Gao Wu Da Qin: You don't want your secret to be known, do you?

Chapter 61: The Qin Dynasty's Excellent Matching Mechanism – A Hypocrite Meets a True Scoundrel

"Xiao Feng! You really stole the show yesterday!"

"Teacher, I received no fewer than three hundred dating calls from socialites in Chang'an on your behalf!"

"Liu Rushi, the top courtesan of the Red Pavilion, is one of the eight sisters of the Eight Beauties of Jinghe! My God, she's the dream idol of so many old Qin people! Do you know how popular the Red Pavilion's top courtesan, Miss Liu, was this year? Especially her legs, they're longer than my life!"

In the celebrity exam candidate restaurant, teacher Zhang Beihai, shaking his head, recounted the events of yesterday, marveling at how he too could one day make a name for himself in Xianyang, the capital city!

Across from Zhang Beihai, Qin Feng buried his head in his food. Compared to the past few days, Qin Feng's appetite had increased fivefold today!

There's no other reason than that Qin Feng has to take the exam for three days and be away from home for three days. If he doesn't feed the Golden Scale Egg properly, it will get upset from hunger and he'll have to comfort it. So this morning, Qin Feng simply gave the Golden Scale Egg 1000cc of blood!

Seeing his apprentice only concerned with showing off his food, Zhang Beihai leisurely turned on the TV. "But don't worry, Xiao Feng, I'm incredibly reliable. I don't care about the Eight Beauties of Jinghe or the top courtesans of the Red Pavilion; I've rejected them all! After all, Xiao Feng, you still have science and martial arts exams. Once those exams are over, if you get good grades, you won't be invited by these Jianghu beauties, but by beauties from the royal palace! Our target is someone like Princess Huayang, the King's daughter! Definitely not some Jianghu top courtesan or martial arts star!"

Qin Feng raised his hand to interrupt the teacher and looked at the television.

Above the screen, a scholar in a black and white robe, with a refined appearance, was speaking: "In this science exam, as is customary, theory is worth 30 points and practical skills 70 points. As a discipline based on numbers and physics, we will not, like the humanities, allow absurd situations where a perfect score of 30 is given and someone gets 100. We will give students the most rational scores based on their true abilities, absolutely without any personal bias. We hope that all candidates will abide by the rules of science and not try to cheat or evade responsibility; that will only lead to their own destruction..."

Zhang Beihai looked at the person on TV and muttered, "How come this guy has reappeared!"

Qin Feng asked, "Is there something wrong with this person?"

Zhang Beikai said, "I heard this guy is biased towards outsiders!"

Qin Feng was taken aback. "Turning your elbow to the outsider? You mean, he's a spy from six countries?"

"Shh—" Zhang Beihai lowered his voice, "There is no evidence yet to prove that he is a spy from six countries. I only heard about this from someone during an internal chat in the Court of Justice."

Qin Feng muttered, "Damn, your Court of Justice is so corrupt! It's better to believe this kind of person exists than not! Instead of arresting him and putting him to death in jail, you let him appear on television. This is a serious dereliction of duty!"

Zhang Beihai said, "Stop pointing fingers at the Court of Justice. Do you know how difficult the work is? People see us as all high and mighty, but actually we're just cleaning up the messes for the officials in Xianyang! Our job is very tough!"

As the two chatted, the scholar on the screen finished speaking, "For this science exam, Prince Fusu of Qin will serve as the chief examiner, personally supervising all candidates. Now, let's insert a short segment of Prince Fusu's speech regarding the science exam!"

The screen quickly switched to a young man dressed in a black robe with cloud and water patterns, sitting on the ground. Although his face could not be clearly seen through the curtain, he appeared to be gentle, refined, kind, humble, and cultured.

Now, Prince Fusu clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect and said leisurely, "Greetings, fellow examinees. ♜🍪 ♗😈"

"Fusu was not good at using function words, so he went straight to the point."

"The purpose of this national civil service examination is to recruit the best talents from all over the country, to devise strategies for the country, and to seek benefits for the people."

"Many of you here today are talents from the six states, and your gathering in our Great Qin is truly a grand event for the seven states..."

Zhang Beihai looked at Prince Fusu, his eyes gleaming. "Impressive! I never imagined the science department would actually have Prince Fusu overseeing things! Xiao Feng, you'd better step up your game. If you could get an audience with Prince Fusu, that would be a huge honor!"

Qin Feng looked at Prince Fusu, recalling the unfortunate young master's every move, and thought to himself, "On the mountain grows the Fusu tree, in the marsh grows the lotus flower. I do not see Zidu, but see a madman. On the mountain grows the bridge pine, in the marsh grows the swimming dragon. I do not see Zichong, but see a cunning boy."

Zhang Beikai asked, "What are you muttering about?"

"It's okay!" Qin Feng stood up and said, "The exam starts in less than half an hour, teacher. I want to have some peace and quiet before the exam."

Zhang Beihai stood up and said, "Okay! Don't rush your exam. Just like with humanities subjects, your teacher has confidence in you."

As Qin Feng watched Zhang Beihai leave, he recalled the entire process of the mecha's material configuration, structural construction, technical installation, polishing, trimming, expansion, grinding, and assembly in the huge lounge.

With 20% brain development, Qin Feng meticulously planned each step, down to how many seconds each action would take and how much distance each step would cover to reduce time.

Second by second passed, and we did our last-minute cramming again and again.

Qin Feng finally concluded that the maximum time consumed by the mecha was 71 hours and 48 minutes!

The exam lasts 72 hours, three days and three nights.

I still have 12 minutes of spare time, but if a proctor checks on me or there's an unexpected event, it might slow me down again!

You should make a "Do Not Disturb" sign and hang it next to you.

Yes, that's it. Once inside, take thirty seconds to create a "Do Not Disturb" sign, hang it up, and then focus on forging!

I am a master on the Astounding Ranking, and the examination hall I am going to should be the advanced examination hall of the Great Qin Dynasty!

Here we must mention the Jinghongbang Experimental Examination Room Grading System.

The practical experiment examination rooms are available in three specifications: ordinary experimental examination rooms, intermediate experimental examination rooms, and advanced experimental examination rooms.

Each examination room has different access levels. This is partly to prevent candidates from taking advantage of the system too much, and partly because the people of Qin are thrifty and dislike waste. Investing too many resources in a mediocre person would be a waste.

For regular experimental examinations, experimental materials of the xuan level and below can be used, and the maximum quantity of experimental materials will be determined based on the scores.

For intermediate-level experimental examination rooms, experimental materials from prefecture-level cities and below can be used. Although grades are not considered, the rare prefecture-level experimental materials are not unlimited but shared in limited quantities and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Advanced experimental examination rooms can use experimental materials of the Tian level and below, regardless of the grade. Moreover, the experimental materials are exclusive, with no upper limit on premium experimental materials. They are available anytime, in unlimited quantities.

Logically speaking, with such lenient conditions in the advanced testing field, it could be said that anyone on the list of top performers can come in and take advantage of it, since there are no prerequisites, unlike humanities subjects which have a theoretical average score as a threshold!

However, in reality, even without leverage, there are very few truly exceptional individuals in the sciences who actually try to exploit loopholes. After all, experiments and practical work truly test a person's professional abilities. Unlike history, politics, and culture, where you can easily spout off a few words, the sciences are too specialized. You may recognize the individual words, but you won't understand them when they are put together!

The experts on the Amazing Ranking are all concerned about their reputation; no one would actually come here to waste a bunch of materials, only to end up with nothing and humiliate themselves.

As a result, an unwritten rule has been formed at the Daqin Advanced Test Site every year: the more precious the material, the more money is spent on it. It's all about the exhibition aspect, and the main focus is on the "buying a horse bone with a thousand pieces of gold" effect!

The Qin government knew exactly what was going on! This advanced examination hall only accepted candidates who had achieved the "Amazing Talent" rank, and those ranked highly on the "Amazing Talent" list almost never participated in science exams. Even if a couple occasionally showed up, they were just there to fill the quota and go through the motions. What did these martial arts practitioners know about experimental practice? Advanced experimental materials were taken out and taken back in equal measure. So, we'll just bring out all the treasures that are kept hidden in the national treasury, hold an exhibition, and show them to the other six states. Let's see how generous the Qin people are! The treasures you usually hide away, we'll just bring them out for the candidates to use in experiments. Aren't you high-level scientists and scholars hurrying to Qin?

As for the medium and low-level examination rooms, the Qin government dared not provide them with unlimited supplies. There was no other reason than that the people in the medium and low-level examination rooms truly understood the experimental principles and knew how to conduct experiments. Our precious materials could not withstand their exploitation!

Today, the traditional mindset of the Qin government and Qin Feng's ideas coincide, forming a complementary advantage.

With the spirit of taking advantage of others to the very end, Qin Feng vowed to plunder the Qin treasury.

The government, hoping to buy a horse's bones with a thousand pieces of gold, did not realize that this time they had bought a real thoroughbred, and not just any thoroughbred, but the kind that would bankrupt the family and then run away!

This is like the tiger on Jingyang Ridge fighting Wu Erlang at night.

Xiaolongnu falls into trouble with Yin Zhiping.

Pan Jinlian meets Ximen Qing.

This is blatant suicide!

Driven by this inexplicable, preordained fate, and under the effective matching mechanism of the Qin Dynasty, the Qin government, a hypocrite who only wanted to show off but not actually use anything, met Qin Feng, a true villain who only wanted to get something for nothing. These two rare oddballs were destined to spark a destiny in this national science exam.

At this moment, in the examination hall command office of the Qin government, the scholars were still chatting and laughing, completely unaware that they might be facing the risk of spending their lives in prison.

"There are very few top-tier competitors participating in this year's Ranking of Amazing Talents!"

"How many are there in total?"

"Five in total: one is the [Mohist Daoist Lord], one is the [Agricultural Daoist Lord], the Confucian [Immortal of Vast Righteousness] and [Sage One], and the last one is the [Strategist Who Has Half a Move Against Heaven]!"

"Of the six arts of Confucianism, nine are numbered. I was prepared for [One Sage] and [Immortal of Vastness] to participate. As for the Mohist Daoist, although he mainly cultivates martial arts, he is also proficient in the art of flying wooden horses and birds! The Farmer Daoist claims to be a descendant of Emperor Yan and usually enjoys drug experiments! I can understand these two participating. But what is this [Strategist of the Diplomacy - Half a Move Ahead of Heaven] trying to achieve by participating in the science exam? The Strategists of the Diplomacy know the art of persuasion, which is a strategy, and it has nothing to do with science! Is he just here to join in the fun?"

"This is not to be underestimated! The doctrines of the School of Diplomacy are extremely diverse, even more so than those of the Miscellaneous School! And there are certainly some within the School of Diplomacy who are skilled in science; just look at Shang Yang, whose scientific knowledge was among the best of his time!"

As the scholars and professors, dressed in black and white robes, were engaged in lively conversation, a voice came from outside the door, "Welcome, Prince Fusu!"

Upon hearing this, the scholars and professors lined up on both sides, respectful and not daring to be disrespectful.

Several court officials lined up on either side, and then a young man with an imposing air of nobility, dressed in a black robe with cloud and water patterns and a belt with phoenix and dragon motifs around his waist, strode into the examination command room.

The scholars and professors bowed deeply, saying, "We pay our respects to the young master."

Fusu sat upright in the main seat, raised his hand and smiled, "I am here to supervise the examination on the orders of my father. Gentlemen, there is no need for formalities, please be seated!"

"Thank you for offering me a seat, young master!"

The doctors and scholars all sat down.

Fu Su looked around. "The Astounding Talent Ranking is held once every hundred years, and the Advanced Examination Hall is also held once every hundred years. I wonder how many Astounding Talents are in the Advanced Examination Hall this year?"

The leading physician, a wise-looking man with a long beard, said amiably, "Reporting to the young master, there are five!"

Fusu asked with great interest, "Which five?"

The bearded doctor said, "The Mohist's 'Daoist Lord,' the Agriculturalist's 'Daoist Lord,' the Strategist's 'Half a Move Against Heaven,' the Confucian 'Great and Righteous Immortal,' and the Confucian 'One Sage.'"

Fusu frowned. "I can understand the Mohists, the Agriculturalists, and the Confucians, but why would the Strategists be interested in science?"

The bearded doctor continued, "Reporting to the young master, this strategist, 'Half a Move Ahead of Heaven,' indeed excels in science. I have examined his preliminary exam papers; his problem-solving approach is meticulous and flawless, demonstrating his keen intellect and making him a rare talent in science!"

Fusu laughed, "The School of Diplomacy is renowned for its strategic maneuvering, famous throughout the world for its vertical and horizontal alliances. This disciple of the School of Diplomacy is quite interesting, as he is simultaneously studying literature, martial arts, and science. He has already achieved an unprecedented first place in literature and is a top-ranked expert in martial arts. If he can also make progress in science, with all three subjects advancing in tandem, perhaps the School of Diplomacy will produce a sage!"

The doctors all agreed, "What the young master says is absolutely right!"

Before long, everyone had finished chatting and the exam was about to begin.

Prince Fusu personally pressed the button to start the exam.

Inside and outside Xianyang, the bells ringing to signal the start of the exams resounded loudly.

"Ringling——"

Inside the Xuan-character examination hall, as the bell rang to signal entry, the beautiful maids watched from afar as the young man, now dressed in a black and white scholar's robe, strolled toward the empty examination entrance.

Since showing off his muscles yesterday, these beautiful maids have rarely dared to joke with the young man like before. The image of that powerful, six-meter-tall war god is firmly etched in their minds. It's normal for such a person to eat as much food as he does; he is no ordinary person!

"Candidate Qin Feng, [Surpassing Heaven's Half-Step], has passed the entrance test!"

"The Xuanzi Examination Hall, the theoretical exam, is about to begin!"

Qin Feng entered the small room where yesterday's liberal arts exam was held, watching the countdown clock: "Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"

The instant the pointer fell, Qin Feng activated 2039 Qi and Blood, and with lightning speed, he clicked submit!

Submission successful!

"Moving into the next stage: the practical experimentation stage!"

Qin Feng's figure blurred into a streak as he pushed open the next door and rushed directly into the practical exam room!

At that moment, in the Qin Dynasty's official college entrance examination command office, Prince Fusu hadn't even left the command platform when he heard a report: "Report! The first candidate to submit their paper has been selected! It's the strategist 'Surpassing Heaven' from the Astounding List, who completed the theory exam in 0.015 seconds! Setting a new record for the fastest submission of a science theory exam in history!"

The proctors and doctors beside him hurriedly pulled up Qin Feng's file, and after a close look, they were both furious and shocked.

"Blank paper!"

"This kid handed in a blank paper!"

"This is outrageous! What is he thinking?! What kind of bewitching potion is this disciple of the Strategists up to?!"

"Judging from the speed at which he submitted his paper, this kid definitely has two thousand health points! He submitted the paper and ran away in one go, and the time was a mere 0.015 seconds! It's like he's saying, 'Don't worry about it, just tell me how fast he is!'"

"What's the use of being fast if he handed in a blank paper!"

"This kid's speed in handing in a blank paper is like a 100-meter sprinter's pace. It's as if someone's chasing him from behind, and if he's even a step slower, he'll die!"

"That doesn't make sense. Why would he hand in a blank paper? Based on his performance in the placement test, he should have gotten at least 15 points! Could it be that he doesn't care about the average score of 15?"

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Fusu's expression froze for a moment. Even someone as accustomed to grand occasions as him couldn't maintain his composure at this moment.

Although Fusu had long heard that the School of Diplomacy was notorious for its unpredictability, sometimes chatting and laughing with you one second and then unleashing deadly attacks the next.

But with your blank paper, I don't understand it at all.

With your placement test scores, it wouldn't be difficult for you to easily get a passing score of 15 points. Why did you hand in a blank paper?

Fusu had a vague sense of unease. His father had told him more than once that if you talk about interests with others and you can't figure out what the other person's interests are, then those interests are often yourself.

If I can't find the strategist's (or "half-piece victory over Heaven") profit, then his profit might be me!

Instead of taking the exam, he went straight to the advanced experimental field. Could it be that he only wanted to do experiments?

The advanced testing grounds contain the most precious materials from the Qin Dynasty's treasury, and these rare materials are in unlimited supply!

Therefore, his target is the materials in the Qin national treasury!

Not good!!

A glint flashed in Fusu's eyes, and he said to the noisy doctors, "Connect me to the holographic projection of Qin Feng's testing ground!"

The doctors were stunned for a moment, then hurriedly did as instructed. Before long, Qin Feng appeared in a super-large, one-to-one experimental examination room!

At this moment, Qin Feng's figure had already turned into a phantom!

Yes, real, countless phantoms visible to the naked eye!

Qin Feng's phantom image filled the entire Qin Experimental Warehouse!

Along with Qin Feng's countless afterimages, various precious materials from the Great Qin National Examination also began to disappear at a visible speed!

At this moment, Fusu's worries were confirmed. This kid really did come for the materials in the Qin treasury!

But how much material can a martial arts student like you get? How many experiments can you conduct?

If the experiment fails, you've wasted so many materials, and you'll inevitably be criticized and ridiculed by countless people. Wouldn't you lose face big time?

But Fusu quickly realized that this kid was a disciple of the School of Diplomacy, and the School of Diplomacy seemed to be born with thick skin; they were immune to ridicule!

This is going to be difficult!

Fusu quickly consoled himself, thinking that it was just a small amount of materials. The Qin treasury was abundant with resources. Even if I let you use them all, I don't believe you could use up all the rare materials in the treasury!

(End of this chapter)