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

The grand ceremony for announcing the results of the Taiji Hall had ended, but the grand ceremony for the people of Yudu had just begun. As squads of armored warriors appeared, the people of Yudu noticed something amiss.

When the proclamation from the Yudu magistrate's office was posted by the patrol battalion under its jurisdiction and circulated to all the neighborhoods inside and outside the city, the entire Yudu changed.

"Report!! The entire Zhuque Avenue is under lockdown, but there have been no reports of congestion or stampedes!"

"Report!! Martial law has been declared in Tonghua and Kaihua districts, but no incidents have been reported..."

"Report!!"

Yudu Magistrate's Office.

One by one, the elite soldiers of the Northern Army ran into the main hall. Upon seeing their general, they immediately clasped their hands in salute and announced the messages they wanted to transmit.

As Shao Bing, the magistrate of Yudu, watched the scene unfold before him, his heart finally settled down a little. Shao Bing dared not even think about how much of a shock it would cause if the grand ceremony to be held in the inner city of Yudu had gone wrong without the Northern Army's intervention.

The newly appointed scholars, selected by the emperor, will tour the capital of Yudu under the guidance of officials, following a pre-determined route, so that everyone in Yudu can witness their splendor.

This has never happened before!

That's not even the point.

The key issue is this year's imperial examinations... no! It's this year's selection of talents, which has been fraught with ups and downs and uncertainties, and this in itself has attracted great attention and influence.

Now, in front of the entire court, the Emperor has posted the imperial examination list. There are too many profound meanings behind this. Putting aside everything else, just the public opinion that questions whether there was cheating or other problems will crumble on its own!

Okay, you suspect there was cheating, there are problems, but from the emperor to the ministers, no one had any doubts about this imperial examination and the palace examination. So whose problem is this?

The same argument can have different effects depending on when it is circulated at different times.

"Duke Pingguo, thank you for your hard work, as well as the soldiers of the Northern Army."

As the last Northern Army soldier withdrew, Shao Bing composed himself, raised his hand in a salute to Han Qing, and said, "Such a large-scale celebration is extremely rare in Yudu. To proceed so hastily, without the assistance of the Northern and Southern armies, I fear my Yudu Magistrate's office alone would be insufficient..."

"It's my duty, Lord Shao, there's no need for you to do this."

Han Qing raised his hand in return and said, "Your Majesty's selection of talented individuals is to screen out outstanding talents for our dynasty and to ensure the stability of the world. As ministers of the Great Yu, we should do our duty well."

"The world needs stability, the world needs good governance."

"Lord Shao, we may need to trouble the Yu Du Ling Mansion to make thorough preparations. There is a risk that someone might cause trouble during this celebration. Those arrested will need to be imprisoned in the Yu Du Ling Mansion's jail."

"Don't worry, Mr. Shao has already made all the preparations."

Shao Bing immediately stated, "Those escorted back from both the North and South armies will all be imprisoned."

"That's good."

Han Qing nodded.

Seeing Han Qing like this, Shao Bing felt a pang of emotion. For a nobleman like Han Qing, who had made outstanding military achievements and commanded the Northern Army, to be so arrogant was truly a blessing for the Great Yu!

Shao Bing simply couldn't imagine what kind of chaos the central government would descend into if Han Qing, who had returned to the court with the merit of suppressing the rebellion of the rebellious vassal, really had any ulterior motives.

But Han Qing did not.

When the Empress Dowager issued the edict of generous reward, people's first reaction was to refuse, feeling that their merits were not enough to receive such a reward from the central government.

In the end, it was the emperor who issued the edict, and Han Qing finally accepted it.

This has a different impact.

But that wasn't all. When the emperor issued an edict appointing Han Qing as the Grand General of the Northern Army, Han Qing promptly went to take up his post.

After taking office, he reorganized the Northern Army several times, gradually transforming this powerful and responsible army, which guarded the inner city of Yudu, from its past disorder and factionalism into a well-ordered and orderly system.

The Northern Army right now is absolutely a monolithic entity.

The key point is that their combat strength is astonishing!!

Those who remained in the Northern Army were over 70% elite troops from the previous suppression forces, while the remaining 30% were the old guard of the Northern Army who were unwilling to compromise their principles and were subject to suppression.

With such a Northern Army under the control of Han Qing, who was loyal to the country, no one in the Northern Army could even think of touching it except to obey the imperial power.

This was the grand gift Sun Li gave to Chu Ling.

Some discerning people only realized it belatedly.

No wonder the position of Grand General of the Northern Army was vacant for so long, and no wonder the internal chaos within the Northern Army went unaddressed; it was reserved for Han Qing and his troops.

"Duke Pingguo, should we go somewhere else?" After a moment's thought, Shao Bing looked at Han Qing and asked.

"Need not."

Han Qing waved his hand and said, "It can be coordinated at the Yudu Magistrate's Office. I believe that the people under me will do their jobs well. At this time, it is better to stay at the Yudu Magistrate's Office than to go anywhere else."

"Alright, then we'll do as the Duke of Pingguo says."

Shao Bing immediately nodded.

Although this celebration was nominally under the control of the Yudu Lingfu, Shao Bing did not make any arbitrary arrests. He knew that the officials involved were aware of their duties and simply needed to do their jobs well.

Because the one who truly controls all of this is the emperor in the Daxing Palace.

"Goodness, this is quite a grand affair. Since the establishment of the imperial examination system in our dynasty, we have never seen such a grand affair."

"Who says otherwise? People enter the palace to take the imperial examination through the Vermilion Bird Avenue. Now that the imperial edict has been posted, the newly appointed scholars will come out through the Vermilion Bird Avenue. What's that called?"

"That's what you call finishing what you started!!"

"That's right!! These newly appointed Jinshi are really amazing. After going through so much, they can still maintain their condition and take the exam. If it were me, I would have been scared and didn't know what to do."

"Why don't you stand here and watch instead of being one of our dynasty's newly appointed scholars?"

"Ha ha!!"

Along the bustling Suzaku Avenue, various discussions arose amidst the crowds, all of whom craned their necks to look towards the Suzaku Gate, despite being kept at bay by the Northern Army soldiers.

"clang--"

When a long, resonant bell rang out, the heavens and earth trembled.

The tightly closed Vermilion Bird Gate slowly opened.

Then they saw a procession of over a hundred Imperial Guards, Imperial Attendants, and Embroidered Uniform Guards, some on horseback and others following closely behind, striding forward with their heads held high. Among this procession were various banners and signs. The crowd gathered near the Vermilion Bird Gate was stunned by the sight.

This is taking it way too seriously!!

The Imperial Guards, the Imperial Household Department, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard—these are all the things the Emperor values ​​most. Yet, for the sake of the entire Yu capital's celebration, they have all been mobilized.

This is more than just unbelievable.

This is absolutely earth-shattering!!

Under such watchful eyes, white horses emerged from the Vermilion Bird Gate. To the right of each horse was a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) with a sword at his side and the reins in the other. These Jinyiwei were tall and imposing as they rode forward, while the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) sat on the white horses in order.

Xia Rui, the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Su Qi, the second overall pick.

Lu Jun, the third-ranked scholar.

……

"Oh my god!! Look!! Look!!"

"Out!!"

"It's actually someone in brocade robes leading a horse!!"

The noise grew even louder.

A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Who doesn't know the existence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, both inside and outside Yudu, and even in the capital region?

The power and influence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were widely known among the common people.

Anyone who is being targeted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard is definitely suspicious.

Once you're imprisoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, don't even think about coming out alive!

This is the prestige established by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Today, however, these imposing Imperial Guards are actually leading horses for the newly appointed scholars, making many people doubt whether they are seeing things.

Even those who are just observing are in such a state.

Those who experienced it firsthand felt even more strongly about it.

When Xia Rui, Su Qi, Lu Jun, and the other newly appointed scholars were led out of the palace and gathered at the Zhuque Gate, they changed into the new robes bestowed by the emperor. When the Imperial Guards led white horses, to be honest, many of the newly appointed scholars felt their hearts race.

In order to participate in the central talent selection, they stayed in Yudu for half a year, some even longer. They knew what the Embroidered Uniform Guard had done before and after participating in the imperial examinations and the palace examinations.

Many important figures were arrested and imprisoned in the Imperial Guard's prison when the Imperial Guard launched an attack, which had a tremendous impact and shock.

But now, they are being led by the Imperial Guards on horseback, traveling along the Vermilion Bird Avenue to tour the area inside and outside Yudu. To be honest, even now, many people are still very nervous.

On one hand, there was a huge crowd of onlookers.

On one side were menacing figures in brocade robes.

Many of the newly appointed scholars were sitting on pins and needles on their horses. Although they were excited, their feelings at that moment were quite complex.

"Your Majesty, this is quite a generous gesture."

Not far from Zhuque Avenue, there is a private room in a restaurant.

Chu Hui, now dressed in plain clothes, gazed at the crowds on Zhuque Avenue and remarked with emotion, “Since the selection of candidates for the imperial examination began, our dynasty has never done anything like this. Now, you have not only changed the system of selecting talents, but also sent these newly appointed scholars to tour Yudu. This is quite an impact.”

"That's the kind of impact I wanted."

Chu Ling stood with his hands behind his back and said with a faint smile, "When my grandfather established the imperial examination system, wasn't it precisely to break down certain outdated rules and customs?"

"When the late Emperor was alive, he established the system of anonymous grading, wasn't it precisely to strengthen the fairness and impartiality of the imperial examination selection process?"

“Selecting talented individuals is the foundation of a nation. It involves regularly selecting talented people from across the country to inject fresh blood into the ruling class and replace those who are corrupt.”

"You must know all the things that happened behind the scenes during the special imperial examination in the first year of the Zhengtong era, even though you stayed with me in the Shanglin Garden."

"The imperial examination selection for the fourth year of the Zhengtong reign has not yet been held, and some people have already begun to have designs on me even as I am holding my wedding. I want to use this to tell the world that the selection of talents is determined by the dynasty and by me. If anyone is wholeheartedly devoted to the people and the country, the dynasty and I can give them a lot. But if anyone tries to play tricks on me, I will let them know what it means to be doomed forever!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Chu Hui raised his hand in a gesture of respect.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Liu Chen, Luo Zhi, and Yin Yu behind him bowed in greeting.

"Alright, enough with the flattery."

Chu Ling smiled and waved his hand, then turned and walked towards the banquet. After sitting down, he reached out to the group and said, "Come and sit down, everyone. You've all worked hard these past few days. It just so happens that my newly appointed scholars are traveling in Yudu, so I'm hosting this banquet to celebrate your achievements."

Chu Hui behaved quite naturally. As soon as Chu Ling finished speaking, he happily bowed to express his gratitude and then sat down next to Chu Ling.

As far as Chu Hui was concerned, he would do whatever his elder brother told him to do.

However, Liu Chen, Luo Zhi, and Yin Yu seemed hesitant.

They weren't fools; they had all witnessed what had just happened. Indeed, this grand celebration had been attended by all the newly appointed scholars.

From the Taiji Hall to the interior and exterior of Yudu, this honor is truly immense.

The resulting shocks and effects will spread throughout the world over time.

But one thing made them realize that things weren't so simple.

Those were the Imperial Guards leading the horses for the newly appointed scholars!

Having experienced so much, how could Liu, Chen, and the other two not know that people can change? Even with the honors bestowed by the emperor and the title of the emperor's protégé, the new Jinshi graduates of the fourth year of the Zhengtong era would be grateful to the emperor. But once they entered officialdom, whether in the central government or in the provinces, they would face all sorts of temptations. Who could guarantee that these 217 new Jinshi graduates would remain steadfast to the end?

No one can guarantee.

If something goes wrong in the future, what should be done with the rotten parts?

Brocade-clad warriors are undoubtedly the best weapons!

Today, the imperial guards, acting on imperial orders, will lead the horses on a tour.

Tomorrow, the Imperial Guards will be ordered to arrest and execute them.

All this is traceable.

Anyone who dares to be corrupt and degenerate can be elevated to a pedestal or fall into the abyss. And which of the three people who thought of this did not feel awe, or even fear?

"Uncle, you are the eldest here."

Under these circumstances, Chu Hui smiled and looked at Liu Chen, saying, "If you don't sit down, how can my two brothers-in-law dare to sit down first?"

"Yes Yes."

Liu Chen nodded repeatedly, then bowed to Chu Ling and said, "Your subject kowtows in gratitude for the Emperor's grace."

As he spoke, Liu Chen lowered his head and stepped forward, sitting halfway down on the brocade stool.

The same applies to Luo Zhi and Yin Yu.

"Today we're all family."

Chu Ling picked up the wine pot and poured wine for himself. Seeing this, Chu Hui got up and poured wine for Liu Chen, Luo Zhi, and Yin Yu, which made the three of them stand up.

Seeing Chu Hui like this, Chu Ling smiled with satisfaction.

Having a younger brother who's easy to take care of is great.

"It's rare for us to get together."

Chu Ling put down the wine pot and said to Chu Hui with a smile, "Brother Hui, pour yourself a cup too."

"it is good."

Chu Hui immediately grinned.

Chu Ling treats Chu Hui very well, but he is very strict in some ways. For example, he cannot drink wine before he reaches adulthood. Of course, there are no absolutes, and on some special occasions, he will ask Chu Hui to drink a few cups less.

"I will not say anything else."

Chu Ling picked up his wine cup, and the others followed suit. "I am very pleased that our family is so considerate. It is difficult for me to take care of this country and its people on my own. In your respective positions, you should share my burdens and think more about the country."

"Yes."

"The minister obeys the order."

With everyone responding, a glass of wine was downed.

"I've heard that Princess Yongning is pregnant?"

Chu Ling put down his wine cup and looked at Luo Zhi with a smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Luo Zhi hurriedly stood up and said, "Princess Yongning has been pregnant for more than four months."

As she spoke, Luo Zhi, who was usually very serious, broke into a smile.

"real or fake."

Chu Hui said with a hint of excitement, "Then I must go see my elder sister."

"Going empty-handed?"

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow and looked at Chu Hui with a smile.

"Of course not."

Chu Hui grinned and said, "Brother-in-law, just wait there. I'll find a few treasures from the inner treasury and secretly bring them to you."

"I'm still sitting here!!"

Chu Ling glared and said, "Going to take things from the inner treasury and then expecting people to remember your kindness, Brother Hui, you've got a clever plan."

"Oops, I let it slip."

Chu Hui slapped his forehead and said.

"Ha ha!!"

Laughter filled the air, but this scene evoked deep emotions in Liu Chen, Luo Zhi, and Yin Yu. On one hand, it reflected the affection between the Emperor and the Eighth Prince; on the other hand, it highlighted the Emperor's emphasis on family ties. Of course, they could also sense the underlying meaning...