Bai Dalang, as a descendant of Prime Minister Bai, naturally understood the pros and cons.
If this matter were left to Feng Jinxu, it was likely that all these people would be imprisoned.
Bai Dalang's choice to simply write down a list and submit it was also for the good of the Great Jin.
The water that is too clear has no fish, and the court is the same.
It was not realistic to expect everyone to be loyal, and if their hats were all removed and they were thrown into prison, finding replacements would be a troublesome affair.
Therefore, it was impractical to act before everything was properly settled.
This principle was understood by Bai Dalang, and even more so by Emperor Qi.
Feng Hai and Ying Qin, having served as officials for many years, naturally knew the intricacies of the situation.
Thus, Bai Dalang presented his memorial to Emperor Qi, stating:
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this matter should be handled discreetly. The ringleaders, Wen Jingsong and his son, must be severely punished to serve as a warning. The impoverished scholars who were replaced should also be recalled and employed, to give an account to the world. As for the powerful families who usurped official positions, they too should pay for their actions."
"So many families are now implicated, with ties that run deep. Disturbing any one of them will be troublesome. Does my minister have a good solution?"
"I humbly report to Your Majesty, rather than uniting them to resist, it is better to divide them. I have carefully investigated these individuals. Their relationships are either as nephews, brothers, or at the very least, clan relatives. Since this is the case, why doesn't Your Majesty simply decree that each family can only have one person serving in the court? The rest must voluntarily withdraw to avoid suspicion. As for whether to protect themselves or others, let them handle this troublesome matter within their own families. This way, the court will not be overly destabilized, but their family influence will be broken up and they will no longer be able to form a significant force."
Emperor Qi looked at Bai Dalang with admiration. This method was indeed good.
The noble families who had committed offenses, after waiting for more than half a month, were already as jumpy as a startled bird, seeing enemies in every shadow.
Looking at the tragic state of the Wen father and son in prison, they were afraid that their own families would be next to be investigated.
Bai Dalang's method not only preserved their dignity but also allowed them to weigh the pros and cons and turn on each other. They had intended to protect each other, but now with only one allowed, they would surely tear each other apart.
Indeed, it was brilliant.
"My minister has worked hard on this matter. You have served in the Grand Secretariat for many years, always diligently. You have also handled these recent tasks well. I see that the Ministry of Works has an opening for a Secretary of Personnel. It is a position that suits you perfectly."
The Secretary of Personnel was a third-rank official. If he advanced one more step, he would become the Vice Minister of Works, holding the same rank as Feng Hai. Compared to his former position as a fifth-rank Grand Secretariat Scholar, this was a promotion of two ranks.
Bai Dalang sighed inwardly. After so many years in officialdom, this was the first time he had so eagerly sought to climb the ranks.
Since his wish was granted, he naturally had to thank His Majesty for his grace.
Therefore, he loudly proclaimed his gratitude to Emperor Qi. Feng Hai and Ying Qin also received commendations, though not as glorious as Bai Dalang's.
Soon, Emperor Qi's imperial decree was quietly delivered to the noble families implicated in the examination fraud case.
As expected, in their struggle to secure the single official position, they almost came to blows.
The father was unwilling to let his years of effort come to naught, the son felt his bright future could not be shattered, and some even had nephews directly blocking their way.
For the sake of profit, all sorts of ugly faces emerged.
Emperor Qi watched them riot for several days with a cold gaze, remaining silent.
It was only after the punishment of the Wen family was posted on the imperial bulletin that they all quieted down.
At the height of the storm, several people were gathered in Prime Minister Bai's study.
The three Feng siblings, using the excuse of visiting Prime Minister Bai, happened to find Bai Dalang also on leave that day.
His promotion had not caused much stir in the capital, as everyone was busy watching the fate of the Wen father and son and the internecine strife within the officialdom.
The wickedness of the world was more interesting than blooming prosperity.
Feng Jinyao sat gracefully at the tea table, brewing tea for Prime Minister Bai. Feng Jinxu and Feng Jinlin listened to their uncle's words.
"Ayao's method is indeed brilliant."
After Bai Dalang presented his method for dealing with those individuals to His Majesty, he not only received a two-rank promotion but also became a close confidant of the Emperor.
Although the third-rank position was not high, even the Wei family now regarded him with some apprehension.
Feng Jinyao smiled, attributing no credit to herself, and said, "Your niece merely mentioned it in passing. The good idea was your uncle's."
Her gentle disposition was somewhat different from her elder sister's in those years.
Bai Dalang looked at her as she brewed tea, momentarily lost in thought, as if returning to his youth.
Back then, his elder sister also liked to brew tea in their father's study, but it was hard on him and his fourth brother, who were either lectured sternly or punished with copying scrolls, with none of the freedom their elder sister enjoyed.
A faint smile touched his lips as he said to her again, "We are family, so there's no need for formalities. I merely thought of some details, but the good idea was yours. Your aunt mentioned she wanted you to visit her later to discuss something."
It was already April, and her coming-of-age ceremony was not far off.
She already had a general idea of what her aunt wanted to discuss with her.
So she nodded and agreed, "I'll go over shortly."
They exchanged smiles, and a warm affection filled the study.
"Has the Wen family been sentenced?"
Prime Minister Bai asked, his eyes closed.
Feng Jinxu, with his usual impassive expression, replied, "They have been sentenced. The father and son will be executed by dismemberment in three days!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Jinyao's hand, which was pouring water, paused. Her previously smooth voice faltered for a moment before continuing.
Feng Er, thinking his sister was frightened by the mention of dismemberment, interjected, "His Majesty has indeed been ruthless this time. Perhaps he is venting his frustration at not being able to control the court officials on this father and son. But they deserve it, daring to commit such fraud in the imperial examinations, truly audacious!"
When he thought of his friend Yin Canwen and many unnamed impoverished scholars who were greatly affected by this, he wished the Wen father and son would be executed tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Feng Jinyao, sitting beside him, did not slacken her movements.
Watching the tea leaves tumble in the boiling water, the knot in her heart finally began to loosen.
It had been nearly half a year since she was reborn. Finally, heaven had opened its eyes and brought retribution upon the wicked.
Thinking of their past demeanor, Feng Jinyao's emotions were still turbulent.
Perhaps only when everything had settled would she be able to truly move on from it. Therefore, before Wen Meng's death, she was determined to see her off, to settle this past grievance.