Chapter 2799

The imperial examination was not merely a test of intellect; it imposed strict demands on the physical health of the candidates.

Yun Xi, being a Confucian scholar, did not worry about his constitution. His focus was entirely on the exam questions.

The schedule was rigorous. Questions were distributed every morning, and the previous day’s papers were collected to make way for the new ones. This cycle continued throughout the examination period. Consequently, some candidates who could not finish during the day would work through the night, as each stage allowed a full day and night for completion.

The first day tested foundational knowledge, drawing from the Four Books and Five Classics. The questions were not trivial; they required candidates to apply basic principles to practical scenarios.

The second day focused on strategy. Candidates were given excerpts or key terms from various texts and asked to articulate their understanding and interpretation.

The third day examined mathematics and calculation techniques.

The fourth day tested poetry. Candidates had to compose original verses based on provided prompts.

The fifth day was the true debate. Candidates were presented with real-world situations and asked to write their opinions or propose governance strategies.

For Yun Xi, these subjects were trivial. He had studied them extensively over the years. However, for other candidates, the experience was grueling. Although it had not rained for the seven days and six nights of the exam, it was still March, and the nights were bitterly cold. Several candidates fell ill and fainted, forcing them to withdraw. They would have to wait three years to attempt the exam again.

Those who suffered were mostly ordinary scholars. Confucian scholars, like Yun Xi, did not face such issues. This resilience was precisely why they were highly valued. To serve as a qualified official, one had to endure much; a weak body was simply not enough.

On the seventh day, Yun Xi emerged from the examination hall. Though his clothes were dirty, his spirit remained high. He exchanged a smile with Li Gang, who also looked in good spirits. Together with Yun Xu, who had come to pick them up, they returned to their courtyard. After bathing and eating, they rested thoroughly.

Yun Xi slept for a full day and night before emerging.

"Wangzhi, you were right," Li Gang said, surprised by their luck. "The final debate question was indeed about disaster management. We were prepared."

"It seems Qingyang’s results will not be poor," Yun Xi said with a faint smile.

Li Gang chuckled. "We should pass this provincial examination."

Yun Xi nodded slightly. "The exam is over. Let us relax and rest. We will wait for the results in ten days."

"By the way, I heard that the candidates in the provincial capital are organizing a spring outing the day after tomorrow. Should we attend?" Li Gang asked.

Yun Xi pondered. "Who is leading it?"

"Zhang Chengjin, the top scorer of Shanyang County," Li Gang replied. "I heard he was the top scorer last year as well. At twenty-four, he is quite remarkable."

"Even as the top scorer of Shanyang County, he could not possibly command all the candidates to attend. There must be more to his background," Yun Xi said, his expression puzzled.

Li Gang shook his head. "I have not heard any details. Do we want to go?"

Yun Xi shook his head. "No." He explained calmly, "Shanyang County is doing well, but a single county’s top scorer does not have that much authority. If he can organize this, it means he has powerful backers. We do not know who they are, so we should not get involved."

Yun Xi paused, then continued, "Whether they belong to the Emperor’s faction or the conservative faction, we must protect ourselves until we have our own strength. Such gatherings occur in every province, but it is rare for a candidate to organize one. If the organizer were a direct descendant of a noble family or a powerful aristocrat, it might be understandable. But Zhang Chengjin is clearly not. Therefore, we should avoid it to prevent unnecessary trouble."

Li Gang nodded after hearing Yun Xi’s analysis. He looked at Yun Xi and said, "You are five years younger than me, yet you seem much more mature."

"It is a matter of intelligence," Yun Xi said, tapping his head.

Li Gang snorted. "In that case, I think we should stay indoors for a while to avoid falling into any traps."

Yun Xi agreed. "Besides, after the results are posted, everyone will attend the Luming Banquet. We will have plenty of opportunities to meet people then."

Li Gang agreed with Yun Xi’s reasoning.

Yun Xi’s foresight proved correct. No one expected that the gathering Yun Xi skipped would indeed lead to an incident.

Zhang Chengjin had been called a genius since childhood, and he truly was. He passed the county and prefectural exams on his first attempt, always finishing as the top scorer. However, after passing the prefectural exam, his parents passed away, forcing him to observe a six-year mourning period. Thus, he was twenty-four when he finally took the provincial examination.

She harbored great ambition, believing that a man should hold power over the world. When a certain powerful noble approached her, Zhang Chengjin agreed after only brief consideration.

The spring outing was ostensibly organized by Zhang Chengjin, but in reality, it was arranged for the benefit of that noble. Such secrecy could not hide from those who were watching.

On the day of the outing, a carriage accident occurred, resulting in one death and two injuries. Regardless of their exam performance, these candidates were barred from entering officialdom. In the Great Yong Dynasty, disfigurement disqualified one from government service. Even the lucky ones bore scars on their faces, ending their political careers.

The incident alarmed the official overseeing the provincial examination. This official, surnamed Zhou, was a trusted confidant of the Emperor and a renowned censor from the capital. He detested such corruption and immediately ordered an investigation, which quickly uncovered Zhang Chengjin’s involvement.

While dealing with a single candidate was easy, the shadow of a powerful noble behind Zhang Chengjin complicated matters. Censor Zhou immediately sent a message via carrier pigeon to the Emperor in the capital.

Upon receiving the letter, the Emperor flew into a rage. "I am still alive, and they are already trying to recruit scholars?"

"Your Majesty, Censor Zhou awaits your reply," said Wang Lanxuan, the Grand Secretary. His handsome face showed no anger.

The Emperor glanced at Wang Lanxuan. "You do not seem angry at all."

"There is nothing to be angry about. The question is how Your Majesty wishes to handle it. For long-term benefit, or for immediate venting?" Wang Lanxuan, who had become Grand Secretary at thirty, was a true exceptional talent.

"What do you suggest, my minister?" the Emperor asked.

Wang Lanxuan spoke calmly. "Since they acted in secret, we can pretend ignorance. However, we must still punish them. The candidates who attended the outing will have their scores nullified, but they will be allowed to retake the exam in three years."

"Why three years?" the Emperor asked curiously.

"General Liexuan recently reported for duty. He mentioned that he has an adopted brother who is taking this provincial examination," Wang Lanxuan explained.

"Liexuan, with his cold nature, has an adopted brother? Interesting," the Emperor said. Liexuan had become particularly cold after losing his family, speaking only to the Emperor and Wang Lanxuan.

"This adopted brother has a significant background. Does Your Majesty remember the candidate with supreme talent who appeared in the Mengyang County literary test ten years ago?" Wang Lanxuan reminded him.

"I remember. Such a major event, how could I forget?" the Emperor said. "I had just ascended the throne. Discovering this candidate with supreme talent earned me the title of 'Heaven’s Favor.'"

The Emperor did not truly believe in such omens, but the title was useful, so he never contradicted it.

"Liexuan’s adopted brother is that Confucian scholar with supreme literary talent from Mengyang County. His name is Yun Xi, courtesy name Wangzhi. He was the top scorer in the Mengyang County and Prefectural exams and is taking this provincial examination," Wang Lanxuan said with a smile. "According to Liexuan, Yun Wangzhi is certain to pass the provincial exam. He will undoubtedly come for the metropolitan exam this autumn. Your Majesty, we need fresh blood."

Wang Lanxuan reminded the Emperor that both their faction and the conservatives needed new talent.

"Have Zhou Ying check if Yun Wangzhi was among those who attended the outing. If he did not attend, proceed as you suggested. If he did, even if he has supreme talent, I do not want him," the Emperor decided firmly.

Wang Lanxuan looked at the Emperor. "Do you really think the brother Liexuan values would attend such a boring gathering? Still, it is proper to have Lord Zhou check."

With the decision made, they quickly replied to Censor Zhou.

Upon receiving the reply, Censor Zhou checked the list. He nodded slightly. The attendees were mostly those familiar with Zhang Chengjin, primarily from Shanyang, with a few scattered others. He compiled the list and issued the public notice.

In the time it took for these communications, ten days passed.

By the time Yun Xi learned of the incident, the matter was already resolved.

"Wangzhi, it is fortunate that we did not go," Li Gang said, relieved. "If we had gone, even excellent scores would have been canceled. Even if we scored well in three years, our records would be stained."

"We were lucky," Yun Xi said with a faint smile. "Well, tomorrow is the day the results are posted. Let us go see the list tomorrow."

"We don’t necessarily have to go. If we pass, they will come to announce the good news," Li Gang said with a smile.