"Who do you want to save?"

"The concubine's master and father-in-law Pei Min. He is now locked up in the Qiuguan (Criminal Department) prison, and I don't know if Cui Kao will say a few kind words in front of His Majesty and release him. ”

Involved in Wu Zetian?

Cui Geng instantly remembered Cui Youfu's introduction, frowned slightly, and said, "Since Zhang Changshou can't save people, this official is even more powerless." ”

Gongsun Youniang smiled bitterly: "The concubine also knows that this matter is really difficult, but it is always good to have a few more people to intercede." ”

"Dare to love you, this is a dead horse as a live horse doctor!" Cui Geng's mood relaxed slightly, and said, "Then what crime did Pei Min commit?" ”

Gongsun Youniang sighed leisurely and said, "Alas, if you want to say that you have committed some specific case, it is easy to say, in fact, the father-in-law mainly offended Your Majesty." ”

Cui Geng let out a light "hmm" and motioned for her to continue.

Gongsun Youniang continued: "Can Cui Kaogong know the true identity of the concubine? ”

"I don't know."

The beauty said slowly: "The concubine body is actually not born in the dust, but from the rivers and lakes. The sect of the concubine is called "Jade Sword Gate", and her father-in-law Pei Min is the master of Jade Sword Gate. The reason why I work in the painting boat is not to make a living from it, but to cover up the business in the door. ”

"I see, then your Jade Sword Sect's business, I'm afraid it's not a serious business, right?"

Gongsun Youniang smiled bitterly and said: "Chivalry violates the ban with martial arts, what serious business can Jianghu people have?" My jade swords are mainly entrusted by some dignitaries and nobles to do some things that are inconvenient for them to do in person. Just over a year ago, my father-in-law was entrusted by a noble man to kill the contemporary wall dragon Chai Yunrui. ”

Cui Geng asked, "What is the result?" ”

"The ability of the father-in-law and Chai Yunrui is between half a catty and eight taels, and they only have a slight advantage by sneak attack. In the end, Chai Yunrui was seriously injured and fled to the Luoyang Palace. His Majesty was furious and ordered Zhang Yu Shi to arrest his father-in-law. The concubine tried her best, even if she begged Zhang Changshi, she couldn't get her father-in-law out. ”

Cui Geng secretly thought that Wu Zetian had said that it was Chai Yunrui who told her that someone in Jiannan Province had purchased armor weapons on a large scale. In terms of time, at that time, it was when Chai Yunrui was hunted down. I'm afraid that the person who instructed Pei Min is Li Xiu in the dark hall.

He said: "The commander is just taking money to do things, if he can explain the money behind the scenes, it doesn't seem to be difficult to let His Majesty give extrajudicial favors, right?" ”

Gongsun Youniang shook her head and said: "The rules of the rivers and lakes, taking money to do things, are all middlemen, how can you find the financier behind the scenes?" ”

"What about the middleman?"

"He's dead."

Cui Geng groaned: "Then it's difficult, the relationship between Your Majesty and Chai Yunrui is not ordinary. If she didn't let this breath out, how could she let people go so easily? ”

Gongsun Youniang bowed her head slightly and said, "That's right...... Eh, the relationship between the wall dragon and His Majesty is not widely spread, how did you know about Cui Kaogong? ”

How did Cui Ying learn about this news, this is really not round, Cui Geng had to say: "As an examiner, there are many people who want to talk to me, what's so strange about knowing some secrets?" ”

Gongsun Youniang didn't seem to suspect him, and she didn't delve into it, and said, "I see." Then what you say for your concubine father-in-law......"

"If you have the chance, you will do your best."

By now, Cui Geng can probably guess that Gongsun Youniang asked Wu Daozi to pass a message to herself, which is also for this matter.

Although Gongsun Youniang's attitude towards Cui Geng is really suspicious, Cui Geng has always had an inexplicable affection for Gongsun Youniang.

This childlike affection is far from the level of love, but I just hope that the incomparably beautiful image in my mind will always be happy and never be sorrowful. So, he's really ready to help.

Actually, it doesn't matter if there is no behind-the-scenes financier or middleman, as long as the wall dragon Chai Yunrui nods, Pei Min's freedom will not be a problem.

After Cui Geng went back, he immediately arranged for Wei Shifang to notify Cui Xiufang to find out the whereabouts of the wall dragon. Cui Xiufang has been traveling south and north for so many years in order to hunt down Qiu Fengyun, and there should be some eyes and ears on the rivers and lakes. The only thing to worry about is what if Pei Min is really related to Lin Xiu? If such a master is an enemy of himself, it will be very bad.

……

……

With the speed at which news spreads in these years, it will take several months to find the wall dragon, but it is not a top priority.

Now, the first thing Cui Geng has to do is to prepare for the imperial examination. Although he announced the "three noes" principle, the Zhang brothers' face could not be sold.

Three days before the exam, Zhang Changzong finally sent someone to invite Cui Geng into the mansion.

It's a blessing or a curse, it's a disaster that can't be avoided, Cui Geng simply said bluntly: "Wang Hui's upper and lower evaluations have been approved, and Zhang Shilang dredged the joints, presumably it won't be long before he can be reinstated." But what is the statute of this year's imperial examination, please ask Zhang Changzhi to show it. ”

"Imperial examinations?"

Zhang Changzong took out a letter from several cases and said, "Cui Kaogong can just do this." ”

Here it comes!

Sure enough, it's a list!

Cui Geng picked up the letter and secretly thought, if Zhang Changzong's appetite is not big, such as less than one-third of the quota, just do what he says. But if there are more, there is no way, and you can only fight for it.

However, when he actually saw the list, he was taken aback.

"White ...... White? Cui Geng was surprised and said, "Zhang Changshi, did you take it wrong?" ”

"Got the wrong one? Not at all. Zhang Changzong smiled very gracefully and said: "Everyone in the world thinks that this official asked you to be a foreign official for the heavenly official examination in order to cultivate party henchmen, but in fact, it is a big mistake. The swallow bird knows the ambition of the bird, and my Zhang Changzong's ambition is far from this. The reason why I gave you this blank piece of paper is that I hope you will be hired according to your talent and not have the slightest scruples. ”

Hearing this, Cui Geng couldn't help but secretly slander: What kind of ambition, to say so secretly, don't you just want to be the emperor? What's so hard to guess about this.

Hey? Emperor?

Suddenly, Cui Geng's mind turned and he thought of a very important question: In the historical records of later generations, Zhang Changzong did want to be an emperor, and even found a Taoist priest to meet him. Later, the ministers seized on this sore foot and impeached him one after another. Zhang Changzong tried his best to get out of this case.

Now that Zhang Changzong wants to be the emperor, is there also the pampering of the minister? If you find that Taoist priest. Perhaps, Wei Yuanzhong's case can really be broken.

"Cui Kaogong, what do you want?" Just as Cui Genghua was thinking wildly, Zhang Changzong's voice woke him up.

Cui Geng hurriedly bowed down and said, "Zhang Changshi is so selfless, the lower officials really spend the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain, and they are really ashamed." ”

Zhang Changzong seemed to be very satisfied with Cui Geng's performance, bowed slightly, and said: "I can't say that, in fact, the official still has something to ask for, for example...... Fame. Your identity is known to everyone, and whether the department is beautiful or not is not only related to yourself, but also to the face of the official. ”

Cui Geng swore an oath: "The lower officials must be loyal to their duties and live up to the trust of Zhang Changzhi." ”

"Actually, it's not that serious." Zhang Changzong patted Cui Geng's shoulder generously and said, "It is normal for people to be greedy for fame and profit. If you want to arrange for three or five relatives and friends, just don't go too far. In addition......"

"What?"

Zhang Changzong smiled slightly and said, "You come here with your ears, this official has a small arrangement for this imperial examination......

After Cui Geng listened to his "small" arrangement, he was puzzled: "Such a big matter is not within the authority of the lower officials." If so......"

"It doesn't matter! Anyway! Zhang Changzong waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty already knows about this matter, so you can just do it with confidence." ”

Cui Geng's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly: "Your Majesty has allowed it?" In this way, the lower officials' Zhigong Lift can be called the best Zhigong Lift, thanks to Zhang Changzhi for his support. ”

Cui Geng said this, and he was really a little sincere.

In the past, although the power was quite large, it would be subject to many requests, and the monks would have too little porridge, and it would be very difficult to allocate the quota, and if you were not careful, you would offend people.

But this year is different, because of Zhang Changzong, don't pay attention to the high-ranking ~ officials of the Zhang family. As for the Wu and Li families? They have just passed the "Wu-Li Oath", because of Wei Yuanzhong's case, they are very hostile to Zhang Changzong, and they will not be bored. In addition, Zhang Changzong arranged it just now...... Cui Geng was 100% sure that he would give those tributes a big surprise.

……

……

Three days later, Cui Geng was known for the tribute, and the imperial examination was officially held in the South Courtyard of the Ministry of Rites.

In this year, there were many kinds of imperial examinations, such as Ming Fa, Ming Calculation, Ming Zi, Jinshi, and Ming Jing...... Wait a minute. But in general, the most promising ones have to be said to be the two subjects of Jinshi and Mingjing.

Cui Geng's Zhigong move, as long as these two doors are managed well, it will be a great success. How the rest of the exams are done, it doesn't hurt.

On the same day, the first thing was to check the identity of the tributes, then to search for entrainment, and finally to lead them into the number room and begin the examination.

Among them, Jinshi scientific examination of scriptures, poetry and strategy; The Ming scriptures are scientifically examined and pasted, and the ink is righteous and strategic. The exam time is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If the candidate does not finish the answer, he can also ask for an extension of time, which is generally limited to three long candles, which is about the time of arrival.

It should be noted that although the Jinshi Branch and the Ming Jingke are both imperial examinations, they are treated differently because of the different degrees of attention of the imperial court.

For the tributes who refer to the Jinshi family, the imperial court has prepared snacks, water and other things, and they will never be thirsty and hungry. As for the tributes of the Ming Classics? Sorry, nothing. So what if you are really thirsty? Isn't this ground water, you can just make do with it?

So much so that after the exam comes out, you can see who has black lips and know who is taking the scriptures.

The tributes of the Ming Classics, after such a strong contrast, suddenly felt a great increase in their hearts. Fortunately, the admission ratio of the Ming Jing subject is about 1 out of ten, and the examination of the Jinshi subject is about 1 out of 20 or even 50, which can be a little comforting.

A imperial examination was passed without danger, and Cui Geng began to read the papers.

With his little knowledge, he can't do this kind of work. Fortunately, Wei Shifang is quite talented, and the work of selecting Jinshi will be handed over to him to do.

After Wei Shifang drew up the list, Cui Geng made slight modifications, and after the seal, the list was announced.

To be honest, this is the moment that every Zhigongju is most afraid of.

Before the release of the list, Zhigong was the largest. However, after the list is released, it is the tribute, to be precise, the tribute who has not been selected is the largest.

After these people were deposed, there was nowhere to vent their evil fire, and most of them would associate the words "unfairness in the imperial examination", so that all kinds of things happened.

For example, when the famous poet He Zhizhang was raising tribute, the tributes were dissatisfied with the results of the imperial examination, and gathered people to the Ministry of Rites, but they had to ask him for an explanation. He Zhizhang was so frightened that he climbed onto the wall and showed his appearance.

After letting Wei Shifang take the list away, Cui Geng understood with his knees that he was afraid that many scholars were already ready to move now.

He muttered: "What will be the reaction of those scholars after seeing this year's list, this official is really looking forward to it." ”

sanjiangge