Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 310 Look at them, their mindset is like that of a vegetable! [Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets]

Liu Yuan turned around and his face instantly darkened. He said coldly, "Cen Wenzhao! Don't go looking for trouble!"

"Brother Liu, what are you saying? I didn't do well on the exam either. I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't make fun of me later!" Cen Wenzhao said with a smile.

Liu Yuan frowned, then sneered, "Didn't you say you were sure to be in the top three that day? What, where did you stumble?"

"Alas, it's truly a long story! After finishing the questions, I went back and thought about it carefully, only to find that I had missed a single character. Now, I'm afraid I'm doomed. I originally thought I was a sure thing to be the top scholar, but now, because of this one character, I'll probably only be the second-place scholar. If I only get the third-place finish, I'm afraid I won't have the face to face my hometown folks."

After sighing repeatedly, he couldn't help but beat his feet and beat his chest.

Liu Yuan's eyelids twitched as he listened, and he wished he could tear Cen Wenzhao's foul mouth apart.

But at this moment, a young man behind Liu Yuanzhao sneered, "I've never seen such an arrogant person before. Did I say anything when I came in second place in the last exam? You have no sense of modesty at all! If you can't become the top scholar, you're no different from a piece of trash!"

Upon hearing this, Cen Wenzhao's eyes narrowed immediately: "May I ask who you are?"

"Yuewen Hall, Pei Qian!"

"Vietnamese Language Hall?"

Cen Wenzhao was slightly taken aback, seemingly having never heard of the name before, but he knew Pei Qian, the runner-up in the previous imperial examination.

It is said that this person was very talented, ranking first in both the county and state examinations, but unfortunately he did not become the top scholar.

He later boasted that he would not enter officialdom unless he was the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Moreover, this person's teacher is Yu Shinan, who is now the Grand Academician of the Hongwen Academy.

"What, you don't even know about the Yuewen Hall?"

Seeing Cen Wenzhao standing there dumbfounded, Liu Yuan instantly seized the opportunity to ridicule him, sneering, "This is the literary academy established by His Highness the Prince of Yue. Only those who have passed the imperial examination are allowed to enter. You, you're just all talk. If you were truly talented, His Highness the Prince of Yue would have already treated you as an honored guest!"

"Yes! He even has the audacity to say he can become the third-ranked scholar. I think, let alone the top three, whether he can even pass the imperial examination is a question!"

"Hahaha, he probably doesn't know this, but there are more than a dozen outstanding graduates from previous years taking the re-examination this year! Even Brother Pei wouldn't dare to say he's guaranteed to be the top scorer, yet he dares to boast so arrogantly here!"

"That's right, if he passes the exam, I'll eat shit while standing on my head!"

As Liu Yuan finished speaking, the scholars from the Yuewen Academy behind him all began to mock Cen Wenzhao.

Just then, a rapid, panting voice came from behind Cen Wenzhao: "Wenwenzhao, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Oh, it's Brother Wei."

Upon hearing the voice, Cen Wenzhao immediately recognized the person and smiled as he looked in the direction of the sound; "Why are you only arriving now!"

"I just registered at the military academy, and in the blink of an eye, you've disappeared!"

"Military Academy?"

Cen Wenzhao was taken aback: "What are you doing there? Aren't you taking the liberal arts exam?"

"No, I also took the martial arts exam. I was mainly worried about not doing well, so I signed up for two subjects!"

"?" A small black question mark slowly appeared on Cen Wenzhao's forehead. He couldn't help but say speechlessly, "What if I don't do well in both subjects?"

"Hahaha! If you do badly on both subjects, of course you should pack your bags and go home!"

Before the other party could respond, Liu Yuan interrupted him with a smile.

"Liu Yuan, watch your mouth!"

"What, you can't pass the exam yourself, so you expect your friend to pass? Didn't you hear what he said? He's already enrolled in the military academy!"

"What's wrong with enrolling at a military academy?"

Cen Wenzhao frowned and said, "Does enrolling in a military academy mean you'll fail the imperial examinations?"

"Yes, yes, yes! If you say yes, you definitely can! Our third-ranked scholar!"

"Hahaha--"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Cen Wenzhao's face darkened.

In fact, he knew everything. Most of the people who went to the military academy to apply were military students who were certain they would fail the exam.

Because those who passed the military examinations could be directly appointed as officials by the Ministry of War. So, who would want to go back to being a student?
Therefore, most people who took the imperial examinations looked down on military academies.

Just as everyone was laughing and joking, a sudden commotion broke out as someone excitedly shouted, "The results are out! The results are out!!"

Suddenly, a large crowd gathered, with countless people eagerly anticipating the event.

"Brother Wei."

"Don't be nervous, you will definitely pass the exam!"

"No, I'm worried about you. If you don't pass the exam, you'll have to hang out with those thugs. I heard they can be quite horny sometimes. You're so delicate."

"Screw you!"

Just as the two were chatting and laughing, an official from the Ministry of Rites suddenly pulled back the red silk, revealing two complete lists.

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Countless scholars immediately began frantically searching for their own names!
Meanwhile, the onlookers stood on tiptoe to focus their attention on the top spot on the list.

The top scholar is called the Zhuangyuan, and the Zhuangyuan is completely different from the Jinshi!
only……

When they saw that the top name on the list wasn't Pei Qian, who had boasted that failing to become the top scholar meant being no different from a good-for-nothing, they inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

And that's just how people are sometimes; if I don't have something, I don't want others to have it either.

Phrases like "I wish you success" are just casual remarks.

Only a very small number of people truly want you to succeed.

"How could this happen? How could this happen..."

When Pei Qian saw that he wasn't at the top of the list, he was completely stunned and muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuan, standing to the side, was secretly delighted and quickly looked down the list. Second place...

It's not Cen Wenzhao!
Great!
Third place...

It wasn't Cen Wenzhao either!

"Hahaha!"

Upon seeing this, Liu Yuan couldn't help but laugh.

The scholar from the Yue Literature Academy standing nearby quickly asked him, "What's wrong, Brother Liu? Did you pass the exam?"

"Yes, Brother Liu, why are you laughing!"

"Brother Liu! I saw my name! Hahaha, twelfth place!"

"Wait! Am I seeing things? Why isn't Brother Liu's name on this list?!"

Just as Liu Yuan was laughing heartily, the scholars from the Yuewen Academy beside him kept trying to strike up a conversation with him.

When the scholar said that Liu Yuan's name was not on the list, the air around them froze instantly, and even Liu Yuan's laughter stopped abruptly.

That's absolutely shocking.

Liu Yuan was completely petrified, the smile still on his face, but his body was so stiff that he couldn't move.

He even doubted that he had heard correctly.

But even after scanning the list dozens of times, including the list of martial arts candidates outside the yellow line, he still couldn't find his own name.

"puff……"

He felt his throat was very dry.

Pei Qian wasn't in first place, Cen Wenzhao wasn't in second, and he wasn't even in third, but he himself didn't even make the list?
Is there any reason?
Is there any royal law?
It's a cover-up! Absolutely a cover-up!

Overwhelmed with rage, Liu Yuan couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood!
"Brother Liu! Brother Liu, are you alright? Quick! Help Brother Liu up!"

Upon seeing this, the scholars of the Yue Literature Academy quickly stepped forward to help Liu Yuan.

Just then, a surprised voice suddenly came from the side: "Brother Wei! Brother Wei! You actually passed the imperial examination with top honors! You're the number one scholar!"

Wow!
As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar!

Almost everyone looked in the direction from which the sound came, including Liu Yuan, who was nearly fainting from anger, and was startled awake from his deathbed.

Cen Wenzhao was seen gesticulating wildly, pointing at the top name on the list and shouting at the young man beside him.

The young man beside him, however, smiled calmly and nodded repeatedly.

"How could it be him, Wei Yuanzhong? How could he have become the top scholar? He's not..."

Remembering that Wei Yuanzhong had just mentioned that he had also applied for the martial arts exam, Liu Yuan immediately staggered to his feet and looked at the list of martial arts candidates.

First place, Wang Haibin, it wasn't him; second place, Liu Xuan, it wasn't him either; third place...

I rub!

He also ranked third in the martial arts exam!
Damn it!
He actually said he was worried he would fail the exam, so he registered for two subjects!
"puff……"

He spat out another mouthful of blood, and then Liu Yuan felt as if all his strength had been drained away, and he collapsed to the ground.

Is there no justice left in this world?!

This year's imperial examination was so difficult!

Immediately afterward, he heard Cen Wenzhao's exclamation of surprise: "Brother Wei! You passed again! Third place in the martial arts exam! You are accomplished in both literature and martial arts!" Upon hearing this exclamation of surprise, not only was Liu Yuanru struck by lightning, but Pei Qian, the scholars of Yuewen Academy, and other scholars were also shocked and looked at Cen Wenzhao and his companion.

In particular, the young man named Wei Yuanzhong was seen by them as an exceptional individual.

After all, he was the first person in the history of the Tang Dynasty to achieve both the highest civil service examination score and the third highest military examination score.

"Hehe, Brother Cen, don't just be happy for me. You also passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. You ranked sixth, which is not bad!" Wei Yuanzhong smiled shyly.

"Tch! Only sixth place! My goal was to be in the top three. Who knew you guys were so amazing!"

Cen Wenzhao pouted unhappily, then suddenly seemed to remember something, turned to look at Liu Yuan in the crowd, and slowly walked over: "Brother Liu..."

Liu Yuan stared blankly at the list, still unable to believe that he had failed to make the cut.

Although he knew that he was not as good as Cen Wenzhao, he was one of the top five in the Yangzhou provincial examination. How could he not even pass the imperial examination?
That was bad enough, but what he found hardest to accept was that the person who was worried about failing the exam actually became the top scorer!
What am I, someone who failed the exam?
I'm so ashamed!
Cen Wenzhao, unusually setting aside his usual forthright personality, looked around at the scholars of the Yue Literature Academy with a serious expression and said, "Who was it that just now said I would eat shit if I passed the exam?"

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Upon hearing this, the scholars of the Yue Literature Academy instantly changed their expressions!
But no one dared to step forward and admit that they were the ones who said it!
"What, you dare to say it but not admit it, is that it? Is this how His Highness Prince Yue appreciates talent?"

"How dare you! You have slandered His Highness the King of Yue!"

As Cen Wenzhao finished speaking, Pei Qian, who had been silent all along, finally couldn't help but scold him.

"Hey, isn't this the talented Pei who won't serve unless he's the top scholar? Let me see, what place did you get? Hmm, you're definitely not going to be the top scholar, hahaha! Only tenth place, not even as good as me! What's wrong, you're going downhill with each exam, aren't you? I'm afraid if you take the exam twice more, you'll be sitting at the same table as Liu Yuan!"

"you!"

"What do you mean, 'you'?! A piece of trash is a piece of trash! You'll only get more and more useless from now on!"

"puff……"

Pei Qian was so enraged that he coughed up a mouthful of blood, but he reacted quickly and immediately realized something. He steadied himself and said, "You, you cheated! You definitely cheated! He, he was worried about failing the exam, but now he's the top scholar! How is that possible? If he were truly talented, why would he be worried about failing?!"

After saying this, he realized that what he said made a lot of sense, and quickly looked at Liu Yuan again.

Liu Yuan immediately understood and, as if injected with adrenaline, jumped up from the ground.

"Yes! I also think they cheated! Wei Yuanzhong just said he was worried about failing the exam, so he applied to the military academy! Any normal scholar wouldn't go to a military academy! This is definitely cheating!"

Upon hearing this, the other scholars who had failed the exam immediately echoed his sentiments.

After all, this doesn't mean there's a problem with my abilities, but rather that there's something wrong with the exam itself.

Moreover, how could someone possibly pass both the civil service exam with top honors and the martial arts exam with top honors? After studying the classics and history for over a decade and failing to even pass the imperial examination, how could he possibly have time to practice martial arts and even become a martial arts top scholar?

If Pei Qian and Liu Yuan hadn't brought it up, no one would have thought there was a problem. But now that they've spoken up, everyone feels there's something fishy going on.

But Cen Wenzhao sneered disdainfully, "You say it's cheating? Fine, then we'll report it to the court, to His Majesty, and have His Majesty send people to investigate whether the current Imperial Brother-in-law, Minister of Personnel Gao Shilian, has cheated!"

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Pei Qian and Liu Yuan instinctively shuddered, as if struck by lightning.

The surrounding scholars also reacted instantly.

Yes!

That's His Majesty's maternal uncle, a member of the imperial family!
How could he possibly cheat?
If it were an examiner of any other identity, they might question whether he had cheated, but to accuse Gao Shilian of cheating would be tantamount to courting death.

As a result, the light in the eyes of the unsuccessful candidates gradually disappeared at a visible speed, and was replaced by a chorus of wailing and sobbing.

Because nothing is more devastating than having a glimmer of hope only to be plunged into despair.

However, just as Cen Wenzhao was preparing to pursue Pei Qian and Liu Yuan again, a loud shout suddenly rang out from the military academy's registration office.

"All candidates for the martial arts examination, please register now! Those who have already registered, please assemble immediately—"

Boom!

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was shocked!

Some people looked on in surprise, glancing left and right.

Some people dismissed it and ignored it.

Some people were excited and couldn't wait.

However, just as everyone was wondering who would sign up, a commotion suddenly arose from behind the crowd.

Several young men dressed in splendid attire, who were clearly not scholars, hurriedly pushed through the crowd and rushed toward the military academy's registration office.

"Me! Me! Me! I want to sign up!"

"Name!"

"Cheng Chumo!"

"Ok?"

Upon hearing the name, everyone paused slightly, wondering why it sounded so familiar.
But the person sitting behind the desk merely glanced at the other person and said indifferently, "Next!"

"I am Qin Huaiyu!"

"No, isn't this General Qin's son, Qin Huaiyu? Why would he enroll in a military academy?!" Someone exclaimed in surprise, seemingly recognizing Qin Huaiyu's identity.

But the person sitting behind the desk merely glanced at Qin Huaiyu indifferently and said, "Next!"

"And me! Yuchi Baolin!"

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Good guy!
Why have the sons of the two great gatekeepers of the Tang Dynasty both enrolled in military academies?
However, before they could react, Wei Yuanzhong, who was the top scholar in both the civil and military fields, also walked over.

"No, Brother Wei, you're going to the military academy?"

Cen Wenzhao's attention was always on Wei Yuanzhong, so he noticed Wei Yuanzhong's movements immediately and quickly stepped forward to stop him, saying, "Didn't you pass the exam?"

"Yes, I passed the exam, but that doesn't conflict with my going to the military academy!"

"But you were worried about not doing well on the test, that's why..."

"Oh, Brother Cen, you must have misunderstood. I'm not worried about failing the imperial examinations; I'm worried about not getting into the military academy!"

"What!?"

Cen Wenzhao was completely stunned when he heard this.

The others present, including Pei Qian and Liu Yuan, were so shocked by this statement that their jaws almost dropped to the ground.

What's going on? !

Someone actually took the imperial examination because they were worried about not getting into the military academy, and they actually became the top scholar in both the civil and military examinations!

Has the world turned upside down?!

Just as everyone was still in shock, another abrupt voice rang out.

"I, Wang Haibin, also want to enroll in the military academy!"

I rub!

Even the top martial arts champion is going to a military academy!?

What exactly is this military academy?!

Just as everyone was so shocked they didn't know how to express their feelings, a cheerful voice drifted out from a corner of the crowd.

"Xuan'er! You must seize this opportunity! Listen to your father, passing the martial arts exam and becoming the second-highest scorer is nothing, but entering the military academy is the real leap forward! That's an academy run by His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"You know about His Highness the Crown Prince's deeds, right? He's practically a god-like figure. It's truly incredible that you were able to get into the Military Academy!"

"Yes, Father, I will work hard! Don't worry! I will definitely study diligently under His Highness the Crown Prince and strive to bring honor to our family!"

"Good, good, good! You're truly my good son! I shouldn't have let you study the classics and historical texts in the first place. Maybe if you had practiced martial arts for a few more years, you could have become the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

"Haha, Dad, don't overthink it. Wang Haibin is incredibly skilled; he's a legendary warrior! Even if I train for another ten years, I still can't beat him! Alright, Dad, I'm going to sign up now!"

"Alright, alright, go ahead!"

As he watched his son leave, the old father's face was full of smiles, but he didn't realize that almost everyone around him was looking at him.

It wasn't until someone who recognized him couldn't help but ask him, "Mr. Liu, was that your son just now?"

"Yes, that's my son. He just passed the martial arts exam and became the second-highest scorer!"

"Huh? Then why did you send him to the military academy? Why didn't you send him to the Ministry of War to ask for an official position?"

"What's wrong with going to the military academy? That's an academy founded by His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Liu the Benevolent glanced at the other man and said indifferently, "Do you know what a Crown Prince is? The heir apparent of a country, the future emperor! Can you become a protégé of the future emperor by going to the Ministry of War?"

Boom!

These words struck the entire audience like a thunderbolt!

Qin Huaiyu, Yuchi Baolin, and Cheng Chumo, who were standing around, looked at these people as if they were idiots.

I think they're completely out of their minds!

The mindset of a person in a vegetative state!

They actually look down on military academies?!

(End of this chapter)