Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 62: Selfishness and Righteousness, Testing the Examination Hall
(The base number is too low, so it seems the ranking will have to stop here. Everyone has done their best and has a clear conscience! Thank you.)
Chen Jin did not doubt Chen Shounian's words.

Obtaining the qualification for the provincial examination and cheating in the examination are two different things; the former is much more feasible.

In fact, before this, Chen Jin had thought of several methods, such as going around Maoxian County.

He absolutely refused to sit idly by and wait for his death.

Of course, whether it is feasible or not depends mainly on the people involved.

Without a solid network of connections, it would be extremely difficult to get started, requiring a lot of effort and leaving one clueless.

If Chen Shounian were willing to help, things would be much easier.

But Chen Jin knew that there were many nuances to human relationships, so he asked directly, "What do you need me to do?"

Chen Shounian's eyes flashed: "Smart. It's always the most pleasant to talk to smart people. I've read your essays at Instructor Zhang's place, and they are indeed well-written. I just don't understand why you've wasted so many years, only passing the county-level exam this year?"

Chen Jin replied, "Perhaps it was due to bad luck before; or perhaps it was because he finally figured it out after experiencing many setbacks."

Chen Shounian looked over, his eyes shining: "You don't look like a thirty-year-old. You're much younger and more energetic... Don't be nervous. I'm not trying to pry into your secrets. Everyone has their own secrets. It's not a problem."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The question is, are you really prepared to take the provincial examination this August? Think it through before you answer."

"No need to think about it, I've already made up my mind."

Chen Jin's attitude was resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

Chen Shounian raised an eyebrow: "You must understand, I can help you obtain the qualification for the provincial examination, but once you enter the examination hall, it will all depend on your own abilities. In addition, I cannot go against Magistrate Zhao for your sake, as it involves too many things. So once you fail the exam, you will face his wrath and retaliation directly, and your fate will be very miserable."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "But I also have a chance to be on the list."

Chen Shounian was taken aback for a moment, then praised, "Good! It's been a long time since I've met a young person as decisive and confident as you."

On second thought, Chen Jin is not actually young anymore. Perhaps it is because of the pressure of age that he has to take a gamble and fight for his future.

It is important to know that success in the imperial examinations is crucial to one's career prospects, and the path to officialdom is very sensitive to age. Once one exceeds the required age, even if one has achieved success, it will be difficult to assume important responsibilities.

For example, if Chen Jin doesn't take the exam this year, he will be almost thirty-five years old in three years.

Three years is such a precious time.
Chen Shounian completely understood this and immediately said, "Since you have made up your mind, I will grant your request. You can go to the examination hall in the prefecture city to register and complete the relevant procedures yourself."

"Thank you very much, sir."

Chen Jin stood up and bowed, his manner meticulous.

Chen Shounian chuckled: "I'm helping you for two reasons. First, I can't stand seeing you being bullied and suppressed by that brat from the Zhao family. Second, I want to discover talent for the clan. I have my own selfish motives."

Chen Jin said calmly, "To be without selfish motives is to be a saint. Selfishness is not inherently wrong, as long as it does not harm others, it is a righteous heart."

Chen Shounian laughed loudly: "Well said. Tsk tsk, I really admire you more and more. Tracing back to the family genealogy, your lineage is exactly from my branch. In terms of seniority, you should call me Sixth Uncle."

"Hello, Sixth Uncle."

Chen Jin was absolutely unambiguous.

"Ruzi can be taught."

Chen Shounian stood up: "Just for this greeting, if you fail the exam, you can come to my ancestral home in the prefecture to find me... Oh no, I misspoke. It's very auspicious."

He looked somewhat apologetic, then took out a talisman folded into a triangle: "This is the Chen Clan's Peace Talisman, which contains ancestral ashes from the ancestral hall. Wearing it can calm the mind, ward off evil spirits, and exorcise ghosts. It is quite effective." Chen Jin looked at it and immediately sensed a rather pure and righteous spiritual aura. He knew that this talisman was not just for show, but a genuine magical artifact.

So he accepted it and thanked him again.

Chen Shounian gave him a deep look: "I still have to rush to Yixian County, farewell. Chen Jin, I wish you swift success and a place on the honor roll!"

Having said that, he strode out.

His granddaughter, Guo Ai, had been sitting quietly to the side. Now that she was leaving, she clasped her hands together in front of her chest, crossed her two thumbs, bowed slightly, and gave Chen Jin a deep bow.

Chen Jin returned the courtesy and saw him to the door.

Chen Shounian and Guo Ai boarded the carriage, which rumbled and headed toward the city gate.

After walking for a while, Guo Ai couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, you think highly of him?"

“How come you see?”

"You've met many members of the Chen family along the way, but you've never spoken to anyone this much, let alone given them amulets for good luck."

Chen Shounian stroked his beard and smiled: "Aier, you're becoming more and more observant. Your grandfather asks you, what's your impression of this boy?"

Guo Ai pondered for a moment and analyzed, "Among the people I've met before, some were trembling with fear, afraid of saying the wrong thing; some fawned and flattered, bordering on obsequious; and some even played the victim, crying their pitiful state and begging for pity... But this Chen Jin is different. He is neither arrogant nor humble, yet he is also very understanding. I don't think he comes from a rural background."

Chen Shounian nodded and said, "Well said, that's exactly right. Grandfather knows how to read auras and physiognomy, but when he looked at Chen Jin, it was like looking at flowers through a fog, which was quite strange."

Guo Ai then asked, "Do you think he is a spiritual practitioner?"

Chen Shounian pondered and said, "I have doubts. But he must have practiced martial arts; that can't be hidden from my eyes. Ha, being proficient in both literature and martial arts is not something that can be cultivated in an ordinary way. Given his family's circumstances, they simply cannot support it. The most likely explanation is that he has other opportunities, so someone like him can't be too bad in terms of luck and fate."

"Is that why you think highly of him?"

"Not only that, but his personality is also very much to my liking."

Guo Ai asked doubtfully, "Grandpa, don't you think that these collateral descendants are all after the clan's resources, which seems quite opportunistic, and they won't truly be loyal?"

Chen Shounian smiled and said, "Aier, even biological parents in this world find it difficult to be absolutely selfless. There is a saying, 'When the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility,' but what about when every citizen is in trouble? The same principle applies to the relationship between clans and clan members. If the clan cannot provide protection and help to its members, how can it expect them to make contributions willingly? Relationships are always two-way."

Guo Ai then asked, "But you only solved the problem of Chen Jin's qualification for the provincial examination. If Magistrate Zhao makes a fuss, how will Chen Jin cope?"

Chen Shounian shrugged: "I explained the seriousness to him beforehand. He made the decision himself, so he has to bear the consequences. He's not a child anymore. In the end, it all depends on whether he passes the imperial examination. If he does, it'll be a great leap forward; if he fails, he can only hope for the best. As for the Zhao family, our high-profile visit is tantamount to protecting Chen Jin's family. At least within Maoxian County, they won't dare to act recklessly. After all, as the local officials, they can't escape responsibility if something happens."

He didn't finish his sentence.

If Chen Jin were to have an accident on his way from Maoxian to Gaoliang Prefecture, then Magistrate Zhao would have no say in the matter.

This can be seen as a test.

Life's challenges and trials come in all shapes and sizes, and are countless, certainly not limited to the examination halls and cells.

The entire world is a boundless examination hall!

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(End of this chapter)