Chapter 058: The Shot
Xu Donghai had an as-expected expression on his face. When the top scorer of the county exam was announced in advance that day , a classmate asked him if there was any corruption behind the scenes.
At that time, Xu Donghai's answer was that he didn't know. After all, he himself had used the backdoor and his bottom was not clean. It was really shameless to cry "stop thief" without any evidence.
Although Xu Donghai is arrogant and has a sense of superiority as a child of an official, he still has the basic moral bottom line of a scholar.
Moreover, his favoritism was only to build a good relationship with the chief examiner and hint at whether he could select the top candidate. There was not much problem with his real talent and knowledge, which was much better than cheating in the imperial examination.
Today, I saw that several people from the private school of Duke Chengguo's Mansion passed the county exam, and including Shen Yichen, they are all relatives of the Zhu family. If there is no trick, it is simply an insult to other people's IQ!
But for some reason, Xu Donghai felt a sense of relief in his heart. It seemed that Shen Yichen was not more knowledgeable than him, but his father was more powerful than him!
"Dong Hai, should we report this matter to the Confucian Studies Department?"
Another student from Zhaowen Academy also had a look of dissatisfaction on his face at this moment.
This group of people studied hard for several years in the best academy in Yingtian Prefecture, but they could only watch the nobles and relatives of the royal family easily get admitted. They were filled with anger and a sense of unfairness.
"Do you have any evidence?"
Xu Donghai simply asked back a question. He knew the other party's noble family very well. If he reported it without any evidence, he might be blamed.
Duke Cheng Zhu Yong is now at the peak of his career. Even Duke Wei, who is the most powerful relative of nobles, has temporarily fallen behind him. Who would dare to offend him at this time?
When it comes to evidence, the answer is obvious. It is not easy to find evidence of cheating in the imperial examination, and no matter how unwilling you are, you can only hold it in.
"Don't worry, the law is long and wide, and they will be exposed one day if they are so reckless."
Xu Donghai believed that the descendants of the Chengguo clan would definitely not stop at the county exam. After all, those who passed the county exam were not even considered a Tongsheng, let alone a formal title like Xiucai.
Therefore, he will definitely continue to be admitted to the upcoming provincial examinations, and even the final academy examinations, and the truth will be revealed by then.
Shen Yichen didn't know that the students of Zhaowen Academy looked at him this way. If he knew, he would probably be so depressed that he would vomit three liters of blood.
The clan members in the inner courtyard private school are almost like my mortal enemies. Even if they are suspected of cheating in the imperial examination, it has nothing to do with me. Besides, if you want to talk about the Zhu clan, what does it have to do with me, Shen Yichen? When has my name ever been listed in the family tree?
He didn't get any benefits from the golden signboard of Duke Chengguo, but he had to take the blame.
When Zhu Qingyu and the others saw Shen Yichen walking towards them, they all had a provocative look on their faces. Now that he was no longer protected by the sons of military generals in the outer courtyard private school, wouldn't it be easy for them to take advantage of this maid's son?
"Hey, what a coincidence! Why didn't I see you with your brothers today?"
Zhu Yuqing's words were full of sarcasm as he opened his mouth, teasing Li Da and others for failing the county exam. He also reminded Shen Yichen that he was alone now and he'd better behave himself.
"It's not surprising that my classmates didn't come, but it's quite surprising that you guys were able to come and take part in the provincial examination."
Shen Yichen never bothers to be falsely polite to people with whom he has already fallen out, and simply points directly to the other party's pain points.
Just as Xu Donghai suspected, Shen Yichen also did not believe these few people, and did not consider himself and the other party as being in the same camp of the Duke's Mansion, completely disregarding the impact and face.
"Shen Yichen, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."
Zhu Qingyu naturally understood what Shen Yichen meant. Even if everyone knew about this kind of thing, it must not be exposed in public. Especially now that there are so many candidates present, if the incident got out of hand and caused unrest among the scholars, no one would be able to save themselves.
You have to know that in ancient society, the ruling class was most afraid of scholars gathering together to cause trouble. If the trouble got out of hand, the emperor would send important officials to appease them.
Take the Ming Dynasty’s most famous imperial examination, the North-South List, for example. Because the northern candidates were dissatisfied and protested, Zhu Yuanzhang even went so far as to unjustly kill the new number one scholar and the chief examiner in order to stabilize and quell the unrest.
Shen Yichen said this as soon as he opened his mouth. He really didn't consider himself as a member of the Duke's Mansion. It was obvious that he was going to overturn the table.
"Why, did I say something right?"
Zhu Yuqing had concerns, but Shen Yichen did not. He even put on a playful smile, intending to take a good look at the other person's ugly appearance.
"you……"
Zhu Yuqing wanted to fight back, but because he had a guilty conscience, he didn't dare to argue on this topic.
This is different from the doubts from the outside world. If others say that the relatives of the Chengguo Mansion are cheating, it is slander without evidence. But Shen Yichen is the son of Chengguo Duke Zhu Yong. If even he said this, imagine what kind of shocking waves it would cause if it got out?
"If you don't dare to speak, just shut up. If you continue to show off in front of me, believe it or not, I will have someone beat you up again."
Shen Yichen now simply let go of himself. Those children of military generals in the outer courtyard private school, those who can fight can basically be regarded as his younger brothers.
In the past, that was just talk, but now you really have the ability to beat people up.
After saying that, he simply walked forward a few steps, took the first position in the order of cards, and Zhu Yuqing squeezed directly to the back.
Zhu Yuqing finally witnessed what a changing world means today. A son born to a maid who used to be insignificant in the Duke's Mansion is now more arrogant than the legitimate son.
But in this situation, I can't do anything to him. Outside of this situation, it seems that I can't beat Shen Yichen even if I call for help!
The state of this world is so miserable!
As time passed, all the candidates arrived. The gate of the Xiajiang examination hall opened wide, and everyone entered in order according to the order given by the cards. The whole process was the same as the previous county examination.
After verifying his identity, Shen Yichen walked into the "Duzhi Building" again. However, the examiner sitting in the hall this time was no longer County Magistrate Zhou, but Li Min, the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.
Yingtian Prefecture was one of the two capitals, and its political status was similar to that of a municipality in later generations, so its official configuration was also high-level.
The heads of other prefectures can only be called prefects, while the prefects of Shuntian and Yingtian are of the third rank and can also have the word "Yin" in their titles, and are respectfully called "Mr. Yin".
"Shen Yichen, a student from Jiangning County, pays his respects to the prefect."
"Shen Yichen, I haven't seen you for some time."
When this sentence came out, the shock level was no less than that of the "little friend" that the county magistrate Zhou called out to him that day. Li Min's fellow examiner Du Shi, the prefectural chancellor, and Sima Yun, the professor of Yingtian Prefecture School, all looked at him sideways, wondering when the prefect would become so familiar with a schoolboy.
"I am honored to have the care of the prefect. I am flattered."
Shen Yichen immediately showed an expression of panic, otherwise others would think that he had had some private contact with Li Min.
Of course, this expression was all fake. Compared to County Magistrate Zhou, he might have a deeper impression of Li Fuyin. After all, he shined at the Winter Solstice Poetry Festival that day, and was praised many times by Li Fuyin. In addition, he also had the aura of Lin Zhen's disciple, so it was not surprising that he was looked up to today.
As expected, after hearing Shen Yichen's words, Li Min smiled and replied, "I remember very clearly how calm and reserved you were that day. You don't have to be too restrained today."
Like Shen Yichen, Li Min was equally impressed by him. Compared with the competitive spirit of other participating scholars, Shen Yichen was unusually low-key throughout the whole process, with a reserved and steady temperament, which won the favor of others.
Other favorable impressions are secondary. The main thing is Shen Yichen's Feihualing and the lyrics and music of "Jinmingchi", which can be regarded as the best winter solstice poetry meeting in recent years.
Such a talented young man, who also has the top scholar as his teacher, it is difficult for Li Min not to pay special attention to him.
"Yes, students are grateful for your kindness."
"Ha ha……"
Hearing Shen Yichen admit it immediately, Li Min couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Li Min had presided over two or three prefectural examinations. When other candidates saw the prefect, they all looked submissive. Sometimes when they met the sons of high-ranking officials, although they were no longer afraid, the superiority and frivolity in their bones made them feel uncomfortable.
Only Shen Yichen has struck a good balance between the two, neither humble nor arrogant.
Moreover, this kid looked very frightened just now, but he immediately showed his true colors. No other candidate could act so naturally and easily in front of me.
It turns out that people with great talent must have extraordinary minds!
“Ahem…”
Du Shi, the official who was examining next to him, saw that Li Min had crossed the line a little and gave a hint by clearing his throat twice.
Li Min realized Du Shi's reminder and said sternly, "Well, I know you are the first in the county case, and I hope you can win again this time. Go in."
"Thank you , Lord Prefect. I will take my leave now."
Watching Shen Yichen's back as he left, Du Shi leaned slightly to the side and said, " Sir, are you familiar with this candidate?"
"Not that we are familiar with each other. He was the one who won the first prize at the Winter Solstice Poetry Contest that day."
"It turns out to be this Shen Yichen."
The mature and steady professor of the provincial school spoke first after hearing what Li Min said.
As a school official, it was not convenient for him to go to places like brothels. He could only hear some news about Shen Yichen from students or others.
In addition, the Winter Solstice Poetry Festival had been over for almost half a year, and I didn’t have a very deep impression of the name Shen Yichen, so I didn’t immediately associate the candidate with the name.
However, the professor of the prefectural school was deeply impressed by Shen Yichen's poems "Linjiangxian" and "Jinmingchi". No wonder the prefect attaches so much importance to this candidate. If it were me, I would probably treat him differently!
"Oh, Professor Sima, does he also know this Shen Yichen?"
Seeing that the professor of the provincial school, who usually had a strict moral tone, looked somewhat moved, Li Min asked back with interest.
"Your Excellency, I have heard of two of his poems, which are very brilliant and can be regarded as masterpieces of the time."
"I also remember that this boy is indeed a young talent. No wonder the prefect favors him so much."
The prefectural chancellor Du Shi suddenly realized something. Connecting the Winter Solstice Poetry Meeting with the two poems, he finally remembered who Shen Yichen was.
"You do have talent, but whether you can win the favor of this government depends on your writing."
Li Min did not admit that he valued Shen Yichen very much, but the smile on his face had already revealed his inner thoughts...
