Chapter 526 - 197: A Big Fight (3)
Chapter 526: Chapter 197: A Big Fight (3)
’One had to wonder if Gong Yuanxiu would still be smiling when the top scorer’s name was announced.’
But whether or not he could maintain his smile later, Gong Yuanxiu was beaming right now, the very picture of self-satisfaction.
Just then, a constable cried out in delight, "Found it! The exam from the South Examination Hall, Earth-character section, number three hundred seventy-nine."
Gong Yuanxiu hurried forward, his movements so nimble they were a world apart from the man moments ago who was drenched in sweat and seemed to struggle with every step.
"Let me, let me. This is our new top scorer’s exam paper. I will unseal it myself."
Gong Yuanxiu eagerly took the paper and went to a nearby desk. At this point, a few other magistrates, also curious about the top scorer’s identity, gathered around.
As Gong Yuanxiu unsealed the paper, he said to the crowd with a smile, "The top scorer’s essay is deeply moving. Truly, it’s the most praiseworthy piece I’ve read in years. This young man is a phoenix heralding the dawn, destined to pluck the highest laurel. His name will surely echo through the heavens."
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Sheng Mingchuan sitting off to the side, still leisurely sipping his tea. His movements were slow and unhurried, as if he weren’t the least bit concerned that no one from his jurisdiction had placed.
Gong Yuanxiu said considerately, "Mr. Sheng, are you feeling down?"
"Why would I be down?"
"Mr. Sheng, no need to deny it. I know what you’re thinking. The ’Lesser Triple Crown’ winner you held in such high regard didn’t place in the top ranks, so you must be feeling terrible. But rest assured, what I said earlier was just a jest. Everyone stumbles sometimes. I’ll just assume that Zhao Jing was unwell during the exam, which is why he failed to place. Don’t worry, I won’t speak ill of you before His Majesty."
Sheng Mingchuan chuckled, then stood up and walked over. "Mr. Gong, you mean well, but unfortunately, I’ve always been one to not appreciate good intentions. If you wish to file a complaint with the Emperor, feel free to do so. It’s just... heheh, I’m afraid you won’t be able to this time!"
Sheng Mingchuan picked up the unsealed exam paper. Looking at the four words at the top, he burst out laughing. "Xinghuai Prefecture, Zhao Jing! HAHAHAHA! Mr. Gong, you’ve chosen an excellent top scorer! He is truly worthy of the title, a well-deserved honor."
Gong Yuanxiu’s heart sank. He snatched the paper back like a madman. "Where did this Zhao Jing come from? The top scorer is clearly Tao Yanxun..."
The name Tao Yanxun had barely left his lips when Gong Yuanxiu saw the four words at the top of the page—none other than "Xinghuai Prefecture, Zhao Jing"!
Xinghuai Prefecture, Zhao Jing!
Gong Yuanxiu trembled all over, words tumbling out recklessly. "It had Tao Yanxun’s name on it just a moment ago! How did it change to Zhao Jing in the blink of an eye? Mr. Sheng, are you practicing witchcraft? You must be! You used sorcery to steal another’s accomplishment for a student from your own jurisdiction! You are a disgrace to all scholars!"
A gasp, followed by a burst of laughter, spread through the room. The other officials’ gazes toward Gong Yuanxiu turned strange.
’This man has little actual skill, but he’s certainly a master of baseless accusations.’
’Witchcraft, really? If Sheng Mingchuan truly had such powers, why would he waste them on stealing the top scorer’s position for a student? Wouldn’t it be better to bring his own eldest son back from the dead?’
The officials shook their heads and sat back down in their seats, watching as Gong Yuanxiu was about to get what he deserved.
Sheng Mingchuan was not a magnanimous man. Having offended him so badly, Gong Yuanxiu was not going to get off easy, even if he was the chief examiner.
Sure enough, the officials had barely sat down when they heard a loud BANG. Sheng Mingchuan had grabbed Gong Yuanxiu’s head and slammed it onto the table.
Gong Yuanxiu shrieked for help, screaming at Sheng Mingchuan, "I am the chief examiner personally appointed by His Majesty! If you dare to kill me, His Majesty will never let you go!"
Sheng Mingchuan’s face was taut, his eyes dark as he stared at him. He was clearly an old man, his arms and legs seemingly feeble—not much better off than Mr. Zhou. Yet, he somehow possessed a surprising amount of strength, pinning Gong Yuanxiu with just one hand, making it impossible for him to struggle free.
"Kill you? I’d be afraid of dirtying my hands! The nerve of you! Coming here to throw your weight around under my very nose. You should have asked around about who I am! When I was making waves at court, you were still playing with mud and piss!"
Sheng Mingchuan shoved Gong Yuanxiu away. Gong Yuanxiu staggered and barely managed to stay on his feet by grabbing the table.
But having narrowly escaped, he still refused to back down. He just kept wailing, "The top scorer isn’t Zhao Jing, it’s Tao Yanxun! I’ve seen it! His exam paper is far superior to all the others! Where is Tao Yanxun’s paper? Bring it here, show it to everyone!"
Like a madman, he began rummaging through the few remaining papers, searching for Tao Yanxun’s exam and throwing the organized pile into disarray. Some papers FLUTTERED to the ground, getting crumpled and bent out of shape.
The two deputy examiners, Xu Yanlin and Yuan Shixin, could not watch any longer.
They hurried forward. One pulled Gong Yuanxiu back while the other, with the help of the constables, quickly gathered the papers from the floor.
The court had a policy allowing failed candidates to retrieve their exam papers by presenting their exam ticket.
If one of the papers that had fallen on the floor happened to belong to a failed candidate, and they got it back to see it crumpled and dirty, wouldn’t they jump to some unpleasant conclusions?
The policy of returning papers was intended to appease the failed candidates. If they felt the examiners had graded them unfairly, they could file an appeal with the Ministry of Personnel.
It would be a huge embarrassment if a candidate didn’t appeal because of their score, but because their exam paper wasn’t treated with the proper respect.