Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 248 - 84 Oral Decree

"Indeed! Lord Jiang’s promotion next year seems promising!" At this moment, Chen Xuewen came over from behind.

Chen Xuewen saw Guo Shi looking at him and quickly stepped forward to greet him, "Subordinate Chen Xuewen greets Mr. Guo!" He and Guo Shi held positions in the Inspectorate, with Guo Shi’s position higher than his, being his superior, so they were naturally acquainted.

"No need for such formalities, Imperial Censor Chen. I heard you came to Jingyuan Prefecture this time as the chief examiner. I didn’t expect we would meet here."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the topic returned to the current Holy Decree.

"Actually, Lord Jiang, there is something you don’t know. The Holy Emperor has praised you considerably this time! You should not underrate yourself, Lord Jiang. Oh! Is that student who gave the suggestion him?"

Mr. Guo glanced around the courtyard and saw everyone was dressed in government or servant attire, except for Gu Chengyu, who was dressed like a scholar, although he seemed young, which left him somewhat uncertain!

"Yes, indeed!"

Gu Chengyu originally thought there was nothing involving him and wanted to leave, but seeing that no one else in the courtyard had left, he had to stand still.

Prefect Jiang beckoned Gu Chengyu to come over. Gu Chengyu found it strange. Why would they call him over when officials were conversing together?

Even though puzzled, Gu Chengyu still stepped forward and greeted them, "Student Gu Chengyu greets all the lords!"

Guo Shi appraised Gu Chengyu, "No need for formalities! You indeed present yourself well. Was it you who wrote that policy discussion? Every era brings forth new talents!"

"The lord overpraises!" Gu Chengyu had to smile courteously and humbly bow.

Suddenly, Guo Shi loudly declared, "Gu Chengyu, kneel and listen to the decree!"

The courtyard immediately fell silent, and Gu Chengyu quickly reacted, hurriedly pulling up his robe to kneel. Everyone in the courtyard followed suit and knelt down.

"I shall now convey the Emperor’s verbal order. Listen carefully, Gu Chengyu!" Guo Shi looked solemnly at Gu Chengyu kneeling below, preparing to convey the Emperor’s verbal order.

"The results of this year’s imperial examination are truly outstanding, which pleases me greatly! I command Gu Chengyu to assist the Magistrate of Jingyuan County in developing trial fields..."

Kneeling behind, Chen Xuewen broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. Luckily, his own affairs didn’t come to fruition. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to cope with the consequences. After all, this was a person even praised by the Emperor. Moreover, considering the situation, Gu Chengyu seems set to secure the top position.

If he falsely accused Gu Chengyu of cheating, it would be as if he was slapping the Emperor in the face after the Emperor had just praised Gu Chengyu as a talent. Clearly, Gu Chengyu caught the Emperor’s attention. Who would dare offend him now?

Furthermore, they must give him the top position. When the Emperor praises someone, failing to grant them the top position is akin to slapping the Emperor’s face, isn’t it? This young man really has struck some extraordinary luck! Chen Xuewen glanced at Gu Chengyu kneeling in front and thought, no—this might not just be sheer luck; perhaps he is indeed a person of genuine talent.

Gu Chengyu knelt on the ground, appearing to attentively listen to the verbal order, but his mind was already abuzz with thoughts. It seemed that when Prefect Jiang submitted his memorial, he mentioned his name? Or perhaps it was due to the results of the Emperor’s subsequent investigation. He was still pondering over the matter of water disaster management, which was not mentioned in the Holy Decree or the verbal order.

"Please, rise!" Gu Chengyu thanked for the imperial grace and was about to stand. However, Guo Shi suddenly helped him up with a warm tone.

Gu Chengyu acted overwhelmed, appearing somewhat awed, "How dare I trouble the lord?"

Seeing this, Guo Shi was even more pleased with Gu Chengyu. This young man’s exceptional talent and, more importantly, his modesty and cautiousness, without arrogance or recklessness, made him a potential candidate for nurturing should he enter officialdom in the future.

Guo Shi was already contemplating bringing Gu Chengyu into their faction. With commendations from the Emperor, how could his career prospects be dismal in the future?

When Gu Chengyu returned to the inn, He Shunian and the others were already waiting in the lobby. Sun Xian, upon seeing Gu Chengyu entering from outside, immediately ran up excitedly.

"Chengyu! Did you really receive the Holy Decree?"

Gu Chengyu glanced around the lobby and saw many exam candidates still seated inside, as it was already dinner hour, with candidates eating in groups. Upon hearing Sun Xian mention the Holy Decree, everyone stopped eating and looked over towards Gu Chengyu.

Seeing this, Gu Chengyu immediately stopped him, "Let’s wait to talk in the room!" Saying this, he sat down and called the waiter over to order some dishes.

"Did they just mention the Holy Decree? Did I hear that correctly?" A candidate at the table on the right was puzzled. They weren’t even scholars, and the Holy Decree seemed far away from them. He felt he might have misheard.

"No mistake, I heard it too! And they seem to be exam candidates too! How did they get involved with the Holy Decree?"

The diners were equally puzzled—in fact, it wasn’t just them; even Gu Ye Zhiqiu and the others found it incredible.

"You guys aren’t aware, are you? Do you not know who he is?" At a table behind, a luxuriously dressed candidate addressed the candidates in front.

This statement made others look at him; he appeared very pleased. Hmph! These unsophisticated bumpkins! He had long heard about this from his uncle, that the top students’ two policy discussions from the last Prefecture exam had been presented to the Holy Emperor by Lord Jiang, so his uncle had guessed the decree was sure to come down.

And Gu Chengyu was certainly mentioned due to the policy discussion. He had read those two papers; they were written very broadly and not in detail. Implementation would surely need Gu Chengyu’s involvement.

Don’t underestimate his uncle just because he is a merchant—his uncle has wide connections. Word had it that the Holy Decree would reach the Prefecture in a couple of days; calculating the days, wasn’t today just right?

"Brother, don’t keep us in suspense, quickly tell us!" Two candidates hurriedly urged.

Gu Chengyu, overhearing the conversations nearby, found it somewhat amusing. Talking about his gossip right in front of him, what kind of experience was that?

"Chengyu! Let’s move to the room to eat! You can tell us the details about the decree!" Their table was under intense scrutiny from other students, and Ye Zhiqiu felt uncomfortable all over, especially as he also wanted to know immediately about the decree.

"That sounds good! What do you think, Brother Sun?" As Sun Xian was already engaged to Gu Wan, Gu Chengyu changed to calling him Brother Sun.

"Let’s go to your room to eat then!" Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo and Ming Yan to help the waiter bring the food to the room. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

When the candidates in the lobby saw Gu Chengyu and the others leave, the discussions grew even more unrestrained, with several candidates rushing over to that scholar’s table to hear the detailed account.

Once Gu Chengyu and the others entered the room, He Shunian couldn’t wait to ask, "Chengyu, what did the Holy Decree say?"

Gu Chengyu recounted the content of the Holy Decree’s verbal order, for it wasn’t a secret. In the future, he would have to assist Prefect Jiang, and they would naturally come to know.

"So you’re saying the decree didn’t even mention you! Your policy paper and ideas turned into Prefect Jiang’s achievements?"

He Shunian’s frank nature meant he spoke his mind. He thought Gu Chengyu might have caught the Emperor’s eye with this matter. Not to mention high rank and generous remuneration, at least Gu Chengyu needn’t worry about official positions once he passed the Advanced Scholar exam, right? Who’d have thought it only received a mention in the verbal order? Besides, it was about helping Prefect Jiang, which means the future merits would be Prefect Jiang’s!

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