Top Scholar

Chapter 488 The Imperial Examination
"First place in Class A—Su Lu!"

The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial, who were stationed at various points along the imperial steps, immediately took turns chanting the hymns; this was the so-called 'Chronicle of the Court of State Ceremonial'.

The name 'Su Lu' was passed from the Danbi to the Danchi, echoing throughout the square in front of Fengtian Hall.

Although he was somewhat prepared, Su Lu still felt dizzy when he actually heard his name called.

When he made his grand ambition in the sorghum fields of Erlangtan, he never imagined he would come this far. At that time, his ideal was simply to do his best to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, so that he could eat a meal of half sorghum and half refined grains.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the stinging sensation in his nose and the dizziness in his head, and took slightly trembling steps to follow the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial out of the queue and kneel down before the Golden Platform.

Su Lu glanced at the man with the small mustache on the throne, who was also smiling at him. He quickly lowered his head. Otherwise, it would be impolite; how could he meet the emperor's gaze?
Then, Li Dongyang announced: "Jing Yang is second in the first division!"

The other students also took turns singing the name of the runner-up.

Jing Yang quickly followed and knelt down beside Su Lu.

Li Dongyang then announced the third-place winner: "Su Man, third place in the first division!"

While Su Lu and Jing Yang were somewhat prepared, Su Man never expected that he, who ranked thirty-sixth in the provincial examination, would actually become the third-ranked scholar!
"First Class, Third Place: Su Man!" Amidst the loud announcements from the class leaders, it was only after Liu Henian nudged him from behind that Su Man snapped out of his daze and hurriedly left his class.

The officials couldn't help but turn their heads, all wanting to see just how handsome he was that the emperor had made an exception and named him the third-ranked scholar.
He was wearing the same scholar's robes, but on him it looked like a completely different style—

His black gauze scarf covered his head neatly, making his face look as white as powder and his eyes as bright as stars. The two flowing black gauze ribbons made him look exceptionally elegant and otherworldly.

His tall, straight figure, as upright as a pine or bamboo, was wrapped in a dark blue robe with green trim, and a leather belt cinched his waist. His long, slender fingers gripped a locust wood tablet, his back straight but without a trace of arrogance, and his eyes exuded a gentle and calm demeanor.

Despite wearing the same uniform as everyone else, he somehow exuded an air of refined elegance, like a handsome man straight out of an ancient book...

The entire court of officials suddenly realized. No wonder, no wonder! It would be a great pity not to appoint such a handsome man as the third-ranked scholar!

Su Man knelt down to Su Lu's right hand, and the two brothers looked at each other and smiled, both feeling that this was the most wonderful moment of their lives.

After the names of the three first-class graduates were announced, Li Dongyang loudly read out the names of the second-class graduates:
"One hundred and fifteen people, including Zhu Zihe, of the second class!"

"Two hundred and twenty-seven people, including Hu Zuanzong of the third class!"

The second and third class only announces the first place of their respective candidates, known as the second and third class announcements, while the rest of the candidates are listed in the 'waiting' category.

The second and third-ranked scholars were not required to leave the ranks; they simply remained in their original lines, bowing their heads and listening.

After the names were called out, the master of ceremonies announced loudly, "Bowing!"

The music started again, and all the newly appointed scholars bowed down and performed the four-bowing ceremony to the emperor.

After the ceremony, just as the eunuch was about to announce "Rise," Zhu Houzhao spoke up, saying, "Wait a moment, I have a few words to say to the new graduates."

Upon hearing this, the newly appointed scholars were relatively calm, but all the officials were taken aback.

The grand ceremony of announcing the decree was a national event with strict procedures at every step. Everyone had their own responsibilities, and completing the process according to the established rules was a victory.

It was extremely rare for an emperor to suddenly decide to give a speech, disrupting the established order, but no one could stop him. They could only hold their breath and listen attentively to the imperial instructions.

Then Emperor Zhengde addressed the 349 newly appointed scholars in a loud voice:

"You are all disciples of the Emperor, and I am the Emperor, therefore you are all my disciples!"

Su Lu almost lost his composure. What was all this about?

But his classmates behind him were filled with astonishment and excitement. To hear the words "disciple of the emperor" from the emperor's mouth was an immense honor, carrying immense weight!
Zhu Houzhao was very satisfied with their reaction, so he continued his lecture:

"As the saying goes, 'It is the father's fault if he raises his children without teaching them, and the teacher's laziness if he teaches them without strictness.' I am both your father... uh, your sovereign father, and your teacher, so I will not just take care of you once and for all, but will personally teach you!"

The officials were so shocked they couldn't close their mouths. What was the emperor going to do?

The newly appointed scholars were moved to tears. Good heavens, we're going to be the emperor's students! Being a student of the emperor is no joke!

However, the Vice Minister of Rites hadn't taught them how to deal with it, so no one dared to utter a word.

"I personally instructed you, hoping that you would serve as officials with integrity and work diligently. I have given you this honor and this future, so do not disappoint me. You must become pillars of the Ming Dynasty! Do not let the words 'disciples of the Emperor' be tarnished!"

As his words fell, a deathly silence fell over the area in front of the Golden Palace. Emperor Zhengde's plain words, without quoting any classical texts, were powerful and resonant, striking deeply into everyone's hearts!

The officials were all dumbfounded. Was this really the Zhengde Emperor? Who didn't know that His Majesty had always loved riding horses and hunting, indulging in pleasure, despising court affairs, being close to eunuchs and sycophants, and hating to deal with ministers?

Why has His Majesty suddenly changed his tune today, showing such high regard for these newly appointed scholars and even offering to personally instruct them? Could it be that His Majesty has come up with some prank to play on these newly appointed scholars?
The newly appointed scholars, however, were filled with fervor and overwhelming excitement. Many couldn't help but shed tears, their eyes burning with intense fervor as they looked at the emperor. At that moment, they were even willing to die for him…

Zhu Houzhao's gaze swept over the group of new scholars, finally landing on Su Lu in the front row. He smiled and said, "Scholar Su, you are the top scholar in the first imperial examination of my new dynasty. Why don't you represent your classmates from the first imperial examination and make a statement?"

"Yes!" Su Lu replied loudly, "Your Majesty's kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and we are deeply grateful! As disciples of the Emperor, we should be loyal to the Emperor and love our country, prioritize the nation and the people, be honest and diligent in our duties, and vow to live up to Your Majesty's high expectations and the glory of being disciples of the Emperor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed his head again, and the 348 newly appointed scholars behind him all prostrated themselves in unison, echoing, "Your Majesty, we will certainly not fail your grace!" Their voices were clear and resounding, echoing across the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, lingering for a long time...

This gave Zhu Houzhao an unprecedented sense of exhilaration since his ascension to the throne, and he almost couldn't contain his pride... If it weren't for the grand ceremony, he probably would have wriggled around on the dragon throne like a bean worm.

He forced a smile, raised his hand, and shouted, "Go and enjoy your glory first!"

Liu Jin, who was standing to the side, immediately said in a shrill voice, "Rise—"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the crowd responded in unison, rising to their feet with a bang.

The newly appointed scholars still had tears on their faces, but their eyes burned with a fierce light, even revealing a hint of fanaticism.

As the civil and military officials watched this scene, they became increasingly surprised and uncertain. Could it be that the young emperor had grown a brain?
~~
Amidst the music of Shao, the officials carried the yellow notice board and slowly descended the steps, proceeding towards the Meridian Gate under the guidance of canopies, drums, and music.

The newly appointed candidates followed closely behind, and escorted by the Minister of Rites, they arrived at Fengtian Gate.

"The top three scholars will exit through the central gate," Tian Butang said in a deep voice. "The second and third-ranked scholars will exit through the left and right gates in order."

Thus, Su Lu, Jing Yang, and Su Man, under the encouraging gaze of Tian Butang, stepped onto the white marble imperial road that only the emperor was allowed to tread on.

The three walked somewhat nervously down the imperial path, which was decorated with a relief of the Dragon Gate. Their steps were slow and deliberate, as if they were afraid of damaging the white marble beneath their feet.

Su Lu lowered his eyes to look at the stone slabs under his feet and said softly to Jing Yang beside him, "Brother Boshi, you're walking with the same foot forward as someone else."

"..." Jing Yang said with a wry smile, "I've lost track of what to do with my hands and feet."

"Listen to my command, one, two, one..." Su Lu whispered, helping Jing Bangyan follow his steps.

"Big brother, why aren't you nervous?" he then asked Su Man on the other side.

"I haven't had a chance to think about it yet." Su Man remained calm and composed, sighing softly, "It feels like a dream. I'm afraid that I'll suddenly open my eyes and find myself still lying in the Waiting for the Moon Thatched Cottage in Luzhou."

"Waiting for the Moon Thatched Cottage?" Su Lu had almost forgotten about it, but after a moment's thought, he suddenly realized:
"Mom, I want to go home..."

"Shut up!" Su Man's handsome face immediately turned red, and he said in a low voice, "Don't think that just because you became the top scholar in the imperial examination, I won't dare to beat you up!"

Tanabe waited patiently for the three of them. He had been through similar experiences and could understand their feelings all too well.

Ten years of lamplight illuminating the night, a sweet dream one never wants to wake from.

~~
After walking out of Chengtian Gate, the three top scholars descended from the imperial road and joined their classmates who had been waiting nearby, heading towards the Left Gate of Chang'an.

The six-zhang-long imperial examination list had been posted outside the Left Gate of Chang'an, and the people of the capital who had been waiting for a long time flocked to see it.

The families of the newly appointed scholars stared intently at their names, including Su Youjin, Su Youcai, and Su Tai.

But there were just too many people, and they couldn't get close enough in a short time.

At that moment, the person in front loudly announced the name of the top scholar—

"Oh my goodness! This year's top scholar is named Su Lu!"

"Hahaha! That's my son!" Su Youcai shouted excitedly, "I'm the father of a top scholar now!"

"Haha! That's my nephew!" Su Youjin exclaimed excitedly, "I'm the top scholar's great-uncle now!"

The next moment, someone else shouted, "The third-ranked scholar is also surnamed Su, and his name is Su Man!"

"Haha, that's my son!" Su Youjin shouted excitedly again, "I'm the father of a third-place scholar now!"

"Haha! That's my nephew!" Su Youcai exclaimed excitedly, "I'm the third-ranked scholar now!"

"You two aren't just bragging, are you?" someone asked, still somewhat skeptical.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Su Youjin and Su Youcai caught sight of the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) emerging from the left gate of Chang'an, and they cupped their hands around their mouths and shouted loudly, "Su Lu! Su Man!"

The two newly appointed scholars who were walking at the front turned around upon hearing the voice, waved to them, and said in unison:

"Father! Uncle!"

"Father! Second Uncle!"

"Hahaha, do you believe me now?!" The two old men were practically strutting around with pride.

"I believe it now!" Everyone was completely convinced and bowed respectfully to You Jin Youcai, saying, "I admire you! My apologies for not respecting you!"

P.S. The next chapter will be available tomorrow morning. Please vote with your monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)