Chapter 569: Trouble Brews at the Mid-Autumn Banquet

"Reporting to Your Majesty, after our joint review, we propose the Hedong scholar Lu Duoxun as the top candidate for the jinshi examination. His writing is plain in style, but shows considerable insight, and his analysis of current affairs cuts to the heart of matters." He Ning replied, his tone full of admiration.

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou said immediately. "Bring me the examination paper to look at!"

"Yes!"

He Ning personally retrieved it and presented it to Liu Chengyou. Skipping over the "fill-in-the-blank questions" entirely, Liu Chengyou's gaze fell on the practical section. The same selection of criminal cases, testing his knowledge of interrogation and legal statutes—he answered well, methodically and logically.

Liu Chengyou looked at He Ning: "How old is this man?"

He Ning replied: "Not yet twenty!"

"From what this man has written, he seems to have considerable experience with criminal cases and litigation. Somewhat unexpected!" Liu Chengyou said softly.

Sensing the note of suspicion in the Son of Heaven's tone, He Ning quickly explained: "I have made inquiries—Lu Duoxun is the descendant of an official family. Having likely followed his father and absorbed knowledge through constant exposure, his familiarity with governance and legal statutes surpasses others!"

"Descendant of an official family." Liu Chengyou murmured, then asked: "Who is his father?"

"Lu Yi, Prefect of Pingding!"

"It's him! With that explanation, it's plausible. Lu Yi is frugal in conduct and skilled in governance—that he could have such a son is understandable!" Liu Chengyou's tone did not change.

Pingding Prefecture had been established from the former Liao Prefecture in Hedong. The court had selected officials and recommended Lu Yi; Liu Chengyou had secretly sent people to investigate. He had held various posts with outstanding achievements and a good official reputation. Before taking up his post, Liu Chengyou had even received him personally—he had responded appropriately and was considered a capable official.

Liu Chengyou picked up the policy essay he had written, concerning the proposal for pacifying Shu. On this matter, Lu Duoxun, like many others, recommended first taking Jinghu to occupy the heart of the realm, then attacking Shu from two directions—east and north. He also pointed out that the present moment was not an opportune time to attack Shu; besides stockpiling weapons and provisions, they also needed to train soldiers in mountain marching and siege assault capabilities. He suggested dispatching more spies for bribery and intelligence-gathering, to achieve the effect of knowing both oneself and the enemy.

Liu Chengyou was not surprised by those grandiose suggestions. But there was one point: regarding the court's currently undisguised intention to attack Shu and its actions in training troops outside the Qinfeng border, he directly pointed out that this was intended to lure the Shu army out of the Qinling Mountains and annihilate its effective strength...

Reading through his essay, Liu Chengyou had only one feeling: youthful arrogance, confident and brash, with a desire to show off his learning and insight.

"Have you all read Lu Duoxun's essay?" Liu Chengyou raised his eyes and stared at He Ning.

The Emperor's gaze was somewhat intimidating. He Ning dared not be negligent and answered cautiously: "Indeed!"

Slightly nodding, his gaze gradually softening, Liu Chengyou issued a stern order with a calm expression: "Inform all officials—keep silent about this essay. Should anyone leak or spread it, once discovered, the penalty is death!"

"Yes!" The Emperor's tone was terrifying. He Ning was startled, tensing his body as he responded: "I will give the orders immediately!"

"Also, select twenty of the top-scoring essays from the various subjects for the palace examination. I will set new questions to test them! As for the rest, post the results according to the admission quota!" Having given his instructions, Liu Chengyou left the Jixian Hall.

Amid the anxious hopes and fears of the scholars lingering in the Eastern Capital, the imperial list was posted—a wave of excitement, a wave of disappointment, and no small amount of surprise.

The next day, the Son of Heaven Liu Chengyou conducted the palace examination at Chongyuan Hall, personally selecting the zhuangyuan. It was not the remarkably insightful and widely praised Lu Duoxun, but a scholar named Dong Chun. As for Lu Duoxun, he was named bangyan. The tanhua was Zhao Yan, second son of the Pacification Commissioner Zhao Shangjiao.

Another edict was issued: the zhuangyuan, bangyan, and tanhua of the special examination were all invited to the palace to participate in the Mid-Autumn imperial banquet.

As the night deepened, within Chongyuan Hall, the imperial banquet was in full swing. Another Mid-Autumn Festival had arrived; the Son of Heaven had issued an edict for high officials and honored nobles to enter the palace and attend the feast, to enjoy the bond between ruler and minister and celebrate the festival together.

The newly minted zhuangyuan Dong Chun had just composed a poem praising the Son of Heaven's sage virtue and the Great Han's prosperity, drawing a round of acclaim and cheers from the entire hall. Of course, the most enthusiastic were the rapidly increasing number of civil officials and men of talent in the court.

"Young Lord Lu, the zhuangyuan has composed a poem. You, as bangyan, should also display your learning—do you have a fine piece?" Chancellor Feng Dao, stroking his white beard, looked at Lu Duoxun with a smile and said in a loud voice.

The three examination scholars were seated near the center, to show the importance placed on men of talent. Lu Duoxun sat right next to the zhuangyuan Dong Chun, his spirits low, drinking alone in melancholy. Why? Naturally, because of dissatisfaction in his heart—during the palace examination, he had compared Dong Chun's essay with his own and felt it was inferior to his, yet the Emperor had insisted on naming Dong Chun as zhuangyuan.

At this moment, being called out by Chancellor Feng Dao, he could only force a smile. He glanced up toward the imperial dais—the Son of Heaven sat high above, and his gaze had also fallen upon him.

Draining the wine in his cup, Lu Duoxun rose and walked to the center of the hall, bowing deeply: "I have a rhapsody, a humble work to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. I beg Your Majesty and all the gentlemen to offer their critique!"

"Then let us hear the bangyan's great work!" Liu Chengyou said with a faint smile, gesturing with his hand.

Where there is joy, there is always sorrow. Amid this lively atmosphere, there were always those whose eyes burned with envy and whose hearts ached. At the seats of the Imperial Guard Command's generals, Wang Jun watched the jinshi performing, the civil officials growing animated, and the Son of Heaven smiling—he could not help but snort: "We established this realm through life-and-death struggle, yet we are still inferior to a mere scholar reciting poetry and composing rhapsodies. These men cannot kill enemies on the battlefield, nor govern when dismounted. What right do they have to show off their elegance in this great hall! That His Majesty favors civil officials and looks down on military generals is plain to see!"

Wang Jun's voice was not quiet; the several generals around him all heard it. Some showed looks of agreement, others smiled with restraint.

"General Han, don't you agree?" Wang Jun asked Han Tong beside him.

Han Tong, standing nearby, smiled awkwardly and gently tugged at Wang Jun's sleeve, reminding him: "Commander, what have literati reciting poetry and composing rhapsodies to do with us? On a festival imperial banquet, it's best to speak less and not spoil the mood. Otherwise, if you anger His Majesty, it would be unfortunate!"

As he spoke, Han Tong also glanced toward the imperial seat, hinting at Wang Jun. However, Han Tong was clearly not skilled at speaking, nor at persuading people—his words, to Wang Jun's ears, sounded rather grating.

Turning his head to stare at Han Tong, he gave a contemptuous smile and said leisurely: "Oh, this commander had forgotten—General Han is the Son of Heaven's beloved and trusted general, long favored and always obedient. What, shall I file a report against me to the Emperor? If the Son of Heaven orders my post stripped, then this position of Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard would be yours, Han Tong!"

How could Han Tong have imagined that his well-intentioned advice would yield such a result? Not a man of good temper by nature, facing Wang Jun's attack, he glared with both eyes and said angrily: "I offer you good advice, yet you refuse to see reason and insult me so. Do you think I am so easily bullied?"

Seeing Han Tong's reaction, Wang Jun could not help but laugh, looking at him with composure: "So 'Han Wide-Eyes' is the one who understands reason? What a strange thing! On ordinary days in the army, you are domineering and arrogant, wild in speech—but once you step into this great hall, you become meek and submissive?"

"So impatient—could it be that I've struck a sore spot?" The contempt in Wang Jun's gaze deepened, his words like knives, provoking Han Tong who was on the verge of rage: "I suspect in your heart, you truly can't wait to see this commander meet misfortune, so you can advance in rank!"

"Oh, and I heard your son also passed the jinshi examination? No wonder you react this way—a warrior who understands no strategy, could it be you want to pass down poetry and books through the family? Hahaha..."

Faced with such mockery and ridicule from Wang Jun, how could Han Tong endure it? His blood rushed to his head—he slammed the table hard, lunged forward, and grabbed Wang Jun by the collar. In terms of physique and brute strength, Wang Jun was no match for Han Tong. Add in the considerable amount of wine he had drunk, and he was directly pressed down. He watched as the fist, the size of a steamed bun, rapidly approached his face.

He instinctively closed his eyes—but there was no pain. Opening his eyes, he found that Han Tong had been restrained by Wang Yin and Du Hanhui, two Chief Generals of the Imperial Guard, who were also urging him to stop.

The commotion here was quite a unique sight in Chongyuan Hall, once again drawing everyone's attention. Gazing over, they saw Han Tong pressing down on Wang Jun. The scene gradually quieted, the lively atmosphere doused as if by a basin of cold water.

On Liu Chengyou's side, he had been chatting amiably with Wei Wang Fu Yanqing, who had returned to the capital—the atmosphere between father-in-law and son-in-law was harmonious. Seeing this, his smile gradually froze. He set down his wine cup with force, the "smack" of it landing in everyone's ears.

Liu Chengyou was somewhat puzzled—why was it that at every such occasion, someone always jumped out to ruin the atmosphere, and they were always generals he trusted? Last time it was Wang Yansheng and Sun Li; this time it had become Han Tong, and right before his very eyes, coming to blows.

"What, do the two of you find the song and dance insufficient entertainment, that you must stage a contest here in the hall to amuse me and the assembled gentlemen?" Liu Chengyou stared at Han Tong coldly.

Facing the Son of Heaven's cold interrogation, Han Tong calmed down and came to his senses. He released Wang Jun, broke free of Wang Yin and Du Hanhui, hurriedly rose and walked to the center of the hall, kneeling: "This official was drunk and lost his composure—I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Drunk—what a convenient excuse.

Glancing at Han Tong, then looking at Wang Jun, he saw the man breathing heavily with an ugly expression on his face. He had not expected Han Tong to be so violent; today, his face had been thoroughly lost.

"How many drunkards there are among the military!" Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze and smiled at the civil and military officials, seemingly trying to liven the atmosphere: "Someone, help General Han down and let him sober up!"

The assembled civil and military officials echoed in agreement—regardless of anything, the atmosphere had to be maintained.

However, Wang Jun stood up, straightened his clothes, clasped his hands toward Liu Chengyou, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, Han Tong has no regard for court protocol. On this festive occasion, at the Chongyuan imperial banquet, he dared to raise his fists against a fellow official and superior—an assault and offense against his betters. If he is not severely punished, where will the authority of Your Majesty and the court stand?"

As Wang Jun's words fell, another basin of cold water was poured down. Liu Chengyou's gaze turned completely cold.