Chapter 382
"Stop!" Xiao Zimo suddenly called out to the servant who was about to turn away. Seeing the panic on his face, he lunged forward and apprehended him.
The servant's voice trembled, "This humble one..."
After a while, a crumpled piece of scrap paper was found on the servant. Xiao Zimo unfolded it and glanced at it. It was a historical theory question with only the beginning written, and the script was the standard Guange style.
The back residence of the prefectural yamen was now home to many people, but the one who wrote essays in the Guange style could only be Zhan Feiyu. Looking at the servant, whose face had turned ashen, Xiao Zimo snorted, "Take him away and lock him up."
Lord Yao, who had a light sleep, was awakened by the commotion outside. He rubbed his temples wearily and said in a deep voice, "Zibai, what's happening outside?"
"My Lord." Xiao Zibai lit the candle, and the dark room immediately brightened. "Zimo has caught a servant picking up scrap paper from Miss Zhan's room."
Out of caution, officials like Lord Yao would not let a single piece of paper or ink from their study be transmitted outside. The studies were cleaned by trusted servants, and scrap paper was always burned in the brazier.
Taking the clothes handed over by Xiao Zibai, Lord Yao glanced at the water clock and said, "Let Zimo come in to report."
"Yes." As soon as Xiao Zibai responded, Xiao Zimo, who was guarding the door, heard this and pushed the door open to enter. "My Lord, this was found on that servant."
"The Western Zhou and Tang dynasties were strong internally but weak externally, while the Qin and Wei dynasties were weak internally but strong externally; there are arguments for both." Lord Yao mused, looking at the topic and pondering for a moment. He then placed the paper on the table. "Scholar Gu sends someone to deliver letters from the capital every three days. This is likely the assignment he has given Zhan Feiyu this time."
After pouring some tea to moisten Lord Yao's throat, Xiao Zimo asked in astonishment, "This is so wasteful and burdensome! Why doesn't Scholar Gu let Zhan Feiyu go to the capital?"
Lord Yao had also taken on two disciples, who were now serving as officials in other regions. Xiao Zimo and Xiao Zibai had also been taught by Lord Yao. However, although Lord Yao was upright and incorruptible, he was not a strict teacher, at least not as strict as Scholar Gu.
Lord Yao looked at the essay, which only had an opening and no continuation. He then noticed that the first few characters were written with a slightly heavier ink, indicating that Zhan Feiyu had hesitated when putting pen to paper. "The reason is naturally within the historical theory question."
Xiao Zimo was shocked again. He had also read the topic, and upon hearing Lord Yao's words, he leaned over to look at it again. "Brother, can you understand it?"
Compared to Xiao Zibai's mastery of both civil and military arts, Xiao Zimo, who could only be a随从 (suí cóng - attendant), was much more mediocre. He could only read and write; there was no hope for him to write essays or compose poetry.
This historical theory question discussed the political situations of the Western Zhou, Tang, Qin, and Wei dynasties. Xiao Zimo, however, thought of the current imperial court. The Emperor held great power, showing a tendency to be weak internally and strong externally.
However, unlike the Qin and Wei dynasties, the Emperor was skilled in both literary and military arts. His attitude towards the foreign tribes surrounding the Great Qing Dynasty was tough, preferring war to compromise. One-third of the Great Qing Dynasty's tax revenue was used as military pay and sent to various border passes.
The Emperor was also willing to delegate power to the generals guarding the borders. Xiao Zibai recalled that the only family the Emperor had wronged over the years was the Yang family of the General's Mansion. Years ago, fearing that General Yang's achievements were too great, the General's Mansion was confiscated on charges of colluding with the enemy and treason.
"My Lord, my brother also cannot figure it out." Xiao Zimo was as curious as a cat scratching at his heart. It was just a topic, how could it be linked to Zhan Feiyu not going to the capital?
"The Emperor has not yet established an heir apparent. Not only are the few princes in the palace restless, but the ministers in the court are also unable to restrain themselves. Scholar Gu not letting Zhan Feiyu go to the capital is likely because he does not want her to be involved in the vortex of establishing an heir." Lord Yao had also had opportunities to return to the capital to serve as an official. He was now a second-rank Provincial Administration Commissioner. Once he returned to the capital, even if he did not enter the Grand Secretariat, he would at least hold the position of Minister of a Six Ministries and be granted honorary titles.
However, also to avoid the turmoil of establishing an heir, Lord Yao preferred to stay in the freezing Longyou Road. It was likely that Scholar Gu had the same concerns. No matter how long the time dragged on, the Emperor would eventually appoint an heir apparent. Zhan Feiyu was young now, and if she went to the capital, she might not be able to study with peace of mind. It was better for her to travel and study outside like this.
Refolding the crumpled paper, Lord Yao handed it to Xiao Zimo. "You take that servant and this paper back to Zhan Feiyu."
After Xiao Zimo left, Xiao Zibai looked at Lord Yao, who had already begun to handle official documents under the candlelight, and asked in a low voice, "My Lord, is the General's Mansion befriending Zhan Feiyu also because of the future turmoil of establishing an heir?"
Although being a frontier official sounded majestic and imposing, Xiao Zibai knew that isolated officials like Lord Yao had many disadvantages, the most prominent being insufficient access to information from the capital. Even if they left people in the capital, confidential information was out of the question.
Just like the General's Mansion back then, the Censor sent by the Emperor ultimately confiscated the General's Mansion on charges of colluding with the enemy and treason. General Yang and his family did not even have time to react; their information was blocked, let alone their ability to fathom the Emperor's intentions. If there had been someone in the court to relay the news at that time, General Yang could have at least made some preparations in advance.
Lord Yao's gaze remained on the official document in his hand. After a long silence, he said, "Although I have not had much contact with Scholar Gu, I know that Scholar Gu is trustworthy. By exchanging information with Scholar Gu, the General's Mansion will have an additional layer of security for Scholar Gu to retreat safely even if a new emperor ascends the throne."
"Wouldn't the Emperor be wary?" Xiao Zibai asked the question that had been lingering in his heart. Scholar Gu and his Lord were both confidants of the Emperor and isolated officials. Yet, now Scholar Gu's only junior disciple was closely associated with the General's Mansion and even held a token of the Forbidden Dragon Guard.
Xiao Zibai felt terrified just thinking about it. One side was a Grand Secretary, the head of all officials; the other was a powerful general holding military power; and the last side was the Forbidden Dragon Guard, who only obeyed the Emperor. If these three forces were to unite, would the Emperor feel at ease?
This time, Lord Yao was silent for an even longer period. Just as Xiao Zibai thought he would not speak, Lord Yao put down his official document and said, "Scholar Gu had a falling out with the Gu clan of Nanling in his early years, and even suppressed the Gu clan's descendants for many years while serving in the court. Do you see any junior members of the Gu clan serving as officials in the court? Scholar Gu has never married and has now taken such a young disciple, and she is a girl. The Emperor and Scholar Gu have been in harmony as ruler and minister for many years; they would not tolerate a little girl."
Lord Yao had a clearer understanding of the situation. He had also heard some news from the General's Mansion. It was said that General Yang, to prevent Yang Xu from being controlled by his birth mother, Madam Zhang, had surrendered part of the Yang family's military power in exchange for Madam Zhang's life.
As a result, the Yang family of the General's Mansion was no longer a threat to the Emperor. Moreover, Yang Xu was young, and it would take at least ten years for him to be able to lead troops in battle. Ten years was enough time for the Emperor to appoint an heir apparent.
As for the Forbidden Dragon Guard, even Lord Yao knew very little about them.
Regardless of anything else, Lord Yao was certain of one thing: Scholar Gu had served the Emperor for many years and must be the person who understood the Emperor best. Since he had tacitly approved of Zhan Feiyu befriending the General's Mansion in Longyou Road, it must have been with the Emperor's tacit approval.
...
Madam Qian's visiting card was sent to the prefectural yamen, but since this was the Suzhou Prefectural Yamen, it was not appropriate to meet. Zhan Feiyu arranged to meet at a teahouse outside.
Lord Yao had a clearer understanding of the situation. He had also heard some news from the General's Mansion. It was said that General Yang, to prevent Yang Xu from being controlled by his birth mother, Madam Zhang, had surrendered part of the Yang family's military power in exchange for Madam Zhang's life.
As a result, the Yang family of the General's Mansion was no longer a threat to the Emperor. Moreover, Yang Xu was young, and it would take at least ten years for him to be able to lead troops in battle. Ten years was enough time for the Emperor to appoint an heir apparent. Lord Yao had a clearer understanding of the situation. He had also heard some news from the General's Mansion. It was said that General Yang, to prevent Yang Xu from being controlled by his birth mother, Madam Zhang, had surrendered part of the Yang family's military power in exchange for Madam Zhang's life.
As a result, the Yang family of the General's Mansion was no longer a threat to the Emperor. Moreover, Yang Xu was young, and it would take at least ten years for him to be able to lead troops in battle. Ten years was enough time for the Emperor to appoint an heir apparent.
As for the Forbidden Dragon Guard, even Lord Yao knew very little about them.
Regardless of anything else, Lord Yao was certain of one thing: Scholar Gu had served the Emperor for many years and must be the person who understood the Emperor best. Since he had tacitly approved of Zhan Feiyu befriending the General's Mansion in Longyou Road
As for the Forbidden Dragon Guard, even Lord Yao knew very little about them.
Regardless of anything else, Lord Yao was certain of one thing: Scholar Gu had served the Emperor for many years and must be the person who understood the Emperor best. Since he had tacitly approved of Zhan Feiyu befriending the General's Mansion in Longyou Road