Upon hearing Kangxi's words, the ten students were momentarily at a loss for words. As the saying goes, "no question is better than one," and Kangxi's seemingly casual remark had created a difficult problem for them. Some began to ponder deeply, while others were eager to try.
A man dressed in a gray robe slowly walked forward a few steps, bowed to Emperor Kangxi, and said, "Your Majesty, the topic I wish to discuss is 'The Way of the Ruler'."
Emperor Kangxi nodded, signaling the student to continue. Upon hearing the topic, everyone showed a look of surprise. Such a topic was quite unpleasant; frankly, it was an evaluation of the emperor's actions. A single wrong word could anger the emperor and cost him his life. Although Kangxi had said he wouldn't blame him for anything, what emperor liked to be reprimanded to his face?
The man bowed again and said, “Your Majesty, the ‘ruler’ I am referring to today is not Your Majesty, but the ‘Crown Prince.’ As the foundation of the nation, the ‘Crown Prince’ is already a ‘half-ruler’ of the Qing Dynasty. His words and actions directly affect the foundation of the nation.”
Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked. Kangxi's previously calm face gradually turned cold. Although he did not say anything, everyone could still feel the chilling atmosphere and majesty emanating from him.
The student, seemingly oblivious to Kangxi's displeasure, continued, "Song'etu's factionalism and corruption nearly swept through half the court, causing many officials to deceive their superiors and subordinates for personal gain, resulting in an empty treasury, numerous injustices, and the people's grievances going unheard. How could Song'etu alone stir up such a storm? Without the Crown Prince's support and assistance, how could Song'etu and his associates have remained at large until Kangxi's 42nd year, when they were finally dismissed and punished? I believe Your Majesty has been too lenient with the Crown Prince, allowing this persistent problem of 'factionalism and corruption' to persist throughout the Qing Dynasty. I am merely a commoner, unqualified to discuss the Crown Prince with Your Majesty, but the Crown Prince's actions..." This behavior is truly disappointing to the people and disheartening to scholars. As far as I know, those from poor families who cannot afford the fees are now unable to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations. The corruption surrounding the examinations has reached a level unimaginable even to the Emperor. In my hometown, the provincial education commissioner is using his power for personal gain. If this continues, will there be no truly capable person serving the Emperor based on genuine talent and learning? Considering all this, I am risking my life to speak these words before the Emperor today. I implore Your Majesty to eradicate this deep-seated problem, to grant justice to scholars, to cleanse the Qing Dynasty of its corruption, and to promise a bright and prosperous future.”
After saying this, the man suddenly lifted his robe, knelt down, and kowtowed deeply to the ground.
The room was completely silent. The trusted ministers and princes present were rendered speechless by this man's words. It must be said that several of Kangxi's trusted ministers were sweating profusely; they could never have spoken such words directly to Kangxi. Since Songgotu's execution, no one had mentioned the events of the 41st year of Kangxi's reign that shocked the court. Everyone knew that Songgotu was backed by the Crown Prince. However, Kangxi, wholeheartedly protecting the Crown Prince, had suppressed the matter. One of the senior officials in charge of the joint trial of Songgotu was forced to resign and retire to his hometown after mentioning the Crown Prince. From this incident, everyone understood Kangxi's attitude: the Crown Prince was still the Crown Prince; he had only been deceived by Songgotu and others, leading him to commit some wrongdoings. Therefore, after Songgotu's death, no one dared to mention the Crown Prince's connection to that incident before Kangxi. As a result, many in the court and the public harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince, but no one dared to impeach him.
Kangxi was now as cold as ice. He squinted at the man kneeling before him who dared to risk losing his head, pondering how to deal with him.
The Fourth Prince glanced cautiously at Kangxi. From his ashen face, he knew that Kangxi must be furious at this moment, but he was holding back his anger.
The Eighth Prince glanced around casually before fixing his gaze on Kangxi's face, thinking to himself: Father, even if you can suppress the gossip for a while, can you suppress the opinions of the people?
"Zhao Fangjing, do you know your crime! The 'Crown Prince' was personally chosen by the Emperor. How dare you, a mere commoner, discuss such a matter? The Emperor is a wise ruler who has granted you this opportunity, yet you show no gratitude and instead spout nonsense. You deserve to die!" Before Kangxi could speak, Zhang Tingyu, sitting to his left, suddenly shouted, "Guards, drag these madmen away and beat them to death with clubs!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked, especially the students standing behind the one named "Zhao Fangjing." They were completely terrified, trembling like leeches, their faces ashen. They say serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, and now they had truly witnessed it.
Standing outside listening to everything inside, Li Wei was unusually excited. When he heard Zhao Fangjing say those words, he almost wanted to applaud. Because his thoughts were very similar to Zhao Fangjing's. However, when he heard Zhang Tingyu's rebuke, he was shocked and his hands and feet went cold. He remembered what the Fourth Prince had said to him: "Father doesn't need someone like you right now."
Just when everyone thought Zhao Fangjing was doomed, Kangxi slowly raised his hand, making a gesture for a guard to come in and drag him away, before saying, "I said that we can discuss anything today. He only said a few words, why should he die? Zhao Fangjing, I can tell you now: 'I will surely grant the Qing Dynasty a prosperous and enlightened era.' You may leave."
Zhao Fangjing clearly hadn't expected Kangxi to let him off so easily. He quickly kowtowed to Kangxi several more times, loudly proclaiming, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" After that, he followed Liang Jiugong out of the room. However, the other students in the room were no longer as full of fighting spirit as they had been when they first met Kangxi. Now, they only felt fear and dread towards the old man sitting in front of them.
If Emperor Kangxi hadn't personally appointed guards, Zhao Fangjing would have been a cold, mangled corpse in no time.
However, Kangxi seemed unaffected. Several more people began to discuss their views on the government and the country, but these were all trivial matters. After listening to a few, Kangxi began to lose focus. Finally, after barely listening to everyone's arguments, he hastily said to Zhang Tingyu, "I'm a little tired. You can arrange the rest."
After Kangxi left, Zhang Tingyu gathered the students together and said some high-sounding words. The princes, including the Fourth Prince, also returned to their respective residences.
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