Royal Palace
The top three scholars (Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua) and their successors appeared outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Qiu Xu eagerly awaited His Majesty's summons.
Completely unaware that Xie Yunzhi and Qi Yan were both looking at him with puzzled eyes.
Xie Yunzhi carefully examined Qiu Xu's features:
"Where have we met before?"
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Yan interrupted.
"This looks so familiar!"
Xie Yunzhi and Qi Yan's almost simultaneous words left Qiu Xu bewildered.
He glanced at the two men on either side and returned their polite smiles.
"It's a pleasure to meet you today. It's fate that we've gotten to know each other!"
He was certain that he had never seen either of these two people before.
Without realizing it, he recalled the scene of his encounter with Duan Tianzhang that day, and inevitably, he also thought of his sister.
Could it be that these two have met my sister before?
“Of course,” Xie Yunzhi replied. “Today, we have entered the court together. From now on, we will serve as officials in the same court and can look after each other.”
Compared to Xie Yunzhi's proactive remarks, Qi Yan appeared somewhat aloof.
His beautiful eyes flickered, and the corners of his lips twitched slightly; it was unclear what he was thinking.
"His Majesty commands that the newly appointed top scholar Qiu Xu, second-place scholar Xie Yunzhi, and third-place scholar Qi Yan be summoned to the palace!" This was due to the sudden announcement from the chief eunuch.
Qiu Xu led the way, with Xie Yunzhi and Qi Yan standing on either side, as they entered the hall with proper bearing.
Behind him, Qiu Dazhi, Du Changjun, and others stood ramrod straight outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Inside the hall, three people entered and performed the kneeling ceremony.
"Your subject Qiu Xu... Your subject Xie Yunzhi... Your subject Qi Yan..."
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Outside the hall, all the scholars also kowtowed in unison.
He Lin strode into the hall from the upper side, his powerful strides and regal bearing exuding imperial majesty.
He lifted his dragon robe and sat down on the dragon throne.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Qiu Xu and the other Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) rose.
Qi Yan entered the hall, her beautiful eyes smiling.
Xie Yunzhi appeared slightly nervous.
Of the two, Qiu Xu was the most natural.
At this moment, He Lin's gaze fell on Qiu Xu.
Because Qiu Xu and Jin'er single-handedly wiped out the assassin camp,
He Lin greatly appreciated it.
He originally thought that Qiu Xu had only learned excellent martial arts skills from General Li.
Unexpectedly, Qiu Xu's insights into literature were also the best.
He Lin personally reviewed the first few exam papers of the candidates and was very satisfied with Qiu Xu's writing skills.
"Qiu Xu, as the newly appointed top scholar, do you possess the talent of a top scholar?" He Lin asked in a deep voice.
Qiu Xu kowtowed again and replied respectfully:
"Your Majesty, although I am first in this competition, there are still shortcomings. However, I am confident in my knowledge and have lived up to my own expectations."
"You are neither arrogant nor impatient, but humble and polite. You have won my heart. Rise." He Lin smiled, then his gaze fell on Xie Yunzhi and Qi Yan.
Xie Yunzhi still appeared slightly nervous.
At first glance, Qi Yan appears to be subservient to His Majesty, but upon closer inspection, one can discern a rebellious and unruly air about him.
"Xie Qing, who are you?" He Lin looked at Xie Yunzhi and started checking his household registration.
This man, let me put it this way...
If it weren't for his status as the runner-up today, he probably wouldn't leave any impression at first glance in a crowd.
This person may seem ordinary, but the fact that he is standing here today is enough to show that he is extraordinary.
"Your Majesty," Xie Yunzhi kowtowed.
“I was born in the Northern Qi. Later, my father became an official in Qin County, and I followed him there. I have lived in Qin County ever since.”
He Lin listened silently, thinking to himself, "So, they aren't the original, unadulterated students of Dongjin."
His gaze shifted and landed on Qi Yan.
"And you?"
Qi Yan also knelt down.
“My home is also in Qin County.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunzhi glanced at Qi Yan, but didn't recognize him.
"Oh?" He Lin frowned slightly.
There are three people in the first rank, each occupying one position.
Looking at Qiu Xu, it's fortunate that he was the top scorer in the first division; otherwise, he would feel resentful.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Xu thought of the restaurant his sister owned in Qin County, and couldn't help but recall the pleasantries Xie Yunzhi and Qi Yan had exchanged with him earlier.
As His Majesty asked his questions, the surrounding court officials were all carefully observing Qiu Xu and his two companions.
The practice of seeking a suitable son-in-law after receiving an imperial edict has existed since ancient times.
“The newly appointed top scholar has an excellent demeanor. Why not let him take up a post in my Ministry of Rites?” At this moment, Minister Sun stepped forward.
He had already found out that Qiu Xu was General Gu's brother-in-law.
Now, having truly appreciated Qiu Xu's talent, they are considering asking His Majesty for his services.
He hoped that His Majesty would make an exception and promote Qiu Xu to serve him.
Unexpectedly, His Majesty shook his head resolutely upon hearing this.
He Lin smiled.
This Minister Sun is already asking him for people so quickly.
"Qiu Xu, I have already made all the arrangements."
Qiu Xu looked up and stared at He Lin, his mind focused on only one position.
Imperial bodyguards!
Thinking of this, he felt a pang of panic.
He Lin seemed to sense Qiu Xu's doubts and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
Being a royal bodyguard is a high-ranking position. The highest rank one can attain is the third rank in the military. Of course, it's not easy to get that position.
He rose with a smile, descended the steps, and walked towards Qiu Xu.
"Qiu Xu, go to the Ministry of War to take up your post as Assistant Minister of War the day after tomorrow morning."
The officials were all somewhat surprised upon hearing this.
In the past, there were three players in the top three.
They were all kept in the Hanlin Academy by His Majesty.
The position of Hanlin Academy Compiler, a sixth-rank official, was specifically reserved for the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examinations, and its rank was only sixth grade.
The second and third place winners were appointed as compilers in the Hanlin Academy, a position of the seventh rank.
The Assistant Minister of War was a fifth-rank official.
Those who remained in the Hanlin Academy had the best future political prospects.
Because their chances of entering the Six Ministries or even becoming Grand Secretaries in the Cabinet were much greater than others.
Qiu Xu, having just become the top scholar in the imperial examination, was personally appointed by the emperor to serve as an assistant minister in the Ministry of War, which can be considered a slight favoritism.
The ministers listened and dared not raise any objections.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" Qiu Xu kowtowed in gratitude.
Upon hearing this, the Minister of War kowtowed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"As for you two..." He Lin looked at Xie Yunzhi and Qi Yan respectively.
"Xie Qing and Qi Qing, you two will be appointed as editors in the Hanlin Academy according to the old system."
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Xie Yunzhi also kowtowed to express his gratitude.
He had some expectations for his future official position.
Qi Yan... he knelt down and bowed his head, saying:
"Your Majesty, I humbly request to serve as an official in Qin County."
"Want to go home?" This was the first time He Lin had ever encountered someone like Qi Yan who had personally requested permission to go home.
This third-place scholar is quite bold.
He Lin: "Why?" You know, most people would love to stay in Dongjin.
Those who ranked in the second or third place will need to take another selection exam.
Those with excellent grades may also be admitted to the Hanlin Academy as editors.
Those who could not enter the Hanlin Academy were directly assigned to Shangjin or other counties or prefectures outside of Shangjin.
In other words, only those who failed the imperial examinations outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony were assigned to local official positions.
Being able to stay in the Hanlin Academy was something that all the successful candidates in the imperial examinations dreamed of.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty's request for the position is due to personal reasons." Qi Yan kowtowed again.
"I have an elder brother at home. Both of us have lost our parents and have relied on each other for support. However, my brother is in poor health and needs my care all year round. He is frail and bedridden and cannot be moved. If I were to forcibly take him to Shangjin, I fear he would die on the way. I beg Your Majesty to consider my brother's suffering and loneliness and grant me permission to return to my hometown to take up my post."
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