The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 243 - 125 Elder Fang Decisively Ends the Debate, the World’s Top Scorer Emerges (Seeking Subscriptions)

Chapter 243: Chapter 125 Elder Fang Decisively Ends the Debate, the World’s Top Scorer Emerges (Seeking Subscriptions)

But what sort of person would participate in the township examination.

Normally, they would have passed the township examination and even the metropolitan examination early, and then focus on their studies to become a great scholar.

This was also possible for Xu Qing due to the accumulation of wisdom over two lifetimes, combined with the advantages provided by the bronze mirror.

Shen Mo definitely cannot suppress Xu Qing now.

Because if Xu Qing is accused of cheating, what would that mean for changing rice to mulberry, how would the Grand Secretary and Your Majesty view this?

What about He and Wu, along with Feng Xifeng and Academician Zhou, would they also be implicated?

The backing of an official is often not just a single person.

Especially these individuals; even the weakest like Magistrate Wu, who is now highly valued by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel often becomes the next Heavenly Official, if not, at the very least, he would step forward as the Minister of the Ministry of Industry. There’s substantial hope for entering the Cabinet.

Now, Shen Mo has only two options: to firmly support Xu Qing or not. If not, then he must accept that Xu Qing cheated.

There’s no middle ground.

Because this man’s articles are so excellent, excellent to the point that if you don’t accuse him of cheating, then after deliberation among everyone, he could only be publicly recommended as the Five Classics Leader or even the Top Scorer.

And whether it is the Four Books questions or the Five Classics questions, Xu Qing is undoubtedly the number one in this township examination both publicly and privately.

In fact, Xu Qing himself did not think so deeply, but he knew that if he wanted the person in the same room to agree to open a window, it’s best to say he wanted to open a skylight.

In that case, everyone would be more willing to accept the outcome.

Ah, fate, regardless of how baffling and intricate, Xu Qing strived to grasp everything within his own hands.

"Even if you didn’t do it this way, if I knew it was you, could I not nominate you as the Five Classics Leader? At most, you wouldn’t be the Top Scorer." Shen Mo silently complained.

But he understood that what Xu Qing wanted was not just support, but a guaranteed result.

Shen Mo now realized the ruthlessness of this ’Jiangning Fierce Tiger.’

"This young man acts so desperately and perversely. Why is that?" Shen Mo could not comprehend.

He slowly exhaled and said, "Gentlemen, I have something to say."

"Please instruct us, Chief Examiner."

Shen Mo said: "This person’s articles, whether the Four Books questions or the Five Classics questions, are undoubtedly ranked first in this township examination, I believe everyone unarguably agrees."

"Chief Examiner speaks rightly."

At this moment, the examiners did not raise the issue of different literary styles.

This issue was left for Shen Mo to worry about.

Shen Mo turned the conversation: "Do you all truly think there was no possibility of cheating in his articles?"

"Uh." The examiners cursed under their breath but dared not answer.

Shen Mo smiled and said, "I understand everyone’s concerns about this matter, so I will eliminate these concerns for everyone."

"Please speak frankly, Chief Examiner."

Shen Mo: "Among the esteemed elders in our dynasty, Fang, with his profound scholarship, is undoubtedly the foremost. Just by asking Elder Fang to come and examine, we will know if these articles reach the standards of ancient saints’ writings."

Shen Mo knew very well that Elder Fang was a Divine Sword who was placed in South Zhili by His Majesty, and Elder Fang was known for his loyalty and righteousness in the world; his word outweighs any guarantee.

However, by doing so,

Shen Mo sighed internally.

By vouching for Xu Qing’s articles, Elder Fang was binding his lifelong reputation with Xu Qing.

Moreover, the Top Scorer of South Zhili has always been known as the top scorer in the empire.

Xu Qing was essentially adding two layers of protection to himself.

With his ruthless nature, who knew what he would achieve with this?

However, without this, there was no other way to settle the controversy around Xu Qing’s articles.

After all, this controversy could directly burn to him.

The examiners, although aware that this was not quite regular, but since Elder Fang had His Majesty’s bestowed purse and could directly report to His Majesty,

He already had the authority to intervene in extremely important local matters, thus requesting him, with His Majesty’s trust in Elder Fang, would not mind this small matter.

And they could not deny that only Elder Fang’s prestige could quell the controversy brought about by this matter.

Knowing that Elder Fang’s own descendants had not passed the Scholar or Imperial Examination, this endorsement of integrity, who could openly object?

Thus, the examiners, following Shen Mo’s suggestion, decided to invite the respected and esteemed Elder Fang.

...

...

Fang Garden.

Elder Fang sat beside a trellis under the sun, basking in the sunlight.

In his old age, he only desired peace, uncaring of worldly matters.

But the trees wish to stay still while the wind continues to blow.

As long as he lived, worldly troubles naturally followed.

Let it be natural.

"Grandfather, an Embroidered Guard has come to see you, asking you to make a trip to the Examination Hall," a simple-looking young man walked in, reporting to Elder Fang.

The words "township examination" obviously captivated him.

Elder Fang did not inquire about the township examination but asked the young man, "Ji Bao, do you really want to participate in the Imperial Examination to seek fame?"

"Grandson will follow grandfather’s wishes."

Elder Fang sighed, "Then don’t go."

"Grandson doesn’t understand."

Elder Fang: "When I’m gone, all of you will prosper, but not now. Let the person in."

"Understood."

The young man brought the Embroidered Guard who delivered the message inside.

After Elder Fang carefully listened to the matter, he said, "Let’s go."

Then, the Embroidered Guard escorted Elder Fang to the sealed Examination Hall.

This news quickly spread to all major forces within Yingtian Prefecture.

Chief Examiner Shen Mo, who had invited Elder Fang, didn’t care; he wanted to make a grand invitation to Elder Fang, as that would be effective.

Elder Fang entered the Examination Hall.

The examiners had been waiting there and bowed to him as he arrived.

This elder, who had been at court for decades with vast prestige and never formed factions for personal gain, held a high and noble position yet always retained the emperor’s favor, was in this dynasty, the only person of such stature.