"I'm not teaching you how to cheat. Why don't you learn the legitimate method? Do you really become stupid as Xikang said?" Lin Su laughed.
Qing Tang smiled embarrassedly and followed his method of flattery. Although it was flattering, it also required neat handwriting, standard writing style, and gorgeous words and sentences. He would read from sunrise to sunset.
During the provincial examination, Lin Su also asked Xiu Mu to accompany him. The provincial examination was also called the Autumn Examination, which also had three sessions and lasted for nine days.
In previous years, the weather was very hot, and even though there were water tanks to cool the candidates down in the government courtyard, many still suffered from heatstroke. But this year, ice was placed in every room. The reason for this consideration was, firstly, that the price of ice had dropped a lot in recent years, so even ordinary people could afford it; and secondly, because Lin Su wrote to the emperor, stating that civil officials were not as good as military generals, and that the selection of talents should not be affected by the heat.
The emperor understood the meaning. First, he added ice cubes to cool down the room. Second, he made it clear that scholars should also pay attention to their health and not slack off in riding and shooting. Otherwise, it would be useless to have talent but no physical strength.
A rich country means a rich people. Everyone knows that the candidates can receive such treatment because the national treasury is full. In addition, it is because the newly promoted Minister of Revenue, Lord Lin, has developed a method of making ice in summer. There are indeed many voices of gratitude.
There were rumors in the court and the country that this measure was implemented because the one from Lord Lin's family also had to take part in the provincial examination. However, the candidates themselves would feel that they benefited from it, and since they would all receive such treatment in the autumn examinations in the future, there was no need to complain.
"My dear minister, is this considered as misusing public resources for personal gain?" Emperor Zhaoyang asked Lin Su after the provincial examination.
Lin Su replied respectfully, "This is because Your Majesty cherishes talented people. How dare I have any selfish motives?"
He was just selfish. The cell was hot and he had to stay in it for nine days. He would be skinned alive if he didn't die. Since he had the ability to solve this problem, there was no reason for him not to do it.
Emperor Zhaoyang also cherishes talented men. Although he felt sorry for him in previous years, he did not have the financial resources. Now that he has the financial resources, he naturally wants to do things to benefit the people. It's just that sometimes when he sees that Lin Su is living too smoothly, he wants to say a few words.
"Never mind. You're the most reasonable of all my ministers." Emperor Zhaoyang waved him off and asked after he left, "Are you sure the abusive words in the market were spread by Lin Su himself?"
The eunuch replied, "The Minister did not deliberately conceal the truth. We found out about it immediately. I just don't know why he did this."
All the ministers are very careful about their reputation, so why would they reveal their own shortcomings like Lord Lin? It is really puzzling.
Emperor Zhaoyang laughed and said, "You don't understand. He's afraid that I'll think his achievements are too great and that they'll overshadow me. How could I be such an intolerant emperor?"
"Your Majesty is open to advice, which shows that you are broad-minded," said the eunuch with a smile.
It is not necessary for a monarch and his subjects to be able to agree with each other. They can get along well even if they appear confused on the surface but understand each other in their hearts. Although Emperor Zhaoyang occasionally reprimanded Lin Su, Lin Su always sat firmly in his position.
After the provincial examination, the results were announced, and Qing Tang won the first place.
There was a lot of talk in the government and the public about Lin Su abusing his power for personal gain. One was about the ice cube, and the other was about Qing Tang's achievements. They didn't dare to bring up Qing Tang's past, but there was always some intention behind it, either overtly or covertly.
The court was arguing endlessly, and Emperor Zhaoyang was also troubled. After everyone had finished speaking, he asked, "What do you think, Lord Lin?"
"I am deeply afraid and would never abuse my power for personal gain. If you do not believe me, you can only ask all the prefectures to make the essays of the top scorers public. They are not secrets at all. Let the scholars of the world judge them, and it will also help me prove my innocence." Lin Su said calmly.
Naturally, those old ministers did not believe that his family member could produce any brilliant article, but his attitude was too matter-of-fact, which made people feel uneasy.
Emperor Zhaoyang made the final decision: "Just do as Lord Lin says, so as not to let others think that I am partial to him."
The old ministers: "..."
Your Majesty, you are biased towards him.
The essays of the top candidates from each prefecture were posted, naturally attracting a lot of comments. The provincial examination was rigorous, and Your Majesty was strict in his laws. The essays posted were all excellent works, attracting everyone's praise. Among them, Qing Tang's essay was the best. It was so hotly discussed in the court and the public that it even reached the desk of Emperor Zhaoyang, who frowned frequently after reading it.
"Is there anything wrong with your Majesty?" the eunuch asked nervously.
Emperor Zhaoyang sighed and said, "It's inappropriate if there is nothing wrong."
This article is indeed good, and there are traces of Lin Su himself between the lines, but the style is different, and it is not completely rote memorization, but mainly pragmatic.
Such an article would be ranked first in the palace examination.
When Emperor Zhaoyang granted amnesty, he thought it would not be surprising if Lin Su could teach him some literary talent. But now he found out that there was no literary talent at all. In addition, Lin Su had achieved remarkable results in teaching new officials before, which showed that if he was a teacher, he would be a good teacher.
Emperor Zhaoyang was not the only one who had this idea. If the article had not been posted, some people would have thought that the officials in the Autumn Examination were hindered by Lin Su's official authority. However, after the article was posted, every word was carefully considered, and there were indeed many readers.
"Master Lin is truly a man of great talent, able to teach people to such an extent."
"He's worthy of being a teacher, but it's a pity that Master Lin never accepts students."
"If I could become his disciple, I would be able to rise to prominence. But Master Lin doesn't even have a disciple, so how can he form a clique for personal gain?"
The candidates discussed the matter heatedly, and even approached Emperor Zhaoyang to ask for advice on Chinese studies, hoping that Lord Lin could teach them a few things.
But before they could react, Lin Su was given the title of Prince's Tutor and was pulled into the palace by Emperor Zhaoyang to be the little prince's teacher.
The crown prince in the palace was only five years old, the eldest son. The second son and the youngest son were only three years old. Together with the four companions, they were all born in royal palaces. Each of them was at the age when they were easily attracted by cats and dogs and were abandoned by people. Lin Su taught the crown prince, but these were sent here to study together.
"My dear minister, whether you teach one or several, it's the same. With your power, you will surely be able to train an excellent heir to the throne." Emperor Zhaoyang said with a smile.
Even though Lin Su was now in a high position and had great power, the emperor was still the emperor. Lin Su said with a smile, "Your Majesty really treats me like ten men. If one day I become overworked, I'm afraid I will have no choice but to resign and return home."
No matter how good a boss is, he still has the temperament of a greedy landlord.
The smug look on Emperor Zhaoyang's face faltered for a moment. The other officials were all fawning over him, eager to get promoted quickly, but only Lin Su would constantly threaten the monarch with resignation. How could that be right?!
But once Lin Su leaves, the days when he can spend money at will will be gone forever, and the days when he has to stay up late every day due to busy state affairs will return again. He really can't let him get away.
Emperor Zhaoyang said with a smile, "Since you wish to favor the one in your family, you will need money. The more you work, the more you will be rewarded. If you can teach your wife well, I may be able to arrange a marriage for you two in the future, making it legitimate."
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