Emperor Lin Mubai's gaze swept across the candidates seated below him. His expression was extremely amiable, without a trace of sternness in it.
Coupled with his ridiculously young appearance, he looked like an examinee who was sitting with everyone else for the exam.
"Rule the country, bring peace to the country, and bring peace to the world. Since ancient times, all emperors have aimed for these seven things. I am no exception. However, to achieve these seven things, I have to recruit the best of the best. Ever since I took over the throne, I have tried to recruit the best of the best. However, talents are rare. I am worried about them. As such, I have set up a biennial examination to personally decide on them!"
At this point, Emperor Lin Mubai paused for a moment. His face was full of sorrow, as though he was unable to find a worthy talent after so many years of hard work.
Fang Zhengzhi's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. How exaggerated was that?
Life was like a drama. It all depended on one's acting skills.
Indeed, those celebrities and Best Actor in his previous life were nothing compared to Emperor Lin Mubai. To be able to become an Emperor, his acting skills were definitely not something an ordinary person could compare to.
It would be an insult to Emperor Lin Mubai's current expression to use the word "perfect" to describe it.
However, Fang Zhengzhi was understanding.
After all, as the high and mighty Emperor presiding over the court examinations, his first rule was to be honest with the other candidates and get closer to them.
Under normal circumstances, the candidates who participated in the court examinations would have already gone through the county examinations, provincial examinations, and the imperial examinations.
However, they were facing the final court examinations. Even though they had many things to say, would the Emperor be willing to listen? Whether it was useful to say it, whether the Emperor's question was sincere or not, these were all questions that the examinees had to consider.
After all...
This was the last hurdle. Once they entered, they would not have to worry for the next few decades. Once they retreated, they would never have the chance again.
As such, as the Emperor... Lin Mubai's first action was to remove the barriers in the candidates' hearts. This was so that they could answer the questions calmly.
As expected. Just as Emperor Lin Mubai finished his sentence, the expressions on the candidates' faces changed. Their previous caution and caution turned to excitement. Excitement.
Is the Imperial Court lacking talent?
That's great, I am a talent!
All of the candidates were flushed with excitement as they rubbed their palms together. They were all waiting for Emperor Lin Mubai's question so that they could answer it immediately.
At this point, Emperor Lin Mubai nodded his head slightly and continued, "All of you have been studying the teachings of the sages for a long time. You have studied diligently for ten years and learned from the past to the present. There must be something hidden within that wishes to be revealed. The Great Scholar sits down and begins to speak. This is the reason why I pay my respects! "
Fang Zhengzhi understood what was going on.
This was praise and encouragement.
First, he said that he lacked talents, then he praised the examinees for being well-versed in the books of the sages. Now that there's a chance, I'm sitting here. If you have anything to say, quickly say it. Don't hide it.
The other examinees heard this. They were also a little restless, as if they had been forcefully injected with chicken blood. If it wasn't for the fact that the Emperor was in front of them, they would have probably shouted out loud.
"I definitely won't hide anything!"
Of course, Fang Zhengzhi would not be like them. Since ancient times, all rulers had their own concerns. How could they listen to a bunch of inexperienced scholars?
They were just being polite.
Of course, the scholars were filled with passion and were looking for revenge. They were easily incited. Furthermore, the person fanning the flames was Emperor Lin Mubai.
He had status and acting skills.
At this point, Fang Zhengzhi knew that the emotional drama was about to begin. The real question was about to begin.
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at the expressions of the examinees and felt that it was about time. He nodded his head and looked towards the south.
"As the saying goes, turn weapons of war into gifts of jade and silk. Today, Great Xia has the Barbarian Tribe in the north, the vast mountain range in the south, and the vast sea in the west. There are attacks from time to time, but what worries Great Xia the most is still the Demon Tribe hiding in the shadows. It can be said that the flames of war are rising everywhere, causing me to be unable to sleep at night and feel uneasy when eating. In ancient times, those who were good at reasoning did not teach, those who were good at teaching did not show off, those who were good at fighting did not lose, and those who were good at losing did not die."
"In the past, the Sages governed. They lived in peace and did not attack each other. It is said that the wise do not teach."
"The general will attack the plotters, then the scholars, then the soldiers, and finally the cities. Today, I am asking about the strategy to stabilize the borders. I hope that you will listen to my plans. I will read through them personally!"
As Emperor Lin Mubai said this, tears welled up in his eyes. It was as if crystal tears were dripping down his face. A faint sorrow was written all over his face.
It was a worrisome sight.
However, all of the examinees were stunned.
Moments later, a few of the examinees had tears in their eyes. However, they were different from Emperor Lin Mubai's worry. They were crying because they really wanted to cry.
Two years!
For two whole years, they had been researching the history and geography of the Great Xia Dynasty. They had put all of their energy into the construction of the river.
Many of the nobles even lived by the river, experiencing the hardships of the people.
In order to succeed, they had put their lives on the line.
Most importantly, the books that they had read in the past two years were all related to engineering. Things like opening a mountain path, diverting the river into the river …
But what was going on now?
The wise do not teach, the wise do not teach … Wasn't this the art of war? Furthermore, the general will attack the plotters. This showed that the Emperor did not want to attack the cities directly.
Most importantly, what did he mean by asking about the strategy to stabilize the borders!
What about diverting the sea into the river? What about constructing the irrigation works? Didn't you see the drought in the Great Xia Dynasty? You keep asking me how to stabilize the borders. Where am I going to find the strategy to stabilize the borders?!
All of the examinees were in tears.
Two years of preparation had vanished into thin air because of a single sentence from Emperor Lin Mubai. All the drafts that had been prepared dozens of times, revised and polished were all useless.
How could they still happily take the exam …
Mum, I want to go home!
All of the examinees felt bitter. For the first time, they had the urge to test them more. All of them were begging Emperor Lin Mubai to add another question about the irrigation works after this one.
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at the teary-eyed examinees. He was shocked by the effect of his words. Was it really that emotional?
Why did they all look like they were about to cry?
The effect was miraculously good.
It seemed like there were many hot-blooded people in the Great Xia Dynasty who were prepared to rush to the battlefield. At the very least. All of the teary-eyed examinees were definitely the same.
Emperor Lin Mubai was very satisfied with the effect and began the last step.
"Everyone, you must think carefully about my question today and investigate it. Draw on the classics and history. Reflect on the past and present. Make sure to present the truth! "Emperor Lin Mubai did not say anything else after he finished.
Fang Zhengzhi knew that Emperor Lin Mubai was laying down the rules.
He wanted the examinees to analyze the questions seriously. They had to be meticulous and attentive. They had to use the classics and have evidence to back up their arguments. Finally, don't talk about empty things. You have to have real opinions.
At this point, the policy questions in the court examination were almost over.
Since Emperor Lin Mubai had already stated the rules, it meant that there would be no second or third question in the court examination.
All of the examinees were on the verge of breaking down.
They all wanted to say, 'Your Majesty, please give me another question!'
What a pity...
However...
It was useless!
Emperor Lin Mubai had no intention of asking another question. He sat on his throne and did not say another word. He picked up his teacup and sipped at it, indicating that they could begin.
...
It was late autumn and the river was filled with maple leaves.
A dilapidated boat floated in the middle of the river. There were numerous clear sword marks on it, and every single one of them was extremely deep. If it wasn't for the extremely special construction of this pleasure boat, any one of these marks would probably be sufficient to split the entire pleasure boat into two.
Two young girls in green dresses were standing at the bow of the pleasure boat. Apart from that, There was no one else on the boat. All that was left was a guqin.
At this point, two figures appeared at the edge of the river.
The person in the lead wore a black cloak that covered his head. He looked a little thin, and as the river wind blew, the cloak on his head was slightly lifted, revealing a fair face.
If Fang Zhengzhi was here, he would have recognized this person. He was the domain chief of the 10 Demon Domains, Bai Xing.
"Where is the young master?" Bai Xing looked at the boat, his eyes glittering.
"Lord Domain Chief, Young Master is fine and is resting in the city. However, when Young Master found out that Lord Domain Chief has entered the city, he ordered for Domain Chief to return to the Southern Mountain Range immediately!"
"What are you blabbering about? Bring me to the young master!"
"I'm afraid not!"
"Do you want to die?"
"If you want to kill me, please find a more secluded place."
"You... is the young master injured?"
"I have already said that the young master is fine. Please return to the Southern Mountain Range. The young master has asked me to pass a message to you. He will meet you there."
"The young master will go to the Southern Mountain Range?"
"Yes."
"I understand. Where is Nangong Hao now?"
"Yan Capital!"
"Yan Capital?"
"That's right, Nangong Hao is also participating in the court examinations. According to reliable sources, the candidates will enter the Southern Mountain Range for the combat examinations. If you are interested, you can wait there."
"Nangong Hao will go to the Southern Mountain Range? Good! Very good! I will personally meet the number one genius of the Great Xia Dynasty! "Bai Xing did not stay any longer. He turned around and left, disappearing from the riverside in an instant.
...
Yan Capital, within the palace.
After Emperor Lin Mubai drank a mouthful of tea, he subconsciously looked towards Nangong Hao, who was sitting quietly in front of his mahogany desk. He was dressed in white.
"Nangong Hao, your gift to me is not small at all." Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes glimmered as he placed the teacup back on the table.
She then looked at the red maple leaf imprint on the corner of Nangong Hao's clothes, and her expression changed slightly. However, she did not say anything and only sighed softly.
The rest of the candidates did not notice the expression on Emperor Lin Mubai's face. Because, they were struggling with their own thoughts.
Today, Emperor Lin Mubai talked about ruling the country, stabilizing the country, and bringing peace to the world.
Next, it was another topic on how to pacify the country. Their guesses about the Saint's Heart were mercilessly smashed to the ground.
Now, there was a problem.
They had no idea what to do. What should they do?
To these candidates, it was impossible for them to know nothing about the art of war. However, a policy was different. The most important thing was to express one's point of view.
It can be said that the most important thing in a policy paper is not how beautiful your words are.
It was how one viewed it.
For example, now that the Emperor said that he wanted to pacify the country, there were many ways to pacify the country. Throughout history, there were many different ways to pacify the country. For example, marriage, gifting, ceding land, conferring marquises, starting a war, etc. These were all ways.
But now...
War for the Great Xia Dynasty?
That was not the case.
If there was no war, then how could there be any basis? Without any basis, how could one determine one's opinion? There was no way one could start.
A policy focused on the Barbarian Race in the north. There would be a policy focused on the Barbarian Race. There would be a policy focused on the Southern mountains and forests. There would be a policy focused on the Southern Demon Race. Of course, there would also be a policy focused on the Demon Race.
The Emperor did not talk about opinions. How could they think of a suitable policy?
All of the candidates frowned. Their hands trembled as they held onto their pens. Most of them could not even begin to write.
Of course, this was not absolute.
For example, Wu Feng did not look worried. Instead, he was filled with confidence.
Many things were not without clues. These clues had to be observed. Wu Feng had always thought of himself as an observant person. In fact, he was.
Most of the people did not notice the intentional or unintentional glance that the Emperor gave when he was about to finish his question.
However, Wu Feng noticed it.
Furthermore...
Most importantly, Wu Feng was well-informed. He knew that the combat examinations would be held in the Southern Mountain Range.
The court examinations had to be held in the Southern Mountain Range.
There was no need to elaborate on the significance of this.
"Looks like the Southern Mountain Range is in trouble!" Wu Feng's eyes glimmered as he began to think of a policy.
The Southern Mountain Range had always been a natural barrier for the Great Xia Dynasty.
It was a huge cornerstone against the Demon Race. It was because of the Southern Mountain Range that the Demon Race could not invade.
As such, this policy should focus on appeasing them!
Wu Feng's eyes lit up. He picked up his pen and dipped it into the ink. After some thought, he placed the pen on the paper.
He was prepared to finish it in one go.
At this moment, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Don't be a coward, do it!"
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