Joy of Life: Starting from Teacher Fan Xian

Chapter 53: Fraud
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed half the sky of the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall red.

The powerful sound of gongs swept through the corridors on both sides of the examination room like a tide, and rows of clerks and buglers marched into the examination room.

The candidates who were working at their desks were frightened when they heard this. They put down their pens, stood up, and stood aside in an orderly manner.

"The time is up, stop writing. Anyone who dares to move will be treated as cheating!" an examiner shouted, which meant that the last round of the Spring Examination was over.

The clerks would open the examination rooms one by one and collect the examination papers. The buglers would then check the students from head to toe and at the same time observe the room to check for any signs of cheating.

After nodding to indicate that it was okay, the candidate packed his bags and left the room to wait in the corridor while the clerks continued to go to the next room.

About a hundred clerks and buglers were working in an orderly manner along the corridor.

The candidates had mixed emotions on their faces as they waited for examination and departure. Some had good results, while others had bad results. Many students had anticipated the results after taking the test.

As time passed, the collection work came to an end. The officials came to Lin Ruo's room and after the routine inspection, they nodded as usual.

Lin Ruo nodded and was about to leave the room when the clerk called him without changing his expression and the bugler stopped him.

"Wait a minute, student. We suspect you of cheating. You need to stay in the hospital and wait for the follow-up results."

The clerk's eyes lit up when he looked at the test paper, but then he showed a look of contempt, as this was a disgrace to the candidates who cheated.

Just now, an imperial edict came from the palace and all the examiners in the academy knew about it.

The cheating did not occur in the examination center, but an examiner named Yu leaked the test questions before the exam.

The decree issued personally by the palace was not only no small matter, but also a done deal, so the clerks acted in a very confident manner.

During the two days of marking, this student had been in the spotlight, but now that his true colors had been exposed, the officials undoubtedly felt even more disgusted with him.

"Sir." Lin Ruo frowned and was about to speak, but the clerk waved his hand to stop him.

"You don't need to say anything more to us. President Lin Ruofu, Vice President Wei An, and the outer curtain official Shu Wu have already entered the palace. Your Majesty will make his own judgment on right and wrong."

After hearing this, Lin Ruo calmed down. Everything was clear and Grand Secretary Shu Wu would explain it. Then he sat back in his room.

This was an unexpected disaster. Who could have thought that the topic that had been discussed would suddenly become the exam question.

Shu Wu would not reveal the questions to him, because they didn't even know each other before the academy.

Since he was able to come to the academy to teach, it means that Shu Wu was not among the examiners at that time and would not have the opportunity to access the test papers.

There is a lot of evidence to prove his innocence, and all Lin Ruo has to do is wait for the results.

"Make a quick copy and send it to the palace." The clerk ordered, and the bugler took Lin Ruo's paper away.

Like a loud bang, the news quickly spread to the ears of students inside and outside the examination hall.

The students who were nearby quickly recognized the identity of the person who was found guilty of cheating.

"Isn't this person Lin Ruo, the 17-year-old famous scholar in the academy?"

Upon hearing the identity, the students, who were originally surprised, found it even more difficult to suppress their curiosity and listened attentively.

There was another shrill sound of a gong, and an official in the examination room shouted, "The test papers have been collected. Students, please leave the examination hall as soon as possible." The buglers began to clear the room, and the candidates could only suppress their anger and leave the hall.

Cheating in imperial examinations has always existed, and countless students hate it. At this moment, a big news finally broke out in the calm capital. Does it mean that His Majesty the Emperor will conduct a thorough investigation of the imperial examination halls?

Several adults in charge of the Spring Examination have already left the academy and entered the palace, which undoubtedly confirms one thing: this time, there will be a big change.

Many students gained confidence as a result. They came from all over the country, had no background, no money, and only had knowledge. What they feared most was being impersonated and having no place to appeal.

A case of cheating in the imperial examination has been uncovered. Who would dare to tamper with the list?

The students walked out of the examination hall but did not leave. They gathered outside the door, waiting for further news.

It was already dark, and more and more people gathered outside the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Examination Hall, and the situation was getting out of control.

The tables in the surrounding inns were packed.

"I heard that the candidate who cheated this time was a 17-year-old juren. I thought he was a genius, but I didn't expect that he was just a fame-seeking person." A student shouted angrily.

A student took a sip of tea and sighed slightly, "I have seen this person. It is said that he has only become famous in the academy in recent months. His name is Lin Ruo and he is from Bohai County. A few days ago, I was studying in the academy by borrowing his annotations. He obviously has some real knowledge. How could this happen?"

"It's normal. Having strength doesn't mean that you won't cheat. I'm afraid you are too greedy and have set your sights on the title of champion, so you have to resort to some tricks." The previous student said again.

"Hmph, I hope the court will enforce the law impartially and not discourage us, the students of the world." The indignant students cursed at each other, and the sound of curses echoed in the inn.

……

On the long and straight palace road, three important figures in the court were walking hurriedly, and beneath their hurried voices were three seemingly calm faces.

The only one who was truly calm must be Lin Ruofu, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy and the chief examiner of this spring's imperial examination. No emotion could be seen in his eyes.

Wei An, the Minister of Rites, who was over fifty years old, was very old. He walked a little and could hardly move. He took a few breaths and smiled bitterly, "Lord Lin is very magnanimous. I admire you very much."

As long as the word of cheating in the Spring Examination spread from the palace, the consequences were doomed, and all this was thanks to the usually inconspicuous Grand Secretary Lin.

"Mr. Wei, if you have anything to say, save it for before His Majesty." Lin Ruofu was as calm as before, with the same attitude as when he sat in the lobby of the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Examination Hall, turning a blind eye.

Wei An showed a slight disdain on his face and said, "Master Lin, please keep your original intention in the future and don't follow others. You will lose face if you do so."

After Wei An finished speaking, he shook his head. In the officialdom where secrets are rife, no one can remain true to themselves for decades.

"Losing face is far better than losing your life, right, Mr. Wei?" Lin Ruofu said
Wei An smiled, but it was a bitter smile: "Lord Lin has a pure heart, but he dragged Lord Shu into the game."

Lin Ruofu lowered his head and looked over, as if he wanted to hear Shu Wu, the Grand Secretary who had remained silent from beginning to end, say something that would please him, because he was also a person who was kept in the dark about this matter.

The Spring Examination was still in progress. Even if His Majesty was eager to hold someone accountable, the matter of cheating in the examination should not be brought to light at this time. Lin Ruofu vaguely realized that there was a reason for this.

"I will explain to His Majesty." Shu Wu shook his head and said fearlessly, "I have a clear conscience and have nothing to say."

Lin Ruofu sighed, looking at the frustrated senior official next to him, a hint of worry welled up between his brows, and said: "Old Wei, there are some things that His Majesty is tired of seeing, so he will naturally change them. We, the ministers, can never do anything."

This is an explanation, but also a complaint.

(End of this chapter)