Chapter 180

The students of Cuiwei followed the provincial officer out of the door.

Mu Er Pang was the youngest among them and it was his first time attending such a grand banquet.

He felt both curious and nervous.

But fortunately, they went together, and Wei Shu was best at socializing, so many things didn’t need Mu Er Pang to worry about.

Wei Shu took the lead in giving lucky money to the provincial officer who invited them, and then inquired about other details.

The provincial officer received six sets of lucky money in one breath.

He was happy and said, “The Lu Ming Banquet is usually held at the Prefectural Government Office. Today, because of the large number of people, it is being held at the Provincial Government Office. The gentlemen can follow me there.”

After speaking, the provincial officer saw that there was still a carriage parked at the door of the house and suggested that they could take the carriage over.

He could sit on the shaft and lead the way.

Mei Ruochu first politely thanked him, and then said that there was no need for this, “It’s still early, and we are all young and strong. It’s not a problem to walk for a while. Thank you for your trouble.”

The provincial officer didn’t make this suggestion to save trouble, but because the Provincial Government Office was indeed a bit far from the Scholar Lane.

For people like them, walking a few steps was really not a hassle, just thinking that they were literary men and physically weak, so they kindly made this suggestion.

Since they were willing to walk, the provincial officer didn’t say anything, and led them to walk for a while before realizing: these scholars seemed young and inexperienced, but they were quite meticulous in handling things.

They were all scholars attending the banquet.

If they took the carriage, they would unconsciously appear superior.

Especially the four of them were the top four in this year’s exam.

Such behavior would only make them appear more arrogant, as if they had gained power and looked down on others.

Compared to these, it was indeed more suitable for them to walk.

Indeed, those who could pass the exam to become scholars had clearer and more alert minds than ordinary people.

The provincial officer sighed in his heart and became more enthusiastic and eager in his attitude towards them.

He escorted them all the way to the Provincial Government Office.

When they arrived, these provincial officers could no longer enter and leave at will. Another person led the group of newly appointed scholars inside.

The students of Cuiwei arrived neither early nor late.

There were already many people sitting in the banquet hall.

Because the officials had not arrived yet, everyone was just finding a place to sit and chatting with each other.

The students of Cuiwei also found a inconspicuous place to sit first, and then each took a look around the banquet hall.

Within a few moments, they all noticed something was amiss.

Cui Fei whispered, “The number of people in this banquet hall… seems to be more than usual?”

The Lu Ming Banquet had always only invited the top scholars, and sometimes, out of leniency, they would also invite the top candidates from the second list to encourage them.

But even so, the total number of scholars from both lists should only be around eighty.

In the banquet hall now, there were already a hundred people.

It was no wonder the provincial officer had said that the arrangements were large and the Prefectural Government Office couldn’t accommodate them, so they had specially borrowed the place from the Provincial Government Office.

Mu Er Pang and Mei Ruochu nodded slightly in agreement.

Just then, Wang Shangshu led a group of officials over.

They didn’t have time to think about this anymore and stood up to bow along with the others in the hall.

Wang Shangshu, dressed in court attire, walked at the forefront.

His hair and beard were already white, and his face was lined with wrinkles, but he was fair and kind-looking, appearing very approachable.

“Young scholars, no need for formalities.” Wang Shangshu smiled, his voice full of vigor.

He sat down at the top, then smiled and said, “This is our first meeting, and we are not familiar with each other yet. Let’s start by calling out a few names according to the list to meet. Any objections?”

Everyone naturally hurriedly said there were none.

Wang Shangshu smiled and stroked his beard, then began to call out names.

As expected, Mei Ruochu, Mu Er Pang, Shen Aoshuang, and Wei Xi were the first to be called.

The four of them stood up from their seats in the corner and walked forward to pay their respects to Wang Shangshu.

Wang Shangshu praised, “The student surpasses the master. I didn’t expect you four to be so young and already have such scholarly achievements. When the list was unveiled, I was quite surprised. You four are all from the same prefecture. Did you know each other before?”

When he spoke, he looked at Mu Er Pang, who was standing beside Mei Ruochu. Apparently, among the four, Mu Er Pang seemed the most youthful and least likely to lie in such a situation.

Despite his continuous smile, the sharpness in his eyes was unparalleled, especially towards Mu Er Pang, making him feel quite intimidated.

The young mens from Cuiwie didn’t have any intention of disguising or lying. This was also something they had collectively agreed upon yesterday at the academy, to address the situation openly.

So, Mu Er Pang bowed and replied, “In response to Your Excellency, the four of us know each other. We not only come from the same prefecture but also from the same academy. Later, we all entered the prefectural school together and are now here together. Moreover, it’s not just the four of us who participated in the exam from our academy; there are two other classmates who also made it to the list.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent, followed by a buzzing of discussions.

“What kind of academy produces six jinshi at once, with four of them even taking the top four places?”

“I’ve never heard of any prestigious academy in Qingzhou Prefecture. Even the famous Hongle Academy wouldn’t have had such a glory!”

Wang Shangshu, however, was not surprised.

It was evident that he had already verified these details.

He smiled and nodded before his gaze, which could be described as kind, swept around the hall, immediately restoring silence.

He then asked, “Who was your mentor?”

Mu Er Pang mentioned Lao Buyu’s name.

Wang Shangshu shook his head with a smile. “I do remember this teacher of yours. He used to be quite unruly. I didn’t expect that after so many years, he would have tempered his character and taught students like you.”

He then chuckled to himself, “I heard that some people, upon seeing the list, noticed your proximity in birthplaces and speculated about the unfairness of this exam. Now that I know you all come from the same academy, I’m sure they will have even more thoughts.”

After saying this, Wang Shangshu called out a few more names and asked them to come forward, continuing to inquire with a friendly expression if they knew each other.

Mu Er Pang and the others immediately recognized these people as the ones who had been the most vocal about the unfairness of the exam at the announcement yesterday.

The earlier observation that the number of people at the banquet seemed off was because Wang Shangshu had also invited this group of people.

When these people came forward, they were all pale-faced and trembling, their bodies swaying, too scared to say anything in front of Wang Shangshu and the officials.

Wang Shangshu didn’t press them for answers and instead turned to another official, saying, “It’s still early today. Before the banquet begins, shall we let these young scholars showcase their talents?”

The officials naturally deferred to Wang Shangshu’s decision, agreeing.

“In previous years, it has always been us old fellows setting the questions, which can be a bit stale. This year, let these young people come up with the questions themselves.”

After Wang Shangshu finished speaking, someone brought a wooden box and writing materials.

Writing materials were distributed to everyone present, including the small group of unsuccessful candidates.

They were asked to write impromptu, whether it was an essay or a poem.

After writing, they would air-dry the ink, fold the paper, and put it into the wooden box.

Finally, Wang Shangshu picked those students who were still visibly frightened and asked them to draw the questions.

The questions drawn would then be randomly assigned to one of Mei Ruochu, Mu Er Pang, and the others, who would have to immediately compose a poem or respond accordingly.

In the first round, Wang Shangshu still followed the order of the list to assign tasks, starting with …

First, it was Mei Ruochu, then it was Mu Er Pang, and finally Shen Aoshuang and Wei Xi.

After that, it became more casual. Whoever he wanted to point out, he pointed out.

However, Wang Shangshu had indeed read their papers and investigated them before the banquet, so even in this “casual” manner, he was very measured.

For poetry and prose topics, he wouldn’t often point to Mu Er Pang, but rather to Mei Ruochu or Shen Aoshuang.

As for the topics related to Confucian classics, most were pointed to Mu Er Pang.

Some seemingly simple topics actually contained traps, requiring the test takers to think carefully, and those were pointed to Wei Xi.

The Q&A lasted for a full hour, and more than half of the topics in the wooden box had been used up before Wang Shangshu called a halt.

By this point, the scholars in the banquet hall no longer dared to question the talents of the Cuiwei group.

Although Mu Er Pang and Mei Ruochu were all exhausted, with dry throats and slightly hoarse voices, they were also grateful to Wang Shangshu for arranging this and giving them the opportunity to prove themselves.

Wang Shangshu stroked his beard lightly and asked the several unsuccessful scholars in front, “Do you have any objections to the rankings of this provincial examination?”

These people hurriedly expressed their reluctance.

Some were so frightened that their legs went weak and they could hardly stand. But being in public, they hesitated to plead directly.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m not a man-eating tiger.” Wang Shangshu joked with them first, like an elder in an ordinary family, then encouraged them, “Encountering difficulties and being diligent in thinking about them, daring to speak up, is actually a good thing. But you also need to exercise restraint. You must understand the principle of moderation in all things. I believe you understand that. This matter ends here, but in the future…”

Several people hurriedly expressed their reluctance.

When they were brought here by the provincial officials earlier today, they were nearly scared to death.

Just now, after witnessing the true talents and abilities of Mei Ruochu and the others, they realized how wrong their previous speculations were.

They were so terrified that they felt like they had seen a Buddha descend from heaven.

They thought that after the examination, Wang Shangshu would punish them.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shangshu not only did not blame them but only encouraged them and expressed concern for their future.

They felt ashamed and grateful at the same time, and quickly apologized, promising that there would be no next time.

Wang Shangshu waved his hand indifferently and continued with a smile, “It’s just a misunderstanding. Once it’s clarified, it’s over. Since you’re already here, you should sit down and enjoy this banquet like the other candidates. As for your meal expenses, I won’t bother with official accounts. I’ll cover them myself as a treat for you. Eat and drink to your heart’s content, but make sure you repay me. Understand? In a few years, when the next provincial examination comes, I hope to see you attending as licentiates.”

These words, spoken by Wang Shangshu, who seemed as old as the immortal, were particularly kind and encouraging.

Tears and smiles appeared on the faces of several people, and the atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly became relaxed and cheerful.

Seeing this, the members of the Cuiwei group couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Master was right; Wang Shangshu’s methods were indeed extraordinary.

With a combination of grace and authority, he not only clarified the rumors but also made those who spread them feel grateful and respectful towards him, leaving a deep impression.

In the future, if anyone spreads gossip again, these erstwhile rumor-mongers would probably rush to the forefront of refutation.

However, these methods were also upright and aboveboard, leaving Mu Er Pang and the others unable to help but feel grateful and admire him.