From last year's cheating scandal in the scientific examination to this year's battle for the top spot, the two have long been bitter enemies, locked in a life-or-death struggle.
Fang Yuan's warm smile at this moment was irresistible to most people.
Fortunately, after being kneaded and crushed, all of Xu Mo's past integrity and innocence were shattered, yet he was still able to respond with a gentle smile, neither humble nor arrogant.
To an uninformed observer, the two would appear to be brothers, living in perfect harmony.
Those in the know, like Sun Xiaosheng, the runner-up in the imperial examination, stood in the middle as if they were being burned and soaked, with thorns growing on the soles of their shoes.
Until the distant announcement of a eunuch, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Everyone fell silent, stood at attention, and bowed in respect before he felt as if he had been granted a pardon.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."
"Rise."
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the Emperor seemed unusually different today, his tone relaxed yet filled with excitement.
He surveyed the crowd with satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over each pillar of the nation. After a long pause, he said, "When we last met, you were still commoners. Today, you have all passed the imperial examinations. I wonder if we will meet again in the imperial court or among the memorials to the throne."
Those who rank third in the first class and enter the Hanlin Academy are guaranteed a promotion within three years. Those with connections and appreciation may even be promoted to the second or third rank, and naturally, they may appear in the imperial court.
Whether a second-rank official is transferred to fill a vacancy, whether they are stationed in Fengjing or sent to serve as a prefect or county magistrate, depends on luck and connections.
The top three are guaranteed to be sent abroad, but they'll only be on the reserve list, meaning they'll never get a chance to enter Fengjing.
But there's no way around it; in this world, some people stand at the summit, some lean against the mountainside, and some crawl at the foot of the mountain.
Some are born into royalty, while others struggle their whole lives and remain farmers.
Life is varied, as it always has been.
The emperor continued his impassioned speech, effortlessly offering words of encouragement, while also instructing the scholars not to forget their original aspirations and to recruit students from all over the country as his disciples.
Taking advantage of a rare moment of free time, Xu Mo scanned the area with his peripheral vision, but did not see any princes.
The eldest prince was not present, nor was the fifth prince. Instead, Dou Weiming and several ministers were gathered together, seemingly discussing what vacancies could be filled by the successful candidates.
He frowned slightly, glanced at the composed and gentle Fang Yuan with his left eye, and then calmed down.
The Fang family suffered such a major setback that even the most well-mannered person would not be able to treat their enemy with utmost respect. Rather than explaining it as a display of deep cunning, it's more worth considering whether the other party has found the key to turning the tide.
Only by being mindful of potential dangers in times of peace can one go far.
However, Xu Mo didn't understand aristocratic families or officialdom. He couldn't analyze the key points as quickly as Xiao Wu could. At most, he could put himself in the Fang family's shoes and rack his brains.
With 100,000 taels of silver used to buy the third-place ranking in the imperial examinations, and the proposal to levy a tax on the wealthy offended the powerful families. Not only was the Fang family's reputation in jeopardy, but their status as a powerful family was also in jeopardy.
The only ones who can be pleased are probably the endlessly talkative imperial family.
Yes, to please the imperial family.
Xu Mo suddenly opened his eyes, a guess forming in his mind.
Before he could even figure it out, the rewards began.
The first to be bestowed titles were the top three scholars (状元, 榜眼, 探花). The sixth-rank compilers and seventh-rank editors may seem insignificant, but they were doing work closely related to the emperor.
Their main responsibilities included compiling the national history, compiling the veritable record, recording the emperor's words and deeds, lecturing on classics and history, and drafting documents related to ceremonies.
If one can gain the absolute trust of the imperial family, then achieving great things will be a piece of cake.
Xu Mo, as the top scholar, took the lead in stepping forward to receive the reward and calmly kowtowed to express his gratitude.
Dou Weiming, standing in the distance, looked at her with loving eyes, admiring her more and more, occasionally with a hint of helplessness and sighs.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your humble servant will obey and live up to Your Majesty's grace."
The young man, dressed in a deep blue scholar's robe, had not yet had time to change into his own official robes, but his whole being was filled with solemnity, as if he had not received a minor official title, but a holy book from the Buddha, a jade vase bestowed by Guanyin, or a lifelong commitment.
He will eventually transform into the heavens, protecting the peace and tranquility of the Great Yu Dynasty, ensuring a prosperous and peaceful world!
"My dear minister, please rise." The emperor's tone was gentle. "You may change your robes in the side hall."
The exceptional talent of the top-ranked team was on full display at this moment.
Xu Mo slowly stood up, turned around without looking to the side, changed into his official robes in the side hall, and returned to his seat.
Now it was the second-place scholar's turn to change clothes, and the third-place scholar was bestowed his title.
Tian Jia's tone lightened again, filled with a smile, "Fang Yuan from the Fang family, please step forward."
Xu Mo's heart sank.
“This child not only grew up under my nose, but also grew up to be so outstanding. He won the third place in the imperial examination at such a young age. It’s truly remarkable.” The emperor even turned to ask Steward Wu, “Does Defu remember how many years it has been since Dayu produced a fourteen-year-old third-place scholar?”
That's a good question.
Steward Wu gritted his teeth and after a long while said, "It must have been over a hundred years ago."
It's not just a hundred years ago; even if we go back five or six hundred years, there wasn't a fourteen-year-old third-place scholar among them.
The top scholar was at most fourteen years old.
But he couldn't say that. There were no fools around the emperor. After thinking for a long time, Chief Steward Wu gave an answer that would satisfy everyone.
The emperor laughed heartily, and Fang Yuan pursed his lips as well.
"A young man is rare, and an outstanding young man is even rarer. I am very pleased that the Hanlin Academy has such a compiler as you." After the routine imperial bestowal of honors, the emperor suddenly paused.
It's like giving someone a chance to interject.
Xu Mo glanced around and, as expected, saw Fang Yuan kneeling on one knee, his fists clasped firmly, "Your Majesty, this humble subject has something to say."
The emperor's court is warm and serene. "My dear minister, please tell me your story."
"During the palace examination, His Majesty raised a question: How should we resolve the decades-long war between the Dayu Dynasty and the Tartars? I believe that we should first enrich the national treasury before exterminating the Tartars. Ultimately, it is because the country is not strong enough and the national treasury is not rich enough."
“I come from a noble family and am deeply aware of the prosperity of Fengjing. I know that the lives of noble families are extravagant. One person’s daily food, clothing and other necessities are enough to support dozens of frontier soldiers. I have tried not eating for a day and it was fine, but if dozens of frontier soldiers are not well fed and clothed, it will be difficult for them to fight. The chaos on the frontier will continue, and the country will not be at peace and the people will not be able to live in peace.”
"Your humble servant and father, after much agonizing reflection, have decided to donate half of our wealth, namely 100,000 taels of silver, to the frontier soldiers, so that they may have enough to eat and wear, so that they may be well equipped with weapons, so that they may wield their swords against foreign invaders, and so that the war may end soon!"
Fang Yuan spoke calmly and eloquently.
The 100,000 taels of silver, which was ridiculed by the people, was called a "bought" third-place scholar. When he spoke of it openly and righteously in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, accompanied by enough force and passion, no one could help but applaud.
At least he donated money.
At least the frontier soldiers benefited.
Those who have no money or haven't donated, who has the nerve to laugh at them?
The silence throughout the hall alone was enough to tell that this brilliant move had been made.
But that's not enough.
Fang Yuan tapped the ground lightly with his little finger, and a man in court attire walked out from a distance. He was none other than the head of the Zhu family.
His face was filled with grief, but he stood up without hesitation and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant also wishes for the war to end soon. The Zhu family will tighten their belts and donate 50,000 taels of silver."
"The Tao family is also willing to donate 30,000 taels of silver."
"The Qiu family donated 20,000 taels of silver."
"The Zhou family donated 20,000 taels of silver."
"The Meng family donated 10,000 taels of silver."
The more voices are heard, the brighter the smile of the emperor.
The eldest prince slowly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your subject has presumptuously agreed to tighten his belt and save money, and together with my mother, offer 50,000 taels of silver."
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