So all the candidates gathered together and walked to Deshan Garden. Tang Junchen and Zhou Jianwei also packed up and followed.
There was cement road underfoot and many Yuwen cars around. Everyone was used to this kind of situation in Qinzhou, so they held back and did not show the appearance of a country bumpkin entering the city.
As they walked, everyone was still discussing: "I heard that a female champion was born in the capital's trade department. Have you heard about it?"
"I heard that she is the concubine of the fifth prince."
"What a pity! If he were a man, he would definitely join the Ministry of Commerce!"
Someone else asked Tang Junchen, "Do you want to take part in the retest for the trade department?"
Tang Junchen said: "Of course I will participate."
Someone coughed nearby.
This man's surname was Zhao and his given name was Xie. He was from Luzhou. Because he had entered the Northern Academy, he took the exam in Qinzhou this time. He ranked third in the imperial examination, but his name was not on the list of trade subjects.
It is said that this man has a relative in the capital, and he did well in the exam, so he has many people around him who flatter him.
...
...
Zhao Xie said calmly, "The Ministry of Commerce was originally established to deal with the corruption in the national treasury, but now it has become a common practice. This is not unrelated to His Royal Highness Fu Yan. Everyone in the world knows that His Royal Highness Fu Yan is extremely favored by the emperor." He said meaningfully, "When you read the books of sages, you should know your heart and the way, not blindly follow them."
Several people looked at each other.
What he meant was that the Ministry of Commerce was thriving because His Highness Fu Yan was favored by the Emperor?
Someone immediately said, "Brother Zhao, you should be careful with your words! Is a saint a person who would sacrifice public interests for personal gain?"
Zhao Xie choked.
He then realized that what he said was indeed a bit hasty, so he said, "I absolutely did not mean that."
Zhou Jianwei raised his eyebrows and said slowly: "When you say this, it shows that failing the trade department is no accident."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xie couldn't help but say, "I think I have read thousands of books, but I don't know where I am lacking. I would like to ask Brother Zhou for advice!"
Zhou Jianwei said, "No need to teach me, you will understand if you fail the trade department. Brother Zhao is a talented person, but talented people may not be good at doing business. The Ministry of Commerce is not just to fill the national treasury. The matter of the national treasury can only be regarded as an opportunity to bring up this matter."
"You have a point." Tang Junchen couldn't help but interrupt: "Trade is beneficial to the country and the people, and there will be great potential in the future. It is definitely not a temporary emergency measure."
Zhao Xie frowned and said, "According to what you said, studying is not as good as doing business?"
Zhou Jian smiled and said, "Both can enter the government and serve the country. They complement each other and have the best of both worlds. Why should we argue about their pros and cons?"
These words were said with great dignity, and even those who were taking the imperial examination found them pleasing to the ear.
But Zhao Xie refused to give in and said loudly: "I am short-sighted and can't understand how someone who can't read a single word can pass the Trade Department! If such a person becomes an official, he will be laughed at!"
But someone responded from afar: "You are indeed short-sighted! You scolded more than half of the military officers in the court with just one sentence, but you are not short-sighted!"
Zhao Xie turned his head angrily and saw a man riding a horse towards him, followed by many people.
The capital is full of hidden talents and people you can't afford to offend are everywhere.
Zhao Xie's face changed slightly and he immediately shut his mouth.
The man had already come close. It was Huo Nan. He glanced at Zhao Xie and said with a smile without saying anything more: "Achen, Master's wife asked me to pick you up."
Tang Junchen blushed, and hurriedly cupped his hands, then stepped forward to greet him, "Anan, long time no see."
Huo Nan waved his hand and called a Yuwen car, and got in. Tang Junchen said something to Zhou Jianwei and got in the car, leaving the others looking at each other in bewilderment.
After a while, Sun Shaoyu said, "So Achen has relatives in the capital?"
Zhou Jianwei said: "I don't know either... But it is said that Achen was born in Jubao Village, Longmen County."
Sun Shaoyu was surprised: "Jubao Village, isn't that where Lady Fu stayed?"
"Wait a minute!" Someone else also remembered: "I remember Xu Liuyuan had three disciples, one of whom was in Longmen County... Could it be him?"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Sun Shaoyu couldn't help but slap his thigh and said, "Achen hid it really well!"
Zhao Xie's expression became even uglier.
He is the nephew of Earl Guangcheng, not a distant relationship. Even if he fails the imperial examination this time, he can still get a vacancy and his official position will be secure.
Although he didn't dare to say it out loud, he was always proud of it in his heart. He didn't expect that Tang Junchen, who had always been low-key, was actually related to Yan Shiyue!
That's someone that even Earl Guangcheng can't afford to offend.
In fact, at this moment, Tang Junchen was not as proud as they imagined.
Huo Nan smiled and said to him, "Why didn't you come over when you're here? If it weren't for the scroll, my master's wife would have asked someone and she wouldn't have known you were here!"
Tang Junchen smiled bitterly and said, "I am too embarrassed to see Master."
"What are you afraid of?" Huo Nan said with a smile, "Mr. Xu already knew your ranking."
In fact, Tang Junchen and Huo Nan were quite familiar with each other, but when Huo Nan was in Jubao Village, he was still an iceberg boy and hardly spoke a few words. Suddenly he became so warm and cheerful that Tang Junchen was a little unable to accept it.
Yuwen's car soon arrived at the Duke's Mansion. Huo Nan jumped out of the car and took him in.
Yan Shiyue was sitting in the corridor holding the child. When she saw him come in, she stood up with a smile: "Achen."
Tang Junchen took a few steps forward, bowed solemnly, and said, "Your Highness."
Yan Shiyue said: "No need to be polite at home, just call me Yue."
"That won't do," Tang Junchen said sternly, "Things are different now. If you keep calling me by my name, it would be impolite. How about...I'll call you Prime Minister?"
Yan Shiyue smiled and nodded: "Okay, it's up to you."
She looked him over and said, "You just came yesterday? Do you want to take a shower?"
Tang Junchen hesitated and asked, "Master is not here?"
"Well," Yan Shiyue said, "They have to wait a while before they can come back."
At the same time, he sent someone to take him to take a bath and change clothes. Tang Junchen soaked in the hot water for a while, changed his clothes and came out, and then he felt more comfortable.
Yan Shiyue was still sitting in the corridor, playing with the child's hands, and asked: "What are your plans?"
Tang Junchen was silent for a while, then smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know if you will believe me, but although my ranking is not good, I have really tried my best in the past few years... So if I fail this time, I don't know if I still have the courage to take the exam again."
"I believe it!" Yan Shiyue said with a smile, "Besides, it doesn't matter if you fail. You can become an official if you pass the exam. That's why I asked you what you want to do. If you want to be a county magistrate like my brother, I can arrange it for you."
Tang Junchen said: "Thank you, but let's wait until I pass the exam. If I can pass the exam for the Ministry of Commerce, can I... go to the Ministry of Commerce?"
"Yes!" Yan Shiyue said, "Anyone who has passed the exam can come, but the Ministry of Commerce is different from other places. There is a six-month probation period."
Tang Junchen said: "Then wait until I pass the exam."
He wiped his face in embarrassment: "I just don't have the face to see Master."
"It's okay," Yan Shiyue comforted him, "The teacher didn't expect you to do well in the exam."
Tang Junchen: “…”
He covered his face and sighed, "I haven't seen you for a few years, and you are still so good at talking."
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