Without money, what is the point of being a traitor?

Chapter 575: Exam results released
Pei Yuan squeezed forward while glancing left and right.

Everywhere was teeming with people, and Pei Yuan couldn't tell whether his Shandong underlings had come or left after looking at the list.

Pei Yuan saw that the small gap that Chen Xinjian and the other Imperial Guards had managed to create was quickly swallowed up by the surging crowd. He understood that in such a dense crowd, their small force was nothing at all.

So Pei Yuan, relying on his strength and physique, simply pushed his way forward on his own.

Seeing Pei Yuan do this, Chen Xinjian followed suit and went to the screen wall where the notices were posted.

Fortunately, many people who had already seen the list were also trying to squeeze out, and although the crowd was dense, it was moving slowly.

Pei Yuan finally managed to squeeze to the front of the screen wall, and had just glanced at it when he heard Chen Xinjian shout from the side, "Liang Yong passed!"

Pei Yuan was stunned for a moment before he remembered that this was one of his good younger brothers.

Seeing that Chen Xinjian was closer to the top of the list, Pei Yuan said to Chen Xinjian in an annoyed tone, "How long will it take to keep looking like this? Just look at the top!"

Given the series of unforeseen circumstances, Pei Yuan didn't expect Huo Tao to win the top prize again, but as long as Huo Tao ranked among the best, it would mean that he had made the right bet on the imperial examination.

What if I bet wrong...

Even if you bet wrong, it's okay. There will be another autumn imperial examination next year, the eighth year of Zhengde. You can bet on the best candidate in the Jiaxu year of Zhengde.

The only problem is that these people may not have much faith in themselves anymore.

But that's okay.

Pei Yuan could go back and tear up the painting, and then have someone paint another one when the imperial examinations were held in the ninth year of Zhengde.

Anyway, it'll only be a couple of years.

Pei Yuan was pondering the follow-up plan when he heard Chen Xinjian excitedly shout, "I won! First place, Huo Tao, Nanhai County, Guangzhou Prefecture, Guangdong!"

Pei Yuan was overjoyed to hear that Huo Tao, that political thug, had indeed successfully obtained the top score in the imperial examination.

"Haha! I did it!"

Chen Xinjian and Pei Yuan's conversation from afar immediately drew the attention of the crowded people, who all turned to look at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan, dressed in casual clothes, was tall and handsome.

Many wealthy and powerful relatives who were looking around were overjoyed, exclaiming, "He's the one!"

They rushed forward, wrapping colorful ribbons and red clothes around Pei Yuan, and tried to pull him away.

Some people, realizing they were too late, disregarded morality and started pushing and shoving to try and snatch the person.

Pei Yuan was initially taken aback, but after looking at the jubilant and tense servants, he immediately understood what was going on.

This guy's trying to find a son-in-law right under my nose! Could it be he's mistaken for Huo Tao?

Pei Yuan was quite happy.

After those people shoved him out of the crowd, he turned hostile and said, "Are you all blind? I am Pei Yuan, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. How dare you mess with me?"

Only then did the powerful servants and nobles realize they had robbed the wrong person.

Someone suddenly exclaimed, "This is even better!"

Everyone instinctively wanted to scramble for it, but then someone retorted, "This is no good, lest it harm the young master of the family."

Pei Yuan was furious. He looked around with a fierce expression, which frightened the nobles into retreating.

At that moment, Chen Xinjian also squeezed out of the crowd.

He said to Pei Yuan with some excitement, "I also saw Ouyang Bijin's name."

Pei Yuan thought to himself, "It's all settled now."

With Huo Tao leading the way, and two more people making the list by studying his ideas, writing style, and writing technique, it's obvious that the others will also reap rich rewards.

Pei Yuan glanced at the crowded people in front of the screen wall and was too lazy to check each one.

He said to Chen Xinjian, "Let's go back to Zhihua Temple and wait for the results."

Pei Yuan and his party then rushed to Zhihua Temple in high spirits.

On the way, they happened to meet a scholar named Tao Jun.

Upon seeing Pei Yuan, Tao Jun immediately bowed deeply and said joyfully, "I was fortunate enough to achieve seventeenth place in the imperial examination, and I was just about to go and tell you the good news, brother."

Pei Yuan laughed heartily, helped him up, and said, "Let's go back and wait for good news from the other brothers."

Upon arriving at Zhihua Temple, Pei Yuan was about to go inside hand in hand with Tao Jun.

Then the gatekeeper reported, "The guard in charge of monitoring the Japanese mission, Cai Rong, has confidential information to report."

Pei Yuan said impatiently, "Why bring up those people during such a joyous occasion? Tell him to go back and come back tomorrow."

With that, he and Tao Jun entered Zhihua Temple.

In the front courtyard of Zhihua Temple, Huo Tao and Tian Fu had been pacing back and forth for a while.

Upon seeing Pei Yuan approach, the two stepped forward.

Huo Tao bowed with a sense of pride and said, "I have lived up to your expectations and have won first place in this imperial examination."

Pei Yuan helped him up with both hands, praising him with satisfaction, "Excellent, excellent, truly worthy of being my Crouching Dragon!"

Huo Tao stood up, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, glanced at Tian Fu.

Tian Fu also bowed down, and said somewhat awkwardly, "This subordinate only ranked 137th this time, which is a disgrace to the teachings of the commander."

Pei Yuan thought for a moment and realized that in the ninth year of the Zhengde reign in history, a list of four hundred people was indeed issued.

With Enke's early reassignment this time, these lucky individuals will likely be absorbed in batches.

According to Pei Yuan's estimate, this year's imperial examination will have a list of at least two hundred people.

Otherwise, if the number of people is too small and complaints arise, the court's plan to win over the people will completely fail.

The imperial examination was generally mild; as long as one didn't go crazy, one could usually get a degree, or at most one or two more.

One hundred and thirty-seven is enough to make the roster.

Thinking of this, Pei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, helped Tian Fu up, and said to him, "How could I not know your talent? If you hadn't devoted so much energy to the important matters of this commander, how could you have achieved such results?"

Tian Fu achieved a remarkable tenth place in the second class of the imperial examination in the ninth year of the Zhengde reign.

However, during the most crucial preparation period, Tian Fu served as the chief priest of the Luo sect in Shandong, helping to plan the organizational structure of the Luo sect, improving its doctrines, and supervising its spread.

It can be said that Tian Fu was the one who truly contributed to the development of the Luo Sect.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Chen Tou Tie won by doing nothing.

Such a formidable person, even if he weren't already on the list, Pei Yuan would definitely treat him well.

While everyone in the courtyard was celebrating, Tang Gao, Huang Chu, and Cai Ang emerged nervously from the west courtyard.

Pei Yuan asked in surprise, "Didn't the three of you check the list?"

Tang Gao sighed, "I've failed the imperial examinations for many years, so I've become more at peace with myself. I've already asked Brother Cai's servant to take a look."

Cai Ang bowed deeply to Pei Yuanshen upon meeting him.

He has already started receiving his salary from the Thousand Household Office; he just took twenty taels a few days ago.

However, Pei Yuan kept Cai Ang around for the purpose of compiling history in the future to clarify the truth, so he naturally couldn't let him express his position too early.

Furthermore, if Cai Ang truly had a chance of becoming the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination and successfully entering the Hanlin Academy...

If he could just wait another three to five years, Pei Yuan would have a chance to get him the title of Reader in the Hanlin Academy. At that time, Cai Ang would have a chance to preside over the provincial examinations in Yingtian Prefecture or Shuntian Prefecture.

As long as he doesn't go too far, Pei Yuan could even create a batch of successful candidates for the imperial examinations on his own.

Seeing that the three were somewhat uneasy, Pei Yuan decided not to go to the main hall. Instead, he had the Imperial Guards set up a dozen or so chairs in the Zhihua Temple. Pei Yuan first found a chair and sat down, then called for everyone else to sit down as well.

Huo Tao thought that today was a big day for the results of the imperial examination, and he had won the top score in this examination. So he sat down next to Pei Yuan without hesitation.

He then said to the crowd, "It was a stroke of luck."

Tian Fu saw through Huo Tao's little scheme.

He ranked 137th. If we really counted by ranking, I'm afraid many newcomers would be able to surpass him.

At that time, he, who was originally considered on par with Huo Tao as the Phoenix Chick, would be relegated to the "others".

Tian Fu pondered for a moment, then looked at Pei Yuan questioningly.

Pei Yuan, being a wise ruler, had personally tested the scholarship of these two men, so he naturally knew everything about their relationship.

Pei Yuan envisioned a three-pronged approach: Zhang Cong to govern the court, Huo Tao to streamline the government, and land taxes to gradually erode the imperial power in the countryside.

If Wang Qiong and Wang Shouren, the two sixth brothers, ultimately side with him, Pei Yuan could try to get them to carry out reforms.

Wang Qiong can thoroughly help Pei Yuan to promote the integration of the "Single Whip Law" and the "Great Ming Treasure Note".

Wang Shouren's philosophy of mind no longer emphasizes the vague concepts of "benevolence" and "principle," but instead provides a Confucian methodology of "taking innate knowledge as a guide and unifying knowledge and action."

In the current social environment, it is entirely possible to gradually drive changes in ideology and theory.

As a member of the team, Tian Fu's position in Pei Yuan's heart was self-evident.

Pei Yuan then took the initiative to invite him to sit here, saying, "Tian Fu, please sit here."

Tian Fu gave Huo Tao a perfunctory glance and sat down on the other side of Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan jokingly said to Huo Tao, "He's not Zhou Yu, and he's not your equal. Why not be more magnanimous?"

Huo Tao's expression changed slightly, and he quickly apologized.

Pei Yuan patted his arm without saying much; this was a good day, not a time to spoil the fun.

Tao Jun read it without showing any emotion, thought for a moment, and then sat down on the side closer to Huo Tao.

He ranked seventeenth in this imperial examination, so he naturally approved of Huo Tao's ranking method.

Tang Gao, Huang Chu, and Cai Ang were all intelligent men, and they tactfully sat down to the side.

Then, one after another, scholars who had received the good news came to share their joy.

Bai Jun entered Zhihua Temple and first told Pei Yuan the results of the imperial examination with a hearty laugh.

Then, at Pei Yuan's prompting, they suppressed their excitement and waited for the others' results.

He has a lively personality. After looking around, he asked with a smile, "How do you sit like this?"

Pei Yuan waved his hand and said, "Please sit wherever you like."

Seating arrangements are never arbitrary.

Bai Jun asked a few questions in a low voice and got a general idea.

He then sat down next to Huo Tao.

He ranked sixth in the imperial examination, and he knew exactly where to sit.

Tao Jun, however, was a little restless and got up to switch places with Bai Jun. Bai Jun thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I was just about to discuss this with Brother Huo."

Soon someone else came running to deliver the good news.

This time, it was Liang Yong who came in 97th place. He asked the question again and then sat down in the second seat of Tianfu without making a sound.

Tian Fu and he smiled at each other, but neither of them said anything.

For Liang Yong, following Huo Tao's arrangement would be disadvantageous.

It would be better to secure second place in the land tax category.

Moreover, the fact that the two sat out of order shows that they did not quite approve of Huo Tao's system.

After all, there is still the palace examination to be held later.

The top three in the palace examination will be determined, and that will truly decide their status.

Shortly after Liang Yong took his seat, Xie Bin and Xu Qing arrived together, much to their delight.

Seeing everyone chatting and waiting happily, he immediately understood and exclaimed with delight, "I never imagined that all of you brothers would have such promising futures!"

After the two men sat down, each with their own thoughts, Cai Ang's servant brought good news from Tang Gao, Huang Chu, and Cai Ang.

The three individuals with great fortune indeed made the list, but their rankings seemed somewhat average: Tang Gao ranked 52nd, Huang Chu 15th, and Cai Ang 39th.

Upon hearing the names of the three men, the scholars from Shandong and Liaodong couldn't help but chuckle to themselves and exchange glances.

These are three guys whom Chitoge thought had the strength of a top-tier player, but their current rankings are only average, which is somewhat undeserved. Chitoge has misjudged their abilities.

When Tang Gao and the others learned their rankings, a great weight was lifted from their hearts.

Tang Gao, in particular, had failed the imperial examinations many times. Although he was stubborn, he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Now that he had achieved this ranking, as long as he played steadily in the palace examination, he could at least get the title of Jinshi.

Afterwards, if you go to a local area and do your job well, you will have the opportunity to become an imperial censor and enter the path to ascension.

Then life will be worthwhile.

The three of them didn't want to leave disappointed after learning their results, but when they turned back to sit down, they hesitated.

They're not the people in the painting. It was fine that they were waiting for their results, but it would be rather presumptuous for them to sit down now.

Fortunately, there was a true double agent among them. Cai Ang seized the opportunity to advise, "When guests are guests, they should follow the host's lead. There's no reason for them to act arbitrarily."

As they spoke, the three of them sat down at Tianfu's place, where there were fewer people.

The candidates who had received their results then arrived one by one.

At first, everyone was just excited, but gradually, many people began to feel a little uneasy.

There are quite a few people on the list just in this courtyard alone.

Even if all the remaining candidates who didn't make it failed the exam, more than half of them still made it onto the list this time.

But even now, younger brothers who have passed the imperial examinations continue to arrive.

Many people looked around, counting names, trying to see who hadn't arrived yet.

After a rough count, their expressions were a mix of strangeness and excitement. Of the twelve of them who had come to the capital, only three had not yet arrived.

The remaining nine people are all on the roster.

In addition to Huo Tao and Tian Fu, two of Pei Yuan's trusted subordinates, as well as Tang Gao and the other two who were brought to the capital by boat, there are already fourteen people on the list from Zhihua Temple alone.

As everyone was deep in thought, someone suddenly shouted, "Che Rong has arrived."

Seeing Che Rong's delighted expression, before he could say anything, everyone asked in unison, "What place?"

Che Rong was taken aback, and subconsciously answered, "Twenty-five."

The others waved to indicate that he was alright.

This nearly caused Che Rong, who had come all this way to show off, to suffer internal injuries from holding it in.

No one paid him any attention anymore; instead, they were all shouting, "We're still missing Yao Qian and Zhang Fan."

Che Rong said subconsciously, "Yao Qian is forty-ninth, I saw him."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, unable to conceal their excitement.

(End of this chapter)