novelSusiti Chapter 14: In the end, he's just a eunuch; how much ability can he possibly have?
Chapter 14: In the end, he's just a eunuch; how much ability can he possibly have?
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."
"This has nothing to do with trivial matters; Consort Yang threatened me."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan immediately prostrated himself on the ground in terror and begged for forgiveness, blaming everything on Consort Yang.
You can't blame him for being heartless.
First of all, Consort Yang is definitely not in any major condition.
Secondly, he was just a eunuch, and his so-called fourth-rank title was something that Guanyinbi could change with a single word.
Besides, Consort Yang was only using him; it was a mutual exploitation where everyone got what they wanted.
He did this simply to give himself another way out, since it is said that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.
"Your Majesty, how could I betray you?"
After Lin Chuan finished speaking, he immediately stood up and obediently walked forward.
He spoke gently as he began to massage Guanyinbi.
Guanyinbi didn't say anything more about these things. She wasn't stupid; she understood that Consort Yang was manipulating everything behind the scenes.
"Be careful in the future; you're from the Hall of Established Governance."
Finally, Empress Zhangsun waved her hand, making it clear that the matter was over.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan nodded hurriedly, his body already drenched in cold sweat.
The palace intrigues depicted in TV dramas are indeed treacherous; a slight misstep can lead to death.
Night falls.
Li Er walked into the Lizheng Hall with a serious expression.
Guanyinbi did not stop them; on the contrary, she had been waiting there for a long time.
She knew that this incident had a huge impact and that Li Er would definitely come to question her.
Lin Chuan and Li Er didn't say much to him.
The other party was exceptionally talented and charismatic; if he weren't a eunuch, Li Er would have truly punished him.
But Li Er also understood that Lin Chuan was not that kind of person; they understood each other.
"The purpose of my trip is to make it clear to you that I will absolutely not take any action against Lin Chuan."
"However, it is essential to convince both civil and military officials in the court."
"I will not interfere in matters concerning the imperial eunuchs, but the granting of titles must be based on their actual abilities."
Li Er immediately turned to Guanyinbi and said frankly that this was only to give an explanation to the civil and military officials.
Lin Chuan is a very talented young man; he can easily participate in the imperial examinations.
If this matter is resolved sooner, he can also enjoy some peace and quiet.
Upon hearing the news, Guanyinbi's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
Although Lin Chuan was her designated personal eunuch, she was also the mistress of the harem and the mother of the nation.
In any case, she should help Li Er share some of his troubles.
"Can."
"But don't be too harsh on Lin Chuan. He comes from a poor family and didn't have the opportunity to receive an education."
Guanyinbi immediately nodded, agreeing to Li Er's suggestion.
Of course, she also thought about Lin Chuan, after all, he came from a poor family, otherwise he would not have entered the palace to become a eunuch.
It's okay to evaluate him, but it shouldn't be too excessive.
This is like asking a military general to handle literary matters; it's simply putting him in a difficult position.
Li Er nodded with a smile, but in his heart he was thinking something else entirely.
Lin Chuan doesn't seem to come from a poor family. He has unique insights into both national policies and military affairs, making him a great talent.
The next day, Guanyinbi summoned Lin Chuan and told him about the matter.
"If you are unwilling or unable to participate, I will not force you."
Guanyinbi looked at Lin Chuan with concern in her eyes, having already decided in her heart that Lin Chuan was not suitable.
Even if you strip him of his title, you can grant him enough wealth to ensure he has enough to eat and wear for the rest of his life.
"Since Your Majesty has spoken, I will certainly not refuse."
"This humble servant must bring honor to Your Majesty."
Lin Chuan agreed without hesitation.
Although he knew that even if he withdrew, Guanyinbi would not treat him harshly, his pride still did not allow him to back down.
Because he was a eunuch, he was despised and targeted by the entire court!
How is this different from Consort Yang's experience?
Since you want to test whether I am worthy of that damned fourth-rank lower nobility title, then I will prove it to you.
Doing so will enhance Guanyinbi's prestige and benefit my continued service to her in the future.
The Taiji Hall, the morning court session.
After Li Er announced the mission Lin Chuan had accepted, all the civil and military officials were shocked.
"Hmph, he has some guts; he didn't dare to run away."
"A rank of fourth grade is not low. I'd like to see what he's really capable of."
"However, he's ultimately a eunuch; how much skill could he possibly possess?"
The ministers began to discuss among themselves, most of them with a mocking expression on their faces.
They believed that Lin Chuan was merely courageous, but in essence, he was still a eunuch from a humble background.
They believe that Lin Chuan is completely finished this time!
Of course, they wouldn't go too far. If Lin Chuan failed the assessment, they would simply revoke his title and status as a royal eunuch.
a few days later.
Outside the Dali Temple, at the emperor's request, this place was chosen as a special location to assess Lin Chuan.
Only Changsun Wuji knew the reason for the emperor's absence, but he also used that as an excuse not to attend today.
To avoid suspicion, Empress Zhangsun also did not attend.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui presided over the assessment, and they remained neutral to ensure fairness.
Wei Zheng and others had no objection to this.
The imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty usually tested knowledge of the classics and history, but Lin Chuan had the requirements relaxed due to his personal circumstances.
He only needs to demonstrate one skill to gain the approval of most people and pass the test.
Almost all officials below the fifth rank were present, eager to witness Lin Chuan's performance.
Soon, under everyone's watchful eyes, Lin Chuan, wearing a turban and with a solemn expression, walked over.
He glanced around at the officials, a contemptuous smirk playing on his lips.
People underestimate him, but today he will wear eunuch attire and shock the entire audience, surprising you all.
"Lin Chuan, given your situation, the rules can be relaxed."
"Use your strengths; you only need to gain the approval of half the people."
"Don't worry about favoritism, I will remain impartial."
Fang Xuanling stood on the steps and spoke to Lin Chuan, then ordered someone to light incense. The assessment ended when the incense burned out.
Lin Chuan disagreed, waving his hand to indicate that such a complicated process was unnecessary.
"In the past, Cao Zhi could compose a poem in seven steps."
"Now I, the eunuch Lin Chuan, have accomplished this in one go."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Chuan stepped forward, picked up his calligraphy brush, and announced loudly.
A commotion erupted from the crowd.
These words shocked everyone, who all thought he was arrogant and conceited. Even the usually mild-mannered Fang Xuanling frowned.
Lin Chuan merely sneered at this.
He told himself, "Du Fu, I'm going to show off my skills with your poems today."
These civil and military officials all looked down on him, simply because he was a eunuch.
Their claims of causing chaos in the harem and the use of eunuchs were just pretexts.
The real reason was that Lin Chuan easily obtained the title of a fourth-rank nobleman.
In the Tang Dynasty, one needed to achieve outstanding military exploits to be promoted to an official position.
"Damn it, if I knew martial arts, I'd make you pay today!"
Lin Chuan calmed himself down, then picked up his pen and began copying.
The whole process was incredibly smooth, taking less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn; Du Fu's ascent to the heights was completed in just a few breaths.
With a swish, Lin Chuan slowly put down his brush.
"Is that all?"
The surrounding area was filled with shock, and everyone was speechless.
Even if you, little eunuch, have some talent, it's too much to write poetry or paint so quickly, isn't it?
"Looking at him, what talent could he possibly have?"
"It's probably just random graffiti."
"That's right, if he can write any decent poetry, I'll eat shit and do a handstand."
Then, a discussion broke out among the crowd, filled with sarcastic remarks.
At the top of the steps, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged glances, both showing expressions of surprise.
Then he waved his hand, signaling the eunuch beside him to bring the items up.
Soon, the eunuch came over with a sheet of Xuan paper in both hands, his face looking grim.
"This handwriting..."
When Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui saw it, their faces contorted in disgust; the handwriting was so terrible it looked like scribbles.
Lin Chuan was also a little embarrassed, after all, he had never learned calligraphy.
He firmly believed that his poem "Ascending to a High Place" was the pinnacle of all seven-character regulated verse throughout the ages.
In the early Tang Dynasty, the Four Great Poets of the Early Tang Dynasty were no match for them.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui initially underestimated Lin Chuan because of his handwriting, but once they read his writing, they were immediately shocked as if struck by lightning.
They jumped to their feet, their eyes fixed on Lin Chuan.
This reaction attracted the attention of the surrounding officials, who immediately gathered around, eager to see what Lin Chuan had written that could so shock the two officials.
They might have thought Lin Chuan's handwriting was like the work of a ghost or god, inspiring fear.
"That's absolutely impossible!"
But when everyone took a closer look at the poem on the Xuan paper, they were all stunned.
Even some literary giants were so shocked by those verses that they trembled.
"I am ashamed of myself."
In the end, even the most arrogant old scholar had to admit his shortcomings and praised the poem highly.
Even the most uncouth military officers were rendered speechless by the poem's imagery and emotion.
At the bottom of the steps, Lin Chuan looked around at everyone with a mocking expression, making them feel ashamed and silent.
Although Li Er did not personally visit the Dali Temple in the Ganlu Hall's study, he closely followed the developments of the situation.
He dispatched eunuchs to report Lin Chuan's movements at any time.
At this moment, there were four sheets of Xuan paper on the table in front of him, on which Lin Chuan's "Ascending to the Heights" was copied.
"Your Majesty, the moment Lin Chuan's poem was published, the faces of all the civil and military officials changed."
"Especially those literary giants, some even shed tears, praising it as a timeless masterpiece."
The eunuch beside him smiled and leaned down to add that although he himself was not particularly talented, he was also deeply moved by the poem.
It's unbelievable that Lin Chuan, at such a young age, could write such a poem!
"The wind is fierce, the sky is high, and the monkeys howl mournfully; the islet is clear, the sand is white, and the birds fly back."
"The boundless forest sheds its leaves with a rustling sound, while the endless Yangtze River rolls on and on."
……
At this moment, Li Er got up from his bed, his hair unbound and his clothes casual, and stepped out of the room.
The surrounding landscape is magnificent, and the sun is setting in the west.
After reciting this poem about climbing to a high place, Li Er was deeply shocked.
"A traveler often feels sorrow in autumn, a hundred years old and ailing, I climb the stage alone"—this line is brilliant!
Finally, he sighed again, his heart still filled with emotion.
It's hard to imagine that Lin Chuan could summarize a person's life in just a few words; even he finds it perplexing.
"I will frame this poem and study it every day."
As soon as he finished speaking, his father-in-law in the distance responded immediately, astonished by Lin Chuan's poetic talent.
Meanwhile, inside the Lizheng Hall.
"Good! Good! Good!"
"Truly the person I chose, just as I should be!"
When Guanyinbi heard about the situation at Dali Temple, she was equally excited and shouted "Good!" three times in a row.
The morning court session is underway in the Taiji Hall.
Today, Li Er was in an excellent mood, and even had a sly smile on his face.
These civil and military officials, who were usually arrogant towards him, are now all subdued.
What made it even more embarrassing for them was that the one who defeated them was the eunuch they despised the most.
This made him feel incredibly happy!
"My esteemed ministers, do you have any further objections to Lin Chuan?"
Li Er suppressed his laughter and asked the civil and military officials questions.
A moment of silence.
Everyone lowered their heads and remained silent, their faces extremely pale, turning red and white in turns.
Those officials who considered themselves literary masters felt ashamed because they had been arguing fiercely about Lin Chuan's poems the day before.
Even if you only get a small portion, you will treat it as a treasure and take it with you to sleep.
"Wei Zheng, and what about you?"
Li Er was even happier to see that these people had stopped talking, and then looked at Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng, that stubborn fellow, once dared to accuse me of being a foolish ruler for the sake of Lin Chuan. Now I want to see what other objections you can come up with.
"Your humble servant has no reply."
Wei Zheng's expression was grim, and he felt as if he had eaten shit, after all, who could have imagined that Lin Chuan would write such a poem.
Yesterday, those literary giants completely disregarded their dignity and fought each other over a piece of Xuan paper. He still remembers the scene clearly; it was too crazy!
They worshipped Lin Chuan like a god, almost to the point of prostrating themselves at his feet.
What else could Wei Zheng say?
"This incident has taught you a lesson."
"I've learned that appearances can be deceiving, and that there's always someone better than you!"
Finally, Li Er couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, then gave his evaluation.
At that moment, the civil and military officials in the court felt even more ashamed and depressed. They never expected to lose to a eunuch in the end. It was too absurd.
After the court session ended.
"Lord Wei, alas."
When the group of civil officials saw Wei Zheng, they all sighed helplessly.
They were at their wits' end. Although they belonged to this group, the result was that they had all lived in vain at an advanced age.
"Hmph, scholars have never been of much use since ancient times. They only have a little talent, what does that amount to?"
"Remember that our Great Tang Dynasty was founded on military force; military generals are the foundation of the nation!"
At this moment, a group of military officers walked over. They did not agree with Lin Chuan's assessment at all, even though the poem was praised to the skies.
In an instant, a debate erupted between the civil and military factions!
The civil officials were extremely dissatisfied with the military general's remarks. They were not praising Lin Chuan, but they could not tolerate the military general's denigration of the poem about climbing high.
The military commander was completely unconcerned and unwilling to continue the argument.
In their minds, only those who are stronger than them in martial arts can gain their approval, like Cheng Zhijie and Li Jing.
"They're nothing but a bunch of poor, pedantic scholars."
This gave Wei Zheng immediate grounds for his opinion, and he immediately echoed it.
"We asked Lord Li and the others, and although they didn't say it explicitly, it was clear that they looked down on Lin Chuan."
Then, the military officers revealed a major secret.
This news made Wei Zheng even happier, it seemed there were still wise people in the court.
Our Great Tang Dynasty was founded on military strength. Although Your Majesty is enlightened and literature and etiquette have flourished, scholars are still looked down upon by most people.
Historically, martial arts skills have been valued while literary talent has been neglected.
"Hmph, he can't cause much trouble."
"He only has some clever tricks up his sleeve; he's utterly useless when it comes to actually managing a country."
Wei Zheng concluded indifferently that Lin Chuan was unfit for important positions.
They will soon be forgotten; lacking real talent, losing favor is only a matter of time.