bullyxtreme Chapter 121 There is no road in the world
Chapter 121 There is no road in the world
Chapter 121 There is no road in the world
On the other side, after leaving Tianqing Temple, Zhao Dezhao went straight to the Dou residence.
This is the most important thing for him today!
Given Dou Yi's prestige among scholars, if he could be wholeheartedly assisted, the resistance to implementing the new policies would be greatly reduced.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Dou residence, after announcing his arrival, Dou Yi quickly came out to greet him personally, his expression calm and without much small talk.
Clearly, he already knew Zhao Dezhao's purpose through Lu Duoxun.
The two walked side by side into the Dou residence and went straight to the study. After dismissing the attendants, Dou Yi sighed slowly, his expression solemn, and immediately got to the point: "Your Highness, I know the purpose of your visit. The new imperial examination policy is indeed a good thing that will benefit future generations, but please forgive me—"
"I cannot help Your Highness."
He paused, a hint of worry appearing on his deeply lined face: "I am already in my twilight years, and I do not seek fame or fortune. I only wish to ensure the safety of my Dou family."
"I need not elaborate on the current situation in the court and among the people, Your Highness is naturally aware of it. There are undercurrents at present, and once the end of the year is over, the backlash Your Highness will face will be even more intense. If I rashly enter the game, and the new policy fails, my Dou family will be doomed."
Zhao Dezhao listened quietly, his expression calm, showing no surprise whatsoever.
He had long anticipated Dou Yi's concerns. After all, Dou Yi was a veteran official who had served through several reigns and was known for his cautious approach to affairs. Now, with the entire court and the public opposing the new policies, no one dared to gamble everything and easily help him at this time.
Zhao Dezhao didn't say much, but took out the appointment edict personally written by Zhao Kuangyin from his bosom and handed it to Dou Yi.
Dou Yi looked down and saw that it was an imperial edict from the emperor. His expression changed instantly, and he immediately knelt down to receive the decree.
"Lord Dou, please wait."
Zhao Dezhao reached out to support Dou Yi, then shook his head and said, "This imperial edict was not issued by Father Emperor on his own initiative. Rather, it was after I pleaded with Father Emperor to appoint Dou Gong as the chief examiner for this imperial examination that Father Emperor issued this edict."
Upon hearing this, Dou Yi stiffened and fell silent.
He understood what Zhao Dezhao meant.
Yes, the new imperial examination policy did indeed face fierce resistance from the entire court and the public, but—there was still one person who supported the new policy!
This person is none other than the current emperor!
This imperial edict was Zhao Dezhao's way of reassuring him.
Dou Yi still had his concerns. He slowly closed his eyes, sighed deeply, and when he opened them again, his eyes were full of struggle and helplessness: "Your Highness, it is not that I am unwilling to agree, but this matter involves too many people and is too dangerous."
"Even with the Emperor's support, people's hearts are unpredictable, and the situation in the court can change in an instant. The Emperor may well choose to compromise and back down in order to stabilize the court in the future, let alone Your Highness?"
"Those powerful and influential families who oppose the new policies, although they dare not do anything to Your Highness, if the new policies fail and Your Highness compromises, they will surely vent all their resentment on me and the Dou family."
"I am old and my death is not a pity, but the Dou family has nearly a hundred members. I cannot gamble their future and lives on an unknown outcome."
After he finished speaking, Zhao Dezhao fell silent.
Seeing the helplessness in Dou Yi's eyes, he knew that no amount of words could completely dispel Dou Yi's concerns at this point.
Apart from the emperor's support, he can offer Dou Yi no real guarantees whatsoever.
As for bribing him with benefits? To someone like Dou Yi, it would not only be useless, but would also be a great insult.
Thinking of this, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but sigh deeply, his tone tinged with melancholy and boredom: "It seems that Lord Dou has made up his mind."
"Your subject is guilty," Dou Yi said, bowing with shame.
"Alright, alright, I won't make things difficult for you, Master Dou. I'll take my leave now."
Losing interest, Zhao Dezhao waved his hand, put the imperial edict back into his pocket, and without waiting for Dou Yi to get up to see him off, he turned around and strode out of the study, leaving the Dou residence directly.
The wind and snow were desolate, and the whole city was covered in white!
Zhao Dezhao walked against the wind, expressionlessly wiping away the snowflakes that covered his eyebrows and eyes, and slightly raised his head to look up at the howling wind and snow.
He couldn't tell which way the wind was blowing; he only felt the icy snow blades coming from all directions, slapping against his face.
"Boring."
Zhao Dezhao suddenly chuckled softly, lowered his eyes and stared intently at the road ahead, no longer looking at the vast snowstorm, but instead carefully examining each footprint he had made.
Creak—creak—
The crisp yet heavy sound of footsteps on the snow was exceptionally clear in the silent wind and snow, like bones cracking, each step striking against the coldness of the world.
Amidst the swirling snow, a path marked by footprints was added.
There is no road in the world.
Time flies like an arrow, and seven days have passed in the blink of an eye.
On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the first New Year's court assembly since the founding of the Song Dynasty was held as scheduled in Chongyuan Hall.
Amidst the resounding bells and drums and the deafening music, civil and military officials, dressed in court robes and wearing official hats, entered the hall in turn, offering their congratulations to Zhao Kuangyin, who sat enthroned on the dragon throne: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! May the New Year bring you good fortune, and may the nation be prosperous and the people at peace!"
-
After the court ceremony concluded, before Zhao Kuangyin could speak, Fan Zhi stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter concerning the very foundation of the nation, and I humbly request Your Majesty's wise decision!"
The civil and military officials in the hall immediately exchanged knowing glances.
A blizzard is coming!
"Please speak freely, Prime Minister Fan," Zhao Kuangyin said calmly.
Fan Zhi raised his eyes, looking intently at Zhao Kuangyin, and said, "Your Majesty, since the implementation of the new imperial examination policy, the court and the public have been shaken, and scholars throughout the land are dissatisfied!"
"Even renowned scholars and Confucian masters from the Luoyang area submitted memorials, stating frankly that the new policies violated ancestral rules, confused social hierarchy, and that opening up commerce and industry and allowing children of low social status to enter officialdom were corrupting the teachings of sages and disrupting the atmosphere of the court!"
He paused, then adopted a posture of concern for the country and its people, earnestly saying, "Your Majesty, this is not just my opinion; it is the opinion of all scholars in the land!"
"The new imperial examination system has already caused unrest throughout the court and among the people. If this continues, it may shake the foundation of the nation and alienate scholars from all over the country. We earnestly request Your Majesty to rescind the decree, abolish the new imperial examination system, and restore the old system!"
As soon as the words were spoken, eight or nine out of ten civil officials in the court, as if they had agreed beforehand, stepped forward in unison, bowed, and said, "We humbly request Your Majesty to rescind your decree, cancel the new imperial examination policy, and restore the old system!"
Those military officers who did not step forward also adopted a wait-and-see attitude, showing no intention of uttering any rebuttal.
Seeing this, Zhao Guangyi couldn't help but smile faintly, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Dezhao as if he were not paying attention, his eyes hiding a hint of amusement and coldness.
He had said long ago that some things are off-limits and some rules are unbreakable.
The consequences of crossing the line are far beyond what Zhao Dezhao can bear.
He wanted to see if his ambitious nephew could escape unscathed and withstand the pressure from the entire court.
But just then, before Zhao Dezhao could speak, Zhao Kuangyin, sitting on the throne, suddenly raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "What Chancellor Fan said will be discussed later."
Upon hearing this, all the officials were taken aback. Fan Zhi, in particular, looked puzzled and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the new policies concern the very foundation of the nation. How can we postpone the discussion?"
Zhao Kuangyin's expression remained unchanged. He simply shook his head and said with an undeniable air of authority, "Prime Minister Fan, do not be anxious. Today is the seventh day of the first month. A month ago, I issued an edict ordering all military officers of the third rank and above to participate in the palace examination on classical texts. Those who fail will be severely punished. Today is the day of the palace examination."
"
"Whatever the matter, we'll make a decision after the palace examination!"