The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 24 - 20 The Head of the Case

Yan Shan, though having read Xu Qing's essay with a devastated expression, brought relief to County Magistrate Wu standing beside him. With the endorsement of a famous and accomplished person like Yan Shan, who also represented the top tier in this county examination, asserting Xu Qing as the top candidate was far more convincing than if the County Master declared it himself on the spot.

"Yan Shan, this young man, has a vision. Young and yet capable of producing excellent writing, his future is boundless. As for Xu Qing, should he truly aspire to the Imperial Examination, who could stop him? The favor I'm doing is indeed a valuable gain!"

The quality of essays is subjective—different strokes for different folk.

Yet, the spirit and profound understanding of worldly affairs that shine through the essay no doubt place Xu Qing above Yan Shan.

A young man who grasps human interactions early on, and is not lacking in talent, is destined to soar high unless extremely unlucky.

Apart from the top spot, the county examination actually had no other rankings.

County Magistrate Wu took the opportunity to officially declare Xu Qing as the top candidate and ordered his essay from the county examination to be transcribed and displayed outside the county school for public viewing.

This small embellishment would become a delightful tale when Xu Qing became famous, perhaps even giving rise to a new idiom like "Wu's Scholastic Entrant."

Xu Qing, with his keen hearing and sharp sight, naturally noticed the commotion at the county school.

He slowed down, savoring the rare leisure and wondered if Zhao Bao and the others had given up. After all, he had already passed the official county examination and was just waiting to go through the motions in the fourth session.

There was plenty of time to toy with Zhao Bao and the others.

Xu Qing didn't wait for Zhao Bao; instead, he encountered the student who finished just after him in the previous examination.

"Friend, please wait."

"My brother, we are not yet scholars; the term 'friend' doesn't seem appropriate."

"Friend" is a term used among scholars who have at least obtained the title of Scholar.

Calling on friends, in this era, is not something everyone is entitled to do.

"The County Master has already named you as the top candidate. Traditionally, the top candidate will certainly become a scholar. As for myself, if I can't become a scholar in this Child Prodigy Examination, I might as well bash my head to death!" Yan Shan, though young, had his pride from having studied diligently for ten years.

However, upon finishing his words and glancing at Xu Qing, he felt somewhat inexplicably guilty.

Upon hearing he was chosen as the top candidate, Xu Qing showed no surprise and didn't dwell on the topic but asked, "May I know how my brother is called?"

"Yan Shan."

"Xu Qing."

"I know." Yan Shan stumbled here, lacking experience in social interactions.

Xu Qing smiled, "Brother Yan, a chance meeting is better than a requested one. Our encounter in the same examination room is surely a fate given by heaven. Today, let me play the host and treat Brother Yan to a drink, how about that?"

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Yan Shan, who was somewhat in awe of Xu Qing's talent and indeed wished to get to know him, responded politely, "Indeed, I desire this too, and would not dare to ask for more."

...

...

Jiangning Prefecture is renowned for its thriving entertainment industry, with numerous taverns everywhere. Today, Xu Qing was in good spirits and intentionally picked a well-known tavern called Yihong Lou. The season's fresh vegetables paired with drinks had a unique appeal.

Xu Qing discovered in his conversation with Yan Shan that due to his background, Yan Shan indeed had some extraordinary insights and had broadened his vision by studying at the Julu Academy.

The two enjoyed their drinks thoroughly until the brothers Guo Zhuang came looking for them, ending their session.

"Lord Prefect has returned. Hearing that the young master has been chosen as the top candidate by the County Master, he's very pleased. He's already sent high-quality gifts home and invites the young master to return with us."

"Lord Prefect" is a term of endearment used by those close to the Archivist within the Government Office.

"Brother Yan, my uncle is looking for me. I must go now. Enjoying this drink with Brother Yan today has been delightful. Let us meet again after the county examination ends." Xu Qing bid farewell to Yan Shan.

Yan Shan hastily saw him off.

...

On the road, Xu Qing was sobered up by the cold wind and slowly spoke, "How are things going?"

"They've all confessed. It was indeed Zhao Bao who hired thugs to cause trouble for the young master. However, those beggars and drifters, since they didn't really take action, can't be sentenced heavily according to the law. In the end, the decision still depends on the young master's preference."

"They are merely helpless and pitiable people, with Zhao Bao being the true instigator of the crime. Taking care of him will suffice." In his actions, he must be ruthless in his methods, yet also possess the compassionate heart and righteous spirit of scholars, to win people's hearts.

Moreover, in ancient stories, it is not uncommon for significant figures to intentionally spare the assassins who target them, to demonstrate their magnanimity and attract more followers.

Righteousness is shown by actions, not just spoken.

Xu Qing's initiative to let go of the two minor characters can completely take advantage of the heat of the county examination case to publicize it.

This is to build momentum for the prefectural examination.

Being both the leading case subject and a reputable figure known for righteousness in the county, if anyone were to try to hinder the prefectural examination, the Magistrate would not agree.

In essence, it is about expanding one's influence.

Influence is intangible yet profoundly real.

In times of chaos, the heroes who rise up are often not those with the most wealth, but those with the greatest reputation.

"Where is Zhao Bao now?"

"Seeing that things were going south, he went back to his hometown."

"Then I'll have to trouble Big Brother Guo and Second Brother Guo to keep an eye on Zhao Bao for me."

"Of course." The two brothers said, clasping their fists.

...

When Xu Qing returned home, the matter of being the leading case subject was already settled, and naturally, many people came to offer their congratulations. Although it wasn't to the extent of Historian Li, who made offerings to his ancestors until blue smoke rose from the papers, it still thrilled the Zhou Family.

Ever since Qing Ge'er fell into the water, their family's fortune had changed. In just three short months, the Li family had leaped in social class.

Qing Ge'er was almost guaranteed to become a Scholar at just fourteen years old, and even if he only passed the Imperial Examination at thirty, that would still be considered very young.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, those who passed the Examination before thirty seldom failed to become Scholars.

Once one became a Scholar and an official, they were considered divine!

The news of a fourteen-year-old leading case subject from Qingshui County had quickly spread throughout Jiangning Prefecture.

At first, many were skeptical, but his essay was clearly posted outside the county school, leaving no room for criticism. Moreover, with Yan Shan, a renowned scholar's descendant praising him wholeheartedly, Xu Qing's reputation naturally grew louder.

Certainly, there were others deliberately stirring the pot, seeking to give Xu Qing both support and challenge.

There were even rumors in Jiangning Prefecture that if Xu Qing did not achieve the leading case subject in the prefectural examination, it would be Lord Prefect's fault.

Xu Qing didn't pay much attention to these rumors.

As his reputation grew, a new change appeared in the Qi Fortune column of Xu Qing's bronze mirror.

These past few days, the orange in the Qi Fortune became increasingly intense, almost completely overtaking the red. Besides, in the Qi Fortune column, there was now an additional branch of content:

Blessing.

At the same time, a faint red aura lingered within the bronze mirror, on the evaluation text of Blessing.

"What is the function of this faint red aura?" A thought crossed Xu Qing's mind, and Divine Soul reached out to grasp the red aura, instantaneously gaining an insight.

He couldn't help revealing a look of joy.