Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 172 It’s time to get your name on the list

I don't know who cut out the thin leaves, the spring breeze in February is like scissors.

In February, students taking the imperial examinations gathered in Chang'an again.

Because the number of people who passed the imperial examination doubled last year, scholars from all over the world were encouraged and studied hard.

Moreover, since the last time officials were recruited, it was no longer a monopoly of the aristocracy. Even the top scorer was from a poor family in Huzhou, so students from poor families naturally flocked to it.

The children of the aristocratic families no longer dared to be negligent and could no longer rely on family connections to get on the list, so they began to work hard this year.

Due to various reasons, the number of people taking the imperial examination this time reached a new high.

The inns in Chang'an City were no longer able to accommodate people, and even the stables were crowded, so they had no choice but to stay in temples.

The temple where Gao Youdao lived was filled with students from all over the country, and the monks in the temple also made a fortune by collecting rent.

Ever since this group of students moved in, Gao Youdao has lost his peace. Almost every day he is visited by students who come to visit him because of his reputation.

Gao Youdao had no choice but to stay at Lu Zhao's neighbor's house.

That morning, after Gao Youdao and Lu Zhaolin had their meal, they walked side by side towards the Suzaku Gate.

Lu Zhaolin said, "Brother Gao, let me be clear. I don't dislike you, but I just don't understand why you don't follow Brother Di's example and buy a house in the south of the city. If you don't have enough money, I can lend you some."

Gao Youdao smiled and said, "It's just for convenience. If I buy a house in the south of the city, I will have to walk half an hour longer every day to go to the government office. Brother Di and I are different. I need to go to Ganlu Palace to go to the government office, so I can't be late."

Lu Zhaolin said, "That's true. How about this, you can live in my house from now on. No one lives in the East Courtyard on weekdays anyway."

Gao Youdao hurriedly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Lu. This is not necessary."

Lu Zhaolin turned to look at him and said, "Why are you being so polite to me? Besides, my uncle also admires you very much. Is there any other reason?"

Gao Youdao was about to answer when he suddenly caught sight of a person standing on the corner of the street and stopped immediately.

"Brother Gao, what's wrong with you?" Lu Zhaolin asked curiously. Following his gaze, he saw a woman standing at the corner of the street.

Lu Zhaolin recognized Du Rong, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "They are looking for you, come over quickly, I will wait for you at Hongwenguan first."

Gao Youdao walked to the corner of the street and saw Du Rong's eyes were slightly red and her face was haggard. He asked hurriedly, "Madam Du, what's wrong with you?"

Du Rong lowered her head, twirled her fingers, and whispered, "You said I was in trouble, then..."

Gao Youdao added, "If you encounter any trouble, just tell me."

Du Rong's nose felt sore, and she sobbed, "After my brother learned that the sage had allowed Du Men to take the imperial examination, he began to study very hard, saying that he wanted to win the top spot again with his true ability, but..."

Gao Youdao asked, "What?"

Du Rong said, "Since mid-January, strange things have been happening at home. Two new families have moved in next door. The one on the left is arguing every night, and the one on the right is even louder. 'Bang, bang, bang,' and I don't know what they're banging on. My brother can't concentrate on his studies at all."

"Later, my brother moved into a temple and at night, people were still making noise next to him. When my brother went over to ask them to be quiet, they started arguing with him. He was almost driven crazy by the torture."

Gao Youdao said in a deep voice, "It seems someone wants to prevent your brother from passing the imperial examination."

Du Rong said anxiously, "That's what my aunt said. My brother has been getting more and more irritable lately. If he continues like this, he will definitely fail the exam!"

Gao Youdao remained silent.

Seeing his expression, Du Rong suddenly burst into tears.

"I, I know you failed the imperial examination due to a similar incident, and it was our Du family who caused you to fail. Now asking you for help is really shameless. I, I apologize to you..."

Kneeling on the ground, kowtowed to him repeatedly.

Gao Youdao hurriedly helped her up and sighed, "You don't have to do this. What happened back then has nothing to do with you, nor does it have anything to do with Du Fu. Leave this matter to me, I will help you find out."

After entering February, the court affairs are no longer as busy as in January, and can basically be completed by the middle of the afternoon.

After Gao Youdao, Lu Zhaolin and Du Yijian finished their official duties for the day, they left the palace together.

After leaving the Suzaku Gate, Du Yijian said with a smile, "Brother Lu, Brother Gao, I'll take you to meet someone who is probably the most likely to win the top prize this year."

Lu Zhaolin asked curiously, "Who is it?"

Du Yijian said, "Guo Xiaoke's son, Guo Daifeng. He is extremely talented and eloquent. Among the people I know, only Brother Gao can compare to him!"

Lu Zhaolin said with a smile, "Such a great man, I'd like to get to know him."

Gao Youdao suddenly said, "I have some personal matters to attend to, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you."

Du Yijian said, "It's okay. Go and do your thing. I'll introduce you to each other some other day."

Gao Youdao said goodbye to the two of them and walked towards the Dali Temple.

After arriving outside the Dali Temple, he made an announcement and followed a yamen runner to Di Renjie's Shaoqing Yamen.

Di Renjie put down the case file in his hand and said with a smile, "What wind brings Brother Gao here today?"

Gao Youdao said, "Brother Di, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Di Renjie said seriously, "Brother Gao, please speak."

Gao Youdao then told Di Renjie about Du Fu's affairs.

Di Renjie pondered for a moment and said, "It's obvious that someone is trying to influence his imperial examination results. Does anyone in the Du family have any suspicions?"

Gao Youdao said: "Du Men has offended too many people, so it is difficult for them to identify the suspect."

Di Renjie said, "Okay, I'll take note of this. I'll send someone to tell you once I've investigated thoroughly."

Di Renjie investigated quickly. The next afternoon, when Gao Youdao just returned to Bodhi Temple, a servant was waiting for him outside the door.

"College student, my Ah Lang has found out that the neighbors of the Du and Fu families were both sent by a man named Du Long."

Gao Youdao frowned and asked, "Also surnamed Du?"

Di Shun chuckled and said, "My husband said it wasn't the Du from the Jingzhao Du family, but the Du from the Huanshui Du family." Gao Youdao was startled and thought to himself, "Could it be Du Zhenglun who is behind this?" He bowed and said, "Please thank your husband for me."

Di Shun smiled and said, "You're welcome." He bowed and said goodbye.

The next day, Gao Youdao went to the side hall of Ganlu Palace as usual.

As soon as the noon drum sounded, he strode out of the side hall and headed towards the Ministry of Revenue.

When he arrived outside the Ministry of Revenue and was about to go in, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind.

Gao Youdao turned around and saw that it was Lu Zhaolin who was holding him, and Du Yijian was beside him.

They both looked at him with worry.

Gao Youdao frowned and asked, "Why are you here?"

Du Yijian snorted, "We were just about to ask you, you've been so worried all morning, and now you're rushing to the Ministry of Revenue, what do you want to do?"

Gao Youdao said nothing.

Lu Zhaolin said in a deep voice, "Brother Gao, you're hiding everything from us. Don't you consider us friends?"

Gao Youdao sighed, "I want to find Minister Du."

At this time, many officials from the Ministry of Revenue came out. Two people pulled Gao Youdao out of the Secretariat and came to the Dushuijian Yamen.

Du Yijian hurriedly asked, "What do you want to do with Du Zhenglun?"

Gao Youdao told the two of them about Du Fu.

Du Yijian was shocked and said, "The Du family hurt you so much, why do you still care about their business?"

Lu Zhaolin smiled slightly and jokingly said, "Brother Du, Brother Gao is not here for Du Fu. Have you forgotten the young lady who often follows him?"

Du Yijian smiled ambiguously and said, "I see, it's all for your confidante."

Gao Youdao suddenly felt a little embarrassed and said, "Okay, I've already told you, I have to go find Minister Du and ask him clearly."

"Wait a minute." Lu Zhaolin held him back and said sternly, "If it was really Du Zhenglun who did it, what's the point of looking for him?"

Du Yijian sighed, "Yes, they are of the Fourth Rank, and we are only of the Ninth Rank. Although we often see saints, we are still far behind them."

Gao Youdao frowned and said, "His behavior is wrong in the first place. Why can't I dissuade him?"

"What if he doesn't listen?" Du Yijian asked back.

Gao Youdao said in a deep voice, "Then I will expose him to the Censorate."

Lu Zhaolin said in a deep voice, "Brother Gao, Minister Du is helping the emperor with the coal mine business. He is in great favor with the emperor. It would be unwise for you to go against him at this time."

Gao Youdao said, "Just because the emperor is favored by the emperor, does that mean we can break the law? My two brothers, even if this matter has nothing to do with the Du family, I will investigate it to the end. I have suffered similar injustices before, and I cannot turn a blind eye to the same thing!"

Lu Zhaolin stared at him for a moment and said, "Okay, then I will also sacrifice my life to accompany you, but you should go and see my uncle first."

Gao Youdao was stunned and asked, "Minister Lu?"

Lu Zhaolin said, "Indeed, he has a very good personal relationship with Minister Du. With him intervening, this matter should be resolved peacefully."

Gao Youdao bowed and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Brother Lu."

……

When Du Long arrived at the study, he saw Du Zhenglun's gloomy face and thought to himself that something was wrong. He bowed and said, "Uncle, I'm here."

Du Zhenglun was looking down at a painting, not looking up, and asked, "What have you been doing recently?"

Du Long smiled and said, "My nephew has been following your instructions and is organizing merchants to go to Mobei to mine coal."

Du Zhenglun said calmly, "Do you still want to invite Du Fu to go with you?"

Du Long's expression changed drastically, and he smiled and said, "Uncle, where did this come from?"

Du Zhenglun raised his head, stared at him coldly, and said, "Let's start from the time you sent people to interfere with Du Fu's participation in the imperial examination!"

Du Long's forehead began to sweat. He knelt on the ground, lowered his head, and said, "I just want to avenge my brother."

At that time, the Du family of Huanshui and the Du family of Jingzhao had a conflict on the polo field, and several people died, one of whom was Du Long's brother.

Du Zhenglun snorted coldly, "The Jingzhao Du family has already been expelled from Chang'an. Why are you still holding on to the past?"

Du Long raised his head and said, "Du Fu is quite talented. If he wins the top spot in the imperial examination, it's not impossible for him to make a comeback!"

Du Zhenglun frowned and said nothing.

Du Long said, "My nephew has a sense of propriety. I just want him to fail the imperial examination, and I don't intend to do anything to him. Why should my uncle defend him?"

Du Zhenglun said, "I didn't want to bother with your trivial matters. But the Du family contacted Gao Youdao, and Gao Youdao took care of the matter."

Du Long was stunned and asked, "Didn't Gao Youdao get bullied by the Du family? Why is he still helping them?"

Du Zhenglun said, "I sent someone to inquire, and Gao Youdao might have taken a fancy to the Du family's daughter."

Du Long snorted and said, "Gao Youdao is only a ninth-rank proofreader. Why should you be afraid of him, uncle?"

Du Zhenglun glared and said, "Of course I'm not afraid of Gao Youdao, but he came to Lord Lu to plead for mercy. What else can I do? Fortunately, this matter didn't get out of hand. You should stop now."

Du Long lowered his head and said, "Nephew, I understand."

Du Zhenglun said slowly, "You should focus on the coal mine. The Saint attaches great importance to this matter. If you can handle it well, I will arrange for your fourth brother to study at the Imperial Academy."

Du Long's spirits lifted, and he said, "Don't worry, uncle. I will definitely take care of this matter!"

(End of this chapter)