Chapter 945 Missing
Qian Baokun thought for a moment and said, "Li Chi is not bad. He is knowledgeable and knows when to advance and retreat. However, he is a little immature. He needs two years of experience before he can take on responsibilities. And the boy from the Feng family is smooth and worldly-wise, but not cunning or annoying. He speaks and acts in a way that is somewhat like Master Feng."
"Apart from these two, the others who stayed behind are courageous, but lack talent. Dong Bozhong is quite interesting."
Qian Baokun smiled and said, "Although others have answered the questions Her Majesty asked just now, they are not comprehensive. Only Dong Bozhong remembers every point clearly, and his answers are well-organized and well-founded. He also responded fluently to the two remarks I casually made."
"This guy is a practical guy, and he has a talent for math, so joining the Ministry of Household Affairs is perfect!"
Tang Ning also had some impression of Dong Bozhong. He came from a poor family and his talent was far inferior to Li Chi and others. In the last major exam, he only barely made it to the last place. But what impressed Tang Ning most was that this man was very down-to-earth in his writing and had a very good understanding of agriculture and sericulture.
When Cao Dejiang and others were reviewing the papers, there was a great controversy about whether Dong Bozhong should stay. In the end, the test papers were sent to the palace, and she personally made the decision to add one more name to the list, which is how Dong Bozhong passed the list.
Tang Ning looked at Feng Qiuli: "What do you think, Lord Feng?"
Feng Qiuli pondered, "I've also seen Dong Bozhong's exam papers. Combined with what I just saw, I'm afraid he's not suitable to stay in the capital."
Qian Baokun suddenly became anxious: "What's inappropriate?"
"He's a bit biased in his studies, and he's too honest and straightforward."
Feng Qiuli said bluntly, "Your Majesty is testing them today to test their personalities. The imperial examinations are a matter of course, and no one would truly believe they would be allowed to interfere in such a major matter. Everyone else knows how to be reserved, but Dong Bozhong is the only one who has absolutely no cunning."
This man told everything he knew with absolute certainty. The key point was that he was not showing off, but really thought that the queen was soliciting their opinions, so he spoke without reservation and without any ulterior motives, even giving "opinions" to the chief examiner.
"He is loyal and stubborn. If he stays in the capital, unless someone protects him, he will be harmed before he even makes a name for himself. I think it would be better to send him to the countryside first. He can do practical work and temper his character at the same time."
"As long as the court gives him enough confidence, he might be able to carve out a clear path for the corrupt officialdom in those places."
Qian Baokun frowned when he heard this, and felt that what Feng Qiuli said made some sense.
Tang Ning also nodded: "What about the others?"
Feng Qiuli shook her head. "That Jin Shengyu is too scheming, and Huang Hong is too honest and weak-willed. Aside from the few people who stayed in the palace with Li Chi and the others, the rest of them didn't even dare to take advantage of this opportunity to win the emperor's favor. They're all lacking courage and other skills."
"Not many people can be directly appointed to important positions in the court, but fortunately they all have real talent and knowledge, and with some practice they can become useful."
Qian Baokun shared the same opinion as Feng Qiuli on this point. The oldest of the students entering the palace today was twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and the youngest was only ten or seventeen or eighteen years old. Most of them had no one taught them the ways of the world and had no experience in officialdom. Not everyone in the world was as evil as His Majesty and his wife.
Be a little childish, just polish it a little, and don't ask for too much.
Feng Qiuli suddenly remembered something and said, "But, Madam, that Zhu Xiyan..."
"What's wrong?" Tang Ning raised his eyes.
Feng Qiuli said, "I've been keeping an eye on him. Although he can't speak, he's neither humble nor overbearing, nor timid. I've also seen what you gave me. He's a good prospect, but..." He paused, frowning slightly, "I feel like he has a familiar air."
Qian Baokun raised his eyebrows: "Why, do you know him?"
Feng Qiuli shook her head. "No, I've never seen him before, so how can I say I know him? When I say familiar, I'm not talking about his appearance or figure. It's a kind of indescribable feeling."
Seeing him frown, Qian Baokun rolled his eyes in annoyance. "What do you mean by 'unspeakable'? 'That's just what scholars are like.' What do you call 'a refined air due to the wealth of knowledge'? ' To me, there's no difference."
"As for you, I'm afraid you've been using your mind too much, and everyone you see looks like a ghost."
Feng Qiuli: "..."
Minister Qian, I have not offended you.
Tang Ning was amused by them. She rubbed her belly and said, "Okay, today we're just meeting. We'll have to wait for His Majesty to come back to discuss the details."
Qian Baokun looked at Tang Ning's round belly with some worry: "My Queen, can you... wait until His Majesty returns?"
When the Queen gives birth, there will definitely be some chaos in the palace. Even if they stay in the court to stabilize the outside world, they are worried because His Majesty is not in the palace. The Queen's baby is His Majesty's eldest son, and it coincides with the surrender of Beiling, which is of great significance and must not go wrong.
Tang Ning naturally knew what Qian Baokun was worried about, and comforted him, "It should be possible. Madam Qin said before that I will give birth for more than half a month. Your Majesty will definitely be able to return in time. Even if there is an accident, the palace has been well prepared. With Concubine Zhao Gui in charge, as well as my aunt and A Ru, nothing will happen."
Qian Baokun felt more at ease: "Then I will let A Yue come to the palace to accompany the queen in two days."
Tang Ning smiled and said, "Don't worry. The Third Young Master's wife just gave birth, and the Second Young Master's wife is also very pregnant. You have to take care of the children and the pregnant woman in your house. Madam can't handle it alone. Let Sister Ayue stay in the house. There are enough people in the palace."
"But……"
Qian Baokun wanted to persuade her again. He always felt that Concubine Zhaogui and the others were too weak and not as capable as his own daughter in fighting. He would feel more at ease if he sent her to the palace to accompany the Empress. However, seeing that the Empress was refusing, and remembering the chaos in his own house with the addition of another child, he could only shut up.
"Then the Queen must be careful about everything."
…
The army was coming to the court day by day. After Tang Ning met with that group of students, she saw that her due date was getting closer, so she arranged all the affairs in the court and canceled the court meeting. All the memorials sent by Cao Dejiang and others were brought to Yongzhao Palace, and Tang Ning approved them directly in Yongzhao Palace.
Xue Ru moved back to the palace, and Rong Yue temporarily put aside Gu's family affairs and almost never left the palace unless absolutely necessary.
Concubine Zhao Gui also moved out of Xilin Garden and temporarily took over the palace affairs so that Tang Ning could give birth with peace of mind. Everything was arranged properly, but something went wrong with Madam Qin. Not only did she not return as she had said before, she also disappeared.
"What do you mean missing? Didn't you send someone to follow Madam Qin before?"
He didn't dare tell Tang Ning the news because Rong Yue stopped him.
Yue Jian whispered, "The secret guard following Madam Qin is dead, and Madam Qin's whereabouts are unknown. Our people last found her in a charity cemetery."
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