Without money, what is the point of being a traitor?

Chapter 602 Yang Dan's Moment of Choice

Just as Pei Yuan was lost in thought, he saw the left gate of Chang'an slowly open under the push of the guards.

The onlookers were getting excited.

"They're coming! They're coming!"

Even Yang Dan, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, opened his eyes and glanced towards the left gate of Chang'an.

As soon as the left gate of Chang'an opened, Imperial Guards poured out.

Qian Ning glanced at the crowd outside, then casually stepped forward to hang up the list of successful candidates.

As the list of successful candidates was posted, the crowd at the front of the line excitedly pushed forward, while others peered into the gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of the top scholar.

Taking advantage of Qian Ning's absence, Cai Ang hurriedly caught up with Tang Gao.

Tang Gao was currently immersed in joy and self-satisfaction, daydreaming about the upcoming parade on horseback.

At this moment, a line of poetry involuntarily came to mind: "Riding a horse in the spring breeze, one can see all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day."

Very good, that's exactly what I think.

When Tang Gao noticed Cai Ang pulling him, he quickly suppressed his glee.

After all, in Tang Gao's mind, his title of top scholar was not something he was competing for with more than two hundred other people, but rather a competition with two other people who had also received guidance.

At a time like this, facing his disheartened comrades, Tang Gao naturally had to keep a low profile.

Before Tang Gao could speak, Cai Ang asked nervously, "Brother Tang, have you noticed something's wrong?"

Tang Gao asked in surprise, "Something's not right?"

Today was so great and so wonderful.

Cai Ang reminded him, "Brother Tang, look at how the others are looking at us."

Upon hearing this, Tang Gao looked at the newly appointed scholars behind him.

Many of the newly appointed scholars looked at the three of them with disgust, and some were even whispering among themselves.

Occasionally, you can see a few kind faces, all of whom were the same people you drank with in the Buddhist hall of Zhihua Temple.

These people should be considered accomplices, right?
Tang Gao said to Cai Ang with some uncertainty, "Could these people be jealous that we got the top rank and can directly enter the Hanlin Academy?"

Cai Ang said, "Jealousy may exist, but how can one be so ruthless?"

Huang Chu also chimed in, "Something's not right."

Huang Chu didn't think much of it and said directly, "Should we ask someone we know? I just saw Tian Fu, whom I met at dinner last time."

Tang Gao and Cai Ang realized the importance of their faction even before they officially entered officialdom.

The two quickly nodded in agreement.

Huang Chu glanced at Qian Ning, who was busy hanging up the list of successful candidates, and then tried to slip away into the crowd of newly appointed scholars without making a sound.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he approached, the people scattered and avoided him like the plague.

Only that acquaintance named Tianfu remained in the same place.

Huang Chu felt the warmth of his comrades more and more.

Tian Fu looked around, smiled nonchalantly, and then stepped forward to explain to Huang Chu, "Do you still remember those fellow travelers from Chongwu Water Station?"

Huang Chu immediately realized the error of his ways after being given a small amount of land tax.

In fact, when they accepted Pei Yuan's help, they had already considered the potential consequences of this matter.

One of the most important concerns was that accepting Pei Yuan's help would make him a traitorous accomplice of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and a disgrace among scholars.

However, Commander Pei had given them so much that they simply couldn't bring themselves to sever ties with him against their conscience.

Moreover, as bystanders, they were also clearly aware of how formidable Pei Qianhu's abilities were.

Therefore, they all subconsciously stopped regarding their association with Commander Pei as a problem.

Now the backlash from this problem is coming.

Tian Fu said calmly, "Those people missed the imperial examination, so they spread rumors that the three of you joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which is why you had a chance to be on the list."

"This matter has been circulating since before the imperial examination, and you still don't know?"

Huang Chu shook his head with a wry smile.

Because they were feeling guilty and afraid of being asked about their problem-solving approach by their classmates, they hid at Longhua Temple waiting for the results.

Otherwise, they would at least have gotten some inside information.

Tian Fu comforted her, "It's just barking; don't take it to heart. You got on the list entirely through your own hard work. Others may not know, but surely we do? The innocent are innocent."

After Huang Chu learned the reason, he quickly shared it with Tang Gao and Cai Ang.

After the two of them figured out what was going on, they became even more uneasy.

Although they relied on their own efforts in the imperial examination, their achievement of becoming the top-ranked candidate was indeed due to Pei Yuan's influence.

The three exchanged glances and all agreed that after the parade on horseback, they should still go to Zhihua Temple to seek guidance.

Just then, Qian Ning finished hanging up the yellow notice and came over to Tang Gao with a forced smile, saying, "Top scholar, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture has been waiting for a long time. Why don't you go and show off your glory?"

Tang Gao thought that this was, after all, a good day for him, so he put aside his worries and followed Qian Ning out of the left gate of Chang'an.

The common people of the capital who were watching the spectacle were all well-informed. As soon as they saw an official in scarlet robes coming out accompanied by the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they knew that he was the top scholar of this year's imperial examination and couldn't help but cheer loudly.

Yang Dan, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, who was waiting in the decorated pavilion, saw the person in charge come out and immediately got up and went out of the pavilion without delay.

The yamen runners brought over the white horse that had been prepared beforehand. Yang Dan held the reins in one hand and the whip in the other as he went to greet the newly appointed top scholar.

It was a system of the imperial court that allowed Yang Dan, the dignified Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, to personally hold the whip and lead the horse for the top scholar.

This seems like an attempt to diminish the prestige of the new champion by belittling him, but in reality...

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, a third-rank official, and the top scholar who had just entered officialdom, together made the system work.

In the past, once a peasant boy passed the imperial examination with top honors, he would be presented with his robes by the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, his hair adorned with flowers by the Minister of Rites, his imperial decree received by the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and his horse led by the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture.

This system is so magical that people flock to it.

Tang Gao was overjoyed at the prospect of a moment of glory in his life.

Fortunately, the previous ceremony had shown him a lot, so he was somewhat numb to the idea of ​​a big shot like Yang Dan leading a horse over.

Yang Dan is in his fifties this year. When he was thirty, he became the top student in the second class by relying on "the highest score". Looking at these fresh and cute newcomers, he has a feeling of the vicissitudes of life and the passage of time.

He said with a smile, "Scholar, why don't you hurry up and mount your horse?"

Qian Ning urged them on from the side, and Tang Gao quickly apologized before mounting his white horse. Huang Chu and Cai Ang were also entitled to ride, but their horses were not white, nor did they have the red markings on their heads.

As the three mounted their horses, the constables began clearing the road.

Tang Gao led the way, followed by his entourage.

As is customary, Yang Dan did not need to lead the horse the whole way. After all, even a big shot like him has his pride. He would symbolically lead Tang Gao for a while, and then a yamen runner would take over, with the Shuntian Prefecture official leading the way.

Before Tang Gao's white horse had gone more than a few steps, someone shouted, "That treacherous Tang Gao has managed to rise to the top by joining the evil Jinyiwei! Is there no justice in this world?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people immediately echoed them.

Many candidates who had made prior arrangements took out their petitions from the crowd and shouted loudly, requesting the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture to investigate the corruption case.

When Tang Gao heard that someone was causing trouble at this time, he looked up and saw dense crowds everywhere. He was so frightened that his face turned pale and he didn't know how to deal with it.

The commotion caused by these failed candidates immediately caused an uproar among the ordinary people who had come simply to watch the spectacle.

Many onlookers shouted and asked questions, making the already crowded area outside Chang'an Left Gate even more noisy.

Seeing the chaos ahead, some of the newly appointed scholars who had followed out of the Left Gate of Chang'an took the opportunity to quickly chat with people they knew.

Tang Gao was so frightened that his hands and feet turned ice-cold, and he didn't know what to do.

Yang Dan, who was about to make a substitution, frowned and said to Tang Gao in a deep voice, "The top scholar doesn't need to pay attention to them, just leave."

As he spoke, Yang Dan scolded the prefectural magistrate who had followed him, "Hurry up and have the yamen runners drive them away."

Tang Gao was completely at a loss, but after hearing Yang Dan's words, he seemed to have found his backbone and hurriedly urged the white horse forward.

As the constables forcefully cleared a path, Tang Gao and his party were about to pass through the crowded throng.

Suddenly, someone was heard crying loudly, "We can still endure the fact that a treacherous villain has seized a piece of land."

"But how can we, the righteous people, bear to see the descendants of the famous ministers Yang and Yang Jiong leading the horses of such a villain?"

"Even if Prefect Yang disregards his own safety, is he not afraid of tarnishing the reputation of your great-grandfather, Lord Yang?"

Yang Dan's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and he shouted sternly in the direction of the voice, "Who dares to be so insolent? Come out and speak!"

Yang Dan had found it strange when he saw people causing trouble.

Since the list of successful candidates in the imperial examination only concerns those who passed, as long as the candidates have no objections, what can others say?

These newly appointed scholars have remained silent, so what are these people who failed the provincial examination making a fuss about?
Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they should have done so when the results of the imperial examination were announced.

Now that the imperial examination is over, what's the point of them making a fuss?

If there were any irregularities, they could still be investigated after the imperial examination ended by making a fuss.

Even if there are any problems, and things can't be covered up in the end, the chief examiner and the other examiners will simply take the blame.

But what about the palace examination?
The examiners for the palace examination included almost all the powerful figures in the court at the time, including the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the Nine Ministers of State, as well as some Attendant Scholars and Lecturers who would later hold great power.

Ultimately, it was the current emperor who nominally determined the rankings on the yellow list.

To overturn the case of the imperial examination, one must produce evidence that can convince the entire world; otherwise, it would be no different from trying to purge the court of corrupt officials and overthrow the dynasty.

Therefore, when Yang Dan first heard that someone was going to cause trouble, he didn't care at all and showed his support for the top scholar Tang Gao without hesitation!
Because the imperial examination was irreversible and could not be won through legal action, Yang Dan had to clearly express his attitude and stance.

But someone was so foul-mouthed that they actually mentioned the Three Yangs.

This immediately put Yang Dan under control.

What enabled his great-grandfather Yang Rong and subsequent generations to easily attain high positions in the Ming Dynasty? It was none other than the prestigious reputation of the Three Yangs Cabinet.

Whether out of filial piety or personal interest, Yang Dan could not ignore such accusations.

As Yang Dan roared, someone stepped forward from the crowd, holding up a petition and shouting, "Reporting to the Prefect, I am also a candidate for this special imperial examination. I want to accuse Tang Gao and two others of colluding with the treacherous Embroidered Uniform Guard in order to gain advancement."

"Furthermore, they stole the top prize in this imperial examination through despicable means."

Yang Dan was furious and said, "Nonsense! This special imperial examination was presided over by Grand Secretary Liang Chu and Hanlin Academician Jin Gui, and several days have passed since the results were announced. Why did you not inform us earlier or later, but only after the palace examination was over? What are your intentions?"

"Moreover, the imperial examination is presided over by the current emperor himself, who personally selects the emperor's disciples. Are you more aware than I am of whether there was any favoritism or corruption involved?"

The scholar, showing no fear, said, "I beg the Prefect to see the truth. This matter was brought to light by a fellow traveler who was with Tang Gao and the other two."

“Those people arrived late, only arriving in the capital two days before the palace examination. By the time they sorted out the facts and made them public, it was naturally too late.”

Even so, we did not readily believe it.

"But today's announcement has revealed undeniable facts. How can we not be indignant?"

Yang Dan felt a slight unease as he listened to the scholar's confident words.

He asked the scholar, "Who are you?"

The scholar glanced away slightly before replying, "I am Yue Xi, a scholar from Hejian Prefecture."

Yang Dan asked Yue Xi, "What irrefutable evidence do you have that dares to slander this year's top scholar?"

Yue Xi pointed at Tang Gao and answered loudly, "Before the palace examination, there were rumors that these three would be the top scholars in their respective categories, and quite a few people had heard of it. Now that the list of successful candidates has been released, it is exactly as predicted."

"How could these three be so certain of their top rank before the palace examination, without uttering a single word?"

"Furthermore, I have heard that these three once conspired with that evil Jinyiwei. That evil Jinyiwei gave each of them a green bamboo slip with their ranking written on it."

"If the prefect doesn't believe it, why not send someone to search Longhua Temple where they live? See if the rankings on those bamboo slips match their current positions."

Yang Dan was about to rebuke Yue Xi for his absurd words when his gaze inadvertently fell upon Tang Gao's pale face and his precarious gait on his horse.

He quickly turned around and glanced at Huang Chu and Cai Ang, whose faces were equally pale.

Yang Dan's expression also turned grim.

The scholar named Yue Xi pushed the petition forward again, saying, "I beg the Prefect to investigate thoroughly and reveal the truth to all scholars. This petition is signed by five colleagues of Tang Gao, and also by more than ten other scholars of this year."

No sooner had Yue Xi finished speaking than someone else stood by, holding up a petition and shouting, "This student also has a petition with joint signatures. We hope the Prefect will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Then, there were angry echoes all around, some people held up petitions, and others shouted in the crowd.

Qian Ning's eyes lit up when he heard the words "green bamboo stick".

He clearly saw three green bamboo sticks fall to the ground when he was in the hall.

He summoned a member of the Imperial Guard and whispered a few instructions to him.

After the Imperial Guard left, Qian Ning slowly stepped forward and said to Yang Dan, "Lord Yang, may I speak with you in private?"

Yang Dan frowned upon hearing this, and considering the other party's status as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he ultimately stepped back a few paces and moved aside with Qian Ning.

(End of this chapter)