Tiger Owl

Chapter 328 Lu Lang with Oranges

Gu Shao lowered his voice and said, "I went to the Chief Secretary's residence to register today and saw the exam scope. Boyan, isn't it too easy?"

Today they saw the exam scope. Although there was a lot of content, it was all basic knowledge that scholars must master, and there was no difficulty. This made Gu Shao, a genius with a wealth of knowledge, a little worried.

What are you worried about?

Lu Xun asked with a smile, "Do you think it's too simple and doesn't show off your knowledge?"

Gu Shao felt a little embarrassed that his thoughts had been exposed, and he tried to explain, "I just think that everyone did very well on the exam. Whether or not someone is admitted in the end may depend on things other than academic knowledge."

Lu Xun pondered for a moment and said, "Indeed, we need to consider many things beyond academic knowledge, such as calligraphy, ability, social status, and filial piety. This imperial examination itself has a strong political purpose, so don't think too simply."

Gu Shao gave a light, cold laugh. "If that's the case, why bother mentioning 'regardless of social status, only talent matters'? Isn't that a huge irony?"

Lu Xun said calmly, "Whether you are from a noble or commoner family, you must first have talent and learning. As long as you have real talent and learning, even if you come from a poor family, you will be admitted. Who said that only aristocratic families and wealthy families are admitted?"

Available slots

“There is no limit to the number of places!” Lu Xun interrupted him without hesitation.

Silence fell again at the table. At this moment, Lu Ji asked, "Boyan, I understand that you wanted to see my calligraphy, but what about my ability?"

Lu Ji had served in government for several years. He had the advantage of practical ability over other scholars and also had some reputation. He was particularly concerned about this.

“Yes! How do you judge a person’s ability?” Zhu Ju also stepped forward and asked.

Lu Xun hesitated for a moment and said, "Now there is an opportunity. At the beginning of the year, 30,000 households of people from Runan County were resettled in Jiangxia County and Lujiang County. However, due to the rush to start spring plowing, the people were not registered in detail. Now we need to make up for the registration, but we are short of manpower. The Chief Secretary's Office plans to recruit a group of scholars to participate in the registration, understand and inquire about their living conditions and needs. A total of 300 people will be recruited, with room and board provided, and an additional subsidy of 50 coins per day. The recruitment period is two months. If you are interested, go to the Chief Secretary's Office to register first thing tomorrow morning."

After the dinner party ended, Gu Shao and Zhu Ju left, but Lu Ji made an excuse to stay.

After a long silence, Lu Ji asked, "Boyan, has the Duke of Chu never mentioned me?"

"It was mentioned once."

Lu Ji's eyes lit up. "What did he say?"

"The Duke of Chu only said that it was a pity that you were not given important positions by the Marquis of Wu."

"And then?" Lu Ji pressed.

Lu Xun smiled and said, "It wasn't mentioned again after that."

Lu Ji felt somewhat disappointed. After a long while, he asked again, "Does he know that I've come to participate in the imperial examination?"

Lu Xun glanced at Lu Ji. He knew his uncle's thoughts, of course. He didn't want to enter officialdom through the imperial examination, but wanted to enter officialdom based on his seniority in Jiangdong, just like Lü Fan. To put it bluntly, he didn't want to start all over again.

After a moment of silence, Lu Xun slowly said, "Uncle, I advise you to put aside your pride and not try to take shortcuts. Don't be like Bu Zhi and Lü Fan. I advise you to register tomorrow. That way, Lord Chu will see your name. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lu Ji nodded silently. How could he not understand? If Gan Ning saw his name, he could use it directly if he wanted, but if there was no reaction, he would have to honestly take the exam and start from scratch like a newcomer.

Lu Xun noticed the sadness in his uncle's eyes and smiled as he advised him, "Lord Chu is very sensible and has a clear mind. He only allowed you to participate in the imperial examination as a formality, but he would never let you start from scratch like a newcomer. That would be disrespectful to you, and he would never do such a thing."

Lu Ji's eyes slowly brightened again, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "I'll go register first thing tomorrow morning!"

The following morning, a long queue formed in front of the Prefectural Governor's residence. Nearly five hundred people came to register as temporary investigators. Originally, only three hundred people were to be recruited, but Jiang Wan changed the plan at the last minute, recruiting all who applied, totaling four hundred and eighty people, including Lu Ji, Gu Shao, and Zhu Ju. They would then undergo three days of training before heading to Jiangxia County and Lujiang County to conduct their investigations.

Inside the office, Jiang Wan handed the roster to Gan Ning, saying, "These are the temporary investigators who have signed up; there are a total of 483 people."

Gan Ning took it and read it through. His gaze first fell on Gu Shao's name, who was Gu Yong's eldest son and whom Lu Xun had recommended to him.

Then Lu Ji's name popped up. Lu Ji, the young master with oranges in his hand at the banquet, smiled. It was a pity that he did not live long and died in his thirties. He was an honest and upright official.

"Chief Secretary Jiang!"

Gan Ning pointed to the names Lu Ji and Gu Shao, "These two are now under special attention!"

Jiang Wan fully understood. Gu Shao was Gu Yong's eldest son, and Gu Yong had always been a key figure they had been trying to win over, a high-ranking official in Jiangdong. Although they hadn't succeeded in the end, the fact that Gu Yong had sent his eldest son to participate in the imperial examination was itself a gesture of goodwill.

As for Lu Ji, he was an official in Jiangdong, a third-level official, but he was an official who could be directly appointed. But for some reason, Duke Chu still made him participate in the imperial examination.

Jiang Wan was somewhat puzzled, so she cautiously asked, "Can Lu Ji be appointed directly?"

Gan Ning shook his head. "He's only twenty-four. He's still young. It won't hurt for him to experience a few more setbacks."

"I understand!"

Jiang Wan closed the door and went out, just in time to meet the newly appointed clerk Ma Su standing outside. Ma Su was Ma Liang's brother, eighteen years old this year, extremely intelligent and capable, and even more talented than his elder brother Ma Liang.

Ma Su quickly bowed, "Greetings, Chief Secretary!"

Jiang Wan had a deep relationship with the Ma family. He was the one who recommended Ma Liang to Gan Ning, and he was also the one who recommended Ma Su this time.

"How's it going? Are you still used to it?"

Ma Su nodded slightly, took a deep breath and said, "Lord Chu's thinking is very sharp, I have to keep up with him."

Jiang Wan smiled slightly, "The word 'sharp' is well used, but it means you're just starting out. As time goes on, you'll discover that there's tact and diplomacy in this sharpness. I won't say more; you'll experience it for yourself!"

After Jiang Wan left, Ma Su picked up a copy of the intelligence report that Lu Su had just handed over, copied it, and quickly walked to the door, knocking on it.

"Come in!" Gan Ning responded from inside.

Ma Su pushed open the door and placed a copy of the intelligence report on the table. "This was sent by Military Advisor Lu."

Gan Ning took the intelligence reports and glanced at them. They were from Ye City and Nanyang: 'Cao Cao has dispatched 100,000 troops, with Xiahou Dun as the main general and Xun Yu as the strategist, marching along the Han River towards Hanzhong.'

Gan Ning then reviewed the intelligence report from Nanyang Commandery: "Cao Cao has appointed Zhang Liao as the commander-in-chief and Sima Yi as the strategist, leading 50,000 troops to attack Wuguan from Nanyang Commandery."

As expected, Cao Cao indeed sent troops to Hanzhong. Two armies were dispatched, one to Hanzhong and the other to Guanzhong. Guanzhong was actually a way to put pressure on Ma Teng, preventing him from taking any rash actions to support Hanzhong.

Gan Ning put the intelligence aside; the situation in Hanzhong didn't affect him much, and he only needed to continue to keep an eye on it.

Gan Ning smiled and asked Ma Su, "I heard from your elder brother that you also signed up for the imperial examination?"

(End of this chapter)