With the emperor speaking, Cao Song dared not say anything more and could only bow and retreat back into the ranks.
Although Li Mao and the others were somewhat disappointed, the fact that they had secured one of the five thousand spots meant that their children had a much better chance than before, so it wasn't entirely unacceptable.
As for those from aristocratic families, they had even less to say. With 5,000 spots available, they could secure at least half of them, greatly increasing the chances for their own children and disciples to rise to prominence.
This is the best possible outcome that both parties can accept.
Subsequently, the civil and military officials began to discuss the specific details of the assessment, and once again, a harmonious scene appeared in the court.
At this moment, outside Luoyang City, a fast horse galloped straight toward the city gate. Pedestrians on the roadside gave way upon seeing it. The messenger on the horse looked haggard and exhausted.
As the fast horse approached, the soldiers guarding the city gate immediately drew their weapons and charged forward at full alert.
One of the officers leading the group stepped forward, looked at the rapidly approaching messenger, and shouted, "Halt!!"
"Whoa!"
Upon hearing the guard officer's shout, the messenger pulled on the reins about ten meters from the city gate, halting the galloping horse.
The messenger then dismounted and rode towards the city gate guards.
The officer guarding the city gate looked at the messenger and asked, "Who are you?"
The messenger took a breath, took out a report, and said haltingly, "I...I am acting on the orders of the Governor of Liaoxi...I have an urgent report from eight hundred li away...to present to Your Majesty!!"
"An urgent report from eight hundred li away?"
Upon hearing this, the officer guarding the city immediately looked at the report in the messenger's hand. The words "delivered immediately" on the document were particularly eye-catching, and the officer's expression changed instantly.
Just as the officer was about to let him into the city, the messenger's eyes rolled back and he fell straight backward. The officer reacted quickly and grabbed the messenger.
The man's face was sallow and his lips were cracked, clearly due to overwork.
"Take him away immediately and take good care of him! I'll go and deliver this urgent report to His Majesty!"
"promise!"
The guard officer then picked up the urgent report, handed the messenger to his men, mounted the messenger's horse, and galloped off towards the palace.
The officer, anxious and focused on getting on his way, overlooked the bright red blood flowing from the horse's nose.
The officer quickly arrived at the palace gate. He pulled on the reins, dismounted, took out the report, and strode over to the Tiger Guards who were guarding the palace.
"The governor of Liaoxi sent this by messenger with urgent delivery over 800 li. Please present it to His Majesty immediately."
"Come with me quickly!"
"good!"
Upon seeing this, an officer from the Tiger Guard dared not delay. He quickly took the report and led the guards at the city gate toward the Chongzheng Hall.
After the two left, a young Tiger Guard came to the horse and prepared to take it down to feed it.
Just then, with a "thump," the horse's limbs went limp and it collapsed to the ground. The Tiger Guard stared blankly at the horse lying on the ground.
What's wrong with it?
The horse had its mouth wide open, its chest rising and falling slightly, white foam constantly dripping from the corner of its mouth, and a stream of blood from the tip of its nose was particularly noticeable.
"Sigh... I'm afraid it won't work!"
Another, slightly older Tiger Guard stepped forward to check on the horse's condition, sighed, and then shook his head.
"Horse, oh horse, you have done your duty!"
The Tiger Guard crouched down, reaching out to stroke the horse's cheek repeatedly, a hint of reluctance on his face. As he spoke, the horse's chest stopped heaving.
He could tell that the horse must have been exhausted from galloping all the way.
Inside the Chongzheng Hall, Zhang Rang, who was standing beside Liu Hong, glanced at the time outside, then leaned closer to Liu Hong and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's almost noon, don't you think?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong nodded. This court assembly was indeed longer than any previous one. Then, Liu Hong said slowly, "There should be nothing else. Let's adjourn the court."
"promise!"
Zhang Rang then stepped forward, looked at the civil and military officials in the hall, and said loudly, "If you have something to say, speak now; otherwise, leave..."
"Report!! Prefect Yang Biao of Liaoxi has sent an urgent report from 800 li away!!"
Before Zhang Rang could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a hurried voice from outside the hall. Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and they couldn't help but look outside the hall.
A urgent report came from 800 li away. Could it be that the Northern Wuhuan people have invaded Liaoxi? At this thought, everyone's heart skipped a beat.
Liu Hong's expression also changed, and he said urgently, "Summon them quickly!!"
Soon, the Tiger Guard officer, carrying Yang Biao's report, strode into the main hall.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty! The governor of Liaoxi has sent an urgent report from eight hundred li away, requesting Your Majesty's perusal!"
During the ceremony, the Tiger Guard officers held the report in their hands high above their heads.
"Quickly, show it to me!!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Rang rushed over, took the urgent report from the Tiger Guard officer, and quickly returned to Liu Hong's side.
Liu Hong eagerly took the report, quickly retrieved it, and began to examine it closely.
The civil and military officials in the hall also looked anxiously at Liu Hong on the throne and the report in his hand. They were eager to know what had happened in Liaoxi.
Halfway through the reading, Liu Hong's expression softened considerably, and the anxiety he had felt earlier disappeared.
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