The case of compiling a new history began to stir during an ordinary morning court session.

After reading Cai Zhongfan's memorial, Emperor Zhaowu, who had been indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs for many years, became furious and questioned Wang Shengsheng in court.

Three days have passed since Cai Zhongfan's memorial was delivered to the inner cabinet. These three seemingly peaceful days have actually been filled with many turbulent events.

The memorials submitted by officials outside the capital had to be sent step by step. After entering the capital, they first went to the inner cabinet, where the cabinet officials drafted their opinions and presented them to the emperor. The diligent emperor would review the memorials every day and usually give full consideration to the contents of the drafts. At the same time, there were five eunuchs in the Silijian to assist the emperor in handling government affairs. After the emperor or the eunuchs had reviewed the memorials, they had to be handed over to the eunuch in the Silijian to make the final approval before they could take effect and be executed. From the inner cabinet to the Imperial Household Department, the fate of memorials was actually decided by the emperor alone. However, when a ruler was as lazy as Emperor Zhaowu and hardly read memorials, the eunuch in charge of the 24 government offices, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, would inevitably hold the power to manage the government. It was precisely because of this that most of the memorials impeaching Xie Zhongren fell on deaf ears over the years.

Therefore, this memorial directly targeting Wang Shengsheng was able to be seen by Emperor Zhaowu, and there is no telling how many thrilling details it contained.

As soon as Yan Sikong started planning this, he was confident that he could escalate the situation, because Cai Zhongfan used to be the head of the Ministry of Personnel's Examination Department, and the officials he promoted were spread all over the court and the country. Although he has lost power now, his reputation is still there. Moreover, the eunuchs' party has spread hatred widely, so it is natural that everyone will respond to this good opportunity to deal with them.

This memorial caused an uproar in the court. Regardless of whether the typos were intentional or not, the newly compiled history had already been printed in thousands of copies and sent to various places and overseas states. The confusion and errors in the history of Zhaowu and Wuzhao were extremely ironic and would surely be laughed at by the world.

It is said that at the morning court session, Wang Shengsheng and Huo Li were pale in the face, kneeling on the ground to confess their crimes and make excuses. Emperor Zhaowu may have taken into consideration that both of them were ministers. Although he was extremely dissatisfied, he did not question them in court. Instead, he ordered a thorough investigation of the matter, and the recovery of all the issued history volumes for a re-examination.

After the morning court session, all officials of the Hanlin Academy were confined to the Wenyuan Pavilion. Most people were confused and talked a lot, only Yan Sikong and Shen Hexuan sat in front of their desks, looking solemn and silent.

Emperor Zhaowu had not yet mobilized the three judicial officials, but first sent Yu Ji to investigate who was the main author and reviewer of that chapter. He easily found out who were the main authors and reviewers. Another small clerk named Lin Yue, who was the data collector of that volume, was also involved.

The four were not sent to jail yet, but they were interrogated one after another that day and the whole matter was made clear.

Liu Zhaolin was assigned to this period of time, Lin Yue assisted him in studying historical materials, Liu Zhaolin was the main writer, Yan Sikong reviewed it, Shen Hexuan was the third reviewer, Huo Li was the chief judge, and Wang Shengsheng was the presiding judge. The person who needs to be responsible for this case is clear, but what kind of punishment he should receive is the key to this matter.

It is not difficult to imagine that at this time Xie Zhongren and others were pleading for Wang Shengsheng, and the opposing faction would certainly not let go of this opportunity easily. After all, Wang Shengsheng was a cautious person and this was the first time he had revealed his true colors in many years.

Although Yan Sikong created the current situation, he could not participate in the development of the situation, and he could not even get the news in the first time. He could only listen to the orders. At this moment, he was as uneasy as everyone else, but he was not afraid, but anxious when things were not under his control.

Yu Ji released all the other Hanlin scholars and only kept a few people involved in the case.

Yan Zilian said politely, "Eunuch Yu, what should we do with these people? We can't keep them in Wenyuan Pavilion forever."

Yu Ji smiled and said, "Master Yan, the emperor first sent me to investigate, and secondly, he did not send them to prison. Even if he left them alone, the emperor did not make it clear. It is not appropriate to send them home. It is better to detain them here temporarily."

"This..." Yan Zilian paused, then said, "Eunuch Yu, can you let me personally examine them?"

Yu Ji frowned slightly, as if he couldn't make up his mind for a moment.

Yu Ji was the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the top eunuch in the history of the country. He was in charge of the emperor's food, clothing, daily life, and all ceremonial affairs in the palace. Although he did not hold as much power as Xie Zhongren, he was deeply trusted by the emperor and even Xie Zhongren did not dare to offend him. He did not participate in party struggles and was extremely difficult to control.

Yan Zilian cupped his hands and said, "Since the eunuch has decided to temporarily detain them in the pavilion, then it can be considered as the internal affairs of my Hanlin Academy."

Yu Ji responded, "Please do as you please, Mr. Ge, but you can only examine them one by one."

"Thank you, father-in-law."

Yan Zilian's deep gaze swept across the silent crowd, and finally landed on Yan Sikong, "Sikong, come with me."

Everyone present was a little puzzled. Yan Sikong was neither the chief writer nor the host. He was a mediocre person, so why did Yan Zilian want to examine him first?

They just thought that Yan Zilian favored Yan Sikong and didn't think much about it. Only Shen Hexuan had a look of doubt on his face.

Yan Zilian brought Yan Sikong into his study and pointed to a chair beside him.

Yan Sikong bowed deeply and then knelt down.

"Just sit down if I tell you to."

Yan Sikong paused and said: "Thank you, teacher." He stood up and sat in the chair.

"You now know the general situation. The emperor has always been indecisive. Xie Zhongren must be pleading for Lord Wang. Lord Wang has been fulfilling his duties for many years." Yan Zilian snorted disdainfully, "Although it is of no use, the emperor may make a small matter out of consideration for their past friendship."

Yan Sikong cupped his hands and said, "Teacher, what you said makes sense."

"Why do you look unhappy?" Yan Zilian narrowed his eyes and looked at him. "Don't you want to be punished lightly?"

Yan Sikong said calmly, "I naturally hope that we will be given a lighter punishment, but I think that if Your Majesty really makes a small matter out of a big one under the advice of Eunuch Xie, this matter will not be forgotten. If you punish Lord Wang lightly, you must punish us severely."

Yan Zilian nodded: "You can think of this level, good, then how do you think this matter should be resolved?"

Yan Sikong pursed his lips and said nothing, but looked at Yan Zilian quietly. After a while, he said, "The student dare not say it."

"Why are you afraid to say it?" Yan Zilian raised his eyebrows.

"If teachers don't trust students, students won't dare to speak nonsense."

Yan Zilian narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean?"

Yan Sikong stood up, then knelt solemnly: "Sir Wang, as the second assistant, has been hindering the teacher in the pavilion for many years. I believe that the teacher does not want to see Sir Wang get away with it so easily."

Yan Zilian hummed softly, "Go on."

Yan Sikong looked at Yan Zilian deeply and said, "I believe that you must know better than anyone how Lord Cai's memorial escaped the clutches of the Imperial Household Department and was eventually seen by the Emperor."

Yan Zilian gently stroked his white beard, his face serious. He glared at Yan Sikong for a while and said, "Go on, I want to hear your nonsense."

Yan Sikong lowered his head: "Students don't dare."

"Tell me." Yan Zilian slammed the table, "Do you still want your future?"

Yan Sikong curled his lips quietly, raised his head again, and said solemnly: "Then the student will speak frankly. I believe that in the past three days, the teacher and colleagues have done a lot of work to ensure that Mr. Cai's memorial will not fall on deaf ears. Now the fire is burning fiercely. If we don't add fuel to the fire now, it will be extinguished quietly, and we, a mere seventh-rank official, will share the blame for this case."

Yan Zilian nodded, with admiration in his eyes: "Then, how can we make this fire burn more vigorously?"

"Lord Wang has been an official for many years. Even I know about his corruption and selling of office. I believe that you and your colleagues are more familiar with it. His Majesty is disgusted with Lord Wang at this time. This is a golden opportunity to impeach him. As long as we report his past deeds one by one to the emperor, this historical error will not seem so serious. Then, you and the other adults will plead for us, and then we can really make a big deal out of a small matter."

Yan Zilian chuckled softly: "Sikong, you are always a wise man."

"Thank you, teacher. I just want to protect myself." Yan Sikong said, "Besides, what the student can think of, the teacher must have thought of it a long time ago."

"Yes, this matter is already in our plan. If we can get rid of Wang Shengsheng, it will be a huge blow to the eunuch party."

Yan Sikong was delighted. The fact that Yan Zilian said this to him proved that he had begun to accept that he had entered a deeper level of power network.

"You are all my students. I will do my best to save you. However, I have one question."

"Teacher, please tell me."

Yan Zilian suddenly leaned forward, staring at Yan Sikong with his grey-brown eyes, his gaze was experienced and sharp: "You... really didn't figure it out?"

Yan Sikong was slightly startled, then he put his hands on the ground and trembled, "The student really didn't figure it out."

Yan Zilian sat up straight and said softly, "Okay, you can leave for now."

The tension in Yan Sikong's heart loosened slightly.

Yan Zilian is too smart and insightful. Playing tricks under the nose of such a person is tantamount to taking a risk. But precisely because of this, this person is worth his investment. However, he must be more careful...