After fooling this group of passionate young people, An Jingzhi sent them to the places where they were going to do internships.
With the addition of young blood, the stagnant water will surely be stirred up. These newly joined officials are like catfish in a fish tank, forcing other officials to move.
A yard somewhere.
Chang Bo was saying goodbye to his friend who was about to leave.
Looking at his old friend who was now wearing an official uniform, Chang Bo felt a little sad in his heart.
He failed the imperial examination. He looked through the list three times but did not see his name. Instead, he saw his name on the list of arithmetic scores, which happened to be the first. He got the best score of 79.
But what’s the use of this? His meaning of the scriptures was not accepted.
On the contrary, although his classmate Wen Zhen did not perform as well as him in arithmetic, he was better than him in classics and happened to be a second-class Jinshi.
"Uncle Chang, don't lose heart. You are so good at arithmetic. As long as you work harder on the classics, you will definitely pass the next imperial examination. I will be taking up a post in the local government this time, and I won't need those books in the future. I'll leave them to you. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can write to me and let me know." Wen Zhen comforted his friend.
It was only with the help of the other party that he was able to cross the 30-point mark in arithmetic.
Although he was very excited about going to high school this time, he didn't want to show it too much in front of his friends.
Chang Bo forced a smile and pretended to be nonchalant. "I know my own level very well. Don't worry about me. Just be careful on the road."
They both helped each other to fill in each other's gaps. He helped Wen Zhen with math, and Wen Zhen helped him with classics. Since they both failed the exam, he could only accept his fate.
This year's imperial examination was the fairest one in history. Next time he took the exam, he was not sure if he could grab a spot with those children of nobles.
Wen Zhen also felt a little complicated. His good friend was very proficient in arithmetic, even he was amazed, but when it came to the meaning of the scriptures, he seemed to have no idea. It was not that he didn't work hard.
He patted Chang Bo's shoulder and said, "Well, if you have time to worry about me, you should pick up your books and read more. The imperial examination is the top priority, Chang Bo, I look forward to working with you as a colleague."
Chang Bo was a little discouraged, but after hearing what Wen Zhen said, his fighting spirit suddenly rekindled.
Suddenly, a man with no white beard walked into their yard.
"Who is Uncle Chang?" the man asked in a pinched voice.
Chang Bo and Wen Zhen looked at each other in bewilderment. Chang Bo came out and said to the man without a white beard, "I am Chang Bo. May I ask what may I do for you?"
When Wen Zhen heard the man's voice, he had some suspicions. He was worried that Chang Bo would get into trouble, so he quickly revealed his identity. "I am a good friend of Chang Bo and this year's successful candidate. I wonder what you want from him?"
The man without a white beard looked at Wen Zhen, then smiled and said to Chang Bo, "There is a noble from the palace who wants to see you. Come with me."
Wen Zhen was a little worried. He glanced at Chang Bo and was about to ask something when the man without white beard interrupted him. He said to Chang Bo, "Okay, come with me. Your Excellency has been waiting for a long time."
Wen Zhen was worried and watched Chang Bo and the man without white beard walk into the palace.
…
It was Chang Bo's first time entering the palace. He lowered his head and listened carefully to the instructions of the man next to him, no, it should be said that the eunuch had just told him his identity.
"When you meet His Majesty later, you must not look up at his face. Also, do you remember the rules I taught you just now?" the eunuch reminded again.
Chang Bo was already stunned. How could a mere scholar like him deserve to be summoned by His Majesty? He tried his best to remember what the eunuch said and nodded hurriedly.
"Remember..."
"Just remember, it's just ahead." After the eunuch said this, he took him for a while.
…
An Jingzhi looked at Chang Bo, who had been looking down at the floor with a timid look since he came in, and felt that he was similar to the image he had imagined in his mind.
Ordinary people don’t know the rules of the palace. Judging from his performance just now, he must have been taught by the eunuchs in advance when he came in.
"Look up."
A solemn and majestic voice came from above.
Chang Bo raised his head cautiously and looked at the young emperor secretly.
The first reaction is youth.
The emperor's expression was not as solemn and majestic as his voice, but was full of smiles.
At this moment, Chang Bo's heart relaxed a little.
"Do you know why I called you here?"
Chang Bo hurriedly replied, "In... I... don't know."
"This time, you're ranked first." An Jingzhi paused and said, "I plan to specially recruit you into the Ministry of Revenue."
The frightened man suddenly looked up and looked at the young emperor, his eyes full of shock.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but seemed to not know how to express his joy.
"The most important thing about the Ministry of Revenue is arithmetic. All the wealth in the world is concentrated in the Ministry of Revenue, but there are always people who enrich themselves, deceive their superiors and subordinates, and treat me as a fool, putting the court's money in their own pockets."
Chang Bo listened quietly to what An Jingzhi said, only to see the other party say,
"I have specially recruited you into the Ministry of Revenue because I want you to investigate the filth within. Your arithmetic is your natural talent. Are you willing?"
After hearing this, Chang Bo immediately bowed and said, "I am willing to serve Your Majesty!" He was not sure whether he could pass the imperial examination next time, but he estimated that it would be difficult.
This opportunity was right in front of him. The emperor took a fancy to his talent, and his arithmetic talent, which he was proud of, finally came in handy.
He was ecstatic and wanted to become the sharpest sword in the young emperor's hands.
…
Wen Zhen, who was guarding outside the city gate, waited for an hour and saw his friend walking out in a daze. He hurriedly walked up to him and grabbed his shoulders.
"What's wrong, Chang Bo? Why would someone in the palace summon you? Did something happen? Tell me, I'll see if I can find some connections."
Wen Zhen's worried voice kept ringing in Chang Bo's ears. He stared straight ahead, as if in a daze.
Suddenly, he burst into laughter. Chang Bobo couldn't stop laughing, "Hahaha, I'm an official now! Hahaha!"
Seeing Wen Zhen's worried expression, he explained everything that happened in the palace in detail. Of course, he concealed the fact that he had entered the Ministry of Revenue to check the accounts for His Majesty. He only said that because of his talent in arithmetic, he was forced to be specially recruited into the Ministry of Revenue to be the Minister of Revenue.
Wen Zhen was stunned after hearing this. He didn't expect that the agreement they made an hour ago would be fulfilled now. From now on, they would be colleagues.
The two were true friends, and Wen Zhen was happy for him after hearing this. He took him out for a celebratory dinner, which also served as a farewell drink before his departure.
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