Chapter 59: Spring Breeze and Proud Horse Hooves

  How urgent is the urgency of 800 miles? We can't know, 800 miles is just a metaphor. Only seeing the swift horse rushing over, only seeing a person's shadow flashing by, jumping off the horse and shouting: "Urgent for 800 miles! Imperial gold plaque, those who block will die, those who resist will perish!"

  Chang'an is over 2,000 miles away from Yangzhou, but it only takes two days and two nights to rush there. Compared to Chen Younian's tiger tally, this journey is even more swift. Along the way, they passed through checkpoints and took the official highway, traveling on a thousand-mile-long road of prosperity. Ordinary people can't withstand such an intense journey.

  Yangzhou, in the Commander's Camp.

  "Report! Urgent dispatch from 800 miles away!"

  A figure hastily rushed into the camp, holding a golden token. No one dared to block him, nor did anyone ask questions. He rode his horse straight into the camp until he reached the main tent before dismounting.

  He casually shouldered several sacks on horseback and directly entered the camp.

  He made a gesture of holding his fist and knelt down on the ground. In the tent, in front of the case, there was an old man who was holding a folded letter, circling and dotting.

  The old man heard the sound and raised his head, without looking at the scout, he looked directly at the sack on the ground.

  "What is it that you're in such a hurry about?"

  "Report to the Governor, Empress Dowager orders subordinate officials to urgently dispatch seven bags of proclamation!"

  "Notice?"

  The old man was none other than Lai Yan. Hearing this, Lai Yan muttered to himself in confusion and then got up and walked towards the several sacks of rice.

  "Take a look"

  "Yes!" The scout immediately opened the sack of hemp, and a pile of papers scattered out. Pei Yan picked one up and examined it carefully.

  "Rebellion's End"?

  "What a great doctor!!" Pei Yan's eyes widened when he saw the three characters "Tang Qu Bing", and only then did he become serious.

  He still knelt on the ground with his fists clenched, he had a royal decree in hand and must obtain the consent of the recipient before returning to Beijing to report back, Pei Yan held the notice in his hands and stood still for a long time.

  "You can go back and report now"

  "Yes!" With that, he turned around and left without another word, mounted his horse and galloped out of the camp in an instant.

  Pei Yan gently placed the notice on the table, slowly sat down, and muttered after a long time: "Won..."

  Chang'an

  Tang Guan has been carefree for the past two days, chatting and laughing with Xiao Qi every day. His name is now known to all, and Tang Guan can predict that Wu Zetian will soon grant him an even greater reward.

  That day, Tang Guan and Xiao Qi had just returned from the street to their dormitory.

  Then he found a figure in white outside the door.

  "Brother Ji Zhen!"

  That man heard the sound and turned his head to see Tang Guan. His face showed a somewhat strange expression as he said, "Gone Illness, younger brother"

  It turned out that this person was He Zhizhang, and he had actually come to Baoshu's place to look for Tang Kuan.

  Tang Guanzheng was overjoyed and his spirit was refreshed. Seeing He Zhizhang, he excitedly said: "Brother He, how did you come?"

  He Zhizhang surprisingly bowed and said: "I came to congratulate my younger brother, I didn't expect that my younger brother would have such talent. It's laughable that older brother laughed at you for being young and ignorant that day, it was really a loss for Ji Zhen."

  Tang Guan knew he must have seen the notice too as soon as he heard the words, and immediately waved his hand: "Let's go in and talk"

  After speaking, he pulled He Zhizhang into the house, and Xiao Qi also curiously sized up He Zhizhang, who had just ruined his good meal not long ago.

  Chen Yunsheng was currently in the house playing with the big seal in his hand, and he couldn't bear to part with it.

  This is a proof of his status as a state leader and also the power he never dared to ask for in this life, but everything changed since he met Tang Guan.

  The door was suddenly pushed open, Chen Yunsheng hastily wrapped up the large seal in his hand and placed it on the table, looking at the newcomer. He Zhi Zhang glanced at the large seal and his eyelid twitched slightly.

  Seeing He Zhizhang behind Tang Guanyi, Chen Yunsheng was also slightly stunned.

  He rose and said: "He Cai Zi, you are also in Chang'an?"

  "Chen Shijun, it's been a long time!" He Zhizhang also said with a bow.

  Chen Yunshang burst out laughing and indeed proved an old saying: "After three days of separation, one should look at each other with new eyes."

  Now he was far superior to the county magistrate in terms of rank, although he felt proud in his heart, but didn't reveal it, and smiled: "You've come to visit your two younger brothers?"

  He Zhizhang smiled slightly and said: "Come to congratulate Qubing on his brother's recovery"

  A few people chatted and took their seats. Xiaowu was quick-witted and picked up the teapot to fill everyone's cups.

  He Zhizhang didn't mince words, taking a light sip and saying: "My younger brother's talent is exceptional, when he met Ji Zhen for the first time, he was shocked to think him a heavenly being. Who would have thought that he had actually preceded me by one step, entering the imperial court before I did?"

  He was a famous talented young man and naturally became acquainted with some scholars. From their mouths, he also learned about the current situation of Tang Dynasty, and after admiring it, he was even more shocked.

  Thinking that his talent is higher than the sky, he has a good understanding of himself. In Chang'an, he already has a reputation for being talented. Now, at over 20 years old, compared to Tang Guan who is only nine years old, he really can't be compared in terms of ability.

  The world's creation is really playing tricks on people, thinking of this, He Zhi Zhang also had some feelings in his heart, and he paid more attention to the imperial examination, not wanting to delay it any longer.

  Tang Guan hastily waved his hand and said: "Brother, you're overpraising me. Although I occasionally gained the favor of the Sage, it's not comparable to your profound knowledge."

  These words were not flattery, although He Zhizhang's official career was not smooth and he only became a servant, Tang Guan knew that this person was also an outstanding literary talent, but for the time being, it had not been revealed, and some were immature.

  But Luo Guangzhong in Yangzhou was different. He had already matured in his writing style and almost made Tang Guan fall at the Da Ming Palace.

  He Zhizhang smiled wryly and was about to speak when a sharp voice came from outside the door.

  Yu Hang's talented son Tang Guanjie received the imperial edict!

  Several people were shocked by the words, hastily got up and went out of the house, only to see a eunuch standing outside the door, with two armored soldiers standing behind him. Tang Guan was shocked at this scene, knowing that the real play had begun.

  Several people immediately knelt down on one knee, and the eunuch glanced at Tang Guan, opened the imperial edict and read: "In the first year of Guangzhai, the Empress Dowager decreed: Tang Qubing, a talented scholar from Yuhang, has made great contributions in eliminating the rebels and relieving my worries. After being reviewed by the Three Dukes and the Six Ministries, he is to be rewarded with a feather duster and a golden belt, and his name is to be recorded in the list of meritorious officials. He is to be exempted from the status of a commoner and granted an official title. This is a special imperial decree, effective on the day of the Dragon hour! Do not make any mistakes, obey this order!"

  Tang Guan heard these words, first stunned, and then overjoyed in his heart, a word on the tip of his tongue "Zhuangyuan Lang!"

  He calmed down immediately, secretly sneering to himself. He knew that Wu Zetian was treating him like a child, slapping him on the palm and giving him a date, but fortunately, things were developing in a good direction, and he didn't have the power to haggle over prices yet.

  He immediately thanked Sheng Long En, received the imperial edict and stood up. Xiao Qi did not come out of the house at all. Chen Yunsheng and He Zhizhang were still stunned on the ground until Tang Guan received the imperial edict.

  "What's going on?!?" It took a long time for He Zhizhang to come back to his senses. The imperial examination was still several months away, so how could there be an edict announcing the results?

  "Could it be that he's the only one?!?" He immediately looked at Tang Guan with shock, thinking that Tang Guan would just receive some favor and maybe get a title or two, but didn't expect the Empress to dote on him so much.

  He's a clever man, and instantly thought that this was going to put the title of "Number One Scholar" on top of Tang Guan's head, "The Nine-Year-Old Number One Scholar!"

  The eunuch saw that the two did not get up and there was no imperial edict in his hand, so he hurriedly went to support Chen Yunsheng, "Chen Shijun, get up quickly"

  Chen Yunsheng finally came to his senses, and in his heart, he was no less shocked than He Zhizhang. After slowly getting up, he couldn't help but ask the eunuch in a low voice: "Sir, how many people participated in this imperial examination? Are there any other clansmen?"

  "This is too ridiculous," said Taizhen, looking at Tang Guan with a smile, "Only this young gentleman will take the imperial examination."

  He Zhizhang, who had just gotten up from that side, heard these words and was as if struck by five thunders, stunned once again. Although he had long suspected it, after getting confirmation, he still didn't dare to believe it.

  Chen Yunsheng's eyes also dimmed for a moment, while on the other side, Tang Guan held up the imperial edict, with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

  The eunuch stepped forward and whispered: "Young master, the Empress's favor towards you is truly boundless. Don't forget about me when the time comes."

  As soon as these soft words came out, Tang Guan's smile stopped, and he felt a chill in his heart. "Damn it, what are these eunuchs thinking?"

  This eunuch was an inner servant by the empress's side, had seen Tang Guan more than once, and knew his master's fondness for him. He spoke in a flattering tone: "Young Master, I'll take my leave first. When you top the imperial examination, I'll definitely burn incense for you in the palace to congratulate you."

  Tang Guan heard the sound and smiled wryly: "Slow down, Your Honor"

  The eunuch turned and left.

  Until their figures disappeared around the corner, He Zhizhang suddenly came back to himself and looked at Tang Guan, wanting to speak but stopping.

  Tang Guan rolled up the imperial edict and casually tucked it under his arm, saying to He Zhi Zhang: "Brother, I'll take my leave first. Let's support each other in court another day."

  He Zhizhang shook his head and sighed, remembering that he had said the same thing to Tang Weixi last year. He then smiled and said: "A nine-year-old boy who topped the imperial examination, I, He, admire you! My younger brother, we'll meet again in the imperial court one day!"

  He said and turned to leave, Tang Guan stared at his back, sighed softly, and pulled Chen Yunsheng: "Uncle, let's go back to the house"

  Chen Yunsheng was lost in thought, until He Zhizhang left and he still hadn't come back to himself. He was pulled by Tang Guan Yi and suddenly looked towards him, his eyes filled with incredulity.

  Tang Guan saw his appearance and involuntarily took a few steps back.

  Chen Yunsheng saw that he was calm and said loudly: "Go, Bing! You are going to be the champion! A nine-year-old champion!"

  He immediately turned around, threw off his Tang crown, "Right, write a letter to Dehua brother! Haha, write a letter to Dehua brother!"

  "Bang!" He muttered to himself as he entered the room and slammed the door shut.

  Tang Guan shook his head and smiled, and Xiao Qi just came out of the house. Seeing Tang Guan holding the imperial edict in his hand, he laughed and said: "Brother Guan, the emperor has written a letter to you again!"

  "Let me see, let me see," he said, running up to him. Tang Guan handed over the imperial edict with a nonchalant attitude, and Xiao Qi opened it up and down, looking at it from all sides. Although Tang Guan had been teaching him to recognize characters on the road, he still couldn't read them all, and he didn't even notice that the imperial edict was upside down.

  "Just burst out laughing and said: 'The Emperor writes letters to you every day, when will he write one to me?'"

  Tang Guan heard this and laughed: "It's coming soon, it's coming soon"

  An imperial edict suddenly became a child's plaything; if anyone saw this, they would be shocked out of their wits.

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