As the fifth watch drum sounded, the Dragon Gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened.
The candidates filed in, carrying their exam baskets.
Security was tight inside and outside the examination hall. However, during the third exam, several former noble officials who were inspecting the exam suddenly broke into the examination hall and found slips of paper filled with answers under the seats of several poor scholars.
The scene immediately descended into chaos. The scholars turned pale and cried out that they were innocent, but the evidence was irrefutable, and the invigilators had no choice but to expel them from the examination hall.
The news spread quickly, causing shock throughout the government and the public.
The old aristocracy seized the opportunity to make a big fuss, submitting memorials to accuse poor scholars of misconduct and rampant cheating in the imperial examinations, demanding severe punishment for the scholars involved and the abolition of the eligibility of poor scholars to enter officialdom.
At the same time, an even bigger scandal suddenly broke out in the capital—several examiners colluded with officials from poor families to leak exam questions and help students from poor families cheat their way into the top ranks.
With conclusive evidence, the officials involved were swiftly detained, causing shockwaves throughout the government and the public.
After the cheating scandal at the Imperial Examination Hall broke out, a climate of fear and unease gripped the capital.
When impoverished scholars were expelled from the examination hall, some tore their robes in public and wrote letters in blood to protest their grievances.
Some people committed suicide by striking their heads against a pillar to prove their innocence.
However, the old aristocracy controlled public opinion, and these acts of grief and indignation were ridiculed as "acting," causing the reputation of the poor to plummet.
In the imperial court, the old aristocracy was even more imposing.
Led by Zheng Chongshan, Minister of Rites, a group of powerful officials jointly submitted a memorial, vehemently denouncing the officials from humble backgrounds for "corrupting the imperial examination system and disrupting the court," and demanding that the emperor abolish the officials from humble backgrounds who had been promoted in recent years and restore the system of recommendation by nobles.
Meanwhile, officials from humble backgrounds were filled with resentment, knowing full well that this was a carefully orchestrated scheme!
Those so-called "evidence" are nothing but a frame-up!
The officials from humble backgrounds vehemently argued their case, claiming that the old aristocracy had framed them. The two sides argued endlessly in the court and almost came to blows.
The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face grim.
He knew something was amiss, but given the public outrage he couldn't defy, he had no choice but to order a thorough investigation.
However, Lu Nancheng was at a loss as to who should be in charge of investigating the matter.
If the official in charge of the investigation is a member of the old aristocracy, the result is predictable—the poor scholar will be proven guilty of cheating.
Officials from humble backgrounds were also severely affected, and their reputations plummeted.
The old aristocracy seized the opportunity to propose reforms to the imperial examination system, increasing the number of candidates recommended by the nobility and restricting those from poor families from taking the exam.
This is not what the new policy wants, nor is it what Lu Nancheng wants.
Under pressure from his ministers, Lu Nancheng had no chance to catch his breath.
The debate raged on in court, while Ning Daban hurried along.
"Your Majesty! The Empress has fainted due to the shock and distress caused by the court intrigue!"
Lu Nancheng's eyes darkened, and he immediately stood up: "Prepare the carriage for Fengyi Palace!"
The old and new political parties unexpectedly forced this emperor to rely on his wife feigning illness to avoid conflict.
Inside the imperial study, candlelight flickered.
Lu Nancheng stared at the mountain of memorials piled on his desk, his knuckles turning white from gripping them so tightly.
Most of these memorials were written by the old aristocracy, urging him to severely punish those from poor families and abandon the new policies.
“Your Majesty, Prince Jing has sent word that those poor scholars who ‘cheated’ are from impoverished families and usually study diligently. They don’t seem like the type to suddenly resort to such a risky move. Moreover, the handwriting on the notes found is neat and tidy, as if they were prepared in advance.” Ning Daban handed over the letter.
Lu Nancheng sneered: "How could I not know? But now the old nobles in the court are making a fuss over this. If I forcefully suppress it, it will only confirm my bias towards the poor."
He slowly closed his eyes, suppressing the surging anger in his heart.
—How could he not know that this was a conspiracy by the old aristocracy?
However, in the imperial court, public opinion is powerful. If he were to favor those from humble backgrounds at this time, he would only be labeled as "muddle-headed and protective of his own," and the new policies would be completely ruined!
"Your Majesty, why not have the Court of Judicial Review investigate secretly first, and then..."
"It's too late." Lu Nancheng opened his eyes, a trace of weariness flashing in them. "They won't give me time to investigate."
——-
Unlike Lu Nancheng, who was in a state of utter chaos in the palace, Zhou Yun'an was at this moment raising a toast with Prince Rong.
Inside the Rong Prince's Mansion, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and wine cups clinked in celebration.
Prince Rong raised his cup and laughed, "Yun'an's plan is brilliant! Nowadays, the poor are like rats crossing the street, and even the emperor is helpless. The noble families have already lost their loyalty to the emperor. Once the imperial examination system is reformed, the court will be completely under our control!"
Zhou Yun'an took a sip of wine, a cold glint in his eyes: "Your Highness, don't be impatient, the show has only just begun."
"Oh?" Prince Rong raised an eyebrow.
Zhou Yun'an said in a low voice, "The faction of the common people will not sit idly by and wait for their death. They will definitely fight back. Next, we need to make the old nobles and the common people fight even more fiercely. Only when the court is in chaos can the prince reap the benefits."
Prince Rong nodded: "Everything will proceed as planned."
Meanwhile, some radical individuals among the officials from humble backgrounds, unwilling to be humiliated, secretly made contact, vowing to expose the conspiracy of the old aristocracy.
The undercurrents in the imperial court are becoming increasingly turbulent.
An even bigger storm is brewing.
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