Chapter 362 The little thoughts of ministers
"I pay homage to your Majesty!" Yin Hanzhang saluted.
Zhao Xing waved his hand and asked: "How is the investigation about the Wizard Cult? Does that shop have anything to do with the Wizard Cult?"
"Back to Your Majesty, I was worried about alerting the enemy, so I was more careful when checking. I am not sure yet, but according to my investigation, the pens, inks, paper and inkstones sold in that shop are all imported from Jiangnan. And the few that are supplied are from Jiangnan. Just like that shop, the shop secretly enshrines similar Buddha statues. Judging from the current clues, that shop is probably related to the wizarding sect," said Yin Hanzhang.
Zhao Xing's face turned cold when he heard this: "I don't want to hear any speculation. I just want to know whether that shop has anything to do with the Wizarding Cult. If so, what is the purpose of the Wizarding Cult?"
In fact, Zhao Xing also knew that the wizarding sect should be behind that shop.
What he wanted to know most was the purpose of the Wizarding Cult. Was it because he wanted revenge or rebellion because he had people thoroughly investigate the land and affected the interests of the Wizarding Cult?
If it's just revenge, it's nothing. It proves that the wizard's ability is limited and not something to be afraid of.
But if you want to rebel, the problem will be serious.
This cult is very good at inciting people.
There are still many wealthy families in Jiangnan who are related to the wizarding sect.
There are even people in the court who have connections with the Wizard Cult.
If they really rebel, they will be in big trouble.
Jiangnan was a major tax center in the Song Dynasty. Once chaos broke out, it would have a great impact on his subsequent goals.
But Yin Hanzhang still can't even confirm his identity, let alone find out any useful information.
"Back to Your Majesty, I am not only investigating the wizarding sect, but also the identities of the people who came in and out of that shop, including the people they came into contact with. According to my investigation, in the past month or two, the Wensheng family and some official family members in Bianjing have There are frequent visits. And the third son of Ningyuan Hou Mansion has been to that shop very frequently recently," Yin Hanzhang said.
"What's the use of telling me this? I don't want to know the process, I just want the results. Do you understand?" Zhao Xing said coldly.
This information can only prove that there is a problem with that store, but it is still unknown what the problem is.
"I will give you five days. If there is no progress, you should not come to see me. In addition, there is a rebellion in Jiangzhou, which is probably related to the wizard sect. Gujia Sanlang will soon go with the army to quell the rebellion. You send We have him under surveillance. At the critical moment, we can arrest him directly!" Zhao Xing gave Yin Hanzhang a direct order.
"I obey the decree!" Yin Hanzhang responded.
"Go!" Zhao Xing waved his hand.
"I excuse myself!" Yin Hanzhang bowed and retreated.
Zhao Xing frowned slightly. His requirement for the intelligence agency was to be as pervasive as the imperial guards of the Ming Dynasty.
But the effect never met his expectations.
He didn't know whether it was because Yin Hanzhang was not capable enough or because he was not given enough rights.
After all, the earliest imperial guards in the Ming Dynasty were all formed by the emperor's own troops scattered across various places.
Those who could become the emperor's personal soldiers were all from clean family backgrounds, and they were scattered all over the country, including scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, and people from all walks of life who were well-dressed and well-dressed.
These people have taken root in various places, and some have even been passed down from father to son, and from son to grandson for several generations.
However, Zhao Xing did not provide many people to Yin Hanzhang, but asked him to recruit idle people from various places.
There is naturally no comparison between these people and the Jin Yiwei of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhao Xing considered whether to increase his support for Yin Hanzhang and give him some rights.
But if this happens, the existence of the secret guards will be made public, and they will inevitably encounter resistance from all officials.
Moreover, giving Yin Hanzhang too much power is also a hidden danger.
Zhao Xing shook his head. This matter is definitely not possible for the time being and can only be looked at later.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Prime Minister wants to see you!" Sanshui reported.
"Pass!" Zhao Xing said after coming back to his senses.
After a while, Han Zhang walked in. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
"No courtesy, please sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After Han Zhang bowed to express his gratitude, he took out a tie from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, these are the rankings of this imperial examination. Please take a look at them!"
Sanshui stepped forward to take it and gave it to Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing started to read and found out that Han Zhang and some of his husband-in-laws tentatively decided that the top pick was Wei Ye, whom he had some impression of, while the second pick was Li Qihou, and the second pick was Zhou Luyuan.
Li Qihou, Zhou Luyuan and Zhao Xing were not impressed at all.
Wen Yanjing pretended to be ranked among the top fifteen.
Zhao Xing took a cursory look, put it down, and said, "I'll make a decision after I take a look at the candidates' answer sheets!"
"Yes!" Han Zhang responded and said: "Your Majesty, the questions in this palace examination are different from those in the past. In previous years, the number one scholar was born in the first or second class, but this time the top candidate in the palace examination will be in the second class, and the second place will be in the third class. , once it is announced, I am afraid it will cause quite a stir.”
The first, second and third grades of the general examination are different from the first, second and third grades of the imperial examination.
There are only three people in the first class of the palace examination, namely the number one scholar, the second person and the third person.
There are only more than twenty people in the second class, and the rest are all in the third class.
There are usually more than a dozen people in the first-level test, and more than thirty people in the second-level test.
Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the first and third graders in the palace examination have all come from the dozens of first and second graders in the general examination, and there has never been an exception.
But this time, none of the three people in the first-level examination were qualified to take the first-level examination, and the second place was from the third-level examination.
Once the rankings are announced according to the current rankings, it will definitely cause an uproar and make scholars all over the world question the fairness.
Zhao Xing heard the words and said calmly: "It didn't happen before, but it doesn't mean it never happened. Some people will perform poorly in the imperial examination, but they will perform exceptionally in the palace examination. Is it strange?"
"As for the turmoil that the Grand Prime Minister mentioned, I'm afraid it's something someone wants to see, right?"
As the saying goes, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts.
It's easy to judge the first place in Wu, but it's very difficult to judge Wen.
In every imperial examination, the top and second place candidates must be determined after a debate.
Because everyone’s preferences and judgment standards are different.
Zhao Xing didn't believe that his performance in the imperial examination could not be compared with that of Li Qihou.
But in the end, he chose the second place among the top three in the national examination.
Isn’t the purpose just to stimulate conflicts?
If someone suspects fraud during the examination, that is the examiner's problem.
However, the list for the palace examination must be reviewed by the emperor Zhao Xing himself.
If his fairness is questioned, Zhao Xing will naturally be blamed.
In addition, Zhao Xing has punished many scholars before. You can imagine what kind of commotion it will cause after this list is announced and is secretly incited by someone with ulterior motives.
Han Zhang was silent when he heard this. He noticed this.
It's just that Li Qihou's answer sheet was really good, and more of the ministers and deputy prime ministers who reviewed the test were supportive, so even if he opposed it, he couldn't change it.
"Your Majesty, there are a few people in Level 1 and Level 2 who answered well in the first and second exams. Your Majesty will nominate one of them after marking the papers," Han Zhang said.
"I will read the answer sheet, but as long as the gap is not big, I have no plans to change this list. I would like to see how much trouble it will cause if it is announced according to this list." Zhao Xing sneered.
(End of chapter)