Chapter 58: Killing One as a Warning to a Hundred

“Here, I solemnly declare that the imperial civil service examinations will never charge any fees to any candidate! Not this time, nor ever in the future!”

“This criminal, soliciting bribes and disrupting the examinations, is guilty of endangering the nation!”

“I hereby sentence him to death!”

“Bring him forth!”

Someone at his side brought the official over and forced him to kneel. Immediately, bystanders pointed at him and hurled curses.

Chen Mu let the crowd vent their anger for a while, then gave a signal to the soldiers. Two soldiers seized the man’s arms, forced his body down, exposing his neck.

Chen Mu stepped forward and shouted, “Today, I will personally carry out the execution!”

With that, his sword rose and fell, and the corrupt official’s head dropped to the ground.

The commoners once again prostrated themselves, calling the Crown Prince wise and just.

After letting them chant for a while, Chen Mu spoke again, “I have one more announcement to make!”

The crowd quieted, eager to hear his words.

“Starting tomorrow, all books will be sold at a reduced, fixed price—one tael of silver per volume!”

At these words, the people erupted in excitement.

Previously, a single book started at ten taels, with longer works or those printed on finer paper costing even more. Now, with the Crown Prince decreeing that books would cost only one tael each, many more families could afford them. As more people bought books, those nearby could borrow and read as well.

Among the crowd were some who had already registered for the examinations, and others who could not afford bribes and thus could not register. All of them were moved to tears.

Even after Chen Mu’s figure disappeared down the street, the people remained kneeling, unable to rise.

This was understandable. What Chen Mu had just done was epoch-making.

In his previous life, Emperor Yang of Sui had established the imperial examination system, a great merit to the nation, though his other deeds could be deemed wanton and corrupt. Nevertheless, later generations remembered his contributions.

The examination system was the only chance for commoners to surpass the scions of noble families and rise to prominence. Such a system was as valuable as a mighty army.

It was the beginning of Great Xia’s prosperity.

The next day, after further investigation, Grand Scholar Zhou dealt with several more corrupt officials, beheading them publicly for crimes against the nation. From then on, no one dared to be corrupt in matters concerning the examinations.

On the second day of the second month, a large number of candidates arrived in the capital to take the examinations. Through several rounds, many outstanding talents were truly discovered.

Feng Zhong also performed well. Chen Mu reviewed his papers, noting his unique insights into the classics and his competence in practical matters—he was certainly up to the task.

Chen Mu then proposed another idea.

By imperial decree, he ordered that Feng Zhong be paraded on horseback, adorned with a great red flower, from the palace all the way to his hometown.

This made it widely known among the people that studying could lead to official rank.

Afterwards, most of these successful candidates were assigned to the Xishan region. The area was remote and barren, and many officials were unwilling to go—these new appointees were just the right fit.

Chen Mu had not forgotten that his initial purpose in promoting books and the examination system was to aid the construction of the express roads—the ancient highways.

Now, it was time to begin.

In court, he proposed the plan, explaining how the roads would benefit the military, commerce, and administration.

Moreover, Chen Mu had devised a substance similar to asphalt, which would greatly increase the durability of the roads. Even in rainy weather, vehicles could pass smoothly. The efficiency of transporting military supplies would be vastly improved.

Commerce would also become more convenient, allowing the various regions of Great Xia to exchange goods freely.

What Chen Mu did not say publicly was that with these roads, people could more easily travel from all corners of the realm to the capital. If corrupt officials went unpunished, the commoners could come to the capital to seek justice.

He believed that news of his strict enforcement regarding the examinations would encourage many to seek help in the capital.

With his experience of modern society, Chen Mu deeply understood that covering up problems was never wise. When small grievances of the people went unresolved, they could grow into great calamities.

Many of the uprisings throughout history had begun this way. If there were proper channels to address grievances, who would choose rebellion?

What Chen Mu did not expect was that as soon as construction of the roads began, someone came to “petition the court.”

That someone was none other than Wang Sheng, who had once fought Chen Mu.

Their conflict had led to acquaintance, and Chen Mu had not punished them for kidnapping the Crown Prince. Instead, he had told them that if ever in need, they could come to the prince’s residence.

When they met, after exchanging some pleasantries, Chen Mu asked, “Wang Sheng, you said this is about the express roads. What exactly is the matter? Is there corruption involved?”

Wang Sheng replied, “It’s not corruption, exactly. The problem is that someone refuses to yield land, but instead forces other villagers to give way.”

Upon hearing the full account, Chen Mu’s expression darkened.

“I didn’t expect such things to happen in this world,” he remarked.

Wang Sheng, missing the nuance of Chen Mu’s words, asked, “How do you wish to handle this?”

Chen Mu thought for a moment. “Take me to see.”

“Very well.”

Chen Mu summoned several guards and followed Wang Sheng to the site.

Express roads were best built straight. In the planning phase, officials had already surveyed and drafted maps. The roads would avoid farmland, ponds, and woods as much as possible, but in some areas, residents would have to be relocated.

This was one such place: to the left was a pond, to the right, farmland—the only option was for the residents of this section to move.

When Chen Mu arrived, an official was overseeing the workers and hastened to salute him.

According to the plans, Chen Mu asked, who was supposed to relocate?

The official produced the map and pointed. “Your Highness, it should be the local landowner’s household.”

Chen Mu nodded, then pointed into the distance, his tone cold. “Then why does the landowner’s house remain standing, while the thatched cottages over there have been demolished?”

The official knelt and kowtowed in panic. “Your Highness, it was not I! I notified the landlord to move, but when we came to start work two days ago, we found the cottages already gone. The landlord said the residents had moved away, so we began construction there. After some consideration, we thought a small curve in the road would be acceptable, so we proceeded.”

Chen Mu frowned. “Even if you didn’t tear them down, you are still responsible. If the route of the road can be changed at will, what use are the plans? If the road detours every time it encounters a landlord’s house, what will it become?”

The official was terrified, knocking his head to the ground. “Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Chen Mu waved a hand. “Stand up.”

The main fault did not lie with him, but with the landlord who had torn down others’ homes.

The official rose gratefully. Chen Mu asked, “Do you know where the cottage residents are now?”

The official replied, “That I do not know, but the county magistrate here surely does.”