Xu Jiang was feeling uneasy. When she saw Feng Miao appear in the corridor on the second floor, her heart suddenly hung in the air.
Feng Miao, dressed simply, looked like an ordinary scholar from a humble family, and he quickly squeezed in next to Zeng Zhui, who was unaware and was engaged in an impassioned debate with Zhou Shancai.
"Even when catching a thief, they still seize the stolen goods. Just like you, when you're lying, you have evidence and witnesses, so you can't deny it. It's too easy for Zhao Xiu to just talk and confuse right and wrong and slander someone's innocence!"
Someone echoed, "That's right! I think he's in cahoots with you!"
When Zhou Shancai and the other scholars in his group saw Feng Miao, they immediately started arguing with them to attract their attention.
Xu Jiang gripped the reins tightly and stared at Feng Miao.
The person Xu Jiang had just been looking for also squeezed next to Zeng Zhui along with Feng Miao.
Zeng Zhui was cursing furiously when he suddenly felt a powerful force hit him from behind, sending him careening over the railing. The people below saw him and cried out in surprise.
Xu Jiang couldn't help but shout, "Zeng Zhui, be careful!"
Zeng Zhui's feet slipped and he was about to fall over the guardrail when a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that he had lost, Feng Miao tried to run, but was blocked by a tall figure. Then two hands like iron clamps grabbed him and pulled him in front of Zeng Zhui.
"We've been watching you for a long time. You're so brave to commit a crime in public!" This is someone from the Dali Temple.
Feng Miao forced himself to remain calm and said, "I don't understand what you are saying. I'm just here to join in the fun."
"This man is Feng Miao!" Someone recognized Feng Miao and immediately shouted, "Zhou family's running dog!"
Zeng Zhui calmed down a bit, but when he saw that it was Feng Miao who pushed him, he was furious. He stepped forward and punched him. Then he said to Zhou Shancai downstairs, "Zhou Shancai, you have such a cruel heart. You actually tried to murder me in public. It's obvious that I hit a sore spot, and you're guilty as a thief."
Zhou Shancai flatly denied it, "What does he have to do with us? Don't smear him!"
Xu Jiang stepped forward to testify: "I clearly saw him hanging out with you guys just now. Don't even think about denying it!"
Someone chimed in, “I saw that too!”
When Zhou Shancai saw her, his expression twisted for a moment, and he argued, "There are so many people on the street, and those who are close to me, could it be that they are all my people?"
The onlookers near him immediately moved aside, fearing that they would be implicated.
"Oh, we are not in the same group with you."
Xu Jiang snorted coldly, "Whether he is one of yours or not, we'll know after we bring him to the court for trial."
"Yes! I'll see you!" Zeng Zhui picked up the gong and struck it, then threw his hat at Zhou Shancai. "I'm going to court to sue you for murdering a scholar with great honors in the street!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shancai's accomplices slipped away.
Speaking of the yamen, Zhou Shancai felt a dull pain from the wounds on his back from being whipped. "If you want to sue me, go ahead. It has nothing to do with me." After saying that, he gave Feng Miao a warning look and walked away in disgrace.
Seeing this, the scholars upstairs hurriedly took things and threw them at him, making him run away. Finally, he ran back to Jisheng Bookstore, closed the door, and there was no movement from him anymore.
Feng Miao's legs went weak and he fell to his knees.
Those who do evil will surely perish.
Xu Jiang's eyes turned cold, she couldn't let him go this time!
Above the golden palace, bells and chimes rang harmoniously.
The other 27 Jinshi except Zhao Xiu were seated in order according to the two lists of Jinshi success and Jinshi origin.
In addition to the sage and the Jinshi, there were also the Grand Tutor, the Grand Preceptor, and the Grand Guardian in charge of the examination. The "three masters" supervised the examination, and the Shangshu Ling was in charge of the examination. There were also four officials who presented the papers, four who sealed the papers, four who collected the papers, two who printed the papers, and two who filled in the list, all of whom were ministers from various departments.
There are three types of examinations: poetry, prose, and policy questions. The sage will set the questions in court, and each question will take half an hour.
"Giving the paper——"
Following a long shout from the Shangshu Ling, the examiner distributed the blank papers to the Jinshi candidates in order.
Hu Xu held his breath, put aside all distractions, and picked up his pen to answer the questions.
Two hours later, all the examination papers were sealed and placed in front of the three teachers' desks. After reading the papers, the three teachers would make annotations using "circles, points, dots, straight lines, and crosses", and the papers with the most circles would be ranked higher.
After the three teachers have read all the papers, they will present the ten with the most circles to the Sage. After the Sage has read the papers, he will personally select the top three as the first class, and the remaining places will be awarded by the three teachers. Finally, the papers will be unsealed, the names will be asked, and the list will be filled.
From the beginning of the examination to the announcement, the sage and the three teachers did not know the names of the respondents. After the answers were announced, the names were asked, and the list was filled in, the rankings were announced in court.
There are three names on the first list and twenty-four names on the second list. The lists have been completed. The official who fills out the lists will present the first list to the saint and the second list to the grand master, and two people will announce the lists.
You could hear a pin drop in the Golden Palace. All the scholars stood quietly, their eyes on their noses, their noses on their hearts, and they lowered their heads to listen attentively.
Hu Xu stood in the front row, feeling very calm. He had real talent and knowledge, and was upright and honest, so he was naturally not afraid of the test.
The sage scanned the list and began to praise, "The three people on this list are all extremely talented, outstanding talents who stand out from the crowd. Their poems and essays are brilliant, and their policy essays are insightful and profound. I am deeply pleased to have such pillars of society."
All the ministers present shouted in unison: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on finding such a talented person."
The sage laughed heartily, then announced the list: "First place in the first class, Hu Xu, is named the top scholar. Second place, He Yuqing, is named the second place. Third place, Wang Chuanbai, is named the third place."
The three of them knelt in front of the hall and expressed their gratitude.
Then the Grand Tutor announced the list, and all the successful candidates expressed their gratitude.
The court officials waiting outside the hall began to whisper to each other when they heard the announcement of the results from inside. When Lou Jing heard that Hu Xu had named the top scholar again, he felt relieved. However, Lou Yunchun remained calm.
After the list is announced, the ranking will be compared, that is, the rankings of the two lists will be compared, which will be carried out by the Shangshu Ling.
The sage summoned the court officials into the hall and read out the results of the competition in public.
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