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“Your Majesty’s words are indeed wise, but among the over two hundred candidates who have come for the palace examination today, it might not be easy for Your Majesty to find the person. Why not describe their appearance and characteristics to this minister, and let me find them for Your Majesty?”
Seeing that bringing up Xun Yuanbai was of no use, Tang Zhichuan had no choice but to continue obstructing, “Please also tell this minister, what kind of extraordinary person is this, so that I may also broaden my horizons along with the Emperor.”
The Emperor, who most wanted others to know about the divine powers and to cultivate immortality with him, couldn’t help but smile slightly at Tang Zhichuan’s words, “I do not know their appearance.”
“Then how does Your Majesty know…”
“The divine being only said to find the person who just now offered four cakes with sincere devotion,” the Emperor laughed. “Every time it’s the palace examination, you record the candidates’ every move clearly. Just bring the register quickly and find this person.”
The person who offered the cakes?
That would be none other than…
Tang Zhichuan paused slightly, exchanged glances with the others, and they silently nodded to each other. Eventually, Tang Zhichuan spoke, “There is indeed a candidate who made such an offering today, and as Your Majesty said, they offered four cakes.”
“Oh?” The Emperor’s joy was uncontainable, “Who is it?”
“A candidate named Song Jingyun,” Tang Zhichuan answered truthfully.
“Bring this person to the main hall quickly,” the Emperor’s smile was unconcealable as he walked briskly towards the main hall of the Zhongyuan Palace. “I want to meet him properly.”
“Yes,” Tang Zhichuan responded, then after a moment, his eyes darted around, “To be honest with Your Majesty, besides Song Jingyun, there is another candidate named Chen Shuming who also offered cakes, but only two, half the number Song Jingyun offered.”
Tang Zhichuan and the other officials in charge of the palace examination had carefully observed the candidates in the side halls. Song Jingyun’s behavior was appropriate, his insights were unique, and although his essay was only half-written, it was clear that the content was excellent, especially his superb calligraphy, which surpassed many others.
Such a person is worthy of the title of Zhuangyuan (the top scorer in the imperial examination).
Since the Emperor is using this method to select talents at this time, it’s better to go along with it and present Song Jingyun to him, with a justifiable reason!
As for Chen Shuming, his overall performance is not bad either. It’s better to take advantage of the situation and present him to the Emperor as well, so they both can gain favor.
If both of them can be valued by the Emperor, then their faction, which appears obedient to the Emperor on the surface but does nothing substantial behind the scenes, can gain two more allies!
“Oh?” The Emperor’s smile grew even thicker, “If that’s the case, then bring them both to the main hall.”
“Yes,” Tang Zhichuan responded, not instructing anyone else to summon them, but personally went to the side hall to invite Song Jingyun and Chen Shuming to the main hall.
However, he did not explain the reason for inviting them.
Being suddenly notified to meet the Emperor, and only the two of them, Chen Shuming was extremely anxious. As he left the side hall, he couldn’t help but nudge Song Jingyun, “Scholar Song, there won’t be any trouble, right?”
“There should be something,” Song Jingyun smiled, “but it should be something good.”
Something good?
But looking at Tang Zhichuan’s expression just now, it didn’t seem like anything particularly good.