Chapter 176 Heading to the Northern Frontier
In the study, Zhu Lan also listened to Yan Yuze's concise talk about the Mathematical Society.
Yan Yuze did not explain why the matter was not handed over to the Ministry of Revenue for direct handling, but Zhu Lan quickly guessed something.
It seems that the emperor does not want to make a big deal out of this.
"Principal, do you hope that students will continue to investigate the corruption behind Long'an County?" Zhu Lan asked directly.
Yan Yuze waved the folding fan in his hand slowly and calmly, with a deep smile in his eyes, "That was originally the plan, but...some unexpected situations have occurred now."
He paused, and suddenly changed the subject.
"There are still four months until next year's spring exam. What do you think?"
Zhu Lan shook her head. Her grandfather had just passed away, and she could not take part in the imperial examination during the mourning period, so naturally she would miss the next spring examination.
"Do you know what 'seizing love and restoring power' means?" Yan Yuze asked slowly.
Zhu Lan was slightly startled. In history, "reinstatement" meant that the imperial court would grant certain officials special permission to continue to hold office or perform official duties during the period of mourning for some important matters.
"But this is usually used for officials rather than candidates for the imperial examination..."
"Everything has a precedent." The smile in the foxes' eyes deepened. "If you hadn't won the first place in the case and the first place in the examination, and had not been famous in Jiangzhou City, I would not have dared to consider applying to the court to set a precedent for you."
Zhu Lan's heart beat faster. If he could really set this precedent for himself, then he wouldn't have to wait another four years and could take part in next year's imperial examination!
However, she knew that this matter was not so easy and that certain conditions must be required, so she did not speak and waited for Yan Yuze's next words.
Sure enough, Yan Yuze continued, "Although you are famous, you are still just a scholar. If you are allowed to take the imperial examination during your mourning period, I am afraid that some people will still be dissatisfied.
So I need you to do one thing. If you succeed, I can legitimately recommend you for the imperial examination next year."
Zhu Lan's palms were slightly moist from nervousness, and he asked Yan Yuze what was going on.
Yan Yuze looked at her for a moment, then slowly said: "I have other plans for the corruption in Long'an County, so this matter is not urgent.
Now, I want you to go to the Northern Frontier."
"Northern Xinjiang?" This was beyond Zhu Lan's expectations.
Yan Yuze's expression finally became unusually serious.
He had already learned from Murong Jing that A Jiang might be a member of the royal family of Wuzi. He remembered that a few years ago, he had heard that the little daughter of Zhu Ertai, the leader of the Wuzi war faction, was lost at the border.
At that time, both sides sent out people to look for her, but the little girl seemed to have disappeared without a trace.
Yan Yuze immediately found the people who participated in the search and asked them about the inside story. He learned that A Jiang’s age and the location of the tattoos on his body were consistent with the characteristics of Zhu Ertai’s daughter.
Murong Jing has been dealing with the Uzi clan for many years and would never mistake the tattoo pattern.
Although we don’t know how A Jiang appeared in Jiangzhou, his identity should be correct.
The border between Uzbekistan and Daliang is not peaceful now, and the pro-war forces are eyeing it covetously. Fortunately, the northern border has always been garrisoned by a large army led by Murong Zhongliang, the King of Zhenbei. Although there have been minor disputes over the years, no major chaos has occurred.
Daliang values culture over military power, and Wuzi's military strength should not be underestimated. Emperor Liang still hopes to stabilize the border in a more peaceful way.
If Ajahn can be returned, peace on the border should be guaranteed for a considerable period of time.
It’s called a “return”, but it’s more like a bargaining chip.
Yan Yuze told Zhu Lan the truth, and then quietly waited for her reaction. Seeing her frowning, he asked jokingly, "Do you feel that the Northern Frontier is too far away and regret it?"
"That's not the case." Zhu Lan shook his head thoughtfully, "I understand that the headmaster wants to give me a chance to make merit, so that I can legitimately strive for the Spring Examination."
She looked a little confused. "It's just that I haven't entered the government yet. If I, a commoner, were to be in charge of such an important matter concerning the peace of the border, would it cause criticism?"
Yan Yuze smiled and said, "Commoners are different from commoners. You are the top scholar in a prefecture. You will become an official sooner or later. It is your duty to serve the court.
And you won't be allowed to go alone this time. Princess Ning Yue is also going back to the Northern Frontier Camp, and she can escort you along the way.
In addition, Ajiang's identity is sensitive, so remember not to let others know. You will disguise yourself as ordinary people and take Ajiang to the northern border. Be sure to hand this letter to the King of Zhenbei, and he will know how to deal with this matter later. "
Zhu Lan knew that this matter was of great importance. The fact that Yan Yuze dared to tell him such an important matter showed his high hopes and trust in him.
She took the letter and put it solemnly into her arms.
Yan Yuze's tone became leisurely again, "It will take at least two months to go from here to the Northern Frontier and back, and I can still catch up with the Spring Examination when I come back.
It's just that the journey is tiring, you won't blame this job for preventing you from preparing for the exam with peace of mind, right?"
Zhu Lan smiled when he heard this, "You are too kind, Headmaster. If it weren't for this opportunity, I wouldn't even be able to take part in the next spring exam, let alone prepare for it."
"Yeah." Yan Yuze nodded happily, "Go back and pack your bags and leave as soon as possible. Remember to bring more books with you on the road."
"Principal, I have a request for you." Zhu Lan suddenly said.
"Um?"
"Can Zhu Qingyan go with me?" Zhu Lan thought for a moment, "She is quite talented and has been among the top six in both the college and provincial examinations. It's a pity that she has to mourn with me and cannot take part in the Spring Examination.
If we both accomplish something this time, can we give her a chance as well?"
Yan Yuze squinted at her for a long while, then suddenly laughed, "You are such an interesting student. Haha, okay, okay, she is the top scorer in the provincial examination, and it is a good thing to set a precedent with you, the top scorer. I think your grandfather's spirit in heaven will be pleased."
"Thank you, Headmaster."
Zhu Lan left Yan Yuze's study and went to find Liang Zhou and others first.
Qiao Youyou and Xiao Wan were helping Zhao Qing deal with the fake account and could not leave Wulei Pavilion, so Zhu Lan could only tell Liang Zhou and Zhou Da that he would be leaving the academy temporarily, and then they would convey the message.
She did not mention A Jiang's matter, but only said that she was assigned a task by the headmaster to go to the northern border. Liang Zhou and Zhou Da would not dig into the matter.
"When you get there, tell Chaoyang for me that the Archery Club is thriving, so he shouldn't worry about it!"
Zhou Da also nodded.
Zhu Lan felt a little emotional. Although many of his classmates had already embarked on their own paths in life over the past few years since he traveled through time, there were still people who stayed by his side.
But this time when I went to the northern border, my classmates who had traveled with me were not around, and it was a little hard to get used to it.
However, the emotion only lasted for a moment, and the emotion in Zhu Lan's eyes was soon replaced by fighting spirit.
This opportunity is hard to come by, so I must seize it.
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