School

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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The grand hall was silent, its heavy golden decor imposing, as the scholars followed one another, eyes downcast, barely daring to breathe in such a place of gravity. Walking past the officials, the sight of their embroidered robes made a wave of awe rise in their chests; to become one of them was the dream of scholars everywhere.

Tang Jiwei stood unobtrusively in the front row, bowing respectfully with the others and shouting “Long live the Emperor!” as Han Zhen’s cold voice echoed in his ears, like blood running in reverse. Tang Jiwei clenched his fists, veins standing out.

“All of you are the elite of this year’s imperial exams,” the Prime Minister said, holding a rolled scroll. “The Emperor’s question is in my hand. You only get one chance, so consider carefully before answering.”

Tang Jiwei exchanged a look with Zhang Ling, while the Prime Minister read out the question: “The four northern nations—Nan, Chu, Jian, and Lu—are poised for war. Outline the order in which they should be attacked, with reasons. Keep it concise!”

Tang Jiwei could hear the gasps around him, not only at the Emperor’s ambitions but also at the difficulty of the question. In past exams, policy essays had focused more on people’s welfare or national laws, but Han Zhen had chosen a real challenge this time. Those immersed in books and accustomed only to lofty rhetoric were unprepared for this.

Standing with hands behind his back, Han Zhen said, “Feel free to be bold in your responses; I will not hold it against you. The Prime Minister and I will be the judges.”

A scholar stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands. “I am Li Huili, and I would like to answer first.”

The Prime Minister gestured, “Go ahead.”

“My answer is that the order should be Nan, Lu, Chu, then Jian. Nan and Lu are both fortified, so dividing our forces to attack them separately is necessary. Taking these two would force the more vulnerable Jian and Chu to surrender without a fight.”

Han Zhen showed no reaction, but the Prime Minister smiled and remarked, “Huili is a fitting name.”

Tang Jiwei recognized Li Huili as the one who had thrown Tang Chenrui off the carriage earlier. He smirked to himself, knowing this answer likely wouldn’t impress Han Zhen.

Next, another scholar spoke: “I am Shen Qing, and I believe we should concentrate our forces and advance from the weakest to the strongest—Jian, Chu, Lu, then Nan. Jian and Chu’s terrain is flat, making it easier to conquer. A quick victory there would boost morale, and with Lu and Nan’s longstanding rivalry, Lu would never aid Nan. Securing three would make Nan fall easily.”

Other scholars followed suit, each giving their answer. Tang Jiwei and Zhang Ling remained silent, seemingly hiding their strengths on purpose.

Tang Jiwei, who had grown up with Han Zhen, knew Han Zhen’s mind well enough to anticipate what he wanted to hear.

When Tang Chenrui’s turn came, he offered a conservative answer—solid but uninspiring.

Tang Jiwei shook his head internally. This bookworm didn’t understand that here was a true battleground. This was no place to hold back.

Tang Jiwei signaled to Zhang Ling, who nodded.

Zhang Ling spoke up. “I believe the order should be Lu, Jian, Chu, then Nan…”

Before he could finish, the court erupted in murmurs. Many mocked him for his naivety, questioning his strategy of placing Lu and Nan, the two hardest to conquer, at the beginning and end.

A flicker of interest crossed Han Zhen’s eyes. “Explain.”

“Though Lu and Nan are the hardest to attack, they lack mutual dependency. Nan wouldn’t anticipate our focusing on Lu first and thus wouldn’t send reinforcements. Jian, weak and isolated, would crumble under the imperial cavalry after Lu falls. The same tactic can then be used for Nan and Chu. Attacking them in pairs would be far more efficient.”

“Bravo!” Han Zhen clapped, smiling. “With such talent in the empire, peace will surely prevail!”

The ministers below knelt in praise. “Congratulations, Your Majesty, on finding such talent! Long live the Emperor!”

The Prime Minister stood and bowed. “Your Majesty, there is more than one such talent here. Some conceal their brilliance. I see a hidden dragon among us.”

“Oh? To whom are you referring?” Han Zhen raised an eyebrow.

The Prime Minister said, “Tang Jiwei, I’ve long admired your talents. But staying so modest today doesn’t suit you; you’re the only one left who hasn’t answered. Could it be that you’re hesitant?”

Tang Jiwei stepped forward, bowed to the Prime Minister, and said, “My lord is too kind. I’m just an unworthy scholar, merely admiring the sound logic of my peers’ answers.”

“I don’t appreciate undue modesty,” the Prime Minister replied. “If you’re a dragon, you should leap from the sea; if you’re a snake, emerge from your hole. This is a place for real competition. Holding back your true ability would be an insult to the other nineteen. Now, answer quickly so His Majesty and I can make our judgment.”

The Prime Minister, stroking his beard, skillfully prodded Tang Jiwei into revealing his full talent, positioning him as an opposing force to the other scholars.

Tang Jiwei began, “I believe that rather than attacking the four nations in a fixed order, strategy should be paramount. Although Lu and Nan have complex terrains, both countries are rife with internal conflicts, especially concerning succession. His Majesty could promise support to one of the factions vying for the throne, in exchange for their allegiance, thereby turning both into vassal states. They would pay tribute annually and have their military power reduced by hosting Qin troops. Their fierce rivalries would make them unlikely to reject such a proposal. Next would come Chu and Jian. Chu is weak militarily and not wealthy, but its king is stubborn and unlikely to surrender willingly, so His Majesty could directly capture Chu’s capital. These three countries are relatively easy to handle, leaving only Jian as the true challenge for Qin’s final conquest.”

The Minister of War voiced disagreement: “Though Jian is prosperous, its forces are nowhere near those of a single Qin army division. Why would it be the hardest to conquer?”

The Prime Minister, still stroking his beard, chuckled. “You make a fair point, Minister. Tang Jiwei, explain further.”

Tang Jiwei replied, “Though Jian lacks sufficient military strength, its walls are uniquely fortified, built centuries ago with rice-mixed mud for extra durability. Jian was once a dependency of Southern Han, and a famous empress of Southern Han hailed from Jian. To honor her, the then-emperor reinforced the walls and swore never to attack. If not for Qin’s conquest of Southern Han, that edict would still be valid. If I am mistaken, please correct me, Your Majesty.”

Han Zhen laughed softly from the throne, took up a red brush, and said, “The top scholar of this year is none other than Tang Jiwei!”

Tang Jiwei finally relaxed, unclenching his fists. Zhang Ling turned to him with a dimpled smile, giving him a wink. Congratulations rang out, genuine and insincere alike, which Tang Jiwei acknowledged with a bow.

Han Zhen, watching his chosen scholar, saw through the scholarly calm to the clever strategist beneath. Had he not known of Tang Jiwei’s cunning, he too might have been fooled.

The proclamation ceremony was held in the main hall, where officials gathered in formal robes, and the Emperor personally selected the top three scholars, whose rankings were written in red ink and posted throughout the capital for all to see.

“First place, Tang Jiwei, granted title and appointed editor at the Hanlin Academy and Right Deputy of the Ministry of War. Second place, Zhang Ling, granted title and appointed editor and Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue. Third place, Li Huili, granted title and appointed editor…” Chief Eunuch Li Sheng read the imperial decree aloud from the high platform.

An attendant brought a horse for Tang Jiwei to join the parade. Lost in thought, he stopped the attendant, smiling as he requested his own horse be brought from the palace gate.

The oversized flower pinned to his chest made Tang Jiwei feel slightly awkward, and Zhang Ling teased him, noting that he had spoken so eloquently in the grand hall yet blushed at this small red flower.

“How is this flower small?” Tang Jiwei retorted.

Li Huili, riding behind them, commented sourly, “Of course the top scholar’s flower is much grander than ours, Zhang. There’s no need to argue; he’s above us, having caught the Emperor’s eye.”

Zhang Ling frowned, about to respond, when Tang Chenrui clapped him on the shoulder from behind, startling him.

“No need to be bothered by small-minded people, Tang,” said Tang Chenrui. “But I must say, you impressed me back in the hall! My hands were shaking, but you stood steady, unshaken. Impressive composure!” Smiling, he added, “It’s no surprise from Jiwei, but you’ve earned my respect.”

Zhang Ling, mounted with the reins in hand, replied, “Your knowledge is by no means inferior to mine. Such humility is undeserved.”

Tang Chenrui waved him off cheerfully and returned to the second rank in the parade.

Though it wasn’t Tang Jiwei’s first time leaving the palace on horseback, this moment felt unlike any before. Rising from commoner to official in a single step, he felt a rush of complex emotions. No longer merely overlooked as Gu Zhenguan, he was now a phoenix rising to the ranks of officials, inspiring the envy of all.

As he rode Lion Spirit through streets lined with flower-tossing citizens, cheers erupted to glimpse the top scholar’s extraordinary figure. Tang Jiwei cut such an impressive sight on horseback that the crowds surged forward, waving at him and pushing past the guards.

When passing a porridge shop, he noticed Lu Yuan watching, who finally smiled in relief when he saw Tang Jiwei riding in the parade.

“Hey, Tang Jiwei, don’t forget to return my Lion Spirit!” Lu Yuan called out, waving.

Tang Jiwei, spotting Lu Yuan waving wildly, laughed back, “By noon, I promise!”

The procession gained momentum, with more imperial guards emerging to manage the throngs of citizens eager to celebrate this rare appearance of such a handsome top scholar. Excitement buzzed through the crowd as many streamed out from alleyways.

“Madam Xiao, your Jiwei placed first in the exams! Come out and see!” The cook at Tang De’s shop shouted excitedly.

Madam Xiao’s steps were unsteady, and, feeling faint, she collapsed onto a nearby table.

“Oh dear, what’s going on here? She must have fainted from happiness!” The cook turned around, seeing Madam Xiao slumped over, and rushed to support her.

“I’m alright, I’m alright. Did you just say my son Jiwei passed as the top scholar? Really? You aren’t teasing me, are you? My old heart can’t handle jokes!” Madam Xiao opened her eyes and gripped the cook’s arm, shaking her in a mix of urgency and excitement.

The cook helped her up, hurrying her along, “If you don’t go out and see for yourself, you’ll miss him! I saw him passing this way just now; go on and see him!”

Madam Xiao quickly gathered herself and rushed outside, looking for the crowd. Turning her head, she saw a marching procession with drums and gongs. Leading the parade on horseback—who could it be but her son, Jiwei!

She covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears, and leaned against the doorframe, weeping with joy.

“Auntie, Auntie! My brother actually won first place? Where is he, where?” Tang De came running from the backyard, knocking over several stools in his rush.

Seeing his aunt crying, Tang De thought the news must have been wrong. But then, following her gaze, he spotted his brother.

“Oh, mother, my brother really did it! Father, mother, he did it! He actually did it; come out and see!”

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Author’s Note: Please support and save this for later reading~ *wink*