TPITWOHEF

Chapter 57

The entire study fell silent.

"Jiang Yixu!"

The emperor threw out his interrogation out of the blue.

"What is the meaning of this phrase from the Great Learning?!"

The ministers in the room were completely puzzled.

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

"Why suddenly have Minister Jiang compose an article, and on the Great Learning?"

"So simple, what's so difficult about it?"

From the chief minister Fucha to the three vice ministers, none of the ministers in the council chamber understood.

They were finding it increasingly difficult to grasp the emperor's style of governance.

For the emperor to hold court with little Princess in his arms was already unusual. Now, he was even posing examination questions!

And to top it off, the question was ridiculously easy; anyone who had read a book would know the answer.

The ministers were all baffled.

But soon, officials from the six ministries began to feel something was amiss.

Because Jiang Yixu, who was being questioned, went from proud and aloof to gradually pale.

He stiffened his mouth, and surprisingly began to tremble speechlessly.

The other officials beside him, who initially thought the emperor's question was nonsensical, were now waiting in vain for Jiang Yixu's answer!

The bewildered expressions of the ministers gradually turned into shock!

They all looked incredulously at Jiang Yixu!

Emperor Xiao Yunzhou sneered coldly, "Why is Minister Jiang suddenly silent?"

"When you were insulting Us just now, your words flowed eloquently. Now, why—have you lost your voice?"

Jiang Yixu trembled.

The ministers raised their eyebrows.

Emperor Xiao Yunzhou took a step forward with little Princess in his arms. "Jiang Yixu, could it be that you can't even produce an essay for the palace examination?"

"Could it be that you can't even explain the outline of the Great Learning?"

Emperor Xiao Yunzhou was furious, then mocked.

"The way of the Great Learning is to manifest virtue, to renovate the people, and to rest in the highest excellence."

This examination question was so simple that even a mere scholar could articulate it fluently.

Because it is the opening sentence of the Great Learning!

It's taught by every teacher as an introduction to the Great Learning!

Anyone who doesn't know this sentence is no different from a semi-literate in the imperial examination!

"I, I, have been busy with official duties for many years, and haven't read a book for a long time." Jiang Yixu's knees buckled instantly, sweat pouring down his forehead as he knelt, "I am ashamed, I have forgotten... forgotten its meaning..."

The ministers were speechless.

Even the chief minister Fucha was stunned, staring with his old, dim eyes wide open.

They simply couldn't believe there was such a foolish person among them.

The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel... actually forgot the meaning of the first sentence of a book!