Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 224 The Empress's Attendant!
As the morning court session ended, the officials of the court gradually left the main hall.

Minister of Personnel Li Qiao looked displeased, flicked his sleeves, and questioned his superiors in a deep voice: "Promoted three ranks in three days!"

Where does this kind of promotion put the Great Zhou's system of performance evaluation and promotion?

Though I am but a humble person with little influence, shouldn't the cabinet members say something?

The frail and elderly Minister Wei Min glanced at him and chuckled: "What should we say? That the top scholar has no merits and is not suitable for promotion?"
His "Ode to the Epang Palace" and "Edict of Grace" were both widely praised and highly regarded by the court. Who can compare to him?

At this moment, anyone who dares to speak out against it will not only anger the emperor, but also offend this top scholar who will surely become the head of the cabinet in the future.

Offending the emperor may bring displeasure, but His Majesty will ultimately not severely punish his ministers—after all, it is the duty of ministers to abide by the court's rules and offer advice in accordance with regulations.

The Emperor was also clear-headed; the people were not defying the imperial edict, but simply disagreed with such an unconventional act.

However, offending that top scholar would send chills down one's spine.

This newly appointed top scholar, capable of writing the "Decree of Grace," was by no means a person who adhered to conventions. Most of the open and covert struggles in the court took place among the officials.

For every person who rises to great heights, another falls from grace.

The emperor, forever seated on his throne, looks down upon all living beings as if they were mere chess pieces.

The outcome of the power struggles among court officials is nothing more than who can become the more useful pawn in her hands.

Anyone who truly wishes to escape the chessboard of the imperial court, at the very least—by becoming a great Confucian scholar—can then live a carefree life away from the world, retreating to the countryside to seek the great path of the sage of literature.

Grand Secretary Chen Shaoqing looked at the blinding sunlight outside the palace and sighed helplessly.

"This matter... is truly troublesome."

If any vice minister or minister were to stand up against Jiang Xingzhou's promotion, they would be pushing themselves into a head-on confrontation with him, with no room for maneuver.

Jiang Xingzhou's momentum was too great - he achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations, surpassing 10,000 candidates in the spring examinations with his own strength.

Even if all nine of the ten top scholars in the Great Zhou Dynasty joined forces, they could not contend with him.

If this obstruction fails, then this Minister, and even the officials behind him, will surely become sacrifices, making way for Jiang Xingzhou's path to advancement.

His promotion required someone to relinquish an important position.

Who would be willing to do that?

The officials in the palace were all seasoned veterans of officialdom and well-versed in its advantages and disadvantages.

If one insists on taking the lead at this time and fails, the cost will not be just the loss of one person, but the downfall of an entire faction.

The entire court was silent; no one uttered a sound—because everyone understood that once this step was taken, there was no turning back.

Left with no other option, Minister of Personnel Li Qiao drafted a document and submitted it to the Ministry of Personnel according to regulations, which would then be forwarded to the Secretariat for review.

All the officials in the court knew that this matter was thorny, but none of them dared to obstruct it. When the document arrived, each department could only silently affix its seal and then pass it on to the next department.

In less than three days, the document had completed the entire process, whereas normally it might take several months to receive a reply.

Jiang Xingzhou had no free time during these three days.

He is now a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and is able to enter the academy to observe politics.

In the Hanlin Academy, the senior scholar Zhao Mingcheng personally led the newly appointed top scholar Jiang Xingzhou, the second-ranked scholar Liu Chun, and the third-ranked scholar Cao Jin through the various halls and pavilions, pointing out and introducing them one by one.

"In our Hanlin Academy, there may not be many others, but the top three scholars—the first, second, and third place—are everywhere."

Zhao Mingcheng walked ahead with his hands behind his back, his tone revealing a hint of bitterness, "The top scholar of the previous imperial examination, Liu Qing, and the one before that, Wang Ruming... are still diligently compiling sacred texts and historical records, honestly accumulating seniority."

He turned his head slightly, glanced at Jiang Xingzhou, and continued with a half-smile: "It is truly rare to see someone like Jiang Xiuzhuan, who was promoted to the fourth rank within three days, gaining the Emperor's favor and rising to the top in one step."

It should be noted that when the top scholar first entered the Hanlin Academy, he was only appointed as a compiler of the seventh rank. Although he was one rank higher than the county magistrate, he was still considered a newcomer.

Although their official rank was not high, the top three scholars (状元, 榜眼, and 探花) were eligible to be appointed to central government positions and enter the top echelons of the central government in the future, so their career prospects were quite excellent.

The fourth rank was comparable to that of a prefect of a large prefecture, a truly powerful and prestigious position.

Jiang Xingzhou sensed the barb in his words, but only smiled faintly and said nothing more.

They were walking through the corridors of the Hanlin Academy.

Suddenly, they saw a quiet pavilion ahead, where Liu Qing, the former top scholar in the imperial examination, was sitting upright, concentrating on writing the history of the previous dynasty.

The files were stacked high, the ink still wet.

In a daze, it seemed as if a long river of history, formed from his talent, flowed from the tip of his pen.

An air of vicissitudes is faintly visible, as if a thousand years have quietly solidified here.

The task of compiling history may seem arduous, but it was actually a coveted position that everyone in the Hanlin Academy was eager to obtain—ordinary people simply couldn't get a chance, only the top scholar in the imperial examination had the qualification to write history.

This is how he left his name in the annals of history.

The day the history book was completed, it was a vast history book that [protected the country].

If their name is recorded in history, then their name will be immortal!

His literary talent and wit also soared!

Even if it meant burying oneself in the Hanlin Academy for three to five years, or even ten years, without promotion, enduring hardship and studying alone by lamplight... countless Hanlin scholars still vied for it, flocking to it like moths to a flame.

There was a Hanlin scholar in the Hanlin Academy who spent his entire life compiling only one history book.

Once the history book is completed, not only will he be promoted to the third rank, but he will also have a rapid chance of being promoted to Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy.

Holding a copy of the "Blue History" as his most precious book, the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices was an unstoppable force, capable of slaying gods and Buddhas alike.

The first volume of ordinary poems and essays is usually only a few dozen or a thousand words long.

The historical records are magnificent works by historians, often numbering in the hundreds of thousands of words, embodying the literary power of an entire dynasty. What power they possess!

This is precisely the sacred path that countless people envy, leading directly to the pinnacle of literary tradition and the attainment of sainthood!

Zhao Mingcheng's gaze swept over Liu Chun and Cao Jin, and his tone was solemn: "Although compiling history and writing classics is arduous, it is a noble and respectable path."

If you two can endure the loneliness of the Hanlin Academy and persevere for three to five years, you will surely amount to something extraordinary in the future.

"nature!"

"If there are any tasks such as repairing the Holy Scriptures or writing the Annals, just leave them to us!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Chun, the second-place finisher, and Cao Jin, the third-place finisher, exchanged a glance and saw the burning light in each other's eyes, becoming extremely excited and invigorated.

They spoke in hushed tones, their fingers occasionally tracing the ancient pavilion outside the corridor, clearly showing their longing for this thousand-year-old literary garden.

According to the old practice of this dynasty, the top three candidates in the palace examination were directly appointed to positions in the Hanlin Academy.

Other Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) who wished to enter the Hanlin Academy had to undergo another Hanlin examination, going through layers of screening before they could be admitted.

Jiang Xingzhou's trip to the Hanlin Academy was only for a three-day stay. Afterward, he would go to the palace to take up the post of a fourth-rank Attendant Reader—a position close to the emperor, extremely prestigious and illustrious, quite different from the arduous and secluded life in the Hanlin Academy.

Everyone in the Hanlin Academy knew the truth.

Jiang Zhuangyuan's three-day stay was merely a formality.

Therefore, naturally no one would really assign him any tasks related to compiling books and history.

Jiang Xingzhou had a rather leisurely few days at the Hanlin Academy, occasionally enjoying tea and chatting with other Hanlin scholars, or flipping through a few volumes of the Great Zhou Gazette to observe the trends in the court and the countryside.

Three days passed in a flash.

He changed into his newly appointed fourth-rank official robes and entered the palace.

After careful inspection by the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, it was placed into the palace.

The imperial lady-in-waiting, Nangong Wan'er, came personally and led him through the many palace corridors to a royal garden in full bloom.

"The top scholar has been enjoying immense success these past few days!" Nangong Wan'er's voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of bitterness. "Passing the imperial examination, enjoying a warm wedding night, surrounded by wives and concubines... truly, 'riding high on the spring breeze, seeing all the flowers of Luoyang in a single day!'"

As she spoke, she lightly pinched Jiang Xingzhou's arm with her fingertips, her expression a mixture of reproach and resentment.

Jiang Xingzhou sensed the jealousy in her words, and could only shake his head with a wry smile, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Wan'er..."

"That's it!"

"I am but a lowly palace maid, how could I possibly have any say in your affairs, you dashing and debonair scholar who has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations?"

"His Majesty reads quietly for an hour every day in this Imperial Garden and takes a short rest."

As your attendant, you only need to stand aside and read aloud the texts on the scrolls on the table.

Nangong Wan'er lowered her beautiful eyes slightly, her voice gradually softening, as if a hint of resentment lingered within it.

"If Her Majesty does not ask, remember not to say anything... Her Majesty does not like others disturbing her thoughts."

Nangong Wan'er led the boat along the river into a delicate pavilion deep within the Imperial Garden.

The Empress was lying quietly on a rosewood recliner, her eyes gently closed, her breathing even and long. It was unclear whether she was truly dreaming or simply taking a short rest.

Around five zhang away, dozens of eunuchs and palace maids stood with their heads bowed, holding their breath and not daring to disturb them in the slightest.

Jiang Xingzhou straightened his clothes and approached, stopping ten steps away from the imperial desk.

At that moment, he looked up and saw...

Empress Wu Mingyue looked extremely young; when she lowered her eyes, her eyelashes were as black as ink, and when she raised her eyes, her gaze was clear and bright.

With her jade-like face and crimson lips, her beauty was unparalleled. If it weren't for her regal bearing, one would almost mistake her for a young noblewoman living in seclusion.

He bowed slightly as required, then stepped forward two steps and gently picked up the scroll of "Heavenly Questions" from the table with both hands.

The black sleeve brushed against the corner of the sandalwood table without making a sound.

He retreated to a jade cushion half a zhang away on the left, sat upright, and began to read aloud from a scroll.

The sound was like striking jade, each word clear and distinct, echoing softly in the silent, deep palace.

That is "Heavenly Questions" written by Qu Yuan, a sage during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

"He said: In the beginning of time, who passed on the Dao?"

The upper and lower are not formed, why test it?

The darkness and confusion are beyond comprehension; who can fathom its depths?
Feng Yiwei, how can one recognize it…

His voice is clear and melodious, and his words are like jade.

As Jiang Xingzhou slowly recited,
Suddenly, a line of extremely fine vermilion annotation appeared at the top margin of the page, the ink still fresh: "Mars guards Taiwei, a sage will be born in the southeast—the sign will appear in the winter of the fifteenth year of Tianshou."

Jiang Xingzhou's heart suddenly jolted.
It was as if an invisible hand had seized my soul, and my breath stopped for a moment.

A line of red annotations beside the pages of this volume of "Heavenly Questions," with its slender, elegant handwriting and still-fresh ink, instantly pierced Jiang Xingzhou's eyes—

He had clearly seen that sentence before.

When he first arrived in this world, he saw the exact same handwriting in the margins of a rare, incomplete musical score in the Langhuan Pavilion of the Duke of Xue's mansion in Jiangyin.

At the time, I only felt that it was mysterious and difficult to understand, but I never went into depth.

And now, I see it again in the imperial palace, on the Empress's desk!
A chill suddenly ran down my spine.

This is no coincidence!
Empress Wu Mingyue had opened her eyes at some point, her gaze clear and cold like a deep pool, and she was staring at him quietly.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, echoing through the silent pavilion, "Why—don't you continue reading?"

This sudden question, like an icicle, instantly pierced the stagnant air around them.

Jiang Xingzhou felt as if that gaze could penetrate his very soul, and the fingertips holding the book paused slightly.

The Empress's eyes were like a deep, still pool, calm and undisturbed, yet they possessed an imposing and compelling aura.

Jiang Xingzhou composed himself, rose to his feet, and bowed, his voice steady yet carrying a perfectly measured hint of doubt: "Your Majesty is wise."

Last year, I saw this scroll of "Heavenly Questions" in the Langhuan Pavilion of the Duke of Xue's mansion in Jiangyin, and also saw the imperial annotations. I have long had doubts in my heart, which have been lingering and difficult to resolve.

This book was written by sages before the Qin Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago, a time of great upheaval.

However, the annotation on this trip—"Mars guards Taiwei, a sage is born in the southeast, and the sign appears in the winter of the fifteenth year of Tianshou"—clearly refers to the celestial phenomenon of last winter.

The interplay of time and space is beyond my comprehension, especially for someone as dull-witted as myself. I wonder… who wrote this, possessing the ability to foresee heavenly secrets?

He spoke calmly, stating the facts, and then respectfully presented the astonishing question before the emperor.

Empress Wu Mingyue remained calm, her fingertips lightly brushing across the pages of the book, and said:

"This was personally annotated by the Imperial Preceptor, Grand Tutor Li."

Astrology and divination are merely one person's opinion.

A few years ago, the Grand Tutor observed unusual celestial phenomena. Mars was guarding the Taiwei Enclosure, and he thus predicted that a sage would descend to the southeast, and the signs would appear in the winter of the fifteenth year of the Tian Shou era.

Upon hearing this, I secretly dispatched men to search for traces of the Sage in various southeastern regions.

She sighed softly, seemingly weary: "Yet the three regions of Jiangnan, Lingnan, and Jingchu cover thousands of miles and have hundreds of millions of people."

The number of babies born each year is well over ten million.

Sages do not speak, and the Mandate of Heaven is not revealed!
Where shall I begin to search?
Even if you find it, it will take fifteen or sixteen years for it to grow up.

According to the calculation of your birth in the winter month of the fifteenth year of the Heavenly Mandate, fifteen years later, you will be approximately... your current age. If you have the opportunity, or have already passed the imperial examinations, you will gradually become famous throughout the land.

Her gaze swept over the boat on the river, tinged with a hint of appreciation, before returning to its usual calm.

If the Grand Tutor's prediction back then was "In the first year of Heaven's Mandate, a sage will be born in the southeast," she might have truly suspected that the exceptionally talented scholar before her was indeed the sage ordained by Heaven.

pity.

Fifteen years have passed, and they still can't match up.

Jiang Xingzhou's heart sank suddenly, but his face remained calm.

He understood.

It turns out that the proverb "A sage was born in the southeast, and Heaven bestowed upon him fifteen years of winter" was referring in His Majesty's mind to an infant who was born last winter.

She naturally wouldn't connect such profound secrets of heaven with a young minister like herself who had already grown up.

But if we consider it as "new life"—

He transmigrated into this world, and the moment he opened his eyes for the first time was during the Great Cold season, the fifteenth year of the Heavenly Mandate, when snow was falling.

He lowered his eyes to conceal the turmoil within them, then raised his head and smiled gently, following the Empress's train of thought:

"Your Majesty is wise."

Fifteen or sixteen years later, the sage who was born in response to the times will surely rise to prominence and become famous throughout the world.

At that time, I will still be in court, and to be able to witness Your Majesty's unparalleled brilliance would be an immense honor.

Upon hearing this, Empress Wu Mingyue smiled slightly, and her gaze towards him was filled with even more admiration: "Why be so modest, Jiang Lang?"
With your talent and knowledge, let alone fifteen or sixteen years, even now, you are already showing initial promise.

Fifteen years later, you will likely have already entered the cabinet as a high-ranking official, become a Grand Secretary, or even become a Confucian master admired by the world.

"The distance to the realm of a saint... in my opinion, is only half a step away!"

(End of this chapter)