Summer wraps autumn, water keeps wind

At the Gate of Supreme Harmony, the emperor's face sank like water, and the officials couldn't see what the young emperor was thinking.The ministers kowtowed one by one, some were indignant and some were dragged into tears, each scrambling to speak out, in the final analysis, they hoped that the emperor would reform the imperial examination system, saying that it was to appease the south to stop the examination, but he also proposed that more children from aristocratic families be selected for the reason It is because the aristocratic family has more ministers and talents since the dynasty, so the tradition should be maintained.

Bi Xin looked coldly at the officials kneeling on the ground, and said: "The North and South List is also the ancestral system, do you want to abolish it?"

Immediately, a minister replied: "The cancellation of the examination in the south is due to your Majesty's changes, and the scholars are afraid to jointly file a petition."

The emperor said: "I have read dozens of copies of the love letter and read it carefully several times, but there are a few names missing."

Liu Jiangxiao stepped forward and kowtowed: "It's my duty to do my best for His Majesty."

It turned out that there were also several scholars from the Liu family in Jinling who were also freshmen. The few who were close to Wu Guogong did not get involved in this matter, but a distant scholar was instigated by others and signed. , under the guise of Wu Guogong Liu's name spread around.

A few days ago, Shenliu Jiangxiao's papers arrived, but Liu's family was faster, first found a reason to break the relationship, and then personally escorted that person to the government office.There are so many implicated in the cancellation of the exam, and the local yamen can't control it at all, so they can only be charged and watch the movement in the capital.Several ministers also knelt down with Liu Jiangxiao. They were all southerners, expressing that they only obeyed the emperor's will.

Sun Panjin also came out and said: "Even the Shi family is unwilling to give up the exam. Presumably the so-called dismissal of the exam is just a trick of some ignorant juniors. Your Majesty's determination is unshakable."

At that time, Yan Liao was the chief assistant and assisted the two dynasties. He had outstanding achievements and was a generation of virtuous ministers.Because he was the chief assistant, his son was not allowed to take the imperial examination to avoid suspicion. After he became an official, he retired to his hometown, living in poverty, and his sons had no experience in official career.However, his grandson Shishen was a well-known talent in the south of the Yangtze River, and he won the Juren before his thirties. He was quite influential in the local area, but he didn't sign the petition this time.

The emperor pointed his eyes, and Li He waved his whisk to ask the eunuchs to distribute letter paper to the ministers, which turned out to be a letter that had been copied several times.After all the ministers read it, cold sweat ran down their spines. This letter was written by Shi Shen. Through the influence of his grandfather, the letter almost entered Beijing together with the petition from the local government school.He really deserves to be a talented person in the south of the Yangtze River. He pointed out that there are people in the court who are not pure ministers.The words are exquisite and bold, directly poking at the ills of the imperial court. Even the officials would be ashamed of this courageous literary talent.All the ministers knelt down and expressed their panic.

Although the vitality of the aristocratic family has been damaged, several big families are closely related to the royal family, and they still have a foundation. The Zheng family said: "After all, it is an ignorant child who accepts such a letter to humiliate the court. It is unfortunate for the old family."

"But I think it's interesting." The emperor snorted lightly.

"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is not to listen to some noisy words from a scholar, but to calm down the south and stop the exam." The minister said steadily.

The emperor raised his chin and said, "How did the North get rid of the exam back then?" Everyone was stunned.

The emperor at that time acted resolutely, but cruelly. He arrested a group of leaders and killed them directly. Although it worked, it left a bad name in history, and no one dared to mention it.

"At that time, the situation was urgent, and it was not the same. Please think twice, Your Majesty!" In the end, the monarch and his ministers broke up unhappy.

Enke is scheduled to be in May, and there are less than three months left. The matter is imminent.Bi Xin knew what they were afraid of. Offending the family would mean that his official career would not go well. If he offended the scholars all over the world, he would lose even a place to stand.Bi Xin faintly feels that this matter is not simple, but who controls all this?

Day after day, Bi Xin originally thought that after the forced palace, all the ministers would gradually be used by him, but that time the attack was too heavy, the important institutions of the imperial court were short of talents, even the normal operation had problems, and the local government complained again and again , The mess cannot be cleaned up.

Things turned around at noon one day.

Several old princes who specially brought him back to Beijing for retirement invited Liu Fu to visit him at Prince Xuan's mansion.After exchanging pleasantries, King Ping sighed, stroked his gray beard and said: "We old bones are useless and cannot contribute to the court, but as the elders of the royal family, we always have something to say."

Liu Fu hurriedly said: "The old emperor has something to teach, and the younger generation will follow it naturally."

King Ping also said: "This king has never touched government affairs in his life, but he knows that those ministers are not reliable, and he can only rely on his own family."

Liu Fu shook his head and said: "Brother Huang also wanted to reuse members of the royal family, but there are not many who are successful. The bloodlines of the enfeoffments are far away, and they are far away from the court. The most important thing is that they have nothing but status."

King Ping was stunned as if poking the pain in his heart. He frowned and said: "Nowadays, the court is chaotic and the place is restless. The rebellion and war have only been extinguished a few years ago, and the treasury is not rich. The emperor's eagerness to reform is also for the sake of the country, but he is too hasty. If you don't Relax, the country is not stable!"

Liu Fu heard that there was something in his words, his brows tightened and he said: "You mean, there must be a force to stabilize the court?"

King Ping gave him a deep look and didn't speak.

"Zonghu is easy to catch but hard to catch. Brother Huang has never thought about it." Liu Fu's eyes were erratic.

King Ping shook his head and said: "The Wang family and the Yi family belonged to one family, and they have been married for generations. You and I have their blood. They are different from other vassal kings. They have military power and strength. They have deep roots in the south and are beyond the power of the court. , they can play a role.”

The Yi family is the only heterosexual royal family in our dynasty. The main line is the king of Weiyi. When the ancestors conquered the world, the Yi family was powerful. The ancestors promised to treat their family as a royal family, retain military power, fief and hereditary throne, and their family can participate in politics. Just like the royal family, the Yi family is willing to submit.

The Yi family has a cautious and prudent style and extraordinary talents. Because of the ancestral system, there have been several princes discussing and participating in politics. Because of the family tradition, the two have lived in peace.Now the king of Weiyi is a once-in-a-century genius in his family. When the first emperor was there, he led troops to sweep the Nanman rebels with outstanding military exploits.

King Weiyi is different from King Yan. His army does not belong to the imperial court. The land he conquered is nominally national territory, but in fact it is also his jurisdiction. The power of the Yi family and the lifeline of the country live together.It is precisely because their strength is stronger than before that the emperor is wary of them, and even at this point, he dare not use them at will.How could Liu Fu not understand this truth, he was really in a dilemma.

Outside the Palace of Mercy Ning, cuckoos blew past, the gorgeous and desolate palace gate would never be warmed up, the most noble woman in the deep palace was just a widow after all, no amount of glory could but maintain the brilliance on the surface.Seizing power and fighting for profit is never the life a woman wants.Wrapped in so many silk cocoons, she could no longer see the heart she once had.The destiny of a woman in an aristocratic family is to become a pawn for a man to satisfy his own ambitions and desires, and who he is is not important at all.

The emperor's dragon robe was not removed, and the dazzling golden court clothes reflected the splendor of the hall.The Empress Dowager leaned on the imperial concubine's bed with makeup showers, the traces of early aging were covered by makeup, and after recovering from illness, her face was full of energy.

The mother and son exchanged a few pleasantries according to the etiquette, and the queen mother ordered Bo Zhe to light the hookah, took a few sips, and took a deep look at the emperor.

The emperor said: "The son thought that the mother was sick and closed the door to clean up, but she didn't want the mother to have her own plans."

The queen mother touched the pattern on the hookah, she was calm, and said lightly: "Whatever the Ai family plans, it is for the emperor and for the ancestor's foundation."

The emperor's eyes were slightly cold: "I'm afraid that the empress mother is still ill and has said something stupid. I will not be involved in politics in the harem!"

Of course the emperor knew the relationship between the Zheng family and the Yi family, they were close in-laws, and the Queen Mother's mother was the direct daughter of the Yi family.But now the government is in chaos, and no one except the Yi family can solve the current crisis, but the power turnover has finally taken advantage of this scheming lady in the deep palace.

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly, with a trace of pity and sarcasm in her eyes: "The emperor probably thought wrong, Aijia just wanted to recruit more concubines into the palace, so as to spend money for the royal family."

The emperor sneered in his heart. Today, all the ministers and the emperor hoped that he would follow the ancestral system and recruit the king of Weiyi to the capital to assist the government. calculating.But marrying the Yi family is a royal tradition in the past dynasties, and he really has no reason to refute.

The emperor said: "The niece of the King of Weiyi is indeed from a well-known Shuyu family. She is a lady of a generation. Since she has the ancestral system, the sons and ministers would like to respect the mother and give her kindness."

The queen mother nodded, as if casually said: "These days when Ai's family is sick, Concubine Ning is diligent in taking care of the harem, but the news inside and outside the palace is also very well informed." The emperor's heart moved, the Liu family, after all, was supported by the queen mother.Although the two are gradually having a rift, they have not torn faces, and it is reasonable if there is an intersection.

The emperor's thoughts changed again, the empress dowager's words seemed to be dissatisfied with Concubine Ning, even if the Liu family gave and received, it was better than colluding with the Zheng family.Although the Yi family is close to the Zheng family, the relationship between the Yi family and the royal family is still close. There is really no need for them to fight against the imperial power for the Zheng family. Living in peace and harmony is the way for the Yi family to prosper.

Thinking about it, the emperor suddenly felt much more at ease, and instead smiled: "Concubine Ning is indeed diligent, and my ministers also want to reward her. I don't know what the queen mother thinks?"

The Empress Dowager was startled, and said: "Yes, Concubine Ning has the new words that Ai's family has just filled out after hearing about them outside the palace, and the news is well-informed. But a woman's lack of talent is virtue. Let her give her a son-in-law Guanyin, okay? Remind her to do her best as a concubine."

The emperor's face darkened. So far no one in the harem has conceived. Are concubines really immoral?Even if everyone has something on their minds, they dare not say it and can't say it. Even the queen mother has to maintain the face of the royal family.Thinking that the kind and amiable queen mother in the past gradually revealed a gloomy face.The family relationship in Tianjia is noble and peaceful in the eyes of others, but who knows the fragility under this decent appearance.