Chapter 363 Don't Wrong an Innocent Person
Shen Zheng launched into a tirade against Zheng Wangfeng, shocking the onlookers.
Not to mention that Zheng Wangfeng was the second-ranked candidate in the first round of the provincial examination, and becoming a Xiucai was a certainty, the main reason was his original identity. He was the son of the magistrate of Fenghuang County, a second-generation official, and had the support of the entire Fenghuang County. Basically, no one present dared to provoke Zheng Wangfeng, and they flattered and fawned over him openly and secretly.
But now, an unknown nobody is pointing his finger at Zheng Wangfeng and cursing him.
Someone was standing behind Shen Zheng looking at the list, and knew Shen Zheng's name and his ranking.
"Hmph, you, a guy ranked 180th, dare to insult Brother Zheng?"
"The first round selects the top 300, the second round only selects the top 100, this guy is destined to fail."
"Brother Zheng is the young master of the magistrate of Fenghuang County, a man of high status and wealth. How could he be insulted by someone like you?"
"You must apologize to Brother Zheng in public!"
"Apologize!!"
Shen Zheng became even angrier.
He gave Qian Hui a look.
Upon seeing that look, Qian Hui understood that he was being asked to publicly choose a side.
Choose Zheng Wangfeng, or Shen Zhengcheng Zhao...
Qian Hui almost cried. These people who made the list were bullying someone who failed the exam. Was it really necessary?
His grandfather's words still echoed in his ears; anyone who wasn't a fool would know who to choose.
He coughed and said, "Brother Zheng is indeed the son of the magistrate of Fenghuang County, but this gentleman is also the son of a magistrate. You must have all heard of Ping'an County countless times in the past six months. Magistrate Shen of Ping'an County made great contributions in dealing with famine, the plight of displaced people, and the spread of plague. And Brother Shen is Magistrate Shen's only son!"
The people around stared wide-eyed.
Everyone in Ping'an County knew that the county had caused a stir countless times this year, first with the regenerated rice, then with the Sui Ruren, and later with Coal Hill... In short, all the scholars present knew very well that Magistrate Shen of Ping'an County would definitely be promoted next time.
A seventh-rank official can be promoted to a sixth-rank official, or even directly to a fifth-rank official. The son of a county magistrate in Fenghuang County is truly not as good as the son of a future fifth-rank official.
Shen Zheng straightened his back, a disdainful sneer on his lips.
Although his ranking was lower than Zheng Wangfeng's, his father was more outstanding than Magistrate Zheng, so in comparison, he still won.
"As for Brother Cheng's cheating, it was all a misunderstanding," Qian Hui continued. "Back then, Brother Zheng and I wanted to recruit Brother Cheng, but Brother Cheng was only interested in studying the classics and of course wouldn't join us. In a fit of anger, Brother Zheng and I devised a cheating scheme, which led to Brother Cheng being expelled."
"This matter has been personally investigated and clarified by the county magistrate, who has cleared Brother Cheng's name. Brother Cheng is of noble character, and his achievement of first place in the first round of the provincial examination is a testament to his own true ability."
"Since that incident six months ago, I have never formally apologized to Brother Cheng. Today, all the scholars are here, so please bear witness for me."
Qian Hui walked up to Cheng Zhao, bowed, and said in a very humble manner, "Back then, I was naive and ignorant and did something so ridiculous that I almost ruined Brother Cheng's future. I sincerely apologize to Brother Cheng and ask for your forgiveness."
In that instant, Shen Zheng looked at Qian Hui with new respect.
This kid, in order to truly enter their circle, actually apologized in public without hesitation. He's shown great flexibility and is no longer the naive Qian Hui he was six months ago.
Cheng Zhao was not one to hold grudges. He took Qian Hui's arm and said gently, "That matter is in the past, and I have long forgotten about it. You don't need to worry about it anymore."
"Brother Qian has finished apologizing, isn't it Brother Zheng's turn?" Shen Zheng said with a smile, "Back then, it was the two of you who conspired together."
Zheng Wangfeng's face was ashen.
Apologizing in public means admitting that you did such a despicable thing.
It doesn't matter if Qian Hui, the son of a businessman, has a bad reputation, but he is the hope of the Zheng family and will pursue a career in politics in the future. How can he allow himself to be tainted by such a stain?
He took a deep breath and softened his tone, saying, "That matter has nothing to do with me, Brother Qian, please don't make baseless accusations..."
Qian Hui was furious. He had already admitted his mistake in front of everyone, so how could Zheng Wangfeng get away with it unscathed?
He was about to speak out in condemnation.
Several new followers came over behind Zheng Wangfeng.
"Brother Qian, it's good that you admitted your mistake and apologized in public, but don't drag others down with you."
“Brother Zheng is not the kind of person who would frame others. Don’t wrong an innocent person.”
"He's just a mad dog that bites indiscriminately. Brother Zheng, don't bother with him. Let's go back and celebrate."
"Brother Zheng came in second place, that's definitely something to celebrate."
Seven or eight people surrounded Zheng Wangfeng and walked away.
"What the hell!" Qian Hui waved his fist. "He was the one who instigated me in the first place, otherwise I wouldn't have..."
"Now you know how cunning Zheng Wangfeng is, right?" Shen Zheng patted Qian Hui on the shoulder. "Suffering is a blessing in disguise. It's made you see a different side of him. Don't worry, Brother Cheng and I will never stab you in the back."
Qian Hui was immediately moved: "Zheng Wangfeng is only second place, yet he has the nerve to celebrate. Brother Cheng, you are number one. Come on, come on, I'll treat you to a drink. Everyone who's free can come and join in the fun."
Many people around Cheng Zhao wanted to get close to him, so there was no reason for them not to agree, and they responded immediately.
Cheng Zhao waved his hand: "The second exam is coming up soon, I have to go back to study, so I won't join in the fun. Please do as you please."
If the main character doesn't go, what's the point of the others gathering? They have no choice but to leave.
Shen Zheng was also worried about the second exam. The first exam would select 300 people, and the second exam would select 100 people. In other words, only 100 people would be selected from the entire Huzhou. He was ranked 180th this time. Even if he performed exceptionally well in the second exam, he still wouldn't be able to squeeze into the top 100.
"Brother Shen, don't worry," Qian Hui said casually. "I didn't even make the list in the first round, so what? I'll be a hero again in the next academy exam."
"Go away, go away." Shen Zheng waved Qian Hui away, ran a few steps, and grabbed Cheng Zhao's shoulder. "Brother Cheng, you have to help me. If I fail the exam, I'll have to take it with those two bastards, Si Dan and Yu Zhan, next year. That's too embarrassing! Brother Cheng, we're brothers who've slept in the same bed, you can't just stand by and watch me die..."
As Cheng Zhao walked, he said, "Do you still remember the questions from the first exam?"
Shen Zheng nodded: "It's only been two days, of course I remember."
"The biggest highlight of this exam compared to previous years is the increased weight of arithmetic," Cheng Zhao said calmly. "Previously there was only one question, but this year there are three. I guess the second exam will continue the style of the first one, with at least three arithmetic questions."
Shen Zheng's face lit up with ecstasy.
Arithmetic problem!
He was at Aunt Zhao's house and had contact with her almost every day.
The main reason was that Zhao Ergou was interested in this area, and Cheng Zhao also liked to study it, so he would always drag him over to listen to lectures together.
He found the questions in the first exam very easy; they were much simpler than the ones Aunt Zhao had set.
“Brother Cheng, I suddenly feel confident.” Shen Zheng grinned. “If I become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination), we can take the provincial-level examination together in August.”
Cheng Zhao spoke frankly: "If you pass the county-level exam, you can only say you are lucky. Forcing yourself to participate in the provincial-level exam may damage your confidence."
The provincial examination is held every three years, and this year it happens to be in August, so he is determined to participate.
However, he wasn't very confident. After all, the provincial examination was a competition among the best students in the entire province for a limited number of admissions. He didn't know where he ranked among them, but he would try his best.
But Shen Zheng's foundation is too weak; there's no need for him to get involved in this mess.
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