Chapter 169: The Top Priority

The eunuchs finished distributing the examination papers, and the Tribute Scholars took their seats.

Ouyang Zhi sat down and looked at the paper. On the otherwise blank sheet were written three characters: “Pacifying Mi Lu”.

Any Tribute Scholar who had kept up with recent issues of the Capital Gazette knew about the Mi Lu Rebellion.

This rebellion had already lasted almost a year.

Last time, the imperial court lost a Palace Eunuch, a Provincial Governor, and a Regional Commander. After that, the court sent Wang Shi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, but military progress still faced setbacks.

Under such circumstances, His Majesty choosing this as the examination topic proved that quelling this rebellion was currently the top priority.

Initially, many had speculated that the Policy Essay topic would focus on the severe drought near the Capital. The drought had persisted for nearly two months without rain. Given the Emperor’s concern for agriculture, drought management seemed the more likely focus.

No one expected His Majesty to deviate from the norm.

Ouyang Zhi thought for a moment and immediately recalled his mentor’s earlier discussion on the issue.

His mentor believed that to subdue Mi Lu, the court must take the initiative. He advocated selecting men skilled in mountain warfare to form a Mountain Brigade, actively seeking battle opportunities. This approach would both reduce the logistical burden of deploying large armies and allow flexible engagement with the rebels.

These Chieftains were, after all, far weaker than the imperial court. As long as the court persistently deployed Mountain Brigades to strike, the Rebel Army would lose strength bit by bit. Even if the Mountain Brigades suffered losses, they could be promptly replenished and trained…

Hah…

Ouyang Zhi deeply remembered his mentor’s words.

After some thought…

Ouyang Zhi didn’t hesitate. He started grinding ink, planning his essay in his mind, then picked up his brush and began writing.

Like him, Jiang Chen and Liu Wenshan also knew what to write once they saw the topic.

As for Tang Yin?

Like Ouyang Zhi’s trio, he wasn’t very knowledgeable about military matters. But he remembered his mentor had spoken on this subject. Naturally, he’d follow his mentor’s teachings. His focus, however, differed from the earnest approach of Ouyang Zhi and the others. He concentrated more on crafting eloquent phrases and polished sentences.

Only Xu Jing showed uncertainty, his eyes flickering with hesitation.

Elsewhere, Wang Shouren felt settled upon seeing the topic.

Horse Administration was very familiar to him. He had studied much military strategy, even traveling to Border Garrisons and seeking counsel from his father’s close friends like Li Dongyang. He had heard Lord Li discuss such matters before, gaining some understanding of managing troops and suppressing rebels.

With a thoughtful hum, he started writing. Deeply concerned about The World, the Mi Lu Rebellion weighed heavily on his mind. His father often shared updates on current events, which only amplified his worries.

By noon, Wang Shouren finished his extensive essay. He flexed his sore wrist and read his work again, finding himself invigorated by its brilliance.

He secretly lifted his gaze, glancing at the Emperor seated solemnly high above. He gave a slight, approving nod inside.

During the Chenghua Era, the late Emperor was said to have secluded himself deep in the palace, unwilling even to attend Court Conferences. For the Palace Examination – held every three years – he would just send a eunuch to distribute the papers.

Presiding over the Baohé Hall was arduous. An Emperor had to sit silently through the entire day of the Imperial Examination, maintaining imperial dignity – no easy feat. That’s why the previous emperor avoided it.

The current reigning Emperor Hongzhi, though not overflowing with energy, sat resolutely through the event. He hadn’t skipped it nor departed halfway. He merely snacked lightly. This alone showed his diligent governance wasn’t unfounded.

As dusk settled, the evening bell tolled from outside. Its chime rang three times, its resonance lingering in the air.

Wang Ao coughed and announced, “Seal the papers.”

“Seal the papers…”

Eunuchs echoed the command, their voices rising and falling, echoing through the vast expanse of Baohé Hall.

Outside, eunuchs filed into the hall. They moved systematically among the Desks, collecting papers according to exam numbers. They placed them on trays without concealing names, departing quickly after collection.

These papers would then be sorted and placed directly on the Emperor’s desk.

Reviewing over three hundred essays was a massive undertaking. Usually, the Emperor and the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat evaluated them together. Later, an auspicious day would be chosen to announce the results.

After the papers were collected, the candidates queued up, bowed to the Emperor, and were then escorted out of the palace by eunuchs.

Emperor Hongzhi was deeply fatigued. His health was already poor, and sitting stiffly all day – even resisting the urge to relieve himself – had taken its toll.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t leave, but he felt the Imperial Examination deserved utmost solemnity. During the session, he had particularly observed Fang Jifan’s disciples and Wang Shouren.

He watched Wang Shouren because he was Wang Hua’s son and had heard positive things from Li Dongyang, who rarely spoke highly of anyone. Li Dongyang felt this young man stood a strong chance of excelling in this Palace Examination.

True to form, the young man appeared calm and unhurried, carrying an air of a future minister.

Ouyang Zhi and his comrades also seemed steady and reliable. Being earnest men himself, the Emperor valued such qualities deeply, despite having an unreliable Crown Prince.

That Tang Yin, the one over by the desk on the left… he seemed somewhat casual. Finishing the exam in just over an hour, he began looking around. The famed scholar’s character clearly needed tempering.

That Xu Jing…

Emperor Hongzhi frowned slightly.

He felt a twinge of guilt towards Xu Jing.

An Emperor should feel no guilt. To accuse someone wrongly was merely the sovereign’s prerogative; the subject must accept it. Throughout history, emperors surrounded by flatterers and such notions often thought this way.

But Emperor Hongzhi was naturally lenient and valued personal relationships.

Viewing Xu Jing through this lens of slight indebtedness, he found his overall impression actually favorable.

“Your Majesty, it grows late,” an elderly eunuch approached Emperor Hongzhi and murmured gently.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded, extending a hand. “Assist me. Ah, it has been too long since I sat this long… I’m getting old.”

This elderly eunuch was Xiao Jing, Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Head of the Directorate of Ceremonial and in charge of the Eastern Depot, he was the Emperor’s most trusted confidant in the Imperial Palace.

His rotund form moving quickly, Xiao Jing helped the Emperor rise, smiling placatingly. “Your Majesty remains vigorous! Age does not trouble you. Anyone sitting too long would feel soreness.”

Emperor Hongzhi offered no direct reply, but the depths of his eyes held unease.

“What has the Crown Prince been doing lately?”

“Convalescing.”

Besides the Ceremonial Directorate, Xiao Jing also oversaw the Eastern Depot. Though largely restrained during Hongzhi’s reign, it still provided him with ample information. Xiaoj Jing was effectively the Emperor’s eyes and ears.

Emperor Hongzhi’s face hardened. “That convalescence seems unending.”

Xiao Jing smiled silently.

Leaning on Xiao Jing, the Emperor took a few shaky steps. “Speak your mind. Don’t hold back.”

Xiao Jing then spoke: “Your Majesty chastises His Highness too severely. The Crown Prince is, after all, your only son. Should any mishap befall him… wouldn’t it…”

“You misunderstand!” Emperor Hongzhi shook his head. “Precisely because he is my only son demands such strictness. Did you see that Ouyang Zhi?”

Xiao Jing paused. “Your Majesty? How so?”

Xiao Jing considered. “Your Servant always found him rather odd. Vacant in expression.”

Emperor Hongzhi shook his head. “That is steadiness! Observe when I spoke with him – he replied deliberately, slowly. It showed he thought before speaking! Now look at the Crown Prince… what comparison is there? Has he even the faintest resemblance to me? Did you not see his lofty, arrogant bearing? Fang Jifan… though he occasionally acts frivolously, knows something about educating others.”

Xiao Jing dared not argue further. He quickly agreed, “Your Majesty speaks wisely.”

Emperor Hongzhi abruptly added, “Send someone to the House of the Crown Prince. Inform the Crown Prince I know his wounds are long healed. Tell him to quit pretending. He will attend classes at Minglun Hall tomorrow. Refuse, and I’ll ensure he truly cannot get out of bed.”

That said, he commanded: “Also, give my oral decree. Grand Secretaries Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian shall enter the palace tomorrow at mao-shi (5-7 AM) to assist with reviewing the examinations.”

…

Meanwhile, Zhu Houzhao lay whimpering on his couch, gnawing a chicken leg. His hands were greasy. Liu Jin and others clustered around him, chuckling.

“Water! Bring water! Fang Jifan’s despicable! This Palace is grievously injured, yet he doesn’t visit! Has he forgotten he’s a retainer? What has he been doing lately?”

Despite the supposed injury, Zhu Houzhao looked robust and relished the chicken leg, stripping it quickly to the bone. Grabbing water, he gulped it down and then crudely sucked the grease off his fingers. “Damn those Imperial Physicians! Told me to drink just broth! Said the great wound hadn’t healed, needed gradual nourishment…”

Liu Jin hastily offered a handkerchief. “Your Highness, didn’t you insist the wound wasn’t healed? The Imperial Physicians saw… Your Highness hadn’t recovered, assumed an internal injury… hence the careful approach. As for Bai Hu Fang… His disciples had their Palace Examination today, so…”

“Oh.” Zhu Houzhao lay back, then suddenly cried out, “Oh! My head! It throbs again! Quick! Report to the Imperial Medical Bureau! Fetch an Imperial Physician! Say This Palace suffers severe head pain! Imperial Father struck too hard! This time… it’s truly life-threatening! Go! Now!”

“Oh… Yes, yes…” Liu Jin’s delay stemmed from fear of aiding the Crown Prince in Deceiving the Sovereign. He worried about losing his head and cautiously reminded, “Your Highness… your mouth… there’s still oil… wipe it clean… before the physicians arrive…”

“Get out!” …