Chapter 347: Sir Has Great Talent (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 347: A Master of Sublime Talent (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

The scholars, who but a moment ago bore an air of supreme haughtiness, all bowed in succession as they watched Chen Yi approach.

The murmurs of "Master Qingzhou" rippled outward, drawing the sidelong glances of the common folk spectating from afar.

"That is Master Qingzhou of our Guiyun Academy. They say his mastery of the brush has reached some unfathomable realm, highly revered by those literati."

"The realm of absolute perfection in calligraphy. Those who doubt it may go see the Baicao Hall outside the West Market; that plaque was inscribed by Master Qingzhou himself."

"I was fortunate enough to behold it once. Its ethereal spirit runs so deep, it leaves one unable to truly grasp its full form."

"Look at those scholars now. Before this, they looked down upon the world as if we were beneath their notice, yet upon meeting Master Qingzhou, must they not obediently bow?"

"What? Is your boy quite adept at his studies?"

"I only hope to heaven he were..."

Though the Great Wei Dynasty had opened the path of imperial examinations to widely recruit men of talent, learning remained a privilege reserved for the few.

Thus, the ordinary folk among the onlookers looked upon the young scholars arriving for the annual examination with an undeniable envy.

Yet, as they witnessed these proud scholars bowing before Chen Yi, their emotions grew somewhat intricate.

Envy was there, but beneath it lay the realization of an invisible chasm.

When a man is but slightly better than you, your diligence and hard labor might allow you to catch a glimpse of his back; but when he surpasses you by leagues, nothing remains within you but a profound sense of powerlessness.

Chen Yi naturally gave no thought to such matters. Returning their salutations one by one, he took his place at the very rear of the queue, waiting to enter the examination grounds.

Ma Guan and Tang Ye, among others, hurried over to greet him.

Ma Guan visibly let out a breath of relief: "Master, you have finally arrived. Your student feared you might miss the hour."

Tang Ye chimed in: "Indeed, Master. Brother Heming and I were just deliberating whether to go to the Xiao Estate to seek you out."

Chen Yi looked at the pair, noting they wore identical long robes signifying their status as scholars, and gestured with a smile to his own attire:

"Today, I am just like you, merely a student come to sit for the annual examination."

"What sense is there in abandoning your own concerns just to fetch an opponent?"

Ma Guan and Tang Ye exchanged glances, both offering somewhat sheepish smiles.

They had followed Chen Yi to study the way of the brush for some time, and understood their master's temperament well enough to know he did not bind himself to trivial conventions.

Yet they were different.

A scholar’s reverence for his teacher was the very first lesson of their enlightenment, growing sturdier with the passage of days, a notion deeply rooted in their bones.

Especially Ma Guan, Ma Heming.

By following Chen Yi, he had not only attained mastery in calligraphy, but had also become Chen Yi’s assistant in teaching the art, thereby earning the high regard of Master Yueming and the others.

Even if he failed to attain high honors in the future imperial examinations, he could still rely on his proficient calligraphic skill to become an instructor at the academy.

This was the debt of gratitude he owed Chen Yi above all else.

Furthermore, having spent considerable time with Chen Yi, he had absorbed through constant exposure things never found within the classics and histories.

Such as the art of worldly conduct, and a sharp, resourceful wit.

Many of Chen Yi’s words and deeds, which at first seemed to diverge from the discourses of ancient sages, yielded a bountiful harvest upon later reflection, leaving Ma Guan's heart filled with awe:

"The Master is indeed a man of sublime talent."

Tang Ye, by contrast, did not ponder so deeply.

Being younger, his feelings toward Chen Yi were born of pure adoration.

Each time he returned home from the academy, he would recount Chen Yi’s words and deeds to those in his household.

Such as the day Master Qingzhou taught the inner principles of calligraphy, saying: "The way of the brush, simply put, is writing; the weight lies in the character, not the act of writing."

"One must grasp its intent and harmonize it with one's own being."

"What is a character?"

"Drawn near from the self, taken far from the myriad things, observing the self, observing the movements of heaven and earth, examining all creation, and drawing its form..."

When Tang Ye repeated these words, it chanced to be overheard by his father—Tang Zixin, the Judicial Commissioner of Shuzhou—who pondered for a long while before pronouncing his judgment:

"Master Qingzhou must be one who has attained the ultimate truths of the universe. Ye'er, you must learn from him with an open mind, not merely in the way of the brush, but in all other matters..."

Tang Ye held Tang Zixin in equal reverence, having long since made his father his exemplar, and naturally carved this advice deep into his memory.

At this moment, seeing Chen Yi refer to them as opponents, the two of them treated it merely as a jest.

It was a laughable notion.

They knew not the depths of Chen Yi’s scholarship, but they were acutely aware of their own meager worth.

Let alone claiming the top spot in the annual examination, if they could merely compose their prose with smooth logic, they would already count among the most outstanding of their peers.

Ma Guan said: "Master's words fill your student with shame."

Tang Ye added: "Your student is ashamed."

Chen Yi laughed and spoke a few comforting words, teasing them no further, and turned his gaze toward several figures standing not far from the entrance of the examination grounds.

The Provincial Administration Commissioners, Chen Yunfan and Li Huaigu, were leading their men to inspect the examination baskets of the scholars arriving for the test.

Master Zhuoying and other instructors from Guiyun Academy stood watch on the opposite side, offering words of encouragement whenever they spotted a student from their halls.

There were also magistrates and educational officials from various counties, most of whom had come to observe the performance of the scholars under their jurisdiction, so as to adjust their focus for the prefectural and academy examinations in the coming year.

Within the examination compound, upon a raised dais directly facing the main gates, Ma Shuhan sat poised in an armchair, calmly surveying the scholars outside.

Ma Shuhan appeared to be around fifty years of age, of unremarkable countenance, with a broad, protruding forehead and a lean frame that made his official robes hang loosely upon him.

Even as he observed, he conversed in low tones with the two deputy examiners beside him.

"The annual examination spans two days. I trust you gentlemen will maintain your vigilance, and let no malicious elements find an opportunity to exploit."

"The Grand Academic Governor may rest easy..."

Ma Shuhan held total command as the chief examiner, while the two deputies divided their duties between the external and internal domains.

The external deputy was responsible for patrolling the grounds to prevent cheating.

The internal deputy was to deliberate with Ma Shuhan regarding the examination topics and the grading of excellence.

Chen Yi observed for a brief moment, catching faint echoes of their voices, before withdrawing his gaze and silently advancing with the queue.

In the days prior, while Liu Hong was yet alive, he had been constantly plotting the affairs of this annual examination alongside Ma Shuhan.

It was likely intended to alter the regulations of the exam to win over the great aristocratic clans of Shuzhou, while simultaneously suppressing the scholars of certain lesser families and humble origins.

From the fact that Ma Shuhan had not been taken away by the White Tiger Guard, one could deduce that his collusion with Liu Hong bore no suspicion of treason or collaboration with the enemy.

Reflecting upon it carefully.

Liu Hong’s maneuvers were presumably meant to counter the situation once the plight of the refugees worsened, intending to use the retainers and guards of the grand clans to garrison the prefectural city.

Moreover, he could have leveraged that power to eradicate all dissidents amidst the chaos.

It was only that...

"No matter how grand the scheme, it still requires capable hands to execute it. He, or those around him, were simply too weak."

Judging characters by outcomes alone was a luxury Chen Yi could well afford to indulge in.

Yet, had he refrained from intervening, Liu Jiunan, Du Cang, the Jizhou Merchant House, the Five Poisons Sect, and their cohorts would have sufficed to plunge the entirety of Shuzhou into absolute chaos.

—Liu Hong, after all, held no shortage of cards in his hand.

Before long, Chen Yi arrived outside the gates of the examination grounds, placing his academic basket upon the table for the two awaiting constables to inspect.

Chen Yunfan had spotted Chen Yi from afar, and seeing him approach now, he offered a warm, easy smile.

"Brother Yi, it is merely the annual examination, there is no need to overexert yourself."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Brother, you seemed rather worried before that I might fail."

"Did I ever say such a thing? Haha, you must have misremembered, Brother Yi."

Even as Chen Yunfan jested, his tone turned strict as he commanded the constables to search thoroughly, flipping through every single scroll and text.

To his dismay, Chen Yi’s basket contained not a single book, holding nothing but brushes, ink, paper, an inkstone, and a scattering of fruits and pastries.

Knowing full well that Chen Yi was incapable of smuggling illicit materials, Chen Yunfan used the pretense of inspection to surreptitiously filch two pieces of pastry.

Chen Yi laughed in spite of himself. "Brother, does the Tingyu Pavilion no longer provide you with meals?"

"Perhaps I ought to have Eldest Sister drop a word to Miss Cui later, lest you starve while on official duty."

Chen Yunfan shot him a displeased, sidelong glance, reached out to snatch two more pieces of pastry, and muttered through a full mouth that he talked too much.

"Get inside quickly, do not miss the hour."

Chen Yi was left between tears and laughter, utterly helpless against this unbridled brother of his; shaking his head, he lifted his basket and stepped into the examination grounds.

Li Huaigu nodded in greeting as Chen Yi passed, then turned his gaze toward Chen Yunfan, who was happily chewing away, and offered a helpless reminder.

"Lord Councilor, Lord Ma is watching us from the Provincial Administration Commission."

"Let him watch." Chen Yunfan finished the pastries in a few quick bites, patted his stomach, glanced at Ma Shuhan inside the grounds, and tilted his chin up with a touch of arrogance.

"That Lord Ma of ours speaks entirely of benevolence and morality, yet his belly is filled with nothing but wicked schemes."

Hearing this, Li Huaigu glanced back, only to meet Ma Shuhan’s staring eyes, and instantly felt the urge to slap his own mouth.

Why bother advising him? Those few extra words had cost him.

"Lord Councilor, Brother Yunfan, are you perhaps still hungry? I just recalled there are some osmanthus cakes over at the yamen, I shall fetch them for you at once."

Watching Li Huaigu scurry away in a panic, Chen Yunfan curled his lip in disdain, utterly indifferent to Ma Shuhan's glare as he turned back to inspect the next examinee's basket.

Though Ma Shuhan’s expression was dark and sinister, he merely glared at Chen Yunfan before letting the matter drop.

However, his gaze drifted, intentionally or otherwise, toward Chen Yi.

Chen Yi caught the movement of Ma Shuhan’s eyes and thought to himself that his brother would surely suffer a great loss because of that loose tongue sooner or later.

Then again.

Chen Yunfan had only recently received imperial rewards; though he had not been promoted in rank, no one would dare provoke him at such a juncture.

Furthermore, with Chen Xuanji now serving as one of the Nine Ministers, even if Ma Shuhan were given several times his current courage, he would still have to pretend to be deaf.

As for whether Ma Shuhan would target him instead...

Chen Yi cared even less.

To him, the status of a scholar was merely a convenience to avoid certain awkward situations; beyond that, it held little use.

Lost in thought, Chen Yi followed the flow of the crowd to locate his assigned examination cell.

The entire annual examination grounds were divided into four rows of cells labeled Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding, each row containing over a hundred small compartments.

The conditions, however, were exceedingly rudimentary.

The cells were not only tightly packed together, but their interiors were incredibly cramped.

Aside from a single table and chair, there was absolutely nothing else, resembling a series of crude roadside tea stalls.

Chen Yi remained unbothered; upon reaching his cubicle, he sat obediently before the table, arranged his brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began to leisurely pour water and grind his ink.

Others, such as Ma Guan and Tang Ye, immediately pulled out small quilts to wrap around their legs.

They had no choice.

While the sun was blazing high, it was manageable, but once night fell and the cold wind drifted in, their frail physiques would certainly fail to endure it.

Soon, the hour of Chen arrived at its midpoint.

The main gates of the examination grounds were sealed shut, and a constable struck the bronze gong.

Clang.

Ma Shuhan stood up, smoothing the creases of his official robes, and spoke in a deep, resonant voice: "Today, the Shuzhou annual examination aims to verify whether you have all been diligent in your scholarly pursuits."

"I have two warnings for you: first, cheating will be rigorously prosecuted; second, clamor and wandering are strictly forbidden. Any violators shall be expelled from the grounds for minor offenses, and have their scholarly titles stripped for major ones!"

Seeing the scholars nod in assent, he waved his hand to signal the distribution of the examination papers.

Several constables carried chests behind Ma Shuhan and the other two examiners, handing out the papers one by one.

Seeing Ma Shuhan approach, Chen Yi stood up to receive the paper from his hands. Just as he was about to sit back down, Ma Shuhan suddenly spoke.

"Master Qingzhou, I have long heard of your literary fame. I hope you will try your utmost in this annual examination."

Chen Yi paused, looking at him, and replied, "I appreciate your concern, Lord Ma."

What his literary fame truly amounted to, he knew well enough within his own heart.

What puzzled him was why Ma Shuhan had fixed his gaze upon him.

Was it because of Master Yueming?

It shouldn't be.

When Ma Shuhan had previously invited Master Yueming to serve as the deputy examiner, Chen Yi had merely offered the master some advice without ever showing his face.

Ma Shuhan said no more, giving a slight nod before passing by the cell.

Chen Yi watched him walk away, withdrawing his gaze in quiet contemplation before temporarily pushing the doubt aside.

He was nothing more than an education commissioner; he could not influence him much.

After all, Chen Yi's current cultivation and techniques had already reached a formidable level; he possessed the means to ensure his own safety, granting him a measure of confidence to face those with ulterior motives.

Chen Yi then unfurled the examination paper, scanning the topics written upon it:

"Classic commentary, policy analysis, judicial verdicts, poetry and prose..."

Chen Yi instinctively glanced back toward Ma Shuhan, a subtle shift appearing in his eyes.

It was different.

This annual examination was entirely unlike any previous iteration held in Shuzhou.

In the past, there were usually only two sections—classic commentary and policy analysis.

This time, two new sections had been appended: judicial verdicts and poetry and prose.

Chen Yi did not know whether this was Ma Shuhan’s own proposal or a new policy from the capital, but it caught him somewhat by surprise.

He lowered his eyes and continued to read the questions.

"Meaning…"

"One who wears the crown bears the duty of bringing peace to the people, just as a craftsman's art lies in perfecting his tools. If the craftsman fails in his work, the materials and timber are ruined. If the ruler fails to settle his people, the foundation of the realm trembles."

"Query…"

"To the south lie barbarian tribes, to the north the wild cavalry. Our court desires to mobilize armies and weapons, whether to march southward or northward, how shall we decide? What benefits and drawbacks attend each path?"

"Divine judgment… judgment… hmm?"

Chen Yi's gaze suddenly snapped back to the querent, and in his mind clouds gathered and swirled like a tempest.

Upon the vast chessboard spanning the nine prefectures of the great Wei, several pieces suddenly leapt about in a flurry.

In the corners of the Shu prefecture, Jiangnan, the capital, and Guang-Yue, a faint black line connected them all, forming a suggestion of a mighty dragon.

Chen Yi fixed his eyes upon that query, murmuring softly to himself: "So that is how it is."

"Is that so? The great Wei dynasty wishes to raise an army to either campaign southward or battle to the north—therefore, the Shu prefecture, or rather the Xiao clan, must be the target of this stratagem…"

In an instant, he grasped the long-perplexing question of why the capital prefecture must specifically target the Xiao family.

For no other reason.

A weak and frail general, unfit for great endeavors.

The Xiao clan was in decline; the elder patriarch was gravely ill, and only Xiao Jinghong held the family together. Even the martial arts legacy would struggle to bear the weight of the great Wei's unprecedented grandeur and might.

Perhaps in the heart of the Sage Emperor, a more suitable candidate had already been chosen.

Thus, the Xiao family must make way for others.

"No wonder."

Chen Yi exhaled a long breath, his gaze shifting as he watched the returning figure of Ma Shuhan seated once more upon the high platform.

The query posed by Ma Shuhan, he feared, contained some misdirection.

If indeed Chen Yi's supposition was correct—if the Sage Emperor's desire for war was a secret even within secrets, how could it be set as a civil service examination question?

Unless…

Chen Yi recalled the Emperor's edict to Xiao Elder Patriarch from the previous day, and the whispered words he had heard from Xiao Wanyuer, and suddenly perceived it with growing clarity.

"By cutting out the roots of Liu Hong and toppling the Liu clan of Jingzhou, the Xiao family can remain secure. Let Chen Xuanji serve as the military inspector…"

"The campaigns to the south and north must already have their outcomes determined…"

What those outcomes were, needed no words to explain.

A chill crept up Chen Yi's spine, only to be quickly dispelled.

He smiled grimly to himself: "Who would have thought that by mere chance, I have unwittingly averted a grave crisis for the Xiao family."

Should Shu prefecture fall into chaos, and the Xiao family be eliminated, a new contender for the title of Marshal would arise at once.

As for who that marshal might be…

Chen Yi glanced beyond the examination hall and could still hear the muffled voices of Chen Yunfan outside.

"...Your honor, how dare you offer me such refuse to eat?"

"Cake, big scallion—here in Shu prefecture, not in Yun prefecture."

"Come, let's find a place to eat now that the examination has just begun. I'll treat you to a meal..."

(Chapter Complete)