Chapter 112: Unpreserved in the Evening Day

There was silence in Fengtian Palace.

A trace of white fish appeared in the east outside the hall, and it was almost dawn. However, the clear stream in the hall, led by Huang Zicheng, was still in the dark. The situation in the morning court today turned terrifyingly, which made them feel frightened and trembled from the bottom of their hearts.

From when did a young boy who had just been involved in the court for half a year, he quietly weaved such a huge net in the court? He had half of the Dukes and Marquis of the Court, the officials of the Six Ministers and Nine Ministers of the Court, and used it for him. Huang Zicheng, who was originally a group of pure streams in the court, symbolizing the prosperous atmosphere of the king, saints and ministers, was only deeply discovered today that the so-called pure streams of the court were just an illusion of self-deception. The ministers had long been separated from each other and only maintained their superficial harmony.

Xiao Fan, a scholar who was named a Jinshi, so cleverly brought together these ministers who were free from morality and were formed to form a new court force that was in opposition to Qingliu.

Huang Zicheng couldn't figure it out. How did he do it if he was a mere Jinyiwei Tongzhi?

Huang Zicheng felt panic.

Does today's morning court mark the beginning of the treacherous party in the court? What should I do if Qingliu?

Everyone's eyes unconsciously looked out of the hall. Everyone's thoughts were different, but one thing is certain. Liu Sanwu's list of tribute scholars in the spring exam that he would present to His Majesty today will determine the life and death of many people, including Xiao Fan's life and death.

While looking outside the hall, many people also focused on Xiao Fan standing leisurely in the middle of the hall.

What he said just now...is it true?

He really persuaded Mr. Liu Sanwu to change the list of tribute scholars?

How is this possible? Liu Sanwu is a great scholar of the world, and his temperament is the most steadfast and upright. What he believes in is never possible to change. What ability does Xiao Fan have to persuade him?

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting upright on the dragon throne, couldn't help but turn his eyes to Xiao Fan.

This young man can always bring him miracles. Can he still let the miracles continue this time? If Liu Sanwu insists on not changing the list, will I really want to kill him? Is such a talent a pity? If you use it well in the future, you will definitely be an indispensable arm help around Yunwen, but if you don’t kill him... My words have been released. You have no jokes. If I break my word, how will I deal with my ministers in the future?

Zhu Yuanzhang was in trouble. After experiencing the vicissitudes of life, he couldn't help but feel worried.

In contrast, Zhu Yunwen was even more restless, and a layer of sweat appeared on his delicate and handsome face. He never noticed that the last morning court could be so thrilling. Xiao Shidu and Minister Qingliu had resolved the questioning of Minister Xiao. Can you pass the next level successfully? Will the Ding Chou Case bring you a murder disaster?

He turned his head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang's expressionless face. Zhu Yunwen clenched his fists secretly. If he really reached the worst step, I would even die. Even if I didn't become the crown prince, I would save Xiao Shidu's life!

When everyone was thinking badly, Xiao Fan, who was in the middle of the Independence Hall, was also in a tangle.

Brother Cao wouldn't miss it? What if he missed it, what should I do if the bet between Huang Zicheng and I made? Cut it or not? This is a very serious problem...

——I am still a virgin!

At this time, a chaotic footsteps came outside the hall, mixed with the sound of phlegm hissing in the throat of the elderly as they were panting, from far to near.

Everyone's heart was raised.

The answer is about to be revealed.

The sound suddenly stopped outside the hall gate. The person who came seemed to be tidying up his instrument outside the hall and taking a deep breath to relieve his emotions.

Then, a slightly hunched old figure appeared in the middle of the hall gate. Liu Sanwu was wearing an official robe, with a determined look on his face, and slowly walked into the hall with a steady and resolute pace. He stopped twenty steps away from the front of the emperor. Liu Sanwu knelt down in a regular manner and said, "My teacher, Hanlin scholar Liu Sanwu, long live my emperor, and ask me to punish me for being late for being late..."

At this critical moment, who can still care about the trivial matters of his late morning court?

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his robe and said, "Liu Aiqing is calm. You are old and it is very difficult to go to court. It is not important to be late for a while. I forgive you for not being guilty."

"Old me, thank Your Majesty for your kindness." Liu Sanwu bowed three times according to the courtesy, then got up and entered the court.

Facing the strange gazes of Zhu Yuanzhang and his ministers, Liu Sanwu stood in the court with a calm expression, his eyes half closed, motionless like an old monk entering into meditation.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Xiao Fan in Jingli's hall, and saw that he looked normal and there was no tension. Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but wonder, this boy was so calm, could he really persuade Liu Sanwu to change the list? Otherwise, why would he not be worried at all? Wouldn't he be afraid that I would kill him?

Turning his head, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liu Sanwu, and his narrow eyes shot sharp and sharp expressions. Liu Sanwu, if you don’t know each other today, don’t blame me for not thinking about the relationship between the king and the ministers for many years. Compared with the hearts of northern scholars, the relationship between the king and the ministers is too insignificant.

In the quiet and silent hall, Zhu Yuanzhang's hidden murderous intent suddenly rang out.

"Liu Aiqing, have you considered the list of spring exams again? I will look at the list today."

The hearts of the ministers raised Lao Gao in Zhu Yuanzhang's gloomy tone, and all kinds of complex eyes were turned to Liu Sanwu.

A hint of rosy suddenly appeared on Liu Sanwu's face. He took a few deep breaths, as if he was suppressing his excitement. Then his expression gradually became decisive and tragic. He slowly glanced at the ministers in the hall, as if he was silently saying his last farewell to the ministers.

Finally, he lifted the hem of his official robe, walked towards the middle of the golden hall, knelt down, took out a blue cover memorial from his sleeve, raised it with both hands above his head, and said with high apology: "Your Majesty, the list of tribute scholars in the spring examination, the old minister has already considered it again and again. This is the final result of the old minister. Please read it."

The eunuch standing beside Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly ran off the emperor's pedal, took the memorial from Liu Sanwu, and respectfully handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the memorial book in Zhu Yuanzhang's hand. Everyone in the hall understood that this memorial book was related to the wealth and life of hundreds of people, and even to the power layout of the Ming Dynasty in the future. If the memorial book was not in line with the best intentions, then Liu Sanwu would die, and Xiao Fan had no luck. The court was still the main stream, and no treacherous ministers would be willing to come out to be the leader of the treacherous party who was scolded.

——This is not a memorial book, this is simply the life and death book in the hands of the King of Hell.

Zhu Yuanzhang also opened the memorial with some excitement, and a long list of tribute scholars written in Liu style came into view.

After looking through carefully for a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed for a moment, and he couldn't help but look up at Xiao Fan with a little surprise, and then lowered his head to look at the list.

I don't know how long it took, Zhu Yuanzhang closed the memorial, and then his laughter suddenly came from the quiet hall.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha--"

The laughter lingered in the hall. The ministers were frightened by Zhu Yuanzhang's sudden laughter and took a step back, looking at each other with a look of earth.

Your Majesty...has he already laughed in anger? It seems that His Majesty was very angry this time by Liu Sanwu. Everyone seemed to have seen the miserable situation of Liu Sanwu and Xiao Fan's blood splattering in the court...

Liu Sanwu had already given everything at this time. Before Zhu Yuanzhang could give orders, he stood up and looked straight at Zhu Yuanzhang with a determined look. Then he shook his sleeves heavily and said loudly: "The old minister thought about it again. The courts of all dynasties have chosen the scholars based on the advantages and disadvantages of the articles, and this dynasty is no exception. Regardless of whether your Majesty is satisfied or not, this is the final candidate chosen by the old minister. Even if the old minister dies, he will never change it again! Since ancient times, no one will die, so he will keep his loyalty..."

Before he could finish reading the two most eye-catching lines of the passionate "Crossing the Zero Dingyang", Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him with a loud laugh.

"Haha, I'm very satisfied! Who said I'm not satisfied? The list of tribute scholars selected by Liu Aiqing is very consistent with my wishes. Don't worry, I won't let you change it again, haha, six in the south, four in the north, well, not bad, very good! Liu Aiqing is determined, and the Ding Chou case can be settled."

"Ah?" Liu Sanwu looked up in surprise. His decisive old face, who had been willing to die calmly, changed at this time, and it was blue and white, which was very exciting.

"Your Majesty, old minister... old minister..." Liu Sanwu suddenly became stuttering, and his generosity was wiped out.

"Liu Aiqing is very wise and knows how to adapt. I comfort him. Well, the proportion of tributes from the north and south is six or four in the south is also in line with the national conditions of this dynasty. Where is the Minister of Rites Zhang Jue?"

Zhang Feng shook his head, came back from his shock, hurriedly walked to the middle of the Golden Palace, and bowed and said, "I am here."

"In the future, the imperial court can follow the example of Liu Aiqing's imperial examination this year. In the future, each subject will be based on six south and four north. This method can be included in the "Instructions of the Emperor Ming Ancestor". If the successors of later generations have no reason, they will not be changed without authorization."

"I obey the order."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at Liu Sanwu, who was stunned in the middle of the hall, and his eyes were filled with joy. Finally, he did not need to use murder to force the list to change. It would be best if Liu Sanwu could turn this bend by himself, but this result was a happy ending for the king and his ministers.

"Liu Aiqing is loyal to the country, and his loyalty is rare. I highly praised him and sent an order to reward Liu Sanwu with 300 taels of gold and 500 pieces of silk..."

Liu Sanwu's eyes were as big as a bell. Until now, he had not realized what had happened. According to common sense, when His Majesty saw his unchanged list of tributes, he would be furious. Then he ordered him to be beheaded and abandoned the market without mercy. The best result would be to be exiled to the frontier. But now... His Majesty actually rewarded him? He did not take the wrong medicine, right?

Judging from His Majesty's tone, it seems that the list I handed over was very different from what I wrote. What is the sixth and fourth in the south? When did the northern scholars be included in the list of tribute scholars in the memorial book I wrote last night? And it also accounts for 40% of them? This is absolutely impossible!

"Your Majesty, are you... wrong? Can you show me the memorial that the old minister just gave me?" Liu Sanwu said carefully.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Xiao Fan again, his eyes quite deep. Then he nodded slightly to the eunuch beside him. The eunuch hurriedly took the memorial and ran over and handed it to Liu Sanwu.

Liu Sanwu opened his hands tremblingly and looked at it, and his whole old face turned pale.

Silence for a long time.

Liu Sanwu suddenly screamed: "Your Majesty, this list is not..."

"Mr. Liu! Don't be so loud in the Golden Palace. It's very impolite. The censors will also participate in you. They are very powerful. The subordinates almost snatched their way just now..." Xiao Fan took advantage of the situation and quickly stepped forward, pretending to support Liu Sanwu, pressed his shoulder, blocking Liu Sanwu's words to his mouth.

Liu Sanwu glared at Xiao Fan in anger, his face became more and more rosy, and he said angrily: "Get out! Your Majesty, this list is not an old minister..."

"Hey! Mr. Liu, you are old, don't be so excited, you will easily have a stroke..." Xiao Fan blocked Liu Sanwu's words again.

The eyes of the ministers around him who looked at Liu Sanwu had changed. Some were disbelief, some were disdainful, and some were relieved...

Liu Sanwu looked at the various expressions of the ministers, and then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang's praise smile in the palace. He suddenly fell into despair. His life was ruined. From then on, how did the ministers in the court think of him? A scum of Confucian ministers who feared power, had no character and no integrity? Now the road is complete, and there is no way to argue. He is nearly eighty years old and will not be safe in his later years!

Suddenly, a stream of blood rose up. Liu Sanwu staggered a few times, and Xiao Fan hurriedly supported him hard.

A flash of inspiration flashed, and Liu Sanwu suddenly remembered that before the morning court, the man who deliberately hit his sedan chair and immediately understood completely.

Liu Sanwu suddenly reached out and grabbed Xiao Fan's arm hard, his eyes were red and roaring: "You! So it's you!"

Xiao Fan blinked innocently: "What did Mr. Liu say? The officials don't understand very much..."

Liu Sanwu was extremely angry, and his chest was flowing backwards. He suddenly turned his eyes and fainted in front of the civil and military officials.

"Mr. Liu, what's wrong with you?" Xiao Fan pretended to shake Liu Sanwu, who fainted, with great sincerity.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "What's wrong with Liu Aiqing?"

Xiao Fan replied anxiously: "Your Majesty, I think it was Mr. Liu who suddenly got praise and reward from His Majesty. He was so excited that he fainted..."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but snorted softly when he heard Xiao Fan's nonsense.

After the farce in the palace just now, Zhu Yuanzhang was not a fool, so how could he not understand the whole story?

Forget it, things have come to this point, at least on the surface, the scholars of the north have been given explanations, the people of the world have seen the result, and the ministers in the court are harmonious. This is enough. What the court wants is decent, and what the emperor wants is decent. As long as this decent can be maintained, other details... well, it is better to pretend not to see it.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xiao Fan deeply and saw him sternly as if he was snatching the sky and the earth. He pinched Liu Sanwu and shook his shoulders, acting like a filial son and virtuous grandson. Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he acted too fake. He just fainted. Can you make a mourning sound?

With a heavy blow to his sleeves, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Xiao Fan again and said to the ministers: "All things have been done, leave the court!"

The ministers were in a complicated mood and bowed and shouted long live the mountain. When Zhu Yuanzhang's figure turned to the back of the hall, they stood up one after another.

Zhu Yunwen followed Zhu Yuanzhang, and while no one was paying attention, he made a face at Xiao Fan, and ran towards Huagai Palace with a smile, his expression and body exuded a relaxed feeling of relief.

The great Han general standing outside the hall hurried into the hall and carried Liu Sanwu to the Imperial Hospital outside the Meridian Gate for treatment. Xiao Fan immediately stopped crying, then stood up as if nothing had happened. The ministers looked at him curiously, "Okay, there were no tears at all, it turned out that they were acting just now."

Xiao Fan tidied up his clothes and a calm smile appeared on his face.

Today, the two difficulties of life and death have all passed smoothly!

Lao Zhu, I will forgive you this time. Next time I make things difficult for me, I will have to strip your dragon underwear again!
To be continued...