115: He should have been killed long ago...

"Marquis Yongding, what is the meaning of this?"

"Our dynasty has always valued the selection through the Special Imperial Examination. Now that such a scandal has occurred, are we not allowed to speak, not allowed to say anything? And you even brought the Flying Fish Guard here. This is simply an insult to propriety!"

Mo Yingqi yawned, stretching lazily atop his black horse. The Flying Fish Guard archers had long since formed ranks, their bows already drawn, waiting only for his command, even just a gesture, to fire upon those flushed and indignant Imperial Examination Candidates.

But these people were not afraid. On one hand, they relied on the principle that the law does not punish the masses. On the other hand, in their view, The Emperor and the court were not in the right on this matter.

No matter what was done afterward, they did not care, even though The Emperor had already done his utmost. But the people Zhou Chutian had arranged among them fanned the flames, and these scholars followed suit, causing a huge uproar.

"I truly don't know what you're making such a fuss about..."

Mo Yingqi finally spoke. Originally, he had been staying at his Estate. After Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning "unintentionally" informed him of these events, he had gathered his men and rushed back to the Pacification Bureau.

Fang Wenbo, on his end, had initially feared Yingqi would cause trouble and didn't want him involved. But then an imperial edict arrived from the palace, its meaning clear: let Mo Yingqi handle this matter with full authority.

What more could Fang Wenbo say? He let Mo Yingqi muster a force and followed him to the Imperial Academy.

"Commander Qianhu, might this be inappropriate?" Lu Qianyuan was still somewhat worried. "You know his temperament. If someone is willing to die, he's truly willing to bury them. Burying them is one thing, but if they're not quite dead, he might even add a couple more stabs."

"I know, of course. But The Emperor has given the word. Besides, if we're being honest about this matter, it's most suitable for Yingqi to handle it." Fang Wenbo shrugged. "And Yingqi knows his limits. He's also taken the imperial exams himself, so he probably won't go too far... well, probably?"

Meanwhile, Mo Yingqi looked at these candidates, a constant smile on his face: "Actually, whether you make a fuss or not, the result is the same. The Emperor has already done the utmost to remedy this mistake. Your food, clothing, lodging, and travel in the capital are now all covered by funds from the imperial household..."

"So, I really want to know, what's the point of you causing this scene?"

As soon as Mo Yingqi finished speaking, a leading candidate stepped forward. Before he could open his mouth, Mo Yingqi's gaze suddenly turned cold, and he looked at him with a smile: "Don't give me any nonsense about the court being unjust, the imperial exams being unfair, or that sort of crap. How many unjust things are there in this world? I don't believe you don't know how this mess started. Or do I need to spell it out clearly right here?"

"What kind of talk is this, Marquis? We juniors are here for the good of the court..."

"For the good of the court? While you gentlemen are waiting for the exams at the Imperial Academy, the court does not forbid you from submitting memorials. Any political views you have will be conveyed to The Emperor through the court." Mo Yingqi interrupted him with a cold laugh and a wave of his hand. "As it happens, I've read most of those essays. If you force me to say, they're all shit."

"Oh, wait. It might be more accurate to say they're all shit, piss, and farts."

As soon as Mo Yingqi's words fell, the entire area plunged into dead silence, then suddenly erupted in waves of curses. 'Insult to propriety' from the left, 'humiliation of The Emperor's Disciples' from the right. But Mo Yingqi just frowned, then glanced at a Flying Fish Guard beside him. That guard nodded, then suddenly raised the small flag in his hand.

"You can argue, but I don't want to hear it." Mo Yingqi pointed at that command flag. "Let me explain the simplest principle to you all. You are powerless, while I hold military authority. If I give the order... A friendly reminder: the Flying Fish Guard of the Pacification Bureau may not hit every target, but their archery is considered superb. Would you like to try?"

The previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent. Only then did Mo Yingqi nod with satisfaction and continue: "Don't think I'm insulting you. That's the fact. I've probably read most of your essays in my spare time."

"They're either flattery, cynicism, or impractical, grandiose nonsense. As for those truly pleading for the people or thinking about their livelihood, there are only a few to begin with, and the occasional ones are just more impractical crap."

"Forgive my bluntness, all of you who have reached this stage have genuine talent and learning. It's a pity, though. Your whole lives will only be evaluated by those words 'genuine talent and learning.' But as for becoming officials or chancellors, serving The Emperor, the country, or the people? Sorry, for most of you, I can only offer two words: not worthy."

"You're shouting here. I don't believe you're not acting without some benefit, not truly for so-called justice and righteousness. The Emperor is still handling this matter. Even the other Centurions and Captains of the Flying Fish Guard are still arresting people and interrogating them under torture in the Imperial Prison."

"Let's be direct. If you want something, just say it openly and honestly. Stop with this meaningless trouble, wasting resources and exhausting the people. Others who see this will only think the Imperial Examination Candidates of the Daxing Dynasty are like a bunch of shrews from a village, jumping and cursing in the streets at the slightest dissatisfaction."

Mo Yingqi tugged on his reins, urging his horse forward a few steps: "Did someone tell you that by making enough trouble, forcing The Emperor to nod, you could all enter the Candidate pool, waiting to fill vacancies? Then let me tell you, that's not how you have grand dreams."

"This world is not short of scholars. Some who didn't pass the provincial exams, etc., and didn't come to the capital, aren't necessarily worse than you. They just lacked a bit of luck. Don't want to take the exam? Fine. Then don't take it for the rest of your lives. That's Just right, making way for those with worse luck."

"And don't give me any more crap about insulting propriety or offending the scholars of the world. You don't represent the scholars of the world. If you have the ability, pack your bags right now and leave the capital. Otherwise, get back to your lodgings quietly and focus on preparing for the exams."

"If you continue to cause trouble, I won't mind really ordering the archers to kill. The Pacification Bureau has the authority to execute first and report later. It's not just you; even a first-rank official of the court who commits a crime and dares to resist can be killed if warranted. According to the laws of our Daxing Dynasty, those who gather to cause trouble can be dealt with as appropriate, and those guilty of serious offenses can be executed on the spot!"

"You don't even understand the laws clearly, yet you dare to cause trouble? The law doesn't punish the masses? Don't try that with me. I am Marquis Yongding, and I am a consort, that's true. But I am also a Centurion of the Pacification Bureau. Whether you want to try or not is up to you to decide!"

After Mo Yingqi finished speaking, the command flag in that Flying Fish Guard's hand was already held high, waiting only for his order to truly release arrows and kill these candidates.

"Isn't Marquis Mo being a bit too ruthless with this commotion?"

Ning Wuya hid behind the door, watching Mo Yingqi's display and couldn't help but frown. But Tang Jingzhong looked as if this was nothing unusual: "Grand Secretary, don't worry. The Marquis always acts this way. Considering his methods during the previous confiscations, you should have an idea, right?"

Thinking of the previous events, Ning Wuya couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his brow. Although Ning Wuya had been honest and upright all his life, deeply detesting corrupt officials, even he, a clean official, found Mo Yingqi's methods outrageous.

Things like, 'You made money and still want to spend it? You want to have all the good things?'

Or, 'Using embezzled silver to do business, huh? Fine. For every hundred taels you earn, give me ninety-five. Crying? Cry and still hand it over. You embezzled, what dignity or human rights do you still want? Are you worthy?'

This wasn't just taking everything; it was confiscating your family's property, and you still had to borrow money to replenish the national treasury for me, or you'd still be punished!

"But I'm afraid the Censorate will make another fuss tomorrow." Mentioning the Censorate gave Ning Wuya a headache too. "The Censorate loves to use so-called sage teachings and rituals as a pretext. The Marquis acting like this..."

"But if he didn't, I'm afraid these people wouldn't give up so easily, right?" Tang Jingzhong also smiled somewhat helplessly. "Grand Secretary, you also rose through the imperial exams. What most scholars and candidates in this world are like, you should be the clearest about, shouldn't you?"

Although it's not to say all scholars are bad, in fact, many scholars, enjoying privileges that have existed since ancient times—such as not needing to pay grain taxes—are already much more comfortable than ordinary people.

"Since ancient times, which corrupt officials, those who bring disaster to the court, weren't scholars by origin? Human nature is inherently greedy. And those with the ability to be greedy are naturally more likely and find it more convenient to be greedy. Most scholars talk about serving the country and the people, but in the end, it's all for their own fame, fortune, and rank."

Tang Jingzhong looked outside the door and couldn't help but shake his head as he continued: "What the Marquis said actually hits the most important point of why they're causing trouble this time. Grand Chancellor Zhou's people really dared to suggest it, and these people really dared to think this way."

"Hah, all promoted to Candidate? Not even during the previous emperor's time did anyone think of this, much less cause such a fuss." Ning Wuya snorted coldly. "Knowing it's impossible, why cause such trouble? Where is the integrity of scholars?"

"Grand Secretary, integrity... is not an official position, nor is it a salary." Tang Jingzhong shrugged, pointing outside. "How hard the path of the imperial exams is, we both know. If there's a chance to directly become Candidate officials, who would still be willing to suffer through the examination halls?"

"Yes, human nature..." Ning Wuya stroked his beard. "But, if they don't leave, will the Marquis... order the archers to fire?"

"In the past, I didn't think he would. Now..."

Tang Jingzhong looked at Mo Yingqi sitting on his horse. For some reason, he felt Mo Yingqi seemed somewhat unfamiliar, even a bit... frightening.

Mo Yingqi was called the 'Smiling Yaksha,' indeed because he usually wore a smile but acted ruthlessly. But sometimes, Tang Jingzhong also knew that Mo Yingqi wasn't someone who didn't know his limits; he was clear about what should and shouldn't be done.

Although the Censorate had impeached him before, even that time he killed someone in the street, he had his reasons and evidence. No matter what the Censorate said, Mo Yingqi had acted within his authority and done what needed to be done.

But today was different. Tang Jingzhong had worked with Mo Yingqi for so long and believed he understood him somewhat. Not to mention, he himself was a martial artist with strong perception.

Just now, when Mo Yingqi spoke of killing, he truly had killing intent, unlike his usual scare tactics. If those candidates persisted, Mo Yingqi really might kill!

"Strange... this Yingqi doesn't seem quite right."

Tang Jingzhong couldn't help but mutter to himself. But Ning Wuya, seeing this, didn't look surprised. It wasn't that he understood Mo Yingqi so well, but he had some understanding of Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning.

Someone who was with them, someone they cared about so much—Ning Wuya had never thought Mo Yingqi was normal. He just never imagined that today Mo Yingqi would really try to kill someone so openly in broad daylight.

Not to mention these candidates, many commoners were also watching outside. If he really killed people, it probably wouldn't be a good thing for the capital's populace either.

"Tsk, can madness be contagious too?"

Ning Wuya rubbed his temples, looking at Mo Yingqi again, still feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Although he hadn't gone mad yet, this... was only a step away from madness!

"So, gentlemen, you still don't plan to leave?" Mo Yingqi leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with amusement. "Last count of three. If you don't leave, I'll kill ten people first. One... fire."

As if prearranged, as soon as Mo Yingqi's words fell, ten arrows suddenly shot out, almost simultaneously hitting ten of the candidates who had been shouting the loudest.

"I said I would really kill." Mo Yingqi looked at the candidates whose faces had turned as white as paper from fright and pointed at them with his riding crop. "Another count of three. If you don't leave, I'll kill twenty. Next time, thirty."

"You can also try to fight my men, but... I don't think you're a match for my Pacification Bureau's Flying Fish Guard. One..."

As if afraid Mo Yingqi would suddenly order the archers to fire again like before, in an instant, the candidates cried out for their parents, scattering in all directions like birds and beasts, fleeing in utter disarray.

"Tsk, this Marquis Mo..."

Ning Wuya was also rendered somewhat speechless by Mo Yingqi's sudden action. The killing didn't surprise him; those killed were likely the ringleaders of this trouble, probably people arranged by Zhou Chutian.

But promising a count of three, Mo Yingqi gave them no preparation at all. These candidates probably also didn't expect Mo Yingqi to really kill so openly right outside the Imperial Academy gates, which is why they weren't truly threatened at first.

"Grand Secretary Ning."

While Ning Wuya was still deep in thought, Mo Yingqi had already walked over and gave him a slight bow: "My apologies for causing you trouble."

"The Marquis jokes. Things have come to this; trouble is irrelevant now." Ning Wuya forced a bitter smile. "But Marquis, after what you've done..."

"I understand what you mean, Grand Secretary. But it's precisely because I know the consequences that I acted." Mo Yingqi clapped Tang Jingzhong on the shoulder, then turned back to continue speaking to Ning Wuya. "I've already discussed this matter with The Two Highnesses. We've already spread the word. With the speed of Partridge Sky, it's only a matter of time before it spreads throughout the entire Daxing Dynasty."

"Scholars like to use so-called rituals, reputation to pressure others. If things don't go their way, they write articles, poems to slander others. Now, all I've done is use their own methods against them."

"And don't think killing a few people is anything, Grand Secretary. Some people, if you don't kill them, they'll just act like shit-stirrers. So, when you encounter such people, you should have killed them sooner, to avoid a lot of trouble..."