Chapter 867: Chapter 867: Fierce Debate
They believed that Lian Musu committed identity theft in the imperial examinations, undermining the fairness of the imperial exams. No matter the excuses, the law should not be violated by such selfish interests!
Such a person is not worthy of achieving official rank. If they become an official, who knows what they might do out of selfishness? They should be severely punished and banned from taking the imperial examinations for life.
Scholar Zheng and Student Wu, along with others, united to debate fiercely with these people day after day. They spoke until their mouths were dry, yet lacked the sharpness, and thus were defeated time and again.
At this juncture, people from the Imperial Academy stepped in. Minister Jia decisively turned the debate into a practical teaching session, leading many students from the Imperial Academy to confront them in battle.
Debating with those people, would standing up for one’s family count as standing for justice?
In the path of cultivating oneself, managing one’s family, governing the state, and bringing peace to all, how can one serve their country if their family is lost?
A young man like Lian Musu, with ambition and talent, why would he knowingly break the law to steal an identity for the exams, if not for the injustice he faced? When faced with injustice, one must pursue fairness. If one cannot fight for justice for one’s own family, how can he fight for justice for the world?
Moreover, the Guo family, with their large enterprise, dispatched many assassins. The Lian Family was in crisis, facing threats everywhere. They feared they would not even reach the Yamen before being captured and killed en route. Wishing to appeal grievances is easier said than done; when it doesn’t happen to you, you don’t know the pain. How ridiculous!
Such a young man, after enduring hardships without changing his original intent, continued to strive despite his legs being crippled, focusing on study even during seven years of exile. His writings earned admiration from countless people, far superior to those who only make sour remarks about selfishness.
Most commendable is that Lian Musu dared to take responsibility. He became the top candidate in the provincial exam, and his newly written essay "Public Opinion" became famous across the nation. Yet he was not blinded by these titles and wealth, daring to stand forward to appeal grievances and even expose his own identity theft. If he had not stood up today, who would know of his identity theft, who would know?!
Such a person, his heart is just!
Minister Jia and others from the Imperial Academy participating in the events turned the tide for the better. Just as a small group stubbornly resisted, Minister Qin vouched solely for Lian Musu’s character, further boosting the momentum.
At this moment, an unexpected person appeared, causing an uproar among scholars nationwide.
That person was the legendary calligraphy master long considered deceased—Master He!
Master He was a title given by the world, his calligraphy skills at the pinnacle, and it was said his writings were even better, though rarely seen. His temperament was detached from worldly affairs. Among literati, legends of Master He circulated, but he was more mysterious than a celestial crane, elusive and unseen.
Few knew that Master He’s surname was Zheng, who had gained fame in youth during Emperor Taizhong’s time, his essay "Jinghua Fu" was stunning. After a love-hate relationship with the Eldest Princess ended perfectly, he married the Eldest Princess, who is now the Son of Heaven’s aunt.
From then on, he led a reclusive life, occasionally releasing masterpieces, but gradually quieted in the world, with no further trace.
The world did not know Master He’s identity, nor his age. After years without news, with no new masterpieces circulating, rumors arose that Master He might be dead. This rumor spread among the literati, claiming Master He had long been dead, making his existing calligraphy more precious.
No one expected, in this scenario, that the revered Master He would come back to life!
It was Minister Jia who discovered this. He led people from the Imperial Academy to Wenhui Tower to debate those individuals. In the corner sat a middle-aged couple, the man graceful and elegant, the woman unmatched in beauty and temperament, naturally drawing attention, prompting him to glance a few more times.
As the Imperial Academy folks engaged in heated debate with the small group, during a moment of rest, a light praise was heard from the corner near the window that he remembered clearly: "Unconstrained in form, fearless in action, unafraid at heart, a gentleman of integrity, a person as admirable as their writing, excellent!"
The voice came from that couple, and the entire tower fell silent.
After saying this, the couple seemed to realize something, ignoring everyone in the tower, they took their little son outside to their carriage and left.
Minister Jia, puzzled, walked to their table and was instantly wide-eyed. There, left on the table, was a calligraphy masterpiece, only bearing the words "Public Opinion," the handwriting full of majestic beauty, generous waves, and inner grace.
Minister Jia instantly recognized it as Master He’s handwriting, more profound than before, which opened his eyes, made him captivated, and overjoyed.
When he tried to chase them, the couple was already gone.
A stone thrown into water caused waves, and the entire literati circle was in uproar. The legendary Master He appeared, and praised Lian Musu as a gentleman of integrity, his writing reflecting his character.
From then on, that small group utterly died down, and no scholar spoke ill of Lian Musu.
However, Scholar Zheng did not fare so well. To persuade his father, he used all his efforts, ultimately agreeing to obediently study and never skip classes again, which finally touched his father’s heart. Fortunately, his idol Lian Musu was admirable in both talent and character, prompting his father to come out of retirement; this hardship need not be detailed.
The clamor among the scholars settled, but the court saw no shortage of clashes.
Lian Musu’s identity theft sparked debate. The stubborn old man who initially argued with Minister Fan over whether "Public Opinion" should be admitted to the Tribute Academy found a breakthrough, starting to write memorials daily and criticize Lian Musu in court, stating his character was flawed and his writings unworthy of the Tribute Academy, pleading for its removal, gaining many supporters.
Lately, these court officials were extremely suppressed, with every case in the Capital being significant and sensitive, none allowing interference. Finally having a case concerning both the court and scholars nationwide, they devoted themselves wholeheartedly to it.
The court officials’ arguments often escalated to allegations of harming the nation and people; this time was no exception.
Facing the aggressive old man, Minister Fan led the charge in defense. If anyone could outwit the rest, it was Minister Fan, who could claim second without anyone daring to say they were first.
Singlehandedly, he engaged in verbal combat with the court officials, suppressing the group represented by the stubborn old man. The Minister of Personnel and others didn’t even have the chance to assist, simply standing aside and watching, achieving a great victory.
With no options left, the stubborn old man resorted to complaining after court, tearing up to plead with emotion and reason for the Emperor to decide, only to be dismissed by a statement that the case was unresolved and would be judged by the Shuntian Prefecture.
Minister Fan grew bolder with victory, vibrant and spirited. After court, he rubbed his beard, glowing as he left the palace, praising in his heart the trick he used to have Lian Musu apprentice under him, not expecting Lian Musu to ask for a few months to provide a satisfactory explanation, which ultimately connected to this event.
Upon first learning of Lian Musu’s identity theft, he hurried to the Shuntian Prefecture. Knowing the inside story, he appreciated Lian Musu even more.