Chapter 119: Misconduct

They were stunned for a moment. However, those few individuals just stammered, not daring to make a sound. Han Qing merely cast a glance at them and walked away, choosing not to punish these examinees. Even Magistrate Lin of the Capital Prefecture looked bewildered.

"Are you just going to leave it be?"

"A mere trifle, not worth mentioning." Han Qing replied with a calm and magnanimous demeanor.

The students had expected retaliation, but he simply ignored them. Instead, it was Elder Lin who scolded them, telling them that they were there to study, not to stir up trouble. However, these events had clearly caught the attention of certain officials. It was unheard of for a poor scholar from a remote region to have previously received favors from salt merchants. This was not something an ordinary person could achieve; he clearly possessed some ability.

In particular, Grand Academician Lu of the Hanlin Academy, having witnessed the man’s logical rigor and his ability to easily navigate complex deadlocks during their last encounter, believed that once this man was employed by the imperial court, he would undoubtedly be a rare talent. Although he was currently staying at Elder Lin's residence, he was still receiving inquiries from officials across the various regions.

"Why aren't you worried?" Master Zhu was pacing back and forth in anxiety. He felt that some of these inquiries were clearly ill-intentioned, with people deliberately trying to use any pretext to cause trouble.

"What is meant to come will come. Since we already know these people bear ill will, we can simply avoid them." Han Qing shook his head, slowly setting down a chess piece as he continued to study the endgame on the board.

"But this is Luojing. Those powerful figures are not to be trifled with. Once you displease them, your future career will likely be ruined."

"Oh?" Han Qing remained unhurried. "I am currently just an ordinary student; how could I possibly help them solve their troubles? Those people are merely exaggerating their own thoughts."

Naturally, some matters eventually found their door. Elder Lin of the Capital Prefecture had not been heard from since his morning audience with the Emperor. Something major had likely occurred. The relatives and distant branches of the Lin family were in a state of agitation, and even Lin Fei, the Censor who usually avoided such messy affairs, was anxious. Upon hearing the news, he was quite flustered.

"I was chatting perfectly well with my uncle last night; how could he say the wrong thing the moment he appeared at court today?" Lin Fei lamented.

It was not a major crime, but because he was harboring so many students at his residence, the Emperor had become furious upon hearing reports that he was engaging in power-brokering and deliberately cultivating his own faction. That made the situation much more serious. It was virtually impossible to defend, as their every move was now under scrutiny.

"My foolish uncle just wanted to gain some quick favor, never expecting to be set up by someone else," he sighed, intending to ask others for a solution.

"What should we do now?" Han Qing looked on calmly without giving a direct answer. Instead, he asked a few questions. "Has anyone reported that the examinees who were harassed outside might be linked to the Capital Prefecture?"

"Yes. It was an unprovoked disaster, but now that it’s being pinned on the Lin family, the charges are quite grave."

Han Qing had guessed as much. Fortunately, everything they had done was above board, or else the consequences would have been far worse.

"Why not simply send all these students away? You are already in a difficult position; if you keep these students here, won't it only make the Emperor more suspicious?"

"That is true," the steward admitted, though he hesitated. "But if we make such a big move, won't the master be furious when he returns?"

"You are still worried about whether the master can return? If you don't disperse them, he might not return at all," Master Zhu said coldly. "Face reality and see what is most important. Stop being so jumpy. These are just rumors; if you clarify things ahead of time, there won't be as much trouble later. If you keep haggling over trifles, the situation will only escalate."

Their actions immediately drew dissatisfaction from the students in the courtyard. Some had come from impoverished areas and had finally enjoyed half a month of comfort, only to be suddenly driven out. Who could endure such a thing? Hearing that this was Han Qing's suggestion, they filled with resentment, believing he had done this to spite them.

Back at court, Elder Lin argued his case vigorously. In the end, the Emperor only scolded him and docked his salary for half a year as a lesson. However, upon returning to his residence, he found that everything had changed.

"Where have all the scholars gone?"

"I was afraid the Emperor would continue to hold a grudge, so I had them all removed from the residence."

Elder Lin nearly fainted from anger. How could they act without his consent and drive everyone away?

"I worked so hard to build a good reputation, and in just one afternoon, it has all been ruined."

Master Zhu tried to persuade him with earnest words. "Uncle Lin, if you hadn't done this, how could you show your loyalty? Besides, you are already over fifty; why bother with so many schemes?"

The old man had no way to explain and was forced to swallow his frustration. However, news of this reached Grand Academician Lu. He could roughly guess that it must have been Han Qing's idea.

"A truly extraordinary talent. By doing this, even if those students wanted to retaliate, they would be powerless, and it even directs more of their resentment toward the Capital Prefecture," Lu praised, already thinking of finding a suitable opportunity to invite the student out. Last time, he had only tested a few, but this was the only one he truly found impressive.

"But he is too clever; he may not be someone who can be controlled."

"A clever person will naturally do clever things; he understands with a single hint." Lu shook his head. "Loyalty is useless; what I truly need is someone who can get things done for me. Everything else can be discarded."

He personally wrote a letter, sincerely inviting him to a gathering at the Fenghuang Restaurant, his words filled with admiration. Han Qing did not refuse. He found a suitable excuse to leave the residence. How could he miss a test from Grand Academician Lu?