Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 43 I don't mind chopping off a few more heads

The Spring Examination was divided into three sessions, each lasting three days, and there were no rest days between the three examinations. Candidates needed to stay in the Imperial Examination Hall for nine consecutive days and six nights.

A lot can happen in nine days and six nights.

At dusk, Zhu Qizhen arrived at the Imperial Examination Hall. Hu Yi and the officials of the Ministry of Rites knelt to greet him. Zhu Qizhen raised his hand and said, "Everyone, get up. I'm here to take a look. Do what you need to do."

He walked up to Hu Yi and helped him up with his own hands.

Hu Yi was a Jinshi in the Jianwen period. He is now 75 years old, which is considered a long life in ancient times. According to historical records, he lived to be 89 years old and died at a ripe old age.

"Mr. Hu, don't kneel except in Fengtian Hall." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "Don't hurt your old arms and legs. The Ming Dynasty still needs old ministers like you."

Hu Yi felt relieved when hearing this, and said with a smile: "Of course, the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects must be strictly observed."

The two sat opposite each other on chairs in front of the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, and the setting sun fell on them. Zhu Qizhen took a sip of tea and said, "Mr. Hu, I heard that you are fascinated by medicine and have discussed the "Nei" and "Nan" classics with Dai Sigong."

Dai Sigong was an imperial physician during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, and later served in the reigns of Jianwen and Yongle. Taizu killed many imperial physicians, but he admired Dai Sigong very much because of his high medical skills.

Hu Yi was very proud to have been able to lecture on the sutras with Dai Sigong. He did not expect that the present emperor also knew about this, and he was very excited when he talked about the past.

Before I knew it, dusk was falling.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites lit the candles, and the examinees in the rooms also prepared to light their candles. Zhu Qizhen smelled it and frowned: "Why does it smell like kerosene?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Biao, the commander of the Jinyiwei, immediately picked up a candle, broke it, smelled it carefully, and then reported: "Your Majesty, this candle is mixed with kerosene."

When Hu Yi heard this, his face changed drastically and he asked in a lost voice: "How could it be mixed with kerosene?"

Kerosene is very flammable, especially in these small rooms, where there are flammable objects everywhere, such as test papers, bedding, etc. If any candidate accidentally causes a fire, the consequences will be disastrous.

"Mr. Hu, don't panic." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and said with a smile, "Isn't this a coincidence? The Royal Guards just received a batch of new candles some time ago. Shi Biao, go and distribute the candles that your Royal Guards brought to the candidates."

"Yes!" Shi Biao responded and turned to leave.

After a while, the Jinyiwei came in carrying box after box of candles. Hu Yi was stunned when he saw this.

"Your Majesty, have you been prepared for this?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes, the Jinyiwei made some discoveries and made some preparations. I didn't expect that they would come in handy." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "Call all the officials in charge of the Spring Examination in the Ministry of Rites. I have something to say."

……

Soon, more than a dozen officials from the Ministry of Rites hurried over and knelt in front of Zhu Qizhen.

Zhu Qizhen glanced at them coldly and said in a deep voice, "Minister of Rites Wang Jing, you mixed kerosene into the candles, didn't you?"

One of the middle-aged men was so frightened that his face turned pale. He kowtowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I only purchased it according to your requirements. I..."

Snapped!
Shi Biao suddenly threw a notebook in front of Wang Jing and snorted coldly: "The craftsman who provided the candles has already confessed, and you still want to quibble?"

“Your Majesty, please spare my life, please spare my life!” Wang Jing trembled all over, “Your Majesty…Your Majesty had no choice…”

"Take him away!" Zhu Qizhen waved his hand to interrupt him.

Two Jinyiwei came forward and dragged the trembling Wang Jing away. Zhu Qizhen stood up, looked at the kneeling official of the Ministry of Rites in front of him, and said coldly: "A minister has died before the Spring Examination, I don't want to kill anyone more. I have only one request, this Spring Examination must be fair and safe! If anyone wants to make trouble again, I don't mind burying a few more heads under this Imperial Examination Hall."

"We obey your order!" Everyone bowed down in unison.

Zhu Qizhen patted Hu Yi who was in shock and smiled: "Mr. Hu, this matter has nothing to do with you. Cheer up, there are still many days. After the exam, there will be papers to be graded, you have to keep an eye on it." Hu Yi stood up tremblingly: "I will live up to your majesty's trust."

Just as he was about to kneel down, Zhu Qizhen raised his hand to support him.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen was about to issue an edict, but when he looked at the brand new golden seal in his hand, he frowned slightly. What kind of emperor is he without a jade seal?
"No news on the whereabouts of the imperial seal?" he asked coldly.

"Your Majesty, I have already sent several groups of people to Tumubao." Shi Biao bowed and said, "Based on the clues we have, it is very likely that the jade seal is in the possession of... the fake emperor of Wala. When the Wala army held the fake emperor hostage to attack Datong, the fake emperor passed an imperial edict to Guo Deng, the defender of Datong, which was stamped with the jade seal."

After hearing this, Zhu Qizhen felt a tingling sensation on his back.

Shit, the imperial seal is in the hands of the legitimate emperor. If I welcome him back, won’t he drive me out with the imperial seal in his hand?
"By the way, did the Queen Mother send a man named Xu Bin to Wala?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Yes!" Shi Biao nodded. "It is normal for the imperial court to send envoys since Wala took the initiative to show goodwill."

That’s normal!
Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand. The Empress Dowager wants to take back her biological son. I have to find a way to stop her.

"Go and call Yu Qian." He waved his hand.

Not long after, Yu Qian came in and paid his respects meticulously: "Your Majesty, I am Yu Qian."

Zhu Qizhen raised his hand to let him stand up, shook the memorial in his hand and said: "I just read the border report, and it seems that fighting is about to break out in Mobei. Yu Qian, should we send more troops to Datong and Xuanfu?"

"I was just about to ask for your permission." Yu Qian nodded, "We should increase our troops. A war in Mobei may affect our border."

Zhu Qizhen was secretly happy. As long as the Ming Dynasty sent more troops to the border, Oirat Yesen would not easily release the legitimate emperor.

"Very good, God has bestowed upon me the title of Grand Protector. I feel relieved with you around." Zhu Qizhen said.

"It's my duty as a minister." Yu Qian changed the subject and said, "Your Majesty, I want to say hello to you first. I have taken a liking to several of the students who are coming to the capital this time. I will use them when the time comes."

Zhu Qizhen became interested and asked, "Oh? Who do you like?"

Yu Qian did not hide it and directly said: "One is Li Bing and the other is Yang Guifang."

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand.

You are really good at choosing people, and that is the person I like.

Li Bing, Yang Guifang, plus Zhang Lun who was already in the army, and Ding Xiu who was transferred from the Jinyiwei, Yu Qian now had four great talents in his hands.

Damn, the fourth young master of the Yu family?
"Can you leave one for me?" Zhu Qizhen spread his hands.

"Your Majesty, they are here to serve you," said Yu Qian.

"Alright, I won't compete with you." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "Just don't teach them to smoke, drink, or perm their hair."

Yu Qian: “!!!”

He couldn't understand. His Majesty had been talking nonsense ever since he came back from Tumu Fort.

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(End of this chapter)