are complacent. People of low status like to quarrel with people of high status.

Those who have long been famous like to quarrel with people of the same level, and even like to quarrel with the emperor. Once the emperor is furious, they will be more excited, as if they have been injected with chicken blood. Among them, the best are the six ministries.

But scholars also care about something, reputation! Reputation before and after death, this is their highest pursuit. You Cao's body and name are destroyed, but the rivers and streams will flow forever. This is a heart-piercing statement. No scholar can tolerate the ridicule of this poem, it is too malicious.

"A lunatic, a scoundrel, a rude man! How dare you bully us like this! My lords, this is intolerable, send troops to kill this bastard."

Yuan Xiong, the Left Censor-in-Chief, was furious. All his plans failed, and his mood was already in a trough. He was like a powder keg. At this time, Xu Qi'an's deliberate waiting at the Meridian Gate to step on him made him angry and painful. He felt that Xu Qi'an's poem was mocking him and wanted to nail him to the pillar of shame.

It's a pity that the palace guards only obeyed the orders of Emperor Yuan Jing, and even the princesses and princes had no right to transfer them.

Wang Wenzhen, the chief minister of the cabinet, took a deep breath, withdrew his eyes from Xu Zisheng's receding back, and twitched his mouth slightly. He looked at Wei Yuan behind him and said with a fake smile.

"Duke Wei has really cultivated a capable subordinate!"

Wang Wenzhen was originally unhappy because he did not suppress Xu Zisheng's limelight today. He was very cunning and could not show his emotions. Every time he thought of being blocked and scolded by Xu Qian'an, he couldn't help but get angry. This shows the lethality of this poem.

At this time, all the officials looked at Wei Yuan angrily and questioned him with their eyes.

Wei Yuan came back to his senses, calmly, and asked back slowly.

"What are you doing? Do you want to take the blame?!"

The officials were stunned when they heard this, and they looked away one after another, as Wei Yuan's words were a counterattack.

"How should the history books record today's incident?"

A young lecturer from the Imperial Academy looked at the ministers, holding a pen in his right hand and a book in his left hand, and asked in a deep voice.

Before he finished speaking, the ministers turned their heads and looked at him dimly, as if to say, you have become stupid from reading too much!

The lecturer from the Imperial Academy returned to the future, shrank his head, and said from the heart.

"Such a small matter is not worthy of being recorded in the history books."

In the bedroom, Emperor Yuan Jing, holding the Taoist scriptures in his hand, listened to the old eunuch's report in silence and learned what happened in the Meridian Gate.

"What a courage!"

Emperor Yuan Jing laughed loudly, with a playful expression on his face, and said loudly.