"Oh dear, Imperial Censor Liu is forcing me to review the papers on the spot. If I disagree, won't people call me a foolish emperor? Alright, Scholar Song, today you shall have the officials of the court review whether these three are qualified to be the top three scholars."
Qin Yu looked at Song Zhenglian and gave him instructions.
Song Zhenglian was stunned for a moment, but then he realized what was going on.
Your Majesty is not trying to deny the achievements of Zhang Tingyu and the other two, but rather to have Sima Lie acknowledge their top three rankings.
So he quickly took out the three people's exam papers.
"Your Majesty, these are the answers from the top three scholars. If any officials in the court have any objections, please make your judgment on the spot."
After finishing speaking, Song Zhenglian respectfully handed the answer sheet to An Fu.
"Your Majesty, would you like to see it?"
Anfu presented the exam paper to Qin Yu.
"I'm too lazy to read it. Aren't the officials in the court going to review the documents? Then you can read it aloud in front of them."
"yes."
Anfu then turned around and opened the exam paper in his hand.
The first answer sheet he drew was that of Zhang Tingyu, the top scholar in the imperial examination.
He then slowly read aloud the contents of the answer sheet.
This answer sheet has been corrected.
Otherwise, their proposals for tax reform and similar reforms, once exposed to the public, would likely cause considerable controversy.
As Anfu read aloud, the court officials remained silent, but they all shook their heads inwardly.
Zhang Tingyu's writing was full of flattery. In his article, Qin Yu was transformed into a sage ruler who was unprecedented and unparalleled in history.
Not only that, he also put forward absurd suggestions on how Qin Yu could plunder the people's wealth for his own enjoyment.
Under normal circumstances, they would consider this kind of article less valuable than toilet paper.
However, no one stepped forward to offer their opinion until Anfu finished reading.
The ministers' minds are not on this article at all.
They were all observing Sima Lie's reaction.
Whether or not to select these three as the top three is entirely up to Sima Lie.
Seeing that no one spoke, Qin Yu smiled slightly.
He then looked at Sima Lie.
"Prime Minister, do you think this essay is worthy of the title of top scholar?"
Upon hearing Qin Yu specifically request that he be the one to judge the article, Sima Lie hesitated.
If he doesn't comment on this article, then these three people won't be able to make it into the top three.
But if he were to offer his opinion, wouldn't everyone in the world think he was just as foolish and absurd as this tyrant?
After much thought, Sima Lie still felt that Liu Wenlie was to blame for the whole thing.
If he hadn't spoken recklessly, he wouldn't have ended up in such a passive situation.
"What's wrong, Prime Minister? Do you perhaps think this essay is unworthy of a top scholar?"
Seeing that Sima Lie remained silent for a long time, Qin Yu asked.
Sima Lie then realized what was happening and quickly waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I find the writing so elegant and the whole text flows like clouds and water that I couldn't help but savor it. Such a fine piece of writing deserves the title of top scholar."
Sima Lie cupped his hands and said.
After hearing his words, the courtiers in the hall fell silent instantly.
They all cast surprised glances at Sima Lie.
Is such a meaningless sycophantic article even worth the Prime Minister's consideration?
Upon hearing Sima Lie's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, I knew it! The Prime Minister and I are of the same mind. Such an essay deserves to be the top scholar!"
Seeing Qin Yu's expression as if he had found a kindred spirit, Sima Lie felt like crying.
If it weren't to ensure his own people could rise to power, he wouldn't have said such things against his conscience.
Thinking about this only intensified his disgust for Liu Wenlie.
After Qin Yu finished laughing, he did not immediately have An Fu read out the remaining two articles, but instead looked at the other silent ministers.
"Alright, didn't you all just ask for a retrial? Now that the Prime Minister has finished his judgment, you should all share your thoughts!"
Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, the expressions of the assembled officials below all changed.
What are they supposed to evaluate?!
Since Sima Lie had already agreed, they could only agree as well.
The problem is, if they praise such a sycophantic article so highly, and it gets out later, won't their reputation in Shilin be ruined?
Sima Lie, as if grasping at a straw, immediately looked at his ministers.
"Indeed, since the answers will be reviewed at the court assembly, everyone's opinions should be heard. Gentlemen, please share your views now."
Upon hearing Sima Lie's words, even the most reluctant officials had no choice but to praise him against their conscience.
"This article deserves to be the first among Confucian scholars!"
"What a wonderful article! No wonder it's written by a top scholar!"
"We have no objection to this person being ranked first in the imperial examination."
"..."
Seeing the ministers below racking their brains for words of praise, Qin Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"At first, I thought Zhang Tingyu was exaggerating a bit, but now seeing how much my ministers praise him, it seems that my achievements are indeed unprecedented!"
Hearing Qin Yu's loud laughter, the courtiers were on the verge of tears.
If it weren't for Sima Lie's threats, they wouldn't bother commenting on this rubbish.
After the ministers finished their comments, Anfu read the remaining two answer sheets aloud.
After making one compromise, everyone became much more adept at the process.
Listening to the praises from the entire court, an uninformed person would really think that this imperial examination had produced a masterpiece that would be remembered for generations.
"Good, Minister Wang, have you memorized the list? I am very satisfied with the scholars selected in this palace examination. You must make sure the Qionglin Banquet is well organized."
After finalizing the rankings of the top three, Qin Yu looked at Wang Ziru and said.
"Your subject obeys."
Wang Ziru bowed.
Seeing that nothing was wrong, Qin Yu had Anfu announce the end of the court session and then rushed to the Empress's palace.
He still had some matters to attend to that required utilizing the Zhao family's influence in the capital.
Upon arriving at the Empress's palace, Qin Yu saw Zhao Yan instructing the palace maids on how to dance.
Seeing that Zhao Yan had her back to him, Qin Yu lowered his footsteps and quietly came up behind Zhao Yan.
Snap!
Qin Yu suddenly grabbed Zhao Yan's full breasts and began to knead them vigorously.
Upon seeing such a sensual scene, the palace maids practicing their dances instantly blushed.
"Hehe, Empress, have you missed me?"
Qin Yu looked at the beauty in front of him with a wicked smile.
But Qin Yu was stunned when he saw the face of the person in front of him.
The one he caught was not Zhao Yan, but Zi Yan.
"Your Majesty, there are still so many people watching over here!"
Zi Yan's face flushed and burned, and she quickly said to Qin Yu.
At that moment, a soft cough came from behind Qin Yu.
"Your Majesty, I have indeed missed you these past few days, but it seems you can't even remember what I look like!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu quickly released Zi Yan and stepped forward to hug Zhao Yan tightly.
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