Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 211 Shih Lin Huaxuan

The candidates for this year's imperial examinations are truly unlucky, suffering this undeserved calamity. They had just gone through two days of examinations, thinking that everything would be fine after the exams and they could simply wait for the results to be announced. However, before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, they were immediately summoned to the Censorate for a second examination.

Faced with this situation, people with poor psychological resilience are bound to feel anxious and even blame others, just like Du Mengyin's previous accusations against Li Yi.

Even if one has a decent mental fortitude and can remain calm after such a setback, one will inevitably be exhausted and one's thinking will be much slower than usual.

Unlike Zhang Dai, who had a wealth of famous works to search for, these candidates had to carefully consider every word and phrase, so their answering speed was not very high.

By midnight, Zhang Dai had finished answering both essay questions, while the other candidates were still struggling, with many not even having finished their poems. The thought that Zhang Dai had actually written fifteen poems only fueled their anxiety, causing some to break out in a cold sweat.

While everyone else was working hard, Zhang Dai sat idly in the room. He felt awkward, and the examiners didn't find him particularly pleasing to the eye either.

So Cui Mian, who had originally strictly ordered that candidates not leave the venue before the end of the re-examination, simply summoned the officials and ordered them to take the boy out and settle him elsewhere, so that he would not be left in the way.

Zhang Dai was then led out of the hall, followed by the Imperial Censor Song Yao. Song Yao instructed the officials to prepare a bedding set for Zhang Dai so that he could rest and sleep. He then smiled at Zhang Dai and said, "In the past, people said that hearing is believing, but now I can see it for myself. Zhang Lang's talent is extraordinary and refined; he is truly a gem among scholars, admired by all!"

"You flatter me, Vice Minister Song. I am currently in mourning clothes and awaiting selection. I greatly admire your deeds in upholding the authority of the Censorate during this turbulent time! If I am recommended for a position in the future, I will take your deeds as my guide!"

Song Yao was originally a confidant promoted by Li Yuanhong. Even if there was no direct conflict with the Zhang family, they were definitely not friendly. However, Zhang Dai felt that Song Yao's attitude towards him was obviously different from before tonight, especially after the Prince of Shou sent him dinner. He showed more concern for him, and now his praise was quite blatant and enthusiastic.

While it cannot be ruled out that this person was attracted and impressed by his own talent, it is more likely that it was due to Consort Wu Hui.

Although the harem during Emperor Xuanzong's reign did not interfere in politics as recklessly as during Emperor Zhongzong's reign, it still had some influence. For example, Li Linfu secretly offered his services to Consort Wu Hui, and Song Yao was probably quite clever.

Zhang Dai knew that although he had finished answering the questions, the final result was still pending review, so he responded politely to the goodwill shown by the examiner, Song Yao.

Hearing Zhang Dai say this, Song Yao also remembered that Zhang Dai's contribution was indispensable to his current position as the sole governor of the censorate, and he found the young man more and more pleasing to the eye.

Although he was promoted by Li Yuanhong, it didn't mean he couldn't develop his own personal connections, especially since Zhang Dai was so outstanding in both background and talent. So he smiled and said, "Young Master Zhang's talent is unparalleled. Just rest easy and wait for good news!"

After saying this, he returned to the examination hall. Zhang Dai smiled as he watched the man's departing figure, and then, guided by the clerk, he went into the side room, climbed onto the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

Although Zhang did not linger outside the Censorate last night, he was still somewhat uneasy. The next day, at sunrise, he got up early, washed up briefly, and left home for the capital without even having breakfast.

When he crossed the Tianjin Bridge, the palace gates had just opened. Taking advantage of the fact that there weren't many officials up early for court, Zhang Yue went to the Censorate to see how the re-examination was going.

For those who stay up late, dawn is the time when they are most mentally exhausted. The soldiers guarding the gate of the Censorate only let them pass after Zhang Shuo's entourage called out a few times.

Upon entering the Censorate, Zhang Yue strode to the hall used as the examination venue. The first person he saw was Cui Mian, who was still sitting upright in the hall. As for the other examiners, some were dozing off at their desks, while others were drinking tea to stay awake. Having stayed up all night, their senses were somewhat dulled, and they did not immediately notice Zhang Yue outside the hall.

Zhang Shuo stood outside the hall and peered inside. He saw that the candidates were either sitting listlessly in their seats with numb expressions, seemingly having given up, or still writing furiously with unwillingness, or simply lying down on their seats and falling into a deep sleep.

Seeing the appearance of these candidates, Zhang Shuo couldn't help but sigh inwardly, recalling his own youth when he painstakingly honed his skills to pass the imperial examinations in order to stand out from the crowd. However, as his gaze shifted, his eyes gradually became somewhat tense.

What is Zhang Yangong doing here?

Cui Mian, who was still in relatively good spirits, was the first to notice Zhang Shuo, who had almost half of his body inside the hall. He quickly got up, walked over to him, and asked in a deep voice.

"Where is my grandson Zhang Dai?"

Zhang Shuo searched the hall several times but couldn't find his grandson. He was naturally startled. When he heard Cui Mian's question, he immediately said, "Even if Cui Sanqi has a bad relationship with me, my grandson is just a commoner and a young student. Now he is taking the imperial examination. How dare Cui Sanqi expel him!"

Upon hearing Zhang Shuo's rebuke, the examiners were all jolted back to their senses. The Imperial Censor Song Yao quickly stepped forward and said, "Lord Yan has misunderstood. Your grandson was not expelled early; he has already answered the questions and is currently sleeping in the side room."

Zhang was still somewhat skeptical, but when Wu Gong, a supervising secretary, nodded in confirmation, his expression softened. He stepped back to the corridor and looked at Cui Mian, saying, "May I take a brief look?"

Before Cui Mian could answer, Song Yao quickly led Zhang Shuo to the side room. After Zhang Shuo entered the room and went around the screen, he saw the boy sleeping soundly with the quilt and blankets all tucked under him. He then retreated, half annoyed and half amused.

He didn't linger there any longer. After confirming that the young man hadn't been mistreated, he left the Censorate and rushed to Yingtian Gate to join the officials of the Ministry of Personnel in preparing for court. Not long after Zhang Shuo left, the morning bell rang in the capital. The candlelight in the examination hall was fading, and the sky outside was gradually turning white. At this time, all the candidates became nervous. Those who had finished answering questions seized the last bit of time to check their papers, while those who hadn't finished wrote furiously, wanting to give it one last shot.

"Wow... I still have half a piece unfinished. I beg you, Cui Sanqi, to grant me another candle!"

Suddenly, a sobbing voice rang out in the examination hall. It was Du Mengyin from Jingzhao Prefecture. He was already feeling anxious and nervous. He had spent the whole night preparing the questions, and now, hearing the morning bell, he realized that he still had half of his historical essay to finish. Unable to bear the immense psychological pressure, he suffered a mental breakdown.

There were still quite a few candidates present who had not finished answering their questions. Upon hearing Du Mengyin's cries, they all pleaded, "We beg you, Cui Sanqi, to have pity on our difficult studies and grant us a little more time so that we can submit our papers later in court..."

Despite the pleas of the crowd, Cui Mian remained unmoved. He glanced at the sky and said in a deep voice, "The morning court session will begin in a little over a quarter of an hour. Instead of your tearful complaints, you should answer quickly."

"Why does Cui, who holds a high position and wields great power, have to make things difficult for his disciples!"

Suddenly, someone in the examination room shouted angrily and grabbed an inkstone from the desk, throwing it at Cui Mian.

"Be careful, Cui Sanqi!"

The other examiners immediately raised a warning, and the officials rushed forward to restrain the candidate.

Cui Mian was unable to dodge in time, and half of his body was drenched in ink from the inkstone. He was furious, but he did not lose his temper. He suppressed his anger and said to Yao Yi and the others, "When the time comes, please collect the examination papers. I need to go first, change my clothes, and go to court."

"Then, then this tribute student..."

Song Yao, who was standing to the side, pointed to the examinee who was being pressed to the ground by the officials and asked Cui Mian.

"This man is easily agitated, never reflecting on his own shortcomings, only blaming others. He is of low character and utterly useless. There is no need to reconsider his decision; let him be dismissed. He attacked a court official; send him to the Court of Judicial Review for punishment."

After saying this, Cui Mian turned and left.

The examinee, still pinned to the ground, roared angrily, "When Cui criticizes others' shortcomings, isn't he himself abusing his power? When he failed to change the head of the examination hall, he took his anger out on his followers. The personnel in the selection office are not in harmony. How could this be our fault..."

Zhang Dai was also awakened by the morning bell. He stretched and walked out of his room, just in time to see Cui Mian walking out of the Censorate with a livid face and covered in ink stains. At the same time, a candidate was also dragged out of the examination hall and taken away elsewhere. He couldn't help but feel very surprised.

He stood under the corridor and waited for a while longer. Then the examiners in the examination room began to collect the exam papers and stamp them, and the candidates were released one after another.

"It was called an examination, but in reality it was torture! Finally, the torment ended, and it felt like I had returned to the human world."

After Wang Changling and his entourage left, they saw Zhang Dai standing under the eaves and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

That's not entirely untrue. This year's provincial examination felt like being at the mercy of others, but at least it's over. If it were during the Tianbao era, and someone like Li Linfu had pulled off such a terrible job of eliminating all the talented people, it would have been even more heartbreaking.

"What poem did Zhang Liu write that made all the examiners so amazed?"

Li Yi pulled Zhang Dai aside and asked curiously, while the other candidates, despite being exhausted, also crowded around after hearing the question.

Zhang Dai was about to speak when he saw Yao Yi carrying the exam papers out of the hall. So he asked Yao Yi, "May I ask, Lord Yao, is it permissible for my disciples to exchange literary works now? If we accidentally reveal our exam essays, will we have to retake them?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Yi merely snorted coldly and left without replying.

Following closely behind Yao Yi, Wu Gong, a supervising secretary, said with a smile, "Zhang Dai, there's no need for such resentful words. This re-examination was decided by the ministers in the court, and it wasn't just because of the leaked essays. Although you students have suffered this setback, if you can still pass the exam, you can be considered outstanding scholars. Now that the exam is over, go back and wait for the results!"

After saying this, Wu Gong quickly left the room to go to court.

The Censorate was not a pleasant place to begin with, and the candidates were all exhausted by now, so they did not linger. Instead, they listened to Zhang Dai recount his essays as they walked out of the imperial city.

(End of this chapter)