The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 048 The Art Of Flattery Part 2
If reading books and writing articles were considered leisurely, then indeed, it would be pretty relaxing, as these are the two main things Hanlin scholars do every day. But doing it day and night, month after month, year after year—who could stand it? Yao Shan and Wang Xiao were fine; they had been reading and writing for decades and were used to it. But Tang Shen’s head was spinning!
They had to write essays every day!
Opening his eyes, he had to start thinking about how many essays he had to write today. Eating meals, he still had to think about how many more he had left to write that day. At night, before going to bed, he was thinking about how many essays he had to write tomorrow.
Tang Shen was suffering too!
The Emperor's birthday was an even bigger deal. The birthday of Emperor Zhao Fu of the Song Dynasty was on the seventh day of the tenth lunar month. By the beginning of September, the Hanlin Academy was already busy writing blessing texts for him. Yao Shan was led by Grand Secretary Yang to organize the various affairs of the Emperor over the past year. After a thorough examination, they still had to record everything in detail. Wang Xiao and Tang Shen were assigned to write articles, focusing solely on blessing texts.
No matter how beautifully these articles were written, the Emperor would only read a few, and the rest would be burned, under the noble name of offering prayers to heaven.
The person responsible for selecting which articles would be presented to the Emperor was the Hanlin Academy Scholar, Second-Rank Grand Secretary Yang.
This Grand Secretary Yang had quite a history with Tang Shen.
Back when Tang Shen took the xiangshi, his first essay in the eight-legged essay format was excellent but lacked brilliance, leaving him no chance of becoming second place (yayuan). However, Grand Secretary Yang saw Tang Shen's answers to the five questions on the Book of Changes in the second session. Grand Secretary Yang was deeply impressed and almost wanted to award Tang Shen the top spot. But considering that Tang Shen's first session paper was indeed not as good as others, and in the interest of fairness, Grand Secretary Yang gave Tang Shen the second place.
After joining the Hanlin Academy, Tang Shen didn't have the chance to meet these Grand Secretaries. The highest-ranking officials he usually encountered were of the fifth rank.
Knowing that Grand Secretary Yang would personally visit the next day, Tang Shen went home and thought deeply. He took out the Book of Changes and carefully read through it again.
After being at the Hanlin Academy for so long, Tang Shen had already discovered that, besides himself, no one else knew that Grand Scholar Yang liked the Book of Changes!
"Wang Zifeng, oh Wang Zifeng!”
Tang Shen called his senior brother's name, feeling both amused and helpless.
Three months ago, Tang Shen had moved to the Tanhua Residence, which was indeed close to the Minister Residence, only separated by two alleys. That evening, after reading the Book of Changes, Tang Shen thought for a moment, then picked up the book and went to the Minister Residence. The gatekeeper, upon seeing Tang Shen, immediately respectfully invited him in. This time, Wang Zhen was at home, so Tang Shen didn't go to the flower hall but directly to the study.
Wang Zhen was lying on a rocking chair, leisurely reading a book by candlelight.
When Tang Shen arrived, he called out, "Senior Brother Zi Feng."
Wang Zhen peeked out from behind the book, looking surprised, "What brings my little junior brother here today?"
Tang Shen lied with a straight face, "I came across something I didn’t understand while reading and thought it was still early, so I came to ask you for clarification."
Wang Zhen stared at him, put down the book, and smiled, "Are you really here for clarification?"
Tang Shen thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth this time, "I missed you, Senior Brother."
Wang Zhen's smile grew even brighter, and he reached out his hand, "What book is it?"
Tang Shen thought to himself, "When I lied, you didn't believe me, and now that I'm telling the truth, you still don't believe me! Wang Zifeng, you're too smart for your own good, aren't you?"
Tang Shen's visit to the Minister Residence was indeed a sudden thought. As Wang Zhen said, ever since Tang Shen took up his position at the Hanlin Academy, the two senior brothers had less contact and spent less time together. Tang Shen was just a seventh-rank minor official and had no opportunities to interact with Wang Zhen in official circles. At most, they might run into each other after work.
Today, Tang Shen remembered Wang Zhen's reminder that Grand Secretary Yang liked the Book of Changes, and for some reason, he felt the urge to visit Wang Zhen.
Of course, Wang Zhen wouldn't believe that "I missed you," but when Tang Shen handed him the Book of Changes, Wang Zhen was slightly stunned. After a moment, he said, "Is the Hanlin Academy writing blessing texts for the Emperor recently?"
Tang Shen was momentarily confused about how Wang Zhen knew, but seeing the Book of Changes, he was startled. Just from a book, Wang Zifeng can think of so much? Isn't he a bit of a demon!
Tang Shen thought for a moment and didn't hide anything, "Yes." After all, if Wang Zhen wanted to know, he would find out soon enough.
Wang Zhen paused for a long time before saying, "So, my little junior brother really did miss me, huh?"
Tang Shen looked up at him, bewildered. In the flickering candlelight, Wang Zhen quietly smiled, with an uncharacteristic hint of warmth and softness.
At that moment, for the first time, Tang Shen felt that he had truly connected with Wang Zifeng and become friends.
Holding a copy of the Book of Changes, the two chatted all night, talking until dawn.
The next day, Tang Shen arrived at the Hanlin Academy, and sure enough, Grand Secretary Yang came at noon.
Yang Qi sat at the head of the room, surveying the officials inside. He slowly said, "Colleagues, in a few days, it will be the Emperor's birthday. The Hanlin Academy has been busy for a month, and it’s time for results. Every year, I select three articles to present to the Emperor, and this year is no exception. Each of you has prepared an article, correct?"
Everyone responded in unison, "We have prepared."
Yang Qi nodded in satisfaction, "Then bring them up."
The officers descended from the high platform and collected the articles from each official. Tang Shen handed in his article, and after collecting all the articles, Grand Secretary Yang left without saying a word.
Yao Shan was not responsible for writing articles, so among the three newly appointed first-rank jinshi officials, only Wang Xiao and Tang Shen had to write.
Wang Xiao sighed to Tang Shen, "I wonder what the outcome will be, Jing Ze, are you confident?"
Tang Shen replied, "I’ve always believed that we can only plan, but success is up to the heavens."
Wang Xiao nodded, "Indeed, we just need to do our part well."
The next day, Grand Secretary Yang didn't announce which three articles he sent to the Emperor. But on the fourth day of October, Tang Shen suddenly received an imperial decree. A fifth-rank official from the Ministry of Appointments arrived at the Hanlin Academy with a smile and read the decree in front of everyone: "To Tang Shen, Compiler of the Hanlin Academy. The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven, acknowledges your modesty, diligence, and excellence in writing. You are hereby promoted to the sixth rank of Junior Chamberlain to the Emperor, effective on the tenth day of this month. This is the Emperor’s decree. Twenty-seventh year of the Kaiping reign, tenth month."
Everyone in the room was shocked. Tang Shen lowered his head, maintaining a calm expression, but the hand holding the decree was trembling slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.
At the same time, another decree arrived at the Hanlin Academy, but it was delivered to the adjacent hall. Yao Shan received the decree with both hands, unable to hide his joy as he was promoted to the fifth-rank position of Chamberlain to the Emperor.
The Junior Chamberlain to the Emperor and the Chamberlain are known as the "Imperial Historians," responsible for recording all the Emperor’s affairs, compiling the "Daily Records of the Emperor." They document the Emperor's conversations with ministers, the ministers’ memorials, and the Emperor’s occasional remarks—all recorded by the Imperial Historians.
This dynasty has three Chamberlains and twelve Junior Chamberlains to the Emperor. Most of the time, there must be two Chamberlains or Junior Chamberlains present with the Emperor.
At least one Chamberlain is replaced each year, and the top scholar of each imperial examination is guaranteed to serve as a Chamberlain—it's just a matter of when. When this top scholar is promoted to Chamberlain, his departure from the Emperor's side marks the beginning of his rise to prominence. As for the Junior Chamberlain, they have more flexibility and are not strictly assigned.
Everyone knew that Yao Shan would be promoted to Chamberlain, but no one expected Tang Shen to be promoted alongside him!
The officials of the Hanlin Academy flocked to congratulate him. Wang Xiao looked dejected and was silent for a long time. But he still cupped his hands towards Tang Shen and said, "Jing Ze, congratulations, congratulations."
Tang Shen looked at him deeply and replied, "Thank you, Dai Yue (Wang Xiao’s courtesy name)."
Wang Xiao felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to say.
Tang Shen had quite a network in the Hanlin Academy. For one, he was young, and most of the officials in the Hanlin Academy were older, so they treated him like their own grandson, doting on him. Additionally, he had strong backing!
Tang Shen was a student of Fu Wei, which everyone knew. Although Fu Wei never visited the Hanlin Academy, he was nominally its head. Moreover, Tang Shen had a good relationship with Wang Zhen. The Ministry of Revenue is responsible for selecting and refurbishing the residences for the zhuangyuan, bangyan, and tanhua in the imperial examinations. The residences for the zhuangyuan and bangyan are both located in the west of the city, while only the tanhua's residence is in the east, close to the Minister Residence.
People often say that Wang Xiao and Wang Zifeng are distant relatives. However, they are indeed only distant relatives, with no close connection. After Wang Xiao came to Shengjing, he visited Wang Zhen a few times. Although Wang Zhen was friendly, their relationship was merely cordial.
Wang Zhen and Tang Shen are the real fellow disciples.
No matter how dissatisfied Wang Xiao is, he can only curse, "Those damned connections!"
However, he doesn’t know that Tang Shen's promotion to the Junior Chamberlain was actually unrelated to Wang Zhen. The one who promoted Tang Shen was truly the Emperor Zhao Fu of Kaiping.
Among the three articles Yang Qi recommended, one was naturally written by Tang Shen. Since Tang Shen began his article with, "The dragon flying in the sky, positioned in heavenly virtue. The dragon seen in the field, the world is civilized," which are lines from the Book of Changes: Qian Hexagram, Grand Secretary Yang was very pleased and recalled the five essays Tang Shen had written for the xiangshi.
"Well, although I couldn’t make you the top scholar back then, I suppose this makes up for it and settles an old worry!"
Starting with a flattering tone to please Grand Secretary Yang, Tang Shen went on to quote extensively from classical texts. He cited Taoist classics like the "Tao Te Ching," "Zhuangzi," and "Huainanzi," extravagantly praising Emperor Zhao Fu's achievements over the past twenty-seven years. He then lauded Zhao Fu as a sage-like ruler with magnificent prose, to the point of almost declaring, "Your Majesty, you are truly a celestial being."
Tang Shen wrote this article on the night he had a deep conversation with Wang Zhen. He felt he must have been delirious to produce such a masterful piece of flattery. It might have been his drowsiness that led him to write such an article. If asked to write something like it again, he probably couldn't manage it—he just didn’t have that thick of a skin!
In short, with good news coming, Tang Shen was promoted to the Junior Chamberlain, becoming close to the Emperor. To celebrate he invited colleagues and a few familiar jinshi to Qianli Tower for a celebratory meal.
That night, when he returned home, Yao San, upon learning the good news, said, "Little Boss, you have double happiness!"
Tang Shen was surprised, "Double happiness? What other good news is there?"
Yao San replied, "This should have been done a long time ago. Six months ago, when Little Boss achieved the rank of tanhua, Miss Ah Huang was supposed to come from Gusu to reunite with you. Unfortunately, my mother suddenly fell ill with a cold and was bedridden, so she couldn't board the ship. Miss Ah Huang was unwilling to leave my mother alone in Gusu and stayed to care for her. This care lasted for half a year. Last month, my mother’s health improved, and a few days ago, they boarded the ship, so they should arrive in Shengjing within half a month!"
Tang Shen imagined a young girl in hemp clothes, angrily saying, "Tang Shen, you are not allowed to spend money recklessly," and felt warmth in his heart. "Alright, then we will wait for them to arrive!"
On the sixth of October, Fu Wei caught a cold, and after leaving the office, Tang Shen went to visit him at Fu Residence. An hour later, Wang Zhen also arrived.
The two of them talked with Fu Wei for a while, and after Fu Wei fell asleep, the two left.
After leaving Fu Residence, Tang Shen suddenly asked, "Senior Brother, do you have any good wine and food at home today?"
Wang Zhen looked at Tang Shen in surprise, then smiled and said, "When has my little junior brother ever come over without seeing good wine and food?"
Tang Shen nodded, "Then I'll go home to change out of this official robe and come find you."
Wang Zhen gazed at Tang Shen but said nothing, only smiled.
At night, Tang Shen indeed changed into a green robe and went to the Minister Residence.
The large Minister Residence was quiet and deserted. Wang Zhen had set up a table of dishes in the courtyard, with the sound of water from the pond beneath. Under the moonlight, several koi fish were playing in the water. Because Wang Zhen rarely spoke during meals, Tang Shen also remained silent. After finishing the meal, the steward cleared the table and brought out a pot of tea.
They looked at the moon and savored the tea.
Tang Shen took something from his sleeve and gently placed it on the stone table, making a crisp sound.
Wang Zhen looked down and was slightly taken aback. He then looked up and said, "Little Junior Brother?"
Tang Shen said, "A gentleman of noble character is refined like cut and polished jade, like carved and honed stone. Senior Brother, you are noble and pure, and I have always known that. This piece of jade was something I had someone find in Gusu. It took two months to find a piece of translucent white jade, which I thought would best complement your white brocade robes. I know you come from the Wang clan of Langya and have seen countless beautiful jades, so this piece may not be of much value. This is just a token of my heartfelt congratulations for your twenty-sixth birthday."
Under the clear moonlight, there was something star-like and brilliant in Wang Zhen's clear eyes.
After a long time, Wang Zhen picked up the jade and asked, "How did you know today is my birthday?"
Tang Shen was momentarily stunned, "Last year, Mr. Fu mentioned it. He said he had been busy recently and forgot that the day before yesterday was your birthday. Mr. Fu said that on the eighth of October. So isn’t your birthday the sixth of October?"
Wang Zhen stroked the jade and said, "Yes. However, the seventh of October is the Emperor's birthday, and all the officials in the court are busy with that. Even I often forget that the sixth of October is my birthday."
Tang Shen, unaware of such details, said without thinking, "Then I'll remember it for you."
Wang Zhen suddenly looked up at Tang Shen.
Tang Shen said, "…Senior Brother?” Did he offend him? Did he not flatter him well enough?
Wang Zhen looked at him for a while, then smiled quietly. His hand moved down and touched a sachet tied beneath the jade. The sachet was made of deep blue silk, and Wang Zhen sniffed it. The fragrance was elegant and somewhat familiar. "Is this the scent of peony?"
Tang Shen explained, "It's a blend of sweetgrass and peony. The Book of Songs: Qin Wei says, 'The Qin and the Wei, they are both fine. The scholar and the girl, they both hold sweetgrass. The girl says, "Look at that," and the scholar says, "Yes, let’s go and see." It’s outside the Wei, truly sweet and joyous. The scholar and the girl, they play and exchange peony.' I thought your name came from 'Qin Wei,' wasn’t it?"
Wang Zhen looked at Tang Shen and smiled, "Yes."
AN: Little Tang Lang: After traveling to ancient times, the first thing I learned was how to flatter people! Senior Brother, did I not do it well enough?
Old Neighbor Wang [smiles]: Perfect!