The whole weird world is waiting for me to go to heaven

Chapter 299: Ranking is Hard to Determine
"Wen Xuanning."

This name was mentioned repeatedly in Wenyuan Pavilion in the imperial palace.

It was June 28th, two days before the results were announced.

However, the debate about Wen Xuanning's ranking has lasted for two days and it is still difficult to decide.

"I think that Wenxuan should be the champion." Minister Li said righteously.

"I think that Wen Xuanning's performance is not as good as that of candidate Liu Sheng, so he cannot be the champion." Minister Ling retorted firmly.

The two men each held an opinion, attracting everyone's attention. Then they glanced vaguely at Wen Siyuan, the chief minister of the Wen family, who was sitting on a big horse and drinking tea from a big bowl.

Also sitting there were the examiners, Mei Yuanzheng from the National Academy, Mr. Yan, and Han Shanjun.

They were all well-informed people, so naturally they had heard the rumors in the capital in recent days, about things like wife-stealing and cuckolding. Especially when they saw that Minister Ling was now so tough, his eyes were even more meaningful.

Prime Minister Wen felt these glances, wiped his tea-soaked beard, and said in a muffled voice: "Why are you looking at me? Just pretend I don't exist."

Although the words are a bit rough, everyone has gotten used to it.

Yes, although Wen Siyuan's name sounds elegant and scholarly, he is actually a burly, strong and tall man.

I don't know why so many women like him.

Not only women, but even the emperor favored him and promoted him directly from the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple to the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, and in one fell swoop he went from being Li Shangshu's subordinate to his superior.

Fortunately, Minister Li had a good attitude and didn't seem to care about the matter at all. He just called him "your humble servant" as soon as he opened his mouth. He had no psychological barriers to respecting Wen Siyuan as his superior.

Everyone admired this deeply.

At this time, Minister Li, who was in a good mood, obviously argued with Minister Ling and said, "Liu Sheng didn't even get the approval of the high priest, which means he is not a person who belongs to the will of God and is not worthy of being the top of the list."

"I disagree. God's will is unpredictable. How can you and I guess it? If you ask me, the rules of the examination were set by the Supreme God. Since she was able to gain so much faith points and win in the end, doesn't this prove that God's will is on her?" Ling Shangshu said expressionlessly.

"Ling Fu, I think you are stubborn."

"That's right. I've been having stomach discomfort lately and can't eat greasy food." Minister Ling responded coldly.

Everyone who heard this knew that there was a hidden meaning to these words, implying that Minister Li was a smooth talker who only knew how to please Prime Minister Wen.

But Prime Minister Wen didn't react at all, as if it really had nothing to do with him.

Mei Yuanzheng has not been much of a talker since he took part in this imperial examination. At this moment, he watched the people quarreling with his mouth watching his nose and his nose watching his heart.

Scholar Yan followed Mei Yuanzheng, and he didn't like to get involved in the affairs of the court. He only loved to study, so he didn't interrupt.

Now everyone knows it clearly, although it appears to be a dispute for the top spot, in fact it represents different schools of thought.

But who dares to say this?

Hanshan dares.

He has a special position and can say things that others dare not say.

"I don't understand. According to the original examination rules, the ranking should be based on the belief value. Then we can just sort them by the peak value. It's such a simple thing." Han Shanjun said bluntly, "According to this calculation, Liu Sheng is the highest, undisputed."

"But she did not participate in the war of faith for a long time, and even won by taking advantage of the situation in the end," Minister Li reminded.

"It all depends on one's own ability. There is no requirement for any technique. If there was a requirement for a method to win, Illusion would have told you long ago." Master Yan retorted.

In her opinion, why is it so complicated nowadays when it is such a simple matter?

She continued, "In the past, when marking test papers, we had to classify them into upper, middle and lower grades, and we also had to consider whether there was any subjective bias on the part of the examiner. The current examination method can directly derive numerical values, and we are always keeping an eye on the numerical values, so we can't fake them. Why don't we just adopt them?"

"Moreover, if adjustments are really to be made, then what criteria should be followed? How should the ranking be made? This is not a matter of first and second place, but a matter involving thousands of candidates!"

Master Yan frowned, thinking about the unimaginable workload ahead.

Hearing this, Minister Ling nodded in agreement and said in a cold voice: "Master Yan is right. Could it be that Minister Li thinks that Ling will tamper with the numbers? Don't you dare trust him?"

"Minister Ling is wrong. I know that Minister Ling is a man of integrity. How could he lie here?" Minister Li said with a smile. "I just think that your ideas are probably still stuck in the old days."

"I'm afraid Scholar Yan has stayed in the National Academy for too long, so he doesn't know." Minister Li said with a smile, his eagle eyes narrowed with a hint of mockery, "But Hanshan Jun, Minister Ling, what the emperor means now...how could you not know?" Upon hearing this, Hanshan Jun and Minister Ling's expressions stiffened slightly.

Mei Yuanzheng said coldly: "Please enlighten me, Minister Li."

"Lao Mei is really polite, and he is really pretending to be ignorant even though he knows the truth." Minister Li looked towards Prime Minister Wen as if nothing had happened, and then looked away.

"I guess it's because I'm too old to tell the difference between understanding and confusion." Mei Yuanzheng said coldly, "I'll just hand in my resignation tomorrow and return home."

At this time, Prime Minister Wen slowly spoke.

"Mei Yuanzheng, don't say anything angry. The National Academy can't do without you, and the Tang Kingdom can't do without you either. You know that too."

"Don't write your resignation letter. Even if you present it to His Majesty, he won't approve it."

Then, he said to Minister Li: "You should speak clearly. You are just beating around the bush."

Prime Minister Wen was also very blunt in his words to his former superior, and he did not care about what Minister Li would react to. He turned around and said to everyone:
"The emperor's meaning is very clear. He said that now is a time of trouble and we cannot allow internal divisions."

"Especially this imperial examination, it is the beginning of everything, so we must not cause any more trouble."

"The court is currently recruiting talents, and is thinking of using this imperial examination to select available talents. We must not give up because of choking and discourage the students from all over the world."

Minister Li immediately saluted and said, "Prime Minister Wen is right. I will learn from your teachings."

Prime Minister Wen then said to everyone, "What Minister Li said makes sense. The emperor now values ​​the ability to connect with the Supreme God the most. The battle of faith is the most important test."

"Only those who are blessed by the Supreme God can truly walk in the world. Otherwise, they can only rely on tricks..."

Minister Ling interrupted Prime Minister Wen and said, "What do you mean by taking shortcuts? Aren't the skills Liu Sheng used a gift from God?"

"Besides, isn't it for the gods to protect the world so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment?" Han Shanjun also frowned and said, "I think, among so many cities, the one who is truly loved by the people and has the best livelihood development is Liu Sheng."

Mei Yuanzheng smiled coldly and said nothing.

"Have you forgotten?" Minister Li asked with a smile.

"Our imperial examination is to test you to become a priest, not to teach you how to be a good city lord. Maintaining peace and governing the country is what your majesty will examine in the palace examination."

He paused and continued, "So now, the first thing we need to get is the recognition of the gods. Here, it means the recognition of the high priest, not the recognition of the people."

Hanshan Jun couldn't agree with what Li Shangshu said: "Isn't the source of faith value the people? How can you say that the recognition of the people is not important?"

"Hanshan Jun is not from the lower class, so I'm afraid you don't know." Li Shangshu's long beard covered the corners of his mouth and raised a faint sarcastic smile, his expression was gloomy, "As officials, we must first pass the imperial examination, and then gain the recognition of the examiners and then the emperor, not the common people."

"From top to bottom, it has been like this since ancient times."

After saying this, Minister Li kept silent, not caring about the complicated expressions on everyone's faces.

Prime Minister Wen nodded and said, "What Minister Li said was a bit rough and unpleasant to hear, but it makes sense."

"Of course, we're just going to say these things here, and don't shout them outside. You know, the people don't like to hear them."

He still had a hearty smile on his face, but the sinister look in his eyes revealed a warning.

Then, Prime Minister Wen changed the subject.

"However, since you guys are making so much noise, why not let His Majesty make the decision?"

"Prime Minister Wen is right. We should leave it to the emperor to decide." Minister Li immediately agreed.

Once this is said, who dares to deny it?

The final decision on the results of the imperial examination needs to be made by the emperor, so it is normal to ask for his opinion in advance.

What can be said?
All I can say is: "What Prime Minister Wen said is very true."

Yesterday’s chapter happened on June 27th, what a coincidence!

Continue today!

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(End of this chapter)