Chapter 61: Composed as a Dead Prisoner

  "The report! The war in Runzhou has been extinguished!"

  "Report! The rebel leader of Gaoyou has surrendered!"

  "Report! The rebels in the city have surrendered and laid down their arms, totaling a thousand strong."

  "Report! The great general has set up camp outside the city and the citizens inside are demanding a proclamation of amnesty!"

  Pei Yan sat at his desk listening to the reports from his subordinates, occasionally nodding and waving his hand to dismiss them.

  The tree fell and the monkeys scattered, those two places were also the main battlegrounds. When Yangzhou fell, they surrendered one after another, Pei Yan stood up, looking out at the darkness that had already fallen outside.

  He let out a light sigh and asked those around him: "Where is the bandit chief being held?"

  "Report to the governor, he has been temporarily placed in the provincial prison, with heavy troops guarding him."

  "Take me there," said Pei Yan with a nod.

  Yes

  Jia Shi immediately led Pei Yan out of the mansion, and the two mounted their horses. Jia Shi led the way in front, while Pei Yan sat on his horse with narrowed eyes, deep in thought.

  "Governor! It's right here!"

  Pei Yan looked towards the prison in front of him, only to see that at this moment the fire was shining brightly, and there were rows of soldiers inside and outside the gate, blocking the area so tightly that not even water could leak through.

  Pei Yan dismounted and walked closer. The officers saw it was him and hastily paid their respects, making way for him. Pei Yan walked into the prison with his hands behind his back.

  At this time, there were no other prisoners in the prison, only two figures were trapped in two opposite cells.

  Pei Yan saw that the corridor was lined with armored soldiers, and he slightly shook his head. He walked forward, waving his hand and said: "You all go to the entrance first."

  "Yes!" The crowd responded in unison and formed a line, walking towards the prison gate.

  Pei Yan finally looked towards the person in prison, but didn't say a word.

  After a long time, a voice came from one of the cells: "Old fellow, you've arrived"

  As soon as his voice fell, the people in the prison cell on the other side seemed to have just lifted their heads and saw that it was Pei Yan. They shouted: "Treasonous minister!"

  Pei Yan heard the sound and frowned, ignoring that side, walking slowly to another cell, where a scholar also walked out of the dark, who was exactly Lu Binwang.

  Two people stared at each other across the cage for a long time before the scholar let out a soft sigh.

  "Old master, I didn't think you'd make it this far"

  Upon hearing this, Pei Yan's expression remained unchanged, only his graying temples twitched slightly.

  The two still stared at each other, until loud curses came from the cell next door again.

  "Treacherous minister Pei Zilong! Can you justify yourself before Emperors Taizong and Gaozong?"

  Finally, Pei Yan's expression changed, and he looked back at the disheveled person in the prison cell on the other side, wanting to speak but stopping himself, then turned his head again to look at Luo Binwang.

  "I also didn't think I could live until now"

  He finally spoke up, and with these words, the people in the prison cell on the other side seemed to be stunned as well.

  Lu Binwang also showed a smile on his face. It's not hard to predict that he and Xu Jingye were captured alive, they couldn't escape death, and even the process of dying wouldn't be dignified.

  But he seems very composed in this great prison, just like he is at home.

  "I just want to ask you one thing, sir."

  "Go ahead and ask."

  "Where is the author?"

  Pei Yan heard this and sighed lightly, saying: "Chang'an"

  "What year did you pass the imperial examination? Which academy's teacher are you?"

  Ruo Bin Wang stared straight at Pei Yan, but Pei Yan remained silent.

  After a long time, Pei Yan finally spoke up: "He has not yet made his mark, if he wants to make a name for himself, it will probably be within these next few days."

  Lu Binwang was taken aback by the words and smiled bitterly after a moment: "I underestimated the heroes of the world."

  "I also have something to ask you"

  Lu Binwang raised his head and said: "Sir, go ahead and ask"

  "You clearly know that this is something that cannot be done, so why are you still trying to overthrow the king?"

  Lu Binwang heard this and smiled, but did not respond. After a moment, he shook his head and said, "This is just like you knowing I have talent, yet not using me, it's the same principle."

  After speaking, he turned around and slowly sat down in the dark place.

  Pei Yan saw this but did not leave, still standing outside the prison.

  "You are right." Pei Yan's voice was very soft, but Ruo Binwang and Xu Jingye heard it clearly.

  Xu Jingye rushed to the front of the prison, grabbed the prison bars and said: "Old sir, if you let me go, I promise that as long as you let me go, I will definitely give you more power than now! More benefits!"

  Pei Yan turned his head and glanced at Xu Jingye with a smile that was seven parts mocking and three parts pity.

  Xu Jingye has the audacity to rebel, but lacks the talent to succeed.

  "It's you who has mistaken the person"

  Pei Yan was about to leave with a flick of his sleeve when Rong Binwang suddenly spoke up, saying: "For the common people, there is no right or wrong."

  Pei Yan stopped in his tracks, turned around with his back against the prison cell and said: "You didn't look down on heroes of the world either, it's just that child isn't a hero"

  Finally, Lu Binwang's tone changed slightly, "Child?"

  "Nine years old."

  Suddenly the magpie's cry ceased, and all that was heard were a few clanking sounds of chains from within the prison.

  "Haha, nine years old... Hahaha... Nine years old!"

  A loud laughter echoed out, with a tone of self-mockery. The soldiers on the other side heard the sound and wanted to rush over, but were stopped by Pei Yan's waving hand.

  After a long time, Rong Binwang's laughter finally stopped. "Ding..." He stood up again and walked to the front of the cell.

  "Old master, now that Tang has gone mad, aren't you afraid she'll kill you?"

  Pei Yan stood still for a moment after hearing this, but didn't respond. After a long while, he turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

  Only after he came out of prison did he instruct a soldier beside him: "Light the beacon fire for a thousand miles"

  The armored soldier was taken aback by the words, and immediately his face showed excitement. He turned his head and shouted loudly, a team of cavalrymen followed closely behind him, rushing straight to the beacon tower outside the city.

  Chang'an, in the midst of abundance and comfort.

  Two old tailors kept comparing Tang Guan's figure, while Chen Yunsheng smiled and looked on from the side.

  "Your Honor, this young man's brocade clothing is truly exceptional."

  "Hey, no, no, I think this young man looks better in the satin from my store. Sir, that batch is newly arrived at my store."

  Tang Guan listened to the two tailors' chatter and felt somewhat impatient.

  Chen Yunsheng smiled and said: "Get well soon! Tomorrow is your big day, you must wear a new crown and hat to show your spirit!"

  The two old tailors looked at each other and one of them asked, "May I ask, sir, what is the happy occasion for this young gentleman? We'd like to take his measurements accordingly."

  Tang Guan heard this and became interested, saying: "Are there different clothes for different happy events?"

  The two of them smiled slightly and said, "Of course, there's a dress code for every occasion. We've made clothes for many nobles before. This official has good taste, please let us help the young master get dressed."

  As they spoke, a hint of pride appeared on the faces of these two men. Chen Yunsheng smiled and shook his head. These two old men were well-known in the industry as skilled tailors who had indeed provided fabrics to the palace.

  "What about entering the palace for an imperial audience and being listed on the golden board of successful candidates?"

  "Ah?!" The two old men were originally still in a state of self-satisfaction, but as soon as they heard this, they suddenly exclaimed.

  Just then, a figure entered the room.

  "Hey Crown, I forgot to return this to you!"

  Two elderly men turned back and saw what was in his hand, hastily knelt down on the ground, "Commoners pay respects to the saint!"

  It turned out that it was Xiao Qi who came in, and he saw that he was holding exactly that imperial edict.

  Tang Guan took over the imperial edict and put it on the table. The two old tailors came to their senses, stood up, but suddenly thought of one person.

  "May I ask your honorable surname?"

  "Surname Tang, given name Mian"

  "He's the one who cured Tang!" The two old men secretly exclaimed in unison, exchanging a glance. Now, all the large and small wine houses and tea houses in the city, as well as the alleys and markets, were all discussing this person, never expecting him to be just a child!

  And what's more, when they heard him talk about being top of the imperial examination, they were even more shocked.

  The atmosphere suddenly became a bit eerie due to Xiao Qi's meddling. Chen Yunsheng spoke up, "Two elderly gentlemen, thank you for your trouble, please hurry and finish it as soon as possible, we need it by tomorrow morning."

  After saying this, he took out a few pieces of silver from his bosom and said: "This is the deposit, it must fit the spirit."

  Two old men looked at each other and hastily waved their hands, saying: "It is our honor to make clothes for this young gentleman."

  They no longer dare to accept this money, nowadays the whole city is discussing it endlessly, and even some famous courtesans have named Tang Guo as their first guest.

  Since ancient times, talented scholars have been known for their elegance. I thought that Tang Qubu on the notice was either an old Confucian or a young talented scholar who considered himself elegant, but unexpectedly he is only this big.

  All scholars who have read his writings cannot help but want to meet this Tang Qubu.

  The bustling and prosperous Chang'an, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people, whether they have seen Tang Guan in person or not, all know a little bit about him, that is, this man is likely to rise to the top!

  The two of them pushed and shoved each other for a while, then turned around and bid farewell, saying: "Tomorrow before dawn, I will definitely deliver it to you."

  Having said that, he turned around and left the government office.

  Tang Guan was delighted at this turn of events, "I didn't expect the celebrity effect to be so powerful, and I can even get free clothes!"

  For a moment, excitement increased, looking forward to tomorrow's imperial examination.

  "Wu Zetian, since you gave me a chance to turn things around, I'd be too sorry for you if I didn't"

  Tang Guan gazed out at the gate, lost in thought.

  "Bang!" Just then a muffled sound came from the horizon, Tang Guan raised his head to look, and surprisingly, there were fireworks in the sky, followed by a burst of blue smoke, which made him jump in surprise.

  It's not New Year's Eve, why are there fireworks?

  Xiao Qi and Chen Yunsheng also walked out of the room upon hearing the sound.

  "Bang!" Another loud noise, Chen Yunsheng narrowed his eyes and saw the puff of blue smoke, then opened his eyes wide and shouted: "It's the Wolf Smoke Signal from a thousand miles away!"

  Every place has a beacon tower, one place responds, eight sides echo, that far away in Yangzhou's beacon tower, lit the first bundle, several hours of work actually transmitted to Chang'an!

  The Palace of the Great Ming

  "Report! I report to Your Majesty, a great victory in Yangzhou! The rebels have been captured!"

  Wu Zetian was handling memorials on her desk when a general rushed into the hall and knelt down to report.

  She continued to deal with the documents in her hand, ignoring him.

  "The Emperor said: 'I understand'"

  The general's hot face was pressed against her cold buttocks, and Wu Zetian seemed to have expected it, not paying any attention.

  He was about to step down when Wu Zetian spoke up and said: "How is the imperial examination arranged?"

  The general was stunned on the spot, and the empress actually ignored the war and focused on the imperial examination, which was considered "unnecessary" by the officials.

  Tang's illness had become a household name among officials during this time, and on the fourth day of hasty preparations, both inside and outside the palace, all officials with some rank knew about it.

  A nine-year-old champion, just thinking about it makes one's hair stand on end.

  The Ministry of Rites has already made all necessary arrangements. Tomorrow, the Southern Government will dispatch a contingent of brave and strong soldiers to strengthen security.

  Wu Zetian nodded and closed the memorial in her hand.

  "The Emperor's words are as follows: announce to the rebels that they will be put to death on the spot"

  "Yes!" The commander's heart skipped a beat as he heard this. He was the General of the Imperial Guard in the palace, and a group of his elite troops had already been seconded to Pei Yan's command as his personal bodyguards.

  The suppression has just ended, and the situation is still uncertain. The commander was summoned back to the palace, it seems that Empress Tian will not let Pei Yan take control of the military power.

  Wu Zetian ignored him and slowly got up, walked out of the door, gazing at the distant fireworks that were still flickering, with a murderous intent in her beautiful eyes.

  "Pei Yan, you are useless to me!" Looking at the smoke and fire in the distance, Wu Zetian spoke coldly, but unfortunately no one could hear her.