Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 115 Queen: All the sisters know you are fake

Enko finally ended.

The Minister of Rites Hu Yi stood in front of the Imperial Examination Hall, looking at the groups of students leaving and grinning.

They are ordinary, but there are people among them who are not moved by the turmoil of the outside world, stick to the goodness in their hearts, and influence the world with their noble character. This is called establishing virtue.

They are new to the field, but some of them are not afraid of difficulties and obstacles, are brave enough to take on responsibilities, are committed to benefiting the people, and write a brilliant chapter in their lives with practical actions. In this way, they will make great contributions.

Their knowledge is still shallow, but some of them are diligent in exploration, dare to innovate, use writing to pass on civilization, enlighten future generations, and leave immortal chapters. This is called establishing words.

Scholars have three wishes: to establish virtue, to establish merit, and to establish words. Hu Yi, who is almost 80 years old, firmly believes that these young people in the Ming Dynasty will do better than he does.

"How envious I am of your youthful and energetic age." He murmured to himself.

"Sir, you are their teacher." Shang Lu came over and bowed respectfully, "Sir, I thank you on their behalf. It is because of you sitting in the Ministry of Rites for more than 30 years that the imperial examination is fair and children from poor families like me can enter the court."

Hu Yi waved his hands modestly, but he was happy in his heart.

This Shang Lu also became the top scholar when he presided over the imperial examination in the tenth year of Zhengtong. Today, Shang Lu is already a cabinet minister. In the past thirty years, if we talk about who has the most students, it must be Hu Yi. From the court to the local areas, there are students of Hu Yi. He is truly a man of many talents.

"This should be the last time I preside over the imperial examination for the Ming Dynasty." Hu Yi sighed, "I am very content. I have seen many promising young people in these years."

Shang Lu looked at his white-haired teacher and said with sorrow: "Sir, we will all remember you."

Hu Yi glanced at him and said, "This is His Majesty's special favor. You should thank His Majesty. By the way, I heard that you have submitted a memorial to oppose the new policy again? You don't even listen to me? You want to get beaten, right?"

Shang Lu stood there motionless, and after receiving two punches from Hu Yi, he smiled and said, "Sir, you know, I, Shang Lu, actually don't have any ability to govern a country. I am just a scholar, and I will only be a scholar. I will constantly give your Majesty suggestions, saying that this cannot be done and that cannot be done. Of course, your Majesty can choose not to listen."

Hu Yi was afraid of his shoulder.

He understood Shang Lu's meaning. The emperor needed such scholars around him who could constantly remind him. Only in this way could the emperor dare to employ people like Liu Dingzhi and implement new policies.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen looked at the ten examination papers submitted by the Ministry of Rites, and he wanted to name the top three. He glanced at them and did not find Li Dongyang's paper. However, he did not ask any more questions and picked up his pen to name the top three.

After he finished, he turned to Hu Yi and asked, "There is a guy named Li Dongyang, how did he do in the exam?"

Hu Yi was a little surprised: "Your Majesty has also heard of this child prodigy? He failed the exam this time."

"Ah?" Zhu Qizhen was surprised.

"His essay is not bad, but it seems immature and obviously put together. There is no substance behind the gorgeous writing. Therefore, I will let him fail the exam." Hu Yi said, "However, I will give him a chance to enter Shuntian Prefecture School as a student. It won't be too late to admit him in a few years, after all, he is still young."

Zhu Qizhen secretly admired that Hu Yi, an experienced Minister of Rites, could even consider the life of a student. Li Dongyang, who became famous at a young age, did need some tests. But he would not let Li Dongyang sink from then on, and gave him a chance to serve the students.

"It is a blessing for students all over the world to have Mr. Hu." Zhu Qizhen said sincerely.

A smug smile appeared on Hu Yi's lips: "This is the last time I preside over the imperial examination for the Ming Dynasty. It is a complete success."

Zhu Qizhen approached and encouraged him, "Three years later, you continue."

Hu Yi shook his head: "I'm old now. Besides, we should give young people a chance, right?"

Zhu Qizhen nodded and asked, "Who is suitable to be the Minister of Rites and preside over the imperial examinations after you?"

"Shang Lu, he is the only person in our dynasty who won the top three places in the imperial examination." Hu Yi answered without hesitation.

Zhu Qizhen frowned and said, "Shang Aiqing is certainly talented, but he has a bad temper. Sometimes I say one thing and he says three things back."

Hu Yi laughed loudly: "Your Majesty, this is your blessing. With a minister like Shang Lu by your side, Your Majesty will always be alert."

Zhu Qizhen was stunned for a moment, and then he started laughing too.

He recalled a drama he had watched in his previous life, in which Emperor Qianlong said to Ji Xiaolan: I hope you will always be Ji Xiaolan, telling me what I can and cannot do by my side. It is only because of you, a scholar like Ji Xiaolan, that I dare to have a friend like Heshen.

……

The announcement of the results of the special examination shocked the whole city.

The top scorer in this special examination was Ke Qian, the second place was Wu Hui, and the third place was Shen Manqing.

The procession was huge, with the top three candidates wearing gorgeous official uniforms and riding tall horses, slowly marching at the front of the procession. Their faces were filled with pride and joy, and they waved to the crowds on both sides from time to time, drawing cheers and applause.

Shen Manqing said to Ke Qian and Wu Hui, "You two, after the parade, let's go to Taibai Restaurant for a drink. My father has set up a buffet there, it would be a shame if you don't eat."

"Your father is holding a buffet in the capital? Or at Taibai Restaurant?" Wu Hui was shocked.

"What does your family do?" Ke Qian asked curiously.

Shen Manqing spread her hands: "Jiangnan Shen family, don't you know? The richest family in Jiangnan."

Ke Qian and Wu Hui both held their foreheads. Shen Manqing shrugged: "Alas, I didn't expect that I would win the third place. My father was also a third place winner. This time, he will have enough to brag about it when he goes back."

"Your father once won the third place in the imperial examination?" Wu Hui exclaimed.

"That's right, it was during the time of the previous emperor." Shen Manqing said, "He won the third place in the imperial examination and entered the Imperial Academy, but he found that he was not suitable for being an official, so he resigned and returned home."

Ke Qian's eyes were full of envy, and he said, "Two top scholars in the same family, that's a good story."

Shen Manqing shook her head nonchalantly: "Bullshit! He doesn't want to be an official, so he forces me to study and get a good reputation, so that he can collude with me in the future to make the Shen family bigger and stronger."

Ke Qian quickly looked around and glared speechlessly: "Brother Shen, stop talking nonsense."

Shen Manqing still looked nonchalant and waved her hand: "Okay, let's go drink. We won't go home until we're drunk tonight. Brother Ke, Brother Wu, do you want to call a few girls from Feiyan Tower? The Oiran?"

Ke Qian and Wu Hui looked at each other.

"Well, as long as you pay, whether she's an oiran or not... I still care about her."

"Quietly, we are celebrities now, watch out for the impact."

……

Qianqing Palace.

It was not as lively as outside the palace. Zhu Qizhen was in the warm room reading the records of the gentry in Jiangnan. Shi Biao, the commander of the Jinyiwei, came in to report: "Your Majesty, the results were announced today. It was quite lively."

"That's right, it's the time when the students on the list are very proud." Zhu Qizhen said casually.

"This time it's a little different. The father of the top scholar has set up a buffet at Taibai Tower. Anyone in the capital can go and eat." Shi Biao sighed, "He is indeed the richest man in Jiangnan. He is rich and generous!"

Zhu Qizhen looked up and asked in confusion: "What richest man? Who is so rich?"

Shi Biao looked at the emperor in amazement and said, "Your Majesty, the third place winner you selected, don't you know? The third place winner, Shen Manqing, is the son of Shen Yihuan, the richest man in Jiangnan." What the hell, Shen Yihuan? What a coincidence?
Zhu Qizhen looked at the book in his hand. It was written on the Shen family, which was sent by the Jinyiwei. The Shen family was a top-class wealthy family in Jiangnan, and they also helped the palace. The Jiangnan Weaving Bureau cooperated with the Shen family. Most of the silk in the palace every year came from the Shen family's weaving workshop.

The Shen family had a lot of land and manors in Jiangnan. When Zhu Qizhen was reading the information, he was thinking about implementing the new policy in Jiangnan, so he started with the Shen family.

"Is there any problem with this Shen family?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Your Majesty, it depends on how you look at it. Such a large family is bound to have problems to some extent," said Shi Biao.

Zhu Qizhen glanced at him and said, "Hey, Lao Shi, your answer to my question is also flawless."

Shi Biao chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, I will send someone to Jiangnan right away. When the time comes, I will find out whatever problems you think their family has."

Zhu Qizhen: “!!!”

What nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of emperor? I am just making preparations. Throughout history, when the imperial court was in deficit, it either took advantage of the people or the merchants.

Didn't I leave a backup option?

……

At night, a crescent moon hangs in the starry sky.

Under the moonlight, it was already frost-free, with gusts of cold wind whistling past. At this moment, the room was warm, with two figures hugging each other tightly under the curtains.

After half an hour of tossing and turning, the queen leaned lazily in Zhu Qizhen's arms, her head resting on his shoulder, her face flushed, her eyes blurry, she couldn't muster any strength in her body, and her whole body was numb and sore.

"I'll tell you a secret." said the queen in a soft voice.

"What?" Zhu Qizhen was a little absent-minded.

The queen gathered some strength, propped herself up slightly, and her black hair fell down. She stared at Zhu Qizhen and said, "In fact, the sisters all know that you are fake."

Zhu Qizhen sat up suddenly, startled: "Ah?"

The queen blinked her beautiful eyes, her eyes were cunning, "You are so powerful, how can they not be suspicious? They all know that Mobei has captured a fake emperor. At first, we didn't believe it, but the queen mother behaved strangely. She didn't let us serve the emperor, and she even wanted to collect money."

Zhu Qizhen covered his face.

Men just can't control their lower body. Did the concubines in the harem know about it? But they cooperated very well.

"Then you guys..." Zhu Qizhen was puzzled.

The queen's eyes drooped slightly, her face gloomy: "What can we do? We will do whatever the queen mother tells us to do. The world may envy us for becoming noble imperial concubines, but, alas, what can a concubine of the Zhu family have? If things go wrong, we may even be buried alive with him."

Zhu Qizhen reached out and hugged her tightly, thinking that these concubines were actually quite tragic. The queen leaned in his arms, and perhaps because she was too tired, she fell asleep quickly.

……

Zhu Qizhen had no desire to sleep.

He got up carefully, walked out of the bedroom, and walked along the path in the harem. The eunuchs and palace maids were all asleep and didn't care about him at all.

Passing by Concubine Gao Shu's bedroom, he found that the lights were still on, so he strode in. The maid standing outside the bedroom was startled when she saw him, and hurried up to pay her respects.

"Is Concubine Shu not in bed yet?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Your Majesty has trouble sleeping lately and is reading a book," said the palace maid.

She was about to get up to report, but Zhu Qizhen waved his hand to stop her and walked in lightly.

There is a stove in the bedroom, which is warmer than outside. The floor is covered with precious carpets, which are soft and comfortable. The interior decoration is elegant and graceful, and the light fragrance of flowers permeates the entire bedroom.

Concubine Gao Shu was standing in front of the window, wearing a white dress that was long and trailing on the ground. Her slender waist was lightly tied with a cloud-like belt, which made her look even thinner than a hand. Her upper body curves were perfectly outlined, showing an exaggerated arc beauty. A red hairpin was inserted in her hair, which made her face look as delicate as a lotus. Her pair of almond-shaped eyes were naturally charming and gorgeous.

"Cough!" Zhu Qizhen coughed lightly.

Concubine Gao Shu turned around when she heard the voice, her face showing great shock. She hurried forward, bowed gently, and said softly, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Her plump figure reveals the unique charm of a mature young woman.

"I suddenly missed you and came to see you." Zhu Qizhen lied without hesitation.

Concubine Gao was visibly stunned. Zhu Qizhen stepped forward, picked her up, and walked towards the soft couch beside her.

Half an hour later, Concubine Gao Shu closed her eyes slightly, her beautiful face blushed, and she leaned tightly into Zhu Qizhen's arms, saying softly, "Your Majesty, my safety depends entirely on you."

"I know." Zhu Qizhen said while still hugging her.

Concubine Gao was the first woman to serve Zhu Qizhen, how could she not know?

Zhu Qizhen thought to himself, in this way, the women in the harem are actually forced to stand on my side.

……

It suddenly snowed heavily in the capital.

Zhu Qizhen walked out of the Qianqing Palace early in the morning, and the scene in front of him made him stop and stare. He saw that the palace walls were all white, and snowflakes were still falling.

Snow covered the glazed tiles of the palace, making the originally majestic and solemn palace even more mysterious and gentle. The mountains and rivers in the distance and the nearby pavilions all became blurred and peaceful against the backdrop of the heavy snow.

"Auspicious snow means a good harvest." He sighed.

Heavy snow has arrived and it is almost the end of the year. He convened the cabinet ministers today to discuss plans for next year.

There were several stoves burning in the Wenhua Hall.

The cabinet ministers, wearing thick cotton jackets, stood in a row and knelt down to Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you."

Zhu Qizhen raised his hand and said, "Everyone, sit down and talk. Today we need to go over the various plans for next year. Some things need to be done in the early spring."

Imperial affairs may seem complicated, but they are actually simple. From the Qin Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, over a thousand years, most government affairs have specific procedures, and you just need to follow the procedures.

In the end, the focus of the discussion was on the implementation of the new policy. The cabinet ministers unanimously felt that it could not be implemented nationwide. If something went wrong, it would be a big trouble.

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a long time and said, "Then let's start from Jiangnan. Isn't it said that Jiangnan is the most difficult place? Start from the most difficult place."

The cabinet ministers all agreed this time, and this was the final decision on the new local policy. As for the "performance evaluation system" that the court wanted to implement, the ministers had no objection.

"I hope that next year, the Ming Dynasty will have a new beginning," Zhu Qizhen concluded.

Weakly ask for votes

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(End of this chapter)