“What you say does make some sense. In that case, I shall look forward to seeing this scholar's magnificent prose later.”
Zhao Huan spoke as he smiled and looked at Cai Shu.
You little…!
Cai Shu felt like cursing. This trap seemed a bit too big.
This was the current Crown Prince!
Although Cai Jing was the current Prime Minister, he was part of the Yun Prince faction.
Over the years, they had caused no small amount of trouble for His Highness the Crown Prince.
It could be said that the Yun Prince’s current influence was largely due to Cai Jing’s contributions.
Now, Han Mo had handed him over to the Crown Prince. He might not even be able to clearly explain the Four Books and Five Classics, let alone excel in the Book of Changes at the Imperial Academy.
If this Crown Prince let him off today, it would truly be a ghost’s doing!
“Gentlemen, I believe what this scholar said also makes some sense. When the court employs people, it is naturally to utilize their talents to the fullest! My father, the Emperor, asked me to come and assess the knowledge of you scholars, and I believe this is the reason!”
Zhao Huan’s casually spoken words immediately made Han Mo regret his actions.
Judging by his tone, was he planning to test them on anything and everything?
If he had known this would happen, he should have challenged them to a game of calculus, or even the multiplication tables!
But it seemed too late now. If he were to admit that his poem was plagiarized, he might not even be able to save his own life.
The crime of deceiving the emperor!
In this era, this was something that could truly cost him his life!
“Your Highness is wise!”
Although they had never heard of such a thing, it wasn't a major examination. They still had to give the Crown Prince face.
“In that case, all scholars, please report the subjects you are skilled in!”
Zhao Huan spoke with a faint smile on his face.
“By the way, these two scholars don’t need to. Cai family’s young master is skilled in divination, and it would be a good story to spread now! Han Mo, is it? Since Father Emperor praises your poetry and prose as unparalleled, I shall listen to your fine works today!”
I’ll be damned!
Cai Shu was dumbfounded. What did he mean by not needing to? Was the retaliation that obvious?
He even said it would be a good story to spread. Was this a compliment or a threat?
Han Mo’s mood was much better than Cai Shu’s. Although this wasn't his forte, if the topic wasn't too obscure, it shouldn't be too difficult to plagiarize something!
Regardless of the Crown Prince’s intentions, since he had proactively extended an olive branch, it was good news for Han Mo.
However, to pledge allegiance to him? That was still out of the question!
After all, this fellow was like mud on a wall, unable to support itself. This fellow had done his fair share of self-sabotage.
Moreover, the most important thing was that his backbone was too soft. Han Mo did not want to be reviled day and night by future generations.
Although those scholars didn't know what was going on, such an examination was genuinely good news for them.
After all, all the grades obtained in the Imperial Academy’s upper division would eventually be factored into their overall scores.
These records were occasionally reviewed by the Emperor. While most of the time they were practically useless, in the Song Dynasty, where officials were more numerous than dogs, who knew if the Emperor might use them to relegate you to some obscure corner?
After all, according to the Song Dynasty's salary system, in addition to the direct payments of money, grain, and material allowances, a significant portion of an official’s remuneration came from assigned fields.
What was even more interesting was that these assigned fields were allocated according to one's official position.
This meant that if you were an official in the frontier, your assigned field would be in the frontier; if you were in Jiangnan, your assigned field would follow you to Jiangnan.
The yield of one mu of land in the fertile and prosperous Jiangnan was not the same as that of one mu of land in the Gobi Desert!
It was important to remember that the income generated from assigned fields was also a crucial component of an official's salary.
The court was responsible for finding people to cultivate the land. The harvested grain was assessed and graded by specialists. Half of the annual harvest went to the official, and the other half went to the farmers who cultivated the land.
Of course, high-ranking officials had other sources of income, but those were benefits for senior officials.
These greenhorns like them received nothing each month apart from the ten strings of cash for tea provided by the court.
Under such a system, how could these novices who had not yet entered officialdom dare to neglect their academic performance?
“What are you looking at? I don’t believe that even with His Highness the Crown Prince here, you can cause any more trouble! Don’t think that no one knows what you’ve done!”
Seeing Han Mo’s gloating expression, Cai Shu’s eyes were about to pop out, and he said fiercely.
“I think you should worry about how you’ll get out of this yourself! Cai Xiangguo’s young master is untalented and unlearned, yet he can still enter the court’s upper division! Tsk tsk tsk, do you think there will be anyone in court who will help you spread your good name?”
Han Mo said with a wicked smile, looking at Cai Shu.
“You just wait for me!”
Cai Shu gritted his teeth and covertly signaled to a follower in the stands.
The person seemed to understand quickly, immediately circling around quietly and heading towards an instructor in the field.
Han Mo actually recognized this person. This person seemed to be called Qin Huizhi, the very person who had brought him to the upper division.
Could this fellow be planning some mischief against him?
Han Mo immediately became vigilant. If Cai Shu were to play dirty against him, he would truly have to be careful.
“You should be careful, that Qin Hui might make things difficult for you!”
A scholar sitting on Han Mo’s other side said in a low voice.
Indeed, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Although Han Mo had no deep acquaintance with them, these people seemed to look down on Cai Shu, that arrogant and overbearing fellow.
No! WAP.kanshu伍.net
Qin Hui?
Holy cow!
Han Mo almost jumped up. He suddenly remembered Qin Hui's life story. Qin Hui, courtesy name Huizhi, served as Grand Tutor of the Imperial Academy and Envoy for Reception!
Damn it!
He should have thought of this earlier. How could he have been so slow-witted?
This fellow was no good bird, the mastermind behind Yue Fei's death, a traitorous official who surrendered and sold out the country.
A historical sinner who would be spurned by the world for thousands of years to come!
To think he didn't recognize such a notorious scoundrel!
“Thank you, Senior Scholar, for the reminder! Han Mo is deeply grateful. May I know your esteemed surname and given name!”
Han Mo quickly said.
“Brother Han, you are too kind. My name is Zhong Yanchong!”
Surname Zhong?
“Then may I ask, are you and the Old Zhong Commander related…”
“He is my grandfather!”
Holy cow!
Here comes another formidable figure!
Han Mo suddenly realized that he might have truly underestimated his fellow classmates. It seemed that the backgrounds of these people were all extraordinary!
This fellow was actually the grandson of Zhong Shidao!
[Author’s Note]
There were conflicting accounts in two historical records, so I specifically purchased a book, which caused a delay of a few days. I apologize for disappointing everyone, but I will make up for it with two chapters starting today!