The Chang'an Youth Episode 22 Recap
> The Chang'an Youth Recap
The graduation examination at Shangyi School began with the Doctor announcing the rules: students were allowed to discuss among themselves and consult books. Despite concerns from some students that this might compromise fairness, the Doctor declared the test was about "what you learned at Shangyi School" and instructed everyone to open the envelopes placed before them. Many students were surprised to find only a blank piece of paper inside their envelopes, leading to confusion about the questions.
Yang Zian, however, quickly understood the Doctor's intention, explaining that they were to write down their learnings from their time at Shangyi School. Shen Yiyi, reflecting on her cherished experiences and companions, also penned her deepest thoughts. The Chief and the Doctor reviewed the submitted answer sheets, noting that most students' responses were traditional, focusing on classical doctrines and skills. They then turned to more unique answers. Xiao Xinyuan had drawn a circle.
The accompanying text explained that what was learned at Shangyi School was inside the circle, while what was yet to be learned was outside, illustrating the concept that the more one learns, the more one realizes how much there is still to know, a principle also applicable to governance.
Tang Jiuhua’s answer sheet featured a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, symbolizing his journey from immaturity to responsibility, reflecting how the rigorous training at Shangyi School transformed him from a "cabbage worm" into a butterfly ready to take on challenges and protect others. The Chief commended his growth.
Dugu Muxue simply wrote the number "five," an answer he elaborated on by stating he had always been a loner, arriving at Shangyi School to fulfill his adoptive father's wish but without direction. Meeting his five friends warmed his cold heart, helping him find the true meaning of guardianship—to protect the girl he loved, the friends he cherished, and his beloved country. He declared he was "no longer alone."
The Chief acknowledged the profound insights of these students, remarking that it was no wonder they were known as the "Five Scholars of Shangyi School." The Chief and the Doctor then examined the blank, crumpled answer sheets submitted by Yang Zian and Shen Yiyi. Assistant Yang expressed his confusion regarding the blank papers, leading the Chief to summon Shen Yiyi and Yang Zian and ask for their insights.
Shen Yiyi explained that she had learned too many things at Shangyi School for a single sheet of paper to contain. She believed that life should not be limited to a piece of paper or any single place. A newborn baby begins as a blank page, gradually filled by experiences, people, and even adversaries. At the end of life, this paper could be a masterpiece or a ruined scrap.
She concluded that everyone is a "paper" and how we write on it determines life's colors and tastes. She emphasized the importance of shedding self-imposed limitations to discover infinite potential. Yang Zian added that his life contained both bitter, dark hues and sweet, vibrant ones. He asserted that one cannot truly appreciate sweetness without experiencing bitterness, nor brilliant colors without darkness.
The Doctor, inspired by Shen Yiyi's words, drew a beautiful landscape on her crumpled paper, telling her that everyone holds inherent value, and even a crumpled sheet can become a canvas for the most exquisite art. He assured Yang Zian that the bitterness and darkness of today would become indelible landscapes on the paper of his life after enduring the test of time. Both students expressed gratitude for the profound lessons.
Following the academic tests, a swordsmanship examination was held, where the Five Scholars of Shangyi School excelled due to their prior combat experience. Notably, Shen Yiyi emerged victorious against Yang Zian, to her great delight. With the comprehensive examination results posted, Yang Zian and Shen Yiyi were announced as co-champions. They were summoned to an imperial audience, where, to the Emperor's surprise, they declined any material rewards or official titles, requesting only a single statement from His Majesty.
Yang Zian then stunned the court by stating his request was for his father, Yang Wenyuan. When his father remained silent, Yang Zian knelt and accused Lord Yang of involvement in both the bad money and child abduction cases. Lord Yang vehemently denied the accusations, claiming he merely kept Yang Zian uninformed to protect him from danger, implying his son had misunderstood.
Unconvinced and seeking a confession from his father, Yang Zian reiterated his accusation and asked the Emperor to order a search of his room at Shangyi School for a specific bad coin he claimed to have hidden there, as well as Lord Yang's study. Yang Wenyuan, having anticipated such a move, had already prepared by moving evidence.
When the Imperial Guards returned reporting no bad money found, Yang Zian revealed the truth: he had the real bad money on him all along. Yang Zian explained that he had planted an antique coin from the former dynasty, which resembled bad money, in his closet at Shangyi School. His intention was to give his father a chance to confess when he realized his secrets were exposed. Instead, Lord Yang had that antique coin destroyed, confirming his guilt.
Feeling torn between loyalty to his father and duty to the Emperor and the people, Yang Zian performed a triple kowtow: first to his father for his upbringing, expressing regret for his suspicion and wishing for a simple life together in the next; second to the Emperor for deceiving him by delaying the confession; and third to heaven and earth on behalf of the victims of the bad money and abduction cases, vowing to expose the truth.
Seeing his father's tears, Yang Zian presented the ultimate evidence: the mold design paper used to mint the bad money. He highlighted that the paper was rare cold-gold parchment and the ink was scarce Li Ting ink, known only to a few high-ranking officials. He revealed that his father's exceptional fondness for this specific ink had led him to pre-order next year's supply, making him the only person who could have produced these documents.
Cornered by the irrefutable evidence, Yang Wenyuan confessed, pleading with the Emperor not to punish his family. Han Junji intervened, reminding the Emperor of Lord Yang's loyal service over the years. He then reminded Yang Wenyuan of his past warning: that the Emperor would "cut weeds and eliminate the roots" if he discovered a trusted courtier had attained wealth and status through deception.
He pointedly asked what the Emperor would do to Yang Wenyuan and his beloved son if he knew, implicitly threatening Yang Wenyuan's family. To protect his loved ones, Yang Wenyuan had succumbed to Han Junji's coercion, which led to the clandestine minting of bad money. The Emperor, bound by his promise to Yang Zian, spared Lord Yang's life but sentenced him to imperial prison for review by the Three Judicial Offices, followed by exile in Ba Prefecture.
All his assets were to be confiscated, and he was to be banished from Chang'An permanently, effective in three days. In the prison, Yang Zian knelt before his father, seeking forgiveness. Yang Wenyuan, however, reassured him that he had done nothing wrong, revealing that despite his outwardly glorious career as a revered Prime Minister, he had been tormented by guilt over his past misdeeds, unable to sleep peacefully.
He expressed gratitude to Yang Zian for saving his life and bringing him a sense of calm. He hoped that in the afterlife, they could reunite as father and son, living a simple life free from political schemes, and that his time in Ba Prefecture would serve to atone for his sins. Later, Han Junji visited Yang Wenyuan in prison, bringing food and wine.
He gloated about his own meticulous planning, suggesting that without his caution, he would be in Yang Wenyuan's place. Yang Wenyuan, however, instead questioned Han Junji about the 'sinanpei' (compass pendant) and its connection to the former prince, implying Han held deeper secrets. Han Junji grew suspicious, accusing Yang Wenyuan of trying to extract information to gain merit and atone for his sins.
Yang Wenyuan then dismissed Han Junji's confidence, asserting that his current predicament would inevitably become Han Junji's future, highlighting the difference between his own remorse and Han Junji's unrepentant nature. On the day of his exile, Yang Wenyuan bade farewell to Yang Zian and Yang Zixu.
Although Yang Zixu bitterly criticized Yang Zian for his actions, Yang Wenyuan defended Yang Zian's choice, stating that in situations where loyalty and filial piety conflicted, Yang Zian acted according to what he believed was right. He acknowledged both sons as worthy members of the Yang family and urged them to support each other and take care of themselves, expressing hope for a future reunion. Yang Zian, deeply emotional, promised to remain by his father's side in this life and the next.
