057 [The Teacher]

Xue Huai contemplated for a moment and tentatively asked, "Teacher, could it be that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does not wish for me to leave the capital?"

After turning the matter over in his mind, he felt this was the most likely possibility.

Putting aside whether the Ning Faction would continuously monitor him, even if the Senior Grand Secretary truly had the leisure to cast a glance his way, without the means to directly eliminate him physically, wouldn't banishing him far away so that he was out of sight and out of mind be the better option?

The Crown Prince was different.

It was not to say that the Crown Prince valued Xue Huai so deeply, but rather that if the Crown Prince wished to secure the support of the upright literati faction in the imperial court, approaching Shen Wang directly would appear overly abrupt, and he also had to be mindful of the Emperor's perception. Therefore, Xue Huai was undoubtedly an indispensable link that could not be bypassed.

Shen Wang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked calmly, "How could the Crown Prince have guessed that you wished for a provincial appointment?"

Xue Huai grew even more puzzled.

A sudden thought flashed through his mind, which he immediately found hard to believe, and he hesitated, asking, "Could it be..."

He raised a finger and pointed toward the ceiling.

Shen Wang nodded and said, "You guessed correctly."

Xue Huai instantly felt somewhat helpless.

If it was the Emperor who did not wish for him to leave the capital, then indeed he could not go.

Yet why would the Emperor hold such a view?

Although Xue Huai had been promoted this time due to his merits, he understood that this entirely relied on Shen Wang's recommendation and assistance. Otherwise, relying solely on his own strength, he could never have eradicated the corrupt officials within the Ministry of Works by their roots. The Emperor could not possibly be unaware of this and would not make an erroneous judgment.

Shen Wang gave Xue Huai sufficient time to ponder before offering a reminder, "I mentioned previously that your assignment to the Investigation Bureau was the Emperor's decree."

As if a clogged ditch had been unblocked, Xue Huai's train of thought gradually cleared. He mused aloud, "From the very beginning, the Emperor simply wanted to test what kind of performance I was capable of. If I was barely passable, He would continue to employ me; if my performance was too disgraceful to behold, He would abandon me in the Hanlin Academy to fend for myself."

He recalled Cui Yanqing, the second-place finisher in the imperial examinations of the same cohort, who had initially won the Emperor's deep favor. While Xue Huai was toiling bitterly in the Hanlin Academy compiling histories, Cui Yanqing was already attending upon the imperial presence.

Yet precisely because Cui Yanqing was overly enthusiastic about political scheming and opportunism—a slippery trait the Emperor detested—He had banished him back to the Hanlin Academy. Nowadays, Cui Yanqing spent his days dealing with piles of old paper, unable to find even an opportunity for a provincial post.

"More or less."

Shen Wang smiled faintly and said, "The Emperor employs men without sticking to a single pattern; it all depends on whether you possess value. To this day, especially after the eruption of the Ministry of Works case, I can sense that His Majesty is somewhat dissatisfied with the current status quo. At present, Senior Grand Secretary Ning's position remains very secure, but as time passes, the roots and tendrils of the Ning Faction have grown ever stronger, to the extent that they dared to conceal astronomical sums of silver from His Majesty. This has touched upon His Majesty's bottom line. He can tolerate officials profiting slightly at the margins, but He cannot tolerate being completely kept in the dark."

Xue Huai spoke frankly, "Yet after all, I am merely a Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy."

Imperial officials each performed their designated duties, and the responsibility of a Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy was to lecture on the classics and histories to the Emperor and the imperial princes. If the Emperor wished for him to test the depth of the Ning Faction, He should at least have assigned him to the Censorate so that his actions would be justified by official title.

Shen Wang explained, "Such matters cannot be accomplished in a single step. Even if His Majesty intends to employ you, He must do so gradually; otherwise, it would be like pulling on seedlings to help them grow."

Looking at his mentor's meaningful expression, Xue Huai suddenly recalled the expectations the Crown Prince had expressed during his first entry into the Eastern Palace. His heart stirred involuntarily, and he asked, "Teacher, is His Majesty planning to investigate yet another case?"

Previously, his entry into the Ministry of Works Bribery Investigation Bureau had been entirely logical and reasonable: first, as a Hanlin official, he was naturally responsible for document work; second, he had exposed Gu Heng's false accusations in public; and third, he was practically the aggrieved party himself. Within the Hanlin Academy, no one else was more suited for the role than he.

However, such methods could not be employed frequently.

He had already offended Xue Minglun, the Prince of Dai, and many officials of the Ning Faction. If he were to undertake a few more such tasks, wouldn't he end up offending the majority of officials in the court?

Ever since arriving in this world, Xue Huai had meticulously adjusted the original owner's behavioral style, striving to befriend others wherever possible without arousing suspicion, all to secure a slightly more relaxed environment for himself.

He indeed harbored ambition, but he did not wish to become a blade in the Emperor's hand forged solely for cutting down established factions.

Should he truly act thus, once the Emperor achieved his objectives, he would most likely be pushed forward to appease public wrath.

Yet in the present world, imperial authority hung like an iron curtain. How was he, a mere official of the sixth rank, supposed to break through this deadlock?

"It will not be an investigation."

Shen Wang shook his head slightly and said composedly, "What His Majesty cares about above all else is the stability of the court. The Ministry of Works case has already stirred up monstrous waves; if the spearhead were pointed toward other ministries and departments as well, His Majesty would not know a single day of peace. Just like when you previously stepped forward to assist the Shen family's commercial house—could His Majesty be unaware of the existence of the Jin merchants? Yet He could not possibly dispatch people to investigate the Ministry of Revenue, at most offering Minister Wang a few words of admonition."

Xue Huai nodded in conviction.

Even the Emperor could not act entirely according to his own whims, unless he cared nothing for the state and the rivers and mountains.

That being the case, how did the Emperor intend to employ him next?

Shen Wang clearly harbored a conjecture long since, but he said nothing; certain matters required Xue Huai to figure out on his own.

Through investigating the Ministry of Works case, Shen Wang had already recognized Xue Huai's resolve and daring, but this was still not enough. Compared to the grand design he wished to accomplish, Xue Huai needed to unearth sufficient potential as quickly as possible.

After a long silence, Xue Huai let out a slow breath and said solemnly, "Teacher, I believe I have roughly guessed it."

"Let's hear it."

"His Majesty's decision to promote me to Reader-in-Waiting this time is clearly not because I possess the capability to instruct the imperial princes; there are numerous renowned scholars in the court, and this duty does not fall to me yet. Apart from this, this official post possesses only one other function, which is the qualification to participate in the grading of the imperial examinations."

Xue Huai said earnestly, "Next spring, the Bingxu Palace Examination will be held in the capital."

A trace of approval surfaced in Shen Wang's eyes as he said, "The chief examiners for the Bingxu Palace Examination will likely be chosen between Grand Secretary Sun Yan and Hanlin Academician Lin Miao. The Ministry of Rites, the Hanlin Academy, and the Imperial Academy will dispatch a large number of officials to assist. As a Reader-in-Waiting, you will most likely be appointed as a co-examiner."

Xue Huai nodded in acknowledgment.

"This session of the Palace Examination..."

Shen Wang paused slightly before saying softly, "You must exercise caution."

"Your disciple understands."

Xue Huai made a solemn promise.

As the grand ceremony for selecting talent for the state, the imperial examinations had historically been a battlefield fiercely contested by various factions in the center, and practices of fraud were common occurrences.

Whether it was the Senior Grand Secretary, the Junior Grand Secretary, the upright literati faction, or the powerful nobility and the imperial clan in the court, everyone wished to insert a hand and secure a share of the spoils. After all, nurturing a single successful jinshi candidate allowed one to absorb fresh blood and occupy a greater advantage in the future political landscape of the court.

Xue Huai did not foolishly ask whether his mentor would make arrangements. First, that would be an insult to his mentor's integrity; second, as the chief examiner of the Gengchen Palace Examination three years prior, Shen Wang already possessed a vast network of successful student-disciples. If he were to intervene again, he would undoubtedly draw the siege of various factions.

Shen Wang continued, "Should you be entangled by certain individuals, remember to strictly adhere to your proper duties. The imperial examinations are unlike other matters; once large-scale problems arise, the ensuing consequences are certainly not something you can shoulder. In short, faithfully and honestly attend to your own affairs, and for the rest, play deaf and dumb."

"Your disciple will bear this in mind."

Xue Huai nodded. Recalling the purpose of his visit today, he added, "Teacher, my cohort peers are planning to hold a winter literary gathering on the Minor New Year. Academician Gao Tingbi personally sent me an invitation, and I have already accepted."

"Gao Tingbi?"

Shen Wang was naturally no stranger to this top-ranking scholar disciple of his.

The top three scholars of the Gengchen cohort were all individuals of extraordinary talent, but when judging people, Shen Wang placed moral character above all. Gao Tingbi was overly hypocritical, while Cui Yanqing was far too keen on political maneuvering. This was the fundamental reason why he valued Xue Huai far more.

Seeing his mentor fall into silence, Xue Huai asked, "Teacher, could there be something inappropriate about this?"

"A gathering of cohort peers is naturally nothing inappropriate."

Shen Wang glossed over it with a single phrase before offering a reminder: "However, your promotion this time has outpaced all your peers, and during the Palace Examination results announcement, you took away the greater part of the limelight. For this literary gathering, you must mentally prepare yourself; I fear it will not be a feast held with good intentions."

Xue Huai caught the underlying meaning and said, "Then your disciple will endure the humiliation in silence at the gathering."

Shen Wang could not help but laugh out loud, saying, "I do not believe it. Since ancient times, men of letters have held each other in low esteem, and now that you stand out like a tall tree in a forest, if others repeatedly offer sarcastic remarks, will you truly be able to maintain your forbearance throughout? Since Gao Tingbi has sent the invitation and the others have raised no objections, you should naturally attend the gathering. Moreover, you must grandly and righteously demonstrate to everyone that your achievements today, Xue Jingche, do not rely entirely on the protection of your forebears, but rather upon your own sufficient foundation."

Xue Huai felt a slight sense of astonishment; was his mentor asking him to display his talents?

Shen Wang admonished earnestly, "Jingche, those who do not draw envy are mediocre talents. Modesty and caution are certainly virtues, but excessive forbearance will only make others perceive you as weak and easily bullied. Conversely, competing with others at every turn will not showcase your strength; instead, it will plunge you into a state of isolation."

This was a rather plain truth, but coupled with the predicament Xue Huai currently faced, he quickly gained a deeper comprehension. He murmured, "Teacher's meaning is that if someone steps forward to target me on that day, I am to strike back using the most direct method. Aside from that, I shall maintain friendly relations with the rest."

Shen Wang felt quite gratified inwardly and praised, "A youth worth teaching."

Master and disciple chatted for a long time. Seeing that the day was growing late, Xue Huai rose to take his leave.

Shen Wang stood up, looked at him, and slowly said, "Jingche, all matters in this world value moderation, and this is even more so in officialdom. In the past, I told you that you cannot walk a path of sheer ruthlessness and rigidity, for extreme rigidity is easily snapped and excessive force invites humiliation. Today, I even more so wish for you to understand that if you wish to seek a provincial appointment, you must let His Majesty see your capability and loyalty, while simultaneously perceiving you as a young man who does not entirely understand the ways of the world."

Upon hearing these words, Xue Huai felt as though a bolt of enlightenment had struck the crown of his head.

The knots in his heart suddenly cleared, and that tangled puzzle unraveled in an instant.

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher."

Xue Huai bowed deeply.

Shen Wang smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Return now."