Such an unforeseen event was undoubtedly shocking.
Initially, no one paid much attention to the battle between Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan. After all, the difference between the first and the 53rd on the Rising Dragon Roll was too great.
But...
The 10th on the Rising Dragon Roll was different.
Furthermore, according to those who had witnessed the battle in Eastwood City, the battle had not been as intense as imagined. Yuwen Gu had been defeated in just a few exchanges.
This caused those who were not as strong as Yu Wengu to hesitate.
A person who showed off his abilities but was relatively weak would naturally be trampled on by others. However, if this person's abilities were strong enough to enter the top ten of the Rising Dragon List …
Who else would go and seek trouble for themselves?
No one was stupid.
...
In the capital, in front of the Eastern Palace. Carriage after carriage stopped and sped away...
Inside the palace of the Eastern Palace's Crown Prince Residence, officials dressed in court robes were drinking tea as they waited. At the same time, they were discussing the state affairs of the court. Only Fang Zhengzhi was not mentioned.
Not long after, the Crown Prince, Lin Tianrong, walked into the hall. Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, who was wearing a red court robe, followed by him.
"Let's skip the formalities. Let's talk about our thoughts on the court examinations!" The Crown Prince sat in his chair, fiddling with a piece of warm jade.
His gaze slowly swept across the crowd of officials. His slender eyebrows made him look weak, but there was a faint radiance in his eyes.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping walked to the seat at the front of the hall and sat down.
"Your highness, I have a small opinion." A young man in his late twenties, dressed in a Level Four court robe, stood up and walked slowly to the center of the hall.
"Speak." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at the young man and said casually.
In the Great Xia Dynasty... A 28 or 29 year old who could become a rank four official was considered to have a meteoric rise. However, in the Eastern Palace, a rank four official was at the back.
Because... There were all sorts of rank three, rank three, rank two, rank two... Even Rank-1 …
Therefore, when the young man stepped forward, all the ministers glanced at the young man with disdain and disdain in their eyes. Some even shook their heads and sighed.
"Young man, you're still showing off too much!"
"Forget it, we have to give the youngsters some chances."
The courtiers sighed softly, and then, their minds wandered around. Everyone continued to discuss the affairs of the court.
"Based on tradition, the questions for the court examinations are set by the Emperor himself. Based on previous court examinations, the Emperor's questions are more practical. As such... why not make use of this opportunity to kill four birds with one stone?"
The young man's eyes were calm, as if he didn't mind the Crown Prince's attitude and the gazes of the courtiers around him. He spoke slowly, and each word was sonorous and forceful.
"Oh? Four birds with one stone? Tell me everything! " Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's expression changed slightly when he heard the young man's words. He straightened his body on his chair.
The expressions of the other courtiers became even more disdainful. It was good for the young man to be energetic, but to kill four birds with one stone, wasn't that a little too much?
"Yes, the first one is to resolve His Majesty's worries, His Majesty's Worrier. I worry about the country, the people, the country. Even though the court examinations are important, they are insignificant compared to the country and the people. Ever since Xing Hou returned from Cang Ling Mountain, the Emperor has been worried about the border! "The youth's expression remained the same. His eyes did not waver as he continued to speak.
"What is your name? What is your current position? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong finally looked at the young man seriously.
This was an impolite question. It should not have come from the mouth of the Crown Prince. After all, even though the young man in front of him was at the bottom of the list, he was still an advisor to the Crown Prince.
To not even know the name of one's advisor was not something to be proud of.
However, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had asked the question directly. When the Crown Prince asked the question, the young man's face lit up with joy.
After hearing Lin Tianrong's words, it wasn't just the young man who was elated. Even the officials who looked at Lin Tianrong with disdain were filled with jealousy.
Officials had their own ways, and kings had their own ways.
Scheming.
It did not matter whether he knew or not.
What mattered was whether he knew or not. Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had asked the young man's name in front of all the courtiers. This meant that he would not ask the young man a second time.
This meant that from this moment on, the young man's name would be remembered by the Crown Prince.
At the same time, the young man's name would be remembered by all the courtiers present.
"Your Highness, my name is Su Qing. I am temporarily an Imperial Messenger at the Imperial Academy, and also in charge of writing for the Emperor!" Su Qing bowed as he spoke.
"Su Qing? The student has surpassed the teacher. Mm, not bad! "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded.
"Your Highness, Lord Su placed second in the imperial examinations four years ago!" One of the attendants standing beside the Crown Prince, Lin Tianrong, whispered.
"Oh? Second in the imperial examinations? Four years ago … wasn't that the year Nangong Hao participated in the imperial examinations? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's eyes lit up.
"Yes, I was untalented. I lost to Nangong Hao in the imperial examinations four years ago. However, Nangong Hao is extremely talented. I did not lose to him!" Su Qing replied respectfully.
"Mm, losing to Nangong Hao is not considered a loss. When you were talking about the border, were you referring to the Southern Mountain Range?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded his head and continued.
"That's right. The Stabilisation Constabulary has left Cang Ling Mountain. I believe that all of you are aware of the news that Xing Hou brought. The incident on Cang Ling Mountain was caused by the Demon Race. However, the most important thing is that a member of the Southern Mountain Range, Shan Jia, was involved. As such, the Southern Mountain Range is what the Emperor is most worried about!" Su Qing replied.
"Lord Su is right. This is indeed what Imperial Father is most worried about right now. However, how can this be related to the court examinations? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong addressed Su Qing as" Official "for the first time.
"Your highness, ever since I passed the Imperial Examinations, I have been studying the questions of the previous ten court examinations. From the questions of the previous examinations, I can see that They all used actual combat to determine the winner. The Theory Examinations discuss politics, the Combat Examinations discuss the military. Politics is the goal of the Emperor and the officials. There are also the six departments of Works, Officials, Revenue, Military, Punishments, and Rites! All this while, the Emperor has been focused on the court examinations. As the last examination of the Law of Dao, the Emperor is anxious about this. It is the last link to the Empire. Based on the current situation in the Empire, this can be summed up in one sentence. This sentence is: Give the four states to the Emperor, and pacify the people! "
"Give the four states to the Emperor, and pacify the people?" All of the officials were shocked to hear Su Qing's words. It was not surprising that an imperial messenger from the Imperial Academy was studying the court examinations. However, the gaze of a civil official. To be able to see the four states, this made people have a whole new level of respect.
"Yes, His Majesty doesn't lack virtuous ministers to build canals and open roads. What His Majesty lacks are ambassadors to the four states. To pacify the talents of the four states! As such, I dare to make a bold guess that the emperor's questions for the court examinations will definitely be related to diplomacy! "Su Qing exuded a strong sense of confidence as he spoke.
"Official Su's words are very clear. Using the Emperor's worries to test the Emperor's intentions. Official Su's concern for the country and its people is commendable! Since Official Su can guess the Emperor's intentions, why didn't you participate in the court examinations four years ago? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's eyes lit up.
"My heart is in supporting the country, not becoming a Sage. I have already spent 20 years studying the Law of Dao and passed the imperial examinations. Why would I waste time to participate in the court examinations?"
"Hahaha … Official Su's thoughts are different from most people's. In the Empire, many people turned to politics because they could not cultivate the Sage Dao. However, Official Su gave up on the Sage Dao for politics!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong chuckled.
"I am a petty official. I have embarrassed myself in front of the Crown Prince!" Su Qing said respectfully.
"No matter. To each his own. Since Official Su is dedicated to politics, your future will be limitless. Official Su, why don't you tell me more about your plan?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong waved his hand.
"Yes, the first benefit is to resolve the Emperor's worries. It is the Crown Prince's way of filial piety. I have already said it clearly. The second benefit is to pacify the foreign countries. It is the Crown Prince's way of being a ruler. As for the third and fourth benefits, they are for the sake of the current situation. It is not my original intention, nor is it the Crown Prince's.
"Let's hear it!"
"In the Empire, the Crown Prince is in charge of politics and King Duan is in charge of the army. This is understandable. However, if the Crown Prince ascends to the throne and there is no one in the army... it will be detrimental to the country and the people. As such, for the future stability of the Empire, you should make arrangements!"
"Father does not like me participating in military affairs."
"That is indeed the case. If I were to participate directly, it would be against the Emperor's wishes. However, if I were to change the method, it would be in line with your current position!"
"Oh? What method? "
"I heard that the annual military drill is about to begin. If... the drill is related to the court examinations, it would be logical for the Crown Prince to participate!"
"Link the drill to the court examinations? Good plan, good plan! Quick, tell me, what's your fourth achievement? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's eyes lit up as he sized up Su Qing.
He was dressed neatly in his official robes. His features were defined and his face was fair. He spoke with a maturity that did not match his age. Most importantly, he was dedicated to politics!
All of the other officials stared at Su Qing. No one dared to whisper to each other. All of them stared at Su Qing.
Even Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping couldn't help but glance at Su Qing. However, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping didn't look at him again.
"The fourth objective has to do with Fang Zhengzhi."
"Fang Zhengzhi? Mm... what does Official Su think of Fang Zhengzhi? " The Crown Prince was slightly taken aback. He leaned back a little, but his eyes were filled with more anticipation than before.
"I think that if the Crown Prince wants to stay in the East Palace, Fang Zhengzhi will be the biggest obstacle. If we can get rid of him, that would be the best plan, but..."
"But what?"
"Now that Fang Zhengzhi has become an official, according to the laws of the Imperial Court of Justice, officials of rank four and above have to be judged by the Supreme Court before being sentenced by the Emperor. Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi is at the peak of his abilities, and there are too many unknown factors behind him. For example, Chi Guyan of the Divine Constabulary, King Li of the First Rank, Xing Hou of the Stabilisation Constabulary, the Yan Family of Western Liang... Even though these powers have not made their stance clear, but we have to consider it!"
"You are right."
"As such, I think that the time is not right to get rid of Fang Zhengzhi. Since the time is not right, the Crown Prince should stay in the East Palace. However, if we allow him to grow, it will be difficult to predict his future. As such, my fourth objective is to get someone else to do the dirty work!" Su Qing's eyes were devoid of killing intent.
Instead, he was as calm as the surface of a lake, as if killing was an extremely common thing in his eyes.
"Get someone else to do the dirty work? Mm... since you have mentioned these four objectives, let's talk about your final objective. "The Crown Prince's expression changed as he tightened his grip on the jade.
"Yes, my objective is very simple. The Crown Prince can sit back and observe the court examinations. However, the combat examinations can be changed. Most of the previous combat examinations were held in pocket dimensions. However, the events that took place in the World of the Sage a few months ago are still fresh in our minds. Your Highness can use this opportunity to suggest that the combat examinations be held in the Southern Mountain Range!" Su Qing said solemnly.
"What? Hold the combat examinations in the Southern Mountain Range?! "
"Official Su, you are trying to frame the Crown Prince. The situation in the Southern Mountain Range is unclear. How can the Emperor decide to hold the court examinations there?"
All of the officials stepped forward when they heard Su Qing's words.
"Everyone, you are wrong. It is precisely because the situation in the Southern Mountain Range is unclear that the Emperor would most likely choose to hold the court examinations there!" Su Qing shook his head firmly after hearing the words of the officials.
Just as one of the officials was about to speak, he was immediately pulled back by another official beside him. Then, he gave the Crown Prince Lin Tianrong a look. The official who was about to speak was slightly shocked. He looked at the Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's expression and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
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