Chapter 1529: The Petition Drum Sounds

The grand avenue of the Eastern Capital that led straight to the imperial city lay spread across the ground like a vast bolt of silk, forcefully dividing the entire metropolis. Dust inevitably flew above the road surface, and whenever carriages and horses galloped past, clouds of smoke and dirt always rose in their wake.

On the avenue before the imperial city plaza, several municipal workers under the Kaifeng administration toiled diligently under the blazing sun, sweeping the streets. Nowadays, whether in the Western Capital or the Eastern Capital, the authorities placed ever greater importance on urban sanitation.

In the newly rebuilt capital, there had been a period when sewage flowed everywhere and the stench was overwhelming. Emperor Liu had noticed this during one of his inspection tours and expressed his displeasure. The Kaifeng administration quickly issued new sanitation regulations and launched a city-wide cleanliness campaign.

The results were immediate. From that point on, Kaifeng's sanitary conditions improved day by day—if not entirely free of filth and grime, at least refreshing to the eyes and senses.

As a supercity with a population exceeding one million, sanitation was naturally a major challenge. Especially with the city developing rapidly and the people's lives growing increasingly prosperous, the various types of garbage and filth produced daily placed an enormous burden on the capital.

Of course, most of it was household waste—tedious, but easy enough to handle, requiring only manpower and money. In this regard, the Kaifeng administration invested a fixed sum every year.

Places like the grand avenue and the imperial city plaza were the face of the capital, so sanitation standards there were naturally higher. The cleaning personnel assigned by the Kaifeng administration were truly the "crack troops and valiant generals" of their trade.

The weeping willows by the roadside lounged lazily, their shadows swaying freely in the breeze beneath the sunlight. Treading through the shade, a figure walked with steady, unhurried steps, and soon drew the attention of the laborers.

He rode no carriage and rode no horse, clad all in white, solitary and alone, yet his purpose was clear—he headed straight for the imperial city on the north side of the plaza. This young man, whose build did not look particularly strong, seemed to be a scholar. His gaze was resolute, his expression grave.

He continued until he reached the foot of the imperial city wall, stopped more than ten zhang away, and looked up at the towering, majestic imperial city. A flicker of hesitation finally passed through his awestruck eyes, but it quickly turned back into determination. He took a deep breath and moved forward once more.

His suspicious behavior naturally drew attention, especially from the imperial city guards. The guard officer at Xuande Gate, sword at his hip, strode out quickly to block his path, his gaze wary and his tone oppressive: "Who are you? How dare you trespass into the forbidden grounds of the imperial city!"

Clearly, the man before him, in plain white robes, could be seen at a glance to be neither official nor noble. Facing the officer's stern challenge, the young man suppressed the unease in his heart and gave a solemn bow: "This student is Xu Shilian, a candidate in this year's examinations. I carry a hidden grievance and humbly beg to see His Majesty to state my wrongs in person!"

Hearing his purpose, the officer was somewhat surprised. Beyond the surprise, he could not help but sneer: "Where did this bookworm come from? What wishful thinking! Do you think His Majesty is someone you can just see whenever you please? Since you're an examinee, if you have grievances, take them to the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, or the Kaifeng administration. The forbidden palace is no place for you. Leave at once, and I won't hold this against you!"

"This student will see His Majesty today, no matter what!" At these words, the young man named Xu Shilian took a deep breath and said stubbornly.

Seeing this, the officer's face showed irritation, finding the man obtuse. He said coldly: "I've already advised you kindly. If you don't know what's good for you and keep making trouble here, I'll have you arrested and thrown in jail on charges of provoking the forbidden palace!"

Hearing this, Xu Shilian did not bother arguing with this soldier. He moved his body, intending to step past the officer. The officer reacted extremely quickly—his irritation turned to murderous intent. With a "clang," a dazzling flash of light swept by, and the steel blade of the palace guard officer was pressed directly against Xu Shilian's neck.

"Presumptuous bookworm! How dare you try to force your way through the palace gate! Take one more step forward, and you'll be cut down on the spot!"

The officer's words were no empty threat. In fact, the scholar could already feel the sharp edge pressed against his neck. Had he not stopped in time just now, his throat would likely have been slit.

Sweat seeped from his forehead, his body tensed. Xu Shilian, facing this murderous officer, feared the man might actually cut him down—that would be even more unjust.

Swallowing hard, Xu Shilian raised his hand and pointed to the officer's side and rear, his voice trembling slightly: "This student would not dare trespass into the palace forbidden grounds. I only wish to go there!"

The officer turned and followed the direction of Xu Shilian's finger. Outside Xuande Gate, there was a pavilion, and within it was installed a huge oxhide drum—the petition drum.

Understanding dawned on the officer. He looked at Xu Shilian, confirmed what he saw in the man's eyes, and his wariness relaxed somewhat. He sheathed his blade and said in a low voice: "You wish to strike the drum and seek an audience!"

"Exactly!" Xu Shilian recovered his composure and nodded repeatedly, giving an affirmative answer.

With that, Xu Shilian stepped forward, and this time the officer did not stop him. However, as Xu Shilian trotted up onto the pavilion platform, the officer called out from behind in a tone of advice: "Scholar, think this through! This drum is easy to strike, but hard to bring to a close! I'd advise you—unless you have a grievance of heaven-shattering proportions, don't stir up this trouble!"

Xu Shilian paused, sensing that the officer bore him no ill will. He turned back, clasped his hands in salute once more, and said with a resolute expression: "Thank you for the advice! But this student has not come for a personal grievance alone—I come for all the examinees who suffered injustice in this year's examinations. This drum must be struck!"

Seeing his unwavering resolve, the officer no longer tried to dissuade him. He stepped aside, though his gaze remained fixed on Xu Shilian, a hint of curiosity showing in his eyes.

This petition drum had been installed outside the imperial city since the founding of the dynasty, but over all these years, it had been sounded only rarely. It was only in the early days of Emperor Liu's reign that many common folk and retired worthies had used it to seek audiences and meet the Emperor.

Of course, petitioning for an audience was not without its price. Even if one avoided the bastinado and the nail-studded board, if one lacked sufficiently convincing reasons or sufficiently weighty matters, one would ultimately be held accountable and punished. That would not be mere provocation of the palace—it would border on deceiving the sovereign.

As for Xu Shilian, he continued his actions. He stood before the petition drum, took the drumstick from its rack, gathered himself for a moment, mustered all his strength, and slammed it heavily against the drumhead that towered above his head.

"Boom! Boom! Boom-boom!"

The moment the first drumbeat sounded, the officer knew that the court was about to be thrown into turmoil. The officers beneath the imperial city wall were no ordinary soldiers—they had some measure of insight. This was an examinee of this year's session, and from his brief description, the grievance involved was certainly no ordinary injustice.

The drumbeats grew from weak to strong, from slow to urgent. If not shaking the entire city of the Eastern Capital, at least a quarter of it. The sound's penetrating power was also formidable—perhaps by the time it reached Chongzheng Hall where Emperor Liu resided, only a faint echo remained, but from the very first strike, there was no turning back.

The thunderous drumbeats drew the attention of everyone beneath the imperial city wall. The laborers busy in the plaza could not help but stop their work and stand watching. Lu Duoxun, who had just alighted from his carriage and was preparing to enter the palace for an audience, was also drawn by the sound. The palace guards remained at their posts, but their eyes could not help drifting toward the petition pavilion.

"What's going on?" A burly, sharp-featured old general stepped out, frowning as he asked.

This was Li Jian, the Earl of Anding, currently serving as Deputy Chief Commander of the Palace Guard. When the petition drum sounded, he happened to be patrolling the imperial city. This man was a military officer of deep experience. Though he had fought in battle, he had no famous exploits to his name, but he was the only one among all the nobles and meritorious officials of the court who had been ennobled solely for his service guarding Emperor Liu. He had served as a palace guard for nearly twenty-seven years now.

Seeing this, the officer hurried forward to salute and quickly and concisely explained the situation. Hearing this, Li Jian's old face showed little reaction. He merely glanced with slight curiosity at Xu Shilian, who was beating the drum while loudly crying out his grievance, and directly ordered: "Send someone immediately to report this matter to His Majesty! Also, escort this man to the palace gate to await summons!"

"Yes!"

Receiving the order, the guards executed it efficiently. Xu Shilian, after striking the drum, appeared even more composed. He obediently followed the arrangements, passing through the palace gate and heading toward the inner palace.

"General Li!" Lu Duoxun's voice came, calling out to stop Li Jian as he was about to turn back.

As a permanent general within the palace, Lu Duoxun naturally knew Li Jian. However, Li Jian was not very familiar with Lu Duoxun, though he did recognize the man.

Li Jian responded with mere courtesy, maintaining a distant air. Indeed, he never cultivated relationships with outside officials. Lu Duoxun took no offense, asking with a smile: "The petition drum sounds—might I ask what has happened?"

"When the petition drum sounds, there is naturally a grievance!" Li Jian said coldly.

A flicker of displeasure passed through Lu Duoxun's eyes at this attitude, but his smile did not fade. He took the initiative to suggest: "General, you are heading into the palace, and I too was just about to seek an audience with His Majesty. Shall we walk together?"

Li Jian turned and walked toward the palace. Seeing this, Lu Duoxun followed close behind. He suddenly felt that this trip into the palace had become interesting—at the very least, there would be a spectacle to watch.