Chapter 2227 He Wants to Go Home and Open an Academy
The next day was the day the newly appointed scholars were granted official positions.
The students stood once again in the Zichen Hall, their expressions vastly different from their earlier anxious demeanor. Instead, they exuded a spirited and ambitious air, eager to make a name for themselves.
The Emperor sat on his dragon throne, pleased with the expressions on everyone's faces. This was the first imperial examination he had held since ascending the throne, and it held great significance for him.
However, when his gaze fell on Meng Yunzheng, his happy expression froze, and he felt a slight pang of heartache.
Today's official appointments are mainly for the top three in the first class. Although other Jinshi have passed the palace examination, they still need to participate in the court examination. In the end, those who are good at calligraphy and literature will be selected as Shujishi, and the others will be appointed as Zhushi or other official positions.
After all the successful candidates stepped forward to pay their respects, all the candidates except for the top three in the first class retreated to the side.
The emperor then glanced at the eunuch beside him and said, "Proclaim the decree."
The chief eunuch opened the imperial edict and announced, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the second-ranked scholar in the first class of the new imperial examinations, Chu Qiuping from Luozhou Prefecture, and the third-ranked scholar in the first class, Jin Lin from Shuntian Prefecture, are both of outstanding literary talent... They are hereby appointed as compilers in the Hanlin Academy, of the seventh rank... It is hoped that you two will devote yourselves wholeheartedly to serving the court, being diligent in your duties and loving the people. This is the imperial decree."
Everyone was stunned when they heard this. Why did the imperial edict only mention the second and third place scholars, but not mention Meng Yunzheng, who had been the talk of the town these days?
Chu Qiuping and Jin Lin were equally suspicious, but at least they reacted quickly, taking a few steps forward and kneeling down to express their gratitude.
The emperor nodded. "Rise."
The two men got up and retreated, and only then did the emperor look at Meng Yunzheng.
However, neither of them spoke, and the vast Zichen Palace was so quiet that only the breathing of the civil and military officials could be heard.
Grand Tutor Qi couldn't hold back any longer and stepped out of the queue, cupping his hands in greeting, "Your Majesty, Scholar Meng, he..."
The Emperor raised his hand, "Grand Tutor, don't rush. I know what you're going to say. I'm also in a difficult position regarding Meng Yunzheng's official post. Why don't you listen to his opinion?"
Qi Chan could only lower his hand, frowning with worry as he looked at the people in the hall. The Emperor's words last time had led Qi Chan to believe that the Emperor and Meng Yunzheng were old acquaintances with a good relationship. However, now that the Emperor had granted official positions to the other two but not him, what did that mean?
Meng Yunzheng stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is too great. I have failed in my duty to Your Majesty. Please forgive me."
Qi Chan was puzzled, and the others were even more confused. What exactly was going on?
"Scholar Meng, what do you mean by this?" Qi Chan asked in a low voice.
Meng Yunzheng raised his head and said, "I plan to return to my hometown and establish an academy. I will serve as the headmaster of the academy, teaching and educating people, and stay away from the court."
"What?!"
Qi Chan turned his head to look at him in astonishment.
The hall erupted in uproar. Apart from the emperor and people like Xiang Weinan who knew his plans, everyone stared at him in shock.
"Yunzheng, are you crazy?" Yao Tianqin exclaimed in disbelief.
Not to mention the officials who were already paying close attention to Meng Yunzheng, even some high-ranking officials of the first and second ranks who had never taken him seriously and had long since cultivated the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity couldn't help but turn their heads in surprise.
No one could understand Meng Yunzheng's thoughts and actions. He was a top scholar who had passed the imperial examination with the highest score. He had studied hard for many years and finally achieved fame. Now he wanted to go back to be a schoolteacher.
Minister Yao is right, this man is truly obsessed with gains and losses.
(End of this chapter)
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