Chapter 900 - 902: Preliminary Review, An Overwhelming Momentum_1
Everyone says that participating in the Competition of The Eight Academies before passing the Imperial Examination is a great opportunity, look, one can even help one’s own father to get promoted.
"Do you know why Chang’an Academy must secure second place?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
"It must be because Zhang Xiuquan cares about face, and at the same time, a lower ranking would affect his status in Capital City," Jiang Yichun said solemnly.
Bai Ruozhu thought about it and nodded. At this time, the Study Palace was like middle or high school, and then passing the Imperial Examination to enter the Imperial Academy was like going to university; passing the higher level of the Imperial Examination and getting one’s name written in gold equated to becoming a civil servant.
Although the dean of a Study Palace couldn’t compare with the Imperial Academy, being the headmaster of a prestigious high school was still a sought-after position. There were quite a few people eyeing it, and Zhang Xiuquan was afraid that coming in third would lead someone to boot him from his position.
Shouldn’t one reflect on oneself when their skills are inferior, instead of engaging in such insidious tactics?
"I have already contacted the Provincial Governor, Lord Gu. After gathering sufficient evidence, we will conduct a trial in the County Government Office," Jiang Yichun added.
"Good, we can’t let this kind of crooked practice grow, nor let people think we are easy to bully," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, and went on to tease her son by her side.
"That Liu Dong, I’m not sure about his talent in painting, but he’s knowledgeable. It’s a shame to waste such a talent," Jiang Yichun suddenly lamented.
Bai Ruozhu raised her eyelids and disagreed, "What use is a talented person with poor character? Don’t say that what he did was all out of filial piety. Does helping someone cheat count as the act of a gentleman? Even if his father gets promoted, won’t his conscience be pricked? If Liu Dong ruins his own future because of this, it’s his own fault. Already so corrupt before even becoming an officer, who knows what he would do later? If all the Imperial Court’s officials were like this, the entire order would be in chaos."
Jiang Yichun laughed at her rapid-fire speech, "You could be an impartial judge, completely unsparing."
"Why does it seem like I’m heartless and ruthless? So you’d better behave yourself, don’t stir up any trouble with your old flames, or else..." Bai Ruozhu’s voice trailed off, and she raised her hand as though she was about to deliver a slap.
Jiang Yichun’s chiseled face turned a faint shade of pink—no matter how long it had been, whenever he thought back to being spanked by his wife, his face would heat up.
As for the other person who had also received a spanking, she didn’t mind at all. Decidedly forgetful, she only remembered the resounding smacks with which she’d disciplined him.
After joking around for a while, the couple prepared for bed. Jiang Yichun mentioned that they would have enough evidence by dawn to put Bai Ruozhu at ease, emphasizing that tomorrow’s court trial required her presence as a witness, and her Arithmetic skills could be of significant assistance.
At breakfast the next day, Lightning whispered a few words to Jiang Yichun, to which he nodded and said, "Keep a close watch, don’t give them the chance to strike back."
"Yes," Lightning responded and then disappeared just like a bolt of lightning.
Bai Ruozhu knew the showdown was about to begin, but this time, she was happy to watch Jiang Yichun strategize.
Seeing him eating his meal calmly without any hurry to leave, Bai Ruozhu felt a bit anxious inside and couldn’t help asking, "Aren’t we going?"
"What’s the rush? It’s important to have a good breakfast, and we’ll talk after eating well," Jiang Yichun commented and handed Bai Ruozhu a small crystal shrimp dumpling. "Later, please ask Tu Ying to look after Dengdeng. Today’s court trial isn’t a place to bring him."
Dengdeng seemed to understand that his father was talking about him as he began to babble joyfully, his tiny eyebrows and eyes curving into a smile. At this, Jiang Yichun felt somewhat reluctant to leave his son and started to worry whether Tu Ying might be too careless to look after him properly.
"Chenfeng, take a few men with you today and follow Tu Ying. Protect the young master well, and don’t allow any slip-ups!" Jiang Yichun ordered sternly.
"Yes," Chenfeng’s expression grew extremely serious, aware of the gravity of this responsibility.
The two of them ate for another quarter of an hour before getting up to leave. They entrusted Dengdeng to Tu Ying and then went to find the Chancellor. Unexpectedly, Bai Zepei was already waiting inside the Chancellor’s residence.
Today’s banquet was set for the early afternoon, so everyone was resting. Bai Zepei’s presence here clearly indicated he intended to accompany them.
Bai Ruozhu was somewhat worried and said, "Second Brother, you shouldn’t go. You have a future career in the officialdom ahead and there’s no need to offend these people."
"It doesn’t matter. If I were to hide behind others after they did such things, I would lose respect for myself in the future," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Besides, I have found a helper who has agreed to step forward. How can I not show up?"
"What kind of helper?" Bai Ruozhu and the Chancellor both looked toward Bai Zepei, only to see him playing coy and saying, "You’ll find out soon enough."
"Alright, let’s head to the County Government Office. Today’s hearing will be presided over by the Master County Magistrate Bai, with Master Supervisor Gu and Master Qiu as associate judges," Jiang Yichun said.
Upon hearing that the Huainan King was not involved, Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment and asked, "Has this matter been communicated with the Huainan King?"
Jiang Yichun nodded, and Bai Ruozhu understood that the Huainan King was aware but did not wish to make an appearance.
The four talked as they left the house and headed straight to the County Government Office of Xuanlang.
The Chancellor made a formal complaint, and since Master County Magistrate Bai had been informed in advance, he accepted the case immediately. Moreover, Master Bai was Bai Qizhi’s father.
Jiang Yichun privately said that the help they were able to get from the Supervisor and County Magistrate this smoothly was all thanks to Bai Ruozhu’s efforts.
After hearing about the case, Master Bai immediately summoned all relevant parties, including inviting Master Supervisor Gu and the great scholar Master Qiu to serve as associate judges.
Soon, the accused, including the head of Chang’an Academy, Zhang Xiuquan, and others, were brought to the scene. Because the organizing committee was implicated in the fraud, Master Deng was also invited, though the County Government Office was much more respectful toward him.
As soon as Deng Lin appeared, his face stern, he said, "Some people are making unwarranted trouble. Can it be that Master County Magistrate Bai suspects our committee for such people?"
Master Bai did not blame his impoliteness; instead, he paid his respects to him and said, "If someone lodges a complaint, it is my duty to investigate. Since the organizing committee is involved, clarifying this matter will restore your reputation."
"Humph, will such clamoring affect our integrity? Could it be that Master Bai is biased toward a certain side?" Deng Lin said with a surge of indignation.
Was Deng Lin trying to intimidate the presiding County Magistrate into submission right from the start?
Master Bai’s face showed no annoyance, but anger was already hidden in his eyes, "Whether it affects it is not for Master Deng to decide alone. The investigation will reveal the truth. If you have any grievances, you are welcome to file a complaint against this official after today."
Master Qiu frowned and said to Deng Lin, "Master Deng, calm down. The truth will come out only after the examination."
Master Bai ignored Deng Lin and turned to the Chancellor, asking, "Chancellor, for what reason did you lodge your complaint? Speak promptly."
The Chancellor politely bowed and then explained the discrepancy in points and how Chang’an Academy had manipulated the rankings.
"Your Honor, the drawing competition was conducted publicly. I believe not only does Bai Ruozhu remember that Jin Guangqi from Chang’an Academy was not the fourth, but there are many more who can testify. Please have the witnesses brought forth, Your Honor," Jiang Yichun added from the side.