The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 232 - 122: The End of the Provincial Examination, Discussing Dao on the Lake (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 232: Chapter 122: The End of the Provincial Examination, Discussing Dao on the Lake (Please Subscribe)

The focus of grading papers for the provincial examination is predominantly the first session’s papers.

It can be said that the content tested in the first session essentially determines who will be selected in this year’s provincial examination.

Even if Shen Mo and other examiners worked overtime to grade the papers, reviewing all the papers from the first session would take at least ten days, whereas in previous years, it would take at least fifteen to twenty days.

Considering the time constraints, Shen Mo did not waste much time on Xie Wenyuan’s essay.

As it stands, the quality of Xie Wenyuan’s essay ranks unequivocally first among the papers he has reviewed so far.

Thus, he temporarily sets this paper aside and continues the review process.

The second and third sessions of the provincial examination are basically just going through the motions.

Even so, the scholars participating in the provincial examination dare not take it lightly and earnestly complete all the questions.

On the sixth day of the ninth month, the third session of the provincial examination concluded.

Like most candidates, Xu Qing left the examination hall early in the afternoon.

Only a few candidates who had not performed well in the first session remained in the third session, making a last-ditch effort, attempting to remedy their situation, even though they knew in their hearts that such attempts were futile.

In reality, only the papers selected from the first session would be reviewed by the overburdened examiners for the content of the second and third sessions.

Therefore, if one does not perform well in the first session, it is highly probable that no matter how hard one tries in the second and third sessions, one will not enter the examiners’ view again.

After all, the "scrutiny" of the examination results is only to check the papers of the selected candidates, not those that were not selected.

Also, the chief examiner has the power to search for overlooked papers, but this power is rarely exercised.

Unlike the majority of candidates who are weighed down with worries, Xu Qing came out with a relaxed demeanor, seemingly not concerned at all about his rank in the provincial examination.

Feng Wu and others were already waiting to meet him outside.

At this time, a middle-aged scholar approached, with the same composed demeanor as Xu Qing, without showing the anxiety of post-examination.

"Uncle Xie." Feng Wu greeted him first.

After Feng Wu’s introduction, Xu Qing learned that this middle-aged scholar was named "Xie Quan," styled Wenyuan.

"Xu Gongming, might you have the time to join me for a drink somewhere?"

Feng Wu coughed and said, "Uncle Xie, he has urgent matters and plans to return to Jiangning Prefecture first."

After the provincial examination results are announced, the yellow papers will be expedited to the candidates’ registered residences and also posted publicly in various prefectures and provincial capitals. Hence, Xu Qing returning to Jiangning Prefecture would not hinder him from knowing his rank at the earliest opportunity.

Moreover, since Yingtian Prefecture is not his stronghold, it is prudent for him to return immediately after the examination, to avoid being ambushed in case his name does not appear among the Five Classics Leader.

Besides, the ninth of September is the day Yan Kong and Gu Wuji are scheduled to duel.

With a grand duel between two masters, Xu Qing certainly would not want to miss such a spectacle.

Xie Quan smiled and said, "Since I am at leisure, how about I go with you?"

Feng Wu looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing said, "Mr. Xie, you are naturally welcome to go to Jiangning Prefecture. However, I fear that my hospitality may be lacking and fall short of your expectations."

"Ha ha, that’s settled then, I’ll go with you."

Feng Wu: "..."

However, she would also not be accompanying Xu Qing back to Jiangning Prefecture this time, after all, they have not been betrothed. Even now, she is dressed as a man when coming out.

Furthermore, after the provincial examination, it’s not appropriate for Xu Qing to visit her father, to avoid giving adversaries a handle to criticize.

Even before the provincial examination, Xu Qing had not formally paid a visit to Feng Xifeng, let alone Shen Mo.

As for the meeting at Elder Dan Xi’s residence, it was not a public meeting.

Very few people are aware of it.

In addition, the Recovery Society now wields considerable influence on public opinion among the lower-tier scholars in Yingtian Prefecture. Although Xu Qing was within the examination hall, he instructed Su Lianqing and other key members of the Recovery Society who did not participate in the provincial examination to monitor the guidance of public opinion.

The battlefield of public discourse, if not occupied by oneself, will be left to others.

To forestall anyone from stirring trouble, Xu Qing deliberately spread many credible and incredible rumors before the provincial examination, focusing on attention-grabbing headlines. Thus, even if there were rumors targeting him, they would be drowned out among the multitude of rumors, significantly reducing their impact.

In any case, no matter the outcome.

He has done what needs to be done on his part.

Xu Qing and Feng Wu parted ways, taking Fayue, Xie Quan, and others on the road back.

Upon boarding a passenger ship on Black Water Lake, Xie Quan finally found a leisure moment and asked, "Gongming, do you still remember what you wrote for the Four Books essay?"

Xu Qing smiled, "Is Mr. Xie still troubled by this matter?"

Xie Quan said, "I cannot wait for the provincial examination rankings to be released, and I wish to savor your essay in advance."

Xu Qing replied, "Forget it, the Court will publically judge the papers that are selected. Moreover, I don’t remember the essay I wrote."

Xie Quan asked, "What about listening to mine?"

Xu Qing waved his hand, "No need."

Xie Quan feigned dejection, "You are truly dull."

Xu Qing laughed and said, "Essays are but trifles to the ear. Astronomy, geography, rise and fall of past and present, I wish to seek guidance from the teacher on these subjects, if you are willing?"

Hearing this, Xie Quan’s eyes lit up and said, "I heard that the ’Switching from Rice to Mulberry’ memorial actually penned by you. It shows that Gongming, you have a profound understanding of financial management. I am curious what your view is on the topic, ’When the sun is at its zenith, gather the people of the world, collect the goods of the world, trade and then disperse, each obtaining what they need’?"

Xu Qing pondered for a moment.

This phrase comes from "The Book of Changes. Commentaries," and in Xu Qing’s previous life, during the late Qing dynasty, it was used as a question in the Imperial Examination.

At that time, the societal circumstances of the late Qing were even more complex than the current Great Yu Dynasty, and the demand for reform was more urgent.