Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 154 Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar in the Jiangnan provincial examination!

The sun was high in the sky, blazing fiercely.

In front of the Jinling Inn opposite the Jiangnan Examination Hall, thousands of scholars from various counties of Jiangzhou Prefecture had already gathered.

The crowd, dressed in blue robes and wearing square scarves, displayed a variety of expressions, some nervously rubbing their hands, others trying to appear calm, all filled with trepidation about the upcoming announcement of the results.

But they all turned their gazes to the tall figure emerging from the inn—Jiang Xingzhou.

They knew that Jiang Xingzhou was bound to pass the imperial examination, and was almost certain to become the top scholar!
Jiang Xingzhou will be the top scholar among the candidates from Jiangnan Province in this round.

Following Jiang Xingzhou, one can more or less absorb some of the luck of the top scholar from Jiangnan.

"Brother Jiang, the results will be released soon."

When the scholars from various counties of Jiangzhou saw Jiang Xingzhou emerge from the inn, they all bowed and greeted him.

"Let's go!"

Jiang Xingzhou nodded slightly to the crowd and stepped out.

There, on the bluestone road leading to the Jiangnan Examination Hall, many scholars were already walking together to watch the announcement of the results.

In an instant, the scholars from Jiangyin County and Jiangzhou Prefecture flocked to Jiang Xingzhou and followed him to the examination hall.

The restaurants and teahouses along the way were already packed with guests, all pointing and discussing the list of successful candidates in the autumn imperial examinations of Jiangnan.

Inside Jinling City, the vermilion gates and embroidered doors were already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

The stewards of the major families in Jiangnan had booked the entire floor of the most famous restaurants on the banks of the Qinhuai River – “Mingyuelou” and “Zuixianlou”, as well as the entire hall of “Wangjiangge”.

On the golden nanmu wood table, "Zhuangyuanhong" wine had already been prepared, awaiting the good news of their son's success in the imperial examination.

"Quick! Go check the rankings!"

The servants from various families crowded together outside the examination hall, each wearing a brocade pouch or sachet that represented their different noble families, which was very conspicuous in the autumn sun.

Jiangnan Examination Hall.

A group of constables carried a bright yellow scroll over ten feet long, accompanied by drums and music, from the Zhigong Hall.

Thousands of armed soldiers stood guard on both sides of the main gate of the examination hall, waiting for the results of the autumn examinations to be announced, creating a tense and solemn atmosphere.

"Crench!"

With a muffled thud, the vermilion gates of the Jiangnan Examination Hall swung open.

"Please, Your Excellency!"

"Gentlemen, please!"

Prefect Wei Guanlan, dressed in a crimson official robe, led a group of officials, including Education Commissioner Du Jingchen and Hanlin Academician Zhou Dunshi, out in single file.

The prefects and educational commissioners of the ten prefectures in Jiangnan followed closely behind.

Governor Wei Guanlan will personally preside over the most important part of the autumn imperial examinations in Jiangnan Circuit—the announcement of the results.

The yellow list was solemnly posted on the "Dragon and Tiger List" screen wall outside the examination hall.

The blue brick wall made the list of successful candidates stand out—the name at the top of the list was prominently displayed in red ink, while the rest of the successful candidates were arranged in five vertical columns.

However, this yellow banner, which was over ten feet long, was now completely covered by a large red silk ribbon, resembling a flowing red waterfall under the blazing sun.

now--

Gongyuan Street had long been swallowed up by the surging crowds.

The crowd of scholars and commoners stretched from the front of the Dragon and Tiger List all the way to the end of the street, looking like a surging wave from afar.

The front row seats were already completely occupied by the scholars from the ten prefectures of Jiangnan who were participating in this year's autumn imperial examination.

The scholars taking the autumn imperial examinations wore uniform blue robes and black gauze headscarves, forming an impenetrable human wall.

Some people stood on tiptoe, some held onto their companions' shoulders, and some even climbed directly onto the stone lions on the street—

Everyone craned their necks, their eyes fixed on the list of candidates to be revealed in the autumn imperial examinations.

"Results announced!"

Wei Guanlan stood with his hands behind his back on the stone steps of the examination hall gate, giving a brief nod in acknowledgment.

Three earth-shattering cannon shots suddenly exploded!

Nine thunderous drumbeats followed in quick succession, each one seemingly striking the hearts of the crowd.

"The results of the Jiangnan provincial examination are being released! Autumn examination!"

The official in charge of announcing the results, along with his constables, shouted in unison.

The midday sun baked the blue brick screen wall until it was scorching hot, and the red silk banners were reflected in it as if they were burning flames.

Choosing the time of noon is an auspicious omen, signifying "the sun at its zenith"—the future of the new candidates is as blazing as the midday sun!

"Issue the C-list!!"

At the announcement of the list, the official shouted, and the head constable of the Jinling Prefecture yamen raised his hand and lifted the red silk at the bottom of the list.

The hundred names written in vermilion ink on the list shone brightly under the blazing sun, like a string of deep red agate.

Gu Zhimian squeezed into the crowd of scholars, his pupils suddenly contracting.

In the middle section of the list, the neat characters in regular script, "Fifty-third in the list, Gu Zhimian from Jiangyin," are clearly visible.

"bingo!"

Gu Zhimian's throat tightened, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement, "Haha... I won!"

Although he was only at the bottom of the third rank, he was still listed on the list of candidates for the Jiangnan Circuit Autumn Examination—thus entering the list of vacant officials in the Ministry of Personnel of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The bitterness of ten years of hard study turned into a hot current that welled up in his eyes.

The old Gu family residence in Dongchian, Jiangyin County, with its three earthen houses covered with reeds, can finally have the plaque "Golden Osmanthus Scholar" hung up again.

Not to mention—his name can now be re-entered into the genealogy of the main branch of the Gu clan in Jiangdong, no longer a poor and neglected minor branch of the Gu clan in Jiangdong!

Congratulations, Brother Gu!

"From now on, we should address you as 'Master Gu'!"

Zhou Guangjin, the white-haired old scholar Zhang Youyi, and countless classmates from Jiangzhou Prefecture and Jiangyin County bowed in greeting.

The congratulatory voices were mixed with a hint of envy and a touch of bitterness, like a spilled bottle of mixed flavors, releasing a complex aroma under the autumn sun.

They knew all too well that, though they were both from humble backgrounds, Gu Zhimian had already leaped over the most important dragon gate of his life, transforming from a lowly carp into a golden-scaled dragon.

And these unsuccessful scholars are still like cold carp in Jiangyin County, who knows how many years it will take before they can transform into golden carp!

"Issuance of the Notice for Rank B!"

The official announced the list of successful candidates in a loud voice.

The red silk was unveiled again, and one hundred gilded names shone brightly in the sunlight.

The crowd of scholars immediately stirred, their eyes eagerly searching for their names.

The scholars from Jiangzhou Prefecture did not see many Jiangzhou candidates on the second list, which made them anxious.

Xue Gui gripped his younger brother's sleeve tightly, his fingertips turning white.

The two brothers looked at the list three times from beginning to end, but still couldn't find their names.

Xue Fu's lips began to tremble, while Xue Gui stared intently at the vermilion seal at the end of the list, as if trying to see through it.

"Our names aren't in our names!"

Xue Fu's voice was choked with sobs.

There is no Class C list!

There's no second-tier list either!
Then don't even think about seeing your name on the more competitive A-list.

"Well, failing the exam was to be expected."

Xue Gui suddenly smiled, revealing a relieved expression. He raised his hand and ruffled his younger brother's hair. "It was an accident that a fifteen-year-old scholar could participate in the autumn examination."

My father didn't pass the imperial examination at the age of fifteen!
I dare not hope to pass the imperial examination this time!

Looking across the entire Jiangnan region, who among those who could pass the imperial examinations at the tender age of twenty wasn't a prodigy?
There are many who take the imperial examinations three or five times, and finally pass after ten years.

Even those who passed the imperial examinations in their thirties or forties were still treated with the high honor of being "the god of literature descended to earth" when they returned to their hometowns.

"No problem! Take the exam again next year!"

Jiang Xingzhou patted the two on the shoulder and comforted them.

He also knew that the Xue brothers were quite mediocre. That they had made it all the way to the autumn imperial examination was already a huge surprise!
Xue Gui straightened his robe and laughed, "Brother-in-law, don't worry! After the results are posted, we'll see your ranking and then go home to study. We'll come back in three years!"

"The list of those to be issued—!"

As a red ribbon was unveiled from the list, ninety-five gilded names shone brilliantly in the autumn sun, like a sword drawn from its sheath, its sharpness fully revealed.

Only the names of the top five candidates on the autumn examination list—the top scholar, the second-best scholar, and the best scholar—remain obscured by red silk.

Cao An's gaze swept across the list, then suddenly stopped—"Cao An, number ten on the list of the top-ranked candidates!"
Overjoyed, he subconsciously turned his head and met Lu Ming's equally surprised gaze. "Lu Ming, twentieth on the list of the top-ranked candidates."

"Top of the list!" "Great! They passed on the first try!"

The two smiled at each other, and their tense shoulders and backs finally relaxed.

Congratulations, Brother Cao!

Congratulations, Brother Lu!

The classmates from Jiangzhou clasped their hands in greeting, their tone full of sincerity.

The Cao and Lu families of Jiangyin were already prominent families in Jiangzhou, and the two men were known for their outstanding talents. Their success in the imperial examination seemed like a natural outcome.

"It's just a fluke!"

Cao An waved his hand and laughed.

Compared to those scions of wealthy families who failed the imperial examinations, they were indeed lucky.

"Rankings of those who have mastered the classics—third, fourth, and fifth place!"

The official in charge of announcing the name exclaimed excitedly.

Suddenly, silence fell over the entrance to the examination hall.

At the very top of that vermilion lacquer notice, five pieces of gold and red silk fluttered slightly in the wind, like five unfurled banners.

All eyes were drawn to that dazzling red—there lay the five most outstanding candidates of this year's autumn imperial examination.

"Third place in the imperial examinations, Xie Qihe from Jinling Prefecture!"

"Fourth place in the imperial examinations, Tang Yanqing from Suzhou Prefecture!"

"Fifth place in the imperial examinations, Xu Canming from Yangzhou Prefecture!"

Xie Qihe's pupils suddenly contracted, and his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white.

third?!
He stared intently at the two red ribbons that had not yet been revealed, his eyes burning with jealousy.

It's one thing for Jiang Xingzhou to top the list of successful candidates!
Who stole the second place in the autumn imperial examination?
Each ranking on the autumn imperial examination list represents a world of difference when it comes to the selection of officials by the Ministry of Personnel—the top scorer and the runner-up can always pick up the most desirable positions first, while the top scorer can only pick up the leftovers.

As for those who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, many candidates from the second and third ranks often waited for years without ever securing an official position.

Han Yugui stared blankly at the list of top scholars, his expression frozen, somewhat bewildered.

The cheers and congratulations that had been rising and falling around us suddenly seemed to fade into the distance.

What's happening here?
The three lists of successful candidates in the imperial examinations are: A, B, and C!

His name wasn't on it!

The top five were ranked third, fourth, and fifth!

It still wasn't him!

Could it be that his abilities actually led to him failing the exam?!

Han Yugui's Adam's apple bobbed, and his ears rang.

"Owner."

The maid Qingfei couldn't help but become nervous.

She clearly saw her master's once upright back stagger and sway, like a bamboo shoot suddenly struck by frost, and wither away.

If her master fails the imperial examination, her abilities will be greatly diminished, which will be very disadvantageous for her clever maid.

"Issue the Asian Yuan Ranking!"

The powerful voice of the official in charge of announcing the name cut through the noise, and the second-to-last red silk ribbon fell to the ground.

"Ya Yuan, Han Yugui from Jiangyin—!"

The ink on the list of successful candidates was dripping wet.

The name Han Yugui was prominently displayed below the list of successful candidates in the provincial examination, standing out like a solitary peak, looking down on all others.

A sudden burst of exclamations erupted in front of the Jiangnan Examination Hall.

"Congratulations, Brother Han!"

The students of Jiangzhou Prefecture blushed, and the surrounding scholars swarmed forward, exclaiming, "You can be considered the dark horse of this year's autumn imperial examination!"

"This...this is impossible!"

The folding fans in the hands of the scholars from Jinling Prefecture fell to the ground with a clatter, and some even rubbed their eyes.

Han Yugui, who usually doesn't show off in Jiangzhou Prefecture, was able to overpower Xie Qihe, one of the four great talents of Jinling Prefecture, and Tang Yanqing, the top scholar in Suzhou.

Han Yugui stared intently at the list, his name on the list of Asian champions, and suddenly felt his knees go weak.

He was stunned again, but he breathed a long sigh of relief.

I finally won!

The back, which had just drooped, straightened up again like a pine tree—like a pine tree after a snowfall, shaking off the heavy snow and standing tall in the morning sun!
"By luck, I concede!"

Han Yugui smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting to Xie Qihe, Tang Yanqing, Xu Canming, Wang Moqing, and other top scholars and experts from Jiangnan Province.

Enraged, Xie Qihe turned deathly pale, his knuckles clenching the folding fan so tightly it creaked, his jade-like face suddenly turning as white as paper.

A cold glint flashed in Tang Yanqing's narrowed phoenix eyes, and Xu Canming gasped – Xie Qihe, one of the four great talents of Jiangnan, was actually overshadowed by this scholar from Jiangyin!
"The top scholar in the Jiangnan provincial examination!"

The announcer's voice boomed like a bell, and the list of successful candidates fell to the ground in response.

The five characters “Jieyuan, Jiang Xingzhou” were written in pure gold ink, each character three inches in diameter, and hung high at the top of the autumn examination list, shining brightly in the autumn sun.

In an instant!
Cheers and applause resounded like thunder both inside and outside the Jiangnan Examination Hall.

A thunderous cheer erupted from the Jiangnan Examination Hall.

Although everyone knew that Jiang Xingzhou would definitely be the top scholar, seeing the list in person now, Jiang Xingzhou officially became the top scholar of Jiangnan Province.

He was also the top scholar among the 10,000 candidates who took the autumn imperial examination this year!
"Young Master Jiang has achieved the highest score in the provincial examination!"

Qingfei was so excited that her face turned red, and she waved her little fists.

Congratulations, Brother Jiang!

"Who else but Brother Jiang is the top scholar in Jiangnan!"

"Brother Jiang's strength and reputation are unmatched in Jiangnan. His reputation is well-deserved; without Brother Jiang, there would be no top scholar!"

Scholars from Jiangzhou Prefecture, Jiangyin County, and even the entire Jiangnan Circuit offered their congratulations with hands clasped, their eyes filled with admiration.

Even the notoriously arrogant Xie Qihe, Wang Moqing, and other four great talents of Jiangnan, as well as Tang Yanqing, Xu Canming, and other top scholars of the ten prefectures, did not show any sign of dissatisfaction at this moment.

Faced with Jiang Xingzhou's overwhelming strength, they had long since lost any desire to compete—they were far inferior to him!
"Thank you!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled faintly and bowed to the crowd.

Before they finished speaking,

Outside the Jiangnan Examination Hall, a deafening sound of firecrackers suddenly rang out, exploding with a "crackling" sound and scattering red paper, completely drowning out the noise outside the hall.

Mingyue Tower, elegant pavilion.

The carved window lattice is half open, offering a distant view of the golden steps of the Jiangnan Examination Hall.

The Twelve Families of Jiangnan
Hanlin scholars Wang Su and Xie Yuheng, the two heads of the Wang and Xie clans, looked at the words "Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar in the Jiangnan provincial examination!" on the list of successful candidates, exchanged a glance, and sighed.

"The carp leaps over the dragon gate in the cold!"

Looking at the bustling crowd in front of the examination hall, Wang Su let out a barely audible sigh.

"From now on, there will be no more opportunities to suppress him!"

Xie Yuheng's words, though on the tip of his tongue, turned into bitterness.

When Jiang Xingzhou was still a scholar, the two powerful clans of Jinling, in their literary and military struggles, could not suppress him.

Not to mention Jiang Xingzhou—who has been granted the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and possesses numerous [Mingzhou, half-step Zhenguo] cultural treasures, his strength has skyrocketed.

This young man surnamed Jiang has already soared to great heights in Jiangnan Province.

"Issue an order to the sons of the twelve families in Jiangnan, regardless of whether they are Juren or Jinshi, that whenever they encounter a boat traveling on the river, they should detour and not provoke them!"
The more you provoke them, the greater the losses! Cutting your losses in time is the best policy!

A moment later, the sound of firecrackers gradually subsided.

"All newly appointed candidates of the autumn imperial examinations, please enter the Jiangnan Examination Hall—where the Prefect will bestow upon you the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) of the Great Zhou Dynasty, your Juren robes, and your Juren swords!"

The official's voice rang out again, solemn and dignified.

"Follow the order!"

Jiang Xingzhou flicked his wide sleeves and took the lead.

His steps were steady, and with his clothes fluttering, he naturally exuded the air of a top scholar.

Behind him, a group of successful candidates, including Han Yugui (second-ranked scholar), Xie Qihe (top scholar), Tang Yanqing, and Xu Canming, lined up according to their rankings and stepped over the threshold of the examination hall to enter the main hall.

Prepare to receive the conferment of the civil service title!

(End of this chapter)