Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 407 Erlang, Let's Escape from Sickness
Yang Yuan was guarding the gate, looking at beauties, and looking for the imperial concubine.

The newly crowned King of Jin, Zhao Yu, pulled him aside and gave him a "bolt from the blue": "I can't get the test questions!"

Yang Yuan was stunned for a while, then glared at Zhao Yu with gritted teeth.

Zhao Yu shrank his neck somewhat guiltily.

Ever since he became King of Jin and possessed so many honors and power, many people's attitudes towards him have quietly changed.

Only Erlang dares to glare at me!
Zhao Qu was very pleased.

"His Royal Highness King Jin!"

"I'm sorry~"

Zhao Qu apologized first.

Yang Yuan was so angry that he laughed: "My king, please don't mess with me.

It was you who begged me to take the imperial examination. You also said that you would take care of everything.

Now you say you can’t get the test questions, and you’ve tied me to a rack, what do you want me to do?”

Zhao Yu said in distress: "I have never taken the imperial examination, so how can I know there are so many tricks.

The people who set the questions were the Minister of Rites Qu Mo, and the Imperial Censor and Acting Academician Xiao Jingxing. They were the chief and deputy examiners.

After the test questions were released, they were submitted directly to the government. After the government reviewed and approved them, they added their comments in red, sealed them, and returned them to the Ministry of Rites, where they were locked in an iron box.

Just wait until the exam starts to take out the test questions and distribute them to the candidates. In other words..."

Yang Yuan interrupted and said, "That is to say, only three people know the test questions now: the emperor, the minister of rites, and Xiao Xueshi. Right?"

Zhao Yu nodded dejectedly: "That's right!"

Yang Yuan said, "This Scholar Xiao... Can't you, the dignified Prince of Jin, handle this?"

Zhao Yu's face changed and he said, "You don't know how powerful Lao Xiao is. Lao Xiao is a straight-forward person who dares to criticize anyone.

In the past, Qin Hui and the late emperor were both criticized by him, and he did it more than once."

Yang Yuan was surprised and asked, "How can he still be a scholar safely?"

Zhao Yu said: "Hey, that's because he can only spray, and it doesn't work, so Qin Hui doesn't care too much.

The late emperor wanted to keep this person to show that he was open to all opinions and willing to accept frank advice, so he was safe and sound. "

Yang Yuan touched his chin and asked, "What about the Minister of Rites Qu Mo?"

Zhao Yu showed some embarrassment and said, "My father-in-law looks down on me the most. He looks down on me, but I look down on him too.

I deliberately prevented the princess from returning home to visit her parents, and now the old man doesn’t even say a word when he sees me.”

"Uh……"

Yang Yuan held on to his last glimmer of hope and said to Zhao Yu, "What about the emperor? He loves you the most as his brother.

You are now the 'King of One Word'. If you ask the government for help, just ask for one person to cheat. He will definitely give you this face."

Zhao Yu said decisively: "Impossible, no way!"

"What do you mean?"

"My eldest brother is a very upright person and hates crooked things.

He is now the emperor of the Song Dynasty and the ruler of the world.

Holding imperial examinations to select talents for the country was to protect his kingdom.

Tell me, even if he is a brother, would he abuse his power for personal gain? "

"That means it's impossible. What does "no" mean?"

"He is an official!"

Zhao Yu looked at Yang Yuan as if he were an idiot: "If you let him know that you passed the imperial examination by cheating, how will he look at you? How will he use you in the future?"

Yang Yuan was silent for a while, then said quietly: "My king, I shouldn't have listened to you in the beginning, you are too unreliable.

I am now the top scholar in Lin'an Prefecture, and I am being roasted on the fire!
If I don't get a rank above second, I will be embarrassed to explain to the people of Lin'an.

If I take the exam and what I write is shit, I won't even get the last place, which is really embarrassing.

It's not a big deal to be embarrassed, but it's really hard to believe how I managed to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar.

If the court were to investigate, I would not only be disgraced, but I would also be dismissed from my post and banished to the lower ranks..."

The more Yang Yuan spoke, the more sad and angry he became.

Zhao Yu hurriedly comforted him, "It's not that serious. I'm still here with you. I'll exile you three hundred miles at most."

Yang Yuan was furious and asked, "Did you tell me?"

Zhao Yu smiled apologetically and said, "I am just saying this as the conversation progresses. I am not really going to exile you.

In fact, since I couldn’t find the test questions, I thought of a way for you.”

Yang Yuan was overjoyed and said, "You have a solution? If you had told me earlier, I would have known that you are a chivalrous and brave king with great magical powers. What is the solution?"

Zhao Yu said awkwardly: "Pretending to be sick! If I'm sick and don't go to take the exam, no one can say anything, right?
From now on, you can just focus on the path of a military officer.

Although military officers are not as promising as civil servants, you can serve as the Dragon Guard for a few years first. After enduring for ten or eight years, I will find a chance to transfer you to other places.

Let's go and put down a rebellion, suppress a bandit, capture a few troublemakers, kill a few lake bandits, and we can at least make some contributions.

Then I will transfer you back to the capital. You won’t have the chance to wear the purple robe, but I am still confident that I can promote you to the fifth rank within twenty years.

Don't think that it will be easy for you to advance from the sixth rank to the fifth rank. That is another hurdle.

Of course, if a big war breaks out during this period, you'd better forget it!

I am really worried. If we suffer a defeat, thousands or even tens of thousands of soldiers will be killed, and a large amount of our territory will be lost.

Although I hope you can be promoted, I cannot gamble with the peace of the country and the lives of thousands of people."

Yang Yuan praised: "Everyone says that you are frivolous and mischievous, but I think you are actually quite savvy."

Zhao Yu straightened his chest and said, "Look, the world doesn't know me, but you, Yang Erlang, don't know me either?"

Yang Yuan glared at him and said, "You gasp when I say you're fat! You didn't do my job well."

Yang Yuan sighed. He couldn't just complain to Zhao Qu just because he couldn't help him cheat.

At least someone helped him get the title of Jie Yuan Gong.

There is no other way at the moment, this subject can only "escape due to illness".

When it came to the next exam, he said that he had changed his mind and decided to join the army and earn fame through military exploits!
Yes, just copy Yu Yunwen’s words about giving up literature and embracing military affairs, and the face can be saved.

Thinking of this, Yang Yuan said, "Now that things have come to this, this is the only way.

In this case, I will start pretending to be sick ten days or eight days in advance. Otherwise, if I suddenly get sick right before the exam, it will inevitably arouse suspicion."

Zhao Yu praised: "Erlang, you are really thoughtful, let's do this.

Don't worry, I will help you find out from various sources. If I see where the bandits are, I will immediately find a way to transfer you there."

Zhao Qu sighed, shook his head, and said worriedly as he walked: "Hey, where are the people rebelling? Rebel quickly..."

Zhao Qu felt quite ashamed because he failed to help Yang Yuan get the test questions. Even his signature "goose, goose, goose" laugh was not heard this time. He walked away in shame.

Yang Yuan shook his head and continued to stare at the Henan Gate.

The concubines and beauties in the palace were dismissed from the palace in batches. Although there are fewer of them now, some are still leaving the palace.

As Yang Yuan was watching, he saw an old eunuch with a smile on his face running towards him.

"Yang Yuhou, this is your 'floating ticket'."

Zhang Quwei handed over Yang Yuan's "admission ticket" with both hands and said attentively: "I went to the Ministry of Rites to do some work, and it happened that the Ministry of Rites was issuing floating tickets.

We thought that since you, Yang Yuhou, were on duty at the Imperial Gate and might not have the time to go to the Ministry of Rites, we took the initiative to get it back for you.

There is less than a month left before the final exam. This is also the first time that the emperor has accepted many students since ascending the throne. We wish you, Yang Yuhou, the best in the exam!"

Zhang Quwei was originally a palace eunuch, the highest-ranking eunuch in the palace.

After Zhao Yuan became emperor, the eunuchs in his Prince's Mansion were of course his most useful people.

Although Zhang Quwei has not been completely benched, he is no longer the same as before.

Zhang Quwei's current strategy is to try his best to curry favor with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, and to make friends with all the internal and external officials who are appreciated by the emperor.

Although this is not as good as when the previous emperor was alive, he can still be the number one figure in the palace.

Yang Yuan was the person who was responsible for leading troops to guard outside the Chuigong Hall when the imperial meeting was held to establish the new emperor. Zhang Quwei certainly knew what this meant.

As for Yang Yuan, how could he miss the opportunity to curry favor with him?

Yang Yuan thanked him, took the ticket, and saw his name on it, as well as the examination room, examination number and other information, and he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

“There’s no way I’m going to take this big exam, it’s not embarrassing enough.

However, I'll keep this 'floating ticket' as a family heirloom.

When my son and daughter grow up, I will brag to them and encourage them to study hard and become the top scorer in the imperial examination..."

After another hour or so, the commander-in-chief Mo Long arrived and replaced Yang Yuan.

In fact, now that the coronation ceremony has been completed, the tense atmosphere has disappeared, and there is no need for these two generals of the Yulongzhi to guard the palace in person every day.

However, Mo Long wanted to do his best to perform well in front of the new emperor, while Yang Yuan wanted to find that very... and sorry woman.

Seeing that it was getting dark, there would be no more dismissed women leaving the palace today, so Yang Yuan went straight home after his shift change.

As soon as Lu Xi saw Yang Yuan, he ran over excitedly and said sweetly, "Second brother, you're back just in time. Mr. Wang and his friends are back from Japan, and I was just about to hold a 'welcome banquet' for them.

They work for my second brother, so he should show up tonight and offer them a glass of wine to show his appreciation."

Yang Yuan was surprised and said, "I was wondering why the hall downstairs was so lively, was it them?

Okay, I must toast them with this glass of wine. By the way, you can take out some money and give it to them as a reward at the welcoming banquet.

People like Master Wang are all great and capable people, we should treat them with respect."

Lu Xi nodded happily: "Yes! I know.

Second brother, let me tell you, Master Wang brought back twelve little girls from Japan.

This old man has no shame. If you don’t give him more money, I’m afraid he won’t be able to support others.”

Yang Yuan was surprised and asked, "Twelve? Isn't it eight?"

Lu Xi said, "Eh? Second brother, you haven't met them yet, how do you know about this?"

Yang Yuan said: "Of course I know, I knew it when I was in Japan.

Suzuki promised him this in order to allow him to complete the construction of the Taira clan ancestral temple on time.

Lu Xi wrinkled his nose and snorted, "He may be old but his heart is young. He is so old and yet he has taken possession of twelve young girls. Really."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "It's not necessarily because they are really young. Japanese people are generally not tall and have petite bodies, so the girls look younger to them."

Lu Xi glanced at Yang Yuan with a smile in her eyes and said, "For example... Hua Yin and Xiao Nai?"

Yang Yuan wiped his nose, took out a "floating ticket" from his sleeve, and said with a smile: "Luxi, what do you think this is?"

A "floating ticket" immediately diverted Luxi's attention.

Lu Xi was surprised and asked, "'Floating ticket!' Is there going to be an imperial examination?"

Yang Yuan agreed guiltily.

Except for Li Shishi, no one knew that this "Jie Yuan Gong" was a complete idiot.

Men always want to maintain a tall image in front of their women, and Yang Yuan is no exception.

Lu Xi's face flushed with excitement: "Great, then you will soon be the top scholar!
No, I have to talk to Sister Danniang about what to do with our family's 'Tail-burning Banquet'.

Our "Shuiyunjian" has been used to host "burnt tail banquets" for others.

This time, we are going to hold a 'Burning Tail Banquet' for my second brother. We must prepare it early and make it lively. Even if it cannot compare to the 'Deer Singing Banquet' of the imperial court, it cannot be too far behind. "

The more Yang Yuan listened, the more he felt guilty. He coughed and said, "Please keep this 'floating ticket'. I'll go downstairs to meet Master Wang and the others."

"Yes!" Lu Xi agreed sweetly, and held the floating ticket like a treasure and went into the inner room.

This "floating ticket" is my second brother's status as the top scholar. It must be kept well hidden in a treasure box.

Yang Yuan had felt that the hall downstairs was very lively before, and thought that there were many diners today, so he went straight to the second floor as soon as he entered the door.

Now that they knew that the guests were Master Wang and his team who had returned from Japan after successfully completing their mission, they naturally wanted to go and meet them.

When Yang Yuan reached the entrance of the hall on the first floor, he heard the weak voice of Master Wang: "Those four prettier Japanese girls were given to me by Taira no Kiyomori.

Why do you think so? Hehe, because it only took me 27 days to build a very exquisite secret passage under the old house of the Ping family.

After seeing the secret passage, the Japanese general treated me with respect.

He also wanted to keep me in Japan to be his chief craftsman and allow me to take an official position.

I ignored him. Of course I have to go home when I become rich. If I don't return home when I am rich, it's like walking in the night in fine clothes. Who am I showing off to? "

Yang Yuan smiled slightly when he heard this. This Wang Changsheng...

Yang Yuan was about to step into the hall when he suddenly stopped.

Wang Changsheng?
Secret passage!

Yang Yuan quickly recalled the location of the provincial examination written on the "floating ticket": the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall.

The Ministry of Rites Imperial Academy is located west of Guanqiao, in Baijingfang Lane, the core area of ​​the Wulin business district in Houshi.

However, this Imperial Examination Hall covers an area of ​​80 temples, and it is said that there are thousands of examination rooms. It is probably difficult to accurately find your own room among thousands of rooms in such a huge area...

Although the hope is slim, if it is feasible, then there is really great potential.

Yang Yuan's ambitions have been changing step by step.

From the moment he decided to "slay the dragon", his ambition was no longer limited to having a wife, children and a warm bed.

But if you want to express your ambitions, you must have an examiner.

As a general, no matter how high you reach, you are just a knife in the hands of others.

If a country has no good prime minister, how can it have famous generals to show off their power abroad?

Although Yang Yuan was not good at taking imperial examinations, he really did not think that he could not be a good official as he had thousands of years more knowledge than others.

If Wang Changsheng can do it, then I, a Jinshi, may not be unable to pass the exam...

(End of this chapter)