There is a type of devil.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He creates his own exam papers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He marks his own key points.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He can mark several versions of key points.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With great seriousness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some versions of key points have absolutely nothing to do with his exam papers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some versions of key points are as broad and vast as the ocean.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This devil''s surname is Jiang, given name Changtian.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this moment, Jiang "Old Devil" Changtian is teaching his son-inw to memorize books.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Ordinary people obey rules, clever people exploit loopholes in rules, powerful people make rules. Of course, to make rules, you must first understand them. Take these books and study them well, it won''t hurt."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After being instructed for a long time, Meng Shaoxia finally left the Jiang household with books in his arms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His forehead was covered in sweat, even in the dead of winter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When his father-inw gets enthusiastic, no one can withstand it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The next day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian went to the government office on time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Neither early norte.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After checking in, he went straight to the pce to seek an audience.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Minister Lu, who had been upte readingws and regtions until the wee hours, arrived at the office early.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Learning that Jiang Changtian had gone to the pce again, he sneered but paid no mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He really thought that as a newly appointed official, he could make a ssh by running to the pce every day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He knew the Emperor''s personality well after decades as his minister.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor was most impatient with these trivial court matters. Your diligence meant nothing to him; rather, he found it annoying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Don''t think that showing your face before the Emperor every day will help you advance and gain favor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Show your face too much, annoy people, and it will backfire.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was waiting for the moment when Jiang the Second would stumble.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Jiang Changtian entered the pce today, he indeed did not see the Emperor early on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was not anxious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Because of his good rtions with Eunuch Yan and Eunuch Liu, he had a good office position in the pce, even a private office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The environment was better than the government offices outside the pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Inside, the furniture wasfortable, the window views beautiful, fruits and snacks were always provided, and charcoal was burned, so feet didn''t get cold in winter. Sitting in the room to read or do anything else was veryfortable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian really did sit inside, drinking tea, reading books, taking his time, not in a hurry at all.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He even had lunch in the pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was very sumptuous - for him alone, there were six dishes, two soups, and a choice of main courses, a full table, extremely good treatment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The ingredients were fresh and the taste was good. He didn''t like meat dishes, but the pce vegetables were well-prepared. There was a very sweet melon dish that he wanted to take home for his wife to taste. He was the type to ask if he had an idea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The pce eunuch was very polite and packed a food box for him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There are no secrets under heaven.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some of what Vice Minister Jiang said in Jiangzhou had leaked out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"...It''s all you scoundrels who ruin the reputation of the eunuch faction. They work hard in the pce, unable to leave even once a year. What wrong have they done? They are only wholeheartedly serving the Emperor, yet they are smeared by bedbugs like you. You still have the nerve to call yourself an imperial official? Bah!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Listen to how well he spoke.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
These eunuchs work hard in the pce, doing their duty, just doing their jobs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They never even leave the pce gates, yet they are smeared by those people, called treasonous eunuch factions. It''s more unjust than Dou E.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So even Eunuch Liu, who was actually Minister Lu''s man, had a good impression of Vice Minister Jiang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, that dog official using the eunuchs'' reputation was tarnishing the name of Eunuch Liu himself. Liu should thank Vice Minister Jiang for eliminating this harm that almost implicated him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was also the fact that Vice Minister Jiang was good-looking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
People tend to be more tolerant of good-looking people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Before entering the pce, Vice Minister Jiang had already won over these eunuchs, gaining their goodwill.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuchs naturally have an antagonistic feeling towards imperial officials, driven by self-interest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But they felt that Vice Minister Jiang was on their side.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So today, when Eunuch Yan was not apanying the Emperor, after the Emperor''s midday rest, there were eunuchs who subtly reminded the Emperor that the Imperial Secretary was in the pce, asking if he wanted to summon him - (for some diversion).<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor nodded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Vice Minister Jiang appeared.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor was feeling a bit gloomy today, a mood that needed no reason.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sometimes it came suddenly, like a tide surging up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At such times, he didn''t even want to see Wenxin, just sulking with himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When he saw Jiang the Second, the Emperorzily reclined on the heated couch.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As if overnight, he had aged a bit more, looking somewhat listless.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang said he was skilled at brewing tea, so he would make some.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor didn''t care either way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In his eyes, whether courtiers or eunuchs or pce maids, they were all the same - people who served him. It was only the servants themselves who made distinctions among themselves.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian sat upright at the tea table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
First, he lit a stick of incense.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Watching the smoke curl up in wisps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then he boiled water and steeped the tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The charcoal fire slowly brought the cold water to a boil, also emitting white steam.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some fruits and snacks were ced beside the stove.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fragrance slowly wafted up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The first infusion of scalding tea was poured out, flowing away along the tea tray.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The second infusion of tea was golden with a reddish tinge, gently rippling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Very clean, in a very small cup.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian poured a cup for the Emperor and one for himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor saw his movements flow like water, even his upright sitting posture seemed familiar somehow. He had a sense of familiarity in his mind but really couldn''t remember why.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It just felt intimate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Watching someone brew tea, his heart calmed down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
For the moment, all worries were cast aside.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He regained his usualposure.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The tea Jiang the Second brewed was mild and smooth, easier to drink. It tasted sweeter than before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fragrance was very full.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Probably because it was brewed by a beauty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor drank the tea, returning to his normal state.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He suddenly spoke up: "I hear you''ve always had a bad rtionship with Old Lady Jiang?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian nodded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"After my father passed, my mother suddenly changed dramatically in temperament, torturing me in every way. When I was able to take the imperial exams through my studies, she used me of being unfilial and disrespectful, cutting off my path to advancement. I was young then and couldn''t see a way out, so I tried to drown myself in the river, but was saved by my current wife. Later she expelled me from the family. Mother was probably a bit confused, always saying I wasn''t her child. She carried me for ten months - if I''m not her child, then whose am I?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor''s expression was solemn as he recalled his own mother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress Dowager had passed away many years ago. In the Emperor''s memory, he only remembered her favoritism. He once had a younger brother who was much beloved by the Empress Dowager, butter died in an ident. The Empress Dowager had once said, "Why couldn''t it have been you who died?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That chilled his heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He didn''t mind the Empress Dowager''s usual favoritism.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But for her to wish it was him who had died...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sometimes he also doubted whether he was really born of the Empress Dowager.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But that was impossible; the Empress Dowager was merely ying favorites.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor''s fingers tapped the table as he said, "The human heart is unfathomable. No need to dwell on it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I don''t expect Mother to love me, just hope she could be a bit fairer, give me a tiny bit of the love she gives others. But emotions can''t be forced. Mother detests the very sight of me. Fortunately, I still have my wife and children. What I''ve lost by fate, I''ve gained by fortune." Jiang Changtian continued brewing tea, his movements flowing like water. One pot of tea, like a lifetime.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Scalding hot, fragrant, then slowly fading.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this moment, the Emperor truly saw Jiang the Second, feeling he was very simr to himself, like one of his own people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He understood him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What matter did youe to report today?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian revealed a somewhat shy smile, then recounted how his inw hade to himst night with a thousand taels of silver to buy the answers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"My annual sry is only just over two hundred taels. I never imagined that simply circling some content could fetch a thousand taels of silver. It shows how wealthy these people in the capital are."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor strongly agreed. Indeed, every time he wanted to build a pavilion or theater, those officials would submit memorials criticizing him, saying it was absolutely uneptable and would shake the foundations of the state. Yet each of them lived extremelyvishly at home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Rather than let them profit from this money, it''s better for me to earn it. I agreed with my inw that we''d sell each copy for two hundred taels of silver, split evenly between us. But my inw is too righteous and ufortable taking the money. So I thought, since they''re giving it away anyway, if we sell it for silverter, I''ll keep fifty taels per copy, my inw can keep fifty taels for hosting dinners, and the remaining hundred taels will go to the Imperial Household Department. This way we kill two birds with one stone - they were going to memorize thews and regtions anyway, paying money to do so will probably make them more serious about it, while also generating ie."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Changtian slowly exined his n, just as he had brewed the tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The eunuch standing to the side listened with his neck craned up, head tilted to the sky.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At first, the Emperor''s expression was somewhat displeased, but as he listened, he wanted tough.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This Jiang the Second was really something else.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Indeed, the memorial he had received using him of loving to amass wealth was not wrong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Given responsibility for such a trivial matter, he could stille up with a way to make money from it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although it was someone else who did this first, the thousand taels of silver were clearly meant to trick that fierce green snake, as everyone knows he''s easy to fool.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But this Jiang Er is truly trying to fleece everyone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He even dares to draw the Emperor into his scheme, promising to split the profits half and half.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Very well, very well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hahaha.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He''s already looking forward to seeing the colorful expressions on the officials'' faces at the next court session.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Outside the pce, in the Prime Minister''s office, someone came toin to the Prime Minister, while others were selling answers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There were even supposed internal answers circled by Vice Minister Jiang - one only needed to memorize the parts he circled to pass the test. Each copy sold for two hundred taels of silver.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Minister Lu, who had spent the night reading rules and regtions: ...Why didn''t you say so earlier?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then he couldn''t help butugh.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Very well, very well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The money-making scheme has reached the capital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They really think these officials are pushovers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now they give you two hundred taels, butter you''ll have to pay back two thousand taels, and even that won''t be enough.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He closed his eyes and let it be, allowing Jiang Er to continue selling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What a clown.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just seeking attention.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He thought this person was formidable, but now he sees how short-sighted he is, ruining his entire career for a mere two hundred taels.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Minister Lu yawned and waved for theining official to leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His assistant quietly asked, "Sir, should we go buy a copy?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Get out."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Come back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Buy it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0