Do you know: I’m Xu Jiazi

No bath today

Mao hour (six o'clock in the morning)

Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty

The emperor placed the secret report from the Imperial City Division on the imperial case, and next to it was a message from Xu Minghua.

The two pieces of paper talked about the situations of various families I visited on Quyuan Street in the past few days.

The emperor's decree had already spread among the high-ranking officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and Xu Minghua also reported his army-building strategy to the emperor.

The basic composition of the army is on the one hand, the children of Xu, Cao, Zhang, Gu, Zhu, Sun, Xie and other families, as well as the children of these families who are either relatives or good friends who have children in the army;

On the other hand, he is a good general in the Tianwu Army. There is a small overlap between the two parts.

They are either experienced in battles, or trained to excel, which can be considered a match.

The emperor nodded after seeing it.

The person who went to visit after the Lantern Festival to deliver the message was not someone who was extravagant or someone who had friendship with the above few people.

However, Xu Minghua did not close the door tightly. Instead, he set up a clerk to record the conversations and visited many homes.

Some of the people who came to visit were talented people or idiots. Xu Minghua did not promise a position or anything, but only presented the good ones to the emperor.

The leader is Marquis Yongyi, but the appointments and rewards come from the emperor.

The secret report from the Imperial City Division was the result of the emperor's order for the Imperial City Division to investigate after Xu Minghua's report.

After walking out from behind the imperial court, the emperor thought about the contents of the secret report and nodded: "Well, not bad. For those who are favored by Marquis Xu, let the Yamen write down the appointment posts for them."

The chief minister behind the emperor hurriedly responded.

As he spoke, the emperor picked up a cup of tea offered by the palace maid and said, "What is your prince doing?"

"Back to Your Majesty, I just asked. Your Highness is at the Queen's place, practicing martial arts as you will in the future."

"I wanted to practice martial arts after hearing about Xiao Wu of the Xu family. I thought he was just practicing for fun, but I didn't expect him to be so perseverant! Very good!"

The chief minister behind the emperor bowed his head and said nothing.

In the queen's palace.

The queen sat on an embroidered pier and looked at Zhao Fang, who was considered seven years old in the palace and was practicing basic skills with his back to her.

Zhao Fang squatted in a horse stance, his legs were a little sore and trembling.

The queen frowned, looking at the scene here, her eyes full of distress and intolerance,

But when Zhao Fang turned around and asked her for help with tears in his eyes, the queen immediately put away her heartache with a straight face and raised the bamboo board in her hand.

"Brother Xu, when he was your age, he would squat for a long time every day, but you have only been here for a few days!"

"That day you heard about Brother Jing in Pan Lou, but you and your mother promised to practice hard every day."

The queen said hard-heartedly and looked at the female official who came as a dowry. The female official who had been strictly ordered by the queen not to lie looked at the fragrant seal clock and shook her head slightly.

After a while, Zhao Fang said:

"Mother, Brother Jing, can you really squat for as long as you said?"

The queen glanced at the female officer beside her who nodded to indicate that the time had come. She did not directly tell Zhao Fang to rest, but asked:

"You really want to know?"

After a while, Zhao Fang said:

"Well, I want to know."

"Okay, the time has come."

Zhao Fang suddenly collapsed on the ground. When the internal officer wiped his sweat, he did not forget to look at the queen curiously.

"Then wait until he takes the county examination."

"Mother, I heard you say that Brother Jing gets up so early every day to study. Why don't you ask your father to reward Brother Jing with an official position? Brother Jing won't have to study hard!"

The Queen looked at her only son and said, "Okay, when the time comes, Your Majesty, tell Brother Jing the good news and see what he does?"

"Um!"

Zhao Fang nodded heavily and smiled happily as if he thought of something good.

After Zhao Fang went to take a bath, the female official next to the queen said: "Your Majesty, why does the prince need to practice these things so hard."

"It can protect yourself and strengthen your body. Let him practice. It can't be the same as before..."

The Queen did not continue.

It's still dark,

Bianjing County Examination Center,

Except for Chang Bai and Zai Zhang, the other four students from Shengjia Shu School will take the county examination today.

Whether it was the Duke's mansion or the two princes' mansions, many people came.

The servants stood outside and separated a small space.

The Bai family of Ningyuan House and the Sun family of Yongyi House stood beside the carriage. Bai held the arms of Pingmei and Tingyi, while Sun was held by her two daughters-in-law. Next to Hualan stood an indifferent Wang. Joff.

Princess Pingning and the two ladies looked at the children at the door, who were talking to Gu Tingyu.

In the Sheng family's carriage, Lin Sushuang quietly looked at Chang Feng through the gap in the curtain.

Brothers Changbai and Zaiduan stood beside the four lords, looking at their brothers and listening to the four elders talking about the affairs of the court.

From time to time, there were people nearby who raised their hands to greet the four of them. The Duke of Qi and the two Marquises mostly nodded in greeting, while Sheng Hong, the junior official of the Ministry of Personnel, kept returning the greetings with a smile on his face. Although it was not strange to greet so many people, It also flattered many people.

not far away,

Gu Tingyu has been working in the Ministry of War these days, and he has become more mature and steady. He looked at his younger brothers around him and said:

"I have read all your articles and they are all good, but don't be proud. Remember to review the questions carefully when you enter the examination room."

"yes, Sir."

"Yes, brother-in-law."

"Thank you, Brother Yu."

After the few people finished talking and were about to go in, Xu Zaijing came to Gu Tingyu, put down the book box, opened his arms and said, "Brother-in-law, I appreciate your literary spirit."

Gu Tingyu shook his head helplessly and hugged him.

In the distance, the ladies who heard Xu Zaijing's words all showed helpless smiles, and Princess Pingning hurriedly gestured towards Qi Heng.

Gu Tingye followed suit and hugged Gu Tingyu. Gu Tingyu patted him hard and said in his ear:

"Don't let your mother down."

After Gu Tingye came out of his eldest brother's arms, he looked at Bai who was smiling at him. Gu Tingye felt something in his heart, bowed respectfully to Bai and then walked towards the examination room.

Qi Heng looked at Princess Pingning and was too embarrassed to move. Instead, Gu Tingyu opened his arms and waved to him.

Qi Heng hurried over and was hugged by Gu Tingyu: "Brother Heng, your article is good."

Qi Heng was happy when he heard this.

Sheng Changfeng had a smile on his face, and when he saw Hualan next to Sun waving to him, he scratched his head in embarrassment and lined up behind Qi Heng.

Gu Tingyu smiled and patted Chang Feng on the shoulder.

Chang Feng quickly bowed and thanked him.

Before Xu Zaijing entered the examination room, he looked at Changbai beside Sheng Hong. Changbai, who felt his gaze, nodded to Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing thought to himself: "Observe Sheng Changbai who won the list in one fell swoop, and I will try to imitate your literary talent next time."

After thinking about it, Xu Zaijing also bowed to everyone and then entered the examination room.

In the afternoon,

Several families came outside the examination room again and took them back to their house.

Two days later, everyone came to the county examination list.

Xu Zaijing nodded after seeing his name. Soon Gu Tingye and Qi Heng also found his name. Chang Feng on the side looked anxious.

Fortunately, I finally saw my name at the end of the crime.

In the county examination, all four candidates from Shengjia Shu School passed.

Because Changbai was on the ship to Beijing during the Yangzhou Prefecture Examination in April last year, so Changbai will also participate in the Bianjing Prefecture Examination this year.

On the second day after the results of the county examination were released, classes continued at Shengjia Shu. When school was over, Xu Zaijing came to the scholar and said:

"Pedant, students will take the day off tomorrow."

Xuexue Zhuang nodded and asked casually: "What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty summons."

Zhuang Xuexue was stunned. If it had been anyone else, he would have said the last sentence: If the Holy Family is like this, why should they take the exam?

However, for Xu Zaijing, a studious, rigorous and self-disciplined student, Zhuang Xuexu nodded and said: "Okay, I will do these two questions tomorrow."

"Yes, academic."

Arriving at Quyuan Street,

Xu Zaijing and Qingyun were riding on the horse and kept nodding to the people setting up the stalls.

When Chu Zhan saw the two of them, he came over again and said:

"Sir, I also want to join the army."

"You're too young, wait a few more years."

Qingyun said with a smile.

After entering the Hou Mansion, Xu Zaijing was about to go see his master and his two stunning horses, but was called to the backyard by Mrs. Sun.

After giving the instructions, Xu Zaijing found out that the Queen Mother had asked him to go to the palace this afternoon and stay in the palace at night.

There is no decree or edict, only an oral instruction.

Xu Zaijing quickly let Qingcao take the token given by the queen, then took his book box and got into the Xu family's carriage.

On the way to the palace again, Xu Zaijing thought that the queen had only given an oral instruction this time, because Xu Zaijing had never used the token since it was given.

When he came to the side door, he showed his token. After distinguishing it clearly, the internal officer and the guard on duty bowed and handed the token back to Xu Zaijing.

Seeing the eyes of the internal officials and imperial guards staring at the book box, Xu Zaijing smiled slightly and handed the book box over.

The internal officer hurriedly smiled and thanked him, and the imperial guards also breathed a sigh of relief. After some inspection, they bowed deeply and let him go. After Xu Zaijing walked dozens of steps, everyone stood up and continued on duty.

Follow the little eunuch walking towards the harem,

"Brother Jing, I would like to thank you for your consideration on behalf of those people."

Xu Zaijing said: "Those people are just fulfilling their duties. This is what I should do."

As the two talked, Xu Zaijing also learned the name of this young internal official, which was Qingyun.

"Speaking of which, have you ever been to the Marquis' Mansion before?"

"oh?"

After listening to Qingyun's words, Xu Zaijing realized that the queen was just pregnant at that time. He followed his adoptive father to announce the decree and even gave Sun a purse.

"Speaking of which, my little father-in-law was not very young at that time."

Qingyun smiled.

Soon, we arrived outside the Queen's Palace.

In the palace,

Looking at the prince's expectant eyes, the emperor, who was wearing loose uniforms, waved his hand, and an internal official walked out quickly.

Report back soon:

"Your Majesty, Madam, the fifth son of the Xu family has arrived outside the palace."

The emperor nodded and said, "Let's serve."

The queen let go of her hand, and Zhao Fang walked to the door excitedly, and shouted happily when he saw Xu Zaijing carrying a book box.

Xu Zaijing bowed and said, "I have met His Highness."

Entering the palace, Xu Zaijing saluted again: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, your Majesty, your Majesty, your Majesty's greetings."

The emperor and empress were all smiling.

"sit down."

Xu Zaijing also looked at the set of tables and chairs at the bottom and the food on the top with a surprised expression, and could only thank him again.

After he sat down, the queen said: "Your mother and I have inquired about your appetite before, so don't be constrained by me."

Xu Zaijing stood up and said, "Yes, empress."

Zhao Fang blinked at the side and didn't understand why his mother had to give instructions when eating.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing sat on the chair with some restraint, his eyes slightly lowered, his back straight, and his hands on his knees.

Looking at Xu Zaijing in this posture, the emperor smiled and nodded, picked up the chopsticks and said: "Don't get up again, brother Jing, let's eat."

Xu Zaijing bowed slightly on the chair, picked up the chopsticks, and ate the palace food as politely as possible.

But the habit he developed still makes him eat very quickly.

Zhao Fang watched the palace maids beside Xu Zaijing carrying the food and taking away the dishes constantly changing. He looked at the food on his table with some curiosity and thought:

‘Is today’s food so delicious? ’

The emperor looked at Xu Zaijing and smiled. He seemed to be really carefree after eating so much.

The queen looked at Zhao Fang, and Zhao Fang stared at Xu Zaijing. Out of curiosity and surprise, mother and son both ate a little more than usual.

Two quarters of an hour later,

Xu Zaijing, who played the role of the master of clearing tableware and dishes, put down the dishes and burped lightly.

After clearing the dining table, Xu Zaijing drank some digestive tea with the empress.

The emperor casually asked Xu Minghua something, knowing that Xu Minghua and Xu Zaiduan were busy with military affairs these days, he nodded.

"Well, you are Gu Tingyu, a member of the staff of the Ministry of War."

"Return to Your Majesty, brother-in-law."

The emperor nodded and said: "I met him a few days ago. Following the Minister of the Ministry of War, he could draw the map and important points of that place with just a few strokes, even in Baigao and Beiliao. , which shows that hard work is very rare.”

"Brother Yu, you have always been knowledgeable and strong in your mind."

"Well."

The emperor nodded,

During the palace examination, the emperor had some impressions of Gu Tingyu. He was worried about his noble status and did not give him a top three ranking, but he did not delve into the Gu family's family affairs.

But during the meeting that day, he was extremely surprised by Gu Tingyu's performance. In just a few months, Gu Tingyu actually mastered the map to such an extent!

So out of curiosity, the emperor asked someone to check the secret reports of the Imperial City Department in those years.

On that day, it was Zhao Zilong who reported to the emperor:

The Qin family stopped sending medicine to the Gu family. As Gu Tingyu's health gradually improved, combined with the Imperial City Department's inquiries into some rumors about the Qin family of Dongchang Hou, it was almost possible to determine what happened.

The emperor has also seen a lot of things. He didn't need Zhao Zilong to tell him. He knew that as long as the Bai family pretended not to know, it would be difficult for Gu Tingyu to go out and get out of bed. As long as Gu Tingyu died young and had no children, Gu Tingye would almost definitely succeed in the title.

Because the medicine was always sent by the Qin family, and the Bai family never got their hands on it.

Bai, the daughter of a salt merchant, can gain without any loss or danger, and there will be fewer people fighting for the family property in the future.

At that time, the emperor remembered that he sighed and said: What about the Great Zhou, my Great Zhou?

Zhao Zilong on the side thought he was asking, and hurriedly replied: I, Da Zhou, must be missing a capable and capable minister, Miao Zi.

But then the emperor was buried by the complicated situation in the north, and the matter was put in the corner of his heart.

When I saw Xu Zaijing today, I thought I could talk and make this kid no longer cautious, but a few sentences made him suddenly think of these things.

"Come here and prepare a decree."