Chapter 94

"What's going on?" Fan Shan frowned, his face stern: "It's exactly what you see."

Everyone could sense the unusual tone in his words. A few examiners had their suspicions, but none dared to confirm them. They were all itching to know more but didn't dare to ask.

At this moment, a Daoist in a feathered robe approached, also startled. He bowed to Fan Shan and asked, "Sir Fan, have you seen...?"

Fan Shan returned the bow and smiled, "Indeed!"

The Daoist's expression remained calm, but his eyes lit up at the answer. He leaned in and whispered in Fan Shan's ear, "This boy carries the aura of calamity, and someone is trying to assassinate him. Well, if he is not accepted by the world, our Daoist sect needs such a person!"

Fan Shan's face darkened, and he coldly snorted, "Don't even think about it. This is a future Jinshi, to be used by the court. How can you meddle?"

The Daoist sneered and said nothing more, turning to leave for the side hall.

"Stop looking. This is not something you can interfere with," Fan Shan said, somewhat annoyed. He thought about the three-foot-long green aura and frowned. The fact that it could be seen under the golden seal meant a lot to him. He then slowly walked away.

When he reached Ye Qing's examination room, the green aura had already dissipated. He nodded to himself, "Is the golden seal useless? Only such a masterpiece can reveal a moment of green brilliance."

"Originally, this boy and Yu Fan's conflict was unbearable, and I despised it. But today, it's beyond my expectations. Such talent, if Yu Fan envies and kills him, it's possible."

Yu Fan was taking the exam in another area, his pen flowing like a spring. Suddenly, he shivered, unaware that he was being seen as a "jealous villain." He calmed himself and continued writing.

Fan Shan thought about it repeatedly and still felt that such talent was rare. "How can such a scholar be allowed to be harmed?"

He then ordered the attendant, "When this boy leaves the examination hall, assign two soldiers to protect him! Yes, follow him closely as soon as he leaves, and ensure there are no accidents!" Ye Qing was unaware of the changes. He wrote the entire paper, the room filled with a precious aura, and he felt refreshed and his thoughts flowed smoothly.

Lifting his head, he saw it was nearly noon, and the golden seal's malevolent aura was gradually forming. He stopped writing, took some water and a cake to eat, and occasionally looked up. He saw a candidate in the opposite examination room looking at him. Their eyes met, and the other candidate quickly looked away as if he had seen a ghost. Ye Qing was puzzled.

At this moment, he didn't pay much attention and continued to the second volume.

"Though the essay is copied, after my revisions, its quality has improved by at least one level. It feels different. If it weren't for the lack of integration of the principles I've understood, it could be an essay for a Jinshi."

He thought to himself, finished eating the water and cake, and the noon hour passed. Seeing the malevolent aura dissipate, he moved on to the third volume.

The third volume was about handling official affairs, requiring candidates to make choices and decisions based on the Three Classics and Five Canons, and to argue their points.

This type of governance question tests one's theoretical knowledge, organizational skills, and judgment of the situation.

How many scholars could do this? Who could match the foresight and novelty of a reborn person?

In his previous life, his literary foundation was not strong, but he still passed the examination for a Juren, relying on the high-level and innovative perspectives of two civilizations.

Now, with the foundation of this world and decades of experience, he found these three questions quite simple. He was not in a hurry.

He wrote his arguments on the draft, carefully and meticulously, citing the Three Classics and Five Canons, yet original and flawless.

Handling the three official affairs, he did not write long essays like most scholars. Each question was answered in about two to three hundred words, outlining the principles and operations.

After a thorough review and a few revisions, he copied the answers to the exam paper, completing the third volume in about an hour, even in the exam setting.

After finishing, he moved on to the fourth volume, which was a discussion of the first three volumes.

Ye Qing showed a faint smile, with a hint of pride.

In his previous life on Earth, there were three views: worldview, life view, and moral view. But all of these were clones, learning others' thoughts (programs) and implanting them into one's soul.

Among ten thousand people, those who could form their own worldview, life view, and moral view were rare.

As for those who could form their own political theory system, only a few dozen had the qualifications to be listed among the sages, and those who achieved great success, both ancient and modern, domestic and international, could be counted on one hand.

Ye Qing, spanning two civilizations, did not dare to compare himself to Confucius or Marx, but he had his own insights, which he considered a minor achievement. According to Daoist theory, this was the level of a Jinshi.

At this moment, he did not need to write everything, just a bit would suffice.

He focused and wrote on the draft. As each word fell, the entire room gradually faded away, and all secular matters were distant, leaving only the words before him.

In the hall,

Fan Shan was drinking tea when another examiner rushed in and whispered a few words. This made Fan Shan jump in surprise, asking, "Again?"

It was the afternoon, the sun was bright, and the remaining heat of August was stifling. By the time he reached the examination room, his back was drenched in sweat. He saw a faint green aura rising three feet high, the golden seal cutting through it, causing ripples as if it were reluctant.

Fan Shan stood at the door, his brows furrowed, and said nothing. He instructed two clerks, "You both watch over him and be ready to serve."

After speaking, he led the people back to the hall, where a cool breeze refreshed everyone.

"Sit down, let me think!" Fan Shan waved his hand and ordered, "Bring me some tea with ice!"

The two examiners gradually calmed down and secretly observed Fan Shan, who was frowning in thought. After a moment, Fan Shan lifted his head and asked casually, "In the records, who is the youngest Jinshi or Jinshi-equivalent in history?"

"Liu Heng, who passed the Jinshi exam at fifteen, the first in history."

"Ah, it seems Ye Qing is not that young. He is sixteen this year and will be seventeen next year." Fan Shan laughed, then suddenly stood up with a serious expression, saying, "This is no small matter. This exam has truly exceeded my expectations!"

Ye Qing was unaware of this, fully focused. It was just over a thousand words, but it took him a lot of time, from noon until evening. After a final check, he looked up to see the candlelight and the deep night.

The opposite examination rooms were lit and dark, some still writing, others resting.

He smiled and put down his pen, then paused, "I didn't light the candle just now, who did?"

Just as he thought, he saw two people outside relax. One asked, "Scholar, it's late. Have some snacks and rest for tomorrow."

The state examination lasted two days.

"I'm done." Ye Qing pointed to his papers, all four volumes completed.

"Done...?" The clerk looked at the young man in disbelief. Although this was not the workload of a scholar's plow test, who would leave before the last moment without refining their work?

"I'm done." Ye Qing said calmly, his gaze already looking past the clerk to the distance.

The clerk did not dare to act on his own and did not dare to collect the papers. He smiled apologetically, "Scholar, please wait a moment. I need to consult."

After a moment, Fan Shan came over personally, said nothing, and went straight to the papers. Under the bright candlelight, Ye Qing stood respectfully, waiting quietly. He heard the rustling of the papers being read. After a long time, Fan Shan sighed, "This essay..."

Ye Qing coughed lightly, making Fan Shan pause, recalling that this was an exam, a major taboo. He quickly corrected himself, "Since you're done, you may leave."

Ye Qing bowed respectfully, stepped back, and left.

As he walked, eyes followed him, and he reached the hall door. Since it was late, he needed the examiner's approval to leave. The examiner opened the door personally.

The examiner smiled and nodded at Ye Qing, seemingly unintentionally extending his sleeve in a "please" gesture. A symbol was clearly visible.

Ye Qing looked back at the examiner, meeting his friendly gaze, and almost had a premonition.

He hurried over, left the door, and exited the examination hall. Two soldiers in armor were waiting outside, and they bowed to Ye Qing, their armor clinking, "By the order of the inspector, we are here to protect your safety!"

Ye Qing was surprised and nodded, about to speak when another Daoist rushed over, bowed, and said, "By the order of the Daoist, I am here to protect Daoist Ye's safety!"

Ye Qing was surprised and saw the same symbol on the Daoist's sleeve. Meeting his smile, he instantly understood, "I've shown too much, I've become a hot commodity!"

At this moment, he didn't want to say more and nodded, "I dare not refuse. Please, all three of you, do as you please."

In the deep night, on the brightly lit streets, a scene unfolded: a scholar in light red robes walked in front, followed by two soldiers and a Daoist.

This combination drew the attention of passersby, who speculated about which noble's son could have such a grand escort, openly bringing soldiers.

After all, even noble soldiers could not openly wear armor outside.

Ye Qing found it amusing but said nothing. When he reached the inn, he smiled and called the innkeeper, instructing, "Prepare a courtyard for these three and a feast..."

Before he finished, a soldier said, "Scholar, I am here by the order of the inspector. According to the rules, I must be supplied by my direct superior and cannot accept anything from others. Please understand."

Ye Qing was moved. Soldiers could only be supplied by their direct superiors, a rule set at the founding of the country, still enforced.

The army has not yet become corrupt. As he thought, the Daoist smiled, "Daoist Ye, you don't need to do this. After the exam, you should rest well. I have my own arrangements."

Ye Qing did not insist, thanked them, and went to his room. After entering, he looked back and saw they were still guarding.

He washed, ate, and felt exhausted. He went to bed and soon fell asleep.