On September 15th, the sky is high and the air is fresh.
The long-delayed provincial examination results were officially announced.
Upon learning that the results had been announced, countless students rushed to the government office to see if they were on the list.
Although the admission rate is very low, students are willing to believe that they are the lucky ones.
However, Xu Yan and Chen Maoli did not rush there.
For them, being on the list is a certainty; it’s just a matter of ranking.
If that’s the case, then why go and join the fun when the crowds are at their peak?
Xu Yan decided to play a few games of chess with Chen Maoli first, and then look at the leaderboard when there were fewer people around.
The little servant Shuangxi couldn't wait any longer and insisted on going to take a look first.
Xu Yan didn't stop him and let him go.
"Hey, my dear brother Yi Shi, you can't regret your move."
Seeing Xu Yan trying to pick up the fallen white piece, Chen Maoli became a little anxious.
"Haha, Brother Lu Qing, your eyes are always fixed on the chessboard."
"Of course. Now we're tied. This round has to be decided."
Chen Maoli said very seriously.
"Never mind, I was just joking with Brother Lu Qing."
The two players' chess skills are basically the same. Chen Maoli is good at layout, while Xu Yan is good at mid-game fighting.
One plays steadily, the other aggressively. It can be described as a contest of spear and shield.
The two fought to the middle game. Xu Yan took advantage of a small mistake of Chen Maoli to capture several pieces, and continued to attack fiercely, and the snowball finally got bigger and bigger.
Chen Maoli couldn't hold on any longer and finally gave up and admitted defeat.
"Alas, I was defeated by my brother in the end."
Chen Maoli said with some regret.
Xu Yan smiled and said, "My foolish brother also won by a narrow margin."
At this moment, the little book boy Shuangxi returned, saying with a sad face, "There are too many people. I can't even see the list."
Xu Yan spread his hands and said, "Master, what did I say? But you just don't believe it."
Chen Maoli's face lit up with joy: "In that case, how about we play two more games?"
Xu Yan shook his head: "Let's stop here today. After we pack up, we can go and see the list."
Although he was unwilling, Chen Maoli also knew that looking at the leaderboard was more important, and he could play chess anytime.
But today I was defeated by Xu Yan.
But the two of them changed into new robes, put on scarves and went out together.
By the time they reached the government office from the Tailai Inn, they found that many people had already left. Many failed candidates looked dejected, muttering to themselves.
Xu Yan shook his head, thinking that there was nothing that could be done about it.
The provincial examination will definitely eliminate a large number of people, so when some people are happy, others will be sad.
Xu Yan and Chen Maoli slowly moved forward and could already see the red list posted.
Unlike the county examination list, the prefectural examination list is a complete list.
The densely packed Chinese names written on a large board are really a test of one's eyesight.
Xu Yan stared at it for a long time but still couldn't see it clearly, so he thought he had to move closer.
At this moment, the crowd suddenly dispersed.
Xu Yan turned his head to look, and saw Zhang Yinian walking towards him surrounded by a group of scholars.
Chen Maoli naturally noticed it as well, and sighed, "What a narrow road for enemies to cross."
Xu Yan showed no fear at all and comforted Chen Maoli, saying, "Brother Lu, don't be afraid."
Chen Maoli nodded slightly.
Zhang Yinian did not go directly to see the list, but walked towards Chen Maoli.
He held a black-bone mud-gold fan in his hand, and with a slight flick of the fan, the fan opened naturally.
Zhang Yinian fanned himself and said leisurely, "Pomegranate blossoms are blooming in the courtyard, and the ground is covered with green shade at noon. When I take a nap, I talk to myself, my soul is melodious, my mood is sad, and butterflies fly over the wall.
"Her charming eyes remain open, and she remains silent, even when no one approaches. Her round fan rises without swaying, the wind sways it on its own. The lush green bamboo and the slender white hemp bear no sign of the heat. "Brother Luqing, does this poem by Wen Zhengming still appeal to you?"
Seeing Zhang Yinian's hostility coming out of his mouth, Chen Maoli was not to be outdone and replied generously, "This fan is excellent, and the poems and paintings on it are also excellent. It's just that the person using the fan can't match Wen Hengshan's handiwork."
Zhang Yinian laughed out loud: "Brother Luqing still has such a bad temper. He really deserves to be the number one student in Cixi."
He paused and continued, "You are the top scorer in Cixi County, and Zhang is the top scorer in Yin County. Now we are going to the provincial examination together, but I don't know whether the Cixi people are more knowledgeable or the Yin County students are more talented."
His words immediately caused an uproar. Cixi and Yin counties within Ningbo Prefecture were both renowned for their cultural and educational endeavors, and were both major counties for the imperial examinations. Numerous candidates from both counties participated in the prefectural examinations, and discussions erupted.
"Then let's look at the list!"
Even the clay Buddha still has some temper. Since this is a matter of the reputation of the scholars in the entire Cixi County, Chen Maoli naturally will not give in.
Zhang Yinian winked at the servant beside him, who immediately went to check the list.
After a while, the servant still hadn't returned. Zhang Yinian couldn't help but frown, thinking, "This idiot must be looking from behind. With my ability, wouldn't it be easy for me to take the top spot in the provincial examination?"
After a cup of tea, the servant came back and said with a bitter face, "Master, your name is not on the list."
Zhang Yinian was stunned at first, then he angrily slapped the servant boy hard with his hand.
"Asshole, what nonsense are you talking about!"
The servant boy staggered after being hit, and finally managed to stand up. He cried aggrievedly, "Master, your name is really not on the list."
Zhang Yinian's face turned extremely pale. How could he bear to be embarrassed in public? He kicked the servant hard.
"Get out of my way!"
Kicking the servant away, Zhang Yinian went to see the list in person.
He naturally looked from front to back, and after looking at more than a dozen names, he found that his name was not on the list.
What surprised him even more was that Chen Maoli's name was not on the list.
This is really strange.
You have to know that he and Chen Maoli's abilities were among the best among all the candidates in this provincial examination. They didn't even make the list, so there must be something wrong.
At this moment, the gate of the yamen suddenly opened.
A clerk came out with a piece of red paper in his hand.
He stood still, glanced at everyone, cleared his throat, and said, "According to the prefect's order, the top three candidates in this prefectural examination will be announced separately!"
Everyone was shocked, it turned out that the top three were not included in the list!
Zhang Yinian's expression finally improved a little, and he thought to himself that he must be among the top three.
"Third place, Chen Maoli from Cixi!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Chen Maoli with envy.
"Second place, Zhang Yinian from Yin County."
Zhang Yinian was quite disappointed when he heard this. He clenched his fists, bit his lips, and his chest heaved up and down.
However, he was somewhat comforted by the fact that he had beaten Chen Maoli. He just didn't know who took the first place in the provincial exam.
"The first place in this provincial exam is Xu Yan from Dinghai County!"
With the announcement of the top scorer in the provincial examination, all the rankings for this examination were revealed. The clerk then placed the red paper in his hand on the large red list. Because there were only three names written on the paper, each one stood out clearly.
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