Chapter 294 295. File

After returning from the picnic that day, Bai Shuzhi also came to visit, and he also went to some gatherings.

After getting to know each other for a while, they found out that Bai Shuzhi was a genuine southern student, and he lived only a day's journey from Haicheng where they last lived.

Bai Shuzhi's family is also a well-known wealthy businessman in the local area. This time he came to participate in the Enke, he actually didn't have much confidence.

In his words, it means to see the world, accumulate experience, and strive to pass the imperial examination next time.

Gu Wenheng was stunned when he heard this. This was simply a mock exam in later generations, except that the cost was higher and they used the Enke exam directly for practice.

&

Hua Shunming looked at the files on the desk and called a few old men over, "Who will be the top scholar among these papers?"

"This one is well written. I believe that if you can only have a compassionate heart, you will definitely be a good official who serves the people."

"Lord Li, this is wrong. Look at this one. The writing is sharp and the words are firm. It can be seen that this person has a strong heart and is a righteous person.

The most important thing is the writing style and strategy, which are eye-opening.”

"What if they are only good at talking about politics on paper? Many people write well but are terrible at handling official business."

"Master Niu, what you said is a bit biased. Who knows how to be an official right after taking office? Many things are learned slowly."

“I think this is good…”

"This article is well written. If you don't believe me, read it a few more times..."

“…”

Hua Shunming pointed at the papers mentioned on the table and said, "Yang Lixuan from East City, Gu Wenheng from Dao City, Ning Yuchen from West City, and He Nan from Hua City, who do you think will be the top three candidates?"

Everyone fell silent. The names that His Majesty had just chosen were all unfamiliar. They had never heard of these people before.

"Do you want to reconsider it?" The Minister of Justice Huang Jin glanced at the silent gentlemen, and finally gritted his teeth and spoke out himself.

Hua Shunming knew that today would not be so smooth, "Oh, you think other people's articles are better than theirs? Well, now that so many people are here, Huang Aiqing might as well find it and let everyone have a look."

"Your Majesty, this is just a suggestion from me. I still need to see what you all think."

The Minister of War sneered forward, then quickly covered his mouth and looked at everyone innocently, "Sorry, I was distracted just now, please continue."

Ministers: "..." What does the mockery in your eyes mean?

"Lord Cao," Hua Shunming called his name directly, "I asked you to come here to discuss this matter with me. Since you are easily distracted, come to my side and take a look at these files. Maybe it will wake you up."

Cao Xiangqian said with a bitter face, "Your Majesty, you know that I am a rough man, how can I understand all those things?

Besides, none of the boys in our family are good at studying, so I don’t put any effort into it.

Looking at these files gives me a headache, and I feel like they are all the same.

You see, most of these civil and military officials are from the imperial examination system, so they should know how to select talents better.”

Other officials: "..." This old man's words are full of ulterior motives. Are we putting all our attention on this?

Hua Shunming curled his lips and said, "Lord Cao, you should just stand aside and wait.

These are carefully selected by me and the elders. The files over there are already sorted. Go find them. If you think they are as good as the four in front of me, I will change their positions then."

Now everyone was stunned. It turned out that they had nothing to do today. Not to mention the top four, even the Jinshi and fellow Jinshi behind them had no room for them to speak.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Zhou Shicong took a step forward, "According to the past..."

Hua Shunming said, "There is nothing wrong with this. The purpose of selecting officials is to serve the common people. I have invited several university scholars to carefully select these candidates from tens of thousands of papers and then ranked them according to their merits. I think this is very good.

Not having a chief examiner or chief judge can also reduce some cheating behaviors.”

At this moment, everyone came to their senses. The reason why there was no chief examiner at that time was because the emperor said he had made arrangements in advance. But who knew that on the day of the exam, all the test papers were sent directly from the palace, and the invigilators were temporarily transferred from several departments.

Now that they have been deprived of even the chance to review the papers, what's the point of summoning them here now?

Hua Shunming looked at their changing expressions with satisfaction. He had been enduring the trouble they had been causing for him in the court every day these days, and he finally got his revenge today.

This is clearly my world, yet I have to listen to these people's instructions. Now I want to see what they can come up with.

"Your Majesty, this is unreasonable," Xu Zhiwen finally found a breakthrough point and said, "How can the rankings be determined like this before the palace examination?"

Hua Shunming slapped his forehead and said, "So there is such a thing. It's all my fault. This is the first time I have held the imperial examination since I ascended the throne. How did I select officials last time? I almost forgot. I wonder if any of you can tell me about it?"

All the ministers hung their heads. Previously, they had encountered national mourning, the empress dowager and the late emperor had passed away one after another, and the imperial examination had been postponed again and again.

Many of the vacant official positions were nominated by the officials present, and they included people from all factions.

Now His Majesty is holding on to this point in an attempt to make them contradict themselves.

Hua Shunming smiled, "Since none of you can choose now, I will point out the rankings and we will rank them after the palace examination in three days."

&

The next day, the notice was posted and Gu Wenheng brought his men to the outside of the palace early. At this time, the place was already crowded with people.

"Wenheng, senior brother is a little nervous." Liu Wenping clenched his fists, and sweat appeared on his forehead.

Gu Wenheng, "...Brother, I am nervous too."

Liu Wenping did not forget to comfort him at this time, "Wenheng, you should be fine. Our dean said that you are a top scholar, but it's different for me. I'm afraid I can't even get close to the top scholar."

Gu Wenheng, "...just wait a moment and you'll know."

Gu Wenheng was eagerly waiting, but before he could go over to see Mingfeng on the list, he saw Ye Yi, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"Mr. Gu, my prince is waiting for you in front."

Gu Wenheng turned to look at Liu Wenping, "Brother, I met someone I know. I'll go over there first and come back later."

"It's okay, you go and do your work first, I can go back by myself later." Liu Wenping glanced at Ye Yi and said with his eyes lowered.

I've heard for a long time that Wen Heng has a private relationship with the son of Marquis Wu'an, and it seems to be true.

&

Gu Wenheng walked into the private room and found that not only Bai Jinglie, but also Lu Ping and Shan Ke'an were there.

Before he even started to salute, Bai Jinglie asked him to sit down and said, "We are old acquaintances, so don't go through all these formalities every time.

Don't blame me for taking so long to come find you!"

Gu Wenheng smiled and shook his head, "You are the examiner this time. Even if you want to avoid it, you have to stay away from me."

(End of this chapter)