Chapter 309
Before long, Gao Demao, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, hurried in and knelt down, saying, “Your Majesty, the ones beating the Dengwen Drum outside Wude Gate are the examinees who failed the recent imperial examination. The examinees claim that this examination was corrupted and beg Your Majesty to give them justice.”
The Emperor’s body slightly paused, the irritation in his heart dissipated, and his expression turned serious. “Do the examinees have any evidence?”
“Your Majesty, they have no evidence, but the leader outside is shouting loudly. He says that out of the top ten, seven have already been predetermined as offspring of meritorious families and eunuchs. These seven predetermined are Lu Yuanqing, Lu Yuanbao, Wu Anbang, Zhang Ruohuai, Lin Chaodong, Wang Chengyu, and Chen Zhaolu. They dare not doubt Lu Yuanqing, Lu Yuanbao, and Chen Zhaolu, but Wu Anbang, Zhang Ruohuai, Lin Chaodong, and Wang Chengyu being among the top ten is absolutely impossible!”
Gao Demao glanced at the Emperor’s increasingly darkening face and continued, “The leader also said that before the results of the examination were announced, Wang Chengyu and Lin Chaodong had bought houses in Dadu City, while Wu Anbang had taken up residence at his maternal grandparents’ home. They all purchased large quantities of celebratory goods, hoarded rice to prepare for distributing congee and money.”
Lu Yuanqing, Lu Yuanbao, Wu Anbang, Zhang Ruohuai, Lin Chaodong, Wang Chengyu, and Chen Zhaolu. These seven were indeed the seven just mentioned among the top ten!
The Emperor gritted his teeth and asked, “Where are Wen Zhenkang and the other deputy examiners? Have the imperial guards detain them. They must not leave the palace!”
“Yes!” Gao Demao quickly got up and ran out.
Gao Demao, being a senior eunuch close to the Emperor, was not unaware of previous instances of examination corruption. Meritorious families often bribed the chief examiners. Having someone fill in for the exams was not uncommon.
During the previous examination, Gao Demao had thought that the meritorious families’ behavior was going to alarm the Emperor sooner or later. As expected… this time, it did cause a stir.
The Emperor suppressed his anger, his voice so cold it sent chills down one’s spine. “Crown Prince, go and seal all the examination papers from this palace examination and bring them to me! Summon the Principal and Dean of the Imperial College, and all the Scholars. You personally oversee them. Examine every single paper for me!”
“Your son obeys!” The Crown Prince hurriedly took the order and went to carry it out.
The Emperor’s hand trembled with rage. If the examination corruption was true, Wen Zhenkang must die!
King Yan of Xiliang had not yet left. Emperor Yan was also scheduled to depart tomorrow. Wen Zhenkang created this scandal to embarrass him. freёweɓnovel.com
Moreover, the purpose of the imperial examinations was to select talents for governance. Though he favored cunning officials and did not like overly capable ministers like Bai Weiting, who overshadowed their lord, he knew the court couldn’t truly lack capable men. If there were too few competent officials to handle affairs, the Jin Kingdom would be in danger.
“Summon Minister of Judicial Review Lu Jin!” The Emperor opened his eyes, murderous intent seething in his gaze.
Outside Wude Gate, more and more examinees who had failed knelt and shouted about the examination corruption, begging the Emperor for justice. This sudden uproar alarmed nearly all the citizens of Dadu City.
Families mentioned by name became anxious. They wanted to dispose of the celebratory goods they had prepared but feared that any movement would give themselves away further.
Even Prime Minister Lu couldn’t sit still. He summoned his sons and daughters-in-law. He questioned them about whether they had bribed the chief examiner, whether they had prepared celebratory goods in advance, and whether they had hoarded rice to distribute congee.
Lu Yuanpeng, just released from the ancestral hall, had leisurely sipped a cup of tea when he heard that his parents were summoned by his grandfather.
Concerned that his grandfather might have new ideas for disciplining him, Lu Yuanpeng put down his teacup and followed. He peeked through the study window.
“You fools!” Prime Minister Lu angrily smashed the teacup in his hand. “Are you all out of your minds? Yuanqing and Yuanbao are both top scholars. Even without bribes, they would surely be ranked within the second grade! Who is Wen Zhenkang? My esteemed Prime Minister’s residence needs to bribe such a lackey?”
“Father, you can’t say that. Everyone else bribes. If we don’t… originally within the second grade, they might be pushed to the third grade! Wen could secretly sabotage, making our children fail the examination. This has happened before!” The eldest daughter-in-law calmly spoke.
“Woman’s shortsightedness!” Prime Minister Lu rubbed his aching forehead. “I, the Right Prime Minister. Wen dares?”
Prime Minister Lu’s third son, Lu Yuanpeng’s father, frowned. “Who exactly is Wen Zhenkang? Others may not know, but you, Father, do. The Saint has said, ’Better to offend a gentleman than a petty man.’ Now, with the Emperor’s favoring Wen Zhenkang, we only follow the trends. Not asking for his help but seeking to avoid his sabotage.”
“Yes, Father. Furthermore, as you said, our two children are certainly within the second grade. Precisely because of this, I discussed with the third sister-in-law and sent someone to purchase goods. Having two tribute students from our family is already a huge honor!” The eldest daughter-in-law added.
Lu Yuanpeng’s mother cast an annoyed look at the eldest sister-in-law. She always dragged her into trouble.
“Yes, Father. I thought the same. When the eldest sister-in-law mentioned it, I agreed. Unexpectedly, it caused big trouble. Please guide us on how to remedy this.” Lu Yuanpeng’s mother bowed respectfully to Prime Minister Lu, looking remorseful.
Prime Minister Lu, a worldly-wise figure, could see through the intentions of his daughters-in-law. This fueled his anger further.
“When trouble arises, instead of uniting, you push blame onto others. What can be accomplished this way? You truly are worthy daughters-in-law of the Lu family!” Prime Minister Lu’s face darkened. “This matter requires my personal visit to the palace to inform the Emperor honestly.”
“But… what about the children’s titles?” Lu Yuanpeng’s father was alarmed.
“If I visit, the children might get another chance to retake the exam. If not… their future is doomed!” Prime Minister Lu gripped the chair’s armrest tightly, gritting his teeth. “The Emperor will definitely appoint Minister of Judicial Review Lu Jin to preside over this matter. You both… go to the Court of Judicial Review immediately. Confess the bribery truthfully. The quicker we act, the more lenient the Emperor will be.”
“But, Father, doing so… will offend all the meritorious families who bribed Wen Zhenkang!” The eldest son frowned. “Besides, the examinees already said they accepted Yuanqing and Yuanbao being in the top ten!”
“Precisely because the examinees accepted, but we did bribe, the Lu family must truthfully confess to the Emperor and the Court of Judicial Review!”