Chapter 159: Challenge to to be the Chief Examiner (1/2)
Chapter 159: Challenge to to be the Chief Examiner
Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations
”Mr Hua, please speak!” King Duan said impatiently.
”the Crown Prince is favored by the sage to be the Chief Examiner of the examination because of Han Zhangfeng’s support. Han Zhangfeng is the Imperial Academy’s Chief Imperial Messenger. He has immense experience in invigilating the imperial examination. As such, the sage will feel easy if someone he recommends is the Chief Examiner of the examination. Why not you try to do a little switcheroo!” Mr Hua’s eyes glimmered.
”Switcheroo? I don’t think that’s very possible. Han Zhangfeng is the Crown Prince’s teacher since a young age. They are incredibly close and it would be virtually impossible to come between them.”
”It would be difficult to come between them. However, that is not your intention!” Mr Hua added.
”What do you mean?”
”I have researched Han Zhangfeng’s invigilating of the River of Trust Province Examinations. At that time, he had sent the Crown Prince various secret mails. Even though I don’t know what the content of the letters was, but based on the events during the examination, Han Zhangfeng probably did not want Fang Zhengzhi to top the examination.”
”Why so?” King Duan was slightly confused.
”Han Zhangfeng has been the Chief Imperial Messenger for many years. He is incredibly scheming and probably has seen the threat to the dynasty long before us. As the Crown Prince’s teacher, he would want the dynasty to remain stable. If it is unstable, the Crown Prince would be unable to ascend the throne of the Eastern Palace!”
”What do you mean?” King Duan’s eyes brightened.
”Han Zhangfeng would not allow too many variables to enter the courts. If Fang Zhengzhi was not so unpredictable, he would definitely value and use him, but...”
”I understand now, you want me to work with Han Zhangfeng and prevent Fang Zhengzhi from participating in the examination?”
”That is only half of it my lord!” Mr Hua shook his head.
”Mr Hua, please educate us all!”
”It would be parochial to just focus on the Imperial Examinations. My Lord, you should focus on the power struggle at hand. Han Zhangfeng is a valuable ally. If you can get him in your camp, then your path to the throne would be a lot easier. Even if you can’t get him over, you can take the chance to...” Mr Hua placed his hand on his throat and made a dragging motion across it.
”Mr Hua is extremely intelligent, killing two birds with one stone! However, Han Zhangfeng has always been extremely cautious. Even if he wants to prevent Fang Zhengzhi from participating, why would he ally himself with me?”
”That’s not difficult at all. I have just received a very important piece of news. Han Zhangfeng’s second son has been thrown into the Heavenly Jail because of an incident with a horse...”
”You’re saying that Han Tianzhen has been thrown into the Heavenly Jail? Who has that audacity?”
”It’s Ping Yang...”
”Ping Yang?! Why would Han Tianzhen antagonize her?”
”Han Zhangfeng has always spent his time on tutoring the Crown Prince and the the affairs of the Imperial Academy. He has traditionally neglected his kids. Even though Han Tianzhen is without any skills, he has not caused much trouble. However, he loves to race. With Han Zhangfeng as principled as he is, where will Han Tianzhen find a decent stallion to race with? Naturally, he loses more than he wins. As such, he always goes to the horse market t try his luck. He finally caught a break and found a Snow Jade. He spent 68,888 ounces of silver, but that Snow Jade...”
”Is Ping Yang’s?” King Duan finally realized what was going on.
”Mm, more coincidentally, the one who sold the horse to Tianzhen is Fang Zhengzhi! My lord, this is a golden opportunity for you. If you can save Han Tianzhen from the Heavenly Jail, Han Zhangfeng will have to thank you. Then, you can tell him about Fang Zhengzhi selling the horse to his son...”
”There are such coincidences in this world? But Fang Zhengzhi just arrived here, how could he have Ping Yang’s Snow Jade? That Snow Jade is her precious. Even I’ve never ridden on it before.”
”I am not sure about that. I do not know how Fang Zhengzhi managed to get Snow Jade from Ping Yang. Furthermore, he went to sell it on the market. This is quite inexplicable.”
”Forget it, let’s not care about this first, I am going to make a trip to the Heavenly Jail!” King Duan said loudly and walked out.
Elder Wen looked at King Duan and Mr Hua. He did not stop them. Fang Zhengzhi antagonized Ping Yang? Is this really a coincidence?
...