In the Imperial Study, Anfu respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, Scholar Song is outside requesting an audience."
"Oh?" Qin Yu raised an eyebrow and urged him to come in quickly.
"Cough cough cough!"
Before the person even arrived, the sound of coughing came first.
Looking up, I saw that Song Zhenglian looked haggard and had a stubble beard. He was already thin, and now he looked like a walking corpse.
Qin Yu was startled and quickly stood up, asking in surprise, "Minister Song, what's wrong?"
"It's alright, it's alright..."
Song Zhenglian waved his hands, indicating that he was about to perform a salute.
"No need for formalities, Anfu, quickly offer Scholar Song a seat!"
Only after careful questioning did I learn the truth.
It turned out that the examination papers had already been graded, and since most officials at the Imperial Academy were just going through the motions, this heavy responsibility naturally fell entirely on Song Zhenglian's shoulders.
This was his first time serving as the chief examiner for all the candidates in the country, so he naturally didn't want anything to go wrong. Since he couldn't do anything about those officials, he simply decided to fight this battle alone.
In order not to delay the auspicious day for the release of the results, they worked tirelessly for three days and three nights without sleep to grade the exam papers.
Qin Yu was both angry and heartbroken upon hearing this.
"Those sons of bitches, in their fight, they've even abandoned the important task of scientific research and national affairs?"
"Minister Song! Why don't you come to me to report? I have plenty of ways to make them submit."
Song Zhenglian never thought of submitting a memorial to the emperor, but he couldn't.
Shaking his head repeatedly, Song Zhenglian explained, "Your Majesty, you have already attracted too much attention by causing a scene in the examination hall, especially from Prime Minister Sima. You have your own plans, and it would probably be disadvantageous for you to go through all this trouble to step in."
"These are problems that I, your humble servant, can overcome. Otherwise, what would be the point of having us, your subjects, just to collect the state's salary?"
Qin Yu was deeply moved by these words. What a fine subject he was! If all the court officials had the same awareness as Song Zhenglian, the Great Xia Dynasty wouldn't be in such a chaotic state.
What's remarkable is that Song Zhenglian was still thinking of himself.
Just as he was about to respond, he carefully took out three test papers from his pocket and respectfully handed them over.
"Your Majesty, please look at these three best answers in the exam. These three people are the top three in my opinion, and they are capable of great use."
Qin Yu quickly took it and his eyes lit up.
One person proposed that in order to resist the Xiongnu, the army must be strictly disciplined, its current state of decline must be reformed, and the court must be connected with the government to eliminate corruption. At that time, changes will occur from the battlefield in Youzhou to the capital.
One person proposed a direct, proactive attack, learning from the Xiongnu's tactics, using war to sustain war, investing heavily in a fierce battle with the Xiongnu, demonstrating their prowess on the battlefield, intimidating the Xiongnu, and then bringing them back to the negotiating table.
The last candidate was a local from Youzhou. In his exam paper, he vehemently criticized the Sima family for all the evil deeds they had committed in Youzhou, their continuous defeats on the battlefield, and their tolerance of corruption in the army.
He then boldly suggested that the emperor sit back and watch the tigers fight, allowing the Xiongnu and Sima Lie to weaken each other before the court could launch a major military campaign!
Regardless of whether these three people's methods are good or bad, they are at least feasible. Whether it's inward reform to accumulate strength or betting resources on a direct fight to the death, they will change the current situation.
This last person is even more terrifying.
This young man actually wrote down his own plan.
It's a pity, a real pity. This plan could only remain in his mind and could not be put into practice. He was indeed clever, but he also had absolutely no political acumen.
Fortunately, the people at the Imperial Academy were negligent and gave Song Zhenglian a hard time; otherwise, the exam paper would have been delivered to Sima Lie that very day, and the candidate who wrote it would probably have been missing forever.
"Your Majesty, how is it?"
"Your humble servant suggests that these three be ranked as the top three scholars, the second-ranked scholar, and the third-ranked scholar!"
Seeing Song Zhenglian's haggard yet sincere appearance, Qin Yu shook his head.
The former was greatly puzzled. "Why is that, Your Majesty? These three exam papers are the best I could obtain after carefully comparing all the other exam papers!"
There was no response; Qin Yu simply smiled to himself and pulled out three pre-prepared exam papers from his sleeve.
"These are the top three from this scientific expedition!"
Song Zhenglian was even more confused. He quickly took it and looked at it, his face showing surprise.
These are not three exam papers; they are clearly three sycophantic articles that not only lavish praise on the emperor and fawn over the court, but also whitewash the peaceful and prosperous times!
Now, which ordinary person can't see that the court is in chaos and the whole country is in utter disarray!
What's even stranger is that none of the three exam papers were signed.
"Your Majesty, how can these three be ranked in the top three? If this list is released, even the other candidates will probably find it unacceptable!"
"And these three people didn't even write their names!"
Qin Yu smiled and took the test paper back.
"It's right that it wasn't written! Because it was written by me!"
As he spoke, he tore off the seals on the three exam papers that Song Zhenglian had just given him, and then wrote his name on the three anonymous, flattering exam papers.
"I see!"
After a two-second reaction, Song Zhenglian suddenly realized what was going on!
After doing all this, Qin Yu looked at Song Zhenglian again.
Seeing his haggard appearance and disheveled hair from overwork, Qin Yu felt quite distressed.
"I originally intended to have you stay in the palace for a meal, but as you know, Song Aiqing, this palace is not a place for eating."
"I have heard that Minister Song is poor and has an elderly mother to support. He often relies on the help of friends to get by."
"You've worked very hard grading these papers, Anfu. Here's a thousand taels of silver to reward Minister Song!"
The latter felt that his hard work had been rewarded and was so moved that he knelt down to express his gratitude.
The following morning, after the emperor had announced that he would not hold court.
Finally, the officials saw the emperor again, his face pale from excessive indulgence.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Still with that lazy demeanor, Qin Yu leaned back on the dragon throne and gently waved his hand, "Get up!"
After Anfu announced the start of the court session, Sima Lie feigned concern and said, "I heard from Eunuch An that His Majesty was unwell. I wonder how he is now? You must take good care of His Majesty's health!"
Qin Yu yawned, then rubbed his waist and complained.
"Isn't back pain something that only affects the elderly? I'm so young, yet my back has been so sore and tired these past two days that I can't even lift myself up."
These words were, of course, deliberately spoken for Sima Lie and all the officials to hear.
Sure enough, the effect was quite good.
The officials all wore expressions of disdain.
Back pain?
All you do is busy in the harem all day long, you don't even attend the morning court. If you, this incompetent ruler, don't suffer from back pain, who will?
"Alright! I haven't fully recovered yet. If you have anything to say, please speak; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"
Only after he finished speaking did Song Zhenglian step forward.
"Your humble servant has important matters to report!"
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