Chapter 37: Matter Settled

The candle flame flickered, emitting a bright yellow light.

Incense smoke curled, drifting in rings of a fragrance that refreshed the mind and nose.

Zhang Juzheng wore a cyan Daoist robe, half-leaning against a pear-wood chair in his study, his brow furrowed into a knot.

It was not just because of the matter involving Feng Bao, but more so due to the incomprehension of an old friend.

He and Wang Zhigao were fellow townsmen and also in-laws; they had once been intimate comrades-in-arms. Now, however, they were like strangers, nearly reaching the point of drawing blades against one another.

Just as he was thinking this, a knock sounded outside the door.

"Father, your child has a matter to report."

"Come in."

Zhang Juzheng sat up straight and called out.

With a "crack," the heavy door slowly opened, and Zhang Yunxiu stepped inside in one stride.

Seeing his father sitting upright in the chair, Zhang Yunxiu first performed a salute; Zhang Juzheng glanced at his son sideways and asked, "What is it?"

"County Assistant Zhao did indeed commit suicide; the County Magistrate, the County Registrar, and the coroner can all testify to it," Zhang Yunxiu said, handing over the investigation report from Han San.

Of course, Zhang Yunxiu chose to omit the matter of the three bows, saying only that County Assistant Zhao had been unable to bear the humiliation and was frail and sickly, and thus had ended his own life.

Zhang Juzheng perhaps already knew that those below were playing little tricks, but he pretended not to know.

Why should he bother to blow up this cesspit? Zhang Juzheng took it, scanned it, then placed the paper back on the table, looked at Zhang Yunxiu, and said, "You don't need to worry about this matter anymore; prepare well for the Provincial Examination. If you fail the Provincial Examination, see how I deal with you!"

"Yes!" Zhang Yunxiu lowered his head and respectfully complied.

"Go on down," Zhang Juzheng said, waving his palm as if shooing away flies.

Saluting his father once more, Zhang Yunxiu stepped out of the study.

Two days later, every major government office in Beijing received such a gazette.

"Wanping County Assistant Zhao Lin, frail and sickly, and further beaten by Feng Bangning, could not bear the humiliation for a moment and thus chose to end his life to finish his remaining days.

Embroidered Uniform Guard Vice Thousand-Household Feng Bangning, resisting the great laws of the imperial court and beating a court official, is guilty of heinous crimes and is hereby dismissed from office to become a commoner."

Inside the Hanlin Academy, the group of Academicians of the Hanlin Academy were furious.

One of them crumpled the gazette into shreds, gritted his teeth, and shouted, "Preposterous, simply preposterous! The Eunuch Faction beat a court official to death, and now they turn around and falsely claim County Assistant Zhao committed suicide. Is there any justice left in this world?"

"That's right, we must not let County Assistant Zhao's blood flow in vain; severely punish the murderer!"

"Those with backbone, follow me to the Meridian Gate to let Zhang Juzheng and that dead eunuch know that this world is not for the two of them to decide!" The atmosphere inside the Hanlin Academy was exceptionally high; the many Academicians of the Hanlin Academy were filled with righteous indignation, as if it were their own fathers who had died.

While speaking, a dozen or so Academicians of the Hanlin Academy walked out of the office and headed straight for the Meridian Gate.

Along the way, officials from various offices kept joining them, and by the time they reached the Meridian Gate, over a hundred people had gathered.

At the Meridian Gate, the agents of the Eastern Depot had already received intelligence, and over a hundred burly men stood there.

At the very front, Xu Jue stared at these pedantic scholars with disdain.

As the two sides confronted each other, a young man walked out from the civil official side and shouted, "Move aside quickly! We are going to enter the palace to see the Emperor. Can you bear the responsibility if you delay important matters?"

Xu Jue smiled, stepped back two paces, and waved his large hand forward.

Over a hundred fully armed agents pressed forward.

"Those who trespass on the Meridian Gate shall be treated as rebels!"

Some officials saw this formation, felt a tremor in their hearts, and quietly moved their feet back two steps.

There were also hot-blooded young officials who gritted their teeth and stood their ground, shouting, "What are you things? How dare you fake an Imperial Edict?"

Xu Jue pointed at the man and laughed, "You must be Li Xiang, a metropolitan graduate from the fifth year of Longqing, a native of Puzhou, Shanxi, currently serving as a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of War."

"So what if I am?"

"It's nothing, just a reminder to you all: it's fine to make a scene here today, but be careful afterward; make sure you don't let us find any faults."

"You dare threaten us?" Li Xiang shouted, his neck turning red.

However, the momentum of the crowd softened significantly. Among officials, who could guarantee they were clean? Who didn't have some shady dealings? Once targeted by these maggots from the Eastern Depot, there would be no peace in the future.

But the atmosphere had been built up to this point, and they could not retreat, so the two sides remained in a stalemate at the Meridian Gate.

The sun hung high, the weather grew increasingly hot, and many officials, weak and short of breath, felt dizzy.

Suddenly, a cry of alarm broke the silent standoff: "Wasps, such large wasps!"

"Ah!"

"Get away, get away!"

Screams rang out; from somewhere, a massive swarm of bees flew in front of the Meridian Gate, stinging officials and agents alike without distinction.

In an instant, the scene fell into chaos.

Without needing the agents to drive them away, the officials covered their faces and fled as if their feet were on wheels. In their anxiety, they only regretted that their parents hadn't given them two fewer legs.

The chaos lasted for two quarters of an hour before finally returning to calm.

That afternoon, news of Wuqing Earl Li Wei being enfeoffed as a Marquis spread like wildfire.

With this, the officials of the entire Beijing city were in an uproar again, clamoring to go to the Meridian Gate to petition.

It was just a pity that the remonstrating officials had suffered heavy casualties in the morning.

By the afternoon, there were very few who responded.

This matter was thus settled.

Zhang Yunxiu leaned against the window lattice, looking at the burning red sky, a smile spreading across his lips. Hearing that his father had approved the enfeoffment of the Wuqing Earl, the heavy stone in his heart finally fell.

If his father had resisted this time, his relationship with the Empress Dowager's family would have become extremely hostile once again.

In that case, it would have only benefited that fellow Zhang Siwei.

He was a poisonous snake; usually docile and obedient, but ready to take a life at the critical moment.

He was currently disguised perfectly; clearly a Secondary Assistant, yet he was utterly submissive to Zhang Juzheng, wearing the face of a loyal supporter.

But fortunately, Zhang Juzheng's health was much better now, and his relationship with the young Emperor could be considered quite warm.

Just as he was thinking this, Zhang Fu stepped into the room and said softly, "Young Master, after Feng Bangning was safe and sound, he set up a banquet at Yilan Pavilion to show his gratitude and invited you to attend."

"Feng Bangning?" Zhang Yunxiu's face was full of disgust, and he waved his hands repeatedly, "Not going, not going. Can't you see I still need to prepare for the Autumn Examination? For the next few months, other than being summoned by the Emperor, I will see no one."

"What about Zheng Guotai?" Zhang Fu asked cautiously again.

"Didn't you hear clearly? Other than the Emperor, I will see no one!" Zhang Yunxiu raised his voice and added, "If he has any matters he cannot resolve, tell him to go find Han San."

Seek unity through struggle, and unity survives; seek unity through concession, and unity perishes.

Regarding Zheng Guotai, he could not blindly accommodate him.

He had to let him know who his master really was.

Don't think that just because his sister became a Worthy Concubine it amounts to anything; if he were sensible, he would know that if he wants to climb higher, he must rely on him.

Zhang Fu was happy in his heart upon hearing the Young Master's instructions.

He quite disliked that Zheng Guotai, who relied on his sister to get ahead and acted with his nose in the air, looking down even on him.

Now that his own Young Master was putting this fellow in his place, let's see how he could still be so arrogant.

Having figured this out, Zhang Fu smiled and retreated.

Zhang Yunxiu paced back to the desk and took out books to review. In the months that followed, Zhang Yunxiu never put his books down, reciting and studying morning and night, feeling that his scholarship had greatly improved.

The autumn wind was chilly, but Beijing was not at all desolate or bleak; instead, it became increasingly lively.

The triennial Provincial Examination had begun!

(End of this chapter)