Free Web NovelChapter 1232: Chapter 1212: Staying in the Capital
Zhao Hanzhang not only soothed Wang Dao, but also Zhou Qi, "I know that there are many talented and virtuous people in Jiangnan who remain unnoticed, simply because the learned families in one place, Wu and Chu, mostly rank lower, thus those with virtue and talent cannot exhibit their skills."
"The talented people across the land, all who are determined to serve the country, should have the chance to enter the official career path and give it a try. Hence, I issued the Recruitment Order, commanding the different regions to recruit and examine talents, in hopes that talents from both Jiangbei and Jiangnan, regardless of ethnicity or family status, can have a chance to try." Zhao Hanzhang hoped Zhou Qi could encourage the scholars from Wu and Chu to actively participate in the recruitment examination, assuring that the court will fairly and justly select talent.
Being politically isolated, Jiangnan scholars find it difficult to participate in national affairs, which is a pain point for all Jiangnan scholars. Hearing such assurance from Zhao Hanzhang, the long-standing grievances of the scholars from Wu and Chu who have been unable to enter officialdom or be promoted, Zhou Qi’s resentment from being repeatedly bullied and excluded by Diao Xie rushes in, and for a moment, his heart feels sour and bitter, with tears uncontrollably streaming down, rendering him unable to speak for a time.
The great hall fell into silence.
Currently seated in the great hall are court officials, all handpicked by Zhao Hanzhang, except for Xun Fan. They were not entrusted under the previous two emperors, and Ji Yuan and Ming Yu, being from poor backgrounds, could only work as staff. They empathize most with the frustration and grievance from being unable to exhibit talent due to their backgrounds.
King Langya stared blankly before suddenly snapping back to his senses. Zhou Qi’s grievance indicates his unfairness in selecting talent and improper use of people, failing to allow them to display their talents?
He felt terribly ashamed, his face turning bright red.
Zhao Hanzhang seemed to sense his emotional upheaval and immediately turned to him, "The Ninth Grade government official selection system is a remnant policy from the previous dynasty. It cannot be denied that Lord Cao employed this method to select capable individuals back then. However, the nation’s governance needs to adapt to current circumstances; that was then, and this is now. The previously good policy has become unsuitable today, hence it needs modification. King Langya went to Jiangnan, generously treating the people, comforting the Jiangnan Aristocratic Family, maintaining Jiangnan’s stability; the court is aware of King Langya’s achievements."
King Langya’s face grew even redder, almost wanting to disappear from embarrassment.
He stood up, kneeling in the center, intending to bow and plead guilty. Zhao Hanzhang quickly reached out to stop him, "What are you doing? King Langya, did you misunderstand me? I sincerely praised you."
With a serious look, she said, "During the northern chaos, Jiangnan provided food and provisions several times, saving countless soldiers and civilians. Isn’t this the achievement of King Langya and Wang Maohong?"
Seeing her sincerity, seemingly truly thinking so, his heart relaxed slightly, though his face was still hot, "I, I didn’t manage Jiangnan well, now allowing Jiangnan to be embroiled in the calamity."
Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "You indeed neglected your duty. Wang Dun is unfeeling and arrogant; when he previously ignored Qingzhou and attempted to assassinate Wang Cheng, you should have brought him to justice, perhaps today’s disaster wouldn’t have happened."
King Langya could only kneel once more to plead guilty.
This time Zhao Hanzhang did not stop him, and after he had bowed his head once, she said, "Let past mistakes be offset by previous achievements. This time your understanding of righteousness, willingness to return to the Capital City with the Zhao Family Army, is indeed a great merit."
Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t strip him of his title, allowing him to remain in the Capital City, rewarded him with a mansion, and appointed him as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
King Langya was stunned, not expecting he’d be allowed to stay in the Capital City and even... to be an official?
He couldn’t help but look at the Little Emperor on the throne.
The Little Emperor was already dozing, eyes partially closed, occasionally jolting up and barely catching a few words, but they bypassed his mind quickly, soon his eyes would droop again.
When would they finish exchanging pleasantries?
Listening to these trivialities felt less meaningful than court administration, at least there occasionally were a couple of stories.
King Langya lowered his eyes, respectfully accepted.
Zhao Hanzhang had long instructed the Ministry of Rites to prepare the Langya Royal Mansion, also generously allowing them to select quite a few good items from the Imperial Palace’s private treasury to decorate the mansion, ensuring a dignified appearance.
Zhao Hanzhang was quite interested in Princess Yu Mengmu of King Langya and invited her to frequently visit Zhao Mansion, "Often heard from my mother that the Princess and my mother were close friends in their girlhood days."
King Langya surprisedly looked at his wife, Yu Mengmu respectfully said, "Before my marriage, I was indeed friends with Sister Wang, and previously even held the Great General, after years apart, didn’t expect the Great General still remembers."
Zhao Hanzhang certainly didn’t remember, the owner of this body also had little impression, but recently, Mrs. Wang mentioned Yu Mengmu knowing that King Langya’s family was summoned back to the Capital City.
Mrs. Wang has been engaged in philanthropy for the past few years. Zhao Hanzhang, lacking time to attend to everything personally, saw the urgent need for charity due to years of warfare and natural disasters resulting in many weak and solitary people.
In this field, Zhao Hanzhang heavily relied on Mrs. Wang, hoping she could unite more officials’ spouses in such endeavors, and Yu Mengmu was an excellent collaborator.
Yu Mengmu couldn’t help but glance at her husband, and Sima Rui wanted to maintain good relations with Zhao Hanzhang, nodding slightly, leaving Yu Mengmu to accept.
She too was a bit delighted. She knew few people in Luoyang, and Mrs. Wang was relatively familiar.
Zhao Hanzhang also inquired about Sima Rui’s two sons, Sima Shao and Sima Pu.
Among them, Sima Pu was born in the same year as the Little Emperor, and Sima Shao was one year older than them.
However...
Zhao Hanzhang and the court officials together assessed the two youths, then compared them to the Little Emperor on the throne, Zhao Hanzhang even suspected she was mistreating the Little Emperor.
Otherwise, how come they’re clearly of the same age, yet the Little Emperor appears two years younger than Sima Pu and three years younger than Sima Shao?
Possibly sensing a shift in atmosphere, the nodding-off Little Emperor woke up, sleepily blinking his eyes, almost tearing up from fatigue.
He was already quite experienced, using his gaze to consult the eunuch beside him, ’Is it over?’
The eunuch subtly shook his head, indicated he should stay alert as the ministers were watching him.
Zhao Hanzhang: "Your Majesty is very tired?"
The Little Emperor’s face slightly blushed, softly answered, "No, not tired."
Zhao Hanzhang then invited Sima Shao and Sima Pu to step forward, standing below the stairs to let the Little Emperor take a closer look, "I’ve long heard that the two sons of King Langya are exceptionally wise, indeed today proves so; does Your Majesty wish to invite them into the palace to study together?"
Hearing this, Sima Shao and Sima Pu both grew nervous.
The Little Emperor glanced at them; although he didn’t really like Sima Rui, he had no intention to make things difficult for the two kinsmen brothers. Being his study companion wasn’t advantageous.
Moreover, King Langya once harbored rebellious intentions and sought power, though he had now submitted to Zhao Hanzhang, essentially returning to court, but who knows if he truly abandoned those thoughts?
If his subordinates are genuinely content to leave it at that?
Requesting his two sons to be study companions wouldn’t benefit either party.
Thus, the Little Emperor directly refused, stating he had Prince Yuzhang accompanying him for studies, and hence did not require additional study companions.
Little Yuzhang King glared indignantly at the Little Emperor on the throne; he was younger than all three; he didn’t want to be a study companion either, reading with his elder brother the emperor was genuinely painful, every day burdened with reading assignments and coursework.
