Chapter 207: Court Meeting, Letter from the King of Zhenbei
The court officials discussed it for a while, and they all seemed to agree that the escort mission was completed excellently, which was indisputable and indeed meritorious.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Yan Yuze looked at Emperor Liang again.
“In addition to Princess Ningyue, there were two other people who escorted Zhu Ertai’s daughter to the Northern Frontier. They were students from the Longchang Academy in Jiangzhou.
Now, Daliang is in need of talents. These two girls are sisters with the same surname. They are not only highly educated, but also made great contributions during the escort, which shows their ability. Such talents should be trained as early as possible so that they can serve in the court as soon as possible. However, their grandfather has just passed away, and according to the regulations, they cannot participate in the next spring examination. "
At this point, Yan Yuze bowed deeply and said, "I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and allow them to participate in the Spring Examination in mourning, so that the country will not miss out on two pillars of society."
As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur of discussion suddenly arose in the court.
The Minister of the Honglu Temple frowned and stepped out of the line, saying in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the court's rules cannot be abolished lightly. Since ancient times, filial piety has been the most important thing, and mourning for elders is natural. If the court allows him to wear mourning clothes to participate in the Spring Examination, it may set a precedent of unfilial piety. In the future, everyone will use this as an excuse. Where will the court be?"
Yan Yuze heard this, his expression unchanged, and calmly refuted:
"Although what Lord Zhao said makes some sense, these two men are talented and have made great contributions to the peace of the border. If the court wastes three years because of this, wouldn't it be a loss for the country?
Moreover, when their grandfather was alive, he certainly hoped that they would bring honor to the family and serve the court. Your Majesty, allowing them to participate in the Spring Examination not only reflects the court's cherishment of talent, but also does not violate the principle of filial piety. "
Hu Shangli, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, said in dissatisfaction: "Your Majesty, aren't you protecting your own shortcomings and finding ways for your own students?"
Hu Shangli looked at Emperor Liang and said, "Your Majesty, my cousin is also a scholar. His mother passed away a few years ago, and he was unable to take the imperial examinations because he was in mourning for three years. He still has no official position. If the court sets a precedent just because those two students are the prince's disciples, it would be too unfair."
"Oh? I wonder what kind of genius is Minister Hu's cousin that he was missed by the court?"
Hu Shangli was choked by these words, and his face changed slightly. His cousin's experience in the imperial examination was not glorious. He had been taking exams for most of his life and was only a juren. He was not what the other party called a "natural talent".
He coughed dryly, and then said unconvincedly, "Then may I ask, Your Majesty, what are the outstanding qualities of these two students you want to recommend?"
Yan Yuze said "Oh" and lowered his eyes and said: "It's nothing more than winning the first place in the county court examinations and becoming the champion of Jiangzhou Prefecture at the age of seventeen. That's all."
When the other ministers heard this, many of them showed surprise on their faces.
Minister of Rites Zhou Xianqing raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he remembered something.
Hu Shangli swallowed his saliva and asked unwillingly, "Then, what about the other one?"
"The other one ranked a little worse." Yan Yuze paused, "Just the top of the list."
The corners of Hu Shangli's mouth twitched slightly.
Bangyuan is ranked sixth, which is really a little bit worse.
Hu Shangli stopped talking in dismay, and the other ministers who had been whispering just now also looked hesitant. Even though they felt that it was inappropriate to break this precedent for two women, they could not find a more compelling reason.
Zhou Xianqing stood up and said:
“Your Majesty, I was the one who reviewed the examination papers of the winner of the provincial examination in Jiangzhou Prefecture. The second son’s name is Zhu Lan. His writing is brilliant, his thinking is quick, and his essay contains many insights, which deeply impressed me.
Such young and promising talents should take advantage of their prime age to serve the country, bring peace to the people, and serve the court as soon as possible.
I, the Minister of Rites Zhou Xianqing, would like to make a memorial with the prince, asking Your Majesty to grant them the right to participate in the imperial examination while in mourning."
Emperor Liang's fingers were stroking the gilded heater in his arms, a faint smile hidden in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. He exchanged a glance with Yan Yuze below, and they understood each other tacitly.
"Ahem...Since the nobles have no objection to this, then——"
"Father." Qi Wang Yan Changwen came out again and said loudly: "Father, please think twice!"
Yan Changwen took out a memorial from his sleeve and said, "I just received a letter from the King of Zhenbei this morning, asking me to submit the memorial on his behalf during the court meeting."
The memorial was presented to Emperor Liang.
Yan Changwen continued, "The letter mentioned two things. First, the border bandits have shown signs of revival recently. In order to maintain peace on the border, the court is requested to allocate 200,000 taels of military pay."
When these words were spoken, many civil servants in the court secretly took a deep breath. Some showed anger on their faces, but did not dare to show it too obviously.
There have been no major wars in recent years, and the King of Zhenbei always demands a large amount of military pay on the pretext of suppressing rebellions and bandits. It's fine if he wants money, but for so many years, the border has never been completely peaceful.
But he commanded a large number of troops, and even Emperor Liang was a little afraid of him.
"Zhang Lun." Emperor Liang looked at the Minister of Revenue Zhang Lun.
Zhang Lun was so worried that his features were squeezed together. "Your Majesty, this year there have been natural disasters of varying sizes in various places, and the treasury is not full. If we want to take out 200,000 taels, I'm afraid..."
Emperor Liang was silent for a moment, "Let's not build the palace in Jiangzhou yet, can we collect 200,000 taels this way?"
Zhang Lun thought about it and said, "This...maybe it's possible."
"Then do it." There was no emotion in Emperor Liang's voice, and he asked what the second thing mentioned in Yan Changwen's letter was.
“Father, the second thing the King of Zhenbei mentioned was the impeachment of Zhu Lan and Zhu Qingyan.” Yan Changwen said loudly.
"Princess Ning Yue is a skilled martial artist. Even if she escorted Zhu Ertai's daughter alone, there wouldn't be any problems along the way. But the Sixth Uncle sent two students to go with her. Now he wants to ask for credit for them, which inevitably seems biased.
The King of Zhenbei mentioned in the letter that the escort should have been carried out in secret, but these two students were ostentatious all the way, which was very eye-catching. Thanks to the careful care of Princess Ningyue, no one with ulterior motives was attracted. For such behavior, not being punished is already a grace, so how can it be said to have made meritorious deeds? "
Yan Yuze turned his head to look at him and asked, "Your Highness Prince Qi said that the two of them were ostentatious all the way. I wonder if there is any evidence?"
Yan Changwen had a humble smile on his plump face, "Don't blame me, uncle. I am just talking about the facts. We can find out whether the two of them are showing off by sending someone to Tongzhou to inquire.
Zhu Jieyuan's calligraphy is still hanging outside the academy in Qingxi Town."
When the court officials heard this, the wind direction immediately changed.
"He has not even entered the government yet, but he is so arrogant and presumptuous. How can such a person be of great use?"
"He has an impetuous personality. How could the Sixth Prince recommend such a person..."
Left General Murong Zhen said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, the King of Zhenbei is responsible for the frontier, and it is impossible for him to slander two unknown students for no reason. I think that we must not set a precedent for such people and disrupt the moral principles."
After Murong Zhen finished speaking, many generals stood up to agree with him, and some even suggested that the honors of Zhu Lan and the other should be revoked and they should never be employed again.
Yan Yuze's eyes dimmed a little, and he looked up at Emperor Liang.
Emperor Liang had a calm expression, stroking the stove in silence for a long time before he slowly spoke:
"Since the King of Zhenbei and all the nobles have said so, let's discuss the matter of seizing the love later."
…
After adjourning the court, Yan Yuze hurried to the imperial study to meet the emperor.
"Brother Emperor, I know those two students well. They are definitely not the kind of people who would seek popularity and show off in public." Yan Yuze said as soon as he saw Emperor Liang.
Emperor Liang sat at the chess table and motioned Yan Yuze to sit opposite him. He slowly picked up a black piece.
"On one side is the chief military commander in the court, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops stationed at the border, and on the other side are two young students who have never achieved anything. Can't you tell which is more important, Sixth Brother?"
Yan Yuze held his chin helplessly and placed a white piece.
Indeed, the King of Zhenbei is now extremely powerful, and almost all the generals in the court were fostered by him, and they are still needed for the stability of Daliang.
No matter what, it is impossible for the emperor's brother to offend the King of Zhenbei for Zhu Lan and the other two.
Yan Yuze looked at the chessboard, his shrewd fox eyes drooped for a rare time, and he let out a long sigh.
"I just feel sorry for my two students. Why did they have to offend him when there were so many other people to offend? Sigh, it really makes me worry."
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