In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

Chapter 101 The Shocking Selection Plan (Part 2)

Song Xiaoyi could only try to persuade Zhu Youcheng to change his mind, "but with such a large-scale examination fraud case as a foundation, stripping him of his academic honors would be too much of a blow!"

"If you can't even handle this small setback, how will you assist Zhaoji in the future? Since you're no longer of any use, why not give the opportunity to someone else?" Zhu Youcheng glanced at Song Xiaoyi and replied casually, "Governing the country doesn't require inspiration and talent. Compared to you, stability, scholarship, virtue, and family upbringing are more practical. What do you think?"

Song Xiaoyi's probing was ruthlessly rejected by Zhu Youcheng.

Upon closer reflection, Tang Bohu's personality was indeed ill-suited for important official duties. I only considered going against the grain to change his fate because I admired his talent and sympathized with his plight. But reality is cruel; if a man's talent is useless to an emperor, it is ultimately a regret.

Ultimately, the imperial examination system was essentially a way for emperors to select capable subordinates. This was a common two-way selection process in later generations; even if you were talented, the emperor's family still needed to be willing to accept you!

"Brother Zhu, we can discuss Tang Bohu's issue later. First, find the Embroidered Uniform Guard to send this letter to Taoye Ferry in Nanjing by express courier service."

As Song Xiaoyi spoke, he took out a letter and handed it to Zhu Youmo. "I've already found a house. Our Song family's house is quite nice. It's in modern times, and it's located outside the Donghua Gate of the Forbidden City."

"Oh? Your house can open a portal to another world?"

"Yes, once the letter is delivered to Taoye Ferry, Wu Yunqiu will help me contact an elder in the capital who has some connections, and ask him to find a way to buy back our Song family's house. Once everything is settled, I can set up a time portal at home."

Zhu Youtang beckoned, and a young eunuch came running over eagerly. Emperor Zhu Youtang recognized him as Wei Bin, but...

"Where's Wei Bin? Tell him to come over."

"Yes! I'll go and tell them right away."

"After Li Guang committed suicide, Huai En has been concurrently serving as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the palace. This time, I summoned Mu Bin back and I was thinking about whether I could let him take over the position of commander."

"I cannot participate in your personnel selection process. According to historical records, Mu Bin was indeed a capable commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Wei Bin brought some new information: Mu Bin and Tang Bohu's group entered the city last night, and Mu Bin has already completed the registration procedures at the Embroidered Uniform Guard Command.

"Arrange for this letter to be delivered by express courier, 600 li, to Song's restaurant in Taoye Ferry, Nanjing, and given to Wu Yunqiu. Have Mu Bin bring Tang Bohu and the others to the palace for an audience immediately."

Wei Bin accepted the order and took the letter to arrange for an urgent delivery over 600 li.

While waiting for Mu Bin and the others, Song Xiaoyi changed the subject back to next year's imperial examination.

"Brother Zhu, according to your plan, you've already decided who will be selected for this exam?"

This is shocking! Song Xiaoyi never imagined that Tang Bohu's later life was actually the result of Emperor Zhu You's personal intervention.

"Such confidential matters should not be told to you, but since you are curious, I will test you first: In this department, who are the people you know?"

"I didn't pay much attention before I came here, but in my impression, the most important person in this subject should be Wang Shouren and Wang Yangming."

"You even know Wang Yangming? That's quite impressive. Who else?"

"And then there's Gu Lan, who eventually rose to the position of Imperial Censor..."

'

"I have long heard of Gu Lan; his composure and taciturn nature are perfectly suited for the position of Imperial Censor. But Gu Lan is merely a supporting character, not important. Do you know about the top three this time?"

"I haven't really been paying attention to the top three this time."

"Since you haven't paid attention to this, let's not talk about it for now. Let's talk about Tang Bohu, which you are interested in."

"I never thought that Tang Bohu's fate would be the result of your forceful intervention. I need to rethink it."

But I remember the last time I checked, it had already deviated from the worst-case scenario.

"Tang Bohu was not a pivotal figure in history, so I can forcibly intervene."

"In Nanjing, I intervened to prevent Xu Jing from contacting Tang Bohu. In Suzhou, I also prevented him from remarrying the daughter of the He family through Zhu Zhishan and others. However, the shadow of the examination scandal has not completely dissipated in historical records."

"Is this why you came to the capital?"

"That's not entirely true. The main purpose was to find his grandfather and parents. Intervening in Tang Bohu's fate was only out of personal sympathy. I also understand that his personality is not suitable for officialdom, let alone being the Crown Prince's teacher."

"It's good that you understand so quickly. On a small scale, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, and on a larger scale, for the sake of the Han people, the sacrifice of one or two insignificant people is nothing."

"Sigh. Xiao Yi understands. Let me think about it some more."

"Or when Tang Bohu arrives, you can place him under house arrest in the Wuying Hall, and I'll reserve some good wine for the Imperial Kitchen."

""

"No need for house arrest; he already has official rank, so grant him a sinecure or sinecure."

"Report! Your Majesty, Mu Bin, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Tang Bohu and his party of four are already outside the palace."

"Bring them in."

Halfway through the conversation, Song Xiaoyi realized he didn't have his phone with him and couldn't easily find out who the top three scholars were in the twelfth year of the Hongzhi reign, or what their resumes were. He could only wait for Zhu Youcheng to reveal the answer, or wait until he returned to the modern era to find out.

Mu Bin, Tang Bohu, Gu Lan, and Xu Zhenqing, along with two others, entered the Qianqing Palace under the guidance of palace guards and eunuchs. From afar, they saw the person sitting next to the emperor. Why did he look so familiar?

The four men exchanged glances, then quickly lowered their heads, their Adam's apples bobbing slightly, but none of them dared to speak.

"Mu Bin, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Tang Yin, a scholar from Suzhou Prefecture, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Gu Lan, a scholar from Suzhou Prefecture, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"This humble subject, Xu Zhenqing, greets Your Majesty!"

"All of you, rise and come forward."

The four looked closely and realized that the figure beside the dragon throne was indeed Xiao Yi!

How could he be faster than us!

No, why does he seem to know the emperor so well?

Mu Bin was officially promoted to the vacant position of Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a rank of third grade.

Under Song Xiaoyi's persuasion, Tang Bohu temporarily entered the Wuying Hall and became a court painter, holding the honorary title of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Gu Lan, a nobody, "for the first time" caught the emperor's eye and was appointed as the Director of the Crown Prince's Palace, working with Song Xiaoyi as the Junior Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's Palace. He was responsible for impeaching officials in the Eastern Palace and correcting their misconduct, similar to the position of Imperial Censor among officials outside the capital.

Xu Zhenqing was not granted an official position because he had not yet achieved any official rank, but he was assigned to the Wuying Hall to be responsible for writing and painting.

After meeting the emperor, Mu Bin got into character and first went to meet Huai En. Tang Bohu and Xu Zhenqing were led away by a young eunuch to the Wuying Hall.

Song Xiaoyi led Gu Lan out of the palace and back to the Song residence in the capital. Gu Lan chose a bedroom to stay in first.

Before leaving, Song Xiaoyi had received a hint from Emperor Zhu Youtang that he must not reveal the secret of this imperial examination plan.

In reality, Song Xiaoyi and Gu Lan didn't have much contact. Gu Lan was a calm and quiet person, but since she could become an imperial censor, she must at least be intelligent.

Therefore, Song Xiaoyi could discuss his plan with Gu Lan as appropriate; two heads are better than one.