Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 558

Upon hearing the eunuch speak, the official from Kaifeng Prefecture immediately stooped to plead on Tian Peng’s behalf, "Your Majesty, this young man grew up in the countryside and has never known the protocol for meeting Your Majesty. He’s staring at you only because he has never seen someone with such awe-inspiring presence, and now he doesn’t even know where to rest his gaze."

As the Kaifeng Prefecture official spoke, he tugged forcefully at the corner of Tian Peng’s clothes, trying to make him bow his head.

This young man really was bold; just earlier on the road, such boldness was a form of courage, which was quite admirable.

But now, in front of His Majesty, this boldness had become disrespect. The Kaifeng Prefecture official hadn’t yet shown the young man’s special qualities to His Majesty and couldn’t afford to fall at this hurdle.

Tian Peng truly didn’t know that such rules even existed among mortals. Aren’t we all humans? Is it because they are divided into different classes that one can’t even look at their faces?

Such rules didn’t even exist in the Heavenly Court, Tian Peng thought indignantly.

Seeing that Tian Peng remained still, the eunuch’s horsetail whisk was about to smack Tian Peng on the forehead. "Governor, is this the person you brought over? Daring to gaze directly at His Majesty, is he trying to rebel?"

"No, no, this young man has never seen such a scene before, and now he is somewhat stunned," the Kaifeng Prefecture official hurriedly explained, then tugged at Tian Peng’s clothes again. "Young brother, say something, why are you frozen now? You mustn’t look directly at His Majesty."

Tian Peng turned his head towards the Kaifeng Prefecture official, pretending not to understand. "But sir, didn’t His Majesty just ask me to raise my head? How is it now my mistake?"

"He asked you to raise your head, but he didn’t permit you to look directly at His Majesty."

Before the Kaifeng Prefecture official could reply, the eunuch spoke first, not forgetting to add, "Just as I thought, a bumpkin from the countryside, completely lacking in manners."

Tian Peng’s eyebrows furrowed. What was this eunuch, daring to lecture him?

After all, he was Marshal Tian Peng, and were it not for a minor incident that led to the Jade Emperor banishing him to the mortal realm, not to mention this eunuch, even the emperor would have to perform a kowtow upon seeing him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Young man, don’t fuss over this matter any longer. Quickly beg for the emperor’s forgiveness," said the Kaifeng Prefecture official.

Tian Peng was already quite angry at being unable to meet someone’s gaze, and now, just for glancing at the emperor, he was expected to kneel and beg for pardon. What kind of reasoning was that?

Despite his anger, his rational mind prevailed, knowing when it was and wasn’t appropriate to be angry.

Tian Peng looked up again, with a seemingly perplexed expression. "No, sir, although I’m unaware of the palace rules, there’s always been a saying, ’Ignorance is no crime,’ right? Since I’m ignorant of the rules, surely making a small mistake, even accidentally, doesn’t mean I should be beheaded?"

"His Majesty is magnanimous; he would never order a beheading over such a trifle. What sort of person have you made His Majesty out to be?" The Kaifeng Prefecture official hadn’t spoken yet when the eunuch cut in.

"Although I’ve never seen His Majesty, a prime minister should have the breadth of mind to harbour a boat, and presumably, His Majesty’s magnanimity is even greater. His Majesty certainly wouldn’t hold such a minor matter against me," said Tian Peng.

The emperor indeed hadn’t considered punishing someone for such a trivial thing, but when someone else mentioned it, it was different.

Especially since the one who had spoken was a eunuch from his own side—if he truly intended to issue punishment, he would have to discipline his own eunuch first.

The emperor looked thoughtfully at the young man, who seemed to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, yet his thoughts were so meticulous.

He really didn’t seem like a child who had grown up in the countryside, and even the young nobles from the capital, or even his own son, might not be half as thoughtful as this young man.

This young man was certainly talented, and the emperor’s gaze shifted back to the Kaifeng Prefecture official. How had he come across this young man?

"You’re right, I am not petty enough to punish you for this,"

"However, I am curious, with so many people in Huang’an Town, why were you chosen to represent them and petition in Bianjing?"

"What does Your Majesty mean by that? Surely, petitioning is not a matter of high or low status, is it?" Tian Peng asked.

"How dare you!"

The eunuch was about to scold Tian Peng, but the Emperor stopped him with a look. Unable to speak, the eunuch could only use his gaze to warn Tian Peng to be more cautious with his words.

If Tian Peng had to be so careful with his words in front of a mere mortal, then his years as a Marshal would have been for naught. Naturally, he did not heed the eunuch’s warning.

If it had been anyone else who spoke to him like that, they would have been punished by the Emperor countless times by now.

But he was full of curiosity about this young man and did not intend to fuss over such matters with him.

"You know what I mean. Do not quibble with me over words,"

With the matter already broached, Tian Peng did not pretend any longer and spoke straightforwardly, "Our Huang’an Town does indeed have a large population, but over the past few years, due to consecutive droughts and floods, the population has been dwindling. There’s barely enough food, and people are dying from starvation or disease. The suffering is beyond words."

The Emperor was somewhat taken aback. Over the past month, he had not received any memorials about such disasters. The issues had supposedly been resolved, even in places that were severely affected, where relief officials had been dispatched.

Even if the disaster had not been completely dealt with, there should not be people forced to go to Bianjing to petition.

"Is the situation in your town really that severe? Why haven’t I received any news?" the Emperor inquired, "Are you lying to me?"

Tian Peng raised his finger, "I swear to Heaven I am not lying. Your Majesty, you are unaware because the officials have been concealing the truth at every level; by the time it reaches you, not a whisper remains."

Such things were not unheard of; the Emperor had witnessed them a few times before.

"Did you come to Bianjing to petition out of desperation? You don’t seem like someone who often goes hungry, though."

Tian Peng’s physique was indeed robust, and anyone would think he came from a wealthy place or was perhaps raised within Chang’an City itself.

Moreover, his demeanor was impressive; even in coarse clothes, he seemed like he was merely out experiencing life.

"The people of Huang’an Town are indeed in deep distress, but I never said I was among them. My family’s circumstances are rather good, and it was precisely because of my family’s resources that I was able to come to Bianjing and report our troubles to the Governor," Tian Peng answered frankly.

He was right in his claim; he had mentioned before that many in Huang’an Town starved to death. If his own condition were poor, he likely would have died of hunger on the way there.

"But since you have come to make a report, do you have any evidence?" the Emperor asked.

"Of course, I do," Tian Peng replied, "However, I have already submitted all my proof to the Governor."

The official from Kaifeng Prefecture immediately handed the petition document to the eunuch beside the Emperor.

The eunuch took the petition, opened it, and then gave it to the Emperor.