Chapter 148
Chapter 148
Inside the fortress atop the mountain.
Upon hearing Zhang Chong's words, Ning Ji, the king's uncle, was utterly bewildered.
“Zhang Chong, do you not trust us?”
He pointed to the box on the judge's table and said.
“The questions for this afternoon's literary duel are sealed within that box, and none of the three of us, myself included, have seen the contents. Even if Shen Lang were a god, he could not have known the questions beforehand.”
“My sincerest apologies.”
“Look closely. Has the wax seal on this box been broken? Has the paper seal been moved?”
Zhang Chong examined it carefully, but there were no signs of tampering.
“Prefect Zhang, you are a capable and diligent official. The Ning Clan is fortunate to have a servant like you. But at times, your suspicions are excessive.”
Zhang Chong bowed his head once more in apology.
“My sincerest apologies.”
“You may leave. This matter is too important for us to change the questions on the spot based solely on your speculation.”
Zhang Chong bowed his head and said.
“This servant will take his leave.”
He was an incredibly resolute man who would never give up after a single setback. After leaving the fortress, Zhang Chong quickly went to see Governor-General Zhu Rong. Zhu Rong was his benefactor and a closer relation, so he spoke bluntly.
“To prepare for any eventuality, we must change the topic of the literary duel. I implore you to take action, Governor-General.”
Governor-General Zhu Rong trusted Zhang Chong immensely.
“Do you truly believe it's necessary? To be so certain that Shen Lang knew the questions in advance... no matter how you look at it, it's preposterous!”
“I cannot be certain. But if there is even the slightest possibility, we must prepare for it. Should my fears become reality, the Count of Xuanwu's Estate will win the Gold Mountain Island dispute. If that happens, all our efforts and achievements to this point will turn to dust. All the work we've put in, all the resources we've spent, will be for naught. We must take precautions to avoid disaster.”
Zhang Chong had poured his heart and soul into creating this situation, cornering the Count of Xuanwu's Estate from all sides. The Marquis of Zhenbei's Estate, the Hidden Yuan Society, and the Count of Jinhai's Estate standing on the same side—it was all his doing.
“Even if Shen Lang has a talent for literature, he can't be better than Tang Yun, can he?”
“If there is even the slightest chance the enemy could win, we cannot take that risk.”
“Royal Uncle Ning Ji is the most senior member of the royal family. I doubt I could persuade him.”
“Governor-General, for this literary duel, His Majesty the King would have prepared a backup set of questions, sealed in an identical box. If I am not mistaken, the box with the backup questions is being held by Lord Suo Xuan and the Duke of Weiwu. It simply hasn't been announced to everyone.”
Governor-General Zhu Rong nodded. Whether it was for the imperial examinations or a literary duel for the nobility, a backup set of questions was always prepared. This was to allow for an immediate change if the topic were ever leaked.
“Even so, it would be difficult for me to tell Royal Uncle Ning Ji that we should switch to the backup questions.”
“Don't try to persuade him. Simply make a 'mistake' under the pretext of inspecting the questions for the duel, and damage the wax and paper seals on the box. Then, for the sake of fairness, Duke Ning Ji will have to change the questions.”
Governor-General Zhu Rong looked at Zhang Chong once more.
*This confidant of mine handles matters in unpredictable ways, never binding himself to a single method.*
The method Zhang Chong suggested was crude, but it was the best one. If he, the queen's older brother and the Governor-General of Tiannan Province, were to "accidentally" break the box's seal, Duke Ning Ji would only scold him a little; he wouldn't truly blame him. The king wouldn't blame him either. It was protocol that if the wax seal on a sealed box was broken, the contents could not be used, even if the questions hadn't been leaked. Once the seal was damaged, who could guarantee that no one had opened the box?
“Zhang Chong, must we really do this?”
“Yes. To prepare for any possibility, and for the worst-case scenario.”
Governor-General Zhu Rong nodded.
“Very well, I will do as you say!”
***
Half an hour later.
On the pretext of examining the wax and paper seals on the question box, Governor-General Zhu Rong "accidentally" dropped it on the floor. When the box hit the ground, all the wax seals on it shattered, and the paper seal tore.
Duke Ning Ji said angrily.
“Zhu Rong, what have you done?”
Governor-General Zhu Rong quickly bowed and apologized.
“Royal Uncle, my apologies, my apologies. It was a momentary lapse.”
Then, Governor-General Zhu Rong hurriedly picked up the fallen box and said in a shocked voice.
“Oh dear, the wax seals are broken. The paper seal is torn as well.”
Royal Uncle Ning Ji, trembling with anger, said.
“Zhu Rong, you did that on purpose. You definitely did it on purpose. Zhang Chong must have put you up to this. He has some nerve.”
Governor-General Zhu Rong bowed repeatedly in apology.
“I'm sorry, Royal Uncle. It's all my fault. My fault. Please forgive me. Or would you like to hit me?”
Governor-General Zhu Rong was the very picture of dignity in front of others, but before Royal Uncle Ning Ji, he acted petulantly, just as he had decades ago. As the queen's older brother and a junior to Royal Uncle Ning Ji, they had known each other for decades.
“When we return to the capital, you will report this to the king yourself and accept your punishment.”
Royal Uncle Ning Ji spoke as if he were furious, but there was no other choice now. The question box had been damaged, so they had to use the backup questions.
“Duke of Weiwu, Marquis Suo Xuan, bring out the backup questions.”
A moment later, Marquis Suo Xuan brought out a box identical to the one that had just been dropped. The color, the pattern, even the wax and paper seals on top were exactly the same.
“Are you satisfied now? I'm sure Zhang Chong is satisfied too. Now get out.”
Royal Uncle Ning Ji said angrily, and Governor-General Zhu Rong quickly departed.
When Zhu Rong came out into the garden, he saw Zhang Chong kneeling rigidly there.
“I will be the one to ask for forgiveness from the king when I return to the capital. There's no need for you to kneel here. The Royal Uncle is just angry for the moment.”
“Thank you for your consideration, my lord.”
But Zhang Chong did not rise. Zhu Rong and Royal Uncle Ning Ji were both members of the royal family, so they wouldn't hold it against each other, but Zhang Chong had definitely earned the Royal Uncle's displeasure this time. The Royal Uncle held no official position now, and he likely had no real intention of punishing Zhang Chong.
But just as one doesn't fault a person for being overly polite, the elderly often become like children and need to be placated. Zhang Chong planned to kneel here for a full day and night. A short while later, Royal Uncle Ning Ji, the Duke of Weiwu, and Marquis Suo Xuan walked out, carrying the box with the backup questions.
Seeing Zhang Chong kneeling rigidly in the garden, Royal Uncle Ning Ji said.
“Prefect Zhang, you are quite the strategist.”
Zhang Chong bowed his head and said.
“This servant has committed a crime.”
He said only that, without exaggerating that he had committed a crime worthy of death.
“Get up. I'm a has-been; I won't affect your future prospects.”
Hearing Royal Uncle Ning Ji's words, Zhang Chong this time touched his forehead to the ground and said.
“This servant has committed a crime!”
Seeing Zhang Chong's earnest attitude, the anger in Royal Uncle Ning Ji's heart subsided slightly.
“If you wish to kneel, then kneel. It looks like it will rain soon. I'll have someone send an umbrella for you.”
Zhang Chong did not dare to reply, keeping his forehead pressed to the ground.
Rumble...
Dark clouds rolled in and began to gather. Despite it being late autumn, thunder and lightning filled the sky. The red dawn this morning had indeed been a sign of a great downpour. Several warriors quickly unfurled a large canopy to shield Royal Uncle Ning Ji's head, and he swiftly departed for the afternoon's literary competition.
As the Duke of Weiwu passed by Zhang Chong, he paused for a moment and said.
“Zhang Chong, you were not wrong!”
Zhang Chong raised his head and bowed, saying.
“This servant is deeply grateful.”
The Duke of Weiwu left. He was extremely arrogant, looking down on all the court officials in the realm and holding no one in high regard. For a compliment like "you were not wrong" to come from his lips was unprecedented. When it came to ascending to the position of Governor-General of Yanzhou, the Duke of Weiwu's opinion was crucial. His praise was an exceptionally good thing.
Rumble...
The thunder in the sky grew louder, and the dark clouds became extremely dense before a heavy rain began to pour down. Zhang Chong remained kneeling motionlessly in the garden, the rain completely drenching his gaunt body. Soon, the ground turned to mud, making him look even more wretched. Zhang Jin and Zhang Chunhua ran over and held an umbrella over Zhang Chong's head.
“Take it away.”
“Father, you did this for the sake of the new administration, for the Ning royal family, and even for the benefit of Royal Uncle Ning Ji. Why are you tormenting yourself like this?”
“How naive! If you argue with your lord about what is right and wrong, you will never succeed in life.”
Zhang Jin said indignantly.
“The ones who benefit from the Gold Mountain Island dispute are not us, but the Count of Jinhai's Estate, the Count of Jing'an's Estate, and the Viscount of Nanshan's Estate. They are inside celebrating with each other, so why is it that you, Father, who gains nothing, are out here being punished?”
“If your colleagues were not incompetent, how would your outstanding talents ever be revealed? Stop spouting nonsense and go. A full day in the rain won't kill me.”
***
Outside, the rain poured heavily.
Inside the study at the Nujiang Commandery hunting grounds, the third round of the Gold Mountain Island dispute was underway. This time, however, there was no audience. To ensure Tang Yun and Jin Mucong could perform at their best, no one was allowed to be present except for the three proctors. Ning Ji placed the box containing the sealed questions on the table.
“Xuanwu, Jinhai. You two, inspect it. Are there any signs that the wax and paper seals on the box have been tampered with?”
Had Shen Lang been there, he would have realized the questions had been changed. But he was not qualified to enter the examination hall, so he could not know. The Count of Xuanwu and the Count of Jinhai also had no way of knowing the questions had been changed. This was because even though the box had been swapped, it was identical in appearance to the previous one.
“There is no sign of tampering.”
“There is no sign of tampering.”
“In that case, I will break the seals and open the box.”
“Yes!”
With deliberate slowness, Royal Uncle Ning Ji tore the paper seal, then melted the wax seals over a flame before opening the box. He took out a sheet of paper from inside, unfolded it, and showed it clearly to Tang Yun and Jin Mucong. This was the question for today's literary duel—the backup question prepared by the king.
The first question was an essay. It was from the *Book of Documents*, the "Counsels of the Great Yu," and the topic was "A Discourse on Magnanimity in Punishment and Reward." The second question was to compose a poem on the theme of 'Xuanwu'. The sinister intent of the topic was plain to see.
The moment Tang Yun saw the two questions, he was delighted and triumphant. Both topics were subjects he excelled at. Even if this were the palace examination, he was confident he could place third—no, second—again. Defeating that idiot Jin Mucong? For someone like him, who had achieved the rank of third-place scholar, defeating Jin Mucong was a given. In fact, he was ashamed to even be competing against a stupid oaf like Jin Mucong. He could probably beat the likes of Jin Mucong several times over in the blink of an eye, even if he wrote with his feet.
Jin Mucong had always trusted Shen Lang implicitly. The previous night, Shen Lang had given him an essay and a poem to memorize, telling him they were the topics for today's test. Trusting Shen Lang's words, Jin Mucong had spent several hours copying them dozens of times, memorizing every single word. He trusted Shen Lang, so he didn't ask any questions. No, there was no need to ask. If his brother-in-law said a certain question would appear, then it absolutely would. Therefore, Jin Mucong was certain that today's questions would be the two Shen Lang had given him the night before. Even as he entered the examination hall, Jin Mucong was silently reciting them. As he recited, he even ground his teeth while glaring at Tang Yun's back.
*I'm going to defy the heavens. Just you watch. Tang Yun, I'm going to crush you.*
But the moment Jin Mucong saw the actual questions, he was completely dumbfounded.
*Oh god, this isn't it! These aren't the two questions my brother-in-law taught me. What happened? Where did it go wrong? My brother-in-law can't be wrong. He said those two questions would definitely appear, so why didn't they? It's over, it's all over! How am I supposed to defy the heavens now? How am I supposed to crush Tang Yun? He's definitely going to wipe the floor with me. How could someone like me possibly go head-to-head with Tang Yun? Ah, we're going to lose the Gold Mountain Island dispute. The fate of my family is going to be ruined at my, Jin Mucong's, hands.*