The year was 710 AD, the first year of the Jingyun era of the Tang Dynasty.
On the Mingde Gate tower of Chang'an City.
Two voices could be heard in conversation.
“No one can deny their love for this grand dynasty, just as no one can deny their love for this great Chang'an.”
“The more dazzling the flowers, the deeper and more unpredictable the shadows they cast.”
“The magnificent Tang Dynasty is like a mirror, one side with music and dance, and the other side…”
“Is filled with ghosts!”
The words of the scholar, around thirty years old, had just fallen.
A young general clad in golden armor, with a long spear in hand, roared, “Audacious!”
The scholar remained calm, his voice steady, “These are the words of my master, Di Gong.”
The young general seemed to be stung by the word ‘master’, coldly snorted, “I know you are a disciple of Di Renjie.”
“But remember, don't show off in front of this general again!”
He then lowered his spear, looked towards the Suzaku Avenue, and said expressionlessly, “Wu Daqi, the former Chang'an County Constable, mysteriously drowned. I have investigated the scene, and there are many strange and suspicious circumstances.”
“If you have any real ability, find out the truth as soon as possible. Don't let Constable Wu die in vain.”
“This is your duty, and this general will supervise you.”
Seeing the young general's upright and righteous demeanor, the scholar nodded, “Understood!”
At that moment.
A commotion arose from the Suzaku Avenue.
“Come and see everyone!”
“Wei Ming, the new top scholar, is parading through Chang'an with one hundred and eighty-nine fellow scholars!”
“They are all the brilliant talents of our great Tang Dynasty. They will surely enter the cabinet and become high officials in the future.”
“Especially this top scholar, he is a descendant of the Wenqu Star, eloquent, his poetry, calligraphy, and painting are all the best in the world!”
“Children, come and pay your respects to the Wenqu Star, get some literary talent, so that one day you can also be among the top scholars!”
The eyes of the people of Chang'an converged on a group of tall horses with large red flowers on their heads.
The leader, clad in a red robe adorned with flowers, had a handsome face, sword-like eyebrows, and star-like eyes. He exuded a scholarly air, and a faint smile made people feel a sense of spring breeze.
Behind him were nearly two hundred successful scholars, and behind them was a vast crowd of onlookers.
Wei Ming smiled and greeted the people on both sides of the road.
Behind his deep gaze, there was a hint of complexity.
His name was Wei Ming, and he was a time traveler.
Eighteen years ago, he was reborn into the Tang Dynasty, becoming the great-grandson of the famous Prime Minister Wei Zheng.
He was known as a prodigy since childhood, and at the age of eight, he became a disciple of the national elder Di Renjie, his most cherished student.
As everyone knows, during the Wu Zhou era, Di Renjie was practically a co-emperor.
The phrase "filled with students", refers to Di Renjie.
The Wei family had paved the way for him, as long as he became a disciple of Di Renjie, his official career would be smooth sailing, and he would rise rapidly.
However, less than half a year after following his master, Di Gong passed away.
After that, he returned to his family and devoted himself to learning for ten years.
Today, he finally achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, becoming the new top scholar!
Just as he was preparing to create the prosperous Kaiyuan era and plan how to prevent the Anshi Rebellion.
He suddenly received a letter from someone claiming to be his senior brother, saying that he would be taking up his post as County Constable in Chang'an soon.
This senior brother was named Su Wuming!
At first, he only found the name a bit familiar, but he didn't think much of it, after all, Di Gong had countless disciples.
Later, during the Chang'an imperial examination, he accidentally heard that a young man from a noble family named Lu Lingfeng had become a general of the Jinwu Guard, a rank of Zheng Si Pin (fourth rank).
He was stunned.
Goodness, these were the two main characters from the TV series Tang Gui!
He had actually time traveled to the world of Tang Gui?!
Logically, the world of Tang Gui wasn't that different from the historical Tang Dynasty, but his mindset had changed.
Why choose a treacherous political career when investigating cases was so much more interesting?
Besides, since he had come to this world, why not make his life more exciting and thrilling?
“I heard that Brother Wei excels in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music, and is the best in the world. Today, you have passed the imperial examination and are parading through the streets. Why don't you compose a poem to praise the literary brilliance of our great Tang Dynasty?”
The gloomy young man on the horse beside him was a talented scion of the Qinghe Cui family, one of the Five Great Families.
He had studied under famous scholars and learned men for twenty-five years, hoping to one day become the top scholar, but Wei Ming had unexpectedly snatched the position, leaving him to settle for second place, the second scholar.
He was dissatisfied and wanted to make things difficult for Wei Ming.
The other scholars joined in the teasing, they weren't jealous, but they were simply eager to witness the talent of someone who excelled in four arts.
Seeing this, the people also started shouting.
“Top scholar, recite a poem! Top scholar, recite a poem!”
“Yes, Top scholar, please compose a poem for us.”
“You're deliberately making things difficult for him. Poetry isn't something you can compose at a moment's notice, it needs to fit the scene and be carefully crafted.”
“No, it's said that Wei Ming is eloquent, with the talent of Cao Zhi, who could compose a poem in seven steps. Composing a poem shouldn't be a problem for him.”
On the tower, the scholar Su Wuming and the young general Lu Lingfeng exchanged a glance.
“Su Wuming, what do you think?”
Su Wuming smiled, “My junior brother has extraordinary talent, I believe in him!”
Lu Lingfeng, from the Fan Yang Lu family, was well-versed in literature and art, and could recite poetry and compose prose.
But to compose a poem on the spot, one that fit the scene and was of a certain level, was like a pipe dream, impossible.
Wei Ming snapped out of his thoughts and glanced faintly at the Cui family scion beside him, then bowed to the people of Chang'an and the scholars behind him.
“It's hard to refuse such kindness, I will show you my humble talent!”
Cui Bangyan (the second scholar) snorted, he wanted to see what kind of poem he could compose.
If it wasn't good enough… heh!
Wei Ming pondered for a moment, then opened his mouth and said, “My past transgressions are nothing to boast about, today, I am unrestrained and my thoughts are boundless.”
The Suzaku Avenue fell silent for a moment, many scholars and poets, including the successful scholars of this year's examination, savored these words.
It was good! Not bad at all!
However, Wei Ming continued to recite.
“The spring breeze is in my favor, my horse gallops swiftly, in a single day, I see all the flowers of Chang'an.”
The people of Chang'an and the scholars all gasped. After a brief silence, a huge wave of praise erupted.
“Good! What a wonderful ‘In a single day, I see all the flowers of Chang'an’!”
“The top scholar's joy and ease after passing the examination are vividly displayed!”
“Worthy of being the top scholar of our great Tang Dynasty, what a brilliant talent!”
Wei Ming chuckled, didn't even look at Cui Bangyan, and galloped forward on his horse, crossing through Mingde Gate, full of spirit.
Cui Bangyan's face was as dark as a stormy sea, his already gloomy face became even gloomier.
On the tower.
Lu Lingfeng was amazed, “No wonder Di Gong took him as a disciple, such talent surpasses all in the world, not inferior to Lu Zhaolin of our Lu family!”
Su Wuming proudly said, “That's my junior brother!”
Lu Lingfeng scoffed, “Both of you are Di Gong's disciples, can you also recite poems that will last through the ages?”
Su Wuming: …
…
“To my student: Wei Ming, the new top scholar, has amazing literary talent, he is kind, gentle, and humble, he has the qualities of his ancestor, Wei Gong of Zheng Guo (Wei Zheng), he is appointed as a Supervising Censor of the Censorate, the imperial edict is as follows, upon receipt of this seal, it shall be implemented!”
Wei Ming received the imperial edict and slipped a few silver ingots to Feng Neishi, the eunuch who delivered the edict.
Feng Neishi took the silver and chuckled, “Top scholar Wei, the Supervising Censor is only a rank of From Seven Pin, but it holds great power, with the responsibility to supervise officials, oversee and manage, and investigate criminal cases, and you can appeal to the Emperor!”
“This shows how much His Majesty expects from you. You must work hard and strive to reach the position of your ancestor Wei Gong as soon as possible, to repay His Majesty's kindness!”
Wei Ming bowed, “Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Feng.”
Looking at Feng Neishi's departing figure, Wei Ming had a playful expression.
The Emperor Li Dan wanted to win him over, to cultivate him as his own?
It makes sense, after the suppression of the Empress Dowager Wei's rebellion, Li Dan was helped to the throne by his sister Princess Taiping and his son Li Longji.
Now, most of the officials in the court were controlled by Princess Taiping and the Crown Prince.
There were few pro-royalist officials, and Li Dan was dissatisfied, so he naturally wanted to win over more officials and cultivate new talents.
Wei Ming, the great-grandson of Wei Zheng, a disciple of Di Gong, the new top scholar, with amazing literary talent, all these combined were enough to draw Li Dan's attention.
Therefore, he was appointed to the Censorate, as Supervising Censor, and was secretly promised the position his ancestor Wei Zheng held: Chief Censor, the leader of the Censorate, the head of the censors and remonstrators, one of the three-ranked Prime Ministers!
“Since I know this is the world of Tang Gui, why should I get involved in the whirlpool of imperial power?”
“External posting! I have to find a way to get an external posting!”
Wei Ming pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up, “That's right, Su Wuming took up the post of Chang'an County Constable because of the Chang'an Red Tea Case, and this case is connected to the imperial power struggle. If I can use this opportunity well…”
“I can definitely get an external posting!”
At that moment.
【Ding!】
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