Green Mountain-Chapter 579 - 439: Breaking the Deadlock

The examination papers from the scholars were sent into the Wenhua Palace like snowflakes, and the Ministry officials were overwhelmed.

All the windows of the Wenhua Palace were wide open, with golden beams of light streaming in from outside, illuminating the dust swirling in the hall.

Someone complained in a low voice, "The golden list that usually takes two days to finalize, this time must be done in an afternoon, how can it be achieved!"

"Even if it can’t be done, it has to be done. At this critical moment, no one should provoke His Majesty’s anger."

Official Chen slowly spoke, "Why panic? Such disorderly behavior is improper."

The Wenhua Palace quieted down, with the Ministry officials cautiously looking at Official Chen, "But, Official, three hundred and twelve examination papers, each with more than two thousand words... after everyone finishes reading, there still needs to be time for discussion..."

Official Hu leisurely replied, "In such a short time frame, it’s impossible for you, but for Lord Zhang, the time might just be right. Let’s leave it all to Lord Zhang; he knows best."

The Ministry officials were stunned, exchanged glances, and then looked at Official Chen.

Upon seeing Official Chen nod slightly, they placed all the examination papers on Zhang Zhuo’s desk.

Zhang Zhuo cupped his hands and said, "Since time is pressing, I shall accept this task with humility."

He flipped through each paper, taking only ten seconds to commit the over two thousand words to memory before moving to the next... turning pages faster than turning faces.

Zhang Zhuo didn’t rush to assign ranks. Instead, after reading all the papers, he sat in contemplation for thirty minutes before pulling out one paper, writing in vermillion pen, "Third class, two hundred and twenty-seventh place."

He handed out this paper and then picked another, marking it with "Third class, two hundred and twenty-sixth place" in vermillion.

The Ministry officials were shocked, could he really have assessed them so quickly?

One person, hesitating over the two hundred and twenty-seventh place paper, said, "Lord Zhang, I thought this person’s literary talent was outstanding, how could they be the last of the third class?"

Zhang Zhuo, head down over his desk, replied without looking up, "Look at this person’s third-last line, he did not respect the taboo of the late emperor’s name; ranking him last is already being lenient beyond regulations."

Someone took a closer look and instantly exclaimed, "It’s true!"

Another person asked, "And what about the second-last place?"

Zhang Zhuo, still not looking up, said, "He didn’t honor the sage’s name; he should have written the character ’Qiu’ as ’Qiu’ with a different radical. I remember this person came from a humble background; it seems someone deliberately didn’t remind him, wanting him to fail by the rules. However, His Majesty specifically instructed this time to let him pass, to demonstrate the benevolence and virtue of our Ning Dynasty."

"Then the third-last place..."

"His handwriting is ugly."

"The fourth-last place..."

"Style prevailed over substance," indicating that the article was ornate, but the reasoning was shallow.

"And the fifth-last place?"

"He misquoted the classics. He wrote, ’In Mengzi’s Liang Hui Wang Chapter it is said, if the fields are sized justly and taxes lightened, people can be made prosperous,’ but this is actually from Mengzi’s ’Jinxin’ Chapter."

"Why is this one in the third class, one hundred and thirtieth place?"

"This person blamed all the burdens of conscription and taxes on the petty officials, barely mentioning the responsibilities of local gentry, showing a lack of balance."

The Ministry officials questioned one paper after another, and Zhang Zhuo answered fluently, each rank had its reasoning.

More astonishing was how Zhang Zhuo could recall every word from each paper, no matter how much time had passed.

After a while, someone quietly admitted, "I concede." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

In recent years, countless Ministry officials aspired to join the cabinet, whether they were Chiefs of Staff or regional governors, until they entered the cabinet, they could not be considered in a high position.

On the day Zhang Zhuo entered the cabinet, the court seemed calm on the surface, but in reality, there were undercurrents and much discussion.

Countless words condensed into three: "Why him?"

Thus, when Zhang Zhuo moved into the Wenhua Palace, years of documents piled on his desk, which was placed in the corner.

Now, the Ministry officials finally understood, His Majesty’s demand to produce the list in a day was to promote Zhang Zhuo: when no one else could accomplish this task, only Zhang Zhuo could, so power naturally fell to him.

An hour later, Zhang Zhuo wrote with a vermillion pen on the last examination paper: "Second class, eighth place."

The dust settled.

As for the top scholar, bangyan, tanhua of the first class, and the top seven of the second class, these were to be decided by His Majesty.

Zhang Zhuo stood up smiling, "Official Hu, Official Chen, if there were any oversights in my solitary review, should you both review it again?"

Official Chen also rose slowly, "No need, Lord Zhang has already marked it, none of us can change it, and perhaps it’s time for some fresh air here in the Wenhua Palace. Let’s go, let’s not keep His Majesty waiting too long."

...

...

On the plaza outside the Imperial Extreme Hall, the scholars knelt behind their desks until their legs were numb. The afternoon sun burned their necks, but no one dared to move carelessly.

Only Shen Ye kept his head down as if he were asleep.

At this moment, someone whispered, "They’re coming."

Everyone turned their heads to see Official Chen, Official Hu, and Zhang Zhuo in their red official robes, coming leisurely from the east, passing through the desks of the scholars, and entering the hall from the left side of the Han Baiyu Danpi Bridge.

On both sides of the plaza, the Yulin Army stood with long spears, Li Xuan holding a banner fluttering in the wind, while Qi Zhenzhuo held a long whip, nearly ten feet long.

Solemn and dignified.

Someone quietly said with excitement, "The announcement of the positions, even if we kneel here for three days and nights, it’s worth it!"

Shen Ye muttered, "Then when we leave later, you can keep kneeling here alone."

The next moment, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites stepped out of the hall, holding the Imperial Decree.

Qi Zhenzhuo swung the long whip twelve times, and after twelve crisp cracks, the plaza fell silent; any further whispers would result in expulsion and disqualification!

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites unfolded the Imperial Decree and proclaimed loudly, "By the Emperor’s mandate, it is decreed: On this eighteenth day of the third month of the 32nd year of Jianing, an imperial examination was held for scholars across the realm. The first class is awarded the title of scholar, the second class is awarded the scholar’s title upon graduation, and the third class is awarded the title of equivalent to a scholar upon graduation. The first name of the first class..."

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites deliberately paused here, holding every scholar’s breath.

"Yangzhou scholar, Shen Ye!"

The best scorer.

Shen Ye.

As expected, just as anticipated, the Ministry officials already knew in their hearts.

Shen Ye rose from behind the desk, walked to the Danpi, and knelt to the ground: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the imperial grace!"

"First in the First Class, second place, Jinling Scholar, Yang Yuan!"

Yang Yuan rose from behind the table and knelt to the right of Shen Ye: "Thank Your Majesty for Your grace!"

"First in the First Class, third place, Taiyuan Scholar, Hu Tianyi..."

Champion, second place, third place.

The most thrilling announcements had concluded. From this point, the announcements were not as captivating. People would only remember that they all were scholars of the 32nd year of Jianing, and not their rankings in this examination.

Once the rankings were read, some were joyful, others sorrowful.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites loudly proclaimed: "You scholars today who have been selected as scholars, standing here before the Imperial Extreme Hall, are already the backbone of our Daning and disciples of the Emperor. Yet, fame and rank are not personal glory but immense state responsibilities. Hanlin scholars must cultivate virtue and talent, preparing to advise the court. Those in the disciplinary office must report matters and uphold purity. Those posted externally must encourage agriculture and sericulture. While positions differ, the loyalty to the monarch and nation does not."

"From today on, the whole world sees you as disciples of the Emperor. Do not disappoint the Emperor’s expectations."

"By Imperial order!"

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites closed the Imperial Decree and loudly shouted: "Post the Golden List!"

Four Ministry of Rites officials carried the long Golden List ahead, followed by the newly appointed scholars, heading towards the Imperial Palace Gate.

Official Chen and Official Hu stood side by side in front of the hall, silently watching the backs gradually departing into the distance.

Official Hu chuckled: "It wasn’t long ago that you and I were nervously walking out like this."

Official Chen replied casually: "I was the second place, what about you?"

"I was number 160 in the third class..." Official Hu stroked his beard mockingly: "What did you prepare today to deal with that youngster from the Chen family? You can talk about it now, but don’t find yourself outmaneuvered by the younger generation at this age."

Official Chen spoke slowly: "Using a grand plan against the young makes the elder seem inept. You’ve fought me all your life and never won, and today I’ll teach you that the essence of strategy is not in competition, but in foresight. To break today’s setup, a small subordinate piece is sufficient."

Before Official Hu could speak, Official Chen suddenly changed his tone: "I actually hope he can surpass me."

"In my opinion, you scholars become more twisted the more you read," Official Hu commented, watching the departing procession: "Are you tired, Chen, dragging the whole family along?"

"I am tired."

...

...

The Golden List was posted at the left gate of Chang’an, also known as Dragon Gate.

Horses were prepared early in front of the gate. A Ministry of Rites official placed a flowered pin and red sash on Shen Ye’s chest, quietly instructing: "Champion, soon you will ride a horse within the Yulin Army procession. Do not wander. If the horse is startled during the parade, do not panic, Governor of the Yulin Army, Li Xuan, will ensure your safety."

The Ministry of Rites official, sweating, continued his instructions: "You three represent the court today, do not engage in any outrageous or improper acts..."

Shen Ye patted him on the shoulder, and with a carefree laugh said: "Brother, you seem more nervous than I am!"

The Ministry of Rites official reminded repeatedly: "Just make sure you don’t..."

Before he could finish, Shen Ye had already mounted his horse, following Li Xuan along Chang’an Street, with the second and third place scholars behind him.

Behind him, beneath the Golden List, a scholar from the South was breaking free from two men, shouting hoarsely: "I already have a virtuous wife at home, do not capture me!"

The man paused in surprise: "You’ve already married?"

Shen Ye sighed: "Finally, something interesting happened today."

Sitting on horseback, he pointed back at the new scholar: "Zhang Duan, you haven’t even married yet, what nonsense are you speaking?"

Zhang Duan’s face changed drastically: "Shen Ye is getting me into trouble!"

Shen Ye laughed heartily: "They only invited you for a drink at home, why are you panicking!"

The procession moved from the Imperial Palace Gate southward, passing through Chessboard Street and out Zhengyang Gate.

The Imperial Capital was like a boiling pot, completely erupting.

The news traveled faster than horse hooves; before the procession even appeared, shouts of "The new Champion is parading!" swept like the wind through every alley, tea house, and vendor’s ear.

In an instant, the streets were empty as the city surged forth.

Bold youths climbed onto rooftops, tree branches, and even the signs of street-facing shops. The price of private tables on the second floors of pubs shot up several times, as numerous figures peered from behind carved window frames.

Qi Zhenzhuo, guarding beside Shen Ye, mused: "Why aren’t you happy after becoming the Champion?"

Shen Ye wobbled on horseback, bored: "The limelight has already been stolen by others, what happiness is there?"

Li Xuan ignored their conversation, continually scanning the crowd, hoping to spot Chen Ji. But until the procession returned past Tianqiao, Chen Ji was nowhere to be seen.

Just as the procession was turning back, a gray figure pushed another person into the procession.

A commotion stirred within the procession, and Duobao exclaimed: "Mr. Chen!"

Qi Zhenzhuo glanced back, seeing Chen Ji holding Wang Gui, following within the procession. His eyes brightened: "Master!"

Li Xuan commanded in a low voice: "Protect His Excellency."

As he spoke, Zhou Chong, Zhou Li, Duobao, Li Cen, Li Guang, and Lin Yanchu immediately closed in, securely surrounding Chen Ji and Wang Gui within.

As someone approached the procession, Zhou Chong and Zhou Li pointed their long spears at them, shouting loudly: "Retreat!"

Their imposing presence scared the onlookers into retreat.

From the second floor of a pub came curious murmurs: "Who are those two, and how did they get into the procession? Why does it seem like the Yulin Army is protecting them more than the Champion? The Champion only has two guards, while they have six."

Duobao laughed and said: "Sir, after you were dismissed, it’s been quite dull in the Yulin Army. I wonder if there’ll be any fools today to test the might of the Yulin Army."

Li Cen laughed heartily: "Since when did you get so fierce?"

Chen Ji replied calmly: "Thank you all."

Duobao nonchalantly said: "Sir, thanking us is indeed too courteous."

As he spoke, shadows flickered among the roadside pedestrians.

Ordinary people merely stood aside as the Yulin Army passed, dispersing afterwards. But these figures continued to follow, their eyes fixed on Chen Ji and Wang Gui.

Duobao and the others remained vigilant, and Chen Ji turned to watch those moving figures.

Yet at that moment, a warm trickle of blood flowed down Wang Gui’s neck, reaching Chen Ji’s hand.

Chen Ji turned to see Lin Yanchu’s long spear dripping blood, a crimson line appearing on Wang Gui’s neck, blood gushing forth.

Lin Yanchu, seeing Chen Ji looking over, trembled slightly as he whispered: "Intruders of the procession, kill without mercy."