Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 178 A Slap in the Face for the Crown Prince! The Poisonous Strategist Jia Chong!

In the Langya Prince's Mansion, the candlelight flickered red.

Prince Li Yi, upon receiving the memorial, hastily wrote a thousand-word proclamation with his wolf-hair brush. Each word was like a knife, directly accusing Jiang Xingzhou, the Jiangnan Circuit official, of harboring imperial ambitions in his poem "Viewing the Sea," deeming his intentions worthy of punishment!

The last stroke was made, the ink still wet.

He slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Father, please look!"

Li Yiguang, holding the memorial, strode to the throne of Langya. His smugness was barely concealed as his brocade robes fluttered. He presented the memorial, saying, "That Jiang Xingzhou is usually so arrogant. He even dared to write poems for the emperor. This time, he will definitely be taught a lesson!"
Once my son submits his memorial to the court, he will surely be imprisoned!

The Prince of Langya took the memorial and slowly unfolded the silk paper under the gilded candlestick with his slender fingers.

The candlelight cast shadows between his deep-set eyes, and the entire study gradually solidified with his silence.

Suddenly, a crisp slap broke the silence.

Li Yiguang staggered back, covering his burning cheek, staring incredulously at his father, who had always doted on him: "Father? Why did you hit me!"

"Go and summon the Grand Tutor, and have your master teach you!"

Prince Li Chong of Langya shouted coldly, slamming his knuckles heavily on the sandalwood table, causing the teacup to tremble slightly.

Before long, Jia Chong, the tutor of the heir apparent of Langya and the chief strategist of the Prince's mansion, arrived in haste.

He was thin, with a pair of narrow eyes as sharp as a hawk's, but at this moment they were lowered, and he respectfully accepted the memorial. After reading it carefully, his expression gradually became stagnant.

"Grand Tutor, is there anything wrong with my memorial?"

Seeing Jia Chong remain silent, Li Yiguang couldn't help but press him for an answer.

Jia Chong slowly raised his eyes, his fingertips gently tracing the edge of the memorial, his voice low and deep: "Your Highness, is this memorial... truly your work?"

Li Yiguang was taken aback, then looked away with a slightly guilty expression: "Of course I wrote it."

A glint flashed in Jia Chong's eyes, and his tone was slightly cold: "Viewing the Sea is a national treasure poem, every word of which is as precious as gold."

The fact that the Crown Prince could write a thousand-word essay, picking out allusions and sources to criticize him for having "imperial ambitions" is... quite unexpected.

Li Yiguang sensed the probing in her words and his face turned red with embarrassment.

How could Grand Tutor Jia Chong not know that he possessed considerable talent?

Li Yiguang couldn't hold back any longer and said in a low voice, "To be honest... it was Vice Minister Xu of the Ministry of Rites who instructed me to compile this memorial."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Jia Chong's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. He only sighed softly, "So that's how it is."

He tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, the candlelight flickering in his eyes, reflecting a chilling aura: "Your Highness, there are two deadly traps hidden behind this matter!"

"Firstly, Xu Shilong's scheming."

His voice was low and his words were sharp as knives. "He wanted to use 'Viewing the Sea' to frame Jiang Xingzhou for writing poems for emperors, but he didn't dare to do it himself. Instead, he tricked the prince into being the knife!"

Why?

Because he knew that these far-fetched arguments were simply not enough to convict Jiang Xingzhou.

But what he wants is for our Langya Prince's Mansion to confront Jiang Xingzhou head-on, so he can watch the two tigers fight and test Jiang Xingzhou's strength and trump cards!

Li Yiguang's expression changed drastically, and his knuckles turned white from clenching his fists.

Xu Shilong's thoughts were actually clear to him long ago.

However, he could not resist the enormous temptation. If he could successfully capture Jiang Xingzhou on the charge of writing an imperial poem, it would be a great achievement for him.

Jia Chong sneered and continued, "Secondly, Jiang Xingzhou's scheme!"

He tapped the memorial heavily with his fingertip.
Xu Shilong knows the story of "Jieshi"!

Could it be that Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar of Jiangnan Province who wrote "Viewing the Sea", would not know this?

Not only did he know this, but he also deliberately wrote this poem in the Confucian Temple's academic hall, allowing it to spread throughout the Great Zhou—what does the Crown Prince think his intention was?

Li Yiguang's pupils contracted slightly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead: "I understand that Xu Shilong wants to use me as a tool! ... But what is Jiang Xingzhou's purpose in setting up this plan?"
What good does it do to smear yourself?

Jia Chong slowly stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming: "Jiang Jieyuan is fishing—fishing for those who can't contain themselves and want to make a fuss about 'imperial poems'!"

Now that the Beginning of Winter has passed, the spring imperial examinations will be just around the corner.

He's clearly trying to remove a hidden threat before next year's imperial examinations!

Upon hearing this, Li Yiguang slammed his teacup onto the table, spilling tea onto his sleeve.

"Your Highness, please observe,"

Jia Chong leaned forward and said, "This poem, 'Viewing the Sea,' is full of gems and hints at every turn."

It faces the Jieshi Mountain to the east!

The movement of the sun and moon seems to originate from within it!
The starry sky is brilliant, as if emerging from within it!
It may seem like giving the opponent an opening, but it actually conceals a deadly move!

He slammed his fingers heavily on the memorial, "Jiang Jieyuan is trying to lure out those who are hostile to him so that he can wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"

A sudden gust of cold wind rose outside the window, making the window frame creak.

Jia Chong sneered, "Once he makes an example of someone to scare others and establishes his authority, then we can go to the exam with peace of mind."

At that time, who would dare to trip him up again in the spring imperial examinations next year?
Even if he made a minor mistake during the exam, who can say he wasn't deliberately trying to lure someone in? And no one would dare to point out his mistake again!

Li Yiguang's face turned deathly pale, and he murmured, "So this poem... is a fishing poem?"

"Exactly!"

Jia Chong sighed, “This seemingly flawed poem, which vaguely reveals the aura of an emperor, is actually a carefully laid trap!”

The crown prince thought he had caught him red-handed, but little did he know…

He paused meaningfully, "Jiang Jieyuan had already laid out his net, just waiting for the fish to take the bait!"

The candlelight on the table popped and flickered, casting a flickering light on the Langya Prince's face, which reflected a complex mix of emotions.

"That"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Yiguang's forehead as his fingertips unconsciously traced the memorial on the table: "If I were to submit this memorial to Jiang Xingzhou, how would I break the deadlock?"

Jia Chong picked up the celadon teacup; the tea inside had already cooled.

He gazed at the tea dust floating on the water's surface and slowly said, "Your Highness, please allow me to explain in detail—"

"According to the regulations of the imperial court, this memorial must be circulated through the three provinces and six ministries."

He dipped his brush in cold tea and drew three streaks on the table. “According to the importance and urgency of the matter, it will pass through the Ministry of Personnel, the Secretariat, and the Chancellery before finally reaching the Emperor’s ears and being delivered to his desk.”

However, this case remains questionable. While it harbors an imperial aura, the evidence is not irrefutable.

He paused heavily at the "Ministry of State Affairs" mark with his fingertip: "This memorial from the Crown Prince is ultimately just a speculative interpretation."

Such ambiguous charges will most likely stop at the Ministry of Personnel and will never be sent forward!

A sudden gust of wind blew through the window, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.

Jia Chong's shadow twisted and deformed on the wall: "At that time, how will the Ministry of Justice decide this case?"

The debate will proceed to the 'Great Confucian Scholars Debate' process!
For a single article that could bring peace to the nation, the Ministry of Personnel would dispatch at least five Grand Secretaries and invite at least one renowned Confucian scholar of the time!
They debated the classics together, trying to determine whether the poem "Viewing the Sea" was a true imperial poem and whether Jiang Jieyuan was guilty of any crime!

But how could you, me, or Vice Minister Xu of the Ministry of Rites possibly sway the thoughts of a Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy and a great Confucian scholar of the time?
—Those old, stubborn Confucian scholars, they even dare to contradict the emperor!
The final outcome of their debates is completely unpredictable!

Upon hearing this, Li Yiguang's Adam's apple bobbed, and his hands, clenched tightly in his sleeves, turned white.

“What’s even more terrifying is…”

Jia Chong suddenly lowered his voice, "If Jiang Xingzhou were to immediately become a disciple of a great Confucian scholar—"

With Jiang Jieyuan's talent in poetry and prose, every piece he wrote was a masterpiece, even a poem that could "protect the nation."

Which great scholar wouldn't want to recruit him as a disciple to bolster their sect's prestige? Those old fogies would probably fight tooth and nail for him!

The candlelight on the table popped and flickered, reflecting Jia Chong's chilling sneer: "It's nothing more than a debate on scriptures and doctrines!"

This is the forte of great Confucian scholars: quoting classics and interpreting texts. Who can out-argue them!

Those great Confucian scholars were so eloquent that even the late emperor was intimidated and had to give them a wide berth. At that time, instead of punishing them, they might just solidify Jiang Jieyuan's lifelong literary fame!

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Prince Li Yiguang's chin and landed on the memorial, instantly spreading the ink.

The candlelight flickered and burst again, casting an indistinct glow on the face of Prince Li Chong of Langya.

He slowly stroked the jade thumb ring on his thumb, then suddenly said in a deep voice, "The Grand Tutor is right!"

This "Not bad" startled Li Yiguang, who suddenly looked up.

"If that Jiang Xingzhou would be willing to enter my Langya Prince's Mansion."

Prince Li Chong of Langya's eyes gleamed, and he slammed his knuckles heavily on the table. "Don't even mention letting bygones be bygones. Even if I have to use all the resources of the royal palace, I will protect him and treat him as an honored guest!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Chong's teacup trembled slightly, revealing a hint of embarrassment!
Li Chong suddenly sighed, "Who wouldn't want to have such an extraordinary talent in their possession?"

He gazed intently out the window, thinking, "If even I, the King, am so eager, then which of those high-ranking scholars and cunning old foxes in the palace wouldn't want to take this opportunity to curry favor with Jiang Jieyuan in order to recruit him?!"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Yiguang's expression suddenly changed.

Jia Chong replied quietly, "The great Confucian scholars cherish talent as if it were their own life, and their discerning eyes are even sharper than those of the prince."

Jiang Jieyuan only needed to subtly hint that he was willing to serve!

At that time, the debate in the Ministry of Personnel will likely be...

He paused meaningfully, then added, "It will turn into a talent war."

A sudden night wind arose, swirling a few withered leaves against the window frame, making a rustling sound, as if countless hands were secretly vying for them.

"boom!"

Li Yi slammed his hand on the table in anger, making the teacup jump: "So, this means my memorials never even reach the Emperor's desk. They can't even get past the Ministry of Personnel?!"

His face was ashen, and his voice trembled with disbelief.

Minister Xu of the Ministry of Rites!

Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar in the Jiangnan region!
They are all incredibly cunning!
He had absolutely no idea what tricks they were up to!
Jia Chong stroked his long beard, the candlelight casting deep shadows on his wrinkles: "Minister Xu and Jiang Xingzhou are engaged in a magical duel."

He paused meaningfully, then said, "I'm playing a long game."

"The Crown Prince's memorial has only reached the 'debate among great scholars' in the Ministry of Rites, but this is not the worst of the situation."

Jia Chong suddenly lowered his voice, his words like the spitting of a venomous snake, "If someone insists on putting Jiang Jieyuan to death and forcibly bypasses the 'Great Confucian Scholars' debate' of the Ministry of Rites, there are ways to achieve this!"

Li Yiguang suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

"We can have the censors risk their lives to submit a memorial, bypassing the three provinces directly."

Jia Chong drew a sharp straight line on the table with his finger. "In this way, we can reach the ears of the emperor directly, and even invoke the Confucian Temple's judgment!"

That's when true skill comes into play, when it's a bloody battle!

A flash of lightning streaked across the window, momentarily illuminating Li Chong's ever-changing face.

"such a pity!"

Jia Chong shook his head and sighed, "Although this poem, 'Viewing the Sea,' contains the air of an emperor, it is far from being a poem for an emperor or a poem for a rebellion."

He suddenly narrowed his eyes, "Does Your Highness know that, apart from emperors, who else in this world is worthy of the description in 'Viewing the Sea': 'Standing on the eastern cliffs to view the vast sea, holding the sun and moon in one's hand, and the stars in one's heart'?"

"Who?"

Li Yiguang subconsciously pressed for an answer.

But then Jia Chong dipped his withered fingers in cold tea and slowly wrote four ancient seal characters on the table: "Sage of Literature!"

Before the ink was dry, a thunderclap boomed outside the window, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.

Jia Chong's hoarse voice sounded particularly chilling amidst the thunder: "The Records of the Grand Historian, in the chapter on the Duke of Zhou of Lu, states: 'The Duke of Zhou pacified the barbarian tribes of the Yan state and campaigned against the Eastern Sea.'"
The Duke of Zhou visited the East Sea!

Suddenly, a fine crack appeared on the jade thumb ring in the hand of Prince Li Chong of Langya, as if he understood what Jia Chong meant, and he let out a long sigh.

"Duke of Zhou, Ji Dan, was the son of King Wen and the younger brother of King Wu."

He assisted King Wu of Zhou, recruiting talented individuals, waging wars in the east and west, establishing rites and music, and ultimately achieving the establishment of an imperial dynasty!

With each identity Jia Chong mentioned, he tapped his finger on the table. "The Duke of Zhou, if he were to 'travel east to Jieshi to offer sacrifices to the sea, and hold sway over the sun, moon, and stars'—"

"Do you dare say that the Duke of Zhou harbored imperial ambitions and intended to rebel?!"

The final tap made the teacup jump.

Li Yiguang staggered back three steps, his back slamming heavily against the screen.

His lips trembled as he managed to squeeze out two words: "I dare not."

"If Jiang Jieyuan said that he wrote 'Viewing the Sea' in imitation of the sage Duke Dan of Zhou assisting King Wu of Zhou, then he was writing it."

"Do you still dare to insist that Jiang Jieyuan wrote poems for emperors, intending to rebel?"

Jia Chong asked again.

"Don't dare!"

Li Yiguang felt a chill run down his spine.

Jia Chong sighed, “Duke Zhou Dan was not an emperor, but a sage of literature and morality!”
Jiang Xingzhou compared himself to the sage Zhou Gongdan, a man of literature and morality, and aspired to emulate the sages and assist a wise ruler.

After writing this piece, "Offering sacrifices to the sea at Jieshi, holding the sun and moon in my hands, and the stars in my heart," who dares to say anything?!

Once it gets to that point...

Even the Confucian Temple's judgment could not convict Jiang Xingzhou!

People across the land deeply felt that his original intentions had been misunderstood, causing him to suffer a great injustice. They would probably regard him as the next prime minister, a figure like the ancient sage Duke of Zhou!

This is what makes Jiang Xingzhou so terrifying. The bigger the storm he stirs up, the greater his gains!

Prince Li Yiguang remained bowing, his back soaked with cold sweat: "Thank you so much for the Grand Tutor's reminder!" His voice trembled with lingering fear.

This trap was clearly designed to send him to his death, thus cementing Jiang Xingzhou's legendary reputation.

He was seething with hatred. "Minister Xu deliberately lured me into a life-or-death struggle with Jiang Xingzhou at the Langya Prince's Mansion! If I get the chance, I'll make Xu Shilong pay!"

Jia Chong twirled tea froth between his withered fingers: "That old fox Xu Shilong is using the heir's knife to test Jiang Xingzhou's sword."

But Your Highness, you mustn't seek revenge!

"My Langya Royal Family has been a powerful and independent state for generations!"
The feudal lords should not associate with court officials—this was an ironclad rule established by Emperor Taizu!

Xu Shilong and Jiang Xingzhou are both officials in the imperial court; bloodshed is inevitable sooner or later!

The candlelight crackled and popped, illuminating half of the cunning strategist Jia Chong's face, making him look like a ghost. "Minister Xu, sooner or later you'll have a fierce battle with Jiang Xingzhou! Jiang Xingzhou won't let him get away with it! Let them bite!"

My Langya Prince's Mansion must not get involved, lest we be caught in the crossfire!

"It's a pity... Jiang Jieyuan refuses to come to my Langya Prince's Mansion!"

He is probably the strongest scholar to ever be recognized in the history of our Great Zhou Dynasty!

With this man's talent and cunning, we, the Langya Commandery, can become the most powerful and wealthy of all the vassal states!

Prince Li Chong of Langya sighed, "I'd love to see Xu Shilong, the Vice Minister of Rites, and Jiang Xingzhou, the Circuit Intendant of Jiangnan, personally clash! But I wonder, Grand Tutor, who do you think would win?"

"In my opinion, Vice Minister Xu is no match for Scholar Jiang!"

Jia Chong waved his feather fan, shook his head, and suddenly smiled sinisterly.

"Why?"

Langya Royal Road.

"The real mastermind behind this deadly trap is Jiang Xingzhou. He was fishing by the river, deliberately casting out the great bait of his national treasure poem, 'Viewing the Sea.'"

Look at Luoyi, who would dare to jump out and murder him?!
Vice Minister Xu was already tempted and almost took the bait... but he was too cautious and didn't fall for it. Instead, he tempted the young master to take the bait and test Jiang Xingzhou's abilities!

That old fox is nothing but a cunning and despicable mediocre man who rose to power through political maneuvering. His true abilities are far inferior to Jiang Jieyuan's!
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(End of this chapter)