Chapter 57: The Mind-Reading Gu and Sage-like Wisdom
Hearing the voice emanating from Xiao Mengshi without him opening his mouth, Wei Wanlan was stunned. He saw the countdown in the lower left corner continuing. He felt like he understood what was happening.
He had seen this item in the Wise Emperor Cultivation System.
It seemed to be called, uh, Mind-Reading Gu.
Right, this system had many items; it always had strange things. To be honest, he hadn’t gone through all of them.
The small court meeting in the Zhongshu Sheng had already been going on for six or seven minutes.
So, continuing the meeting, Wei Wanlan called on the Shangshu Pushi to answer his question:
“Chen Aiqing, you speak.”
Chen Shangshu stepped forward, as he was the one in charge of this:
“This subordinate is here. Yesterday, all the officials who failed the major examination have been notified by the Ministry of Personnel to be demoted or dismissed from office. Those who performed outstandingly will be summoned to the capital for on-site inspection and then have their official positions adjusted. Official letters have been sent to them, and they will arrive in the capital after the New Year.”
Wei Wanlan: “Oh… then, Aiqing’s own evaluation result was above average?” Wei Wanlan remembered the roster.
“This subordinate is ashamed.” Chen Shangshu bowed his head.
Xiao She Ren’s voice came again:
“—This Chen Shangshu was chosen by Su Yan! Honest and reliable! His work is alright! Don’t investigate him! Investigate the external officials! Investigate the officials outside the capital!!!”
So he was directly calling the Regent King’s name in his heart?
Ancient people’s direct naming was like cursing; the warrior lived up to his name, fierce.
Wei Wanlan suddenly remembered that yesterday during his observation of the government, the Regent King had specifically emphasized to Chen Shangshu—the officials outside the capital; those far from Chang’an, the results of their evaluations transmitted from thousands of miles away to the imperial city were not necessarily accurate and transparent; therefore, careful investigation was necessary.
Heeding advice is essential.
Moreover, this was the unified thinking of the Regent King and the warrior.
Thus, Wei Wanlan continued his questioning, drawing from his memories of yesterday, randomly selecting a few officials outside the capital with relatively high evaluation results and writing their names on paper:
Gu Xiwei, the Suzhou governor; Yuan Xizai, the Luoyang governor; Chang Yuqing, the Jinling governor.
These three were of the same rank and quite far from Chang’an, making them comparable.
Wei Wanlan folded the list, hiding the names, and handed it to Tang Tuan behind him, saying:
“Tang Fujiang, I wish to check the true reputation of these three people on the paper. Please seal off the Zhongshu Sheng now, and immediately bring the officials who evaluated these three individuals to me. I only need to ask a few questions, and everything will be clear…”
I have the Mind-Reading Gu, so what am I afraid of?
The warrior’s voice appeared again: “Cut off communication, the Zhongshu Sheng is sealed well. Come out, Su Yan’s pack of yellow dogs!”
Suddenly, the floor vibrated.
Countless Jinwu Guards, clad in golden armor, moved like thunder, their imposing presence encircling the Zhongshu Sheng.
“By the emperor’s order, the main gate is closed, and all officials are temporarily halted.”
Tang Tuan took Chen Shangshu and strode out.
Tang Fujiang’s responsibility today was to help the little emperor shine. He was ordered by the boss to embolden the little emperor.
However, unbeknownst to Tang Tuan, Wei Wanlan was silently observing his departing back, and the golden armor of the Da Wei soldiers, sighing and thinking, the warrior is going too far…
The Jinwu Guards were efficient.
In less than half a cup of tea’s time.
Tang Tuan brought the people the emperor wanted to summon.
These were the officials sent by the court to conduct evaluations. Their ranks were low, and they rarely had the opportunity to see the emperor face-to-face except during the grand court meetings. Furthermore, before coming to the Zhongshu Sheng, they did not know the purpose of their summons.
“Greetings to Your Majesty.”
The three officials spoke in unison.
Wei Wanlan made a gesture of invitation: “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I want to understand three people,” Wei Wanlan said directly, “These people are far from me, and I rarely see their annual reports; yet, you have not only met them but have also given them evaluations. I want to understand, through your words, the people thousands of miles away.”
The countdown in the lower left corner ticked backward; the Mind-Reading Gu still had some time left.
Wei Wanlan focused his gaze on the first person.
As he concentrated.
The warrior’s thoughts faded, and he began to hear the voice of this person, initially unfamiliar, gradually becoming clear:
“Don’t ask me about Gu Xiwei accepting gifts from the people, it’s too embarrassing.”
“!!!”
Wei Wanlan sensed something, his dragon head poked out, staring at the little official: “What gifts did Governor Gu accept?”
The evaluator’s face turned pale.
He had never expected that the little emperor would actually know what he was thinking.
The little official quickly kowtowed. His knees could barely support him.
He kept kowtowing on the ground:
“Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! Governor Gu did indeed receive things, but he didn’t take bribes. I beg Your Majesty to be lenient, Your Majesty!”
Wei Wanlan tilted his head, uncertain, and listened carefully again.
Indeed, the person opposite him was so terrified that he was about to kowtow himself to death:
“Governor Gu serves as the Suzhou governor. Jiangnan is prosperous; he helped the local people mass-produce New Year’s pictures to get rich… yet even his wife’s childbirth was financed with borrowed money. If he was dismissed from office for accepting two baskets of eggs sent by the people as a visit, it would be too unjust!”
Wei Wanlan slowly let out a breath.
Receiving eggs, I can tolerate that; even when I was filming at the comic exhibition, I received hydrogen balloons and lollipops from fans.
Therefore, Wei Wanlan changed his approach, getting the evaluator to explain clearly:
“Aiqing, if Governor Gu was an upright official, you wouldn’t be so nervous. If he has any difficulties, I can help him.”
“This emperor is too divine! Can he see what I’m thinking? Is he a Di Ting!”
The little official’s thoughts continued to surface.
Cold sweat poured down his skin; the sweat drops that fell from his forehead onto the desk shattered on the ground.
The little official promptly recounted the situation of Gu Xiwei and his wife to the emperor.
Gu Xiwei and his wife had a deep affection for each other.
However, his wife had difficulty conceiving, and Gu Xiwei was a busy man, with limited opportunities to be intimate; the couple had been troubled by the issue of offspring for many years.
Although Gu Xiwei’s salary was substantial, most of it went to his wife’s health treatments. He was not greedy in his official duties, and even spent his own money, so he was usually poor.
Who knew that a governor of Suzhou, a high-ranking official, felt so embarrassed and guilty about receiving two baskets of eggs.
The little official’s thoughts finally added: “My mother’s health has been poor lately, but we can still afford two baskets of eggs; Governor Gu is an honest man.”
Wei Wanlan heard the whole story.
Recalling the New Year’s pictures from Taohuawu, those pictures were elegant in color, auspicious in meaning, although not precious, they showed the giver’s sincere intentions.
Furthermore, he admired such devoted men, just as he found the love story of the Regent King’s parents heartwarming.
Thus, he issued an edict:
“I slaughter countless chickens and ducks daily, and I can’t possibly eat them all. I will have a few sent to the Suzhou governor’s mansion to lay eggs, as a congratulatory gift for Governor Gu’s wife to have a child.”
The little official heaved a sigh of relief. Having witnessed Governor Gu’s integrity, he was truly happy for him. Imperial chickens and ducks were excellent gifts; not only free from the stench of money, but also self-sustaining.
The little official kowtowed: “Your Majesty is wise!”
Wei Wanlan: “Give a couple to your home too, wishing your mother a speedy recovery.”
The little official: “Thank… thank you, Your Majesty.”
Unbeknownst to anyone, although Wei Wanlan only questioned one evaluator, all the officials in the Zhongshu Sheng were stunned. The emperor had done such terrifying intelligence work.
From now on, one must be cautious in their words and actions. Otherwise, any slight mistake might lead to immediate execution.
Then Wei Wanlan moved his gaze to the second little official.
The countdown of the Mind-Reading Gu was ticking in the lower right corner.
Wei Wanlan became increasingly adept at using it, seemingly knowing how to use it properly. So, he asked the other evaluator:
“What about Chang Yuqing, the Jinling governor?”
“Replying to Your Majesty.” The evaluator replied, “Governor Chang, like Governor Gu, is an official who loves the people like his own children; Governor Gu received two baskets of eggs, but Governor Chang did not receive anything from the people…”
Wei Wanlan nodded.
Then he heard his inner thoughts: “Jinling has sixteen kinds of miscellaneous taxes, all under the guise of autumn taxes. The people don’t understand; they only think that the court has raised taxes; they have been paying for five or six years. That’s why he doesn’t want rotten eggs. He wants money directly.”
Wei Wanlan propped his chin, awkwardly searching for words, to coax a confession:
“Then, your evaluation result should give him a top rating.”
The evaluator sneered inwardly: “Chang Yuqing thinks money can buy everything and dares to give me a top rating, not knowing that a big tree attracts the wind, he doesn’t value his life, but I do!”
The evaluator outwardly bowed his head: “Your Majesty, Governor Chang lacks seniority.”
You admitted it in your heart; we just need evidence, give me an opportunity to arrest you.
His tiny claws fidgeted in his sleeves.
Wei Wanlan felt that he must abide by the rule of law; enforcement cannot be based on free conjecture. Inner thoughts can be used as reference, but are not conclusive evidence.
Let’s listen to the warrior’s thoughts…
Xiao Mengshi: “Any evaluator who can give a top rating is to be considered insightful and recorded in history. Is it a lack of seniority or a guilty conscience? Ask a few more questions, and it’ll become clear.”
Wei Wanlan’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he continued to ask the evaluator:
“Where did Governor Chang meet you in Jinling?”
“The Governor’s mansion.” The brothel.
“Who else was there?”
“The yamen clerks.” The courtesans, Mei Xiang and Liu Hong.
“What did you talk about?”
“It was all official business.” Two thousand taels of silver received.
“Where is the money!”
“What money?” Buried in the backyard under the tung tree.
The evidence is here.
Wei Wanlan suddenly slammed his hand on the table: “Audacious evaluator, you obviously went to a brothel with Chang Yuqing for shady dealings, and you dare to hide it! Tang Fujiang, immediately bring people to search his residence!”
Tang Tuan cooperated tacitly, cupping his fists: “Your Majesty’s order!”
Unfortunately, Wei Wanlan didn’t know in advance that the Regent King’s desk was made of iron pear wood. His hand hurt badly, and his claws were probably red.
The big bad guy is not here, even his desk is making things difficult for me…
Wuwu.
The evaluator in front of him was dumbfounded. His expression went from deliberately concealed to deathly pale, his teeth chattering. Finally, he collapsed before the emperor’s desk, unable to even speak in defense, immediately losing consciousness.
Got it, case closed.
This person’s mental state is mediocre.
Wei Wanlan covered his injured claws and issued another edict: “Hand over this person and Chang Yuqing to the Dali Temple for investigation, and let Xin Buyi report to me after the interrogation.”
The ministers complied.
The officials of the Da Wei believed that the emperor was incredibly familiar with the government’s structure.
However, they didn’t know that Wei Wanlan didn’t know many court officials, and Xin Buyi, the Dali Temple Minister, was one of the few he did.
Next, the investigation turned to Yuan Xizai, the Luoyang governor.
With the valuable experience of the first two cases, checking if Yuan Xizai was good or bad should be effortless.
But as Wei Wanlan concentrated, trying to listen to the evaluator’s inner thoughts, his inherent kindness and gentleness caused him to overlook the precious countdown of the Mind-Reading Gu in the lower left corner.
Wei Wanlan asked gently and politely:
“When you went, did it snow? How are the disaster-stricken people in Luoyang…”
He learned about the Luoyang snow disaster yesterday, and even reduced several dishes at dinner.
The evaluator replied:
“When this subordinate went, the snow was already heavy.”
Now let’s listen to his inner thoughts.
The person’s inner thoughts consisted of only one sentence.
Floating through the air filled with the fragrance of ink in the Zhongshu Sheng, it seemed irrelevant and off-topic:
“I prayed for blessings in front of the Lushan Da Buddha. I don’t know if it will work or not?”
—What does that mean?
Thinking the Mind-Reading Gu was a cheat.
Yet, he was confused by the evaluator who had returned from Luoyang. Wei Wanlan extended his claws, dejectedly curling his bangs, thinking it would be better not to listen.
Lushan Da Buddha?
Blessings for what?
How to bless?
He was full of confusion.
However, no matter how many questions he asked, the Mind-Reading Gu hadn’t expired yet, but he couldn’t find out anything.
Strange. He couldn’t get any information about Yuan Xizai from this outsider.
At this moment, the bronze bell signaling the end of work in the Zhongshu Sheng rang.
The bell’s sound rang out in a series of resonant booms, interrupting Wei Wanlan’s thoughts, signaling the end of his personal governance experience.
Although he still had something on his mind, before arriving, he had determined not to keep everyone working overtime. So, even if he was curious, he chose to endure it.
Wei Wanlan stood up from his seat.
The ministers immediately tensed up.
Having witnessed the emperor’s methods, they now regarded him as their dragon master, to be revered:
“—Your servants humbly listen to Your Majesty’s teachings.”
Wei Wanlan said softly: “No more teachings, just a few words, then we’ll end today.”
“Through my investigation just now, I’ve discovered several problems. We have established the system of supervisory censors, and the three-year major examination system; but wherever there is an evaluation, there will always be loopholes for others to exploit. This is the so-called official protectionism.”
“Using officials to supervise officials has some effect, but I’m thinking, how can we completely solve their mutual protection?”
“I can’t think of a way.”
“If any of you ministers have any ideas, please tell me as soon as possible, to help restore the integrity of the Da Wei government. I will reward you.”
The ministers bowed and replied, “Your Majesty is wise and has the well-being of the Da Wei in your heart.”
Wise or not, survival is important!
Each corrupt official eliminated might extend the time by a second.
The emperor left the Zhongshu Sheng.
Tang Tuan followed closely behind, not daring to leave his side, afraid that the little emperor would fall again, resulting in a beating for him.
However, although Wei Wanlan had left, he remained concerned about the Luoyang snow disaster and the matter of Yuan Xizai, the Luoyang governor.
When in doubt, he couldn’t rely on coin flipping because the problem was too complex; coins couldn’t provide an answer.
He could only rely on the resources at hand. He turned to Tang Tuan:
“Tang Fujiang, can you invite Xiao She Ren to the Zichen Palace for dinner with me?”
Tang Tuan: —Absolutely not！！！！！！！