Chapter 37

It must be said that Jiang Chen's memory was astonishing. Within an hour, he had completed each answer in full detail.

Jiang Chen stood up, placed the answers neatly, and handed them over.

"Please, Your Majesty, review them, and then have the heads of each subject examine them," Jiang Chen said with a relaxed and confident tone.

Dongfang Lu took the answers, glanced through them, and found that they were indeed different from what he had seen before. After a moment of contemplation, he handed the answers to the four subject heads.

"Four ministers, please examine them carefully. This matter is of great importance. You must not be careless," Dongfang Lu instructed.

The four subject heads suddenly felt immense pressure.

On one side, they had the current emperor's instructions, and on the other, Du Ruhai's eyes, which clearly carried a warning and a threat.

After all, this was the Golden Hall, the territory of the royal family. The emperor's authority ultimately outweighed the psychological pressure Du Ruhai had placed on them.

These four people tried to calm themselves down and began their examination.

At first, their expressions were only slightly surprised, finding that the answers were indeed different from the previous ones.

But as they read the free-response section, their expressions became extremely serious, occasionally showing deep thought, then a smile of understanding, followed by a look of encountering a difficult problem, and finally a look of sudden enlightenment.

Seeing the rich changes in their expressions, many people were curious: Was the answer so complex? How could it make these four people react so dramatically?

After a long time, the four finally closed the answers, still feeling unsatisfied.

"How is it?" Dongfang Lu asked personally.

"Your Majesty, if we were to grade this, it would definitely be a perfect score."

"Indeed, indeed. Moreover, the depth of the theory, the originality of the insights, and the breadth of the perspective in the free-response section are such that even I, a humble minister, feel inferior."

"I also share the same feeling. This answer is so talented that it makes one feel as if looking up to a high mountain."

"I can only say one thing: this answer is the best I have ever seen, unmatched by anyone before!"

The evaluations were getting higher and higher.

Everyone could see that the four subject heads were not exaggerating. From their expressions of being absorbed, it was clear that much of the content in the answers required time to digest.

Judging from their satisfied looks, the content of the answers had also broadened their horizons and benefited them greatly.

Dongfang Lu looked at Jiang Chen with a meaningful gaze and sighed, "Ministers, I am a bit confused. The same exam, but two completely different answers. One is so talented that it convinces the subject heads, while the other is so nonsensical that it fails."

"Your Majesty, it has been a night since the exam. In that time, the Jiang family could have hired a group of experts to write a satisfactory answer. This is a very simple matter," one of them said.

Indeed, a lot can change in one night.

Du Ruhai also chimed in, "Your Majesty, the Jiang family's cleverness is not worth mentioning. To be frank, Jiang Chen is a wastrel, uneducated, and notorious in the capital. If we say that the answer that convinced the examiners was written by him, even the street vendors would not believe it."

The situation was still unfavorable for Jiang Chen.

When all eyes focused on Jiang Chen again, he laughed and stepped forward proudly, "For the same exam, you suspect me of cheating, which is understandable. Then, please, let the examiners give me more questions. I am willing to demonstrate my abilities here and now."

Demonstrate on the spot!

"Jiang Chen, do you think this is your Jiang family's mansion? In the imperial court, how can you play games? Once is already too much, how can it be allowed again?"

Yes, allowing you to retake the exam was already a great favor. How can you be allowed to act recklessly again?

Dongfang Lu laughed and stopped the restless court officials, "In the imperial court, we sit and discuss. This is a refined matter. Our Eastern Kingdom should encourage such young talents with such courage. We cannot stifle them. Let's agree to Jiang Chen's request. It will be a bit of extra work for the four examiners, but they will have to bear it."

The four examiners did not mind. They were now more relaxed. Since they had the opportunity to show their faces before the emperor, this was a good opportunity.

Moreover, they were genuinely curious: Were these four answers really written by Jiang Chen? If so, they also wanted to test him to see if they could gain something.

The four subjects were: "Martial Arts," "Spiritual Herbs," "Political Tactics," and "Military Strategy."

Among them, "Political Tactics" and "Military Strategy" were actually secondary, with less content and weight. So, these two subjects asked the questions first.

Each of the two examiners asked two questions. After a brief thought, Jiang Chen began to answer fluently.

His answers were clear, original, profound, and boundless.

When Jiang Chen finished answering the four questions, not only the two examiners but also some court officials applauded.

Because Jiang Chen's answers were truly brilliant. Each answer was not deliberately seeking novelty.

But each answer could be approached from a novel angle, providing unexpected yet reasonable responses, making people think and gain something after hearing them.

"Your Majesty, these two questions are the best of my life. Jiang Chen's answers, from any angle, have surpassed my academic level. I am convinced."

"I am also convinced. In 'Military Strategy,' I believe Jiang Chen's level is far beyond the person who wrote the initial answer!"

This statement caused a stir.

"Examiner Hua, what do you mean by that?"

Examiner Hua of "Military Strategy" said calmly, "I am an old scholar, but I am a reader with integrity. Jiang Chen's level has impressed me. Therefore, I spoke up. As the head of the Qianlong Examination, Du Ruhai, you should have a broad mind and tolerate various voices, right?"

Du Ruhai's face darkened, "But your words are openly defaming the Qianlong Examination, suggesting someone cheated, right?"

"Whether there was cheating is for the emperor to decide. I dare not speak rashly." After saying this, Examiner Hua stepped back, closed his eyes, and pretended to be dead.

"Ha, let me test Jiang Chen in 'Spiritual Herbs.'"

"Please, teach me," Jiang Chen bowed.

"Good, the first question is about the cultivation of spiritual herbs. Why does the Ninth Rank spiritual herb, Sanxiancao, which should have three branches, often end up with only one or two branches when cultivated?"

Those who knew about cultivating spiritual herbs secretly cursed the examiner. This question was too tricky. Even the examiner might not know the answer.

Jiang Chen smiled faintly, "The reason is simple. Sanxiancao is a three-branch spiritual herb. If the spiritual fertilizer is applied slightly unevenly, causing one branch to become too strong, it will absorb the other two. Therefore, the cultivation of Sanxiancao requires precise soil preparation and fertilizer application. A small mistake can lead to a big difference."

"What? Is it that complicated?" The examiner thought for a moment and suddenly slapped his head, "Yes, why didn't I think of that? I thought it was a seed problem. According to records, Sanxiancao has the nature of a hawk, capable of eating its siblings. It turns out that it's not that Sanxiancao can't grow three branches, but that the other two are absorbed by the dominant one!"

The examiner smiled and looked at Jiang Chen with newfound respect.

"Then, let me test you on a pill-making question. If you can answer this, I will vouch for you like Elder Hua did!"

"Please, go ahead," Jiang Chen said calmly, not showing any excessive joy due to the promise.

"When I refine the 'One Spirit Qi Pill,' I sometimes use Water Heart Worm Eggs and sometimes Ice Cicada Wings. Sometimes the 'One Spirit Qi Pill' reaches the superior grade with Water Heart Worm Eggs, and sometimes with Ice Cicada Wings. I want to know, which of these two is better for refining the 'One Spirit Qi Pill'?"

This was a long-standing problem for the examiner. Over the years, he had refined the 'One Spirit Qi Pill' many times, but only one in ten reached the superior grade.

This had given him little profit and sometimes even a loss.

Jiang Chen searched his memory and answered, "Water Heart Worm Eggs and Ice Cicada Wings, although both are materials for refining the 'One Spirit Qi Pill,' are not the best choices. If you use Dream Spirit Cold Rain Fruit instead, the probability of refining a superior-grade pill can be increased to 70-80%."

"Why is that?" The examiner asked humbly.

"Simple. Both Water Heart Worm Eggs and Ice Cicada Wings are living spiritual creatures. The blood and qi of these creatures can counteract the main material of the 'One Spirit Qi Pill.' This is why it's rare for you to refine a superior-grade pill. If you occasionally succeed, it's just luck. Dream Spirit Cold Rain Fruit is a plant-based spiritual herb, with no blood or qi, and its nature is most compatible with the main material. It is the best choice."

"Ah..." The examiner's mouth dropped open, unable to speak for a long time. After a while, he bowed to Jiang Chen, "To hear the truth in the morning and die in the evening would be enough. I, Zhao, am convinced."

He then went to Dongfang Lu, "Your Majesty, this young man's knowledge of spiritual herbs far surpasses mine. I also believe that the answer was not written by Jiang Chen."

He paused and added, "It's like comparing the sky to the ground."

One person's words might not carry much weight. Two people's words might be a coincidence.

But three people's words could not be a coincidence.

The three examiners who had already tested Jiang Chen all stood up to defend him, praising him highly. This situation was far beyond people's expectations.

The situation was quietly changing.

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