Chapter 266 (1/2)

Chapter 266: Four birds with one stone

This was quite the plot twist.

Initially, no one had thought much about Fang Zhengzhi’s challenge against Chi Guyan. After all, the difference between rank 1 and 53 was too great.

However...

Now that he was in the top 10... things were slightly different.

Furthermore, according to eyewitnesses, the battle was not as intense as imagined. After a few rounds, Yu Wengu was defeated.

Many of those who were not as powerful as Yu Wengu began to worry.

They had no qualms about schooling someone of lower ability than them. However, if this man was powerful enough to rank in the top 10 of the Rising Dragon Roll...

Who would be this m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.tic?

No one was a fool.

Inside the capital, carriages stopped in front of the Crown Prince’s residence every so often.

Inside the residence, all of the officials sat around drinking tea. They discussed various political issues, but no one discussed Fang Zhengzhi.

Before long, the Crown Prince walked out from the throne room, accompanied by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.

”Forget the pleasantries, just tell me what you think of the court examinations!” The Crown Prince began toying with a piece of jade as he took his seat.

His gaze scanned across all of the gathered officials. His expression was gentle, but his eyes glimmered subtly.

Yu Yiping took his seat right at the front, but he did not speak.

”Your highness, I have an insignificant opinion.” A rank four official, about 28 years old, stood up and walked to the middle of the room.

”Go ahead.” The Crown Prince glanced at him, then commanded.

In the imperial courts, any 28 year old who could make it to a rank four official was quite the powerful individual. However, in the residence of the Crown Prince, he was just a plankton.

There were other higher ranked officials ahead of him. Some of them were even rank one...

As such, when this youth stepped out, all of the officials glanced at him with disdain. Some other even shook their heads and sighed.

”Young man, know your place!”

”Forget it, give the young man a chance.”

Many of the officials sighed under their breaths. Then, they looked around and discussed some political matters.

”The emperor traditionally sets the questions for the imperial examinations. He will also be the chief examiner for them. History tells us that the emperor’s questions tend to be more practical in nature. As such, I was thinking... why don’t we take this chance to kill four birds with one stone.”

The youth’s gaze was calm. He bowed and said every word deliberately and slowly, ignoring the gazes of those around him.

”Oh? Four birds with one stone? Please elaborate!” The Crown Prince was slightly moved and he adjusted himself in his seat.

All of the other officials looked on in scorn. It was good for a young man to have confidence, but promising four birds with one stone was a little overboard.

”Yes your highness. The first one is to help allay the worry of the emperor. The emperor worries about country, citizens, and his empire. Even though the court examinations are important, it is nowhere near as important as any of those other concerns. Ever since Xing Hou’s return from Cang Ling Mountain, the emperor is most concerned with the border territories!” The youth elaborated.

”What is your name? What is your current position?” The Crown Prince began to take this man seriously.

This was not a good question to ask, and it should never have been asked by the Crown Prince. Even though the youth was quite low ranking, he was one of the Crown Prince’s officials.

To not know the name of one’s officials was nothing to be proud of.

However, the Crown Prince asked it anyways. Furthermore, when the youth heard the question, he beamed.

When the scornful officials heard the Crown Prince’s question, their eyes revealed shades of jealousy.

The mind of the emperor.

It did not matter if he knew your name right now.

It mattered if he would remember your name in the future. Since the Crown Prince had asked for his name in the presence of so many officials, he would not ask ever again.

In other words, this man’s name will be etched in the Crown Prince’s mind from this day on.

Similarly, this youth’s name will be remembered by all of the officials.

”Your highness, I am Su Qing. I am currently a messenger in the Imperial Academy, and I pen letters!” Su Qing bowed once again.

”Su Qing? You do surpa.s.s your teacher, mm, not bad!” The Crown Prince nodded.

”Your highness, official Su was ranked second in the imperial examinations four years ago!” One of the aides by the Crown Prince’s side whispered.