RWNEFE -Chapter 588 Mr. Ruohua Challenges All the Officials Alone!

Liu Mingxin and Wu Yanzhi had already been absent from court for three consecutive days. Of the four seats, three were empty.

Quite a few people secretly began to eye those seats, but unfortunately, judging by their own achievements, they could at most help someone else rise to such a position. Sitting there themselves was impossible.

News arrived again from Jinmen: Zhou Ruyuan was preparing to raise troops and attack Great Zhou.

The court officials spoke all at once, and the hall became as noisy as a marketplace.

The Grand Preceptor tried several times to voice his opinion, but each time he was drowned out. In anger, he finally made a recommendation.

“Your Majesty, Mr. Ruohua, the head of Bailu Academy, possesses talent for governing the world and excels in the art of statecraft. For such a man to remain hidden in an academy is a waste of great talent. At present, our court is in urgent need of capable people. I recommend that Mr. Ruohua be appointed to an official post.”

The noisy court instantly fell silent.

After careful consideration, Shen Lanxi nodded.

“I have personally witnessed Mr. Ruohua’s great talent. He is indeed a pillar of Great Zhou.”

Mei Nanhua said, “Your Majesty, the position of Vice Minister of Rites is still vacant. I recommend Mr. Ruohua for the post.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately stepped forward in opposition.

“Your Majesty, I object. Although Mr. Ruohua’s reputation is renowned throughout the land, he has never held office at court and has no experience. To place him directly in an important position in the Ministry of Rites may fail to convince the public.”

Shen Lanxi glanced at the official and waited for the Grand Preceptor to respond.

“Since you acknowledge that Mr. Ruohua’s name is known across the world, then he is the teacher of countless scholars. When those scholars serve in office, they respect their teacher and honor the Way. Naturally, they will be convinced.”

The official immediately retorted, “How can that be the same? Teaching and serving in government cannot be compared.”

The Grand Preceptor was furious. “Since you say they cannot be compared, do you dare compete with Mr. Ruohua?”

The official was taken aback. Compete in what?

“Grand Preceptor, everyone knows you and Mr. Ruohua are friends. You are clearly biased.”

The Grand Preceptor snorted. “I recommend the worthy without avoiding personal connections.”

“Your Majesty,” the official said, “I truly cannot be compared with Mr. Ruohua. I have not studied poetry or literature for many years. If Mr. Ruohua were to compete with me in matters of governance, it would be unfair to him as well. Each of us has strengths and weaknesses. Comparing us together would be unfair to both of us.”

Shen Lanxi smiled.

“Then you shall compete in two rounds—each of you using what you are not skilled at to face what the other excels in.”

The official stiffened, then quickly regained composure.

“Since Your Majesty has already decided to bring Mr. Ruohua into court, I can only obey.”

Shen Lanxi’s smile faded.

“Do you think you cannot defeat him?”

The official shrank his neck, unable to find a way out of the situation.

“Since the Grand Preceptor has recommended him, I trust the Grand Preceptor’s judgment. Tomorrow, let Mr. Ruohua face all the officials in a contest before the court.”

The official who had been shrinking back was stunned, his eyes widening in shock.

Had he heard correctly?

Face all the officials?

He suddenly thought he understood—perhaps the Emperor did not actually intend to let Mr. Ruohua enter the court.

Did that mean…

The Emperor disliked candidates recommended by the Grand Preceptor?

His gaze drifted to the Grand Preceptor’s seat. Could it be that even that seat would soon be vacated?

At this moment, Wei Jie of the Dali Temple stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, rather than taking time to devise questions, may we use a murder case as the subject?”

Shen Lanxi said, “You mean the case in the households of Lord Wu and Lord Liu?”

Wei Jie bowed. “Exactly.”

After pondering for a moment, Shen Lanxi said, “What Minister Wei says is reasonable. What the court needs is talent, not parasites. In that case, let us raise the stakes.”

“If Mr. Ruohua solves the case, the position of Vice Minister of Works shall be vacated.”

The Vice Minister of Works turned pale.

He hadn’t mentioned any stakes!

“If Mr. Ruohua fails to solve the case, he will return to Jiangnan. I intend to build another Bailu Academy there.”

The officials fell silent in thought.

Though it was said he would serve at an academy in Jiangnan, in reality it was little different from exile. Jiangnan was far from the capital; if Mr. Ruohua went there, he might never again see the splendor of the capital in his lifetime.

“So be it,” Shen Lanxi concluded decisively.

---

The people of the capital waited and waited, until even the “yellow flowers had gone cold,” yet they still did not see the anticipated clash of titans. Instead, they heard that Mr. Ruohua alone would challenge all the court officials.

“Such a spectacle is rarely seen in the world!”

“To witness Mr. Ruohua solving a case in this lifetime would make it worthwhile.”

“I just wonder whether we’ll ever see that clash of titans.”

“They’re taking far too long to build up to that.”

“Mr. Ruohua seems more reliable.”

“Where will this contest be held? Can we watch?”

“If it’s in the imperial palace, we won’t be able to see it.”

“It’s not in the palace—I heard it’s at the Dali Temple.”

“I heard it’s at the Liu residence.”

“These past few days, the Liu and Wu families have been at each other’s throats. By the time this case is finished, those two old ministers will probably need a long rest.”

“Relatives by marriage turned into enemies. The unluckiest one is still Miss Wu.”

“But really—who dies from being struck by a roof tile? If she isn’t unlucky, who is?”

The news of the contest spread through the capital as if it had grown legs.

If the time had not been so urgent—since the contest was to be held the very next day—express bulletins would already have been printed and sent as far as Jinmen.

Both the Wu and Liu families received the news as well. Each felt some regret that matters had escalated so far, but now the arrow was already on the string and had to be released.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the contest arrived.

The location had been decided the day before: the Liu residence.

After all, the scene of the incident was there. Members of the Wu family had been blocking the Liu residence gates, refusing to allow the body to be moved or the scene to be disturbed, while officials from the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice guarded it carefully, preserving the evidence.

Curious citizens had already filled both sides of the street. Vendors stood in orderly rows among them, leaving the roadway clear for carriages; no one dared block the path.

“Look—Mr. Ruohua has arrived!”

“My heavens… Mr. Ruohua is riding in a deer carriage…”

“Horses aren’t allowed to gallop in the marketplace, but no one said anything about deer! As expected of the foremost scholar of the age—his wisdom is unparalleled!”

“What do you know? Those deer are raised behind Bailu Academy. It’s been said since the previous dynasty that the head of Bailu Academy may ride a deer.”

The deer carriage slowly came to a stop. Dressed in a scholar’s robe and holding a folding fan, Mr. Ruohua stepped down calmly.

“Teacher!”

“Greetings, Teacher!”

Mr. Ruohua lightly waved his fan.

“Greetings, my students.”

Cheers erupted instantly.

“Mr. Ruohua greeted me!”

“He was greeting me!”

“No, me!”

Shen Lanxi also arrived with the officials.

“We bow to Your Majesty—”

Shen Lanxi said, “Rise. Today I have come only to observe. Do not feel restrained—carry on as you would.”

“Your Majesty is benevolent and magnanimous; it is the fortune of Great Zhou!”

Shen Lanxi merely smiled and said nothing, entering the Liu residence with composed steps.

Since the Vice Minister of Works had been the one to raise the matter of the contest, the officials did not want to become the subject of ridicule. After entering, someone kicked the Vice Minister from behind, sending him stumbling directly in front of Mr. Ruohua.

“Lord Wang,” Mr. Ruohua greeted with a cupped-fist salute.

Vice Minister Wang Shen was now riding a tiger he could not dismount.

“Mr. Ruohua…”