sovbooks Chapter 135 The Calamity of Witchcraft
Chapter 135 The Calamity of Witchcraft
Chapter 135 The Calamity of Witchcraft (Part 1)
Zhang Quhua's exclamation of "monster," coupled with the sight of him lying stiffly on the ground in fright, instantly plunged the Chuigong Hall into a deathly silence.
This sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall speechless, exchanging bewildered glances.
Zhao Dezhao subconsciously raised his hand to touch the back of his head, then looked at Zhang Quhua, who had fainted on the ground, his face full of astonishment and confusion.
Who is this person?
A monster? Are you talking about me?
On the other side, Fan Zhi stood with his head down, his gaze shifting back and forth between Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Dezhao, and Zhang Quhua. Suddenly, he seemed to understand something, and his heart skipped a beat, his face turning grim.
Someone is using him as a pawn!
When Zhang Quhua approached him, he originally planned to use Zhang Quhua's failure in the imperial examination to speak to the emperor, pointing out that the new imperial examination policy was burying talent, and to take the opportunity to propose the restoration of the public recommendation system. Who would have thought that this scene would happen!
How dare he call the eldest prince a "monster" in front of the emperor?
If His Majesty were to suspect that he had secretly orchestrated this, even if he had ten heads, let alone being a high-ranking official, it wouldn't be enough to behead him!
Upon realizing this, Fan Zhi broke out in a cold sweat. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately knelt and kowtowed, hastily trying to distance himself from the situation: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! This old minister was unaware that this man had lost his mind and uttered such insane words! If I had known this, I certainly would not have dared to bring this man to the audience. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"
Liu Rang, who was standing to the side, seemed to have come to his senses as well. He quickly knelt down and begged for forgiveness, his whole body trembling.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin first glanced at Zhao Dezhao casually, ignoring Fan Zhi and the other man who were kneeling and begging for forgiveness, and then said to Zhang Dejun beside him in a deep voice: "Take Zhang Quhua away and have the imperial physician treat him. Then assign someone to keep a close watch on him. Without my permission, he shall not be allowed to contact anyone."
Then, he looked at Liu Rang, who was kneeling on the ground, and said coldly, "Take this man away and keep him under strict guard!"
Liu Rang's face turned pale, and he repeatedly cried out, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!" But the guards ignored him and dragged him and Zhang Quhua out together.
After dismissing the two men, Zhao Kuangyin slowly raised his eyes and looked at Fan Zhi, who was still kneeling on the ground. He did not say a word, but calmly stared at them with his tiger-like eyes.
Fan Zhi felt a chill run down his spine. He knelt on the ground, barely daring to breathe. Cold sweat had already soaked through his robes and was streaming down his back.
He really didn't know anything about this!
Seeing Fan Zhi sweating profusely and trembling like a leaf, Zhao Kuangyin finally spoke, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "I trust Lord Fan's dedication to the country. If there is nothing else, you may leave."
"Yes!" Fan Zhi felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and dared not say more before taking his leave in a hurry.
As everyone left, only Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Dezhao remained in the main hall.
The hall became increasingly quiet, and even the sound of breathing could be clearly heard.
Zhao Kuangyin looked at Zhao Dezhao with a deep gaze, pointed to Zhang Quhua's exam paper on the table, and suddenly said, "Zhao'er, take a look at this exam paper and see how it is."
Zhao Dezhao was still somewhat dazed and had no idea what had happened. Only after his father asked him did he barely come to his senses, and he quickly stepped forward and picked up the exam paper.
"I have seen this examination paper." Zhao Dezhao did not hide anything: "That day, when I went to the examination hall to review the papers, Xue Juzheng presented Zhang Quhua's examination paper to me, saying that his writing was outstanding, but his ideas were contrary to the new policies, which put him in a difficult position."
"After reviewing the examination paper, I found that this person's entire essay advocated for a complete restoration of the old system of the Han and Tang dynasties. Although it can be described as having excellent literary talent, it runs counter to my own ideas."
"Your Majesty believes that if he is employed, he will become an obstacle to the new policies in the future. Therefore, Your Majesty has ordered that his name be removed from the list of successful candidates."
He paused, then asked with a puzzled look, "Why did Father suddenly ask about this?"
After a moment's thought, Zhao Kuangyin did not directly answer his son's question, but instead asked in return, "You said that it was you who crossed this person's name off the list of successful candidates?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty, I would not dare to deceive you," Zhao Dezhao replied honestly.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin frowned slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the imperial desk. He then suddenly asked, "Although this person's views differ from yours, his talent is indeed outstanding. Aren't you afraid of losing the support of the people by dismissing him simply because of differing political opinions?"
"Your Majesty once said something like this," Zhao Dezhao replied without hesitation. "What use are classical Chinese phrases like 'zhi hu zhe ye'?" Moreover, with the new imperial examination system now in effect, there are countless talented individuals in the land. Why insist on selecting someone who contradicts the new policy?
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin nodded noncommittally, then changed the subject, saying in a deep voice, "After Zhang Quhua failed the imperial examination, he heard Liu Rang, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, say in a drunken stupor that his failure was due to Lu Duoxun accepting a bribe from Yang Li, who deliberately crossed out his name. What is your opinion on this matter?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao immediately smiled. So this was the very reason his father had summoned him.
"Your Majesty, it is true that I personally crossed out Zhang Quhua's exam paper. Xue Juzheng and many officials of the Ministry of Rites can all testify to this. It was definitely not caused by Lu Duoxun accepting bribes or acting unfairly."
Zhao Kuangyin listened quietly, his expression softening slightly.
Since many officials, including Xue Juzheng, have testified to this matter, it is likely that what Zhao Dezhao said is true.
Although Zhao Dezhao's actions inevitably have the suspicion of forming a faction, this is his own son, the future heir of the Song Dynasty. So what if he forms a faction?
The most important thing right now is to find out who is behind Zhang Quhua's case.
And—why did he say that?
"The new imperial examination policy has affected the interests of too many people. It is natural that some people want to use Zhang Quhua to discredit the new policy." After pondering for a moment, Zhao Kuangyin solemnly warned, "You are now in the eye of the storm. You must be extremely careful in your words and actions. Do not give others any ammunition against you, and do not give them any opportunity to take advantage of you."
"Your subject will remember your teachings, Father!" Zhao Dezhao bowed and replied.
He was still wondering who was behind Zhang Quhua's affair.
Zhao Guangyi? Or one of those scions of noble families? Or some powerful figure in the court?
There was no way around it; the new imperial examination policy offended far too many people.
For a moment, Zhao Dezhao was unable to determine who was behind this, and felt that the person's methods were far too clumsy and childish.
Do you think you can overthrow the new policy with such meager tricks?
"You may leave. I will thoroughly investigate this matter myself." Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, his tone returning to its usual calm.
"Your subject takes his leave." Zhao Dezhao bowed again, turned and slowly withdrew.
After Zhao Dezhao left, Zhao Kuangyin sat quietly for a moment, his expression becoming solemn again. He raised his hand and summoned a palace attendant: "Summon Wang Renzhan, the Minister of Martial Virtue, to come to the palace to see me immediately!"
The Wude Division was an intelligence and guard agency directly under the emperor, independent of the Three Military Offices and the Imperial Guards, and directly responsible to the emperor.
Similar to the later Embroidered Uniform Guard, the only difference is that the Martial Virtue Division did not have as much power.
Before long, Wang Renzhan, the envoy of the Wude Army, hurriedly arrived, bowed, and knelt down, saying, "Your subject Wang Renzhan pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"Get up," Zhao Kuangyin said coldly. "I order you to thoroughly investigate the case of Zhang Quhua's failure to pass the imperial examination. Find out whether his words are true or false, find out the truth or falsehood of what Liu Rang, the official in charge of the Ministry of Rites, said, and find out who Zhang Quhua has been in contact with recently, and who is instigating him to speak such nonsense!"
"This matter concerns the new imperial examination policy and the dignity of the imperial family. There can be no carelessness whatsoever. All information obtained must be reported to me alone, without informing anyone else. Anyone who conceals anything will be punished for deceiving the emperor!"
"Your subject obeys!" Wang Renzhan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly agreed.
This was the first time he had seen His Majesty with such a solemn expression since His Majesty ascended the throne.
"Step down and go investigate immediately!"
"Here you go!"
Wang Renzhan knelt down again and then hurriedly left, leaving Zhao Kuangyin alone sitting expressionlessly in the Chuigong Hall. The sound of knocking on the imperial desk echoed for a long time in the empty Chuigong Hall.
After a long while, he slowly raised his eyes, looked outside the hall, and murmured with a complicated expression, "My Zhao'er—"