Chapter 115: The Head of the Provincial Examination Case 1/2

Peng Jingliang really liked Li Qingzhi. In fact, he had said many good things about Li Qingzhi in front of his teacher.

But the more he praised him, the less his teacher liked Li Qingzhi. This time, when Li Qingzhi came to the prefectural capital to participate in the provincial examination, after his teacher saw Li Qingzhi once, he didn’t allow Peng Jingliang to see Li Qingzhi again.

He had originally wanted to lend some books he had read to Li Qingzhi, but because of his teacher’s obstruction, he hadn’t given out these books until now.

Fortunately, his teacher was sensible. He didn’t do anything before Li Qingzhi took the provincial examination. It wasn’t until Li Qingzhi finished the provincial examination that he sent an invitation to Li Qingzhi to participate in the literary gathering at the academy.

Based on Peng Jingliang’s understanding of his teacher, his teacher would probably make things difficult for Li Qingzhi at the literary gathering.

“Jingliang, you are too young and inexperienced.” Zhou Shanchang looked at his disciple with a serious expression. “Li Qingzhi came from humble beginnings but managed to reach this level… He must be someone who seizes every opportunity to climb up by any means necessary. Be careful of such people!”

Zhou Shanchang didn’t discriminate against students from poor backgrounds; he even admired those students who were very diligent despite their poverty.

But he had seen the books Li Qingzhi wrote, which were brought back by Peng Jingliang.

Li Qingzhi was too good at flattery!

And as for today’s literary gathering, it had been only a short while, and Li Qingzhi had already gotten to know quite a few people.

He didn’t like people who were so smooth in their dealings and ingratiating.

“Teacher, you’ve misunderstood…”

“I’ve walked more bridges than you’ve walked roads! Just wait, I will expose this person’s true colors!” After saying this, Zhou Shanchang strode toward Li Qingzhi.

At this moment, Li Qingzhi also saw Peng Jingliang.

“Brother Peng,” Li Qingzhi greeted with a smile, then looked at Zhou Shanchang and said, “You must be Zhou Shanchang, right? I’ve heard of your great reputation.”

The moment Li Qingzhi saw Zhou Shanchang, he realized that Zhou Shanchang didn’t like him.

But that was okay; he liked Zhou Shanchang.

After arriving in the prefectural capital, he met many people and learned a lot about Zhou Shanchang from them.

Zhou Shanchang was knowledgeable but had never taken the imperial examination. He was dedicated to teaching and educating people.

In the prefectural capital, there was a nursery specifically for orphaned children, and Zhou Shanchang not only frequently donated money and goods but also sponsored orphans without parents inside to receive an education.

Even Peng Jingliang… Peng Jingliang’s family background was ordinary, and his achievements today were all thanks to Zhou Shanchang’s careful guidance.

Moreover, judging by Peng Jingliang’s conduct, one could tell that Zhou Shanchang wouldn’t be wrong about someone.

Li Qingzhi already had a favorable impression of Zhou Shanchang, and now, upon meeting him… Zhou Shanchang’s eyes were clear, giving him a completely different feeling from Magistrate Yan.

This was an upright person.

Even if this person didn’t like him, he didn’t have any ill intentions toward him.

Zhou Shanchang didn’t respond to Li Qingzhi’s words. He looked Li Qingzhi up and down, then said, “I know you; you’re Li Qingzhi… Heard you’re quite knowledgeable? I want to test you!”

Li Qingzhi bowed, saying, “It’s my honor to receive guidance from Zhou Shanchang.”

“It’s not guidance; I just want to see your true abilities.” Zhou Shanchang’s attitude remained unfriendly, his eyes filled with disdain.

Li Qingzhi smiled as he looked at Zhou Shanchang, feeling that this person was somewhat like Peng Jingliang, quite naive.

Many people wouldn’t show their emotions on their faces to avoid offending others.

But Zhou Shanchang… His emotions were too obvious.

Zhou Shanchang knew his attitude wasn’t very good.

Seeing Li Qingzhi not caring at all and still smiling… He felt a bit embarrassed.

Wait, why should he feel embarrassed? This Li Qingzhi must be very cunning to not get angry at all.

Zhou Shanchang calmed down and began to ask Li Qingzhi questions: “What are the thoughts of the world? Recite them.”

Li Qingzhi immediately started reciting, “Though the world has different paths, they all lead to the same destination…”

Zhou Shanchang let Li Qingzhi recite for a while before swiftly changing to another passage for Li Qingzhi to recite.

Li Qingzhi recited them all.

Li Qingzhi’s photographic memory was well-known in the prefectural capital, but many hadn’t witnessed it firsthand until now, when Zhou Shanchang proposed to test him.

This Li Qingzhi was truly remarkable!

Zhou Shanchang was devoted to reading and had a good memory, having memorized many books.

Initially, he tested Li Qingzhi with passages he had memorized himself. Li Qingzhi answered them all, so he had someone bring passages he had only read but not memorized, yet Li Qingzhi claimed he could recite and continued testing Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi, of course, recited them all.

At first, Zhou Shanchang had wanted to expose Li Qingzhi’s true colors, but now that Li Qingzhi could recite so many books, his thoughts completely changed.

Zhou Shanchang recited a passage and asked Li Qingzhi, “What does this sentence mean?”

Li Qingzhi immediately explained.

As Li Qingzhi finished explaining, Zhou Shanchang continued to ask, and the two of them engaged in a lengthy exchange. More and more people gathered around them.

They didn’t dare to speak, so as not to disturb the two, but their admiration for Li Qingzhi grew.

Zhou Shanchang’s questions became deeper, and some were things they didn’t know!

As for Li Qingzhi… At this moment, he truly felt grateful to Magistrate Guo. The books from Magistrate Guo were relatively profound, and Magistrate Guo explained them in depth, so he could answer most of the questions.

For questions without exact answers, he would just explain according to his own understanding, so he shouldn’t be completely wrong.

As they talked, Zhou Shanchang mentioned policy discussions.

Perhaps feeling that just talking wasn’t satisfying enough, Zhou Shanchang said, “I have a topic here. Would you be willing to publicly discuss a policy?”

“Of course,” Li Qingzhi replied.

He could sense that Zhou Shanchang’s dislike for him had vanished. At this moment… Zhou Shanchang should already admire him quite a bit.

“Quick, get some paper and a pen!” Zhou Shanchang said to the people around him.

Soon, someone brought paper and a pen, and Zhou Shanchang directly gave a topic.

Policy discussions actually involved discussing current political issues and proposing personal suggestions and strategies to the court.

For this… Li Qingzhi had an advantage that others didn’t.

He had crossed over.

Although he was only eighteen when the apocalypse began, and even though he had learned quite a bit of history during history class, he didn’t know much about political matters.

But later on, when he was idle and bored, he read many books.

A few years after the apocalypse began, electronic books couldn’t be accessed anymore, so he read physical books.

Those books covered a wide range of topics, and because he had developed his brain, he wouldn’t forget what he had read…

There were many talented people in Daqi, but in terms of knowledge, no one could compare to him. After all, concepts like the presidential system, republican system, constitutional monarchy, etc. were unheard of in Daqi.

Most importantly, now it was just writing policy papers, not requiring him to actually implement them.

After thinking it over, Li Qingzhi quickly had ideas.

He planned out what he wanted to write in his mind, organized the layout of the entire article on paper, and then began writing.

Zhou Shanchang couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

Li Qingzhi didn’t consider too much and just started writing, which wasn’t very good.

Furthermore… His speed in writing the article was too fast!

Zhou Shanchang couldn’t resist leaning over to take a look and was immediately drawn in by Li Qingzhi’s handwriting.

Peng Jingliang had told Zhou Shanchang how good Li Qingzhi’s handwriting was, but when he left Chongcheng County to return to the prefectural capital, he didn’t bring any of Li Qingzhi’s calligraphy works with him.

He had a few articles written by Li Qingzhi on hand, but when others asked for them, he gave them away, thinking that in the future, he would ask Li Qingzhi to write a piece specifically for him.

Zhou Shanchang hadn’t seen Li Qingzhi’s handwriting, so naturally, he didn’t believe Peng Jingliang’s words.

But now…

… Li Qingzhi was writing in front of him!

Zhou Shanchang was quite accomplished in calligraphy and had never been quite satisfied with the handwriting of his disciple, Peng Jingliang.

He knew Li Qingzhi’s handwriting should be good, but he didn’t expect Li Qingzhi’s handwriting to be just as good as his!

That wasn’t all; Li Qingzhi’s speed in writing was so fast, and yet every word was written beautifully, making the overall look pleasing to the eye.