Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 321 Jiayou Gongju
On the wall of the Ministry of Rites' examination hall, a huge list of names hung high like a verdict.

Before the cheers had subsided, a starkly different atmosphere of deathly silence began to spread noticeably in the area where the students of the Imperial Academy had gathered.

"How, how is it possible?"

A student muttered to himself, his gaze lingering on the list, his face quickly turning from rosy to deathly pale.

"Where are Senior Brother Liu Ji? Where is Wang Ping? Where is Zhang Ruxian?"

His companion, who had just been arrogant and domineering, now had trembling lips and pointed a shaking finger at the list, but couldn't utter a single word.

"Did it leak?" someone asked incredulously.

Undeterred, they scanned the area again.

However, there wasn't a single name they recognized on it.

Even those candidates who came from Kaifeng Prefecture had no connection whatsoever with the "Imperial Academy" that they were so proud of.

"No, absolutely none! Out of the 373 people on both lists, not a single one is from our Imperial Academy!"

Another student almost cried out those words.

The list of candidates they had previously believed would be "monopolized" by the students of the Imperial Academy became the graveyard for all their hopes.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

A tall, imposing student suddenly shoved aside the person in front of him and rushed to the list, almost pressing his face against it.

"I clearly answered better than them! My essay, 'On the Mid-Tang Dynasty,' was full of classical allusions and profound in its subtleties. How could I have failed?! Were the examiners blind?"

"Ouyang Xiu! It must be that old scoundrel Ouyang Xiu! He's long disliked our Imperial Academy! He deliberately excluded us!"

Another student, his eyes bloodshot, suddenly turned around and swung his fist toward the gate of the examination hall, his voice distorted with extreme anger.

This roar instantly had the effect of igniting a powder keg, giving all the anger a specific target.

After all, for these students, the information about "who is this year's chief examiner" might not have been known before the exam, but it had been a month since the exam, so it was no longer a secret.

"Yes! It was Ouyang Xiu! He's the one who did it!"

"He's definitely using the 'Imperial Academy style' to dismiss people! It's clearly an attempt to suppress my Imperial Academy!"

"He's trying to ruin our future! He's destroying the very foundation of our Imperial Academy!"

"We studied diligently for years, delving day and night into the wisdom of the ancients, only to end up like this? Where is justice?!"

The flames of anger instantly ignited in the hearts of the students.

Those faces that were basking in a sense of superiority not long ago are now completely distorted by humiliation, resentment, and rage.

Nobody looks at the list anymore; it has become a glaring stain of shame.

They turned their anger towards the Imperial Examination Hall, the place that symbolized the authority of the imperial examination system.

"Ouyang Xiu! Come out and explain yourself!"

"Give me justice! Give me back my honors!"

"By what right do you dismiss us? By what right!"

"Treacherous officials are in power, blocking the path for virtuous people!"

Curses, questions, cries, and roars mingled together, forming a surging wave of sound that instantly drowned out the cheers and discussions from other areas.

The crowd began to stir.

The students, like a flood bursting its banks, rushed headlong into the still-open vermilion gates of the examination hall.

"Stop them!"

The Imperial Guard officer maintaining order shouted sternly, veins bulging on his forehead.

If they were to storm into the Ministry of Rites' examination hall, the imperial guards responsible for its defense would be in serious trouble.

The shield-bearing soldiers immediately tightened their formation, forming a human wall with their sturdy shields and bodies, desperately resisting the surging, irrational crowd.

"Bang! Bang!"

It was the dull thud of a body hitting a shield.

"Get out of the way! Let Ouyang Xiu out here!"

Some of the students acted like mad tigers, even trying to tear off the soldiers' armor.

"Why are you blocking us? We're the ones who should be on the list!"

Soon, some people picked up stones and other debris from the ground and hurled them at the gate of the examination hall and the imperial guards.

The scene instantly descended into extreme chaos.

The other candidates were stunned by the sudden and violent scene, and they retreated in fear, lest they be swept into the storm.

The scholars from Shu surrounded Lu Beigu, instinctively protecting him in the center, while Su Zhe, Cui Wenjing, and others nervously stood in front of him.

Lu Beigu stood in the crowd, his gaze piercing through the chaotic figures, observing everything.

He saw the despair in the eyes of those students—the collapse of years of hard work turned to dust in a single day, and the madness of their faith being ruthlessly shattered.

For these students, almost everything they had in the past was buried in the cold wind of February in an instant.

"A treacherous minister! Ouyang Xiu is a treacherous minister who is jealous of talent and ability!"

"Smash this examination hall! Smash this den of iniquity!"

The students' shouts grew increasingly fierce, and their attacks became more and more intense.

Although these Imperial Guard soldiers who were transferred to the front lines were well-trained, they felt immense pressure in the face of hundreds of students who had gone mad, and their lines were constantly pushed back and deformed by the onslaught.

Of course, the main reason is that they are afraid of harming the innocent.

These students were, after all, scholars, and given that the overall social atmosphere of the Song Dynasty valued literature over martial arts, these warriors dared not easily take action.

Therefore, the Imperial Guards could only let the students push and shove them.

The ground of the examination hall was littered with trampled food scraps, shoes, and other items, creating a scene of utter chaos.

But even clay figures have their tempers, and besides, those who chose to join the army in the Song Dynasty were not from good families, so the Imperial Guards soon couldn't stand it anymore.

Just when the conflict was about to escalate to a critical point.

"quiet!"

A loud shout suddenly came from inside the gate of the examination hall.

The gate of the examination hall creaked open a crack.

An official dressed in a scarlet robe with a stern expression appeared behind the door, escorted by the Imperial Guards. He was none other than Mei Zhi, a scholar of the Longtu Pavilion.

Ouyang Xiu, the chief examiner, and Mei Yaochen, the examiner of the examination papers, could not appear at this time, and Wang Gui was unwilling to appear, so only Mei Zhi, who had a close relationship with Ouyang Xiu, came.

Mei Zhi's gaze swept over the out-of-control crowd in front of the door, and he repeatedly questioned them loudly.

"This is the Imperial Examination Hall, a place of solemn importance. You've gathered a crowd, made a ruckus, and stormed the Imperial Guards. Are you trying to rebel?!"

"The provincial examination for selecting officials has its own rules and regulations. The examiners review the papers impartially. How dare you roar here?"

Then, Mei Zhi waved his hand sharply and gave the imperial guards an order: "Anyone who attacks the formation or disrupts order again will be punished for 'interfering with the imperial examinations'! Arrest them immediately and hand them over to the Kaifeng Prefecture for severe punishment! They will be permanently banned from employment!"

The words "never to be employed again" were like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, causing the students' momentum to stall.

They could be angry, they could be resentful, but being "never to be employed" meant completely cutting off all possibilities of entering officialdom through the imperial examinations, which was far more terrifying than failing the exam once.

Some students were struck as if by a heavy blow, staggering backward and falling to the ground in a daze, staring blankly at the cold gate of the examination hall and the high-hanging list, as if all the muscles and bones in their bodies had been removed.

Others gritted their teeth, staring intently at Mei Zhi with venomous eyes, as if trying to etch their hatred into their very bones.

"Scatter! Scatter, all of you!"

The Imperial Guards, having received their orders, grew even more imposing and began to advance, using their shields to drive away the still-reluctant crowd.

Under the intimidation of the threat of "never being employed again" and the forceful expulsion by the Imperial Guards, the students were forcibly pushed away from the gates of the Imperial Examination Hall. Like a group of defeated roosters, they gathered dejectedly at a distance, with a few of the most indignant ones jumping up and down and cursing in the direction of the examination hall.

The Imperial Guards, whose formation had become chaotic, took the opportunity to regroup and watch the Imperial College students' procession warily.

"We must appeal to the emperor! We want to lodge a petition!"

Just then, someone shouted from the crowd.

"Yes! We'll appeal to the Emperor! Let him make the final judgment!"

"Ouyang Xiu committed fraud! He abused his power!"

"Our grievances can only be known by Heaven!"

The proposal was quickly accepted, and the students stopped trying to storm the examination hall and instead began moving toward the Forbidden City with deep-seated hatred.

The noise in front of the examination hall gradually subsided, leaving only a mess on the ground.

Lu Beigu stood in the crowd, watching the students of the Imperial Academy gradually disappear at the end of the street.

He knew very well that the "Jiayou Imperial Examination," a historically famous storm initiated by Ouyang Xiu to reform literary abuses, was about to truly begin.

Soon after.

Within the Forbidden City, in the Hall of Hanging Bows.

Inside the hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Emperor Zhao Zhen, dressed in casual clothes, was leaning against his throne, his eyes closed in meditation.

His once slightly chubby cheeks are now almost devoid of flesh, and his cheekbones stand out even more against his slightly sagging skin, making him look completely different from how he looked two years ago.

The persistent fatigue caused by his health problems has also made him much less energetic than before, and he needs to rest for a long time every day before he can handle things for a short while.

Deng Xuanyan, the Right Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, came to the outside of the palace at the signal of the eunuchs outside. After listening to the report whispered in their ears, he showed a troubled expression.

After a moment's hesitation, he approached the emperor with extremely light steps, bowed and whispered, "Your Majesty, something has happened outside the palace gates."

Zhao Zhen slowly opened his eyes: "What is it?"

Deng Xuanyan's voice rose slightly: "They are the Imperial Academy students who were dismissed this year. There are many of them, about several hundred, gathered outside Xuande Gate, prostrating themselves before the gate, their cries shaking the heavens."

"They said that Scholar Ouyang, who was in charge of the imperial examinations, was corrupt and deliberately suppressed the Imperial Academy, dismissing all the students. Therefore, they demanded that the rankings of this provincial examination by the Ministry of Rites be invalidated and that the examination be retaken. Due to the public's anger, the Imperial Guards have been deployed around the perimeter to prevent any unforeseen events."

Zhao Zhen's brows furrowed instantly, but he was not surprised by the actions of the imperial students.

The suppression of the Imperial Academy would cause a backlash, which he had anticipated when he tacitly approved Ouyang Xiu's actions. The reason he reacted this way was because he heard the words "dismiss all Imperial Academy students".

He sat up straight, his tone tinged with anger: "Dismiss them all? Uncle Ouyang is really going to such extremes?"

Weakening the Imperial Academy's dominant influence in the imperial examinations was Zhao Zhen's instruction to Ouyang Xiu.

Because the students of the Imperial Academy were forming cliques and gaining power, which could easily lead to factions and threaten the imperial authority, Emperor Zhao Zhen needed Ouyang Xiu as a sharp sword to cut off the increasingly thick vines that were entwining the tree of the imperial examination system.

However, he never expected that Ouyang Xiu's methods would be so ruthless!

It wasn't suppression, but a near-complete purge!
This is far from his vision of "gradual progress and a smooth transition," and this will inevitably cause violent turmoil. The current appeal is just the first wave of this turmoil.

"Ouyang Yongshu," Zhao Zhen murmured to himself, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne.

Zhao Zhen admired Ouyang Xiu's sharpness, but he was also troubled by Ouyang Xiu's resolute insistence on "overcorrection," which put him, an emperor who strived for stability and ruled the country with "benevolence," in a huge passive position.

But there is nothing we can do about it.

As an emperor who ruled for decades, Zhao Zhen would never make the low-level mistake of "giving others a handle to use against him." He would always leave himself room for maneuver in everything he did, so that he could always be in the position of "arbitrator."

Therefore, even if he intended to weaken the power of the Imperial Academy, he would not openly tell Ouyang Xiu, but would only hint at it and then hand over the task to Ouyang Xiu. As for what extent Ouyang Xiu needed to do it, he would not give any clear instructions.

So, did Ouyang Xiu fail to grasp his true intentions, or was he feigning ignorance and taking advantage of the situation?
Zhao Zhen felt that the latter was more likely.

Because Ouyang Xiu was not his puppet, Ouyang Xiu also had his own ideas and wanted to take this opportunity to carry the classical literature revival movement through to the end.

Therefore, in the current situation, Ouyang Xiu has actually failed the emperor's grace and is coercing the emperor to clean up the mess for him.

The reasoning behind this is quite simple. Regardless of whether the emperor instructed Ouyang Xiu to weaken the Imperial Academy, it was inevitable that Ouyang Xiu would be appointed as the chief examiner for this year's provincial examination by the Ministry of Rites.

Therefore, since Zhao Zhen himself appointed the chief examiner, no matter what trouble he caused, as long as it wasn't a case of cheating in the imperial examination, he had to help clean up the mess.

Otherwise, it would damage his prestige as an official.

Zhao Zhen remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to the sky outside the palace, as if he could see through the layers of palace walls and into the surging crowd of imperial students outside Xuande Gate.

"Pass on the imperial edict."

Zhao Zhen's voice was calm. Over the decades, he had seen many storms and waves. Although Ouyang Xiu's decisive actions had angered him somewhat, it was not a particularly difficult matter to handle. "The Kaifeng Prefecture and the Palace Guard are to keep a close watch on them, maintain order, and prevent any disturbances to the Forbidden City that could harm the innocent. However, they must not use force without authorization, nor arbitrarily arrest scholars. They are all successful candidates in the imperial examinations; even if they act rashly, they must not lose face for the court."

The Song Dynasty was different from other dynasties because it followed the layout of the inner city of Kaifeng during the Five Dynasties period. Therefore, it did not form an absolutely closed palace city. Behind the palace city was the forbidden area where the emperor and his concubines lived, while in front were the offices of various important government departments. People came and went in a very mixed manner, making security work particularly difficult.

"Yes." Deng Xuanyan bowed and accepted the order.

"Issue another oral order," Zhao Zhen said. "Summon Hu Yuan, who is in charge of the Imperial Academy and lecturer at the Tianzhang Pavilion, to come to the palace for an audience immediately."

"Yes!"

Deng Xuanyan understood immediately; the Emperor was going to directly approach the "parents" of the Imperial Academy students.

He dared not delay and immediately turned around to arrange for a capable eunuch to rush out of the palace to deliver the imperial decree.

Zhao Zhen leaned back on his throne and closed his eyes wearily.

Weakening the influence of the Imperial Academy was a predetermined strategy, and he could not possibly oppose Ouyang Xiu's final results in this provincial examination, as that would be tantamount to slapping himself in the face and negating the necessity of this reform.

But Ouyang Xiu's fire burned too fiercely and intensely, almost reducing the entire Imperial Academy to ashes. He needed someone to appease him, to clean up the mess, and to provide a buffer for this overly harsh outcome. That person could only be Hu Yuan.

Soon, various messages reached the Imperial Academy.

Inside the main hall of the Imperial Academy, Hu Yuan sat upright in the main seat, his hair and beard as white as snow, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.

Standing before him were more than a dozen Imperial Academy scholars, all of whom looked indignant.

"Lord Hu! Ouyang Yongshu has gone too far! He's trying to wipe out our Imperial Academy!"

"Hundreds of students' ten years of hard work, all destroyed in one day! This is an irreconcilable feud!"

"Lord Hu, the students have already petitioned the emperor. Shouldn't we also submit a joint memorial to impeach Ouyang Xiu for his abuse of power, arrogance, and factionalism?"

The people below were talking amongst themselves, their voices filled with hostility.

Only Hu Yuan remained silent, his worldly-wise eyes calmly sweeping over the crowd.

Hu Yuan finally spoke, but what he said surprised everyone: "Ouyang Yongshu's actions were not without purpose. How could I not know the drawbacks of the Imperial Academy style? The younger generation of scholars only seek the bizarre and novel, piling up obscure allusions, completely losing the original purpose of literature to 'carry the Way'. As the person in charge of the Imperial Academy, I also bear the responsibility for failing to correct this trend in time."

His words were like ice water, poured over everyone's hearts.

What does this mean?
Seeing that everyone's minds had become dull from studying, Hu Yuan sighed and impatiently stated it plainly.

"And impeach Ouyang Xiu? Impeach him for what? Is it to directly impeach him for carrying out the emperor's orders, or to impeach him for rectifying the literary style?"

"But...but why did it have to come to this!"

An elderly scholar, beating his chest in frustration, exclaimed, "Even if there are drawbacks, they can be gradually guided. Why resort to such drastic measures to abolish them all? This is clearly..."

It is 'momentum'.

Hu Yuan calmly took over the conversation, but beneath that calmness lay a deep weariness: "Since the Qingli era, the Imperial Academy has been the most powerful, and graduates from the Imperial Academy are found throughout the court and the country. This is the trend. But now, our Imperial Academy has become an uncontrollable force for the government, which is also a trend."

He saw things too clearly.

From the moment the Emperor tacitly approved Ouyang Xiu's appointment to oversee the civil service examinations, Hu Yuan had already foreseen the current situation.

He had been quietly preparing, preparing for the potential impact on the Imperial Academy, and preparing how to preserve the Academy's vitality amidst these turbulent waves.

However, Hu Yuan had not expected that Ouyang Xiu's blade would be so swift, so ruthless, and so thorough in its strike! Leaving no room for retreat!
Just then, a student from the Imperial Academy rushed into the hall, panting, and said, "The eunuchs from the Forbidden City have arrived."

The eunuch entered and conveyed the Emperor's decree.

"Lord Hu, the Emperor summons you to the palace for an audience immediately!"

All eyes in the hall were fixed on Hu Yuan. Was it a thunderous rage? A stern reprimand? Or a turning point?

Hu Yuan slowly stood up, her thin figure appearing unusually old in everyone's eyes.

He straightened his faded scholar's robe, dusted off non-existent dust, and did so solemnly.

He didn't look at the gazes of the people below, but bowed to the eunuch who was delivering the decree and said, "Your subject Hu Yuan, hereby receive the decree."

Inside the Chuigong Hall.

The palace doors opened slightly, and an attendant led Hu Yuan in slowly.

This pillar of the Imperial Academy seemed even more hunched over at this moment, his steps heavy.

"Your humble servant Hu Yuan pays his respects to Your Majesty." Hu Yuan bowed deeply.

"Minister Hu, please rise."

Zhao Zhen raised his hand, indicating that a seat should be offered.

Unlike Emperor Taizu of Song, he did not enjoy playing games like removing chairs. Generally speaking, senior officials could sit and talk in front of him.

Hu Yuan thanked the emperor and sat halfway down on the brocade stool, her back still straight.

After coughing, Zhao Zhen took the initiative to speak: "Your Excellency is unwell and should not be troubled, but the provincial examination has shaken the court and the public. The students of the Imperial Academy have petitioned the emperor for justice, and public opinion is raging. I have no choice but to summon you here to discuss the aftermath."

"This old minister knows everything," Hu Yuan said slowly. "The students of the Imperial Academy are young and impetuous, and act rashly, disturbing Your Majesty's presence. This old minister has failed to discipline them properly and deserves to die."

He stood up again, intending to bow and apologize.

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, his gaze on Hu Yuan still quite complicated: "I summoned you here because of the results of the provincial examination."

They were all old foxes, and coupled with his poor health, Zhao Zhen didn't intend to say too much nonsense and waste his energy.

"Ouyang Xiu's judgment of the papers may have been harsh in some aspects, but I understand his intention to reject the strange and unorthodox style of the Imperial Academy and to advocate classical prose to correct the source and clarify the origin. The results of this provincial examination cannot be overturned."

The government's meaning is quite clear.

Hu Yuan lowered his head slightly, the dim light in the hall casting a deep shadow on his face.

He was not unaware of the drawbacks of the Imperial Academy style in its later development. Although Liu Jizhi's writing was exceptionally talented, it was not uncommon for it to be influenced by the trend of piling up obscure and deliberately difficult passages.

"The Emperor's wisdom shines brightly."

Hu Yuan's voice carried a weariness that came after the dust had settled: "The change in literary style is an inevitable trend. Although Ouyang Yongshu's methods were drastic, they were for the sake of literature and the atmosphere of scholars. This old minister has nothing to say."

This almost resigned calm made Zhao Zhen feel somewhat reluctant.

If Hu Yuan were to make a strong argument, or even demand a re-examination of the Ministry of Rites provincial examination, Zhao Zhen would be able to handle it.

But how could he possibly take this attitude too seriously?
Looking at the elderly Confucian master before him, Zhao Zhen recalled the man's achievements in lecturing in Suzhou and Huzhou and promoting education at the Imperial Academy, nurturing countless talents for the Song Dynasty. A pang of reluctance quietly crossed his heart.

"However, several examiners who participated in grading the provincial examinations this time excessively rejected candidates from the Imperial Academy."

Zhao Zhen said, "I have ordered the relevant officials to investigate thoroughly. If it is found that the judgment of the papers is improper or too biased, I will demote and send the person away to appease the public anger and reassure the scholars."

Hu Yuan nodded slightly.

He knew this was a way out provided by the authorities, and a necessary means to quell the unrest.

Only a few specific executors can be sacrificed, in order to preserve the authority of the entire provincial examination results.

That's how politics is.

"As for Ouyang Xiu," Zhao Zhen said firmly, "his appointment to the Ministry of Personnel is also necessary for rectifying the situation."

Hu Yuan was not surprised at all. Ouyang Xiu was the leader of the literary world and also the sharp sword of the government. How could he be easily defeated?

He said in a low voice, "Ouyang Yongshu is a man of both talent and virtue, a leader of the literary world. He should cherish talent for the country. This old minister has no objection."

The core solution has been clarified.

The rankings for this year's provincial examination by the Ministry of Rites remained unchanged, with Ouyang Xiu remaining in office, while several examiners who were deemed "too harsh" were reassigned and sent to other posts.

A brief silence fell over the hall, broken only by the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire in the animal-shaped stove.

Hu Yuan sat there for a while, as if gathering her last bit of strength.

Finally, he raised his head, his cloudy eyes looking at the emperor on the throne.

The clarity that had been present when they discussed the outcome was gone from his eyes; only the endless concern of an old man nearing the end of his life for what would become of him remained.

"Your Majesty."

Hu Yuan's voice became even hoarseer: "This old minister is over sixty years old and has little time left. These old bones are already like a candle in the wind. However, the Imperial Academy is the culmination of my life's work and a vital place for the nation to cultivate talents. After this turmoil, the Imperial Academy has suffered a great loss of vitality and its reputation has been ruined. This old minister dares not ask Your Majesty for special leniency. I only beg Your Majesty to remember the Imperial Academy's humble contribution to cultivating countless pillars of the nation and to preserve its vitality after my death, so that it will not be allowed to collapse and die out."

These words, every single one, were like the mournful cry of a cuckoo.

A master who once dominated the literary world and had countless students, now set aside all his dignity and was almost begging for the sake of the university he regarded as his life.

Hu Yuan no longer mentioned the debate over writing style, nor did she discuss right and wrong; she only sought "preservation".

Looking at the deep pleading in Hu Yuan's eyes, Zhao Zhen felt a pang of pity.

The Imperial Academy was, after all, the de facto highest institution of learning in the country, with a deep foundation. How could it be completely abandoned because of a single provincial examination controversy? Ouyang Xiu was attacking the literary style, not trying to destroy the Imperial Academy itself.

Even if Ouyang Xiu had this idea, Zhao Zhen would not agree to it.

Because the government will always need checks and balances.

The Imperial Academy can be weakened, but it must not fall.

"Minister Hu, you flatter me." Zhao Zhen's voice was much gentler. "The Imperial Academy is the foundation of the nation. How could it be abandoned because of a temporary disturbance? Rest assured, I will certainly maintain the system of the Imperial Academy. Once the turmoil has subsided, I will select a person of both virtue and talent to preside over the Imperial Academy, guide the academic atmosphere, and revitalize its vitality. I will not let down Minister Hu's life's work."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!"

Hu Yuan struggled to get up and kowtow in thanks, but Zhao Zhen stopped her by raising his hand.

The Emperor's clear promise was like a reassurance to him. He knew that as long as the Imperial Academy's structure remained intact and its foundation was not destroyed, there was always hope for its revival.

Hu Yuan took a few breaths, seemingly relieved of her biggest worry, and her expression relaxed a little.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has one more request."

He hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke with difficulty, his voice even lower: "I have a disciple named Liu Ji. This time in the provincial examination, alas, it was his bad luck, and the style of writing that ruined him. But this boy is exceptionally intelligent, and his foundation in learning is truly profound. He is by no means one of those who only know how to pile up strange and unusual phrases. He has real skills."

Hu Yuan leaned forward slightly, his posture almost humble: "This old minister humbly begs Your Majesty not to kill him because of this matter and cut off his path to serving the country. As long as he is truly talented and capable, I beg Your Majesty to leave him a way out."

Zhao Zhen listened quietly.

Liu Ji—he certainly knew this name; Liu Ji was one of the most popular candidates for the top scholar in the provincial examination.

Hu Yuan's plea was not really a plea for mercy.

What's the point of pleading if you fail the exam? It's impossible to overturn the result and take the exam again.

Moreover, even if Liu Ji brought people to petition the emperor, how could the emperor possibly exterminate a mere student of the Imperial Academy?
This sounds absurd, but in reality, Hu Yuan was using the personal connections he had built up with the emperor over the years, as well as his mature and patriotic compromises during the Jiayou imperial examination incident, to pave the way for Liu Ji and make the emperor remember Liu Ji.

But the emperor's mind is his own.

It was impossible for Zhao Zhen to make any specific promises to Liu Ji based on Hu Yuan's request.

Especially at this critical juncture, what Zhao Zhen needs is to calm the storm, not to stir up more trouble.

As for whether Liu Ji truly possesses talent and whether he can rise again after setbacks, that is up to his own fate.

However, since Hu Yuan had put it this way, Zhao Zhen naturally understood his meaning, so he said...

"I understand your love for your student, Minister Hu. However, the most important thing in the imperial examination is fairness. In the end, one must earn one's own success through one's own abilities. If Liu Ji is truly as you say, with real talent and learning, as long as he can learn from his mistakes, change his ways, and follow the laws of the court, he will be able to pass the imperial examination and rise to the top. At that time, he will naturally be appointed to a suitable position. The imperial court's talent selection ceremony will not be canceled because of one person or one incident, nor will it make exceptions for one person or one incident."

This statement was impeccable, affirming the importance of genuine talent and demonstrating that the court would not dismiss talent based on personal connections, while also emphasizing that everything must be done according to the rules, without offering any substantial guarantees or special considerations.

In particular, the eight characters "after painful reflection, change course" imply that Liu Ji must abandon the "Imperial Academy style." If this person is stubborn, what's the point? Is he just making things difficult for himself?
However, after hearing these words, Hu Yuan's tense expression immediately relaxed, and she even showed a relieved smile.

He knows the government all too well.

These words, though seemingly without a promise, are in fact the greatest promise ever!

For Liu Ji, who was at this moment feeling as if he had fallen into an abyss, this was certainly like a ray of light shining through the darkness.

Hu Yuan knew his disciple’s talent and resilience well. As long as the court did not block his path and did not completely banish him because of this provincial examination, Liu Ji would still have a chance to turn things around!
As for whether he can grasp it and truly change his writing style, that depends on Liu Ji's own fate.

As his teacher, Hu Yuan had secured the most crucial "possibility" for him, and had also paved the way for Liu Ji in front of the officials.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Hu Yuan insisted on getting up and bowed her head deeply.

"On behalf of all the students of the Imperial Academy, this old minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

He knew that he had done the last thing he could do for the Imperial Academy and for his students.

The rest of the journey is up to them to walk.

Sunlight streamed in from outside the hall, casting long shadows on the smooth, golden brick floor, illuminating Hu Yuan's white hair and her completely hunched back.

(End of this chapter)