Chapter 1953: The Yan Residence! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Sovereigns had a special status, and the records related to them were of extreme importance, demanding completeness. One could say that the history of the Central Plains was created by joining together the reigns of different sovereigns.
And the records of a sovereign's actions were even more important. Even when the sovereign was in his bed chamber, there was a eunuch posted outside to record his deeds. From this, one could see just how rigorous the records were.
But now, the records of the Sage Emperor, one of the wisest sovereigns in the history of the Central Plains and the Great Tang's most outstanding Emperor, were incomplete, the important information pertaining to his life before his ascendance to the throne missing. This was simply inconceivable.
Wang Chong subconsciously glanced at Xu Qiqin, and they could see the shock in each other's eyes.
”No wonder Old Master Yao was so ambiguous with his words. It seems that he was referring to this?”
Xu Qiqin looked like a fairy in her white dress, and her eyes shone with intelligence.
In Four Quarters Embassy, Old Master Yao had told Wang Chong to search the palace records from thirty-some years ago. At the time, the two of them had not understood, but now, the historical records of the Sage Emperor seemed highly suspicious.
”The palace records are different from the records kept by the historians, and not even historians can defy the laws. In addition, the historical records kept in the palace are very special. Not only are there particular people meant to keep records, the records are guarded by the Imperial Army, and outsiders have an extremely difficult time gaining entry. In addition, once the records are taken, not even major officials have the authority to review or edit them. Right now, ten-some scrolls' worth of the Sage Emperor's records have gone missing. This is far from normal!”
Wang Chong frowned as he solemnly spoke.
”The question is why and who would do this!”
Xu Qiqin's brows knitted together.
The recording and compiling of a sovereign's history had nothing to do with the court or any factional dispute, and these were records from decades ago. Who would go out of their way to steal or destroy them?
Moreover, the records of the other Emperors were all complete. Why was it only the Sage Emperor's records that were incomplete?
More importantly, this was somehow connected to the Sage Emperor's recent abnormal acts. What was Old Master Yao hinting at?
At this moment, the minds of the pair were buzzing with countless theories.
The major shifts taking place in the realm and within the court were growing more and more incomprehensible.
Before this, neither of them would have ever imagined that all of this went back as far as thirty-some years, nor had they imagined that the records of the Sage Emperor would ever go missing.
Destroying important records in the palace carried the death penalty. Who could possibly be so bold as to do such a thing?
Heavy layers of fog swept in, and the people in the hall fell silent.
After a few moments of thought, Xu Qiqin suddenly raised her head.
”Although I don't know what secret is hidden in those missing records, there's still another way of finding records from thirty-some years ago!”
Wang Chong nodded, and the two of them spoke in unison:
”The Yan Residence.”
The records in the palace primarily related to the words and actions of the Princes and Princesses, including how well they did in their homework, the teachers that taught them, and the question-and-answer sessions with the sovereign.
Of course, the daily life and conduct of the sovereign was also recorded.
Many of these incidents took place in the palace, where the historians had no access.
However, so long as the Princes and Princesses took part in activities outside the palace, interacting with the noble scions of the capital, the historians could still obtain the relevant information and record it, though it would differ somewhat from the records in the palace.
……
In the Great Tang, there were quite a few people who did not know of some Duke or other high noble, but trifling few did not know of the Grand Scribe's Yan Clan.
Even though Wang Chong had grown up in the capital and lived there for ten-some years, this was his first time paying a visit to the Yan Clan Residence.
The reason was very simple. For the various scions of the capital, the Yan Clan was a 'dragon pond', a 'tiger cave', the forbidden ground of the capital.
Though the members of the Yan Clan did not know martial arts, being part of a scholarly clan, the brushes they gripped were sharper and more frightening than any sword.
The moment harmful words or conduct reached the ears of the Yan Clan and were entered into the historical record, the person in question would forever become a pariah of their clan.
”What a large estate!”
When Wang Chong arrived and saw the many buildings of gray stone and porcelain tile, he could only sigh.
The Yan Clan Residence was not as extravagant as other noble estates, and there were no stone lions in front of the gate. It seemed very inconspicuous, but it was much larger in scale than the estates of other nobles.
As everyone knew, the Yan Clan was a clan of civil officials that had always been very inconspicuous, dressing so plainly that many people forgot that the Yan Clan was a true great clan that had held the position of Grand Scribe for generations.
Dynasties might change, but as historical observers who stood outside of the court, the Yan Clan had always stood firm.