A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

T/N: Update (2/2)

“Your Highness, there are quite a lot of things mentioned here that need to be fixed. Perhaps it wouldn’t be completed even by the end of the year.” The Minister of Works put down the blueprint and said with a smile: “Why don’t we restore the entrance and the main building first? The flowers, plants, trees and so on can be done later after planning and preparing again.”

 

Some things can be settled by leaving them unsettled for a long time. In the regard of dragging matters endlessly, the officials of the Ministry of Works all had rich practical experience.

 

“Lord Minister must be just joking.” Not moved by his words, Chen Wang sipped the tea prepared by the officials of the Ministry of Works and talked at a deliberately slow pace: “Ben Wang often hears Father Emperor speak of the accomplishments of the lords of the Ministry of Works, such as building dams and renovating official roads, constructing trade markets, develop better farming tools for the convenience of the common people and so on. All these things were done so efficiently that the people are full of praise for the lords.”

 

Hearing this, the officials of the Ministry of Works raised their chins somewhat proudly; whatever Chen Wang said was all true. Their Ministry of Works had indeed rendered a lot of meritorious service for the nation.

 

“Seeing that the Ministry of Works can handle these important matters of the nation so perfectly, Ben Wang believes that renovating the small bureau of the Ministry of Rites is even less of an issue to the lords.” Chen Wang gulped the rest of the tea and stood up unhurriedly, even showing an encouraging smile to the officials present there: “Ben Wang will wait for the good news from the lords in the Ministry of Rites.”

 

Saying so, he left, feeling perfectly contented.

 

“We didn’t seem to… have agreed for renovating the Ministry of Rites according to the blueprint, did we?” A while later, an official finally came to his senses: “Is it too late to go after Chen Wang now?”

 

“What do you think?” The Minister of Works looked at the speaker expressionlessly.

 

The official: “……”

 

The officials looked at the blueprint on the table for a long time in absolute silence. Someone mumbled in a low voice: “If I knew this, I might have as well implored His Majesty to let Chen Wang join our Ministry of Works.”

 

However much they laughed after hearing that Chen Wang was assigned to the Ministry of Rites was however much they were feeling regretful at the moment.

 

Not only was Chen Wang not unbridled and domineering, but he also defended others despite being aware of their shortcomings.

 

“Aren’t there a few other princes who have yet to receive their appointment? Maybe after some time, our Ministry of Works will also have the support of a prince.”

 

“But… which other prince is more valued by His Majesty than Chen Wang?”

 

Everyone fell silent again. There really weren’t other such princes.

 

“Alright.” The Minister of Works sighed and gave the blueprint to the Right Assistant Minister: “Since it was arranged by His Highness and Official Wu is not here, I will hand over this matter to you.”

 

The Right Assistant Minister: “……”

 

But what did he do wrong?

 

Early the next morning, the Ministry of Rites was bustling with sounds. The craftsmen sent by the Ministry of Works had begun working on the roof, wall, and corners of the bureau. Li En, the Minister of Rites, stroked his beard and looked at these craftsmen with a satisfied and kind smile.

 

Who said that His Highness Chen Wang was not good?

 

They created it out of nothing; those were outright malicious and hurtful words.

 

His arrival not only brought warmth and hope to their Ministry of Rites, but also a brand new roof and wall, making it more beautiful.

 

What a fine young man ah.

 

Noticing Ming Jingzhou passing through the corridor, Li En called him: “Brother Ming, please wait.” 

 

“Lord.” When Li En called him, Ming Jingzhou paused and bowed to greet him, accidentally revealing the list of the candidates who passed the Classics and Public Administration Division1T/N: I’m unsure as to how I can correctly translate this name since I couldn’t find a suitable English translation. The raw says ‘明经科’ [míng jíng kē] of which, ‘明经’ refers to classics and ‘科’ refers to administrative division. It was introduced at the time of Emperor Wu of Han and the classics are mentioned specifically in the name because the officials needed to learn the classics in order to qualify for the position. Kinda like modern civil service exams minus the classics. of the imperial examination from his sleeves.

 

“This is…” Li En looked at the list which had fallen to the ground.

 

“Ah.” Ming Jingzhou stooped down to pick up the list and said casually, “This is the Classics and Public Administration Division’s list of successful candidates.” Of course, Li En knew that this was the Classics and Public Administration Division’s list of successful candidates.

 

What he wanted to know was, what was Ming Jingzhou doing with this thing? The Classics and Public Administration Division were not taken seriously before. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he vigorously carried out the constructions of fundamental infrastructures and this somewhat improved the significance of the successful candidates of the Classics and Public Administration Division.

 

“What are you doing with this?”

 

“His Highness Chen Wang has already finished transcribing the books that xiaguan had arranged for him a few days ago.” Ming Jingzhou tucked the list into his sleeve: “After all, His Majesty had assigned him to our Ministry of Rites. Xiaguan cannot let him idle his time away.”

 

However, the emperor also did not appoint Chen Wang to the Ministry of Rites to transcribe and learn the contents of some books.

 

Li En looked up at the roof that was being renovated: “Brother Ming, isn’t this a little inappropriate?”

 

“How is it inappropriate?” Ming Jingzhou’s voice was calm as he asked: “Towering buildings are built up from the ground. It is beneficial for His Highness to transcribe and learn more.”

 

Li En took a sharp breath. From Ming Jingzhou’s tone, didn’t it actually seem that he had already planned to let His Highness copy books to the end?

 

“Brother Ming ah.” Li En felt that as the Minister of Rites, he still had to show a little sincerity toward His Highness Chen Wang: “I was swept up with official business a while ago, so I didn’t have time to interact with Chen Wang. I have some free time now. Why don’t I accompany Brother Ming and help you familiarize Chen Wang with the affairs of our ministry?”

 

After saying this, he quickly showed a friendly smile to Ming Jingzhou. They have known each other for many years, and after becoming coworkers at the Ministry of Rites, he found out that other party was even more devoted to his responsibilities. There was nothing inappropriate about him. If possible, he really didn’t want to make trouble with Ming Jingzhou over Chen Wang’s matters.

 

Ming Jingzhou looked up at him for a moment silently: “Does Lord think that xiaguan’s way of teaching His Highness is not good enough?”

 

“Brother Ming is thinking too much, I absolutely didn’t mean that.” Li En’s heart was in his throat: “You have always been frail. I am worried that it will take a toll on your body to simultaneously handle the affairs of the Ministry of Rites and show the ropes to Chen Wang. I merely felt that you can relax a bit if I take over the matter of Chen Wang.”

 

“So that’s how it is.” Ming Jingzhou apologized: “It is xiaguan who misunderstood Lord’s good intentions, please forgive me.”

 

“We have known each other for many years. You need not be so courteous.” Li En looked at Ming Jingzhou carefully. After making sure that he was not angry, he once again mentioned what he had asked a moment ago: “Then hand over the matter of His Highness Chen Wang to me?”

 

“Sorry for the trouble, Lord.” Ming Jingzhou cupped his hands and bowed again.

 

“This is what I should do, what I should do.” Li En’s heart dropped to its place. He had killed two birds with one stone: the camaraderie between coworkers had been preserved and His Highness would not be let down.

 

“Then I will deliver this list to His Highness first and ask him to transcribe it.” Ming Jingzhou smiled, “Xiaguan believes he will be able to do that and learn how to deal with the work of the ministry from Lord side by side.”

 

Li En: “……”

 

I understand, you really dislike His Highness Chen Wang deeply.

 

“Lord, what do you think of this arrangement?”

 

“Very good.” Just as Li En finished speaking, he saw Chen Wang walking in holding two big boxes of food with a wide smile on his face and how Ming Jingzhou’s expression became a bit unpleasant suddenly.

 

From this, it can be seen that Brother Ming has a deep prejudice against Chen Wang ah.

 

Carrying the lunch boxes that Jiuzhu had brought from home, Chen Wang found his future father-in-law talking to Li En: “Lord Ming, I went to get the lunch boxes. How about having a meal together?”

 

“Thank you for the trouble, Your Highness.” Ming Jingzhou expressed his gratitude with cupped hands.

 

“Lord Ming does not need to be so polite.” In the past few days, he had already gotten used to eating the food sent by the Ming family for lunch every day.

 

Li En looked at Chen Wang sympathetically. He feared this prince still didn’t know that Ming Jingzhou was tormenting him on purpose.

 

“Your Highness, after two hours, xiaguan is going to inspect the newly constructed school. If you have no other arrangements, please come with xiaguan.”

 

“Is it the Hongwen Academy that personally gave a command to be constructed?” Chen Wang had a vague knowledge of this matter.

 

“Precisely.” Li En said with a smile on his face: “His Majesty values ​​talents so he is keen on cultivating learned scholars. He paid for the construction of this institution from his private treasury.”

 

Chen Wang mumbled: “Father Emperor’s private treasury has quite a lot of money.”

 

Ming Jingzhou, who was standing by the side, silently turned his head and stared at him.

 

“Your Highness?” Li En didn’t hear what Chen Wang said: “Would you like to accompany xiaguan on this trip?”

 

“Yes.” Chen Wang smiled: “Ben Wang is also very curious to see what Father Emperor’s valued institution looks like.”

 

Li En and Chen Wang were yet to leave the bureau, but this piece of news had already reached the ears of the other princes.

 

“Li En is going to take Chen Wang to inspect Hongwen Academy?” Qi Wang sneered when he heard the news, “Ben Wang heard that the Ministry of Rites has been undergoing extensive renovation these days. Li En has tasted the sweetness, it is not surprising that he wishes to fawn on Yun Duqing.”

 

“Your Highness, this subordinate feels that Li En is not someone who would do such a thing for the sake of fame and fortune.” The advisor continued: “Not long ago while conversing in a banquet, he was still full of praise for you. Could there be any misunderstanding in this matter?”

 

“Misunderstanding?” Qi Wang smiled coldly: “In the face of interests, nobody will likely remain the same; they become disgustingly hideous. That is why Ben Wang never trusts people’s hearts so easily.”

 

“Your Highness, please do not worry. This subordinate heard that Assistant Minister Ming is still very dissatisfied with Chen Wang.” The advisor comforted Qi Wang: “This subordinate guesses that Li En took Chen Wang to inspect the academy only out of a sense of obligation. The Ministry of Rites has gained so many benefits. If they still let Chen Wang copy books, they would be exposed sooner or later.”

 

Before he entered the officialdom through his merit in the imperial examination, Li En’s family was poor. So it was not possible for him to appreciate a dandy prince such as Chen Wang.

 

“Ben Wang recalls that there is a female official by Su Guifei’s side who is very good at making incense. Yun Duqing grew up under Su Guifei’s care so he also developed the habit of using incense. After moving into his own residence, how many incense-makers does he have now?” Qi Wang walked to the censer and looked at the incense that had already burned out: “Ben Wang heard that there is a kind of incense that helps to sleep soundly at night and lets people have endless dreams.”

 

“Your Highness, ever since the incident at the horse farm, His Majesty’s Imperial Secret Guards had dealt with all the previous guards and servants of Chen Wang’s residence. This subordinate fears that our people have no possibility of touching the objects normally used by Chen Wang.”

 

“Why do we have to do it ourselves?” A faint smile appeared on Qi Wang’s lips: “Those brothers of Ben Wang are rather interested in the servants of Chen Wang’s residence.”

 

“This subordinate understands!” The advisor understood the meaning behind Qi Wang’s words in an instant: “This subordinate will go handle the matters at once.”

 

“This is the Hongwen Academy?” Sitting on horseback, Chen Wang saw a lot of thinly dressed scholars standing next to the academy: “They are all students of Hongwen Academy?”

 

“Not necessarily.” Li En glanced at the poor scholars and explained to Chen Wang: “The academy has still not officially begun enrolling but His Majesty has already issued a decree that the students of Hongwen Academy, regardless of their status, are only distinguished by their knowledge.”

 

Even so, he knew that studying costs a lot of money, and even if the children from poor and humble families were lucky enough to be admitted to Hongwen Academy, few of them could compare to the children of those large and influential noble families.

 

“Then why are they all outside the academy?”

 

“Although the academy does not enroll students, the books inside can be lent to students for copying without any charge.” Li En looked at these students who were trembling from cold but reluctant to leave, and his tone became sympathetic and rueful: “The price of precious books is very high. If they can be transcribed for free, it can save a lot of money.”

 

“So that’s how it is.” Seeing how cruel these scholars were to themselves for copying some books, Chen Wang took out a few banknotes from his sleeves and handed them to Li En: “Take this money to buy some brush, ink, paper, and inkstone and deliver those to them for copying books.”

 

“Your Highness?” Li En looked at Chen Wang in surprise.

 

“Take it, Ben Wang is not short of money.” Chen Wang shook his shoulders; his tone had a bit of awe for those copying books: “Copying books is the same procedure everywhere. Ben Wang can comprehend their hardships.”

 

Li En took the banknotes, and after a long while of silence, clasped his hands to bow to Chen Wang: “Your Highness, xiaguan is grateful to you on behalf of these students.”

 

“No need to thank Ben Wang. These banknotes are also given by Father Emperor” The latter waved his hands indifferently: “If you want to thank someone, then go thank him.”

 

Anyway, this was the money that his Father Emperor spent from his private treasury to support him.

 

“Your Highness has a pure and sincere heart. Xiaguan admires you very much.”

 

Erm…

 

Chen Wang turned his head and stared at Li En. How could the matter of a few banknotes result in the declaration of his pure-heartedness?

 

When court officials praised someone, their words were as beautiful as the literary works they composed.

 

Must not be taken seriously!

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1T/N: I’m unsure as to how I can correctly translate this name since I couldn’t find a suitable English translation. The raw says ‘明经科’ [míng jíng kē] of which, ‘明经’ refers to classics and ‘科’ refers to administrative division. It was introduced at the time of Emperor Wu of Han and the classics are mentioned specifically in the name because the officials needed to learn the classics in order to qualify for the position. Kinda like modern civil service exams minus the classics.