Chapter 493
Chapter 493
The first assistant examiner said with a smile.
“I don’t think this record will be broken for at least several decades.”
The fifth assistant examiner said.
“Perhaps only when the next heir of the Zhu Clan emerges will this record be broken.”
No one reacted to his words. They all thought, *We’re all flattering the Zhu Clan, but you’re laying it on a bit thick.* Since the calligraphy and classics sections were not major subjects, everyone offered a little praise and moved on. The important parts were the upcoming policy essay and the poetry and rhapsody sections. As soon as the examiners read the first paragraph of the policy essay Zhu Hongbing had written, titled *A Discourse on the Feudal System*, a thrill ran through many of them.
*Incredible. As expected of a descendant from a prestigious family. He speaks his mind boldly, his perspective is not only clear but so sharp that his writing practically radiates brilliance.*
“Excellent, truly excellent…”
The chief examiner, the Vice Minister of Rites, initially read the essay in silence, but was soon unable to contain himself and began to read it aloud. It was simply too well-written. The viewpoint was clear, the meaning profound, every sentence was perfectly crafted, and the classical allusions were cited with precision. This was unquestionably a masterpiece.
The appearance of such a fine piece of writing swept away the stuffy atmosphere in the grading room, and the mood instantly soared. Such was the power of good writing. It was like a beauty pageant where a constant stream of 70-point contestants, all wearing the same trendy makeup, came out striking all sorts of coquettish poses. With everyone looking so similar, boredom and drowsiness were inevitable. But then, if a 90-point beauty suddenly appeared, the crowd would immediately erupt with excitement.
“I never would have imagined. That a seventeen-year-old boy could produce such a policy essay? He is a genius, Zhu Hongbing is undoubtedly a genius! To be honest, I have been writing for a long time and placed fifth in the second tier of the palace examinations back in my day, but if I were to write on this topic, I could not do it this well.”
“A piece of writing so brilliant it could make a deaf man hear.”
After they finished the policy essay, they began to read Zhu Hongbing’s poetry and rhapsody. Like Madman Nan, Zhu Hongbing had composed a poem on the theme of ‘autumn geese’ and a rhapsody on ‘the great roc.’ Originally, they had thought that since his policy essay was so exceptional, it would be difficult for his poetry to match it. But to their surprise, his poetry and rhapsody were even better than his essay. After reading them, the examiners felt a sense of refreshment that reached deep into their chests, like eating ice in the summer.
*A fine poem, a fine poem.*
*A fine rhapsody.*
“This candidate’s policy essay is exhilarating to read, and his poetry and rhapsody are even more outstanding, enough to make one forget the taste of meat for three months. Truly, having read his paper so early, I don’t know how I’ll be able to grade the rest.”
“Indeed. The difference in quality between him and the other candidates is too vast. After reading this prose and poetry, reading the others’ work will be like trying to eat street food after a feast of delicacies. I fear I won’t have the stomach for it.”
One by one, they all expressed their sorrow. After reading such a magnificent essay and poem, it was as if they had entered a sage-like trance, unable to be roused for some time.
“This work is, without a shadow of a doubt, worthy of first place!”
“He will certainly be first!”
Then, the chief examiner respectfully placed the exam paper back into its envelope and drew a circle on the outside with a red-inked brush. The other five examiners all came forward and drew their own circles. This was a unanimous declaration by all six examiners that this person must pass. The circles they drew grew progressively smaller. Why? Because those of lower rank had to draw slightly smaller circles. Although the results were not yet final, they had all mentally decided that Zhu Hongbing was the top candidate. The chief examiner said.
“Why don’t we all take a break? It would be good to have some refreshments and rest our minds.”
“An excellent idea.”
They all stopped grading the exam papers.
“Bring it in!”
The door opened, and refreshments were brought in for each person, a selection of exquisite dishes. There were glutinous rice balls and a sweet silver ear fungus and lotus seed soup. Since alcohol was forbidden during grading, they couldn't have things like sweet fermented rice with osmanthus. Consuming too much could lead to mistakes in grading. As they ate, one of the examiners asked.
“Has anyone seen a blank exam paper?”
Everyone shook their heads. The examiner continued.
“When I was patrolling the examination hall, I saw that Madman Nan asleep, slumped over his desk. I’m certain he must have submitted a blank paper.”
Another examiner chimed in.
“I saw him sleeping as well. That Madman Nan wrote a little something during the first test, but spent the rest of the time asleep.”
“I wonder who will have the misfortune of drawing Madman Nan’s paper. I hope it’s not me. Whoever gets it should immediately throw it on the floor, then go bathe and change their clothes. Only then might the bad luck not rub off. Perhaps one would even need to visit a talented courtesan and watch her perform to truly wash the misfortune away.”
“A fine idea. But we would have to request His Excellency to send a courtesan to the Examination Hall.”
Everyone enjoys a bawdy joke. No matter how high-ranking the officials or how formal the setting, such talk could never be completely eradicated.
“His Majesty must know what happened in the examination hall by now, wouldn’t he? I fear he will be absolutely furious when he learns that Madman Nan slept from beginning to end.”
“He most certainly will. Not only will that Madman Nan lose his head, but the other ten beggars will die with him. I don’t understand why he would do such a thing. It seems Shen Lang has betrayed His Majesty’s favor and trust this time.”
“He grew arrogant, relying solely on that favor. It seems His Majesty’s judgment was clouded. Truly…”
As the conversation veered toward the King and went too far, the chief examiner let out a cough, and everyone instantly fell silent. After they had finished their light meal, the chief examiner said.
“Let us rest for another hour, then we shall resume grading.”
***
The King was indeed furious. As soon as the examination concluded, he received news that Madman Nan had slept for three consecutive days in the examination hall, and even when awake, he had acted as if in a daze, suggesting he couldn't have possibly completed the exam properly. The King nearly gave an immediate order to have Madman Nan arrested at the Palace of Eternal Spring and secretly executed.
“Shen Lang, you damn scoundrel. I trusted you so much, and this is how you repay me? Weren’t you supposed to be exceptionally brilliant? Why have your eyes failed you now, leading you to find such a piece of trash? Damn you, you son of a bitch! It’s one thing for you to be humiliated, but now you’ve dragged me down with you!”
The King was so angry he couldn't even eat.
“Li Jun, go and arrest Shen Lang. Arrest him…”
But just as Li Jun was about to leave, the King stopped him.
“Never mind. Let’s wait until the list of successful candidates is released. Once the grading is finished, you are to go immediately to the Examination Hall and bring me that Madman Nan’s paper. If it is indeed blank, execute him at once.”
Li Jun nodded. If that Madman Nan had truly submitted a blank paper, he deserved to die. Such an act was not only an insult to Shen Lang, but to the King himself.
*His Majesty gave you this opportunity because he trusted Shen Lang. Do you have any idea how much His Majesty’s reputation has suffered for the sake of a wretch like you? Yet not only did you fail to give it your all, you slept soundly and submitted a blank paper. A person who acts so wantonly, with no sense of basic decency, naturally deserves to die.*
“What is the status of the negotiations with the State of Chu?”
The King asked him. The negotiations had become a complete tug-of-war. After more than a month, there had been no progress; in fact, they had even regressed. Although there was a rule in the State of Yue that eunuchs were not to meddle in state affairs, Li Jun spent most of his time organizing memorials for the King, and occasionally, when the King’s eyes were tired, he would read them aloud. However, Li Jun was an extremely cautious man and did not answer directly. Instead, he took out the relevant official’s memorial and presented it to the King.
“I don’t want to see it. You read it to me.”
After reading the memorial to himself, Li Jun said aloud.
“Your Majesty, the negotiations are not proceeding smoothly. The State of Chu is being endlessly greedy. They currently refuse to admit fault, will not pay reparations, and reject withdrawing their troops. Instead, they are demanding that we pay them reparations, claiming that our State of Yue initiated the war.”
Hearing this, Ning Yuanxian was on the verge of exploding.
*King of Chu, you old fool, where did you get such confidence? I have formed an alliance with the State of Wu, the Su Clan’s rebel army has been annihilated by my forces, and our State of Yue has won a great victory. And now you dare to try and extort me with such absurd reasoning? Have you gone mad?*
“King of Chu, is that old fox taking an aggressive stance as a prelude to retreat?”
Li Jun remained silent. When it came to matters of state, Li Jun was not required to speak, so he offered no reply. Ning Yuanxian narrowed his eyes.
*Just a month ago, the King of Chu was showing a flexible attitude. Why has he suddenly become so hard-lined? No admission of fault, no reparations, and no withdrawal of troops? The State of Chu still occupies several of Yue’s fortresses and a swath of our territory three or four li deep. Does he mean he won’t pull back from there? Does that old fool, the King of Chu, truly want to wage a war that could overturn our nations? That’s absurd. Absolutely impossible.*
The State of Yue was in no condition for such a war, and neither was the State of Chu.
“What is the situation in the Southern Ou Kingdom?”
In response to Ning Yuanxian’s question, Li Jun still refrained from offering any personal opinions. Instead, he took out a memorial submitted by General Zhu Lin, read it once himself, and then read it aloud. Of course, if it had been a secret memorial, the King would not have shown it to him, and even if the King had asked him to look, Li Jun would not have read it. The King was a lazy man who broke many rules, but Li Jun had to adhere to them firmly.
“The Southern Ou Kingdom is very quiet. However, both General Zhu Lin’s memorial and the one from Her Highness Princess Ning Luo convey a sense of unease.”
Ning Yuanxian frowned. It seemed the State of Chu had reached some sort of agreement with King Jin of the Southern Ou.
“Relay my verbal command. Accelerate the negotiations. You must force Chu to compromise and withdraw their troops within a short time. The King of Chu must admit fault. However, the reparations can be small. A symbolic payment of five hundred thousand gold coins, to be paid over three years. This is the final bottom line!”
Li Jun said respectfully.
“As you command!”
***
A short while later, the Minister of Rites entered the study.
“This subject greets Your Majesty.”
King Ning Yuanxian got straight to the point.
“The position of Central Governor of Tianxi Province has been vacant for a long time. As the head of the Ministry of Rites, do you have anyone to recommend?”
The Minister of Rites replied.
“Zhang Chong is the most suitable.”
“I have no time to play games with you.”
The news that Zhang Chong had refused the post of Central Governor of Tianxi Province, causing a rift with the Crown Prince’s faction, had already spread widely. The King was telling him that as the head of the Ministry of Rites and one of the chancellors of the Grand Secretariat, he should not feign ignorance. The Minister of Rites thought for a moment, then replied.
“What about Zhang Ziyu from the Tianbei Provincial Command?”