As Ding Huai had expected, although there was no applause (no one in the court dared to clap), exclamations filled the court. The Spirit Monarch was even more excited and uncomfortable. If it was just a rumor, the Spirit Monarch would not believe it completely. This was the reason why he had asked Ding Huai to compose a poem on the spot. However, after witnessing and hearing Ding Huai's wonderful performance of composing a poem in five steps, the Spirit Monarch's suspicions had long disappeared without a trace. He was even more delighted that the Great Han Dynasty had finally produced a genius in his generation. Moreover, he was a genius who was well-versed in both civil and military affairs. This was what excited the Spirit Monarch.
What made the Spirit Monarch uncomfortable was that he had already said that he could only give this Tai Po sword to Ding Huai. The Spirit Monarch could not help but feel his heart ache. However, even though the Spirit Monarch cherished money as much as his life, he was still able to distinguish the importance. Although the sword was given, it could still be taken back if there was a chance in the future. However, such a prodigy did not appear in every generation.
At this moment, something unexpected happened. Eunuch Zhang Rang took the opportunity to speak to the Spirit Emperor,""Your Majesty, since Ding Jianyang's son is indeed talented, Your Majesty can recommend him as a righteous person. It will also show Your Majesty's thirst for talent and make the scholars of the world submit to our Great Han.”
At this moment, the Spirit Monarch was in a good mood. When he heard this, he said,""This one has opened my eyes today. It's just that you're too young and can't be an official for the time being. This one will recommend you as Fang Zheng now and only hire you after you've grown up.”
Fangzheng was one of the election subjects in the Han Dynasty. Being elected as Fangzheng meant that one could be an official. Sometimes, Fangzheng and Xianliang were combined together, and they were called Xianliang Fangzheng. The election of Fang Zheng was usually recommended by the enemy government to the central government. Ding Huai, Fang Zheng, was personally recommended by the emperor. Not only did it carry more weight, but this was also the first time in the history of the Eastern Han.
Ding Huai was puzzled when he saw Zhang Rang personally helping him. The Han Dynasty's eunuch and gentry factions had always been at loggerheads. He was also the son of Ding Yuan, the governor of Bingzhou. Logically speaking, not only should Zhang Rang not help him, but he should also stop the Spirit Emperor from rewarding him.
Not only was Ding Huai puzzled, but the officials were the same. However, seeing that Zhang Rang was speaking up for Ding Huai, none of them objected. This was the first time in decades that they had such a tacit understanding. Moreover, even the other eunuchs were confused. They did not know what Zhang Rang was thinking. After all, Zhang Rang was the head of the eunuch group. No one dared to interfere rashly without knowing what Zhang Rang was thinking.
Ding Huai did not care what Zhang Rang was thinking. How could he be dissatisfied with such a reward? It was more like he was overjoyed. All he could do now was kowtow and thank the Emperor.
At this moment, just as everyone was feeling happy for Ding Huai, Ding Huai suddenly held his sword and knelt down."This subject has a small request that I hope Your Majesty will agree to.”
When the officials heard this, they all broke out in a cold sweat for Ding Huai. The Spirit Monarch had always been selfish and greedy, never allowing anyone to make any requests. Once it happened, although the Spirit Monarch would not punish the person on the spot, the person involved would be dismissed from office if it was light, or thrown into prison if it was serious. Therefore, when the officials heard that Ding Huai had actually made a request to the Spirit Monarch, they could not help but worry for him. Ding Yuan was even more worried. However, this matter was beyond Ding Yuan's expectations. Ding Huai had not mentioned this matter to Ding Yuan beforehand. Therefore, when Ding Huai's words came out, Ding Yuan felt the sweat that had just subsided spread all over his body again. His forehead, palms, and back were covered in sweat. Although he was sweating, he could not help but shiver. He was even more afraid that the Spirit Monarch would be angry and his son would suffer.
As expected, when he heard Ding Huaijing actually make a request to him, he was slightly angry in his heart and immediately showed displeasure on his face. However, he did not immediately flare up and only asked in a deep voice,"What is it?"
Ding Huai had already investigated the Spirit Monarch's temper and personality before he came to Luoyang. Of course, he knew that the Spirit Monarch was not to make any requests to him if he did not like it. However, Ding Huai was quite confident about this matter and guessed that the Spirit Monarch would not be angry immediately. After all, his performance just now had satisfied the Spirit Monarch. Moreover, he was only twelve years old. If the Emperor was angry at a twelve-year-old child, it would be too disgraceful.
When he heard the Spirit Monarch ask about something, Ding Huai said unhurriedly,""This subject has two matters."
Before Ding Huai could finish his words, the entire court of civil and military officials seemed to have exploded. The officials all whispered to each other, and the content of their discussion was almost all about how this child was really too insensible, actually asking the Emperor for two things. Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Wang Yun, Yang Ci, and the others, who were on good terms with Ding Yuan, all hinted to Ding Yuan to stop Ding Huai and stop him from continuing. Otherwise, once the Emperor was furious, not only would Ding Huai's life be in danger, but it would also bring disaster to the Ding family.
However, Ding Yuan didn't say anything. After two years, Ding Yuan had a new understanding of his son. His son was no longer the little devil who caused trouble everywhere. Instead, he was a scholar who was both civil and military. Since his son had asked the Emperor for help today, he must be very confident. If he interfered, not only would he make the Emperor unhappy, but he might also disrupt his son's plans. Therefore, after making up his mind, Ding Yuan stood firmly at the side and did not say anything.
On the other hand, Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Wang Yun, and Yang Ci were as anxious as ants in a hot pot when they saw that Ding Yuan was able to keep his cool. They did not know what to do.
At this moment, Zhang Rang screamed,""Silence, how can there be any noise in the court?”Zhang Rang was overjoyed when he saw the officials clamoring in the court. He deliberately shouted to remind the Spirit Monarch.
Hearing Zhang Rang's duck like cry, the officials realized that everyone in the court had been too worried for Ding Huai. They had actually forgotten that it was court time. According to the laws of the Great Han Dynasty, anyone who made any noise in the court would be executed. Everyone couldn't help but break out in cold sweat. Perhaps it was because there were too many people making a ruckus, or perhaps it was because Ding Huai's performance was too shocking, but the Spirit Monarch did not pursue the matter, and Zhang Rang's vicious scheme could not help but fail.
Hearing Zhang Rang's cry, the Spirit Monarch came back to his senses. He thought to himself," This brat actually wants to ask for two more things. He really doesn't know what's good for him. He wants to ride on my neck just because he's talented. If his request is too excessive, I'll definitely punish him." Therefore, the Spirit Monarch said to Ding Huai in a deep voice,""There are actually two things.”
Ding Huai did not panic at all. He said unhurriedly," The first thing is for Your Majesty to retract your order and take back the Tai'e sword. This sword is the treasure of the Great Han Dynasty, and it is also the most precious sword of the past dynasties. This humble subject does not dare to accept it.”
As soon as Ding Huai finished speaking, the Spirit Monarch's expression immediately turned from dark clouds to clear skies. The Spirit Monarch had already regretted his decision after rewarding the sword. He was unable to change his mind due to the fact that he was not joking. Now that Ding Huai had requested it himself, it was exactly what the Spirit Monarch wanted. The officials also breathed a sigh of relief. They all thought that if they had known about this matter, they would have worried for nothing and almost made a fuss in the court. They couldn't help but laugh secretly, but they hated Zhang Rang to the bone. In fact, it was not just this time that they hated the eunuchs to the bone. The officials had hated the eunuchs to the bone for a long time, but they could not bring them down.
The Spirit Monarch nodded and took the opportunity to say," Since that's the case, I'll do as you say. I'll take back the sword and give you another treasure." What was the second matter?”
Ding Huai's words shocked everyone present."The second matter is to ask Your Majesty to save this lowly official's life.”
When the Spirit Monarch heard this, he was also puzzled. Everything was fine. I didn't say that I would punish you. Besides, Ding Huai didn't commit any crimes. Why do you want me to save his life? Therefore, the Spirit Monarch asked,"What is the meaning of this?" This was the question that everyone present wanted to know. Even Ding Yuan did not know why his son had set up so many illusions today.
At this moment, Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Wang Yun, Yang Ci, and Cai Yong all looked at Ding Yuan. However, when they saw that Ding Yuan was also at a loss, they knew that Ding Yuan knew as much as they did.
Ding Huai told a story at this moment. It was actually the story of Ding Huai tricking the Ding Yuan couple into sending betrothal gifts to the Wang and Tang families. However, there was one more thing this time. The two poems that Ding Huai had composed that day had won the Ding Yuan couple's trust. One was: "Thirteen people who have offended the heavens have lived, and the disasters of a lone star colliding with the moon have been repeated. If he wanted to find a way to survive, he had to be by the side of the Tang Emperor.”The other poem was,"Yingchuan has Tang Sect, A talented woman shines on the lintel." Wang's ancestors lived in Zhao and once served as Zhonglang General.”
However, the first poem was different before the Spirit Monarch. It went from four lines to eight lines."Thirteen people who have offended the heavens have lived, and the disasters of a lone star colliding with the moon have been repeated. If he wanted to find a way to survive, he had to be by the side of the Tang Emperor. The king of Tang was able to extend his life for three years, and his life was difficult to endure for sixteen years. If you want to seek happiness all your life, you can spend three years beside the mountains in Hanzhong.”
When the Spirit Monarch heard this, he was very puzzled and quickly asked Ding Huai what the poem meant.
Ding Huai said," According to the guidance of the old deity in my dream, the first four lines say that I have offended the heavens and can only live to thirteen years old. If I want to live past thirteen years old, I must have the two women of the Tang King by my side. The two women of the Tang King are mentioned in another poem. The last four sentences meant that even with the two ladies of the Tang Emperor, I could only prolong my life for three years. I would still not live past the age of sixteen. The only way was to live in the mountains of Hanzhong for three years. Only the spiritual qi of the mountains of Hanzhong could resolve this calamity. Therefore, I boldly ask Your Majesty to grant me the post of prefect of Hanzhong in three years, otherwise my life will be in danger.”
Everyone was shocked.
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