The court examinations lasted only one day.
That night, the Prime Minister and the officials read the scripts. They chose twenty scripts and handed them to Li Mao to decide on the top three.
These three were Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua. They were the top three Jinshi and were bestowed with the title of Jinshi.
According to the Dazhou system, the top three Jinshi would be chosen in the court examinations. The first three would be chosen, the second seventeen would be chosen, and the rest would be chosen to be Jinshi. It was a pity to hear that.
Li Mao looked through the twenty papers, and as expected, he saw Zhang Tianxiang's name. His eyes couldn't help but darken.
This person had good fortune. His literary talent was enough to enter the Hui Yuan examination. He was also skilled in martial arts. If he was skilled in military affairs, even Li Mao felt that he should not be allowed to live.
This court examination topic was a trap that he had purposely set up!
It would be fine if Zhang Tianxiang was not skilled in military affairs. However, if he appeared to be skilled, he would only be courting death!
"Hmm?"
As soon as he saw the answer scroll, Li Mao exclaimed in surprise.
This Zhang Tianxiang's literary talent was naturally extraordinary, his good handwriting was also like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes, but the answer scroll had the suspicion of empty talk, carrying the view of a scholar.
He felt relieved when he saw it.
What he did not know was that Zhang Tianxiang was also shocked when he thought about how he had killed someone.
Even if he was exposed, the Imperial Court would protect him because of his literary talent and status. However, he had made up his mind to hide his abilities. He did not expect that he would be able to escape this calamity.
"Is this the script for the Hui Yuan examination? It's as if there's nothing to be said, and there's suspicion of empty talk … "
Li Mao tossed the script aside and leaned back in his chair as he spoke to the Prime Minister.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The Prime Minister felt that it was a pity. However, considering that Zhang Tianxiang was only a scholar and did not know much about military affairs, he felt that it was understandable. Furthermore, his essays were indeed well-written. As such, he recommended it to the Emperor.
No matter what, he was a Hui Yuan examination. If he dropped to the top three, he would be a joke in the Imperial Court. He could not help but say, "Even though Zhang Tianxiang is a scholar, I think that his essays are still very good..."
In other words, if His Majesty didn't like it, he could just give her a rank of second rank and that would be enough.
Li Mao smiled slightly and looked at other answers. After a long time, he closed his eyes and thought for a while. Then he said, "This time, the top scorer will be Wu Boda, the second runner-up will be Ding Xian, and the third runner-up will be Chen Guang …"
"Your Majesty is wise beyond measure!"
His words were like golden words, and the position of the carp leaping over the dragon gate was decided just like that.
"Also …" This time, Li Mao took more time to think carefully than before. "As for Zhang Tianxiang … Zhang Tianxiang, take the seventeenth place of the second rank!"
He was also someone who had been an emperor for a long time and knew very well the mind of an emperor.
This person was special. If he were to be demoted or sent into the top three, he might do something out of rage out of humiliation. That would be even more troublesome than killing him.
Obtaining an official position was equivalent to letting him join the system. Even if he was a flood dragon or a ferocious tiger, he would still have to do things according to the rules. In the future, there would be plenty of ways to deal with him.
However, Li Mao still felt uneasy when he thought of the intelligence reports and the recent addition of Zhang Tianxiang's possible involvement in the murder case. He immediately asked, "How does the Prime Minister plan to dispatch these new Jinshi?"
"This …"
The Prime Minister was a little puzzled, but he still answered honestly, "According to the system, the first rank Jinshi will be appointed as a Hanlin Academy Editor, the second rank Jinshi will be appointed as a Minister of the various departments, or a County Magistrate, and the third rank Jinshi will be appointed as a County Registrar …"
"Is the envoy of Bai Xiang still in the guesthouse?"
For some reason, Li Mao suddenly asked about something.
"That's right. This country is one of the thirty-six countries in the Western Region. After the death of the old king, a new king has succeeded the throne, and I, the Dazhou, wish to confer a title upon him …"
The Prime Minister replied respectfully.
"Didn't we already decide on the Head Envoy during the previous court discussion? Send another deputy envoy and let this Zhang Tianxiang go … Of course, this is a tough trip, and I won't mistreat him. I'll raise him by another rank, making him a Rank Seven official! When he returns, I'll reward him handsomely! "
Li Mao's eyes flickered as he suddenly said.
"This … Your subject understands the decree!"
The Prime Minister was also confused.
Being sent to the Western Region was not a good job. Traveling thousands of miles and not returning for years was akin to being sent to prison. Officials who truly had the ambition to back them up would not do such a thing.
However, it was extremely rare to be promoted by a rank. An ordinary first rank Jinshi would have to endure for a few years before it was possible.
Therefore, was this considered pulling or beating? Even the Prime Minister, who was experienced in politics and had deep thoughts, was stunned for a moment.
Li Mao was very happy after deciding on this matter. He thought to himself,
"This person is extraordinary. He might have great luck on him. It's not appropriate to kill or imprison him rashly. Even if I kill him, his luck will shift, which will be even more troublesome!"
"After entering the system, whether it's the local or central government, this person will have a place of use. His luck will flourish, and he will be promoted even faster!"
"The only choice is to send him to a faraway country and exile him for 30,000 miles …"
…
"Fellow Daoist Haotian, you're very smart!"
On the top of the clouds, Wu Ming looked at that scene and bowed slightly to a certain place in the clouds.
It was said that there was a Brahma God in the Western Region, and the Light God in the Far West. Naturally, there was also a Heavenly Court in the Middle Earth that governed the various Mountain Gods and Earth Gods.
The previous emperors all called themselves the Sons of Hao Tian. That was obvious!
As the Hao Tian Jade Emperor, he could naturally secretly use methods to change the thoughts of the emperors of the human world.
Regardless of whether Li Mao fought or suppressed Zhang Tianxiang, he had the Dragon Qi and would definitely turn misfortune into fortune. On the contrary, if he forced him too much, he would only rebel in anger and cause the world to rot, forming the beginning of a great calamity.
However, now that he had been kicked out of the country, he no longer had anything to do with the Middle Earth. Moreover, he would be promoted to an official position and reward him generously. He was not afraid that Zhang Tianxiang would resent him!
In any case, as long as he was not forced into a corner, Zhang Tianxiang had no intention of pulling the flag.
This was the conspiracy of the Hao Tian Jade Emperor and the Five Ancestors of the Dao Sect. It was the trend of the entire world. Even if the Brahma God and the Light God used all their methods, it would be useless.
…
In front of the Hall of Heroes.
Many new tributary scholars entered the palace again. The first place of the second grade was called out and began to be announced.
The new Jinshi's name was Li Zhiqing. Although his face was slightly pale, his voice was still loud and clear. His actions were well-mannered, causing the officials to nod.
Li Zhiqing opened the Imperial Board and took a deep breath. Then, he read:
"On the 25th day of the fourth month of the year of Bingshen, the first place of the imperial examination will be bestowed with the title of Jinshi. The first place of the first grade … Wu Boda!"
Wu Boda, who was below, was still in a daze. He only hurriedly stepped out of the ranks and knelt on the left side of the imperial road after being reminded for the second time.
"Second place — Ding Xian!"
The second place was much better than Wu Boda. He bowed and knelt on the right side of the imperial road.
"Third place — Chen Guang …"
…
As the ranking continued to drop, Zhang Tianxiang felt that the gazes of the surrounding tributary scholars were very subtle.
Since ancient times, scholars looked down on each other. So many tributary scholars had been suppressed by him in the imperial examination, and they were not convinced. At this moment, seeing his ranking drop, it was obvious that most of them were gloating.
"Second place, 17th place — Zhang Tianxiang!"
Zhang Tianxiang himself was neither sad nor happy. When he heard his name, he stepped out of the ranks and knelt down. After the announcement of the top three, the musicians played a piece to show the peace. All the Jinshi and officials knelt three times and kowtowed nine times to the Emperor. Every move was orderly and seemed very normal.
However, this peace was broken when it came to the appointment of an official.
"What? Add two ranks to become a seventh-rank deputy envoy and send me to Bai Xiang Country? "
When the new Jinshi heard Zhang Tianxiang's orders, there was an immediate uproar.
To be honest, although it was very enviable to be promoted by one rank, going to the West Regions as an envoy was equivalent to being exiled. The journey would be tiring, and one might even die of illness. If one had a good foundation, no one would be willing to go.
When Zhang Tianxiang heard this, he was slightly shocked. "Could it be that the matter of me killing someone has been leaked? The imperial court is punishing me? Exile? But why did they increase my official rank and reward me so generously? "
…
In the Four Seas Guild Hall, several groups of Reincarnator leaders met and looked in the direction of the imperial city, whispering from time to time.
"The Daolords and Ancient Gods in this Dazhou of the West Regions are all people with deep thoughts. I think this calamity of the world is the process of the six people of the Middle Plains tricking outsiders before tricking their own people …"
Xin Jue was still dressed like a young scholar as he said casually, "I originally thought that there would be many dangers in the West Capital, but I didn't expect it to be so peaceful following the plot. I guess after the rankings are announced, we'll have to follow Zhang Tianxiang to the West Regions to eat sand …"
"Yes … Bai Xiang Country in the West Regions is not a good place …"
Ji Fu's expression was gloomy. "Especially after entering the Middle Screen, the difficulty of the missions increased. It's really very difficult …"
"Brother Xin Jue, be careful with your words!"
Third Aunt pursed her lips and smiled. "That group of powerful people are all people with remarkable abilities. Don't mention their names. Otherwise, you won't have a good time if you're prophesied!"
"Didn't we get someone to test it before? There's no destiny, and divination is hard to predict?"
Xin Jue smiled, revealing eight pearly white teeth. "But since Third Aunt has said so, I'll obey!"
"Based on my speculation, the main mission this time shouldn't be related to the West Regions!"
Ji Fu pondered for a moment before voicing his judgment. "How weak are we? We're like ants. Even if we go, we probably won't be able to escape. The Temple wouldn't give us a suicide mission, right? "
"Ding!"
At this moment, a screen of light suddenly appeared in front of them.
"The final step of the main mission begins: Kill!"
"Mission Duration: Seven days!"
"Mission Description: Kill the Dragon Vanquisher Sage!"
"Mission Success. Reward: 1,000 merit points! If mission fails or time limit is exceeded, kill! "
"Hint: Plot characters can be invited for this mission!"
"The Dragon Vanquisher Sage, it's actually him!"
Ji Fu rubbed his head. "That's Fan Men's leader in the West Capital …"
"It seems like the Temple isn't optimistic about our chances of completing this mission together. Aren't they encouraging us to find help?"
Xin Jue's eyes flashed coldly as he looked at the notification.
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.
