Chapter Twenty-One: The Plum Takes the Peach’s Place

Later scholars, analyzing various historical records, speculated that Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, likely suffered from intermittent bipolar disorder. This would sometimes cause his temper to flare uncontrollably, leading him to act recklessly without regard for consequences.

Zhao Dezhao finally realized that some experts and professors were not always speaking nonsense. Fortunately, this time the object of Zhao Kuangyin’s outburst was not him but his unlucky second uncle, the future Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi.

In the Hall of Literary Virtue, just after Zhao Dezhao finished reporting on the leak of the examination questions, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly sprang up like a lion, grabbing the inkstone from the desk and smashing it onto Zhao Guangyi’s head. Ink splattered across half of Zhao Guangyi’s body, and the corner of the stone inkstone broke his forehead, causing blood to flow and stain half of his face red.

“What use are you as the overseer of the imperial examination? You personally set these questions, so how could they have been sold so early? Since the imperial examination system was first established in the Sui dynasty, has any dynasty ever suffered such a disgrace? You have utterly ruined my dignity and the reputation of the Great Song court!” Zhao Kuangyin roared, his face dark with anger.

Zhao Guangyi trembled slightly, his face ashen, head bowed in silence, enduring his elder brother’s furious shouting and insults without uttering a word or daring to breathe. Inside, his feelings were complex, burdened with regret almost driving him mad.

At last, one of the deputy examiners, Minister of Rites Yang Zhaojian, mustered courage to speak cautiously: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Although the provincial exam questions were leaked early, fortunately the Crown Prince handled it appropriately, finding an excuse to halt the provincial exam in time, thereby preventing more serious consequences. I beseech Your Majesty to temper your wrath and seek to mend the situation, so as to avoid a greater scandal.”

Since others had spoken, as a dutiful son, Zhao Dezhao also had to say something. Bowing slightly, he spoke carefully: “Father, please forgive me. This matter was also my fault for being overly cautious. I did not report the exam questions I accidentally purchased to my second uncle in advance, which led to the current predicament. I cannot shirk responsibility in this.”

After feigning contrition, Zhao Dezhao hastened to add: “But truly, this matter was far beyond my expectations. When that Taoist sold me the exam questions, I thought he was a fraud and bought one out of mere curiosity. Afterwards, I deeply regretted it. Given my uncle’s shrewdness and meticulous nature, it was impossible for him to leak the questions he personally set. I feared being scolded by you and my uncle, so I did not dare to report the matter in advance.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangyi inwardly wished he could strangle his nephew to death. Zhao Kuangyin, barely composed, took a few deep breaths and said, “Your contributions outweigh your faults; you need not be so selfI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.