Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Person's Imperial Examination

  Tang Guan walked out of the palace in a daze, Chen Yusheng saw him from afar and immediately went forward. Seeing the two red marks on his face, he was startled and asked: "Guo Bing, what's wrong with you?"

  Tang Guan slightly shook his head and ignored Chen Yunsheng, walking towards the horse carriage.

  Chen Yunsheng followed suit and went forward until the horse carriage drove far away. Tang Guan then spoke up, "Uncle, I may not be able to return."

  "What!?" Chen Yunsheng was shocked by the words, but Tang Guan slowly closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

  The Palace of the Great Ming

  Liu Jingxian held the article in his hand, with a solemn expression on his face. This was done by Tang Guanyi within an incense stick, and Guo Shouju was still staring at the content beside him, not yet coming back to his senses.

  Wu Zetian suddenly said: "Deliver this 'Rebellion Quelling Text' to the Ministry of Works, instructing them to engrave and print it, and distribute it throughout the various wards of Chang'an."

  She had barely finished speaking when she said: "Order the scouts to rush 800 li and send a letter to Old General's camp"

  The two of them looked at Wu Zetian simultaneously, only to see that her face was expressionless at this moment, as if she were instructing a very ordinary matter. However, the two of them had already stirred up a storm in their hearts.

  They knew that once this edict was issued, the rebels would probably collapse without a fight. For a moment, both of them were stunned on the spot, until Wu Zetian spoke again: "Two old officials, take action now."

  Guo Shouju looked at Liu Jingxian and saw him nod slightly. The two of them bowed their heads and said, "We obey the imperial edict."

  Having said that, he took the article and turned away.

  Until the two of them went out of the hall, Wu Zetian slowly got up.

  "I thought you were just a lion's colt, but it turns out you're a dragon steed. Tang, you mustn't let me down."

  Wu Zetian walked slowly in the palace with her hands behind her back, muttering to herself, unfortunately no one could hear what she was saying.

  The gate was opened by the guards and Wu Zetian went out of the palace.

  With a wave of his large sleeve, he ordered: "Prepare the imperial carriage for the Zichen Palace"

  Everyone bowed in response, Wu Zetian stepped slowly onto the sedan chair, and the procession moved slowly towards another palace.

  The Zichen Hall is where the inner court is located, generally used to summon various departmental ministers and cabinet prime ministers. Those who can enter this place are also called entering the cabinet.

  The procession slowly came to a halt, Wu Zetian descended from the imperial carriage, gazed at the palace in front of her for a moment, and a rare hint of hesitation flashed across her face before she stepped forward into the palace.

  The guards saw this and pushed open the palace gate. Wu Zetian entered the palace, sat down and said: "Summon the Minister of Rites to enter the palace"

  As soon as he heard the words, he rushed out of the door and was ordered by the guard to leave immediately. In a few breaths, he disappeared around the corner.

  In the palace, Wu Zetian was preoccupied with her own thoughts, knowing that she would once again break the rules of propriety. The Minister of Rites was in charge of all matters related to the imperial examinations, which Wu Zetian held in high esteem. This person was naturally a trusted confidant. Tang Guan knew who this person was - none other than Wu Zetian's nephew, Wu Chongsi.

  A man who climbed to the position of prime minister through his family ties, still unsatisfied and wanting to be a prince, has always been the object of Tang Guan's veiled satire. In fact, Tang Guan had already begun searching for this person in the court, but after all, he was new to the scene and couldn't tell apart the various officials.

  Wu Zetian was lost in thought and unexpectedly revealed a girlish mannerism, resting her chin on one hand on the desk, fortunately there were no attendants nearby.

  After a long time, a man with a goat-like beard and a somewhat sinister face rushed into the hall, knelt down on the ground and shouted: "Your humble servant pays homage to the Heavenly Queen!"

  It was Wu Chengsi who came, and he saw that his voice was louder than it had been at dawn, and after shouting, he secretly measured Wu Zetian.

  Only to see Wu Zetian ignoring him, still deep in thought, he knelt on the ground, silent.

  After a long while, Wu Zetian finally spoke in a soft voice: "Cheng Xian, you can get up now."

  Wu Chengsi was overjoyed when he heard this, Wu Zetian rarely addressed him with such intimacy, and immediately became ecstatic, standing up while still bowing his body.

  If Tang Guan were here, he would definitely mock him nonstop. This person is not very knowledgeable, but has a big temper and is extremely skilled in flattering and boot-licking. Just by looking at the historical records, one can see that this person is truly a small-minded person. Before and after Wu Zetian's ascension to the throne, he actually made significant contributions.

  Wu Zetian gazed at Wu Chongsi, by this time the attendants had already been dismissed, and Wu Chongsi was also secretly puzzled as to why Wu Zetian had summoned him at this moment.

  "Will there be an imperial examination in the palace today?"

  Wu Chengsi was taken aback by the words, thinking that Wu Zetian wanted to say something. He immediately reacted and shouted: "The Heavenly Empress is virtuous and wise, relying on the heavenly empress's divine power, the palace examination produces outstanding talents!"

  Wu Zetian heard this and remained silent for a moment, then raised her head and asked: "Is there any precedent in the current dynasty where an imperial examination was set up solely for one person?"

  Wu Chengsi didn't even finish listening to the words, and he wanted to sing praises of his merits, but he immediately stopped himself, stunned on the spot.

  Although he mainly relied on Wu Zetian's skirt relationship to make a name for himself, he was not a mediocre person. Having been an official for many years, he had become skilled and proficient in his work. As the Minister of Rites, he was familiar with various rituals and laws. When he suddenly heard these words, he didn't know how to respond.

  After a long while, he doubted whether he had misheard and asked in a low voice: "One person?"

  At this time, he finally raised his head and looked at Wu Zetian seriously. Seeing Wu Zetian nodding slowly, his heart skipped a beat.

  He didn't know what motivated Wu Zetian to ask this question, but he suddenly thought of one person, that is the current Tang Guan.

  "Could it be..." Wu Chong's heart stirred and he looked at Wu Zetian's expression, seeing that she didn't seem to be asking casually, and immediately fell into contemplation.

  "Is there or isn't there?" Wu Zetian asked him again as she saw his silence.

  Wu Chengsi was quite clever and said: "The rites are determined by the imperial family, if Empress Tian says it is so, then it is so."

  "Haha, Chengsi, I indeed didn't misjudge you." Wu Zetian was overjoyed upon hearing this. Although she knew that Wu Chengsi lacked great talent and had a narrow mind, what she needed now wasn't just useful people like Tang Guang, but also people like Wu Chengsi who were both kin and sycophants, serving as her counterweight in building momentum.

  Wu Chengsi heard the words and was first delighted, but then he felt a chill. In his heart, he secretly thought: "It's not that Tang Que is really talented, since Empress Wu values him so much, why not just grant him an official position directly? Why go around in circles and make things complicated?"

  But he didn't know what Wu Zetian was thinking in her heart. The emperor's technique is to control people, and Wu Zetian had already given Tang Guan a bloody face with the imperial crown, so she would give him a sweet date to replenish his blood. As for whether this date was satisfactory to Tang Guan or not, Wu Zetian didn't know.

  She compared people to horses, wanting to ride the fast horse of Tang Crown to gain power and territory. As the saying goes, "a good horse deserves a good saddle", what do scholars all over the world want to get? She was very clear that it's just a title.

  "Top Scholar!"

  And in her opinion, Tang Guan, even if he was a genius with a thousand schemes, was still just a child. If she cultivated him properly, he would be far stronger than these half-baked old ministers.

  This can be seen from Wu Zetian's favor towards Shangguan Wan'er. After all, a child with an incomplete temperament, even if he had been mistreated by her, would, in Wu Zetian's opinion, be won over to her side as long as she gave him unexpected benefits.

  She didn't know that Tang Guan was different from the ancient woman, his talent came from his special soul. She didn't humiliate him, but Tang Guan had already harbored resentment and it was extremely difficult to erase. It wasn't until later that Wu Zetian realized this point, unfortunately, it was too late.

  Of course, this is all after the fact. Seeing Wu Zetian burst out laughing, Wu Chongyi was somewhat at a loss.

  Wu Zetian smiled and said with a slap on the table: "Alright, summon all the officials in the department now and choose a date to hold a palace examination for Tang Gongyi!"

  "Ah!" Despite having expected it, Wu Chengsi couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

  "What? Do you still have objections?"

  Wu Chengxiu opened his mouth and swallowed again, forcing himself to ask: "May I ask who the master and supervisor are?"

  "The master is naturally me, and the inspector is all the civil and military officials of the court!"

  "Ah!" Wu Chongyi exclaimed loudly this time. Wu Zetian saw the situation and gave him a cold glance, he immediately knelt down to the ground: "Your subject obeys your imperial edict!"

  "Heavenly Master's Gate is born!" Wu Chengsi silently exclaimed in his heart.

  He spent his whole life studying how to please this woman, but now that Tang Guan has come and gone, he is greatly favored. Putting aside his own incredible talent for the moment, he can't help but wonder what Tang Guan did to win over this woman's favor so thoroughly, considering that all his years of flattery haven't been able to achieve the same effect.

  "Go and arrange it at once! Four days from now, I want Tang's name as the number one scholar to be inscribed on the Imperial Academy!"

  Wu Zetian stood up and brushed off her sleeve, Wu Chongyi knelt on the ground with a mix of emotions in his heart, "What's the point of making him take an exam? You could just directly grant him the title!"

  Although it is said so, Wu Zetian broke the rules several times, and immediately bowed down and left.

  Wu Zetian gazed at his departing back, a strange smile appearing on her lips.

  Among the officials.

  The Ministry of Rites has four departments: Rites, Ceremonies, Banquets and Guests, which are in charge of imperial examinations, construction, music and rituals, diplomacy and other matters. This is a large and miscellaneous department that, except for military power, manages everything from the emperor's daily trivialities to the clothing of ordinary people.

  The imperial examination was undoubtedly the most important event in the Ministry of Rites, and at this time, the officials were already seated in full attendance. At the forefront was naturally Wu Chengsi, who sat with his eyes half-closed, listening to his colleagues' incessant chatter.

  "Your Excellency! This is absolutely impermissible!"

  Finally someone spoke to him, he opened his eyes and looked at the speaker, who was indeed the Minister of Rites.

  Some of these officials looked down on him, and Wu Chengsi knew it. He immediately said: "This is the order of the Heavenly Empress, there's nothing that can't be done. I let you come to discuss how to do it, not whether or not to do it."

  The Shanglang was stunned by this, and Wu Chengsi flattered in front of him and behind his back, flattering endlessly. Whatever the Empress said was what it was.

  The imperial examination has already broken the rules, and now it's actually going to be held just for one person, which is a huge joke in the world.

  "There are only four days left for the deadline, distributing things, notifying officials, handling goods, communicating with various departments, and it's a lot of work for several people"

  After saying this, Wu Chengsi cupped his hands and unexpectedly turned around and walked out of the court, leaving everyone in the court looking at each other in dismay.

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