The Emperor of the Three Realms

chapter 36

The Shocking Dragon Drum sounded ten times in a row and the Awakened Dragon Bell rang nine times in front of the Aurum Imperial Hall.    

Jiang Chen walked in and headed towards the hall with big strides after the round of drums and bells rang. Splitting the path with the carved dragon medallion, the ceremonial guard let him pass without a challenge.    

Under the shocked and astonished gazes of the entire civilian and military officials, Jiang Chen took a huge step forward to the throne, and began to lament his innocence after paying his respects to the king. “Your Majesty, your subjects last for ten years and diligently study civil and military subjects. Heaven and earth can be witnesses of the pure loyalty of my heart. Unfortunately, your subject has collided with the bastard in his life, and thus they have caused me to suffer severe injustice. Your subject has nowhere else to ask for damages and can only come to Your Majesty to present my case. Your Majesty is kind and moral, and can definitely make a decision on behalf of your people.”    

“Minister Jiang, what problem is causing you so sad? Tell us any mistakes you have suffered.” Although Eastern Lu learned that Jiang Chen was suspected of some act, Jiang Chen had unwittingly crammed into the same boat as Eastern Lu given the current situation in the capital. Eastern Lu had no choice but to come play for a while.    

“The fact is, your subject.” Jiang Chen immediately addresses the whole issue from start to finish, and certainly does not fail to exaggerate in the slightest in some important areas. Overall, the tip of his spear was directed towards Du Ruhai.    

He was not despicable in this matter and the reason was on his side. Hence, he did not feel any pressure at all to make a fuss.    

Lu East pondered for a moment after listening, “If it is indeed as you say, Minister Jiang, then you are truly suffering from severe injustice. We know this now, but like everything else, it would be unwise to listen only to one side. We also want to listen to what the testing site says.”    

“Subject You are willing to face that Du Ruhai directly!”    

Jiang Chen's personality is that one always has to win some points, even if one behaves unreasonably – not to mention that he fully makes sense this time around.    

Moreover, Du Ruhai had really angered him this time around. Jiang Chen had decided that he would fight to the last breath with Du Ruhai.    

At this moment, Du Ruhai also came while wailing. He wiped his snot with one hand and tears with the other. Coupled with five striking fingerprints on his face, he also easily tore his hair bun off as he walked there to make himself appear drenched and disheveled…    

It made others feel very sad when he entered like this.    

“Du Ruhai this is a cunning old fox, his acting ability is more than one step higher than that of little boy Jiang Chen.” Some ministers and officials think privately.    

Admittedly, Du Ruhai's acting was more perfect and beautiful than Jiang Chen's acting. Sad eyes, silent movements, and a body full of messy hair and clothes. His whole body is an act.    

“Your Majesty, your old people have experienced injustice.” Du Ruhai's head hit the floor, his butt held high in the air as tears flowed like an open tap.    

“Minister Du, stand and talk.” Eastern Lu could not treat one person well and treat others badly in front of his assembled subjects.    

Jiang Chen did not behave badly in the Aurum Imperial Hall. He stood to the side coldly, watching Du Ruhai put in a great effort in his appearance. Jiang Chen's heart was filled with cold contempt and he was filled with scorn towards a crazy little clown like Du Ruhai.    

“Your Majesty, this old folk wants to demand that this Jiang Chen be completely without law and order. He caused a huge disturbance at the testing site of the Hidden Dragon Trials, defeating the organizers and even daring to tempt Princess Gouyu to destroy the rules set by the ancestors. Your Majesty, this brat has been acting wildly during the Heavenly Adoration Rite, and is now insulting the orders of the ancestors. This crime of Jiang's father and son is truly heinous, and your people respectfully ask Your Majesty to issue a decision to exterminate the Jiang family clan.”    

Considering he was now standing in his current position, Du Ruhai had some political schemes behind his clothes. He naturally knew how to inflame emotions, how to arouse public anger, how to add insult to injury, how to trap others, how to trap others, and how to label others – especially to give the finishing touch on the death of father and son Jiang.    

However, in the sheer volume of his plans, he never reckoned that Eastern Lu had long listed Jiang's father and son as part of the royal stronghold.    

His appearance here not only did not trigger any emotions from Eastern Lu, but instead gave birth to a slight increase of vigilance towards Du Ruhai.    

While among the gathered crowd of officials, the emotions of some old men became slightly agitated due to Du Ruhai's intrigue.    

It was all old antiques and was already feeling disappointed by the fact that Jiang Chen had luckily escaped the punishment of whipping to death after his cruel behavior during the Rites. They think it's a bad sign.    

And now, Jiang Chen had not even licked his wound properly before causing a huge disturbance at the Hidden Dragon Trials testing site, and had challenged the command of the ancestors! In their eyes, this was high treason and a terrible crime.    

“Your Majesty, Jiang's father and son are too presumptuous, and their behavior is inexcusable!    

“I also agree, we cannot facilitate the growth of unhealthy trends like this!”    

The two white-bearded old geezers quickly jumped out to interfere.    

Jiang Chen glanced at these two old geezers and then looked towards the Soaring Dragon duke who was standing deep in thought to the left of the clock plate.    

The Duke of Soaring Dragon wore a calm and indifferent expression, as if this affair had absolutely nothing to do with him. But in reality, Jiang Chen could be certain that he must be the one controlling everything for this matter to develop into this.    

Du Ruhai took action and complained, two old geezers added fuel to the fire, and a group of followers also acted as wolves to tigers.    

Those present were all heavyweights in the Eastern Kingdom. If there were people who were from the group of the Duke of Soaring Dragon, then there would definitely be people who were against it.    

“Your Highness, this old subject felt that something was wrong after listening to Jiang Chen and His Highness Du. Why not give the two of them a chance to explain each other, and clear their own names? If Jiang Chen was guilty, then the laws of the country would not forgive him. But if one really dared to deceive and cause damage to the Hidden Dragon Trials, wouldn't that also be an act of provocation against the ancestors' orders? These old men feel that we cannot err on good people, and cannot let any criminal get away with it. This issue must be handled fairly and openly so that both parties can provide satisfactory explanations.” This person was clearly very loyal to the royal family and had stepped forward to help Eastern Lu.    

“Yes, your subject also thinks like that. In the end, it was a one-sided story from the two of them. Your subject feels that we should let them finish his words and let them defend themselves.” This was an official who was friendly with the Jiang family.    

Eastern Lu sank into his thoughts for a moment and then nodded. “Because this is the case, Minister Du, you start first.”    

Du Ruhai nodded, “Alright, let this old subject speak first. This Jiang family came to me twice before the three basic exams began. First time I gave me a gift of six hundred thousand silver. I have been blessed with royal favors and my responsibilities are great, how can I be the one to take bribes and break the law? I immediately balked at Jiang Feng's unreasonable request to cheat and pay the silver to the state treasury after the incident.    

This old subject is resolute and unyielding. I have a clear conscience in the many matters I have dealt with for His Majesty, why should I be afraid of the threat of the Jiang family? Except, who would have thought that this Jiang father and son would be so evil and fanatical that it would disturb the testing grounds and even beat me up when he did not pass! Your Majesty, the professionals handle many parts of the exam, he said, and the subject officials who read the answer scrolls could attest to the fact that the scrolls Jiang Chen had submitted for assessment were sheer nonsense and irrelevant. In that case, how can I show favoritism and cheat? Destroying the objective rules of the Hidden Dragon Trials? Destroying the warrant set by the ancestors?”    

Du Ruhai's tone of voice was magnificent and he did not even stop to breathe. Judging from his appearance, it seemed like he was impartial and incorruptible like Judge Bao (1).    

Someone had to give it to him, his eloquence was incredible. After his words, many neutral officials felt that this Jiang family might be innocent.    

Eastern Lu also felt that this matter was quite difficult to deal with and looked at Jiang Chen.    

“Your Majesty, your people have come to the Aurum Imperial Hall not to engage in verbal sparring with this Du Ruhai. He has been an official for more than a decade and has long trained his official eloquence to the perfect and flawless realm. He could even say that a straw was a bar of gold.    

There was indeed a matter involving six hundred thousand silvers, but it was definitely not from my father who asked him to cheat and let me pass. However, this man came to my house in Jiang Han to ask for a bribe, hinting that my Jiang family could buy peace of mind with money. If we don't pay six hundred thousand, then he will stop my progress in the basic exam.    

He received the money but then came back to my family after pressure from several parties. He stated that he had received the money but still stopped my progress in the basic exam. My father was unable to contain his anger and argued a little with him. He did say that Du Ruhai had received the money but did not do any related work.    

If six hundred thousand can buy peace, then our Jiang family is willing to be that fool. When everything was done, we were able to return to our territory and tighten our belts to live a difficult life for a few years. However, we never expected that this Du Ruhai, who was accused of supporting the kingdom, would, would receive threats from some parties and completely disregard the rules of the ancestors and blatantly violate the rules of the Hidden Dragon Trials. He used a bit of his hand and changed my answer scroll! Those present were all heavyweights who had names and reputations in the kingdom. I wanted to ask how could I possibly pass the first two exams, but not be able to pass the third exam based on rote? Does this fit with common sense?”    

"What's? Change the answer roll?”    

“Du Ruhai this has such a presumption?”    

“No one has ever messed with the Hidden Dragon Trials for centuries. Can this Jiang family make false complaints?”    

“What Jiang Chen said made sense. The third exam relied entirely on rote. Even a seven, eight-year-old can pass if given time!”    

Officials held heated discussions. They suddenly had no idea what was right and what was wrong.    

If based on ordinary reputation, Jiang Han's duke, Jiang Feng, was indeed a loyal and stoic person.    

On the other hand, Du Ruhai's reputation was more mediocre. Many people in the capital had heard that the man was greedy and often ate a lot of pies when he became an official.    

Eastern Lu rubbed his forehead and looked at his subject line. She desperately wished Princess Gouyu could materialize at this time and help her make a decision.    

Merely, this Gouyu had not appeared until now. What is he busy with?    

Du Ruhai was furious, “Jiang Chen, you made unfounded and venomous accusations! Let me tell you something – this is the Aurum Imperial Hall. Your words must be supported by evidence, if you do not have, then I can sue you for defamation crimes against important officials.”    

"Evidence?" Jiang Chen laughed coldly. “I only asked one question. Du Ruhai, you said that my answer scroll is completely nonsense and irrelevant. Then let's bet on the Aurum Imperial Hall. Call the officer in charge of reading the scroll, I will answer him again, right now. Let's see if my answer scroll is as unbearable as you say!”    

“Jawab again?” Du Ruhai placed his hand on his waist and laughed. “Jiang Chen, who do you think you are? The rules set by the ancestors were never changed. Why should it be changed for you?”    

“Du Ruhai, you resisted with all your might because you have a guilty conscience.”    

At this moment, all the subject officials and Jiang Chen's answer scroll had been handed over to Eastern Lu.    

Eastern Lu took a quick look and sighed lightly. “Jiang Chen, this answer scroll lists your name and this handwriting is the same as yours. You will need more evidence to prove that you are innocent.”    

Jiang Chen was not afraid at all and looked lightly at the four officials. “Your Highness, it will be difficult for your subject to find evidence given the current situation. However, I happened to remember all the contents of the exam as well as vividly recall my answer. I respectfully ask Your Majesty to give me the opportunity to rewrite my correct answer. This way, even if my Jiang family still loses in this lawsuit and the rank of a duke, I, Jiang Chen, will accept and admit my defeat!”    

“Then, take out four research treasures!” Eastern Lu immediately gave his consent.    

“Your Majesty, isn't this in violation of the orders of the ancestors?”    

“Please consider carefully Your Majesty, how can the laws of the ancestors be easily changed?”    

Eastern Lu smiled faintly, “Those gathered need not worry too much, we just want to see Jiang Chen's true answer, yet did not say that we will let him through if the answer is correct. Our actions were taken to make a decision on this case, and not to re-enact the exam. Both sides in this case are our important ministers, and we dare not act recklessly.”    

The four research treasures were quickly prepared and Jiang Chen stepped forward confidently and naturally. His facial expression was cool and calm as he started writing.    

But the atmosphere at the scene turned into a strange kind of unease.    

An ancient Chinese judge known for his impartial and fair attitude