Although the Sima family withheld the pensions after the war under the pretext that artisans were not considered soldiers, they still made some compensation by changing the Feng family's status from artisans to civilians.
It was precisely because of this that Feng Xinxi had the opportunity to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).
"This person is worth using."
Qin Yu nodded secretly.
Feng Xinxi's father died less from the Xiongnu's sword and more from the Sima family's incompetence.
Given this natural animosity, it's easier to subdue this person.
After adding this person to his mental list, Qin Yu looked at the remaining two people.
Both of them had suffered persecution from the Sima family to varying degrees.
One of the students, Guo Jingwen, came from a family that was quite wealthy when he was young. However, due to persecution by Tan Wu and others, his family eventually fell into poverty, and both his parents passed away.
From that time on, this person was determined to revitalize the court and managed to pass the imperial examinations all the way to the capital.
Qin Yu was unsure whether he could recruit the last person to his side.
This student, named Su Jiangran, was once a disciple of Zhang Tang.
However, after Zhang Tang was demoted, Sima Lie's lackeys seized the opportunity to cause trouble, directly forcing Su Jiangran's teacher to his death.
Su Jiangran was also imprisoned for three months. In the end, a group of friends raised two hundred taels of silver to bail him out.
Although Sima Lie was the culprit, the problem is that many things would not have happened if the emperor had not been so incompetent and foolish.
Therefore, Qin Yu was unsure whether Su Jiangran harbored hatred towards him.
Putting aside the background information of the others, Qin Yu fell into deep thought.
"Master Liu, which of these people do you think we can use?"
After a moment's thought, Qin Yu couldn't help but look at Liu Caiqing and ask.
"Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, and everyone can be of use to you. But as for whether to use you for a major or minor purpose, I think Your Majesty already has a decision in mind."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu couldn't help but smile.
This woman always liked to give him riddles, but he already had a clear idea in his mind.
"Very well, I have learned a lot, Abbot Liu, farewell!"
Qin Yu stood up as she spoke.
Next, he needs to prepare for the Qionglin Banquet tomorrow.
...
The next day.
Thump!
As the evening drum sounded, the capital city, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, seemed to be dyed in gold.
In the past, by this time, both ordinary people and tourists would have been preparing to go home.
But today, the capital city is unusually lively.
Countless commoners and scholars flocked to both sides of Zhuque Street, looking expectantly at the end of the street.
Amid the expectant gazes of the people, a group of spirited young scholars, riding tall horses, slowly approached.
The most eye-catching figure was undoubtedly the young man at the head of the group, dressed in a bright red python robe, wearing a black gauze hat adorned with gold flowers, and holding a golden list.
"Is he Zhang Tingyu, the top scholar in the imperial examination?"
"I observed that this person had an extraordinary bearing and a dignified appearance, and should have been a person of great talent. I did not expect him to be a person who only knew how to flatter and fawn."
"Hmph, even if someone who rises to power through flattery becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, I would not deign to associate with him."
"..."
The scholars and commoners present couldn't help but murmur disdainfully as they looked at the spirited Zhang Tingyu.
If it weren't for the imperial guards stationed on both sides of the street, who knows how many people would have thrown rotten eggs at Zhang Tingyu's head.
Although they dared not smash Zhang Tingyu, their discussions were no less loud, enough for the newly appointed scholars to hear clearly.
Many people in the group of successful candidates looked at Zhang Tingyu, wondering if he would be provoked on the spot.
If the top scholar gets into a conflict with the onlookers during his parade, they'll have a good show to watch.
However, Zhang Tingyu, facing the ridicule and insults of the crowd, showed no anger or shame, and even burst into laughter.
"Haha, thank you all for coming to see the top scholar parade through the streets. I am overjoyed to have passed the imperial examination with flying colors!"
Zhang Tingyu greeted the people on both sides of the street with a relaxed expression, and occasionally raised the golden list to indicate that the name on the top of the list was his.
Seeing that he not only felt no shame but was even proud of it, the shouts of abuse from the crowd intensified.
"Alright, alright, I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm. Here, let me distribute some lucky money to everyone, so that everyone can share in the joy. Those who didn't pass the exam can pick up more; who knows, maybe if they pick up my good fortune, they'll pass the exam next time."
Laughing loudly, Zhang Tingyu grabbed a handful of copper coins from the saddlebag on the horse's neck and threw them into the crowd.
Faced with Zhang Tingyu's blatant provocation, the students who had failed the exam became furious.
"Who would pick up your paltry little money? Don't you even know your own worth as a top scholar?"
Someone roared in anger.
But before he could say anything, he was violently shoved aside.
"Damn it, if you're not going to pick them up, don't block us from doing it. These are coins scattered by the top scholar. If we get some of his good fortune, we might pass the exam next time."
A group of people not only picked them up, but they even started to rob them.
For a moment, no one cared about scolding Zhang Tingyu anymore.
Seeing how easily Zhang Tingyu resolved the problem, the people following behind him were all shocked.
Before long, the group finished their parade and arrived at the palace.
Looking at the majestic palace before them, many scholars revealed a strong sense of anticipation in their eyes.
After today's banquet, they will put on their official robes and serve as officials in the court.
However, it was completely unknown how many of them would be able to stay in the capital.
Led by palace eunuchs, the group soon arrived at Qionglin Garden.
At this time, all the important officials of the court had arrived.
On the highest steps of the palace, three people sat, one above the other.
At the very top, wearing a twelve-tassel crown and a dragon robe, is Qin Yu.
On either side of him stood the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
"The newly appointed scholars enter the hall to pay their respects!"
Anfu waved his whisk and shouted at the top of his lungs.
The group of newly appointed scholars then hurriedly went inside.
"Students pay their respects to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
Looking at the large group of newly appointed scholars kneeling below, Qin Yu's attention was only focused on the eight he had chosen.
"Please, everyone..."
Qin Yu was about to ask everyone to stand up when Sima Lie spoke first.
"Rise, you have not yet paid your respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress."
Sima Lie spoke these words as if they were commonplace.
Upon hearing his command, more than a dozen scholars indeed stood up.
The others looked at Sima Lie, then at Qin Yu, unsure whether to kneel or stand up.
Although they knew that the Prime Minister held absolute power in the court, they never expected that the Prime Minister would dare to disregard His Majesty in this way.
The words "please rise" are not something a subject should utter.
Qin Yu's hand holding the wine glass turned slightly white.
That old dog is really arrogant!
However, Qin Yu did not get angry.
"Alright, didn't you hear what the Prime Minister said? Get up, all of you."
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