After the child's mind was read, the tyrant caught the male queen with a black face

The court officials began to write their reflections with a grateful heart.

On the first day of submission, except for Prime Minister Wang, the emperor continued to criticize them harshly.

The next morning, except for Prime Minister Li, the emperor angrily accused them of being insincere.

On the morning of the third day, in addition to the Minister of Revenue, the emperor directly picked out an official's reflection and ridicule, and demoted him directly.

……

Except for a few officials who managed to get ashore successfully, the other court officials were all paralyzed.

How can I write this to satisfy His Majesty?

The Minister of War could not hold back and went straight to Prime Minister Wang, bowed and asked: "Prime Minister Wang, I wonder how to write this self-review about being an official?!"

Prime Minister Wang was confused and looked at the Minister of War in a daze: "Why do I have to write a self-criticism as an official?"

The Minister of War spoke as a matter of course: "Your Majesty asked us to reflect on ourselves, didn't he? If we reflect on ourselves, don't we have to write about our shortcomings as officials?"

The Minister of Revenue who was passing by almost stumbled and fell to the ground, looking at the Minister of War speechlessly: No wonder you can't pass the exam no matter how you write. You didn't get to the point at all!

"Your Majesty did not mean that." Prime Minister Wang looked at the Minister of War carefully, and when he found that the other party really did not notice the anger and subtext of His Majesty, he said helplessly, "Your Majesty wants us to use this incident as a warning to restrain the children of each family and not to trouble the Imperial Master for any problems in the future. It is not a problem of being an official."

The Minister of War was still a little confused: "Oh. So that's it." He began to think in circles.

Prime Minister Wang could tell at a glance that the other party didn't understand, but he was too lazy to teach others.

On the way back, the Minister of War scratched his ears and thought hard.

Because he was too obsessed, he didn't pay much attention to the road when he left the palace. He was so big that he bumped into several ministers along the way.

The memorial of the Minister of Revenue fell to the ground, the Minister of Justice was stepped on by the Minister of War, and all the cakes in his sleeves fell to the ground and broke into pieces.

The Minister of Rites was even more miserable. His new official hat fell off, and along with it, the wig woven on the hat also fell off.

Several people successfully passed the customs. Shangshu: …

They all looked at the back of the Minister of War and narrowed their eyes.

The Minister of Revenue took the lead. He suddenly grabbed the Minister of War and said, "Since you are worried about what to write, why don't I give you some advice?"

The Minister of War was stunned and nodded repeatedly.

The Minister of Finance said, "Your Majesty once said, 'It is not right to bully the young Imperial Master.' I think that Your Majesty must be implying that when some people come to ask the Imperial Master for help, they should not come empty-handed. It costs money to just ask someone on the street to tell your fortune."

Minister of War:?

Could Your Majesty be so stingy?

The Minister of Justice also stepped forward and said, "I think that Your Majesty is using this incident to give us some advice on how to judge cases. For example, the reasons for those murders of love, the family backgrounds..."

The Minister of War looked even more confused:?

Can your Majesty's words still be interpreted as meaning "how to solve a murder case of passion"?

Finally, the Minister of Rites suddenly came over and whispered, "Your Majesty is actually criticizing us for not being polite enough when we went to see the Imperial Master. You should quote classics in your memorial and reflect on yourself so that you can become a person who knows etiquette..."

The Minister of War's heart tightened: Your Majesty still has this intention? You despise me, a reckless man!

……

Prime Minister Wang's mouth twitched slightly. These ministers were all fooling around, but the Minister of War didn't see it and took notes in his little notebook. If this content was really sent over, the Minister of War would be in big trouble.

However, compared with the court full of intrigues in the past, the noisy court now is better. Prime Minister Wang pinched the tip of his curled beard in a good mood.

When he turned around, he happened to see the Minister of Personnel and Prime Minister Li coming out hand in hand, but soon the Minister of Personnel walked away.

Prime Minister Wang seemed to be thinking about something.

After a while, Prime Minister Li suddenly clapped his hands and signaled his colleagues on the palace road to look over.

He said, "Everyone, I have figured out the reason why you can't pass."

The courtiers rushed over in an instant.

After a pause, Prime Minister Li continued, "Tell me, is His Majesty using this incident to actually warn us about the students from all over the country coming to the capital to protest?"

The court officials were stunned, except for the Minister of War who was completely confused. The other civil officials, especially the prince's subordinates who were directly related to the imperial examinations, and the officials of the Ministry of Personnel were also stunned.

Their faces turned visibly green.

What Prime Minister Li said was that with the issuance of the imperial examination policy, the first people to make a fuss were not the officials below the sixth rank as they thought, nor were they the group of people who were recommended this year, but actually the students from the fiefdoms of the princes.

Their objection was that the civil service examination, which valued academic knowledge rather than moral character, would select officials who were harmful to the country.

And they didn't just make trouble verbally.

During these months, students from all over the country arrived in Kyoto one after another, and they loudly discussed the disadvantages of the imperial examination in various taverns.

Yesterday, a student who was once a member of the Huainan King's fiefdom, banged the drum at Caikou, claiming that he was petitioning on behalf of the people of Daxia, calling for an end to corrupt officials from the very beginning and for the recommendation system to be the main system.

At this time, the Minister of Personnel suddenly stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister Li, what does this have to do with the students from all over the country who come to the capital? First of all, the students can't easily see the imperial teacher. Secondly, they are against pretending to be in the imperial examination, but the imperial teacher is not involved in the imperial examination."

Prime Minister Li said, "I received news. A student who was nearly dying of illness was saved by the rain during the Imperial Master's Spring Festival. Since then, he has become a fanatical worshiper of the Imperial Master. He keeps spreading the word and wants to change the upper echelons' ideas about the imperial examination. The best way is to find the Imperial Master. Only the Imperial Master can influence Your Majesty."

Courtiers:…

The words may be crude but the truth is there, but... the Imperial Master is the one who will least try to undermine Your Majesty.

The Minister of Personnel said: "Are they so naive? There is no room for them. Anyway, it is impossible for anyone here to recommend students to go to the young imperial teacher to sabotage them."

The other courtiers nodded in approval.

Prime Minister Li still frowned, "Of course the gentlemen won't. But what about those officials who don't understand state affairs? For example, officials below the sixth rank in Kyoto, and the subordinates of the princes who have never been to the capital."

Everyone was silent: Indeed, those who cannot get the melons may indeed do something wrong.

Prime Minister Li said again: "My Lords, His Majesty has clearly told us today to be self-disciplined and polite and not to disturb the Imperial Master. But if the Imperial Master is disturbed again in a few days, how do you think His Majesty will respond? Your Majesty can cultivate his mind and cultivate his character for the Imperial Master today, and he can also bleed for the Imperial Master tomorrow."

The court officials were startled.

At this time, the Minister of Personnel spoke again: "What do you mean, Prime Minister Li?"

Prime Minister Li said, "We cannot control the subordinates of the princes. But the officials below the sixth rank in the capital are all subordinates of you present here. I think it would be better if you could control your subordinates."

The court officials looked at each other and nodded.

Wang Xiang suddenly sneered, "Okay. But Li Xiang, everyone here is a loyal minister. You don't have to play tricks with sticks and honey, just tell me frankly."

Prime Minister Li patted his sleeves and bowed, saying, "I was judging you with my own mean character. I hope you will forgive me."

Prime Minister Wang paused.

As soon as the two prime ministers talked, even the Minister of War understood what they meant.

Prime Minister Li and the Minister of Personnel were just playing a double game, asking all the gentlemen to express their opinions and restrain their subordinates.

The Minister of War muttered in a low voice: "Prime Minister Li is such a boring person. Everyone knows that His Majesty is going to promote the imperial examination system under false names. Is there anyone who will indulge his subordinates?"

The Minister of Revenue looked at the Minister of War speechlessly. He wanted to say some theories like "aristocratic families are setting up a trap" or "send a pawn to test the waters", but he couldn't stop looking into the other's clear eyes.

The Minister of Revenue patted his shoulder and said, "Well. Just think about it that way."

Minister of War:?

The Minister of War was puzzled and asked, "Why? Could it be that there are officials in the court who would really help those students from other places?"

The Minister of Revenue thought for a moment and said, "At least not this time." Giving face to Prime Minister Li is one thing, but the most important thing is to follow the golden mean and want to watch more.

The Minister of War was puzzled, but he always knew what he couldn't do, so he just followed the trend.

He nodded and prepared to go back to restrain his people.