Master From the King's Fort Chapter 8

Before I knew it, half a month had passed.

Logan Yang studied hard behind closed doors, getting up at the sound of cock-crows in the daytime and staying up all night with candlelight. Although he didn't have to work hard, he was already a workaholic.

Hard work pays off. After studying and practicing so hard, he finally made some progress in his policy essays, even his handwriting was much better. Although he was not as good as Yang Xiaojuren, he had some style. When Li Chun and the other two saw it, they all nodded repeatedly and praised it.

Logan Yang didn't take it seriously and decided to practice Taige style diligently.

He knows his own strengths better than anyone else. Even if he wears it ten more times, he can't reach half of Wang Sheng and Yan Sheng. Don't take on porcelain work if you don't have the skills. If you can't reach that level, don't even think about jumping high.

No rules no standards.

Instead of wasting time and effort to achieve nothing, it is better to follow the rules and keep your feet on the ground.

The horizontal and vertical lines are straight, and each word is distinct, which makes people feel comfortable to read and is of great help in the palace examination.

Writing in cursive script with ease does have a personal style. However, the examiners may be annoyed and the emperor may not appreciate it. In the end, I am the one who suffers.

Having made up his mind, Logan Yang paid more and more attention to the neatness of handwriting when he practiced his policy essays.

It’s okay to give people a stereotype.

When you first enter the officialdom, it is better to be seen as old-fashioned than to be too smart.

Riley Yang, the book boy, had never read a book before, but he learned a few characters by following Logan Yang for a long time. He sorted out Logan Yang's manuscripts every day and often said, "Silang's handwriting is getting better and better."

Logan Yang chuckled and said, "You have only seen a few people write, and you know that I write well?"

The book boy blushed a little, but still refused to accept it, saying: "Although I haven't seen him, he is indeed much better than before. I am not good at speaking, so I can't tell you why he is better, but Silang can't help but believe it."

"Yeah?"

"Exactly!"

Logan Yang was still smiling, obviously not believing it.

The book boy stretched his neck, holding a thick stack of manuscripts. He really didn't understand why Silang wanted to burn them, as they were all finished articles.

"These are unwritten. Burn them."

At first, Logan Yang intended to hide the manuscript.

Then he thought, Riley Yang was always by his side, no matter how careful he was, he would be careless. Besides, the letter had already been sent, so it would be unnecessary to take precautions. He simply let go and gave the calligraphy practice paper to Riley Yang, asking him to burn it.

Riley Yang has always been cautious and tight-lipped. When he saw Logan Yang's manuscript, he didn't say a word.

Seeing this, Logan Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

Be it loyalty or anything else, once you pass Riley Yang's test, everything else will be easy.

On this day, Logan Yang was still practicing his policy essay when there was a sudden commotion in the inn.

The pen tip paused slightly, and the ink fell on the paper. Logan Yang frowned slightly and said, "You go and take a look."

"I'll be right there."

Riley Yang agreed, stuffed half a piece of biscuit into his mouth, puffed up his cheeks, pushed the door open, and went down the wooden stairs.

After a while, the door was opened again, and Riley Yang walked in and said, "Silang, the Imperial Examination Hall sent someone to inform you that the palace examination will be postponed for five days and will be moved to the Gengzi year of next month."

Reschedule?

Logan Yang stopped writing and wiped his hands with a towel.

"What is the reason?"

"No." Riley Yang shook his head, "They only said it was postponed, but didn't tell me the reason. But..."

"But what?"

Riley Yang moved closer and lowered his voice, "I heard the porter who was eating at the inn muttering that his nephew was delivering food to the home of the Minister of Works, and I heard from the kitchen staff that the emperor canceled the midday court and the morning court, and his master hasn't left the house for five or six days."

The book boy talked with great excitement, treating it as all gossip.

Logan Yang was shocked when he heard this.

The postponement of the palace examination was not a bad thing for him. Compared with other candidates in the same list, his essay writing skills were only inferior. After several days of hard practice, he could barely squeeze into the middle level.

As the saying goes, "sharpen your spear before battle - even if it's not sharp, it's still bright." If you can give it five more days, you will at least have a little more confidence.

But the emperor doesn’t come to court?

Putting down the towel, Logan Yang pinched his forehead. If he had known earlier, he should have read more about the history of the Ming Dynasty.

Emperor Hongzhi seems to be a short-lived emperor?

It's just that the father of Concub!ne Wan and Emperor Hongzhi is too famous. Even if you are not familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty, you must have heard of it.

In the eighteenth year of Hongzhi...

Signaling Riley Yang that there was no need to say anything more, Logan Yang sat down on the chair, supported his chin with one hand, his fingertips unconsciously stroked the paperweight, and slowly fell into deep thought.

In the inn, Li Chun, Ethan Cheng and Mason Wang received the news and their reactions were very different from Logan Yang's.

Logan Yang was shocked but also relieved, but the three of them were a little depressed and couldn't calm down. But now that things have come to this, they can't just go to the Imperial Examination Hall and sit in silence to protest, right?

The tribute scholars who had family members serving in the court knew the inside story to some extent and were more worried than others.

We are not afraid of postponing the palace examination, but we are afraid that it cannot be held at all!

It is incredible that the Emperor Hongzhi did not attend court for several days in a row, and most of the government orders came from the cabinet. The only answer is that the emperor's "occasional illness" is not true, and the minor illness is actually a serious illness. If things go wrong, a new emperor will be replaced on the throne!

Those who know the situation are mostly worried and anxious.

In comparison, ignorance and calmness become an advantage.

Rumors were circulating in the capital, but inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Hongzhi did not look as haggard and seriously ill as people had speculated, unable to even get up.

Although he had not appeared in public for many days, he was indeed in much better spirits after the concerted efforts of the Imperial Hospital and careful care. It was hard to say whether it was the effect of the prescription or the effect of the elixir. In short, Emperor Hongzhi could always spare one or two hours every day to teach the prince.

"Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. You cannot act arbitrarily."

"The key to governing a country is not to do everything yourself, but to control people."

"The people are like water, and the ruler is like a boat. Water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it."

"It is true that you should be close to virtuous officials and stay away from villains, but there are many gentlemen in the court, and villains are also indispensable. Gentlemen can be used, and villains can also be used. Gentlemen are upright, and villains are cunning. You need to grasp how to use them."

"The court officials said that the Imperial Guards were the emperor's hawks and dogs. This is true." Emperor Hongzhi paused and emphasized, "Although there are rings on the hawk's claws and ropes on the dog's neck, they are only used to guard the gate and catch thieves. Life and death are in your hands."

Emperor Hongzhi taught the prince earnestly, wishing he could impart all his life's knowledge to the prince.

Zhu Houzhao listened carefully, but only he knew how much he really understood.

Outside the capital, the messenger had already arrived in Zhuolu County. After asking around, he found the Yang family and was surprised to see a white banner hanging on the door and all the family members in mourning.

He found a middle-aged man wearing a hemp belt, bowed, and then asked, "Is this the residence of Logan Yang, the master of the Yang family in Zhuolu County, who passed the imperial examination in the Jiazi year?"

"That's right." The man asked with some caution, "Who are you?"

The man breathed a sigh of relief, his face showing some joy. Suddenly he saw the hemp belt around the man's waist, so he quickly put it back and said seriously, "I came from the capital with a letter from Mr. Yang."

"A letter from Shiro?"

"Mr. Yang has passed the imperial examination and ranked 59th this year. He will be taking the imperial examination soon. Mr. Yang's servant has instructed that this letter must be delivered to Mr. Yang's residence and handed over to Mr. Yang."

"Shiro passed the exam?!"

The man was stunned, his cheeks trembling, and then he showed ecstasy, grabbed the fast foot, and said: "Follow me!"

After knocking open the wooden door, the man shouted, "Uncle San, Silang got it, got it!"

As he was speaking, a lame man ran out of the house. He was also wearing sackcloth and had an ecstatic look on his face.

"Won it? Really won it?"

"Got it! There's also Shiro's letter!"

The man grabbed the quick feet and said, "I'll take care of Uncle San here, you quickly ask the kid to deliver a message to the clan leader!"

"Oh, yes, send the letter! Send it quickly!"

Kuai Feet was dragged all the way and had no time to open his mouth.

When I entered the house, a bitter smell of medicine hit my nose.

A man in his fifties with a head full of white hair was supported and walked over. He was wearing a cloth robe and had bandages wrapped around his shoulders, which were faintly oozing blood.

Seeing the fast-footed man, he asked excitedly, "Is this a letter from my Silang?"

Upon learning the man's identity, he quickly bowed and said, "Mr. Yang, this is the letter from Mr. Yang!"

Logically, Yang's father was in his forties and could not be called an "old man". But Logan Yang was already a Gongshi. After passing the palace examination, he would be a top three Jinshi at best and had a chance of becoming an official.

Although Kuaijiao was not of the lowest class, his status was not high either. When he met Logan Yang's family, he had to be extremely respectful.

"Okay, okay..."

Father Yang took the letter and before he could read it carefully, tears rolled down his cheeks and he was speechless.

After a quick walk, Tristan Yan also arrived home.

This time he failed to get the exam, and was blamed by Blake Yan, which almost caused a disaster. Tristan Yan was quite depressed. When he saw his father and mother, he just bowed hastily, and went back to his room to rest early, saying that he was tired from the journey.

In the backyard, a little maid hurried past, crossed a courtyard, found the temporary residence of the distinguished guest, whispered a few words to the gatekeeper, got a few copper coins, and left happily.

After closing the door, the maid walked into the inner room, where a young girl in blue was sitting by the window. She was in her teens, her face still a bit childish, with the corners of her eyes slightly raised, which gave her an indescribable charm.

"Hong Jie'er, Da Lang is back!"

Hearing this, the girl didn't even raise her head, still staring at the flowers.

The maid took a look and said, "Sister Hong, why don't you go and take a look?"

"What's so good about it?"

"Da Lang didn't get the test, but Yang's Si Lang did. If my sister goes now, it will be a relief..."

The girl suddenly raised her head, with a cold look in her eyes.

"I am staying here temporarily at the behest of my parents. You know why. My aunt's intentions are really unacceptable. You should not be so superficial."

The maid opened her mouth but dared not persuade her any further.

"I tell you this because I consider you my most useful person." The girl glanced out the window and said softly, "The Liu family's ancestors were meritorious officials. Although they fell into poverty, my father was still useful in the county government. If it weren't for the Yan family's connections in Beijing, why would I come and flatter such a mediocre person?"

The maid was silent and did not dare to remind her that the mediocre people that Hong Jieer was referring to were her own uncle and aunt.

As if she had a lot of things on her mind, she continued, "I also know a little bit about the affairs of the Yan and Yang families. It's ridiculous that my uncle is so slow to do things, and he starts well but ends badly. He should either not do it and then distance himself from the matter. Or he should do it thoroughly. What's going on now?"

The girl sneered. She spent a lot of money to bribe people, but nothing could be done.

What's the point of killing only 16 members of the Yang clan? If you want to suppress Yang Jia Silang, just send his father to death, and everything will be done.

One must mourn when one's father dies and wait for three years. What means cannot be used?

Even if the news was delayed and he passed the palace examination, he would be charged with the crime of "taking the examination in mourning" and being unfilial. Would he still want to be an official? His fame and honor would be revoked!

During the time she stayed at the Yan family, the girl saw everything and felt that this family was a bunch of useless people who were not worth any use. Her aunt's thoughts were even more ridiculous.

"You must remember that my last name is Liu. You must also understand that I was not born here, but in Beijing!" After a pause, the girl continued, "However, when my eldest cousin comes back, I must go and see him."

The girl's expression suddenly changed, her smile blossomed, and her beauty became even more intense.

The maid lowered her head, her face turned pale, and she dared not say another word.