Gate of God
chapter-159

"Mr Hua, please speak!" King Duan said impatiently.

"the Crown Prince is favored by the sage to be the Chief Examiner of the examination because of Han Zhangfeng’s support. Han Zhangfeng is the Imperial Academy’s Chief Imperial Messenger. He has immense experience in invigilating the imperial examination. As such, the sage will feel easy if someone he recommends is the Chief Examiner of the examination. Why not you try to do a little switcheroo!" Mr Hua’s eyes glimmered.

"Switcheroo? I don’t think that’s very possible. Han Zhangfeng is the Crown Prince’s teacher since a young age. They are incredibly close and it would be virtually impossible to come between them."

"It would be difficult to come between them. However, that is not your intention!" Mr Hua added.

"What do you mean?"

"I have researched Han Zhangfeng’s invigilating of the River of Trust Province Examinations. At that time, he had sent the Crown Prince various secret mails. Even though I don’t know what the content of the letters was, but based on the events during the examination, Han Zhangfeng probably did not want Fang Zhengzhi to top the examination."

"Why so?" King Duan was slightly confused.

"Han Zhangfeng has been the Chief Imperial Messenger for many years. He is incredibly scheming and probably has seen the threat to the dynasty long before us. As the Crown Prince’s teacher, he would want the dynasty to remain stable. If it is unstable, the Crown Prince would be unable to ascend the throne of the Eastern Palace!"

"What do you mean?" King Duan’s eyes brightened.

"Han Zhangfeng would not allow too many variables to enter the courts. If Fang Zhengzhi was not so unpredictable, he would definitely value and use him, but..."

"I understand now, you want me to work with Han Zhangfeng and prevent Fang Zhengzhi from participating in the examination?"

"That is only half of it my lord!" Mr Hua shook his head.

"Mr Hua, please educate us all!"

"It would be parochial to just focus on the Imperial Examinations. My Lord, you should focus on the power struggle at hand. Han Zhangfeng is a valuable ally. If you can get him in your camp, then your path to the throne would be a lot easier. Even if you can’t get him over, you can take the chance to..." Mr Hua placed his hand on his throat and made a dragging motion across it.

"Mr Hua is extremely intelligent, killing two birds with one stone! However, Han Zhangfeng has always been extremely cautious. Even if he wants to prevent Fang Zhengzhi from participating, why would he ally himself with me?"

"That’s not difficult at all. I have just received a very important piece of news. Han Zhangfeng’s second son has been thrown into the Heavenly Jail because of an incident with a horse..."

"You’re saying that Han Tianzhen has been thrown into the Heavenly Jail? Who has that audacity?"

"It’s Ping Yang..."

"Ping Yang?! Why would Han Tianzhen antagonize her?"

"Han Zhangfeng has always spent his time on tutoring the Crown Prince and the the affairs of the Imperial Academy. He has traditionally neglected his kids. Even though Han Tianzhen is without any skills, he has not caused much trouble. However, he loves to race. With Han Zhangfeng as principled as he is, where will Han Tianzhen find a decent stallion to race with? Naturally, he loses more than he wins. As such, he always goes to the horse market t try his luck. He finally caught a break and found a Snow Jade. He spent 68,888 ounces of silver, but that Snow Jade..."

"Is Ping Yang’s?" King Duan finally realized what was going on.

"Mm, more coincidentally, the one who sold the horse to Tianzhen is Fang Zhengzhi! My lord, this is a golden opportunity for you. If you can save Han Tianzhen from the Heavenly Jail, Han Zhangfeng will have to thank you. Then, you can tell him about Fang Zhengzhi selling the horse to his son..."

"There are such coincidences in this world? But Fang Zhengzhi just arrived here, how could he have Ping Yang’s Snow Jade? That Snow Jade is her precious. Even I’ve never ridden on it before."

"I am not sure about that. I do not know how Fang Zhengzhi managed to get Snow Jade from Ping Yang. Furthermore, he went to sell it on the market. This is quite inexplicable."

"Forget it, let’s not care about this first, I am going to make a trip to the Heavenly Jail!" King Duan said loudly and walked out.

Elder Wen looked at King Duan and Mr Hua. He did not stop them. Fang Zhengzhi antagonized Ping Yang? Is this really a coincidence?

　　...

The capital was extremely crowded. However, there was a place forbidden to sellers and tourists. That was the palace, the residence of the royal family.

This was a huge city within the city. Everything here was coated in gold lacquer or made of jade. The floors were white marble and each structure was intricately carved, exuding an aura of magnificence and prosperity.

At this moment, a male in his forties, dressed in a purple robe, and having pointed, phoenix like eyes, was walking towards a room with the words ‘Advanced Academy’ printed in gold.

An elderly man stood at the door. He was rather fair.

"Xing Hou, you are finally here, the emperor has been waiting for some time!"

"Mm, thank you Mr Fan!" The man who was called Xing Hou smiled and nodded. Then, as Mr Fan opened the door to the room, he stepped through.

The room was impeccably designed. It was covered in the paintings of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the empire. Huge canvases of calligraphy also lined the walls.

At the back of the room was a bookcase laid on golden satin.

"Greetings emperor!" The middle aged man fell to his knees without a second glance.

"Guest Xing, please rise and sit next to me." A commanding voice echoed throughout the space. This was the aura of the Emperor, and it almost seemed like he scorned everything under the sun.

When the middle aged man heard the voice, he rose slowly. Then, he walked forward. However, he did not follow the command and sit next to the bookcase. Instead, he sat at a seat about five meters away.

After he sat down, the middle aged man did not speak, waiting calmly for the voice to ring out again.

"Aish... you guys care about tradition and rules too much. The ancestors of the thirteen constabularies ventured in all directions and conquered more than half of the empire’s territories. As the head of the thirteen constabularies, why are you still being such strangers with me?" The voice rang out once again.

"This official is a military general. I should actually maintain a 10 meter distance from you. Now, I am only five meters away, I have already broken the rules!" The middle aged man replied respectfully.

"Whatever, I heard that Qing Sui wants to participate in the Imperial Examination, is he prepared?" The voice’s tone changed to one of care and concern.

"Emperor, even though Qing Sui has been working very hard, he is still not up to speed. Right now, he is merely at the intermediate stages of the Heavenly Reflection State. I am afraid he will disappoint you."

"To reach the intermediate stages of the Heavenly Reflection State at 22 is applaudable. Your expectations are too high. In my view, the favorites to top the examination are Qing Sui and Su Donglin from the Su Clan. Once Qing Sui tops the ranking, send him to me, he will get better training."

"Thank you emperor! However, in my view, Su Donglin had already made it to the advanced stages of the Heavenly Reflection Realm five days ago. Furthermore, the Southern Palace is also participating. Their representative is Nangong Hao’s younger brother. Qing Sui’s chances of topping the board are bleak!" The middle aged man rose, then fell to his knees.

"Please rise, even though Qing Sui is only in the intermediate stages of the Heavenly Reflection State, but the Stabilisation Constabulary has many secret techniques. However, the Southern Palace fella might be a bit of a problem. Also, I haven’t seen Chi Guyan in very long. When you return, help me ask her to come visit me more!"

"You still pamper Chi Guyan a lot, I am incredibly envious! But Chi Guyan did not stay with me this time. Instead, she has chosen to stay... with Ping Yang." The middle aged man rose quickly and sat back on the chair.

"Oh? Chi Guyan is staying with Ping Yang? Oh, how careless of me. Ping Yang’s birthday is coming in a few days and they are childhood friends. It is only normal that they are staying together. Mm... actually, I have invited you over today to ask your opinion on something."

"Please go ahead." The middle aged man rose upon hearing the request.

"For some reason, both the Crown Prince and King Duan want to be the Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examination. None of them seem to be gaining the upper hand on this. the Crown Prince has suggested letting Han Zhangfeng be the Chief Examiner. This is in line with the rules of the previous Imperial Examination rules, so I am assured. However, King Duan has had quite a good eye when it comes to appointing people. He has said that he wanted to use this experience to better himself. I am afraid that if I do not give it to him, I may destroy the fire in him. What do you think?"

The middle aged man understood what was going on. He maintained a respectful tone and stature as he lowered his head, his eyes glimmering.

This question was not difficult. All he had to do was say his opinion. However, the implications of his answer were beyond comprehension.

It was far more sensitive than the power struggle between the Crown Prince and King Duan

As the leader of the thirteen constabularies, Xing Yuanguo was keenly aware that his tone and reply would determine whether the Stabilisation Constabulary will still be able to lead the thirteen constabularies.

As such, his answer must be careful and well thought out.