Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 280 - 258: The 54th Imperial Examination of the Great Han Dynasty_2

Chapter 280: Chapter 258: The 54th Imperial Examination of the Great Han Dynasty_2

"Is his strategy for the western expedition feasible?" Shi Mayi fell into deep thought. After a brief moment of surprise and disappointment, his expression returned to calm.

Time passed, and finally, his father Shi Mafang led Chen Qun from Chancellor Cao’s residence to see him.

"Father, Elder Brother Changwen," Shi Mayi stood up and saluted, though Chen Qun was older, he was considered a peer.

Chen Qun said with a smile, "Zhongda, congratulations."

Shi Mayi kept a composed expression and simply said, "Thank you."

Chen Qun, knowing his personality, was not surprised and laughed again, "The last time the Chancellor invited you to do something and you were busy with the imperial examination and didn’t go. Now that the results of the imperial examination have come out, it’s time to build achievements and establish a career.

By the way, the Chancellor highly praised your strategy for the western expedition."

Shi Mayi did not refuse again and nodded in agreement.

Shi Mafang, standing to one side, said nothing, but a smile appeared on his face.

A father knows his son best, he knew his son’s capabilities well—Shi Zhongda has the talent of a Chancellor as well.

...

After the imperial examination, the top three scholars earned the qualifications to enter the government service.

They could follow the orders of the court, or they may choose which faction in the court to work for.

However, apart from the top scholars—the champion, the second place, and the third place—the majority of the graduates tended to follow orders rather than make their own choices.

On one hand, Shi Mayi received an order from Chancellor Cao.

On the other hand, a distinguished guest arrived at Zhu Geliang’s door. Chancellor Liu, who had not seen him last time, made another visit.

While Pang Tong had already rushed to Chancellor Sun’s residence, leaving Zhu Geliang alone.

Tongfu Tavern, having learned that Zhu Geliang had become the champion, had already arranged for him to stay in the best villa courtyard.

At that moment, seeing Liu Bei and Xu Shu outside the courtyard, Zhu Geliang hurriedly saluted, "Geliang pays his respects to Chancellor Liu."

Liu Bei, seeing the young man in front of him with a laced headcloth and a face like a jade carving, was astounded and took out a jug of fine wine with a smile, praising, "Kong Ming, as today’s champion, one should drink to celebrate."

Zhu Geliang gladly agreed, and sat opposite Liu Bei in the courtyard, while Xu Shu left with a smile.

After a cup of wine, Liu Bei directly said, "Kong Ming, your strategy for the western expedition has won my heart. Now that the Han’s western expedition is imminent, I am in need of a strategist. Would you be willing to offer your counsel and help build a legacy for the Han?"

Zhu Geliang stood up and saluted, solemnly saying, "Geliang, being a commoner, is honored by the Chancellor’s trust and shall serve unto death."

The two then exchanged inquiries and answers about the Han’s various affairs and the western expedition.

In later generations, someone wrote a book about this event, calling it "Discussion at the Tongfu Tavern Courtyard."

Three days later, the Han Inner Cabinet held an expanded meeting, and Liu Bei brought Zhu Geliang with him.

This made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei quite displeased since these past few days their elder brother had grown extremely close to this newcomer, joining him in eating, living, and even sleeping together, inseparable. And now he was even taking him to the Inner Cabinet meeting?

What status did he have? Wasn’t he just the new top scholar? Could he be like them?

Seeing the expressions of his two brothers, Liu Bei knew what they were thinking and laughed as he explained, "Having Kong Ming with me is like a fish with water, I hope you will say no more."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei then understood Zhu Geliang’s position in their brother’s heart and held their tongues.

Zhu Geliang watched with a smile, unfazed by their opinions, because status and respect must be earned through one’s own abilities.

After all, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were among the top five warriors in the court, both considered heavenly talents in martial arts, and naturally carried their own pride.

...

Meanwhile, as for Pang Tong who had arrived at Sun Jian’s residence, Lu Su, having heard of his arrival, eagerly went to welcome him.

Pang Tong’s uncle, Pang Degong, was a well-known scholar in Jingzhou and had a great reputation in both Shu and Jiangdong, so Lu Su was already aware of Pang Tong’s learning, and knew of his nickname, the Young Phoenix.

Now that Pang Tong had placed second in the examination, his reputation as the Young Phoenix was well founded.

Lu Su was delighted with Pang Tong’s choice and quickly took him to meet Sun Jian.

On the way, they encountered Sun Quan.

Lu Su introduced with a laugh, "This is the second son of the Chancellor."

Pang Tong saluted, "I have seen the second son."

Lu Su then hurriedly introduced Pang Tong’s identity to Sun Quan.

However, after hearing this, Sun Quan frowned and asked Pang Tong, "You are the new second-place scholar, how does your learning compare to that of the previous top scholar, Zhou Yu?"

Pang Tong laughed and said, "What I have learned greatly differs from that of Gongjin."

Sun Quan felt very displeased in his heart. Throughout his life, he most admired Zhou Yu. Zhou Gongjin had a handsome and elegant appearance, an imposing and refined demeanor, ambitious strategies, and was proficient in music and dance.

Who was this Pang Tong? With his thick eyebrows, turned-up nose, dark face, and short beard, he was quite ugly. How dare he be so disrespectful to Gongjin in his words?

Sun Quan did not reveal what he thought, but he did not look at Pang Tong again and left with a flick of his sleeve.

After Sun Quan had left, Lu Su hurriedly explained, "Shiyuan, don’t mind it, the Second Young Master has always been like this."

Pang Tong merely frowned slightly, not taking it to heart because in the mansion of Chancellor Sun, it was primarily the elder son, General Sun Ce, who was in charge. The Second Son, Sun Quan, did not have much power.

Afterward, the two went to the place where Sun Jian practiced martial arts, and Lu Su explained their purpose and introduced Pang Tong.

Sun Jian put down the large saber in his hand but did not hide the aura of martial prowess surrounding him. Upon seeing Pang Tong, he didn’t conceal the disgust in his expression and waved his hand, "Step back, when I need you, I will summon you."

Pang Tong’s expression darkened, and he immediately took his leave.

The color drained from Lu Su’s face, and he hurriedly asked, "Why does the Chancellor not employ Pang Shiyuan?"

Sun Jian frowned irritably, "I am the Cabinet Chancellor. If I were to employ such an ugly person, would I not be the laughingstock of the world? Do they think I have no one else under my command?"

Lu Su was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, but as a strategist, he could only once again try to persuade him, "Chancellor, with the move westward imminent, Pang Shiyuan has managed to deduce an impressive strategy for the westward campaign simply based on a few snippets of news,

Should he serve the Chancellor, he will surely help you earn great merit during the westward movement!"

Sun Jian grew impatient, "A mere second-place scholar, without him, can I not earn merit? My chief strategist, Zhou Yu, is a first-place graduate, could he be worse than a second-place scholar?"

Lu Su didn’t know what to say. Each person has their strengths and weaknesses; how could one simply judge ability based on ranking?

West Niu Hezhou is vast and the situation complex; once the westward movement starts, we will undoubtedly encounter various situations, so naturally, the more strategists the better.

All Sun Jian added was, "Moreover, when I reviewed the examination papers, I also read Pang Shiyuan’s article. His strategy for the westward campaign has many similarities with Zhuge Liang’s, and I heard they are both disciples from the same sect. He must have copied Zhuge Liang’s ideas!"

Lu Su heaved a sigh and left helplessly.

It was a pity that the elder son was not in the mansion; otherwise, Pang Shiyuan would certainly have been employed by Lord Wu.

After all, Sun Jian could sit in the position of Cabinet Chancellor with a general’s rank largely thanks to the support of the elder son, Sun Ce.

Without Sun Ce’s backing, Sun Jian’s current status might not even match that of the Commanding General Lu Bu.

Half a day later, Sun Ce returned from the army. After learning about the incident, he flew into a rage and severely scolded Sun Quan right in front of Sun Jian.

He could not strike at his father, so he took out his anger on his useless younger brother.

Zhou Yu, on the other hand, was gently shaking his head on the side.

...

After the Han Cabinet’s expansion meeting commenced, Zhuge Liang followed Liu Bei to the grand Cabinet Hall.

There, a huge sand table map was placed in the center of the great hall.

Within the sand table map, there were many densely positioned kingdoms, amidst towering mountains and crisscrossing valleys and streams.

This was a greatly scaled-down version of West Niu Hezhou!

At the moment, the many civil and military officials of the great Han were surrounding the sand table in admiration, astonished by what they saw.

"Wonderful!" Zhuge Liang was instantly captivated.

This was much clearer than an ordinary map. Utilizing this sand table map during a battle could provide a clearer grasp of the friend and foe positions and enable more precise strategic planning.

Liu Bei explained with a smile, "This is the sand table map that the Ancestral Martial taught us to make when we went to meet him and the King of People last time. The detailed topography of West Niu Hezhou was also restored with the help of Divine Skills from Ancestral Martial."

Zhuge Liang repeatedly praised, "Ancestral Martial is truly a divine being, such a pity I cannot meet him!"

Thump!

As he walked around the large sand table, engrossed in observation, he suddenly bumped into a young man with an expressionless face.

"Sorry, so sorry," Zhuge Liang quickly apologized with clasped hands.

Shi Mayi was also engrossed in the sand table. After glancing at Zhuge Liang, he turned his head back and refocused on the sand table with great fascination.

Zhuge Liang noted the youth of similar age and was inwardly curious, wondering who he was and how he possessed such talent!

At this time, Sun Jian arrived with Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and a group of civil and military officials. Sun Quan, having been beaten, did not leave his bed and did not join them.

Zhuge Liang looked around but did not find Pang Tong. He felt puzzled—hadn’t Shiyuan chosen to work for Chancellor Sun?

Chancellor Sun’s entourage didn’t have many skilled strategists. With Shiyuan’s abilities, he should have been valued. So why didn’t he attend this Cabinet expansion meeting?

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