Chapter 146 Examination Fraud

"Since the topic is set, let's go to the Gongyuan and take a look," Jiang Chen said, rising to his feet.

"Your Majesty, this way, please."

Afterward, Jiang Chen went to the Gongyuan and walked around, looking at the three-foot space; Jiang Chen felt sorry for those candidates.

To stay cooped up here for three days and three nights was simply torture.

As they were leaving, Jiang Chen said seemingly unintentionally, "The imperial examination is a vital matter concerning the important officials of my Great Wei, and cheating must be strictly prohibited."

Wen Fengli nodded and said, "Your subject understands."

"Well, then I'll wait to hear your good news."

On the way back to the palace, Jiang Chen smiled faintly in the sedan.

The reason he came to the Ministry of Rites today was to see if Wen Fengli had only a slight personal agenda, or if it was a large one.

If it was a slight personal agenda, then Jiang Chen could tolerate it.

After all, everyone has their own agenda.

As long as it wasn't excessive, there wouldn't be much of a problem.

But if his agenda was so large that it crossed the line, then Jiang Chen couldn't tolerate him!

Two days later, Jing Yue hurried to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Jiang Chen looked up and saw Jing Yue's solemn expression, and his eyes deepened.

"Your Majesty, a southern scholar named Tang Zhonglong, after getting drunk at a gathering with friends, said that he would definitely win the first place in the imperial examination."

Jiang Chen's gaze became even more profound: "What's his background?"

Jing Yue said: "This person has quite a reputation locally. He has been known as a child prodigy since he was young. He ranked first in both the township examination and the metropolitan examination. If he wins the first place in the imperial examination, he will be the second Grand Three Excellence (person who obtains first rank in all three levels of the imperial exams) since the founding of Great Wei."

Jiang Chen raised his eyes slightly. According to Jing Yue, this person did indeed have some ability.

"What is his family's financial situation?" Jiang Chen asked again.

"His family is ordinary. His parents run a tavern," Jing Yue replied.

Jiang Chen couldn't help but frown.

Based on the conclusions Jing Yue investigated, this person's family was ordinary, so there was naturally no possibility of any fraud.

Being able to win first place in the township examination and the metropolitan examination showed that he was a truly talented person.

For Great Wei, Tang Zhonglong was naturally a rare talent.

After thinking for a long time, Jiang Chen finally decided that if this person was not related to Wen Fengli and others, then he could let him off.

"Continue to keep an eye on him and see if anyone is contacting him," Jiang Chen instructed.

Only a day later, Jing Yue hurriedly reported another piece of news.

"Wen Fengli, the Minister of Rites' direct grandson, hosted a banquet for Tang Zhonglong."

Jiang Chen's heart sank involuntarily.

Although it was normal for relatives of current court officials to host banquets for well-known scholars in the current imperial examination, it was Wen Fengli's direct grandson who hosted the banquet for Tang Zhonglong!

"I see," Jiang Chen said faintly.

Jing Yue looked at Jiang Chen with some surprise: "Your Majesty, are you not taking action?"

"Wait a little longer," Jiang Chen said.

Five days later, the special imperial examination began.

Three days later, when the scholars left the examination hall one after another, several scholars who were close to Tang Zhonglong came to his side and asked how he had done on the exam.

Tang Zhonglong laughed loudly: "The questions for this special imperial examination were too simple! I will definitely take first place!"

These friends couldn't help but feel envious.

They also felt that it was not difficult, but they couldn't be as confident as Tang Zhonglong.

"After Brother Zhonglong wins first place, you must treat us to drinks!"

"That's natural!" Tang Zhonglong laughed, "But we can go drinking now!"

Tang Zhonglong and several good friends laughed and went to drink, but behind them, there were pairs of probing eyes.

The questions for this imperial examination were indeed not that difficult, and everyone did very well.

But even so, no one dared to say that they could win first place.

Many scholars' hearts instantly became suspicious.

As soon as he left the examination hall, Tang Zhonglong dared to say that he would definitely take first place. If there was nothing going on here, they wouldn't believe it even if they were beaten to death!

The next morning, Zhao Liting suddenly presented a memorial with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, I believe that there must be someone cheating in this special imperial examination!"

The ministers present were all shocked.

No one expected that what Zhao Liting was reporting was such a big deal!

Wen Fengli, the Minister of Rites, looked at Zhao Liting in disbelief, wondering if Zhao Liting knew what he was talking about.

"Lord Zhao, what evidence do you have?" Wen Fengli immediately questioned.

"Evidence, of course, I have!"

Zhao Liting looked at Wen Fengli and addressed Jiang Chen again: "I request Your Majesty to issue an order to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

Saying that, Zhao Liting took out a list from his sleeve and said: "Your Majesty, this is a petition jointly signed by nearly a hundred scholars. Please take a look at it."

"Present it," Jiang Chen said faintly.

The blood instantly drained from Wen Fengli's face.

There were actually scholars jointly petitioning?

What exactly was going on?

He had only asked his grandson to find those southern scholars who were very likely to win first place and talked about Guan Zhong's topic in casual conversation.

It was impossible to leave any evidence!

After Jiang Chen finished reading the list, he looked at Wen Fengli.

"Wen Fengli, are you aware of this matter?"

Wen Fengli immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I am not aware of this matter."

"Oh?"

Jiang Chen looked at Zhao Liting: "Zhao Liting, Wen Fengli, the Minister of Rites, is not aware of this matter. Why would you know about it? Also, how did this list fall into your hands?"

Zhao Liting turned his head and glared at Wen Fengli.

"Because the mastermind behind the cheating in this special imperial examination is Wen Fengli, Lord Wen!"

Hua——

The hall instantly became noisy.

Some ministers were so shocked by this news that they couldn't speak, while others shook their heads, not believing that Wen Fengli would do such a thing.

Some looked at Wen Fengli angrily. Everyone had passed the examination with true talent and learning, how dare Wen Fengli participate in cheating?

Various voices buzzed in the hall.

"Enough!"

Jiang Chen roared, and the hall instantly fell silent.

Jiang Chen looked at Wen Fengli: "Wen Fengli, do you admit to Zhao Liting's accusation?"

Wen Fengli shook his head repeatedly and said: "Your Majesty, Zhao Liting is framing me. I have served as the Minister of Rites for many years and have been in charge of the imperial examination for many years. It is absolutely impossible for me to participate in cheating this time!"

Jiang Chen nodded: "What you said also makes sense."

Saying that, Jiang Chen looked at Zhao Liting again: "You just said you have evidence, where is the evidence?"

Zhao Liting then said: "Your Majesty, I request to summon a few scholars who participated in this imperial examination!"

"Granted!"

Soon, a series of commands came from outside the hall.

"Southern scholar Tang Zhonglong requests an audience!"

Tang Zhonglong came to the Qianqing Palace Hall under the control of two imperial guards.

He was usually uninhibited, but when he came to the Qianqing Palace, he was a little intimidated.

Especially with so many ministers' eyes on him, he felt a little uncomfortable.

Jiang Chen glanced at Tang Zhonglong and said: "Zhao Liting, is he the witness you mentioned?"

Zhao Liting said: "Exactly! Your Majesty, please listen to me ask him a few questions."

Zhao Liting looked at Tang Zhonglong and said: "Tang Zhonglong, I ask you, after this special imperial examination ended, did you say outside the examination hall that you would definitely win first place?"