Ma Chao was silent for a long time, finally nodded, gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, then I'll wait another year!" ”

To agree or not to agree, it's not as simple as nodding or shaking your head, Ma Chao can make this determination, and he has also gone through a fierce struggle in his mind. He learned a martial arts, so he naturally wanted to make a career and worship the general, but a year later, he was just a small soldier. After staying in the Sixth Army for a few months, Ma Chao already knows the strength of the Han Army very well, and a lot of things can happen in a year.

But I heard Liu Xin smile and said: "Yes, this is a good son with responsibility." Ma Chao, you didn't disappoint Liu, then Liu will give you another surprise. ”

If there is anything that surprises Ma Chao today, it is that Liu Xin actually gave him the Snow Oolong Horse, in addition to this matter, what else can surprise him? Ma Chao couldn't help but look at Liu Xin suspiciously.

Liu Xin said: "Ma Chao, you have also lived in Xiangyang for a while, have you ever heard of the imperial examination?" ”

Ma Chao shook his head. When Ma Chao came to Xiangyang, this year's imperial examination had ended, and he didn't like to read the Dahan Express, so naturally he had no way of knowing.

Liu Xin pointed to the chair opposite and said, "Ma Chao, sit down and listen to what Liu tells you." ”

Although Ma Chao didn't have much interest in the imperial examination, he had already decided to start again with a pawn, and he still had to listen carefully to what Liu Xin said, and the more he listened, the more excited he became, and the depression just now had already been swept away. It turned out that Liu Xin pointed out another way for him.

In the original plan, the imperial examination was held every two years, and there would have been no chance of taking the examination next year. However, starting at the end of next year, many institutions will be relocated to Chang'an one after another, which means that the imperial examination for the following year will be held in Chang'an. At that time, I am afraid that many facilities in Chang'an City are not yet complete, especially inns and hotels that can accept candidates from all over the world will definitely not be able to meet the demand. These things are not in a hurry, and there needs to be a process of slow development, but without these things, it is not possible. After several choices, Liu Xin finally decided to advance the imperial examination for the following year to next year, so as to make full use of Xiangyang's various resources and give Chang'an a buffer.

The imperial examination is divided into three subjects: literature, martial arts, and engineering, and this year only Jia Xu has produced one champion in liberal arts, and there are no outstanding leaders in martial arts and engineering. This situation also has a lot to do with the lack of publicity, after all, the imperial examination is a new thing, and people are still difficult to adapt to for a while, and many talented and capable people have not come to take the examination. However, this year's imperial examination still has some results. Jia Xu was a sensation and is now in a high position, while others, some have become captains, and some have been rewarded, and I believe that the next imperial examination will definitely attract more people to participate.

Ma Chao is now out of the military, and he is eligible to participate in the imperial examination, with his martial arts, even if he comes out of the martial arts championship, it is reasonable, so Liu Xincai said that he wanted to give him a surprise, which can be regarded as a lost corner and a mulberry elm.

Seeing the joy on Ma Chao's face, Liu Xin knew that he already had a new goal, so he couldn't help but smile and said: "Ma Chao, there is one thing Liu wants to make clear to you, in fact, whether you live in the Hun King's tent or not, Liu doesn't mind." The Xiongnu have been incorporated into the Han Dynasty, and there is nothing more than that, it is just a larger tent, and in Liu's eyes, there is no special meaning. ”

Ma Chao was stunned for a moment, and asked, "Why did the lord remove Ma Chao's official position?" ”

"Young people, it's not a good thing to move forward one step at a time, and to rise too fast. More ups and downs, more experience, more conducive to your growth. Liu Xin himself is only a young man, but he taught Ma Chaolai an old-fashioned lesson, paused, and said, "You don't have any opinion on the removal of your official position." If Liu doesn't punish you severely, then this incident will be a permanent stain on your life, and when you rise to a high position in the future, someone will attack you with this matter. Now that the matter is taken care of, everything is over. Therefore, you have to remember that the reason why the public station is clinging to this matter is not to punish you, but to protect you! ”

Liu Xin said this, of course, so that Ma Chao would not hold a grudge against Chen Gong, after all, these two people are both literate and martial, and they are both capable ministers that he can rely on. However, Liu Xin is not wrong to say this. He will definitely ascend to that throne in the future, and when the time comes, for the sake of interests and power, there will inevitably be some bumps and bumps among the ministers, and maybe someone will bring up the old things again, and he does not dare to guarantee that he will always keep a clear head, and there will always be a day when he is confused. It is better to settle this matter once and for all than to leave it behind.

Because Chen Gong was very resolute this time, Ma Chao really couldn't stand it in his heart, and his resentment towards Chen Gong was not just a little bit. Now, after listening to Liu Xin's persuasion, Ma Chao thought about it carefully, and there was really some truth, so he couldn't help nodding again and again, got up and said: "The lord has insight, Ma Chao really knows where he is wrong this time." ”

Liu Xin laughed and said, "Ma Chao, you have finally grown up. After you go back, don't just practice martial arts, but also remember to read more military books and battle strategies, and come back with a champion next year! ”

Ma Chao clasped his hands into fists and said firmly: "Please rest assured, Ma Chao will never let the lord down!" ”

This matter, which had been very difficult for Liu Xin, was finally satisfactorily resolved, and Liu Xin was in a good mood, only to find that it was time for dinner. Because of Ma Yun's rule that you can't meet before marriage, he can't meet Minchan now, so he hasn't eaten in that big restaurant for a long time. In fact, he is the head of the family, and it should be Minchan who can't eat in the restaurant. However, it is Ma Yun who has the final say in this back house. Ma Yun said, what kind of competition do you have for a big man and a little woman, and you will be able to solve your three meals a day in the study in the future. Liu Xin had no choice but to pinch her nose and use her desk as a dining table.

Although it is a study room, the food is not much different from the restaurant, and it is a delicious food made with ordinary ingredients. These dishes are not eaten by the maids and slaves in the house, and they usually eat those dishes that are cooked using traditional cooking methods.

These dishes are full of color and flavor, making people move their index fingers at a glance, Xia Feifei, who was waiting on the side, watched Liu Xin eat wolf, and he couldn't help but swallow his saliva, this scene happened to fall in Liu Xin's eyes.

Liu Xin laughed and asked, "Feifei, how old are you this year?" ”

Xia Feifei acted very carefully, for fear that trouble would come out of his mouth, and he was expelled from the state pastoral mansion like Arou, so he never said much. However, her voice is very good, and her sweet voice is not inferior to Bian Yulai, and Liu Xin always likes to tease her when she has nothing to do.

Hearing Liu Xin's question, Xia Feifei said cautiously: "The slave is twelve years old this year. ”

Liu Xin nodded, it turned out that he was just a child, no wonder he was a little greedy when he saw these meals, he couldn't help patting his belly, and pointed to a plate of fried shredded pork with leeks on the table, and said: "I'm full, this dish hasn't moved yet, it's a pity to pour it, you take it back and let everyone taste it." ”

Due to the limited ingredients, especially the lack of peppers and tomatoes, which are Liu Xin's favorite vegetables, there are many dishes that can only be matched like this, but Liu Xin doesn't like to eat this dish, so he didn't touch it at all. At this time, although it is winter, the food will not spoil if you put it away, but it is very troublesome to heat up, and the taste will change. The most important thing is that Ma Yun said that overnight dishes, especially vegetables, will produce many harmful substances to the human body, so the leftover dishes will be thrown away. Since it's going to be dumped, it's better to let this little girl try it.

Xia Feifei was suddenly overjoyed, and reached out to serve the plate, but suddenly shrank back, with a cramped and uneasy look on his face. Liu Xin knew that it was because she was here, she had some scruples, so she couldn't help but smile and walked out with her hands behind her back. Xia Feifei happily brought back the plate of fried shredded pork, this dish has to be eaten while it is hot, and it will not work if it is cold, so the messy desk can only be cleaned up after a while.

It was also her luck that happened to catch Liu Xin in a good mood and gave alms this time. At this time, Liu Xin, who was in a good mood, was humming a little song and walking leisurely towards Ma Yun's yard.

As soon as he arrived outside the courtyard gate, he saw the little girl Guo Zhao blocking his way with a smile and saying, "Master, you shouldn't stay here tonight." ”

Liu Xin has several women, he doesn't want to snub any of them, and he doesn't want to spoil any of them, he has always taken turns sleeping in their rooms. Last night he spent the night in Zhu Rong's room, Zhu Rong was pregnant with Liujia, so naturally he refused to let him touch it, the two of them talked, Zhu Rong fell asleep, and Liu Xin was driven to sleep in the wing room.

Although the little girl Zhu Yu has been staring at Liu Xin "with a tiger's eye", wanting to seize this great opportunity, Liu Xin only treats her as a child, how can she do such a thing that is inferior to a beast, she would rather spend the night alone and alone, and was about to make up for it with Ma Yun today, but was stopped by Guo Zhao at the door. Liu Xin was stunned for a moment and said, "Zhao'er, who told you that I can't stay here today?" ”

As a maid who is deeply loved by Ma Yun, Guo Zhao does not have so much thought and care like Ah Rou and Xia Feifei, she is not stage frightened at all in front of Liu Xin, and grinned: "Back to the master, of course it was ordered by the lady." Don't you see that there is no red lantern hanging outside the gate of this courtyard? Madame said, let the lord find out for himself, where the lantern hangs, the lord will stay there. ”