xymnovel Chapter 36: The Madman
Chapter 36: The Madman
If one were to use a single word to summarize the spirit of the Tang Dynasty, that word would undoubtedly be "bold and inclusive."
From the moment Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was honored as the Heavenly Khan, the Tang Dynasty embraced the spirit of all nations.
Today, although this magnificent nine-tiered palace is no longer the grand spectacle it once was, with its former splendor and the regal bearing of countless emperors.
However, the unique temperament of the Tang Dynasty is etched on every citizen of the Tang Dynasty.
In layman's terms, in the Tang Dynasty, a meal and a pleasant conversation could quickly make several scholars who were originally strangers acquainted, or even become close friends.
People in Tang Dynasty China are confident, and therefore more willing to place their trust in them.
In the private room, after some conversation, Duan Chengshi and the other two, though unaware of Li Ang's exact identity, all agreed that the young man before them was a handsome and dashing gentleman.
Therefore, they gradually lowered their guard. In response to Li Ang's question, Duan Chengshi said, "Second Brother, you may not know this, but when Yishan was in Luoyang in his early years, he was taught by Linghu Gong, the governor of Luoyang. He can be considered Linghu Gong's disciple."
"With the recent changes in the court, Lord Linghu specially wrote to Yishan, urging him to go to the capital to see if there is any opportunity to obtain official rank and fame."
Li Shangyin's courtesy name was Yishan.
"Who is this Lord Linghu?" Li Ang already had a guess in his mind, but he still asked.
This time, Li Shangyin answered: "Lord Linghu, whose given name is Chu, is currently the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. In my early years, I was fortunate enough to be valued by Lord Linghu and was able to study memorials under his tutelage. Unfortunately, I am dull-witted and have never passed the imperial examination, thus failing to live up to Lord Linghu's good intentions."
Although many officials in the Tang Dynasty still come from aristocratic families, the proper way to select officials has long since become the imperial examination system.
Even among scions of prominent families, passing the imperial examinations was a source of great pride. Although Li Shangyin's family was not considered a prominent one, his father had served as a Palace Attendant Censor, so it was no exaggeration to say that his family had a long tradition of scholarship.
Therefore, Li Shangyin's lifelong wish was to pass the imperial examination and serve the country.
Although he was only in his early twenties, this was already Li Shangyin's third time taking the imperial examination.
Seeing his friend so disheartened, Duan Chengshi couldn't help but comfort him, saying, "Yishan, why belittle yourself like this? With your relationship with Lord Linghu, passing the imperial examination would be an easy thing for you. It's just that you're unwilling to do so."
"Even so, with your talent and learning, as long as you prepare well, passing the imperial examination will be a piece of cake."
However, Li Shangyin shook his head and said, "You don't need to persuade me. If my talent is not as good as others, then I am not as good as them. It is because I am not skilled enough and have disappointed Lord Linghu. In the past two years, I have been studying Taoism in the mountains and have become more open-minded. If I cannot succeed this time, I will simply leave the mortal world and seek immortality. It may not be a bad thing."
These words have a somewhat self-deprecating tone.
However, Duan Chengshi couldn't help but laugh after hearing this, and said, "Li Yishan, you better dare to do that. I want to see if your mother will punish you by making you kneel in the ancestral hall."
Li Shangyin lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. He was most afraid of his mother.
Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but give a bitter laugh, then picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, as if he wanted to swallow all his resentment.
As the two were chatting and joking, Li Ang noticed that Wen Tingyun, who was usually quite talkative, had become somewhat silent on this topic.
"Why isn't Fei Qing speaking? Is it because he failed the imperial examination and is feeling sorry for himself?"
For some reason, Wen Tingyun's mood had been somewhat low since the beginning, and he kept drinking to himself.
Upon hearing this, a bitter smile flashed across his face as he said, "Second Brother underestimates me. How could the mere imperial examination possibly hold me back? The reason I remained silent was simply because I saw through the political situation and felt there was little hope."
It was clear that Wen Tingyun was somewhat drunk at this moment.
"Oh?" Li Ang raised an eyebrow, picked up the wine pot, poured him another cup, and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Wen Tingyun picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then slammed the cup down heavily on the table, his face flushed.
"Now, our Great Tang is plagued by eunuchs who hold power within the court and treacherous officials who cause chaos outside. Your Majesty is close to petty men and dismisses loyal ministers. Officials in the court are scheming and forming cliques, making it difficult for talented and virtuous people to enter officialdom. Treacherous and petty men control the court."
"How can such a political situation not be disheartening?"
This sudden reaction startled everyone present.
Duan Chengshi, in particular, was stunned for a moment, then quickly got up to help Wen Tingyun and said.
"Feiqing, you're drunk!"
However, Wen Tingyun seemed to have been holding back for a long time, and finally opened up. He pushed Duan Chengshi away, poured himself another cup of wine, and said.
"Brother Duan, don't stop me. Given the state of the court, if they dare to do it, am I not allowed to speak out?"
Duan Chengshi felt somewhat helpless and wanted to offer some advice, but after glancing in Li Ang's direction, he seemed to hesitate.
Seeing this, Li Ang waved his hand, dismissing all the servants who were attending to him in the private room, and then said.
"My fellow elders, although we have only met by chance today, we have found common ground. While it is not appropriate to discuss the political situation casually, since these were said while we were drunk, they should not be taken seriously."
"If you don't trust me, Brother Duan, then I'll pay for the banquet and take my leave."
The ancients, especially the younger generation, clearly did not understand what moral blackmail was.
Since Li Ang had already said all that, Duan Chengshi naturally couldn't let him leave. He immediately pressed him back into the chair and said...
"What are you saying, Erlang? Although we have only known each other for a short time, our friendship is based on mutual respect and should not be judged by the length of time we have known each other. I am just worried that Feiqing is talking nonsense while drunk and offending Erlang's ears. I do not mean to treat you as an outsider."
Despite this, Duan Chengshi's expression clearly showed some hesitation.
But Li Ang didn't care about that. As someone who had been around the internet for many years, his skin was much thicker than Duan Chengshi's.
He then poured himself another cup of wine and said, "Since Brother Duan has said so, I will not stand on ceremony. Although I am a member of the imperial family, I know a little about court affairs. Although His Majesty is a prince, he is quite ambitious."
"Since ascending the throne, he first executed treacherous eunuchs such as Wang Shoucheng, then expelled the Niu and Li factions, intending to clean up the officialdom. Just a few days ago, the powerful eunuchs such as Qiu Shiliang were executed for plotting rebellion."
"With the court so prosperous, why is Brother Duan so pessimistic?"
Wen Tingyun was clearly drunk at this point, and he spoke with less restraint.
"Thriving? What a load of bull."
"Yes, His Majesty has worked diligently to govern the country in recent years, eliminating a large number of powerful eunuchs, but has it been effective?"
"Even if Wang Shoucheng is gone, there's still Qiu Shiliang. And if Qiu Shiliang is gone, then Liu Hongyi and Xue Jiling have appeared. If you kill one, another will come. When will this killing ever end?"