Chapter Six: Using Connections to Reach the Emperor Himself
Leaving the General’s Mansion, he strode northward, ascending Zhuque Street, where a strikingly prominent tall building came into view.
This building was known as the Golden Tower, home to the Golden Platform.
Li Wenxuan quickened his pace, eyes alight with anticipation, feeling that his life was about to change irrevocably.
But then, he was stopped by the gatekeeper...
“Young sir, to enter the Golden Tower, you must present an invitation card along with your identification, and specify under whom you have studied and where.”
The gatekeeper’s polite tone caught Li Wenxuan off guard.
In his former life’s memories, things were never this complicated!
Well, to be fair, his past self hadn’t understood much, and most recollections were vague.
“Apologies, I have no master; I am self-taught,” Li Wenxuan replied calmly.
The gatekeeper hesitated, then smiled wryly. “You may indeed be talented, sir, but since the Golden Tower’s construction, many have tried to swindle their way inside using such excuses. Hence, this rule was added. So...”
“I’m afraid I cannot let you in.”
Li Wenxuan moved, recognizing the unspoken social customs.
He pulled out two taels of silver he had just warmed in his palm and said to the still courteous gatekeeper, “Please, young sir, show some leniency. If I rise to fortune, I shall not forget you.”
“Ah...” The gatekeeper seemed surprised by this straightforward approach.
“While I cannot grant you entry,” he continued, “I can point you toward a way in.”
Li Wenxuan smiled. “Please, do tell.”
“The Golden Tower is divided into two academies: the literary and the martial. Today, the literary academy is holding a poetry contest,” the gatekeeper said, fingering the silver. “You seem gifted. Wait nearby; the defeated poets will come out first. When they do, approach them and present a fine poem of your own. Convince one to vouch for you as a recommender.”
“Once you pass the examiner’s scrutiny inside, not only will you be free to enter and exit the Golden Tower at will, but you may even ascend the Golden Platform established by His Majesty the Emperor!”
Li Wenxuan frowned slightly. “Is that really the only way?”
“Yes! That’s the only way!” The gatekeeper nodded with a smile.
Hearing this, Li Wenxuan’s two fingers shot out like lightning, snatching his two taels of silver back from the gatekeeper’s hand.
The gatekeeper’s expression froze in shock, and after a moment he exclaimed, “Hey! Give me back my silver!”
“Whose silver? Mine!” Li Wenxuan rolled his eyes. “If you call for it, will it answer you?”
“You!” The gatekeeper felt he was witnessing something extraordinary. He had already told the young man how to get in, and yet...
It seemed this was indeed a talentless fraud, planning to mooch off others.
---
But moments later, he saw the very same rogue crouched by the roadside, earnestly putting into practice the advice he had just given.
“You...” The gatekeeper wanted to step over and argue with him.
Unfortunately, just then, a group of people emerged from inside, and he had to stand at attention like a spear.
Leading them was a man in splendid brocade robes, majestic and imposing, radiating an aura of authority between his brows.
Yet... his expression was sour, as if he had suffered some misfortune within the Golden Tower.
Li Wenxuan was secretly surprised. Had the gatekeeper not been bluffing?
Was everything he said true?
“Sir!” Li Wenxuan stepped forward, smiling politely with hands clasped in salute, blocking the distinguished middle-aged man.
“Bold youth, why do you approach wielding a blade?” the man demanded.
Before Li Wenxuan could explain, a pale, bearded man with a sharp voice stepped forward, frowning fiercely as he scrutinized Li Wenxuan.
Li Wenxuan paid no mind; after all, the man had just lost in the poetry contest and was understandably irritable.
“Sir, I mean no harm. I happen to have a poem that could help you triumph at the poetry gathering. My only request is that you bring me inside as my recommender.”
“Where did this brash upstart come from, with such arrogant words?” the pale, bearded man snapped sharply, about to drive Li Wenxuan away.
However, the brocade-clad man, whose face bore traces of worry, suddenly fixed his gaze on the dark iron blade at Li Wenxuan’s waist. A flicker of something unusual passed through his eyes before he waved his hand.
“Old Li, stand down.”
The pale, bearded man called Old Li was startled, then obediently stepped aside.
“Young man, recite your poem for me.”
The brocade man looked at Li Wenxuan with a hint of amusement.
He was not just any defeated scholar from the literary academy but the Emperor of Great Wu.
Today’s poetry contest was attended by him in disguise. To his disappointment, those supposedly talented scholars were all shallow and worthless!
He had left in a huff before the contest ended, upset not only by the lack of true talent for recruitment at the Golden Platform but also by the money wasted...
All of it came from the Imperial Treasury—his personal funds.
---
At this moment, irritated and restless, the Emperor noticed the youth blocking his path. Though plainly dressed, the sword at his side was of considerable value—far beyond what such attire would suggest.
Clearly, this was a scion of a noble family in disguise.
His purpose for offering a poem was merely to gain entry with the Emperor’s recommendation?
The Emperor sneered inwardly. Normally, anyone with an invitation card could enter for evaluation.
This youth dared not reveal his family background and was trying to use underhanded means...
Could it be that the great clans were uneasy about the Golden Platform recruiting beyond their reach, afraid, perhaps?
So they sent a promising young talent to masquerade as a commoner?
Such a poor disguise!
Li Wenxuan did not expect the brocade-clad man to be so approachable and asked for confirmation, “So, sir, you are willing to bring me inside?”
“Provided your poem is good, there is no objection,” the Emperor raised a brow, secretly amused. “Not only will I bring you in, but your entire clan could enter as well.”
“Let me see which fool dares lay hands on my Golden Platform!”
“Have they truly been abandoned by their clans?”
“Then listen well, sir. I shall compose my poem with the Golden Platform of His Majesty the Emperor as its theme.”
Li Wenxuan lowered his voice and began to recite:
“Dark clouds press upon the city, threatening to collapse;
Armor shines like golden scales under the sun’s rays.
The horn sounds fill the autumn sky,
On the frontier, rouge stains the night with purple hues.
Half-rolled red banners face the Yi River;
Heavy frost silences the cold drum’s beat.
I report to you the meaning of the Golden Platform—
To wield the jade dragon and die for you!”
At the opening lines, the Emperor’s teasing expression shifted slightly in surprise.
Hearing the middle lines, his face turned serious.
The final lines perfectly encapsulated the purpose behind establishing the Golden Platform, expressing unwavering loyalty to himself!
The Emperor’s breath caught for a moment. After studying Li Wenxuan with a weighty gaze, he finally asked:
“Young man, what is your name?”