Prime Minister

Chapter 81 080 [The Oriole]

Some things may seem shrouded in mystery, but once you peel back the veil, everything becomes clear.

To use Xue Huai's usual saying from his previous life, there's nothing new under the sun.

The reason why Liu Yu insisted on protecting the answer sheet despite Gao Tingbi's reasonable questioning was actually quite simple—either he genuinely admired the candidate's writing skills, or he had a reason to do so.

Xue Huai leaned towards the latter, because he was in a similar situation. However, he had made it clear to Jiang Li that he would not show favoritism just because it was the Crown Prince's request, and at most he could only treat those candidates fairly.

But Liu Yu clearly couldn't do it.

Perhaps, as Gao Tingbi said, Liu Yu was completely dependent on Yue Zhongming's support and protection, and he had no confidence to resist him.

Xue Huai remained cautious. Gao Tingbi was clearly trying to guide him to connect Liu Yu's unusual behavior directly with Yue Zhongming, but without concrete evidence, Xue Huai would not easily draw a conclusion.

"Does Liu Youwen think we're fools? Does he really think we can't see through his little scheme? If you ask me, there's definitely something fishy about that answer sheet; it's most likely the result of bribery!"

Gao Tingbi remained furious, his tone as cold as ice.

The term "bribery through connections" is a general term for the corrupt practice in which the Crown Prince had Jiang Li relay a message to Xue Huai.

Xue Huai picked up his teacup, took a sip, and calmly looked at Gao Tingbi.

He remembered that on that day at Zhanxue Pavilion, before Qin Zhang lashed out, he said to Gao Tingbi, "Shut up, Gao. I won't bother with you for the sake of that Grand Secretary Sun."

In this way, the scene before Xue Huai's eyes became clearer and clearer.

A few days ago, the room assignments and responsibilities were determined. Xue Huai, due to his expertise and his current reputation, was undoubtedly admitted to the "Spring and Autumn Annals" room. Then Yue Zhongming selected Liu Yu, and then the chief examiner Sun Yan selected Gao Tingbi. These two were obviously prepared in advance.

The Spring and Autumn Annals has always been a popular classic among the Five Classics in the imperial examinations. The two chief officials could not ignore this section, so they each selected a trusted confidant to become the examiner for this section, in order to influence the situation in the preliminary selection process.

Liu Yu has now exposed his weakness by forcibly recommending that obviously flawed answer sheet. Gao Tingbi immediately saw through Liu Yu's intentions and resolutely provoked a dispute. His next step was clearly to win Xue Huai's support.

Only if Xue Huai stands on his side will he have more confidence to persuade everyone during the subsequent joint discussion among the six branches of the family, and to bring up the suspicious points surrounding Liu Yu.

Having figured out all the intricacies, Xue Huai kindly advised, "Brother Gao, be careful with your words. Brother Liu is probably just pleased with Wen Xin. How could he possibly involve bribery or connections? If a third party were to hear this, it would surely cause a huge uproar."

Gao Tingbi was slightly taken aback, then sighed softly, "Brother Jingche, do you know why I was assigned to this room?"

Xue Huai said, "Isn't it because the classic text that Brother Gao studied is the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

"To be honest, my brother is most proficient in the Book of Rites, not the Spring and Autumn Annals."

Gao Tingbi looked intently at Xue Huai and said frankly, "Tonight it's just the two of us, so I'll be frank. Actually, I have a distant family relationship with Grand Secretary Sun, and I've received a lot of his help in the capital these past few years. Before the room assignments and responsibilities were determined, Grand Secretary Sun privately approached me and instructed me to keep a close eye on Liu Yu. So when Vice Minister Yue chose Liu Yu for this room, Grand Secretary Sun also asked me to come over."

"Why?"

Xue Huai's mind raced, but he asked with a puzzled expression, "Could it be that the Grand Secretary doubts Vice Minister Yue's integrity?"

"Brother, do not be deceived by Vice Minister Yue's appearance."

Gao Tingbi smirked and said coldly, "He puts on a show of loyalty in front of others, constantly quoting His Majesty's decrees or mentioning Grand Secretary Ning to make people think he is so upright and honest. In fact, he is very ambitious, and even Grand Secretary Ning is finding it difficult to control him now! The Grand Secretary told me that Vice Minister Yue is bound to make a big splash this time. Although he has no opportunity to leak the exam questions, he will definitely try to abuse his power for personal gain! Liu Yu's performance just now is proof of that!"

Xue Huai remained silent.

He agreed with Gao Tingbi's assessment of Liu Yu, but was this top scholar in front of him truly selfless?
All crows are black, Yue Zhongming harbors ulterior motives, but is Sun Yan truly pure and innocent?
After a moment, Xue Huai said in a deep voice, "Brother Gao, forgive my bluntness, but regarding Vice Minister Yue's thoughts, these are just the Grand Secretary's deductions and cannot be taken as evidence. As for the claim that Compiler Liu is suspected of bribery, that is just your speculation. Such a rash accusation is really not convincing to the public."

"That's natural. Right now, we each have our own version of events, and even if we take it to the Grand Secretary, it will be difficult to reach a conclusion."

Gao Tingbi looked at Xue Huai with anticipation and said solemnly, "Therefore, I hope that my virtuous brother Jingche can step forward to uphold the fairness and justice of the imperial examination. Liu Yu's flaws are definitely not limited to this one. As long as you and I re-examine those papers he recommended, we will surely find clues! At that time, when the six branches of the family discuss the matter, my virtuous brother, you will point out all the doubts one by one, and Liu Yu will have no chance to turn the tables, and Vice Minister Yue will not be able to escape either!"

Before Xue Huai could respond, he continued, "I am but a humble man with little influence, but you, my virtuous brother, are different. At the end of last year, you assisted the Grand Minister of Works in investigating the corruption scandal within the Ministry of Works. Who in the court and the public did not admire you? Not to mention, over the past few years, you have repeatedly petitioned His Majesty for the people's sake. Everyone has witnessed your loyalty and righteousness. Now, as a key member of the Ning Party, Vice Minister Yue has once again extended his reach into the Imperial Examination. I believe you, my virtuous brother, will absolutely not stand idly by. As long as you are willing to take the lead, I am willing to be your vanguard!"

At this moment, Xue Huai was certain that from the moment he stepped into the examination hall, Sun Yan and the second-ranking minister Ouyang Hui, who was standing behind him, had decided to make him continue to be that sharp knife and use him to deal with the Ning Party.

Despite Gao Tingbi's constant praise, if Xue Huai insists on refusing to take action, Gao will still publicly accuse Liu Yu and spread the image of Xue Huai as a coward.

The most crucial point is that this matter involves internal disagreements and conflicts within the Spring and Autumn Annals, and Xue Huai cannot remain an uninvolved bystander.

Upon realizing this, Xue Huai calmly said, "This matter is of great importance and should not be acted rashly."

Gao Tingbi was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Of course." Xue Huai then said, "Brother Gao, in my opinion, we don't need to be so fixated on that answer sheet right now. After all, a single piece of evidence is not enough to establish a case, and it won't be very convincing in front of our colleagues. We can continue to maintain a harmonious relationship with Editor Liu, and when the second round of reviewing is over and the six departments have reached a consensus, if we can obtain more clues, we might be able to launch an attack in public."

Seeing that he did not refuse, Gao Tingbi assumed that he had already agreed to the terms and smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's do as you say, my brother."

It was already midnight, and the two said no more and went back to their rooms to rest.

The next day.

As the first round of marking drew to a close, Gao Tingbi and Liu Yu no longer had any heated conflicts, but they also barely communicated, instead consulting with Xue Huai whenever necessary.

As for the highly controversial answer sheet, Gao Tingbi maintained his stance of rejecting it, while Liu Yu clearly drew a circle on the answer sheet. Seeing this, Xue Huai had no choice but to mark it with a triangle, showing no bias towards either side.

According to custom, the Spring and Autumn Annals editorial office would reject nearly 60% of the answers, and recommend the rest to the two chief officials for a final decision.

Besides the strange answer sheet with three examiners offering three different opinions, there were twelve other answer sheets that were controversial, one of which caught Xue Huai's attention.

That was the third answer sheet he had previously discovered that contained coded markings. Because the writing was mediocre, he marked it with an X without hesitation. However, Liu Yu picked it out and gave it a circle that represented a recommendation.

Unlike Gao Tingbi, Xue Huai did not argue with the other party; he simply silently noted down this detail.

As evening fell, Xue Huai returned to his cramped dwelling.

Tomorrow we can rest for a day. Tonight we will begin grading the papers for the second round. Three days later, the six offices will deliberate, which is the most crucial procedure in the entire spring examination and will determine the fate of most candidates.

He rested his hands under his neck, recalling the various behaviors of Gao Tingbi and Liu Yu, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in his heart.

He still holds a certain degree of initiative at present, but if evidence of Liu Yu's fraud is found, Gao Tingbi will definitely try his best to drag him down, and even use him as a shield to attack Liu Yu and Yue Zhongming.

"Is Xue Shidu here?"

Suddenly, unfamiliar voices came from outside the door.

Xue Huai composed himself, got up and opened the door. He saw a clerk over thirty years old standing outside. Xue Huai recognized him as Yue Zhongming's close attendant.

"Reader Xue, Vice Minister Yue requests your presence for a discussion. It concerns an oversight in the review of the Spring and Autumn Annals."

The clerk was respectful and polite, with a smile on his face.

Xue Huai nodded in agreement.

A moment later, he arrived at Yue Zhongming's suite. Compared to his cramped little room, Yue Zhongming's place was naturally much more spacious.

"Reader Xue has arrived. Please have a seat."

Yue Zhongming possessed a naturally dignified appearance, and even though he was deliberately adopting a humble and respectful attitude, he still exuded a sense of superiority.

"Greetings, Junior Minister."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully, took his seat, and asked, "The clerk just mentioned that the Junior Minister summoned me here because of an oversight in reviewing the documents. May I ask what exactly that oversight was?"

"I have already inquired with Liu Yu about the details of last night's dispute in the Spring and Autumn Annals regarding answer sheet number 83 (Category C)."

Yue Zhongming's sharp, hawk-like eyes stared at Xue Huai's face, then he said with an air of authority without anger, "Such disputes are common. Liu Yu and Gao Tingbi simply have different opinions; it's not a matter of who is right or wrong. Liu Yu has also reported something to me. I wonder if Xue, the Imperial Reader, has any recollection of answer sheet number 54, B?"

Xue Huai calmly replied, "I remember."

Number B54 was the answer sheet that he rejected and that Liu Yu searched and picked up; it was also one of the five answer sheets that were initially marked with a coded message.

Yue Zhongming glanced at the tightly closed door, then leaned forward slightly, a sense of oppression surging towards Xue Huai. The next moment, he heard him say in a low voice, "Xue Huai, since you have been entrusted with this task, how can you be so willful?"

"Aren't you afraid that person will cause you trouble after the imperial examination if you reject this answer sheet?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Huai couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

Yue Zhongming looked at him leisurely, a confident smile on his face, as if everything was under his control.

(End of this chapter)