The next day near noon, the Emperor issued an edict to hold a banquet for all the newly appointed jinshi. As the top scholar of the Jisi year who had achieved the highest honors in the realm, Lu Yun naturally needed to attend the banquet at Fengtian Hall. Qin Zhonghai, familiar with the palace routes and serving in the palace, led Lu Yun as the two headed to the Forbidden City together.
After entering Chengtian Gate, Lu Yun looked around in all directions, greatly amazed by the splendor of the Forbidden City. Seeing his expression full of wonder, Qin Zhonghai laughed, “Seeing all this golden magnificence, don’t tell me you want to be Emperor too?”
Lu Yun was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and quickly said in a low voice, “The Forbidden City is different from other places. How can General Qin speak such nonsense?”
Qin Zhonghai smiled, “Look how scared you are. There’s not a soul around here—who would hear what we’re saying?”
Lu Yun’s terror barely subsided as he gasped, “One must still be careful.”
Qin Zhonghai smiled and said, “What do you really think of this place? Quite magnificent and splendid, isn’t it?”
Lu Yun, born into poverty and remembering the poor common people he had seen during his years of hardship, couldn’t help but sigh, “The imperial family lives so extravagantly, using nothing but the people’s blood and sweat. If they took out just a small portion, half the poor people in the world could be saved.”
Qin Zhonghai nodded and was about to respond when suddenly someone sneered coldly, “You two are discussing state affairs without permission—a crime deserving ten thousand deaths! Do you realize your error?”
Both men were shocked and turned to look. They saw a corpulent man whose appearance somewhat resembled Jiang Chong. Lu Yun recognized him as this year’s third-place scholar, Jiang Daqing. Lu Yun quickly said, “I was merely lamenting the poverty of the common people’s lives, not intentionally criticizing state affairs. Brother Jiang must have misheard.”
Seeing Lu Yun wearing the red flower and knowing he was the current top scholar, Jiang Daqing noticed his handsome appearance surpassed his own by countless times. Feeling both jealous and angry, he sneered coldly, “Scum who dares to act but not admit it! Looking at your appearance, you’re actually some kind of top scholar? Just wait—I’ll report this to my uncle and scare you into pissing and shitting yourself.”
Hearing this man speak so arrogantly, Qin Zhonghai frowned and asked quietly, “Who is this fat guy?”
Lu Yun leaned over to reply, “This man is Jiang Chong’s nephew, this year’s third-place scholar.”
Qin Zhonghai said “Oh,” and remarked, “So he’s relying on Jiang Chong’s influence!” He stepped forward, looked Jiang Daqing up and down, and grinned wickedly, “Fat boy, you want to die?”
Seeing his broad shoulders, thick build, and vicious appearance, Jiang Daqing was somewhat frightened and couldn’t help saying, “You… what do you want to do?”
Qin Zhonghai looked him up and down, then suddenly had an idea and thought of a clever way to torment him. He grinned and leaned over, saying with a smile, “Nothing, old brother, don’t panic. It’s just that the court has been quite short-handed lately, and His Majesty has asked me to look around for talented people to help. Seeing your intelligent nature and tall stature, you’re truly good material.”
Jiang Daqing had originally feared he would hit him, but hearing him deliberately flatter himself, he thought, “This guard wants to curry favor with me.” Immediately he laughed heartily, “Looking at your weasel-headed, rat-eyed appearance, I didn’t expect your rat eyes to have some insight, actually recognizing that your father is a talent!” Seeing Qin Zhonghai’s intention to flatter him, he immediately raised his chin high with an extremely arrogant demeanor.
Qin Zhonghai struck while the iron was hot. Seeing Jiang Daqing put on official airs, he immediately changed to a smiling face and said ingratiatingly, “His Majesty has ordered that there’s a particularly important position vacant, but we can’t find someone with both talent and virtue to fill it, so we’re told to keep our eyes sharp and seek suitable candidates everywhere. I was just discussing this matter with Scholar Lu.” He glanced sideways and saw Lu Yun looking quite surprised, so he slightly waved his hand to signal him not to speak.
Lu Yun understood and knew that Qin Zhonghai intended to torment Jiang Daqing, so he smiled and remained silent.
Jiang Daqing said “Oh” and asked, “How did your discussion go?”
Qin Zhonghai sighed, “His qualifications are insufficient—far inferior to Explorer Jiang. He really can’t handle this position.”
Jiang Daqing immediately believed him and laughed heartily, “I’m talented in both civil and military affairs! At three I could eat eight bowls of rice, at five I could already curse—people called me a prodigy! My qualifications are naturally first-class!” He laughed continuously and said, “Quickly tell me what this position is! I’ll ask my uncle for it shortly!”
Qin Zhonghai said quietly, “This official position is called ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’—a fourth-rank high official!”
Jiang Daqing was both surprised and delighted, “Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief sounds quite prestigious! What does it involve?”
Qin Zhonghai pretended to be mysterious and said quietly, “I dare not conceal anything from the Explorer. This official position allows intimate contact with countless beauties, and you can even personally observe them bathing and changing clothes. It’s the number one lucrative position in the palace. Is the Explorer interested?”
Jiang Daqing licked his lips and showed a lecherous, lustful smile, “That good?”
Qin Zhonghai looked around and whispered, “Not only that, this position also allows you to always accompany the ruler and live in luxurious palace halls. Honestly, Explorer Jiang, do you want it or not?”
Jiang Daqing was extremely anxious and repeatedly said, “Of course, of course!”
Qin Zhonghai suddenly sighed with a worried expression and shook his head, “But this official position only allows playing cards and watching opera, drinking and singing—reading and writing are absolutely forbidden. This is an ancestral rule established by the founding emperor. I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to adapt.”
Jiang Daqing showed an extremely yearning expression and praised, “Not allowed to read and write! That’s truly wonderful!”
Qin Zhonghai was puzzled, “Aren’t you a jinshi? If you’re not allowed to read and write, wouldn’t you be bored to death?”
Jiang Daqing quickly coughed and said, “I… I’m doing this all for His Majesty, so I’m bravely abandoning my brush to join… join pleasure. You must understand my noble intentions.”
Qin Zhonghai nodded, “Very well! I’ll trust you this once. When you’re in the Golden Hall later, just ask His Majesty directly!”
Jiang Daqing breathed a long sigh of relief with a grateful expression, “Thank you, old brother! May I ask your honored surname and great name?”
Qin Zhonghai had a sudden idea, “I am An’dao Jing.”
Jiang Daqing said “Oh” and immediately laughed, “So you’re Commander An! My uncle often curses you at home as an idiot!”
Qin Zhonghai laughed heartily, “An’dao Jing is indeed stupid—as stupid as a pig. Master Jiang’s teaching is absolutely correct.” He kept cursing An’dao Jing, but how could Jiang Daqing detect the hidden meaning? He laughed, “You’re very modest, very good, very good. I’ll praise you in front of my uncle later.”
Qin Zhonghai swayed his tiger waist, his face full of smiles, repeatedly bowing, “Thank you for Explorer Jiang’s life-saving grace.”
Lu Yun watched Qin Zhonghai continuously tease Jiang Daqing and couldn’t help finding it amusing.
Having received this tremendous good news, Jiang Daqing’s face was full of excitement. He walked to Lu Yun’s side and sneered, “So what if you’re top scholar? Bah!” He spat phlegm on the ground before striding away proudly.
After seeing him go far, Lu Yun quickly asked, “What’s this ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’? I’ve never heard of this official position. You couldn’t be deceiving him, could you?”
Qin Zhonghai smiled, “Why would I deceive him? There really is such an official position! And you really can bathe with beauties and play cards and watch opera. Everything I said was absolutely true!”
Lu Yun was curious, “Really? But why haven’t I heard of this official title?”
Qin Zhonghai smiled, “Before I became an imperial guard, I didn’t know about this thing either.”
Lu Yun remained puzzled, his face blank.
As noon approached and the banquet time arrived, Lu Yun was led by Qin Zhonghai into Fengtian Hall with trepidation. Today’s banquet for the jinshi was only for officials of third rank and above to enter the hall, so Qin Zhonghai waited outside the hall. The other members of the Liu faction, not having sufficient official rank, naturally couldn’t come either.
Lu Yun entered alone and saw it was noisy inside. Since the Emperor hadn’t yet arrived, the various ministers were gathering and chatting. Lu Yun looked around and saw an old man and a young man talking quietly in the distance. The young man was handsome—it was Yang Suguan’s younger brother Yang Shaoqi. The old man had a tall, slender build with a kind face—it must be Grand Secretary Yang Yuan. Lu Yun thought of his own isolation and couldn’t help but sigh softly and shake his head.
While lamenting, his forehead was hit by a pebble. Lu Yun rubbed his head and turned around to see Qin Zhonghai hiding outside the hall door, continuously waving at him. Lu Yun smiled slightly and thought, “General Qin is truly my best friend in life. Being able to know him is a blessing I must have cultivated in a previous life.”
As he was smiling, suddenly someone approached and said loudly, “Nephew Lu has just arrived at this time!”
Lu Yun looked up and saw it was Liu Angtian. Lu Yun quickly knelt down and called out, “Greetings to Your Lordship!”
Liu Angtian stepped forward to help him up and instructed, “Later His Majesty will test you all with several questions, probably about poetry and literature. Be careful in your responses.”
Lu Yun nodded, “I understand.”
Liu Angtian gave a few more instructions when suddenly he saw Qin Zhonghai lurking suspiciously outside. He immediately became angry, “That boy is causing trouble again!” He took three steps as two and rushed outside.
After a while, another old man approached and said, “Yun’er.”
Lu Yun was delighted and rushed forward to grasp his hands, calling out, “Uncle Gu! You’re here too?”
The old man was precisely Gu Siyuan. He smiled, “I’m the current Minister of War. Naturally I must attend such a grand occasion today.” He patted Lu Yun’s head and smiled, “Do your best later and display your literary talent fully. If His Majesty takes a liking to you, he’ll definitely ask where you want to serve. You must think carefully and choose a good position, understand?”
Lu Yun nodded. Not knowing what position he should strive for, he asked, “Uncle Gu, if you have any wisdom, could you guide your nephew?”
Gu Siyuan said quietly, “The court has been fighting too fiercely lately. Uncle Gu hopes you can be transferred to serve as a county magistrate in Jiangnan. First, it would help you avoid disaster, and second, you could help connect your lordship with local officials. Understand?”
As the two were about to continue speaking, they saw many eunuchs emerge—the Emperor was about to appear. Gu Siyuan patted his shoulder, “Go prepare quickly! After the noon banquet, we’ll have a good chat!”
Lu Yun sighed. He had lived in the Gu residence for over a year but had never dined at the same table as the master and mistress. Now that he had become a jinshi and achieved top scholar honors, dining at Gu Siyuan’s home had suddenly become easy. Even someone as noble as Gu Siyuan couldn’t avoid the sentiment of “thirty years of dusty face, only now gaining the green gauze cap.” But thinking of having to face Second Concubine made him feel troubled.
Suddenly he felt pain in his back as if someone had attacked him. Lu Yun was startled and quickly turned to look, seeing Qin Zhonghai continuously waving as if wanting him to pay attention to something. Lu Yun was confused for a moment, then turned back to see that all the civil and military officials had knelt down—only he stood conspicuously alone in the hall, looking quite embarrassing.
He stood there bewildered, not knowing what to do, listening blankly as the ministers called out their honorifics: “Long live our Emperor! Long live! Long live forever!” He saw the Emperor wave his hand and say, “Rise, beloved ministers.” The crowd replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty!” and slowly stood up.
Throughout this entire process, Lu Yun just stood there bewildered, completely at a loss.
Suddenly a man in python robes rushed forward and shouted, “Audacious child! You don’t know to kowtow when seeing His Majesty! Guards! Immediately drag him to the Meridian Gate for execution!” This man had a short mustache—it was Jiang Chong. Apparently knowing of Lu Yun’s connections with Liu Angtian, he seized this opportunity to cause trouble.
But an old man laughed, “Master Jiang, who do you think you are? When did it become your turn to give orders in Fengtian Hall?” This man was about seventy years old—it was Liu Jing. Although the recent Xue Nu’er affair had implicated him somewhat, he still appeared calm and composed, truly showing the bearing of a powerful minister.
Just as Jiang Chong was about to retort, the Emperor waved his hand, “Ministers need not quarrel over this.” He then asked Lu Yun, “Looking at you wearing the red sash with a cynical appearance, you must be the current top scholar Lu Yun!”
Lu Yun saw this Emperor was about fifty years old with a very handsome appearance that somewhat resembled Princess Yinchuan. For a moment he felt somewhat close to him. He spread his court robe and knelt, “In response to Your Majesty, this commoner is indeed Lu Yun. Only because heaven showed mercy did Lu Yun achieve this undeserved success. Among all the talents in the realm, it shouldn’t be this commoner’s turn to be top scholar. The examination officials have shown undeserved favor.”
The Emperor, seeing his extraordinary bearing and natural eloquence, was quite pleased. He laughed heartily, “Seeing your eloquence and fine appearance, you’ll surely be capable of handling the nation’s diplomatic missions in the future. Very well! I’ll arrange several positions for you—from now on you’ll stay by my side and work.”
It seemed the Emperor not only resembled Princess Yinchuan in appearance but also in temperament. Upon seeing Lu Yun’s appearance and speech, he immediately felt affection and decided to promote him heavily.
Lu Yun was about to agree when suddenly he saw Liu Angtian and Gu Siyuan both signaling with their eyes, as if telling him not to agree. Lu Yun became alert, realizing there must be deeper meaning, so he replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject, considering that bandits are rampant in Jiangnan and the people’s livelihood is deteriorating, wishes with all his heart to go to Jiangnan to dedicate his learning. I humbly request Your Majesty’s gracious permission.” Upon hearing this, both old men immediately patted their hearts as if greatly relieved.
Jiang Chong sneered, “He hasn’t even served as an official for one day and already knows how to be picky. What use is keeping such a person? Send him to military service.”
But the Emperor made a disapproving sound and reproached, “Master Jiang, those words are greatly mistaken! Staying by my side to work—what a wonderful position that would be! Yet this Scholar Lu voluntarily takes the world as his responsibility and requests transfer to work in the harsh conditions outside. With such character and mindset, how can Master Jiang speak mockingly?”
Jiang Chong was inwardly resentful, but since the Emperor had spoken thus, he could only respond, “This subject acknowledges his fault.”
The Emperor laughed heartily, pointing at Lu Yun, “You seem to be truly outstanding. Though your behavior is somewhat rash, I just like talented people with such unique insight. Come! I bestow upon you a cup of wine!” He raised his cup, and eunuchs immediately stepped forward to pour wine and present it.
Lu Yun held the cup above his head and knelt, “Subject Lu Yun kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty’s imperial grace.” Both drank in one gulp.
Seeing Lu Yun drink wine straightforwardly, unlike ordinary scholars who were affected, the Emperor immediately smiled, “Scholar Lu seems to have good drinking capacity, quite like the legacy of Li Bai. Come! Let me test you to see if you have real talent and learning?”
Lu Yun’s heart trembled as he responded, “Yes.”
The Emperor smiled slightly and was about to speak when suddenly thunder rumbled in the distance, followed by the sound of pouring rain—a thunderstorm had begun. Since it was already autumn, thunderstorms were quite rare. The Emperor looked outside the hall and saw water splashing everywhere with all the corridors getting wet. He smiled, “It’s rare to have such heavy rain in autumn. Since heaven has sent sweet rain, let’s use this as our theme for a couplet!”
The sound of rain dripping on the eaves was extremely pleasant to hear. The assembled civil and military officials responded, “Our Emperor is wise and intelligent! We listen respectfully!”
The Emperor laughed heartily, “Ministers, listen well—I’m about to recite it.”
In the heavy thunderstorm, Qin Zhonghai, hiding outside the hall, was already completely soaked. Seeing the Emperor contemplate for a long time while all the civil and military officials remained motionless, all waiting attentively, he couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, thinking, “Didn’t the Emperor say he was going to recite it? Why is he still dragging it out so long? Really ***ing farting and bragging!”
Just as he was mocking, suddenly a lightning bolt struck nearby. Qin Zhonghai was startled and thought, “*** Sacred Son of Heaven! Can’t I even make a joke?”
The Emperor gazed toward outside the hall and saw the corridor steps had long been soaked by rainwater. A thought struck him as he slowly said, “Ministers, listen well. My first line is: Heavy rain cascading washes clean the great steps to welcome scholars.”
At this moment, heavy rain was pouring down, and the corridors outside Fengtian Hall had long been soaked through. Today was also the day the Emperor held a banquet to welcome many newly appointed jinshi. It appeared this Emperor Jingtai was indeed extraordinarily talented, able to describe the current scene with just a short first line. The second half, “washes clean the great steps to welcome scholars,” gave people a feeling of great joy.
The ministers, who usually flattered the Emperor excessively, hearing such excellent work, how could they not seize the opportunity to show great respect? Kong Fu led the way in exclaiming, and immediately the sounds of beating chests and stamping feet echoed around. Jiang Chong even took out his personal paper and brush to carefully copy it down, shedding tears as he said, “This is truly the best first line this subject has ever heard in his life! This subject is so fortunate to have heaven’s favor! Woo… woo woo ah…”
Literary ministers like Gu Siyuan and Yang Yuan had their own dignity and wouldn’t deliberately show off, but hearing this first line’s excellence, they also nodded secretly with admiration in their expressions.
The Emperor smiled slightly, “Looking at everyone’s expressions, it seems my first line is passable!”
Jiang Chong wiped away tears and declared loudly, “Of course! This is a line for the ages!”
The Emperor smiled and immediately asked Lu Yun, “Well, can you match it?”
Lu Yun coughed lightly but didn’t respond. Gu Siyuan, Liu Angtian, and others, seeing this, were all secretly anxious, knowing this first line was indeed difficult. Even with Lu Yun’s high talent, he probably couldn’t solve it in such a short time.
The Emperor’s first line was divided into two parts: “Heavy rain cascading washes clean the great steps to welcome scholars.” This first line used two instances of the character “great” (大)—one as the first character of the first part, one as the third character of the second part. To create a proper matching second line, one would definitely need to match these two characters. Besides this, one would also need to respond to the five elements of people, events, time, place, and objects, making it extremely difficult to solve. Many of the literary officials were jinshi graduates themselves and hearing the Emperor’s inquiry, couldn’t help but frown and think hard, all straining to find a solution for the second line.
Seeing Lu Yun’s grave expression, Jiang Chong couldn’t help laughing heartily, “Boy, surrender early! Save yourself the embarrassment later!”
Liu Jing glanced at him sideways and smiled, “Don’t get cocky. If Scholar Lu can’t match it, then it’ll be your nephew Jiang Daqing’s turn to answer.”
Jiang Chong was shocked, thinking, “My nephew is nearly illiterate and became this third-place scholar purely through my influence as his uncle. If… if His Majesty personally questions him later, what can be done?” He immediately urgently instructed guards to find Luo Moshi and have him hide outside the hall to secretly assist. Luo Moshi was both highly learned and skilled in martial arts, so he should surely be able to help his nephew.
Seeing the grave expressions of the literary officials, the Emperor knew his first line was indeed difficult to solve. He took out Lu Yun’s examination paper and smiled, “Take your time thinking. Let me first read your essay—you can answer later.”
Just as he was about to open Lu Yun’s paper, suddenly the hall brightened—lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a tremendous thunderclap. That lightning bolt actually struck right above Fengtian Hall, causing all the ministers’ faces to change color in great alarm.
Thunder and lightning crashed with rolling thunder. Lu Yun saw the Emperor sitting high on the dragon throne holding his examination paper. Suddenly his eyebrows raised—he had a solution. He bowed with cupped hands, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject has a match.”
Hearing this, the Emperor was stunned, “So quickly?”
The literary officials, hearing he could find a solution in such a short time, were all amazed, with many showing disbelief on their faces.
Thunder rumbled outside the hall, sometimes near, sometimes far. Lu Yun said no more and stepped forward, bowing, “Your Majesty’s first line is: Heavy rain cascading washes clean the great steps to welcome scholars. This subject’s matching second line is: Heaven’s thunder crashing opens heaven’s eye to see the essays!” As he spoke, lightning flashed even more brilliantly in the sky, illuminating the hall in alternating light and darkness.
Hearing this, all the ministers were struck speechless, staring at each other in amazement, unable to speak for a long time. After a while, thunderous applause erupted in Fengtian Hall as all the civil and military officials cheered in unison, loudly praising, “Truly a perfect match! What a fine Scholar Lu!”
Their admiration was quite genuine—even Jiang Chong and Liu Jing nodded secretly in approval.
“Heavy rain cascading washes clean the great steps to welcome scholars; Heaven’s thunder crashing opens heaven’s eye to see the essays!”
This second line used the character “heaven” (天) to match the “great” (大) in the first line. “Heaven’s thunder” corresponded to “heavy rain,” and “heaven’s eye” matched “great steps.” Not only was the parallelism perfect, but it also responded to the five elements of people, events, time, place, and objects with exquisite skill. Especially as these lightning bolts struck precisely when the Emperor took out the examination papers—the thunder flashed as if heaven itself opened its eyes. This scene was perfectly captured in the second line’s “opens heaven’s eye to see the essays.” The phrase “heaven’s eye” was particularly clever with its double meaning, containing implications of honoring the sovereign, making it truly masterful.
The Emperor deeply loved literature, and upon hearing Lu Yun’s second line, he was immediately overjoyed. He stood up abruptly and chanted toward the heavens: “Heavy rain cascading washes clean the great steps to welcome scholars; Heaven’s thunder crashing opens heaven’s eye to see the essays! Excellent! Truly excellent!” Seeing how magnificently these matching lines complemented each other, both the questioner and answerer would be remembered for generations. The Emperor’s joy was beyond measure as he turned to instruct Liu Jing: “Record this couplet. I will include it in the Jingtai Literary Collection in the future.”
Hearing this, Gu Siyuan felt indescribable joy, thinking: “Only Yun’er with such literary talent could produce such an excellent match. Remarkable! Remarkable!” Though Liu Angtian was a military man, he also knew this second line was exceptionally well-matched and felt happy for Lu Yun.
Qin Zhonghai, hiding outside the hall, was already soaked through. Hearing Lu Yun’s perfect response, though he didn’t understand the difficulty involved, seeing everyone’s genuine admiration and joy, he knew it must be an extraordinary work and was also happy for Lu Yun. Just then, he suddenly saw a monk-like figure appearing nearby with a sneaky demeanor. Qin Zhonghai recognized him as Luo Moshi and thought: “What’s this monk doing here? Very strange.” For the moment, he didn’t bother to expose him and continued watching inside the hall.
The Emperor was in great spirits and had already ordered the feast to begin. He was raising his cup in hearty celebration while the assembled ministers sat properly behind their tables drinking. Each person’s table was set with five large dishes and a bottle of imperial wine—quite sumptuous indeed.
Qin Zhonghai watched with envious eyes, thinking: “***ing hell, you all eat happily while I get soaked in the rain here. This is outrageous.” He licked his lips, craving wine, when he heard the Emperor’s voice from inside the hall: “Scholar Lu is so intelligent, truly rare. Seeing such literary talent, I really want to keep you by my side… Sigh… I truly hate to send you away to Jiangnan!”
Qin Zhonghai was alarmed, thinking: “This is terrible! If Brother Lu is kept by the Emperor’s side, with his stubborn temperament, if Jiang Chong says a few slanderous words, he’ll be executed within days. What can be done?”
Though Lu Yun was skilled in clever speech and eloquent discourse, the struggles between people were incredibly difficult—perhaps a thousand times harder than bloody battlefields. Although he often claimed to understand “the deceptive ways of warfare,” he couldn’t execute any schemes of entrapment or backstabbing. It was precisely for this reason that Gu Siyuan and Liu Angtian advised Lu Yun to leave the capital and avoid associating with these wolves and tigers.
Both Gu Siyuan inside the hall and Qin Zhonghai outside were anxious when they heard the Emperor say: “Though I wish to keep Scholar Lu by my side, considering the suffering of the people in Jiangnan who truly need a capable magistrate, I can only reluctantly part with him.” He sighed repeatedly with obvious regret. Hearing the Emperor change his mind, everyone felt relieved.
After sighing for a while, the Emperor summoned Lu Yun forward. He took out the seal of Changzhou Prefecture Magistrate and earnestly instructed: “The position of Changzhou Prefecture Magistrate has been vacant for long, with everything in ruins needing reorganization. Considering your wholehearted dedication to serving the country, after taking office you must care for the locality, maintain integrity, and enable the people to live in peace and contentment. Do you understand?”
Lu Yun was overjoyed and immediately knelt to receive the seal: “Subject Lu Yun, blessed by imperial grace, will dedicate his heart to loving the people and dare not fail.” He accepted the seal and kowtowed in gratitude for the Emperor’s imperial favor.
The Emperor laughed heartily and waved his hand: “You’re truly a likeable fellow! Go drink!” Watching Lu Yun kowtow and return to his seat, the Emperor was delighted and, in his joy, drank several cups in succession, laughing: “Our Scholar Lu is indeed handsome and talented, truly deserving of the top scholar title. But I wonder what kind of character our Hu Zhilian, the second-place scholar, possesses?”
Before his words ended, a man strode forward and knelt: “Subject Hu Zhilian wishes Your Majesty peace, joy, and good health.”
The Emperor made an interested sound and looked down to see Hu Zhilian was small in stature but had bright, alert eyes—clearly another capable scholar. He smiled slightly and asked: “Hu Zhilian, what are your aspirations? Where would you like to serve as an official?”
Hu Zhilian knelt and replied: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject’s elder brother also serves in court as the current Minister of Rites. I hope to remain in the capital so that we brothers may be reunited.”
Minister Hu of the Ministry of Rites immediately stepped forward and kowtowed loudly: “Please grant Your Majesty’s grace to allow us brothers to reunite and enjoy familial happiness.”
This Minister Hu had always been on good terms with Liu Jing and frequently opposed Jiang Chong. Seeing this, Jiang Chong immediately sneered: “What an old, worn-out trick! You two brothers, using the shabby banner of family reunion, think you can deceive your way into a capital position? Where’s it that easy?”
The Emperor smiled: “Master Jiang, your words are rather vicious. What business is it of yours if they seek familial affection?” He then said: “Both Master Hus’ request is approved. From now on, I’ll call Minister Hu ‘Big Hu’ and you Hu Zhilian ‘Little Hu’!”
Jiang Chong laughed mockingly: “If these two appear together, they could be called ‘Two Hu’ (erhu)—these two only produce sorrowful sounds, and their whole family looks unlucky.”
Minister Hu was furious, but with Jiang Chong’s current power, he could only endure it reluctantly.
Liu Jing, hearing this, interjected: “Master Jiang, your nephew is ‘Later Jiang’ and you are ‘Former Jiang’—the Yangtze River’s back waves push the front waves. Heh heh, looks like your generation of old folks will definitely be replaced!”
Just as Jiang Chong was about to curse back, the Emperor smiled: “Both Master Hus, please be seated. Scholar Hu, I’ll also test you with a couplet.” In his excitement, seeing three wine cups on the table, without much thought, he waved his hand and said: “The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine.”
This first line also matched the scene—he called himself the Son of Heaven, displaying the imperial bearing of a sovereign looking down upon the realm. Hearing this couplet, the ministers began their chorus of praise again. Jiang Chong even beat his chest and copied frantically in his notebook, his behavior even more shocking.
Hu Zhilian, well-read in poetry and literature, immediately thought upon hearing the first line: “His Majesty’s first line isn’t original. The original line should be ‘A thousand autumns embrace three cups of wine,’ with the second line being ‘Ten thousand li of cloud-mountains, one ancient tower.’ But His Majesty has changed several characters to fit the scene. What should I do?” Being naturally intelligent, his eyes rolled as several matching lines came to mind, but the court was full of literary masters. Though he had responses, none were perfect matches, and he lacked confidence to impress the assembled ministers.
He glanced sideways at Lu Yun and saw him sitting calmly behind his table with a slight smile—clearly this person’s literary talent was extraordinary and he already had another solution ready. Cold sweat poured down as he thought: “Half-baked attempts are worse than saying nothing. Today I can only take the risky path.” He stood and stepped forward, cupping his hands: “Your Majesty, this couplet is too exquisite. I cannot respond immediately. Please forgive me.” He bowed down and kowtowed repeatedly.
Hearing this, the Emperor couldn’t help but frown with disappointment. The assembled literary officials, however, nodded secretly, knowing this second-place scholar understood the situation and was well-versed in court politics. Earlier, when the Emperor and the top scholar spontaneously exchanged verses, they had created lines that would be sung through the ages—clearly both were scholars of extraordinary talent. If Hu Zhilian didn’t know to conceal his abilities and insisted on showing off, one misstep would see him overshadowed by Lu Yun forever. Facing such inquiry, he should naturally find another path to avoid being constrained.
Jiang Chong sneered coldly, and seeing Hu Zhilian retreat, he wanted to humiliate him. But just as the words reached his lips, he suddenly remembered the next person to answer would be his own nephew. His heart leaped in terror, and seeing Liu Jing standing nearby with a threatening smile, he swallowed his words back.
The Emperor frowned, clearly displeased, and shook his head: “Since Scholar Hu won’t answer, then kneel there and wait while I examine your essay first.” He took out Hu Zhilian’s examination paper to read carefully, wanting to see if he had real talent and learning. Minister Hu watched with worry for his brother, while Hu Zhilian knelt on the ground with a smile, clearly confident.
After reading for a while, the Emperor showed neither pleasure nor displeasure, still frowning tightly without speaking. Minister Hu didn’t know whether the outcome was good or bad and felt only fear. After another moment, the Emperor suddenly put down the paper and asked: “In your essay, you strongly advocate military training strategies. What exactly is your intention?”
Hu Zhilian replied: “In recent years, traveling through the countryside, I’ve seen common people displaced and homeless. When encountering bandits, they often cannot defend themselves. Therefore, I used a corner of the examination paper to suggest Your Majesty might allow military techniques to be taught among the people, enabling local militia to defend the country and achieve extraordinary protective effects.”
The Emperor heard his forceful words and saw his bright eyes as he spoke eloquently without fear. His heart stirred with appreciation, and he suddenly smiled slightly: “Seeing your profound insights and vigorous writing style, your expertise lies in historical and political commentary. No wonder you dislike poetry and literature.”
Hu Zhilian knelt motionless and said humbly: “This subject is naturally stupid. Please punish me severely, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor smiled: “Your understanding of statecraft, though not matching Scholar Lu’s incomparable literary work, is still precious. However, since you’ve asked for punishment, I cannot simply let you off.” Seeing the Emperor contemplate with lowered head, Minister Hu was terrified and was about to plead for mercy when the Emperor laughed heartily: “Very well! My decision is made. From now on, you’ll be punished to work as a Hanlin Compiler! Are you satisfied?”
The position of “Hanlin Compiler” was quite high in rank and very prestigious. The Emperor’s use of the word “punished” was clearly joking with no other meaning.
Hearing this, Hu Zhilian was overjoyed, knowing his strategy had worked. He immediately knelt in gratitude and chanted: “This subject thanks Your Majesty’s great grace! Long live Your Majesty! Long live forever!” He kowtowed three times before standing. Minister Hu beside him kept patting his heart, already frightened into a cold sweat.
The Emperor bestowed imperial wine and drank a cup with Hu Zhilian, then asked: “Where is the third-place scholar Jiang?”
A corpulent man rushed out and shouted loudly: “Jiang Daqing kowtows to Your Majesty! Long live! Long live! Long live forever!” He kowtowed forcefully, immediately making loud thumping sounds.
The Emperor smiled: “You needn’t use such force. If you injure your head, your uncle will surely be heartbroken.”
Jiang Chong smiled awkwardly: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s care for my nephew.”
But Jiang Daqing was ungrateful and shouted loudly: “Your Majesty needn’t worry! My head doesn’t fear pain! My uncle has often hit my head since childhood, saying it would make me smarter!”
The Emperor smiled: “Did you really become smarter?”
Jiang Daqing stammered: “I… I don’t know. Anyway, he still hits me often.”
Everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Liu Jing smiled mockingly: “Truly inherited family learning—remarkable, remarkable.”
Jiang Chong’s face turned red as he quickly found a nearby guard and whispered urgently: “Tell Master Luo Moshi to please help my nephew pass this test.”
The guard went as instructed. Jiang Chong looked outside the hall and, seeing Luo Moshi had positioned himself near the window, breathed a sigh of relief and felt somewhat at ease.
The Emperor smiled: “Scholar Hu excels in history, with many insightful views in his examination paper—he’s a pillar for governing the country. Though not matching Scholar Lu’s talent, he’s still precious. One is versatile and quick-witted, the other excels in historical commentary. And you—what can you do?”
Jiang Daqing declared loudly: “I can recite poetry!”
The Emperor made an interested sound: “Recite poetry? What’s that?”
Jiang Daqing said: “Three Hundred Tang Poems! ‘Bright moonlight before my bed, I suspect it’s frost on the ground!’ I can recite all of these!”
The Emperor nodded and smiled: “Seeing you genuinely love poetry, your talent must be high. Come, let me first examine your essay.” He took out Jiang Daqing’s examination paper.
But as soon as he removed the paper from its sealed envelope, it suddenly flew away as if it had wings. The Emperor was startled: “What… what’s happening?”
Qin Zhonghai saw Luo Moshi holding a thin thread and knew he was causing mischief. He smiled coldly, picked up a small stone from the ground, and hurled it at Luo Moshi’s bald head. Luo Moshi was concentrating on handling the situation inside the hall and didn’t expect someone to ambush him. He was immediately struck on the head and bled profusely. He turned around and glared angrily at Qin Zhonghai, saying quietly: “Don’t take advantage of others’ difficulties!”
Qin Zhonghai smiled: “As long as you stop causing trouble, I’ll let you off.” Luo Moshi snorted and ignored him.
With Luo Moshi’s attention divided by talking to Qin Zhonghai, the examination paper fell from the air. Liu Jing laughed: “It seems this paper is quite shy—it’s actually afraid of being read.” He reached out to grab the paper.
Knowing the paper was full of nonsense, Jiang Chong could only smile bitterly and think: “There’s nothing for it but to act!” He picked up a large bowl of soup from the table and immediately splashed it out. Liu Jing hadn’t yet grasped the paper when suddenly a large bowl of hot soup came flying through the air, immediately splashing onto the document. The paper, doused with hot soup, fell to the ground.
The Emperor was shocked: “Master Jiang, what are you doing?”
Jiang Chong quickly said: “This subject’s hands and feet went numb momentarily and accidentally spilled the soup bowl. Please punish me severely, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor sighed: “He worked so hard to write that essay, yet you’ve ruined it beyond recognition. How can you face your nephew? Quickly bring the remaining parts for me to at least have a look.”
Seeing the paper splashed with soup, Jiang Chong was secretly delighted, thinking: “The ink must have run now. Even if His Majesty wants to read it, it’s just a black mess—nothing can be seen.” He cheerfully picked up the dripping wet paper and was about to present it when he suddenly saw that only the name section had ink stains—all the other pages were completely blank. His heart leaped in shock as he thought: “That detestable Daqing! This thick examination booklet—he only wrote his name!”
The Emperor urged: “Master Jiang, quickly bring it here! I’m waiting to read it!”
Jiang Chong smiled bitterly and suddenly opened his mouth, stuffing the entire examination booklet into it.
The Emperor was shocked: “You… what are you doing?”
Jiang Chong chewed chaotically a few times and forcefully swallowed the paper. Though the paper was made of rice paper, such a thick booklet was not light. Jiang Chong’s face suddenly turned deathly pale as he nearly choked to death.
Liu Jing said coldly: “It seems Master Jiang is hungry!”
Jiang Chong seized the opportunity and mumbled unclearly: “Director Liu is absolutely right. Since there was soup on it, I couldn’t bear to waste heaven’s gifts, so I had to eat it!”
Hearing his nonsensical babbling, how could the Emperor not be angry? He immediately slammed the dragon throne heavily and shouted: “You dare! There must be some hidden plot here! Isn’t that right?”
Jiang Chong was so frightened he collapsed to his knees, trembling: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
The Emperor said sternly: “Considering your hard work for the country, I’ve always turned a blind eye to you and rarely interfered with your affairs! But the imperial examination is of utmost importance—it’s for recommending talent to the nation! In such important state affairs, you dare to abuse your power and commit fraud! I absolutely cannot tolerate this! Audacious Jiang Chong, what crime do you deserve!”
Jiang Chong was so terrified he wet himself, kneeling and begging for mercy: “Your Majesty, spare my life!”
In his fury, the Emperor turned and shouted: “Jiang Daqing! I’ll test you now. If you can’t answer correctly, I’ll send you to military service! Do you understand?”
Jiang Daqing was so frightened that cold sweat poured down his body as he trembled: “Help me!”
The Emperor said grimly: “Earlier I commanded Scholar Hu to match that couplet. Since Scholar Hu dislikes poetry, I let him pass. Now I’ll test you again with this same couplet! Answer it!”
Jiang Daqing was bewildered: “What couplet did Your Majesty just pose?”
The Emperor nearly fainted with rage and furiously shouted: “You’ve forgotten already! Your uncle is usually so diligent—he’s copied down all my profound words and great meanings. Go ask him!”
Jiang Daqing nodded and walked over: “Uncle! Let me borrow your copied notes to look at!”
Jiang Chong shook his head: “I can’t lend them to you.”
Jiang Daqing became angry and shouted loudly: “You won’t even save your own nephew! You’re too hateful!”
The Emperor was also furious: “Audacious Jiang Chong! Look how loving the Hu brothers were earlier, yet you do such things! Take out your notebook!”
Jiang Chong smiled ingratiatingly: “Yes… yes…” He reached into his robes and suddenly his expression changed as he cried out in shock: “It’s gone!”
The Emperor’s face turned iron-blue: “Eunuch Liu, go help him!”
Liu Jing smiled slightly: “This old subject obeys the imperial command.” He walked to Jiang Chong and said: “Master Jiang, your nephew wants to see your handwritten notes. Quickly take them out!”
Jiang Chong’s face looked terrible, but he had no choice but to produce the notebook, stammering: “Look at whatever you want!”
Jiang Daqing rushed over and snatched it away, casually flipping through a section. Suddenly he cried out in shock: “Uncle! It’s all black above with only a drawing of a turtle—there’s no imperial poetry!”
The Emperor’s face turned purple with rage as he shouted angrily: “Excellent! So the notes you usually take are all for show! Guards! Beat him!”
Seeing the attending generals rush out with golden maces ready to strike, Jiang Chong knelt with tears in his eyes, begging for mercy and trembling: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Considering my years of service, spare me!”
The Emperor sneered: “Whether I spare you depends on your nephew.” He stopped the palace guards and declared loudly: “Jiang Daqing! Remember well—my earlier first line was ‘The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine.’ Give me a match!”
Jiang Daqing muttered to himself: “The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine?”
The Emperor sneered: “Since you can’t think of one immediately, let’s have some singing and dancing!” As soon as he finished speaking, over ten palace ladies came out and danced gracefully before the hall.
Qin Zhonghai noticed one palace lady was extremely ugly, remarkably resembling Luo Moshi. He quickly turned to look and indeed, Luo Moshi had disappeared—that palace lady must be him in disguise.
The Emperor, feeling irritated, drank several cups of wine in succession: “Have you thought of it yet?” But Jiang Daqing still looked completely bewildered, his mouth agape. The Emperor raged: “I’ll give you the time of one incense stick! Think it through!”
A eunuch brought over an incense burner and lit sandalwood incense. Once the incense burned out, Jiang Daqing would surely be doomed.
Jiang Daqing stood pale-faced in the hall, completely dazed, covered in cold sweat. Suddenly he saw an ugly-faced palace lady smiling at him directly, holding a red flower in her hand and repeatedly trying to give it to him. Jiang Daqing suddenly had lustful thoughts: “Heh heh, this palace lady is interested in me.” For a moment he was completely distracted and forgot he was in danger.
Jiang Chong had already seen that the palace lady was Luo Moshi in disguise and knew there must be a note hidden in the red flower. His heart was desperately anxious, but with the Emperor watching him directly, he could think of no solution.
The Emperor roared: “Have you thought of it or not!”
Seeing he could delay no longer, Luo Moshi immediately threw the red flower toward Jiang Daqing’s face. Jiang Daqing smiled lecherously and was about to reach out to catch it when Qin Zhonghai from outside also threw a stone. The stone hit the red flower with a light “pop,” and the flower flew back, falling between Luo Moshi’s feet. Seeing this situation, both Jiang Chong and Luo Moshi were shocked and anxious, crying out in despair.
The Emperor, seeing Jiang Daqing still delaying, angrily shouted: “Guards! Arrest him!”
Jiang Daqing muttered: “The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine… The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine…” In his terror, he suddenly caught sight of the red flower at the ugly palace lady’s feet and had a sudden inspiration, shouting loudly: “Wait! I have the second line!”
Everyone was greatly surprised and exclaimed: “Really?” Earlier even Hu Zhilian had been unwilling to answer this couplet, showing it was truly difficult. How could the illiterate Jiang Daqing possibly answer? They all showed disbelief.
At this life-or-death moment, Jiang Daqing didn’t care what others said. He rushed out, pointed at the red flower by Luo Moshi’s feet, and roared: “The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine; Palace lady spreads her legs… Palace lady spreads her legs around one flower!”
Everyone couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Luo Moshi looked down at the red flower between his legs and was greatly embarrassed. This mistaken answer actually worked—”The Son of Heaven embraces three cups of wine; Palace lady spreads her legs around one flower”—people, events, time, place, and objects all matched perfectly. Though everyone found it hilarious, they couldn’t find fault with it. The Emperor also found it amusing and waved his hand with a smile: “Fine, I’ll spare your life.”
Jiang Chong’s face was deathly pale as he thought: “Thank heaven for ‘spreads her legs around one flower’—otherwise my nephew and I would have lost our heads!”
Jiang Daqing was extremely proud and arrogant as he knelt: “Reporting to Your Majesty, I wish to request an official position.”
Seeing him immediately climb up the pole, the Emperor couldn’t help but frown: “What do you want to do?”
Jiang Daqing declared loudly: “I want to be ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’!”
Hearing this, the Emperor was both shocked and delighted, standing up and declaring loudly: “You really want to be ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’?”
Hearing these words, Jiang Chong was terrified, his face deathly pale as he quickly knelt and trembled: “Your Majesty, don’t listen to him! He’s talking nonsense…”
The Emperor angrily shouted: “Stand down! This position is at least fourth rank—it’s not beneath your third-place scholar nephew!”
Seeing the Emperor so displeased, Jiang Chong was startled and could only retreat in fear.
The Emperor smiled slightly and said gently: “Jiang Daqing, you really want to be ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’?”
Seeing the Emperor’s joyful expression, Jiang Daqing was overjoyed and quickly agreed, thinking: “That Commander An really didn’t deceive me! As soon as His Majesty hears I volunteer myself, he becomes delighted. Heh heh, looks like I’ll succeed today.” He stole a glance at Jiang Chong and saw him trembling all over as if wanting to speak but holding back. Jiang Daqing thought: “Hmph! Uncle has always looked down on me. Now that he hears I want to be a high official, he’s jealous. How hateful.”
The Emperor nodded and suddenly remembered something, frowning: “Jiang Daqing, I should warn you beforehand—this ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’ requires serving young women in dressing and bathing. Can you bear such indignity?”
Jiang Daqing was overjoyed beyond measure, thinking secretly: “An’dao Jing really didn’t deceive me!” He quickly said: “Serving women in dressing and bathing is my life’s calling—there’s absolutely no indignity involved.”
The Emperor nodded slightly: “Remarkable, remarkable. For a dignified jinshi to endure such humiliation is not simple.” He suddenly frowned again: “But this position has a great difficulty—you’re only allowed to play cards, watch opera, drink wine, and sing with the ministers’ women, but absolutely forbidden to read books. As a Confucian scholar, can you bear such tedium?”
Jiang Daqing’s entire skill set was encompassed in those eight words “play cards, watch opera, drink wine, and sing.” Hearing this was exactly what he wanted, he was immediately delighted: “Your Majesty needn’t worry! I’ll sacrifice my life to do the job well!”
The Emperor sighed: “You’re truly wronged. Very well! I’ll give you this position.”
Jiang Daqing knelt and kowtowed loudly: “Thank Your Majesty! Long live! Long live! Long live forever!”
As Jiang Daqing continued kowtowing, the Emperor turned to ask Liu Jing: “Director Liu, is there precedent for such things?”
Liu Jing replied: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the previous dynasty’s Chief Eunuch Wang Ying entered the palace as a xiucai—that could be considered a precedent. However, this Explorer Jiang entering the palace with jinshi status is unprecedented in history.”
The Emperor nodded slightly: “Having precedent is good. But at his age, can he still be castrated?”
Jiang Daqing suddenly felt an ominous premonition: “What does this mean? What does ‘can he still be castrated’ mean?”
Liu Jing smiled: “Your Majesty needn’t worry. This old subject will personally wield the knife to ensure complete safety.” He glanced at Jiang Daqing’s crotch and nodded: “Looking at how small that thing is, it shouldn’t be difficult to cut.”
Jiang Daqing suddenly understood that this “Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief” was a eunuch position requiring castration. He cried out in shock: “Don’t cut! I don’t want to be ‘Imperial Gate Official Gate Chief’ anymore!”
Liu Jing smiled: “The sovereign’s word is final. His Majesty has already bestowed it upon you—how dare you go back on it?”
Jiang Daqing looked desperately toward Jiang Chong and screamed: “Uncle! Uncle! Help me! Help me!”
Jiang Chong sighed and covered his face, not knowing how to plead for mercy.
The assembled ministers burst into laughter. Both Qin Zhonghai and Lu Yun couldn’t help but laugh—one inside the hall, one outside—both laughing until they fell over.