Chapter 84: A Kind Father and a Filial Son

It was the twenty-first day of the twelfth lunar month.

The New Year was getting closer.

Inside the Forbidden City, even though heavy snow fell once again, the eunuchs of the Directorate of Imperial Temples started sweeping every corner of the palace early in the morning with their brooms.

In the Warm Pavilion, Emperor Hongzhi, who rarely had a moment of leisure, still woke up early. For him, this had become a habit. No matter when he went to sleep, he would wake up automatically by the Mao hour.

He was like a spinning top that never stopped, appearing punctually in the Warm Pavilion at all times.

In the Warm Pavilion, several Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat usually waited for him early. Between the ruler and his ministers, there was already a rare understanding.

Without the need for empty formalities, Emperor Hongzhi sat down. He looked very tired, but when he raised his eyes and saw Li Dongyang, he couldn’t help but show concern. “Master Li, you are advanced in years. You must take care of your health.”

Li Dongyang was not only a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat but also held the post of Minister of Revenue.

While other ministry halls tended to slack off as the year drew to a close, the Ministry of Revenue was different. It had to calculate the year’s surplus and make plans for the following year’s expenses on funds and grain. So, in the last few days before the New Year, Li Dongyang worked almost day and night at the Ministry of Revenue, urging them to quickly tally this year’s expenditures and income.

This was all to avoid delaying matters of national importance and people’s livelihood after the spring of the coming year.

Li Dongyang gave a wry smile. “This old minister only has to be busy for these few days. Once they pass, during the New Year, I can go home, enjoy sweets, and play with my grandchildren. That would be a joyous thing.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Liu Jian said, “Usually, the imperial court places too much emphasis on the classics and histories. Little did we realize that talent in economic matters is also fundamental to the state. It was my negligence, and now it has caused the Ministry of Revenue to cram at the last minute. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness.”

Emperor Hongzhi was quite moved. “Yes. Our Great Ming selects scholars through the Imperial Examination. However, when scholars become officials and govern the world for Us, they cannot accomplish things relying solely on essays from the classics. One must understand the classics and histories and also be well-versed in miscellaneous studies. Such individuals are truly rare.”

He smiled faintly. “Fortunately, Master Li is meticulous and thoughtful. With him at the Ministry of Revenue, We need not worry.”

It was rare that the New Year was approaching and there were no major issues recently. So, even though the national treasury’s surplus had not yet been calculated, everyone’s mood was relatively relaxed, and they all laughed.

At this point, Xie Qian also laughed. “I heard something happened among the common folks. That fellow Fang Jifan got beaten up by the Jieyuan from Yingtian Prefecture.”

“Such a thing happened?” Emperor Hongzhi was first stunned upon hearing this, then actually seemed a bit angry. An unexpected cold gleam flashed imperceptibly in his eyes.

Indeed, Emperor Hongzhi was an emperor who particularly valued relationships. To Empress Zhang, he was an exceptionally devoted husband. To the common people, he was especially caring and diligent in governance. To his ministers, he was particularly understanding and generous, never initiating major purges. Even with characters like the Zhang brothers, although Emperor Hongzhi deeply detested his brothers-in-law’s behavior and frequently punished them, as soon as someone impeached them, Emperor Hongzhi would still protect them.

As for Fang Jifan, he had talent—this, others might not know, but Emperor Hongzhi, with his discerning eye, had noticed it. However, this talent was a bit unorthodox. As for his character… it was complicated. Looking at him, one felt like teaching him a lesson. But no matter what, Emperor Hongzhi regarded him as a junior. Now, in broad daylight, he actually got beaten up? How could this be allowed?

“Have the imperial physicians gone to see him?” Emperor Hongzhi frowned. “That Jieyuan from Yingtian Prefecture has quite the nerve…”

Xie Qian shook his head with a bitter smile. “Strangely enough, although Provincial First Place Scholar Tang beat Fang Jifan, Fang Jifan was completely unharmed and was bouncing around outside every day. On the contrary, that Provincial First Place Scholar Tang hadn’t been able to get out of bed for over half a month. According to the doctors, he was covered in bruises…”

“…”

Emperor Hongzhi looked speechlessly at Xie Qian, who also looked back at him with a bitter smile.

Liu Jian was a bit confused, but Li Dongyang caught on and couldn’t help but cough.

This… was a bit awkward.

Everyone in the Warm Pavilion was extremely clever. In a moment’s reflection, they understood what had happened. Emperor Hongzhi let out a bitter laugh, suddenly feeling like his kindness had been thrown to the dogs. “Is that Provincial Graduate physically alright?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s great fortune, it’s said there’s no danger to his life, only external injuries. But… I heard they also made a bet.”

“Oh?”

“They bet on who would strive to be top in this great examination. That Provincial First Place Scholar Tang is the top scholar of Jiangnan, and Fang Jifan’s three disciples… are also not bad.” Xie Qian smiled, his eyes sparkling.

At this, Liu Jian immediately gave a bitter smile.

Xie Qian’s words carried a deeper meaning, and he even deliberately glanced teasingly at Liu Jian.

Of course, they were all old friends who had known each other for decades. Such teasing was merely a joke.

Among those present, there were two southerners and one northerner. For example, Li Dongyang was from Changsha Prefecture. In the eighth year of Tianshun, he achieved the top position in the Second Rank Jinshi, truly ranking among the best.

As for Xie Qian, he was from Yuyao County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang. In the eleventh year of Chenghua, he achieved the Zhuangyuan.

These two were representatives of the southern examination powerhouses. Their competitive strength was particularly high, and their level was exceptional. As long as someone dared to set the questions, they could turn their exam essays into works of art.

Coincidentally, Liu Jian was from Henan. Henan candidates participated in the northern roster. Liu Jian had been second in the Henan Provincial Examination, but when it came to the Metropolitan Examination, he didn’t fare as well. Never mind making the Top Three Candidates; even within the Second Rank, he only barely made the cut. And yet… he was considered outstanding among the northern roster.

The current situation was the same. Tang Bohu was the Jieyuan from the southern roster, moreover from the Southern Metropolitan Region, a land known for producing examination powerhouses. Compared to Fang Jifan’s three disciples, who ranked first, second, and third in Northern Zhili, it might seem like their rankings were similar, but in reality, it was a situation of complete domination.

Fang Jifan’s ambitions were too great. How dare he make such a bet? Wasn’t he looking for trouble? Never mind the Jieyuan from the Southern Metropolitan Region; probably even a Provincial Graduate ranked beyond tenth in the Southern Metropolitan Region Provincial Examination could easily overpower his three disciples.

Xie Qian found this matter quite amusing to witness. He was, after all, a native of Jiangnan and was very happy to let people see the strength of Jiangnan’s examination powerhouses.

Liu Jian smiled wryly but simply laughed it off.

Emperor Hongzhi then said, “The Imperial Examination is a grand ceremony for selecting talents. How can they treat it so lightly?”

After this reprimand, he did not pursue the matter further.

The three Grand Secretaries had long understood Emperor Hongzhi. Although he reprimanded them and stated his position, they thought that His Majesty must also be quite curious and naturally wanted to see the outcome.

“By the way,” Li Dongyang smiled, deliberately changing the subject, “today the Ministry of Revenue received a letter sent by Fang Jifan. He claimed he wanted to teach the Ministry of Revenue methods for calculating funds and grain.”

Immediately, Emperor Hongzhi was overjoyed and couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “He even wants to teach the Ministry of Revenue how to calculate funds and grain? Where is the letter? Let Us see it.”

Li Dongyang gave a wry smile. “I did not read it. It was received by the Ministry’s Chief Registrar Wang Wen’an. He only read the beginning of the letter and was so furious he said that this prodigal son had the audacity to bully the Ministry of Revenue. So… he tore up the letter.”

Emperor Hongzhi shook his head. “It’s just the foolishness of a youth. Next time, We will scold him.”

Little did they know, the letter was indeed sent by Fang Jifan. Fang Jifan’s calculation of funds and grain for Zhu Houzhao was merely helping the Crown Prince out. But after helping the Crown Prince, he felt that the Ministry of Revenue’s calculation efficiency was too low. So, he specially wrote down the “Debit-Credit Balance Method” and sent it to the Ministry of Revenue.

This “Debit-Credit Balance Method” originated in 13th century Italy and was only introduced to the Central State from Japan during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. Among various double-entry bookkeeping methods, debit-credit bookkeeping was the earliest to emerge and later became the most widely used and scientific accounting method in the world. With this, the Ministry of Revenue’s calculations would become much easier.

But now, in the Warm Pavilion, when Li Dongyang mentioned this matter to Emperor Hongzhi, it could only be treated as a joke.

Just as they were speaking, a eunuch hurried in from outside. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty… the Crown Prince requests an audience.”

“Oh?” Emperor Hongzhi’s brows relaxed. In the past, it was only when We summoned him that he would reluctantly come. Today, he actually came on his own initiative. This… is indeed a rare occurrence.

No matter what, the fact that his son still remembered he had a father was truly a happy event. Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t hide his smile. “Tell him to come in and speak.”

A short while later, Zhu Houzhao rushed in excitedly, saying, “Imperial Father, Imperial Father… it’s… it’s calculated.”

Zhu Houzhao was beaming with joy. In fact, last night, he was so excited he couldn’t sleep half the night, simply because he couldn’t swallow the indignation of having been beaten. Now that Old Fang had calculated the answer, huh, he just wanted to let Imperial Father know that this wasn’t really difficult, unlike the Ministry of Revenue, which was still there frowning and counting abacus beads.

However… the slight joy that had finally come to Emperor Hongzhi suddenly… faded.