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◎The top scorer in the palace examination in the 16th year of Xingwu: Qin Lingwei!◎

Emperor Xingwu received the letter of tribute from the Pyu Kingdom in early February. He was delighted for a short time, but in the middle of the month he received an urgent report that Deng Chong was infected with malaria.

Malaria! Not counting the number of soldiers who died from malaria during the previous dynasty, during this recent campaign against Pyu, the Great Qi lost 14,000 soldiers in just three months, nearly 4,000 of whom died from malaria. Military doctors have calculated that for those infected with malaria, if they are healthy and take timely medicine, only three out of ten can survive. If they are injured, only one out of ten can survive.

The urgent report did not mention whether Deng Chong was injured, but he was already 55 years old. How could he compare his physique with young soldiers in their twenties or thirties?

After reading the urgent report, Emperor Xingwu also fell ill and ordered Zhang Jian to report Deng Chong's condition every three days, and send it urgently over a distance of 800 miles!

However, when Emperor Xingwu's edict was delivered to Yunzhou, Deng Chong had been ill for half a month. After he survived the most dangerous stage, he first sent an urgent message to Emperor Xingwu to report his safety, and then sent the second letter when he was basically recovered. The letter was written by Deng Chong himself, and was as rough as before, with words such as "I am well now. Your Majesty does not need to worry about me anymore. Prepare a few more jars of celebratory wine for me" and so on.

On March 11, Emperor Xingwu received a handwritten letter from his good brother and great contributor, and with Zhang Jian's letter as evidence, Emperor Xingwu was completely relieved. He immediately issued an edict to appoint 33-year-old Zhang Jian as the general of Yunzhou and Geng Yue's 28-year-old second son Geng Tao as the deputy general. He ordered Deng Chong to rest for a while and return to the capital with Zhang Su and others after he recovered his strength.

After Qingyang learned about his father's military appointment, he asked, "Isn't Zhang Jian too young to be a general?"

The generals of the other six states were all famous generals in their forties or fifties.

Emperor Xingwu said: "The Zhang family is a family of generals from the previous dynasty. Zhang Jie was famous in both dynasties. This time, the brothers Zhang Jian and Zhang Su have also made a name for themselves in the Pyu Kingdom. The Pyu Kingdom is the most bullying and afraid of the strong. Only by deploying these generals who almost attacked the Pyu Kingdom capital can we intimidate them. Deng Chong is old, and Zhang Jian has the highest prestige among the remaining ones. He is also a disciplined general and a talented frontier general."

Qingyang thought of the Zhang family's father and son, who were both calm and reserved. It was indeed reassuring to work in such a military family.

Emperor Xingwu said, "Besides, Zhang Jian has sufficient experience. When my father was twenty-six or twenty-seven, he just started the rebellion. At twenty-one, Zhang Jian went to Jizhou Army to gain experience. He repelled the Donghu and defeated the Pyu Kingdom. Among the young generals of several meritorious officials, he is the first one who can stand on his own."

Deng Kun, the eldest son of Deng Chong's family, is of similar age to Zhang Jian, but he only has Deng Chong's bravery but not his talent as a commander. At most, he can be a vanguard general. The second son, Deng Tai, is of the same age.

Chaoguang from Lu Zan's family is twenty years old this year. He seems to have some of the old man's character, but we will have to go to the battlefield a few times to know whether he is capable of it.

Huaizhong, the eldest son of the Fan Zhong family, is only seventeen years old. Let's take a closer look at him after he finishes his studies.

The eldest son of Xue Ye's family has been sent to the Jinzhou Army, and the only one left is Qin Liang from his second brother's family. He is quite talented and has more ideas than his parents combined.

These are the meritorious officials around him who came from commoner backgrounds. Generals of previous dynasties like Zhang Jie and Meng Ji had their own way of educating their children, which was incomparable.

After mentally counting other people's sons, Emperor Xingwu discovered with frustration that he, the most powerful emperor, seemed to have raised three of the most useless sons.

"What is your father thinking about?" Qingyang asked doubtfully when he saw his father's expression suddenly change.

Emperor Xingwu came back to his senses and looked at his daughter, who was better than his three sons combined, and he immediately felt relieved.

The fact that his daughter is so capable shows that there is nothing wrong with his seed, and it’s the three sons themselves who didn’t grow well!

Emperor Xingwu smiled and said casually, "I've been thinking about the palace examination in two days. There will be another first place, second place and third place winner soon. Lin'er, do you want to marry a third place winner?"

Although he felt that Zhang Su was suitable for his daughter in every way, his daughter's feelings were also important. Zhang Su had been away from Beijing for more than two years. Perhaps his daughter had already forgotten her childhood sweetheart? Moreover, compared to practicing martial arts, his daughter preferred reading. Perhaps she would also prefer a scholarly prince consort.

Qingyang knew that her father was teasing her, but the topic he mentioned was exactly what she wanted, so she smiled and whispered into his ear.

Emperor Xingwu: "...That's the imperial examination. If you behave so recklessly, Yan Xizheng and Nie Ao will probably jointly report you."

Qingyang: "Although I acted recklessly, I didn't affect any of the candidates. Anyway, my conscience is clear. Let them report and let the emperor punish me."

Emperor Xingwu looked at his daughter's confident and ambitious look, and compromised for the umpteenth time.

.

March 15th is the day when Emperor Xingwu will personally preside over the palace examination in Taiji Hall.

The palace examination would begin at 11:00 AM and end at 11:00 PM, a total of six hours. Therefore, before dawn, the 231 successful candidates arrived outside the Suzaku Gate south of the Imperial City. Officials from the Honglu Temple arrived even earlier, first checking the candidates for any smuggled belongings, then arranging them in order of their names on the roster.

After the 231st Gongshi took his place, two officials from the Honglu Temple were about to stand behind him. Unexpectedly, another Gongshi came in. He was over seven feet tall, neither tall nor short among the Gongshi students. He was wearing a fine cloth robe and his appearance...

Just as they were wondering if this was the little princess they had seen before, the visitor moved her left hand and pulled out a golden waist badge from her sleeve, hiding it before the tribute student in front of her could see it. After she stood still, she turned her hand and waved the waist badge towards them, as if asking them to take it and carefully identify its authenticity.

They must distinguish them. If they let people in again because it turns out to be fake, then they will be in trouble!

After secretly taking the badge and verifying it, one person continued to stay here while the other went to find the Minister of the Ministry of Rites who was waiting in front to take the tribute students to the Taiji Hall.

Minister of the Ministry of Rites: “…”

He pretended to be on patrol and came to the back, then found an excuse to bring the little princess over and personally "interrogate" her: "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Qingyang: "I want to accompany them to the palace examination. Father has already agreed. You don't have to worry about it."

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites is not an imperial censor, so if the little princess doesn't let him take charge, then he won't.

The time to enter the palace had arrived. The Minister of the Ministry of Rites led the tribute candidates to the outside of the Taiji Hall, and after paying their respects, they entered the Taiji Hall. After waiting for a while, Emperor Xingwu arrived with the crown prince, eight examiners selected by him, and four invigilating censors. The Minister of the Ministry of Rites then led the tribute candidates in kowtow and paying their respects.

Emperor Xingwu said that the formalities were unnecessary and asked the tribute scholars to take their seats.

Qingyang stood at the back, and because he was far enough away, he was not noticeable in his men's clothing.

When the Minister of the Ministry of Rites saw that the tables and chairs that he and the officials from the Ministry of Rites had arranged and inspected yesterday had quietly appeared, he knew that the little princess's visit was indeed tacitly approved by Emperor Xingwu, and he felt even more relieved.

The eight examiners standing in front of the imperial steps were the Left Prime Minister Yan Xizheng, the Right Prime Minister Dai Lun, the Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin, the Minister of Revenue Peng Kai, the Minister of War Tan Shixun, the Minister of Works Liu Qi, and two Grand Secretaries of the Hanlin Academy.

Due to their height, Yan Xizheng could not see the tribute scholars clearly when they were standing, but when they were seated in an orderly manner, although Yan Xizheng could not see the face of the little princess with her head lowered, the tables arranged on the left and right were too antithetical, and it was obvious that the number of tribute scholars this time was odd!

Just as Yan Xi was about to look for the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who had disappeared somewhere, Emperor Xingwu, sitting on the dragon throne, said, "Let's draw the test questions."

Emperor Xingwu had eight examiners come up with the questions for this year's palace examination in the Imperial Study. Each examiner came up with one answer, and he would then draw a selection in front of the candidates.

Yan Xizheng held the tray high with both hands, and He Yuanjing took the tray and presented it to Emperor Xingwu.

Emperor Xingwu picked one at random, unfolded it, and said with a smile, "This year's exam questions are quite relevant. The Pyu Kingdom has just submitted tribute to the Great Qi Kingdom. I would like to ask you to discuss how the court can eradicate the threat of Pyu Kingdom invading the border."

Pens, ink and paper were placed on the desks of the candidates in advance. After Emperor Xingwu read out the test questions, the palace examination officially began.

Emperor Xingwu gave seats to the crown prince and eight examiners on both sides of the imperial steps to prevent the examiners from recognizing the examinees' handwriting in advance. During the palace examination, only Emperor Xingwu and the four invigilating imperial censors were allowed to move around.

Yan Xi was waiting patiently. After Emperor Xingwu came down, he stood beside him and whispered that the number of tribute scholars was wrong.

Emperor Xingwu: "Lin'er is about to reach marriage age, and I want to test her knowledge."

Yan Xizheng: “…”

He looked at the prince who was sitting alone closer to the dragon throne. Meeting the prince's eyes which had changed from calm to nervous and filled with questioning, Yan Xizheng took a deep breath and sat down again.

This examination lasted a whole day. When the time came, more than 20 low-level officials selected from various departments came in and were well-trained to swipe, seal and collect the papers.

Qingyang left the palace with the other candidates, then entered through another palace gate, finally completing her palace examination.

.

Yan Xizheng and eight other examiners spent four days intermittently reviewing the examination papers in the State Affairs Hall. On the afternoon of March 19th, the eight of them brought their selected eleven papers to the Imperial Study. In previous years, they had selected ten papers, but this year, because of the little princess, Emperor Xingwu had allowed them to select an extra one. In the event that the little princess performed well, her place could simply be disqualified.

In the imperial study, Emperor Xingwu and the little princess were both there.

Facing Yan Xizheng's disapproving look, Emperor Xingwu teased his daughter, "You're usually so confident. If you're not included in this, Lin'er, don't cry to me later."

Qingyang said calmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I trust the judgment of all the gentlemen. If I fail to be selected, it means that there are at least ten candidates who are more talented than me. Then I will only be happy that Your Majesty has chosen such a talent."

Several of the eight ministers exchanged glances secretly. The little princess's words were so immodest!

Each of them had read the eleven test papers at least a dozen times and was absolutely sure that there was no handwriting resembling that of the woman.

Emperor Xingwu: "Alright, first show me the one you all agree is the best."

There were three first-class Jinshi and seven second-class Jinshi. The final ranking was determined by Emperor Xingwu, but he would also consider the opinions of the examiners every year.

Yan Xizheng picked up the one on the far left and handed it to the emperor with both hands.

Emperor Xingwu unfolded the scroll and saw that the handwriting was obviously imitating Wang Xizhi's style but still faintly revealed his daughter's pen-holding habits. He read the whole article calmly.

He nodded and asked Yan Xizheng, "What do you think is good about this article, Zuo Xiang?"

Yan Xizheng clearly admired this scholar. His eyes were sharp as he said, "The exam question asked how to prevent the invasion of the Pyu Kingdom. Most candidates focused on strengthening Yunzhou's border defense, but this student started with the idea of enhancing the nation's national strength. Each of his ten national policies was insightful and insightful. He then discussed Yunzhou's civil governance and border defense. Every one of his strategies was practical and feasible. Your Majesty, this is a man of such talent who can govern not only the country but also the state and the military. We unanimously believe that he is the top scorer of this year's exam!"

Emperor Xingwu finally couldn't help laughing at the test paper on the table.

The little princess, who had been listening calmly for a long time, also smiled and bowed to the eight people, saying, "Even if I can't really become the top scholar, I am satisfied to have the left prime minister and the gentlemen think so highly of me."

Yan Xizheng and the Eight Ministers: "..."

Yan Xizheng tore open the seal next to the test paper in disbelief, and saw the name of the candidate written on it: Qin Lingwei!

【Author’s words】

Woohoo, I will definitely write about our reunion tomorrow, so let’s make the little princess happy tonight!

100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow~