Chapter 185: Besieging the Mansion, the Scholars' Indignation

Early the next morning, two official dispatches swept through the government offices of the capital like a tornado.

The first was unremarkable: Hai Rui was appointed as Right Vice Minister of Justice. Although it was unclear what this newly awakened Grand Secretary was thinking by putting a stubborn fool like Hai Rui in a position of heavy responsibility, his rank was at least sufficient.

The other one, however, was interesting.

It mandated the assessment of all scholars in the Prefectural Schools across the empire, with those failing to meet the standards to be dismissed.

At the same time, judging by the intent of this Grand Secretary, he also planned to restrict the age of those participating in the Imperial Examination.

This made those officials who had been hiding in the shadows, watching the show from the sidelines, unable to sit still. They gathered in groups of three or five, either in small courtyards or teahouses, fanning the flames and secretly criticizing the matter.

For a time, the capital was filled with panic and rumors spread everywhere.

Just past the hour of Chen (7:00–9:00 AM) that day, Zhang Siwei, who had been resting at home, dressed neatly and came to the main hall to sit. After taking a small sip of tea, he closed his eyes to rest his mind, secretly pondering the implications of this.

It must be said that ever since Zhang Juzheng woke up, the Emperor had revoked his position as Acting Senior Grand Secretary.

At the same time, in order not to disturb Zhang Juzheng's rest, except for extremely important personnel changes, all other Drafting of Rescripts were to be discussed and drafted jointly by him and the other two Cabinet Ministers.

After this series of blows, he, the "Grand Secretary" who hadn't yet had his fill of power, had instead become like a deaf man's ears—a mere ornament.

For these past two months, he had been secretly enduring, preparing to find another opportunity. Unfortunately, this Grand Secretary was watertight, sitting at home like a Maitreya Buddha, and even his usual meetings with guests were extremely rare.

He had thought the matter would just pass like this.

Who would have expected that this Grand Secretary, not knowing which string in his brain was missing, would actually make such a foolish move himself.

The Grand Secretary was someone respected by all the scholars in the world; he never expected that not only would he not seek benefits for the scholars,

but he would instead act like a miser, unwilling to part with a single cent.

Thinking of this, Zhang Siwei opened his eyes, a trace of venom suddenly surging within them.

He stood up, walked out of the main hall with his hands clasped behind his back, looked toward the direction of Zhang Juzheng's residence, and secretly thought: This time, even if you have immense power, you cannot reverse the public opinion of the world!

On the other side, after Zhang Yunxiu learned of this news, he was also shocked to the point of numbness.

He had not expected it.

His father, who had said he was old just yesterday, could still pull off such a major event today.

If striking the Kong Family was like slapping all the scholars in the world with the sole of a shoe, then this move of his was like directly scooping food out of these scholars' pots.

"Ginger is indeed still spicier when it's old; he sees things so deeply and far," Zhang Yunxiu murmured, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit.

In fact, he had long felt that the Imperial Examination should be changed, only he had never found the right opportunity.

Now, this was perfect; forced into action, he had to go all out, no matter what, to reverse the drawbacks of this Imperial Examination.

Thinking of this, he suddenly waved his hand and shouted to Zhang Fu: "Go, call Han San for me!"

Zhang Fu ran in in a great panic, panting heavily as he said: "The, the courtyard, outside, there are, there are many, many scholars from Shuntian Prefecture who came to take the Provincial Examination, and they have surrounded our courtyard!"

"How bold!" Zhang Yunxiu stood up abruptly and scolded him roundly, "Is there no law left? They even dare to storm the Grand Secretary's residence. Go and have Han San send men to disperse them."

"Young Master, we can't get out now," Zhang Fu reminded him.

Zhang Yunxiu glared at him fiercely, sat back in his seat, and after a long silence, said: "Then we wait. I don't believe it; under the Emperor's feet, we can still tolerate this bunch of scholars acting recklessly."

Outside the University Scholar Mansion.

It was surrounded three layers deep by angry scholars.

They stood under the scorching sun, holding their fists high, and even though they were drenched in sweat, they still refused to retreat a single step, instead staring fixedly at the tightly closed gate.

It was not hard to see that most of these people were older and were only of the scholar rank. Therefore, these were the very people who most needed to be weeded out by Zhang Juzheng's decree. They usually didn't care about matters that didn't concern them, but now that this matter had fallen upon them, how could they sit still?

Some were openly blocking the gate and cursing, some were secretly fanning the flames, and some were sticking pins into small wooden dolls in the shadows to cast curses.

In any case, it was one sentence:

If you don't let us have an easy time, we won't let you have an easy time either.

Just as the crowd was making a ruckus, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the ranks, followed by shouts that rang out: "Get out of the way, get out of the way! How bold, you even dare to storm the Grand Secretary's residence."

The crowd looked back and saw a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards, mixed with soldiers from the Garrison Command, charging in.

Soon, they had carved a path through the wall of people surrounding the place.

Han San walked at the very front, one hand pressing on his waist saber, his tiger-like eyes scanning both sides constantly. Any scholar who met his gaze felt as if they had been stung by a scorpion and hurriedly turned their faces away in panic.

In no time at all, Han San arrived in front of the mansion gate.

There was still a row of scholars blocking the way in front.

About twenty or so, blocking the gate completely.

"Move!" Han San shouted coldly.

"And what if we don't?" a middle-aged scholar gritted his teeth and said recklessly, "We don't care who he is; if he wants to smash our rice bowls, we won't let him have an easy time either."

Han San had been in the Embroidered Uniform Guards for many years; what kind of stubborn rascals hadn't he seen?

As soon as the scholar's words were out, Han San backhanded him with a slap. Only a "crack" was heard, and a red five-finger print instantly appeared on the man's cheek.

"You dare hit me?" The man covered his cheek, his face full of disbelief.

"I'm hitting you, that's who!" Han San grabbed the man by the collar with his left hand, swung his right hand in a full circle, and brought it down fiercely.

"Slap, slap, slap."

A series of crisp sounds rang out.

The scholars present were dumbfounded.

They saw Han San's palm rising and falling repeatedly, and the scholar who had retorted screamed continuously. Almost every time it landed, it made the scholar let out a pig-like howl.

He slapped him more than twenty times in a row.

Han San released his left hand and tossed the man away as if he were trash. Having lost his support, the man fell to the ground with a thud, instinctively wanting to curse.

But as soon as he saw Han San's eyes, he was instantly so scared that he turned his face away.

Han San grinned, revealing his stark white teeth, then suddenly shouted with a cold face: "Move! This official has official business to report to the Grand Secretary. If you delay my official business, I will not spare you!"

Hearing this, the scholars blocking the front looked at each other, then scattered like hawks.

Han San met the gazes of the crowd, stepped forward, and then lightly knocked on the copper ring: "Open the door, it's me, Han San."

The person inside heard this and opened a small gap.

Han San's face was covered in frost as he stepped inside.

Just as his left foot crossed the threshold, he withdrew his step, tilted his head, and said with a cold laugh, "There is no point in you all waiting here; I am going in to discuss matters. If you are still here when I return, then do not blame me for being impolite."

Although he was smiling while he spoke, the Scholars present felt a chill.

"Someone come, guard the main gate for me. If anyone dares to approach the gate, kill them without mercy!" As soon as Han San's words fell, a squad of soldiers carrying sabers and spears immediately stood before the gate.

(End of chapter)