Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

Chen Wenyuan had actually already woken up.

But he wished he had never woken up.

He could accept that Chen Chang'an's shop earned a thousand taels of silver a day, and he could accept that Chen Chang'an's poems were famous in the capital, but he just couldn't accept that the person who had turned the tide, defeated the Yan Kingdom's envoy, and restored the dignity of the court was none other than Chen Chang'an...

This was the son he had always dreamed of, the one who could bring him honor and glory to the Chen family.

He already had such a son, yet he personally drove him out of the house.

He finally opened his eyes and refused the help of his colleagues, standing there quietly.

At this moment, he desperately hoped that the Chen Chang'an that Qing Shuang mentioned was just a coincidence of name with his son.

But he knew it was impossible.

Emperor Da Ning picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly put it down. He said, "Chen Chang'an has restored the dignity of the court and my own. He has rendered meritorious service to the country and possesses such great talent. I intend to promote him to the Hanlin Academy, making an exception for him. What do you, my esteemed ministers, think?"

As the Emperor of Da Ning finished speaking, discussions arose one after another within the hall.

The Hanlin Academy is a prestigious and exclusive institution. Only the top three candidates in the imperial examinations—the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua—are eligible to enter the Hanlin Academy. This has been the rule of Da Ning for many years.

It is unprecedented for His Majesty to make an exception and promote someone who has never even participated in the imperial examinations to the Hanlin Academy.

However, no one stood up to object.

On the day the Yan envoy provoked them, the entire court was helpless. It was Chen Chang'an who single-handedly restored the dignity of the court and won a city for Da Ning.

With such an outstanding achievement, it's not entirely unreasonable that he was exceptionally admitted to the Hanlin Academy, even though it was against the old rules.

Moreover, His Majesty has already spoken; if they refuse, wouldn't they be offending both His Majesty and Lord Chen?

Just when everyone thought the matter was about to be settled, a voice came from the civil officials' ranks.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

All the court officials immediately turned their gaze to the person who had spoken, and then their faces showed extreme surprise.

Chen Wenyuan stepped out of the ranks and stood in the center of the main hall. He said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the Great Ning Dynasty has been established for a hundred years. All those who enter the Hanlin Academy are Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). Only those who achieve the highest rank in the Jinshi examinations can enter the Hanlin Academy. This is a rule set by our ancestors. If we break this rule today, what will scholars throughout the land think in the future?"

The Emperor of Da Ning's eyes flickered, but he did not speak.

Chen Wenyuan continued, "Although Chen Chang'an has contributed to the country and is talented in poetry, if he enters the Hanlin Academy without taking the imperial examination, it will likely discourage scholars across the country and shake the foundation of our dynasty's imperial examination system. I humbly request Your Majesty to reconsider."

The hall fell silent.

Qing Shuang frowned, but since they were in the Golden Palace, she couldn't say anything.

Many officials looked at each other in bewilderment, none of them expecting that the first person to stand up and object would be Chen Chang'an's own father.

Whether this Lord Chen was truly acting in the best interests of the court, or whether there was genuine discord between him and his son that led him to ruin his own son's future, only he himself knows the answer...

But what he said does make sense.

Many students study diligently for decades before they have the opportunity to pass the imperial examination and become officials in the court, starting as county magistrates or assistant magistrates in remote areas.

Only by standing out from millions of people and becoming the top scholar, second-place scholar, or third-place scholar could one directly enter the Hanlin Academy.

Officials who came from the Hanlin Academy started as sixth-rank officials when they first entered the imperial court, saving them ten or even several decades of detours compared to ordinary Jinshi graduates.

It can be said that entering the Hanlin Academy is the most lofty dream in the hearts of every student.

If someone enters the Hanlin Academy without ever taking the imperial examinations, then the imperial examination system of Da Ning becomes a joke.

Once this loophole is opened, it will be very difficult to stop it later.

Officials from the Grand Tutor's faction immediately echoed his sentiments.

"Lord Chen's noble character and integrity are truly admirable!"

"Da Ning needs selfless officials like Lord Chen!"

"If everyone could be like Lord Chen, how could Da Ning not prosper?"

After praising him, Grand Secretary Zhou stepped forward, first nodding to Chen Wenyuan, then cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, Lord Chen is right. The Hanlin Academy is the aspiration of scholars throughout the land. If one enters the Hanlin Academy without taking the imperial examination, it is indeed easy to attract criticism. However, Chen Chang'an has made contributions, and the court cannot fail to reward him."

He thought for a moment and continued, "I believe that he should participate in the provincial examination at the end of the year. If he passes the imperial examination and becomes a Jinshi, regardless of his ranking, he can be exceptionally admitted to the Hanlin Academy. This would be a reward for his contributions and fair to the other candidates as well..."

After a moment of silence in the hall, officials began to speak one after another.

"I second that opinion."

"I agree with what Grand Secretary Zhou said."

"Since Chen Chang'an is so talented, the imperial examination should not be difficult for him. If he can pass the imperial examination with his own abilities and enter the Hanlin Academy, no one will be able to find fault with him."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

……

The Emperor of Da Ning leaned back on his dragon throne, lost in deep thought.

He only wanted to recruit talent and didn't consider all that.

Although he knew Chen Wenyuan's despicable intentions, he had to admit that what he said made sense. Promoting Chen Chang'an into the Hanlin Academy would certainly bring him glory, but if it attracted criticism from scholars all over the country, it would be bad for him.

Although the imperial examination route was slower, it was the most reliable path.

As long as he passes the exam, even if he only gets the lowest rank among the top three, no one can say a word against him because of his previous achievements.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to prioritize the overall situation and nodded, saying, "Then let it be as you ministers have suggested. I hereby issue the imperial decree: Chen Chang'an has rendered meritorious service to the nation and is hereby granted the qualification for this year's provincial examination. He need not go through the prefectural and county examinations and may go directly to the examination..."

The provincial examination was the penultimate stage of the imperial examination system. After the provincial examination, only the palace examination determined the rankings.

Normally, to participate in the provincial examination, one must first pass the preliminary examination and the provincial examination, and successively obtain the status of Xiucai and Juren before being qualified to participate in the provincial examination.

His Majesty's decision to allow him, a commoner, to directly participate in the provincial examination is already an extraordinary favor.

The court officials bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Chen Wenyuan returned to the ranks of court officials and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew very well that the Zhao family would not tolerate Chen Chang'an and would never allow him to return.

Under these circumstances, Chen Wenyuan didn't want to see him climb any higher...

The higher he climbed, the more uncomfortable Chen Wenyuan became.

With less than three months until the imperial examination, unless Chen Chang'an is a reincarnation of the God of Literature, how could he possibly outperform those candidates who have been preparing for the examination for more than ten or even decades without any prior education in the examination system?

He watched Chen Chang'an grow up. He only attended a private school for two years when he was a child and his mother was still alive. Even if he had some quick wit and could compose couplets and write a few poems, how many good strategies for governing the country could he have in his head?

The imperial examination in Daning consisted of three parts: essays, poems, and policy discussions.

Policy essays were the most important part of the imperial examinations, accounting for 60% of the weight.

He let out a long sigh of relief.

He and Chen Chang'an have already fallen out like this; what if they were to serve in the same court and attend court together in the future...?

That would be even more painful for him than visiting a grave.

Qing Shuang stood in the hall, looking disappointed.

Although His Majesty did not directly bestow an official title upon Chen Chang'an, she still clasped her hands in a fist salute and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty..."

She believed in Chen Chang'an; she was certain he could achieve what he set his mind to…