This was quite the plot twist.
Initially, no one had thought much about Fang Zhengzhi’s challenge against Chi Guyan. After all, the difference between rank 1 and 53 was too great.
However...
Now that he was in the top 10... things were slightly different.
Furthermore, according to eyewitnesses, the battle was not as intense as imagined. After a few rounds, Yu Wengu was defeated.
Many of those who were not as powerful as Yu Wengu began to worry.
They had no qualms about schooling someone of lower ability than them. However, if this man was powerful enough to rank in the top 10 of the Rising Dragon Roll...
Who would be this masochistic?
No one was a fool.
...
Inside the capital, carriages stopped in front of the Crown Prince’s residence every so often.
Inside the residence, all of the officials sat around drinking tea. They discussed various political issues, but no one discussed Fang Zhengzhi.
Before long, the Crown Prince walked out from the throne room, accompanied by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.
"Forget the pleasantries, just tell me what you think of the court examinations!" The Crown Prince began toying with a piece of jade as he took his seat.
His gaze scanned across all of the gathered officials. His expression was gentle, but his eyes glimmered subtly.
Yu Yiping took his seat right at the front, but he did not speak.
"Your highness, I have an insignificant opinion." A rank four official, about 28 years old, stood up and walked to the middle of the room.
"Go ahead." The Crown Prince glanced at him, then commanded.
In the imperial courts, any 28 year old who could make it to a rank four official was quite the powerful individual. However, in the residence of the Crown Prince, he was just a plankton.
There were other higher ranked officials ahead of him. Some of them were even rank one...
As such, when this youth stepped out, all of the officials glanced at him with disdain. Some other even shook their heads and sighed.
"Young man, know your place!"
"Forget it, give the young man a chance."
Many of the officials sighed under their breaths. Then, they looked around and discussed some political matters.
"The emperor traditionally sets the questions for the imperial examinations. He will also be the chief examiner for them. History tells us that the emperor’s questions tend to be more practical in nature. As such, I was thinking... why don’t we take this chance to kill four birds with one stone."
The youth’s gaze was calm. He bowed and said every word deliberately and slowly, ignoring the gazes of those around him.
"Oh? Four birds with one stone? Please elaborate!" The Crown Prince was slightly moved and he adjusted himself in his seat.
All of the other officials looked on in scorn. It was good for a young man to have confidence, but promising four birds with one stone was a little overboard.
"Yes your highness. The first one is to help allay the worry of the emperor. The emperor worries about country, citizens, and his empire. Even though the court examinations are important, it is nowhere near as important as any of those other concerns. Ever since Xing Hou’s return from Cang Ling Mountain, the emperor is most concerned with the border territories!" The youth elaborated.
"What is your name? What is your current position?" The Crown Prince began to take this man seriously.
This was not a good question to ask, and it should never have been asked by the Crown Prince. Even though the youth was quite low ranking, he was one of the Crown Prince’s officials.
To not know the name of one’s officials was nothing to be proud of.
However, the Crown Prince asked it anyways. Furthermore, when the youth heard the question, he beamed.
When the scornful officials heard the Crown Prince’s question, their eyes revealed shades of jealousy.
The mind of the emperor.
It did not matter if he knew your name right now.
It mattered if he would remember your name in the future. Since the Crown Prince had asked for his name in the presence of so many officials, he would not ask ever again.
In other words, this man’s name will be etched in the Crown Prince’s mind from this day on.
Similarly, this youth’s name will be remembered by all of the officials.
"Your highness, I am Su Qing. I am currently a messenger in the Imperial Academy, and I pen letters!" Su Qing bowed once again.
"Su Qing? You do surpass your teacher, mm, not bad!" The Crown Prince nodded.
"Your highness, official Su was ranked second in the imperial examinations four years ago!" One of the aides by the Crown Prince’s side whispered.
"Oh? And you were ranked second four years ago... wasn’t that the year Nangong Hao participated?" The Crown Prince’s eyes glowed.
"Yes your highness. I was not as good as him, and he defeated me four years ago. However, Nangong Hao is incredibly talented, I am not ashamed to have lost to him!" Su Qing replied respectfully.
"Mm, losing to Nangong Hao really isn’t much of a loss. You mentioned some concerns about the border territories. Are you talking about the Southern Mountain Range?" The Crown Prince nodded and queried.
"Exactly, the Stabilisation Constabulary’s expedition to Cang Ling Mountain should be known by all. This incident was caused by an ambush started by the demons. More importantly, Shan Jia from the premier family in the Southern Mountain Range had a role to play in it. As such, the problem there is the main thing on the emperor’s mind!" Su Qing replied.
"You are right. This is what my father is most concerned about. However, how does this link to the court examinations?" The Crown Prince acknowledged Su Qing’s point.
"Your highness, after I passed the imperial examinations, I have examined the questions for the past 10 editions of the court examinations. The combat examinations eventually determine the top spot. As for the theory examinations, there are questions on politics, military, cultivation etc., there are also questions on the six ministries - Personnel, Revenue, Law, Rites, War, and Work! The emperor has always placed a huge emphasis on the court examinations, especially since it is the last exam. Based on the current dynamic of the courts, he will aim to use this to appease the four vassals and allay the fears of the public!"
"Appease the four vassals and allay the fears of the public?" All of the officials were stunned by what they heard. For an imperial messenger to know the past year court examination questions was not unexpected. However, for someone like that to have such foresight was rare.
"Yes, the emperor lacks people who can appease the four vassal states! As such, my guess is that the emperor will set questions on that!" Su Qing said confidently.
"Official Su, your analysis is thorough. You are concerned about the people and have shown a great appreciation for the intent of the emperor! Since you can guess what the emperor wants, why didn’t you participate in the court examinations four years ago?" The Crown Prince asked doubtfully.
"I hope to serve the nation, not become a sage. I have already spent over 20 years studying the Law of Dao. Since I passed the imperial examinations, why waste more time attending the court examinations?"
"Hahaha... Official Su, you are quite the maverick! There are many in the courts who chose this path because the couldn’t make it in the cultivation world. However, you chose to give up cultivation!" The Crown Prince chuckled.
"My ambitions are small, your highness!" Su Qing replied respectfully.
"It does not matter. Everyone has different dreams. Official Su, you have a heart for politics, and your future is bright! Tell us more about your plan." The Crown Prince waved.
"Yes, firstly, you will be able to allay the concerns of the emperor. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a son. Secondly, you can strengthen ties with the vassal states. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a leader of this empire. As for the third and fourth, these were results that I did not plan for. However, with things as they are, we have no other choice!"
"Tell me about it!"
"In the courts, the Crown Prince controls the politics and King Duan controls the army. This is the will of the emperor. However, should you ascend the throne one day, you have no one in the army... This is not good for the public. As such, for the stability of the empire, you must plan ahead!"
"My father does not like me to meddle in the affairs of the military."
"That is the case if you participate directly. However, you could influence it in a way that comes under your jurisdiction!"
"Oh? How would I do that?"
"I hear that the annual exercise is about to happen soon. If... if this exercise is linked to the court examinations in some way, then it is only right that you have a say in it!"
"Link the exercise with the court examinations? Good plan, good plan! Quickly, tell me what the fourth benefit is!" The Crown Prince was getting excited.
This man was mature well beyond his age. Furthermore, he had a mind of an experienced politician. Most importantly, he was committed to politics!
All of the other officials were captivated. They no longer talked amongst themselves, their gazes fixed firmly on Su Qing.
Even Yu Yiping glanced at Su Qing. However, he did not take a second glance.
"The fourth benefit concerns Fang Zhengzhi."
"Fang Zhengzhi? I see... what does Official Su think of Fang Zhengzhi?" The Crown Prince was taken aback. He leaned forward in anticipation.
"I believe that you should stabilize the Eastern Palace. However, Fang Zhengzhi is the biggest variable here. It would be best to eliminate him, but..."
"But what?"
"Fang Zhengzhi is already in the system. In order to convict a rank four official of a crime, the emperor has to make the final decision. Right now, Fang Zhengzhi is at his peak, and there are many unknowns standing behind him. Chi Guyan, King Liqin, Xing Hou, the Yan Family... are just some of them. They may not have made their stands clear, but we cannot put them out of the equation!"
"You are correct."
"As such, I do not think that this is the right time to kill Fang Zhengzhi. Even though the time is not right, you should focus on stabilizing the Eastern Palace. When things take a turn for the better, you can use someone else to do the killing for you!" Su Qing’s eyes glimmered without any killing intent.
His eyes were calm like a lake. It seemed like killing was not something that bothered him at all.
"Have someone else kill him for me? I see... you have told me the four benefits. So, what is the plan?" The Crown Prince gripped the jade in his hand tightly.
"Yes, my method is simple. The Crown Prince can just observe the theory examinations. However, for the combat examinations, you can pitch the Southern Mountain Range as the location for it. Even though we have traditionally used pocket dimensions for these examinations, recent events can be a chance for you to convince the emperor otherwise!" Su Qing said solemnly.
"What? Hold the combat examinations in the Southern Mountain Range?!"
"Official Su, this may not be wise for the Crown Prince. The Southern Mountain Range is not stable right now, why would the emperor agree to hold the combat examination there?"
All of the officials stepped forward when they heard that.
"Your honors, that’s where you are all wrong. The emperor is likely to agree to it precisely because the Southern Mountain Range is not stable!" Su Qing shook his head confidently.
Just as an official was about to rebut, he was pulled back by yet another official. When the official saw the Crown Prince’s expression, he swallowed his words.
"Official Su, you make a lot of sense. However, how will holding the combat examinations there help me get these four benefits?" The Crown Prince asked appreciatively.
This was quite the plot twist.
Initially, no one had thought much about Fang Zhengzhi’s challenge against Chi Guyan. After all, the difference between rank 1 and 53 was too great.
However...
Now that he was in the top 10... things were slightly different.
Furthermore, according to eyewitnesses, the battle was not as intense as imagined. After a few rounds, Yu Wengu was defeated.
Many of those who were not as powerful as Yu Wengu began to worry.
They had no qualms about schooling someone of lower ability than them. However, if this man was powerful enough to rank in the top 10 of the Rising Dragon Roll...
Who would be this masochistic?
No one was a fool.
...
Inside the capital, carriages stopped in front of the Crown Prince’s residence every so often.
Inside the residence, all of the officials sat around drinking tea. They discussed various political issues, but no one discussed Fang Zhengzhi.
Before long, the Crown Prince walked out from the throne room, accompanied by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.
"Forget the pleasantries, just tell me what you think of the court examinations!" The Crown Prince began toying with a piece of jade as he took his seat.
His gaze scanned across all of the gathered officials. His expression was gentle, but his eyes glimmered subtly.
Yu Yiping took his seat right at the front, but he did not speak.
"Your highness, I have an insignificant opinion." A rank four official, about 28 years old, stood up and walked to the middle of the room.
"Go ahead." The Crown Prince glanced at him, then commanded.
In the imperial courts, any 28 year old who could make it to a rank four official was quite the powerful individual. However, in the residence of the Crown Prince, he was just a plankton.
There were other higher ranked officials ahead of him. Some of them were even rank one...
As such, when this youth stepped out, all of the officials glanced at him with disdain. Some other even shook their heads and sighed.
"Young man, know your place!"
"Forget it, give the young man a chance."
Many of the officials sighed under their breaths. Then, they looked around and discussed some political matters.
"The emperor traditionally sets the questions for the imperial examinations. He will also be the chief examiner for them. History tells us that the emperor’s questions tend to be more practical in nature. As such, I was thinking... why don’t we take this chance to kill four birds with one stone."
The youth’s gaze was calm. He bowed and said every word deliberately and slowly, ignoring the gazes of those around him.
"Oh? Four birds with one stone? Please elaborate!" The Crown Prince was slightly moved and he adjusted himself in his seat.
All of the other officials looked on in scorn. It was good for a young man to have confidence, but promising four birds with one stone was a little overboard.
"Yes your highness. The first one is to help allay the worry of the emperor. The emperor worries about country, citizens, and his empire. Even though the court examinations are important, it is nowhere near as important as any of those other concerns. Ever since Xing Hou’s return from Cang Ling Mountain, the emperor is most concerned with the border territories!" The youth elaborated.
"What is your name? What is your current position?" The Crown Prince began to take this man seriously.
This was not a good question to ask, and it should never have been asked by the Crown Prince. Even though the youth was quite low ranking, he was one of the Crown Prince’s officials.
To not know the name of one’s officials was nothing to be proud of.
However, the Crown Prince asked it anyways. Furthermore, when the youth heard the question, he beamed.
When the scornful officials heard the Crown Prince’s question, their eyes revealed shades of jealousy.
The mind of the emperor.
It did not matter if he knew your name right now.
It mattered if he would remember your name in the future. Since the Crown Prince had asked for his name in the presence of so many officials, he would not ask ever again.
In other words, this man’s name will be etched in the Crown Prince’s mind from this day on.
Similarly, this youth’s name will be remembered by all of the officials.
"Your highness, I am Su Qing. I am currently a messenger in the Imperial Academy, and I pen letters!" Su Qing bowed once again.
"Su Qing? You do surpass your teacher, mm, not bad!" The Crown Prince nodded.
"Your highness, official Su was ranked second in the imperial examinations four years ago!" One of the aides by the Crown Prince’s side whispered.
"Oh? And you were ranked second four years ago... wasn’t that the year Nangong Hao participated?" The Crown Prince’s eyes glowed.
"Yes your highness. I was not as good as him, and he defeated me four years ago. However, Nangong Hao is incredibly talented, I am not ashamed to have lost to him!" Su Qing replied respectfully.
"Mm, losing to Nangong Hao really isn’t much of a loss. You mentioned some concerns about the border territories. Are you talking about the Southern Mountain Range?" The Crown Prince nodded and queried.
"Exactly, the Stabilisation Constabulary’s expedition to Cang Ling Mountain should be known by all. This incident was caused by an ambush started by the demons. More importantly, Shan Jia from the premier family in the Southern Mountain Range had a role to play in it. As such, the problem there is the main thing on the emperor’s mind!" Su Qing replied.
"You are right. This is what my father is most concerned about. However, how does this link to the court examinations?" The Crown Prince acknowledged Su Qing’s point.
"Your highness, after I passed the imperial examinations, I have examined the questions for the past 10 editions of the court examinations. The combat examinations eventually determine the top spot. As for the theory examinations, there are questions on politics, military, cultivation etc., there are also questions on the six ministries - Personnel, Revenue, Law, Rites, War, and Work! The emperor has always placed a huge emphasis on the court examinations, especially since it is the last exam. Based on the current dynamic of the courts, he will aim to use this to appease the four vassals and allay the fears of the public!"
"Appease the four vassals and allay the fears of the public?" All of the officials were stunned by what they heard. For an imperial messenger to know the past year court examination questions was not unexpected. However, for someone like that to have such foresight was rare.
"Yes, the emperor lacks people who can appease the four vassal states! As such, my guess is that the emperor will set questions on that!" Su Qing said confidently.
"Official Su, your analysis is thorough. You are concerned about the people and have shown a great appreciation for the intent of the emperor! Since you can guess what the emperor wants, why didn’t you participate in the court examinations four years ago?" The Crown Prince asked doubtfully.
"I hope to serve the nation, not become a sage. I have already spent over 20 years studying the Law of Dao. Since I passed the imperial examinations, why waste more time attending the court examinations?"
"Hahaha... Official Su, you are quite the maverick! There are many in the courts who chose this path because the couldn’t make it in the cultivation world. However, you chose to give up cultivation!" The Crown Prince chuckled.
"My ambitions are small, your highness!" Su Qing replied respectfully.
"It does not matter. Everyone has different dreams. Official Su, you have a heart for politics, and your future is bright! Tell us more about your plan." The Crown Prince waved.
"Yes, firstly, you will be able to allay the concerns of the emperor. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a son. Secondly, you can strengthen ties with the vassal states. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a leader of this empire. As for the third and fourth, these were results that I did not plan for. However, with things as they are, we have no other choice!"
"Tell me about it!"
"In the courts, the Crown Prince controls the politics and King Duan controls the army. This is the will of the emperor. However, should you ascend the throne one day, you have no one in the army... This is not good for the public. As such, for the stability of the empire, you must plan ahead!"
"My father does not like me to meddle in the affairs of the military."
"That is the case if you participate directly. However, you could influence it in a way that comes under your jurisdiction!"
"Oh? How would I do that?"
"I hear that the annual exercise is about to happen soon. If... if this exercise is linked to the court examinations in some way, then it is only right that you have a say in it!"
"Link the exercise with the court examinations? Good plan, good plan! Quickly, tell me what the fourth benefit is!" The Crown Prince was getting excited.
This man was mature well beyond his age. Furthermore, he had a mind of an experienced politician. Most importantly, he was committed to politics!
All of the other officials were captivated. They no longer talked amongst themselves, their gazes fixed firmly on Su Qing.
Even Yu Yiping glanced at Su Qing. However, he did not take a second glance.
"The fourth benefit concerns Fang Zhengzhi."
"Fang Zhengzhi? I see... what does Official Su think of Fang Zhengzhi?" The Crown Prince was taken aback. He leaned forward in anticipation.
"I believe that you should stabilize the Eastern Palace. However, Fang Zhengzhi is the biggest variable here. It would be best to eliminate him, but..."
"But what?"
"Fang Zhengzhi is already in the system. In order to convict a rank four official of a crime, the emperor has to make the final decision. Right now, Fang Zhengzhi is at his peak, and there are many unknowns standing behind him. Chi Guyan, King Liqin, Xing Hou, the Yan Family... are just some of them. They may not have made their stands clear, but we cannot put them out of the equation!"
"You are correct."
"As such, I do not think that this is the right time to kill Fang Zhengzhi. Even though the time is not right, you should focus on stabilizing the Eastern Palace. When things take a turn for the better, you can use someone else to do the killing for you!" Su Qing’s eyes glimmered without any killing intent.
His eyes were calm like a lake. It seemed like killing was not something that bothered him at all.
"Have someone else kill him for me? I see... you have told me the four benefits. So, what is the plan?" The Crown Prince gripped the jade in his hand tightly.
"Yes, my method is simple. The Crown Prince can just observe the theory examinations. However, for the combat examinations, you can pitch the Southern Mountain Range as the location for it. Even though we have traditionally used pocket dimensions for these examinations, recent events can be a chance for you to convince the emperor otherwise!" Su Qing said solemnly.
"What? Hold the combat examinations in the Southern Mountain Range?!"
"Official Su, this may not be wise for the Crown Prince. The Southern Mountain Range is not stable right now, why would the emperor agree to hold the combat examination there?"
All of the officials stepped forward when they heard that.
"Your honors, that’s where you are all wrong. The emperor is likely to agree to it precisely because the Southern Mountain Range is not stable!" Su Qing shook his head confidently.
Just as an official was about to rebut, he was pulled back by yet another official. When the official saw the Crown Prince’s expression, he swallowed his words.
"Official Su, you make a lot of sense. However, how will holding the combat examinations there help me get these four benefits?" The Crown Prince asked appreciatively.
