Chapter 74 074 I am without virtue.

The calligraphy remained to keep Zhao Jialing company through the long night. As for the person, after a smile, he drifted away, leaving only his ethereal and otherworldly figure lingering in Zhao Jialing's heart with a touch of endless melancholy.

[What does she mean?] To be honest, even with the surprise in front of her, Zhao Jialing didn't expect Xie Lanzhao to actually write as she said, without any twists or turns. She was prepared for Xie Lanzhao to make excuses.

"Perhaps you think it's better than 'The Deepest Spring in the Ming Dynasty Locks Up the Secretariat,' host. You've successfully lowered her standards." The Wise Ruler System said quietly.

Zhao Jialing ignored her: "If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all." Then she thought again, there was no need to investigate the reason; it was ultimately a happy occasion. She stretched, beaming with pride, "I'm going to be this kind of emperor, getting whatever I want, whatever I desire."

Wise Ruler System: "..."

After several days of discussion, the reform of county officials and clerks was carried out according to the old system, with censors dispatched to inspect the prefectures and counties to rectify customs. Xie Lanzhao's proposal was also approved by the prime minister, who slightly improved the treatment of clerks to prevent them from working for free. However, strict limits were placed on the number of clerks; only regular officials in the county government could use them. This was also to prevent the county government from arbitrarily appointing clerks and using the matter to amass wealth.

August in Chang'an was relatively peaceful, and the construction of the cement road proceeded smoothly from south to north. Besides the engineering students at Mingde Academy who had produced "cement," the agricultural students had also made encouraging progress. Some of the vegetables planted in June were already ready for harvest. Although they couldn't compare to the "cement" yet, this wasn't the end of it! Once the sweet potatoes ripened in October, the yield would surely be astonishing.

Chemistry students stayed with engineering students, continuing their research on cement; law students had already published a journal, making a significant contribution to spreading the laws of the Great Yong Dynasty. Medical students, with their miraculous healing abilities, created many medicines that were better than elixirs, and even eradicated the mosquitoes in the ditches during the sweltering summer; agriculture students also reaped substantial rewards, leaving only—

"It's just us left, literature, sigh." It's no wonder the students sighed; the lingering shadows of the past had instilled a certain arrogance in the hearts of writers. Of course, that arrogance had completely vanished after suffering a series of setbacks. "Is literature truly useless?"

“Don’t underestimate yourselves, everyone. We’ve helped polish the journal as well,” the young scholar replied. But as soon as he said that, the students’ expressions became subtle. The “polishing” hadn’t gone so smoothly at first. They had enough talent to write about life. But their lengthy and eloquent essays not only failed to win praise, but were instead ruthlessly rejected.

The law student said, "The journal is for the general public; who can understand parallel prose?"

"Poetry has its own magic, but if you want to hold the highest position in the imperial library, digging in the ground isn't enough." The student cleared his throat. "The Imperial Music Bureau needs someone to write some kind of script. Anyone want to help?"

It was Pei Wuwei's idea to connect with the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), proposed by Xue Yuanshuang.

Pei Wuwei said, "The number of literate people is limited, and it's difficult to achieve results in the short term by relying on academic journals and newspapers to penetrate the countryside. But it's different for street performers." Although she came from a noble family, she had little interest in an official career and left her hometown to travel around at a young age. She was unrestrained and quite frivolous, and could get along with all sorts of people, so her horizons were naturally broader than those who buried themselves in books.

Xue Yuanshuang then spoke with the people in the academy in her capacity as a Mingde scholar. She had been busy compiling the Book of Rites with Chen Xiyuan and the others, and many things were told to her by Pei Wuwei, who had gone there to join in the fun. She frowned and thought about it, and found it quite reasonable.

The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was established during the reign of Emperor Renzong, who was a great lover of singing and dancing. He established the Left and Right Jiaofangsi within the Guangzhai and Yanzheng districts. Neither the previous emperor nor the current emperor had any interest in music, only inviting musicians from the Jiaofangsi to perform during grand banquets. The previous emperor slightly reduced these restrictions and established strict rules for officials inviting Jiaofangsi musicians, prohibiting officials from mistreating them.

Following the precedent set by the previous emperor, the musicians of the Imperial Music Bureau enjoyed a relatively leisurely life. However, after Xue Yuanshuang's report, the Bureau was given its own tasks. Beyond mere entertainment of singing and dancing, when the time was right, the musicians were to disperse to all corners of the land to educate the people about laws in a more lively and engaging way. While composing music was the forte of the musicians themselves, the news from the palace called for the rehearsals of plays, which required the talented and learned scholars to fully utilize their abilities.

However, at the end of the month, something happened. The Grand Astrologer reported that a comet had appeared between the constellations Xu and Wei, its light dazzling, five feet long, moving eastward and remaining there for several days. The Grand Astrologer's office had many records of comets, and although they knew their appearances and disappearances were predictable, they still considered it an ominous sign. However, the seriousness of this omen was determined by the political situation of the time.

Although Zhao Jialing did not take the comet and the celestial changes seriously, he did not show it on his face. As was customary, he stayed in the main hall, reduced his meals, and issued an edict ordering all civil and military officials to submit memorials freely to discuss the merits and demerits of the matter.

However, the comet did not disappear prematurely because of these measures. As it lingered, the atmosphere in the court and among the people became visibly tense and stagnant. In a memorial from below, a minor official said that the celestial anomaly was a warning, and that what had been done was not enough. He also said that, as in the past, prisoners should be released and a general amnesty should be granted.

Indiscriminate imprisonment of the innocent leads to a breakdown in governance, while prolonged detention of the guilty breeds resentment. ① This policy of releasing prisoners from imprisonment was often aimed at those who had been detained in jail. It was often accompanied by leniency and lighter imprisonment, thereby reducing the number of prisoners and achieving the goal of harmonizing yin and yang. It was a virtuous policy used to deal with disasters and anomalies.

The person who submitted the memorial grasped at a "common practice," repeatedly emphasizing the word "forgiveness," but their true purpose remained unclear. Currently, many aristocratic criminals who dared to mine were imprisoned. The appearance of the comet conveniently provided court officials with an opportunity to plead for these individuals. Zhao Jialing kept the memorial in the palace, not intending to do so.

When no disaster has occurred, the appearance of a comet is merely a statement, requiring no grand pronouncements from civil and military officials. But a few days later, another troublesome matter reached their ears—a huge, deeply sunken character for "disaster" had suddenly appeared on the southern section of the cement road of Zhuque Avenue!

The Imperial Guards on night patrol reported seeing nothing unusual during the night, as if the character had appeared out of thin air! Panic instantly gripped Chang'an, and resistance to the paved road quickly resurfaced. The ignorant took this as a divine warning, inexplicably falling into bewilderment. The rumor spread rapidly, even adding details like "A man in white with seventy-two riders appeared on the street, then vanished in an instant" and "A strangely dressed demon appeared in Wannian County."

Zhao Jialing was so angry he almost laughed when he heard about this. How could it be possible for someone to appear out of thin air?

"It's highly likely someone had malicious intent and wrote on the ground before the cement dried," said the Wise Ruler System.

It can explain the origin and formation of comets to Zhao Jialing, but some deeply ingrained ideas cannot be removed from the public's mind.

The emperor issued an edict to open up channels for public opinion, and the enthusiasm of civil and military officials to speak out became even stronger. Furthermore, petitions from scholars in the capital were submitted directly to the emperor.

"A comet appears in the sky, and disaster strikes the earth. If the court had not lost its mind, how could it have provoked such a severe wrath from Heaven? The officials are all sycophantic and deceitful, their words nothing but flattery. The people are all frowning, while the court sings praises of peace. How can they deceive Heaven?"

"A comet has appeared in the sky; this is a sign from Heaven. Your Majesty is fearful and strives to cultivate virtue, yet Heaven's wrath has not subsided. I believe this is not because Your Majesty fails to reflect on your own actions, but rather the fault of your ministers. These ministers who hold the reins of the state lack the virtue to occupy their positions and the capacity to implement great policies. With chaos reaching this point, how can they possibly sit peacefully in the Hall of State Affairs?"

"Since last year, the government has been in constant flux. The people are filled with anxiety, and the villages are desolate. The achievements of the past are indeed great, but they cannot cover up the mistakes of today. Like a comet sweeping its tail, this is the prime minister's fault."

...

"See? It's all because of Xie Lanzhao." Zhao Jialing sighed after reading the memorial. Disasters and anomalies were warnings from Heaven, and the emperor wouldn't issue an edict of self-reproach unless absolutely necessary; usually, the prime minister would take responsibility. According to custom, the prime minister would immediately submit a memorial requesting dismissal to avert the calamity. Xie Lanzhao was no exception. Zhao Jialing skipped over the memorials discussing the disasters, found Xie Lanzhao's memorial, and replied with the word "Not permitted."

It seemed that everyone, both inside and outside the court, was loyal to the emperor. However, when the comet appeared, those voices that had been silenced by various circumstances resurfaced, spreading as rumors throughout the streets and alleys. This created an invisible force pressuring the court officials, attempting to force the emperor to back down. The use of "Heaven" and "God" proved highly effective, demonstrating that it was not solely the emperor's prerogative. Even external voices could be used to pressure the emperor using the concept of "Heaven."

Approving Xie Lanzhao's resignation to quell the raging inferno from below would be the simplest solution, but Zhao Jialing didn't want to take that step. Since she had promised Xie Lanzhao she would stand by her side, how could she abandon her when the people's council was unable to resist? Why risk bringing disaster upon the people because of an ominous sign? Besides, those secretly stirring up trouble had probably chosen the wrong time. Could a comet really cause chaos? History records that this method only worked when ominous stars accompanied by war and brought apocalyptic panic.

During the court assembly, the officials remained silent.

The appearance of the comet filled them with great fear, but the thought that the emperor was protected by deities and had repeatedly performed great feats eased their anxiety somewhat. However, their emotions were conflicted, which led them to look at Xie Lanzhao with subtle glances. This matter was not about right or wrong; it was the prime minister's responsibility to resign in the face of calamity.

A suffocating silence was finally broken by a forthright Attendant Gentleman of the Palace. He could hear the unspoken thoughts and, of course, knew the relationship between His Majesty and the Chancellor. He could only subtly suggest that the Chancellor resign. Not wanting to directly offend Xie Lanzhao, he added that Xie Lanzhao was still young and could serve His Majesty under another title, returning to his position as Chancellor in a few years.

The loyalty of the remaining court officials to the Yong Dynasty was beyond question, but each of them harbored their own selfish motives. Everyone wanted to climb the ranks, and it was inevitable that they were tempted.

Zhao Jialing took in the expressions of the court officials in the front row. She was determined to protect Xie Lanzhao to the end, and said calmly, "It has nothing to do with the Prime Minister. It is I who am immoral. It seems that your words of 'wisdom' in the past were deceiving me."

These words were like a mountain, weighing heavily on the court officials, causing their expressions to change drastically and prompting them to speak out one after another.

"Your Majesty has been diligent in governing, reforming the administration, and preventing any unrest. How could you have made any mistakes? Now that you have been banished to Heaven, it is truly because your ministers have failed in their duties in assisting you."

“Your Majesty, I have committed a grave offense. I have disrespected Heaven and Earth and offended the spirits, thus bringing calamity upon us by Heaven.”

These were all common platitudes; their fear, at most, was the fear of being dismissed. Zhao Jialing's gaze lingered on the still composed Xie Lanzhao. After a moment, she spoke loudly: "'The highest virtue is to cultivate morality, the next is to cultivate governance, and the next is to cultivate salvation.' Now that a comet has appeared in the sky, what calamities will accompany it? The large characters on Zhuque Avenue?"

After saying the last sentence, Zhao Jialing chuckled lightly and continued, "If a stone slab appeared on the street with the inscription 'The Loyal King is the Emperor,' would you all welcome him back to Chang'an without asking about the slab's origin and just cite the will of Heaven?"

Her tone was calm, but it didn't change the essence of her words. To the court officials, these were words that "pierced their hearts." Cold sweat broke out, and the court officials in the hall knelt down in unison, muttering, "Your Majesty, we are terrified; we deserve to die."

Zhao Jialing said, "Get up."

The court officials, who had risen again, remained silent, creating an awkward atmosphere in the hall. Finally, the Prefect of the Capital said, "I believe this matter should be thoroughly investigated." Rumors of calamities had spread, causing panic among some in Chang'an, and the cement road construction could no longer continue. Some people even avoided the section of road that had already been repaired. Thinking about it carefully, how could the rumors have spread so quickly without someone fanning the flames?

Zhao Jialing nodded, gazed at Xie Lanzhao, and smiled slightly, "What did Minister Xie say?" Although she had submitted a memorial requesting to resign, based on her understanding of Xie Lanzhao, she would not simply sit at home and wait for the result; she would definitely investigate the origin of the word "disaster."

[My Minister Xie is different from them; he won't push you to do anything.]

Recalling the words of the court officials, which were full of praise for Xie Lanzhao, he was more reserved and composed than before, and had lost that arrogance and conceit, but the core remained unchanged.

Apart from Xie Lanzhao, none of them are human.

In any case, the pent-up anger that the courtier had been suppressing in his chest was finally released.

His Majesty was not enraged, nor did he have time to deal with them. As for their dullness, so be it; it was better than their wolfish ambitions.

"I have something to report," Xie Lanzhao said, her eyes flashing. "This matter is indeed being manipulated. I have discovered that Li Yuanliang, the son of Li Zhen, the former military advisor of the Prince of Zhong's residence, colluded with the Imperial Guards patrolling the streets that night to draw 'disaster' on the road. This person also colluded with unsuccessful scholars to spread rumors, causing widespread panic." Averting disaster cannot dispel rumors; only by uncovering the truth can the tension among the people of Chang'an be eased.

“Lord Zhong—” Zhao Jialing drawled, “do you intend to use this to destroy my very essence?”

The possibility that the Loyal King instigated this is zero, but does it matter?

In any case, after Zhao Jialing said this, anyone who continued to bring up the matter of the prime minister being responsible for disasters and anomalies would be considered a loyalist of the Prince of Zhong who wanted to disrupt the government.

This also means that if this time it was the loyalist's henchmen who did it, then if there is any abnormality next time, it will also be the loyalist's henchmen who did it.

The courtiers felt a chill run through them, as if a knife were held to their necks.

The Minister of Agriculture cleared his throat and delivered the auspicious omen at this moment. He broke the tense atmosphere and said in a melodious tone, "Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Yangzhou, reporting a bumper cotton harvest! The new spinning machines there have all been modified and are now being used to weave cotton cloth. By winter, winter clothes will be ready."

His words were abrupt and had nothing to do with what they had been discussing just moments before.

But the courtiers seemed to have a sudden realization, and the Grand Astrologer reported: "The gods bless Your Majesty, and the ancestral temples bestow blessings. Your Majesty is divinely wise and secure, protecting the nation and its people, deeply in accordance with the will of Heaven, ensuring the long-term stability of the country. As for the comet, it is a warning from Heaven, not a sign that Your Majesty has committed a crime, but rather a divine warning that a treacherous person is about to harm the country."