Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Ye Cheng arrived early for the Spring Examination, aiming to make his name known throughout the land.
After the second day of the second month, it would soon be time for another world—the days of the Spring Examination. There were nine exams in total, held on the ninth, twelfth, and fifteenth of February, with three sessions each. On the eighth of February, Elder Brother Li prepared a list of items needed for the Spring Examination based on what Hanno had found and handed it to Guan Rulin. Guan Rulin was immensely grateful and remembered Elder Brother Li's kindness. In truth, Elder Brother Li prepared these items thinking of his soon-to-be brother-in-law and two younger brothers who would be taking the county exam. He considered this preparation as practice for himself, so that he could easily prepare for his brother-in-law and brothers in the future.
As Guan Rulin entered the examination hall, Wen Zixia arrived with Wen Ziyu and Li Yishu, ready for their own county exam. The age of Wen Ziyu and Li Yishu drew many curious glances from others, making them feel somewhat anxious. Wen Zixia quietly reassured them, "Don't be afraid; no one means any harm. They're just curious."
Li Yishu took a deep breath and said, "We understand; we're not afraid of them, just a bit nervous."
Wen Zixia replied, "There's no need to be nervous. The county exam tests your fundamentals. As long as you answer sincerely, you'll surely pass."
Li Yishu managed a smile, "I'll do my best!"
Wen Zixia chuckled as he ruffled Li Yishu's hair and turned to his younger brother, "Ziyu, how are you feeling?"
Wen Ziyu took several deep breaths and trembled as he replied, "Big Brother, I'll do my best."
Wen Zixia shook his head helplessly; the two children were still a bit too young. Perhaps they should wait until the next subject before taking the exam.
After a relatively polite search—truly polite and not at all as rough as described in books—the three entered the examination hall. The hall was located next to the county office, surrounded by wooden fences with simple tents facing south. Compared to the examination tents at the tribute academy, these were quite shabby; however, those at the tribute academy had already earned their degrees. People were simply different.
The three brothers walked to their assigned booths according to their numbers. In this chilly early spring weather, they were much warmer than other candidates since they wore wool coats specially made by Hanno after learning that they would participate in the Scientific Expedition. Elder Brother Li had asked Li Zhoule to remove the lining from the coats so that they could be considered "single-layered." They wore several thin layers underneath and donned their wool coats over them. While sitting at their desks to answer questions, the coats' hems covered their legs perfectly warm enough for them to focus on their answers without being distracted by external factors.
The brothers were fortunate; this was the first county exam since the resumption of the Scientific Expedition. There were only four sessions instead of five, and all questions were familiar topics they had studied. As a result, even Wen Ziyu and Li Yishu, who had been quite anxious before, calmed down during the exam. After finishing and seeing their names on the results list, all three brothers celebrated their success—Wen Zixia even became a helper. When news reached Aoyama Village, not only were the villagers overjoyed, but others also congratulated them heartily, stating that Aoyama Village was blessed with talented individuals thanks to its rich heritage and divine protection from ancestors and land gods.
The renovation of the Land Temple also saw an increase in worshippers—after receiving an imperial decree regarding Aoyama Village's achievements, villagers began discussing expanding the temple. Residents from nearby towns and villages eagerly donated funds and even traveled to Aoyama Village to participate in construction efforts in hopes of sharing in its good fortune. Consequently, under Aoyama Village's planning, Land Temple became one of Jingyang County's largest temples. It was no longer staffed solely by local temple priests; professional Taoist priests also took residence there, leading to a flourishing incense trade. Villagers visited not only during festivals but also regularly to pray at Land Temple.
While the three brothers enjoyed success in their exams, things did not go as smoothly for Guan Rulin in the capital's examinations. After leaving the examination hall without resting, he immediately sought out Elder Brother Li.
"Did someone approach you before the exam asking about test questions?" Elder Brother Li asked.
Guan Rulin nodded. "After I arrived in Beijing, I attended a literary gathering where I gained some insights; thus some people came to discuss academic issues with me. This time’s exam questions were among those shown to me when they sought my help with breaking down topics."
Elder Brother Li furrowed his brow and asked seriously, "Are you sure?"
Guan Rulin maintained a serious expression. "I am certain."
He understood the importance of this matter; otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed to find Elder Brother Li immediately after leaving the examination hall. Cheating in the imperial examination was a serious offense!
"Do you remember what the student who showed you the exam questions looked like and his name?" Elder Brother Li asked.
Guan Rulin nodded. "His name is Zhang Juwen, a resident of the capital, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, thin, with a sharp face and a pointed chin. He has a black mole on the lower left side of his mouth."
Elder Brother Li noted down Guan Rulin's description and quickly arranged for someone to monitor Zhang Juwen. He then turned to look at the visibly exhausted Guan Rulin and asked, "Can you still hold on?"
Although Guan Rulin wanted to rest, he sensed that Elder Brother Li had something important for him to do. He hurriedly replied, "I can still hold on. Please give your orders, General."
Elder Brother Li said, "In that case, come with me to the palace."
"What?" Guan Rulin's eyes widened in disbelief as he felt faint.
Elder Brother Li frowned and instructed his men to carry Guan Rulin onto the carriage. He also had them prepare hot tea and snacks for him inside the carriage before climbing in himself. Normally, Elder Brother Li would ride a horse, but now he had an extra burden to carry.
The carriage took about fifteen minutes to reach the palace. As they approached the palace gates, Elder Brother Li woke Guan Rulin and stuffed a piece of snack into his mouth.
Guan Rulin swallowed the snack in a few bites and trembled as he asked, "Are we going to see the Emperor?"
Elder Brother Li replied with a nod. "Given such a serious matter, we must report it to His Majesty."
Elder Brother Li poured hot tea from a teapot into another cup. Oh dear, how nerve-wracking! He was about to meet the Emperor! He couldn't believe he had the chance to face Sage! The surprise came so suddenly that he found it hard to cope!
The Emperor was puzzled by Elder Brother Li's request for an audience. Shouldn't he be training soldiers in the barracks at this time, preparing for the upcoming military parade in a few months? Why was he here seeking an audience? Had something unfortunate happened that required his intervention?
"It is indeed something unfortunate," Elder Brother Li said. "Your Majesty, there has been cheating in the imperial examination."
"What?" The Emperor lost his composure. He placed great importance on this Scientific Expedition, hoping to select talented individuals from it and cultivate them to replace some of the old, corrupt officials in the court who had outlived their usefulness. These officials lacked real ability but were like reeds swaying in the wind, slippery and untrustworthy. The Emperor had long wanted to expel them from the court, but he had never been able to gather enough evidence against them.
"Is your information reliable?" the Emperor asked urgently.
Elder Brother Li nodded. "It's quite certain. A fellow townsman of mine came to the capital for the imperial examination, and after the exam, he immediately sought me out to tell me that he had seen the exam questions beforehand."
"The questions were leaked!" The Emperor believed Elder Brother Li's words, his expression darkening. "Did your townsman come with you?"
Elder Brother Li replied, "He is already here, waiting outside the imperial study for Your Majesty's summons."
The Emperor immediately ordered Guan De Zhu to bring him in. Moments later, Guan Rulin entered the imperial study, trembling as he followed Guan De Zhu. Upon seeing Ming Huang's expression, he immediately weakened in his legs and knelt down, bowing his head. "Student Guan Rulin pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Get up," Li Xuan Zong said calmly.
Guan Rulin slowly rose to his feet, unable to help it; he was too frightened and excited, and his legs felt unsteady.
Seeing him like this, Li Xuan Zong felt a sense of pride in his heart; he was filled with authority. "Guan De Zhu, provide seats for General Li and this scholar."
This was to prevent Guan Rulin from collapsing onto the ground.
Guan De Zhu understood Li Xuan Zong's thoughts well and suppressed a smile as he instructed the eunuchs to bring in two stools. Elder Brother Li sat down without hesitation; he was already accustomed to it. Guan Rulin first expressed his gratitude to the Emperor before cautiously moving to sit on the stool.
"Guan Rulin, recount everything you know in detail," Elder Brother Li began. He feared that if the Emperor spoke first, Guan Rulin would kneel again.
"Yes." Not prompted by the Emperor, Guan Rulin calmed down a bit and recounted everything he had told Elder Brother Li earlier, even more thoroughly this time.
The Emperor stroked his chin. "Zhang Juwen—this name sounds somewhat familiar."
The Grand Eunuch Guan De Zhu reminded him, "Your Majesty, Zhang Juwen is the grandson of An Guo Hou. He has been studying but has not passed due to some misfortune."
The Emperor let out a sound of realization, "So it's him."
He then scoffed, "Bad luck? Just an excuse? How come I hear that the grandson of An Guo Hou is just a fool who only knows how to bury himself in books?"
Guan De Zhu replied, "Your Majesty is wise!"
The Emperor sneered, "You all, do you think this time the leak from the Scientific Expedition has anything to do with An Guo Hou?"
Elder Brother Li responded, "An Guo Hou is cunning. If he were truly involved, he wouldn't expose himself by leaking the exam questions to his own grandson."
The Emperor nodded, "You are right, my minister."
Elder Brother Li continued, "What if the exam questions were accidentally discovered by Zhang Juwen in An Guo Hou's study?"
Just like Jiang Yulang had stolen his father's treasure map from his father's study without realizing it was a forgery.
The Emperor was silent.
"Elder Li, do you think An Guo Hou was involved or not?"
Elder Brother Li replied, "I am not sure, Your Majesty. It requires your investigation!"
You haven't provided any substantial opinion at all. Leave; I don't want to see you!
Comment 0 Comment Count