Do you know: I am Qi Heng

However, Qi Heng felt that this possibility was very small. When Ouyang Xiu was selected as the chief examiner, he knew that his students were going to participate in the imperial examination. If it was really to avoid suspicion, he would have refused from the beginning.

Secondly, if such a situation were to arise, Ouyang Xiu could have brought it up and let others make the choice, or even reported it to the emperor for selection.

To gain public opinion, they disregarded the students' future, even when there were other options available.

Moreover, if Zeng Gong were ranked second, wouldn't people have something to say about it?

"Let's go. Brother Zizhan and the others must be very busy these days. We'll go and offer our congratulations in a few days!" Qi Heng said with a smile.

At this time, the scene of "catching the examinee under the list of successful candidates" was already unfolding outside the Dragon and Tiger Wall, which can be considered a famous story in every imperial examination.

That's why they say, "There are houses of gold and beauties in books."

Those qualified to be listed as officials or wealthy merchants were either from official families.

The so-called "catching the son-in-law after the list of successful candidates" did not mean arresting him and forcing him into marriage.

In reality, it was about negotiating conditions. They would lay out their family's circumstances and background, and only after the newly appointed scholar was moved and agreed could the marriage be arranged.

Even if you don't agree, the other party will still give you a generous gift to make friends; there's no way they'll force you.

Every time the results of the imperial examinations were announced, news would spread that someone had passed with flying colors and had married the daughter of a wealthy merchant or a high-ranking official.

Wealthy merchants could provide money for bribes, and officials could provide political resources, which was very tempting for these newly appointed scholars.

Others might see these stories as positive, but Qi Heng only saw the hidden dangers and drawbacks.

The reason why wealthy merchants and officials would arrest clerks after receiving official notices was simply because the clerks were about to become officials themselves.

With their support, the other party can go further and in turn give back to them.

To put it bluntly, this is an investment, and investments are meant to yield returns.

These newly appointed scholars, upon accepting the imperial examinations, already knew that they would repay their in-laws for their kindness once they rose to high positions.

How can we expect them to be wholeheartedly devoted to public service?

Take Sheng Hong for example. He privately helped Kang Wangshi clean up her messes quite a bit, which was definitely against the law.

But since Sheng Hong had the Wang family's support, he had no choice but to do so.

All that Lady Kang did was kill some of her concubines and servants.

If it were the Wang family, who were corrupt, lawless, and disregarded human life, he would have to help clean up the mess.

The imperial examination system did break the monopoly of aristocratic families on officialdom, but it also created many other problems.

…………

Half a month after the results of the provincial examination were announced, the imperial court held the palace examination.

The palace examination lasted only one day, and the results were officially announced five days later.

The imperial edict was posted outside the Donghua Gate, and not only was the edict posted, but the names of the successful candidates were also announced.

As the great statesman Han Zhang once said, "Only those whose names are called at the Donghua Gate are true men!"

It was precisely because of this sentence that the honor of calling out names at Donghua Gate reached its peak.

However, Su Shi, who was considered a top scholar, only ranked fourth in the imperial examination and was granted the title of Jinshi, which surprised many people.

Su Zhe ranked among the top five and was granted the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

Zhang Heng, who ranked first in the imperial examination, was appointed as the top scholar by the emperor.

In other words, he did not win first place in the provincial examination; otherwise, he would have achieved the feat of passing all three levels of the imperial examination with top honors.

The benefits of fame are obvious, but the backlash can be just as severe.

Su Shi's literary talent was highly sought after, causing a paper shortage in Bianjing (Kaifeng). Even though he only came in second place in the provincial examination, most people still believed that he could become the top scholar.

As a result, Su Shi didn't even get the second-highest rank, let alone the top scholar.

Many people who bought Su Shi's top scholar title at the Guanpu store were naturally furious and went around belittling and insulting Su Shi.

These people's insults only spurred more people to join in.

There was no way around it; Su Shi was just too dazzling before, overshadowing all the other scholars who participated in the imperial examinations at the same time.

At this point, it's inevitable that they'll take advantage of the situation.

……

Su family

Su Xun looked at his two sullen sons and said irritably, "It's already very rare to pass the imperial examination on your first try. Why are you looking so long-faced?"

"I failed the exam, and now I have to comfort you two unfilial sons!"

"Father, my relationship with my brother is not based on rankings."

Su Zhe said, both amused and exasperated, "Now everyone outside is cursing my brother. I've even heard of people who, because they oppressed their brother, went bankrupt and chose to commit suicide."

Although the results of the imperial examination were a significant blow to the two brothers, it was not enough for them to be so downcast.

The main reason is that I heard some people bet on Su Shi, and after losing the bet, they committed suicide.

Su Shi was saddened, and he was also upset when he learned of it.

"you…"

Before Su Xun could say anything more, a servant rushed in, bowed, and said, "My lord, Young Master Qi and Young Master Sheng have arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Su Xun forgot to scold his son and hurriedly led his two sons to greet them.

"Young Master Qi, Young Master Sheng!"

Upon arriving at the door, Su Xun smiled and bowed respectfully.

"Uncle Su, you're too kind!"

Qi Heng and Sheng Changbai quickly returned the greeting as juniors.

Congratulations to Brother Zizhan and Brother Ziyou on passing the imperial examination with flying colors!

After exchanging greetings, Qi Heng and Sheng Changbai congratulated Su Shi and his brothers.

"Thank you!" the two quickly returned the thanks.

"Please come in quickly!"

Su Xun invited Qi Heng and his companion inside. After they were seated in the main hall, Qi Heng beckoned to take the wooden box handed to him by Buwei and smiled, saying, "I've prepared a congratulatory gift for Brother Zizhan and Brother Ziyou!"

Sheng Changbai also presented his congratulatory gift, which the two declined for a while before finally accepting it.

"I noticed that neither Brother Zizhan nor Brother Ziyou seemed happy. Could it be that they are dissatisfied with their ranking in the palace examination?" Qi Heng asked.

"They weren't dissatisfied with their ranking in the imperial examination; they were simply confused!"

Su Xun quickly replied, his tone carrying a hint of disappointment.

Whether you're satisfied or not, you can't say that directly.

The imperial examination questions were set by the emperor, who would personally select some of the answers to review.

To say that one is dissatisfied with the result is tantamount to questioning the government.

But it's true that he was disappointed in Su Shi for not living up to his potential.

Qi Heng and Sheng Changbai were somewhat puzzled upon hearing this.

Su Xun recounted the whole story, glared at Su Shi who was bowing his head, and said, "That was all caused by Guan the gambling den. Whether those gamblers won or lost had nothing to do with him, yet he's here lamenting the passing of spring and autumn. He's utterly confused!"

"Uncle Su, Brother Zizhan may seem confused, but it is also a true expression of his nature, which shows that Brother Zizhan is inherently kind."

Qi Heng smiled and said, "Ze Cheng and I came here not only to offer our congratulations, but also to reserve a table at Fanlou Restaurant to celebrate with Brother Zizhan and the others. Uncle, please come along too."

"No, no, that won't do!"

Su Xun shook his head and said, "Since you've come to offer your congratulations, I should be the one hosting a banquet for you. How can I let you spend your money!"

"These are all minor matters, Uncle, why make such a fuss?"

Qi Heng said, "Uncle, please host another banquet for us next time!"

Su Xun hesitated for a while, but seeing that Qi Heng insisted, he didn't refuse anymore.

However, he did not go with them; instead, Su Shi and his brothers, along with Qi Heng and the others, went together.

He could tell that Qi Heng wanted to comfort Su Shi, but the young man didn't feel as comfortable talking to him.

Qi Heng then bid farewell to Sheng Changbai and left with the Su brothers.