After seeing Zhu Yunying nod, Wang Chengen immediately carried a roll of apricot-yellow cloth down the imperial steps and handed the cloth with the title written on it to Ru Chang.
In fact, this was not originally required to be issued by Ru Chang, but considering Ru Chang's previous grievances and the doubts about him from the court and the public, Zhu Yunying could be considered to be giving Ru Chang some face by letting him 'preside over' the palace examination.
Under the watchful eyes of Mei Yin and others, Ru Chang, who was in charge of presenting the questions, slowly unfolded the apricot-yellow cloth and placed it on the imperial desk.
At this moment, the sound of drums and music rang out, along with the cracking of whips. After the candidates immediately bowed nine times, Zhu Yunying slowly rose. He was pressed for time, so naturally he didn't have much time to oversee the candidates' palace examination.
"I have ascended the throne by the mandate of Heaven, to rule over the eight directions and govern all realms, to govern hundreds of millions of people, and to provide great protection for the world..."
Many of the tribute students were both excited and bewildered, because this time the test wasn't on the Four Books and Five Classics, but on current affairs. In other words, His Majesty the Emperor was assessing these tribute students' abilities to govern the country, ensure the people's well-being, and manage floods and droughts—this was a test of their governance skills.
Ru Chang and the others did not linger there but followed Zhu Yunying out of the Wuying Hall. Supervising the palace examination was not the responsibility of high-ranking officials like themselves. As for any candidate daring to cheat at this time, they would likely face serious consequences, not only losing their academic titles but also struggling to survive.
Upon arriving at the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yunying sat down and said, "Ru, the companion reader, has made great contributions to the examination this time. It is a great achievement to accept the blame."
Ru Chang immediately knelt down and hurriedly said, "This is my duty."
"Reward those who have made merits and punish those who have made mistakes; this is the foundation of my actions," Zhu Yunying said slowly. "I originally thought of making your eldest daughter a princess consort, but after thinking about it, I decided against it. Your eldest son, Rujian, is quite talented; let him go to the Grand Hall. The Crown Prince is going to the Grand Hall soon."
Ru Chang was incredibly excited, but then also somewhat worried. "Your Majesty's grace is deeply appreciated. However, my eldest son's talents are limited. If he were to become the Crown Prince's study companion, I fear..."
Ru Chang was a highly talented scholar, but his son was only of average ability. Ru Chang's meaning was clear: he was worried that his son would not be a good companion in his studies.
Zhu Yunying didn't mind and said with a smile, "The Crown Prince's study companion is not just Ru Jian. Let him go. It can be considered a good story. Ru Jian is my study companion, and Ru Jian's eldest son is my eldest son's study companion."
As he said this, Zhu Yunying looked at Mei Yin and Liu Zhi, "Uncles, should our little cousins go to the Governor's Mansion or the Grand Hall?"
Mei Yin had two sons, the eldest being Mei Shunchang and the second Mei Jingfu. Zhu Yunying used to jokingly suggest that his younger cousin be appointed as the Left Commander-in-Chief or Right Commander-in-Chief, or even a Deputy Commander-in-Chief, in the Five Military Commands. However, at that time, Zhu Yunying was only the Crown Prince and still a child, so it couldn't be taken seriously.
But now that Zhu Yunying is sitting on the dragon throne, his words are no longer a joke.
Mei Yin quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace, but..."
"No buts!" Zhu Yunying interrupted with a smile, saying, "If I can't even arrange things for my cousin, my eldest aunt will be furious. I was raised by my eldest and youngest aunts when I was little, and I'm closest to them."
Mei Yin and Liu Zhi were naturally aware of these things, which was what distinguished them from the other sons-in-law of Emperor Zhu. Emperor Zhu's favorite son-in-law was actually only Mei Yin. And after Emperor Zhu ascended the throne, although he seemed to treat the other sons-in-law well, the only true uncles-in-law he recognized were Mei Yin and Liu Zhi.
As for his two brothers-in-law, Zhu Yunying was used to being 'high and mighty', after all, he was the older brother, and the eldest brother is like a father! Especially after their parents passed away, taking care of his younger siblings was also his duty.
Zhu Yunying thought for a moment and then said, "My uncle-in-law also had military achievements in his early years, but in recent years he has become more of a civil official. How about this, since the army is about to set off, my uncle-in-law and my other uncle-in-law should go to the front line."
Mei Yin and Liu Zhi immediately understood. Mei Yin did indeed have some military merits and had been on the battlefield, but he had not been ennobled for his achievements. Liu Zhi's title was Earl of Chengyi, which he inherited from Liu Bowen, but this title was relatively low.
This was to allow his two uncles to gain some military merits, so that Zhu Yunying could rightfully bestow titles upon them!
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