Chapter 91: A New Beginning

Western Hills.

It was a cold night, but the people here no longer felt cold.

Hundreds of large tables were set up inside the work sheds. Coal stones were piled all around, but the miners and their families didn’t mind much. Steaming baskets of food gave off their unique aroma. The crowd was lively, chatting with each other. Women busied themselves in the kitchen, while the men talked excitedly about their wages. Someone joked loudly, suggesting that Boss Wang should hire a teacher.

With wages, they had food to eat and clothes to wear. But that wasn’t all—the children spent their days with nothing to do. They needed to learn a few characters.

Just as everyone was talking cheerfully, suddenly half the sky turned red with fire. The beautiful fireworks were far from the Western Hills, but the sparkling lights falling from the sky made the children shout with joy.

Countless people looked toward the direction of the Capital. On that cold New Year’s Eve, pairs of longing eyes reflected the light of hope.

Liu Xian from the accounts office stood up and said, “Come, let’s drink. Let’s raise a toast to our two Benefactors from afar.”

When the Benefactors were mentioned, everyone stood up. They felt immense gratitude in their hearts. Without the two Benefactors, they would have frozen to death somewhere long ago. Now, they could work with their strength and have food to eat. To them, this was like being reborn!

The liquor wasn’t good—yellowish, a bit murky, with visible unfiltered impurities. But it burned their throats, bringing warmth that spread through their bodies.

Many people secretly wiped away tears when no one was looking. Life’s ups and downs were common, but for people like them, who had suffered countless hardships, even a moment of peace felt extraordinary. This feeling was not something ordinary people could understand.

…

At the inn.

Outside, there was joyous laughter and thunderous firecrackers. The soaring fireworks turned half the sky red.

But under the lonely lamp, a faint glow shone on Tang Bohu’s face.

Tang Bohu limped to the desk by the window. The desk looked greasy and stained, but it had the four treasures of the study: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

It was already midnight. The new year, the twelfth year of Hongzhi, had begun.

The laughter outside had nothing to do with him. He had no interest in admiring the fireworks blooming outside the window. Over a month had passed, and his body had improved enough for him to get out of bed. Previously, although doctors came to check on him regularly, it felt like he was under house arrest.

All outside guests were turned away.

Now… even though he could walk, the scars on his face remained, making him look somewhat ridiculous. It would probably take another month or two for him to fully recover.

But at this moment, Tang Yin had no desire to see anyone.

His old friends from the past, his companions from the Southern Metropolitan Region, and even Cheng Minzheng, the Vice Minister of Revenue whom he had once hoped to visit—he now felt disheartened and had no interest in seeking their company.

He was a proud man, confident in his talent, looking down on nobles and officials. If not forced by circumstances, why would he ever need to flatter others?

But then, he encountered Fang Jifan in his life.

This brought him great shame and humiliation.

He knew well that compared to Fang Jifan, there was a huge gap between them. The grievances and humiliation he suffered could not be avenged.

Of course… there was one way.

That was to pass the Imperial Examination. Not only pass it, but also crush Fang Jifan’s disciples underfoot. He would never let that scoundrel succeed in his schemes.

So he sobered up.

As long as he could move, he immediately picked up his books to study. He stopped drinking and visiting friends. He wanted to clear his name.

“A Noble Person does not seek to fill their belly in eating, nor to seek comfort in their dwelling. They are diligent in their tasks and careful in their speech. They seek out those who follow the Way to correct themselves. This can be called loving learning…”

In that small, dim room, the sound of clear reading could be heard again.

Even as fireworks bloomed outside the window and laughter filled the air.

…

The New Year passed quickly. After the Official Holiday ended, the Hundred Officials returned to their duties at the Ministry Halls.

After half a month of rest, Emperor Hongzhi looked much more energetic.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year had not yet faded when Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian, Wang Ao, and others came for an audience.

After paying their respects, Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, “I don’t like the Spring Festival. Having nothing to do just makes me feel uncomfortable.” Then, he turned to the eunuch beside him and asked, “Has the Ministry of Revenue learned the accounting method yet?”

The first thing he asked about in the new year was the accounting method, showing how much His Majesty cared about it.

The Grand Secretariat officials, including Wang Ao, mostly knew a little about this matter. Many clicked their tongues in amazement and couldn’t help but feel curious—what exactly was this accounting method all about?

Li Dongyang said, “Your Majesty, I have instructed Wang Wen’an…”

“He still hasn’t gone to learn it?” Emperor Hongzhi was somewhat annoyed. Such a simple and effective method—did the Ministry of Revenue need to be carried in a sedan chair to go learn it?

Li Dongyang immediately understood His Majesty’s thoughts. “Your old minister will urge him again.”

“Not urge!” Emperor Hongzhi said sternly. “This matter is of great importance. There’s no need to urge. If he can’t learn it, dismiss Wang Wen’an!”

Emperor Hongzhi was truly angry. Wang Wen’an had caused this trouble—if he hadn’t torn the ledger, there wouldn’t be so much hassle.

Now, it was done—he tore the ledger, so he should hurry up and learn. But instead, even after the New Year had passed, there was no progress. What use was such a person?

Li Dongyang smiled wryly inwardly. Wang Wen’an was also hot-tempered. After tearing the ledger, how could he swallow his pride and go seek advice so quickly? Li Dongyang well understood Wang Wen’an’s thoughts.

“Your servant understands.”

Emperor Hongzhi’s expression softened slightly. “What is the Crown Prince doing at the House of the Crown Prince?”

The eunuch replied, “Expositor-in-waiting Yang happened to have something to report today. He asked your servant to bring a message to Your Majesty. Early this morning, the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan were studying ‘fireworks.’ Expositor-in-waiting Yang believes this involves gunpowder and fears it might harm His Highness, so…”

“Oh…” Emperor Hongzhi thought for a moment. “On New Year’s Eve, that big firecracker—no, that big firework—was set off by Fang Jifan, right?”

“Yes.”

Emperor Hongzhi shook his head, then thoughtfully glanced at Li Dongyang and nodded. “Understood.”

These three simple words made Liu Jian and the others feel puzzled. Why wasn’t His Majesty worried at all? Logically, shouldn’t he send someone to reprimand them? But he only said “understood” so lightly. It was really…

Li Dongyang, however, smiled slightly but remained silent, as if he had realized something.

Emperor Hongzhi straightened up and said energetically, “The Spring Imperial Examination is about to begin. The timing hasn’t changed—it’s still scheduled for the ninth, twelfth, and fifteenth of February. The Imperial Examination is important and cannot be taken lightly. As for the chief examiner… let Li Qingjia take it.”

Li Qingjia naturally referred to Li Dongyang.

This decision seemed somewhat unexpected.

In the court, there weren’t many suitable candidates for chief examiner. Liu Jian was one, but he had already presided over the Metropolitan Examination. Besides, as the Chief Grand Secretary, he couldn’t focus all his attention on the exam.

As for Xie Qian, his nature was a bit rough. Clearly, he was being saved to preside over the examination in the fifteenth year of Hongzhi, because in terms of seniority, Li Dongyang was slightly older.

Wang Ao, in fact, was originally a popular candidate. Many had predicted that His Majesty first let him preside over the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination to give him some practice. Then, he would preside over this year’s Spring Imperial Examination. After all, Wang Ao was the Imperial Tutor. After Hongzhi ascended the throne, he was immediately transferred to the Ministry of Personnel—a sign that he was about to rise rapidly. What he lacked now was precisely seniority. If he could preside over a Metropolitan Examination, his record would be perfect.

This time, appointing Li Dongyang instead was somewhat hard to understand.

Even among the common people, many Scholars coming to take the exam had guessed that the chief examiner for this session would definitely be Wang Ao. Scholars loved guessing about examiners because examiners were responsible for setting the questions, and each chief examiner had different preferences and tastes regarding writing style. If they could learn the examiner’s inclinations in advance, their chances in the exam would increase.