The Sovereign Of The Three Realms

Chapter 36: Complaining to His Majesty

The Shocking Dragon Drum was struck 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. Separating the path with carved dragon medallions, the ceremonial guards let him pass without a challenge.

Under the shocked and astonished gazes of the entire gathering of civil and military officials, Jiang Chen took a huge step forward to the throne, and began to wail innocence after paying his worship to the king. “Your Highness, your subject lasted for ten years and diligently studied civilian and military subjects. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my heart of pure loyalty. Unfortunately, your subjects have collided with .b.a.j.i.n.g.a.n. 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 His Majesty to present my case. Your Majesty is kind and moral, and can definitely make decisions on behalf of your subject. ”

“Minister Jiang, what problems make you so sad? Tell us about any mistakes you have suffered.” Although Eastern Lu knew that Jiang Chen was suspected of some act, Jiang Chen had been invisibly crammed into the same boat as Eastern Lu given the current situation in the capital. Eastern Lu had no choice but to play together for a while.

“Fact of the matter, your subject ..” Jiang Chen immediately addressed the whole issue from start to finish, and certainly did not fail to overestimate things a little in some important areas. Overall, the spearhead was directed towards Du Ruhai.

He cannot be denounced in this matter and the reason is on his side. Therefore, he did not feel any pressure at all in making a commotion.

Eastern Lu pondered deeply for a while after listening, “If it is indeed as you said Minister Jiang, then you are truly suffering from a severe injustice. We know about this issue now, but as with all things, it is unwise to listen to only one side. We also want to listen to what the testing site says.”

“Your subject is ready to face that Du Ruhai directly!”

Jiang Chen's personality was that one always had to win some points, even if one was acting unreasonable – did not mention that he was entirely reasonable this time.

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 wailing. He wiped his snot with one hand and tears with the other. Coupled with five striking fingerprints on her face, and that she also easily tore her hair bun on the road to make herself appear drenched and disheveled…

It gave others an extremely silent feeling when he entered like this.

“Du Ruhai this is a cunning old fox, her acting skills are more than one step higher than Jiang Chen's child.” 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 disorganized hair and clothing. His whole body is an act.

“Your Highness, your old subject has experienced injustice.” Du Ruhai's head hit the floor, his butt lifted into 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 ruthlessly 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 humiliation and he was filled with scorn for a crazy little clown like Du Ruhai.

“Your Majesty, this old subject wants to sue Jiang Chen this completely without law and order. He caused a huge disturbance at the Hidden Dragon Trials testing grounds, defeated the organizers and even dared to tempt Princess Gouyu to destroy the rules set by the ancestors. Your Majesty, this brat has been acting wild during the Heavenly Worship Rite, and is now insulting the writings of the ancestors. This Jiang father and son crime is indeed heinous, and your subject respectfully requests that His Majesty make the decision to exterminate the Jiang family clan.

Given that he was now standing in his current position, Du Ruhai had some political schemes up his sleeve. He naturally knew how to trigger emotions, how to arouse public anger, how to add insult to injury, how to frame others, how to, and how to label others – especially to give the finishing touch on the death of father and son Jiang.

However, in many of his plans, he never took into account that Eastern Lu had long enlisted Jiang's father and son as part of the royal camp.

His appearance here not only did not trigger the corresponding emotions of Eastern Lu, but it also 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 a little uneasy thanks to Du Ruhai's intrigue.

They were all old antiques and already felt quite dispelled by the fact that Jiang Chen had fortunately 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 really licked his wound before causing a huge disturbance at the Hidden Dragon Trials testing grounds, and had challenged the orders 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 such unhealthy trends!”

Two old geezers with white beards quickly jumped out to chime in.

Jiang Chen flicked a glance at these two old geezers and then looked at the thoughtful Duke of Soaring Dragon to the left of the dial.

The Duke of Soaring Dragon wore a calm and indifferent expression, as if this business had absolutely nothing to do with him. But in reality, Jiang Chen could be sure that he must have controlled everything for this matter to progress to this state.

Du Ruhai pretended and complained, two old geezers added fuel to the fire, and a group of followers played wolves for tigers as well.

Those present were all heavyweights in the Eastern Kingdom. If there were people who belonged to the Duke of Soaring Dragon party, 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 them a chance for both of them to give explanations, respectively, and clear their own names? If Jiang Chen was wrong, then the laws of the country would not forgive him. But if one really dared to cheat and cause damage to the Hidden Dragon Trials, wouldn't that also be an act of provocation against the orders of the ancestors? This old subject feels that we can't fault good people, and can't let criminals get away. This issue should be dealt with fairly and openly to provide a satisfactory explanation for both parties.” This person was clearly very insistent to the royal family and had stepped forward to help Eastern Lu.

“Yes, your subject also thinks like this. In the end, it was a one-sided story from the two of them. Your subject feels that we should let them finish their 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, then allow this old subject to speak first. This Jiang family has come to me twice before the three basic exams began. The first time was to give me six hundred thousand silver. I have been blessed with the help of the kingdom and my responsibilities are great, how can I be someone who takes bribes and breaks the law? I immediately vehemently rejected Jiang Feng's unreasonable request to cheat and pay the silver to the state treasury after the fact.

This old subject is a firm and unyielding character. 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 as to interfere with the testing grounds and even beat me up when he did not pass! Your Highness, the professionals handled many parts of the exam, 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 cheating? Destroying the objective rules of the Hidden Dragon Trials? Destroying the writing as set by the ancestors?”

Du Ruhai's tone of voice was very high and he did not even stop to breathe. Judging from his appearance, it was as if he was impartial and not as corrupt as Judge Bao (1).

Someone had to give it to him, his eloquence was incredible. After a round of his words, many neutral officials all 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 Highness, your subject has come to the Aurum Imperial Hall not to engage in verbal debates with this Du Ruhai. He has been an official for more than a decade and has long trained his official eloquence to a 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. Instead, this man came to my Jiang Han home 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 once again to my family after pressure from several parties. He pointed out that he had received the money but would still stop my progress in the basic exam. My father could not contain his anger and argued a little with him. He did say that Du Ruhai had received the money but did not do the appropriate work.

If six hundred thousand can buy peace, then our Jiang family is willing to be that sucker. After everything was done, we were able to return to our territory and tighten our belts for several years of difficult life. But, we never anticipated that this Du Ruhai, who was charged with royal assistance, would, would receive threats from some parties and completely disregard the ancestral rules and blatantly undermine the rules of the Hidden Dragon Trials. He used a bit of his hand and changed my answer scroll! Those present were all heavyweights with 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? Replacing answer rolls?”

“Du Ruhai this has such a supposition?”

“No one has ever messed with the Hidden Dragon Trials for centuries. Could this Jiang family make a false complaint?

“What Jiang Chen said made sense. The third test is entirely dependent 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, the duke of Jiang Han, Jiang Feng, was indeed a steadfast and steadfast man.

On the other hand, Du Ruhai's reputation was more mediocre. Many people in the capital had heard that the man was greedy and had his fingers come in and eat from the many pies when he was an official.

Eastern Lu rubbed his forehead and looked towards the line of his people. She desperately wished Princess Gouyu could materialize at this moment and help her make a decision.

Except, this Gouyu has not appeared until now. What is he busy with?

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

“Proof?” 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 subject official in charge of reading the scroll, I will answer it again, now. We'll see if my answer scroll is as irresistible 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 they be changed for you?”

“Du Ruhai, you object 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 has your name on it 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 as he looked lightly at the four subject officials. “Your Highness, it will be difficult for your subject to find evidence given how the situation is now. 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 learning 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, but did not say that we will let him pass if the answer is correct. Our actions were taken to pursue a decision on the case, and not to re-manage the exam. Both sides in this case are our important ministers, and we dare not act recklessly.”

The four study treasures were quickly prepared and Jiang Chen stepped forward confidently and naturally. His facial expression was cold and calm as he began to write.

However, the atmosphere of that scene, fell into a strange sort of anxiety.

An ancient Chinese judge known for his impartiality and justice