The Great Zhou was at its zenith at this time. A single imperial examination attracted thousands of candidates.
In this world, the imperial examination system focused primarily on classical interpretation and policy questions. Passing the county-level exam conferred the title of “xiucai” (scholar), while passing the provincial exam conferred the title of “juren” (candidate for the higher degree). This was the metropolitan examination, also known as the Spring Examination (Chunwei), which required three rounds of testing, each lasting three days.
Held once every three years, the metropolitan examination naturally brought much excitement to the Western Capital. However, to time-loopers like Ji Fu, it was merely a time when inns were packed, crowds bustled about, and literary enthusiasm surged.
“Out of thousands, only two hundred will be selected!”
On the day the examination grounds opened, Ji Fu stood outside the main gate with several servants, watching the massive crowd of candidates, and sighed deeply: “I’ve heard the provincial examination is even more ruthless in eliminating candidates. Becoming a juren is extremely difficult, but once attained, one immediately enters the scholar-official class, enjoying many privileges and capable of enriching an entire family overnight… This system, this system…”
His eyes lit up: “If this could be widely implemented in the Great Zhou world, what fear would there be of aristocratic families, scholarly schools, or bureaucratic clans?”
Of course, this was beyond his current status to implement, and the central government, already on the brink of collapse, could not afford the backlash.
At the thought of the decline of the government in his original world, Ji Fu’s mind cleared completely of such thoughts.
“Creak!”
With a loud sound, the courtyard gate opened, and a tide of candidates poured out. Some even collapsed immediately upon exiting.
“Seeing Brother Zhang so confident, I should offer my congratulations first. I wish Zhang success in becoming a jinshi (presented scholar)!”
Ji Fu’s eyes sparkled as he spotted Zhang Tianxiang walking calmly, and hurried forward to offer his congratulations.
“I’m fine…”
Zhang Tianxiang smiled slightly, refusing the servant’s offer to support him: “Rather, it’s Brother Li and the others who have endured a long journey and great stress, and are still forcing themselves to remain standing. Quickly send them back and call a physician for proper care!”
“As you command!”
Several servants immediately stepped forward, supporting the nearly limp figures of Li and others back to the carriages.
Ji Fu followed behind, but suddenly paused his steps, gazing at several dark shadows at the edge.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhang Tianxiang’s martial arts skills were even superior to Ji Fu’s. Following Ji Fu’s gaze, he immediately spotted several monks and some hurriedly moving foreigners, feeling quite surprised.
“These people seem suspicious! They don’t appear to have good intentions!”
Ji Fu answered gravely.
“Brother Ji worries too much. This is under the Emperor’s rule. What could they possibly dare to do?”
Zhang Tianxiang scoffed, yet thoughtfully glanced at Ji Fu. He mused that if anyone had suspicious backgrounds, it was probably this group that deserved more attention.
…
Several days later, more than two thousand candidates crowded densely outside the examination grounds, their expressions excited as they stretched their necks.
“The list is out! The list is out!”
With two salvoes of cannon fire, the central gate of the examination grounds opened. Two officials from the Ministry of Rites carried out a yellow silk list and had it hung for public viewing.
Whoosh!
Thousands of candidates surged forward like a tide, searching for their names. Cheers like “I passed!” and “I made it!” rang out intermittently.
Of course, compared to the few excited ones, there were far more disappointed and dejected candidates, with many crying bitterly or fainting.
Not far from the examination grounds, there was a tavern.
On the second floor, Zhang Tianxiang had reserved a table with several familiar candidates, quietly watching the scene below, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. Despite having ordered a table of delicacies and fine wines, few had the appetite to touch their food.
“This imperial examination is truly the lifelong hope of poor scholars, a shortcut to reaching the heavens!”
Ji Fu silently observed the scene, feeling somewhat lost yet suddenly gaining some understanding.
Born into the royal family, he had enjoyed a life of luxury since childhood, and the Great Zhou world did not practice the imperial examination system, so he naturally lacked deep feelings about it.
But now, watching the bustling crowd outside, he felt an indescribable powerful force rushing toward him, almost suffocating him.
“I passed! I passed!”
At this moment, a commotion came from downstairs as a servant, previously sent to check the list, excitedly reported: “Master! You passed! First place!”
“Congratulations on becoming the top candidate of the metropolitan examination! Congratulations!”
The fellow candidates offered their congratulations, and Zhang Tianxiang raised his cup in response. Although his expression remained calm, the slight tremble in his wine glass still revealed his inner excitement.
The other candidates understood well and few laughed at him.
However, after waiting for a while, only this one good news came, clearly indicating that the others had failed.
Although everyone had mentally prepared themselves, they still felt disappointed.
Seeing this, Zhang Tianxiang did not want to show excessive joy, so he accompanied them for a few drinks before excusing himself and leaving.
Unbeknownst to him, behind him, a group of time-loopers looked at him with pity in their eyes.
“Ahh…”
Ji Fu looked down at the noisy scene below and couldn’t help but sigh: “Only now do I truly understand the value of a jinshi! Unfortunately…”
He glanced sideways and indeed saw several dark shadows flickering in a corner before disappearing in an instant.
…
As night fell, in a monastery on the outskirts of the Western Capital.
Although located in a remote area, this place had clean, bright steps, indicating a thriving incense offering. Within the large monastery, dozens of ever-burning lamps illuminated the space day and night, emitting the fragrance of sandalwood.
This temple was called the Arhat Monastery, famous for its eighteen pure bronze Arhat statues.
Inside the Arhat Hall, the bronze statues of the Arhats exuded majesty and lifelike presence, as if they might leap down from the altar at any moment to display their power of subduing dragons and tigers.
In the hall, only a single white reed meditation cushion was placed, upon which a monk sat in deep meditation, his eyebrows and beard white.
The old monk silently chanted sutras, a layer of glazed light radiating from his body, carrying the scent of incense offerings. This light harmonized with the eighteen Arhat statues, one of which shimmered with flowing radiance, as if coming to life.
“Amitabha Buddha! Greetings to the Dragon-Tamer Sage!”
A monk entered from outside and, seeing the scene, clasped his palms in salute: “The Venerable’s cultivation has advanced further—truly a cause for celebration!”
“You must have urgent matters to disturb my cultivation at this time. Please speak freely!”
The old monk turned around, slightly opening his eyes to reveal cloudy whites.
But for some reason, seeing him standing beneath the Dragon-Tamer Arhat statue, the monk named Fayan suddenly felt breathless, as if facing the true Arhat himself.
Reporting to the Venerable!
He dared not delay, immediately bowing to speak: “All our Tri-sphere disciples have been dispatched, and we have finally located that person! We have confirmed his identity!”
“Who is it?”
“The bamboo scholar Zhang Tianxiang! This person has already passed the metropolitan examination, ranked first in literary talent, and has been named the metropolitan examination top scorer!”
The Venerable Dragon-Tamer was slightly startled: “Already a juren? Then the dragon qi must have already surged forth, making it difficult to sever easily!”
“Exactly…”
Monk Fayan’s expression turned solemn as he clasped his palms: “The Venerable Heavenly Eye personally went to observe and returned blind in both eyes, only telling his disciples one sentence – ‘The dragon soars in the sky!'”
“Send this information through the Astronomical Bureau to higher authorities!”
Venerable Dragon-Tamer suddenly made a decision: “At this moment, the Great Zhou Dynasty’s dragon energy is flourishing, subduing the four seas and attracting tributes from myriad kingdoms. All dragon veins across the land should be suppressed. Yet this young man has emerged with dragon energy, already forming a formidable presence—essentially a dragon-like entity. Only a true dragon can subdue him!”
When cultivators get involved in such matters, the outcome is often not good.
Originally, Monk Fayan thought this master of the Ten Directions Monastery would handle it privately, either supporting or seizing the dragon qi to greatly enhance his fortune, but he never expected that the imperial court would be alerted?
“Go quickly!”
The Venerable Dragon-Tamer said no more, sternly ordering.
…
Within the imperial palace of the Western Capital.
Dense golden qi formed a majestic cloud, constantly hovering above, as if a dragon pillar connected heaven and earth, exerting pressure in all directions.
Of course, only those who could observe qi could see this scene. To ordinary people, the palace still exuded an extraordinary aura of majesty and solemnity.
Inside the Nine-Tiered Palace, within the Emperor’s study.
The current Emperor Li Mao was only thirty-three years old, at the prime of his life, full of energy, often working late into the night reviewing documents, making him a diligent ruler maintaining the status quo.
“Sage, it is already late. Please rest early!”
A senior eunuch in a red and purple dragon robe approached, adjusting the flame of the lamp in the magical artifact, making the light in the study instantly become softer.
“Just a little longer!”
Li Mao reviewed several more memorials before setting down his vermilion brush. Feeling a heaviness in his body, he asked, “What time is it now?”
“It is already the third watch of the Zi hour…”
The senior eunuch, skilled at reading expressions, first handed over a warm towel, then served a cup of ginseng tea.
Li Mao warmed his hands, drank the tea, and immediately felt refreshed, as if regaining some strength. He smiled: “Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish. If some matters are not handled now, the officials below will become even more negligent…”
“Sage…”
This eunuch was also a master of both skill and acting, his eyes reddening as he shed some tears: “His Majesty’s diligence and love for the people is truly a blessing for the nation and the people, but please also take care of your imperial health!”
“Hehe…”
Li Mao smiled: “You old servant, alright, after reviewing three more memorials, I’ll rest…”
He casually picked up a memorial and smiled again: “Hmm… This metropolitan examination went smoothly, with no epidemics or gatherings among the scholars. The officials of the Ministry of Rites did their jobs well. The top scorer is Zhang Tianxiang from Qingzhu. Let me see his examination paper!”
With the command from the Son of Heaven, the examination paper was quickly placed on the desk.
“What beautiful handwriting!”
Li Mao looked at the characters, round and smooth, exuding a noble aura, and couldn’t help but praise it. Reading the content, each word struck his heart, making him even more delighted: “Truly a great talent!”
“Seeing how much His Majesty appreciates it, it seems this person is sure to become the zhuangyuan (top scorer of the palace examination)…”
After the metropolitan examination, those selected were called “gongshi” (tribute scholars), and still needed to go through the palace examination, personally reviewed by the emperor. With Zhang Tianxiang’s exceptional literary talent and having captured the emperor’s favor, how could he miss becoming the zhuangyuan?
“Congratulations to His Majesty, and may His Majesty be blessed. This is indeed a literary event blessed by heaven for the Great Zhou!”
The eunuch turned his eyes and immediately offered congratulations.
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
Li Mao asked curiously.
“Since the founding of our dynasty, there has never been a scholar who has won the three top positions in the examinations. Now, under Your Majesty’s reign, such a person is about to emerge. Isn’t that a great event?”
The old eunuch smiled while accompanying.
Li Mao was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter: “Indeed!”
“Report! Secret memorandum from the Astronomical Bureau!”
Suddenly, a memorial was delivered outside the study. After reading it, Li Mao was completely stunned, unknowingly crumpling the document, and said slowly, word by word: “Zhang… Tian… Xiang!”
“Sage…”
The old eunuch was completely stunned, suddenly kneeling to the ground, deeply regretting how early he had praised the emperor’s foresight.
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