Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 143 The storm is coming

There were many examiners this time, mostly from the Ministry of Rites, followed by the Ministry of Personnel.

Shuntian Imperial Examination Hall was completely closed, and all those who participated in the examination, from the chief examiner to the deputy chief examiner, co-examiners, examiners, transcribers, etc., were all confined inside the hall.

The results of this scientific expedition will be announced in three days.

The eight-part essay questions posed by Cheng Minzheng this time were so difficult that the examiners had to relax the standards. Otherwise, if they continued to mark the papers like this, it might not be possible for even one-tenth of the 300 candidates originally scheduled to be selected this year to pass the examination.

There is no other way, you have to pick a general from among the short guys.

"The handwriting is illegible, I won't record it!"

"Off topic, not recording!"

Although it was still chilly in spring, the examiners were sweating profusely and looked extremely irritated because the deviations in the answers of these candidates were so great that they would turn a blind eye if the answers were slightly off.

It was not until an examiner saw such a test paper that he could not help but sigh with joy: "This eight-part essay is basically the standard answer!"

"His calligraphy is also very beautiful. He should win first prize!"

After three days of marking the papers, when the names were revealed, there was no doubt that Tang Yin was admitted as this year's champion, and Lun Wenxu was second.

As the announcement of the results was about to take place, Zhong Huachang, the official in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, submitted a memorial that caused an uproar in the court.

Hua Chang impeached Cheng Minzheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, for collaborating with Tang Yin to commit fraud!

Hua Chang gave two pieces of evidence. First, Tang Yin visited Cheng Minzheng before the imperial examination. The two talked until late at night, and no one knew what they were talking about.

This story was personally narrated by Tang Yin's friend who had passed the imperial examination and could not be false.

Secondly, Tang Yin had said before and after the exam that he would definitely win the first prize. How could he be so confident if the exam questions had not been leaked in advance? And now that the results have not been announced, Tang Yin has indeed won the first prize. Who can believe that this was not a conspiracy by Cheng Minzheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, to cheat?

The imperial examination has always been the top priority of the country. It is an absolutely fair examination and no risk of cheating is allowed.

This is a big deal, a very, very big deal, big enough for Emperor Hongzhi to personally take care of and pay attention to.

To be cautious, Emperor Hongzhi did not include Tang Yin in the list this time and asked the cabinet's deputy minister Li Dongyang to investigate the case as soon as possible.

However, the results of the imperial examination could not be kept secret, so Fu Han, the left official in the Ministry of Rites, suggested that the list be issued first, otherwise thousands of candidates would gather in the capital and there would be no explanation.

Not only did Fu Han make such a suggestion, many civil servants in the court also felt that the list of candidates for this joint examination should be distributed first. Thousands of candidates should not be allowed to gather in the capital and wait in vain just because of Tang Yin's suspicion of cheating. There was no such precedent in the Ming Dynasty.

Emperor Hongzhi could only ask the Ministry of Rites to issue the list of candidates for this year's imperial examination tomorrow.

……

In the evening, Xu Jing was in the villa of Shuntian Prefecture.

Chen Ce came as promised, and Tang Yin hurriedly bowed to Chen Ce and said, "Hello, teacher."

Xu Jing also bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Chen."

Chen Ce glanced at Tang Yin, then looked at Xu Jing, and asked, "How did you do in the exam?"

Xu Jing smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid that Brother Sun Shan will be in front of me."

Tang Yin said confidently: "Teacher, I think I will be the champion this year."

Chen Ce uttered a soft "oh" and then said, "Master Tang, you don't have to call me teacher. I really didn't teach you anything."

Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly asked: "What's wrong with the teacher... Um, Father Xu Heng, you are not going to say bad things about me in front of my teacher, are you?"

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "He doesn't need to tell me. Your deeds are well known in Shuntian Prefecture. It is even rumored that you have met a high-ranking official like the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Your future prospects are limitless."

Tang Yin chuckled and said, "So the teacher is jealous. Don't worry, I just talked to Master Cheng about painting and other things..." Chen Ce didn't listen to him continue speaking, and asked with a straight face, "Who knows?"

"I said you were asking Cheng Minzheng to buy exam questions."

Tang Yin said sternly: "Teacher! You are insulting your students!"

Xu Jing quickly came over with a smile on his face and acted as a peacemaker.

Chen Ce waved his hand and said, "You don't have to come over to persuade me. I know Tang Yin's character. He is arrogant and proud of his talent. He never takes my words to heart."

"I've been sincere in my advice to you, once or twice. I really don't have that much time to worry about you."

"If I were not ill, I might be able to devote some attention to you, but I really don't have much time."

Tang Yin said stubbornly: "I just went to see Master Cheng once, and I never had any evil thoughts of changing my sect. Why is the teacher so jealous?"

Chen Ce stared at Tang Yin, and gradually his face turned into disappointment. He said to Tang Yin, "Our relationship is over."

"You still don't understand. You are still the same as him in history. Your character is destined to prevent you from becoming an official. Even if everything goes well this time, your character will still harm you in the future. Instead of this, it is better to give up the idea of ​​becoming an official as soon as possible."

Looking at Chen Ce's departing back, Tang Yin and Xu Jing stood there blankly, neither of them knowing what was going on.

Xu Jing was the first to react, and hurriedly said to Tang Yin: "Bo Hu! What are you still standing there for?"

"You really made Master Chen angry! Go and apologize!"

Tang Yin also felt that what he had said just now was really too much, so he quickly ran out and caught up with Chen Ce, apologizing repeatedly, saying, "I'm sorry, teacher."

"I was harsh in my words just now. I'm sorry."

Chen Ce stopped and looked at Tang Yin, saying meaningfully: "You don't have to apologize to me. You should be responsible for your own life. I can't be responsible for you."

"You take care of yourself."

When Chen Ce disappeared into the darkness, Xu Jing came running over breathlessly and asked Tang Yin, "Bo Hu, how is it?"

Tang Yin looked confused and said, "I don't know. The teacher told me to take care of myself, but I really don't understand what I did wrong."

Xu Jing couldn't figure it out either. He didn't know what happened to Chen Ce tonight. Didn't Bo Hu say that he did well in the exam?
Isn’t this a good thing?

Why does Mr. Chen look so worried?
Xu Jing always had a bad feeling that something bad was going to happen, but he didn't have Chen Ce's foresight, so he didn't know what would happen.

"Forget it. Let's go to see the teacher tomorrow with the winner's business card." Tang Yin comforted Xu Jing, "I'm going back first. Let's go to the Imperial Examination Hall to look at the list tomorrow morning."

"Okay!" Xu Jing agreed readily.

……

The residence of Fu Han, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Fu Yuan has been holding a grudge ever since he was tricked by Chen Ce in the last business competition, but now he is finally letting go.

Fu Han said to Fu Yuan, "Hua Chang's memorial has been submitted. I will do as you said and force the emperor to release the list of candidates for the imperial examination tomorrow."

Fu Yuan asked calmly, "How?"

Fu Han nodded and said, "The Emperor will send down the list of candidates for the imperial examination tomorrow."

Fu Yuan let out a long sigh of relief, smiled easily and said, "Cheng Minzheng is finished! Tang Yin is finished!"

As long as this list of imperial examinations is released, he will be 80% sure to prove that the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites cooperated with Tang Yin in cheating!
(End of this chapter)