Zhao Changqing held the spoon, as quiet as a clay sculpture.
Seeing his reaction, the housekeeper's heart softened.
After all, he had watched the child grow up from a baby, so he knew how to feel sorry for him.
"Your Highness, please eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."
Zhao Changqing finally moved his spoon, scooping up a wonton from the bowl, but just as it left the rim, he put it back down.
"Old Qian, when you traveled thousands of miles to the capital to beat the drum of petition, with the determination to die, what were you thinking? Were you... planning to do something big?"
When Butler Qian heard him mention the events of that year, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
“Your Highness, I was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, but at the time I was just a minor clerk in the local government, a lowly official whose only wish was to support my family and make a living. I had no lofty ambitions, let alone dare to dream of doing anything great.”
Zhao Changqing stared at him intently.
Steward Qian continued, “But even a lowly clerk has his responsibilities. In the place where I was stationed back then, there were years of severe drought, and the land was barren. But the county magistrate concealed the disaster, not only refusing to open the granaries to distribute grain, but also pressing for taxes. The people were starving and the magistrate did not care; the people were dying and he did not help. How can he be a good official? If I did not do anything, how could I face my conscience?”
"..."
"However, I am but a lowly person with little influence, and I have no right to submit petitions or appeal to higher authorities. Without the magistrate's documents, I cannot meet with the officials of the higher-level government. Helpless, I can only carry a few memorials with me, and with the determination to die, go to the capital to beat the drum of petition and plead for the people."
The "Great Gan Law" stipulated that anyone who beats the drum to appeal, regardless of the reason, would be exiled to the army.
Moreover, Lao Qian has another crime to commit when he goes to Beijing.
That is—absconding from one's post.
Although the position of clerk is low, it is still an official position.
Officials who abandon their posts without authorization are committing a serious crime.
If he is discovered, he will be pulled aside and questioned first.
In that case, his memorial still wouldn't reach the emperor.
Therefore, Lao Qian's plan was to beat the drum first, and then commit suicide under the drum.
If a murder occurs under the Dengwen Drum, it will inevitably reach the emperor's ears.
But to everyone's surprise, on that day, when Old Qian went to beat the drum, he happened to run into the young Fourth Prince Zhao Changqing.
The mischievous Zhao Changqing, having grown tired of staying in the palace that day, left the palace and strolled over to the Dengwen Drum.
That drum is huge...
It was large and round, and the drum stand was carved with majestic beasts.
Various patterns were painted on the drum.
After watching the drum for a while, Zhao Changqing suddenly noticed a man in his early thirties hesitating in front of the Dengwen Drum.
The man was covered in dust, his face was pale and sickly, but his eyes were firm and sharp.
Hey, this looks promising!
Eight-year-old Zhao Changqing watched him walk step by step up the stone steps toward the drum.
Standing under the drum, as if brewing some emotion, he took a deep breath after a moment and reached out to touch the drumstick.
Zhao Changqing's eyes suddenly widened, revealing a dazzling light.
He'd wanted to play that drum for a long time!
But each time, the guards stopped him from doing so.
It is said that this drum is unusual, and one should not strike it casually without a reason.
Today, isn't this opportunity here?
Seeing that the man had already picked up the drumsticks, Zhao Changqing hurriedly ran over and reached the high platform.
He ran to Old Qian and snatched the drumsticks from his hand.
"Hey sir, do you want to play the drums?"
Old Qian was filled with turbulent emotions and worries when, unexpectedly, a child suddenly rushed over from the side.
He stared blankly at Zhao Changqing and nodded.
Zhao Changqing's smile widened even more: "I'll help you, I'll help you!"
As he spoke, he picked up the drumsticks and struck the Dengwen Drum violently.
happy!
It's definitely more fun to beat the big drum!
Old Qian stood to one side, dumbfounded.
This sudden turn of events caught him off guard, leaving him no time to react.
Zhao Changqing was so engrossed in playing that he couldn't let the opportunity slip by.
They banged on it so loudly it shook the heavens.
Even when the guards inside rushed over, he was still reluctant to let go.
He kept knocking and shouting, "Wait a minute, I've finally managed to knock once, let me knock a little longer."
The officials guarding the Dengwen Drum looked at each other in bewilderment.
Look at Old Qian, then look at the Fourth Prince.
Whose fault is this...?
After some discussion, everyone felt that although it was the fourth prince who was beating the drum, it was Old Qian who was making the appeal, so Old Qian should be punished.
Just as they were about to drag Lao Qian away to be punished, Zhao Changqing objected.
"Hey, why are you pulling him?"
"Your Highness, according to the laws of our dynasty, those who beat the drum to appeal for justice shall first be punished for their crimes."
Zhao Changqing rushed up to them, raised the drumstick, and said, "I played the drum, are you going to punish me?"
The officials had no choice but to bring both men before the emperor.
When the late emperor saw Zhao Changqing, he also had a headache.
That brat is always causing trouble.
The late emperor, his face dark, asked, "Is drumming fun?"
Zhao Changqing: "It's fun."
"Qing'er, do you know what crime is punishable by beating the drum to appeal to the emperor?"
Zhao Changqing's eyes darted around: "Father, this drum is meant to allow the people to seek justice and reach the Emperor. Why should be punished for beating the drum? It makes no sense."
"If everyone were to beat the drum over trivial matters, wouldn't I be driven crazy by it?"
Although Lao Qian was stunned by the sudden turn of events, he never forgot his purpose.
Now that we have met His Majesty, we must seize this opportunity.
He took out his memorial from his bosom, held it high in his hand, and bowed down.
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