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The exam atmosphere at Bowen Academy was steadily growing stronger.
Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun inspected the exam locations and finalized the order of the examination rooms. This ti, they left the academy grounds.
Pang Yukun was naturally very excited. Xiao Ming had agreed to his request, which ant accepting the philosophy he revered. For Pang, this was more important than anything else.
He would now have the chance to promote Legalist thought through the Law School. This was probably the most promising mont for Legalism in a thousand years.
Seeing Pang so excited, Xiao Ming shook his head. Actually, Legalism was straightforward—rule by law without favoritism—and it fit perfectly in the legal system.
Even if Pang had not advocated Legalism, Xiao Ming would have established the Law School to train legal talents. Now that his goal was achieved and he earned Pang’s gratitude, Xiao Ming was the true beneficiary.
With Pang now standing with him, Xiao Ming had soone to shield him against the stubborn Confucian scholars.
Thinking of Pang’s revered philosophy, Xiao Ming suddenly recalled the two officials Pang had recomnded—Zhan Xingchang and Chang Yuchun. He saw so Legalist traits in both: cold and ruthless.
He asked, “Chief Minister Pang, are Zhan Xingchang and Chang Yuchun Legalists?”
Pang’s face tightened. “Your Highness, although I have personal preferences, I would never ss up selecting the capable. Zhan and Chang are not strictly Legalists. They respect many schools of thought, taking the essence and discarding the dross. That is why I share common ground with them.”
Xiao Ming nodded. Pang’s personal bias was simply wanting a place for Legalist thought to survive. He didn’t mind. Europe had its Renaissance; Great Yu Empire had its own.
The current effort was to promote Hundred Schools of Thought academically, so officials would no longer rely solely on Confucian belief—even though he knew it would be difficult.
On the way, the two parted ways. Pang returned to the governnt offices, while Xiao Ming headed back to the royal residence.
Pang’s words about the Kong family in Qufu still made Xiao Ming uneasy. He was truly worried the Kong family might make a move. These people were like today’s public intellectuals—always talking nonsense but not easy to kill.
If he slapped a big label on them, the court would explode, and Confucian scholars across the empire would stab him in the back.
“Headache,” Xiao Ming muttered. It was easier to kill enemies physically than to change their minds.
But he still had so advantage: he controlled public opinion. Thinking of this, he decided to strengthen the influence of newspapers in his fief.
From now on, governnt offices must subscribe to newspapers, and all officials must read them. Besides reporters going to villages to spread news, officials must visit production teams to convey policies and ideas. He was determined to wrest ideological control from Confucians and prevent the people from suffering harmful thoughts.
With a worried heart, Xiao Ming returned to the royal residence. As he arrived at the gate, he saw a luxurious carriage parked outside.
The carriage bore a large character “Yong” (雍). Seeing this, Xiao Ming knew Prince Yong had arrived.
Entering the residence, Ziwan greeted him unhappily. “Your Highness, Prince Yong was quite rude. Even though we said you were not ho, he still forced his way in.”
“Did he treat you badly?” Xiao Ming asked.
“No, Prince Yong went straight to the main hall and asked us to serve him tea,” Ziwan replied.
Xiao Ming nodded. “That’s good. At least Prince Yong still respects . If it were elsewhere, he would have caused a big scene by now.”
Prince Yong was impulsive and hot-tempered, and no one paid him much respect except Xiao Wenxuan.
That he ca and behaved properly was already surprising. Otherwise, by his nature, he would have been teasing the maids.
Going straight to the main hall, Xiao Ming found Prince Yong waiting and drinking tea.
Seeing Xiao Ming, Prince Yong was delighted and quickly stood up. “Dear nephew, you’re finally back. Your uncle has waited a long ti.”
“Fourth uncle, you’ve co a long way. I failed to greet you properly. Please forgive ,” Xiao Ming said politely.
Prince Yong slapped Xiao Ming’s back heartily and laughed loudly. “Nephew, you speak too formally. Now that you are giving
the firearms to take back, it shows I’m always in your heart.”
“Of course. When I was in Chang’an, I promised you. I naturally can’t shirk responsibility with the firearms,” Xiao Ming smiled. Prince Yong had always favored violence.
He loved weapons and warhorses, and now with cannons and firearms, he was even more obsessed with these powerful weapons.
If not for this, he wouldn’t be so polite with Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming had asked Prince Yong to co for two reasons: to hand over the firearms and to deal with the Shan rchants.
The Shan rchants were located between the fiefs of Prince Liang and Prince Yong. They controlled a lawless zone that facilitated smuggling war materials to the barbarians. Over the years, they had grown extrely wealthy.
Removing these rchants would cut off the barbarians’ access to war supplies, and their wealth could be divided among the princes.
More importantly, once the Shan rchants were removed, Xiao Ming’s own rchants could exploit the opportunity. Li Kaiyuan had repeatedly said trade with the steppes was difficult, mainly because these rchants sabotaged it.
Prince Yong laughed heartily and said, “Then let’s go inspect the firearms. Your uncle can’t wait any longer.”
“Don’t rush, uncle. I have sothing to discuss with you first,” Xiao Ming said.
Prince Yong had already stood, but sat back down. “Go ahead, nephew.”
“Do you know the Nine Great Shan rchants?” Xiao Ming asked with a smile.
“The Nine Great Shan rchants?” Prince Yong’s expression stiffened. “Why do you ask? I know about them.”
Xiao Ming continued, “Do you know these rchants are now betraying the country, selling war materials to the barbarians?”
Prince Yong’s face darkened. He understood the situation. He asked, “What do you an by this? Are you accusing
of colluding with the Shan rchants?”
“Uncle, you worry too much. I’ve always trusted you. But Prince Liang is another matter. I’ve received news about the rchants’ treason. I’m sure father knows as well. This won’t stay secret for long. When father orders, you’ll be in a difficult position,” Xiao Ming smiled.
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