After Wu Meiniang calmed down, she soon found that Zhang Zong was testing himself just now, which made her eyes suddenly become sharp, but this sharpness was quickly taken back, and turned to a breeze-like expression and said, "Doctor Ming praised you and said that your talent is far above him? Now it seems that you are indeed extraordinary!"

"The queen of the emperor, Miao Zan, is just a bachelor's degree, how can I compare with Doctor Ming?" Zhang Zong smiled humbly again. In fact, he feels very tired now. After all, he and Wu Meiniang are obviously on an opposing position, and it can even be said that they are incompatible, but now they have to act hypocritical, both hard and hard, and Zhang Zong feels that he is almost unable to hold on.

Fortunately, Wu Meiniang was so excited by Zhang Zong's words that she almost couldn't suppress her anger. Moreover, her purpose of summoning Zhang Zong had already achieved, so she waved her sleeves and said, "I still have to deal with government affairs. If you have nothing to do, just take your leave!"

"I'm leaving!" Zhang Zong immediately stood up and said, turning around and leaving Xuanzheng Hall.

When Zhang Zong walked out of the hall, he breathed a long sigh. Although he felt uncomfortable when facing Wu Meiniang, he did not come in vain. At least he figured out one thing, that is, the relationship between Wu Meiniang and Ming Chongyan was very complicated, far from as simple as he had imagined before.

"If we can thoroughly understand the relationship between Wu Meiniang and Ming Chongyan, maybe..." Zhang Zong said this, a little smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. If we can figure this out, it might be one of their means to restrain Wu Meiniang.

Li Hong still did not leave. When Zhang Zong left the Daming Palace, he immediately saw Li Hong. He hurried forward and then told him about the conversation with Wu Meiniang and his judgment.

"Interesting, it seems that Ming Chongyan has more secrets. I have to make someone stare him tighter!" Li Hong also showed an excited look after hearing this. He thought Ming Chongyan devoted himself to Wu Meiniang, but now it seems that the relationship between them is very complicated, and even Wu Meiniang does not completely trust Ming Chongyan, which is of course great news for him.

When he returned to the carriage in Furong Garden, Li Hong was discussing Ming Chongyan with Zhang Zong. In fact, long ago, Zhang Zong felt that although Ming Chongyan obeyed Wu Meiniang, he had his own opinions. This discovery also confirmed his previous speculation.

However, although Zhang Zong and the others discussed it all the way, they could not discuss any results in the end. After all, they still have too little information now and they can't infer anything at all. At most, they just make some unreliable guesses.

After returning home, Li Hong said goodbye to Zhang Zong and left. Wan'er immediately came up and asked with concern: "Young Master, nothing happened to you when you entered the palace today, right?"

Yesterday, Wan'er had been very worried after she knew that Zhang Zong was going to enter the palace today, especially after Zhang Zong left today, she was even more restless, afraid that something would happen. Now she finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Zhang Zong Ping'an coming back.

"It's okay, but Your Majesty and the Queen of Heaven called me over and told me about the wedding. How are you? Are there any guests at home today?" Zhang Zong waved his hand and smiled.

"The prince has come, but after learning that the prince has entered the palace, he left quickly. In addition, there are people from the villages outside the city, saying that because the imperial examination will be held next year, many scholars from all over the country rushed to the capital. Several scholars wanted to rent a house in the village, but they dared not make any decisions, so they sent someone to ask for instructions. I have agreed for the prince." Wan'er said while pouring tea for Zhang Zong.

Xue Shao was originally a regular visitor at home, so Zhang Zong was not surprised. However, when he heard about the manor outside the city, he was also a little surprised. However, it was normal to think about it carefully. Whenever the imperial examination was held, some scholars who were far away would come to Beijing six months or even one year in advance, and then find a place to live, while reviewing and waiting for the imperial examination.

However, it is not easy to live in Chang'an. According to the income ratio, the housing prices in Chang'an are higher than those in first-tier cities in later generations. Most people cannot even afford to rent a house, let alone buy a house. Although most of the people who can afford to study in this era are not poor, they are also unbearable in the face of Chang'an's exaggerated rent. What's more, they usually live for half a year and rely solely on the wealth brought by their families, so they naturally save as much as they can.

In this case, the farm outside Chang'an City became the best place for these scholars. First, the rent of the farm is very cheap and most people can afford it. Second, the farm is quieter than the city, which is more suitable for them to study quietly. So at this time, the farm outside the city is full of scholars coming from all over the world.

"You are doing well, and it is not easy for those who remember them. Letting the farmhouse reduce the rent and give them some food is also our wish!" Zhang Zong nodded immediately.

"Don't worry, my son, I have already given instructions. Speaking of which, if these scholars can pass the exam in the future, they will still owe us a favor when they see the young master in the officialdom!" Wan'er also smiled at this time, and the little abacus was also a thief.

"Haha~, you are really greedy!" Zhang Zong was amused by Wan'er's words, and then he said with some emotion, "It's not easy to get into the exam. The imperial court has strict restrictions on the number of people every time he takes the lead. Before the exam starts, many scholars with backgrounds have already taken the lead. As long as they are recommended by influential officials or nobles in the court, they can almost pass the exam without any suspense. This has once again squeezed out the quota for the winning exam, and it will be even more difficult for the remaining people to pass the exam!"

The imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty still had great disadvantages. The main reason is that scholars were allowed to submit their papers before the exam, so as to receive recommendations from officials or nobles. This is undoubtedly a shortcut to the imperial examinations. For example, Zhang Zong's cousin Zhang Jing was recommended by Zhang Zong through Zhang Zong, and passed the imperial examinations. He passed the imperial examinations in just one time. Now he has been sent to Qingzhou to be a county lieutenant. It is estimated that in just a few years, he can be transferred back to Chang'an to work.

It was also because of the example of his cousin Zhang Jing that Zhang Zong deeply understood the many ways in the imperial examination in the Tang Dynasty. But the more he understood, the more he shook his head. No wonder the entire Tang Dynasty has always been controlled by the aristocratic families. The main root is that it is in the imperial examination. Even if an emperor wakes up and suppresses the aristocratic families, as long as the limelight passes, these aristocratic families will still return to the court again.
Chapter completed!