Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 154 The Faces of People Who Have Taken the List

Chapter 154 The Faces of People Who Have Taken the List
The list of successful candidates, determined the night before, was posted the following morning. In addition, all the scholars had an obligation to keep it confidential and could not leave the Imperial Academy until the full announcement was made. Therefore, the surprise and suspense were kept until the very end.

To facilitate the distribution of official invitations, all three thousand successful candidates were required to remain in the capital and not leave without permission. They were also required to register their accommodations at official post stations. However, not all of them were wealthy, so the vast majority stayed in free official post stations, similar to hostels.

Before dawn, everyone was already up, waiting for the announcement.

Although the proportion of people from poor families who pass the imperial examinations is low, the number of people from poor families is much larger, so there are quite a few successful candidates from this region.

"Only two people from Xiyuan passed the imperial examination, one from Huaizhou and the other from Qinzhou!"

On the second-floor corridor, while several scholars were chatting beside Wang Shuishan, one of them ran upstairs and said excitedly.

The official student hostel was divided into four courtyards, each housing five to six hundred scholars.

The acceptance rate is one percent, and out of so many applicants, only two were accepted. The ratio is indeed too low.

"This year hasn't been very friendly to us small, ordinary families," someone said.

While it's true that some people consider social status, isn't this going too far?
"What place is it?" someone next to me asked.

“One is thirteenth, and the other is twenty-eighth,” the man said.

"The results from Xiyuan are quite poor."

As he said this, Wang Shuishan suddenly made a connection: "Aren't most of the candidates from Yangzhou in the West Garden area?"

"Hey, it seems that's true. More than 70% of the people over there are from Yangzhou."

Although the wealthy and powerful families of Yangzhou were treated to a banquet by Minister Sun and all expenses were covered, that was only a small portion of the guests; the majority stayed at the official post station.

Could it be that the imperial court is really suppressing them?
However, other people's business is none of my concern.

All the candidates waited for the scholars to enter, gathered in the corridors on each floor around a huge courtyard, or rather, the 'central courtyard'.

Suddenly, a waiter ran in, shouting loudly, "Five gentlemen from Nanyuan have passed the imperial examination!"

“There are only two in the West Garden, but five in the South Garden!” someone said upon hearing this. “If that’s the case, then it’s about one in a hundred, no problem.”

“Then there’s no such thing as suppressing those from poor families…” someone muttered. “After all, so many people from Nanyuan have passed the imperial examinations.”

"Why don't you explain yourself clearly? What are you suppressing?"

In reality, nothing can be hidden forever.

Anyone with eyes can see that His Majesty is targeting the candidates from Yangzhou.

The acceptance rate in Yangzhou is absolutely abysmal.

The test takers in Yangzhou are having a tough time.

But the previous competition didn't have such obvious discrimination...

Is this a slap in the face to Sun Situ?
How innocent were the test takers from Yangzhou!

"Now that we've arrived at Nanyuan, we must be almost at Dongyuan, right?"

Everyone became nervous.

My palms started to sweat.

Passing the imperial examination meant starting as a high-ranking official of the seventh rank, and those who already had a rank might even rise to the sixth rank.

Now he's really going to marry a rich and beautiful woman and reach the pinnacle of life!

As they waited with great anticipation, the scholars from the Imperial Academy, accompanied by a group of officials, entered the post station with smiles on their faces.

At the same time, they also beat drums and gongs to create a lively atmosphere.

A ninth-rank official stood beside the scholar, carrying a wooden tray with a gold ingot on it.

How many are there?

"It seems there's more than one."

"There must be more than one."

"There should be several, no less than Nanyuan."

After standing in the middle, the scholar picked up a gold ingot from the official's wooden tray and loudly announced, "Congratulations to Zhong Hao of Pingling, Huaizhou, for ranking twenty-third in the imperial examination."

Upon hearing this name, a student on the third floor was completely stunned.

When the scholar next to him laughed and shoved him, he finally realized, "I am! I am Zhong Hao!"

Clinging to the railing with both hands, he suddenly went mad, looking down at the scholars below, and raised his foot to jump over the railing.

Seeing this, bystanders quickly pulled him back: "Brother Zhong! Take the stairs, take the stairs!"

Zhong Hao rushed downstairs and ran towards the Imperial Academy scholar.

"Congratulations."

The scholar smiled slightly and handed the gold letter, written in gold powder on plain paper, to the other party with both hands.

"Thank you..."

Startled, he accepted the gold invitation.

A ninth-rank official standing nearby also smiled and said, "Congratulations, Master Zhong."

"Thank you, thank you very much."

Zhong Hao numbly turned around and walked forward. Suddenly, he knelt down and burst into tears, wailing, "Mother! I passed the exam! Father! Can you see this from heaven!"

This ultimate experience of achieving success in life is something that everyone envies.

The Jinshi degree from Dayu was of exceptionally high quality.

It's held every two years, and there are only thirty people in each session.

Wuhu, take off.

"Congratulations to Sheng Ancenchen of Sizhou for ranking ninth in the imperial examination."

The second scholar who was reported was much calmer.

He was also quite old, around thirty-five years old.

Someone recognized it and said, "This is the old Asian champion from many years ago."

"His current official position must be quite high, right?"

"I've been working in a sinecure department and focused on preparing for the exam until now, so naturally I haven't been promoted and I'm still only a ninth-rank official."

"But now that I've passed the imperial examination, my previous experience will come in handy."

The number of people admitted to Sizhou was always relatively large. Generally, those who achieved the second-highest score in the provincial examination could pass the exam with a little more effort. However, they wouldn't keep trying, since they were already officials and focusing on advancement was the right path.

Of course, as mentioned before, the recognition of scholars by the Jinshi degree is incomparable to direct fame and fortune.

Two more people were subsequently notified.

Both of them were overjoyed.

In the end, only one gold ingot remained.

The students at Dongyuan were all extremely nervous. A small number were disappointed, but the vast majority hoped that they would be the lucky ones in the end.

Holding onto the fence, Wang Shuishan looked extremely solemn.

“Wang Shuishan of Anhe, Sizhou, ranked twenty-seventh among the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).”

The clenched hand slowly loosened.

He closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. A smile gradually replaced his expression.

.........

"Master Fan! Master Gao! You've both passed the imperial examination!"

The two were in the same room. After the waiter knocked on the door, he excitedly reported the news.

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, bowed to each other, and extended their hands, saying, "Please."

The two of them went downstairs together.

They each received their gold certificates from the scholars.

Although they were all ranked in the teens, at least they won.

Being ranked third or fourth in the provincial examination is quite impressive.

The Great Yu Kingdom has six prefectures.

Each state has its own top scholar (解元).

Moreover, the candidates were not limited to those who had passed the provincial examination in the previous year.

That was an incredibly impressive performance.

"Congratulations, Mr. Fan and Mr. Gao."

At this moment, the innkeeper approached with a beaming smile and said rather obsequiously, "It is truly an honor for our inn to have two such accomplished scholars. Would you do us the honor of gifting us some calligraphy and paintings?"

The two of them turned around and looked at the "Great Ambitions" sign in the shop.

Gao Yunyi joked, "I'm definitely no match for Song Jieyuan, so where would I hang my name?"

"This..." he hesitated.

"Don't make things difficult for the shopkeeper," Fan Wuji said. "Just put it anywhere you have space."

"Master Fan, you flatter me. How could I dare to hang it up so casually?" The shopkeeper, a sudden inspiration, said, "How about the second or third floor?"

Is it better to go higher, or worse?

As soon as Gao Yunyi finished speaking, Fan Wuji glanced at him and said, "Don't make fun of the shopkeeper."

"To be mocked as one pleases is an honor for a petty person like me."

The shop owner didn't care at all.

They were overjoyed that two scholars had passed the imperial examinations in a single day.

They're really going to make a fortune!

The cultural heritage of Dayu is actually in our post station? Isn't that absurd?
.........

Inside the Situ residence, they awaited the arrival of officials from the imperial court.

Sun Situ and Sun Qian were dressed in fine clothes and looked radiant.

He truly deserves to be called the most handsome man in Sun Yat-sen's history and the most handsome man of our time.

Sun Jinhua was also quite interested on the side, wanting to know if her brother could actually become the top scholar.

Also, how will Song Shi'an, who has spent so long in prison, do on his exams...?

Soon after, people from the Imperial Academy arrived.

There were quite a few people there, making it a very grand event, comparable in scale to a student dormitory.

"Your humble servant greets Lord Situ."

Upon seeing the three masters of Chaopin, everyone bowed respectfully.

"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities," Old Man Sun replied amiably, pleased with himself.

Then, the leading scholar from the Imperial Academy picked up the gold invitation and said with a smile, "Congratulations to Young Master Sun Qian for winning the third-place prize."

"..."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was stunned.

The next moment, Sun Yan's face turned dark.

Sun Qian's pupils dilated in disbelief: "Third place in the imperial examination?"

Sun Heng was also taken aback, but he remained polite, maintaining a respectful smile towards the scholars of the Imperial Academy.

Sun Jinhua, who was in the corner, was completely taken aback.

Isn't it always said that on the surface it's a battle between Song Shi'an and Sun Qian for the top scholar title, but in reality it's a political struggle within the imperial court?
If the top scorer loses, shouldn't the runner-up be the second-place finisher?

What the heck is "third-place scholar"?

"Am I the third-ranked scholar?"

Sun Qian immediately became anxious and said excitedly, "That top scholar..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sun Yan angrily interrupted him: "Why aren't you accepting the invitation? What's the point of asking so many questions?"

You, the second-place finisher, can ask the top-ranking scholar, what does it have to do with the third-place finisher?

a shame.

Sun Qian gritted his teeth and reluctantly accepted his 'admission notice'.

.........

"My lord, the imperial edict has arrived."

Zhu Amang opened the cell door for Song Shi'an.

"Zhu Amang".

When Song Shi'an was released from prison, he called out the name of the jailer as he was being led away by the officials.

Several prison guards looked at him when they heard this.

This kid is really lucky!

"Goodbye, sir." Zhu Amang began, somewhat moved, but quickly corrected himself, "Ah no, goodbye, goodbye..."

Song Shi'an smiled.