He obtained the God of All Laws from human skin.

Chapter 118 Chef Upgrade

"Changing the red list will inevitably attract scrutiny from higher-ups," Fang Mingyuan explained. "At that time, people will be sent down from above to re-examine each anonymous exam paper, review each and every comment from the examiners, and even retrieve the original roster from the clerks' hands for comparison."

"The things we've done today—leaking exam questions, having someone else write them, and passing notes—can any of them withstand scrutiny? Once verified, not only will we lose our official positions, but we'll also lose our titles and honors. Therefore, this list of successful candidates must not be altered."

Zhang Dajiang remained silent, his face ashen.

He knew Fang Mingyuan was telling the truth. If anyone wanted to change the rankings after the results of the preliminary examinations were released, they had to report to the prefectural government and even the education department at each level. The procedures were not only cumbersome, but each level also carried the risk of being investigated.

If this matter is brought to light, the charges of bribery, leaking exam questions, and cheating in grading are all serious enough to warrant a death sentence.

Now, this is no longer just about Zheng Ding's personal achievements; it involves the lives and fortunes of everyone present.

Zhang Dajiang let out a long sigh and turned his gaze to Feng Shu. His face was expressionless, yet it was more chilling than any angry outburst.

He looked at the registrar who had been with him for over a decade, saw the large beads of sweat on his forehead streaming down his nose, and noticed the trembling expression on his face. Instead of feeling sympathy, he felt an indescribable disgust.

"Feng Shu." Zhang Dajiang's voice was very soft, but to Feng Shu it sounded like a cacophony of gongs and drums in his ears, "Look what you've done."

Feng Shu's knees buckled, and he fell to his knees with a thud, his forehead hitting the blue bricks heavily: "Lord Zhang, please give me another chance. Although Young Master Zheng did not pass the imperial examination this time, he will definitely, definitely next time!"

Zhang Dajiang didn't respond, and didn't even glance at him again, before turning away and leaving.

Fang Mingyuan also stood up. Looking at Feng Shu kneeling before him, the warm camaraderie they had shared in the Xiangmanlou private room had vanished completely. Now, all that remained in his eyes was undisguised disgust. He snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and strode away, brushing past Feng Shu's shoulder. Feng Shu was left alone in the hall. He stared blankly at the scene before him, with only one thought in his mind: It's over, it's all over!

Inside the kitchen, Qin Chuan was busy at the stove with a spatula in his hand, while Aunt Liu helped him.

Aunt Liu originally planned to have everyone go to a restaurant to celebrate, but Qin Chuan said there was no need for such a grand affair. A gathering of a few familiar people would suffice. Having passed the county examination, his current status was at most that of a scholar. He still had to take the prefectural examination to be considered a student.

After becoming a student in the preliminary examination, one must also take the provincial examination; only those who pass can be considered as scholars.

Making the list this time means my reading journey has only just begun.

Aunt Liu originally planned to cook, but Qin Chuan told her to just rest and that he would take care of everything. He even went to the market and spent a lot of money to buy a lot of nice things.

But Aunt Liu couldn't stay idle, so she also came into the kitchen to help.

After a flurry of activity, it was already afternoon. Everything was ready, and the familiar notification sounded on Qin Chuan's system panel: [Cooking ingredients, professional experience +5]

[Chef's experience maxed out, level up]

Occupation: Chef

[Level: lv2→lv3 (0/300)]

[Professional Skill: Chef]

Previously, Qin Chuan had been helping Aunt Liu prepare those braised meats, and his professional skills had been slowly increasing.

After a busy day, the [Chef] profession has finally been upgraded.

After taking a look, Qin Chuan realized that he had gained a much better understanding of the essence of ingredients.

He reached out and picked up a piece of pork belly. The description of pork in his mind came to mind: "Its nature is neutral, its taste sweet, and it enters the spleen, stomach, and kidney meridians. It can nourish yin and moisten dryness, replenish the middle and benefit qi."

Qin Chuan then looked at the rest of the items on the stove: ginger, which is warm in nature and pungent in taste; it can warm the stomach and stop vomiting, and detoxify fish and crab poisoning.

Sichuan peppercorns are warm in nature and pungent in taste; they warm the middle and dispel cold.

Star anise... cinnamon...

Just as Qin Chuan was deep in thought, a sound came from outside. It was the old master, and Old Li was also outside. The old master was wearing a neat blue cloth long gown, a square scarf on his head, and carrying a jar of wine in his hand. The mouth of the jar was sealed with a red cloth, and a thin hemp rope was tied to the red cloth.

Old Li followed behind, carrying several bags of pastries. Aunt Liu quickly went to greet him, wiping her hands on her apron, and took the wine jar from the old man, saying politely, "You've already come all this way, why bring anything? We're just glad you came. What's the point of bringing these?"

The old scholar stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Of course, of course. Qin Chuan has passed the exam; as his teacher, it wouldn't be right not to send him a pot of wine."

Old Li also stuffed some snacks into Aunt Liu's hands: "Try them, they're from an old brand."

Qin Chuan poked his head out of the kitchen, saw the old master and Old Li, and called out, "Master, Uncle Li, please have a seat, the dishes will be ready soon."

The old master responded, walked into the courtyard with his hands behind his back, looked around, and finally landed on Qin Chuan, who was still holding a spatula at the kitchen door. He nodded, and the smile on his lips deepened.

A moment later, a group of people sat around a long table, and Liu Ding picked up a wine jar and poured a bowl of wine for each person.

"Come, Master," Qin Chuan said, raising his wine bowl to the old master. "This student offers you a bowl of wine. If it weren't for your careful instruction these past few months, I wouldn't even be able to read the Four Books and Five Classics properly, let alone pass the county examination. This bowl of wine is for you first."

"Alas," the old teacher sighed, looking at the wine bowl before him, "Your success in this exam is entirely due to your own efforts. Just a few months ago, you were eavesdropping on my lectures outside the school, and now you've passed the county-level exam. I've taught for decades, and I've seen those with natural talent and those who can overcome their shortcomings through hard work, but someone like you, going from illiterate to passing the county-level exam in just a few months, is truly a first. This cup is a toast to yourself."

"Alright, alright, it doesn't matter who toasts us, come on, let's drink together!" Liu Ding picked up his wine bowl, leaned towards the center, and grinned, "With all this toasting, the food's getting cold. Come on, let's finish this bowl!"

"Yes, yes, yes, together."

"Dry!"

"Wow! Brother Song is so generous!"

"Chief Song has an enormous capacity for alcohol!"

Inside the restaurant, everyone watched as Song Hai downed the wine in his bowl, praising him and making the atmosphere even warmer than before.

These people were all martial arts students who had failed the imperial examination. They had been pushed off the list of successful candidates in the training ground during the day and were now packing their bags to return home, looking disheveled.

Before they could even leave the city gate, they were stopped by Song Hai's men, who politely invited them to Defu Restaurant, where they were treated to fine wine and meat.

The disappointment of failing the exam was washed away by the alcohol, instantly transforming into a bellyful of indescribable joy. Some people slammed their fists on the table and played drinking games, some tore open their shirts to reveal old scars on their chests and boasted about the old days, and some drunkenly pulled their neighbors to become sworn brothers. The noise in the room almost lifted the roof off.

After several rounds of drinks, when the atmosphere was at its most pleasant, Song Hai finally stood up, gestured with his hands to signal everyone to be quiet.

After the noise at the table subsided, he picked up the wine pot and poured a full glass for a martial arts student who had failed the exam. He said earnestly, "Brothers, you have traveled thousands of miles to Qinghe County to take the exam. Each of you is a skilled fighter who has honed your skills in the martial arts school for many years. But there are only a few spots for the martial arts exam. Some of you are quite skilled, but because you have no connections or backing, you can't even get close to being on the list."

Song Hai paused, slammed the wine pot heavily on the table, and his voice suddenly rose, "I, Song, cannot swallow this insult on your behalf!"

These words struck a chord with many people, and several martial arts performers lowered their heads and silently gulped down a mouthful of wine.

Seizing the opportunity, Song Hai clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the crowd, saying, "Since the official path is blocked, then we'll take the gang route. My Iron Hand Gang is now in Qinghe County; the docks are my territory, and I manage the revenue sharing of hundreds of shops on the street. If you're all willing to accept this, from now on we'll be family, sharing both good times and bad. I, Song Hai, will never mistreat any of my brothers!"