Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 446 Such an emperor is worth dying for!

On the palace wall outside Donghua Gate, the list of successful candidates in the imperial examination is still hanging there, with the name of Zhang Jiucheng, the top scholar in the first class, in large and bold letters, standing out prominently.

But Zhang Jiucheng was already on his way to Yunnan Road.

Today, this place is very lively. Some things have already become widely known. Several days ago, I heard that more than a hundred officials, all of whom were arrested, were brought to the Jiangnan and Zhejiang regions and many other places.

A few days ago, I heard that the three judicial departments were going to jointly try these people, saying that they were involved in a major case of cheating in the imperial examinations, and that the rumors were spreading all over the capital...

Just a few days ago, the Beijing Times was still writing about these things, saying that the imperial examination system was the foundation of the nation, and that its corruption was a sign of national ruin, and that such things should be severely punished...

The day before yesterday, the Beijing Times published another news article, a lengthy one, discussing the laws and the charges, and providing detailed information on some cases. It then published the verdicts: 28 people were beheaded, 67 were hanged, 34 were exiled to remote and dangerous military prefectures, and 17 were tattooed and banished…

There are also more than a dozen people in prison, seven or eight people dismissed from their posts, and three people released without charge.

Today, how could the area outside Donghua Gate not be packed with people?
The crowd was so large that it seemed as if the entire city was rushing to attend, even more than the crowd at the last new emperor's coronation ceremony.

Although there is a huge square outside Donghua Gate, only a few people can actually squeeze up to see it. Most people, even though they have come out, can only crowd the streets. Today, the teahouses and similar establishments along the street are already packed with people, and the windows on the second and third floors are naturally quite expensive.

Naturally, countless constables and soldiers appeared on the streets to maintain order and prevent accidents.

East of Bianjing, near Donghua Gate, a group of students who couldn't squeeze in gathered in a teahouse on Maxing Street. They came from the Imperial Academy, the National Academy, the Kaifeng Prefectural Academy, and some other famous academies in the capital...

It's actually quite far from here; even from the windows on the second or third floor, you can't see Donghua Gate.

It wasn't that they didn't want to go; it was a last resort. Trying to squeeze in with the common people would be undignified, and they certainly wouldn't be able to get through anyway.

The nearby buildings are quite expensive, and most students these days are not wealthy and can't afford the price. Even those who are really rich follow the crowd and gather here. Even here, the price of tea today is not low.

How can we not have a debate when we're all gathered here?

Someone asked in surprise, "Are you really going to kill them?"

Someone nodded in agreement: "I'm afraid they really are going to kill us!"

"Twenty-eight were beheaded, and sixty-seven were hanged. How many are being killed? Ninety-five! Among them are many renowned scholars and Confucian masters. Tang Ke, how could he not be famous? When the Cangzhou River breached its banks, it was his proper disaster relief that saved countless lives. Such a person, the first to be beheaded today... This..."

"Our Emperor of Great Yan is truly strange, slaughtering his ministers and officials like this..."

"Why not? Huh? Why not? Is the emperor killing innocent people indiscriminately?" The speaker was Chen Dong, a student at the Imperial Academy. He was graduating this year. According to the old dynasty's system, he would be qualified to become an official after graduation. Of course, he could also directly participate in the imperial examination again, pass the examination, and become an official.

“Brother Chen, that’s not what I meant. I meant... although the law is clear, it’s just that killing an official like this is truly appalling…”

Chen Dong stood up, looked around, and pointed at everyone: "You lot, some of you come from prosperous families of officials, while others, like me, are poor and humble. Some of you may even be relatives of the convicted officials outside Donghua Gate today. It seems that in Great Yan, discussing state affairs is no longer forbidden. But there is one thing: regarding today's events, I won't say who will benefit and who will lose their future. You all know perfectly well. Recently, the Emperor said that the new dynasty is established, and the world belongs to all. Who is acting in the public good and who is acting in private? You all know the answer!"

Chen Dong's gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping across those around him. Some people stood tall and proud, their hearts filled with excitement. It goes without saying who would benefit.

Some people, however, lowered their heads and left, not daring to meet his gaze.
It's inevitable that most students in this group know who is capable and who is not, and many of them are even suspected of using connections to get into the Imperial Academy or the National Academy.

Chen Dong's gaze seemed to say: Do you think I don't know whether you're good or not? Do you think the other students don't know?
You keep whining and complaining, saying this shouldn't be done and that shouldn't be done, why? Because you're fucking incompetent? Now look what's happened, do you still dare to ask for favors? Do you still dare to ask your father? Do you still dare to ask your uncles?
I don't know about the future, but at least next year or the year after, you definitely wouldn't dare to do it!
But one person timidly said, "Perhaps... I mean perhaps, perhaps the emperor won't really kill so many people. Perhaps he just wants to make this a show for the world. When the time comes to actually carry out the executions, maybe he'll spare their lives. At least... most people won't die on the spot..."

Chen Dong then added sharply, staring at the man and saying, "You may not know about the current emperor of Great Yan, but I do. He is a great ruler. What kind of heroic figures have been the great rulers throughout history? Have you ever heard of Emperor Taizong of Tang changing his decrees every day?"

"Ah... so they really intend to kill? Just like that, in broad daylight, in front of everyone, to kill ninety-five people?"

"I'm afraid they really intend to kill us!"

"Are you really going to kill me?"

"It's truly unbelievable!"

"It seems that the saying 'the new dynasty is established and the world belongs to all' is truly not an exaggeration!"

"Wouldn't this also be a way to establish trust by moving a log? Wouldn't it also be a way to gain the trust of the world?"

Chen Dong finally heard something he wanted to hear, and nodded in agreement: "Yes, these words resonate with me. This is about gaining the trust of the world! It's about letting everyone know that the court and the emperor belong to the public good. If anything bad happens in this world, it means someone is abusing their power. You can report it to your superiors, you can report it to the capital!"

Chen Dong really hit the nail on the head; this matter is also very important for a country to maintain stability.

There will always be bad things in this world.

However, the court, the country, and the emperor must be viewed positively by the people. The country cannot be corrupt; it is the individual who is corrupt.

The state must also do this: when something bad really happens, it must enforce the law impartially, and then the people will feel at ease.

Just then, a servant came upstairs, bowing and reporting, "Gentlemen, I just went to see for myself, and I saw it. There was a whole row of executioners and gallows. They're really going to kill someone!"

This is the person who was sent to gather information earlier...

It wasn't a servant sent by Chen Dong, but his gaze sharpened as he looked around: "Well? Gentlemen... see if I'm right. A true leader has seen countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood. What's so bad about killing people?"

"It's a real killing, it seems to be a real killing!"

"Yes, this time it's really true!"

Even students from impoverished families couldn't help but sigh at this moment. They lamented that after decades of hard study, their heads would fall to the ground today. In fact, most of these students had never witnessed much bloodshed, and what happened today was far too bloody for them.

Secondly, it's also a cause for lamentation—lamenting that the emperor actually acted this way. It's hard to find the right words to describe it, but it's in a positive sense. After all, more than anyone else, they longed for a fair and just imperial examination system.

It is said that the emperor would not be absent from the palace walls. Although he did not show his face in front of the crowd, he could still enjoy the view from the city tower.

Even Wu Song, who was standing by, felt a pang of pity. In the Song Dynasty, scholars were the most respected, a fact ingrained in their very being. How could Wu Song not be affected by this?

Killing the enemy is one thing, but killing these scholarly gentlemen is a completely different experience...

To put it another way, even if these people were not scholars but ordinary people, Wu Song would still feel some pity for them.

Wu Song asked, "Brother, are you really going to kill us like this?"

"Can't we kill him?" Su Wu's expression was extremely serious.

“It’s not that they can’t be killed, it’s just… how should I put it… I’ve never seen anything like this before… not even in hundreds of years…” Wu Song replied.

“Isn’t this a case where the three judicial departments are reviewing the case against each and every law?” Su Wu said.

“I know… Brother, if we kill like this, won’t the scholars hold a grudge against you from now on? They won’t side with you anymore, then…” That was Wu Song’s original thought.

Su Wu smiled faintly, his expression cold: "Since ancient times, have you ever heard of that?"

"What did you hear?" Wu Song asked as well.

"Have you ever heard of a person who has studied properly and obtained an official position rebelling? Has such a person rebelled? Has such a person succeeded in rebelling?" Su Wu asked again.

"Huh?" This was a question Wu Song had never thought about before, so now he immediately started to think about it.

"Have you figured it out? Who? Which scholar-official succeeded in rebellion? Hmph..." Su Wu sneered repeatedly. This was unprecedented in history, and it would never happen again!
"Really not?" Wu Song was obviously surprised, thinking that he was just not well-read and couldn't believe the answer.

Su Wu said, "Rebellion requires people like you and me. The more upright and respectable a scholar-official is, the less likely they are to rebel!"

"Brother, you mean... people like this should be killed if they deserve to be killed..." Wu Song asked.

"Indeed, your future duties should be handled in the same way. Do not be hesitant or restrained. However, there is one thing you must not do in a fit of anger. The law is strict, and even murder must be done with dignity!"

When talking to Wu Song, Su Wu was very straightforward and didn't want any depth. He just told him how to do it, just like today!
"I understand!" Wu Song was very clever.

"I'm leaving, I'm not watching anymore!" Su Wu turned away; killing people wasn't anything to watch.

"Then I'll take a look...and learn more..." Wu Song didn't leave; he had to keep an eye on things.

Two other people were present today. One of them was strong and tall, and he kept pushing and shoving in the crowd. No one could stand against him... He also drew countless curses from those around him. However, as soon as someone turned around and saw that the person pushing him was as big as a tower and had a fierce face, they immediately shut up and dared not curse anymore.

The man pushed his way forward through the crowd very quickly, with another person following behind him.

The two men were named Yang Zaixing and Zhao Kai.

The two had already reported to the military, registered their military status, and started training.

Today, Zhao Kai specifically asked his superior for leave. Given his different status, asking for leave was not difficult for him. He explained the situation clearly, and no one really made things difficult for him...

Today I'm here to watch the killing! It's Zhao Kai who reads the Beijing Times every day. The Beijing Times is a newspaper that the court has combined from several families' old tabloids and put into one place. They say it's no longer called a tabloid, but a major newspaper.

Over the past few months, things have been getting better and better. Zhao Kai has never missed a single session, and he is concerned about everything, from national affairs and family matters to world affairs.

How could he possibly miss out on something like this today?

Yang Zaixing had been looking forward to this day for a long time and was determined to come, even if Zhao Kai didn't come.

As soon as the two of them squeezed to the very front, Zhao Kai glanced around and gasped.

In the middle, dozens of executioners stood there, swords in hand, their figures upright, with a wooden stump in front of them, waiting for heads to be placed on it.

On both sides were gallows, nothing unusual, just a simple structure similar to a "door frame" with a noose attached, waiting for the head and neck to be stuffed in.

It's a bit too simple and shabby, lacking a sense of ceremony.

After taking a deep breath, Zhao Kai sighed, "This major case was solved really quickly..."

Yang Zaixing simply replied, "Why are we still dragging our feet? The sooner the better."

The two of them were truly from two different worlds. Their backgrounds, families, and childhood experiences were vastly different, almost worlds apart.

The fact that the two of them could come together and become friends is because they both have a burning passion for each other...

"It's a real killing, it seems to be a real killing!" Zhao Kai was also shocked. Even when he was squeezing in outside just now, he couldn't believe it was a real killing!

Yang Zaixing chuckled, "What did I say earlier? Haha... Killing him is not enough to appease public anger! This emperor, I think, is a hero! The rumors in the martial arts world are true, this emperor is truly the toughest hero in the martial arts world, with unparalleled righteousness!"

“You and I have slightly different understandings of the word ‘righteousness.’ So, righteousness is a great righteousness, the great righteousness of family and country, not some chivalrous loyalty among the common people, which is just a minor matter.” Zhao Kai was willing to communicate with Yang Zaixing.

"You're right, isn't that enough?" Yang Zaixing was clearly tired of hearing Zhao Kai express profound and insightful thoughts all the time.

Zhao Kai looked at Yang Zaixing and said earnestly, "You are a brave and fierce man, possessing immense strength and unparalleled courage. You will surely achieve great things on the battlefield in the future, and therefore, you will hold an official position, perhaps even moving freely in the imperial court. So, you must heed my words..."

Zhao Kai was serious; he was certain that Yang Zaixing would stand out.

Why? He had recently witnessed it firsthand. Not to mention others, just take General Han Shizhong for example. In a short period of time, he had already come to value Yang Zaixing highly.

Yang Zaixing could wear three layers of armor, weighing over a hundred pounds, and with an iron spear in hand, he could run and move without breaking a sweat.

On the day he reported for duty, General Han was amazed by Yang Zaixing's appearance and asked him if he was willing to go into battle. Yang Zaixing nodded and said he was willing.

General Han was overjoyed and laughed heartily, saying that as long as one could break through enemy lines and achieve merit, he would be rewarded and promoted immediately!

It was even said that as long as Yang Zaixing made one or two meritorious contributions, he would be sent to study at the Tokyo Military Academy, and after graduating, he would at least become a deputy battalion commander!

How could Zhao Kai not know what it meant to be trapped in a battle formation? He hadn't felt it much in the past, but now he felt it deeply.

Just like he did in Hanyang, standing at the very front of all the ranks, facing the enemy's overwhelming force, he still had to charge forward and fight. This is what it means to be trapped in battle!

On that day in Hanyang, when the enemy army surged in, Zhao Kai was completely stunned, his mind went blank. This was the moment of being trapped in battle!
But at that moment, Zhao Kai, despite his trembling legs, spoke to General Han, saying that he was also willing to fight. He wanted to first earn some merit so he could immediately go to the Tokyo Military Academy to study, and after graduating, he hoped to become the deputy commander of the battalion.

General Han laughed heartily and then had Zhao Kai work as a clerk in the main tent, copying and writing every day.

Of course, he also practiced physical training and swordsmanship every day without fail. No matter how busy he was with his clerk duties, he would always make sure to practice what Yang Zaixing had taught him...

Nothing more than wanting to get General Han to laugh heartily in a different way. Getting him to actually lead the charge is urgent; in a few months, it will truly be time to set off…

For some reason, although the memory of the events in Hanyang was still vivid in his mind, when Zhao Kai spoke to General Han about going to the front lines, although he was still afraid, it seemed that the more afraid he was, the more he wanted to go.

Perhaps it is because countless words have been spoken beforehand, and a true man must keep his word and deliver on his promises. Even if it is to save face, one must not lose the ambition to achieve great things.

Perhaps it was because he glanced at the towering giant Yang Zaixing beside him that Zhao Kai felt a sense of peace. With him by his side, it seemed that being in battle wasn't so scary after all.

Yang Zaixing beside him asked anxiously, "Why haven't the prisoners come out to face their deaths yet?"

Zhao Kai gave a wry smile: "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I'm afraid things might change!" Yang Zaixing said sincerely, genuinely worried that things might change at the last minute. If he didn't kill them now, things could get complicated, so he should kill them quickly.

"Do you know what crimes the people to be killed have committed?" Zhao Kai asked.

"Whatever their crime, it's still a crime of committing heinous acts, a crime deserving of death! They should be killed! Petty thieves and burglars may harm only one person or one family, but if an official is guilty, then harming people means harming an entire prefecture, a county, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people, or even an entire country, tens of millions of people. Tell me, how can such a heinous crime be tolerated!"

Yang Zaixing spoke earnestly; how could he not have his own thoughts and reasons to share with Zhao Kai?

Zhao Kai was slightly taken aback. Who could say that this statement was unreasonable?

The words may seem simple, but the truth is far from simple.
"They're here, they're here..." Yang Zaixing was overjoyed. After all, it was killing people, not killing chickens, as if he was born without any mercy.

In truth, Zhao Kai understood that it was this world that made people hate it to the core. He hadn't understood it before…

First, a man was brought in, an old man of considerable age whom Yang Zaixing did not recognize. An official from the Ministry of Justice announced the names: "The prisoner is Tang Ke, courtesy name Qinsou, from Qiantang, Zhejiang, which is Hangzhou. He passed the imperial examination in the first year of the Shaosheng era of the lunar calendar and initially served as the county magistrate of Chen County..."

There were too many people and it was too noisy, so Yang Zaixing couldn't hear a word. He was so anxious that he scratched his head and said, "Speak louder..."

The louder he shouted, the less he could hear...

Zhao Kai chimed in, "Stop shouting! Tang Ke, the prefect of Hangzhou, formerly served as the Minister of Revenue and was instrumental in flood control..."

“Oh, a high-ranking official, the Minister of Revenue, that’s an extremely high-ranking position… What rank? Third or second rank?” Yang Zaixing asked.

"Alas... He was a man of merit! Yet he has fallen to such a state..." Zhao Kai felt pity.

“Merit is merit, and fault is fault. You can’t just do bad things because you have merit, right? I understand that.” Yang Zaixing said with a grumble.

"I'm not arguing with you!" Zhao Kai said irritably.

Given their relationship, how could they not be good friends?

In the past, however, it would have been absolutely impossible for Zhao Kai to become friends with Yang Zaixing, a peasant...

Suddenly, the crowd erupted in shouts: "Kill! Kill! Kill! They deserve to die! Those guilty deserve to die!"

A crowd is just there for the excitement; they may not actually have a deep understanding of the matter.

But crowds are also a form of emotional expression.

Zhao Kai was taken aback and sighed...

Yang Zaixing, who was standing nearby, was excited and said, "Such an emperor is worth dying for!"

People in the martial arts world still speak in the martial arts language!
Zhao Kai remained silent, watching Tang Ke's gray head being pressed against the wooden block. It wasn't hanging; it was beheading!

(End of this chapter)