Chapter 30: Three Talents Arise

Emperor Hongzhi first looked at Yang Tinghe, then at Zhu Houzhao, and after that, he spoke kindly to Yang Tinghe: “Please speak freely, Minister.”

Yang Tinghe put on a serious face and said: “Your Highness the Crown Prince, these past few days he has been reading absentmindedly. I also found that during class, His Highness actually hid a cricket inside his sleeve. I tested His Highness on his studies, but found that books he could once read fluently are now completely forgotten. I… dare not tarnish Your Highness’s good name. It’s just that I am deeply troubled by this. If His Highness continues like this, I fear that in the future…”

Emperor Hongzhi’s face instantly fell. His gaze turned cold, and he glared fiercely at Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao’s face turned pale, and he did not dare to breathe loudly.

Regarding the Crown Prince’s education, Emperor Hongzhi was extremely worried. The Hanlin Academicians and the Expositors-in-waiting and Readers-in-waiting from the House of the Crown Prince all praised the Crown Prince for being bright and clever. But the problem was, the Crown Prince was too mischievous. Seeing him becoming less and less promising made Emperor Hongzhi deeply distressed.

But in front of the Hanlin Academicians, Emperor Hongzhi showed no expression. He only said to Yang Tinghe: “We are aware.”

Fortunately, at that moment, someone broke the awkwardness. A eunuch outside announced: “Vice Minister of Personnel Wang Ao requests an audience.”

Not long after, Wang Ao entered the hall with quick steps, knelt down, and said: “Your servant Wang Ao, by His Majesty’s decree, presided over the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination. I have come to report the completion of my duty.”

Because of the Crown Prince’s matter, a shadow fell over Emperor Hongzhi’s heart. This anxiety made him deeply worried, but he pulled himself together and said: “We appreciate your hard work, Minister. Bring the list. We wish to see it. Also, issue the decree to post the results. The candidates must have been eagerly waiting.”

“As you command.” Wang Ao stood up and moved to the side.

Then, a eunuch carefully brought the list of successful candidates from this year’s Northern Zhili Provincial Examination and placed it on Emperor Hongzhi’s Imperial Desk.

The list was wrapped in red paper. Emperor Hongzhi was clearly very interested in it and was about to unwrap it to look.

But when the Provincial Examination was mentioned, one of the Hanlin Academicians stepped forward: “Your Majesty, I also have a matter to report. I heard that a few days ago, a memorial from a Censor was suppressed. The person mentioned in the memorial was Nanhe Bozi Fang Jifan. This person is truly unworthy and acts recklessly. He forced three scholars to become his disciples, ruining their futures. After hearing this, whenever I think about it, I feel sorry for these three Xiucai. Scholars study hard, and it is not easy for them. But because of a Capital troublemaker’s absurd actions, their futures were destroyed. I humbly believe that Your Majesty must not ignore this just because this troublemaker is related to Nanhe Bo. Your Majesty treats scholars well, and all scholars in the world praise you for it. If this causes scholars to become suspicious, I fear that rumors will spread and lead to suspicions about the Imperial Palace.”

It was about that troublemaker from the Fang Family again.

Actually, after the military review, assignments should have been made. The other sons of the Noble Families were all assigned to various Imperial Guard units. Some went to the Jinwu Guard, and some to the Brocade Guard. Only this Fang Jifan was kept waiting by Emperor Hongzhi, who specifically told the Imperial Guard office to observe him for a while.

Now, thinking that this kid only knew how to cause trouble, and of all people, he had to provoke scholars, Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t help but feel angry. Were scholars easy to mess with?

Last time, Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat Xie Qian specifically brought up this matter. Now even the Hanlin Academicians came to mention it again. It showed that Fang Jifan had stirred up a hornet’s nest this time. Probably among the people, many scholars were already outraged.

It seemed that this guy needed to be taught a lesson. Ruining people’s futures, fooling around all day—he was just like his own son…

His face cold, Emperor Hongzhi said in a harsh voice: “Issue an imperial decree reprimanding him. At the same time, order the Censorate to conduct a thorough investigation.”

That Hanlin Academician finally breathed a sigh of relief. Once the Censorate investigated thoroughly, that troublemaker from the Fang Family would finally get into trouble. Thinking about how that guy ran amok in the Capital was truly a disgrace to the imperial court. Teach him a lesson and see if he would behave.

But Emperor Hongzhi had already sat down and was once again examining the list on his desk. He gently peeled open the red paper, his expression serious. Emperor Hongzhi even had a solemn gleam in his eyes. Then, he opened the list. The first name that caught his eye made him pause slightly.

The Hanlin Academicians now craned their necks and stood on tiptoes. Although they knew that no matter how far they stretched their necks, they couldn’t see that list. But that didn’t stop them from being extremely curious. Every year, the Imperial Examinations, whether the Metropolitan Examination or the Provincial Examination, always aroused speculation among many officials.

“Ouyang Zhi… who is that?” Emperor Hongzhi looked around.

Everyone was silent, unable to recall who that was for a moment.

“What about Jiang Chen?”

” ”

“And this person, Liu Wenshan. Have any of you heard of him?”

Not a single one.

They were all unknown figures.

Normally, if they were talented scholars, most people would have heard of them. After all, the officials were all scholars themselves and kept a certain level of attention on the literati circles.

But now, the three names His Majesty read aloud seemed unfamiliar to most.

Instead, it was rumored that the most outstanding candidate in this Provincial Examination was Liu An, also known as Zi Jianren. How come he wasn’t on the list?

Emperor Hongzhi pondered: “These three names, We seem to have some impression of them. But… where have We heard them before?”

Just as Emperor Hongzhi mentioned this.

Suddenly, someone remembered something.

These three names sounded familiar.

But that person seemed uncertain, so his lips moved hesitantly.

“Strange!” Emperor Hongzhi’s frown deepened. Where did these three come from? If they were talented scholars, at least one of the many Hanlin Academicians would know them. But clearly, these three were all obscure figures.

Yet, Emperor Hongzhi found that he had a vague impression of these three…

Finally, someone coughed and said: “Your Majesty, I… I…” The speaker was the Hanlin Academician who had just accused Fang Jifan. His face turned red: “If I remember correctly, Ouyang Zhi, Liu Wenshan, and… and Jiang Chen—these three are the very Xiucai who were victimized by that troublemaker Fang Jifan.”

Suddenly, the hall fell silent.

Emperor Hongzhi’s pupils contracted as if he had seen a ghost. He was speechless for a long time before saying: “Can you be sure?”

“This…” The Hanlin Academician thought for a moment. He had paid close attention to that memorial of accusation, so he remembered the three names. It was unlikely that he would misremember all three names. So he nodded firmly and said: “I remember correctly.”

Emperor Hongzhi gasped: “If so… if so, then wouldn’t it… wouldn’t it…”

The Son of Heaven’s body trembled, frightening all the Hanlin Academicians present, who grew concerned.

Someone said: “Your Majesty, what happened?”

Emperor Hongzhi lifted his gaze and scanned the Hanlin Academicians in the hall, but his eyes were dull. Clearly, his mind was in a muddle. He seemed a bit unsure again, so he hurriedly lowered his head. The names Ouyang Zhi, Jiang Chen, and Liu Wenshan were still clearly visible before him.

Then, Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath and said in a slightly trembling voice: “In this Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination, Ouyang Zhi ranked first, Jiang Chen second, and Liu Wenshan third!”

Instantly, the hall erupted in uproar.

The Hanlin Academician who had earlier accused Fang Jifan flushed red, both disbelieving and feeling utterly ashamed.

More people widened their eyes, their expressions even more exaggerated than the Emperor’s.

Even the Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao opened his mouth as wide as an egg.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

A Capital troublemaker oppressed scholars.

The scholars oppressed by the Capital troublemaker actually swept the top three places in this Northern Zhili Provincial Examination.

…

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly remembered something and said sharply: “Someone, someone! Has the imperial decree reprimanding Fang Jifan been issued yet?”

A eunuch hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, at this time, it might still be in the Edict Drafting Office being drafted.”

“Immediately, immediately recall the order! Hurry!”

If the reprimanding decree were issued, it would become a huge joke.

The eunuch also knew the seriousness of the situation. Without hesitation, he dashed off toward the Edict Drafting Office.