Giant Ship Across the Song Dynasty: My Supplies Come from My Motherland

Chapter 136 Hmm?

It seems that asking Lin Zhou to help analyze this matter will ultimately be in vain. Putting everything else aside, I hope he is well; that alone is enough.

Eat — Eat —

"Speaking of which, these days have been exhausting," Young Master Zhao said during the banquet, his eyes filled with a hint of melancholy. "There are only four days left until the imperial examination. Originally, the Emperor would select the candidates, but who knew he would ask me to take his place this year? I was born mediocre, yet he asked me to test the talents of the world. I really don't know what to do."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhou craned his neck to look at him: "Huh? You're taking the imperial examination this year?"

Lu You laughed and said, "It seems the Emperor intends to pave the way for Young Master Zhao."

"No, no—it's just a matter of selecting officials for the nation. Besides, I lack both virtue and talent, so it would be quite embarrassing for me to take on this position."

Seeing his sullen state, Lin Zhou stroked his chin and looked him up and down: "Give me the top scholar title, please."

Zhao Ji nearly choked on his food. He quickly apologized, wiped his mouth, and looked at Lin Zhou with a wry smile: "Brother Lin, please don't joke around—"

"I'm not joking, I really am going to the palace. I've been worrying about what to do all this time. When I heard that you were the chief examiner today, it was like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse. Come on, stop talking nonsense, here's ten thousand strings of cash, give me the top scholar title."

His words amused Tang Wan, while Zhao Ji glanced awkwardly at Xiao'e, who had a fierce look in her eyes, and then at Lin Zhou, who was waiting for a reply.

After a long silence, Zhao Ji finally mustered the courage to speak: "Brother Lin—I'm afraid that won't work. The top scholar—that's too much—"

"Whether you give way or not, it's a simple question!" Lin Zhou slammed his hand on the table. "I'm, after all, a disciple of Headmaster Chen! What's wrong with being the top scholar?"

"Brother Lin—this is not just someone's disciple—"

Seeing his troubled expression, Lin Zhou asked curiously, "So what's the process? It's not like you go there that day, ask me a few questions, I answer them, you laugh out loud with great joy, and then point and say, 'Great! You're the top scorer this year!'"

""

Hearing Lin Zhou's words, Zhao Ji himself laughed. At first, he laughed shyly, but then his laughter grew wider and wider, and finally he burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahahaha—brother—hahahaha—you're so funny!"

Zhao Ji laughed until tears welled up in his eyes. He finally calmed himself down before speaking, "Those who entered the palace that day were divided into four categories: those who were formally admitted, those who were specially admitted, those who were members of the imperial clan, and those who were directly admitted. If that's the case, then you should be a direct-admission candidate, meaning you were granted a degree without having to take the palace examination."

"It seems like I'm participating in the final stage."

"Exactly." Zhao Ji nodded and said, "Brother doesn't even take the exam; he's directly announced and granted a place in the palace to answer questions. How can he possibly become the top scholar? — At least you have to take the exam to get a ranking. And the papers of the top three scholars are to be widely publicized and kept on file in the palace. Brother Lin, you —"

He was practically saying, "You're the kind of person who can pronounce 'you' as 'tushu' in Chinese, you're the kind of person who can write the most lousy exam paper."

"So, does that mean the exam will consist of writing the Four Books and Five Classics?"

"Um."

"When is the exam? I'll just go! Give me the questions!" Lin Zhou's cheating intent remained undiminished: "I'll memorize the answers—"

"I can tell you about the questions and the techniques for answering them, brother. This year's main question is 'Eight Questions on High Ideals,' the core of which is the devastation of the people's livelihood after war, the large number of displaced people, the heavy financial burden, the inability to reduce the army, the inability to prepare for war and provoke foreign powers, the need to stabilize the rule, the need to rectify official corruption, and the need to paint a picture of peace. The question itself can be summed up in one sentence: 'By the Emperor's favor, I have pacified Jiangnan, punished the ills of past wars, therefore I humble myself to appease the people, cease hostilities and make peace, so that the people may rest and achieve a period of prosperity.'"

"Huh?" Lin Zhou's eyes widened. "Wasn't the test supposed to be on the textbook? This—what the hell is this?"

Zhao spread his hands, while Tang Wan nudged Lin Zhou with her elbow: "Brother, answer."

"I'll answer you—" Lin Zhou clicked his tongue and looked at Lu You: "Control your wife."

Lu You seemed to be thinking about how to answer the question, while Lin Zhou thought for a while, then slammed his hand on the table and said to Zhao Fen, "Give me the top scholar title!"

.

Zhao Ji didn't perceive any offense; he only saw the desperate struggle of a man on his deathbed. He held it in for a long time, then burst out laughing.

"Brother—forget it." Lu You sighed, "It's better not to do these kinds of questions."

"The core idea behind this year's top scorer's answer is: the path of benevolence begins with pragmatism, and the attainment of peace originates from loving people."

Lin Zhou exclaimed after hearing this, "What? It's already decided?"

Lu You leaned closer and whispered to Lin Zhou, "Brother, the exam was over three days ago—four days from now is an auspicious day for the audience to answer questions in court."

"Damn! What was I doing three days ago?"

"You and Brother Ying spent the whole day catching butterflies with that tattered net," Tang Wan reminded her, then pointed to the butterfly specimens on the wall: "They're quite beautiful."

Upon hearing this, the room was immediately filled with a cheerful atmosphere. Anyone who could keep their smile from laughing at a time like this was practically a vegetable.

Lin Zhou retorted, "How am I being impractical? How am I not loving people? I'll build a steel mill for your Song Dynasty, I'll send high-yield seeds to your Song Dynasty, I'll create jobs and attract investment, and I'll even build a shipyard—"

"I know all of this," Zhao said. "Last night, Grand Tutor Chen came to my residence and talked with me for half the night. Before leaving, he specifically told me not to make things difficult for a man named Lin Zhou, and to let him pass when he seemed ready. Just put him in the top five. And this morning, Prime Minister Qin also came in person and talked for a long time. In the end, he also mentioned Brother Lin's name."

"I have that much influence?" Lin Zhou was somewhat incredulous. "These two people personally went out of their way for me?"

"Yes, I have never seen these two people promote the same person. These two are like oil and water in the court."

"I'm likable, aren't I?" Lin Zhou said without any modesty, turning around and pointing to the butterfly specimen hanging on the wall: "Isn't it beautiful?"

"It's nice, so I'll give it to you."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation once again.

The next two days were relatively peaceful. Hongliu came once, but this time she didn't look too good. She said that her father had rushed back to Zhongdu and that all the affairs here had been handed over to Yangti and her.

Hongliu also said that her parents had instructed her to let Lin Zhou solve any problems they encountered when they went back home.

Lin Zhou was stunned when he heard this. Who did he think he was to be asked to solve this problem? But men have pride, so he couldn't refuse. He could only pat his chest and shout that he would hold up the sky if it fell.

Hongliu was so moved that she cried, and even received a kiss from the princess.

The days that followed passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for the day of the oral defense.

It was a clear autumn day, and the entire Zhongjie Avenue was packed with people, with red flags waving and drums beating loudly.

The triennial grand ceremony of the celebrant's succession was naturally a lively and bustling affair, with crowds of people thronging the streets, all hoping to share in the good fortune of these literary stars.

This group of people had been waiting on the Imperial Road in the middle of the street since Chenshi (7-9 AM), in a clear order. The three people in front were the legendary top three scholars in the imperial examination.

Lin Zhou stood silently in the last row, hiding in the shadows of the people in front of him, and then proceeded to eat heartily.

"Who is that?" On the high platform, Qin Hui spotted Lin Zhou, who was acting suspiciously. He was dressed in formal attire, holding a ceremonial tablet, and had a solemn expression.

It was the first time he had ever seen someone eating breakfast with their head down at such a time. Although he couldn't see who it was, the scene made him laugh in exasperation, so he asked the Vice Minister of Rites next to him.

The Vice Minister of Rites quickly took out the roster and the corresponding team list and glanced at it: "Lin Zhou from Lin'an."

"Tsk—"

Upon hearing the name, Qin Hui turned his head to the side, sighed, and fell silent. Seeing Lin Zhou's unbridled behavior below, Qin Hui concluded that the fellow didn't realize the unobstructed view from this vantage point. There were only about a hundred people there, and everyone else was behaving properly, while he was making all that noise—

Thinking of this, Qin Hui turned around and glanced at Zhao Ji, who was standing there with his sleeves rolled up, waiting for the ceremony to begin. At this moment, Zhao Ji was just lowering his head and looking down, his face full of barely suppressed laughter.

He wasn't laughing because Lin Zhou ate the fried dough, but because he also had one in his hand. He had personally given it to Lin Zhou when he was reviewing the new officials.

He'll need to find somewhere to eat the pancakes later.

"Your Highness, that's enough." Qin Hui turned his head and spoke, only to find that the dignified Prince and future Crown Prince were also chewing, and he smelled strongly of fried dough.

Qin Hui composed himself and said in a more serious tone, "Your Highness, the time has come."

"Oh, let's begin." Zhao Ji swallowed the cake in his mouth in a few bites and hid the rest in his sleeve. He turned around and walked to the ritual implements. He first offered libations, and then he picked up the drumsticks and struck the celestial chime. The ceremony of announcing the proclamation of the celestial horn officially began.

At this moment, bells and drums resounded, their sound shaking the palace.

The gatekeeper announced loudly, "His Majesty has arrived!"

Officials, dressed in court robes, lined up on both sides of the hall according to their rank, with Prime Minister Qin Hui standing at the front, his gaze sweeping across the steps below. Ninth Sister Zhao Gou, wearing a dragon robe, sat by the hall, with the opened examination papers on her desk. Incense smoke curled around her, and the gilded beams and pillars gleamed in the early morning sun.

The official in charge of ceremonies approached the imperial desk, bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty, the newly appointed scholars have lined up and the list of their ranks has been finalized. We respectfully request Your Majesty's review and permission to announce their names."

Emperor Gaozong nodded slightly: "Granted."

Qin Hui stepped forward, took the top examination paper from the imperial desk, removed its seal, unfolded it for a closer look, and then announced in a loud voice that echoed throughout the hall: "First place in the first class, Liu Zhang from Longyou, Quzhou!"

The gatekeeper immediately obeyed the decree, approached the edge of the palace steps, and loudly proclaimed: "First place in the first class—"

The six guards below the steps chanted in unison, their voices like thunder, circling the hall three times, each chant louder than the last: "Liu Zhang—Liu Zhang—Liu Zhang—"

Lin Zhou raised his head from the corner, but he wasn't even qualified to have his name called out; they only called out the top three.

"Huh?" Lin Zhou looked up at an elderly man nearing fifty next to him. "What, you're here too?"

"Yes, that's right," the little old man nodded. "I've been taking the exam for thirty years!"

"Holy crap, I finally passed the exam?"

"No, when my hometown was repairing the river embankment, my family donated 50,000 strings of cash. The imperial court saw that I had a hard time passing the exam and granted me the title of Jinshi."

"Oh—I see."

"And you, classmate?"

When the old man asked him a question, Lin Zhou looked up at the scenery, pretending not to hear. Just then, someone else nearby laughed, "Judging by his age, he's probably just some young master who spent some money to donate it."

"Exactly, there's going to be a good show later. Fame and fortune, it's all about singing skills and fame. I want to see what kind of fame he can achieve."

.

"Say another word and I'll tear your cunts apart." Lin Zhou turned his head and cursed, "Damn it, even the opening ceremony couldn't shut your lousy mouths! You're all trash standing in the same row as me, and you still look down on me, huh?"

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