gnovel Chapter 59 Grace
Chapter 59 Grace
The news of Li Shimin's ascension to the throne finally reached the people of Hebei. For the vast majority of villagers, they did not care who became emperor, but rather whether there was grain stored in their granaries, whether there were copper coins in their shoulder bags, and whether they could perform fewer corvée labor duties this year.
If all three conditions are met, then he is the best emperor in the world. If officials in the underground harbor evil intentions, it is the result of their ineffective supervision, and has nothing to do with the emperor.
If none of these three conditions are met, no matter how approachable the officials are, the villagers will still blame this "son of heaven" in their hearts.
Fortunately, Li Er knew the hardships faced by the people of Hebei Province, and an imperial decree followed.
The four prefectures of Ci, Xiang, Ji, and Ming are exempt from all outstanding rent and tax payments accumulated before September of the ninth year of the Wude era. Starting from September, this exemption will continue for another year. The remaining prefectures are exempt from household tax for the current year, and the regular rent is reduced by half. The lower-class households in Hebei Circuit are exempt from rent, tax, and labor for the entire year, while the lower-middle-class and lower-upper-class households are exempt from tax and receive half rent.
When Shen Ce saw this decree, he was quite moved, wondering if he had played a role in it.
The heads of the various branches of the Cui family have already set off in different directions, each branch corresponding to a powerful and influential clan.
Shen Ce shamelessly went to Cui Sheren—no, now Cui Zuowei—to gather information, and only then did he learn that the head of the Boling Cui clan had set a limit of no more than five children for each branch.
They've really gone too far; they've reserved at least ten official positions for themselves, and maybe even more.
Presumably for the sake of the official appointment quota, the Cui family did not make things difficult for him. It seems that large families prioritize interests above all else; what does face matter compared to becoming an official?
Upon closer reflection, it makes sense. Ten official positions, even minor ones, would wield considerable influence in the local area, and for powerful families, influence equates to power.
However, such matters should not be made public. Wei Zheng sternly warned Shen Ce to keep this matter to himself, otherwise, how would scholars across the land view the court's system of selecting officials?
Li Er was actually meticulous, considering not only the powerful families and common people of Hebei, but also Wei Zheng and Wen Wuyin who came to offer condolences.
Wei Zheng, who was originally just the Baron of Julu County, has now become the Duke of the Founding State, with the rank of Second Grade and the official position of Grand Counselor. Wen Wuyin has also been promoted to Right Censor.
Shen Ce, who had been listening to the imperial edict for a long time, saw that the messenger had already congratulated the two of them but had not called his name. Scratching his ears and cheeks, he walked over to the messenger and started to wander around.
Round and round.
Only when the attendant's gaze finally fell on Shen Ce did he say to him, "Shen, the registrar, stop wandering around. There are no orders for you this time."
Ok?
Hearing this, Shen Ce was a little angry. So what if he didn't say something nice? Why was Li Er so petty and vengeful? In his memory, even when Wei Zheng was so hostile to him, Li Er didn't do anything to Wei Zheng. Instead, he promoted him. Why did he change?
The attendant remained silent for a long while. Seeing Shen Ce's agitation and uncertain expression, he straightened his robes, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice, "Convey His Majesty's oral decree. Shen Ce, kneel to receive it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ce was taken aback. How could it be an imperial edict? He suppressed his doubts and bowed respectfully.
"Summon this scoundrel back to the capital for a face-to-face meeting with me."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ce was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
In contrast, Wei Zheng stroked his beard, a broad smile on his face.
Only after seeing off the messenger did he explain to Shen Ce, "The decree between Wen Wuyin and me was carried out by His Majesty according to procedures and rules, so naturally a decree was issued."
Seeing that Shen Ce still didn't understand, he continued to explain, "His Majesty wants to give you an important position and wants to go back to hear your thoughts."
Shen Ce only realized it now.
Wen Wuyin, who was standing nearby, joked, "Just now, that servant saw you scratching your head and looking embarrassed, so he told you there was an imperial edict. It must have been His Majesty's doing, otherwise, how could he have the audacity..."
Shen Ce understood the implication. It seemed that Li Er was quite angry about his previous behavior and wanted to play a prank on him to vent his anger.
Three months of hard work have finally paid off, and I am naturally overjoyed.
In this situation, it was natural to compose a poem. Since the two officials were of low rank, they naturally asked Wei Zheng to go first. At this time, Wei Zheng had long since lost his previous repressed state. Upon hearing this suggestion, he did not object but instead began to ponder.
Wei Zheng paced back and forth in the courtyard. Although he could not compare to Cao Zhi who could compose a poem in seven steps, he could still be considered quite talented in writing.
Wei Zheng then recited the poem with great intonation and swaying of his head:
Thoughts in Late Autumn
I left Beijing and Fu in the first summer, and stayed in Sanhe in late autumn.
The Penglai Pavilion stands deep and silent, filled with longing for home day and night.
Only by composing the "Soaring Clouds Ode" can one emulate Lu Ge.
It's over, let it go; the orchid sings in the quiet tree.
Shen Ce understood; Wei Zheng was expressing his homesickness! He was absolutely certain.
It seems that Wei Zheng, now in middle age, was still quite reserved, lacking the youthful vigor of his earlier years. Although he was granted an official title, he still wanted to return home as soon as possible, even though returning home would mean he had officially become an official.
Shen Ce and Wen Wuyin cheered wildly from the sidelines, while Wei Zheng nodded repeatedly, very satisfied with his performance. After admiring himself, he turned to Shen Ce and Wen Wuyin and asked, "Which of you two will go first?"
Wen Wuyin immediately stepped back and gestured for Shen to proceed, saying, "My rank is low; please, Brother Shen, go first!"
Shen Ce was taken aback. Composing a poem? He knew nothing about tonal patterns and rhymes; his usual use was just to distinguish between the upper and lower couplets.
Seeing Shen Ce's troubled expression, Wen Wuyin immediately egged him on, saying, "Brother Shen, reciting poetry is just a minor matter. A few days ago, you defeated all the scholars in the Qinghui Hall, but now you're unwilling to even compose a poem. Could it be that you're dissatisfied with His Majesty's oral decree?"
A sly glint appeared in his eyes. This Shen Ce, a soldier by birth, was lucky to even compose a doggerel; it was a stroke of good fortune. In the past, in Kangpingfang, he'd spent countless hours studying poetry to attract the courtesans. With him here today, he was sure to change their opinion of him.
Shen Ce was furious. How dare he try to pin this mess on me? Looks like he wants to become the King of Luoyang!
He then imitated Wei Zheng, pacing in the courtyard, from the pavilion to the covered walkway, and then from the walkway to the tree. Seeing that the two were about to lose their patience, he slowly spoke: "The sordid past is nothing to boast about."
Wei Zheng nodded, indicating that it was not bad.
"Today, my thoughts are boundless and unrestrained." Shen Ce shook his head and uttered the second line.
Wen Wuyin exclaimed in surprise, "Indeed, it suits the mindset of us young people. Let's continue!"
"Riding on the spring breeze, my horse gallops swiftly, treading upon all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day."
Shen Ce recited the remaining two lines of the poem in one breath, then let out a long sigh of relief. It was his first time cheating, and he was still a little embarrassed.
"It was just a spur-of-the-moment inspiration, a stroke of genius, and hardly a fine line. I hope Lord Wei and Brother Shen will forgive me." Shen Ce clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the two men.
The sounds in the courtyard disappeared. Wen Wuyin tilted his head, his mouth half-open, frantically repeating the poem that Shen Ce had just composed in his mind.
Enraged, Wei Zheng grabbed Shen Ce's hand and said in a trembling voice, "Come with me!"