……

In the north of the capital, there is an inn called "Dexian Building", although it is not very luxurious, and the fame is not big, but it is clean and elegant, and the cost is not high, so many candidates, including Zhao Shancai, live here, on weekdays, the candidates gather together in the inn, talk about some wind and snow, poetry, calligraphy and painting, but it is also quite lively.

It's just that this day is the day when the palace examination rankings are released, and for the candidates, this is related to the turning point of their life's fate, so when the sky is just dawning, most of the candidates are already impatient to rush to the Ministry of Rites to wait for the news, so the "idle building" is also empty and clean for a while.

However, unlike other candidates, Zhao Shancai was still as calm as ever at this time, not seeing any eagerness and anxiety, and did not go to the household to wait for news, but took advantage of this rare time to stay in his room and read a book called "Caigen Tan".

"The forces are diverse, those who are not close are clean, and those who are close are especially clean; Intelligent skills, those who do not know are high, and those who know but do not use are especially high......"

Zhao Shan only read this, sighed softly, put aside the "Caigen Tan" in his hand, closed his eyes and savored this thought-provoking and intriguing sentence, and after a long time, he opened his eyes and sighed: "The book of this dynasty is only this book." ”

As Zhao Shancai's words fell, outside the room, someone suddenly laughed and said: "I didn't expect that Brother Shancai has such a high evaluation of this work of the first Taoist, but unfortunately, in my opinion, although this work is concise and clear, and elegant and vulgar, there are also many truths in it that are thought-provoking." However, the view is too modest, if you just blindly keep these truths. Maybe you can save yourself, but if you want to make a difference and achieve a career. But it's impossible...... With the heart and ambition of Brother Shancai, I was a little surprised that I would like this work......"

Zhao Shancai smiled slightly and said, "It turned out that Brother Zeng was here, and he was invited into the room to talk." ”

As soon as the words fell, the door was pushed open, and the one who entered the room was Zeng Wei, who had high hopes for Zhao Junchen.

Zeng Wei was born in a family of eunuchs, and his father Zeng Congrong is now an official in Sichuan. Naturally, he had plenty of money on hand, and he originally lived in the most luxurious inn in the capital, "Immortal Residence", but a few days ago, he suddenly moved to live in the "Dexian Building", and would visit Zhao Shancai every day and chat with Zhao Shancai about some interesting stories about the government and the field.

After entering the room, Zeng Wei smiled and said, "What? Today is the day of the palace trial list, Brother Zhao doesn't go to the Ministry of Rites to wait for news? ”

Zhao Shancai also smiled: "Didn't Brother Zeng also go?" ”

Zeng Wei shook his head and said: "The ranking of the palace examination is hand-picked by His Majesty, how can I change it if I go or not?" There are as many places as there should be, in that case. Why should I go? …… What's more, the candidates who live here, the owner of this inn, and even the entourage around me have all gone to the Ministry of Rites to wait for news, so why should I join in the excitement? After they returned. Naturally, I'll be told of my ranking, so I'll just wait for news here. ”

While speaking, Zeng Wei was already sitting down next to Zhao Shancai.

Zhao Shancai nodded and said, "Brother Zeng's thoughts." It's the same as me, but at such a time. How many of the candidates were able to settle down and wait for the news? Brother Zeng's indifferent heart and extraordinary measure are admirable. ”

Zeng Wei commented indifferently: "As the saying goes. 'The smart man talks and the stupid man runs errands', so the smart man will always be lazy. I have been taught by my father for many years, but I dare not be arrogant, and at this time, I naturally have to demand myself according to the standard of a smart person, but it has nothing to do with the nature and measurement. ”

While speaking, Zeng Wei shook his head and laughed at himself, and said: "What's more, with my talent and learning, no matter what, my grades can't compare to Brother Zhao, of course, I can't compare to the grandson of Zhou Shoufu, but I won't be compared to others either, and the ranking can be roughly predicted, so naturally I'm not in a hurry." ”

Zhao Shancai said with a smile: "The talent required for the imperial examination is only dead knowledge in books after all, and it has little to do with the way of life and the study of governing the world, but I have been friends with Brother Zeng for many days, and I know that Brother Zeng, you may be slightly inferior to me in terms of talent, but in terms of knowledge, vision, means, etc., Brother Zeng is not inferior to any peer in the world." ”

Zeng Wei shook his head and said: "If I were facing other people, I would dare to say this, but Brother Zhao, you are a closed disciple of the former prince and master He Ming, and you have already obtained the true inheritance of the old lady He, and my knowledge and means are even more afraid to be compared with Brother Zhao." ”

Zhao Shancai shook his head and said, "Brother Zeng just said that he didn't dare to be arrogant, why is he so humble now?" ”

Zeng Wei sighed: "I'm just telling the truth...... It's just that I don't understand a little, but I still have to ask Brother Zhao for advice. ”

Zhao Shancai nodded and smiled: "Don't dare to teach, Brother Zeng, please say it." ”

After pondering for a moment, Zeng Wei asked: "From Brother Zhao's point of view, he can be said to have a deep understanding of human feelings, so naturally he should understand that although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince today is resolute and upright, he is naïve and stubborn, and has set many unnecessary principles and bottom lines for himself, so he is by no means an ideal assistant candidate...... And Brother Zhao, you inherited the imperial technique of Mrs. He, the core of which is to pay attention to the weaknesses of human nature and not compromise means, but they are all things that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cannot accept, so Brother Zhao, even if you take refuge in His Royal Highness the Prince, you will never be liked by His Royal Highness the Prince, even if you are cited by His Royal Highness the Prince, it is difficult for His Royal Highness to adopt the strategy, at that time, Brother Zhao, you will inevitably be tied, and the talents inherited from Mrs. He are useless, isn't it a pity? ”

Zhao Shancai's expression was helpless, and he shook his head and said: "Brother Zeng, you and I have talked deeply many times these days, during this period, you have tried to persuade me to join you in Zhao Junchen many times, and now I want to ask you for advice, so what is the charm of Zhao Junchen, not only to let you take refuge wholeheartedly, but also to pull me to take refuge together?"

Although Zhao Junchen's methods and the city government are few people, he is now in his own league in the temple, and his power and influence are not inferior to those of the cabinet elders in the court, but after all, he is only a notorious corrupt official, and the government and the opposition officials and people all know about it. Brother Zeng, you have read all the history books, so you should naturally know. Since ancient times, corrupt officials and ministers like this have been in power for a while. In the end, there will be no good end, Brother Zeng, you are brilliant and long-term, why do you want to take refuge in him? ”

Zeng Wei was silent for a moment, and then replied slowly: "I want to persuade Brother Zhao to join me in Zhao Junchen, first, because I know Brother Zhao's ability and mind, so I really don't want to be an enemy of Brother Zhao in the future; The second is that I admire Brother Zhao's personality, and I don't want Brother Zhao to take refuge in the wrong mastermind and waste what he has learned all his life! ”

After a pause, Zeng Wei said again: "As for why I want to join Zhao Junchen...... In the eyes of others. is because with the implementation of Zhao Junchen's "Sichuan Salt Administration Reform Excerpt", the position of the Sichuan political envoy instantly became fat, and my father's official position was also shaky because he had no backstage, and I took refuge in Zhao Junchen, just to protect my father's official position...... But Brother Zhao, you should know that I am not such a short-sighted person who is so eager for quick success......"

Zhao Shancai nodded, and waited for Zeng Wei to continue.

In the past few days, Zhao Shancai and Zeng Wei have had many in-depth conversations. As confidants of each other, Zeng Wei certainly admires Zhao Shancai's mind and knowledge, and Zhao Shancai also appreciates Zeng Wei's talents and methods, so Zhao Shancai is actually quite confused. With Zeng Wei's insight and vision, why did he want to take refuge in Zhao Junchen?

Before, Zhao Shan had only asked several times. But Zeng Wei always avoided talking about it, and now the palace test is finally over. The two are about to enter the officialdom, and Zeng Wei is finally willing to say his true words.

The other side. After Zeng Wei paused, he continued: "I don't deny that I want to preserve the glory of the family, which is one of the reasons why I took refuge in Zhao Junchen, but this is not all, I remember Brother Zhao, you originally evaluated Zhao Junchen and called him 'the traitor who rules the world', I deeply agree, but Brother Zhao, your evaluation is speculated from all kinds of rumors, and I have seen it with my own eyes!" ”

"Oh?" Zhao Shancai was slightly stunned.

Zeng Wei patiently explained: "Brother Zhao is a native of Jiangnan, and he went north along the Grand Canal to Beijing to take the exam, while my family lives in Sichuan, and the route to Beijing to take the exam is much more troublesome, first from northern Sichuan to Shaanxi, and then from Shaanxi to Jin, and finally to the capital." During this period, I passed through Lu'an Mansion, but found that there were countless people there who regarded Zhao Junchen as a blue sky, and even enshrined Zhao Junchen's immortal tablet......

Zhao Shancai nodded knowingly, and sighed: "I have also read the book "Lu'an Mansion Locust Extermination Record", I thought that this book was just a move by Jin Shang to curry favor with Zhao Junchen for the sake of Sichuan Yan, and the content in it was all exaggerated and made out of nothing, but now it seems that I should take it for granted. ”

Zeng Wei nodded and said, "That's right!" In fact, the people are always the same as the clouds, when everyone is rumoring that Zhao Junchen is a big corrupt official, the people naturally believe it and scold together, but now as the people of Jinnan compete to praise Zhao Junchen's merits, the surrounding people will naturally gradually change their views on Zhao Junchen, at least in the places I passed, Zhao Junchen's reputation is no longer in disrepute. ”

Zhao Shancai groaned and did not answer, but quietly digested the new news.

Zeng Wei sighed and continued: "In fact, now not only near Jinnan, but also from the north to the south, between the four provinces and thirteen prefectures, Zhao Junchen's reputation has quietly changed! Brother Zhao, you should have heard the news, because the prince smashed the errand of the preparation of the southern tour, so many people were displaced and their families were destroyed along the way, and during this period, Zhao Junchen has been trying his best to help, and I don't know how many people have been saved, and I don't know how many people have changed their attitudes and views on Zhao Junchen......"

Speaking of this, Zeng Wei looked at Zhao Shancai meaningfully and asked, "In that case, Brother Zhao, do you still think that Zhao Junchen is just a pure corrupt official?" Yes, Zhao Junchen is certainly notorious now, but it is only now, with Zhao Junchen's deliberate change, it is conceivable that these bad reputations will soon change, and at that time, Zhao Junchen is still a situation of ten deaths and inevitable defeat? Not necessarily, I'm afraid? ”

Thinking of the contact experience with Zhao Junchen at the beginning, Zhao Shancai was silent for a moment and said: "Even if I am good at window dressing, but a corrupt official and a traitor is still a corrupt official and a traitor after all, how can I be with him?" ”

Zeng Wei smiled and said: "Didn't Brother Zhao evaluate Zhao Junchen as a 'traitor who rules the world'?" If you can rule the world, why bother with the details? With the emperor's technique that Brother Zhao has learned, he should never care about these things. ”

Zhao Shancai shook his head. said: "Since what I have learned is the art of the emperor, it is natural that I should sell it to the emperor's house." This is the vow I made when I was apprenticed. If I take refuge in Zhao Junchen, then I will not only break my oath, but also be the enemy of the crown prince...... The imperial technique I have learned, although it pays attention to human weaknesses and does not compromise means, there is still a bottom line after all, and I hope that Brother Zeng can understand it...... What's more, the crown prince is the future emperor and is orthodox, as long as the crown prince can succeed to the throne smoothly. Then Zhao Junchen will definitely not end well......"

Zeng Wei suddenly laughed, and said leisurely: "Brother Zhao, whether it is talent, change, mentality, or eloquence, is far above Zeng, but today you and I are talking, but I say a word, you argue a word, you and I have talked several times, I still have the upper hand for the first time, why does Brother Zhao think this?" ”

Without waiting for Zhao Shan to answer, Zeng Wei already sneered and said, "Because." Brother Zhao, you also know that the crown prince is not your ideal mastermind, in comparison, Zhao Junchen can really play your strengths. That's why you hesitated, that's why you fell behind in the conversation, isn't it? Prince...... The future emperor, of course. It is orthodox, but after the succession to the throne, there is certainly no one to compete for. But with the heart of the prince, can he really succeed to the throne smoothly? Brother Zhao. To tell the truth, if it weren't for the prince's temperament, I really wouldn't have dared to take refuge in Zhao Junchen! ”

After Zhao Shancai heard Zeng Wei's words, he was silent for a long time, and then suddenly smiled, his expression was as calm as ever, and he said slowly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will ascend the throne smoothly, if I can't even do this thing, I will really live up to what I have learned in my life...... Zhao Junchen's means are clever, and his reputation has changed, but his friends in the court are all corrupt officials and corrupt officials, and now although these corrupt officials are clustered around him, it is also a situation where the tail is too big, so if Zhao Junchen is allowed to bring down His Royal Highness the prince and cover the sky in the temple, then the Ming Dynasty will be in chaos! In this case, if I take refuge in him, will I not be aiding the abuse? ”

Speaking of this, seeing that Zeng Wei still wanted to say something, Zhao Shancai added with a firm attitude: "Brother Zeng, I have made up my mind, although the future is difficult, I have no hesitation!" Whether it's right or wrong, I don't regret it! So, you don't have to say any more. ”

This time, it was Zeng Wei's turn to be silent.

After Zeng Wei was silent for a moment, he slowly stood up and said: "Today is the day when the palace test is unveiled, and it is also the beginning of you and me entering the officialdom...... Ay! From today onwards, you and I will each be our own masters...... It's a pity, I really don't want to be an enemy of Brother Zhao......"

As he spoke, Zeng Wei had already left Zhao Shancai's room.

Zhao Shancai, on the other hand, remained silent and did not refute, but he did not retain it.

When Zeng Wei walked away, Zhao Shan picked up the "Caigen Tan" at hand, and read it slowly again: "The good profit escapes from morality, and its harm is obvious and shallow; Those who have a good name infiltrate morality, and their harm is hidden and deep......"

Reading this, Zhao Shan paused slightly, then turned the page and continued to read the following sentences.

Between readings, time passes.

……

When Zhao Shancai had read "Grassroots Tan" for nearly half of the time, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the room.

Then, Zhao Shancai's scholar Zhao Mu pushed the door in, and said happily and loudly: "Young master, good news, great news, you got the second place in the current science hall exam!" ”

Hearing Zhao Mu's words, Zhao Shancai didn't see any happy look, but asked with an indifferent expression: "Oh? So who is the champion of this department? Zhou Suwen? ”

Seeing Zhao Shancai like this, Zhao Mu also calmed down a little, nodded slightly unconvinced, and said: "Yes, it's that Zhou Suwen, if you want me to say, Zhou Suwen's talent and knowledge may not be stronger than the young master, it's just that his family background is good, and he has a grandfather who is the first assistant of the dynasty, otherwise the champion of this department must be the young master!" ”

Zhao Shancai smiled lightly, but he didn't see any indignation, and said slowly: "Family background is also a part of strength, this is not fair, but it is a fact, not only now, it can be expected that this situation will not change in thousands of years, so you don't have to be unconvinced...... By the way, I heard that the prince returned to Beijing today, when you went to the Ministry of Rites to look at the list, did you hear any news? ”

Zhao Mu nodded again and again, and said, "I heard it, and now the six yamen are spreading this matter!" It is said that during the period when the prince left Beijing to handle the case, a total of nearly 100 local officials were arrested, and after returning to Beijing, he even impeached Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Chang......mao in public in the early dynasty.

"Smack!"

As Zhao Mu's words fell, the "Caigen Tan" in Zhao Shancai's hand had already slipped to the ground.

Zhao Mu looked up, but saw Zhao Shancai, who had always been calm and calm, as if he was under control, but at this time, he was shocked!

Zhao Shancai didn't expect that he was already a Tongguò Zuodu Yushi Lu Chunxiao reminded the prince Zhu Heyu, but the prince Zhu Heyu still made a big fuss! And it's bigger than you think!

Originally, Zhao Shancai had already made up his mind to assist the crown prince Zhu Heyu wholeheartedly, but at this moment, Zhao Shancai suddenly felt that the difficulty of this matter might be beyond his imagination!

…………

PS: Well, a big chapter of 5,000 words!

…… (To be continued......)