Chapter 95: Top Three
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
It was the person who pulled out several strands of hair after being condemned and denounced by the crowd. At this moment, he was gazing at the roll and dancing for joy, remarkably alike someone who had gone mad.
The crowd also began to realise that Fang Zhengzhi's name wasn't on the Second-Class Roll.
"Don't tell me Fang Zhengzhi really missed the roll?!"
"He should have missed the roll! After all, just the number of county theory examination roll champions participating in this capital examinations is already more than ten, furthermore, there are even scholars and talents in the Hidden Dragon Roll coming from all over. There are only twenty names on the First-Class Roll, no matter what, it won't be possible that Fang Zhengzhi is among them!"
"Sigh… those who depend on luck will ultimately fail!"
"My money!"
When they thought of the difficulty of entering the First-Class Roll, and the abilities of the people participating in the River of Trust Capital examination this time, the crowd also more or less confirmed that Fang Zhengzhi should have missed the roll.
Indeed, scholars from five capitals gathering at the River of Trust Capital had successfully stopped Fang Zhengzhi from progressing.
As they thought, the result official also took out a black seal stone and walked in front of the First-Class Roll stone, and pressed down. Instantly, golden rays of light flashed and twenty large names appeared.
"Hua Kangan!"
"There's also Tang Yulong, Cai Yongfeng, Kang Xingping…"
"Indeed, the competition in this First-Class Roll is too intense!"
"Fang Zhengzhi's name isn't on the First-Class Roll, do you think he can obtain top three?"
"I heard he never even entered a Hall of Dao before, to be able to attain Roll Champion for the county theory examination is already a miracle. Capital theory examination top three? Ha ha ha…"
"Zhang Heping also isn't in the First-Class Roll, he should be among the top three! He is indeed the theory examination Roll Champion! Wait a minute, looks like Yan Xiu's name isn't here as well, could it be…"
As the crowd discussed, somebody finally realised that other than Fang Zhengzhi's name, Yan Xiu's name also wasn't present on the First-Class Roll.
Even though Fang Zhengzhi missing the capital theory examination roll after attaining Roll Champion for the county theory examination was somewhat unexpected, but it was still acceptable. But, how could Yan Xiu miss the roll?
Hence…
There was only one possibility.
As they thought, the crowd's gaze turned to fix upon Yan Xiu, who was standing among the crowd with a cold expression. They were all guessing, what position would this youth from the Western Liang get in the River of Trust Capital theory examination.
"Boom!" A gong sounded, drawing the attention of the crowd back to the result official's body.
"Theory examination top three, will be personally announced by the Chief Examiner! The Chief Examiner of this River of Trust Capital examination is Imperial Academy Chief Imperial Messenger, Han Changfeng himself!"
After the announcement by the result official, a team of people walked out from within the capital office. Leading the team was a man with tufts of silver hair on his head, wearing a white official robe with a bird sewn onto it with silver thread, so lifelike that it seemed as if it was about to soar into the sky.
It was Imperial Academy Chief Imperial Messenger, Elder Han, Han Changfeng.
Behind Han Changfeng, a few imperial messengers with the word "imperial" sewn onto their official robes followed. The chief examiner of the Huai An County, Imperial Messenger Qin, was also among them.
"It is actually Elder Han who's the chief examiner!"
"All along, Elder Han is only the chief examiner in the imperial examinations, who would have expected that this time he actually supervised the capital examination!"
"No wonder the questions in this time's capital theory examination are so difficult…"
"Even though the questions were hard, but to be able to pass the capital examination with Elder Han as the chief examiner, it is indeed a huge benefit to one's future!"
When the crowd heard that the chief examiner this time was the Chief Imperial Messenger Han Changfeng of the Imperial Academy, they were extremely excited. After all, in the dynasty, there existed the relationship between teachers and students.
For example, this capital examination is supervised by Han Changfeng. Hence, under normal circumstances, scholars who pass this capital examination would be able to leverage on Han Changfeng's reputation and become Han Changfeng's student.
This were the rules of the dynasty, and a form of respect to teachers.
…
When Han Changfeng walked in front of the roll stone, everybody stopped their chattering. Pindrop silence filled the venue. After all, with Han Changfeng's status and reputation in the Great Xia Dynasty, even the River of Trust Capital head would have to give up his main seat.
"The River of Trust Capital examination, gathers scholars from five capitals across the Northern Desert, and is even referred to as a gathering of talents. The Imperial Academy emphasises this strongly. To have the opportunity to become chief examiner of the River of Trust Capital examination, this old man feels very pressured."
Han Changfeng's tone was amicable and good-natured, and didn't assume great airs. He even referred to himself as an old man, rather than his status as chief imperial messenger, causing the scholars below to instantly feel a sense of closeness.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't recognise Han Changfeng, hence he looked at Yan Xiu, wanting to infer Yan Xiu's impression of Han Changfeng from his expression.
However, Yan Xiu's expression was calm and cold as always.
"The top three in the capital examination is first read by the invigilators, then passed to the individual imperial messengers to review, and finally selected by me. If anybody is against the decisions, you can request for a review at the Imperial Academy!"
"Now, I'll announce the top three of this capital examination!"
"Linjiang Capital, Tianhe Academy, Zhang Hetong!"
When Han Changfeng finished speaking, he paused for a moment, then a result official revealed Zhang Hetong's particulars and experiences on the third position of the First-Class Roll.
"Zhang Hetong is third?!"
"I never thought that Yan Xiu's theory examination abilities would actually be above Zhang Hetong!"
"Leaving home at sixteen, this time, the Yan family is going to produce another talent to shock the world!"
When the crowd heard that Zhang Hetong was third, they were startled, and began to discuss softly. And among the crowd, a group of scholarly-looking people also began to congratulate a man wearing green brocade clothes.
But, the man wearing the green brocade clothes didn't look too happy…
"Second, Western Liang Yan family, Yan Xiu!"
After waiting for Zhang Hetong's name to appear, Han Changfeng didn't wait further and immediately announced the name of the second place.
"Yan Xiu is second place?!"
"Then who will be the roll champion of this theory examination?"
The crowd's gaze skirted around Fang Zhengzhi, and concentrated on Yan Xiu.
On the other hand, Yan Xiu's expression was as cold as ever, just as if everything was going according to his expectations. But, when he looked at Fang Zhengzhi who was standing beside him, his gaze seemed mysteriously complicated.
Fang Zhengzhi was also looking at Yan Xiu. He wanted to say a few sentences to congratulate him, but, he knew that Yan Xiu would probably not be very willing to hear them.
The reason was simple. Because, Yan Xiu lost in the theory examination.
"Can you treat me to a meal?" Yan Xiu suddenly spoke.
"Can we eat in the Moonview Restaurant?" Fang Zhengzhi asked back.
"Can." Yan Xiu nodded.
When the crowd heard the conversation between Yan Xiu and Fang Zhengzhi, they were all somewhat confused. Yan Xiu had evidently obtained second place, why did he ask Fang Zhengzhi to treat?
Could it be that Yan Xiu believed that Fang Zhengzhi would be roll champion?
How was such a thing even possible!
If a person who didn't even study a single day in the Hall of Dao attain the roll champion for this River of Trust Capital theory examination, what would all the scholars and students in the world say.
Don't tell me every student and scholar studying in the Hall of Daos of the Great Xia Dynasty…
Are all swines?!