Chapter 198: Please, My Lord, Make the Decision!

The silence lasted for a long time.

Zhao Wenshan's impassioned statement immediately stirred up a commotion both on and off the platform.

During this time, various discussions broke out: "Didn't they say he was going to accuse that lackey Han San? How come he's helping him speak instead?"

"Yeah, what exactly is this guy up to?"

"It's getting more and more chaotic, more and more chaotic. I'm afraid this guy is going to become completely famous now," someone said with a pout and a sour tone.

"."

On the high platform, Zhao Wenshan's body trembled slightly; he straightened his upper body and looked directly at Lu Shude.

He saw that the Governor had a dark, gloomy face, his brows knitted into a large knot, and his pitch-black eyes were filled with anger.

A trace of bitterness welled up in Zhao Wenshan's heart, but he knew that once the bow was drawn, there was no turning back.

Since he had chosen to do this, he could only walk this path to the end.

So, he gritted his teeth, suppressed the cowardice in his heart, and loudly proclaimed again: "The student has finished stating his grievances; I humbly request the Governor to judge clearly!"

Having said this, he crawled forward on his knees and handed the petition, covered in bloody handprints, to Lu Shude's desk.

Lu Shude's gaze was icy as he glared fiercely at Zhao Wenshan.

He had spent his whole life hunting geese, only to have his eyes pecked out by a sparrow in the end. And he had even made such bold, boastful remarks beforehand.

Yet he could do nothing to this Zhao Wenshan.

Just as his blood was boiling, Zhang Chucheng, who was standing to the side, stood up and said sternly: "Do not worry! The Governor acts on behalf of the Emperor to oversee the heavens. If the Kong Family truly has committed such illicit acts, the Governor will certainly secure justice for the people of Qufu!"

"Right, Governor Lu?"

"Ah, yes!" Lu Shude replied with a trembling voice, sweat beading on his forehead.

The assembly dispersed amidst crowding and cursing.

Following Zhao Wenshan's disclosure, two camps quickly formed among the Scholars.

One faction believed: Even if a prince breaks the law, he is punished the same as a commoner; since the Kong Family are the descendants of Confucius, they should naturally be a model for the Scholars of the world.

Who would have thought they would do such filthy things.

They must be strictly investigated!

The other faction believed: The Kong Family is large and wealthy, with so many people, it is hard to guarantee that a few scoundrels won't appear. This matter can be big or small; just rooting out those few moles is enough to remove a pest.

The two sides argued incessantly.

On the streets, in teahouses, and in wine shops, one could see Scholars rolling up their sleeves and talking loudly everywhere.

Overnight, the autumn bleakness of Jinan City was mostly dispersed by the noise.

As the person involved in this matter, Zhao Wenshan looked pale, sitting upright on a chair in the small hall of his residence.

Opposite him, Han San wore a smile, staring straight at him.

An eerie, quiet atmosphere spread between the two.

"Official..." Feeling unnerved by this gaze, Zhao Wenshan was the first to break the deadlock: "I have finished this matter; as for the rest, I am just a small person, I fear I cannot help you further, Official."

"You are no longer a small person now," Han San grinned, teasing half-jokingly and half-seriously, "You accused the Kong Family in front of so many people; you are now famous throughout the world."

"Official." Zhao Wenshan raised his eyes and called out timidly.

"Enough, I promised to protect you, so I will naturally protect you," Han San waved his hand, cutting off Zhao Wenshan's plea.

This matter is not over yet. It should be said that, up to this point, it has only just begun. Han San was quite satisfied with Zhao Wenshan's recent performance.

This guy's acting was really not bad.

Originally, he, Han San, wouldn't even look twice at such a powerless, low-ranking Scholar. But since the two had met like this, it meant they had a connection, and furthermore, Zhang Yunxiu had plans in Songjiang.

He was happy to bestow a stroke of fortune upon this guy.

Based on this consideration, Han San revealed the matter today: "After this is over, you can go to Songjiang Prefecture to take the examination again; as long as you pass, you can become an official or a Junior Official."

"Official... the Provincial Examination has long since ended," Zhao Wenshan was stunned, then replied.

Moreover, he had barely passed the Child Examination; he had no confidence in the Provincial Examination, so how could he talk about becoming an official?

"It is not the Provincial Examination," Han San knew he had doubts, so he patiently explained, "This examination mainly recruits Junior Officials, though there are also officials with ranks. Once you pass the assessment, you can take office immediately."

Hearing the words "Junior Official," Zhao Wenshan could not help but feel disgust in his heart.

Those Junior Officials were all of the lowest class, only fit for rude brutes and hooligans. Even at his worst, he was still a Scholar; to become some sort of Junior Official, wouldn't that lower his status? However, hindered by Han San's presence, he could not show it, so he just replied sheepishly: "I am a native of Shandong; if I were to be a Junior Official, I could do it in Jinan Prefecture. Why must I go all the way to Songjiang Prefecture to take the exam?"

Han San heard the dissatisfaction in his words, licked his lips, and explained with a different approach: "Let's put it this way: the Junior Officials in Songjiang Prefecture are supported by the imperial court, and they are properly entered into the Ministry of Personnel's register."

"In the future, when it comes to assessments and promotions, these Junior Officials are also included."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenshan's eyes widened.

"How is this possible?"

"Why is it impossible?"

"There are so many Junior Officials in this world; if the imperial court were to support them all, how much more would the expenses be?"

"Hehe... I find it strange; before, when the imperial court didn't support these Junior Officials, how did they live?" Han San met Zhao Wenshan's gaze and then sneered, "Didn't they do the same thing, scraping the marrow from the bones of the people, wishing they could squeeze oil out of the very bones?"

Zhao Wenshan nodded slightly, tacitly agreeing.

He came from a poor background, relying on a few thin acres of land at home and a small grocery store to support his studies.

Because of this grocery store, he had often been extorted by the Lictors in black robes.

Anyway, no matter who it was, as long as they wore an official uniform.

He had to treat them like the King of Hell.

Seeing him agree, Han San continued: "Of course, even with the selection of Junior Officials, corruption is still unavoidable. But it will be better overall, and there is another benefit to this."

"What benefit?"

"Giving those Scholars another path to take, so they don't spend their whole lives buried in books, becoming bookworms!"

Hearing this, Zhao Wenshan's cheeks flushed red.

He is already twenty-seven years old this year.

It was only last year that he barely managed to earn the scholarly title of Cultivated Talent; as for becoming an official, that is a distant and uncertain prospect.

"If this Junior Official could become an official himself and collect a salary from the imperial court, then finding a way to advance his career later would also be quite good." After weighing the pros and cons in his heart, Zhao Wenshan secretly made up his mind.

"Alright, you rest here for now. I have assigned a guard to you; if you need anything, just tell him." Seeing that the message had been delivered, Han San turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he suddenly turned back to remind him, "Oh, that's right, make sure you don't go out."

"You are a big celebrity now."

Zhao Wenshan nodded solemnly and stood up to see Han San to the porch.

Not until he saw with his own eyes that he had walked out the front gate did he turn around and head back into the small hall.

(End of this chapter)