Chapter 51: Wang Xiuwen Slaps the Hanlin Academy in the Face

“Rongyu, what’s going on with you?” Jiang Qingshi asked, perplexed. “If you’re tired, you should rest. How did you end up in such a state?”

It’s only because I don’t want to lose to you.

Xie Qinghe grumbled inwardly, though his expression remained as calm as ever.

“The Hanlin Academy’s affairs are quite demanding. This is just the beginning, and there will be many more days like this in the future. We must learn to adapt early.”

Seeing how plausibly Xie Qinghe explained it, Jiang Qingshi actually believed him. He nodded deeply in agreement: “Rongyu, I always thought you were too pampered to endure such hardships. It seems I underestimated you.”

Instead of getting angry, Xie Qinghe laughed. What made him happy was discovering that Jiang Qingshi wasn’t perfect after all! This person was terrible at reading social cues and still had a bit of a bookish pedantry!

“Alright, we can finish everything within three days.”

Xie Qinghe genuinely admired Jiang Qingshi. Although he had helped Jiang Qingshi, he knew perfectly well that his assistance was insignificant to him. Even without him, Jiang Qingshi would have resolved everything soon enough. Jiang Qingshi was truly an extraordinary person.

“Zhou Jinrong tried to use this to trouble you – he really underestimated you.”

“I owe much to Rongyu’s help,” Jiang Qingshi said modestly. “Without you, this matter definitely wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

“Enough now, my contribution was truly just a faint glimmer,” Xie Qinghe never took credit where it wasn’t due. “My help to you was minimal. You don’t need to mention me in front of Zhou Jinrong either.”

“Rongyu, you’re mistaken about that. The help you’ve given me is immeasurable. Like the environment in this pavilion – you had your family servants help clean it thoroughly. If there was dust everywhere, delaying our progress would be minor, but if I caught some coughing illness because of it, that would affect me for life. Moreover, most importantly…” Jiang Qingshi looked intently at Xie Qinghe, his eyes filled with sincerity, “Rongyu, though I may appear calm, as someone from humble origins entering the Hanlin Academy, I was actually quite apprehensive inside. That you chose to stand by my side at such a time moves me deeply. This isn’t because of your status – I originally thought ours was just a casual acquaintance, never expecting such profound friendship from the depths.”

This person… isn’t completely ignorant of social niceties after all. It seems he knows how to speak properly too.

Although Jiang Qingshi’s writing emphasized practical action, he still knew how to weave beautiful phrases when needed.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to say this matter was completed by both of us together. To be honest, I’m actually taking advantage here, since I want to borrow your status to borrow some authority,” Jiang Qingshi smiled, his eyes curving with a hint of cunning. “And why should we report this to that Zhou fellow? We’ve discovered so many discrepancies this time – aren’t these all Zhou’s oversights?”

Xie Qinghe immediately understood: “You want Zhou Jinrong to be hoist with his own petard?”

Jiang Qingshi nodded: “I’m not someone who seeks revenge for every slight, but I’m not a soft bun to be pushed around either. If we let this matter pass, everyone will think they can step on me in the future. I aspire to power because only with power in hand can one do what they want to do. My time shouldn’t be wasted entangled with these mediocre people.”

Xie Qinghe nodded: “I understand this clearly. While they claim it’s to accommodate my status, in reality, they’re secretly suppressing me. Although my father was a founding hero of the dynasty, he has always been at odds with these civil officials. I’ve heard that Chen Qi was entrusted with important responsibilities immediately upon joining the cabinet—his uncle being the Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet—that’s truly who they intend to cultivate and favor.”

“These covert power struggles are truly unsettling,” Jiang Qingshi frowned. “When Great Liang Dynasty officials expend all their time and energy on such matters, how can they possibly serve the people and address their livelihoods?”

Xie Qinghe was momentarily taken aback. Jiang Qingshi’s tone when speaking these words sounded too much like someone in authority. The commanding presence that Jiang Qingshi inadvertently revealed surprised him.

Xie Qinghe nodded: “Then I shall follow your advice.”

Meanwhile, Zhou Jinrong was spending his day idly at the Hanlin Academy, carrying a birdcage and humming minor tunes—a typical day of shirking responsibilities. The tasks he had assigned to Jiang Qingshi two days earlier to harass him had long been forgotten.

Although Jiang Qingshi was the new Tanhua (third-ranked scholar), Zhou Jinrong had been entrenched in the Hanlin Academy for many years. How could he not know how to handle a mere Tanhua?

Just as Zhou Jinrong was strolling through the Hanlin Academy as if it were his own backyard, a junior clerk named Zhang came rushing toward him in a fluster.

“Academician Zhou!” the young clerk Zhang exclaimed anxiously. “Grand Academician Wang has arrived and requests your presence.”

Zhou Jinrong frowned: “Oh? With Wenyuan Pavilion so busy these days, why would Grand Academician Wang want to see me?”

Although the Hanlin Academy Academician held only a fifth-rank position, because the Hanlin Academy served as the essential pathway to the Inner Cabinet and cultivated high-level talent for the Great Liang Dynasty, the position of Hanlin Academy Academician was concurrently held by Grand Academician Wang Xiuwen of the Inner Cabinet.

This Wang Xiuwen was remarkable—now approaching sixty years of age, he had once been Emperor Jingrui’s teacher, enjoying the revered status of Imperial Tutor. Currently, his position in the Inner Cabinet was second only to Chen Yanfeng, serving as the Second Grand Secretary.

Now serving as both Second Grand Secretary and teacher to the reigning Emperor, even the Emperor treated Wang Xiuwen with utmost respect. Learning that Wang Xiuwen wanted to see him, Zhou Jinrong hastily set down his birdcage and scurried over obediently, fearing any delay might displease Wang Xiuwen.

He found Wang Xiuwen seated solemnly behind a huanghuali Eight Immortals table, dressed in scarlet official robes and reviewing a register. Standing beside Wang Xiuwen were none other than Jiang Qingshi and Xie Qinghe.

Seeing Jiang Qingshi, Zhou Jinrong finally recalled how he had been harassing this unfortunate fellow. But… how had this guy ended up standing alongside the Young Marquis of the Xie family???

Wait—wasn’t this unlucky fellow a rural student with no backing? Hadn’t someone instructed him to create obstacles because the candidate had shown too much promise during the Imperial Examination, to humble him and make him recognize his proper place?

No one had told him this unfortunate wretch was acquainted with the Young Marquis.

Zhou Jinrong’s eyelids twitched nervously as he sensed impending trouble. Forcing a smile, he slightly bowed his back, adopting the posture of an ingratiating lapdog.

“How may I serve you, Lord Wang?”

Wang Xiuwen gestured with his eyes toward Jiang Qingshi, who nodded and respectfully presented a thick volume to Zhou Jinrong with both hands: “Lord Zhou, all 2,731 volumes of accumulated documents in the old archives have been completely sorted and cataloged. I have verified all errors, duplicates, and omissions, noting them in this register for your review.”

Attendant Reader Zhou’s smile froze on his face. He instinctively took the ledger, finding it unexpectedly heavy in his hands. With trembling fingers, he opened it to see meticulously categorized records documenting the quantity, current status, and summary catalog of each document type. What struck greater dread were the several appended pages clearly written in standard script with a vermilion pen:

“In a certain year and month, the ceremonial procedures for the Heaven Worship ritual contained obvious errors, with records failing to comply with ritual protocols.”

“A certain file recording border garrison provisions showed discrepancies with the Ministry of Revenue’s approved allocations for that year, with reasons for the shortfall pending investigation.”

“The recorded promotion dates for a certain high-ranking official differed by one quarter from the personnel files at the Ministry of Personnel, suggesting potential inaccuracies in either record.”

…

Entry after entry, all annotated in vermilion ink to correct errors and fill omissions. Zhou Jinrong flipped through page after page, yet found no end to them… Cold sweat poured down his back as his hands shook uncontrollably, repeatedly wiping the perspiration from his temples.

“See now?” Wang Xiuwen spoke slowly. Though past fifty, his voice remained resonant and powerful. “Despite my busy schedule entrusting the Hanlin Academy to your management these past years, I never imagined such chaos had accumulated! Do you realize every error marked by Editor Jiang’s vermilion pen is thoroughly documented with precise corrections? This goes beyond mere reorganization – it’s turning a century’s worth of muddled accounts inside out and presenting irrefutable evidence!”

Wang Xiuwen’s stern voice carried natural authority. Zhou Jinrong’s legs gave way, dropping him involuntarily to his knees.

“What is the meaning of this, Lord Zhou?” Wang Xiuwen snorted coldly. “Officials of our Great Liang Dynasty only kneel before the Son of Heaven. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass this old man?”

“No, no…” Zhou Jinrong’s hands trembled incessantly, fine beads of cold sweat emerging on his forehead. “This humble official… this humble official…”

“Lord Zhou has been so preoccupied with making life difficult for new officials that you’ve forgotten your actual duties.” Wang Xiuwen’s tone turned icy. “You intended to trouble the newcomers, never expecting to uncover so many errors. Lord Zhou, do you know how many vermilion annotations there are? Ninety-two! These ninety-two marks are like ninety-two silent slaps striking the Hanlin Academy’s face! Does your face not burn with shame? Three days – merely three days! Editor Jiang and Compiler Xie identified all these issues and compiled them into this ledger. Could it be the Hanlin Academy has been employing nothing but incompetent gluttons all this time? The Great Liang Dynasty’s treasury funds have been wasted supporting idlers like you!”

Wang Xiuwen’s powerful voice left Zhou Jinrong’s ears ringing long after he finished speaking. Deathly silence filled the chamber, broken only by the rustling of wind through leaves outside the window.

Zhou Jinrong’s throat moved convulsively as he half-prostrated on the floor. After a long pause, he finally squeezed out a hoarse whisper: “Ed-Editor Jiang… has worked diligently…”

Almost frantically, he closed the ledger and clutched it to his chest, his gaze unsteady. “This… this ledger… this humble official will examine it carefully and make thorough corrections!” Having spoken, he dared not look Wang Xiuwen in the eye again.

“No need! The follow-up work shall be entirely entrusted to Editor Jiang and Compiler Xie. These two young talents distinguished themselves in the Imperial Examination,” Wang Xiuwen said coldly, flicking his sleeve and clasping his hands behind his back as he looked down at Zhou Jinrong from a superior position. “I will definitely report this matter to His Majesty. The Hanlin Academy has become a foul atmosphere and requires thorough rectification! Henceforth, any matters concerning Editor Jiang and Compiler Xie shall be reported directly to me, with no need to go through Zhou Jinrong! As for you, Zhou Jinrong—your dereliction of duty—how to deal with it specifically, I dare not overstep my authority. We will discuss it after I report to His Majesty!”

“Lord Wang, have mercy!” Zhou Jinrong wailed miserably upon hearing this, clutching at Wang Xiuwen’s sleeve. “Grant this humble official a way out! Do not report it to His Majesty!”

“Preposterous!” Wang Xiuwen yanked his sleeve back forcefully. “His Majesty is benevolent—how dare you slander him so casually! Are you expecting me to help you deceive the emperor and cover up your misconduct? Do you think I would be swayed by your tricks?”

Zhou Jinrong was like the mute who tasted bitter herbs—unable to speak of his suffering. He had no idea what to say now and could only lift his head, gazing pitifully at Wang Xiuwen.

Wang Xiuwen softened his expression and turned to Jiang Qingshi and Xie Qinghe: “You both have done excellently in this matter. The follow-up affairs shall be entrusted to you two. I hope you will collaborate well and showcase the dignity of our Hanlin Academy.”

Jiang Qingshi and Xie Qinghe promptly accepted the responsibility.

This incident finally passed. As the saying goes, walls have ears—once this matter came to light, Jiang Qingshi’s reputation spread far and wide. From then on, no one dared to look down on Jiang Qingshi anymore.

Wang Xiuwen, recognizing Jiang Qingshi’s talent, reported the matter to Emperor Jingrui.

Emperor Jingrui was thirty-two years old and had been on the throne for over a decade. Back when he was still the crown prince, Wang Xiuwen had been his tutor.

The emperor was in poor health, having been frail and sickly since birth. However, the Li family had always had few heirs—the late emperor had only Emperor Jingrui as his sole prince. Though of imperial lineage, his constitution remained irremediably weak.

Even though the weather had already warmed, Emperor Jingrui still dressed heavily in the palace. Clad in a cloak, he listened as Wang Xiuwen finished recounting the incident.

“This Jiang Qingshi is both clever and ambitious. He knew to bypass Zhou Jinrong and report the matter directly to you.”

Wang Xiuwen nodded: “Your Majesty is right. Jiang Qingshi is indeed no simple man. Moreover, the only son of Marquis Xie has always been arrogant, yet I observed that Xie Qinghe seems to follow Jiang Qingshi’s lead. I investigated Jiang Qingshi—he truly has no backing. The widely discussed case involving him among the common people is also true. He has now removed himself from the family register and established his own household. That Jiang Family is indeed a den of wolves—his parents showed favoritism and treated him extremely poorly, while his own younger brother schemed to frame him, nearly preventing him from taking the Metropolitan Examination. Anyone would be disheartened by such treatment.”