Chapter 251: Imperial Examination Case (13)

"Your Majesty, these words were discovered by me during the aftermath of the Zhuque Gate. I dare not deceive Your Majesty, so I will report it."

After saying that, Yang Guozhong handed over the thick stack of paper, then stood aside with his hands down, carefully inspecting Li Longji's face. This was his usual style, the backlash before falling. Since Li Linfu had attacked him without hesitation, he would never let Li Linfu laugh to the end. However, Li Longji did not slam the table as he thought, and was furious. He only took a look and then put it aside, without any expression on his face. Yang Guozhong suddenly felt like he was hitting the sky with a punch, and his heart began to feel a little nervous.

Li Longji took a memorial from Wang Gong from the desk and threw it to him and asked, "I'm here to ask you, is this memorial true?"

Yang Guozhong opened the note with trembling hands. The more he looked, the paler his face became. Finally, he leaned on the ground and said, "My son took the scientific examination this year. His foundation was poor. I trusted him to ask Mr. Da Xi to take care of one or two under the same conditions. I think this is human nature. Which parent in the world is not like this? But in this note, it says that I sell the test papers and collude with other candidates to engage in private fraud. This is definitely a slander. I am not short of this little money, and I will not do such stupid things that can be tied up. I hope Your Majesty will investigate clearly!"

Li Longji nodded secretly. He didn't really believe the content of Wang Gong's memorial. More than 200 people from Yixin Tower knew that Yang Xuan sold the questions, and the details described were completely consistent. How could this be possible? Also, Da Xixun and Yang Shenjin have always been disagreeing with each other. How could they collude to hire candidates? Besides, Yang Shenjin had already written a letter to impeach the new Jinshi's misconduct. Wang Gong added fuel to the fire, and there was only one explanation. Li Linfu wanted to use this imperial examination case to deal with his two thorns in his side, one was Yang Guozhong and the other was Yang Shenjin. So Li Longji refused to believe Yang Guozhong's self-defense, but he must figure out some hidden things in Yang Guozhong's words.

"Who did you ask for the relationship, and who was the one who tied you with Da Xi Xun?"

He asked Yang Guozhong’s key points in one sentence. He hesitated for a long time before finally whispering in a slight voice as if it were mosquitoes: “King Qing!”

"It's this damn thing again!" Li Longji couldn't help but grit his teeth. He was about to ask again, but suddenly remembered something. Li Qing once said that King Qing knew the background of the treasury and grasped the timing of saving and withdrawing money just right. There must be insider collusion. Could it be that it is collusion with Yang Guozhong? It should be like this. Yang Guozhong is the Minister of Taifu Temple. Of course, he is very clear about the treasury's money inventory and expenditure budget.

The most critical line was straightened out, and Li Longji's thinking suddenly became clear. Da Xi Xun was recommended by King Qing to join the officialdom. In order to find a way for his son, Yang Guozhong found King Qing Li Cong, and the conditions offered by King Qing were the background of the national treasury.

The problem is that Li Qing didn't tell them all. Did he know about the fraud in the imperial examination for a long time? If so, what role did he play in the middle? Li Longji felt like a mantis stalking a cicada and an oriole behind him. Based on his intuition, Li Qing must have intervened in this matter.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to take the blame for my own sake!"

Yang Guozhong's final statement interrupted Li Longji's thinking. He calmed down and said with a cold face: "No matter what your purpose is for, the result is a great damage to the reputation of the court. I have considered it carefully. This is because you are too easy to get an official and do not know how to be cautious. In addition, if you are in a high position without merit, you may easily get jealous. It is better to be low-key. So don't do the two positions of Taifu Temple Minister and Jingzhao Yin, and focus on being your Censor-in-Chief!"

"I will receive the order!"

Li Longji had already said the words, and Yang Guozhong had to bow his head sadly and accept the punishment of being dismissed from office. At this time, Yu Chaoen's request came from outside, "Emperor, Zhang Shangshu and Zhang Qiu Xiangguo were asking for a meeting outside the palace. The exam has ended. I will report the results!"

"Supreme them in!"

Li Longji glanced at Yang Guozhong, and saw that his face was pale and his expression was sad, so he comforted him lightly and said, "You must walk steadily so that you will not fall. Today, you will take a step back. It is also a good thing. You are my brother-in-law. I have high expectations for you. You must take care of yourself in the future and don't let me down again!"

Yang Guozhong heard what Li Longji said, and was so excited that his whole body shook. He knelt down on the ground and cried: "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"

Li Longji waved his hand, "Go! Take good care of your son, make friends, and go to the land of love and misfortune. Your eldest son will let him enter the palace and be a guard!"

"yes!"

After Yang Guozhong withdrew from the imperial study, Li Longji took the stack of paper and stared at the three words "Nine Thousand Sui" for a long time and was silent. A sudden murderous intention flashed in his eyes. He slowly pinched the stack of paper into a ball. How could he not take it to heart? What happened to the Zhuque Gate the night before yesterday was known through Gao Lishi's eyes and ears. Li Linfu used his name to show kindness to the scholars and invite people to win the hearts of the people. This made him very unhappy, but the three words "Nine Thousand Sui" were like a fuse, igniting the dissatisfaction that had been hidden in Li Longji's heart for a long time.

"Emperor, Zhang Shangshu and Zhang Qiu Xiangguo are here!"

Gao Lishi quickly put away the paper balls, and saw Zhang Yun, who was full of melancholy and Zhang Qiujianqiong, who was anxious, strode in.

"I am Zhang Yun, please see Your Majesty!"

"I am Zhang Qiu and Qiong to meet your Majesty!"

The coldness on Li Longji's face had disappeared, and it had become a gentle smile, "Please sit down, two dear friends!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The two sat down one after another, and Zhang Qiu Jianqiong couldn't wait to say: "Your Majesty, Da Xi Xun was severely punished yesterday and has died. Deputy Chief Miao Jinqing committed suicide by hanging himself on the beam last night, but was rescued by his family in time, and fortunately he was safe."

"This is actually the case!"

Li Longji took a breath, his face changed several times, but immediately regained his indifference, glanced at Zhang Yun and said, "What's the situation with Zhang Shangshu?"

Zhang Yun shook his head in frustration and bowed forward and said, "I was ordered to be a Jinshi for the current exam, but the result was extremely unsatisfactory. If I follow my standards, at least half of them would not be qualified. Therefore, I dare to conclude that there must be fraud in this exam."

As soon as he waved his hand, a eunuch asked a plate of test papers. Zhang Yun personally gave it to Li Longji and said, "Those who fail are all recorded by Da Xixun. Miao Jinqing is still good, so it is not appropriate to record only Zhang Yi's son."

Li Longji picked up a few copies and flipped them out, and then said coldly to Zhang Qiu Jianqiong: "A such an important imperial examination dares to openly commit fraud. The crime is not to be forgiven. I pass on my order and confiscate the property of Xi Xun. His wife and daughter were sent to Anxi as slaves. Although Miao Jinqing was not the mastermind, it was considered a crime and demoted to Ankang Sima. All those recorded this year will be invalidated. Those who are suspected of fraud will not be allowed to participate in the imperial examination within three years."

Zhang Qiu Jianqiong stood up to receive the order, he hesitated and asked again: "Will you hold another imperial examination this year and re-enroll the new Jinshi?"

Li Longji sneered and refused flatly: "I dare to gather people to force me. Haven't they ever thought that it would cost me? This year, I will stop and no more scientific examinations will be held again. Any scholars from the capital will be allowed to return to their hometown within three days, and then they will order local officials to take strict supervision and will not gather again!"

"This" Zhang Qiu Jianqiong was a little surprised. He was about to advise again, but Zhang Yun smiled and said, "I fully agree with Your Majesty's decision. Abolishing the registered persons and punishing the examiner is an explanation to the scholars, but abolishing the re-examination is a warning to the scholars. You are the gods and must not roar at will. Such a way to convince people is to use both soft and hard.

It makes sense. When Zhang Qiu Jianqiong saw that Li Longji let Yang Shenjin go, he didn't say anything more, but Li Longji smiled faintly and said, "The son of Yang Guozhong and Zhang Yi's son both participated in this imperial examination cheating case, and his father should be held accountable. I have issued an order to remove Yang Guozhong from the positions of Jingzhao Yin and Taifu Temple Minister, and demote Zhang Yi to the Attorney Censor. Now I want to discuss with the two, the new candidates for Jingzhao Yin and Taifu Temple Minister."

Zhang Qiujianqiong and Zhang Yun looked at each other, but they could not hide the surprise and ecstasy in their eyes. For such an important position, the emperor actually bypassed Li Linfu and discussed with him directly. The implication was to hand over these two positions to hand over. What happened in the middle? Where did Li Linfu do something wrong?

Zhang Qiu Jianqiong has considered the candidates for these two positions countless times. He said without hesitation: "Since Your Majesty asks me, I will recommend two people. In order to maintain Chang'an public security and ensure the stability of the capital, Jingzhao Yin cannot be held by those who are not experienced. Taiyuan Yin Wei Zhi has been in the local area for a long time and has abundant qualifications. I recommend him as Jingzhao Yin."

Since Wei Jian was demoted, the Wei family in Chang'an was dissatisfied and was in a bad mood. It was extremely necessary for a leader to re-establish the status of the Wei family. Wei, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, found that the qualifications of the Ministry of Revenue, could not take on this important task. Zhang Qiu Jianqiong thought of Wei Zhi. The two were colleagues and had close friends. If he could be allowed to go to Beijing to be the magistrate of Chang'an, and the young Yin Xian and Yu Shuming, the power of this Chang'an would be all over the Zhang Qiu party. At the same time, the Wei family would be revitalized, which could be said to kill two birds with one stone.

But Li Longji did not show any expression. He smiled and asked again: "Who is the candidate for the Taifu Temple Minister of the Left Prime Minister?"

Zhang Qiu Jianqiong was confident in his heart. He smiled slightly and said, "The Taifu Temple Minister was originally the executive authority of the Ministry of Revenue. This time, Li Qing implemented the new salt tax law and established the official cabinet, which has many subtle cooperation with the Taifu Temple. For example, the establishment of the warehouse settlement office and the management of the two cities are closely related to the operation of the official cabinet, so what I mean is that the Taifu Temple Minister is best to be the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Li Qing."

Zhang Yun next to him also smiled and said, "I heard that the million-dollar salt tax in the Jianghuai area has been released to Tianbao Canal and will be introduced to Beijing soon. I am in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. Although I do not ask about practice, I also know that Li Qing is a practical person. If he is also the Minister of Taifu Temple, there should be advantages and disadvantages. Besides, he was the governor of Shazhou and had the founding marquis. He has already been the third-rank marquis, which is not considered to be an improvement. Therefore, I agree with the recommendation of the Left Prime Minister."

Li Longji played with a new paperweight in his hand, laughing without saying anything. Zhang Qiu Jianqiong was the first to propose, but he did not agree. The reason why he asked Zhang Qiu Jianqiong and Zhang Yun to recommend it was just a gesture. How could Zhang Qiu's party be the dominant party? Jingzhao Yin actually had a candidate in his heart. After a while, Li Longji slowly said: "Li Qing promoted the salt law and made contributions to the country, but he did not receive any rewards. Therefore, the left prime minister recommended him to serve as the Minister of the Taifu Temple. I have no objection, but Wei Zhi was appointed as the position of Jingzhao Yin, but I thought it was inappropriate. He was more righteous, but he was not flexible. I took a fancy to Pei Shiyan, the Minister of Rites, and he was appointed as the Minister of Jingzhao Yin. What do you think about the two dear ministers?"

Zhang Qiujianqiong and Zhang Yun suddenly realized at the same time that the emperor wanted to strengthen the strength of the Pei Party. This was a very obvious signal, which showed that in Li Longji's heart, Li Linfu's status had begun to decline, and evolved from a two-party competition to a three-party alliance. Poor Li Linfu planned for so long, but in the end he made a wedding dress for others, and he didn't get it.

The two of them hurriedly stood up and said, "Your Majesty is wise! I and others fully agree with Your Majesty's decision."

In April of the fifth year of Tianbao, the sensational fraud case gradually came to an end. The chief examiner Da Xi Xun did have the fact that he had committed fraud and was confirmed. However, he was already dead during the interrogation, so his family was confiscated and his family was exiled. The deputy examiner Miao Jinqing knew but did not speak out and was demoted to Ankang Sima. The two major parties involved in the case, Yang Guozhong and Zhang Yi were both demoted, but the extremely excited scholars were poured on the head. Not only did the imperial examinations re-suming, the court ordered them to leave Chang'an within three days. The scholars who lost all their energy silently packed their luggage and began to leave Chang'an one after another. The passion of youth required them to use reason to guide them, perhaps this may not be a bad thing for their life experience.

In the subsequent reshuffle, Li Linfu, who was the most active in chasing the imperial examination case, became the biggest loser. Fang Guan of Zhang Qiu Party was promoted from the head and visitor department of the Ministry of Rites to the Minister of Rites, and replaced Da Xixun; Pei Mian, the Censor of the Supervision Censor, was promoted from the Ministry of Personnel, and replaced Miao Jinqing; and Yang Guozhong gave up two positions and was also divided by Zhang Qiu Party and Pei Party. Li Qing, the Minister of Revenue, also served as the Minister of Taifu Temple, while Jingzhao Yin was taken away by Pei Shiyan of the Pei clan, and Li Linfu's Prime Minister had no interest in the slightest. It was the imperial examination case that became the turning point in the politics of the Tang Dynasty. Pei Party gradually began to make a comeback, and Li Linfu's career went downhill.

In mid-April, a rumor was quietly circulating in various parties in Chang'an, but the public's attention was far beyond the imperial examination case. Yang Guifei's three sisters were named the Lady of Qin, the Lady of South Korea and the Lady of Guo, each of whom was rewarded with beautiful houses and had a huge amount of money and silk. The other two brothers of the Yang family also entered the court to serve as officials at the same time. The public's attention span soared, and the midwife who was good at distinguishing men and women was very popular.
Chapter completed!