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墨書 Inktalez
The Emperor took over the investigation of the Examination Scandal, and there was nothing concerning Elder Brother Li. Elder Brother Li took Guan Rulin with him as they left the palace. Before departing, the Emperor gave Guan Rulin a big sweet date.
"Guan Rulin, not bad. I remember you. Go back and study hard, and strive for good results in the next Scientific Expedition."
Guan Rulin nodded repeatedly. With the Examination Scandal coming to light, a retest was inevitable. Although he had suffered once, Guan Rulin held no grievances.
"I will remember your contributions," the Emperor's words filled Guan Rulin with excitement. He was certain that even if he failed to become a Jinshi this time, he would still be summoned into the official ranks by the Emperor. The path to success was already at his feet.
Elder Brother Li escorted Guan Rulin back to Li Residence before riding off to the military camp. He pushed aside thoughts of the examination fraud until the Emperor summoned him to the palace.
"Take a look!" The Emperor tossed a stack of documents at Elder Brother Li.
As Elder Brother Li opened them, he understood why the Emperor wore such an extremely frustrated expression. The documents recorded the investigation results of the Examination Scandal, and all clues pointed to those obstinate old-timers in court who sat on the fence. However, these individuals were too cunning; there was no evidence proving they leaked the exam questions, so Li Xuan Zong could not punish them.
"These old geezers are quite something; they actually guessed my intentions," the Emperor said. "Many of those who received the exam questions are people they secretly nurtured. If I were to promote these individuals, it would mean that governance remains in their hands."
Elder Brother Li set down the documents. "Can't we fabricate evidence if there's none?"
The Emperor sighed. "These old fellows are very cautious. If we were to fabricate evidence, it might backfire and give them grounds to attack me, claiming I conspired against old ministers."
"What a bunch of old You Tiao," Elder Brother Li said helplessly. He had interacted with these people before; they were indeed cunning and loved to wield their seniority.
The Emperor wore a pained expression. "Li Aiqing, I truly have no way out. I am unwilling to let them manipulate me by promoting their people. Can you think of a solution for me?"
Elder Brother Li looked blankly at him. "Your Majesty, I am merely a military general, not a strategist."
"Yet you are more useful than any strategist!" The Emperor sighed. "If only a miracle could happen again."
"??" Elder Brother Li was startled, thinking the Emperor had experienced something extraordinary, only to see him gazing wistfully out of the window.
"Li Xuelan disregarded human life and was punished by the deities; the Loyalty Prince's Residence also received a warning from them. Consort X was harmed by Li Xuanxian but was saved by the deities, allowing her to return to my side and expose Li Xuanxian's schemes. And then there was the divine manifestation incident in Aoyama Village. It is clear that the deities favor our Great Zhou and are satisfied with me as their emperor. So, considering this recent examination scandal that touches upon the very foundation of the nation, could it be that the deities will lend us their assistance as well?"
Elder Brother Li replied, "...Perhaps they will!"
"You look so reluctant; you must not believe that deities will help us," the Emperor waved his hand dismissively at Elder Brother Li. "Alright, you may leave now. I called you here just to vent; there's nothing important to discuss."
"..." Elder Brother Li rolled his eyes. I'm not your trash can or a sounding board, but you want to see a miracle, right? I'll show you one. After hearing the Emperor's words, Elder Brother Li had an idea.
"The Soul Transfer from the Nine Yin Manual?" Hanno asked in confusion. "What do you need that for?"
Elder Brother Li explained the examination scandal in this world and his plan to Hanno. Unable to contain himself, Hanno burst into laughter and gave a thumbs up. "Darling, your idea is brilliant!"
Elder Brother Li smiled. "I learned it from you and Li Yishu. As they say, proximity breeds familiarity; spending time with you has influenced my thinking."
"Not at all," Hanno scoffed, indicating that he wouldn't take the blame for this. "Before you came back from Aoyama Village and contacted me, you had already orchestrated a miracle yourself! It's not that we led you astray; you've always been like this."
"Yes, yes, it's my fault—nothing to do with my dear wife," Elder Brother Li easily took the blame upon himself. "Wife, besides the Soul Transfer from the Nine Yin Manual, buy me a few memory cards for the camera and a projector."
"Okay, no problem," Hanno replied. "I'll go buy them first thing in the morning and send them to you tonight."
"Great." Elder Brother Li asked, "Have you decided what to write about in the next world?"
"I've made up my mind; it's my original world," Hanno said. "This time, it's pure cultivation, with a male protagonist."
"This story belongs to the lower tier of cultivation. Pure Yuan Great Land is a cultivation realm, one of the most insignificant in the Three Thousand Worlds. It resembles ancient China, where most people are ordinary, and only a few high-ranking individuals are aware of the existence of the cultivation world."
"In the cultivation realm of Pure Yuan Great Land, the highest level one can reach is the peak of Golden Core Stage. After forming a core, they will be guided by the earthly rules to the Three Thousand Worlds. However, I don't plan to write about the middle world; I will only write until the protagonist ascends. Currently, we correspond to Foundation Establishment Period strength, which provides us with some self-defense capabilities in this world." With that, Hanno detailed his outline to Elder Brother Li.
Elder Brother Li listened intently, committing Hanno's words to memory. When it came to certain details, he asked Hanno for clarification. Hanno only had a general outline in mind, and since he hadn't set the specifics yet, Elder Brother Li helped him establish those details and offered his own suggestions. The two discussed for half the night; it was nearly midnight when Hanno remembered that Elder Brother Li had to get up early to train soldiers at the military camp and urged him to go to bed.
The next day, Hanno went to Computer City and spent a large sum on the most advanced projector. The high price ensured its quality; it projected images with incredible clarity even without a white screen. In addition, Hanno bought a mini speaker that was small enough to hide but could produce sound loud enough to carry over long distances.
When Elder Brother Li received these items, he smiled and praised Hanno before starting to implement his plan that very night.
At Duke An's Residence, An Guo Hou was resting in bed after "A Pear Blossom Pressing Down on a Begonia." Suddenly, he felt as if someone had slapped him across the face; it stung painfully. The old man was furious and opened his eyes ready to explode with anger, only to find himself drawn into a black vortex, his eyes becoming vacant.
"As for this Examination Leak Incident, you know as much as you need to," Elder Brother Li commanded coldly. He wasn't worried about anyone interrupting; everyone in the courtyard and the Begonia Beauty on the bed had been immobilized by him.
"I..." An Guo Hou began to recount their conspiracy while Elder Brother Li activated the camera to record his confession.
After dealing with Duke An's Residence, Elder Brother Li headed to Duke of State's mansion. Almost all noble houses established during the founding of Da Zhou were involved in this examination fraud case, except for Ji Wenzheng of Duke of Su State, who was so disreputable that even those who originally allied with him looked down upon him and excluded him from their plans. In hindsight, Ji Wenzheng's luck was remarkable; the emperor would surely use this examination fraud incident to purge the court thoroughly, yet he would escape this disaster unscathed. Given Ji Wenzheng's incompetence, the emperor wouldn't mind keeping such a singular noble descendant alive to demonstrate his own integrity. The real problem lay with those nobles who were too reckless and brought ruin upon themselves. Under these circumstances, Ji Wenzheng would likely live out his days peacefully.
Meanwhile, everyone in Kyoto surged toward the palace because a "Miracle" reappeared in the sky outside it. Li Xuan Zong was awakened by Guan De Zhu; he didn't feel irritable because he knew his chief eunuch had good judgment and wouldn't disturb him unless it was something important.
"What is it?" Li Xuan Zong asked as he got out of bed while a serving maid rushed forward to drape a robe over him.
"Your Majesty!" Guan De Zhu's voice trembled with excitement. "The immortal has manifested again!"
"What?" Li Xuan Zong exclaimed in surprise. "Where?"
"Right outside the Divine Martial Gate, in mid-air," Guan De Zhu replied.
Li Xuan Zong hurried out of the palace doors, accompanied by a group of eunuchs and guards, making his way to the Divine Martial Gate and climbing up the wall beside it.
"Your Majesty, please look," Guan De Zhu pointed into the sky.
In truth, Li Xuan Zong had already seen what was referred to as the "Miracle." The enormous image was impossible to miss, and he recognized that the man depicted was none other than An Guo Hou, that old fellow. The upper half of the old man was clearly visible in the image, recounting the conspiracy they had plotted against the Scientific Expedition. After An Guo Hou finished speaking, the image flickered and changed to another person—this time it was the Duke of State, followed by Duke Guangning, Liuguo Duke, Anyang County Earl...
The citizens of the entire capital were stunned. First came the "Miracle," and then those normally high-ranking nobles were honestly confessing their sins within it. Cheating during examinations—such an important event—and these nobles had dared to get involved. How could they? No wonder the immortal had exposed their crimes.
"Truly worthy of being an immortal," Li Xuan Zong laughed heartily. "The immortal is indeed looking out for our Great Zhou. I was just troubled about how to deal with these old geezers, but the immortal understood my plight and solved this problem for me in an instant."
It should be noted that the emperor had been unable to eat or sleep well while pondering how to resolve the Examination Scandal. He did not want the nobles' conspiracy to succeed but could not think of a solution. With half a month gone by and the Spring Examination results about to be announced, he was so anxious that he developed several blisters on his lips.
"Yue Yunfei," the emperor called out.
"I am here," Yue Yunfei responded, having been on duty in the palace that day.
"Gather your men and meet up with those from the Ministry of Justice and Dali Temple to arrest these old scoundrels appearing in the Miracle."
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