Chapter 7: Escape

When Tan Zong was pleading for forgiveness, Zhang Heniang was still somewhat puzzled. However, upon hearing Tan Zong mention the examination of the accounts, he immediately understood the intent behind Tan Zong's words and quickly said: "Tan Yayuan personally extinguished the fire and ensured the safety of the official accounts, which is indeed a tremendous contribution. Why should we be so concerned about such a trivial matter as the examination of the accounts? Do the esteemed gentlemen feel the same way?"

If we were to count, it has only been three or four minutes since someone shouted "water coming"

At this moment, someone suddenly ran over from the side and interjected, "This person is actually an old servant of the governor's family, and he is exceedingly loyal. However, he was born unfortunate, being mute by nature and unable to speak. I hope Your Excellency can forgive him for this."

The matter of grading the papers is actually not closely related to the invigilator; rather, it is significantly connected to the three inspectors, which is also the reason why several individuals dared to get drunk during the luncheon

Zhang Heniang was contemplating various thoughts in his mind, his pair of intoxicated eyes scanning left and right, noticing that the firefighting personnel were fully equipped and the fire had been brought under control. He exchanged a few pleasantries with his colleagues and greeted the three inspectors. Just as he was about to excuse himself on the pretext of being drunk to return to his room for further rest, unexpectedly, a person stumbled out from the raging flames.

Therefore, Tan Zong also understood that the person's claim of entering the fire to save the account book was false, while the burning of the account book was real. Moreover, it was likely that what was burned was not the original account book, but rather the one that person was holding.

It turns out that during previous conversations, whether it was Zhang Heniang or the steward of the Wang residence, they all referred to Tan Zong as Tan Yayuan, clearly acknowledging Tan Zong's status as Yayuan in Nanjing this year. However, at this moment, the inspector referred to Tan Zong as a student, which was equivalent to a direct slap in the face of Zhang Heniang in front of him

However, no matter who it is, they would hardly expect that at this moment, Tan Zong is not only unhurried and unafraid, but rather eager to give a fierce kiss to those inspectors, simply because the issue of inspection has just provided Tan Zong with the final footnote he needed.

The student from Yuhang, named Tan Zong, courtesy name Menghua, had seen the official during the announcement of the results in the morning. Tan Zong bowed again, but this time, he accidentally dropped the scroll he was holding onto the ground.

One could see that this person was dressed in a scholar's robe, already tattered in many places from the fierce flames. His face was charred black from the heat, and his hands, clutching an unknown scroll, were covered in blisters from the burns. It seemed he had rushed to save something from the fire, even losing one of his shoes, which lay far behind at the threshold.

At this moment, Tan Zong understood that he had already disrupted the majority of tonight's situation. However, there were still some annotations that needed to be nailed down one by one. Although the crowd was noisy, from another perspective, the presence of many people naturally meant there were more witnesses, which was precisely a good opportunity.

Once one receives such an evaluation, not only is there no hope for promotion within three years, but it is also likely to become an excuse for others to criticize. This is what is most unbearable.

Unexpectedly, as Tan Zong moved his foot, he was grabbed by the sleeve from the other side

At this time, the supervision was almost as blatant as a firebrand, suspecting Tan Zong of setting fire to the Nanjing Prefecture's current examination of the Yuan Dynasty, which inevitably offended others in the civil service faction, such as Zhang Heniang and others.

If there is a water leak elsewhere, he is not overly concerned, as the local governor is responsible for all matters. However, if there is a water leak within the Wenyuan Courtyard, he cannot escape responsibility; he must rush over at the first opportunity, even if it means crawling. Otherwise, not to mention anything else, just the charge of inadequate supervision could result in a poor evaluation for him this year.

Although Tan Zong spoke harshly, the man displayed a friendly smile and said: "Your Excellency, please do not be angry. How could a mere commoner dare to act in such a manner? It is just that your Excellency's status is extraordinary, and your body is already injured. If you were to recklessly rush into the fire, it would likely lead to an accident, and at that time, even if I were to die a thousand deaths, it would not be worth it. Esteemed gentlemen, is this not reasonable?"

"As you mentioned, is the thief still in the fire scene?" Zhang Heniang suddenly interjected

Under the blazing firelight, the scroll fell to the ground and suddenly spread out like a ledger, with the cover faintly inscribed with the words "Nanjing Prefecture"

Based solely on this, it is feared that Wang Ren's evaluation this year will at most receive a rating of 'Good'

At this moment, Zhang Heniang was resting in the Wenyuan Courtyard. The matter of reviewing the examination papers was not related to him as the chief invigilator. After being persuaded to drink several cups by the governor of Nanjing, Wang Renwang, during the noon banquet, he returned early to rest. However, he did not expect that when the moon was just rising above the willow treetops, he would suddenly hear someone shouting "Flood!" in a daze, which immediately jolted him awake.

At this point, the speaker paused, glanced at the expressions of the others, and couldn't help but smile.

Tan Zong looked up and saw that the person was backlit, making it difficult to see their features clearly, as if the entire person was shrouded in darkness

As a candidate from Nanjing Prefecture, although it may not be possible to achieve one of the top three positions in the future palace examination, receiving a personal nomination from the current emperor in the Golden Luan Hall is inevitable. However, the status of being a successful candidate cannot be escaped, and it is merely a matter of time before one is appointed to an official position in the future.

This gentleman, this item is the account book of the Nanjing government, and it is likely of great importance. You must not take it privately; it should be handed over to the governor. As Tan Zong spoke, he intended to reach for it, but unexpectedly, the man withdrew his hand and tucked the item into his bosom.

The term "hero" has historically been subject to various interpretations; however, the majority view it as referring to individuals of great spirit and bravery, often denoting those endowed with significant courage. Therefore, Zhang Heniang's use of "hero" to describe the person before him at this moment is not only appropriate but also highly fitting

Hmph, since that is the case, you should take him away and not stay so close to the fire scene; otherwise, an accident might ignite the flames again. The person speaking was also known to Zhang Heniang, as they had met once during the luncheon at the Wang residence. However, feeling embarrassed, Zhang Heniang flicked his sleeve and chose not to look at that person again

Zhang Heniang seemed to be stirred by what that person said, and upon taking a closer look at Tan Zong, he indeed noticed multiple injuries on Tan Zong's body, particularly on the left arm where a layer of charred skin had already formed. He immediately responded, "Tan Yayuan truly cannot go in any longer"

Seeing that Zhang Heniang seemed to have some ulterior motives, Tan Zong couldn't help but feel amused, yet he did not dare to show it on his face. Instead, he straightened his expression and said seriously: "Esteemed officials, please wait a moment. When I came out of the fire scene earlier, I noticed that there were still a few account books on the desk inside. If we act promptly, we might still be able to salvage a few more." After saying this, Tan Zong made a gesture as if to leave.

As soon as this supervision statement was made, it was almost an outright accusation of suspecting Tan Zongzong of arson, making it seem as if Tan Zong was the one crying out to catch the thief. Therefore, not only Zhang Henian, but also the two deputies beside him were somewhat displeased

However, this time seemed somewhat different. The several inspectors exchanged glances with one another, and even Tan Zong seemed to sense that they were communicating something through their eyes, causing his heart to inexplicably race a few extra beats, inevitably giving rise to some concern.

The adult is wise. The person in charge responded affirmatively, then smiled and said: It is fortunate that our mute servant in the Wang residence is tough and resilient; even if he goes in once, it should not be a big deal. Let him go in.

Tan Zong was actually waiting for someone to pull him back, after all, this hero had already made his mark in front of the leaders, and there was no need to risk his life again. However, when he turned around, he found that it was not Zhang Heniang who had grabbed him, but rather a person from the Wang family who had spoken earlier. He was momentarily taken aback, then immediately feigned a furious expression and said: "How can you be so reckless? Do you not see the raging flames? If we are late, the account books may very well be burned, and can you bear the responsibility for that?"

"Could it be that this thief actually has accomplices?" Zhang Heniang questioned, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally scanning the surroundings, as he recalled his earlier doubts—could those people be the accomplices of the thief?

Thus, this inspection is not likely to be envied by Zhang Heniang. A slight smile appeared on his face as he directly said: "I am merely curious as to why Tan Zong did not come to review the papers, but instead rushed to the government office just a wall away to put out the fire? It should be noted that we have already acted quite swiftly, yet this Scholar Tan seems to have arrived even earlier than us. Moreover, when I heard Scholar Tan speak, his voice seemed remarkably similar to that of the person who shouted about the fire. I wonder how Scholar Tan would explain this to me?"

Therefore, if Zhang Henen places his hopes on that thief, it is evidently unfeasible

He muttered, "If not now, then when to act?" Tan Zong quickly pretended to look at the night sky, then bowed to Zhang Heniang and said apologetically, "I am guilty, having missed the time for the examination. I humbly ask for your forgiveness, sir."

Fortunately, Tan Zong's nature is calm, thus he still presents an unhurried demeanor. In the eyes of Zhang Heniang and others, it immediately seems that Tan Zong indeed possesses the composure of a gentleman, exuding a mature and steady presence.

However, the power of supervision is significant, and at this moment, it is entirely within the scope of duty, thus possessing the authority to oversee all matters. Consequently, Zhang Heniang and others could only harbor silent resentment without any means to act.

"Is this brave man still in good health?" Zhang Heniang looked at the person in front of him with a hint of warmth, only to realize that the person's face was quite ghastly. Not only was it blackened by the thick smoke, but there were also numerous blisters on his hands, and more than half of his black hair had been burned away, presenting a sight that was both comical and terrifying

Since ancient times, civil officials have formed their own faction, and throughout the dynasties, civil officials have been in stark opposition to military officials and eunuchs. Since the establishment of the supervisory system by the founding emperor of this dynasty, there has been a gradual convergence between civil and military officials, yet harmony with the eunuchs remains elusive, and the relationship with the supervisory system is even more antagonistic. Fortunately, this supervisory system is nominally under the jurisdiction of the cabinet, so although the two factions are somewhat distinct, they can still appear amicable on the surface

Tan Zongzong had already made thorough plans before setting the fire, and he was not at all afraid that the person would burn the ledger. Moreover, at this moment, escaping was the top priority; other matters could be discussed later. Therefore, Tan Zongzong did not interject, merely watching as that person seemingly heroically rushed into the flames.

As soon as Zhang Heniang said this, Tan Zong couldn't help but curl his lip.

As soon as Zhang Heniang made this statement, any discerning person could tell that he was completely biased in favor of Tan Menghua. Moreover, Tan Zong indeed achieved a significant accomplishment, and even if Governor Wang Ren were present, he would likely express his gratitude to him first, so it is not considered excessive. Therefore, the several assistants who were supervising the examination alongside Zhang Heniang all remarked that his words were very commendable, with some even calling Tan Zong a young hero.

Tan Zong was frowning, but before he could speak, Zhang Heniang spoke first: "Oh, how can you be like this! Have you not heard what Tan Yayuan said? How could you have taken him into your arms so easily!"

Fortunately, the intoxication from the afternoon's drinking was not too deep. At this moment, although Zhang Heniang's mind was still somewhat unclear, he still possessed a basic level of discernment. Upon stepping out of his room and looking towards the direction of the fire, he was immediately taken aback: it was in the backyard of Wenyuan Courtyard. One must understand that in previous years, the examination papers were stored in the warehouse in the backyard. If they were to be burned, it would likely not be as simple as just receiving a poor grade; it could lead to the removal of his official cap, and losing his head was also a possibility.

Upon hearing Zhang Heniang's interjection, Tan Zong felt a stir in his heart, knowing that Zhang Heniang truly favored him—once that thief was found, everything would naturally be resolved! However, to be cautious, Tan Zong had been hiding in the fire scene earlier and had seen very clearly: before Zhang Heniang and the others arrived, someone had already secretly carried away Li Xi.

Upon considering this, Zhang Heniang could no longer care about anything else. Fueled by the effects of the wine, he staggered with one foot high and the other low towards the backyard. When he arrived at his destination, he realized that he was no longer in Wenyuan Courtyard; instead, he had ended up in the backyard of the Nanjing Prefectural Office. It was then that he recalled that Wenyuan Courtyard and the Nanjing Prefectural Office were interconnected.

At this moment, Zhang Heniang had already discovered that several proctors who had come with him had arrived at the scene early. It seemed they, too, had heard someone shouting "Flood" in their dreams and, thinking similarly to him, hurriedly rushed over. In contrast to his group, it was rather the governor of Nanjing, Wang Ren, who was nowhere to be found, as he had yet to arrive.

Generally speaking, in matters of officialdom, it is often the case that individuals support one another, provided that none of the parties involved have committed any wrongdoing. This has historically been the norm, so it is not surprising that a few individuals do not concern themselves with the fact that the members of the supervisory committee have undermined their dignity.

However, Tan Zong had long been prepared for this matter, yet he feigned a look of confusion and surprise, saying: "There is still a matter I must report. Just now, when I managed to retrieve that ledger, I clearly saw that the thief had mixed in with the crowd and sneaked away, and there was someone assisting him. It is indeed a strange occurrence"

It should be noted that the examination of the answer sheets is the final step in the provincial examination. Although it is merely a formality, if one were to take it seriously, the status of the candidate as a student cannot be disregarded until the answer sheets are verified. Therefore, it is not incorrect for the inspector to refer to Tan Zong as a student. However, precisely because this matter is merely a formality, not many people in the officialdom pay much attention to it. Thus, when this inspector suddenly brings it up, it inevitably carries a hint of embarrassment.

He had been secretly observing the steward and the so-called mute servant. Although he had not felt it before, at this moment he could be certain that this person was indeed the one who had brought him to Wenyuan Courtyard earlier—there was an indescribable sense of nonexistence that was so peculiar that even forgetting it was impossible

Among these individuals, although Zhang Heniang held the highest official position on site, he was, after all, an outsider and naturally refrained from speaking too much, which left him feeling somewhat uncomfortable. At that moment, seeing someone risking their life to rescue the religious documents from the fire, and suffering such severe burns in the process, he could not help but feel a sense of comparison arise in his heart, thus giving rise to a faint sense of compassion.

"To extremes!" Zhang Heniang, upon hearing what the man said, could not help but applaud in agreement, saying: "However, I kindly ask this brave man to exercise caution; if the situation in the fire scene becomes dire, please prioritize your own safety first"

Is there a water leak?

Seeing this situation, even if Zhang Heniang wanted to leave, it would be difficult for him to take a step forward—if he were to leave, he at least had to pay his respects to this hero before departing

"My lord, this matter is quite simple, and I, as a student, have something to report. " Tan Zong smiled slightly, pointing to the fire scene in the courtyard, and said, "I actually arrived at the entrance of Wenyuan Courtyard around 9 PM. However, upon my arrival, I discovered that the guard at the door had been knocked unconscious and was lying behind the door. I immediately became suspicious and was about to call for help when I noticed a man in black stealthily creeping out from the shadows, heading towards the back courtyard. To recount the events, I must admit that I bear some responsibility. This is because I had been celebrating with some classmates during the afternoon and had indulged a bit too much in drinking, which inevitably led to a bit of inebriation. In that moment of intoxication, I only thought of capturing this thief. I became suspicious and was about to call for help when I noticed a man in black stealthily creeping out from the shadows, heading towards the back courtyard. To recount the events, I must admit that I bear some responsibility. This is because I had been celebrating with some classmates during the afternoon and had indulged a bit too much in drinking, which inevitably led to a bit of inebriation. In that moment of intoxication, I only thought of capturing this thief. However, due to my heavy intoxication, I lost my footing and ended up trailing behind him, ultimately losing sight of the man. Just as I was about to call for assistance, I saw that the thief was secretly setting fire in the courtyard. In a moment of desperation, I took advantage of his moment of triumph and launched a surprise attack from the shadows. After a struggle, I finally managed to bring him down to the ground. Just as I was about to call for assistance, I saw that the thief was secretly setting fire in the courtyard. In a moment of desperation, I took advantage of his moment of triumph and launched a surprise attack from the shadows. After a struggle, I finally managed to bring him down to the ground. However, by this time, the fire had already started, and it was then that I called for help to extinguish the fire.

Calm down, my dear, calm down

It was indeed a student! Tan Zong bent down again, intending to pick up the ledger, but unexpectedly, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and snatched the ledger away.

After all, although there were quite a few people at the scene fighting the fire, Zhang Heniang could naturally see that a few of them appeared to be engaged in firefighting, but in reality, their minds were elsewhere. They carried water buckets without drawing any water, instead wandering around the entire courtyard as if searching for someone or something.

This is simply a customary practice in official circles. If there is no supervision present at the scene, it can be overlooked, and it suffices to send someone casually to handle it. However, if there is supervision present and you leave first, the supervisor can document it, claiming that it reflects a lack of benevolence in governance.

Therefore, Tan Zong could almost be certain that this person was definitely not a mute, nor a servant; rather, he was someone of considerable status within the royal residence. Li Xi had previously mentioned that even within the royal residence, very few were aware of tonight's events. Aside from a select few whom the governor Wang trusted immensely, most were merely following orders, such as the patrolling and guarding personnel in the Wenyuan Courtyard who had been bribed.

It is merely a supervisory body directly under the cabinet, and usually does not interact with other systems. Even if they happen to meet on the street, merely nodding at each other would already be considered a remarkable friendship; it is quite common for them to bump into each other and not acknowledge one another.

The student expressed gratitude for the adult's concern, stating that there was nothing wrong. The man in black initially showed some signs of struggle, but at this moment, he seemed to recognize the appearance of the person before him. He was momentarily taken aback, and then a fleeting look of surprise quickly crossed his face.

Tan Zong and Tan Menghua? Zhang Heniang was momentarily taken aback, but soon responded, "Could it be that this year is the sub-official of Nanjing?"

However, this person had only run a few steps before falling to the ground with a loud thud

After a moment, the leader first performed a bow to several individuals, then greeted Zhang Heniang with a nod, and finally addressed Tan Zong, saying: "Originally, several esteemed gentlemen and I personally witnessed the incident of the scholar Tan Zong extinguishing the fire. Even if there is a slight delay in the examination schedule, it is merely a trivial matter."

Seeing this person actually claiming to be a student, Zhang Heniang was taken aback. It was only then that he noticed this individual was dressed in a scholar's robe, which could only be worn by a talented scholar, distinctly different from the ordinary long gown. He couldn't help but feel greatly astonished and quickly asked, "Oh? Who are you?"

At this moment, he held the highest official position on site, and it was vaguely apparent that everyone regarded him as the leader—inspectors on the left, fellow examiners on the right, the group arranged in a line. Thus, he took the initiative to push aside those in front of him, disregarding the disheveled appearance of the person on the ground who was rummaging through the religious texts, and helped him up.