Chapter 536: A surprise For All, And Su Qing’s Motive
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"He's crazy!" thought all the officials. How could a handicapped man even think of participating in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test?
Did he really think he could pass Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test by luck too?
Not a chance!
The biennial Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test was hosted personally by the Heaven Dao Pavilion. With no exception even for the Great Xia Dynasty, only the top three in the Court Examinations could attain the right to participate. Merely the right to participate.
Each Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test saw no less than 100 candidates.
In other words, besides the Great Xia Dynasty, brilliant contestants from many countries competed in this test. A congregation of the most distinguished elites.
On that day, countless elites would appear.
Every single one would be superbly talented. As a matter of fact, having attained candidature for the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test, they had to possess exceptional mastery in their skills.
But what about Fang Zhengzhi?
As a person handicapped in his abilities, how could he even expect to survive?
The officials were dumbfounded.
Even Emperor Lin Mubai, who had reached the palace gate, stopped when he heard this.
"This person wants to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test?" Emperor Lin Mubai turned around and looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was chatting with Yan Xiu. He, too, was astonished.
But Yan Xiu wasn't. He simply replied: "I am powerful!"
"That's great. When the time comes, I'll just simply get the first place, but I'll leave the second for you." Fang Zhengzhi nodded in a bright smile.
"Oh!"
"Must you really be this shameless?"
"His face is indeed thicker than the city walls. What does he think the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test is? A game? Is it that simple to get first place?"
The officials were speechless.
They had better not comment, for Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's maddened expressions were obvious for all see.
So…
The biggest problem still lay with the Crown Prince.
Had Fang Zhengzhi simply attained the first place, the officials could only laugh it off.
"Official Fang, it's not that I don't support you, but it's just that… Haha!" Wen Dabao couldn't help but giggle hysterically.
Two hours later…
The officials stood while they waited at the Imperial Decree Hall, their expressions totally different compared to when Southern Region Princess had just arrived in Yan Capital.
Especially so for the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Works officials.
These few officials felt profound injustice that they were poisoned by a piece of roast lamb. But that had already happened, what else could they do about it?
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked awfully bitter. Though he had sustained serious injuries, with his face in a sickly pallor, he had not excused himself.
The reason was simple…
He wanted to see Fang Zhengzhi's proudest moments and etch them deeply in his mind.
Compared to Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, Lin Xinjue's expression was much better. Overturning the Southern Region case brought him the greatest reward and opportunity.
"Fang Zhengzhi, listen up!" Eunuch Wei's voice rang.
"Yes." Nodded Fang Zhengzhi. He stepped toward the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall and saluted to Eunuch Wei and Emperor Li Mubai.
Eunuch Wei did not like this.
He did not appreciate Fang Zhengzhi's faults in formalities, but since Emperor Lin Mubai didn't seem to mind, he certainly could not reprimand Fang Zhengzhi.
"This is the Emperor's decree. Fang Zhengzhi holds the first place in the previous Court Examinations. He obtains the top results and shall be mentioned in the Golden Roll!" Eunuch Wei's sharp, piercing voice rose again.
Emperor Lin Mubai slowly walked towards the golden rock erected outside near the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall. Upon motioning his fingers in a few swipes, a name appeared on the golden rock.
"Fang Zhengzhi!"
Right beside Nan Gonghao's name.
Seeing the name imprinted on the golden rock, the officials looked at one another with mixed expressions.
He made it to the Golden Roll!
Fang Zhengzhi, an average villager of Northern Mountain Village, in the Law of Dao Examinations, started off from the Capital Examinations. He then made his way as the Capital Examinations double roll Champion, Prefectural Examinations double roll champion, Imperial Examinations double roll champion, Court Examinations double roll champion…
This was a legend one that no one could surpass. Because no one could ever surpass him at his current position.
The whole city celebrated his entry into the Golden Roll!
Since the decree, the palace was filled with excitement.
"Fang Zhengzhi ranked first in the combat examinations and tops the Court Examinations!"
"Fang Zhengzhi ranked first in the combat examinations and tops the Court Examinations!"
"…"
As these voices emerged from the palace, Royal Guards who were guarding its entrance began to distribute the flyers.
In Yan Capital, as countless commoners read the flyers held upon their hands, all were shocked by the news.
"What is going on?"
"Hasn't the Court Examinations yet to commence?"
"Today, at the palace gate, Fang Zhengzhi was absolved of his misunderstandings. The emperor re-announced his position as the first in the Golden Roll!
"Really? The Southern Region case would implicate the Crown Prince!"
"It is true, and this has spread all around Yan Capital. With the Southern Region case overturned, Fang Zhengzhi is re-announced as the first in the Golden Roll, no doubt with that!"
To all the commoners, this was unbelievable.
Among this chatter, a few softly discussed Fang Zhengzhi's intention of participating in the upcoming Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test. But these voices were insignificant.
Because everyone laughed it off.
"Participating in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test? Haha… How is this possible? I believe he just mentioned that thoughtlessly. When the time comes, he might just hide away with an excuse."
"This makes sense. Fang Zhengzhi seems to be someone who would do something like that!"
"Ha ha ha…"
Although the people did not believe Fang Zhengzhi would actually participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test, none of them held any doubts about him attaining the first place in the Court Examinations.
As a matter of fact, Fang Zhengzhi's performance while fighting the war in the Southern Region had spread throughout the whole Yan Capital and Great Xia Dynasty.
The golden imperial flyers hung on Yan Capital's four entrances, while the soldiers stationed at these gates spread the message to every state and residence of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Although this Golden Roll mention came a little late, but…
It had a much greater impact compared to the previous one. Because this mention came entangled with a big case, the Southern Region case.
…
At Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's residence.
"Clink!" A white jade cup was smashed on the ground to a million pieces.
Two imperial doctors hastily dropped to their knees, petrified. Behind the imperial doctors, more than 10 officials dressed in court attire lowered their heads.
"Get out!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong roared.
"Yes, yes…" The two imperial doctors walked out of the room immediately as they wiped sweat dripping from their foreheads. They were completely soaked.
Upon seeing this, the officials exchanged looks. Then an official stood out and walked to the center of the study.
"Your Highness, the only solution left is to push the blame to Su Qing!"
"Yes, Official Wang has a point. Didn't Fang Zhengzhi mention that he has Su Qing's murder evidence? Since he had said so, we should simply follow his plans, when the time comes he won't have anything else to comment." Another official said.
"That's right. A man of great ambition does not bother about trifles, and every warrior has a weakness. Your Highness, there is no meaning in continuing to protect Su Qing."
"It is great that the emperor still wishes to protect Your Highness. As long as the Southern Region case produces no concrete evidence, Your Highness remains the successor of the Eastern Palace. In a few years' time, Your Highness would still ascend the throne!"
"Your Highness should be patient for the time being. With Fang Zhengzhi now handicapped, he could only remain as an official. When Your Highness becomes the emperor, how would seeking revenge be any difficult?"
One by one, the officials cautiously advised the pale-faced Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
"What are you waiting for? Arrange for someone to go to the Northern Lands immediately!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong said with his fists and teeth in a tight clench.
"Yes!" an official accepted the order.
"Your Highness, you can't do this!" another official stopped.
"Why not? Shall we wait for Su Qing to come here for a confrontation?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong scowled, staring coldly at the official who stopped him.
"Of course not. But Su Qing has trained for about a year in the Northern Lands. If we were to suddenly attack Su Qing, he would react adversely."
"What do you suggest?"
"I believe the best way is to lure Su Qing into Yan Capital, attacking him on his way here. Even if the assassination failed, it is still better for Su Qing to be in Yan Capital than the Northern Lands!"
"How to lure him here? He is now the Chief of the Northern Lands Five Constabularies. With the news of Fang Zhengzhi's mention in the Golden Roll and overturning of the case spreading far and wide, how would he enter Yan Capital?"
"This…" The official was lost for words.
The rest of the officials shook their heads. It was too difficult to lure Su Qing into Yan Capital. With this situation, nothing could fully convince Su Qing for such a visit.
"A bunch of idiots!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong berated, tightening his fists. Compared to Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, these officials significantly lacked intelligence.
This made him mad.
"I want to meet the Left Prime Minister, go arrange a meeting!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong said spitefully, grinding his teeth. Fang Zhengzhi, you cut off my arm, do you think I would let you off this easily?
"This…" The officials hesitated.
"Is there a problem?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong sulked. As the esteemed Crown Prince, the next emperor of Great Xia Dynasty, he was unable to meet someone he wanted. This certainly made him furious.
"Your Highness, as you know, the Law Council is headed by Wen Chuan. As you have seen today, Wen Chuan is obviously working for King Duan!" The officials shook their head dejectedly.
"So what? I cannot meet him?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong said coldly.
The officials fell silent once again and lowered their heads. It was too difficult to meet Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping. Especially in this situation, without the Law Council arranging this secretly, it was an impossible task.
The Law Council!
As though a fish bone had stuck in their throats, the officials were kept silent.
At this moment, a thought arose within the officials: why was the Law Official Wan Chong the first target of Fang Zhengzhi once he entered the Capital?
Could it be that…
This was all in Fang Zhengzhi's plan?
If that was true, it was scary indeed.
Silence ensued.
Suddenly, two gentle knocks came from the door, and a voice from outside the study soon followed.
"Your Highness, the Law Official has sent for me to deliver a letter!"
"Wen Chuan?!"
"Why would he write us a letter?"
The officials could not believe this.
"Come in!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong quickly said, though he also had doubts.
All the officials stared at the study door.
As the door creaked open, a servant dressed in black walked into the study. In his hands carried a sealed envelope.
The servant walked toward the center of the study, dropping to his knees, he presented the envelope.
An official received the envelope, walked to Crown Prince Lin Tianrong and passed it to him.
He opened the envelope quickly, and suddenly his sullen expression changed.
"Your Highness, what did Wen Chuan say?" an official asked cautiously.
"Read it yourself." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong passed the letter to the official.
His eyes scanned the letter, then stopped, staring straight at the letter while his jaw dropped.
Seeing this, the other officials gathered closely.
But…
As they saw the letter, they had the same reason. As if they had just seen a ghost.
Because its contents were so clear. Too simple.
It was only a sentence!
"Su Qing has entered the capital!"
But more importantly, this was clearly not Wen Chuan's handwriting. Wen Chuan had served as an official for more than a decade, how could they not recognize his handwriting?
But this was obviously not the main point.
The main point was…
Why would Su Qing enter the capital? Entering the capital at a time like this? Without notifying the Crown Prince beforehand?