The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 553 All the Heroes of the World are Caught in the Trap

The Lantern Festival has just passed, but the Second Day of the Second Lunar Month is just around the corner. As candidates from all over the country arrive in the capital one after another to prepare for the upcoming provincial examinations, and with spring plowing just around the corner, flood prevention for the Yellow River's ice jam season is also on the agenda.

With three major matters weighing on his shoulders, the emperor was increasingly busy. Even with joyous occasions such as the birth of the third prince to Shuliduo, and the subsequent confirmation of pregnancy in Qianwu, Chimeng, and even Bago, he rarely had time to properly attend to them.

That evening, Ji Ruxue carried a small food box and slowly walked along the palace corridor toward the imperial study. As dusk settled and the palace lanterns were lit, her slender, aloof figure was cast in the shadows. Reaching the door, she encountered Yu Youshu, who was tiptoeing out from inside.

Yu Youshu looked up and saw her, as if she had seen a savior. She quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice, "It's just in time that the Imperial Concubine has arrived."

She gestured towards the study, her tone slightly worried, "Everyone got really angry just now, even throwing documents. They've only calmed down a bit now. Zhong Gongzheng is still inside giving a reply... You can go in and offer some words of comfort. Holding onto anger is very harmful to your health."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Ji Ruxue's usually cold face. Xiao Yan was calm and composed, and rarely showed such emotion.

However, she didn't ask any further questions, only nodded and said softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Lady Yu." Then she gestured for the maids behind her to stay outside the door, and went in alone with the food box.

The study was warm and inviting. Xiao Yan stood by the window with his back to the door. An open memorial lay scattered on the floor. Zhong Xiao Kui stood respectfully beside the imperial desk, quietly reporting something.

"...Yang Ningshi was the eldest son of Yang She, the Minister of Works. He passed the imperial examination in the second year of the Tianyou era and was appointed as a secretary. At that time, he was serving as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites. He was upright and unconventional, and some people called him 'Yang the Madman'. According to investigation, this memorial was his own doing, and there is currently no clear connection with other factions in the court. His usual associates were mostly scholars of the Qingliu school, and he often discussed politics. He had many criticisms of the actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

Ji Ruxue did not go forward to disturb them, but quietly walked to the scattered memorials on the ground, bent down and picked them up.

The memorial was already open, and when she glanced at the writing on it, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Leaving aside the fact that the handwriting above is vigorous and has a strong character, let's just talk about the content of the memorial. This Yang Ningshi bluntly said that the emperor was imitating Emperor Wu of Han and Wu Zhou, using the Embroidered Uniform Guard as the henchmen of cruel officials to monitor the world, which made the court and the public silent.

In addition, the person pointed out that the new policies were implemented too harshly in Jiangnan, and that the policies were rushed. Although they were effective in quickly eliminating powerful clans and stabilizing the local area, the methods were too harsh and damaged the fundamental livelihood of the people. The person even quoted Xiao Yan's words at Yueyang Tower, questioning whether the emperor had now deviated from his original intentions and was merely using power tactics to intimidate the world.

Finally, Yang Ningshi wrote without any politeness: "If Your Majesty wishes to emulate Emperor Wu of Han and use ruthless officials as claws and teeth to subdue the four seas... However, at the end of Emperor Wu's reign, the population was halved and the country was devastated. Shouldn't we learn from this painful lesson? I ask Your Majesty, what was Emperor Wu like in the early period, and what was he like when he drafted an edict of self-reproach in the later period? He was a tyrant!"

Ji Ruxue closed the memorial, gently placed it back on the imperial desk, and then stood quietly to the side, waiting for Zhong Xiaokui to finish reporting the information.

When Zhong Xiao Kui noticed her presence, she maintained her speaking speed and explained Yang Ningshi's background, personality, daily behavior, and the context of this memorial before stopping and bowing to await instructions.

"In other words," Xiao Yan said with his hands behind his back by the window, sneering, "this person's petition was done on his own, and there is currently no indication that anyone else was instigating him?"

"In reply to everyone, according to the current investigation by the Northern Garrison Command, this is indeed the case." Zhong Xiaokui bowed and replied, "Yang Ningshi's social circle is not extensive. The people he has been in contact with recently are mostly upright scholars. He has not been seen to have any unusual dealings with local powerful figures or important officials in the court. Judging from his past words and deeds, this memorial seems to be in line with his nature."

Then, seeing that Xiao Yan did not speak again, Zhong Xiao Kui said in a low voice, "Everyone, please calm down. Such arrogant words are not worth laughing at. Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard acts with thunderous methods, they are all in accordance with the law. Their aim is to eradicate long-standing abuses and consolidate the foundation of the new policy. How can they be compared to the cruel officials of the Han Dynasty?"

However, Xiao Yan said nothing more, only waving his hand. Zhong Xiao Kui understood, bowed, and then slightly bowed in the direction of Ji Ru Xue before quietly leaving the study and carefully closing the door behind her.

After the door closed softly, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, as if just pulling himself out of his thoughts, before turning around.

When he saw Ji Ruxue standing quietly by the table, he was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Xue'er? When did you come in? I didn't even notice."

Then, his tone shifted, and he feigned anger, saying, "Well, you've grown increasingly bold, daring to eavesdrop on my discussions of important military matters?!"

Seeing his forced smile, Ji Ruxue didn't point it out. She simply placed the food box in her hand gently on the low table beside her, opened the lid, and took out a warm, white jade bowl. A dozen or so round glutinous rice balls swayed slightly in the clear fermented rice soup.

"After reviewing these memorials for so long, take a break and have some snacks. I heard you added rice wine to the pot."

Xiao Yan walked behind the desk and sat down, his gaze falling on the glutinous rice balls. He shook his head and smiled, "I'm tired of the Imperial Kitchen's cooking. I wouldn't eat this unless Xue'er made it herself."

Ji Ruxue glanced at him with her clear, bright eyes, giving him a "stop fooling around" look, and said reproachfully, "If the imperial chef knew that His Majesty had made such a comment, he would probably be terrified and beg for forgiveness." But she still pushed the bowl closer to him.

Xiao Yan smiled, stopped teasing her, picked up a silver spoon, and scooped up a glutinous rice ball. After he had eaten two and his expression had softened, Ji Ruxue took the opportunity to ask softly, "Was Jiulang angry just now because the memorial called you a tyrant?"

Xiao Yan glanced at Ji Ruxue, shook his head, and then chuckled again, "What's wrong with cursing me? Since I ascended the throne, haven't I heard enough curses, both openly and secretly?"

He reached out and pulled Ji Ruxue to sit beside him, holding her hand. "It's not that I can't stand hearing unpleasant words. It's just... Xue'er, look."

Xiao Yan pointed to the memorial: "This person compares me to Emperor Wu of Han and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to figures like Zhang Tang and Zhi Du. Does he know that Emperor Wu of Han used cruel officials mainly to consolidate imperial power and suppress political enemies, and how many wrongful convictions occurred during that time? My use of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, on the other hand, is primarily to eliminate long-standing abuses, crack down on land annexation and powerful clans, and clear obstacles for the Equal Field System, so that farmers can have their own land. The purposes are different, and the methods are also measured; how can they be generalized?"

"What angers me is that if such remarks were only made by this 'madman,' that would be one thing; but if there are others behind him..."

Xiao Yan's voice lowered, and he squinted as he said, "They want to use the words of the 'pure stream' to obstruct the new policies. They are testing my bottom line, trying to see if I will back down because of these outspoken remonstrances, or if I will slow down because of my reputation."

"What angers me even more is whether this kind of indiscriminate condemnation of all necessary measures as 'tyranny' will become a trend. If everyone uses this as a pretext to attack the new policies and manipulate public opinion, will those forces lurking beneath the surface seize the opportunity to stir up trouble and push these bookish but impractical 'pure streams' to the forefront? In that case, this channel of speech will not be a sign of clarity, but rather a stepping stone to factional strife and a source of chaos. At that time, should I kill them or not?"

Ji Ruxue listened quietly, and only after he finished speaking did she hand the soup bowl forward again. Xiao Yan sighed, finally took it, scooped up a glutinous rice ball, and put it in his mouth.

At this moment, Ji Ruxue said, "Just now I heard Zhong Gongzheng mention that this Yang Ningshi's father is Yang She, the Minister of Works?"

"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded as he ate the glutinous rice balls. "The Yang family was once a prominent family in Guanzhong."

"I also heard Zhong Gongzheng say that when Zhu Wen rebelled, he forced all the civil and military officials to accept his authority and even coerced Yang Sikong to hand over the imperial seal. Not a single official in the court dared to speak out. Only Yang Ningshi, who was then a minor official, disregarded his own safety and strongly advised his father, saying, 'The imperial seal should not be handed over lightly. Father should not be a burden to his descendants and cause the family to suffer eternal infamy.'"

Ji Ruxue looked directly into Xiao Yan's eyes: "Such a reckless act, disregarding one's own life and fortune, is something that only someone of his nature could do. Such a person may be arrogant or ignorant of political maneuvering, but to say that he is a puppet who willingly takes orders from others, I don't think so. Perhaps... he wasn't being ordered around, but rather he genuinely saw something he considered inappropriate, which is why he was willing to take such a risk to submit a memorial to the emperor."

Xiao Yan's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at Ji Ruxue, but he did not interrupt her.

Ji Ruxue turned her head slightly, as if recalling: "I don't understand the great principles of governing a country like the Empress and the Virtuous Consort. But when I was a child in the Huanyin Pavilion, I heard people talk about the story of Emperor Taizong and Wei Zheng. Wei Zheng's words must have been unpleasant to hear, otherwise the story of 'using others as a mirror' would not have been left behind."

Her voice softened further as she said this.
"If Yang Ningshi truly spoke out of concern because he saw the growing power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the excessively harsh methods used in implementing new policies in the provinces... Now, the Ninth Prince commands respect throughout the land, and is praised by all. If, at this moment, you were to become angry simply because this person spoke unpleasantly, even if what he said was not entirely correct, even if he might have been used as a pawn, but you have not seen him or discerned his intentions, and were to become angry over the word 'tyrant,' or even suspect a conspiracy behind him and punish him... wouldn't you be missing another 'Wei Zheng' who dared to speak the truth?"

Ji Ruxue's words were never flowery or elaborate; they were simply spoken plainly, yet they flowed like a clear spring into Xiao Yan's somewhat agitated mind.

Xiao Yan's hand holding the spoon froze in mid-air, his gaze fixed, or rather, even somewhat astonished, on Ji Ruxue's cool and serious face.

Ji Ruxue's gaze was clear, and she didn't flinch at the question. However, whether it was because she was unsure whether what she had said was right or wrong, or something else, she still pursed her lips slightly, feeling embarrassed.

After a while, Xiao Yan suddenly laughed.

He put down the bowl, reached out and put his arm around Ji Ruxue's waist, bringing her in front of him, and gently pressed his forehead against hers.

"Good Xue'er..." His laughter was tinged with emotion. "Among all the officials in the court, only you dare to speak so bluntly and directly to my face when you see me angry. Even if Yun Ji were here, she would probably think twice and try to persuade me indirectly."

Ji Ruxue's face flushed slightly, but she did not break free. She simply said in a low voice, "If I had a choice, I would rather that the Ninth Prince be recorded in the history books of later generations as a wise ruler who could accept advice, rather than a foolish ruler who could not tolerate the slightest dissent. The word 'foolish ruler' is never pleasant to hear."

"A wise ruler? A foolish ruler?"

Xiao Yan repeated the two words, his smile deepening. He deliberately tightened his arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him. "For Xue'er's praise of being a wise ruler, shouldn't I reward you, my outspoken and courageous consort?"

He lowered his head with a hint of mockery, burying it in Ji Ruxue's chest, and took a deep breath of her fragrance. "But this method of reward... I'm afraid it will only solidify my reputation as a tyrant."

Ji Ruxue's ears burned at his shameless behavior. She pushed him away slightly, her cold eyes glaring at him: "Your Majesty, please have some self-respect..."

Xiao Yan laughed loudly, loosening his grip slightly but still holding her close, like teasing a small, aloof animal that occasionally extends its claws. Only when Ji Ruxue, slightly out of breath, leaned against Xiao Yan's shoulder and gently pushed him away did he reluctantly stop. He squeezed her hand one last time before turning and calling out towards the study door:

"Xiao Kui."

Zhong Xiao Kui pushed open the door and entered.

"Go," Xiao Yan pointed to the memorial on the table, "and bring Yang Ningshi, who wrote this memorial, into the palace for me."

Zhong Xiao Kui accepted the order without asking any further questions and immediately turned to carry it out.

Xiao Yan then looked at Ji Ruxue again, picked up the bowl of glutinous rice balls and ate them in a few big bites, then laughed and said, "I want to see for myself what kind of person this so-called Madman Yang really is. Could it be that Xue'er's words today have really brought me a Wei Zheng?"

------

Before long, a sense of unease immediately arose in the residence of Yang She, the Minister of Works.

It turned out that Yang Ningshi's wife, along with their son, suddenly came crying and saying that Yang Ningshi had been taken away by the Imperial Guards in the middle of the night, causing great fear throughout the Yang family.

Yang She, being old and already retired, was thus awakened by his panicked second son.

When Yang She, wearing an outer robe and being helped into the main hall by his second son, his third son Yang Ningji, along with his nephews and nieces, all gathered below the hall, their faces filled with worry.

"My lord!" Yang Ningji said urgently, "You know my elder brother's temperament best. It's one thing for him to be unruly and undisciplined on ordinary days, but now he dares to submit a memorial that offends the emperor! What kind of organization is the Embroidered Uniform Guard? If he goes there, I'm afraid he will meet with a terrible fate! You must quickly go and find Minister Han or Minister Feng to inquire about the situation and see if there is any way to salvage the situation!"

"Grandfather, I believe what my aunt said. My uncle's remarks seem to involve the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His Majesty relies on the Embroidered Uniform Guard so heavily these days. I'm afraid my uncle's actions... could bring about a great disaster!"

One of the grandsons anxiously chimed in, "You have to think of something quickly. Go and beg Chancellor Han or Chancellor Feng to put in a good word for us with His Majesty, since we're both officials in the same court. We absolutely cannot let our whole family be implicated!"

Inside the hall, there were sounds of pleading and worry, while outside, the weeping of Yang Ningshi's wife and the soothing reproaches of his daughters-in-law could be faintly heard.

Yang She sat in the main seat, annoyed by what he heard. He glanced at his panicked children and grandchildren below and slowly said, "What's the panic?"

The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone stared at him.

Yang She stood up with his hands behind his back, pushed aside his second son who was trying to help him, and paced back and forth:
"Back then, when the traitor Zhu Wen usurped the throne and forced the emperor to abdicate, the entire palace was silent. I was then serving as the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, yet I was forced to hold the Imperial Seal... It was Da Lang who rushed out, grabbed my sleeve, and said to me, 'Your Excellency is the Prime Minister, and the country has reached this state; you cannot be said to be without fault. But if you were to hand over the Imperial Seal to someone else to preserve your own wealth and status, what will people say of you a thousand years from now? Your Excellency would be better off declining!'"

He paused, closed his eyes, and said regretfully, "At that time, I was worried about the safety of the family and thought that as long as we live, we can survive... In the end, I still handed over the imperial seal, which forced Dalang to pretend to be crazy to avoid disaster. This matter is the regret of my life and the shame of the Yang family."

As he spoke, Yang She reopened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over his children and grandchildren: "In the past, I have already wronged the Tang Dynasty once, and I have wronged Da Lang once. Now, Da Lang may have written things he shouldn't have written and said things he shouldn't have said because of the principles he upholds. Do you all want me to plead for him and shut him up again because of the word 'family'?"

“Father, times have changed!” Yang Ningji said painfully, “If my elder brother is really being used and writes treasonous words, it will be a disaster that will implicate his entire family!”

"If Dalang was truly being used..."

Yang She's voice suddenly rose, "That's even more foolish of him! I have no face to speak such words to Lord Han and Lord Feng! The Holy Emperor is on the throne, wise and mighty, a sage ruler unseen in a thousand years. Right and wrong, the Emperor will make his own holy judgment! If it is truly Da Lang's fault, the Emperor may kill or punish him as he pleases, and my entire Yang family shall suffer the consequences. It is my fault for failing to educate my son properly! If he is innocent, why would the Emperor punish him for his words and wrong the loyal and honest?"

After saying this, he didn't even think twice before turning back to sleep: "Get out of here and wait patiently. No further discussion is allowed, and no one is permitted to run around in private. Everything is at the Emperor's discretion."

The children and grandchildren looked at each other, seeing their ancestor's attitude, knowing that further persuasion was useless. They were anxious and helpless. Although they were burning with anxiety, they dared not say anything more and could only retreat with trepidation. They all sighed at the old man's almost blind worship of the current emperor, yet they were helpless to do anything about it.

The night was long, and apart from Yang She, no one in the Yang household slept.

Just before dawn, a series of rapid hoofbeats came to a stop outside the mansion gate. After a servant rushed in to announce the news, it was learned that it was Eunuch Ding from the palace who had personally come out of the palace to deliver an imperial decree. However, he did not find anyone outside Yang Ningshi's residence. Hearing that Yang Ningshi's wife had arrived at the Sikong Mansion, he came here to look for her.

The entire Yang household dared not delay and hurriedly accepted the imperial decree.

And this imperial decree was indeed only for Yang Ningshi's wife.

It turned out that after the Emperor had a late-night conversation with Yang Ningshi, he felt that Yang Ningshi's talent and learning were worth using. He ordered that, effective immediately, Yang Ningshi be appointed as a Palace Attendant and concurrently serve as the Deputy Examiner for this year's provincial examination. Yang Ningshi was to go to the Examination Hall immediately to perform his duties, work with the other examiners to formulate the examination questions, and remain there until the end of the provincial examination. During this period, Yang Ningshi was not allowed to return home or communicate with the outside world.

However, he was given a special decree to reassure his wife not to be alarmed and to send some changes of clothes to the examination hall.

After Ding Zhaopu finished reading, he congratulated the still bewildered Madam Yang Ningshi, then bowed and took his leave, leaving the Yang family members dumbfounded.

The entire Yang family was instantly swept away from the depths of despair to the heights of ecstasy, and for a moment they were unable to process it.

Deputy examiner for the provincial examination?

Who was the chief examiner? It was the Emperor himself!
Not to mention this was the first imperial examination in the entire dynasty. Holy crap, that crazy, short, and even somewhat ugly older brother suddenly rose to such heights?

Upon hearing the news, Yang She stroked his beard and remained silent for a long time, looking at the ecstatic Yang family. Suddenly, he angrily rebuked everyone, then forced his two sons and all his descendants to kneel in the ancestral hall to reflect on their actions. He himself simply went back to his room to catch up on sleep.

……

Half a month later, the provincial examination was held as scheduled. The deputy examiner, Yang Ningshi, had not appeared since entering the examination hall, but his story had already quietly spread throughout Bianjing. The emperor's decision to disregard past grievances and appoint the unconventional scholar was seen as a display of sage-kingly magnanimity, becoming a widely praised tale.

As for the shameless person, he humbly accepted the praise.

After the provincial examinations concluded, the emperor personally presided over the palace examination, which consisted of four policy questions to determine the final rankings.

The first of the four questions is: Guanzi said, "When granaries are full, people know etiquette." However, the chaotic world has just been pacified, the people are exhausted, and the treasury is not abundant. Now, we wish to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, so that the grain in the imperial granary is plentiful and the wealth in the treasury is inexhaustible. Besides equal land distribution to consolidate the foundation, which should be prioritized: agriculture, industry, commerce, canal transport, sea transport, or even monetary system? How should these industries complement each other to achieve a prosperous nation?

Second: Severe punishments are necessary in times of chaos, while leniency and benevolence are valued in times of peace. Now that the empire is newly established, laws and regulations are strict and the order is firm. However, excessive penal censorship may harm harmony; overly harsh supervision may stifle free speech. How should we balance leniency and severity so that the people fear the law but not the government, and that scholars fulfill their responsibilities and dare to speak frankly, thus achieving a harmonious and peaceful society?
Thirdly, the implementation of new policies relies on capable officials. However, the malpractices at the prefectural and county levels are deeply ingrained and difficult to eradicate. What problems still exist in officialdom when implementing land redistribution, collecting taxes, and adjudicating cases? How should officials be selected and supervised to ensure that the will of the superiors is conveyed to the subordinates and that the situation is understood by the superiors, so that the new policies are not hindered by corruption and tyranny?
Fourthly, the systems of equal land distribution and the integration of land tax and corvée labor aimed to equalize taxes and corvée labor. However, the conditions in the north and south differed, as did the levels of wealth and poverty. In implementing these new policies, were there any instances of haste or untimeliness? How should adjustments be made to ensure both public support and national stability, thus achieving long-term effectiveness?

Several days later, the list of successful candidates was posted outside Chengtian Gate in Bianjing.

Top scorer: Zhang Zifan, from Raozhou, Jiangxi.

Second place: Zhang Yi, from Weizhou, Hebei.

Tan Hua: Cha Wenhui, a native of Shezhou, Jiangsu.

A total of 68 people passed the imperial examination and were listed among the successful candidates.

Among the top two, a fourteen-year-old boy from Shandong named He Ning made the list, causing an uproar throughout the city.

Meanwhile, the first-ever examination for children also yielded results. Jiang Wenwei, a ten-year-old from Fujian, and Wang Pu, a seven-year-old from Shandong, were both exceptionally intelligent and quick-witted. Emperor Xiao Yan personally ordered them to be admitted to the Imperial Academy, where they were carefully instructed by doctors to prepare them for the future.

Scholars throughout the land were greatly encouraged upon hearing the news.

The court's policy of breaking down social barriers and opening up avenues for talent, leaving no worthy individuals undiscovered, may still be an ideal, but the praise that "all the heroes of the world are now within the emperor's grasp" has already quietly spread.

Everyone seemed to see a magnificent era, unlike any other before, clearly revealing its grand outline as the dust settled on this imperial examination.

(End of this chapter)