The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 53: External Release

Chapter 53: External Release

“A minor mistake, just correct it and all will be well.”

Zhao Yingzhong was carried to a small side room, where several imperial physicians hurried over to pay respects to Xu Ying. Xu Ying urgently said, “There’s no time for formalities now, saving him is what matters.”

The elderly physician trembled as he rose to check on Zhao Yingzhong, observing his complexion and taking his wrist to feel his pulse. After a long silence, the others took turns feeling the pulse, confirming the diagnosis, before reporting to Xu Ying that Zhao Yingzhong had fainted due to exhaustion and overwhelming fear.

Xu Ying breathed a sigh of reliefit was good that he was alright.

After the physician administered acupuncture, he cautiously said, “Your Majesty, emotional distress requires an emotional cure. Young Master Zhao is burdened with deep worries, and if this continues, I fear it may shorten his lifespan.”

Xu Ying fell into thought. She remembered Zhao Yingzhong arriving full of energy and passion, so how had he wilted so much in such a short time?

After a while, Zhao Yingzhong awoke groggily. Understanding his concerns, Xu Ying told him, “Rest assured, I will dispatch Sun Zhuo to escort you to the prefectures and counties, and issue an order that wherever you are, the local officials will be held accountable for your safety. Any mishap will be thoroughly investigated.”

Zhao Yingzhong grimaced, hesitating to ask if he could avoid this thankless task, but the emperor gazed at him earnestly, deeply moved.

“Initially, I was impressed by your essay ‘On Female Physicians,’ knowing you held a heart to serve the nation, unafraid of others’ opinions and speaking forthrightly. That’s why I invited you to court. Now that you’re going to the prefectures, I truly hate to part with you…” Xu Ying lamented.

Hearing this, Zhao Yingzhong shuddered, abruptly sat up, his eyes blazing with vigora medical marvel.

“Your Majesty, your servant wishes to be your eyes and ears, clearing obstacles in the prefectures for you,” Zhao Yingzhong declared, rising from the bed to bow and accept the mission.

Xu Ying was momentarily stunned. Seeing he had recovered, she expressed concern and sent him home, sensing that Zhao Yingzhong seemed eager to leave Youzhou at once.

After this brief episode, Xu Ying returned to reviewing the Ministry of Personnel’s memorials and found a proposal to create temporary positions for scholars to enhance their understanding of governance.

Xu Ying examined it closely, finding it increasingly familiar. Setting the memorial aside, she slapped her thigh, exclaiming, “This is an internship!”

The Ministry also suggested that scholars who passed the exams could use their internship experience for early official appointments.

Students in official academies would be required to intern, and those without practical governance experience would be barred from the academy’s selection exams.

Xu Ying felt a twinge of fearif internships had arrived, were academic credits far behind?

The next day at court, Xu Ying singled out this new proposal for discussion. Surprisingly, there was little opposition.

But then again, those who truly opposed it hadn’t yet entered the court. The plan passed review smoothly and was set to be implemented gradually after the Spring Examination.

The internship matter didn’t concern those already in secure positions, and the officials celebrated Zhao Yingzhong and others’ departure.

While scholars outside were in an uproar, the courtiers bid Zhao Yingzhong farewell with joy. In contrast, officials in the prefectures, who first received the news, were shrouded in gloom. Though no one had been assigned yet, their turn would comerelieved to have dodged it this time but anxious about the future.

Zhao Yingzhong was first transferred to Jiahe County, where he was expected to stay for about three months before moving to Huzhou. Officials in the prefectures near Youzhou broke into a cold sweat for the magistrate of Jiahe County.

After Zhao Yingzhong arrived in Jiahe, not only did all the local officials have to endure his fault-finding, but they also had to find ways to protect him. No one knew if Zhao Yingzhong could last three months in Jiahe.

If Zhao Yingzhong unfortunately died in Jiahe, the county magistrate would likely lose his position as well.

What a scourge!

All the officials reached a consensus.

With Zhao Yingzhong sent to the grassroots, the court returned to peace. The daily classic performances ceased, and all officials enjoyed a good night’s sleep for the first time in a long while, feeling thoroughly refreshed.

Although Zhao Yingzhong had left Youzhou, he had indeed found plenty of faults. Zhang Yu, remembering the officials who had previously been disloyal to the Emperor, compiled all the minor errors Zhao Yingzhong had impeached and used them as excuses from time to time to drive those officials out of Youzhou.

When Xu Ying attended court, she felt something was off in the hall. Staring at the vacant spots, she pondered for a while before suddenly realizing that some officials were missing. Casually, she asked, “Why isn’t the Director of the Bureau of Punishments attending court today? Is he ill?”

The room fell silent, plunging into stillness.

Liu Xu, whose allies had been demoted one after another, was suppressing his rage. Xu Ying’s question felt like a deliberate mockery, causing his face to turn pale and green with humiliation. He gritted his teeth tightly, his gaze dark and gloomy.

Zhang Yu stepped forward to explain, “Your Majesty, the Director of the Bureau of Punishments, Wu Chi, sought medical treatment for his son. When the illness showed no improvement over time, he verbally abused and assaulted the physician’s assistant. The medical clinic, fearing Wu Chi’s influence, let the matter drop. Fortunately, Censor Zhao investigated and exposed the incident. Moreover, Wu Chi’s crimes extend beyond thishe also seized his former wife’s dowry and beat a servant to death. According to the law, he was sentenced to twenty lashes and exiled from the capital, which is why he is no longer in court.”

Xu Ying vaguely remembered the incident, but with so many memorials, she had only skimmed through it and moved on after finding no issues. Recently, she had noticed some officials being demoted, but she hadn’t realized there were so many.

Now, noticing many unfamiliar faces in the hall, she was startledhad that many officials been dismissed?

Xu Ying scanned the room. No wonder Liu Xu and his faction had been unusually quiet latelythe most troublesome troublemakers had been removed.

“Your Majesty, I have a petition. Imperial Secretariat Drafter Lu Renjia has been repeatedly impeached by Censor Zhao Yingzhong for errors in drafting edicts, indicating his incompetence and unsuitability for the position. I request that he be dismissed and replaced by the highly capable Sun Wanyun.” Seizing the opportunity Xu Ying had raised, Zhang Yu aimed to remove Liu Xiang’s planted official in the Secretariat and promote Sun Wanyun to a permanent role.

Xu Ying frowned slightly. Was Zhang Yu planning a major purge of the court?

Hearing Lu Renjia’s name, Liu Xiang’s eyelid twitched violently, and his expression darkened. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, Lu Renjia comes from a family of scholars, is reserved yet firm, and has served as Imperial Secretariat Drafter for over a decade with few errors. He should not be dismissed over trivial faults.”

Xu Ying’s gaze shifted between Liu Xiang and Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu wanted to sever Liu Xiang’s influence, but Liu Xiang had deep roots in the court. If he retaliated, he could crush Zhang Yu. It would be best if they fought each other, but she was reluctant to sacrifice Sun Wanyun in the process.

“Chancellor Liu makes a valid point. Minor mistakes can be corrected.”

Liu Xiang looked up in surprise, unable to conceal his astonishment. He had expected to argue at length to protect Lu Renjia, but Xu Ying had directly rejected Zhang Yu’s proposal.

A strange emotion surged in his heart. Xu Ying being so agreeable made him suspect she had ulterior motives. His heart raced, uncertain what traps lay ahead, and he knew he must remain vigilant.

Xu Ying hadn’t considered so much. After court adjourned, she detained Zhang Yu for a reprimand. “There’s no need to bring up trivial matters that can’t convince the public, especially those involving Sun Wanyun. I don’t care whom you want to attack, but don’t set your sights on her.”

She had worked hard to place Sun Wanyun in the Secretariat and didn’t want Zhang Yu to undermine her foundation.

Zhang Yu apologized and left Azure Wave Study dejected, his poor complexion clearly indicating he’d been rebuked. A subordinate official asked, “Your Majesty clearly dislikes Minister Liu Xiang. Why did she shield him this time?”

“Just the art of imperial balance,” Zhang Yu said lightly.

Emerging from Azure Wave Study, Zhang Yu felt belated fear. He had been too impatient, only thinking of suppressing Liu Xu to replace him with his own people, nearly forgetting that the Emperor wouldn’t allow him to dominate completely.

If all court officials were his men, the next step would be the Emperor eliminating him.

“Then the remaining people… should we continue?”

Zhang Yu shook his head. “It’s enough. Stop now.”

Any further moves would bring his own end.

Liu Xu found it strange too. Logically, the Emperor had long been dissatisfied with them. Given an opportunity to replace officials, why would she care about reasonable justifications? Since Zhang Yu made the proposal, all the blame would fall on him, while Xu Ying would at most be considered misled by a villain.

“Minister, it seems Her Majesty still wishes to befriend you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left your ministerial seal untouched until now.”

Liu Xu felt blood rush to his throat. If he didn’t clearly remember what Xu Ying said to Sun Zhuo that night, he might also believe she intended to yield. But the truth was otherwiseshe kept him only because he was utterly helpless against her.

Watching the crowd begin discussing how to gain Xu Ying’s trust, deal with Zhang Yu, and regain their position, Liu Xu felt a stabbing pain in his chest and closed his eyes in despair.

“Does the Minister find this approach inappropriate?”

Liu Xu sighed. “Zhang Yu is Her Majesty’s man. The current situation was orchestrated by Her Majesty herself. If we eliminate Zhang Yu, it will first sow distrust between ruler and minister. When Zhang Yu turns rebellious and Her Majesty grows suspicious, that will be our opportunity to rise again.”

The group suddenly understood. “So we must avoid confronting him directly, letting Zhang Yu grow so arrogant he loses his bearings. Does that mean we must endure more humiliating days?”

“Lack of patience in small matters ruins great plans,” one person comforted.

All they could do now was maintain their health, lie low, and wait for the right moment.

Having grasped the situation, the group rose and took their leave.

At the Imperial Academy, daily lectures proceeded normally. Unlike the old erudites, Zhang Keqian hadn’t been taught by famous masters since childhood. Teaching children for the first time, he could only draw from his own childhood experiences to add some interest to the dull lessons.

Practice made perfect. With few classes to teach, Zhang Keqian managed reasonably well, mainly using his lectures to instill loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country in these imperial clansmen.

The only headache was Xu Lianthe boy constantly sneaked out to play, only returning at dusk. The first few disappearances had worried Zhang Keqian, but now he was growing accustomed to it.

After finishing his duties, Zhang Keqian prepared to return home when Gao Yun’s maid Luzhu approached, saying Gao Yun needed his assistance with a matter. Zhang Keqian tidied his desk and followed her to meet Gao Yun.

The Gao family’s carriage delivered Zhang Keqian to the servants’ bedchamber. As he stepped down, he heard women’s voices reciting the Thousand Character Classic in perfect unisonloud and clear. Yet the scene felt discordant: rough-handed women sat cross-legged on the ground, swaying their heads while reciting, their skirts stained with mud and slender willow twigs clutched in their hands. Had Liu Xu witnessed this, he would surely have scolded them for lacking propriety.

Zhang Keqian drew a sharp breath in astonishment. Then Gao Yun’s crisp voice reached his ears: “Assistant Instructor Zhang, come see how my students fare. Do they possess the potential to test for the Hall of Gathered Talents?”

Author’s Note:

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided nutrient solutions between 2023-05-11 22:18:06 and 2023-05-12 22:35:04~

Special thanks to Fenfenmao for the 20 bottles of nutrient solution~

I’m deeply grateful for everyone’s supportI’ll keep striving!