Although the imperial examination system in the Western Shu Kingdom was complicated, it was relatively friendly to people who had not undergone systematic study, allowing them to participate in the local examinations. However, the first step was to find a scholar to act as a guarantor to prove that they were innocent, not impersonating others, and not a slave.
Although Fang Zhiyi came from a thug background, he somehow met all the requirements.
Under Wang Ergou's intimidation, the servant had no choice but to go and invite the old scholar out.
But upon hearing Fang Zhiyi's request, the old scholar burst out laughing: "Fang Zhiyi? You? Taking the imperial examination? My goodness... do you think that just anyone can participate in the imperial examination in Western Shu?"
He glanced at Wang Ergou and snorted coldly through his nostrils: "You used to be nothing but a good-for-nothing, but now you're hanging out with these scoundrels. I won't scold you for our past friendship. Finish your tea and leave."
Fang Zhiyi looked at the impoverished scholar in front of her, not annoyed, but just smiled: "Mr. Li, one guarantee can give you a higher status in the future than you are now. Are you willing to give it a try?"
Li Xiucai spat out his tea, and the servant beside him quickly patted his back: "You? You're just a local ruffian, illiterate, yet so arrogant? Fang Zhiyi, do you think you're some kind of literary star reincarnated?"
"Illiterate? What if I wrote an article right now, Mr. Li?"
Scholar Li waved his hand: "Impossible! I've watched you grow up, I know your capabilities, absolutely impossible!"
Fang Zhiyi simply smiled and said, "Then why not take a gamble?"
Scholar Li simply waved his hand: "No scholar gambles so easily, you should..."
"Could it be that you're afraid, sir?" Fang Zhiyi said casually. "Indeed, after all, you only managed to pass the lowest level of the imperial examinations in your entire life. Let's go."
To Li Xiucai, these words were a blatant insult. He might not have cared about anyone else, but being insulted by a local ruffian was something he couldn't tolerate.
"Okay! But let's make it clear, if you can't do it, you'll have to work for me, Li, for three months!"
“It’s a deal.” Fang Zhiyi turned around, and in that instant, Li Xiucai felt he had been tricked, but looking at Fang Zhiyi, he was still full of contempt.
When Fang Zhiyi actually started writing, Wang Ergou couldn't understand it at all. He knew some characters, so he was practically illiterate, but he was just shocked. His brother was amazing!
Li Xiucai's expression gradually changed from contempt to seriousness, until the article was placed in front of him. Li Xiucai looked at Fang Zhiyi in disbelief, and then began to examine it word by word.
Fang Zhiyi didn't care. When he was emperor, he had seen many candidates' papers. Copying one was a piece of cake for him. Moreover, he copied the papers of the top scholars who could enter the Golden Palace.
Liu Xiucai's face was flushed, and his hands trembled involuntarily.
"You, you, you...."
"Master?" The servant was somewhat flustered.
"You...have you been hiding your true abilities all along? Have you been stealing other people's articles to fool me?"
Fang Zhiyi, without blushing or skipping a beat, asked, "Whose article did I steal? Do I need to write another one?"
Looking at his calm expression, Li Xiucai was somewhat bewildered. Why did this local ruffian have such good knowledge that he himself did not know?
"When...did you begin studying this subject?"
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