Chapter 63 Clearly unaware of the tragedy to come…
To be honest, Fusu had considered all sorts of possible punishments, including but not limited to copying books, writing self-criticisms, and doing chores in the vegetable garden. None of them were as expected as the "advancement exam".
Any of these options are easier to accept than "advancing to the Lent exams earlier"!
Fusu, no longer caring about Dr. Wang's presence, only wanted Yang Anguo to retract his order; he was willing to pay any price for it. Did he even know the content of the Ascension Examination?!
You have to memorize them all, including the Analects, Mencius, the Book of Changes, the Book of Rites, the Book of Documents, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, without missing a single word.
"Chancellor, you can't do this..." Fusu's chubby little face scrunched up like a bitter gourd: "Anyone who passes the Shengzhai exam can easily pass the Mingjing exam, I'm still far from it!"
He even touched the topknot on his forehead, implying that he was only three years old and still a child!
What are these Confucian classics and exams? They're simply not something his underdeveloped little brain should be able to handle!
Yang Anguo remained indifferent and unmoved: "No."
Fusu tried to act cute: "Chancellor QAQ"
"After further bargaining, it will be moved up to July."
"..."
The three-year-old toddler finally dared not utter another sound, his head drooping low like a quail's, as if he had suffered some great injustice. Seeing that he had fallen silent, Yang Anguo turned to Dr. Wang: "Is this punishment satisfactory, Dr. Wang?"
Dr. Wang sensed a hidden meaning in the chief priest's words and felt uneasy. He was also thoroughly embarrassed by the sweet display of affection between the teacher and student (in his eyes), and now wished he could cover his cheeks and leave with a sour expression.
Finally, he gave Fusu a strange look: What kind of bewitching potion has this Zhao Xiaolang given to everyone around him?
Mei Yaochen and Fan Chunren are one thing, since they're not in positions of power. But the Chancellor has only met him a few times! How can he so blatantly and undisguisedly show favoritism? What's with this early examination? Isn't it just to get him to memorize the classics quickly so he can personally tutor him on policy essays?
Oh, right, even the government...
For the first time, Dr. Wang realized how difficult the task his cousin had given him—to "make things a little difficult"—was. If you target Zhao Xiaolang, someone else will target you!
Fusu was still immersed in the grief of his impending overwork and didn't notice the resentful glance. Yang Anguo, with his sharp eyes, noticed it but didn't say anything. Only after Dr. Wang's figure had completely disappeared did he personally close the door and stand in front of Fusu again.
Fusu suddenly realized that a large shadow had appeared in front of him. He looked up blankly.
Do you know what month comes after August?
"September."
What happens after September?
"October... what's wrong, Chief Priest?"
Fusu suddenly thought of an extremely absurd possibility. Then, he watched as Yang Anguo's mouth opened and closed, turning his outrageous guess into reality: "In October, the capital will hold the provincial examination, also known as the autumn examination. If you miss it even once, unless the emperor holds a special examination, you will have to wait another three years."
"Your family clearly sent you to study at the Imperial Academy, but no one told you about the imperial examinations?"
Fusu: "!!!"
He instinctively shook his head: "You want me to take the provincial examination? But, but I..."
“But you are only three years old this year, and you are a member of the imperial family. Is this what you want to say?” Yang Anguo saw through his unfinished words: “So what if you are three years old? Prime Minister Yan was able to answer questions before the emperor at the age of seven. You are just a little younger than him. What’s wrong with that? In our dynasty, there is a custom of child prodigies entering officialdom. Age is not a concern at all.”
"Furthermore, if you were truly concerned about being a member of the imperial clan, why would your family have sent you to study at the Imperial Academy?"
Fusu: "..."
If he says he came of his own volition, will the chief priest believe him?
Yang Anguo's gaze suddenly became extremely sharp: "The sage said: Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Zhao Xiaolang, since you entered the prison, you have studied with the doctor and seen the emperor with your own eyes. Have you never had the slightest thought of becoming a general or prime minister, or governing the country and bringing peace to the world?"
Fusu's heart skipped a beat.
Can he guarantee that he didn't?
...It really can't.
Logically, as a first-rank prince, he could easily become the crown prince if he so desired. However, after personally establishing a "Food Committee" to improve the canteen's meals, and after listening to the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies' flattery that morning, Fusu began to have a different feeling.
— Giving orders is never as effective as doing things yourself.
Fusu, after all, came from the future, his mind brimming with brilliant ideas for enriching the country and strengthening its military. He could certainly devise a plan and hand it over to the Emperor, who would then instruct capable ministers like Yan Shu and Fu Bi to implement it through the state organs. But what if the person in charge at any stage was someone like the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, or even worse?
What to do? Do it yourself!
The best solution is for him to become the implementer of the policy himself. In other words, to become an official.
...It sounds absurd, but nothing is more outrageous than a well-intentioned policy being distorted and implemented. Wang Anshi's "Green Sprouts Law" and "Labour Forced Labor Law" serve as cautionary tales.
Having figured this out, Xiao Fusu stopped worrying. He clenched his little fists and then suddenly relaxed them, a sweet smile blooming on his fair face.
"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Master."
"That's right." Yang Anguo breathed a sigh of relief: "You took the autumn exam this year. Even if you don't pass the spring exam next year, you can still work on it gradually. Otherwise, things might get complicated."
Fusu said half-jokingly, "After all, a six-year-old scholar can't sound as good as a three-year-old scholar. Don't you agree, Grand Master?"
The cult of child prodigies at this time was the same as, or even more extreme than, that of later generations. If Fusu could take the exams and pass, he would break the record for the most extravagant child prodigy to date. His experience studying at the Imperial Academy would also bring honor to the academy. It's safe to say that Yang Anguo's planning for Fusu's academic success was not without this consideration.
Having relied on scholarships in his previous life and being extremely familiar with the tricks of college admissions, Fusu saw through the tricks at a glance, but he didn't mind.
"...You child, you can hide anything from me."
"Hehe." Fusu pursed his lips, accepting the compliment with a smile. Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he said, "Chancellor, I have another idea. Would you like to hear it?"
"What?"
“Well…” Fusu murmured for a while, then lowered his voice, “That way I’ll be more motivated to prepare.”
"So, what do you think? The position of Chief Priest? Isn't it all beneficial and without any drawbacks?"
Yang Anguo glanced at him and said, "Are you really going to do this? Aren't you afraid of attracting hatred?"
"I didn't say anything wrong! Besides, it would greatly enhance the reputation of our Imperial Academy. Chancellor, please agree!"
"..."
-
Fusu returned to his dormitory.
Since he and Dr. Wang had already fallen out, and he needed to prepare for the entrance exam ahead of time, there was no need for him to attend classes anymore. He sat down at his desk, took out the "Book of Documents" that he hadn't finished memorizing, and muttered several pages to himself until the sun was setting. Only then did he put down the book, stretch, and loosen his stiff body.
He froze halfway through the event.
The words of the chief priest Yang Anguo suddenly echoed in his mind. However, Fusu was surprised to find that in every sentence the chief priest used "your family" to refer to Zhao Zongsu's elder relatives, rather than his current nominal father, the Prince of Pu.
What happened?
Could it be that... the chief priest discovered something?
The more Fusu thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. However, he no longer had the courage to deduce the content of Yang Anguo's script. Just last time, Su Shi, thinking it was his eighth uncle's son, almost beat Fusu half to death.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Su Shi barged in at that moment.
He had barely stepped inside, before he could even catch his breath, when he asked, "Young Master Zhao, have you heard? Our ascension exam has been moved up!"
Fusu turned her head, looked at him, and blinked innocently twice.
"How come you're not surprised at all... You already knew!?"
Of course I know, and it was my suggestion.
Fusu thought to himself.
However, he planned to never let Su Shi know about this. What was the point of preparing for the autumn examination alone? Of course, he wanted to drag a few others down with him! And you know what? Although Su Shi spent his days laughing and joking with others, his memorization skills didn't suffer at all.
Unlike Fusu, Su Shi was a true genius, and it would be a waste not to publicize his talent.
This is how Xiao Fusu persuaded Yang Anguo, successfully dragging Su Shi into the mess as well.
Therefore, he was not flustered at all when faced with Su Shi's question. He even imitated Yang Anguo and patiently persuaded him.
"Those who excel in learning will become officials. After you have read all the words of the sages and cultivated yourself and your family, do you no longer think about governing the country and bringing peace to the world?"
Su Shi was immediately suspicious: "Young Master Zhao, how could you say such a thing? You are... His Highness Prince Cheng."
His father is an official, so he was born a prince. How could Zhao Xiaolang utter such scholarly pronouncements? If he wanted to govern the country and bring peace to the world, why bother with the imperial examinations? He could just have the emperor issue an imperial edict, wouldn't that be enough?
Su Shi narrowed his eyes.
He didn't understand why Zhao Xiaolang accepted it so calmly.
Oops!
Fusu pinched his thigh: he had forgotten that his identity had been exposed to Su Shi, and he was now on the verge of being exposed. In order to cover up his lie, he had to reveal part of the truth, sharing his predicament today, especially the unpleasant things about being the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, with Su Shi.
Su Shi was astonished: "How can there be such people! Neglecting their duties and being praised as a meritorious official, they really have a thick skin!"
Fusu seized the opportunity to press his advantage: "Yes, you don't want to encounter this kind of person in everything you do in the future, do you? That's why you should enter officialdom as early as possible—"
Su Shi suddenly chuckled and crossed his arms, saying, "Tell me the truth, Zhao Xiaolang! Did you cause this trouble?"
Fusu: "???"
How did we suddenly get caught!
He made one last desperate attempt: "Did I say something wrong?"
"Hmph, what you said is all true, but have you forgotten that you haven't explained that you knew before me? It's exactly the same story as the chief priest's, so obviously he advised you first. As for why he advised you... Dr. Wang is very angry today. He said you skipped class without reason and disregarded the prison rules. He's definitely going to file a serious complaint against you later!"
Su Shi spread his hands: "Then, my fasting exam was moved up. What do you say? It's like you caused trouble or something."
Fusu: "..."
"You little rascal, Zhao Xiaolang!" Su Shi suddenly stretched out his arms, mimicking Tom the cat, as if he was about to brutally ravage Fusu, which frightened the latter into shrinking into a ball. However, he quickly withdrew his stance, looking somewhat sullen.
"However, I'm afraid I really have to participate in this autumn imperial examination."
"What's wrong?" Fusu sensed something was off about his expression: "Besides the Chief Minister, is someone else forcing you?"
What could possibly make the optimistic Su Shi show such a sorrowful expression...? Could it be someone from his family?
Su Shi quickly revealed the answer: "No one forced me, it was my elder sister. Last night I received a letter from home, in which she said that she... is getting engaged."
“As you know, although my family is a scholarly family, my father is still a commoner. I don’t want my sister to be looked down upon by her husband’s family.”
"So you want to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar? To bring glory to your family?"
"That's right."
Fusu frowned deeply: This was not as simple as bringing glory to the family. If he remembered correctly, Su Shi's sister was tortured to death by her husband's family not long after her marriage.
Su Shi, with his still-youthful brows and brimming with ambition, was clearly unaware of the tragedy to come.
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Author's Note: Wait, how come Fusu is still three years old after 260,000 words?
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