RPAGF Chapter 64 The Ancient Emperor, Nothing More Than This [Requesting monthly votes, it's very imp
Chapter 64 The Ancient Emperor, Nothing More Than This [Requesting monthly votes, it's very imp
Upon hearing these words, Yang Jian's originally gloomy face showed a slight twitch at the corners of his tightly pursed lips.
Although he seized the throne from his son-in-law, he was still a founding emperor who conquered the country on horseback, and what he admired most was this indomitable spirit.
He would rather his grandson be an arrogant troublemaker than a timid good-for-nothing.
Yang Yan keenly noticed the subtle changes in Yang Jian's expression.
Bet right.
Without pausing, he dropped a second bombshell: "My grandson's second crime is 'usurpation'!"
Yang Yan took another step forward, looking directly at Yang Jian with an almost reverent light burning in his eyes.
"I have long heard that my grandfather, the Emperor, overcame all opposition to abolish the Nine-Rank System and establish the Imperial Examination System, so that 'talent would be the sole criterion for promotion, regardless of social status!' This great undertaking that will bring peace to the world is something I deeply admire, and therefore I have presumptuously wished to experience it for myself!"
"Grandson wants to see just what makes this system, which is worthy of being recorded in history and changes the world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing political landscape, social order, and overall structure), so sacred! Why can it drive the poor and poor to such frenzy! Why can it attract so many scholars from all over the world!"
Yang Guang stood to the side, his eyelids twitching suddenly.
not good!
This kid is using a fallacy!
His original plan was to portray Yang Yan as a "despicable person who would stop at nothing to gain fame and fortune."
But now, after Yang Yan said that, that despicable act of taking the exam for someone else has actually become a "filial act" by a grandson who admires his grandfather's political achievements and is willing to take risks in order to personally experience his grandfather's "great creation"!
The nature of this case instantly changed from a criminal case to a political one!
Moreover, they stood on the side of Yang Jian's most proud and also most sensitive political achievement—the imperial examination system!
Yang Yan gave Yang Guang no chance to interrupt; his emotions had reached their peak.
He suddenly cupped his hands upwards towards the dome of the main hall, his voice resounding through the heavens, as if it would shatter the glazed tiles of the Daxing Hall:
"After my grandson finished his exam, I was overwhelmed with emotion, which can only be described in eight words!"
"The grace of Heaven is boundless, unprecedented in history!"
"Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, aristocratic families have monopolized power; the upper ranks have no commoners, and the lower ranks have no nobles. The most talented people in the world are all trapped by their birth!"
"Only my imperial grandfather, with his great courage and wisdom, wielded his sword to sever this centuries-old ailment, opening a ray of light for impoverished scholars throughout the land!"
"Such unconventional talent-recruiting spirit and such foresight in seeking out wise men for the nation are unmatched even by Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, who were unparalleled in history! Only a great emperor like my grandfather could have done this!"
This eloquent and passionate flattery, delivered in front of the entire court, especially the nobles of Guanzhong, struck Yang Jian squarely in the heart.
This is more than just flattery.
This is a political declaration!
This is telling Yang Jian: I am your grandson, but I am also your most fervent believer in the new imperial examination policy!
On the throne, Yang Jian's angry expression visibly stiffened for a moment.
That murderous aura that was about to burst forth was actually suppressed by this blatant flattery.
He looked at the slender but upright young man in the audience, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Shock, confusion, satisfaction, and a barely perceptible...satisfaction.
The entire court was comprised of either old nobles who opposed the imperial examination system or sycophantic yes-men.
Who understands Yang Jian's good intentions?
Who understands his ambition to break the monopoly of powerful clans?
Unexpectedly, the one who truly understood him was this eldest grandson who usually had little presence!
"What a silver tongue..."
Yang Jian murmured something under his breath, and slowly released his hand, which had been pressed against the imperial desk with bulging veins.
The atmosphere inside the hall took an eerie turn at that moment.
Yuan Xiaosun's mouth dropped open, the memorial in his hand seeming to have turned into a hot potato.
He wanted to refute it, but how could he?
To refute Yang Yan's claims is to deny the imperial examination system, which is to slap the emperor in the face!
Is refuting Yang Yan's argument considered flattery? But what Yang Yan said was "perfectly reasonable," even bringing up "Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han." At this point, who would dare to jump out and say that His Majesty is inferior to Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han?
Yang Guang lowered his head, his fist clenched tightly in his sleeve, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
He had calculated everything perfectly, including the evidence and the people's hearts, but he never expected that his sixteen-year-old nephew would possess such shrewd political insight and shameless eloquence!
How could this be considered a "moment of confusion"?
This was clearly a desperate counterattack by a gazelle leaping up its horns!
"And what about the third crime?"
Yang Jian's voice rang out again, this time without the previous chilling tone, but instead with a hint of amusement and inquiry.
Yang Yan felt much more at ease.
He knew he had passed this hurdle.
But the expression on his face was even more grief-stricken, as if he had really committed some heinous crime.
He slowly knelt down, his forehead slamming heavily against the gold brick with a dull thud.
"My grandson's third crime is 'deceiving the emperor'!"
"Your grandson knew that impersonation was a crime, yet he took a chance, thinking that by using the name of a dead person, he could get away with it undetected. This is deceiving the emperor and committing treason!"
"But I dare to be so bold as to ask my Imperial Grandfather for his wise judgment!"
Yang Yan suddenly raised his head, his forehead already red and swollen, his eyes filled with tears: "The reason why your grandson dares not use his real name is not because he is afraid of losing, but because he is afraid of winning!"
"I fear that if my grandson were to pass by sheer luck, the world would say it's because I am the eldest grandson of the emperor, or because the examiners flattered him, rather than because of his true talent!"
"That would not only tarnish my grandson's reputation, but also my imperial grandfather's sacred name of 'appointing only the talented'!"
"That's why your grandson resorted to this desperate measure! Using the name of a dead person to seek a clean and honest justice!"
"As for Censor Yuan's claim of hiring a hitman to commit murder..."
Yang Yan turned to look at Yuan Xiaosun, his eyes instantly turning as cold as knives:
"If I truly intended to kill someone, why would I choose the capital? Why would I choose the time before the examinations? With my abilities, would killing a scholar leave such an oversight?"
"Though I am not talented, I am still a member of the Sui Dynasty's royal family! To kill a scholar to seize a spot? Does Censor Yuan think I would do such a foolish thing? Or does he think that all the descendants of the Yang family are as stupid as pigs?!"
Only Yang Yan's slightly panting echo remained in the entire Daxing Hall.
The logic is now complete.
Motivation, behavior, and emotion—it all makes sense now.
Moreover, the explanation was impeccable, and even somewhat touching.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
A burst of laughter suddenly erupted from the throne.
That was Yang Jian's laughter.
His laughter carried a mix of hearty joy, relief, and even a hint of pride.
"Excellent! What a brilliant 'merit-based selection'! What an unprecedented achievement!"
Yang Jian slammed his hand on the imperial desk, pointed at Yang Yan, and laughed as he scolded:
"You little rascal, you've really figured out what's on my mind!"
"Arrogant! Absolutely arrogant! But this arrogance is just like mine!"
In short, that's the conclusion.
"Like me."
These two words carry immense weight.
All accusations, all conspiracies, vanished instantly before those two words.
Yang Guang's face turned ashen in an instant, and a ferocious look appeared on his once gentle and refined features.
But he reacted very quickly, lowering his head instantly to conceal the fleeting resentment that crossed his mind.