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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 268: End of the Year
After he left, the Zhong Family faced some financial difficulties, inevitably leading to disputes and conflicts. Although no one had spoken to him about it, he was aware, choosing not to act foolishly or turn a blind eye.
He could not blame his niece or his sons and daughters; he could only downplay the issues.
For this reason, Wuji's desire for power and wealth burned particularly bright. This might be a good thing; without such relentless ambition, it would be difficult to ascend to a high position and assist the emperor in governing the realm.
However, it could also be a bad thing. Not to mention the numerous challenges faced on the way up, once there, whether one could maintain their position or retire peacefully would depend on the emperor's will.
"Qin Wang..."
Changsun Wuji relied on Qin Wang to manage the family and had gained a certain status in court, but Qin Wang would inevitably become an obstacle on his path to higher positions.
"Success depends on human effort."
...
With the dispersal of court, news of the Imperial Examination and Martial Examination being open to all knowledgeable individuals spread throughout the land. Countless commoners rejoiced; after all, noble families were still a minority, and ordinary people made up the majority.
When an emperor holds military power, engaging in actions that benefit the nation and its people is naturally seen as divinely supported.
Among these people, there was a small group well-versed in Confucian studies. When they heard that even they could participate in the Imperial Examination and join the ranks of officials in Tang, they were immensely shocked and then eager to give it a try.
However, large-scale production and sale of illicit alcohol carried severe penalties—light offenses resulted in confiscation of brewing tools or ingredients, while serious offenses could lead to capital punishment.
The world has always been interconnected; with large-scale movement of people and government troops maintaining peace on the roads, commerce naturally began to thrive again.
In the fourth year of Taiping, after winter set in, the Emperor led Queen back to Luoyang to prepare for the Imperial Examination. Due to the Empress Dowager's frail health, the Emperor ordered Prince Jin, Li Xuanba, to remain at Jiangdu Palace to serve the Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
No one expected that His Majesty would allow the Retired Emperor, who had previously been involved in a palace coup, to stay in Jiangdu.
Once the court ceased its intervention, the Aristocratic Merchants began purchasing large quantities of grain for brewing alcohol, competing with the common people for food, which would inevitably threaten the rations of many citizens.
As for the taverns along rural roads brewing and selling Muddy Wine to travelers, the court did not impose any restrictions.
The Emperor dispatched Qin Dan Er to lead troops along the official roads to eliminate bandits and clear obstacles. Anyone daring to attack or rob Scholars on their way to the examination would be executed on the spot.
In major cities like Chang'an and Luoyang, markets were once again filled with Turks, Westerners, Persians, Abasids, Khitans, Indians, Champa people, and Piao Kingdom people.
Countless Scholars who received news packed their bags and called friends to rush to Luoyang, while numerous heroes and wanderers armed themselves and headed for Chang'an.
Thus, the Emperor established Official Brewing in Jiangdu and Youzhou. This year’s harvest was particularly good in certain Prefectures, allowing them to brew and sell alcohol under court supervision for a year. Whether they could continue brewing next year would depend on that year's harvest.
Courier Stations and Civilian Transport Horse Gangs along the way revitalized inns and taverns, especially with the submission of Western Turkic tribes, which made trade routes once again smooth and unobstructed.
The Emperor also appropriately relaxed control over alcohol but still temporarily banned large-scale private brewing since alcohol was ultimately made from grain.
The atmosphere in Jiangdu was tense; they had just received His Majesty's Imperial Favor and did not want to be associated with the Retired Emperor.
Moreover, to speak frankly, given that the Retired Emperor was now indulging in wine and pleasure daily, it was uncertain how many days he had left.
Qin Wang had always been loyal to His Majesty. King Qi had already been deposed, and both princes were far away in Chang'an. In Jiangdu, only the sickly Prince Jin remained; it was uncertain whether he could outlive the Retired Emperor.
After His Majesty departed, no one in Jiangdu dared to visit the Retired Emperor privately. Even when the Retired Emperor summoned them, they often declined, citing illness as an excuse.
The Retired Emperor felt deeply disappointed and spent his days dragging along the Royal Family members assigned to accompany him, drowning in alcohol.
The war in Liaodong had ceased, and Baekje was still barely hanging on. Although the Tang army had withdrawn, the people did not feel any respite because the strategy of scorched earth had left them unable to farm for a year.
Both the old and young were now crammed in the city, freezing and starving to death. The able-bodied were reduced to laborers, barely managing to avoid starvation, while resentment filled the air.
Sovereign Buyeo Zhang continuously issued orders for relief, but the food in the granaries was dwindling. The court's citizens were still crying out for sustenance, and some disaster-stricken individuals had begun stealing food from the Noble Families' residences at night.
If this continued, these people would disregard day and night. The nobles slightly curbed their greed, offering thin gruel to the common folk.
However, chaos reigned everywhere. When the elderly and children approached, only hot porridge remained, with just a few grains of rice floating in a large bowl.
Putting it in their mouths and pressing it against their upper gums with their tongues, those few grains disappeared, leaving only hot broth. After consuming a bowl, they felt even hungrier.
Some experienced individuals carefully took out small insects from tree bark hidden in their clothes and quickly soaked them in hot water, finally managing to fill their stomachs a bit.
Meanwhile, in Pyongyang, generals such as Zhang Hutan and Luo Yi gathered around a small charcoal stove. They placed a pot of soup on top and sliced meat from pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, fish, and rabbits into thin pieces. Using wine, sauce, and spices for seasoning, they waited for the soup to boil before cooking the slices in it and dipping them into the sauce to eat.
Many of the generals hailed from Goguryeo and Silla and were now awkwardly flattering Zhang Hutan and Luo Yi in less-than-fluent official language, primarily directed at Luo Yi.
Zhang Hutan was not particularly concerned; he was returning to the capital to guard the Emperor, so he would not pay attention to the flattery of these foreign tribes.
However, he was also listening intently, wanting to see if Luo Yi would say anything inappropriate after a few drinks. If he did, he would report it to the Emperor and suggest replacing him for the Andong Protectorate.
The court had countless talents; there were many who could replace Luo Yi.
A general from Goguryeo said, "General Ro, after spring arrives, The General will go and eliminate Baekje. By then, when the war is over, Your Majesty will surely reward you, and we will all rise in status."
"The Baekje Royal Family and the Eight Prominent Clans possess Golden Mountain and Silver Mountain. Once the nation is destroyed, we can all become wealthy."
"Yes, I have heard that Your Majesty intends to grant land to the meritorious."
"As for the Protectorate, we should also receive something. I have heard that His Majesty does not distinguish between Barbarians and has opened the Imperial Examination and Martial Examination, allowing everyone to participate. As long as they pass, regardless of their background, they can enter the court as officials."
Luo Yi laughed as he drank several cups, saying, "That is natural; His Majesty has already sent people to measure the land. In due time, every meritorious minister will have a share.
As for the Imperial Examination, you may not know this yet: Wei Changli is currently gathering talented scholars from Liaodong. The Protectorate will send troops to escort them to Luoyang for the Imperial Examination."
Upon hearing this, a rather robust general immediately spoke up, "General, we commoners do not dare to dabble in literature. What about the Martial Examination? What does it entail? Can we compete to become Martial Champions?"
………………
(End of Chapter)
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