Chapter 87: Undercurrent (1/2)
Chapter 87: Undercurrent
Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations
…
It was a hazy and rainy dawn.
A layer of faint mist lightly enveloped the River of Trust Capital, like a lady just out from the shower, emanating an otherworldly sense of beauty.
The capital examination was, as usual, split into the theory examination and combat examination. But what was different from the county examination was that this time, the capital examination had some changes. There was only one round of theory examination, and hence whoever was leaving would be determined by just one round of theory examination.
It was rather cruel.
But, to those who could travel great distances to the River of Trust, this cruel reality was rather insignificant.
Definitely, there were always exceptions. For example, at this moment, Li Zhuangshi was rather gloomy. Staring at the dense mass of scholars participating in the River of Trust Capital at the capital office, he didn't even have the mood to try anymore.
Can it not be so extreme?
It's just a capital examination, why are there so many people?
The Great Xia Dynasty had set clear rules for the Law of Dao examinations. The number of people accepted every capital's Law of Dao examination was fixed. No matter how many people were in the capital, the final name list of accepted people would remain the same.
Hence, the consequences were simple. The more people participating in the capital examination, the lower the chances of being accepted.
Eight years…
Li Zhuangshi exclaimed that Heavens was messing with him. He had prepared for eight years, and used two years to pass the county examination of the Law of Dao examination. After being flushed with success, he then failed two times in the capital examination.
It could be said that he had fallen into a deep ravine in an instant.
And this year, was the last year of the eight years he had, and was the year that Li Zhuangshi believed he had the most confidence.
Yet, why did such a thing just had to happen?
He wasn't satisfied, he really wasn't satisfied. Gazing at the indistinct yet fine drops of rain falling from the skies, Li Zhuangshi's hand instinctively felt a letter in his pocket.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
”I'm sorry!” At this moment, Li Zhuangshi seemed to have made a very difficult decision.
…
As time passed, the number of scholars gathered in the River of Trust Capital office became more and more, not at all affected by the drizzling rain. Instead, it surged a sense of enthusiasm in the scholars.
Everybody were discussing spiritedly about what questions would come out in this theory examination, and also guessed what kind of rankings would result from this time's theory examination.
”The capital examination questions had always been very tough, furthermore, there always would be a complete recitation of text from the Law of Dao! The three thousand volumes of the Law of Dao, how many people on this world would be able to recite it completely? It has to depend on luck.”
”Even though luck plays a part, but true ability is the most important! The recitation of the Law of Dao only brings out the question, the main point is still the usage and understanding of the Law of Dao!”
”Who do you think this time's theory examination Roll Champion would be?”
”Does that even need any guessing? Hua Kangan's ability is the strongest, number twenty in the Hidden Dragon Roll and with the Star Conglomerate Enlightenment State, and at the same time ranked in the Rising Dragon Roll! But discussing about the theory examination, I instead seem to believe that it would be Zhang Hetong!”
”I also believe that it would be Zhang Hetong. The Zhang family had been involved in the government all along and is a family with literary reputation. Furthermore, I heard that he had been personally praised by the Chief Examiner in the county examinations, and his comments were ”Outstanding literary talent”!”
”What do you all think about Fang Zhengzhi? I heard that he had attained Roll Champion in the Huai An County! And, seems like it was full marks…”
”Fang Zhengzhi? Full marks? Ha ha ha… who had ever seen his examination paper before? Only Heavens would know how he had gotten this full mark. I only heard that he reported this opponent called Meng Yushu, and barely made it to the First-Class Roll in the first round. Such a theory examination Roll Champion is nothing more than a frog in the well!”
”Ha ha ha… Brother Chen's wise observations, I indeed agree!”
…
As the crowd discussed, two people approached slowly from afar.
One was dressed in brocade clothes, holding a Golden Bone Silver Thread Fan, his expression cold as ice. The other wore a slight smile on his face, wearing a blue robe that danced lightly in the drizzling rain.