The day before the imperial examination, candidates would enter the Imperial Academy to prepare.
In the square courtyard, there is a spacious and majestic hall in the middle, and on both sides are neat rows of small venues for candidates.
This was not Pei Yanli's first visit, but he was still shocked by the luxurious and exquisite buildings in the capital. Moreover, these buildings were all multi-story, completely different from the grand and simple ones in the northwest.
The small examination rooms on both sides are only about one square meter each. Students have to stay in the small examination rooms for the six days and are not allowed to go out.
At night, Pei Yanli took down the examination table and put it together with the chair, using it as a small bed to curl up and sleep.
People from the northwest are generally tall, and the seat and desk put together in the small venue are not even half the length of his body, which is extremely uncomfortable.
There were also many other students in the examination room who were not taking the exam for the first time.
They all hold dreams in their hearts, work hard again and again, never give up easily, and hope to achieve great things with their own talents.
After six days of examination, candidates left the venue one after another, waiting for the final results to be announced.
The invigilators also became busy and began to mark the papers and evaluate them.
On the second floor of the Imperial Examination Hall, warm sunlight and spring breeze streamed in through the open windows. The walls were lined with scrolls and scrolls, and the room was filled with the fragrance of ink.
Xiao Yunchen sat at his desk, a faint smile on his face as he spoke, "In this imperial examination, one candidate wrote an essay that was quite insightful, and his quotations from classics were just right."
Upon hearing this, his colleague put down the scroll in his hand and looked up at him: "Oh? You mean Pei Yanli? I've also seen his paper. It is indeed very elegant and his handwriting is vigorous and powerful. This boy must be a man of integrity."
Xiao Yunchen nodded slightly: "Yes, it's him."
Another examiner spoke up, "I know this guy. He took the last exam, but failed. I didn't expect him to still persist." He shook his head, his tone full of disapproval of Pei Yanli. "He's not a good person. In today's world, being too upright is considered pedantic and difficult to control."
Another examiner echoed, "Indeed, if such a person cannot work with us, he will only ruin our great cause."
Xiao Yunchen lowered his eyelashes slightly and asked casually, "Then according to your opinions, how should we deal with this?"
The examiner said bluntly, "I think, just like before, we shouldn't let him pass. After all, there are so many students taking the exam every year, and one more won't make a difference."
Xiao Yunchen lowered his eyes to hide the coldness in them, and spoke softly, "Since everyone has made up their minds, let's do as you say."
As night falls, dark clouds cover all the moonlight, but the remaining light of the bright moon combines with the starry sky, trying hard to use all their brilliance to illuminate the dark night.
Pei Yanli, wearing a dark robe, walked in the alley and pushed open an ordinary wooden door.
The courtyard was dark and silent; even the sound of his footsteps hitting the ground could be heard clearly.
The moment the door was opened, the candlelight in the house suddenly lit up.
Sitting in the room was a handsome man with an extraordinary temperament. He wore a jade crown to tie his hair and was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with dark silver patterns. There was a faint smile between his eyebrows, and he was as gentle as jade, like a refined and noble young man from a noble family.
Pei Yanli stopped in his tracks alertly, looked at the newcomer with sharp eyes, and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you? Why did you come to my place?"
Xiao Yunchen stood up, his face gentle yet revealing a natural nobility and majesty.
He spoke in a gentle voice, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Pei Yanli?"
Pei Yanli's eyes flashed with suspicion, and he said calmly: "It is me."
Xiao Yunchen clasped his hands together and spoke calmly and gently, "I am Xiao Yunchen, a member of the Imperial Academy, and one of this year's examiners." He extended his hand in a gesture of invitation, "Sit down."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yanli bowed with both hands in return.
As soon as I sat down, I heard the person across the table speak gently.
"I've carefully reviewed your paper. It's very insightful and brilliantly written. You're truly a rare talent." He wore a gentle, refined smile, his voice unhurried and lamenting. "It's a shame, but it seems you offended someone in your last exam. I'm afraid you're doomed to fail this time."
Pei Yanli's heart tightened when he heard this. He had long anticipated the difficulties on the road to the imperial examination. He vaguely guessed that his failure last year was related to the fact that someone had tried to recruit him with words but failed.
This year is the last chance he gives himself. If he fails again, he will settle down in Dong'an City, marry and have children, and live the rest of his life in peace.
But the person in front of him actually told him the inside story of the scientific expedition so bluntly. What was his purpose?
He stared at the other person with deep eyes and asked in a deep voice: "If that's the case, why did you come to see me at this time, Master Xiao?"
Xiao Yunchen spoke bluntly, "Because I value talent, I can't influence the number of places for the imperial examination, but I don't want your future to be ruined. The situation in the northwest is tense now, and our army has retreated twenty miles outside Dong'an City. Are you aware of this?"
"Of course I know. My home is in Dong'an City, how could I not know this." Thinking of the Northwestern men who died in battle every year, Pei Yanli clenched his hands hanging at his sides into fists, and the pent-up resentment and dissatisfaction in his heart almost burst out.
He suppressed his anger and spoke slowly in a calm and stern voice, "As a high-ranking official in the capital, you have never seen the people being slaughtered in the war in the northwest, nor have you seen hundreds of thousands of refugees left homeless and freezing to death on the streets in the cold winter."
He stood up again, bowed deeply, and continued, "Forgive me for speaking frankly, but those high-ranking officials are only concerned with their own interests and turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people. If this continues, the Western Plains bandits will attack from the northwest to the south. How can the eggs in such a nest be safe?"
"Mr. Pei, please be patient. I came here today precisely for this matter."
Xiao Yunchen's expression remained calm and gentle, without a trace of the stern authority of a superior. "In the near future, the court will be assigning the young master of the General of Cavalry to the northwest to oversee the overall situation. The Qi family has been loyal to the northwest frontier for generations, and I'm sure you've heard of their great name."
"I will try to get you a position as the city defense officer of Dong'an City. When that happens, I hope you can help him protect the northwest city."
The arrogant words spoken in a humble and gentle voice reached Pei Yanli's ears clearly.
Pei Yanli's eyes were deep, and there was no smile on his lips: "Sir Xiao, since you are from the Hanlin Academy, how can you be in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War?"
"Although I am an official, what I represent is not just this mere position." Xiao Yunchen's tone was still humble and gentle, but his words revealed an aura that could not be ignored, as if everything was already under his control.
"The court is full of twists and turns. Some people say that you are too upright and may not be able to go far in the court. Although it sounds harsh, there is some truth to it. Staying in the northwest as an official is the best choice for you and the country. Master Pei, will you accept or not?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
