At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

"My lord, the central government is in complete chaos. No one expected His Majesty to issue an edict to hold a grand examination in the Taiji Hall on a chosen date, under the guise of selecting tribute students."

Inside the main hall of the Ministry of Personnel.

Xiao Yunyi's brows furrowed with surprise as he truthfully recounted the information he had gathered. The imperial decree to convene the palace examination was like a ladle of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan, instantly causing it to boil over.

No one expected things to develop this way.

"At the Secretariat, there were quite a few people gathered at the offices of the Left and Right Chancellors and the Grand Councilor. I don't know the specifics of their discussion, but many of them clearly expressed dissatisfaction with the palace examination."

"Also, the Right Minister Wen Shao has gone to work for the Left Chancellor."

"The Secretariat is even more lively..."

Listening to what Xiao Yunyi had to say, Xiao Jing's slightly furrowed brows relaxed. Only at this moment did he finally understand some things completely!

From the very beginning, what the emperor wanted was more than just a fair selection process!

What the emperor truly desires is to perfect the central talent selection ceremony!

No wonder the Kogon leak case came to light.

No wonder so many officials were mobilized to oversee all matters related to the selection and convening of the imperial examinations.

No wonder they need to add new numbers and copy the new rules.

No wonder they wanted to reclaim the titles of Zhuangyuanlang (状元郎), Bangyanlang (榜眼郎), and Tanhualang (探花郎).

No wonder they changed the title of "newly appointed Jinshi" to "newly appointed Gongshi".

No wonder they had to select six hundred new candidates!

The events of the past few months kept replaying in Xiao Jing's mind, and he felt a sense of awe and wonder. The Emperor's thoughts were too profound.

Many ministers in the central government never truly understood what the emperor wanted!

"It's good to have a lively atmosphere."

Having figured all this out, Xiao Jing smiled faintly. "Isn't the publication of the imperial examination results a huge controversy and a source of criticism? Let's take the palace examination again, and everything will become clear."

"Is he truly capable, or is he just a good-for-nothing?"

"There might be room for maneuver in the examination hall, but once you get to the Taiji Hall for the palace examination, anyone who dares to do anything is courting death!!"

"Sir, aren't you worried at all?"

Xiao Yunyi raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Jing.

"worry about what?"

Xiao Jing countered with a question.

“With this incident, I’m afraid there will be a lot of schemes…” Xiao Yunyi looked worried and hesitated before speaking his concerns. But he was interrupted by a voice.

"Something has happened to the lord!! The Northern Army has rushed to the inner city of Yudu and arrested a group of rioters who were disrupting order, and has also shut down many casinos!!"

really.

Xiao Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the panting official who rushed in. His smile deepened. The imperial edict to start the palace examination was causing quite a stir.

Therefore, something else must happen.

What Xiao Jing didn't expect was that the new trouble would be stirred up by the Northern Army led by Duke Han Qing of Pingguo. Xiao Jing knew a little about this matter.

The Northern Army has been mobilized, but what about the Southern Army?

"Go and call Qin Mu and the others here."

Thinking of this, Xiao Jing looked at Xiao Yunyi and said.

"Yes."

Xiao Yunyi immediately agreed.

However, Xiao Yunyi's heart was not at peace. As Xiao Jing's page, he knew some secrets. After all, there were some things that Xiao Jing could not do himself, and Xiao Yunyi was the one who did them.

Qin Mu and these other officials were recommended by Xiao Jing to serve in the Ministry of Revenue. After all, the Chen Jian case had led to the arrest of many officials and clerks in the Ministry of Revenue, and they were summoned at this time.

Xiao Yunyi didn't need to think too much before he immediately connected the dots to the Propaganda Department!

These people were selected by Xiao Jing to enter the Xuanke Division. The key point is that before that, they had already been secretly investigating some things.

While Xiao Jing was serving as the chief examiner for the imperial examinations, Xiao Yunyi was secretly monitoring Qin Mu and his group.

This is a test.

To Xiao Jing's relief, Qin Mu and the others withstood the test.

If we want to accomplish something in Dayu, the key is whether there are people willing to do it. As a pioneer in reforming commercial taxes, Xiao Jing will absolutely not allow the newly established Xuanke Division to have any fickle or indecisive individuals!

……

"Wow, it's so lively! It's really lively!!"

Weiwei Temple.

Liu Chen could not hide his excitement, a smile on his face. "His Majesty's edict has caused a great uproar in the court not long after it was issued. The Duke of Pingguo has chosen a very good opportunity to send troops to arrest people and shut down so many casinos."

"Your Highness, our mission is accomplished!!"

"Just you wait and see. Before long, Xu Hui will send troops to arrest people in the outer city and shut down all the casinos. If he doesn't do it, he'll be impeached."

"Is Uncle so certain?"

Chu Hui, leaning back in his chair, fiddled with the bamboo fan in his hand, looking at Liu Chen with a half-smile.

"That's for sure."

Liu Chen's lips curled up slightly. "As you know, I'm timid, so to ensure that what I'm about to do can be accomplished, I added a little something to the outer city."

"What material?"

Chu Hui raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Your Highness, there's no need to pry into this."

Liu Chen said awkwardly, "In short, you should just get some good sleep these next few days. Once Bao Yuan and the others submit their impeachment memorials, you can submit your own memorial. At that time, you should send someone to the Imperial Guard Temple, and I will order the Military Affairs Department to start arresting those behind the scenes."

"It's that simple?"

Chu Hui smiled.

This is definitely not simple!

Liu Chen thought to himself, "You can finally sleep soundly now, but I still have some things to do. I truly owe the Chu family a debt in this lifetime!"

However, Liu Chen only dared to complain in his heart and didn't dare to say it out loud.

Under Chu Hui's gaze, Liu Chen smiled without saying a word.

"Alright, then I'll be going now."

Seeing Liu Chen like this, Chu Hui stood up and said, "Uncle, you've worked hard these past few days."

"Hey, it's not hard work, it's not hard work."

Liu Chen hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I am receiving an official salary and doing my duty. This is what a subject should do."

hypocritical!

Chu Hui glanced at Liu Chen, cursed inwardly, and walked out of the hall without saying anything else.

"Your Highness, please take care."

Seeing this, Liu Chen extended his hand and said, "I will not see you off."

"Uncle, please wait a moment."

Chu Hui, with his back to Liu Chen, waved the bamboo fan in his hand.

"Your Highness, look!"

The moment they stepped out, Guo Huang, standing beside him, frowned and looked in one direction.

Ok?

Chu Hui looked over suspiciously and saw Liu Chen's attendant leading a person wearing a cloak walking quickly toward them, which made Chu Hui frown slightly.

Who is this person?

Just as Chu Hui began to have doubts, the cloaked figure paused noticeably as he approached Chu Hui, but quickly lowered his head and strode toward the main hall where Liu Chen was.

Does he know me?

Although the movement was very subtle, Chu Hui still noticed it.

"Leave one person behind."

Thinking of this, Chu Hui reached out to Guo Huang and said, "Be vigilant. I need to know this person's background."

"Yes."

Guo Huang quickly bowed and replied.

During this critical period, Chu Hui was more vigilant than anyone else. He had to eliminate any factor that could disrupt the palace examination!