My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Inside the warm pavilion, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost palpable.

The silver charcoal in the brazier still emitted a warm glow, but at this moment, this warmth could not dispel the cold and oppressive atmosphere that permeated the air.

The news brought by Xue Guoguan weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone present.

Students gathered, their anger flaring, demanding a thorough investigation.
It is clear that the situation has gone beyond a simple brawl and evolved into a public opinion storm that could shake the fairness and credibility of the imperial examination and even affect the stability of the court.

If this matter is not handled properly, let alone getting Hong Chengchou into the cabinet as the Grand Secretary, it's estimated that even keeping him alive will be difficult!

After all, the Ming Dynasty had very severe punishments for cheating in the imperial examinations!

After a brief silence, Zhu Cilang finally raised his head slowly, his gaze sweeping over Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou before he spoke his thoughts:

"In my opinion, although this matter seems thorny, it is not without a solution."

"The most direct way to prove Hong Aiqing's innocence is to retrieve the answer sheets of the two Jurchen students, Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an, from the Liaodong provincial examination, and place them together with the answer sheets of other students who passed the examination at the same time, so that they can be reviewed and judged by learned scholars from the Hanlin Academy or the Imperial Academy."

"If their articles truly demonstrate genuine talent and their level matches their ranking, then the rumors will fall apart on their own."

This suggestion sounds reasonable and is the usual approach to dealing with such questions.

However, as soon as Zhu Cilang finished speaking, Grand Secretary Xue Guoguan slowly shook his head and said:
"Your Highness's method seems fair, but this old minister believes that it may be difficult to convince the public and completely quell the turmoil."

He paused, and seeing that Zhu Cilang gestured for him to continue, he began to analyze in detail.

"Firstly, the rumor is that Lord Hong leaked the exam questions in advance, which allowed Wu and Chang to prepare beforehand and thus pass the exam. Therefore, no matter how good their essays were, others could still accuse them of 'preparing in advance' rather than improvising on the spot. This matter is difficult to completely refute."

Xue Guoguan sighed softly and continued:
"Secondly, and more practically, Liaodong is thousands of miles away from the capital. If we want to access the original exam papers, we need to send a special person to the Liaodong Military Command to retrieve them and then send them back to the capital as fast as possible."

“It would be difficult to complete this round trip in less than one or two months, but now the public opinion in the capital is raging and the students are emotional. How can we wait for one or two months?”

"I'm afraid by then the rumors will have already gone completely distorted and caused an even bigger problem. As the saying goes, distant water can't quench a fire nearby, Your Highness."

As Hong Chengchou listened, the glimmer of hope that had just risen in his heart was instantly extinguished by Xue Guoguan's calm and ruthless analysis.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but found his throat dry and unable to make a sound.

He knew that Xue Guoguan was telling the truth, and that this mudslinging was extremely malicious because it cleverly exploited information asymmetry and people's usual suspicious nature.

Whether Hong Chengchou was innocent or not, all the high-ranking officials in the court with a modicum of sense knew perfectly well.

Who would believe that a high-ranking official about to join the cabinet would risk disgrace and the execution of his entire family for a bribe of dubious authenticity?

The problem is, the common people don't know!
Those students who came from afar, knowing nothing about the secrets of the imperial court, also didn't know!

They are easily prejudiced and act on emotion when they only hear provocative words such as "Jurchens," "bribery," and "exam question leak."

This is the scariest place!

The thought that his years of hard work and the imminent rise to the pinnacle of power could be completely ruined by this baseless rumor made Hong Chengchou feel dizzy and his vision blurred.

In his view, let alone entering the cabinet, he would be lucky to keep his current official position and life.

Just when Hong Chengchou was in despair, Xue Guoguan spoke up again:
"Your Highness, after much thought, this old minister has come up with a plan that may break the current predicament."

Zhu Cilang was troubled by this matter, but upon hearing this, he immediately perked up, leaned forward slightly, and urged:
"What brilliant plan does Grand Secretary Xue have? Tell me quickly!"

Xue Guoguan calmly replied:

"Since the focus of the outside world's doubts is whether Wu and Chang are truly talented and worthy of the title of Juren, rather than whether Lord Hong accepted bribes, after all, the matter of bribery is vague and difficult to prove, while the level of talent can be tested on the spot."

"Then why don't we avoid the real issue and go straight to the core of their talent, bypassing the entangled matter of 'bribery'?"

His gaze swept over Zhu Cilang and Hong Chengchou, and he clearly stated his plan:

"This old minister proposes that the imperial court immediately announce an additional temporary and public re-examination for all the Liaodong candidates who have come to the capital this time!"

"The examination standards, question types, and difficulty can be compared with the formal provincial examination, or even slightly higher."

"Wu Shouren, Chang Yong'an, and all the candidates from Liaodong who came with them were ordered to participate in the examination. After the examination, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, together with the Ministers and Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries and other important court officials, would immediately review the papers behind closed doors and determine their grades."

"If Wu and Chang can still achieve average or even above-average scores in this review exam, it will be enough to prove that they passed the imperial examination in Liaodong based on their own abilities, rather than through any cheating."

"At that time, all rumors about Master Hong leaking exam questions and accepting bribes will be debunked and become a laughing stock! This is the best strategy to 'set the record straight'."

Zhu Cilang's eyes lit up immediately after hearing this!
That's definitely a clever method!

"This is a great plan!"

Zhu Cilang couldn't help but give a compliment.

But then he keenly noticed a potential loophole and pondered:

"If the overall performance of these Liaodong students is dismal, especially if those two Jurchen students do terribly, then things will really be difficult to handle."

Upon hearing this, Hong Chengchou's heart leaped into his throat once again.

But he knew that this was the only feasible and most trustworthy way at the moment.

So he forcibly suppressed his unease, stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said firmly:
"Your Highness, Grand Secretary Xue! I dare to guarantee with my life that all the Liaodong students who have come to the capital this time have been selected through rigorous examinations and are truly talented!"

"In particular, Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an ranked fifth and tenth respectively in the Liaodong provincial examination, both of whom stood out with their true talents and learning."

"As long as they can perform normally tomorrow and not falter due to external pressure, I believe their results will be excellent! They will surely clear my name!"

Zhu Cilang looked at Hong Chengchou and nodded, a resolute expression on his face:

"Very well! Since that's the case, then it's settled! Without further ado, Grand Secretary Xue, I'll trouble you to personally make a trip to the Imperial Academy and announce the court's decision to the students gathered there."

"It is imperative to clearly explain the purpose and rules of the exam, quell public anger, and guide public opinion."

"Tomorrow, the *Daming Daily* must also publish the details of this matter and the court's decision in a prominent position on its front page, so that the people of the capital may know!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Xue Guoguan's expression turned solemn, and he bowed to accept the order.

This matter concerned the dignity of the court, the reputation of important officials, and the credibility of the imperial examination system; he dared not be negligent in the slightest. Xue Guoguan then prepared to turn and leave.

As he reached the entrance of the warm pavilion, he paused slightly, turned around, and gave Hong Chengchou a deep look.

His gaze was complex and difficult to decipher, containing concern, scrutiny, and perhaps even a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

Hong Chengchou was also looking at him, his heart filled with gratitude, but even more so with immense doubt.

He and Xue Guoguan served in the same court for many years, but their relationship was superficial. He did not even offer any help when Xue Guoguan was in trouble.

Therefore, logically speaking, Xue Guoguan had absolutely no reason to go to such lengths to help him, or even to offer such a life-saving strategy.

What exactly is this for?
Even after Xue Guoguan's figure disappeared into the wind and snow outside the palace, Hong Chengchou still couldn't figure out the reason behind it.

At the same time, Li Ruolian, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, also tactfully took his leave to arrange security and related matters for tomorrow's examination.

In the blink of an eye, only Zhu Cilang and the restless Hong Chengchou remained in the warm pavilion.

Zhu Cilang seemed to want to ease the tense atmosphere. He got up and picked up the warm Jun kiln teapot again. He first refilled his own cup with hot water, and then walked over to Hong Chengchou, preparing to pour him tea.

"Your Highness! No!"

Upon seeing this, Hong Chengchou almost reflexively jumped up from his chair, waving his hands repeatedly, his face filled with fear.

"Your Majesty, I am not worthy of such honor or ability. How could I possibly trouble you again?"

Zhu Cilang waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and said in a calm tone:

"It's just a cup of tea, Hong Qing, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Please sit down."

As he spoke, he still held the teapot and refilled the cup of tea in front of Hong Chengchou with hot water, which had long since gone cold.

Hong Chengchou smiled bitterly to himself. At this moment, his mind was in turmoil, filled with worry and fear. Even if fine wine were placed in front of him, he would find it difficult to swallow, let alone tea.
But the Crown Prince personally poured the tea, which was an immense favor, and he could not refuse it.

He could only shakily pick up the teacup and take a symbolic sip. The warm tea slid down his throat, but he felt no warmth at all.

Seeing Hong Chengchou's distraught and extremely anxious appearance, Zhu Cilang couldn't help but smile, then comforted him firmly:

"Don't worry, since you have been wronged, I will definitely clear your name."

Hearing the Crown Prince's promise, Hong Chengchou felt somewhat relieved.

However, he may not have fully grasped the deeper meaning behind Zhu Cilang's words.

Zhu Cilang's statement, "To restore your innocence," demonstrated a determination far exceeding Hong Chengchou's expectations.

In Zhu Cilang's strategic plan, Hong Chengchou was an important candidate for the future Grand Secretary, and the core force he relied on to implement new policies and rectify the court. He would never allow him to be defeated by such despicable rumors.

Therefore, Zhu Cilang had already made up his mind:
Tomorrow's review exam is a do-or-die situation!

Even if Wu and Chang's answers were truly unsatisfactory, he would use all necessary means to ensure that the final review results would prove that the "average level" of Liaodong students was qualified, thereby completely clearing Hong Chengchou of suspicion.

For the sake of the bigger picture, he considered some cheating methods worthwhile and necessary.

This is not simply a matter of favoritism, but a decision based on political considerations.

After a moment of silence, Hong Chengchou finally couldn't suppress the immense doubt in his heart. He raised his head and cautiously asked:

"Your Highness, please forgive my boldness, but I have a feeling that Grand Secretary Xue's attitude towards me this time is unusually different. Why is he going to such lengths to help me?"

This question had been lingering in his mind for a long time, like a fishbone stuck in his throat, something he had to get out.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang smiled meaningfully, but did not directly point it out, only vaguely saying:
"Grand Secretary Xue is a pillar of the nation, with a broad vision and a strong sense of the big picture. Perhaps it is because he values ​​your talent and believes you are a promising individual."

"When you enter the imperial court in the future, you should get close to experienced ministers like Grand Secretary Xue and humbly learn from them. You will naturally understand the reasons behind this in the future."

Hearing this cryptic answer, Hong Chengchou remained completely bewildered. Since the Crown Prince refused to elaborate, he dared not press further and could only bury his doubts in his heart, bowing and saying:

"Your Highness's teachings will be remembered by your mind."

On the other side, Xue Guoguan left the East Palace and went straight to his sedan chair. Under the escort of a group of Imperial Guards, he braved the increasingly dense wind and snow to arrive at the eye of the storm—the Imperial Academy.

Outside the gates of the Imperial College, hundreds of candidates from various regions, their emotions running high, still gathered.

Most of them were young and hot-blooded. Upon hearing the rumors of "Hong Chengchou's cheating," they were filled with righteous indignation, believing that this had tarnished the sanctity of the imperial examination. They gathered here to demand an explanation from the court.

The Chancellor of the Imperial Academy and others were well aware of the sensitivity of the matter and dared not easily show themselves to suppress it, fearing that it would escalate the conflict and cause the situation to spiral out of control. Therefore, they remained behind closed doors.

However, this only made the students more restless and uneasy.

When Xue Guoguan's sedan chair arrived, escorted by the Imperial Guards, the noisy crowd immediately quieted down.

As the students watched the old man emerge from the sedan chair, and the sharp-eyed Imperial Guards with embroidered spring knives at their waists beside him, the clamor gradually subsided, and all eyes were focused on this head of the empire's civil officials.

Xue Guoguan stopped, his gaze calmly sweeping over the dense crowd. He cleared his throat and said loudly:

"Fellow students! Quiet down! I am Xue Guoguan, the Grand Secretary!"

"Grand Secretary Xue!"

"It's the Grand Secretary!"

A sudden, uncontrollable gasp and commotion erupted from the crowd.

For most of these scholars who came from humble backgrounds, the Grand Secretary was a figure seemingly unattainable, someone they could only hear about in rumors. Now that they had actually seen him in person, how could they not be excited?
Xue Guoguan gestured with his hands to quiet the crowd, then continued in a loud voice:
"I know that you have gathered here today because you have heard rumors circulating in the streets and have doubts in your hearts, and you want to seek justice from the court! This is commendable, and it shows that you care about the fairness of the imperial examination, which is the true nature of scholars!"

He first affirmed the students' good intentions, easing the atmosphere, then changed the subject, his tone becoming serious:

"However, you must know that hearsay and rumors can become a myth! How can you easily believe unverified rumors?"

"Lord Hong Chengchou is a high-ranking official of the court, who guarded Liaodong and made great contributions to the country! His Majesty and we, the central ministers, will have a fair judgment on his character! How could he be shaken by a few slanderous words from some petty villains?"

Xue Guoguan's voice was powerful and authoritative, leaving the students speechless. (End of Chapter)