My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

Chang An got the test paper, but did not look at the questions directly. Instead, he took a deep breath.

"It's the last game, it's time to be liberated!"

Chang An loosened his muscles and began to grind ink while looking at the questions. But when he saw this question, he fell silent - the first question:

"The evil money issue has plagued the Tang Dynasty for a long time. What is the solution?"

"There are many talented people outside the capital, but few positions in the capital. Many talented people cannot enter the capital. How can we recruit talented people?"

"..."

Chang An raised his eyebrows at this time and began to hesitate: "Why don't I not take the test today? My answer is the answer."

As far as he knew, the questions used in the imperial examinations were all set by His Majesty the Emperor. These questions were all things that the Emperor had asked him before, and he had answered them all, so it was obvious that he knew all the answers.

"Why don't you, Your Majesty, make the appointment yourself, just like recommending someone for a position, and no one will gossip about it." Chang An complained in his heart at this moment.

Helplessly, Chang An ground the ink and started writing the answers. While grinding the ink and writing, he felt his hands were a little tired. He looked up and found that many students had already started eating.

Some of the more normal ones ate steamed buns and pancakes, and some of the classmates I had seen in the Imperial College even had a big chicken drumstick in their hands. No, the most outrageous thing was to put roast chicken directly on the table, and it was even cut up!

He shook his head, took out his dried meat and pancakes from the basket, and started eating. While eating, he also looked at the remaining two questions below, although they were both questions he had solved before.

But it is easier said than done, after all, it has to be described in classical Chinese. Changing vernacular Chinese into classical Chinese is the biggest challenge for Chang An.

After finishing my meal, I simply wiped my hands with the draft paper given to me and continued writing.

"The root cause of the issue of fleeing households is the people's food..."

......

Today is the last day of the Spring Examination, and the test papers need to be checked finally, so there are not just one but three people sitting on the examination desk.

"Doctor Lan, you said before that Marquis Dingkang always submitted his papers early every day?"

"Not bad, and I also read it carefully at that time, it's all very well written." If Chang An was present, he would definitely be able to recognize who this person is, because he was the invigilator who was responsible for collecting the test papers a few days ago.

"Today we have five essays on current affairs. Do you think we can hand them in on time?"

"I can't guarantee it. After all, you and I have been watching the affairs of the Imperial Examination Hall. It was like this yesterday and like that tomorrow. Who can say for sure what it will be like today?" Doctor Lan said.

"Right."

The two of them kept silent at this time, fearing to disturb the candidates taking the exam, but at this time, a young man came forward and put the test paper on the table. Doctor Lan raised his head and glanced at the person who came: it was Chang An.

So just like the previous two days, he didn't even look at the test paper, just nodded slightly and waved goodbye to let him leave.

"It's him." Doctor Lan said with a smile, pointing at Chang An who was leaving.

"Is he the Marquis Dingkang?" The official next to him took the test paper and began to read it, but after only looking at the name, it was taken away by Doctor Lan.

"What are you looking at? Don't you know the question?" Doctor Lan said with a smile.

"I know, but what does this have to do with you taking away the test papers?"

"Since you know what these topics are, don't you know that these current affairs were all solved by Marquis Dingkang?" Doctor Lan said with a smile.

The official next to him was stunned for a moment and said, "Really?!"

"How could it be false? The five current affairs mentioned above were all solved by Marquis Dingkang's advice. Don't you think he can't answer them?"

......

It was just past noon, and Gu Li was sitting on the bed with the quilt covering his big belly.

"Mrs. Hou."

At this time, a voice came from outside the door, and Gu Li responded: "Come in!"

The person who came in was Qin Wenpo. Gu Li moved slightly to sit upright, then greeted her, "Qin Wenpo."

"I wonder how the Marquis's wife is feeling now? Is there any other condition?" Qin Midwife had a professional fake smile on her face and walked over while speaking.

"No, I feel pretty good."

Qin Wenpo was taken in by Chang'an after the Lantern Festival. After all, childbirth is somewhat random. It may be at night or during the day, so some wealthy families would take the midwife to their homes to stay temporarily, ready to deliver babies at any time.

"That's good." Qin Wenpo looked at Gu Li's belly with a smile and said, "From what I see from Madam Hou's appearance, the birth will happen in the next few days. Madam Hou, please take good care of yourself."

"I will."

At this time, the doorman came in and shouted, "Madam, the Marquis is back."

"Chang Lang is back!" Gu Li was stunned for a moment, and quickly got out of bed and put on his shoes, "Why are you back so soon today?"

"Go find Zhen'er and ask her to ask the kitchen to cook some noodles and eggs."

"Yes, ma'am."

After Huaiqin put on Gu Li's shoes, she took her to the door. Chang An looked relaxed at this time. Gu Li walked up to him, called out "Chang Lang", and took his hand.

"Why did Chang Lang come back so early today? Have you finished writing?"

Chang An nodded, and took her into the palace, saying as they walked: "Today's five essays are all the ones that His Majesty asked me about before."

"Your Majesty asked?" Gu Li frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Could it be the things that Chang Lang helped Your Majesty with? For example, dealing with bad money and preventing smallpox?"

"That's right, no more, no less, exactly five questions." Chang An nodded with a smile.

"That's great! Chang Lang will definitely pass the exam this time!" Gu Li said happily at this time.

Chang An kissed her on the cheek lovingly, without commenting, and then asked, "By the way, Mother Gu, I'm hungry, I want to eat."

"Don't worry, Changlang. I have arranged for the kitchen to prepare noodles and eggs for you. After a few hours, you won't be hungry anymore!" Gu Li also stood on tiptoe and kissed Chang An on the face.

"What are we going to eat tonight?" Chang An asked again, "Mrs. Gu said she would prepare a big banquet for me."

"Don't worry, these are definitely Chang Lang's favorites! Gu Niang, I will keep my word and will definitely not let Chang Lang down!"

"Then why don't you just not eat the noodles? I'm afraid I won't be able to eat in the evening."

"No, Chang Lang wants to eat. It's only 5 p.m. now, so it's still a long time before dinner."

......

In the evening, Li Longji finished his dinner and was walking in his Xingqing Palace. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked at the eunuch Cheng who was following him and asked, "Eunuch Cheng, it seems that today is the last day of the Spring Examination, right?"

"Your Majesty, that's right. The Ministry of Rites has already started grading the test papers." Eunuch Cheng also replied.

Li Longji nodded, then stroked his beard, thought about it, and asked again: "That means that Marquis Dingkang has also finished the exam?"

"Exactly."

Li Longji stopped at this point and said, "I said before that after the Spring Examination, no one without permission will be allowed to enter the Ministry of Rites. Is this true?"

Eunuch Cheng guessed what the emperor was thinking and said, "Your Majesty is the one who announced the spring imperial examinations and is also the one who makes the decisions every year. How can you say it has nothing to do with it?"

"I see, that's good." Li Longji changed direction and said, "Come on, prepare the car, I want to go to the Ministry of Rites!"

"Yes."

Li Longji's trip was "long planned". He got on his carriage and went straight to the Ministry of Rites. So the officials of the Ministry of Rites were marking the examination papers normally at this time, and they had no idea what would happen next.

"Minister Chen, this is the test paper of Dingkang Hou Chang'an, please take a look." At this time, an official came to Minister Chen with Chang'an's test paper.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with his test paper?" Minister Chen knew that Li Longji valued Chang An very much now, so he put down the test paper in his hand and took Chang An's test paper.

"It's not that there's something wrong with his test paper, it's just that it's too good."

"Great? What does great mean?" Minister Chen then began to check Chang'an's test paper.

"Even though Marquis Dingkang only came of age this year, he is still a marquis at such a young age, and yet he is valued so highly by His Majesty. With such talent, it is really difficult for us to revise his work..."

The reason why it is difficult to mark is because this test paper will eventually be handed over to Li Longji for review. If it is not marked properly, I am afraid I will be punished.

Minister Chen's expression also became serious at this time, and then he said: "Indeed."

His serious expression was not because of what the test paper would reveal, but because of the answer written on the test paper. Whatever it was, it was well written.

At this time, Eunuch Cheng's voice came from outside:

"Your Majesty is here!"

Minister Chen was a little surprised at this time, and hurriedly brought officials from the Ministry of Rites to the door to prepare to welcome them.

Li Longji walked in and asked, "My dear ministers from the Ministry of Rites, how are the examination papers being graded?"

"Your Majesty, I am currently reviewing it. I have already revised part of it and will finish reviewing all of it tomorrow," said the Minister of Rites.

"Okay." Li Longji nodded, then came to Chen Shangshu and asked, "Chen Shangshu, where is Ding Kanghou's test paper?"

"Your Majesty, that is what is before you."

Li Longji lowered his head slightly. It was indeed Chang'an's test paper. He picked it up and looked through it. He nodded as he read it, and felt that it was indeed good.

Then he asked, "Minister Chen, do you think I am qualified to appoint the top scholar?"

Minister Chen immediately understood what Li Longji meant and said, "The imperial examination is to select talents for Your Majesty. Doesn't Your Majesty decide who will be the top scholar at a glance?"

"In that case, I would like to appoint Dingkang Hou Chang'an as this year's top scholar. What do you think, Minister Chen?"