Tianliangyuan

Chapter 237 Impeachment

Chang Yuande was talented, but no matter how talented he was, it would take time to pass the imperial examinations at each level.

Take Xu Junting for example. He studied at the Imperial Academy, but he had actually participated in the provincial examinations, which made him different.

For the entire court, this meant that those who entered the court through the imperial examinations were considered to have done so legitimately.

However, his direct participation in the provincial examination was equivalent to an ordinary person passing the county, prefectural, and provincial examinations to become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). While it may sound like there are quite a few Xiucai at the age of seventeen or eighteen, in reality, there are not many Xiucai at that age in a county.

The educational resources are right here; you can't get in just by burying your head in hard work and studying!

There are many subjects of knowledge, classic texts by great Confucian scholars, and so on, many of which you have never been exposed to before. If this were to be tested, how could you possibly know them?

The preliminary examination was easy because it only tested basic knowledge. As long as you could recite and write it, you were basically guaranteed a pass.

By the time one reaches the level of a Xiucai (a scholar who has passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), one will have gained some perspective on the bigger picture.

The provincial examination was even more challenging, with more difficult questions.

The reason why students from poor families are more admirable is because they use their knowledge to solve problems they have never encountered or even heard of before. That is real skill!

In short, children of officials or wealthy families had an advantage in taking the imperial examinations.

For example, when Xu Junting participated in the provincial examination as a student of the Imperial Academy, he passed the exam and was able to go to Wannian County to study for a period of time. This was not something that could be done simply by paying money.

It's all about connections and social status!

You, a scholar from a peasant family, try it and see if it's really that easy to interfere in the affairs of a county.

You only have the right to participate if the county magistrate invites you to the meeting; otherwise, you are just a mere scholar.

Therefore, all these years, Master Chang has been trying to send his son to the Imperial Academy. Even if he only studies there for a year, as long as he passes the exam, his future will be promising.

Xu Zhaozhao went to see her uncle. The next morning at the court, someone impeached the Chang family for disregarding etiquette and law. They even brought up the deceased Lord Chang, denouncing him for favoring his concubine over his wife and for using a concubine to suppress the legitimate heir, which violated the established order.

Neither Master Chang nor Third Master Chang were qualified to participate in such court assemblies.

Master Chang was an official with real power, but he was still half a rank below him.

Soon, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy also stepped forward. Faced with the accusations from the censor, he admitted that the Imperial Academy had indeed admitted a student five years ago, but the student was personally brought by Lord Chang, and according to the rules, the Chang family did indeed have a quota for an Imperial Academy student.

But who would have thought that it was actually a child from an illegitimate family?

Grandpa Chang's official appointment was not a legitimate recommendation, and his rank was low, so his child was not eligible.

Master Chang was a proper nobleman, although it was the lowest rank of nobility, it was still a nobleman's title.

Therefore, Master Chang's son was originally qualified.

However, since the Imperial Academy already has a descendant of the Chang family, no more Chang family members can be admitted, which seems to be a vicious cycle.

The one who has already been imprisoned was illegitimate in the first place; he should be considered evidence that Lord Chang used a concubine's status to suppress the legitimate heir.

The student who wants to get in now is a genuinely qualified student, but is unable to enter due to the rules of the Imperial Academy.

When laid out like this, it seems that it is Master Chang and his son who have been wronged.

After understanding the dispute, Emperor Yong'an frowned slightly: "This matter is very simple. How is that student from the Chang family doing at the Imperial Academy? What is his ranking in each subject?"

The Chancellor of the Imperial Academy turned his head, and a Doctor of the Imperial Academy who was in charge of directly supervising the students stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Chang Xuezi's academic performance is average, and his aptitude is mediocre. In the year-end assessment last year, he only achieved a grade B in one subject, while the rest were grade C or D."

Emperor Yong'an gave a heavy snort: "What about that Chang Yuande? Does anyone know him?"

Since he did not study at the Imperial Academy, the Imperial Academy Doctor naturally had no idea about his talent and learning.

Fu Pei stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am acquainted with this Chang Yuande. His calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, and he is also skilled in poetry. Not long ago, I met him at a poetry gathering. His poetic talent is quite well-known in the community."

Wang Wenyuan also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I also know this Young Master Chang. He has excellent handwriting, and I have met him. I have heard that he is a gentleman and has helped several poor students in the academy. As for his knowledge, I have no idea."

Wang Changgeng stood silently among the civil officials. Recommending people to the emperor required strategy.

That would be terrible if everyone praised it to the skies.

Liu Qi hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and saying, "Your Majesty, I have also met this young master Chang Yuande. He is handsome and gentle. I heard that he usually stayed at the academy and rarely went home because of the constant trivial matters of the Chang family. Later, I heard that this was his parents' wish, as they did not want the trivial matters to disturb his mind."

Wang Changgeng was genuinely surprised; he hadn't expected Liu Qi to speak in favor of Chang Yuande.

Just how many people did his niece get to support Chang Yuande?

Tsk, making such a big fuss, could it be that they're planning to give Chang Yuande a special boost?

While Master Chang was working in his office, his superior, who had just returned from court, called him over and asked him a few questions. At the end, the superior instructed him to raise his son well so that he could serve the emperor in the future.

Master Chang was completely bewildered.

What's going on?

He had just returned to his seat when the servant came running in again.

"Sir, this is fantastic news!"

"Ok?"

"The eldest son of the main branch has been expelled from the Imperial Academy!"

At first, Master Chang didn't react, but then he realized that he was a nobleman and his son could also study at the Imperial Academy. Wouldn't this leave a spot vacant?

"Quick, tell me in detail!"

The servant didn't know much, but some of Master Chang's colleagues had already heard the news and came over to try and get close to him.

Only then did Master Chang realize that his deceased father had been impeached again during the morning court session, and this time his elder brother had also been reprimanded.

Now his son can finally study at the Imperial Academy.

If one studies well in the future, one can participate in the provincial examination as a student of the Imperial Academy; if one studies only so-so, one can become an official directly.

In any case, there is hope for the future!

After returning home, Master Chang naturally told his wife about the matter.

The lady hadn't expected that the matter would be resolved so easily with the help of the benefactor.

Didn't others know that Lord Chang used to favor his concubine over his wife?

know!

But so what?

After all, it's just a matter for the Chang family, and even the Chang family members don't feel wronged, so why would outsiders be willing to interfere?

Ultimately, this is a family matter.

But now that things have blown up, even if the late Lord Bo is dead, he will still be dragged out and criticized.

Should!