Chapter 1804 – Cunning Lines, Hidden Currents
This year was of massive significance, destined to be etched into history, leaving a bold mark in the river of time.
Whether it was Jiang Pengji’s “conceptual pregnancy” or “the heavenly descent of the Purple Microstar,” the loss of half the country in Zhong Zhao over twenty days, or the successful conclusion of the first imperial examination, this batch of scholars officially stepped into the political arena. In a sense, it could almost be considered the dawn of a new era.
Future generations might catch a glimpse of this unique time through history books, but those living in this era were experiencing it firsthand.
“Brother Rongli, Changsheng really doesn’t want to part with you!” Outside the city at the Shili Pavilion, Changsheng unabashedly wrapped her arms around Feng Yi’s neck, her eyes glistening with reluctance. “I still don’t understand why Jiang Jun sent you so far away. Isn’t it just like being exiled to the frontiers?”
Feng Yi steadied Changsheng’s waist, nearly burned by the heat radiating from her touch.
“Ridiculous! How can you be so shameless in broad daylight?”
Though he scolded her, his tone was filled with gentle indulgence, a hint of warmth curling at the corners of his lips.
“What’s shameless about it? We’re a perfectly respectable engaged couple; there are plenty of bolder Young Masters and their ladies out there in Wanzhou. Why can’t I give you a hug?” Changsheng wanted nothing more than to cling to him. As this top scholar of the exam, Feng Yi was dispatched to a very remote borderland, where conditions were far from the prosperity of Wanzhou. In other times, this would be the sort of place where an official was sent into exile.
Thinking of all this, Changsheng felt even sadder.
Who knows what kind of person Feng Yi would become after four years of endurance in that frontier environment.
Feng Yi smiled, “Jiang Jun has her reasons for arranging things this way. The realm is about to stabilize; every citizen above these ten thousand miles is her subject. After nurturing students from the Golden Scales Academy for years, isn’t it just to benefit all the common people? It wouldn’t be right for Wanzhou to thrive while other states and counties suffer. Jiang Jun is sending us there to ensure those places get a chance to prosper too.”
Changsheng retorted, “You’re just spouting a bunch of grand theories without realizing how many people are just here for the drama.”
Feng Yi smiled gently, recalling the scene where Jiang Pengji summoned batch after batch of the newly appointed scholars.
She earnestly laid out her plans, promising that the more outstanding the student, the more likely they would be sent to the most impoverished and suffering areas for a four-year term. Enduring hardship and benefiting the local people would surely lead to future advancements in their careers, making the path ahead smoother.
If anyone were unwilling or had reasons preventing them from going far, they could take a nearby position, but it wouldn’t be a high-ranking one.
After all, the positions in Wanzhou were basically saturated, and even the surrounding prosperous counties didn’t have many high-ranking openings.
Even if there were good positions, they certainly wouldn’t fall to these rookies just entering the political field.
This batch’s top scholar, Lu Zhou, actively chose a remote place for his assignment, which was even poorer right next to Feng Yi.
“Aren’t you feeling wronged?”
Perhaps it was the pregnancy, but Jiang Jun that day was exuding unusual patience and spoke in a particularly gentle manner.
Top scholar Lu Zhou replied, “Jiang Jun has invested her resources to cultivate me; her effort over the years is beyond count. A drop of kindness deserves a fountain in return. If Jiang Jun needs me, I will go. Furthermore, as a teacher and educator at the academy for so many years, I have always been concerned about the plight of the common folk. Now, with the fortune to seek blessings for the border people, how can I feel wronged? My entry into politics is to assist Jiang Jun and benefit the populace; the citizens of prosperous areas do not need a rookie like me making a mess, but the border citizens do.”
This was a matter of pursuit.
If entering politics was for fame and fortune, staying in prosperous areas would be the best choice—less hardship, more gain.
Meanwhile, as a newcomer, there would be little room for him to showcase his skills, effectively burying his potential.
However, if one entered politics to benefit the people and ease the monarch’s burdens, wouldn’t it make sense to serve where they were needed the most?
Lu Zhou did not see Jiang Pengji’s arrangements as punishment for them.
Don’t doubt it; she really was that enthusiastic—a daughter raised in a female academy couldn’t help but be a fan of Jiang Jun!
With Lu Zhou finishing his thoughts, the expressions of others from the same batch became somewhat nuanced.
Some were willing to be transferred to far-off places to shine, while others hesitated, hoping to stay closer due to family or health reasons.
Each person has their ambitions; one cannot force it.
Jiang Pengji was also aware of the harsh conditions in those places, providing each of them with guards and dedicated channels for correspondence.
Their letters would be delivered to Jiang Pengji’s desk as quickly as possible.
“Go ahead and do it. As long as it’s beneficial to the people and the state, I will definitely support it.”
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Pengji added, “No matter what evil powers you face, remember, behind you stands me!”
Feng Yi retrieved his drifting thoughts, smiling, “Let them watch; it’s not like the sparrow knows the ambitions of the swan.”
Changsheng beamed back, “Yeah, they’re just a bunch of narrow-minded sparrows! No wonder Jiang Jun has to keep putting them in their place.”
Feng Yi hesitated, then pulled her waist tightly into his embrace.
“I’ll come back and marry you in four years!”
Changsheng said, “Four years, huh? That’s just right—I’ll have graduated from the academy by then. I might even go find you first.”
Time always flies, and soon it was time to depart.
Changsheng hugged his waist, huffing, “While serving as an official, no flirting with flowers! No women allowed, and that goes for men too!”
“Yeah, it’s your duty,” Feng Yi reassured her, “Study hard at the academy; don’t neglect your studies.”
Changsheng declared, “You watch; I’ll be the next top scholar for sure!”
Feng Yi pulled her in for one last hug, mounted his horse, and with a flick of his whip, he was off on the official road.
Noticing that Changsheng’s gaze remained fixed on him, Feng Yi urged his horse forward with a strong flick of the whip.
The breeze swayed his sleeves, leaving the brightest hues in their prime years.
Similar scenes unfolded everywhere.
This group of scholars departed without complaint for their posts in poor rural areas, with the students of the Golden Scales Academy taking the lead.
Those who had been subtly mocking found it less amusing and gradually fell silent.
For many, going to serve in remote regions felt like a demotion; how many officials from past dynasties had perished on the way to their exiles?
Yet, these impetuous young scholars ignored such thoughts and resolutely set off, causing many to sigh in disbelief.
Those with discerning eyes would likely notice that a significant number of these scholars hailed from humble backgrounds.
“When these scholars return, the aristocracy will have a headache.”
Among Jiang Pengji’s ministers, those from humble origins weren’t worrisome, but the scary part was when a significant number of those climbing from the lower ranks were from humble backgrounds.
Once Jiang Zhao was established, the struggle between scholars and commoners would arise, and the humble would hold their ground, maintaining a stable situation.
Mr. Yuanjing felt pleased that his students had such high capabilities.
Of course, that didn’t discount Jiang Pengji’s inspiring words, “You stand behind me,” which ignited their passions.
The venerable scholar Wan Xuan seemed to have aged a bit more in recent years, yet his spirit was even more vibrant than in his youth.
“This is a good thing. The aristocracy dominating the affairs—what would have happened to the royal family and the common people is all too clear.” As Wan Xuan pondered and set a countermove, he remarked, “Jiang Jun’s long-term vision is indeed admirable.”
