Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Hai Xirui could hardly believe it, and she breathed a long sigh of relief while patting her chest.

As a mother, she naturally hoped that her son would become successful.

Because her eldest son was exceptionally talented, she always had high expectations for him.

But isn't this a bit too much?

"My God!" Hai Xirui exclaimed, "The ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!"

"Quickly, someone come here. Go find the lord; I need to go with him to offer sacrifices to our ancestors."

"We must never neglect our ancestors!"

The prefectural office and ancestral hall.

"I pray to our ancestors, the Daoist deities, Buddhas and Arhats, and the most holy teachers to bless Brother Zhao with success in his examinations, good fortune, and a bright future."

Sheng Hualan, dressed in a light blue brocade robe, with fair skin like jade, knelt on a small prayer mat, her face earnest in prayer.

She has been praying for blessings for more than a month, kneeling and praying every day since the beginning of February, asking for divine protection.

To achieve better results, she even worshipped Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, leaving none out, aiming for a complete approach.

"Mom!"

"Hua'er!"

"Great news! Absolutely fantastic news!"

Before she was seen, her voice preceded her. Madam Wang strode into the ancestral hall with a boisterous manner, her face beaming with joy.

"Mother."

Sheng Hualan stood up, stepped forward to take Wang's hand, and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

She was already used to her mother's impatient nature.

"Jiang Jiangzhao, that child, is doing well." Wang Ruofu was overjoyed and anxious as she rushed over to find her daughter. She was so tired that she could hardly breathe.

"Mother, how did the exam go?" Upon hearing the word "exam," Sheng Hualan guessed that it was about the imperial examination. Her calm heart suddenly became excited, and she quickly patted her mother's back.

"Number one!"

Wang Ruofu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly revealed the most important information.

"The top scholar?" Sheng Hualan exclaimed in surprise.

The title of "top scholar" represents something truly extraordinary.

Wang Ruofu took a few breaths and nodded, saying, "That child passed the imperial examination with top honors."

"The God of Literature has descended to earth!"

"Madam Hai has already spread the word that she will set up soup kitchens and distribute money to bring good fortune to Jiang Zhao."

Even Lord Jiang, who had already gone to the prefectures and counties to inspect the performance of officials, had to travel overnight to ask for a leave of absence!

Wang Ruofu finished speaking in one breath.

Sheng Hualan's mouth was slightly open.

After a long pause, he exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh my God!"

Chapter 27 Returning Home in Glory!

March fifteenth.

Spring breezes caress both banks of the Huai River.

On this day, the Caohe Wharf was packed with people.

Scholars, wealthy farmers, skilled craftsmen, merchants, and even peddlers and laborers all gathered here, constantly looking up and around.

"Isn't Scholar Jiang not yet of age?"

"That's right! It's said that the top scholar could recite hundreds of classics from memory at the age of three. He's truly a literary star descended to earth!"

"The first top scholar from Huaizuo!"

"If my son had even a fraction of the talent of the top scholar, I'd be laughing in my sleep!"

Hundreds of people jostled and pushed, and even though they couldn't see anything, it didn't stop them from having a heated discussion, their faces flushed.

Even the prefect, assistant prefect, and vice prefect, among other officials, were talking to each other, their words filled with joy.

The most unexpected thing was undoubtedly the arrival of Liu Jin, the Pacification Commissioner of Huainan East Circuit.

This was a high-ranking official in charge of a region, yet he stood patiently on the riverbank, occasionally offering words of congratulations to Jiang Zhong, the judicial commissioner.

Besides Liu Jin, the pacification commissioner, several other high-ranking officials in purple robes who governed Huainan East Circuit also came to offer their congratulations. They were undoubtedly figures who could shake the region with a stomp of their feet.

All of this is because the more than twenty Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Huaizuo are about to return home in glory, having achieved great success.

Of course, the main reason is the existence of Jiang Zhao, the top scholar in the imperial examination.

That's a top scholar!

For ordinary people, the top scholar is considered to be the reincarnation of the God of Literature, and they come to welcome him so that they can share in his good fortune.

For officials, being the top scholar in the imperial examination is a passport to a smooth career path, undoubtedly a powerful figure.

They might even become your future boss, or even your protector.

"Brother Jiang, I am truly envious!" Liu Jin, the Pacification Commissioner of Huainan East Road, dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, stroked his beard, patted his heart, and said with a face full of envy: "I wonder how you usually teach your son? If my son had even a fraction of your son's literary talent, he would probably have a good chance of passing the imperial examinations and have a bright future!"

"Not at all, not at all." Jiang Zhong couldn't stop smiling and waved his hand. "Your son is also a promising person. It won't be difficult for him to pass the imperial examination in the future."

"Sigh!" Liu Jin sighed. He knew his own child's level best.

"Brother, you are truly a blessed man!" Liu Jin exclaimed.

Jiang Zhong smiled but didn't say anything.

The key issue is that he genuinely doesn't know how to teach!

The child was born intelligent and became famous as a child prodigy throughout the three states from a young age. At the age of six, he took the initiative to befriend Minister Han and helped him in his time of need. Gradually, he became a scholar, a candidate for the imperial examination, and then the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Who knows how they taught them?

At three quarters past the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), a touch of crimson rose from the sea.

"The ship is coming!"

Someone yelled first, and the banks of the canal fell silent for a moment, then suddenly became lively, as if boiling porridge.

The salt merchant, his hand trembling, hurried toward the shore with his teacup.

The old farmer hoisted his grandson onto his shoulders, stood on tiptoe to peek a couple of times, and then hurried to either side, trying to catch a glimpse of the top scholar's appearance as soon as possible.

In the distance, where the water meets the sky, several official ships slowly approached, with the apricot-yellow flag bearing the inscription "Ministry of Rites Examination" flying high on the mast of the lead ship.

The most eye-catching figure was the one in blue standing at the bow of the ship.

Jiang Zhao, dressed in a green robe and jade belt, stood upright like a pine tree with his hands behind his back. His clothes fluttered in the wind, exuding a spirited and imposing aura.

A deafening cheer erupted from the shore as several children were lifted high by adults, their little hands waving frantically.

Suddenly, a gong rang out, yamen runners cleared the way, and several high-ranking officials in charge of welcoming the guests strode forward.

At a glance, everyone's face was beaming with joy.

Among them, Jiang Zhong and Sheng Hong were the most outstanding.

About ten steps behind the officials, yamen runners carried a plaque about ten feet in size, inscribed with the four powerful and vigorous characters "Wen Kui Tian Xia" (meaning "Top Scholar Under Heaven"), which inspired awe.

"Top Scholar Red!"

The well-prepared officials quickly stepped forward, unleashing a ten-foot-long red ribbon to spread water, creating a festive atmosphere.

The sounds of gongs and firecrackers mingled with cheers that resounded through the sky.

Several boats arrived at the shore one after another, and candidates would occasionally disembark from the boats.

On the large ship where Jiang Zhao was, dozens of scholars came out one after another and went up to the deck.

Suddenly, a dashing young man of fourteen or fifteen years old appeared on the ship.

Jiang Zhao turned around, looked at the handsome young man, and smiled gently: "Zhong Huai, we met on the same boat and had a very pleasant conversation. It can be said that we are destined to meet. Unfortunately, since you have something to do, I will not take up your time."

"However, I believe I have some connections in Huaizuo. If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me."

After spending more than ten days on the same ship, Jiang Zhao and this young man surnamed Bai got along very well and had already developed some friendship.

He knew that the young man surnamed Bai was hiding his identity, but he did not point it out.

"In that case, Bai Ye thanks Brother Zichuan in advance." The young man named Bai Ye clasped his hands in a salute.

Perhaps because he was in an unfamiliar place, a layer of vigilance and caution quietly appeared in the boy's eyes, and his behavior became more decisive and courageous.

Bai Ye, courtesy name Zhonghuai!

Judging from his demeanor and speech, he is a stubborn person who would never ask for help unless absolutely necessary.

Jiang Zhao nodded slightly. Huaizuo has been prosperous since ancient times, but it has also been a place of great waters.

Bai Ye arrived in Huaizuo without knowing anyone or anything, and it would be difficult for him to truly make a name for himself.

"Zhao'er!"

"My dear son-in-law!"

"Big brother!"

"The top scholar!"

With calls ringing out, and having extended an olive branch, Jiang Zhao said nothing more and strode forward to meet them.

An old woman stumbled through the officials' lines of defense, lifting the swaddled infant high in the air: "Just touch the scholar's robe! Just touch it!"

Jiang Zhao smiled and touched the child's forehead.

The child started giggling. This scene drew even more people forward, and the officials, startled, had no choice but to link arms and form a human wall.

"Make way! Make way!" Eight bare-chested laborers carried a gilded plaque and squeezed through, on which was engraved the words "Wen Kui Tian Xia" (meaning "Top Scholar Under Heaven"), written by the Pacification Commissioner Liu Jin.

At the same time, several officials, led by the pacification commissioner Liu Jin, came forward, all with congratulatory expressions.

The Pacification Commissioner was a high-ranking official in charge of a region, a second-rank official, above the Vice Minister and below the Minister.

Both out of courtesy and reason, we must perform the ceremony.

Jiang Zhao straightened his clothes and was about to bow when Liu Jin stopped him, saying, "Scholar, there's no need for such formalities!"

"He is truly a literary star descended to earth!"

Liu Jin spoke alone with the top scholar, while several high-ranking officials in purple robes also spoke with the dozens of other scholars, so no one was neglected.

Even those who failed the imperial examinations were comforted and encouraged by the prefect and assistant prefect.

riverbank.

The dashing young man watched this scene with a hint of envy in his eyes.

"After ten days of conversation, I found that this person was eloquent and insightful in politics, often making surprising remarks that were thought-provoking."

The dashing young man sighed, "Great reputations are never undeserved!"

"Zhique, let's go."

Bai Ye called to the servant, and the two quietly walked away.

Chapter 28 Help!

Qingfenglou.

Even as the third watch drum sounds, the lights are still on.

The prosperity of a place is reflected in its restaurants.

The largest and most bustling restaurant in Huaizuo was none other than Qingfenglou.

This building consists of four independent tall buildings connected to the east, west, south, and north, all built on a stone platform. Each building is three stories high, with flying eaves and bracket sets inside. The corridors are both open and closed, allowing people to move around between them.