Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 86: List of Names on the Imperial Examinations – Whose Name Is Not Among Them?
The process of announcing the results of the provincial examinations followed a fixed procedure.

There are also unwritten rules regarding the date and time, with the basic choice being the Yin day or the Chen day, which is the origin of another name, "Dragon and Tiger List".

Today happens to be a Tiger Day, and is called the Tiger List.

There was a specific method to posting the notices. First, the notices were posted outside the examination hall, then in the prefectural government offices, and then in the county towns and other places. The notices were copied and made public to be seen and spread by the general public.

Many candidates, whether local or from out of town, came to take the exam, and after the exam, they would all stay to wait for the results to be announced.

There's no need to go to the site to see the results; you can stay at your residence. A messenger will bring you the good news on horseback, carrying a red banner.

The procession, complete with the sounding of gongs and the chanting of its name, attracted countless onlookers, creating a truly spectacular scene.

This was just the provincial examination; if one passed the imperial examination, the ceremony would be even grander.

Ten years of hard study go unnoticed, but one day of success brings fame to the world.

This is not just talk.

These scenes are commonplace in the Chen family's ancestral home, and they happen every three years.

Even so, each session is still treated with great solemnity, without the slightest negligence.

Clan succession and generational renewal are of paramount importance.

Led by clan head Chen Shouqi, all the clan elders and heads of various branches of the family were present, along with the middle-aged and younger generations of Chen clan members, making it a truly grand gathering in front of the ancestral hall on the hillside.

After the good news is announced, all the successful candidates will change into their official robes and crowns, ascend the steps, enter the ancestral hall for the ancestral worship ceremony, receive the blessings of their ancestors, and enjoy the glory of their clan.

There were too many people present, and they were used to being organized by room, forming different groups.

With flags waving and various parasols unfurled, the scene hinted at a competitive spirit.

Even water flows and competes for length, let alone a large and prestigious clan?
There has never been a lack of open and covert struggles.

When Chen Shounian broke with convention by recommending Chen Jin, Chen Jin inevitably became embroiled in controversy. However, he kept a low profile, spending most of his time in the library and having almost no other social interactions. Even if others wanted to find fault, they couldn't find a reason to criticize him.

Today marks the second time Chen Jin has appeared in public since the previous ancestral worship ceremony.

Before this, Chen Shounian had asked him for his opinion on whether to stay in the old clothes alley or come to the ancestral land.

Chen Jin chose the latter.

This year, none of the six branches of the family participated in the provincial examination. If he doesn't come, there will be no one to raise the flag, and he will have failed Chen Shounian's many help and support.

However, Chen Shounian had his own concerns. He had considered the worst possible outcome: if Chen Jin failed the exam, he would be condemned by everyone, subjected to ridicule, and even abuse.

It would be tantamount to bringing shame upon oneself.

In that case, staying in the old clothes alley would undoubtedly be much better.

But Chen Jin remained resolute, calmly stating, "If I don't have the courage to face these people who want to laugh at me now, how will I have the courage to face Magistrate Zhao, who might take my life and future, when I return home?"

Hearing this, Chen Shounian was deeply moved, and Guo Ai looked at Chen Jin with even more admiration.

So Chen Jin sat down in this chair, facing countless strange looks and all sorts of mocking and sarcastic remarks.

Then he focused his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mind, and entered a meditative state, as if he were in a world without anyone else.

Upon seeing this, the clan elders, including Chen Shouqi, nodded slightly, revealing their approval: Putting aside everything else, this level of self-cultivation alone is something that cannot be faked.

Compared to the candidates from other clans, they were mostly anxious and restless, craning their necks to look ahead, hoping to see the arrival of the swift messenger bringing good news...

Gotta get it!
Just then, amidst the sound of horses' hooves and the clanging of gongs, someone shouted from afar: "Congratulations to the young master of the Chen family for ranking 113th in the provincial examination of Gaozhou in the year of Yichou..."

"bingo!"

In the third group, a candidate in his thirties jumped up excitedly, clenched his fists, and shouted, "I won!"

After shouting, two streams of hot tears flowed out, and he was already in tears.

No one around him laughed at his loss of composure; instead, they all cast envious glances and congratulated him in unison.

Ranked 113th, it's practically at the bottom of the class, but if you've won, you've won.

As long as you win, that's good.

As the saying goes, "A silver-ranked scholar becomes a gold-ranked scholar," which truly represents the leap from poverty to high office.

Chen He'en clasped his hands in gratitude, and his family and attendants went to greet the messenger, giving him a large reward. Then they invited him to rest in a nearby pavilion and have some tea.

As the curtain was lifted, every so often a messenger would arrive on horseback, loudly announcing the name of the deceased.

The ranking of those who passed the imperial examination also rose rapidly, from outside the top 100 to within the top 100.

In fact, the ranking in the provincial examination had no real value, unlike the final palace examination, which was divided into three grades, truly differentiating the levels.

Those ranked outside the top 100 in the provincial examination received essentially the same treatment as those ranked just above them.

However, regardless of the personnel involved, once the rankings are determined, the competition for those rankings becomes inevitable. Everyone hopes to be among the top, especially the number one.

The quantities they mentioned were all different.

More than the rankings, clan leader Chen Shouqi and his group cared about the number of people who passed the imperial examinations.

In recent years, the clan has faced a severe shortage of successors, with not only the number of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) but also the number of Juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations) decreasing sharply. This situation cannot continue in the long run.

It remains to be seen whether this year's results can reverse the downward trend.

About an hour later, the sixth messenger finally appeared to bring good news.

The one who passed the imperial examination this time was Chen Xuewen, who came from the eldest branch of the family and was Chen Xuejie's older cousin. After failing the examination for many years, he was able to pass and ranked twelfth.

This ranking is not low.

This also means that this round of good news is almost over.

A quick calculation revealed that six people had already passed the imperial examinations, far exceeding the number from the previous session. The elders all smiled with relief and leisurely began to sip their tea.

Chen Shounian was the only exception.

Anyone could see that he was just putting on a brave face.

Chen Shounian was not someone who couldn't accept defeat, but when failure truly came, an indescribable bitterness and an inexplicable sorrow began to permeate his heart and lingered there.

Chen Shouyi, the head of the fifth branch of the family who was on good terms with him, was standing nearby. Seeing this, he came over and patted him on the shoulder: "Sixth brother, we are in the same boat this time. Of the twelve people on my side who went to take the exam, not one of them passed."

Chen Shounian forced a smile: "My family can't compare to yours. Your family members are young and have a long future ahead of them."

Chen Shouyi glanced at Chen Jin, who was still resting with his eyes closed, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Gotta get it!
And now, even more good news has arrived.

besides?

Everyone's spirits lifted, and even the seasoned elders leaned forward, straining their ears to listen:

"Congratulations to Master Chen Xuecheng, the young master of the Chen family, for achieving fifth place in the provincial examination of Gaozhou in the year of Yichou..."

The messenger had a specially trained voice, loud and clear, with each word clearly audible.

Chen Shounian, who had just regained hope, couldn't help but sigh when he heard the name. But he quickly adjusted his mindset, stood up, cupped his hands and said to Chen Shouyi, "Fifth Brother, congratulations on your son's success in the imperial examination. From now on, may your future be bright and your career soar to great heights."

Chen Xuecheng is Chen Shouyi's grandson, and he just came of age this year.

At such a young age, he passed the imperial examination and his reputation rivaled that of the prodigy Chen Xuejie, except that one ranked fifth while the other was the top scholar.

It was only slightly inferior in ranking.

Congratulations, Fifth Brother!

"Fifth brother, it's time to treat him to a drink."

Congratulations and well wishes poured in, arriving in a flurry.

Chen Shouyi was overjoyed to see his grandson pass the imperial examination with flying colors. He beamed and clasped his hands in celebration, saying, "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

It was quite a lively and joyful occasion.

But all this liveliness and joy seemed irrelevant to Chen Jin. He opened his eyes, looked around, and gazed at the vast sky. Suddenly, a sense of desolate loneliness arose within him.

There was also some frustration, some disappointment, and some resentment...

He was not a stone after all. No matter how well he cultivated his composure, he still had emotions and desires. When faced with such setbacks, all sorts of distracting thoughts arose.

Like wild, rampant weeds that seep into every nook and cranny, or like swirling dust that leaves no place to hide.

Wild grass will entangle his body, making it impossible for him to move an inch; dust will cloud his mind, making it impossible for him to find his way forward...

In an instant, Chen Jin sensed a danger and immediately activated his internal energy technique, subconsciously visualizing Kui Xing kicking the Dipper lamp.

The precious lamp is now hidden in the Pot Heaven Bag, but for countless days and nights, it has been placed on the table, visible whenever one looks up.

While reading and writing, Chen Jin gazed at it countless times, from the lamp body to the lamp holder to the lampshade, from the turtle at its feet to the Kui Xing statue to the patina and luster covering its entire body...

Every aspect has been observed meticulously, leaving nothing out.

In a single thought, numerous details combined and swiftly transformed into a Kui Xing kicking the Dipper lamp.

Completely lifelike, capturing both form and spirit.

With another thought, the lamps were lit, their flames shining brightly.

This fire can burn wild grass and reflect ashes.

As a result, my mind gradually calmed down, and my emotions began to settle.

"Chen Jin, what are you thinking about?"

Chen Shounian noticed his unusual behavior and asked him with concern.

Chen Jin let out a breath: "It's nothing, I'm just a little unwilling."

Chen Shounian comforted you, saying, "The difficulty of the provincial examination is extraordinary. Throughout history, countless talented scholars have failed. Besides, this is only your first time taking the exam, and you will have plenty of opportunities in the future. Don't be discouraged or disheartened by this."

After the celebration, everyone returned to their seats and continued to wait.

After all, theoretically, there is still a possibility that some members of the clan could achieve higher rankings.

However, after waiting and waiting for half an hour, there was still no further movement.

The sun has passed its zenith, which means the end of this year's results announcement.

Those who are successful beam with joy, while those who are unsuccessful are dejected and heartbroken.

At this time, no one was so foolish as to jump out and make sarcastic or sarcastic remarks.

Didn't you see Chen Shounian protecting Chen Jin?

This sixth branch head is no pushover either.

It's time to call it a day...

Gotta get it!
The rapid hoofbeats struck the ground like drums.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, but instead of the person who brought the good news, they saw an elderly man with one arm riding a horse, his white hair fluttering in the wind.

Who is he?
Chen Jin recognized the person and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, wondering what had happened.

But then Shi Qifeng strained with all his might, exhaled, and roared, "Young Master! Young Master, you've succeeded!"

(End of this chapter)