After my soul traveled to ancient times, I don't want to be cannon fodder

Take the test on the same day and get graded on the same day!

All the candidates who had finished the examination originally planned to leave the palace directly after the exam and wait for the results to be announced three days later.

But unexpectedly, the emperor would suddenly issue an order, ordering all candidates to stay on standby!

Soon, the furnishings in the hall were rearranged. In addition to the officials responsible for reviewing the examination papers, there were also about ten representative officials from the four ministries, the three government offices, and the Hanlin Academy, sitting on both sides.

The palace is extremely spacious and can accommodate all the candidates. Because the tables and chairs have been removed, it does not seem too crowded just standing in the palace.

The candidates entered the hall one by one with their examination cards. In the center, on a high platform, they saw the emperor wearing a golden dragon robe, sitting high on the dragon throne.

There were two seats on both sides below, and sitting on them were the Second Prince and Princess Zhaohua.

The second prince was dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe, with an upright posture and a look of calmness and wisdom in his eyes. He turned slightly sideways, as if whispering something with Princess Zhaohua beside him. His expression showed the dignity and elegance of the royal family.

Princess Zhaohua was dressed in a pink gauze dress, looking like a fairy from the mortal world. There was a faint smile on her pretty face, and her eyes were sparkling with a smart light. She nodded gently from time to time, as if she agreed with what the second prince said.

The two of them sat quietly at the table. The atmosphere around them was quiet and peaceful, as if time had stopped at this moment. Only the slight breathing and occasional subtle sounds told of their peace and comfort at the moment.

Zhong Ning originally didn't want to come in. She just wanted to stay in the side hall to listen to how Emperor Yong would conduct the assessment, and she was even more curious about how those students would respond.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Yong suddenly changed his mind and ordered people to set up seats under the dragon throne for her and Murong Yun to watch in court.

The gentlemen sitting on both sides of the hall couldn't help but frown. They really couldn't understand what His Majesty was suddenly going to do.

I have never heard of any other arrangements after the palace examination before.

What's more, what does it mean for Princess Zhaohua, a woman, to be present at the Spring Examination to select talents?

Someone from the Censorate wanted to object, but just as he opened his mouth, he saw Princess Zhaohua looking at him sternly. He pursed his lips and sat back down immediately.

It’s okay to offend His Majesty, at most you will receive a reprimand.

But if you offend Princess Zhaohua, the whole family will be implicated.

Don’t you see, Prince An was powerful and influential, but was uprooted by Princess Zhaohua?

A first-rank prince can't even protect himself, so he's just a mere imperial censor, so he shouldn't ask for trouble.

Everyone lowered their heads silently.

It’s not that they are cowardly, but the woman above is really not someone to be trifled with!

If she holds a grudge against me, it will be no joke.

Life and death only happen in a moment.

Let's hear what Your Majesty commands!

"You all have overcome numerous difficulties and hardships to get here. In the future, you will definitely govern this area and take care of the local people!"

"Today, I have specially ordered people to collect some important matters concerning people's livelihood from the local areas and to examine them first."

"Don't panic!"

"I have only set ten questions, using a quick-answer system. Those who successfully answer the questions correctly will have their scores taken into account and included in the ranking list."

"I attach great importance to this talent selection ceremony, so I will conduct an investigation based on your individual circumstances to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation!"

Emperor Yong's voice was light, but it was like a bomb that exploded into the vortex.

"Your Majesty," Minister of Rites Zhou Qingzhi stood up first and said with some dissatisfaction, "Your Majesty, this is against the rules!"

"Your Majesty, the palace examination is a system passed down from our ancestors. How can it be changed so easily?" Minister of Works Ning Yuanfeng also objected.

"Okay, regarding the ancestral system, father is only making innovations based on it. When did he change it? My two lords, please don't make random accusations!" Zhong Ning warned in a low voice.

Ning Yuanfeng was choked and felt a little unhappy. He wanted to turn the game around, but he saw that Zhong Ning's eyes suddenly darkened.

Ning Yuanfeng's body stiffened slightly, thinking of his family's speculation that the Qinghe Cui family was most likely destroyed by Princess Zhaohua, and that he must coax this female devil and never bring trouble to the family.

Then he had no choice but to sit back down.

He wasn't angry, why would he be angry with a wolf?

What if he gets angry and kills my entire family?

Ning Yuanfeng sat down, and Zhou Qingzhi, knowing he was isolated and helpless, had no choice but to sit down as well.

He had already revealed the possible questions for the palace examination to his own sons and nephews. Who could have imagined that His Majesty would have a sudden idea and test them on the spot.

This assessment will also be included in the palace examination results.

Alas, now I can only hope that my nephews and nephews can handle it calmly and don’t make any more mistakes.

Su Qi took a step forward, holding a whisk, and took out a small letter from the tray held by the eunuch next to him. He said loudly to the people below:

"Quick answer session begins. Anyone who wants to answer, please raise your number plate!"

"The first question asks: There is a county with abundant mineral resources and fertile land. However, the mineral resources and 70% of the land are owned by the aristocracy, while the remaining 30% is held by the common people. In this situation, as an official appointed by the imperial court, how should you meet the imperial tax collection standards?"

As soon as this question was raised, all the ministers, including most of the candidates, changed their expressions. This was not an innuendo, but a blatant accountability.

Everyone present here, which family does not have thousands of acres of fertile land and private mineral resources? They are all nobles and do not need to pay taxes.

The question Your Majesty asked is clearly about this matter!

"Candidates, you may answer now!" Seeing no response from below, Su Qi immediately repeated it again.

Those who can pass the exam are not fools. Who would dare to bring bad luck at this time? All the ministers looked at the candidates below, and then looked at Emperor Yong above with a gloomy face.

He thought that if anyone dared to answer, he would offend the court officials and the nobles of the world, and ruin his future. Who would dare to stand up?

But what they never expected was that there would actually be a troublemaker who dared to stand up.

Taking a look, wow, it’s the current member, Wenren Ye!

A mere scholar from a humble family actually dared to challenge their authority. All the ministers looked unhappy, but Wen Renye seemed to be oblivious.

He just stared at Zhong Ning. He had already found out that Princess Zhaohua was promoting land and tax reforms. Although it was only a pilot project in Qinghe, there were signs of progress.

Now that he has lost the system, whether he can go back or not depends entirely on Princess Zhaohua's wishes. Today's palace examination is the time for him to surrender and express his loyalty.

"Your Majesty, gentlemen, I believe that if 70% of a county's land is owned by aristocrats and 30% is occupied by the common people, it would be impossible to meet the court's tax revenue targets based solely on this 30%."

"If all ten percent of the tax revenue were levied upon 30 percent of the people, it would inevitably lead to widespread starvation and despair. If that happened, the people would rise up and rebel against this huge mountain that weighs on their heads."

"In my opinion, if it's just one place, it's easy to control. But if it's a common occurrence in Dayong right now, the people will definitely not be able to eat, and the treasury won't be able to collect taxes. In just a few years, the country will be burdened and destroyed!"

"Therefore, only if all the gentry pay taxes together can this problem be solved!"

As soon as these words fell, the whole hall fell silent.

Then, a candidate standing below suddenly stepped forward and said indignantly to the one above him:

"Your Majesty, I would like to report Wen Renye. Favoring the gentry is the national policy established by Taizu. Wen Renye is so rebellious today, openly opposing the national policy, making alarmist remarks, and stirring up confusion. His crime is unforgivable!"

"Your Majesty, please revoke Wenren Ye's qualification to take the imperial examination. A treacherous villain like him is not worthy of standing in this palace!"