Chapter 1994 Ranking
Bai Shan also knew him. Not only that, they had met each other many times in the library when they were at the Imperial College. Compared with him, Wang Wenji was more famous at that time.
But it is not certain now. But when it comes to writing, Wang Wenji should still be better, and Bai Shan ranks fourth.
As soon as Bai Shan's name was called, the people in the private room started to make a fuss and asked him to buy wine for everyone to celebrate. After all, it was very impressive to get fourth place in the essay competition in Zhuangyuanlou.
Feng Zongping said enviously, "You can leave next year. If my article can make it into the top 30, I will leave next year too."
Just as he finished speaking, the seventh place was called out, "Seventh place, Zhou Man——"
The crowd surrounding Bai Shan suddenly fell silent and turned to look at Zhou Man who was sitting nearby.
Zhao Liulang: "Yes, you just wrote..."
Manbao said, "There's no prize for seventh place, so why are you so happy?"
In fact, the downstairs was quiet for a while, and some people whispered to each other, "Who is Zhou Man? I haven't heard of him."
"I have heard of one, the Imperial Physician Zhou Man."
"Hey, you're just being argumentative. I've heard of it, and I know she was compiled by the Chongwenguan. But this Zhou Man isn't the same Zhou Man, right?"
"That's probably right. Anyone who can compare to seventh place must have some reputation, right? But I haven't heard of any scholar named Zhou Man submitting essays recently."
"That's her. Wasn't she on the third floor just now?"
The judge who announced the rankings paused for a moment before continuing, "Eighth place, Yi Ziyang—"
Upstairs, Feng Zongping stared at Zhou Man in disbelief. "I don't believe it. I admit that I can't compare to Bai Shan. After all, he is smarter and more hardworking than me, but you..."
Manbao immediately interjected, "I'm smarter than you, and I work harder than you!"
Feng Zongping looked constipated. "You may be smarter than me, but you definitely haven't studied the classics as hard as I have. You're the imperial physician, and you've been compiling medical books. You have so much to do every day, I don't believe you can write better than me!"
Zhao Liulang and the others also didn't believe it. They gathered around and asked, "What did you write in your article? Did the judges think you were a fifth-rank editor and gave you a higher ranking to curry favor with you?"
Manbao complained, "Am I such a cheater? My writing is so good."
She said, "Isn't it just about asking for advice on the Yellow River flood? Every time we have a grand court meeting in June, there's always a fight about it. I've been well-versed in poetry and literature since I was a child, so my literary talent is no less than yours. Besides, what's more important in a policy essay is that the words have substance. Why can't I get seventh place?"
In fact, she thought her idea was pretty good. She didn't know what Bai Shan and Wang Wenzhi wrote, but they ranked higher than hers. She hadn't questioned them yet, so why did they question her?
Everyone fell silent, and Feng Zongping calmed down immediately. He said calmly, "Oh," and said, "I forgot that you are qualified to attend the Grand Court Meeting."
But she was going crazy inside. What was there to compare? This person could meet the emperor and all the important ministers in the court every month. Even if she didn't participate in the important national policies, she would at least listen to them, okay?
Zhao Liulang and the others calmed down instantly and dispersed. "Forget it, forget it. We didn't even make the top three. There's no prize at Zhuangyuanlou. We can't let them spend money."
Bai Shan breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Man Bao and said, "Let's go to Zhuangyuan Building tomorrow to read the posted articles."
He also wanted to take a look at the top three articles and compare them to see where his own shortcomings lay.
Manbao nodded vigorously. "How about you recite your article to me when you get back? Actually, the idea I wrote was suggested by Mr. Fang from the Ministry of Works. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Revenue thought it was too expensive and has refused to approve it. So, we've been arguing about it since June and there's still no conclusion."
Manbao listened to the proposal for two months and felt that Lord Fang's proposal was very good. Although it would cost a lot and take a long time, it would benefit future generations if it was implemented.
She also wrote some small suggestions of her own and felt that it had been improved. How come she only got seventh place?
The judges have already read out the 28th place, which is Feng Zongping, and the 29th place is Bai Dalang.
Among Bai Dalang's three classmates, one was ranked ahead of him.
When he heard Bai Zhi's name, he immediately turned around and said to Bai Zhi, "Zhengjian, shall we try it together next year?"
If you can make it into the top 30, you can try your luck in taking the Jinshi exam. Although the Jinshi exam does not only test policy essays, it also includes poetry, prose and scriptures, and the papers are more difficult.
But tonight there are so many talented people gathered in Zhuangyuan Building, including some "old people" who like to join in the fun. If you can rank in the top 30 here, you will have a high chance of passing the Jinshi examination.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival every year, only these thirty people become famous.
Bai Zhi nodded repeatedly, his confidence increasing.
Bai Erlang kept listening with his ears perked up. When he didn't hear his name for a long time, he leaned against the window. When he heard that the number had been called to 35 and his name was still not included, he couldn't help but pursed his lips.
Someone who was also listening at the window saw him and asked him with a smile, "Bai Er, what place do you think you got?"
Bai Jilang was a little scared, "Isn't it possible that no one is on the list?"
If the teacher finds out when he gets home, will he punish him by making him write this question ten times?
Bai Shan, Man Bao, and Bai Da Lang also came over and listened with him. Seeing that there was still nothing, they comforted him, "It's okay, we won't tell the master."
Bai Erlang was about to cry, "If I had known earlier that I wouldn't have written it, wouldn't the master have known it if you hadn't told me? Before leaving, the master specifically told Bai Shan to write the article seriously and see how good he was."
So Mr. Hui will definitely ask them in detail about the articles they wrote and their rankings.
Just as I was feeling sad, I heard the judges below read out: "39th place, Bai Cheng——"
Bai Erlang's heart relaxed immediately and he became happy. "Yes, yes, there are still 39th place. Fortunately, I didn't fall off the list, otherwise I would have a hard time explaining to the teacher when I get back."
Bai Shan and the others also became happy. Man Bao immediately showed the generosity of a senior sister and said, "I'll treat you to roast lamb when we come downstairs."
Bai Erlang said, "You said so, so I'll have two servings."
"no problem."
A serving of roast lamb only costs ten cents, she can afford it!
Now all the participants heard their rankings, and they started clamoring to change venues.
Zhao Liulang also invited Bai Dalang, "We are going to Chunfeng Tower. Brother Zhengjian, do you want to join us?"
Bai Dalang declined politely, and Bai Erlang beside him said bluntly: "Don't lead my brother astray. My sister-in-law is still waiting for him in my lantern shed."
Zhao Liulang laughed out loud, "So you have your sister-in-law to accompany you? We won't bother you anymore. Let's go, let's go quickly. Chunfeng Tower is bustling right now. If we're any later, we won't be able to catch tonight's show."
I almost went to the wrong place. See you at 9pm.
(End of this chapter)
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