Chapter 1954: The Burned Records! (1/2)

Edited by: Michyrr

Historians placed utmost importance on the accuracy of records, and once they could no longer remember things correctly, their career was essentially done for.

”Lord Yan, you also know of the incidents in court and how the Sage Emperor is very different from how he was in the past. I know that the Yan Clan values the historical records highly, but the original intention of the Yan Clan's rule was to prevent officials from interfering with their own records and editing the books.

”But the records Wang Chong wants to inspect are from thirty-some years ago, regarding the time before the Sage Emperor took the throne. It has nothing to do with the court or any other officials. In several decades' time, these records will be made public all the same. In reading these records, Wang Chong will not affect the Yan Clan, the officials, or the court. I hope that Lord Yan can accommodate my request!” Wang Chong sternly said.

Yan Wenzhen fell silent. Wang Chong was right. If he only read through the records of the Sage Emperor's early life and did not read his own records, it would have little effect on the Yan Clan, the court, or any of the other officials.

In Yan Wenzhen's mind, this was the best-case scenario, but the rules of the Yan Clan…

”Lord Yan, historians are also officials. As long as they do not defy their principles, they should be able to make a few exceptions. You also know of the selection of talented women. Although the Sage Emperor earlier said that he was putting the matter to the side, putting it aside means that he has not given up and could propose it again at any time.

”The people throughout the realm are uneasy. Once the selection begins and the various provinces and commanderies must offer their women, mother and daughter, father and daughter, brother and sister will end up separated. How could Milord bear to see such a sight?

”The matter of the Peace Pavilion is also a sign. This is only a palace construction, but what if His Divine Majesty suddenly changes his mind and tries to imitate Emperor Yang and construct palaces throughout the realm? This excessive construction is certain to place a burden on the people… Does Milord truly wish to see things reach this state?” Wang Chong said.

”This…”

Yan Wenzhen instantly became hesitant.

Wang Chong was right. Historians were still officials, and the Yan Clan was made up of scholarly officials who cared for the prosperity of the empire and the happiness of the people. This was what the members of the Yan Clan hoped to see.

But…

”Lord Yan, please!” Wang Chong solemnly said.

”Haaah…”

Yan Wenzhen gave a long sigh and finally raised his head.

”Your Highness, can you guarantee that you will not mention today's matter to any outsiders?

”Also, can these records really help you resolve the problems in the court?”

Wang Chong was elated to hear this, knowing that Yan Wenzhen had relaxed his grip.

”Wang Chong guarantees that no outsider will ever hear of today's matter. In addition, the records of the Sage Emperor's life before his enthronement truly are extremely important for resolving the recent incidents in the court!” Wang Chong solemnly said.

”Okay! I trust Your Highness! Your Highness, please wait a moment while Wenzhen inspects the records.”

Yan Wenzhen emotionally sighed.

”Many thanks, Milord!”

Many of the buildings in the Yan Clan Residence were not meant for habitation.

Inside were rows and rows of wooden bookshelves, each room packed in this way. Anyone who was not a member of the Yan Clan would take ages to navigate this voluminous library and find the records they sought, or perhaps never find it at all.

Wang Chong quietly waited in the room. No matter what, he had to get those records, which would be his greatest harvest from this trip.

An hour later, Yan Wenzhen finally returned, and Wang Chong hoped that he would have the books. But the moment he entered, Wang Chong sensed that something was wrong.

Not only was Yan Wenzhen empty-handed, he had an extremely bizarre expression on his face.

”What's wrong?”

Wang Chong bolted up from his chair in unease.

”It's gone!” Yan Wenzhen cried out, his eyes slack, apparently still immersed in shock.

”What's gone?”

Wang Chong's eyes widened as he asked.

”I followed the map of our Yao Clan and headed toward Room One-thirty-two of Pavilion B, but I searched through the entire room and did not find information regarding the Sage Emperor's life before taking the throne,” Yan Wenzhen sternly said.

”How could this be?”

Wang Chong's body trembled in shock, his face paling.

The Yan Clan's recordkeeping system was extremely rigorous, even stricter than the palace's on some levels. And for generation after generation, there had never been a mistake.

Moreover, the Yan Clan's library was immense, and if an outsider were trying to find something, they wouldn't know where to start amongst the sea of books.

Something like this shouldn't have been possible.

”When I discovered what was going on, I immediately mobilized the Yan Clan members to search all other possible areas, eventually confirming that these records had gone missing.

”Sensing the seriousness of the matter, I immediately summoned all the clan members. In the end, I discovered that thirty-some years ago, not long after the Sage Emperor took the throne, there was a large fire in the Yan Clan that destroyed many books.