The Minister of Rites, with his breath caught in his throat, could neither swallow it nor spit it out, feeling uncomfortable and choky, making the Minister of Personnel really wish he could clap and cheer on the spot.
The Young Eunuch walked quickly to the Emperor, bowing and reporting in a low voice. The Emperor’s eyes brightened more and more as he listened, and his expression eased.
The people below faintly heard the words "Imperial Academy" and "lame candidate," and couldn’t help but perk up their ears to listen. The Minister of Rites also listened closely, swallowing his own words he intended to say, with a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
After listening to the Young Eunuch, the Emperor glanced at the crafty old men below and signaled to the Young Eunuch.
Understanding the cue, the Young Eunuch shouted to the ministers in the hall, "News has come from the Imperial Academy. The lame candidate from Taiyuan Prefecture, Lian Mu, has arrived and is currently at the Imperial Academy, requesting instructions."
Although the crowd had vaguely heard something, they were still greatly surprised at this statement. Wasn’t it said that he couldn’t be found throughout Taiyuan Prefecture?
And the notice seeking him was only posted in the Capital yesterday, yet he has arrived today?
The forthright Military General exclaimed in shock, "Damn that’s fast! Didn’t those troublemaking scholars from Taiyuan Prefecture say this cripple had fled out of guilt? How has he arrived so quickly? Did he ride a thousand-mile horse?"
This question echoed what everyone was thinking. Not bothering to correct the official’s reference to scholars, everyone looked eagerly at the Young Eunuch who came to report, especially the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Personnel, who had stopped arguing; they needed to confirm whether it was a false report of military conditions.
The Young Eunuch suddenly felt the pressure and looked toward the Emperor seated at the head.
The Emperor nodded slightly, indicating for him to speak directly. He had high hopes for this disabled candidate and paid close attention now that the man had arrived.
Thus, the Young Eunuch started to explain in detail.
As it turned out, the lame candidate was not acting out of guilt, but had rushed back because his mother was severely ill in their home in the Capital. He could not wait for the full release of examination results and had just hurriedly returned on a slow-moving ox cart. Upon seeing the government’s notice, he went to the Imperial Academy today to sit the exam.
The crowd suddenly understood; this man was in fact a paragon of filial piety, not at all like the guilt-ridden person the troublemaking candidates had described. These candidates were troublemakers, and they deserved to be punished!
The Emperor felt enlightened; he had guessed there must be a reason and now felt even more confident in this person.
The Minister of Rites stroked his beard with a face full of gratified smiles, thinking that he truly deserved to have picked this disciple; unable to wait for the release due to his mother’s severe illness, he had hurried back home and rushed to the exam upon seeing the notice—loyal and filial, open and upright, courageous and wise. Such a disciple was hard to find by searching with a lantern!
His expression was now a stark contrast to the earlier look of an old man almost ready to cry out loud.
The Minister of Personnel incessantly expressed his admiration, acknowledging his accurate judgment. While others were still hesitant, he had already made up his mind. Based on this alone, this lad should be his disciple.
While the thoughts of those in the hall varied, the Emperor asked, "How is his mother doing now?"
The forthright Military General, coming to his senses, agreed right away, "Right, how is this cripple’s mother?"
His Majesty really nails filial piety; that’s what matters most.
How does that saying go? ’A son wishes to support, but his father and mother are gone.’ That’s exactly his situation, his old mother long gone, him wanting to show filial piety but only able to offer more paper money in offerings.
Everyone also remembered this issue at that moment. Yes, if something were to happen to this candidate’s mother, it would likely delay his career prospects. He would not be able to take the examinations or become an official, at least not for another three years.
The Young Eunuch was glad he had asked an extra question when he received the news, so now he was able to answer, "Reporting to His Majesty, his mother is no longer in danger, but she is still quite weak and needs further recuperation."
The Minister of Rites and the Minister of Personnel felt completely relieved. Their disciple was secure.
They couldn’t help but smile slightly. In the midst of their smiles, their gazes accidentally met. Their smiles faded, and they looked away, nearly forgetting the presence of the annoying bystander.
The Minister of Personnel thought it over and decided he had to make plans for his future disciple. Thus, he spoke up, "Your Majesty, in my view, this candidate has an open heart. The allegations of nepotism and corruption in the Taiyuan Prefecture are likely unfounded accusations made by others, false indeed."
When the Minister of Rites heard this, wasn’t this exactly what he intended to say? It was just that he was older and slower in thought. He would definitely have said it once he had gathered his thoughts, but now, this younger colleague had taken the initiative.
He quickly retorted, showing no weakness, "Your Majesty, the filial piety of this candidate towards his mother has greatly touched this old official. The sage once said, ’Filial piety towards parents can be transferred to loyalty towards the Emperor. Therefore, to seek loyal officials, one must look at the sons of filial obedience.’ This clearly shows the character of the candidate. Throughout history, many issues have arisen in the imperial examinations, often spurred by jealousy among the candidates. This old official has heard that those who protest in groups are mostly scholars who have failed the exams. It is likely that this issue stems from jealousy and false accusations against a competent candidate."
The Emperor already had an idea about the situation but still said, "We can’t make arbitrary conclusions for now. Let’s wait until after the examinations."
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, both ministers became somewhat anxious. The candidate had already gone to the Imperial Academy to take the exams without any hesitation; what else could be the problem?
The Emperor had his own considerations. The decree had already been issued, and it could not be changed overnight. Moreover, he was keener to see whether this lame candidate could withstand the test.
He raised his hand to stop the two men about to speak, and addressed the Minister of Rites, "Has the Ministry of Rites prepared good questions yet?"
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Personnel no longer felt the urgency and instead wore a look of someone ready to watch a good show.
The Minister of Rites suddenly felt guilty. He fiddled with his ears, "Ah? Your Majesty, what did you say? This old official’s hearing isn’t what it used to be..."
He had no idea that the candidate had arrived so quickly. Normally, sending a message to Taiyuan Prefecture would take a few days, and even longer if it were sent to Jiangnan or further, possibly several days. By the time the message spread everywhere and reached the candidate’s ears, at least ten days to half a month would have passed. Then the candidate would send back a reply, and with this back and forth, wouldn’t it be over a month?
Therefore, he was not in a hurry, still slowly contemplating what kinds of questions would be good.
Just then, the Emperor asked, catching him off guard, so he resorted to his usual tactic: feigning deafness.
The Minister of Personnel muttered under his breath, "Shameless to the extreme," and truly wanted to spit at this old man.
The Minister of Rites inwardly focused, pretending not to hear. Having been embroiled in court politics for so many years and living such a long life, he cared little for such insults.
The Emperor couldn’t be bothered with him; to bother with him meant the old man would start crying, wasting valuable time.
He knew that no good questions had been prepared yet, and indeed the time was very short, so he decisively concluded, "Then let the candidate stay temporarily at the Imperial Academy, and open the examination outside the Imperial Academy in three days. Did you hear that now?"
While speaking, he looked towards the Minister of Rites.
This time, the Minister of Rites very promptly and neatly knelt down and cried out loudly, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Three days would be enough for him to prepare the questions.
The Emperor picked up his tea cup and asked in a mild tone, "Is there anything