CHAPTER 1748: CHAPTER 1748: CHANGE

Mr. Wang passed away, and the funeral of the family head of the powerful noble families located in the capital affected all professions in the capital. Whether for the sake of face or not wanting to provoke enmity during the funeral, rare were the occasions where the children of noble families roamed places like taverns.

The citizens of the capital were extra cautious when they ventured out, afraid of displeasing the nobility.

The old man’s funeral gave the southern noble offspring time to save themselves; some officials didn’t take their annual filial offerings for nothing. It would be a mistake to think there’d be no consequences if ignored, which could provoke them to have the capability to pull you down from your official position.

During this time, Zhou Shuren visited the Wang Residence once more but did not go again in the last few days. In the final days, only some minor officials went to pay respects at the Wang Residence.

In the Palace, the Emperor pondered for a while and said, "Marquis Zhou seems to have lost quite a bit of weight."

Indeed, Zhou Shuren had lost weight. The old man weighed heavily in his heart; in his ancient life, the first to shelter him was Mr. Wang. "Recently, my appetite hasn’t been good."

"If you eat vegetarian every day, it would be strange for your appetite to be good."

Zhou Shuren replied, "Meat is cloying."

The Emperor said quietly, "Listen to those words; the people ought to cry."

Zhou Shuren was at a loss for words and did not want to make a sound, silently sipping tea.

The Emperor squinted his eyes, "Your fourth child has been staying in the Hanlin Academy all the time. How about I let him go out for a spin?"

Zhou Shuren, "Huh?"

The Emperor indicated to the Crown Prince to bring over a secret document and handed it to Zhou Shuren. "Take a look."

Zhou Shuren, with doubt, opened it, his pupils slightly constricted. "Why?"

The Emperor replied, "You want to ask why, knowing there is a problem, am I only addressing it now?"

Zhou Shuren felt bitter, "Yes, the imperial examination is a ladder to ascend to heaven for scholars from poor backgrounds, and if they are replaced, all their efforts are wasted."

To replace a person’s life, a poor scholar spares no effort to nurture a Scholar at great family expense, yet those replaced often possess great talent.

The Emperor’s voice turned solemn, "And you know how far the imperial authority can reach. I must gradually sort things out, and only by uprooting can the problem be completely solved. I can indeed receive secret reports to address them, but then what, solve a scapegoat?"

This has no use; the Imperial court cannot always watch a few provinces, as the fundamental issue remains unresolved.

Zhou Shuren, "Do you want Chang Zhi to go to Chuanzhou Province to serve as the chief examiner for this year’s Qiu Wei?"

The Emperor, "Yes, your fourth child is not just book-smart."

Zhou Changzhi, upon entering the palace, had never made a mistake. He handled conversations with precise control, and he had hinted before that Zhou Changzhi had taken root in the Hanlin Academy, which made the Emperor satisfied yet rather pity him. But considering using him was still fine.

Zhou Shuren looked at the secret document. He didn’t want his son to go, as Chuanzhou Province was too complicated and dangerous. But the replacement issue affected all candidates participating in the provincial exam. The investigated name list in the secret document was stained with blood; those replaced would never succeed in becoming a Graduate, after many attempts, while the unlucky ones might have their families shattered to silence them.

Zhou Shuren sighed in his heart, "On behalf of Chang Zhi, I thank the Emperor."

The Emperor rolled the String of Pearls, "This time, I am determined to clear Chuanzhou Province. I will send someone to accompany him; after the provincial exam, your fourth child will return safely."

Zhou Shuren breathed a sigh of relief, this exact thinking of Emperor and his capability, because who cares if you’re Mr. Hou of Hou Residence, if it threatens the family’s life, the strike will be merciless.

Alright, Zhou Shuren no longer needed to be deeply immersed in Mr. Wang’s passing; now his mind was full of wanting to know the situation in Chuanzhou Province. Just recalling the name list in the secret document made his back shiver.

Graduates who were replaced years ago; some know their worth and remain minor officials as Graduates, while others have some ability or luck, became degree holders and are already officials.

At night, since Shuren returned, Zhulan heard the sighing sounds, which made her anxious. "What happened?"

Zhou Shuren sent the maids away before discussing the matter in Chuanzhou Province. After a moment’s silence, Zhulan said, "Modern technology is advanced; replacements occur, let alone ancient times. It’s not just Chuanzhou Province; other provinces have it too, just not so boldly."

Zhou Shuren slapped the table, "All are cancers."

Zhulan comforted him, "The Emperor is removing the cancer, you should be happy."

Zhou Shuren pursed his lips, "The real reform should be in some of the system’s aspects of the imperial exam."

The drawbacks of the imperial exam are numerous, and his complained master-apprentice relationship network is just one facet; masters and apprentices as fathers and sons, holding official positions together, sharing interests, creating factional strife, disputes among powerful families, preventing outstanding thinkers from emerging!

Every time the provincial exam begins, it’s the moment powerful families invest, and how many noble children from humble backgrounds have true dignity!

His journey was a unique legend, and sometimes he pondered whether the Rong family took care of him!

Zhulan rotated the cup in her hand, "The Emperor is aware; doesn’t he want to change?"

He does, but the implications run deep behind it, so deep that a single change can cause court turmoil; how can change be spoken of lightly?

Zhou Shuren’s frustration dissipated a lot, "I understand."

The Emperor’s influence on his thinking is gradually changing; talent is fundamental, as opposed to those occupying positions devoid of responsibility. His selection of Officials of the Ministry of Revenue is proof, and the Emperor sees that.

The couple discussed many topics, deliberating over how to gradually change, then Zhou Shuren forgot to inform Chang Zhi.

The next day, on the way to the Imperial court, he remembered but decided against mentioning it.

The Emperor seemed normal, yet Zhou Shuren’s thoughts were racing; if the Emperor wants to hide something, no one could detect the slightest hint. Had he not seen the secret document yesterday, he frequently saw the Emperor’s men without sensing the Emperor’s anger.

Looking beyond himself onto the imperial court, Zhou Shuren felt that many times the Emperor simply watched a show during morning assemblies, not knowing how to vent internally, yet needing to pretend to listen earnestly.

Zhou Shuren felt particularly calm today, realizing that the Emperor’s words were right on point, with a touch of provocation, rekindling arguments between once peaceful factions.

Zhou Shuren, "..."

The Crown Prince noticed that Marquis Zhou was exceptionally spirited today. During past mornings, only discussions involving Silver Coin made Marquis Zhou vibrant; otherwise, he seemed half asleep.

Zhou Shuren sensed the Crown Prince’s gaze and smiled. Ah, the Crown Prince was also outstanding, but still fell short compared to the Emperor as the Crown Prince in those days.

The Crown Prince, "?"

What did Zhou Shuren’s eyes mean?

The Emperor saw the eye exchange between the Crown Prince and Marquis Zhou, raised his eyebrows, and no longer wished to watch the debate below, which should be decided in court yet required rounds of debate.

As morning assembly ended, Zhou Shuren exited the government hall with Mr. Gong, who suggested, "Shall I treat Mr. Hou to tea today?"

Zhou Shuren, "Stomach ache."

He started the year not wishing to see the Ministry of War swallowing Silver, always getting upset just seeing them.

Mr. Gong, "..."

Minister of Works approached, "Don’t forget to approve the Silver."

Zhou Shuren, "Doesn’t your Ministry of Works have Silver?"

Minister of Works said, "Even so, the Silver due to the Ministry of Works can’t be deducted."

Zhou Shuren recalled the name list he saw yesterday, his eyes softened a lot; at least the Ministry of Works these years had selected quite a few talents nationwide for research, "Send someone over in the afternoon."

Minister of Works halted, meeting Mr. Gong’s envious gaze, "Did I hear wrong? He agreed so readily?"

Mr. Gong, "You heard correctly."

Minister of Works looked up at the sky, "And the sun still rises in the east!"