Zhu Zhongyan, who was serving nearby, was about to speak when Fu Chengwang said sternly, "Absolutely not! If Your Majesty does this, how will others judge Lord Zhao? They will all say that Lord Zhao is seeking favoritism for his son, which will affect the reputation of both Your Majesty and Lord Zhao."
Cheng** said impatiently, "If you don't tell anyone, who will know? These servants?"
Zhu Zhongyan quickly said, "The servants will not say anything."
Fu Chengwang insisted: "If outsiders ask, I have no choice but to tell the truth."
Cheng ** said angrily: "I can't even select a top scholar?"
Fu Chengwang said, "Of course, this is your majesty's right. But you must review all the test papers before making your decision."
Zhu Zhongyan secretly admired.
Although Fu Chengwang is not good in other aspects, he has an integrity that others do not have.
Cheng** said angrily, "Bring it here so I can see it myself."
Fu Chengwang handed the paper over. Cheng** unfolded it and quickly read it, nodding frequently. "The emperor's politics lie in clarity and wisdom. The emperor's heart lies in benevolence and virtue. Very good, very good. The answer of this child from Zhao Qing's family has won my heart."
Cheng** glanced over the paper and said with satisfaction, "Such a good answer sheet, yet you only ranked tenth. Read the previous ones again and let me see why they can surpass Zhao Qing's children."
Fu Chengwang opened another test paper and said, "This is the second place winner, Zhang Wenchang, from Wuzhou, Jianning Province, and he's 33 years old. The emperor's policies depend on the ruler and the ministers. The emperor's heart lies in cultivating virtue. As the supreme ruler of the country, the emperor should understand the people's hearts..."
Cheng** snorted, without commenting, and said, "Read it again."
Fu Chengwang opened the third test paper and said, "This is the third place winner, Han Qingfeng, from Baiyun Prefecture, Lintao Province, and he's 28 years old. The emperor's policy is about long-term stability. The emperor's heart is about benevolence. The emperor's every word and action is closely related to the world..."
Fu Chengwang's voice echoed in the hall.
Up to this point in the test paper, the answers are all very exciting. Not only are they brilliant, but the principles contained in them are also thought-provoking.
In the blink of an eye, Fu Chengwang finished reading eight copies.
Zhu Zhongyan sighed secretly.
It was beyond his expectation that Zhao Lin could become the top scorer in the imperial examination. Did he still fantasize that he could become the top scorer?
"Ninth place, Su Di, a native of Kaiyang County, Shengjing Prefecture, a branch of the Su family, a prominent family in Jinzhou, Xishan Province. He is 16 years old. The emperor's politics lie in dictatorship. The emperor's heart lies in exclusive use. The emperor..."
"Um?"
Cheng**'s expression changed, and he said, "Bring the test paper here."
Zhu Zhongyan hurriedly stepped forward, took the test paper and placed it in front of Cheng**.
Fu Chengwang said, "Sudi's paper has received mixed reviews, but the overall score of ninth is clearly justified. Your Majesty, please understand."
Cheng** read it carefully and said with a smile, "Those others all said I should be benevolent, but he alone wanted me to be dictatorial. This paper has the potential to be a top scholar."
Fu Chengwang said seriously, "I dare not agree with the opinion of this volume, but I have to give it a high score because what he said does make some sense."
Cheng** said with satisfaction: "This is also the reason why I asked you to be in charge of the palace examination."
Fu Chengwang is a conservative and pedantic person. He will speak directly when he sees something he doesn't like. Sometimes he even dares to contradict Cheng ** and make Cheng ** lose face, just like Li Xingye.
But it must be said that letting Fu Chengwang be in charge of matters like the imperial examinations was the best use of his resources.
"Read the last one." Cheng** said.
Fu Chengwang opened the first answer sheet. Even though he already knew whose paper it was, his eyelids still twitched a few times. He said, "This is the tenth place according to the evaluation of all the examiners. The person who took the exam is Zhao Lin, who is also the champion of this examination..."
"Oh? You ranked me tenth, or even first place?"
Cheng** perked up a bit and said with a smile, "Is he the top scholar? If so, I'll just appoint him as the top scholar. If he wins three prizes in a row, that would be a great story."
Fu Chengwang's mouth twitched, and he said, "Your Majesty, he is the top scholar."
Cheng** was surprised: "Really?"
Zhu Zhongyan, standing beside him, smiled and said, "Your Majesty, he not only won first place in the provincial and provincial examinations, but also won the minor third place. If Your Majesty chooses him as the top scholar, it would be an unprecedented achievement."
Cheng** was even more surprised: "Not simple. What family does he belong to, and who is his teacher?"
Fu Chengwang held his breath and didn't want to answer, but he had to answer: "He is an orphan. He studied on his own and didn't have a teacher."
"This is genius." Cheng** became interested: "Read it quickly."
Fu Chengwang took a deep breath and read out, "Number ten, Zhao Lin, from Kaiyang County, Shengjing Prefecture, currently living in the outer city, 17 years old, orphan."
"The policy of an emperor lies in change. The heart of an emperor lies in deficiency."
"Our Holy Emperor conquered the Northern Di in the north, occupied Funan in the south, crossed the ocean in the east, and explored the desert in the west. He spent decades expanding our territory for change. His merits far surpass those of Taizu and Taizong, making him the greatest emperor in history..."
"Selecting the virtuous and capable, recruiting talented individuals, is the key to change. Throughout the dynasties, institutions have become rigid, occupied by those who serve in idle positions but do nothing. Fortunately, the current Holy Emperor has changed the old system, appointing talented individuals, ensuring smooth government orders and the smooth operation of the country. He is worthy of being the first emperor in history..."
"Reducing corvée labor, allowing for rest and recuperation, prioritizing both agriculture and commerce, and developing the economy—this is change. Since our Holy Emperor ascended the throne, he has prioritized livelihoods, encouraged agricultural production, and actively expanded commerce and trade, establishing economic ties with numerous countries and promoting economic prosperity and development. He truly deserves to be the greatest emperor in history..."
"To uphold morality, to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic is to bring about change. Our Holy Emperor... is worthy of being the first emperor in history..."
"An emperor's heart should never be satisfied with the status quo. Our Holy Emperor has conquered the east and the west, rectified the administration, and paid attention to the people's livelihood. This is because he is not satisfied... He is worthy of being the first emperor in history..."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com