Chapter 22 (1/2)

Magistrate's Office

The door opened as two lanterns flanked it The huge door wasfearsome

Thirty three Ele froh, others looked deep in thought Pei Zi Yun looked around as he too walked through the door, ”Ma Ji was ranked third in the first band”

”Co in second place was the same person who took the second spot at the dinner banquet His name was Chen Nan”

This youth had a graceful and elegant deht: I do not have any Dao Powers, and I'hteous or evil However, I around

The person who topped the examinations was a thirty year old Scholars, who looked unfa placed third in the second band

Being a s of the I the ability to write an essay that could impress the examiners, without the Imperial Qi was admittedly, quite a feat

The I a sect, the I Eleh Scholar status was possible However, once sos of Imperial Qi When this happens, it'll be difficult to become an Eleh Scholar Pei Zi Yun looked down and saw a huge hall before him

Of the first band, there were two people standing right in front The second band arranged themselves in three rows of three people

A high pitched voice screamed out, ”The standards of this current exaroup of Eleistrate and officials

Following the lead of the person in front, all the Elementary Scholars behind knelt down and prostrated then of respect This was done to thank the country for the opportunity given to them, and also to establish the teacher-students dynamics These were all rules and traditions

”Pay your respects to the Minister of education!”

The group of Scholars touched their head to the floor once more

”Pay your respects to your respective teachers!”

After the third tiround, they stood up The chief official was save a speech to the Scholars The speech involved telling the Scholars to continue their good work and remain conscientious

The speech given by the chief official was fairly siiven by the Minister of education, which was very simple as well After the speech had ended, music was played as the Elementary Scholars were led into a banquet The processions all followed customary practices and thus was expected by all

When the banquet had begun, the chief official did not say anything as everyone took turns to meet the Minister of education

For the first three Eleive The sahtly more critiques about their work

When Pei Zi Yun step forward, he noticed the Minister, Chief official and roo at him very intently The Minister asked several questions which Pei Zi Yun answered accurately and pro, ”You are only fifteen this year?”

”Yes!”

The Minister then said, ”It was hard to tell From your essay, I had assumed you were an old Elementary Scholar…”

It was clear that he had more to say, but stopped mid sentence He took looked at Pei Zi Yun as if to scrutinize him as Pei Zi Yun's heart fluttered about his chest He then forced a laugh and said, ”I came from a poor family, and thus learnt froe However, I have not learnt enough, and I seek your kind understanding”

The Minister then replied in a war in this examination, which was no easy feat I have seen your essays ood Since you've attain Eleracefulness and character (in writing)”

”Thank you for your guidance sir, this student will strive for excellence” Pei Zi Yun expressed his gratitude and laughed It was clear that the Minister felt a sense of o, which hy he had asked Pei ZI Yun to develop gracefulness

It see skills, he bore a sense of negativity and regret in his writing style, which did not settle too ith the exaed to become an Elementary Scholar

The rest of the time was spent without much words as the Ele to their respective villages There were so in the city for other reasons Pei Zi Yun decided to return to his village

Slow River County

Pei Zi Yun went back to the inn for a short rest before accoistrate and teacher At the end of their visit, the county's istrate said to theh our county is not thean Elementary Scholar entitles you to five mu of land And you are not liable for taxes up to ten mu of land”

(TL: Mu represents unit of measurement for land One mu is the equivalent of 1/15 a hectare)

Pei Zi Yun thanked hi except for a, ”yes” This was because Tang Zhen ell to do, and his family owns hundreds of mu in land He thus could not be bothered about these small amounts of land that became the entitlement of Elementary Scholars

As they stepped out of the county , and the as cold Tang Zhen laughed and said, ”Brother Pei, are you going to stay for a few days in the county?”

Pei Zi Yun paused before replying, ”No, brother Tang you carry on I have soe”

Tang Zhen did not insist and called for an oxcart and left as soon as the oxcart came around

Pei Zi Yun himself called for an oxcart and said, ”To the patrol office!”

The oxcart driver was surprised, seeing Pei Zi Yun dressed in his Eleed his request The drizzle remained small as the driver decided to take a less crowded road to avoid the crowds The sound of the cart sloshi+ng through mud could be heard

After some time, the oxcart stopped as the driver announced, ”We're here!”

Pei Zi Yun got off the cart and scanned his surroundings It looked like a sovernment office He paid the fare and proceeded towards to building

There were no guards outside the patrol office as Pei Zi Yun proceeded towards the door There was a huge sign on the door that read, ”Bullying people is like bullying heaven and earth Taking advantage of citizens is like taking advantage of the entire country”