However, he had to say a few words before he announced the results. This was not a problem for Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping. After all, he had been in the courts for decades.
This was his first time announcing the results.
However, he had listened to the announcement of the results countless times.
First of all, he had to talk about Emperor Lin Mubai's benevolence and achievements. Next, he had to talk about the importance Emperor Lin Mubai placed on the court examinations.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was indeed eloquent. Furthermore, he knew all about Lin Mubai's achievements after he ascended to the throne.
Ever since Lin Mubai ascended to the throne, he had spoken fluently.
All of the officials and candidates listened silently to Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping. No one made a sound.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping spoke for about 15 minutes before he stopped. After all, this was the announcement of the results for the court examinations. Achievements were not the main focus.
When he finished, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping looked at Emperor Lin Mubai.
Emperor Lin Mubai nodded. His gaze was clear. It was about time to begin.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping immediately understood the Emperor's intentions. He opened up the parchment in his hands. Rows of names appeared on the parchment.
The announcement of the results for the court examinations was different from the provincial and imperial examinations.
The results of the provincial and imperial examinations were announced from the second-class roll first, then the first-class roll. However, the results of the court examinations were announced from top to bottom.
Furthermore, only 10 names were announced.
The 11th to 30th names would be announced later on for the candidates to check at the entrance of the palace. This meant that the highest honor belonged to those on the roll.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping glanced at the piece of cloth and felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. His smile became even brighter and brighter.
Because...
Fang Zhengzhi's name was not on the parchment.
At the very top of the silk parchment, two words were clearly written: Wu Feng!
He did not receive the Emperor's invitation. He had failed!
"This year's theory examination..." Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping couldn't finish his sentence. His smile froze on his face.
He saw the words behind Wu Feng's name.
Fourth place!
How could this be?
Wu Feng's name was at the top of the list. However, it clearly stated that he was fourth in the Court Theory Examinations. Furthermore, there was the Emperor's personal note.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping could not understand what was going on.
Because … According to the rules of the court examination, the results should be announced from the first place. Could it be that the first and third place are written on the back of the silk?
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping turned to look at the last row of parcels.
However …
The words' first 'to' third 'were still absent. The last name on the silk was clearly written as number 10.
What exactly went wrong?
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's eyes widened. He couldn't find the first to third names on the scroll. This was beyond his comprehension.
But could he ask now?
Of course not. Therefore, he could only watch. He could only watch as much as possible.
Then, he saw that the entire piece of parchment only had the names of the fourth to the tenth place written on it. There was none at all.
In other words, there were only seven names on the silk.
"Seven names …" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping took another look and realized where the problem was. Above Wu Feng's name, there was a blank space.
Clearly, this blank space was left for the first and third place.
But, why wasn't it written?
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping did not dare to ask. However, he had to take a look. As such, he turned to look at Emperor Lin Mubai, his eyes filled with confusion.
Emperor Lin Mubai knew what Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was thinking.
However, he was helpless as well.
The results were announced too quickly. It was so fast that he didn't have the time to finish writing the names of the three people on the silk parchment and comment on it.
Timing was a matter of great importance.
It represented luck.
If he missed the timing, it would be an ominous sign for the fate of the country, especially when he was preparing to carry out the "Pacification Strategy" on the southern mountain range.
Therefore … Rather than rushing to write down one or two names and missing the timing, he might as well leave everything blank.
However, this would not affect the results.
Originally, he had planned to personally announce the top three and then hand the silk over to the Minister of Rites to announce the fourth to tenth place.
However, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping suddenly stepped forward.
Emperor Lin Mubai was shocked by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's actions. However, under those circumstances … If Emperor Lin Mubai refused to hand over the silk, he would be humiliating the Prime Minister.
After much consideration, he decided to take care of Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.
Then, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping began to recount his achievements. He could only wait quietly by the side. He had expected Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping to take a look at the silk after he was done.
As such …
If Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was smart enough, he would immediately return the top three results to him. That way, he could still turn the situation around.
In fact, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping did take a look.
However, right after he finished reading, he immediately began to announce the results …
This created an awkward situation. Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping could no longer continue. He looked over at Emperor Lin Mubai. However, he had already spoken and Emperor Lin Mubai could not stop him.
"Announce according to the results!" Emperor Lin Mubai knew that if he did not speak, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping would have to stand there. If that happened, the court examinations would be in an awkward situation.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's jaw dropped when he heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words.
This sentence was easy to understand, even a three year old could understand it. However, the deeper meaning made Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping think about it carefully.
Announce according to the results...
Was he really going to announce according to the results?
He would be a fool if he did that.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping did not know why the top three names were not on the silk. However, he knew the rules of the court examinations.
His mind spun and his eyes lit up.
"Many people might not know the importance of the court examinations. I will not say anything else. The Emperor did not step out of the Imperial Decree Hall for the past three days in order to personally review the scripts!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping emphasized the word 'personally'.
All of the officials knew that Emperor Lin Mubai would personally mark the scripts this time.
However, none of the candidates knew about this.
All of them were touched when they heard this. Even though the court examination should be judged by the Emperor himself, they knew that he was busy with his work.
The previous court examinations. Most of the scripts were reviewed by the officials before being submitted to the Emperor for approval. This was an open secret. Of course, this was a secret that could not be revealed.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping knew this as well. He only mentioned that the Emperor was personally reviewing the scripts. He did not mention anything about the previous court examinations.
This was equivalent to avoiding the Emperor.
As Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping spoke. He looked down at the agitated candidates and calmed himself down. Very quickly, he turned around and knelt in front of Emperor Lin Mubai.
"Your Majesty, I know the rules of the court examination results. However, Your Majesty is so caring towards the people that I have no choice but to ask for a slight change in the rules!"
"Oh? How do you want to change it? "Emperor Lin Mubai pretended to be confused when he heard this.
"I would like to ask you to announce the fourth to tenth place. Then, Your Majesty will announce the top three. This is to show that Your Majesty appreciates talents! " Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping wanted to ask the Emperor to announce the top three, then the bottom seven. However, he had already requested for the Emperor to announce the results.
Furthermore, Emperor Lin Mubai had already handed him the parchment and ordered him to announce it according to the list.
If he were to change the rules now, he would have to hand the silk back to the Emperor. After the Emperor had announced the results, he would have to hand the silk back to him.
The loophole in this was too obvious. It was a self-contradiction.
Of course. Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was a little selfish. If he were to return the silk parchment now, what would have been the point of his long speech?
He would be humiliated.
All of the candidates and officials looked at each other when they heard Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's words. They all looked at each other. Although they didn't quite understand what Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was trying to do, the last sentence was to show that His Majesty valued talent.
They could tell that Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was trying to suck up to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please announce the top three personally!" All of the officials responded immediately. How could they miss out on such an opportunity to please the Emperor?
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at the hundreds of officials below him, as well as the kneeling Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping. He was satisfied.
Even though Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was the one to announce the results, he had resolved the matter. They would not have to look at each other awkwardly.
"Approved!" Emperor Lin Mubai nodded.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping and the others began to express their gratitude to the Emperor. When the candidates heard that the Emperor was going to announce the top three, they also began to cheer loudly.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping heaved a sigh of relief.
Without further ado, he began to announce the results.
"Fourth place in the court examinations... Wu Feng!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's voice was loud and powerful. Wu Feng's name was enunciated with vigor.
However...
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's words caused all of the candidates to widen their eyes. Wu Feng was fourth in the theory examination? How was that possible?
Wasn't he first?
Nangong Hao had not been invited by the Emperor. Neither had Fang Zhengzhi or Yan Xiu. Who else could beat Wu Feng? That was impossible.
Wu Feng was also standing rooted to the ground in a daze.
He felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of heavenly lightning, and his face was in a state of stupor.
When he heard that the Emperor was going to announce the top three, he had been extremely excited. This was an honor. But then, it happened.
Moreover, it came so suddenly.
He did not even have time to react. However, this was not the honor he wanted.
Fourth place?
Why is it fourth?
Who are the top three?
That was the only question in Wu Feng's mind.
Of course, he had another question. Did Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping make a mistake? He was in first place. Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping must have made a mistake and thought he was in fourth place.
Yes, that must be the case!
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping had read out the names on the silk. His name was the first, so he … he had made a mistake!
"Wu Feng, come forward and thank the Emperor!" A voice rang out.
Wu Feng did not want to move, because this was not the outcome he wanted. He wanted to clarify things, but this was the Imperial Decree Hall, and Emperor Lin Mubai was sitting at the entrance. He opened his mouth, then closed it. In the end, he did not speak immediately.
"Wu Feng!"
"Subject Wu Feng thanks Your Majesty for your kindness!" Wu Feng finally moved his feet and knelt down respectfully in front of the Imperial Decree Hall.
However, his heart was shouting over and over again.
Wrong, he must have made a mistake!
As Wu Feng knelt down, a series of voices rang out.
"Court Theory Examination Fourth place, Wu Feng!"
"Court Theory Examination Fourth place, Wu Feng!"
"Court Theory Examination Fourth place..."
The voices rang out from the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall all the way to the entrance of the palace...
All of the candidates at the entrance of the palace were excited when they heard Wu Feng's name. Wu Feng was the first to announce the results.
That meant that Wu Feng was first in the court theory examination!
Fang Zhengzhi did not make the roll!
Just as they were about to celebrate, they realized that something was amiss. Why was he fourth?
There were also a few soldiers in golden armor riding fine horses who also felt that something was wrong. They were already prepared to rush to the four gates, but the moment they raised their whips, they put them down again.
Fourth place first?
According to the usual procedure, only the top three would have the honor of announcing the four gates. As such, there was no need to announce it.
"Eunuch Li, did you make a mistake? Why did you announce the fourth place first? "
"The one who announced it was fourth. I can only announce it!" A middle-aged man in a palace uniform looked at the golden armored guard exasperatedly.
The golden armored guard's lips twitched, but he did not ask any further questions.
Wait.
All he could do now was to wait and see the rankings that would be announced next.
Wu Feng was also waiting. He was waiting for Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping to admit his mistake. To his disappointment, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping did not admit his mistake immediately.
He continued to announce the results.
"Fifth place in the court examinations..."
"Sixth place in the court examinations..."
"Seventh place in the court examinations..."
"..."
"Tenth place in the court examinations..."
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