Several more days passed, and the festive atmosphere surrounding the spring examination results in the capital gradually faded. Those who had passed remained in the capital awaiting official appointments, while those who failed could only pack up and return home in dejection.
Once the scholars dispersed, the inns and taverns of the capital became noticeably emptier. Without the constant sound of students studying day and night, the city seemed somewhat desolate.
Meanwhile, the households of the first-rank scholars busied themselves preparing for the palace examination. Each family burned incense, bathed, cleansed their hands, and offered prayers in preparation for meeting the Son of Heaven.
When the day of the palace examination arrived, the candidates were carried into the palace one after another in small sedan chairs. From that day forward, all the glory and humiliation of their lives would hinge upon this single moment.
Ye Jinghua planned to enter the palace directly from the Ye family’s main estate. Over at their residence, Fang Qin suggested going to see the young master off, but the request was refused. They were told Ye Jinghua disliked crowds.
That was true enough. Ye Jinghua preferred quietness.
Fang Qin then asked who would accompany him into the palace. Upon learning it was one of Master Ye’s trusted attendants, someone highly experienced in official circles, Fang Qin finally relaxed. Though they themselves often accompanied Ye Jinghua, they still could not compare to someone who had long served beside Lord Ye and navigated the bureaucracy for years. Having such a person accompany him was indeed reassuring.
When Zhao Baozhu heard the news, he felt somewhat disappointed. The palace examination was such an important occasion, perhaps there were one or two things he wanted to say to Ye Jinghua. But after thinking about it, he realized there was nothing that truly needed saying.
With Ye Jinghua’s talent, Zhao Baozhu believed the title of zhuangyuan was already his for the taking.
As for that grandson of the Chang family…
Zhao Baozhu recalled the words Chang Shouguang had spoken after catching him drunk that day. Though his heart felt faintly uneasy, he still believed that when it came to scholarship, no one could surpass Ye Jinghua.
Seeing Zhao Baozhu frowning deeply, looking worried about something unknown, Fang Qin said: “Don’t worry so much. This arrangement is good too. Tomorrow you’re going to the Ministry of Personnel to collect your registration document, and we can accompany you there.”
Tomorrow was the palace examination, but it was also the day the newly successful jinshi from the spring examination were to report to the Ministry of Personnel and receive their registration tablets.
At that point, a jinshi officially counted as a person with rank and office. Every newly graduated jinshi would receive a jade credential from the Ministry of Personnel stating their place of origin and the date of the spring examination, proving they were qualified to hold office. Once assigned a post, they could take the credential and report directly to their yamen.
The next day, Zhao Baozhu headed to the Ministry of Personnel accompanied by Fang Qin.
Originally Deng Yun had clamored to go as well, but Steward Li was still angry over his drunken, disorderly behavior that day and forbade him from going.
When their carriage arrived outside the Ministry of Personnel, many people had already gathered there. Fang Qin waited outside while Zhao Baozhu entered alone carrying his registration slip.
The hall was packed with dozens of newly successful jinshi. At the front stood three large sandalwood desks, each attended by two Ministry officials. The first desk collected registration slips and verified identities, the second recorded names into the register, and the third distributed official credentials.
Standing among the line, Zhao Baozhu looked around and suddenly felt the scene was not so different from feeding chickens back in his village, only now the chickens had been replaced by people. The difference was that everyone here was grinning ear to ear with joy.
The Ministry officials were obviously very practiced at this sort of work. Their movements were swift and efficient. Soon all the second-rank scholars had finished, and it was the turn of the third-rank group.
Zhao Baozhu stepped forward, submitted his registration slip, pressed his fingerprint, and recorded his name. But when he reached the third desk, the official there suddenly looked up.
“You are Zhao Baozhu?”
Zhao Baozhu paused, then quickly replied, “Yes.”
The expression on the official’s face shifted. He gave Zhao Baozhu another look before standing up from behind the desk. “Come with me.”
This had never happened to anyone before him. Zhao Baozhu froze for a moment. Every other jinshi had simply collected their credential and left, why was it different for him?
The official walked several steps before noticing Zhao Baozhu had not followed. Turning back, he frowned. “Well? Hurry up. Don’t hold up the people behind you.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu glanced back and indeed saw the jinshis behind him craning their necks to watch. Not daring to delay, he hurried after the official.
The man led him into the rear hall, winding through corridors and passageways toward some unknown destination. Zhao Baozhu had never been inside the Ministry before. Looking at the endless hallways ahead, he could not help asking in confusion: “May I ask where this lord is taking me?”
The official glanced back at him. “Jinshi Zhao need only follow me.”
Zhao Baozhu had no choice but to keep silent and continue following. After walking for another quarter of an hour, he still could not hold back: “Could there be some issue with my registration?”
Hearing this, the official’s footsteps paused slightly. This time when he looked back, there was even a trace of a smile on his face. “Jinshi Zhao need not worry. In any case, it is a good thing.”
Hearing those words, Zhao Baozhu relaxed slightly despite his surprise. As long as nothing had gone wrong, it was fine. Yet the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. What possible good thing could come from simply collecting a registration credential?
The official led him onward for another stretch before finally arriving before a large hall.
As Zhao Baozhu crossed the threshold, he saw a rotund official in blue robes seated in a grand chair, leisurely sipping tea from a porcelain cup. In front of him stood an Eight Immortals table, beside which rested an exquisitely crafted incense burner with several sticks of incense burning atop it.
Ordinarily this arrangement would have looked refined and immortal-like, but the official himself was so fat-faced and broad-eared that, for some reason, even the way he drank tea seemed faintly vulgar and greasy.
The thought startled Zhao Baozhu himself, and he hurriedly shook his head.
Ye Jinghua really had spoiled his tastes. He actually dared to criticize a Ministry official in his own mind.
At this moment, the official who had brought him in turned slightly and said: “This is the Head of the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Yuan.”
Zhao Baozhu immediately bowed. “Zhao Baozhu greets Lord Yuan.”
This head set down his teacup and smiled warmly. “Jinshi Zhao, sit, sit.”
Zhao Baozhu sat opposite him. Lord Yuan ordered tea for him as well and kindly said: “I have yet to congratulate Jinshi Zhao on succeeding in the examinations in a single stroke. Truly a joyous occasion.”
Zhao Baozhu quickly replied modestly: “My lord overpraises me. Baozhu’s learning is shallow. Passing the jinshi examination this time was merely due to fortunate luck.”
Lord Yuan was clearly very pleased by his humility. Chuckling twice, he leaned back in his chair as if reminiscing.
“Ah, back when I too was a newly graduated jinshi, that was over ten years ago now. I still remember…”
And so he launched into a lengthy account of how difficult the examination questions had been back then, how diligently he had studied, how he had befriended the scholars of his cohort, and many other such stories. He spoke for nearly half a quarter of an hour without stopping.
Zhao Baozhu maintained a polite smile on the surface, but the longer he listened to Lord Yuan enthusiastically spouting words and saliva alike, the more irritated he became inside. A thin layer of sweat formed on his forehead. One moment he felt the incense in the room was unbearably stuffy, the next he felt the wooden chair beneath him was digging painfully into his backside.
He really was becoming more and more spoiled!
Realizing this, Zhao Baozhu secretly pinched his own thigh hard, forcing himself to focus.
Fortunately, Lord Yuan eventually finished reminiscing and finally returned to the main matter at hand.
“The reason I called you here today is because there is an official assignment to be given to you.”
“An assignment?” Zhao Baozhu was genuinely stunned. How could an appointment come down this quickly?
While he was still confused, Lord Yuan produced a gleaming golden scroll and slowly unrolled it before Zhao Baozhu—
It was an imperial edict.
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened. Before he even had time to be shocked, his gaze had already swept across the contents.
The edict stated that among the newly graduated jinshi, one person was to be selected and dispatched to serve as magistrate of Wuya County in Qingzhou. It further ordered that the recipient of this decree depart immediately that very day and assume office before June. The designated recipient’s name had originally been left blank, but now Zhao Baozhu’s name had been filled in.
Below were the Emperor’s golden seal, the Ministry of Personnel’s stamp, and the supervising secretary’s seal, everything complete and proper.
Qingzhou.
A flicker of joy stirred in Zhao Baozhu’s heart.
Though Qingzhou was not especially close to Yizhou, it was still far nearer than the capital.
Seeing the joy on his face, a glint flashed through Director Yuan’s eyes. He assumed Zhao Baozhu was pleased with himself for being assigned an official post ahead of everyone else, and so he said: “You needn’t look down on this mere county magistrate position. It is still a proper court appointment. Besides, Qingzhou is the most picturesque place, full of beautiful mountains and clear waters. Once you get there, there’ll certainly be benefits waiting for you–”
Director Yuan went on at length about all the advantages of taking office in Qingzhou.
Zhao Baozhu listened without saying much. He did not particularly care about any of that. Still, he found the whole matter rather strange. “My lord,” he asked, “how is it that this post is being assigned to me alone?”
He had no doubts about anything else. It was simply that so many jinshi outside had yet to receive appointments, why had he alone been singled out and called in?
Hearing this, Director Yuan’s gaze flickered slightly, though his expression remained perfectly steady. He waved a hand and said: “You think you’re the only one? This year there’s droughts and floods everywhere; every region is desperately short of manpower. We’re assigning posts to your entire cohort of jinshi. It’s just that this particular position is especially urgent and truly cannot wait. That’s why I called you in today, to explain things clearly and set your mind at ease so you can depart without worry.”
As he spoke, he drew himself up and adopted a stern expression. “Qingzhou is a place His Majesty values greatly. Ever since the previous magistrate died suddenly of illness, the post has remained vacant. As long as no one fills the position, His Majesty remains troubled day and night over the matter. You all have received imperial grace in being allowed to come to the capital and pass the examinations. In future, you will receive the court’s salary and support, and so you must share His Majesty’s burdens. You absolutely must not refuse or evade the appointment just because the official rank is small, nor resort to glib excuses—”
Before he could finish, Zhao Baozhu raised his head. His eyes shone brightly as he said with utmost seriousness: “Please rest assured, Director Yuan. Since His Majesty has issued an imperial decree and needs someone to go, then I have no reason to decline.”
Director Yuan froze for a moment, unexpectedly struck by the light in Zhao Baozhu’s eyes.
After several breaths, he finally smiled again and asked: “Good, good. Since that’s the case, just press your thumbprint beside your name.”
Zhao Baozhu nodded. Without hesitation, he dipped his finger into the cinnabar paste and firmly pressed down a red thumbprint.
Only after seeing that thumbprint did Director Yuan truly smile. First he picked up the imperial decree and carefully examined it from beginning to end. Then he reached into his robes and took out a green-topped command token, handing it to Zhao Baozhu.
“His Majesty has said that whoever receives this appointment may first collect five taels of silver to cover travel expenses. Take this token and go claim it.”
He was well versed in the art of ruling people with both reward and threat. No sooner had he offered the sweet date than his expression sharpened again, and he said sternly: “Remember this: once you return, pack your things and depart immediately. If you dare shirk or delay, I’ll personally have you dragged before the authorities!”
Zhao Baozhu accepted the token and nodded. “Please rest assured, Director Yuan. I certainly will not miss the appointed time.”
Since the decree clearly stated he was to depart immediately, then that was the Emperor’s will. An imperial command could not be disobeyed. Having accepted it, Zhao Baozhu intended to carry it out fully.
Director Yuan had spent many years navigating the Ministry of Personnel and naturally possessed keen judgment of character. The moment he saw Zhao Baozhu’s expression, he knew the young man truly meant every word he said. Realizing this, the false smile at the corner of his mouth stiffened briefly, though it quickly returned. Stepping forward, he patted Zhao Baozhu on the shoulder.
“Good! That is exactly how a scholar ought to be. Once you arrive in Qingzhou, govern well and do not forget the grace His Majesty has shown in promoting you.”
Zhao Baozhu nodded. “Yes.”
Director Yuan smiled and said: “In that case, hurry back and prepare. There are still many people waiting outside, and it wouldn’t do to attract attention. I shan’t see you out.”
Then he raised his voice toward the doorway: “Qian San! Take him to the accounts office to collect his silver!”
“Coming!”
Someone answered from outside. A servant in coarse short robes and a square headscarf poked his head in. “Master Zhao, please follow me.”
Seeing this, Zhao Baozhu bowed once more to Director Yuan, then took the imperial decree and followed the servant out.
Only after their figures vanished through the doorway did the smile abruptly disappear from Director Yuan’s face. Without that kindly expression, the flesh on his broad face appeared strangely sinister beneath the dim candlelight.
He stared in the direction Zhao Baozhu had left for a long while before tilting his head slightly and asking in a low voice: “You’re certain this Zhao Baozhu is really from that village in Yizhou?”
The official who had earlier led Zhao Baozhu in stepped forward. “This Zhao Baozhu is indeed from Qingxi Village in Chang County, Yizhou. There’s no mistake.” After speaking, he cautiously studied Director Yuan’s expression and asked uncertainly: “Could it be… that you think something is amiss?”
Director Yuan’s expression was unreadable. “Chang County is notoriously poor. Yet look at what he’s wearing, all top-quality fabrics.”
There was naturally something suspicious here.
Though Qingzhou was famous for its beautiful scenery, it was equally notorious for its poverty. And Wuya County was the poorest of all, isolated, dilapidated, dominated by local gentry and powerful clans who had seized nearly every bit of profitable land. Any magistrate sent there was doomed to be sidelined, unable to gain even the slightest advantage. Living solely on the pitiful official salary from the yamen was enough only to avoid starving to death.
Of the previous magistrates sent there, some had colluded with the local elites in corruption and been dismissed from office. Others simply endured the bitter place day after day, forever hoping the Emperor might someday remember them and transfer them elsewhere. Some even begged old classmates or fellow graduates to put in a good word for them, praying for the chance to escape that cursed place.
The evil reputation of Wuya County had spread far and wide. After the previous magistrate fell ill from pent-up despair and died, Emperor Yuanzhi tried appointing another official there. The appointed man directly submitted a memorial resigning from office. When the Emperor rejected the resignation, the man simply hanged himself from a roof beam with his belt.
That official had already spent more than ten years tempering himself as a magistrate in another county of Qingzhou. The Emperor’s original intention had been to send him to properly sort out Wuya County. Who could have expected it would frighten the man to death instead?
After that incident, the Emperor no longer dared appoint anyone lightly. It was only this year that he finally issued a decree to the Ministry of Personnel ordering them to select a suitable candidate for Qingzhou.
An imperial decree could be issued casually enough, but the choice of candidate could not.
First, experienced officials already established within the court could not easily be manipulated. So the ministry turned its eyes toward the newly graduated jinshi. The candidate’s ranking could not be too high, and he could not come from a powerful family. The ideal choice was a poor scholar from a humble background, someone eager for office and salary.
The Ministry of Personnel passed the matter downward layer by layer, and after careful selection, they finally picked Zhao Baozhu of Qingxi Village, Yizhou, from among the third-rank graduates.
Judging from today, he did seem easy enough to fool but…
Director Yuan narrowed his eyes. In the end, however, he merely waved a hand. “Forget it. Have the men at the city gate keep watch. Report back to me once he’s left the city.”
The official answered: “Yes, sir.”
***
Meanwhile, after collecting his silver from the accounts office, Zhao Baozhu left the Ministry of Personnel holding the imperial decree.
The other jinshi had already received their jade credentials and gone back to their respective residences. Only Fang Qin remained standing beside the stone lions outside the gates, brows tightly furrowed and expression anxious.
The moment he saw Zhao Baozhu emerge, his face relaxed and he immediately went forward. “How did you end up being the last one out?” Fang Qin asked with a frown.
Zhao Baozhu looked up and, without hiding anything, directly showed him the dazzling golden imperial decree in his hands. Smiling somewhat bashfully, he said: “His Majesty granted me an official post!”
Fang Qin froze in shock. “What?”
Zhao Baozhu curled his lips into a smile and opened the decree for him to see. “It says Qingzhou urgently needs manpower, so I’m to depart today.”
Receiving an official appointment genuinely made him happy. After all, it was closer to home, and once he took office he would begin drawing a salary. He had been in the capital for so long without being able to help his family. At last he would be able to send some silver home.
“It’s just that young master is still in the palace, so I suppose I’ll miss him.” A trace of disappointment crossed Zhao Baozhu’s face. He had wanted to personally thank Ye Jinghua and bid him farewell before leaving, but the timing of the appointment was simply unfortunate.
Turning to the stunned Fang Qin, he said: “Qin Gege, please tell young master for me that as soon as I arrive at my post, I’ll write back. Tell him not to worry about me. I will remember young master’s kindness for the rest of my life. If I ever have a chance to repay him in future, I won’t shrink back even if it costs me my life.”
But Fang Qin barely heard a word Zhao Baozhu said.
He stared at the imperial decree over and over again. Having grown up in the Ye residence, he had received many imperial edicts before. One glance was enough to tell this decree was genuine, every seal and stamp was present.
How could this happen?!
It struck Fang Qin like a bolt from the blue. In previous years, official appointments had never been issued at this stage, what in the world was the Ministry of Personnel doing?! And of all things, it was an imperial decree!
Fang Qin pressed his lips tightly together, cold sweat beading across his forehead. The moment they got into the carriage, he grabbed Zhao Baozhu and said urgently in a low voice: “Baozhu, listen to me. You absolutely cannot go!”
Zhao Baozhu froze. Before he could react, Fang Qin hurried on: “When we get back, stay in your room and don’t come out again! We’ll go deal with the Ministry of Personnel ourselves, say you’ve suddenly fallen gravely ill and resign from the post first!”
Zhao Baozhu blinked at his panicked appearance, then suddenly laughed. “Qin Gege, what are you saying? How can an imperial decree be refused?”
Fang Qin choked at once, his eyes reddening with anxiety.
Just as Zhao Baozhu said, if this had merely been the Ministry of Personnel’s intention, it would have been easy enough to handle. A few words to the right people and it could be smoothed over. But this was an imperial decree, officially issued with his name written upon it and thumbprint affixed.
“Y-you…” Fang Qin was so frantic he lost all composure. Waving the decree, he demanded: “You’re usually such a clever one! Why were you so foolish today? How could you casually press your thumbprint onto something like this?! W-what are we supposed to do now?!”
Seeing Fang Qin so anxious, Zhao Baozhu paused in slight surprise. Then he smiled. “What’s wrong? I received an official post so quickly, isn’t that a good thing?”
He bent down deliberately to study Fang Qin’s expression and blinked. “Or is it because I’m being sent away, and Qin Gege can’t bear to part with me?”
Fang Qin blurted out: “How can you go somewhere that far away? Qingzhou, ah! How could they send you there?!”
Zhao Baozhu laughed even harder. “That makes even less sense. Qin Gege, have you forgotten where I came from? Yizhou is even farther away.”
Fang Qin choked again, rendered speechless. Of course he knew Zhao Baozhu came all the way from Yizhou, and that he was hardworking and dependable. But, but, how could this possibly be the same?!
“Besides…” Zhao Baozhu lowered his head, somewhat embarrassed as he pressed his lips together. “I’ve already troubled the residence for so long. How could I continue staying there? Now things have worked out well enough, I passed the jinshi exam and have even been appointed to office. Young master’s painstaking efforts in teaching me weren’t wasted. Once young master hears about it, he’ll certainly be happy for me too.”
After hearing all this, Fang Qin felt completely choked up, unable to swallow his breath or let it out!
As if young master would be happy about this!
He did not even dare imagine what Ye Jinghua’s reaction would be when he returned from the palace and learned of the matter. Just thinking about it made Fang Qin’s scalp go numb. Yet when he looked into Zhao Baozhu’s sincere eyes, he found himself unable to say a single word.
After all, how could he possibly tell Zhao Baozhu: Young master loves you so much that if he comes back and cannot find you, his heart will surely shatter. Please stay.
Fang Qin’s face flushed bluish-purple from holding everything in. His thoughts were in complete disarray, and no matter how hard he thought, he could not come up with any solution.
By the time they reached the gates of the Ye residence, sweat was pouring from his head. The moment he got down from the carriage, he grabbed a servant boy and urgently said: “Hurry to the main estate! Find master and madam! And ask exactly when young master is coming out of the palace!”
If he did not return soon, this whole matter would truly collapse into disaster!!
***
At the same time, inside Wuying Hall.
Half a quarter-hour earlier, the top three rankings of this year’s palace examination had just been announced.
At this moment, beneath the watchful gaze of two palace eunuchs, the newly crowned zhuangyuan lowered his head while putting on the scarlet, gold-trimmed scholar’s hat and official robes of the top graduate. Beside him stood a tall, sleek, glossy horse, draped with a huge red flower over its chest. Even the horse’s dark eyes looked spirited and proud.
Ordinarily, this entire scarlet outfit would have seemed gaudy. But once the man wearing it lifted his head slightly, brows faintly knit, revealing jade-like features, thick brows, a straight nose, and bright starry eyes, he looked far more handsome than any painted zhuangyuan from a scroll.
Seeing the palace maids standing around Ye Jinghua blushing as they kept sneaking glances at him, Chang Shouguang let out a cold snort and turned to look at the newly crowned top scholar himself.
Ye Jinghua stood sideways beside the horse, casually raising a hand to stroke its back. Every movement carried the effortless elegance of a noble young master. Even the tacky red robes somehow seemed imbued with refinement when worn on him.
Privately, Chang Shouguang curled his lips.
As a fellow man, he had to admit that Young Master Ye truly was handsome. But the way he carried himself annoyed him, he looked like some perfect sculpture, completely lacking the warmth of a living person. The sort who could only fool those inexperienced fools who worshipped him like some heavenly being.
Chang Shouguang grumbled inwardly, though he knew perfectly well that part of his irritation stemmed from losing the palace examination again and ending up second place once more.
At first he had been even more unconvinced. But after Emperor Yuanzhi finished reading Ye Jinghua’s examination essay, the Emperor had burst into loud laughter and directly ordered the eunuchs to pass the paper around for all the jinshi to read. Naturally, Chang Shouguang had read it too.
And after reading it, he could only concede defeat.
That still was not enough. Emperor Yuanzhi even ordered the printing houses to immediately make copies and post them together with the examination rankings outside the Confucian Temple for anyone to read freely.
Such a thing had never happened before in history.
After today, any doubts in the capital regarding Ye Jinghua would completely vanish. Though nine years had passed, the name “Ye Jinghua” would likely once again tower above all scholars.
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