Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping put down the teacup in his hand. Even though he did not look at Su Qing, he was visibly moved.
Su Qing bowed once more to show his respect for Lin Tianrong.
"Your Highness, the court examinations are the most important event in the Great Xia Dynasty. If we can hold the combat examinations in the Southern Mountain Range, it would show our trust in the Southern Mountain Range. More importantly, it would test their attitude towards the Great Xia Dynasty. Even if the Southern Mountain Range wants to rebel, they would not dare to do so openly. This would solve the problem of the Sage." After Su Qing bowed, he did not waste any more time, but spoke directly.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded slightly.
"The court examinations are the best opportunity to showcase the strength of the Great Xia Dynasty. Countless geniuses have entered the Southern Mountain Range. This is a show of strength. The best strategy is to subdue the enemy without fighting! If the Southern Mountain Range can see the strength of the Great Xia Dynasty, they will think twice before they act! This is the second benefit, stabilizing the country! "Su Qing continued.
"Good! With these two benefits, this plan will work. May I ask Lord Su, what are the third and fourth benefits? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong could no longer sit still.
"The third and second benefits are closely linked. To intimidate the Southern Mountain Range, we cannot just rely on the candidates. As such, we have to borrow the strength of the army. We can combine the military drills with the combat examinations and move troops into the Southern Mountain Range. This way, the Southern Mountain Range will not be able to object!"
"Indeed. If we use the military drills as an excuse to move troops into the Southern Mountain Range, the Southern Mountain Range will not be able to object. However, we will still be able to intimidate them. However, according to the rules of the court examinations, allowing the candidates to bring troops into the Southern Mountain Range is a good idea!" The Crown Prince nodded after some thought.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince's vision is like a torch, I admit that I am inferior. This way, according to the rules of the court examinations, the Crown Prince will have the right to participate and help the Emperor. Since the Emperor is in the capital, he will not be able to enter the Southern Mountain Range personally. As such, the Crown Prince can become the Chief Examiner for the combat examinations. On the contrary, King Duan will be assisting from the side. The military drills will be led by the Crown Prince. That means... "
"Good, very good! Tell me about the last part! "
"The last method is to get someone else to do the dirty work. King Duan and Fang Zhengzhi are not on good terms. Your Highness, the Crown Prince, only needs to use a little trick. I think, with such a heaven-sent opportunity, how would King Duan let it go?" When Su Qing said this, he knelt down respectfully.
"Lord Su, please rise! He was right. The combat examinations will be held in the Southern Mountain Range and the army will be participating. As long as I pretend to be unable to read the examinations, Sixth Brother will not let go of such a great opportunity. Hahaha... good, good, good. Does the Left Minister and the rest of the officials have any objections to Official Su's suggestion? "Crown Prince Lin Tianrong raised his hand in satisfaction.
"Lord Su is wise and farsighted. I have no different views!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping stood up from his chair and bowed to the Crown Prince.
The other courtiers looked at each other. They were not stupid. Su Qing's plan was indeed very good, and he had the approval of the Crown Prince and Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping. How could they dare to have any other opinions?
"Alright, we'll act according to Lord Su's plan!"
…
Deep into the night, it was quiet.
Within a secret chamber in King Duan's residence.
A youth dressed in a guard's uniform stood respectfully in the middle of the room. Above him sat King Duan, dressed in luxurious robes.
On Lin Xinjue's left and right sat Mr. Hua, who was dressed like a scholar, and Elder Wen, who was dressed in a black and white Daoist robe.
"Your Highness, I have already presented my plan to the Crown Prince. I have already presented the plan to the Crown Prince in front of everyone. From the Crown Prince's expression, he seems to agree with it! "The young guard slowly raised his head after he finished speaking.
It was the fourth-rank official, Su Qing, who had been at the Eastern Palace Crown Prince's residence during the day.
"Mm, well done!" King Duan smiled when he heard Su Qing's words.
"Your Highness, Su Qing's plan is the best!" Mister Hua stood up and walked in front of Su Qing. He helped Su Qing to a chair beside him.
"Thank you, Mister Hua. However, this matter is not over yet. It is too early to claim credit. I have already brought the Crown Prince's reward. Please take it back!" Su Qing bowed to Mister Hua, then turned to King Duan and spoke sincerely.
"Hahaha … Lord Su, you took such a huge risk and managed to fool the Left Prime Minister. You can keep the Crown Prince's reward. Furthermore, I have an Eastern Pearl here. It is a tribute from our country. I will give it to you!" King Duan waved his hand and tossed out a pearl that shone like a star.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Su Qing bowed.
"Your highness, everything is ready. All we need to do is wait for the court examinations. I will head to the Southern Mountain Range tonight to prepare!" Elder Wen stood up.
"Alright, thank you for your hard work Elder Wen. Only Elder Wen can control the situation at the Southern Mountain Range. The success of this plan depends entirely on Elder Wen!" King Duan also stood up when he saw Elder Wen stand up and bowed to him.
"Your Highness, you are too kind! I will take my leave! "
"Old Wen, it is getting dark outside. Let me walk you out!" Mister Hua stood up and walked to Old Wen's side.
"Alright!" Old Wen glanced at Mr. Hua beside him and nodded.
…
The Chong Yang Festival was also known as the Double Ninth Festival, the Autumn Sunning Festival, and the 'Autumn Walk'. It was one of the four most important festivals in the Great Xia Dynasty. There were activities such as sightseeing, viewing chrysanthemums, and planting cornel.
This year, the Chong Yang Festival of the Great Xia Dynasty was even more important.
The sun was shining brightly.
On the square at the eastern gate of the Imperial City, the autumn atmosphere was dispirited. Golden chrysanthemums were placed all around, and in the middle, there was a huge platform. The platform was covered with bright red silk cloth, appearing festive and noble.
Rows of golden armored guards stood around the plaza, their expressions solemn. Crowds of commoners stretched their necks and jumped behind the guards.
On the stage.
With Emperor Lin Mubai at the head, all of the princes stood up to pay their respects.
As one of the most important festivals, the Chong Yang Festival was very complicated. However, it had been two hours since dawn. Most of the formalities had been completed.
After Emperor Lin Mubai poured a cup of wine on the ground, Chongyang's Ancestral Worship was officially over.
The sun shone brighter and brighter.
However … None of the civil and military officials or the princes left, because there was another important matter apart from paying respects to the ancestors. It was the day of the preliminary court examinations and the second round of the Imperial Examinations.
There were reasons for the preliminary examinations to be held after the Chong Yang Festival. Firstly, it was to honor the merits of the ancestors. This would allow the candidates to be baptized and become more loyal to the Emperor. Secondly, due to the interruption of the combat examinations, it was not convenient to hold the second round of the Imperial Examinations.
Because of this, the second round of the Imperial Examinations was renamed to the preliminary court examinations. It was also held after the Chong Yang Festival and announced to the public that it was a celebration of the Chong Yang Festival.
Allowing the candidates to display their abilities in front of the ancestors was also a form of etiquette to pay respect to the ancestors.
The gong rang out.
The preliminary court examinations had officially begun.
Because of the accident in the previous Imperial Examination, there were only slightly more than 10 candidates who survived. As such, it was not too complicated.
The rules were simple. They would draw lots to determine the order of the duels.
Before long, names began to appear on the roll stone. Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu, Xing Qingsui, Nangong Mu, etc were among them.
However …
There was no Qing Yang.
Ping Yang, who was dressed in a golden-red ceremonial robe, sat on the right side of Emperor Lin Mubai. She pouted her lips, clearly unhappy.
However, the officials sitting below were not surprised by this result.
After all... Everyone knew that Ping Yang was Ping Yang.
However, this was not the main point. The main point was that Ping Yang had left the capital behind the Emperor's back a few months ago. It was already a blessing that he did not scold her.
How could he allow Ping Yang to continue to cause trouble in the court examinations?
The preliminary court examinations were based on the rankings of the candidates in the World of the Sage. Back then, most of the candidates had only made it to the third round.
Only Nangong Mu, Xing Qingsui, and Fang Zhengzhi had made it to the fourth round.
As such, in the first round of the examinations... These three names were also listed out and directly included in the second round of the competition to show fairness.
All of the examinees were on high alert.
However...
What shocked all of the officials was that Nangong Mu, Xing Qingsui, and Yan Xiu were on the list. However, Fang Zhengzhi was not there.
Ten days ago, news of Fang Zhengzhi defeating Yu Wengu in Dong Lin City had already spread throughout the Great Xia Dynasty. The journey from Dong Lin City to the Flame Capital City should only take seven days.
But in reality, Fang Zhengzhi did not appear. There was no news of Fang Zhengzhi entering the Flame Capital City.
Late?!
This was something that none of the officials dared to imagine. After all, this was the preliminary court examinations. The court examinations had always been the most important event in the history of the empire. It was also the most important event for all of the candidates.
How could there be a precedent of being late?
"Such behavior is simply a disgrace to the literati!"
"It's not just a disgrace. I think Fang Zhengzhi is so arrogant that he is looking down on the court examinations!"
"There are so many people participating in the court examinations. I think Fang Zhengzhi purposely forfeited? However, who cares? If he did not appear when it was his turn, he would have lost! "
"Based on his ranking, even if he forfeited, he would still be considered to have passed the preliminary court examinations. However, it seems like he will not be able to enter the top three of the imperial examinations."
"It looks like the top three will be Xing Qingsui, Nangong Mu, and Yan Xiu."
"Yan Xiu had just entered the Heavenly Reflection State. Even though he placed second in the theory examinations, he still needs some luck to make it to the top in the combat examinations."
"I'm afraid Yan Xiu's luck is not that good!"
Low voices of discussion rang out from below.
In reality, Yan Xiu's luck was not that good. Even though he was not up against Xing Qingsui or Nangong Mu, he was up against the strongest candidate.
He was a man in his forties who had already entered the intermediate stage of the Heavenly Reflection State.
"Third round, Yan Xiu versus Chen Yuanfang!"
After two rounds of competition, a voice finally rang out.
Everyone's gazes instantly focused on Yan Xiu, who was seated at the examinee's seating with his eyes closed. Today, Yan Xiu was dressed in white, with a pair of white leather boots on his feet.
In terms of physique, there wasn't much difference from a few months ago.
However, from his expression, Yan Xiu seemed a little tired today. Compared to a few months ago, his face seemed to be slightly thinner.
"I heard that Yan Xiu has been staying in the Yan Residence for the past few months. I wonder what he is doing?"
"No matter what he is doing, it is impossible for him to enter the intermediate stage of the Heavenly Reflection State in a few months. Furthermore, his opponent has been in the Heavenly Reflection State for five years."
"I think Yan Xiu has a chance of winning. After all, he is holding the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan. However, it will be more difficult."
"This battle will be exciting. I have long heard of Yan Xiu's talent. Today is the perfect time to witness it!"
Yan Xiu ignored the discussions around him. Instead, he slowly stood up from his chair. His eyes were still slightly narrowed as he walked towards the arena step by step.
In an instant, he reached the arena.
Opposite Yan Xiu stood a middle-aged man in full armor. He held a fiery red axe in his hand.
A scorching hot aura emanated from the middle-aged man's body, and faint red ripples spiraled above his head.
One could tell a person's fighting style from their weapon.
Usually, those who used their axe as a weapon were extremely strong.
As for Chen Yuanfang, he was the epitome of strength.
"Let the duel begin!"
As the invigilator shouted, Chen Yuanfang moved. He swung his fiery red axe horizontally, and a ferocious aura burst out.
He was almost 40 years old.
Even though Chen Yuanfang did not make it to the Imperial Examinations, he was extremely famous in the army. He was known as the Barbaric Bull. When he ran, he was even more terrifying than the Barbaric Bull.
His long years in the army had given him a wealth of battle experience.
Of course, he knew that Yan Xiu had the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan. As such, he could not let Yan Xiu use the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan. He had to seize the initiative.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
