Aoyama

Chapter 440 Breaking the situation
The examination papers of the candidates were sent into the Wenhua Hall like snowflakes, keeping the officials extremely busy.

All the windows of Wenhua Hall were open, and golden beams of light shone in from outside, illuminating the dust motes swirling inside.

Someone complained quietly, "The list of successful candidates, which usually takes two days to finalize, is going to be decided in just one afternoon this time. How are we supposed to do that?!"

"We have to do it even if we can't. At this critical juncture, no one should provoke His Majesty."

Grand Secretary Chen spoke slowly: "What's the panic? What kind of behavior is this, all this commotion?"

The Wenhua Hall fell silent as the ministers cautiously looked at Grand Secretary Chen: "But Grand Secretary, there are 312 exam papers, each with over 2,000 words. After everyone has read them all, we need some time to discuss them..."

Grand Secretary Hu said leisurely, "You can't do it in such a short time, but it's just right for Lord Zhang. Let's leave it all to Lord Zhang; he knows what he's doing."

The ministers were taken aback, exchanged glances, and then looked at Grand Secretary Chen.

After Grand Secretary Chen nodded slightly, they placed all the exam papers on Zhang Zhuo's desk.

Zhang Zhuo cupped his hands and said, "Since time is so tight, I would be impolite to refuse."

He flipped through the exam papers one by one, and the two thousand words were imprinted in his mind in just ten breaths. Then he went to the next one... He really turned the pages faster than he turned his face.

Zhang Zhuo did not rush to give the rankings. Instead, he waited until he had read all the exam papers, closed his eyes and pondered for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, before taking out one of the exam papers and writing a few large characters in red ink: "Third Class, 227th place".

He handed out the exam paper, then took out another exam paper and wrote "226th in the third class" in red ink.

The ministers were taken aback. Had the evaluation been completed so quickly?

Holding the exam paper of the 227th person in the top three, someone hesitated and said, "Lord Zhang, I think this person is very talented. How could he be the last person in the top three?"

Zhang Zhuo, without looking up from his desk, replied, "Please look at this person in the third-to-last row. He did not avoid using the late emperor's name. Keeping him as the last person is already an act of leniency."

Upon closer inspection, someone exclaimed in surprise, "It really is!"

Another person asked, "Then what about the second to last place?"

Zhang Zhuo, without raising his head, said, "I did not avoid using the emperor's name, so the character '丘' should be written as '邱'. I remember that this person came from a poor family, so it seems that someone deliberately did not remind him, intending to use the rules to make him fail the exam. However, His Majesty specifically instructed that he be let off the hook this time, to show the benevolence and virtue of our Ning Dynasty."

"That third to last place..."

"His handwriting is extremely ugly."

"Fourth from the bottom..."

"Reason cannot prevail over words." This means that while the writing is ornate, the underlying principles are vague and abstract.

"That fifth from the bottom..."

“He misquoted the classic text. He wrote, ‘The Liang Hui Wang chapter of Mencius says, ‘Change their fields and reduce their taxes, and the people can be made rich.’ This is from the Jin Xin chapter of Mencius.”

"Then why are the top three and the 130th ranked?"

"He attributed all the burden of taxes and corvée labor to the clerks and officials, without mentioning the responsibility of the local gentry and powerful families, which was biased."

As the officials questioned him about each exam paper, Zhang Zhuo answered fluently, each answer having its own reasoning.

Even more astonishing is that, no matter how much time has passed, Zhang Zhuo can remember every single word on every exam paper.

After a long while, someone whispered, "I give up."

Over the years, countless ministers have wanted to join the cabinet. No matter if you are the Minister of the Six Ministries or a regional governor, you can't be considered a high-ranking official if you don't join the cabinet.

On the day Zhang Zhuo entered the cabinet, the court appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents were surging and discussions were in full swing.

All my words can be summed up in three words: By what right?
Therefore, when Zhang Zhuo moved into the Wenhua Hall, years of accumulated documents piled up on his desk, and the table was placed in the far corner.

Now, the officials finally realized that His Majesty's demand for the proclamation to be issued within a day was to elevate Zhang Zhuo: when no one else could do it, only Zhang Zhuo could, and the power would naturally fall into Zhang Zhuo's hands.

Half an hour later, Zhang Zhuo wrote on the last exam paper with a red pen: "Second Class, Eighth Place".

The dust has settled.

As for the top three scholars in the first class, as well as the top seven in the second class, they are determined by His Majesty.

Zhang Zhuo stood up with a smile: "Grand Secretary Hu, Grand Secretary Chen, I may have overlooked something while reviewing the documents on my own. Would you two please review them again?"

Grand Secretary Chen slowly stood up: "No need. Lord Zhang wrote the inscription directly with vermilion ink, and we can't change it anyway. It seems that the Wenhua Hall should have a fresh look. Let's go, don't keep His Majesty waiting too long."

……

……

In the square outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the candidates knelt behind their desks, their legs numb from kneeling. The afternoon sun made their necks burn, but no one dared to move.

Only Shen Ye had his head down, seemingly asleep.

At that moment, someone whispered, "They're here."

Everyone turned to look and saw that Grand Secretary Chen, Grand Secretary Hu, and Zhang Zhuo, all dressed in red official robes, were coming from the east. They slowly passed between the tables of the tribute students and entered the hall from the left side of the white marble Danbi Bridge.

On both sides of the square, the Imperial Guards stood guard with their halberds. Li Xuan held a banner that fluttered in the wind, while Qi Zhenzhuo held a long whip that was at least ten feet long.

Solemn and dignified.

Someone whispered excitedly, "Announce the names, call out the names! Even kneeling for three more days and three nights would be worth it!"

Shen Ye muttered, "Then when we leave, you'll kneel here alone."

The next moment, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial walked out of the main hall with an imperial edict in his hand.

Qi Zhenzhuo cracked his long whip twelve times. After the twelve cracks, the square fell silent. Anyone who whispered again would be dismissed and not hired!
The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies unfurled the imperial edict and proclaimed loudly: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: On the 18th day of the third month of the 32nd year of the Jia Ning reign, the candidates for the imperial examinations will be examined. The first class will be awarded the title of Jinshi (进士) and the second class will be awarded the title of Jinshi Chushen (进士出身). The third class will be awarded the title of Tong Jinshi Chushen (同进士出身). The first place in the first class..."

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies paused intentionally, and this pause made all the candidates hold their breath.

"Shen Ye, a tribute student from Yangzhou!"

Top scorer.

Shen Ye.

It was within reason and expectation; the ministers already knew what was going on.

Shen Ye rose from behind the desk, walked to the steps of the imperial palace, and knelt down, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

"Second place in the first class, Jinling tribute student, Yang Yuan!"

Yang Yuan rose from behind the desk and knelt on the ground to Shen Ye's right: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

"The third place in the first class, a tribute student from Taiyuan, is Hu Tianyi..." The top scholar, the second-ranked scholar, and the third-ranked scholar.

The most thrilling part of the announcement of names had ended, and from then on, the announcements were no longer so captivating. People would only remember that they were all Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination) of the thirty-second year of the Jia Ning era, not their rankings in this palace examination.

After the rankings were announced, some people were happy, while others were sad.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies proclaimed loudly: "You students, having passed the imperial examination today and standing before this Hall of Supreme Harmony, are now pillars of our Great Ning and my disciples. However, fame and honor are not merely personal glory, but a weighty responsibility to the nation. Those in the Hanlin Academy should cultivate virtue and talent to serve as advisors. Those in the Censorate should report on matters of state, purging corruption and promoting integrity. Those sent to remote areas should encourage agriculture and sericulture. Though your positions differ, your loyalty to the emperor and your love for the country are the same."

"From this day forward, all people under heaven will regard you as disciples of the Emperor. Do not fail to live up to my expectations."

"Awesome!"

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies closed the imperial edict and shouted loudly, "Post the imperial edict!"

Four officials from the Ministry of Rites carried a long list of imperial edicts in front, followed closely by the newly appointed scholars, as they walked towards the Meridian Gate.

Grand Secretary Chen and Grand Secretary Hu stood side by side in front of the hall, silently watching each figure disappear into the distance.

Grand Secretary Hu laughed and said, "Back in the day, you and I also walked out in the same timid and hesitant manner."

Grand Secretary Chen casually remarked, "I am the second-place scholar, what are you?"

"I'm ranked 160th in the top three..." Elder Hu stroked his beard and said sarcastically, "What kind of tactics have you prepared to deal with that brat from your Chen family today? You can tell us now, lest you suffer an upset at your age and be defeated by a junior."

Grand Secretary Chen said slowly, "Using a grand show to deal with juniors only makes the elders seem incompetent. You've fought your whole life but never outmaneuvered me. Today I'll teach you that the essence of strategy lies not in the game itself, but in foresight. To break today's deadlock, a small trick is enough."

Before Grand Secretary Hu could speak, Grand Secretary Chen suddenly changed the subject: "I actually hope he can beat me."

"If you ask me, the more books you scholars read, the more conflicted you become," Grand Secretary Hu said, watching the departing procession. "What's wrong, Grand Secretary Chen? Are you tired of dragging along such a large family?"

"tired."

……

……

The list of successful candidates was posted at the left gate of Chang'an, which was also known as the Dragon Gate.

Horses were prepared in advance at the gate. An official from the Ministry of Rites hung a hairpin and red ribbon on Shen Ye's chest and whispered, "Scholar, you will be riding a horse in the Imperial Guard in a short while. Do not run around. If the horse is startled during the parade, do not panic. Commander Li Xuan of the Imperial Guard will protect you."

The official from the Ministry of Rites, wiping his sweat, continued to instruct, "The three of you represent the imperial court today; you must not do anything out of line..."

Shen Ye patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Brother, you're more nervous than I am!"

The Ministry of Rites officials repeatedly warned, "Please, please don't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Ye had already mounted his horse and followed Li Xuan as they rode towards Chang'an Street, with the second and third place scholars following behind him.

Behind him, beneath the list of successful candidates, a scholar from the south broke free from two men, shouting hoarsely, "I already have a wife at home, please don't arrest me!"

The man was taken aback: "You're already married?"

Shen Ye sighed, "I've finally encountered some interesting things today."

He sat on his horse, turned around and pointed at the newly appointed scholar: "Zhang Duan, you're not even married yet, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Zhang Duan's expression changed drastically: "Shen Ye has ruined me!"

Shen Ye laughed heartily: "They just invited you to their home for a drink, what are you panicking about!"

The ceremonial guard proceeded south from the Meridian Gate, passed through Qipan Street, and exited through the Zhengyang Gate.

The capital city was like a pot of boiling water, completely erupting into chaos.

News travels faster than horses galloping. Long before the honor guard appeared, the shouts of "The newly appointed top scholar is parading through the streets!" had already swept through every alley, every teahouse, and every vendor's ears like the wind.

In an instant, the streets were deserted and the entire city turned out.

The rooftops, tree branches, and even the shop signs along the street were covered with daring teenagers. The prices of the private seats on the second floor of the tavern had increased several times over, and countless figures peeked out from behind the carved window frames.

Qi Zhenzhuo, standing guard beside Shen Ye, asked in confusion, "Why aren't you happy now that you've become the top scholar?"

Shen Ye, swaying precariously on his horse, said listlessly, "The limelight has already been stolen by others, what's there to be happy about?"

Li Xuan ignored their conversation, his eyes constantly searching through the crowd, trying to find Chen Ji. But even after the honor guard walked all the way to the overpass and turned back, they still hadn't seen Chen Ji.

Just as the ceremonial guard turned back, a figure in gray grabbed another person and silently squeezed into the ceremonial guard.

A commotion broke out among the honor guard, and Duo Bao exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Chen!"

Qi Zhenzhuo turned around and saw Chen Ji holding Wang Gui and following in the group. His eyes lit up: "Master!"

Li Xuan gave a low shout: "Form ranks!"

As they spoke, Zhou Chong, Zhou Li, Duo Bao, Li Cen, Li Guang, and Lin Yanchu immediately surrounded Chen Ji and Wang Gui, protecting them firmly in the center.

As soon as someone approached the ceremonial procession, Zhou Chong and Zhou Li immediately pointed their halberds at each other and shouted angrily, "Get back!"

The two men were imposing and majestic, startling passersby who retreated in fear.

From the second floor of the tavern came soft exclamations from onlookers: "Who are these two? How did they get mixed up in the ceremonial guard? Why do I see the Imperial Guards protecting them more carefully than they protect the top scholar? The top scholar only has two people protecting him, but these two have six people protecting them."

Duo Bao laughed and said, "My lord, it's been so boring in the Imperial Guard since you were dismissed. I wonder if anyone is foolish enough to come and test the might of the Imperial Guard today."

Li Cen laughed heartily: "When did you become so sharp?"

Chen Ji calmly said, "Thank you, everyone."

Duo Bao said casually, "Thank you so much, sir. You're being too polite."

As they spoke, a figure moved among the pedestrians on the roadside.

Ordinary people would simply stand by the roadside and disperse once the Imperial Guards passed by, but these people followed the Imperial Guards' ranks closely, their eyes fixed on Chen Ji and Wang Gui.

Duo Bao and the others became alert and vigilant, while Chen Ji also turned to look at the surging figures.

However, at that moment, a stream of warm blood flowed down Wang Gui's neck and onto Chen Ji's hand.

Chen Ji turned his head and saw that Lin Yanchu's halberd was dripping blood, and a line of blood was seeping from Wang Gui's neck, with more and more blood gushing out.

When Lin Yan first saw Chen Ji, his lips trembled slightly: "Anyone who offends the ceremonial procession shall be killed without exception."

(End of this chapter)