Chapter 176: Everyone Happy

"No, no, absolutely not."

"Just once, just this once, and never again."

"Truly not possible. If I do this, I won't be pure anymore. What difference would there be between me and those shameless people?"

"What does it matter? Anyway, this sort of thing is just that sort of thing. Endure it a bit and it'll be fine."

In his own study, Fang Chongyong looked with a strange expression at Li Kui, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, finding it very odd that this "cousin" from Wang Yunxiu's family was refusing his proposal.

The Tang dynasty's imperial examinations—let's just say those who understand, understand. Without backing to help you, it was absolutely impossible to pass.

But having backing didn't guarantee it either, because there were also exchanges of interests between backers. How to weigh and choose between them was a great science in itself.

At this point, it came down to the candidate's own ability. Whether it was genuine talent or tricks outside the rules, you had to know at least a little of both.

So these imperial examinations—you could say they were unfair, and indeed from top to bottom it was all scheming; but from a certain angle, they were also extremely "fair," conforming to the competitive rules of the feudal era. Backing and family background were also part of one's own strength.

"Actually, my doing this is also helping you. After all, you're also a cousin of my wife's family."

Fang Chongyong said with an inscrutable expression.

"Brother-in-law, stop playing. You go take the imperial examination—passing would be a sure thing. You've already been an Inspector; if you didn't pass, the court would lose all face, and the examination system might undergo a major overhaul. You're going to play a whole crowd of people to death!"

Li Kui smiled bitterly and pleaded.

If Fang Chongyong said he could pass, even place first as the top scholar, Li Kui would believe it without a doubt.

Based on the other party's past credentials, imperial favor, and family background, unquestionably no one could compete with him. Even if he didn't pass, the Sage Emperor would only need to ask one question to immediately "correct" the result.

It was just that—not even showing up to take the exam yourself and finding someone to take it for you—wasn't that a bit too arrogant?

"I'm not playing. Tomorrow you take the exam in my place. As long as I can place as the top scholar, those examiners will all know your backing is formidable. Next year's imperial examination, your passing will be as easy as flipping your hand."

Fang Chongyong said with great certainty. These words struck directly at Li Kui's sore spot from years of taking the exams: he was already on the imperial examination blacklist. Before being "whitewashed," he could never pass.

As for why Li Kui was on the blacklist, that was naturally because back then he had carried coffins for the three unlucky souls when Brother Ji "killed three sons in a single day."

And this time, serving as a "ringer" to take the imperial examination for Fang Chongyong, as long as he could place as the top scholar, then all the examiners and officials in the circles of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel would know this person had imperial favor, and his chances of passing next time would be very high.

Hearing this, Li Kui also fell into deep thought. He certainly knew that his bad luck in recent years was not because he couldn't pass the exam, but because some people still clung to the "old almanac," believing he was detested by the Sage Emperor and deliberately denying him opportunities.

"Will it really be fine?"

Li Kui asked doubtfully.

Right now he was like a respectable woman on the verge of being dragged into the water—already seated at the edge of the bed, still asking the adulterer whether he had any contagious diseases.

"Truer than true. The Sage Emperor's golden mouth and jade words said I would definitely pass."

Fang Chongyong said in a lowered voice.

Li Kui was overjoyed—this time it was truly as certain as could be!

"Then... what if the examiners ask questions?" Li Kui still asked with some unease.

"As long as you're not embarrassed, the ones embarrassed will be others."

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily and said.

Li Kui nodded, accepting this "errand." He knew very well that once you pass this village, you won't find this inn again; power not used expires and goes to waste. If you don't do things for others, why would others give you a push during the imperial examinations?

No matter what Fang Chongyong's plans were, he had served as Inspector, was highly favored by the Sage Emperor, and his father Fang Youde was a Military Commissioner—none of this would change anytime soon. Making use of this layer of connections to climb upward quickly was the right way to go.

"Relax, just go take the exam steadily. Believe me, not many candidates will recognize me."

Fang Chongyong suddenly recalled that when he served as Left Jinwu Guard General of the Household, he seemed to have shown his face before a large crowd of examination candidates. But those people probably wouldn't imagine that a former Inspector, a former Left Jinwu Guard General of the Household, was also going to take the imperial examination, right?

"Relax, it's all small matters, small matters."

Fang Chongyong gently patted Li Kui's shoulder and said.

……

The location of the imperial examination in the early Tang dynasty was the Department of State Affairs, with results posted at the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Imperial City. From the twenty-fourth year of the Kaiyuan era onward, to strengthen management of the imperial examinations, the court first established the Gongyuan within the Ministry of Rites, overseeing matters related to examination registration, testing, and posting of results, with its own official seal.

This was considered a strengthening of the imperial examination system.

The Gongyuan was located south of the Department of State Affairs in the northeast of Chang'an's Imperial City, facing south, enclosed outside by thorn hedges.

That morning, the Vermilion Bird Gate, located at the exact center of the south side of the Imperial City and facing Vermilion Bird Avenue, slowly opened. All candidates whose identities had been verified quietly entered in sequence. Half a shi later, the great gates of the Gongyuan would open, and this year's specially added "non-standard imperial examination" would also be held here.

"Strange, why haven't I seen Fang..."

Du Fu, seated in a wheelchair, stalled mid-sentence, not knowing what to call Fang Chongyong.

Lord Fang?

Fang Chongyong was no longer an Inspector.

General Fang?

Fang Chongyong was also no longer a Jinwu Guard General of the Household.

Brother Fang?

That seemed slightly too forward and frivolous, not quite respectful.

"It's Noble Fang."

Yuan Jie added.

"Yes, yes, yes, indeed Noble Fang."

A flush of excitement appeared on Du Fu's face. Whenever he recalled how his poem had "stunned the gathering" at the banquet hosted by the Right Chancellor that day, he felt that this imperial examination was absolutely foolproof!

Right Chancellor Li Linfu had even personally come to their table to offer a toast, and encouraged both Du Fu and Yuan Jie to "do well on the exam"—what this meant was already very clear.

Now, they too were candidates sheltered by powerful patrons, standing at the same starting line as others who had gone through the back door.

No—they were even slightly ahead by a step.

"Hm, Fang Chongyong, right? Identity verified. Go on into the exam."

A middle-aged examiner in a red official robe said to Li Kui, who was wearing a brocade robe. This examiner had already looked over the "family record" handed over by the other party, which contained personal information, and had carefully "verified" it once.

The "family record" was issued by the Ministry of Rites after reviewing a candidate's personal circumstances, and included the candidate's name, age, native place, father's and grandfather's names, father's and grandfather's official positions, number of nominations, examination attempt number, physical appearance characteristics, and other contents.

It was equivalent to an "examination admission ticket."

Is this person Fang Chongyong?

Du Fu and Yuan Jie exchanged a glance; the man at the Gongyuan gate was not only a head shorter than Fang Chongyong, but the other differences were even greater.

This horse‑riding joke has gone too far!

Could it be someone impersonating him? What nerve to dare to take Fang Chongyong's place!

Both were puzzled, yet they observed silently from the side.

However, they soon saw another official in a red court robe stop "Fang Chongyong" and, with a stern face, say: "Hold it. You are not Fang Chongyong; you are Li Kui. You took the spring examination last year; I recognize you."

"Yan Zhenqing! Stop meddling; this is not the office of your Censorate, and you have no jurisdiction here!"

The examination official grew agitated, hurried forward, and pulled Yan Zhenqing aside, scolding him.

"Miao Jinqing, who gave you such audacity? A candidate impersonated you and you do nothing?"

Yan Zhenqing asked with a solemn expression.

He had been a Supervising Censor last year, overseeing the imperial examinations, and happened to know Li Kui.

But this year Yan Zhenqing was promoted, now serving as Palace Censor, responsible for monitoring illegal and irregular matters during court sessions.

For example, the emperor arriving late, not arriving, or leaving early; officials wearing incorrect court robes, their attire violating regulations; whispering and speaking out of turn after the audience begins, and so on. Though the duties seem weighty, the actual authority has been considerably curtailed!

And they have no authority over matters of the Gongyuan at all.

"I act according to my conscience; you have no jurisdiction. Leave immediately, or I will charge you with interfering in the examinations!"

Miao Jinqing threatened Yan Zhenqing.

"Fine, fine! You do have ability; then just wait and see."

Furious, Yan Zhenqing flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.

During the Saint's longevity banquet, he stayed inside for nine full days, attending each night, yet never found a chance to speak with the Saint; the atmosphere also made it inconvenient to impeach An Lushan for his rampage in Hebei.

Since Zhang Jiuling, no one in the central administration has been able to step forward and point out the Saint's mistakes; the court's principles have been deteriorating day by day.

Without Zhang Jiuling inside and without Fang Youde outside, the decay of the Great Tang bureaucracy is plainly visible. Both inside and out, they are all petty, self‑serving scum.

Now the offspring of nobles openly have gunmen take the exams for them! Such a shocking scandal has truly never been heard of in the more than a hundred years since the Tang dynasty was founded.

This is an extremely vile affair that fundamentally destroys the examination rules; it cannot be ignored.

Yan Zhenqing swore he would never tolerate or foster treachery!

Fang Youde wrote to Yan Zhenqing, saying he would probably not return to Chang'an until October or November.

In the letter, Fang Youde told Yan Zhenqing that a popular uprising had broken out around Yangzhou, and the local authorities were covering up the situation, causing the unrest to spread.

Meanwhile, all of the Tang empire's troops were stationed at border towns; the interior was militarily empty, with no weapons maintained and no troops to mobilize. Officials at every level apparently did not report the matter, waiting for the rebellion to quell itself.

He would return to Chang'an to report to the Saint after handling these affairs.

Fang Youde emphasized that he was pacifying the unrest while simultaneously gathering evidence, stationed in Yangzhou city.

He hoped Yan Zhenqing would keep the matter concealed for now, as he intended to eliminate a large number of court parasites later.

Yangzhou has been prosperous since ancient times; why would a popular uprising erupt there?

Yan Zhenqing was also at a loss to explain this, and in Chang'an he heard no rumors. Perhaps those people and Fang Youde had temporarily reached a consensus.

Fang Youde organized and trained troops to quell the rebellion, keeping the incident hidden.

"In such a flourishing age, how could such a bizarre incident occur? Yangzhou, the land of fish and rice, lacks nothing; you can even pick up money on the road—how could there be rebellious citizens?"

Yan Zhenqing sighed repeatedly while lamenting.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, recalling the name he had just heard.

"Fang Chongyong!"

Yan Zhenqing hurried back to the Gongyuan entrance and saw the wall plastered with countless sheets listing the names of examinees for this session. After searching for a long time, he finally spotted the three characters "Fang Chongyong" in an inconspicuous spot at the bottom.

"Th‑this… this is!"

The usually composed Yan Zhenqing could not keep his calm expression any longer!

He knew, of course, that Fang Chongyong was the son of Jiedushi Fang, quite capable, having served as the prefect of Ganzhou at a young age, then as the prefect of Shazhou in Hexi for four years, and later as a middle‑ranking General of the Jinwu Guard back in Chang'an.

His future was boundlessly promising!

Why did he appear on the Gongyuan examination list!

Yan Zhenqing was startled.

A person so young yet with such a rich official career—already a fourth‑rank prefect and a middle‑rank Jinwu Guard general—actually came back to sit the examinations!

What was worse, he had someone take the exam for him!

What kind of scheme was this, exactly?

If such an experienced official failed the examinations, does that not prove that the imperial exam system itself is unfair and unreasonable, incapable of selecting suitable officials?

As Yan Zhenqing walked, he considered this angle and suddenly realized it would be better not to lodge a complaint with the emperor.

Having entered the Jinshi list in the twenty‑second year of the Kaiyuan era (734 AD), Yan Zhenqing, both from his background and his own convictions, should resolutely uphold the examination system!

If Fang Chongyong fails this time, officials of privileged backgrounds will surely use it as an excuse to launch a massive attack on the examination system!

That would not be a trivial matter!

Yan Zhenqing began to understand why Fang Chongyong sought a long‑time examinee to take the test for him. This veil of shame truly could not be lifted!

What the examinations test bears no necessary link to the ability to govern. People of Jinshi background all tacitly acknowledge this.

Historically, it was not until the mid‑late Tang, when Li Deyu served as chancellor, that someone openly denounced the examination system as useless, saying it could not select talent and that the tested material, once passed, was never used again.

Clearly aware that this person hired a gunman to take the exam, and that it was blatant cheating, yet for reasons of circumstance, principle, and law, they felt compelled to cover it up!

After grasping this episode, Yan Zhenqing felt his world turned upside down, his three views shattered!

"Alas, how did it come to this."

He couldn't help but sigh.

Fang Chongyong may have the talent for officialdom, but once he sits the examinations, his lack of exam skill will be exposed. And since he is bound to pass, what result would arise when others compare his paper?

Thinking that way, Yan Zhenqing suddenly realized that Fang Chongyong was rather "sensible". Yan Zhenqing knows that Li Kui indeed has some talent; at least he marked his test paper as first place, which would not raise any dispute.

The court had no dispute, the examinees had no dispute, and he calmly succeeded and became a jinshi; isn't this ending a "everyone is happy" scenario?

"Just that."

Yan Zhenqing shook his head in disappointment; the lofty ambitions he had when he first passed the imperial examination were blown away by wind and rain. Now he has also learned to refrain from doing useless things at times.

(End of chapter)