Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 179 The Imperial Censor Presents a Memorial, and the Fish Takes the Bait!

Ministry of Rites.

Xu Shilong walked into the inner courtyard of the Ministry of Rites on the bluestone slabs. Suddenly, he heard a deliberately hushed discussion coming from behind the artificial hill.

"The four characters 'Starry Sky' truly capture the grandeur and talent of Jiang Jieyuan, which is truly admirable!"

In my opinion, "the true method is 'surging waves'."

He paused slightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade belt at his waist.

"Master Xu!"

Turning past the moon gate, I bumped into several scribes who were scattering in a hurry—some of them had half a newly copied copy of "Viewing the Sea" peeking out from their sleeves.

Hanlin Academy.

Shen Shi.

Amidst the fragrance of pine and ink, several Hanlin Academy students sat in a circle in a pavilion under a wisteria trellis.

Someone dipped their fingertips in tea and traced the lines of poetry on a bluestone table;

Some people held the official gazette and compared it repeatedly, circling and marking the four characters "the movement of the sun and moon" heavily with red ink.

Xu Shilong was on official business at the Hanlin Academy. He passed through the pavilions and under the wisteria trellis when he suddenly felt that the evening wind was a bit biting.

After leaving the Hanlin Academy, the sedan chair traveled along the main street back to the Xu residence.

The sedan curtain swayed slightly as Xu Shilong gazed at the bookstores along the street—a few scholars were vying to buy the newly printed "Canghai Jizhu" (Collected Annotations on the Canghai Sea).

The shopkeeper shouted loudly: "Authentic copy of Jiang Jieyuan's Zhenguo Poems, with annotations and comments from Hanlin Academicians! Only ten copies left today. Come again tomorrow, come again tomorrow!"

Xu Shilong suddenly felt a sour taste in his throat.

The drizzle outside the sedan chair grew heavier, dampening the newly hung peachwood charms under the eaves of the bookstore, on which the ink was dripping wet, and writing:

[Literature is an eternal affair,]
The gains and losses are known only to the heart.
This scene is not surprising. A masterpiece of poetry and prose has been created. If we can analyze its essence, it will be of great benefit to their future poetry and prose writing!
In the past two days, no matter where he went, he encountered this scene almost everywhere, including the Three Provinces and Six Ministries and the Hanlin Academy.

This made him unhappy.

They returned to Vice Minister Xu's residence.

Xu Shilong stood with his hands behind his back in front of the study window.

An unsigned memorial requesting an investigation of the "Zhenguo" poems and essays had been sitting on my desk for two days. The word "urgent" written in vermilion ink, like congealed blood, was gradually fading to a dark brown.

He tapped his fingertips lightly, making the frown lines between his brows even more pronounced.

Two days have passed, but the Prince of Langya, Li Yiguang, has yet to submit a memorial to the three ministries, impeaching Jiang Yuan, the Circuit Intendant of Jiangnan, for writing the imperial poem "Viewing the Sea" on a boat.

His prepared report was also rendered useless.

Xu Shilong remained silent, reflecting on the events in his mind for a long time, and then sighed softly.

"Alas, it seems that trying to bewitch Prince Li was a mistake!"

A long sigh, lingering in the air, dissipated in the cold wind.

"Li Yiguang is the heir of the Langya princes, of noble status and with no shortage of achievements. Although he and Jiang Xingzhou have some differences, they have not reached the point of mutual destruction."

This memorial accusing Jiang Xingzhou of writing "Poems for Emperors" was not enough to lure him into the trap!

"Moreover, the Langya Prince's Mansion is full of hidden talents, including many top strategists."

People like Grand Tutor Jia Chong would surely see through the deadly trap in this situation and would definitely try to dissuade them!

To prevent the Langya Prince's Mansion from falling into a deadly battle with Jiang Xingzhou!

He turned to look at the documents on the desk, the candlelight casting his shadow on the wall.

"That old fox Jia Chong must have smelled the blood in the scheme."

Two days have passed, and Prince Li has yet to take action, likely due to concerns about the dangers involved, and has therefore abandoned his plan to submit a memorial impeaching him!

Xu Shilong tapped his knuckles heavily on the copy of "Viewing the Sea," the ink still wet on the words "Eastward to Jieshi."

"Jiang Xingzhou is even harder to shake than I imagined!"

The candlelight flickered.

A cold glint flashed in Xu Shilong's eyes.

"Who would take this bait and launch an attack?"

He paced slowly, his thoughts like withered leaves falling outside the window, chaotic yet clear.

—The Censorate.

There were many scholars from humble backgrounds who passed the imperial examinations there. They had no powerful families to rely on or powerful clans to support them. They had only passion and pride to fight alone in the imperial court.

They are the best knives.

A low-ranking censor, wearing a seventh-grade blue robe, a minor post, yet he was the one who most shone brightly.

They craved achievement as hungry wolves craved flesh and blood.

If we can bring down Jiang Xingzhou, the Jiangnan Circuit Intendant, and impeach him for writing "Poems for Emperors," it will be a chance to rise to the top in one step!

This will undoubtedly be a huge political achievement for them, marking the most important leap of their lives!
—From a seventh-rank censor, he rose to the sixth-rank, fifth-rank, mid-level censor, and even was transferred to a region to take charge of local county government!

Xu Shilong smiled slightly and tapped his knuckles lightly on the copy of "Viewing the Sea".

"Jiang Xingzhou's talent and reputation are too dazzling! Countless people are envious and jealous, wanting to step on him to climb the road to success!"

"Get up and head to the Censorate."

Xu Shilong left the mansion, gently knocked on the side of the sedan chair, and as the brocade curtain fell, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

—It's time to make a move!
The Censorate.

Beneath the vermilion-lacquered pillars, the cold wind swirled fallen leaves, sweeping across the bluestone steps.

Two low-ranking censors were on duty when they suddenly saw the Vice Minister of Rites arrive, and they hurriedly bowed in greeting.

"I hope Minister Xu is well."

As their wide imperial robes fluttered, a corner of a draft on Xuan paper was revealed, with the four characters "若出其里" (as if from within) still fresh in ink—a line from the poem "Viewing the Sea."

Xu Shilong smiled.

Zhang Ji!

Wang Hao!

These two minor officials, who had toiled for three years in the Censorate, are still stuck in the same place, with no achievements to their name.

It's likely that the number of impeachment memorials gathering dust on their desks is more than the number of imperial meals they've eaten.

"Since you two have nothing to do, would you be willing to play a game of chess with me?"

Xu Shilong laughed.

The pupils of both of them suddenly shrank.

Xu Xueshi, a vice-minister of the Ministry of Rites, an important official of the Six Ministries, and a scholar, suddenly invited them to play chess.

Zhang Ji's knuckles turned white from clenching his fists inside his sleeve, while Wang Hao's Adam's apple bobbed silently.

A cold wind blew through the pillars, carrying a chill.

"The Vice Minister has such leisure time! We officials would be more than happy to accept it."

"You two recently analyzed 'Watching the Sea,' and could you sense something extraordinary within it?!"

Xu Shilong held a black piece and placed it on the star point of the chessboard with a "tap." Before his fingertips left the piece, his gaze swept across the Xuan paper on the sleeves of the two men like a blade, and he said calmly.

The chess pieces made a crisp sound when they touched the sandalwood chessboard.

"That wisp of imperial aura?"

Zhang Ji's hand, holding the white piece, suddenly hovered in mid-air.

—So that's what it was about!
He forced himself to remain calm, but his hand trembled slightly as he placed the piece: "Your Excellency has keen insight. We, your humble servants, have indeed noticed something unusual."

"Imperial Censor Zhang has excellent eyesight and a keen sense of smell!"

Xu Shilong chuckled softly, his fingertips caressing the warm, smooth black jade chess piece.

"You flatter me, Vice Minister."

The white jade chess piece lingered between Zhang Ji's fingers, hesitant to place it. His throat tightened, his voice dry and hoarse, "Many of my colleagues in the Censorate have already sensed the hidden meaning in this matter."

The candlelight suddenly flickered.

These past two days he's been working day and night, almost completely disassembling and reconstructing "Watching the Sea," scrutinizing every word, chewing it down and swallowing it whole—

The allusions to "Looking eastward to Jieshi to view the vast sea!", the grandeur of "The sun and moon seem to emerge from within it", and the magnificence of "The starry sky seems to emanate from within it" all seem to overstep their bounds!
If he can't figure it out after pondering it for two days, then he's wasted his time taking the imperial examination.

Even many censors in the Censorate discussed among themselves and all noticed a hint of imperial aura hidden within it.

but!

The scariest thing is not figuring out the key, but...
Since they were able to see it.

So how could Jiang Jieyuan, the top scholar in the Jiangnan provincial examination, a literary genius who is rare in hundreds of years, a hot candidate for winning the triple crown, and a super talent who is very likely to be the top scholar in the palace examination, not know that he had made such a heart-wrenching mistake?
This is where the wisdom of scholars is truly tested.

It can't be said that Jiang Jieyuan wrote a poem or essay on a whim without intending to, can it?

"Snapped!"

Zhang Ji placed a piece, and the white stone, like a knife, severed the black's influence. "Since Jiang Jieyuan knew this, what was his intention in doing it anyway?"

His voice was deep, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "Is Jiang Jieyuan's move perhaps—to use this poem as bait to lure the world into a trap? To reap even greater rewards?!"
It's not just about the top scholar in the imperial examinations; it's about the imperial court!

The teacup trembled, its lingering sound echoing softly.

Xu Shilong paused, the black piece hovering in mid-air, the candlelight flickering.

"This is an open conspiracy."

Wang Hao sneered, "Using the imperial aura in this article as a lure, I have set up this trap to entice scholars from all over the world into it."

If we do not accept the challenge, wouldn't it make the court appear powerless, daring to challenge our might?! If we accept the challenge…

"—This is what helped him achieve the legendary feat of 'one man, one article, suppressing the court'."

Xu Shilong continued, and Hei Zi slammed his fist on the "Tian Yuan" position.

The chessboard trembled, and a murderous aura suddenly arose.

Xu Shilong tapped the chessboard lightly with his knuckles and said calmly, "The censors are responsible for supervising all officials and impeaching them for dereliction of duty, corruption, and overstepping their authority."

This poem by an emperor is an act of usurpation!

Censors have the privilege of reporting matters based on hearsay, and they can do so without informing their superiors!

His voice was calm, yet every word was like a knife: "I wonder if you two dare to play a game of chess with that Jiang Jieyuan?"

Zhang Ji and Wang Hao exchanged glances for a moment before looking away.

—This is asking them to stake their careers as censors on this game!

The censors were low-ranking but powerful officials, with the authority to report matters based on hearsay without needing to provide evidence. This meant that even if they spoke falsely or made false accusations, they were not guilty.

But if we fail...
Of course, there are also risks!
The biggest risk is being demoted and dismissed from office, ending one's official career!
Some were demoted to minor officials in Lingnan Circuit. This malaria-ridden land became their final destination! Far from their reach, they were forgotten, and their official careers faded into obscurity!
But if it succeeds—

To condemn a nationally significant article as "usurping power" is their stepping stone to meteoric rise!

The room was deathly silent, with only the crackling of the candlelight.

Censor Zhang Ji stared silently at the chessboard, and in a daze, the nineteen lines seemed to transform into a giant net—

One end is tied to the wild and untamed Lingnan region, and the other end is attached to a purple-red official robe!

The game was over in a short while.

Xu Shilong left the Censorate and sat in his sedan chair with his eyes closed.

The sedan chair curtains were drawn, shutting out the hustle and bustle of the city.

He lightly stroked the jade belt with his fingertips, and the jade belt buckle tightened with a "click," while the sound of drums rose and fell in his ears.

Amidst that surging, wave-like roar, he could clearly hear his own heart pounding—

Boom!
Boom!
It perfectly mimics the rhythm of the fishing line tightening and the rod tip trembling when a fish bites the hook.

His lips curled slightly.

He knew in his heart that these two censors from humble backgrounds would still be tempted to bite the bait even if they knew it was dangerous!
after all
Such an opportunity to report a nationally significant article for "usurping power" is one that might not come along for decades. Who wants to sit on the sidelines of the Censorate for decades longer?!

Outside the sedan chair, the twilight was as red as blood.

Xu Shilong, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, has left.

Inside the Censorate.

Zhang Ji and Wang Hao sat facing each other, looking at the unfinished chess game.
On the chessboard—Xu Shilong's black stones occupied the corners and sides, and built a towering wall in the center, suppressing the white stones into a broken and defeated state, with white stones lying dead everywhere.

"Xu Shilong is really greedy."

Wang Hao sneered, "He won't concede an inch on the edges, corners, or center; he's taking all the advantages. You, the white piece, can only compromise and yield at every turn."

"The Vice Minister, huh?"

Zhang Ji picked up a white chess piece and gently rubbed it between his fingers. "After all these years of humbly serving in the Censorate, what's one more game of chess to settle this grievance?"

"Brother Zhang! Tell me, why is Vice Minister Xu Shilong so scheming to deal with Jiang Jieyuan?"

Wang Hao suddenly leaned forward.

Zhang Ji put the chess pieces into the chess basket. "If Jiang Jieyuan becomes the top scholar, he will surely enter the Hanlin Academy, and the next step will be to become a vice minister of the Three Departments and Six Ministries!"
Only those who have passed the imperial examinations can enter the palace!
Xu Shilong's sense of smell is far sharper than ours; he must have detected a huge threat.

However, he wasn't currently considering Xu Shilong's intentions. Rather, he was wondering whether they should submit a memorial accusing Jiang Xingzhou of committing the crime of usurpation with his imperial poem!

The risks and rewards involved are both extremely high!
Under the candlelight.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Ji immediately began writing a memorial.

Wang Hao hesitated as he looked at the memorial, stroking the cover until the veins on his forehead bulged: "Brother Zhang, don't you intend to report this matter to the Censor-in-Chief, Lord Pei?"

"boom!"

Zhang Ji suddenly slammed his hand on the table, startling the candle wax into spilling out, and said:
"Naturally, I will perform the piece alone!"

We will both take full responsibility for this matter!
If the Grand Censor is informed, he will be impeached along with the Grand Censor, which will implicate the entire Censorate!

You want to drag the entire Censorate into this case?!

His face was cold and indifferent, and the two characters “usurpation” written in ink that was not yet dry were as ferocious as knives: “If this matter succeeds, you and I will be the upright pillars of the Censorate and the court.”
If defeated

Seeing Wang Hao hesitate, Zhang Ji said in a deep voice, "If Brother Wang has any concerns, then I will submit the memorial alone!"
Brother Wang, observe the situation. If it's favorable, you should submit a memorial to the throne! If it's unfavorable, you will be demoted to Lingnan!

A bolt of lightning struck outside the window, illuminating half of his grim face: "—I, Zhang Ji, will bear this alone!"

"I want to see!"

Zhang Ji sneered, "Just how capable is Jiang Jieyuan that he dares to throw out this imperial poem as bait to all the scholars in the world?!"

Brother Wang, you are unwilling to take responsibility.

I will deliver the memorial to the Ministry of Personnel tonight! Then you can inform Lord Pei! That way, you won't have to bear any responsibility!

"All right!"

Wang Hao's Adam's apple bobbed, and the reflection in the teacup shattered into ripples.

That's it.

Zhang Ji had already decided to submit a memorial to the emperor.

However, he had many concerns and always felt uncertain.

An hour later, under the cover of night, Wang Hao walked out of the Censorate.

After pondering for a long time, he turned and headed to the residence of Imperial Censor Pei Lie.

Even though Zhang Ji did not submit the memorial to the Imperial Censor for review, he still had to report it to him privately.

To prevent the Censor-in-Chief from being unaware of such a significant matter.

If the censor only finds out tomorrow morning at court, he will probably be caught off guard!

If we make a mistake in handling the situation, it will damage the dignity of the Censor.

Imperial Censor, Pei Residence!
Wang Hao's boot sole crushed a puddle of water.

He stood before the steps of the Pei residence, raindrops dripping down his official robes, leaving deep stains on the bluestone slabs.

Looking up, the Imperial Censor's study was still lit, and shadows flickered on the window paper, as if whispering.

"Wang Hao, what brings you this news so late at night?"

Pei Lie emerged, his brows furrowed as if carved by a knife.

The night wind, carrying raindrops, poured into the corridor, causing the candlelight in his hand to flicker.

"grown ups!
Zhang Ji had already drafted a memorial to the throne, intending to impeach Jiang Xingzhou for his poem "Viewing the Sea," accusing him of the crime of overstepping his bounds in imperial poetry!

Wang Hao's throat tightened, and he said respectfully.

"Snapped!"

The candle flame shot up half a foot high.

Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Pei Lie's expression changed drastically. He grabbed Wang Hao's wrist with such force that he almost crushed the bones.
"Is he crazy?"

Is the memorial still in his possession? Or has it been sent to the Ministry of Personnel? Or perhaps, directly to the palace?

Through the rain, Wang Hao saw a cold glint flash in the eyes of the Imperial Censor—

That's not anger.

It's fear.

"This idiot! So many people from three provinces and six ministries have stood by and watched indifferently!"
Why would a mere censor like him get involved in this mess?
Is he preparing to be exiled to Lingnan?

A bolt of lightning struck outside the window, illuminating half of Pei Lie's ashen face. He abruptly released his grip and took two quick steps down the corridor.

"Go and retrieve the memorial immediately!"

Imperial Censor Pei Lie suddenly turned around, and icy rainwater slid down his temples and into his collar.

It's too late!
The memorial submitted by Your Excellency has been sent to the Ministry of Personnel overnight!

Censor Wang Hao clutched his reddened wrist and took a half-step back in fear.

(End of this chapter)