Chapter 196 Court Confrontation

Chapter 196: Confrontation in the Hall

Prince Lian, perhaps with some ulterior motive, smiled again and said, "Qin Jiao is, after all, the Marquis’s heir, having grown up with us princes and enjoying a noble status. Even if he ended up in Lingnan, he should not have been ordered around by a mere County Magistrate."

Qin Jiao gave a fake smile and replied, "When in office, one performs one's duties. No need for Your Highness to trouble yourself." No matter how the Song family bossed him around, they would never falsely accuse him of coercion or rape.

Prince Lian seemed surprised that he could utter such a proper remark. "When in office, one performs one's duties? Well said, Little Marquis. I suppose once County Magistrate Song is transferred out of Lingnan, you will be able to assist your new colleagues well."

"What do you mean by that?" Qin Jiao saw his sly demeanor and knew he was up to no good.

Prince Lian withdrew his gaze, sat upright, and did not bother to explain.

After all, this was the grand hall, with the Emperor seated above and numerous high-ranking ministers below. Although Qin Jiao was fuming with anger provoked by Prince Lian, he said nothing more and stood obediently behind the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was secretly satisfied. His three years in Lingnan had not been wasted; his once-lazy brother-in-law now knew how to behave.

In a voice pitched so only Prince Lian beside him could hear, he said, "You were sent to the military to gain experience, so that you may later take over the troops under Marquis Zhongyi. The Duke's mansion has many descendants, with the old Duke still holding up the family banner, so naturally there's no need for you to scheme like others."

Though the Crown Prince said this in a flat tone, Qin Jiao watched Prince Lian's expression change repeatedly and lowered his head to hide a smirk.

Serves him right, shooting his mouth off in front of my brother-in-law. Sure, the Duke's mansion holds military power, but none of the descendants are competent; no legitimate heir survived to adulthood, and the illegitimate sons squabble like fighting cocks all day. When the old Duke dies, the Dingxiang Duke's mansion will fall apart.

While he was gloating over Prince Lian's discomfort, he was caught off guard by the Emperor mentioning him. "Qin Jiao, after three years in Lingnan, you've become much more composed."

Qin Jiao hurried to the center of the hall, knelt, and replied, "It was this subject's past misbehavior. I am grateful for Your Majesty's care."

The Crown Prince listened with satisfaction. Good, his words are also more pleasing.

"You rendered meritorious service by leading troops in Qinzhou, and you are the heir of Marquis Zhongyi. Would you be willing to serve as a garrison commander in your father's army?" Among the border defense troops under Marquis Zhongyi's command, a garrison commander was already a fifth-rank military officer, while Qin Jiao was only a sixth-rank Centurion.

Seeing that the Emperor intended to promote Qin Jiao, Prince Lian grew restless. "Father, Qin Jiao is still young. He hasn't even completed the military examinations. After only three years of experience, being appointed Garrison Commander would hardly convince the troops."

The military examinations, like the civil service exams, consisted of provincial exams every three years and metropolitan exams every three years. Qin Jiao had only passed the provincial exam long ago, earning the title of military provincial graduate, and had never sat for the metropolitan exam. In fact, given his status, he would eventually inherit his father's military command anyway, so the metropolitan exam wasn't strictly necessary.

The Crown Prince interjected at the right moment. "Whether the troops are convinced should be asked of the soldiers themselves, not conjectured by us." The Qin family army rebelling against their own young master? What a joke.

Prince Lian's expression changed. Duke Dingxiang's military position was unshakeable; the Qin family was formidable. He held a slight advantage in military ranks, but the Crown Prince had numerous supporters among civil officials. Prince Lian had few men he could use, and the noble families were too cautious to take sides easily. He could only gradually recruit some commoner scholars without established roots.

Under these circumstances, Qin Jiao must not make a name for himself in the military.

"Father..."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor, but Prince Lian does have a point. This subject wishes to participate in next year's military metropolitan exam before serving in the army for Your Majesty."

Just as Prince Lian was about to speak again, Qin Jiao voluntarily declined the Emperor's offer.

The Emperor raised his eyebrows at Qin Jiao. "Since you harbor lofty ambitions and wish to continue with the military examinations, that is all the better."

He then asked the palace eunuch beside him, "Has Heshan County Magistrate Song Tingzhou arrived?"

The attendant bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, he is already waiting in the side hall."

The Emperor nodded slowly. "Then summon him to the hall."

"Your subject, Song Tingzhou, County Magistrate of Heshan County, West Wu Prefecture, humbly greets Your Majesty."

Song Tingzhou followed the attendant into the hall, his back straight, head slightly bowed, eyes fixed on the flawless white marble floor as he knelt in obeisance, careful not to look around.

The Emperor gazed down at him for a moment, a hint of approval gradually appearing in his eyes. "Song Tingzhou, jinshi of the second class in the twenty-fifth year of Qisheng. After three years as County Magistrate of Heshan, you have achieved remarkable results. You have curbed the power of the local gentry, reclaimed wasteland, supported workshops, encouraged trade, and revitalized the local economy. Such achievements are a model for all officials!"

It was clear that the Emperor held Song Tingzhou in high regard; this short passage might even be recorded in history.

Being affirmed by one's superior was a great honor, especially for a mere seventh-rank official without much background.

Regardless of Song Tingzhou's inner thoughts, on the surface he appeared deeply grateful, kneeling again to thank the Emperor.

The Emperor above was pleased with his performance and smiled. "I haven't even granted you a reward yet, and you're already thanking me."

The Minister of Personnel was also present, and he best understood the Emperor's intent. "Your Majesty, according to standard procedure, an official rated 'good' in evaluation should be promoted by one rank, and one rated 'excellent' by two ranks." For local officials recalled to the capital, there was another set of criteria.

The Emperor was somewhat dissatisfied. "Song Tingzhou is currently a full seventh-rank County Magistrate. Two ranks up would only make him a full sixth-rank Prefectural Assistant Magistrate."

The Minister of Personnel hesitated. "Your Majesty, I have reviewed the evaluation conclusion from the Censorate. County Magistrate Song received only a 'good' rating."

Since even the Emperor had taken note of Song Tingzhou's achievements, it meant someone in the court had drawn attention to them. Under such circumstances, how could he only receive a 'good' rating?

Without even investigating thoroughly, it was clear there was some trickery.

Prince Lian's expression darkened. His influence in the court was not as deep as the Crown Prince's. He had only known that Song Tingzhou was capable and accomplished, but he hadn't realized that the Emperor was also aware of him. Could his meddling in the Censorate's evaluations be easily uncovered?

"Father, since County Magistrate Song's performance is excellent, it would be a waste to keep him in the provinces. Why not recall him to the capital to serve, so he can help ease your worries," Prince Lian suddenly spoke these words after some deliberation.

The Crown Prince frowned, obviously not expecting Prince Lian to say this, but Song Tingzhou was indeed talented. Spending a few years in Shengjing to build up seniority might make him useful later. With this thought, he did not object.

The Emperor's expression remained unchanged, but he asked the Minister of Personnel again, "Check if there is a vacancy for a full sixth-rank official in the capital. If not, check for deputy fifth-rank positions."

This showed the Emperor was determined to recall Song Tingzhou to Shengjing, letting Prince Lian gloss over the matter of Song's evaluation being downgraded from excellent to good.

Meanwhile, kneeling in the hall, Song Tingzhou had no say in his own future. Once the Emperor's decree fixed his post, he would have to return to the capital to report for duty.

Were it not for Meng Wan's letter, leaping from a seventh-rank county magistrate in a remote place to a full sixth-rank or deputy fifth-rank capital official—though not skyrocketing—would still be a remarkable ascent.

Song Tingzhou glanced at Prince Lian seated nearby. So, he had already unknowingly become entangled in the factional struggle.

No wonder the prince had inexplicably tried to win him over or target him, and now proposed to keep him in the capital. The purpose was likely to have his own man take over Heshan—thus legitimately protecting Chen Chong and Chen Yunmo while pushing forward someone of his own to claim Song's hard-earned achievements. A two-birds-with-one-stone move.

Unless something unexpected happened, Vice Prefect Luo was supposed to be promoted to Assistant Prefect of West Wu Prefecture after this evaluation. Song Tingzhou, if kept in Shengjing, his only outcome would be being targeted by Prince Lian, either offending him or being co-opted by him.

Prince Lian was a prince; Song Tingzhou was merely a minor fifth-or-sixth-rank official. If he aligned with the Crown Prince or any other prince, he wouldn't be valued much. His modest imperial favor counted for little. If Prince Lian ordered him killed, would the Emperor order the Ministry of Justice to arrest the prince and execute him?

Never overestimate your weight in the eyes of those above. Only when your voice in court carries weight can you rest easy.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has just had a deputy fifth-rank Secretariat Director has retired. Perhaps..."

Before the Minister of Personnel could finish, a palace attendant hurried over with quick steps. "Your Majesty, Vice Minister of Rites Lin Congrong, Lord Lin, requests an audience outside."

The Emperor's tone lifted. "Oh, Vice Minister Lin? Summon him to the hall."

Song Tingzhou's hand, clenched at his side, suddenly relaxed. Sticky sweat dripped from his fingertips onto the white floor tiles, which Qin Jiao, who had been watching him, noticed.

Qin Jiao thought he was nervous and gave him a smiling glance.

Lord Song, usually so composed, could be this nervous before the Emperor?

Song Tingzhou: "..."

He shifted his gaze and kept staring at the bricks.

The Crown Prince, however, sensed something was off. This promising young county magistrate seemed reluctant to return to the capital. How intriguing.

Lin Congrong soon entered the hall to pay his respects to the Emperor. As a superior official, he did not have to remain kneeling on the ground like Song Tingzhou while reporting. The Emperor bade him rise and also permitted Song Tingzhou, who had been kneeling for a long time, to stand.

Lin Congrong was an honest and upright official. Without any prelude or hesitation, he stated his purpose directly.

“Your Majesty may not know, but Song Tingzhou’s husband is the youngest disciple of my mother, Madame Xiang. The two of them call me ‘senior brother.’ Thus, when he was undergoing evaluation by the Censorate, I refrained from asking him to come to my home to avoid suspicion.”

“Congrong, you are always courteous and observant of propriety. I have always trusted your work.” Although the Xiang family was a target of the Emperor’s campaigns, Lin Congrong remained a valued minister.

Lin Congrong knelt again and said solemnly, “Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your favor. But I am no sage. With my brother-in-law’s position still undecided, I could no longer hold back and went to the Censorate to inquire. I have overstepped my bounds; please punish me, Your Majesty.”

During this audience, let alone going to the Censorate to ask around, how many had bribed and greased palms? Only Lin Congrong was so straightforward. How could the Emperor punish him for such a small matter? Hearing this, the Emperor felt even more at ease—this minister kept the Emperor in his heart and feared displeasing him in every matter.

“Lin Aiqing, please rise. I have also heard of Song Tingzhou’s evaluation.” It happened that the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate was present in the hall, so the Emperor directly asked him, “Censor Gou, why was Song Tingzhou rated as ‘Good’ instead of ‘Excellent’?”

Thus, the matter was brought back to the court audience by the newly arrived Lin Congrong.

Gou Zhengfang, with a righteous expression, said, “Your Majesty, although I did not personally oversee County Magistrate Song’s evaluation, every censor in the Censorate judged fairly.”

The Emperor’s expression darkened. “In that case, summon the censor who handled evaluations for the Xi Wu region. I wish to see how he made his judgment that day.”

At this point, the hall felt like a courtroom. A palace attendant serving before the throne quickly dispatched several guards to summon the Censorate censor.

The man knelt in the hall, his voice trembling. “Your Majesty, I received Song Tingzhou’s evaluation report, which had only a few brief remarks. That is why… why I rated him as ‘Good.’”

Lin Congrong sneered. “If the report had only a few remarks, Lord Chu, why did you still rate him ‘Good’? Should it not have been ‘Adequate’ or ‘Average’?”

Censor Chu, sweating profusely, unconsciously glanced toward Prince Lian, who stood to one side. “This… this… Your Majesty…” He couldn’t even answer one cross-question from Lin Congrong.

Prince Lian, feeling irritated and uneasy, saw Chu glance at him and wanted to gouge the man’s eyes out right there.

“Censor Chu, think carefully. What exactly made you judge Song Tingzhou’s achievements like that?”

Everyone in the hall could see the signs, but they also knew that while the Emperor might be angered by Prince Lian interfering in the Censorate review, but wouldn’t publicly rebuke him over such a minor matter.

The royal family had to maintain a surface of harmony. But Censor Chu feared he could not escape blame. Gritting his teeth, he chose his words and replied, “Your Majesty, the Xi Wu Prefect has met with Song Tingzhou on several occasions, indicating a close personal friendship. Song Tingzhou’s achievements are exaggerated and questionable in many places. That is why I have not yet made a definitive judgment.”

Lin Congrong stared at him and repeated, “You say Song Tingzhou’s achievements are questionable?”

Censor Chu regained some composure and said firmly, “Yes!”

“Fine, very good. He has toiled for three years, exhausting his mind and spirit for the people, and in the end, he gets ‘questionable achievements’?” Lin Congrong laughed in anger.

He immediately turned to the Emperor and requested, “Your Majesty, I have evidence to prove whether Song Tingzhou’s achievements over the past three years are real or fake. I request Your Majesty’s permission to present the evidence in the hall!”

The Emperor, seated at the highest point, looked around at the quiet scheming of those in the hall, his face stern. “Granted.”

Lin Congrong had come prepared. He had someone carry in a thick bamboo tube, two meters long, and had two palace attendants lift it. He and Song Tingzhou jointly pulled out the contents.

The Emperor asked curiously, “What is this?”

Song Tingzhou held one end of the silk scroll and replied, “Your Majesty, this is a painting created by my husband.”

As he spoke, he slowly unrolled the scroll, revealing an enormous painting roughly two meters wide and six meters long. More precisely, it wasn’t a single painting, but six paintings pieced together on one silk scroll.

The first painting depicted endless rolling hills dotted with sparse fields and farmers laboring in them. No smoke rose from the chimneys of the villagers’ homes, but a thin mist enveloped the mountains. The fields and houses were mismatched, with many villagers sitting at home, gazing sorrowfully at the mountains.

The second piece depicted ragged tenant farmers repairing a landlord’s roof, while several children wearing gold lock pendants deliberately pushed the bamboo ladder over below. An elderly tenant farmer was about to fall from the roof, a terrifying scene, yet the children were clapping and laughing gleefully.

The third piece showed steady rain and a run-down dam, with the path to the dam flanked on both sides by bottomless chasms.

These three paintings were arranged side by side at the top, all in black and white tones. Meng Wan blended modern realism with classical ink-wash style, creating works that felt both real and vivid with expression.

There were sparse fields and villagers who could see no hope in the deep mountains.

Tenant farmers oppressed by landowners, of low status. Children adorned in gold and silver, delighting in cruelty.

Precarious buildings, dangerous mountain paths that ordinary people dared not even look at.

In stark contrast, the three paintings below were completely different, much more vibrant.

Though the colors of the lower paintings were not as bright as modern works, they were noticeably more lively and vivid compared to the oppressive tones above.

The first lower painting contrasted with the first upper one: the endless hills had turned into terraced fields of unique beauty. Smoke rose from every household chimney. Villagers sat at their doorsteps cutting sugarcane seedlings, while children ran in groups through the village, holding wooden sticks with candies of various shapes on them.

Everyone, whether laughing or not, was in a relaxed atmosphere. No one hunched their shoulders or stared blankly at the endless mountains, because they had to bend down to cut sugarcane.

The second lower painting showed a broader view. The sugarcane in the terraced fields had grown taller than a man, leaves turning yellow, a vast yellow sea of sugarcane stretching as far as the eye could see.

Oxcarts loaded with cut sugarcane were being hauled out of the mountains, transporting it to a large sugar workshop. In front of the workshop stood a stone tablet inscribed with four red characters: “Heshan Sugar Mill.”

Merchants from far away pointed and gestured at the sugar mill entrance, while crates of sugar were loaded onto merchants’ caravans and taken to distant places.

The third and final painting below showed a young official in a blue robe, discussing matters with a group of craftsmen, both men and women, young and old, wearing cloth head wraps.

Behind them were several kilns of different shapes, and the ground showed various shades of gray.

Looking more closely, one could see that all eyes were fixed on one spot: the Heshan county city wall in the distance.

The town wall was painted in a peculiar way: half was old and dilapidated, while the other half was under construction by chained craftsmen. They poured buckets of gray sludge, stirred it, and laid bricks neatly with trowels of mortar. The city gate also bore the characters “Heshan.”

The emperor, trapped deep within the palace, used time as a blade, wearing down noble families and balancing the court.

The royal family, enmeshed in cunning strife, schemed relentlessly to ascend to the highest position.

Court officials, chasing fame and profit, bent their knees to the powerful, chasing half a page of merit, toiling all their lives only to end in confusion.

The impoverished people at the borders, dwelling in the deep mountains and layered peaks, saw only a few wisps of cooking smoke, existing only as thin lines of ink on the papers of high officials.

— End of “Heshan County”