Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 443 The Imperial Examination 2
Even the imperial guards stationed outside Fengtian Gate couldn't help but glance at the mere twenty students from the Martial Arts Academy!
"Elite!!!" This was the true assessment of the twenty martial arts academy students who passed by the countless soldiers at the palace gates!

"Those martial artists!!!" Even the scholars who had passed the imperial examination and were walking in front of the students of the Martial Arts Academy turned their heads in shock, staring at the Martial Arts Academy students behind them, who numbered less than half of themselves, their faces filled with horror!

Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed into the Fengtian Hall!
In an instant, the expressions of countless officials familiar with soldiers changed drastically! Their faces were filled with horror!

Even the civil officials, who were unfamiliar with military affairs, were filled with panic. The Fengtian Hall was the symbol of the nation's dignity; how could such a commotion be allowed!

Immediately, an imperial censor tried to step forward and say something, but was subtly pulled back by his colleagues.

Just because some people aren't very bright doesn't mean everyone is. They could clearly see that the Dragon Emperor, seated on the Sumeru Throne, upon hearing this terrifying voice, had eyes full of arrogance, clearly having been prepared for this unusual sound!
"Your Majesty, all 120 scholars who passed the imperial examination have arrived." After the civil and military scholars had entered the hall and taken their places, Minister of Rites Chai Lan respectfully addressed Emperor Longwu on the high platform.

"Your Majesty, all twenty outstanding students of the Military Academy have arrived and are ready for your inspection!" Following Chai Lan, Qian Guozhong, the Minister of War, also stepped forward and stood in front of the students of the Military Academy, respectfully reporting to Emperor Longwu.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" After Minister of War Qian Guozhong finished speaking, all the students, whether from the military academy or those who had passed the imperial examination, knelt down and respectfully kowtowed to Emperor Longwu on the high platform.

"All students, rise!" Zhu Zhanhe was overjoyed to see the students kneeling at his feet. After all, from now on, he had a reliable backer to stabilize the situation! Immediately, Zhu Zhanhe stood up abruptly and gestured to the students to rise.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The students respectfully expressed their gratitude to Emperor Longwu before rising.

"Since ancient times, civilization has brought peace to the world, while military force has protected the four directions!"

"From this day forward, in my great Dragon Kingdom, we have the scholars of the Imperial Academy for literature, and the loyal and brave soldiers of the Military Academy for military affairs! May we live ten thousand years!" Looking at the group of scholars standing before him, Zhu Zhanhe began by praising them.

"Your Majesty's might is boundless! May the Dragon Kingdom live ten thousand years!" The assembled civil and military officials respectfully echoed Zhu Zhanhe's words.

"Hahaha," Zhu Zhanhe felt pleased after hearing his ministers' flattery. No wonder there are so many incompetent rulers. After all, it's so comfortable to have ministers pampering you every day!

However, Zhu Zhanhe would not forget his identity, nor would he lose his composure.

"Yu'er, look at them."

Remember each of their faces, remember each of their names.

Their hard work and dedication are indispensable for maintaining local stability and guarding the borders!

"They are the future of my Dragon Kingdom! They are the backbone of my Dragon Kingdom!" After a hearty laugh, Emperor Longwu turned to his son, pulled him to the steps in front of the Sumeru Throne, pointed at the scholars below, and earnestly said to his son.

After hearing the words of Emperor Longwu on the Sumeru Throne, all the civil and military scholars below the steps stood tall and proud, wanting to show their best selves to Emperor Longwu and the Crown Prince!

Especially the twenty scholars from the Martial Arts Academy, who stood tall in the Fengtian Hall like long spears, made Zhu Qiyu's eyes light up!
"Your subject will obey Your Majesty's teachings!" After carefully glancing at the group of scholars under the throne, Zhu Qiyu took a deep look at the twenty martial arts academy students before respectfully bowing to his father.

The scene of Emperor Longwu introducing the eldest prince to the students of the Military Academy and the Imperial Academy shocked countless ministers under the throne!
They knew that although Emperor Longwu had not yet designated a crown prince, the scene before them clearly demonstrated his affection for the eldest prince! And today's events might just be the Emperor's recognition of the eldest prince!
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that today was the day of the imperial examination for the scholars, judging from the scene before them, countless officials might have petitioned Emperor Longwu to appoint a crown prince!

"Enough of the small talk~ Today is the grand day for the imperial examinations of the civil and military scholars of our Dragon Kingdom."

"I won't waste any more time here!" Zhu Zhanhe then waved his hand at Xiao Xizi, who was standing to the side.

Immediately, Xiao Xizi understood and turned down from the Sumeru pedestal. A moment later, Xiao Xizi came up with six eunuchs, each carrying a plate covered with a yellow cloth. Three of them stood in front of the students of the Martial Arts Hall, and three of them stood in front of the students of the Imperial Academy. They stopped steadily in front of the students.

"Open it!" After the eunuchs carrying the trays stood still, Emperor Longwu waved his hand and ordered the trays to be opened.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing Emperor Longwu's words, Xiao Xizi personally removed the yellow silk coverings from each of the six plates. Instantly, the contents of the plates were revealed.

There, on the trays of the three eunuchs standing in front of the students of the Imperial Academy, were three tablets of different materials.
On the plates of the three eunuchs standing in front of the twenty students of the Martial Arts Academy, there were three swords of different colors!
The moment they saw these six items, the students of both the Military Academy and the Imperial Academy all had their eyes light up!

Of course they knew what these things were! In fact, they had personally witnessed the Minister of the Court removing them from the plaques of their respective academies!

"Today is the first imperial examination for scholars of the Imperial Academy in our Dragon Kingdom;

Similarly, it was also the first imperial examination for students of the Martial Arts Academy in our Dragon Kingdom;

I cannot remain silent!
You scholars surely know what's on the plate before you.

"However, I still want to personally introduce this to everyone here!" Looking at the scholars and warriors below the stage, who were clearly invigorated, Zhu Zhanhe sat on the dragon throne and calmly began to speak.

"The three tablets are an ivory tablet, a jade tablet, and a bamboo tablet! These three tablets are to be bestowed upon the top three scholars in the palace examination: the Zhuangyuan (状元), the Bangyan (榜眼), and the Tanhua (探花)!"

The three swords are a gold sword, a silver sword, and a bronze sword! These three swords are to be bestowed upon the top three scholars in the Imperial Examination of the Martial Arts Academy: the Zhuangyuan (状元), the Bangyan (榜眼), and the Tanhua (探花).
This item, once bestowed, is for personal use only! Of course, it can be passed down through generations or used as a burial item;

"Of course, if one day I were to follow the example of Emperor Taizong of Tang and build our own Lingyan Pavilion, perhaps you could also enshrine these items there for future generations to admire!" Zhu Zhanhe sat upright on the dragon throne, first explaining the recipients of the ceremonial tablet and the precious sword. In an instant, the eyes of the civil and military officials in the Fengtian Hall were practically brimming with excitement!
Finally, when Zhu Zhanhe mentioned the possibility of building a Lingyan Pavilion, countless officials gasped in shock. It was an opportunity to be remembered in history! Who wouldn't want that?

Among the crowd, especially Minister of Works Zhang Dazhu, after a moment of stunned silence, Zhang Dazhu seemed to have made up his mind, and his expression gradually became firm.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Overwhelmed with emotion, all the officials in the Fengtian Hall knelt down and fervently called out to Emperor Longwu.

"Alright, get up."

Look, I've gotten carried away and said too much again.

"Get up quickly, don't delay the palace examination!" Seeing the excited ministers, Zhu Zhanhe knew that he had just spoken too much on a whim. In order not to delay the palace examination, Zhu Zhanhe directly told everyone to get up.

(End of this chapter)