Chapter 241: Escalation of Conflict

The entire crowd was in an uproar.

The Martial Scholar is actually a woman?

Where does this leave the faces of these grown men?

This is the Martial Examination!

Since ancient times, fighting in wars and killing enemies has always been a man's business.

Liu Zheng had also once said.

Women, please stay away from war.

However...

When Liu Zheng learned that this Xie Chan had taken the title of Martial Scholar with absolute, overwhelming superiority, he had actually hesitated. Logically speaking, the top scholar of this first Imperial Examination would surely be a high-ranking and powerful figure in Yanqi City in the future... To hand such an important position to a woman?

But he still intended to respect the facts.

"This..."

Now, it was Xie Chan's turn to be a bit incredulous.

This scoundrel, he actually didn't go back on his word?

What is she supposed to do now!

Could it be that she really has to serve as an official here in Yanqi?

"It's a broad?"

"How is that possible!"

"We don't believe it!"

Xiong Ao, this fellow, felt that as a grown man, being surpassed by a woman was simply a loss of face, and he immediately started making a scene.

Sure enough, once these words were out, the atmosphere of the entire venue changed.

If there really were a female Martial Scholar, wouldn't she be the future female general of this Yanqi City? At the thought of them, a bunch of grown men, having to listen to a woman—they who had never looked at women as anything—felt completely uneasy all over.

"We don't believe it!"

"How could this be!"

Xie Chan smiled faintly.

But Xiao Tao behind her would not have it; she stood out, glared, and scolded: "What is there not to believe? Just you lot, my young lady could take you down one by one with a single knife, without even breaking a sweat!"

Xiong Ao gave a cold laugh: "What big talk, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue..."

Who would have thought that before he even finished speaking.

A Flying Knife had already been thrown out by Xiao Tao. The speed of that small knife was extremely fast; even the battle-hardened Xiong Ao could not react in time, and his expression changed slightly.

Who would have thought that the Flying Knife merely grazed past his head.

Xiong Ao's high-tied hair instantly fell into a mess, long hair flowing, looking just like a butcher.

Xiao Tao couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh: "At this moment, how are you any different from that woman?"

The whole crowd burst into loud laughter.

"You, you, you..."

Xiong Ao was both ashamed and angry. What is wrong with him? Is the feng shui of these Western Regions wrong? First, he was smashed eight times by that Pei Qianyun, and that was one thing. Today, he was actually humiliated in public by a woman. But he also knew that if this young girl had harbored murderous intent toward him just now, he would have long since been decapitated!

The people in the crowd were also both amused and startled.

They laughed because this Xiong Ao hadn't had a single good day since coming to the Western Regions. They were startled because if even a mere maidservant had such outstanding skills, what about her young lady?

Qin Zhangfeng arrived at the scene at this time, and regarding everyone's questions, he laughed and said: "Everyone, Miss Xie's examination paper will be published tomorrow. If there is any cheating in the Protectorate's Imperial Examination, you are all welcome to report it!"

Only then did the crowd roar their agreement.

Since Qin Zhangfeng had said so, their suspicions were gone.

Making the papers public is also the best Method.

Qin Zhangfeng said loudly: "All those who have passed the examination, go home and rest for now. Three days later, the Young Master will select talent for use, and the notices of success, along with your official appointment letters, will be delivered to your homes!"

The crowd left in high spirits.

Those who passed were all guessing what kind of position they might obtain.

Those who did not pass also felt the joy and happiness of others, and decided in their hearts to come back and try again next year!

The Imperial Examination will be held once a year; they still have a chance!

"Outrageous, simply outrageous!"

Cui Gong was carried home by his own servants. Upon returning home, he still wore a look of indignation and raged: "This Governor Liu, he bullies me too much!"

Today.

He had become the biggest joke in Yanqi City. He went out in grand style, only to return in disappointment.

A slap in the face!

A massive slap in the face!

He was the dignified Clan Head of the Cui Family, and it would be no exaggeration to call him a contemporary literary giant. His reputation was extremely high, yet here in Yanqi, he hadn't even managed to secure a single official post?

Could it be that...

The selection criteria in this Yanqi are even stricter than those of the Longyan Dynasty?

Outrageous!

Outrageous!

He spat out a mouthful of old blood again, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes: "Quick, send a letter to Jinghua for me immediately. This Governor Liu's Imperial Examination system is a policy of deceiving the monarch! I must make him die a miserable death!"

"Yes, Master!"

The Protectorate.

Liu Zheng, Liu Dahao, Qingyang Shuo, and the others finally finished their work and looked at each other with a smile.

Qingyang Shuo could not help but praise: "Young Master, your Imperial Examination system will surely become famous throughout the world. I am thrice fortunate to have met such an enlightened master as you."

Liu Zheng hurriedly said modestly: "Sir, you flatter me too much. It is just that this Cui Gong..."

He looked at the Prince of Yong beside him.

The Prince of Yong smiled bitterly: "Young Master Liu, oh Young Master Liu, how do you expect me to put this... This Cui Gong is someone Minister Zhu specifically instructed to be taken care of..."

He sighed deeply: "Although your actions, Young Master, lean more toward our Noble Class, offending Zhu Zhen in this manner is truly unwise."

Liu Zheng sneered coldly: "That piece of dog-shit essay, patched together and full of empty, flowery language—what use is it? My Western Regions Protectorate needs true talent, not those who only know how to boast!"

"The Nine Provinces are vitalized by wind and thunder, it is a pity that ten thousand horses are all mute. I urge the Heavenly Lord to rouse himself, and recruit talent without sticking to one pattern!"

"Prince of Yong, since the Emperor has given me the decree to act as I see fit, then this Western Regions shall be run by me!"

The Prince of Yong smiled bitterly without end.

Just wait and see.

I fear this matter is far from over.

At this moment.

Zhu Zhen in Jinghua had also received the news.

Upon hearing the news that Cui Gong had failed the examination, his expression changed instantly, and he slammed the table and stood up: "What did you say? Cui Gong was actually not selected? He didn't even make the top one thousand?"

The servant nodded in panic: "Master, this Prefect Liu is truly too excessive! He has completely disregarded you!"

Zhu Zhen's eyes turned cold.

He was the current Minister of Personnel of the Longyan Dynasty, with power that swayed the court.

One of his concubines was from the Cui Family.

And she happened to be Cui Gong's daughter.

He had originally thought that by giving the Prince of Yong a heads-up, a mere Cui Gong should be easy to arrange. Although the conflict between the Noble Class and the Scholar-officials was deep, on the surface, they both belonged to the privileged class, so this small matter should logically have been fine.

Who would have thought...

Who would have thought!

This matter certainly could not have been obstructed by that cowardly old fox, the Prince of Yong; therefore, there was only one possibility.

It was that Prefect Liu!

He gave a cold laugh: "A fine Prefect Liu, does he truly think he is a meritorious official now? A novice in the officialdom dares to defy me, Zhu Zhen?"

Someone nearby said: "My Lord, it is said that Old Liu of the Hanlin Academy has already gone to see the Emperor to submit an Admonishment to adopt the Imperial Examination system..."

"What?"

Zhu Zhen's eyes darkened, and he gritted his teeth: "Bring me my clothes, I am entering the palace!"

"Yes!"

Hurriedly boarding his Horse Carriage, Zhu Zhen was burning with anxiety.

An Imperial Examination system truly made many people unable to sit still.

Because the Imperial Examination.

Was truly too subversive to tradition.

Even the Noble Class, who were close to Liu Zheng, openly opposed it. As for the Scholar-officials... logically, they should have supported the Imperial Examination. But for so many years, the Scholar-officials in the Longyan Dynasty had already become a fixed interest group; how could they be willing to let their own interests be carved up by those students from humble backgrounds?

Therefore.

No matter who they were, the civil and military officials of the Longyan Dynasty were all resisting the Imperial Examination.

It was just that the Scholar-officials did not resist as strongly as the Nobles.

So it was said.

Zhu Zhen believed that Liu Zheng was completely courting death!

Arriving at the Imperial Palace.

It was not as it used to be.

At the entrance of the Yangxin Hall, an elderly man with white hair, frail and aged, was kneeling; it was none other than the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Old Liu!

"Your Majesty, Liu Yu offers a death-defying Admonishment: reform the Imperial Examination system, and the Longyan Dynasty may continue for another thousand years!"

"Your Majesty..."

"The Nine Provinces are vitalized by wind and thunder, it is a pity that ten thousand horses are all mute. I urge the Heavenly Lord to rouse himself, and recruit talent without sticking to one pattern!"

"Prefect Liu, this is a Great Good!"

"Your Majesty, you must have the ambition to cleanse the world, step outside and see the decay of this Longyan Dynasty!"

At this time, it was already late autumn, the autumn wind was chilling, and the old man appeared lonely and helpless in the wind. Many people nearby were pointing at him.

The ministers were trying to persuade him.

The eunuchs were also trying to persuade him.

It was clear that Liu Yu had been here for a long time, but he had not received an audience with the Emperor. Thus, he knelt here to offer a death-defying Admonishment.

However...

As the things he said became more and more excessive and sharp, it had already startled quite a few people.

"Old Liu, Old Liu... please be careful with your words!"

"This, Old Liu, these words of yours..."

These people were all breaking into a cold sweat for Old Liu.

The Prince of Qin, who had arrived at the scene long ago, heard these words and also gave a cold laugh: "Are these words of Old Liu not saying that His Majesty lacks the wisdom to recognize talent? Presumptuous!"

"Deceiving the Emperor and defying the heavens!"

"Our vast Longyan Dynasty, in the hands of the Emperor, has just expanded its territory, yet you describe it as rotten and unbearable?"

"What exactly is your intention!"

The Noble Class were all attacking with words and pens on the side.

At this moment, Zhu Zhen also walked over and chuckled, "Old Liu, you are the Imperial Tutor, the North Star of the literary world, who has always been fair and uninvolved in court affairs, yet you praise a young junior so highly, could it be..."

"Is it that Old Liu's granddaughter has been promised in marriage to that Prefect Liu?"

The entire hall was shocked.

These words were quite malicious.

Even the Prince of Qin looked over in disbelief.

What has gotten into Zhu Zhen today... One must know that just a few days ago, Zhu Zhen had been ambiguous about the Imperial Examination System.

Coming here today...

It was a direct, malicious remark; not only did he state his position in front of everyone, but he also clearly did not hold Liu Yu in any regard.

Liu Yu was trembling with rage, pointing at Zhu Zhen: "You, you, you, you... you are slandering me! My Hanlin Academy has never participated in your sordid, dog-eat-dog affairs!"

A group of people sneered on the side.

Sordid, dog-eat-dog affairs?

Living in this world, who isn't striving for fame and profit, who isn't striving for power and influence?

They had long found this group of people from the Hanlin Academy unpleasant, acting high and mighty every day, being endlessly self-righteous.

Liu Yu looked at this group of civil and military officials, and seeing that not a single one stood on his side, he immediately laughed bitterly without end: "Emperor, oh Emperor, do you see this?"

"This is that rotten and unbearable state!"

"These are the worms of the court!"

"Pity my vast Longyan, that it cannot even tolerate one loyal and righteous old minister!"

He stood up unsteadily.

Several young eunuchs wanted to help him, but he pushed them away with one hand.

The crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It looked like this old fellow was going to leave.

Who would have thought that Liu Yu would look up to the sky and laugh: "The nine provinces rely on wind and thunder for vitality, it is truly sorrowful when ten thousand horses are all mute. I urge the Heavenly Lord to rouse himself, and recruit talent without sticking to one pattern!"

"The nine provinces rely on wind and thunder for vitality, it is truly sorrowful when ten thousand horses are all mute. I urge the Heavenly Lord to rouse himself, and recruit talent without sticking to one pattern!"

"Emperor!"

"Old Chen, Grand Academician of two dynasties!"

"Today, I offer my death as an Admonishment..."

"The system of the Imperial Examination can make Longyan flourish!"

After speaking, he let out a shout and threw himself against the tall pillar of the Yangxin Hall, instantly bleeding from a broken head, and died on the spot!

"Bang!"

"No!"

The crowd was terrified and lost all color.