Dean He had the horses harnessed to the carriage and took them to the county government office.
Master Zhang and Master Guo got on the carriage together.
Master Guo was filled with anxiety.
Brother Zhang didn’t give him any clues about the questions at all!
How can this be so unclear?
He felt that someone was deliberately targeting those three children!
Master Guo looked at Master Zhang, feeling a little guilty.
"Brother Zhang, I'm sorry to have implicated you." Master Guo said.
"The innocent will be innocent. Brother Guo, there is no need to blame yourself." Master Zhang said.
"But it's also because of me that you brought this unexpected disaster upon yourself." Master Guo still felt guilty.
"We've known each other for thirty years. A gentleman's friendship doesn't involve any involvement," Master Zhang said. "Old Guo, I trust you. Your three students didn't cheat. Congratulations on having three such talented students."
Master Zhang actually admired Master Guo very much. This old friend was fully capable of becoming a teacher in the county school, but he had his own ideas. He spent all his family wealth to establish a private academy.
Over the years, his former classmates have become successful, but he, his old friend, is the only one who still holds on to his small piece of land.
I think his old friend is also a little envious.
Who doesn’t want to have a favorite student?
Now, we finally have such a smart student, and we deserve congratulations.
When Master Guo heard this, he was deeply moved.
He is an old friend and they have no connection.
Those who know me worry about me, and those who don’t know me wonder what I want. This old friend of his really understands him.
The two smiled at each other.
The two arrived at the county government office.
County Magistrate Zhu still gave the scholars face and did not directly bring the case to court for trial. Instead, he called them to the back hall and asked them about the matter.
"Sir, I haven't seen Brother Zhang for two years. How could he possibly reveal the exam questions to me?" Master Guo explained, "Among my students, Wei Ziang and Xu Jue are truly rare prodigies. They're fully capable of winning first place! If you don't believe me, you can test them."
Master Guo argued with reason.
"You don't have to meet in person to get the secret. You can send a message." said County Magistrate Zhu.
"Then sir, can you send someone to search my house to see if there is a letter from Brother Zhang?"
"If you had received the letter, you would have burned it long ago. How could you ask me to search for it?" said County Magistrate Zhu.
Master Guo was almost angry to death. How could this not be explained?
"Think of a way to prove that they didn't cheat," said County Magistrate Zhu.
Think of a solution?
What method?
How does he prove it?
He couldn't replay what happened that day!
Mr. Guo was going crazy.
Just then, a drumbeat was heard from the front hall.
County Magistrate Zhu listened to the drumbeats and frowned, "Again?"
He is now afraid of the sound of drums.
Whenever there was a drum sound, it must be those students coming to beat the drum to complain about their grievances.
He was forced to convict the three students of cheating.
Although Magistrate Zhu was lazy, he was not stupid. He knew that this could not be a casual judgment. This matter must be thoroughly investigated. It would be best if the three students were found innocent. Otherwise, Hedong County would become a laughing stock in Qinghe County.
So, he kept holding on.
I just don't know how long it can last.
Soon, a yamen runner came to report.
"Master, someone is beating a drum to complain!"
"Got it, I'll go right away!"
County Magistrate Zhu was very annoyed and took his time to arrive at the front hall.
When County Magistrate Zhu saw that the person beating the drum was a woman, he was stunned.
Not a student?
Besides, why does this girl look familiar?
He seemed to remember that it was the wife of the man who was wrongly accused of colluding with bandits last time!
This girl is a character that gives him a headache, she is very powerful.
This girl is Tang Li.
Behind Tang Li were Xu Jue and Dabao.
"Sir, I have suffered a grievance!" Tang Li said.
"What injustice?" asked County Magistrate Zhu.
"My two children, Wei Ziang and Xu Jue, were falsely accused of cheating. I beg you to give me justice!" Tang Li said.
County Magistrate Zhu was shocked.
This woman is actually the elder of Xu Jue and Wei Ziang!
You know, these two children are the ones standing at the forefront of the storm.
In the past few days, many students have come to sue these two people.
As a result, the woman actually took her two children to court and sued other people!
County Magistrate Zhu found this very strange.
"Several students saw Wei Ziang and Xu Jue cheating, so how do you prove that they didn't cheat?" asked County Magistrate Zhu.
"County Master, this guy talks with his upper and lower lips touching. You say he cheated, he says he didn't. Each has his own reasons. How can you tell who's telling the truth?"
County Magistrate Zhu nodded vigorously. Yes, this was exactly what he had encountered in the past few days. He couldn’t agree more!
"I think that true strength can be revealed, so let those students who think my child cheated take another exam with my child. If my child is still in the top two, then he or she is framed. Please deal with those who framed my child impartially! If any student surpasses my two children, then I will admit that they cheated!" Tang Li said in a resounding voice.
Qin Wenxuan, who ranked fourth, was far less talented than Dabao and Xu Jue.
When Tang Li said this, he was really confident that the two children could win!
When County Magistrate Zhu heard this, he couldn't help but admire the man's courage.
but……
"There are many uncertainties in exams. Even if you won the first place last time, you may not be able to do it next time. Are you sure you want to do this?" asked County Magistrate Zhu.
Tang Li knew what he meant and reminded herself that this was a big gamble.
But she believed in her children.
"There are indeed uncertainties, so I would like to ask you, sir, to personally supervise this matter to ensure that the questions are not leaked and that the examiners remain absolutely fair." Tang Li said.
"Okay!" said County Magistrate Zhu, "I will personally oversee this matter!"
Although County Magistrate Zhu was a little stupid, he still had some brains. He knew that this woman had provided him with a good way to solve the problem.
He'd been fretting these past few days, dreading yet another letter from Magistrate Wen scolding him. Ever since his last foolish act of colluding with bandits, Magistrate Wen had been keeping a close eye on him, sending him letters of encouragement and admonition every now and then. Even Magistrate Zhu was terrified. The next letter might be a warning to strip him of his official position.
Now there is a solution, how great!
County Magistrate Zhu naturally took it seriously.
County Magistrate Zhu personally went to the county school to discuss with the teachers there the issue of setting the exam questions.
Several yamen runners were also sent to guard the teachers to prevent any leakage of the questions.
This incident quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys.
"What? He actually asked to retake the exam? Is Wei Ziang crazy? Won't his true colors be revealed in this exam?"
"The women from the village probably have no experience and really think their children are amazing."
"She's not stupid, so how can she give us the opportunity to suppress this so-called 'leader'?"
"Yes, yes, I want to sign up for this exam. When the time comes, I will be the one who beats the 'top scorer'."
"I want to join in too. Brothers, work harder and make this champion the last one! Hahaha!"
Everyone didn't mind adding fuel to the fire, making the two cheating kids a complete joke.
Naturally, this matter also reached the Qin family.
"Another exam?" Qin Wenxuan was a little surprised.
"Yes, let's take another exam! County Magistrate Zhu will be in charge of this matter personally, and there will be no more cheating! Wenxuan, you must watch carefully this time, get the first place, and earn back this face for your father!" said Qin's father.
Qin Wenxuan thought of his own talents and suddenly gained confidence.
This time, I will definitely be able to crush those two kids from the mountains and prove my strength!
Qin Wenxuan felt very happy when he thought about it!
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