Chapter 2884 Angry
The emperor read the manuscript with great interest, especially since Bai Erlang's writing was not like that of the other Hanlin Academy members who summarized many things in one sentence. Bai Erlang's writing was just like him, he loved to be verbose.
When he saw a brightly colored rocky mountain, he could write two pages of eloquent articles, and he could write three pages about how they caught scorpions in the desert. As for why they caught scorpions, the manuscript said that Zhou Man said scorpions can treat facial paralysis, rheumatism and periarthritis of the shoulder. Zhou Man wanted to use them to make scorpion wine, and drinking it regularly seemed to have the effect of strengthening the body and replenishing the vital energy.
The manuscript also said that Zhou Man planned to make scorpion wine and give it to Yin Huo to drink.
The emperor smacked his lips and said to the queen, "Tomorrow when I see Yin Li, I'll ask him if Zhou Man has made scorpion wine. I think Yin is getting more energetic, maybe it's really the effect of the scorpion wine."
The Queen became worried, "Your Majesty, please don't eat anything carelessly. You should consult the Imperial Physician."
The emperor said nonchalantly, "Isn't Zhou Man the imperial physician?"
The emperor watched with great interest, and after watching, he even complained, "No wonder they took so long to travel west. The journey was certainly difficult, but look how lazy they were. They said they wanted to avoid wasting rent, but they stayed in a small town for nearly a month."
But in the end, he sighed and said, "I have never had the opportunity to go to the Western Regions, but after reading what the Prince Consort wrote, I feel like I have been there."
The Queen also stroked the manuscript in her hand, a hint of envy in her eyes. After thinking for a moment, she said, "When the weather gets better, let's ask Mingda to go to Qingzhou as well. She's been pestering me about this ever since Zhou Man was exiled, saying that she also wants to see what the endless sea looks like."
This time, the emperor didn't reject it outright like he had done before. Instead, he lowered his head and looked at the manuscript in his hand. After pondering for a while, he hummed reluctantly twice, which was considered an agreement. However, he said, "Mingda is in poor health. She needs to be taken care of by those around her."
It was too dangerous to go out. Although the emperor was very excited and envious of Bai Shan and Zhou Man's journey to the west, he also knew that there were many dangers in going out. When he was marching and fighting, many people around him did not die on the battlefield, but became weak due to acclimatization. In severe cases, people died in one night.
His Mingda is so weak...
The emperor finished reading the rest of the manuscript. Because Bai Erlang was stuck at the critical moment of attacking Qiuci, the emperor could not help but summon Bai Erlang to the palace to explain to him.
But writing a book and telling a story are two different things. Facing the emperor, Bai Erlang could only say dryly: "Bai Shan and his men killed the guards inside and took the opportunity to open the city gate. General Ashina received the news and led the army in."
The Emperor: "I know about this matter. I asked for details."
"Your Majesty, these are the details."
Emperor: "...in the same detail as you write about other things."
Bai Erlang's face turned red but he couldn't utter a word.
The emperor stared at him for a long while, then finally gave in and asked, "Have you finished writing the following manuscript?"
"No," Bai Erlang responded very quickly this time. He said, "I couldn't have written it without the previous manuscript for comparison."
The emperor could only return the manuscript to him in disappointment, waving his hand and saying, "Hurry back and write."
Bai Erlang was always very sensitive to people's emotions, so he took the opportunity to ask, "So I can write books while I'm on duty at the Hanlin Academy?"
The emperor turned a blind eye and said, "You must finish your official duties first."
Bai Erlang said excitedly: "I will not disappoint your majesty's expectations."
The emperor really wanted to say, I don’t have any high expectations of you, just focus on writing the book.
But seeing his silly smile, the emperor swallowed his words and waved his hand to let him go.
Forget it, the prince consort doesn't seem to be very smart, so let's not discourage him. In fact, this is not bad. The prince consort doesn't need to be very capable, as long as he is good to the princess. Although Bai Er is not smart and insightful, he has a simple and naive temperament. Mingda is happy to be with him.
Bai Erlang took his manuscript back to the Hanlin Academy and left early, running back to Zhou's house. He put all the manuscripts in a box and handed it to Zhou Liwei, saying solemnly, "This is something I gave to Bai Shan Zhou Man. You must keep it well."
Seeing him so serious, Zhou Liwei also took it seriously, thinking it was something particularly important, so he nodded seriously, "Don't worry, I will definitely hand it over safely to my aunt and uncle. Even if I'm gone, it will still be there."
Bai Jilang: "...That's not necessary."
Zhou Liwei said seriously, "Yes, yes. What our Zhou family lacks the least is honesty and loyalty."
Bai Erlang: "...I have to go to court tomorrow, so I won't see you off."
Zhou Liwei agreed.
Bai Erlang wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to leave, but he saw Mr. Zhuang standing at the door looking at him. He was startled and blurted out, "Sir, you're leaving early too?"
Mr. Zhuang: "...It's time to leave the court now, but I was delivering books to the Imperial College when I got back on time. How did you, an official from the Hanlin Academy, get back before me?"
Shirojiro:......
Mr. Zhuang's face darkened and he said to him, "Come with me."
Bai Erlang lowered his head and followed him.
Mr. Zhuang was a little angry and sat behind the desk for a long time without saying anything. Bai Erlang then stood obediently in front of the desk without moving.
Mr. Zhuang took a moment to reflect, then said, "Master, I know you lack ambition in your official career. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone has different pursuits. Some enjoy being powerful, some enjoy speaking for the people, and naturally, some prefer to live a leisurely and carefree life. But no matter what your aspirations are, since you hold an official position, you must do your part. There's nothing wrong with you writing books in the Hanlin Academy; that's considered work, but why do you do things like being late and leaving early?"
The Hanlin in the Hanlin Academy are all Jinshi, scholars. In addition to their work tasks in the Hanlin Academy, they also write some articles and poems in their spare time, or simply write prefaces for other people's manuscripts. Many things are done in the Hanlin Academy, so no one thinks there is anything wrong with Bai Erlang writing books in the Hanlin Academy.
However, the book he wrote was a biography in the form of a vernacular novel, so it was not worthy of being published in a formal setting. Moreover, he happened to be caught in the act by the emperor, which caused a huge uproar in the palace and the court.
But this kind of behavior was tolerated. Didn't the Censorate bother to impeach him? This time, when his manuscript was confiscated, everyone just laughed it off privately; no one impeached him in court.
Because of his impeachment, too many people were implicated, and no one in the Hanlin Academy was innocent.
Who hasn’t written poems or articles in the Hanlin Academy?
Mr. Zhuang could tolerate these, but he could not allow Bai Erlang to neglect his job. He was late and left early even when there was nothing special. Moreover, he was late and left early after making a mistake and being caught. If this continued, wouldn't his skin become even thicker?
See you at 6pm
(End of this chapter)
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