Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 452 Top Three 2
Faced with such an abrupt order, before the Imperial Guard commander could react, the student from the Military Academy who was giving the order at the front turned around without hesitation, turned his back to the group of scholars, and walked towards the palace gate.

The Imperial Guard commander stared in astonishment at the red-clad scholar who had given the order, his face full of confusion.

But the next moment, the group of martial arts academy students moved with the fluidity of flowing water. Four red-clad students followed the steps of the student who gave the order in perfect unison. Then, four more red-clad students followed, and then four more red-clad students followed.
Even after all the red-clad scholars had caught up, the four rows of blue-clad scholars on the far right continued to follow the steps of the many scholars in front.

Finally, as if flowing water, all the students of the Military Academy simply followed the steps of the red-clad student at the front and stepped into the palace gates!

The "thump-thump-thump" wasn't just a synchronized movement; the students of the Military Academy moved with astonishing uniformity. The resounding footsteps sent shivers down the spines of the Imperial Guards!

"Commander, what an amazing training method!" Only after all the students of the Military Academy had entered the Meridian Gate did an Imperial Guard move to the commander's side, staring intently at the empty Meridian Gate, and say with a look of horror.

"Except for not having experienced battle, they are no worse than any elite force! They are even stronger!"

"I can't imagine how strong they'll become after they've been tempered on the battlefield!" The Imperial Guard Commander didn't reply to his subordinates, but kept staring at the backs of the disappearing students from the Military Academy, muttering to himself.

"Commander!"

"I wonder if our offspring will have a chance to enter the Military Academy?" Suddenly, another Imperial Guard spoke up. Instantly, all the Imperial Guards' eyes lit up. After all, regardless of what others said, they were all from military backgrounds, and finding a good home for their children was always a good thing!

"Stop your duties!" Seeing the expectant looks in his brothers' eyes, how could the commander of the Imperial Guards not know what they were thinking? He immediately gave them a sharp look.

"Sigh~~" Hearing their leader's answer, all the Imperial Guards were somewhat dejected.

"Do your job well. I'll ask Boss Liu after I get off duty!" Seeing the somewhat dejected looks in his men's eyes, the Imperial Guard commander shook his head helplessly and said softly. Clearly, it wasn't just a few Imperial Guards who had this thought; even the commander himself was tempted!

Upon hearing their commander's words, the soldiers, who had been somewhat dejected while on duty, instantly perked up, their eyes even shining brightly.
On the other side, accompanied by a clear bell sound, the civil and military officials, lined up in two rows, had passed through the left and right side gates and arrived in front of the imperial road, waiting for the emperor to ascend the golden platform before entering the imperial road to attend the morning court in the Fengtian Hall!

"Crack! Crack! Crack!" Just as the officials were quietly waiting for the emperor to step onto the golden platform, three crisp cracks of whips rang out. Everyone knew that Emperor Longwu was about to arrive.

However, today's court assembly is significantly different from those of the past.

Before the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial could announce the arrival of the many ministers through the imperial road to the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices, a surprising sound came from the end of the imperial road.

"His Majesty has arrived!" Amidst the astonished expressions of all the officials, the chief eunuch, Xiao Xizi, suddenly stepped forward from the very top of the imperial steps.

Immediately afterward, before the many officials could react, several burly eunuchs carried a dragon throne and placed it directly on the steps at the end of the imperial road.

Then, Emperor Longwu, accompanied by his eldest son Zhu Qiyu, strode into the hall and immediately took his seat. The scene before them made it clear to the assembled officials that their Emperor Longwu would be holding an open-air court assembly outside the Fengtian Hall today!

Seeing this, everyone knew that the emperor had changed the location of the court assembly at the last minute. Since they couldn't change it, they could only adapt.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Immediately, all the civil and military officials, as well as the scholars from the Imperial Academy and the Military Academy, knelt down and performed the grand ceremony of bowing and kowtowing three times to Emperor Longwu! "Rise, my ministers!" After all the ministers had finished their salutations, Emperor Longwu Zhu Zhanhe raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After another polite expression of gratitude, the many officials respectfully rose to their feet.

"Please, Your Excellencies, proceed to the Imperial Road!" After the officials had risen, Xiao Xizi flicked the whisk in his hand, walked to the edge of the Imperial Road, and loudly addressed the officials.

After all, because Emperor Longwu had changed the location of the morning court session at the last minute, the ministers were still standing below the imperial road. If any minister spoke too softly and delayed the emperor's court session, that would be a real problem. Therefore, Xiao Xizi only allowed the ministers to step onto the imperial road after obtaining the emperor's permission.

Immediately after hearing the Grand Eunuch's words, the officials proceeded in an orderly fashion up the gradually rising steps of the imperial road.

The civil officials, led by Xia Yuanji, walked directly to the highest step at the end of the imperial road, standing only one step below the emperor. Behind Xia Yuanji were a group of officials from the Six Ministries.

The military officers were temporarily led by Huang Zhong, the second-ranking cabinet minister, as Mu Sheng, the former Minister of War, was absent. Huang Zhong stood on the same level step as Xia Yuanji before stopping, and behind him were Qian Zhongcai, Jiang Xiaohu, and other military officers.

Below the imperial road were two formations: the main group and the observation group, consisting of students from the Martial Arts Academy and students from the Imperial Academy.

Looking down at the numerous students from the Martial Arts Academy and the Imperial Academy below the imperial road, Zhu Zhanhe was filled with joy. Because they were young, and these young people were the future of the Dragon Kingdom!
Especially the students of the Military Academy, who look energetic and stand tall, are sure to please anyone who sees them!
"Speak your business now, or dismiss the court!" Xiao Xizi glanced subtly at Emperor Longwu and Crown Prince Zhu Qiyu before returning to the edge of the imperial road and shouting loudly.

"Cough cough~"
"Your subject, Xia Yuanji, has a memorial to present!" Upon hearing Xiao Xizi's words, Xia Yuanji stepped forward, holding a memorial in his hands, and spoke loudly. Although Xia Yuanji was old, his voice was still very loud and clear.

"Granted!" Zhu Zhanhe knew exactly what his father-in-law was going to say, and immediately granted his request without hesitation.

The cough was still the essential sound before the formality, and then Xia Yuanji finally spoke.

"Replying to Your Majesty."

In the spring of the fifth year of the Longwu era, the first imperial examination of our Long Kingdom had concluded.

This time, a total of 120 scholars were selected for the civil service examination! Three were ranked first; thirty were ranked second; and sixty-nine were ranked third.

In addition, a total of 233 candidates were selected for the military examination! Three were ranked first; seven were ranked second; ten were ranked third; and the rest were assigned to various armies.
"Please preview the above list, Your Majesty!" Xia Yuanji knelt directly on the steps, holding a memorial in his hands, and said respectfully.

After Xia Yuanji finished speaking, all the officials looked on with serious expressions. They realized that the selection process for the military examinations was far too rigorous!

The top three were only twenty people! The rest of the students from the Military Academy were simply assigned to various armies! How could such a result not shock everyone!
After all, the Imperial Academy has thirty students in the second rank alone! Does that mean the students of the Military Academy are even more precious than those of the Imperial Academy?!
After Xia Yuanji finished his report, he handed the memorial in his hand to Xiao Xizi, who was standing by, and then went back to his seat.

(End of this chapter)