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The exam atmosphere at Bowen Academy was steadily growing stronger.
Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun inspected the exam locations and finalized the order of the examination rooms. This time, they left the academy grounds.
Pang Yukun was naturally very excited. Xiao Ming had agreed to his request, which meant accepting the philosophy he revered. For Pang, this was more important than anything else.
He would now have the chance to promote Legalist thought through the Law School. This was probably the most promising moment for Legalism in a thousand years.
Seeing Pang so excited, Xiao Ming shook his head. Actually, Legalism was straightforward—rule by law without favoritism—and it fit perfectly in the legal system.
Even if Pang had not advocated Legalism, Xiao Ming would have established the Law School to train legal talents. Now that his goal was achieved and he earned Pang’s gratitude, Xiao Ming was the true beneficiary.
With Pang now standing with him, Xiao Ming had someone to shield him against the stubborn Confucian scholars.
Thinking of Pang’s revered philosophy, Xiao Ming suddenly recalled the two officials Pang had recommended—Zhan Xingchang and Chang Yuchun. He saw some Legalist traits in both: cold and ruthless.
He asked, “Chief Minister Pang, are Zhan Xingchang and Chang Yuchun Legalists?”
Pang’s face tightened. “Your Highness, although I have personal preferences, I would never mess up selecting the capable. Zhan and Chang are not strictly Legalists. They respect many schools of thought, taking the essence and discarding the dross. That is why I share common ground with them.”
Xiao Ming nodded. Pang’s personal bias was simply wanting a place for Legalist thought to survive. He didn’t mind. Europe had its Renaissance; Great Yu Empire had its own.
The current effort was to promote Hundred Schools of Thought academically, so officials would no longer rely solely on Confucian belief—even though he knew it would be difficult.
On the way, the two parted ways. Pang returned to the government offices, while Xiao Ming headed back to the royal residence.
Pang’s words about the Kong family in Qufu still made Xiao Ming uneasy. He was truly worried the Kong family might make a move. These people were like today’s public intellectuals—always talking nonsense but not easy to kill.
If he slapped a big label on them, the court would explode, and Confucian scholars across the empire would stab him in the back.
“Headache,” Xiao Ming muttered. It was easier to kill enemies physically than to change their minds.
But he still had some advantage: he controlled public opinion. Thinking of this, he decided to strengthen the influence of newspapers in his fief.
From now on, government offices must subscribe to newspapers, and all officials must read them. Besides reporters going to villages to spread news, officials must visit production teams to convey policies and ideas. He was determined to wrest ideological control from Confucians and prevent the people from suffering harmful thoughts.
With a worried heart, Xiao Ming returned to the royal residence. As he arrived at the gate, he saw a luxurious carriage parked outside.
The carriage bore a large character “Yong” (雍). Seeing this, Xiao Ming knew Prince Yong had arrived.
Entering the residence, Ziwan greeted him unhappily. “Your Highness, Prince Yong was quite rude. Even though we said you were not home, he still forced his way in.”
“Did he treat you badly?” Xiao Ming asked.
“No, Prince Yong went straight to the main hall and asked us to serve him tea,” Ziwan replied.
Xiao Ming nodded. “That’s good. At least Prince Yong still respects me. If it were elsewhere, he would have caused a big scene by now.”
Prince Yong was impulsive and hot-tempered, and no one paid him much respect except Xiao Wenxuan.
That he came and behaved properly was already surprising. Otherwise, by his nature, he would have been teasing the maids.
Going straight to the main hall, Xiao Ming found Prince Yong waiting and drinking tea.
Seeing Xiao Ming, Prince Yong was delighted and quickly stood up. “Dear nephew, you’re finally back. Your uncle has waited a long time.”
“Fourth uncle, you’ve come a long way. I failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me,” Xiao Ming said politely.
Prince Yong slapped Xiao Ming’s back heartily and laughed loudly. “Nephew, you speak too formally. Now that you are giving me the firearms to take back, it shows I’m always in your heart.”
“Of course. When I was in Chang’an, I promised you. I naturally can’t shirk responsibility with the firearms,” Xiao Ming smiled. Prince Yong had always favored violence.
He loved weapons and warhorses, and now with cannons and firearms, he was even more obsessed with these powerful weapons.
If not for this, he wouldn’t be so polite with Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming had asked Prince Yong to come for two reasons: to hand over the firearms and to deal with the Shan merchants.
The Shan merchants were located between the fiefs of Prince Liang and Prince Yong. They controlled a lawless zone that facilitated smuggling war materials to the barbarians. Over the years, they had grown extremely wealthy.
Removing these merchants would cut off the barbarians’ access to war supplies, and their wealth could be divided among the princes.
More importantly, once the Shan merchants were removed, Xiao Ming’s own merchants could exploit the opportunity. Li Kaiyuan had repeatedly said trade with the steppes was difficult, mainly because these merchants sabotaged it.
Prince Yong laughed heartily and said, “Then let’s go inspect the firearms. Your uncle can’t wait any longer.”
“Don’t rush, uncle. I have something to discuss with you first,” Xiao Ming said.
Prince Yong had already stood, but sat back down. “Go ahead, nephew.”
“Do you know the Nine Great Shan Merchants?” Xiao Ming asked with a smile.
“The Nine Great Shan Merchants?” Prince Yong’s expression stiffened. “Why do you ask? I know about them.”
Xiao Ming continued, “Do you know these merchants are now betraying the country, selling war materials to the barbarians?”
Prince Yong’s face darkened. He understood the situation. He asked, “What do you mean by this? Are you accusing me of colluding with the Shan merchants?”
“Uncle, you worry too much. I’ve always trusted you. But Prince Liang is another matter. I’ve received news about the merchants’ treason. I’m sure father knows as well. This won’t stay secret for long. When father orders, you’ll be in a difficult position,” Xiao Ming smiled.