The wife is the king of the palace

Chapter 30 The Emperor Loves His Minister [2 More]

001.

On the day of the examination, after the morning court ended, Lin Xu went back to the prime minister's mansion, and was escorted to the venue by his guards.

During the examination, the number of people near the examination room reached its peak, and at a glance, there were people next to each other.Although the venue was strictly prohibited, it did not affect the people watching from a distance.

"My lord, this way." The guard who escorted Lin Xu opened the way ahead.

Lin Xu lifted up his clothes and followed. Because of Lin Xu's appearance, the whole venue was already boiling, and the onlookers who were still paying attention to the candidates looked at Lin Xu at this moment.

After entering the meeting place and walking forward for a while, the noisy atmosphere faded away, followed by austerity and heaviness.

The examinees who had been preparing for this day for a long time were already very nervous and did not dare to take a breath.

The exam hadn't started yet, and the examinees were still mentally preparing. Seeing Lin Xu coming in from the door at this moment, someone recognized him immediately after a brief silence.

Lin Xu was not in charge of the imperial examination, so when he came here he took off his court clothes and changed into a dark robe.

Lin Xu likes to wear plain clothes, most of them are white, for today he specially changed into a dark color that can make him look more calm.

That dark robe did make his whole demeanor more calm and mysterious, but it also made his already fair skin more delicate, and his handsome facial features became more three-dimensional.

With a slender figure, outstanding temperament, and that handsome face, seeing Lin Xu walking all the way in from the door, many examinees were a little stunned.

Knowing Lin Xu's identity, the examinees who had been waiting quietly stood up and watched from afar.

Everyone has heard of Lin Xu's deeds. He won the number one prize as a young man, and then became famous in only three years. Now he is a celebrity in the court. It is difficult not to be curious about it.

What's more, several recent major events are also related to him, such as the attack on the border and the use of strange tricks to transport weapons, such as the reform of commercial taxes, and the recent incidents of the beheading and ransacking of the ministers of the DPRK and China.

Which of these things did not make all the people in Dayu applaud?Especially some time ago, when Lin Xu offered a plan to get Jin Qi to kill a group of corrupt officials, who didn't the common people praise it?

Lin Xu walked in from the door and entered the hall. Xu Lan, who was in front of him, saw him coming, and immediately greeted him with a smile, "Master Prime Minister."

Lin Xu walked up to him, and at the same time looked at the officials in charge of the examination.

Those people obviously didn't expect Lin Xu to come, and when they saw Lin Xu coming, although they tried to smile on their faces, there was a bit of displeasure and anxiety in their eyes.

Lin Xu's mind was clear. Seeing the uneasiness and alertness in the eyes of this group of people, before contacting Xu Lan, he suddenly found out that he asked him to help with the exam questions, and instantly understood that this time the exam must be a leak.

Xu Lan has always been in charge of the imperial examination, because it is related to the grades of the students, and also related to the future of the court, so Xu Lan has always been very cautious, and the examination questions will never be leaked.

Even if it was him, Xu Lan would not tell him that this was his duty, and Lin Xu could understand it.

But Xu Lan suddenly came to him before, and even asked him to help with the question, which was unreasonable.Now it seems that this is no wonder.

Xu Lan has been in charge of the imperial examinations for many years, presumably his methods of writing questions have been thoroughly studied by these officials, and this time they don't know what they did behind the scenes, which is why Xu Lan was forced to change the questions suddenly before the exam.

Lin Xu's heart is clear, but there is no change on his face, which is still indifferent and elegant.

"I think it's almost time, why don't we start?" Seeing Lin Xu coming, one of the proctors looked at each other and stood up to speak.

Lin Xu looked at Xu Lan, Xu Lan smiled, looked at the time and nodded.

The general examination is divided into two large examination rooms, the martial arts examination and the literary examination are held in different examination rooms.

There is still a period of time before the exam, and candidates are allowed to enter the venue early to familiarize themselves with the environment.

test

After the students were led away, the remaining invigilators stood together with Xu Lan and the others.

Seeing this, Xu Lan took out the exam questions that were ready to be replaced from the side, but instead of handing the exam questions to other officials, he looked at Lin Xu.

"It's rare that the Prime Minister is interested in coming here to watch the exam, why don't you go to the martial arts exam venue?" Xu Lan pointed out something, and the invigilators next to him turned black instantly when they heard this.

They were all invigilators, but at this time Lin Xu stepped in. It was self-evident what Xu Lan meant when he said this.

"That's fine, I may not have watched the exam for a long time." Lin Xu naturally understood, and he looked at the other invigilators beside him, "I'd like to trouble everyone to lead the way."

Several invigilators in charge of the martial arts test looked at each other, and their faces became more and more ugly.

"The examination room is strictly controlled. According to the rules, outsiders are not allowed to enter and leave at will. Why don't you drink tea and rest here first?" Someone suggested, and as soon as he said this, a group of people responded immediately.

"It's okay, I can just watch it outside, or is there anything I can't let me see in this exam?" Naturally, Lin Xu wouldn't just go back home.

Seeing that Lin Xu had said that, the few of them stopped talking, so they could only bite the bullet and take him to the examination room.

Lin Xu left with a few people, while Xu Lan walked to the other side of the Wen Kao venue.

After about half a cup of tea, Lin Xu followed the group to the martial arts examination venue.

The martial arts test is slightly different from the literary test. Although the martial arts test will also take a written test of strategy, it pays more attention to riding and archery martial arts, so the venue of the martial arts test is a very large venue, including written tests, riding and archery, and group arena competitions. facility.

When the exam started, everything went according to schedule, and Lin Xu was just an outsider as he said before. He didn't take part in the exam and just watched from the sidelines.

But when he arrived at the meeting place, Lin Xu somewhat understood Xu Lan's worry, because he found several familiar people among the candidates.

Lin Xuyi has been an official in the court for seven years, and all the ministers in the court are very familiar with them, and they also know something about the descendants of these people. Looking at the faces that seem to be familiar, Lin Xu couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

As far as he knew, these people might not even be able to pass the rural examination, but now they are standing here.

Now is the time to employ people in the court, and Jin Qi killed a group of officials before, and this batch of No. [-] Scholars will definitely be reused. Even if they cannot be ranked within the fifth rank, they will definitely be officials.

Lin Xu was drinking tea leisurely, when a voice suddenly came from the side, "Do you want to go up and have a try, Mr. Prime Minister?"

Lin Xu saw that he was from Su Fanyi's faction.

"It is rumored that the Prime Minister is very skilled. Even if he didn't enter the examination room by mistake, he must be the champion of martial arts now. Now we have the opportunity. Would you like to open our eyes to the prime minister? Let's try this batch of exams for Dayu by the way. Son, let's see how they are."

Lin Xu put down his teacup, and looked at the group of candidates who had heard the conversation here in the distance.

The exam is divided into several days. Today's exam is a group arena, so the candidates are all gathered near the ring, waiting for the lottery to be ranked.

Hearing that Lin Xu was about to end, many candidates were eager to try.

Lin Xu withdrew his gaze, "That's no need, the exam is the most important thing, don't mess with the rules."

These people are not kind enough to let him go down to try the candidates. Letting him go is just embarrassing others.

His sudden appearance made this group of people have to be more cautious. Even if he did nothing, this group of people had to restrain themselves a lot. I am afraid that some of their original arrangements would be disrupted because of his appearance.

Let him go off at this time, whether he wins or loses, it is not good.

Fighting against a group of candidates, if he wins, it should be taken for granted, and even a little bullying.If he loses, it will inevitably become a joke.

"What? Could it be that the prime minister doesn't like them?" One of the proctors raised his voice and said in a voice that everyone could hear.

what he said

Exit, the group of candidates who were eager to take the exam naturally became agitated.

Seeing that the momentum was good, several invigilators immediately looked at each other, ready to add fuel to the flames. At this moment, a somewhat majestic voice suddenly sounded, "Why, Mr. Prime Minister, are you planning to bully the small?"

Jin Qi led a group of people into the examination room. Seeing Lin Xu, Jin Qi sneered, "It's not good to fight with a group of candidates, Mr. Prime Minister?"

What Jin Qi said in his mouth made the group of invigilators speechless.

"I haven't." Lin Xu got up and explained lightly.

Jin Qi didn't care much, he turned his head to look around the people he had brought, and finally his eyes fell on the guard beside Lin Xu.

"But since I'm here, it would be a pity not to give it a try." Jin Qi said.

The guard beside Lin Xu was also a smart person. Hearing Jin Qi's words and seeing Jin Qi looking at him, he immediately stood up and offered to replace Lin Xu.

Jin Qi agreed, and pulled Lin Xu and the two to sit down again, ignoring the group of proctors with livid faces next to them, and looked at the ring in the distance with great interest.

Jin Qi also heard about the skills of the guards around Lin Xu from the secret guards, and knew that he was not an idler. Seeing him draw with others on the stage, Jin Qi guessed in his heart that the guards must be merciful, but It didn't show on the face, but still applauded.

After the guards left, Jin Qi was in a good mood, and both sides praised him.

After rewarding, Jin Qi sat down again, quietly looking at the candidates who were competing hard on the stage in the distance.

Knowing the identity of the promotion, this group of candidates worked harder, wishing to make themselves stand out immediately, and get Jin Qi's appreciation without even taking the palace exam.

After helping Lin Xu, Jin Qi stared at the people on the stage, but his heart was on Lin Xu, "Your Excellency must be enjoying it, right?"

002.

Lin Xu glanced at him quietly, "What does the emperor mean by this?"

After the episode just now, the exam continued, and the atmosphere was more heated and tense than before.

"I can see that the eyes of those candidates are almost glued to the prime minister. Could it be that the prime minister doesn't feel the slightest bit?" Jin Qi said, even himself felt a little sore.

Hearing that Lin Xu was also here, he immediately drove over here, but when he entered the examination room, he saw all the candidates looking at Lin Xu eagerly.

It's not surprising that candidates admire Lin Xu, but there's no need to stare at him like that, as if they can't wait to jump on Lin Xu.

Jin Qi was jealous, and his voice became sour, "Don't say no, I saw it just now."

Lin Xu glanced at the candidates in the distance again. He didn't think it was a big deal. Every year since this time of year, there were many people squatting outside his prime minister's mansion, and he had become used to it.

Seeing that Lin Xu didn't deny it, Jin Qi's heart became more and more sad.

Jin Qi also followed Lin Xu's line of sight and focused on the ring, but he couldn't watch the people on the stage try their best.

He and Lin Xu have known each other for seven years, so they are naturally familiar with many things.

Lin Xu has practiced martial arts since he was a child, and he has read all military books. He has always aspired to the frontier. Even in the imperial examination, he always thought he would be a general, but he didn't want to become a civil servant by mistake.

When he first entered the court, it was not that Lin Xu did not mention that he wanted to be a general, but at that time the court was employing people, especially civil servants, so Jin Qi did not allow it.

After failing to mention it twice, Lin Xu didn't bring it up anymore, and now Jin Qi doesn't know whether he has given up on this idea or has other plans.

"Do you still want to go to the border?" Jin Qi tried his best to make his words serious, but he still felt sore in his ears.

Lin Xu never thought that he would ask this suddenly, so he turned his gaze away from the examinee and glanced at Jin Qi.

Jin Qi, on the other hand, turned his eyes away and deliberately staggered his sight.

"Why did the emperor suddenly ask this?" Lin Xu asked back.

"Don't you feel sorry?" Jin Qi looked at the active candidates in the distance, feeling a little bit sorry for Lin Xu in his heart.

Lin Xu is absolutely unbeatable in the art of war. If he had allowed Lin Xu to become a general at the beginning, maybe there would be another invincible general in the court now.

It's just that if Lin Xu really became a general and went to the border or the local garrison as a general, then they would be in court and the other would be out, and the chances of seeing each other again would probably be very few.

Knowing that this would be the case, Jin Qi always didn't mention this matter unless Lin Xu said it, because he didn't want to let Lin Xu go.

Lin Xu didn't answer right away, but as if lost in thought, his eyes became unfocused.

Lin Xu didn't answer, but Jin Qi couldn't help thinking more.

He sometimes felt that if he and Lin Xu hadn't been in the same status as they are now, then the situation would be different.

But if their identities were different, maybe the two would never meet again.

After all, Lin Xu's talent is real, even if he didn't usurp the throne at the beginning, and now the person on the throne is not him, the prime minister of Dayu will still belong to Lin Xu even if it is two years in the evening.

"I'm asking you something!" Jin Qi broke the silence.

"What does the emperor mean?"

"Of course it means that you don't have any regrets that you didn't become a military commander?"

"What does the emperor think?" Lin Xu did not deny it.

Before he became an official in the court, he had always had border wars in mind. Whether it was his parents or his master, they always thought that he would become a general, even he himself thought so.

"Then do you still want to go to the border now?" After a long silence, Jin Qi asked again.

"I think." Lin Xu replied.

Hearing this, Jin Qi's throat instantly became astringent, and he was unable to speak another word.

Jin Qi wanted to ask if he would go to the border if he was given a chance, but he swallowed the words again, not daring to say it.

Because if Lin Xu really answered, what should he do?

He was not that big-hearted, and there was no way he would really let Lin Xu go to the border just because he said he wanted to go, and then it would be difficult for the two of them to see each other again for several years or even ten years.

Jin Qi, who was in a good mood before coming here, is now in a gloomy mood, and he doesn't want to say anything anymore due to his gloomy mood.

But in front of Lin Xu, he has never been a person who can hold back things. After being silent for only a cup of tea, Jin Qi can't hold back anymore. He lost his previous poise and became rambling.

"What's so good about the border? The climate over there is not as good as here. It's cold in winter and hot in summer. I heard that especially in summer, there are too many people in the camp and there is little water. You have to queue up for washing, and you can't even get in."

"Winter is even worse. The winter there is extremely cold, and the snow does not melt for several months. Many people in the barracks have frostbite on their hands and feet. Once the weather gets hotter, it will kill them. "

"Besides, the border is dangerous. You don't know that Xia Kingdom has been coveting it for many years. You can't even sleep well at night, and you have to worry about someone sneaking up on you at any time."

"Besides, the border gate is no better than the capital city. The doctors here are skilled in medicine, and there are imperial physicians in my palace on call. If you go there, what should you do if you get injured? Maybe you will be left with some old diseases."

It is not easy for Jin Qi to fall into the frontier, so it is really endless, muttering endlessly, and almost calling the border a purgatory on earth.

When he spoke vigorously, Jin Qi's face was full of heartache, as if those frostbite wounds had grown on his body.

Lin Xu just listened quietly at first, but seeing Jin Qi Yue talking more and more unbearable, Lin Xu had no choice but to ask, "Does the emperor think it's okay to say this here?"

Now the candidates here are all going to the border, but Jin Qi is talking about the border here as a hell on earth. If these candidates hear this, what should they think?

Jin Qi reacted when he heard the words, he no longer complained that the border gate was not good, but he was still a little unwilling, "I think Beijing is much better than the border gate, don't always think about going to the border gate, there is no

As you can imagine. "

Lin Xu smiled lightly, a rare obvious smile appeared on his handsome face, he shook his head lightly, looking at Jin Qi with clear eyes as if he could see through his thoughts, "Border is good, but Chaozhong is not bad."

"Really?" Hearing that Lin Xu didn't want to leave Beijing, Jin Qi blinked, and there seemed to be a big fluffy tail behind him.

"I don't think about going to the border to seek a job now, but it's just my wish for many years. If I have the opportunity, I would like to see it. And there is already a ghost-faced general in the border, so there is no need for me to make trouble." Lin Xu explained softly.

"That's good, I also think that Chaozhong is more suitable for you." Jin Qi knew that his worries were unnecessary, and instantly regained his vitality.

"Just like that?"

"What?" Jin Qi was puzzled.

"The emperor said so much, just because he thinks that the minister is more suitable for the court?" Lin Xu still had that see-through look in his eyes.

Jin Qi felt a little guilty when he looked at him, and turned his head to look at the candidates beside him, "Otherwise?"

"I thought it was because the emperor didn't want me to leave."

Jin Qi's mind was broken, and his cheeks burned instantly, "Don't talk nonsense."

"Your majesty thinks that this minister is talking nonsense?" Lin Xu raised his eyebrows, taking a full view of the guilt and shame on Jin Qi's face.

"Otherwise?" Jin Qi lowered his voice, not wanting others to listen to him.His heart was pounding at the moment, and the sound was so loud that he wondered if the people next to him had heard it.

"I thought the emperor liked me, so I said that the border is not good, and I want to keep me in the court."