Chapter 673: Jinshi Tower

But how could this young lady's shift in demeanor escape Liu Chengyou's eyes? He smiled faintly, raised his head, and looked at Zhao Yan accompanying him: "Where are this year's examination candidates gathered?"

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Yan hurriedly replied: "Candidates from various regions reside in different places, but the largest gathering is at Shangxian Ward! It has many wine shops, tea houses, and inns, and is close to the examination hall—long favored by literati and refined scholars. Most candidates who come to the capital stay there! Today is the sixteenth of the month, so most candidates are in their inns, waiting for the results to be posted."

"Perfect, let's go see Shangxian Ward!" Liu Chengyou's eyes flickered slightly, and he made the decision on the spot, signaling for someone to lead the way.

"Yes!"

Zhao Kuangyin immediately went to arrange the carriage. As the general guarding the emperor, accompanying Liu Chengyou on his outings was nothing new. Liu Chengyou, holding Lady Zhou's soft little hand, leisurely left Xiangguo Temple under layers of protection.

"Yuanlang, Kaifeng is becoming more and more prosperous. In your view, can it truly serve as the capital for the long term?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin was momentarily stunned, not immediately grasping why the Emperor had steered the conversation to this topic. But after a moment's thought, he seized upon the key point—though his expression showed some hesitation.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said at once: "You need not hold back any concerns. Speak frankly, tell me what's on your mind—consider it an informal discussion between sovereign and minister."

Though the Emperor said this, Zhao Kuangyin dared not speak carelessly. After pondering for a while, he said: "Kaifeng is connected in all directions, serving as a canal hub where goods and wealth from all eight directions converge. It is also extremely convenient for the transport of grain and supplies and the deployment of troops. Back then, when Gaozu Shi Jingtang of the Jin moved the capital to the Eastern Capital, it must have been to take advantage of the Central Plains' resources and its conveniences.

When the realm is not yet settled, if one is determined to press forward and campaign in all directions, making it the capital can bring out its advantages. However, it lies on flat plains with no natural defenses to rely on, no strategic terrain to hold, and there is also the worry of flooding. To secure the safety of the capital, the court must station heavy troops to guard it. The longer this continues, the greater the financial burden on the court."

"From what you're saying, after the realm is pacified, I should move the capital?" Liu Chengyou nodded slightly and asked.

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head cautiously: "Moving the capital is a major matter—how would I dare to speak recklessly on it? It's just that Your Majesty asked, so I answered from my heart!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou smiled and did not say more on the matter. He did not deny that he had thoughts of moving the capital, and the reason was still that one point—no natural defenses to rely on. Given the current situation of the realm, the state was in a phase of vigorous upward development, with strong military power sufficient to secure the rivers and mountains and scheme for the realm. But what about decades or a century from now?

The fate of the Northern Song dynasty had already proven Kaifeng's limitations. As an economic and cultural center, it was fine, but as the capital of a nation, it was still worth reconsidering.

That saying "virtue matters, not natural defenses" was nothing but rhetoric born of political and power considerations. The result was also clear—for the sake of that word "virtue," to secure Kaifeng's safety, how many costs did the Northern Song dynasty ultimately pay? Hebei was already a flat open plain, and Henan likewise had no natural defenses—it was practically a double negative insurance.

But moving the capital was not so easy for Liu Chengyou either. The vested interests in Kaifeng alone were an enormous obstacle.

Of course, no matter what, for now it was just a thought for Liu Chengyou. Actually moving the capital was still far off—five years, ten years, maybe not even then—and preparations would need to be made in advance......

Inside Shangxian Ward, the cultural atmosphere was extremely rich. Especially on Caishi Street, where worthy talents abounded and refined scholars gathered in droves—even the air itself seemed saturated with literary spirit. Added to this were the examination candidates, further spurring the flourishing of the literary path. Strolling along the streets, one could hear melodies drifting from music houses on the left side of the road. In short, whether they were genuinely learned or merely pretending to be cultured, everyone liked to congregate here.

Alighting from the carriage, Liu Chengyou considerately helped Lady Zhou down himself. Standing before the noisiest wine house, a three-story establishment decorated with considerable elegance—wide and grand doors, thick and high thresholds, a hanging shop banner, and a lofty plaque with three gilded characters that caught the eye.

"Jinshi Tower!" Liu Chengyou looked up and murmured: "Who's so ostentatious? No wonder the candidates like to gather here!"

Inside the wine house, a literary gathering was underway, reportedly organized by the owner, inviting candidates of this session with superior learning and hopes of passing to come and meet fellow scholars through literary exchange. The surroundings were festively decorated, with several old scholars seated to one side as judges. Upstairs and downstairs, over a hundred people had come to watch the spectacle.

Liu Chengyou's party entered with only a few people, not making a show of it. They reserved a private room and went upstairs to observe. After watching for a while, Liu Chengyou laughed: "So this is what they call the elegance of famous scholars? So noisy and ostentatious—it's more like a troupe of performers entertaining an audience!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou say this, Zhao Yan remarked with emotion: "This too is a means for candidates to make a name for themselves!"

"Does a loud reputation influence the court's selection of talent? Can it sway the appointment of official posts?" After a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou said softly: "Can sealing and covering names truly eliminate fraud in the examinations?"

These three questions from Liu Chengyou were sharper than the last, and none of those around him dared to answer.

Then he smiled faintly again, picked up two cherries joined together from the fruit platter, and shared them with Pure Consort Zhou. The very air seemed to reek of the sour-sweet scent of romance.

"Go investigate—who owns this Jinshi Tower!" Liu Chengyou scanned the surroundings a few more times and gave the order.

"Yes!"

After watching for a while, Liu Chengyou lost interest. He genuinely admired poetry and song, but due to his natural disposition, he only loved the surface of it—he enjoyed beautiful verses, but truly settling down to study them in depth would make him drowsy.

Fortunately, they had arrived late, and before long, the so-called literary gathering was already drawing to a close.

"Summon the candidate who won first place—I want to see him!" Liu Chengyou noticed that Lady Zhou's gaze lingered on the scholar who had won the acclaim of the entire hall, and he gave the order flatly.

Seeming to sense the displeasure in Liu Chengyou's tone, the young lady quickly withdrew her gaze. Fearing misunderstanding, she hurriedly explained in a low voice: "His Majesty, that scholar appears to be from Huainan!"

"Is that so!" Liu Chengyou merely blinked lightly.

Before long, the young scholar walked in with a puzzled expression, guided by Zhang Dejun. Indeed, he was handsome and spirited—a graceful young gentleman.

The scholar also surveyed the few people in the private room—two seated, two standing. The seated pair was clearly a young married couple. The young man wore a short beard, sat with proper bearing, his posture upright and imposing—a natural air of authority and nobility about him. The lady beside him was young, but her beauty was heavenly, her temperament gentle and moving.

The two attendants standing nearby were one civil and one military. The military man was burly, with a stern countenance and sharp eyes, his hand resting on the sword at his waist, ready to strike at any moment. The civil man was somewhat gaunt, his face slightly pale with a hint of illness, appearing low-key and constrained.

Such a combination was clearly extraordinary. Add to that the burly guards at the door, who didn't look like ordinary attendants, and this pale-faced young servant beside him who had invited him upstairs with soft words but forceful intent—and the body search upon entering......

The scholar was evidently intimidated. He instinctively lowered his head, wanting to ask questions, but the words stuck in his throat and wouldn't come out. His fair, handsome face flushed slightly—from nervousness, and also from embarrassment.

Zhang Dejun walked softly to Liu Chengyou's side and stood at attention with folded hands. Seeing the scholar's awkwardness, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but chuckle lightly, breaking the awkward silence: "Truly a fine-looking young man! What's your name, and where are you from?"

Upon the question, the scholar instinctively moved to answer, but a flicker of doubt passed through his eyes. He made a bow with clasped hands and probed cautiously: "May I ask who you are, sir?"

Liu Chengyou glanced at him and said flatly: "Right now, I'm the one asking questions!"

The casual sweep of his gaze made the scholar feel a sudden tightness in his chest. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou added: "Just now at the literary gathering, you were reciting poetry and composing couplets with such vigor and flair—carefree, unrestrained, sharp and crisp. Why so hesitant now?"

Provoked by this, the scholar immediately snapped back to his senses. He took a deep breath to calm the inexplicable nervousness in his heart, then spoke slowly: "This humble one is Zhang Ji, a candidate from Chuzhou!"

"You don't look very old—why did you think to come to the Eastern Capital to take the examination?" Liu Chengyou asked.

With the ice broken, Zhang Ji became much more composed and replied: "Since I have already obtained the qualification for the metropolitan examination, and the court is selecting talent, it is only natural that I should come!"

Seeing that his bearing had regained some of its ease, Liu Chengyou said further: "Quite confident, aren't you? How do you think you did on the exam?"

Frowning slightly, Zhang Ji said with a light smile: "As for the essays and policy questions, I believe I am no weaker than others. But the practical affairs questions set by the court—I have no administrative experience, so it's hard to say!"

"From what you're saying, you have some complaints about those practical affairs questions!" Liu Chengyou grew somewhat interested.

After hesitating a moment, Zhang Ji said in a resigned tone: "These examination questions are better suited for assessing and promoting officials who already have administrative experience. For us candidates, no matter how learned or hardworking we are, they are truly difficult to answer!"