Chapter 59

Yeqing and Lü Shangjing arrived relatively early. After a while, the street became crowded with people, as many candidates rushed to see the results, making it difficult to rent a carriage and causing traffic jams on the street. The local residents and experienced candidates were used to this scene, but the new candidates found it hard to adapt.

Yeqing saw a few young candidates in front of him, their faces flushed with anxiety, and couldn't help but be speechless: "This street is narrow, but there are few people and even fewer carriages. How much time can a traffic jam really waste?"

"Moreover, the results will be posted for three days. Those who pass the examination will be notified by official personnel on the first day. Rushing to see the results now is just to soothe their anxious hearts."

Yeqing thought that although he was not immune to the excitement, he wouldn't lose his composure. He smiled at Lü Shangjing and said, "We're not in a hurry. Let's just have tea in this teahouse!"

It was fortunate that they managed to secure a seat on the third floor, from where they could see the posting of the results. Gradually, the main hall and the second floor of the teahouse filled up with people.

By this time, over a thousand candidates had gathered under a high wall in the square, where the results were posted.

A degree of xiucai (scholar) was officially granted by the imperial court, though the position was minor, it marked the official start of one's career. With ability, willingness to work, connections, or luck, there was always a chance for promotion.

One could say that becoming a xiucai was like having one foot in the officialdom. Power came with benefits, and status was equivalent to that of an official, unlike the tongsheng (student) who still had the possibility of failing.

"Wild ginseng, wild ginseng... thirty-year-old wild ginseng, potent and beneficial to the body, young sir, would you like to take a look?" A vendor's cries echoed through the crowded square, taking advantage of the situation to make money.

"Two good hands, five champions! Come, come, come, drink the penalty wine!" Some candidates were drinking and playing finger-guessing games in the tavern, disregarding their refined manners to relieve stress.

The various human behaviors and the noise filled Yeqing's ears, making him feel as if he had experienced several lifetimes.

"Sir! Please, have mercy, give us a meal, for the sake of your virtue..." A middle-aged woman, covered in dust, bowed deeply, holding a little girl with tattered clothes, a yellowish complexion, and a gaunt appearance, her eyes dim, showing that the glory of this prosperous city did not reach them.

The waiter glared angrily: "Go away! This is no place for you to beg! You're disturbing the nobles..."

"Wait!" Yeqing, seeing this from the third-floor window, spoke to stop the waiter. He was about to take out some silver from his waist, but then he noticed several burly men watching from the corners and immediately realized the situation.

If he gave them money, he would not be helping them but harming them. His heart cooled, and he only looked at the table, saying to the waiter, "Bring these pastries up to them."

The waiter was taken aback, then smiled, "What a kind young sir!"

He took a cloth bag, filled it with some fruit and pastries from the table, and went down to give them to the mother and daughter.

The middle-aged woman received the pastries, bowed repeatedly, and said, "You are a good person, you will surely pass the exam, you are a good person..."

As their voices faded away, Yeqing lost his appetite for tea. He had once thought his heart was as hard as iron, but there were always people and events that evoked compassion.

"Young sir, you have a kind heart," Lü Shangjing said, seemingly deeply moved.

Yeqing, however, pondered and said, "Struggling to survive, everyone is like this. It's not just her; it's the same for you and me."

"It's just that we compete for much, but with a little effort, we can save others. Why be unwilling? Why must we wait to do great things?"

"Moreover, sacrificing oneself and selling one's property to help the people, I can't do that. Some say it's pretentious, and I think I can't change this pretense." Yeqing smiled.

Lü Shangjing, hearing this, suddenly became serious, pondering for a long time before sighing, "Nowadays, many people use morality to criticize others, as if one is not truly good unless they ruin their family and life to do good."

"Actually, such teachings have been present in history since the Spring and Autumn period. The ancients never shied away from it. They always extended their kindness to others, from family to friends to the people."

"This is the great path allowed by the Dao and the emperor, and it is a shared human sentiment, like the sorrow of a rabbit's death affecting a fox."

"If someone can truly sacrifice their family and life, they are truly great, but if they use this to criticize others, they may be violating the great path and offending heaven."

Yeqing nodded in agreement.

For generations, "sages" have taught, with the essence rooted in shared human sentiment. It's better to extend one's kindness to others than to expect everyone to be like dragons.

Each era evolves without deviating from this essence.

For a moment, he was lost in thought.

Clang—

The sound of a gong echoed through the square, followed by the sound of firecrackers.

"Time is up!" On the high wall, a bright yellow list suddenly descended, three zhang tall and one zhang wide. It was clearly visible from two hundred meters away, but it was still covered with red cloth.

"Reveal the list—"

With a loud "swish," the red cloth was pulled down, revealing the golden names to everyone. Each name caused a wave of cheers among the candidates.

Emotion, tears, the excitement, Yeqing could feel it from a distance.

"I passed, I finally passed!" A student, no, a xiucai, now with tears streaming down his face, knelt on the ground, looking up at the sky and shouting.

"Ten years of hard study, finally today! Finally today!" Another xiucai, seeing his name on the list, laughed heartily, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Congratulations, congratulations! May all the xiucai have a bright future, and don't forget your old friends!" Fellow students came to build connections.

Bang, bang, bang!

The sound of gongs rang out. Many messengers, riding horses and wearing colorful clothes, followed by several people holding xiucai robes, seals, and land deeds, headed to the homes of the successful candidates.

"Report! The top candidate from Nanchang County, Yu Fan, has passed the exam and is at the top of the list!" The messenger found Yu Fan in the crowd, helped him up, and draped a red silk cloth over him.

Yu Fan's eyes sparkled, though his face was full of joy, he maintained his composure and smiled, bowing and saying, "Thank you, messengers. Here is some money for you to drink with."

Each xiucai would give some money to the messengers, a custom. Yu Fan's attendants then brought out a basket and scattered a large amount of copper coins, causing a frenzy among the crowd.

"Wow! Yu Fan is really wealthy!" Someone whispered in awe.

"Indeed, the Yu family..." Someone stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing and falling silent.

The candidates below were also discussing.

Yeqing drank his tea calmly, looking very composed. His eyes met Lü Shangjing's, and as expected, Lü Shangjing's gaze sharpened.

But then, at the seventh position, he saw "Yeqing." Lü Shangjing's body stiffened, realizing the situation, and stopped looking at Yu Fan. He stood up and bowed, "Seventh place, congratulations, young sir!"

Despite the difficulties, I finally passed. This xiucai title is like a talisman, giving me a foundation.

Yeqing took two deep breaths to calm himself.

"It's just an ordinary ranking," Yeqing smiled, but when he put down his teacup, a circle of water splashed out, revealing his inner turmoil.

Lü Shangjing pretended not to notice, smiling and empathizing.

At this moment, someone recognized him and came over, "We are all classmates, we came to pay our respects! If it's inconvenient today, just let us know if you need anything."

"Clang" — the sound of a gong rang out.

"Congratulations to the candidate from Pingshou County, Yeqing, for ranking seventh on the list!" The messenger's loud announcement echoed, and everyone was discussing.

"Ah, isn't Yeqing the one from last year's Dragon Lord banquet? He really passed."

"With the Dragon Lord's help, it's impossible not to pass!"

Yeqing then went to the door to respond. Several messengers, holding robes, seals, swords, and land deeds, approached.

"Yeqing, once you receive these, you will be a xiucai of the Great Cai Dynasty!" The lead messenger, a minor official, smiled.

Yeqing nodded, took out fifteen taels of silver, and gave it to the messengers, saying, "Thank you, messengers. This is for you to drink with."

"Thank you, young sir!" The amount was just right.

Following the rules, Yeqing put on the robe, hung the sword at his waist, and drew it, revealing a sharp, high-quality sword.

The imperial court has always valued martial arts. Commoners are not allowed to carry weapons, but xiucai have the right to carry swords, study martial arts, and learn archery and horsemanship in the government. The scholarly community has always upheld the principle of "righteousness," and xiucai are given sharp swords.

In the future, they can legally travel the world and fight injustice, but there are rules. They can kill bandits and thieves, and if a deity confirms it, the court will back them. However, if they challenge powerful local clans, the consequences will be their own responsibility.

In practice, few people do this, as a balance of interests has been formed over the years.

The students envied not the sword itself, but the power it represented. Even the messengers cheered when they saw Yeqing dressed, "What a handsome young man."

A small copper seal, about an inch long, was hung at his waist. It was a half-seal, not a real official seal, but it still gave him a sense of power, though he remained calm.

In addition, he received a deed for fifty acres of land, a favor from the court, which could be exchanged for any land in the county.

Yeqing accepted everything, bowed to the students and xiucai, and said, "Fellow classmates, I'm a bit tired today. I'll go back to the inn to rest. We can talk more later."

The xiucai all agreed, "Yeqing, you're right. You need to rest and reflect on your success."

Not just Yeqing, but they also wanted to go back and reflect on their new status and calm their emotions.

Some students looked a bit embarrassed and bowed.

Xiucai, being future colleagues and from the same batch, naturally felt close.

Students could only attach themselves, as they were resources. Maintaining a connection could be helpful in the future.

Finally, Yeqing said to Lü Shangjing, "Master, please, let's go back together."

Lü Shangjing, coming back to his senses, responded, "Yes!"

---

The advertisement begins on the next page.

The advertisement ends on the next page.