ATPnovel Chapter 131 Unchanging Through the Ages!
Chapter 131 Unchanging Through the Ages!
Chapter 131 Unchanging Through the Ages!
At the same time, not far from the examination hall, a simple blue cloth carriage slowly came to a stop at a street corner. The curtain was lifted, and Lü Duan, dressed in a blue robe, stepped out.
His gaze swept over the long line outside the examination hall, and just as he was about to step forward, he saw a familiar figure.
Lu Duan was slightly taken aback, then quickly stepped forward and softly called out, "Brother Zhou?"
Zhou Wei turned around upon hearing the voice and saw that it was Lü Duan. A slight smile naturally appeared on his face as he clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Brother Lü, it's been a long time."
"It hasn't been that long," Lü Duan replied with a smile. "Since we've met again, Brother Zhou must have obtained the release certificate. How about I treat you to a small gathering at a tavern?"
After saying this, Lü Duan was about to raise his hand to lead the way, but Zhou Wei gently shook his head and calmly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Lü, but I haven't received the release certificate yet."
"Never?" Lü Duan asked, somewhat surprised.
"The official from the Ministry of Rites who was in charge of the registration said—"
Zhou Wei immediately recounted what had happened, which made Lü Duan frown repeatedly, but his expression remained calm, as if he were used to it.
He had seen far too many instances of orders being ignored and policies being ignored in officialdom; it was nothing unusual for him.
However, since he had encountered this situation, and Zhou Wei was his good friend, he naturally couldn't stand idly by. He immediately grabbed Zhou Wei and started to walk towards the examination hall: "Brother Zhou, I'll take care of this for you!"
He naturally had the confidence to say these words. Although he himself was just a county magistrate, his elder brother, Lü Yuqing, was a confidant of the emperor, and even Xue Juzheng would have to give him some face.
Zhou Wei gently withdrew his hand, shook his head, and said calmly, "I appreciate Brother Lü's kindness."
"Even if Brother Lü can stand up for me today and get me the pardon, what about the others? What about the countless poor scholars in the world? When they encounter injustice, who will stand up for them?"
"This matter must be completely eradicated, otherwise how can the new imperial examination policy be implemented!"
Upon hearing this, Lü Duan stopped in his tracks, his eyes filled with admiration: "Brother Zhou, I admire your broad-mindedness. In your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"
Zhou Wei looked in the direction of the Prince of Wugong's residence: "Go to the Prince of Wugong's residence and strike the drum to appeal!"
"Striking the drum to appeal?"
Upon hearing this, Lü Duan shook his head: "Brother Zhou, please don't be rash. The Dengwen Drum has existed since the Sui and Tang dynasties, but it has mostly become a formality. Unless it concerns matters of life and death or the fate of the nation, the drum should not be beaten lightly."
"Moreover, even if the drum is beaten, it still needs to be reported through layers of higher authorities before it reaches the Emperor's ears. If one is not careful, one could be accused of 'falsely accusing an official of the court,' and would inevitably suffer some physical pain. It would be a losing proposition!"
"I believe in Prince Wugong."
Zhou Wei simply uttered this one sentence calmly, then turned and strode towards the Wugong Prince's Mansion.
Lu Duan stood there, stunned for a moment, watching Zhou Wei's departing figure, his curiosity about the Prince of Wugong intensified.
"This is a good opportunity to see for myself what makes this prince so extraordinary that he can command such respect from someone like Brother Zhou."
After a moment's hesitation, Lü Duan finally followed.
Inside the Prince of Wugong's residence, Zhao Dezhao and Xue Juzheng sat around a table, discussing matters related to the upcoming imperial examination.
"This imperial examination should focus on practical policy essays, with poetry and prose as secondary considerations. They should not take up too many points. The court needs people who can get things done, not just talented scholars who can compose poems."
"According to Your Highness, how about 60% of the essay portion?"
"About 70%. If the policy essay is incisive and to the point, even if the writing style is slightly inferior, it can still be rated as first-class."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
-
Just as the two were discussing, a sudden, urgent, and heavy sound of the Dengwen Drum came from outside the Prince's Mansion.
Boom!Boom!Boom!
Zhao Dezhao raised an eyebrow slightly, paused his conversation, and looked towards the door: "I didn't expect that just today, when the application period opened, someone would come to bang on the petition drum. Lord Xue, shall we go out and take a look?"
"That's how it should be." Xue Juzheng quickly got up and followed Zhao Dezhao out of the palace gate.
A large crowd had already gathered in front of the Prince's Mansion. Most of them were poor scholars dressed in shabby clothes, and there were also a few young people who looked like refugees. They looked hesitant and uneasy, staring at the vermilion Dengwen Drum in front of the Prince's Mansion, but no one dared to step forward and strike it again.
Clearly, Zhou Wei's experience was not an isolated case.
However, the idea that "the people will not fight against the officials" has long been deeply ingrained in people's minds, and most people dare not speak out. Only Zhou Wei had the courage to strike the drum to petition the emperor and seek justice.
Upon seeing Zhao Dezhao emerge, the noisy crowd instantly fell silent, and all eyes, filled with either trepidation or anticipation, turned toward him.
"Who is beating the drum?" Zhao Dezhao's gaze swept across the crowd.
"Your Highness, it was I who said this." Zhou Wei strode forward and bowed to Zhao Dezhao with his hands clasped.
Zhao Dezhao looked up and saw that although he was dressed in rags, he was neither humble nor arrogant in his every move and had a lot of demeanor, so he couldn't help but take a second look.
"If you have been wronged, please speak frankly."
"I am Zhou Wei, from Lingnan, and I am a wanderer—" Zhou Wei immediately explained the whole story.
After listening to the whole story, Xue Juzheng's face darkened. He quickly stepped forward, bowed to Zhao Dezhao, and said, "Your Highness, this matter was due to my negligence. I failed to properly restrain the officials of the examination hall. I will personally go to the examination hall to investigate this matter."
""
But Zhao Dezhao waved his hand lightly, saying in a calm tone, "No need."
Having said that, he said no more, turned around and went straight back to the Prince's Mansion, without looking at the crowd again or mentioning Zhou Wei's injustice again.
This caused the faces of the many impoverished scholars present to darken, their eyes inevitably revealing a hint of self-mockery and disappointment.
"In the end—it's still the same." Some murmured softly, while others shook their heads in silence, and then dispersed.
They weren't exactly frustrated, because they were already numb to it.
Since the chaos at the end of the Tang Dynasty, who has ever truly taken them seriously?
Even—had he ever actually been a human being?
Instead of two-legged sheep? Or perhaps slaves?
Lu Duan stood in the crowd and shook his head slightly. His impression of Zhao Dezhao plummeted.
Rumors are just rumors; it seems this Prince of Martial Arts is nothing but a hollow name.
He stepped forward, tugged at Zhou Wei's sleeve, and tried to persuade Zhou Wei to leave, but just then, the gate of the Prince's Mansion was opened again, and Zhao Dezhao strode out.
He now holds a sword!
Zhao Dezhao gently patted the sword and looked at Zhou Wei: "Zhou Wei, right? Come on, follow me to the examination hall."
Having said that, he took a step forward and led Xue Juzheng towards the examination hall.
"Here you are."
Zhou Wei pulled the still-dazed Lü Duan along and followed.
The many scholars from humble backgrounds present looked at each other, stunned for a moment, before finally coming to their senses as they watched Zhao Dezhao's retreating figure.
"Your Highness, what is this—"
With a sense of disbelief in their hearts, they inexplicably took steps forward, crowding around Zhao Dezhao, and headed towards the examination hall in a grand procession.
Outside the examination hall, the place was still bustling with people, and the long queues for registration stretched endlessly.
The same official from the Ministry of Rites who had previously made things difficult for Zhou Wei was now sitting at his desk at the registration office, impatiently processing the registrations while muttering under his breath, "This is exhausting. This new policy is truly harmful; with so many applicants, when will we ever finish processing them all?"
He complained as he casually accepted the tea offered by the clerk beside him, and looked up at the endless queue, feeling even more irritated.
But just then, the crowd gathered at the registration area was suddenly separated.
The examiner looked up blankly and saw a stern-faced young man, accompanied by Xue Juzheng, striding towards him.
Seeing this, he forced a perfectly timed smile, quickly stood up, and stepped forward to greet Xue Juzheng, about to bow and pay his respects: "This humble official greets Lord Xue—"
But before he could finish speaking, Zhao Dezhao impatiently interrupted him: "Do you know this person?"
Zhao Dezhao raised his hand and pointed at Zhou Wei behind him.
The Imperial Examination Commissioner paused slightly, then subconsciously looked at Xue Juzheng with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
He had never met Zhao Dezhao, so he naturally did not know Zhao Dezhao's identity.
"This is the eldest son of the current emperor, His Highness Prince Wugong!" Xue Juzheng immediately announced Zhao Dezhao's identity.
"The Emperor—the eldest son of the Emperor?"
The envoy of the Imperial Examination Hall was startled, as if he couldn't believe that such an important figure was standing before him. He immediately knelt down and said, "Your subject pays respects to His Highness the Prince of Wugong! May Your Highness live a thousand years and be blessed with good fortune!"
According to the etiquette system, officials below the rank of Langzhong must kneel and bow when meeting a prince, according to their rank.
The students who had applied for the exams all around also realized what was happening and immediately knelt down, shouting, "Greetings, Your Highness! May Your Highness live a thousand years and be blessed with good fortune!"
In an instant, the dense crowd outside the examination hall knelt down.
Zhao Dezhao waved his hand: "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" the crowd responded in unison, slowly standing up and looking at Zhao Dezhao with awe.
The slightly overweight examination official was also supporting himself on the ground, about to get up, when Zhao Dezhao gently tapped his shoulder with the scabbard of the Emperor's sword: "You, continue kneeling."
The envoy trembled, and cold sweat instantly seeped down his back. He immediately realized that the Prince of Wugong had come for him today!
An ominous premonition crept into my heart.
"I'll ask you one more time: do you know this person?"
The Imperial Examination Commissioner hurriedly raised his head, glanced at Zhou Wei with flustered eyes, his lips moved, he hesitated for a moment, but in the end he dared not hide it, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Highness, I know this person."
"Since you know him, then I'll ask you again: why didn't you grant him the release certificate?"
Zhao Dezhao's voice was unreadable, yet it made the Imperial Examination Commissioner tremble again. He hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, this man—this man comes from Lingnan. I fear he may be a spy from Lingnan, which is why I dared not release him. I am acting in the best interests of the Song Dynasty. I hope Your Highness will understand!"
"Do you have any evidence?" Zhao Dezhao sneered.
"this----"
The envoy of the Imperial Examination Hall was rendered speechless by the questioning, his face turning pale. He stammered for a long time before finally managing to say in a low voice, "Your Highness, although there is no clear evidence, but the matter is likely fabricated. I was just taking precautions."
"Based on fabricated charges?"
Upon hearing these three words, Zhao Dezhao was slightly taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh in anger: "What a fine fabricated charge! Very well done!"
It seems that all crows under the sky, regardless of size, are equally black!
Having understood the whole story, Zhao Dezhao was unwilling to waste any more words with this man. He turned to Xue Juzheng and asked, "Lord Xue, as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, what crime should be charged according to the Song Dynasty's criminal code for someone who has violated the new policies of the imperial examination system and disrespected the emperor's will?"
"Your Highness, disobeying the Emperor's will is tantamount to showing no respect for the Emperor, and according to the law, one should be executed," Xue Juzheng replied, bowing.
The moment the words left his mouth, the examination official was terrified out of his wits, kowtowing repeatedly and begging, "Your Highness, spare my life!"
"Will I spare your life?"
Zhao Dezhao's eyes were icy cold, devoid of any pity. "You sabotaged the new imperial examination policy, disregarded the emperor's will, abused your power, framed scholars, and blocked the path to virtue. And you still dare to ask for mercy?"
"Today, your head shall be used to prove the fairness of the imperial examination system!"
Having said that, Zhao Dezhao said no more, and suddenly swung the Emperor's Sword in his hand, a flash of cold light.
With a soft "pfft".
Blood gushed out, and the head of the Imperial Examination Commissioner rolled to the ground instantly, his eyes wide open, his face filled with disbelief.
The bloody scene startled everyone present, who instinctively took a step back.
After a moment of silence, cheers and applause resounded throughout the examination hall.
"Well done!!"
"Such corrupt officials deserve this fate!"
Upon witnessing this scene, the other officials of the Imperial Examination Hall were all startled and quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look Zhao Dezhao in the eye. Any inappropriate thoughts they might have had vanished.
Zhao Dezhao raised his hand, sheathed his sword, and then leaped onto the platform at the registration desk. His gaze swept over the sea of scholars below, and he proclaimed loudly, "Fellow scholars, let us proclaim my words to the world!"
The noise gradually subsided, and all the scholars raised their heads, looking at Zhao Dezhao with awe and emotion, listening quietly to what he was about to say.
"I don't care about your backgrounds, whether you are rich or poor, noble or lowly, under the new imperial examination system, my Great Song Dynasty will treat everyone equally!"
Zhao Dezhao's firm and powerful voice then resounded throughout the entire examination hall: "Even those from humble backgrounds need not worry about facing injustice! Nor need they fear offending the powerful!"
"Remember this—behind you all, I am here! The Emperor is here! My Great Song Dynasty is here!"
"You are subjects of my Great Song Dynasty, and in the future, you will be disciples of my Great Song Emperor!"
"If we're talking about backers, I am your backer! The Emperor is your backer! And the Song Dynasty is your backer even more!"
""
"With history recorded for millennia to come and the people and the land below as our witnesses, this matter will remain unchanged for all time!"
He patted the Emperor's Sword at his waist again, his tone carrying a hint of resolute determination: "As long as my Great Song Dynasty stands, justice will prevail! If there is any injustice, simply strike the Drum of Appeal!"
"I will stand up for you!"
Zhao Dezhao's words fell like thunderclaps, booming in the ears of all the scholars!
Outside the examination hall, all was quiet.
Everyone was stunned by these unheard-of words, their heads buzzing, and some even looking bewildered.
them----
Isn't it staple food?
Some people looked up blankly, as if everything was a dream.
"Is the Emperor my protector?"
Someone reached out their hand in a daze, muttering in disbelief.
"As long as the Great Song Dynasty still stands—" Some people gradually came to their senses, their eyes filled with tears, but they kept repeating two words: "Great Song Dynasty—Great Song Dynasty!"
The more they recited those two words, the more powerful and fervent they became!
Born into humble circumstances, treated as mere sustenance, and looked down upon by the powerful and wealthy, when had they ever been so valued by the imperial court and the nation?
Has anyone ever told them that they have a powerful backer, that they have hope, or that they can change their destiny through their own talents?
Never!
But today, the eldest son of this nation, the eldest son of the Song Dynasty, stands on that platform, holding the Emperor's Sword! Before the annals of history! Before the people and the land!
explain----
He, the Emperor, and the Song Dynasty —
Are they their backers?
explain----
This matter will remain unchanged for eternity as long as the Song Dynasty still exists.
These few words, which they had never heard in their lifetime or even after searching through history books, gave every poor student present a somewhat unrealistic, dreamlike feeling.
Is it real? Or a dream?
They stared at each other blankly, trembling, and stunned, their uncontrollable pupils widening in shock.
They both saw a glimmer of light gradually appear in each other's bewildered eyes!
Then, that faint light rapidly magnified to an unbelievable degree! It began to burn!
Then it transformed into a raging inferno!
"Long live the Great Song Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Prince of Wugong!!"
I don't know who shouted that first.
A vast crowd, accompanied by the chaotic chants of "Long live the Great Song Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Prince of Wugong!", knelt down as if on a tidal wave.
Gradually, the chaotic sounds became orderly, powerful, and deafening!
It made it seem as if only these three sentences remained in the world, echoing for a long time, echoing above the examination hall, echoing between heaven and earth in the Song Dynasty, and echoing in the long river of history!
"May the Great Song Dynasty last ten thousand years!"
"May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"
"May the Prince of Wugong live ten thousand years!"