Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Emperor Xingwu received the letter of surrender and tribute from the Biao State in early February. His joy, however, was short-lived; by mid-month, an urgent report arrived stating that Deng Chong had contracted miasma.

Miasma! Not only had countless soldiers perished from it in past dynasties, but during this three-month campaign against the Biao State alone, the Great Qi had lost 14,000 troops—nearly 4,000 of whom succumbed to the disease. Military doctors estimated that among those infected, only three in ten might survive if uninjured and treated promptly; for the wounded, fewer than one in ten would live.

The urgent report did not specify whether Deng Chong was injured, but at fifty-five, how could his constitution compare to that of soldiers in their twenties or thirties?

After reading the report, Emperor Xingwu himself fell ill. He issued an edict ordering Zhang Jian to report on Deng Chong’s condition every three days, using the fastest courier service available.

By the time the emperor’s order reached Yunzhou, Deng Chong had already been sick for half a month. Having survived the most critical phase, he first sent a brief message to reassure Emperor Xingwu. He then waited until he had largely recovered before writing a second letter himself. Its tone remained as blunt and straightforward as ever: "Your subject has fully recovered; Your Majesty need not worry. Just prepare several jars of victory wine to welcome my return."

On March 11, Emperor Xingwu received the personal letter from his sworn brother and meritorious general, corroborated by a report from Zhang Jian. Only then did he finally breathe easily. He immediately issued an edict appointing the thirty-three-year-old Zhang Jian as General of Yunzhou and Geng Yue’s twenty-eight-year-old second son, Geng Tao, as Deputy General. He ordered Deng Chong to rest and recuperate, regaining his strength before returning to the capital with Zhang Su and others.

When Qingyang learned of her father’s military appointments, she asked, “Isn’t Zhang Jian too young to be a general?”

The generals of the other six provinces were all renowned commanders in their forties or fifties.

Emperor Xingwu replied, “The Zhang family is a military clan from the previous dynasty. Zhang Jie earned prestige in both dynasties, and this time, Zhang Jian and Zhang Su have also distinguished themselves in the campaign against the Biao State. The Biao royal house bullies the weak and fears the strong. Only by appointing the generals who nearly reached their capital can we deter them. Deng Chong is growing old, and among the remaining officers, Zhang Jian holds the highest prestige. Moreover, he is strict in discipline and an outstanding frontier defender.”

Qingyang thought of the father and son, both similarly calm and reserved. Such a military family was indeed reassuring to entrust.

Emperor Xingwu added, “Besides, Zhang Jian’s qualifications are solid. I myself was just beginning in my twenties. Zhang Jian joined the Ji Province army at twenty-one, repelled the East Hu barbarians, and defeated the Biao State. Among the younger generation of generals from meritorious families, he is the first truly capable of independent command.”

Deng Chong’s eldest son, Deng Kun, was about the same age as Zhang Jian but possessed only his father’s bravery without strategic talent—making him at best a vanguard general. The second son, Deng Tai, was cut from the same cloth.

Lv Zan’s son, Chaoguang, was twenty and showed some of his grandfather’s qualities, but whether he would prove capable could only be determined through battlefield experience.

Fan Zhong’s eldest son, Huai Zhong, was only seventeen—he needed to complete his studies before proper evaluation.

Xue Ye’s eldest son had been sent to the Jin Province army. Then there was Qin Liang, the son of his second brother, who had talent but more cunning than both his parents combined.

These were the meritorious subjects around him from common backgrounds. As for Zhang Jie, Meng Ji, and other generals from the previous dynasty, their methods of raising sons were beyond comparison.

After mentally reviewing the sons of other families, Emperor Xingwu felt frustrated, realizing that he—the most powerful emperor—seemed to have raised three of the most useless sons.

“What is Father thinking?” Qingyang asked, noticing the sudden shift in his expression.

Emperor Xingwu snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his daughter, who surpassed all three of his sons combined. He immediately felt better.

If his daughter was so outstanding, it proved that the problem wasn’t with his lineage—it was that his three sons simply hadn’t grown well!

Smiling, Emperor Xingwu said casually, “I was thinking about the upcoming palace examination. Soon there will be another top candidate, second-ranked, and third-ranked. Lin’er, would you like to marry a Tanhua Imperial Son-in-law?”

Though he felt Zhang Su was perfectly suited for his daughter in every way, her feelings mattered too. Zhang Su had been away from the capital for over two years—perhaps she had already forgotten her childhood friend? Moreover, compared to martial arts, his daughter preferred reading, so she might also favor a scholarly Imperial Son-in-law.

Qingyang knew her father was teasing her, but the topic was exactly what she had in mind. She smiled and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

Emperor Xingwu: “…But this is the imperial examination! If you act out of line like this, Yan Xizheng and Nie Ao will probably submit a joint memorial against you.”

Qingyang: “Even if I’m being mischievous, I haven’t affected any of the candidates. I have a clear conscience, so let them submit their memorials and let Father punish me as he sees fit.”

Seeing his daughter’s confident and determined expression, Emperor Xingwu found himself giving in—once again, perhaps for the thousandth time.

***

On March 15, Emperor Xingwu personally presided over the palace examination in the Taiji Palace.

The examination was scheduled to last from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.—a full twelve hours. Before dawn, the 231 candidates who had passed the provincial exams gathered outside the Zhuque Gate south of the imperial city. Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial arrived even earlier to inspect the candidates for contraband before arranging them in line according to the roster.

After the 231st candidate took his place, two officials from the Court of State Ceremonial prepared to stand at the end of the line. To their surprise, another “candidate” arrived—over seven feet tall (approximately 5’7”), neither particularly tall nor short among the examinees, wearing a fine cloth robe, with features…

Just as they began to suspect this might be the little princess they had seen before, the newcomer moved her left hand, pulling a golden waist placard from her sleeve and concealing it before the other candidates noticed. Once in position, she held up the token for inspection, as if urging them to verify its authenticity.

They had to verify it—if it was fake and they let her in, their heads would be on the line!

After secretly checking the token, one official remained while the other went to inform the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, who was waiting to lead the candidates into the Taiji Palace.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial: “…?”

He pretended to inspect the line, found an excuse to pull the little princess aside, and “questioned” her personally: “Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?”

Qingyang: “I’m taking the palace examination with them. Father has already agreed. You don’t need to worry.”

The Minister was no investigating censor; if the little princess said not to worry, he wouldn’t.

When it was time to enter the palace, the Minister led the candidates into the Taiji Palace. After bowing, they entered the hall and waited. Soon, Emperor Xingwu arrived with the Crown Prince, eight selected examiners, and four supervising investigating censors. The Minister led the candidates in kneeling and bowing.

Emperor Xingwu told them to rise and had them take their seats.

Qingyang stood at the very back. Dressed in men’s clothing and standing far enough away, she did not attract attention.

The Minister noticed that an extra desk and chair had been quietly added to the ones he and the Ministry of Rites officials had arranged and inspected the day before. This confirmed that the little princess’s participation had Emperor Xingwu’s tacit approval, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

The eight examiners standing before the imperial steps were Left Chancellor Yan Xizheng, Right Chancellor Dai Lun, Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin, Minister of Revenue Peng Kai, Minister of War Tan Shixun, Minister of Works Liu Qi, and two grand academicians from the Hanlin Academy.

Due to his height, Yan Xizheng couldn’t see clearly while the candidates were standing. But once they were seated in orderly rows, he noticed something odd—the arrangement was too symmetrical, despite the odd number of candidates!

Just as Yan Xizheng was about to look for the missing Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, Emperor Xingwu spoke from the dragon throne: “Select the examination question.”

This year’s palace examination question had been proposed on the spot by the eight examiners in the imperial study. Each had submitted one question, and Emperor Xingwu would randomly choose one in front of the candidates.

Yan Xizheng held up a tray bearing the questions. He Yuanjing took the tray and presented it to Emperor Xingwu.

Emperor Xingwu randomly selected one, unrolled it, and smiled. “This year’s question is quite timely. The Biao State has just surrendered and offered tribute to Great Qi. Candidates are to discuss how the court can eradicate the threat of Biao State border invasions.”

Writing brushes, ink, and paper had already been placed on the candidates’ desks. After Emperor Xingwu announced the question, the palace examination officially began.

Emperor Xingwu granted seats to the Crown Prince and the eight examiners on either side of the imperial steps. To prevent the examiners from recognizing the candidates’ handwriting in advance, only Emperor Xingwu and the four supervising investigating censors were allowed to move about during the examination.

Yan Xizheng waited patiently. When Emperor Xingwu descended from the throne, he approached and quietly pointed out that the number of candidates was incorrect.

Emperor Xingwu: “Lin’er is almost of age. I want to test her knowledge.”

Yan Xizheng: “…?”

He glanced at the Crown Prince, seated alone closer to the dragon throne. Meeting the Crown Prince’s eyes—which shifted from calm to nervous and questioning—Yan Xizheng took a deep breath and returned to his seat.

The examination lasted the entire day. When time expired, over twenty low-ranking officials selected from various ministries systematically collected, sealed, and stored the exam papers.

Qingyang left the palace with the other candidates, then re-entered through another gate, finally concluding her participation in the palace examination.

***

Over the next four days, the eight examiners spent intermittent hours reading the papers in the administrative chamber. On the afternoon of March 19, they brought the eleven papers they had selected to the imperial study. In previous years, they had selected ten, but this year, because of the little princess, Emperor Xingwu had asked them to choose one extra. If the little princess performed well and was among them, they could simply disqualify her result later.

In the imperial study, both Emperor Xingwu and the little princess were present.

Facing Yan Xizheng’s disapproving gaze, Emperor Xingwu teased his daughter: “You’re always so confident. What if your paper isn’t among these? Don’t come crying to me later.”

Qingyang replied calmly, “Don’t worry, Father. I trust the judgment of these esteemed officials. If I’m not selected, it means at least ten of this year’s candidates are more talented than I am. I would only be happy for Father to have such talented individuals.”

A few of the eight ministers exchanged subtle glances. The little princess’s words were anything but humble!

They had each reviewed all eleven exam papers at least a dozen times and were absolutely certain that none contained handwriting resembling a woman's.

Emperor Xingwu: "Very well, show me the one you all agree is the best."

There were three First Class Jinshi and seven Second Class Jinshi, with the final rankings determined by Emperor Xingwu, though he always annually took the opinions of the examiners into consideration.

Yan Xizheng picked up the scroll on the far left and handed it to the Emperor using both hands.

Emperor Xingwu unrolled the scroll and, noticing the calligraphy that clearly imitated Wang Xizhi yet subtly revealed a woman's brushwork habits, read through the entire essay without betraying any reaction.

He nodded and asked Yan Xizheng, "Left Chancellor, where does this essay excel?"

Yan Xizheng, who clearly admired this candidate, replied with a gleam in his eyes, "The question was about how to prevent invasions from Biao State. While most candidates focused on strengthening the border defenses in Yunzhou, this candidate began by addressing the need to enhance the nation's overall strength. The ten proposed state policies were each profoundly insightful, followed by discussions on civil governance and border defense in Yunzhou, with every strategy being brilliantly practical. Your Majesty, we all agree that such a talent, capable of governing the nation at large and managing states and armies at a local level, undoubtedly deserves to be this year's top candidate!"

Emperor Xingwu could no longer contain himself and burst out laughing at the exam papers on the desk.

The princess, who had been listening calmly all along, also smiled and cupped her hands in a ceremonial salute to the eight officials, saying, "Even if I cannot truly become the top candidate, I am deeply satisfied to have earned such high praise from Left Chancellor and all of you esteemed ministers."

Yan Xizheng and the other seven officials: "..."

In disbelief, Yan Xizheng tore open the sealed name stamped on the exam paper and saw the candidate's name clearly written: Qin Lingwei!