Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  At night, Fan Xian returned to his own place. He chatted to Wan’er about meeting the Second Prince the day before greeting an unexpected guest—vice-minister Xin Qiwu, the Crown Prince’s aide from the eastern palace. 

  Having been given a seat and some tea, Fan Xian stared at the names on the strip of paper. He knew what Crown Prince was up to, but he didn’t know the reason for this visit. 

  “Why are you showing this to me?” Fan Xian asked while shaking his head, “Vice-minister, I’m afraid I do not have the authority to interfere with the examination in any way.” 

  Many months ago, during the process of negotiating with Northern Qi, the two of them were head and assistant deputies. They had cooperated quite well with one another, and there were no character conflicts. Furthermore, a few days ago, they drank together. So it was no wonder that they had become more familiar with each other today. Xin Qiwu took a sip of tea and explained, “You should know what those names mean.” 

  Of course Fan Xian knew. The examination began in two days. At this crucial time, the various government organizations were all secretly in touch with each other; their back doors were almost broken. Supposedly Guo You of the Board of Rites became annoyed by it, but he was afraid to provoke too many nobles, so he asked for Imperial permission to wait it out in the palace. The examiners practically turned the Imperial College into their own residence, and they dared not to leave. 

  But, just based on the current authority of the eastern palace, Crown Prince should have access to plenty of ways if he wanted to pick out some talented people from this examination. Everyone knew that Guo You was a firm supporter of the eastern palace, so it should be simple to deliver word to him. Why, then, was Fan Xian involved? 

  As if detecting Fan Xian’s suspicion, Xin Qiwu shook his head. “Young Sir Fan, you are admired by all, but you don’t seem to understand the various customs of the capital very well. The current rules regarding examinations were passed down from the previous dynasty. There weren’t many changes. In order to prevent cheating, all the submitted exams are to be copied. That way the graders could not associate the exam with an individual by their handwriting. The most important part is sealing an examinee’s name on the exam to discourage fraud.” 

  Xin Qiwu continued, “Those six names on the paper – I’ve seen them all in person.” He smiled, “They are all very talented.” 

  Fan Xian always thought of himself as a composed person. But after Xin Qiwu left, he sat quietly in the study looking at the strip of paper. He could feel anger faintly brewing. Just two days before the exam, he found out that, along with the director, head examiner, and other officials involved, his own position was a complicated but important one. 

  Xin Qiwu had told him that the Imperial court had ordered him to be the proctor for this year’s exam. It was a rather strange position which took full charge of the exam. The proctor held substantial authority. Most importantly, at night, before the officials of the Board of Rites and teachers from the Imperial College copied down the exams, and before the exams were changed for the next day, Fan Xian would be in charge of sealing all the examinees’ names. 

  For those who wanted to play some tricks while taking this exam, the first thing they would have to take care of would be the sealing of the name. Even if one were to bribe some official from the Board of Rites beforehand, the official couldn’t do much if the name seal wasn’t tampered with. 

  Over the years, cheating had already become a skilled trade among the various officials of Qing. Each of them contributed the best they could to provide some assumptions for reference. As for the famous Fan Xian miraculously taking the position of mediator, no one was sure what this little Poetry Sage would do. 

  That was why Crown Prince sent Xin Qiwu directly to Fan Manor. He didn’t think Fan Xian would betray him; he believed that the eastern palace had rewarded him enough, and now it was time for Fan Xian to show his appreciation. 

  Fan Xian looked at the paper strip again. With a grin, he ripped it to pieces. He then walked slowly back to his bedroom. He was a bit thankful toward Second Prince. Had Second Prince been planning the same thing, Fan Xian would be caught in the middle and it would be a difficult situation. 

  But he was still underestimating the complexity of it all. 

  Lin Wan’er sat beside the table, looking at him with a smile. She then gently knocked on the table. The sheets of white paper next to her finger gave off a chill. Fan Xian sighed and slapped his forehead. “Don’t tell me names are written on there.” 

  Li Wan’er chuckled. She stood up and walked over to him, holding onto his arm. She said, “You are smart indeed.” 

  \r \r \r 

  Fan Xian smiled uneasily, “I thought I’d live a life of leisure just before setting off for Northern Qi. Who knew……?” He finally couldn’t hold back anymore. “Who appointed me to this position?” 

  “My father, and yours.” Lin Wan’er looked at him painfully, “While not a head examiner, it’s still a crucial position. Based on how it’s always been, the students that pass this year’s exam and become officials have to call you ‘teacher’ when they see you.” 

  Fan Xian was still not pleased. “Don’t you think our fathers are being too enthusiastic? I’m only seventeen. Do I have to be saluted by a bunch of pedantic scholars?” 

  Li Wan’er giggled. “With your current fame in the capital, there were even people who wanted you to oversee the exam. Your age was the only thing that made the palace reject the idea. You were close to becoming the youngest overseer in centuries.” 

  Fan Xian said, “That’s not a good thing. I regret getting drunk at the banquet.” As hindsight always comes afterwards, Fan Xian received the papers from his wife and discovered that he was familiar with the names. All of them were famous students in the capital, some of which he had met in person. They were truly talented. Only after seeing this did Fan Xian settle down a bit. 

  “Since I’m the proctor, how could they still so brazenly come to the manor?” Fan Xian sighed. “The papers are evidence of their fraud. With this on my hand, they’re being way too bold.” 

  “Old customs.” Lin Wan’er had resided in the palace for many years, so naturally she knew about such things. She explained, “Your position is an important one, yes, but due to its low rank, it wasn’t treated too seriously. On the contrary, if someone from the palace really wanted to cultivate some close aides, the proctors could only pretend nothing happened. But this year, with you taking the position, people are wary of your methods. Bbut they aren’t familiar with your disposition. That’s why they thought to visit you to show their manners and respect. Of course, those that couldn’t get a hold of you would adhere to the old ways; they wouldn’t dare to bother you.” 

  “In that case, I just have to follow the old customs?” Fan Xian frowned slightly; he really wasn’t expecting Qing’s political circles to be so corrupt. As he thought about those poor students living in the libraries in the suburbs, he became unsettled. 

  “You do what you want.” Lin Wan’er was no ordinary person. She said lightly, “Even if none of them wanted to curry favor with you, who would dare rile you?” 

  Fan Xian smiled bitterly. “You’re a princess. Naturally you’re not afraid of anyone,” he thought to himself. “While my background isn’t insignificant, your prince brother wants to use this chance to see my attitude.” He asked, “Who sent these papers?” There were only three papers; not as many as he thought. 

  Lin Wan’er was a bit embarrassed. “In truth, I started all this.” 

  Fan Xian was surprised, “How so?” 

  “I went to the palace today to visit Ning the Talented. You know I always played with her when I was little. That’s one paper.” She frowned, “As for the other two, one was sent by Mister Yuan on father’s orders, and the other was sent by Sir Qin from the Bureau of Military Affairs.” 

  Fan Xian shook his head. Ning the Talented represented the Great Prince who was still stationed far west. And since the prime minister made him a proctor, making use of one’s son-in-law seemed natural. As for Sir Qin of the Bureau of Military Affairs, while Fan Xian had never met him, he knew Sir Qin was a senior official who commanded much authority when it came to the military. That raised a question: instead of educating some fine generals, what was he doing interfering with civil officials? 

  “Never mind those trivial matters. Since the whole country is a crow, there’s no need for me to pretend to be a crane,” Fan Xian said emotionlessly as he shredded all the papers. He gently embraced his wife and walked toward the front of the manor. 

  It was the ninth day of the second month; the first day of the grand examination. All scholars had to show what they learned in the past ten years to the Imperial court. And this examination was the standard for whether or not their knowledge was deemed useful. Like a school of fish, the scholars excitedly walked towards the second bureau of the Board of Rites where the exam was taking place. They looked like they were squeezing into a tiny fish trap. 

  The previous night, Fan Xian had already met up with the other officials who were in charge of the examination. They somewhat nervously arranged the procedure and assumed their positions the next day. 

  An official’s chair was placed by the front gate. Next to it were the various officials from the capital’s office and Overwatch Council. Fan Xian sat firmly on that chair, coldly eyeing the students passing by. 

  The students that walked by, regardless of age, all saluted Fan Xian. Those that knew him saluted out of respect for his name; those that didn’t know him saluted out of respect for his position. The officials next to Fan Xian had already spread out a cotton curtain and were preparing to carry out body searches to look for prohibited items. 

  Fan Xian took a sip of tea. He shook his head as he looked at those students who led difficult lives carrying around blankets, rations, and chamber pots like they were some laborers from a village. Suddenly, he saw one student who just got checked and was about to enter the examination area. Fan Xian rolled his eyes and shouted, “Wait!”


  Chapter 162: Being an Examiner is Really an Interesting Job 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  There was a silence outside the courtyard, and countless nervous glances turned to young Master Fan, unsure what this student’s problem was. Fan Xian looked at the student carrying his crumpled bedclothes. “Have you checked?” he suddenly asked. 

  The functionary from the Ministry of Rites and the official from the Overwatch Council both gave their reports at the same time: “We’ve checked; there’s nothing out of the ordinary.” 

  The student raised his head and puffed out his chest as he looked at Fan Xian. His face was calm, with not a trace of nerves. Fan Xian frowned slightly. “Have you taken his clothes off and checked?” 

  “Yes, sir.” The official to his side looked at the doorway, increasingly filling up with people, and could not help but feel slightly nervous. In a little while, the order would come from the palace. If things remained at this speed, the exam candidates would have difficulty getting in. 

  At that moment, Fan Xian suddenly stood up from the seat of the imperial tutor, walked over to the calm-faced student, looked him up and down, and laughed. He moved in close to his ear, saying, “There’s a problem with your clothes.” 

  He spoke very quietly so that only student could hear. It was a chilly early February, but the student had sweat on his brow! The student’s name was Yang Wanli, and he had absolutely no idea how young Master Fan, poetic wunderkind, had discovered his secret. Under Fan Xian’s calm gaze, he couldn’t help but feel his was beginning to crack. 

  Fan Xian suddenly smiled. “Go in. If I expose you, you’ll have spent ten years in vain. But remember, don’t let me find out you’ve been using your clothes over these two days in the exam hall.” 

  Yang Wanli was pleasantly surprised, but he couldn’t stop his lingering fear. “Thank you for your help, Master,” he said sullenly. He feared that the young intermediary, his eyes like a hawk, could go back on his promise. He took up his ragged bedclothing, and covering up his face, rushed into the exam hall. He was determined that over these two days, he would not open up his clothing to look at the inside layer. 

  Soon after, Fan Xian cautioned a number of poor students who tried in vain to smuggle in crib sheets. Gradually, the functionaries gathered around him understood what was going on. Although they were very surprised by his sharp eyes and judgment, they had a faint worry that there would not be enough time. 

  Fan Xian seemed to have some feelings about his first time acting as an official. He smiled – as he carefully scrutinized the entrants, he made sure not to let a single one slip by. He confiscated many pairs of shoes, caps, and wads of paper hidden behind writing brushes, which began to form a small mountain by the entrance. By now, the students lined up finally realized that this year’s intermediary was strict, and nothing like the poetic immortal they had imagined. He would not understand their attempts at cheating, and so they quickly retreated, throwing all of the things they carried on them into a ditch behind the exam hall. 

  That day, the person taking the lead for the Overwatch Council was someone who Fan Xian knew – Mu Tie, who was currently temporary head of the First Bureau. Hearing his subordinate’s report, he quickly came by. Seeing Fan Xian, he spoke uneasily. “Master, time is getting on; you must be quicker.” 

  When the functionaries from the Ministry of Rites and the Overwatch Council saw his deference to Fan Xian, they couldn’t help but feel shocked. They wondered how someone from the Overwatch Council could be so polite to a junior official; then they considered Fan Xian’s family background – a Prime Minister, a government minister, and a princess – and so they didn’t dare speak out of turn, instead simply and quietly listening to Fan Xian’s reply. 

  Fan Xian fished out the pocket watch from the ship, looked at it, and found that time was indeed getting on. He shook his head, stopped his interesting little game, and stood up. “I, the official Fan Xian, presume that all of you have heard,” he announced to the hundreds of waiting students. “As everyone has seen, in order to avoid any further delays to the timing of the exam, we will not be performing any more body searches today.” 

  The entrants were overjoyed. 

  Fan Xian smiled as he looked around. “Throw all of the things you are carrying into this bamboo basket, and there will be no punishment. If you are discovered over these two days of exams, I shall have you taken away and thrown in front of the royal palace, where all will know what your education is really worth.” 

  \r \r \r 

  The entrants were shocked. Finally, they understood that a ruthless spirit hid behind the smile of this poetic genius, Master Fan. So they all entered, walking in a well-behaved line. As for the students who still wished to risk it, that was a matter for another time. With this allowance, things sped up, and a little while later, the entrance to the exam hall quickly returned to peace and quiet, with only a number of stinky shoes on the floor and countless scraps of paper and some distraught-looking faces. The official from the Ministry of Rites hurriedly got the staff to clear things up in order to greet the order from the palace to begin the examinations and sort out the burning of incense. Things got awfully busy. 

  Everyone was bustling about and thinking about how Master Fan was certainly different from the other officials of the Kingdom of Qing. If he didn’t allow people to bring things in, then fine. But what had happened today, where he searched for them, then still allowed students to enter the exams? If it had been carried out by another examiner, then perhaps the imperial censor would have been angered. But everyone knew that as Fan Xian had dared to do it, he didn’t fear such things. 

  Fan Xian sat in the seat of the imperial tutor and smiled as he looked at the busy scene, chatting with Mu Tie Mu. Mu Tie had assumed that his promotion had been thanks to Fan Xian, so he was particularly friendly toward him. “Thank you for your hard work, Master Fan. Once the imperial order arrives and the exams are declared to have started, then you may return home to rest. The business of watching over the exams naturally is the work of subordinates.” 

  Fan Xian looked at him and smiled. “As you are here, wait a moment and take a stroll around the exam hall. We cannot have a moment’s rest.” 

  “Sir, it is your first time taking on this task, so perhaps you are unaware that once they have entered the exam hall, there is no need to worry too much.” Mu Tie laughed as he spoke, presuming that the young noble was unclear on the unwritten rules of the imperial exams. 

  Fan Xian suddenly spoke in a quiet voice. “This journey to Northern Qi – Master Mu, are you going?” 

  Mu Tie was taken aback. He had not prepared his thoughts on the matter, and unthinkingly responded, “The Council is still arranging things, but it should be a matter for the Fourth Bureau, so I cannot intervene.” He suddenly looked elsewhere, thinking about how young Master Fan wrote poetry but did not love it; instead he seemed prefer business. Presuming he had figured something out, he smiled. “Master Fan, are you preparing goods to take over the northern border? I can help you arrange that.” 

  Fan Xian chucked. “It’s no big deal. I was just asking.” A subordinate came by to serve them tea, and Fan Xian offered Mu Tie a cup. “Master Fan, you seem to be in a good mood today,” said Mu Tie curiously. 

  The corners of Fan Xian’s mouth curled, and an indescribable expression flashed in his eyes; it was like a smile, but not a smile. It was unclear what he was thinking, and some time later, he finally spoke quietly. “In truth, I always presumed that reading without having to take an exam was one of life’s greatest pleasures. After I came to the capital, the thing I feared most was the imperial exams. To my surprise, a year later, I have become the intermediary; I can read books without having to take the exam, and I can relax while watching my peers go through gruelling exams. This really is life’s greatest pleasure.” 

  The imperial edict arrived, the fireworks were launched, the incense table was removed, the doors to the hall were closed, and the curtains were opened on the first imperial exams of the year in the Kingdom of Qing. Hearing the heavy doors of the hall close behind him made Fan Xian suddenly recall the gaokao exams of his previous life. He had never taken them. At the time, he presumed that it was the biggest regret of his life. Now, in this world, he had no need to take part in the imperial exams. Although he was relieved, he still felt some slight regret. [1] 

  “Master, I have come to pay my respects.” The cold early spring wind filled the room upon their entry. Fan Xian bowed toward Guo Youzhi, head of the Ministry of Rites, who sat in the middle of the hall. “The door of the exam hall has closed, and may not be opened again without your order. Scholars from all the counties and prefectures of the kingdom have their examination papers in hand and have begun to compose their essays. Master Mu of the Overwatch Council and an official from the Ministry of Rites are in charge of ensuring candidates have access to food and drink; all should be taken care of.” 

  Guo Youzhi looked at the handsome young face of this fifth-level official and could not help but feel a frown forming. Soon after, he smiled. “Young Master Fan, thank you for your hard work.” He called to the examiners. “According to the old customs, you are to go and inspect in a little while.” 

  The two examiners had recently graduated from imperial exams. One was a scholar of the Imperial College, the other was an academic of the Tongwen Pavilion. They had both been selected by the Emperor himself. Hearing Minister Guo’s orders, they nodded. “Yes, Master.” 

  Guo You turned to Fan Xian. “Young Master Fan, your task is to keep order in the exam hall and help them supervise; patrol the exam hall every now and then and look for any sign of movement at the corner gate. Be ready to accept an imperial decree at any time.” 

  Following Minister Guo’s words, all kinds of officials within the exam hall returned to their duties. A solemn and nervous atmosphere quietly filled every corner of the exam hall. Everyone knew that after his various northern campaigns, the current Emperor had shifted the center of his rule onto the bureaucracy. So every year, each set of exams seemed particularly important. A few years ago, there had even been a precedent of a high-ranking official making undercover inspections, so no one dared be careless. 

  And this time, as far as those diligent students were concerned, this was an even more crucial juncture in life. If they could get through it smoothly, then it was their path to prosperity. If they couldn’t, then they could only return home to the countryside in sadness to prepare for the next year’s exams. The back-and-forth whittled away the youths of countless people, and there were some proud and stubborn ones who, if they failed the exams, lingered around the capital, not willing to return to the countryside. Some of them fell into decay, some loitered, and some disappeared without a trace. 

  This was a ceremony of the nation; this was a place of life and death for scholars. 

  Fan Xian stood on the stone platform, closed his eyes, and listened to the sound of scribbling coming from all corners. He thought of the Crown Prince’s scrap of paper, and a strange smile floated across his face. 

  [1] The gaokao exams are grueling examinations taken by high school students in China wishing to enter university.

  Chapter 163: Spring Wind and Rain Enters the Imperial Exams [1] 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  The sun slowly rose, lessening the chill in the air of the exam hall. The nervous students finally had a chance to warm themselves. They rubbed their hands endlessly to make sure that their handwriting on the page did not appear too stiff; penmanship was one grading criterion for the examination paper, so although the exam had already started a while ago, many of them were still only making mental notes and weren’t in a hurry to start putting pen to paper. It seemed that many of the scholars in the exam hall had experienced suffering of their own. 

  Fan Xian strolled through the exam hall with a smile on his face, his feet not making a sound so as not to disturb the candidates’ thoughts. Strangely, what they usually feared most when writing their essays was an examiner passing behind them or looking their examination papers up and down. But when these students discovered that the one who had stopped to observe them was the brilliant and distinguished Master Fan at the entrance to the exam, they could not help but feel their self-confidence increase ever so slightly. 

  Fan Xian did not seem like the other two examiners, who supervised them with solemn faces; instead, a faint smile hung on his face, and so every student who dared to lift their head to look at Fan Xian felt that the smile on young Master Fan’s face encouraging them. 

  Having patrolled every part of the exam hall, Fan Xian returned to the corner gate where Mu Tie was waiting for him with some well-steeped tea. He watched him take his seat, then laughed and spoke in a low voice. “This is rather boring. Master Fan, it’s fitting that you’ve chosen to rest here. You have a connection to the outside world from here near the corner gate, so it’s not so difficult.” 

  Fan Xian smiled. If he were really to return to the main hall and sit down with Minister Guo, perhaps the minister would not be pleased. Fan Xian wouldn’t feel comfortable either. Sipping his tea, he recalled something odd. The Crown Prince had given him a list of six names, but He Zongwei’s name was not among them. After he had entered the capital, he had learned that He Zongwei was a student of the Grand Secretariat and that he was secretly an official in the Eastern Palace. Logically, he should now be sitting in the civil service exam. 

  He temporarily put the issue aside, casting his gaze over the countless separate little heavy doors, and then to the innermost part of the exam hall. He though up a slightly absurd notion; if he had not used his drunken stupor to frenziedly recite Li Bai and create the poetry anthology, then he would not be sitting here watching over the testers. Life really wasn’t a level playing field. 

  If those students who were scribbling away knew the results of these grand examinations would be sorted through by the major players in the royal court and in the palace like watermelons, how would they feel? 

  Time seemed to go so very slowly. Fan Xian was already close to falling asleep in his chair at the corner gate before he discovered that the sun had risen in the sky. The relevant government offices had sent men with lunches, and someone was there to greet them at the corner gate. After they had carefully inspected the tableware and found that nothing was amiss, they delivered six boxes of food to the central hall. 

  Fan Xian went into the central hall to eat lunch with the other masters and listen to them describe their mornings. They had reprimanded a cheating student in the southeast corner. The supervisor shook his head and sighed. “I have seen cheating students, but I have never seen a student cheat so blatantly like that. To go so far as to overtly copy from an entire book of essays hidden underneath the writing desk, presuming that the curtains around them mean that no one will discover them. They had no idea that the officials around them have sharp eyes.” 

  Guo You, Director-General of the civil service exam and Director of the Board of Rites, suddenly frowned. “How did they bring the book in?” 

  Fan Xian knew that this was his mistake. He smiled. “The security checks were going too slowly, and the official from the Overwatch Council was pressing us for time, so I was slightly worried. I feared breaching the time limits set by His Majesty, so I made a careless mistake. I ask your forgiveness, sir.” He was asking for forgiveness, but was also foisting half the blame onto the Overwatch Council. It was very slippery slope. 

  Guo You looked at him and harrumphed, but did not give him any trouble. After all, this was something that was inevitable in every generation of imperial exams. He could not attack Fan Xian for it. He simply spoke quietly. “This is young Master Fan’s first experience with this. He is inexperienced. You should all be helping him out.” 

  Fan Xian smiled and cupped his hands in salute to the other officers around him, particularly to his superior at the Imperial College. “Principal, please forgive my ignorance. I ask for your guidance.” 

  The principal, Secretary Shu of the Imperial College, was the one who had been glared at by His Majesty that night in the palace hall,. He was a student of Zhuang Mohan, but had always worked for the glory of the people of the Kingdom of Qing, so he did not remember the incident where Fan Xian had made Zhuang Mohan spit blood with any malice. Instead, he chuckled and pointed at Fan Xian. “Dear academic, if you are ignorant, then who in the Kingdom of Qing could dare call themselves knowledgeable?” 

  The other administrators and supervisors also laughed and poked fun at Fan Xian. “The greatest scholar in the illustrious Kingdom of Qing. If you weren’t an astonishing scholar, young master Fan, you should now be in the hall writing at astonishing speed, gnawing at dry bread in hunger, rather than sit here with us eating lunch.” 

  Even Guo You could not help but laugh at this. Fan Xian himself did not have an ounce of self-confidence in his own scholarly talent. But it seemed that no matter whether it was in the bureaucracy, or the entire nation, everyone else had far more confidence in Fan Xian than he did. 

  The students in the exam hall were still nervously scribbling away. The daylight began to fade, and Fan Xian strolled around the hall a few times, looking at everyone’s test papers. He saw that a few of them were truly talented, and could not help but stop and look. Although in Danzhou he had read the scriptures of this world, he had not thought that he would be taking the official exams to enter a career, so when it came to composing such essays, he feared he would be worse off than most. But after all, he had lived in two worlds; it was somewhat of an exaggeration to say he read extensively, but he had a particular way of looking at things. 

  He secretly memorized the names of those people, then strolled to the corner gate and faked a yawn. Cocking his head, he found that Mu Tie was almost asleep as he leaned to one side on the chair. He couldn’t help but laugh. This Mu Tie was a clever person, and extremely capable. Otherwise, Chen Pingping would not have made him head of the First Bureau. But his integrity was somewhat lacking. Perhaps he had only just learned how to flatter. Every time he saw Fan Xian he would be greatly respectful, and for some reason this made Fan Xian feel somewhat uncomfortable. 

  “Master, the corner gate must not be opened.” Seeing the intermediary Fan Xian walk to the side of the corner gate, there was an uncomfortable look on the Overwatch Council officials’ face. He blocked the way. “Other than for deliveries of food and water, the corner gate must remain closed.” 

  \r \r \r 

  “I am aware of that rule,” Fan Xian laughed. “I just wanted to have a look around, and see if there’s anything fun.” 

  His talk seemed somewhat odd and not in accordance with decorum. In the Emperor’s civil service exams of this mighty nation, Fan Xian was an examiner, and yet he wanted to look for amusement in the exam hall. But what was strange was that this official, hearing his words, also smiled in response. “There’s a lot of fun to be had in the exam hall. Come around later.” 

  Fan Xian was quiet as he looked at the official’s ordinary-looking face. Suddenly he spoke. “Is it you I should be looking for?” 

  “Correct, Commander.” The official lowered his head. 

  Fan Xian looked him in the eyes. He knew that this official was not of high status within the Overwatch Council, but he certainly was placed here as Chen Pingping’s trusted aide. He couldn’t help but smile. “Did Master Chen specify a time?” 

  “After the civil service exams, within three days,” replied the official quietly. 

  “Very well, I still have something that requires your help. I need to check the background of a few people.” Fan Xian told the official the names of the people he had memorized. “Don’t look into their family background, just their conduct.” 

  “Understood,” said the official quietly. “Commander, if you could show me your token?” 

  Fan Xian took out the Overwatch Council commander’s token from his waist, the one that had helped him countless times. The official took a look at it. “Have you memorized them?” Fan Xian asked gently. 

  “I have,” replied the official, “but I will have to report this to the director.” 

  “I understand.” Fan Xian smiled warmly. “Before the exam papers are sealed, I want your report back.” 

  “Yes sir.” 

  “Do I need to know your name?” 

  “No need,” said the official quietly. “I am but a lowly official of the Council. I dare not waste your faculties remembering my name.” 

  The Crown Prince wanted to arrange for his backers of many years to be within the court. Perhaps the Great Prince was the same. As for his father-in-law and the Bureau of Military Affairs, it was the typical path of the corrupt official. Thinking about this, Fan Xian couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. His own father-in-law was still not willing to make things easier for him. 

  But he understood that this was the normal state of affairs of the bureaucracy, and what he was about to do was rather unusual. 

  Fan Xian sighed slightly. In a few years, when he was older, should he also arrange for his own backers to enter the seeming playground of the bureaucracy? But at the moment, he had no way to do such a thing. The most important thing was to coordinate with the Overwatch Council and make sure that the civil service exams were dealt with properly. He didn’t want to give himself too much trouble. 

  After his “speech-paper” had successfully ousted the eldest princess from the palace, he had wanted to make sure everything was a bit more stable. If it wasn’t for the powerful tricks of the Eastern Palace trying to pull him closer, perhaps he still could manage it. And he considered his own plans to be low-risk. Whether it was his own overt power, the grandmaster who stood behind him in the shadows, or the terrifying Council, they were all powers that most people were yet to understand. He believed that as long as he did not interfere with the most basic interests of the royal family of the Kingdom of Qing, then in this seemingly formidable but actually mutually restrictive bureaucracy, he had great prospects for the future. 

  After his rebirth, he had lived for a good while, and he could not back down too much. Otherwise, would he not have wasted the efforts of the many interesting helpers his mother had left behind for him? Why couldn’t he do the same things that the princes and the high officials did? Not only did he want to do them, he wanted to do them beautifully. 

  “At heart, I really am shameless.” Fan Xian looked at the hall full of suffering students, and a smile arose on his face. “If a monk paws at the nun, then why can’t I? Not only do I want to paw at the nun, I want to make sure that the monk can’t.” [2] 

  [1] “Spring Wind and Rain” is a Chinese idiom referring to the long-term influence of a solid education. 

  [2] A reference to Lu Xun’s The True Story of Ah Q; the protagonist is the loser Ah Q, who bullies a nun to make himself feel better, accusing her of sleeping with a monk and trying to molest her by saying “if the monk paws at you, why can’t I?”


  Chapter 164: You’re Confused, I’m Confused…… Everybody’s Confused [1] 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  “Troublemaker!” 

  Chen Pingping mumbled the insult, and the heads of the Overwatch Council felt a slight twinge of fear seeing the Director’s anger. Chen Pingping pulled down the blanket over his knees and coughed. His messy white hair was not all that appealing to look at. “The Council regulations are extremely clear. We do not stick our noses in palace affairs, except on the Emperor’s orders.” 

  Fourth Bureau head Yan Ruohai forced a smile and shook his head. “Unfortunately, it really can’t be helped. Before, we were checking for cheating in the imperial exams. But this sort of thing happens in the highest echelons, and we don’t have enough people in those positions. It’s hard to find the thread. Now that we have these names, we can follow the thread, and it shouldn’t be difficult to find the official behind this. I just did not expect it to lead us to the Eastern Palace.” 

  Internal discussions in the Overwatch Council had always been extremely bold and full of biting criticism. Except for their unparalleled loyalty to His Majesty, these secret police chiefs did not care in the slightest about the people around them. 

  Chen Pingping pushed his wheelchair over to the window, his white hair standing out against the black curtain, appearing especially clear as he said, “This commissioner’s order is truly something. Last night His Majesty finally decided to look into this year’s exam hall scandal. He has sent quite a gift.” 

  Yan Ruohai was also thoroughly curious about this commissioner, whom he had never laid eyes on. He was not sure how he had gotten hold of this list of names. “We should look into it as soon as possible,” he said quietly. 

  “Mm.” Chen Pingping waved a hand, dismissing the gathered subordinates and sending them back to making arrangements for the big operation that was to happen in a few days’ time. But Yan Ruohai stayed behind, and some time later, he spoke coldly. “There are plenty of people who know this commissioner’s identity, so there is no way to keep this a secret. His Majesty wishes to ensure that the Crown Prince can save face, so we cannot move against the person in the Eastern Palace.” 

  “And the Prime Minister?” Yan Ruohai had a sudden thought. Guessing at the commissioner’s identity, he couldn’t help but feel rather shocked. 

  Chen Pingping narrowed his eyes. “So you know who it is. Of course, we cannot move against his father-in-law no matter what, as you well know.” 

  “The truth is that we can’t move against any of these people.” Yan Ruohai laughed bitterly. “Apart from the Crown Prince, one is a noble of the palace, one is the Prime Minister, and one is a senior figure in the Bureau of Military Affairs. The Council has always had a good relationship with the military. We can’t sever it for the sake of such small matters.” 

  “Mm.” Chen Pingping let out a grunt. “We must move on these three threads. But we cannot follow them to their source, or there will be repercussions throughout all levels of society. Even His Majesty would be unable to escape it. These people are officials. Perhaps they have guessed that the Emperor does not have complete control over his officials as a result of the exam hall scandal and have become much more brazen recently.” 

  He suddenly laughed, but there was a coldness in his smile. “But they didn’t expect that someone might be even more brazen then they are. Someone has sold them out.” 

  Yan Ruohai frowned. “Commissioner Fan has acted inappropriately here. When there are so many nobles transgressing like this, where does it end?” 

  “This is what he is doing by giving me this.” It wasn’t clear whether Chen Pingping’s expression was one of fury or madness, but he was clearly not in a good mood. “He knows that the old man can’t allow him to be at the heart of the struggle, and so that is why he gave me this list of names. He is telling me that he does not wish to be led around by the nose, and he wants me to help deal with this!” 

  Yan Ruohai did not dare say anything, but he felt rather alarmed. What really was the relationship between Director Chen and Count Sinan’s eldest son? Why Would he all of a sudden act like this? And looking at his master’s face, it looked as if he was really going to go along with Fan’s plan. 

  Chen Pingping calmed himself down, then suddenly burst out laughing, though the laughter was barbed and ugly-sounding. “Interesting. Truly, truly interesting.” 

  “What benefit does it bring Commissioner Fan to act like this?” asked Yan Ruohai, curious. 

  “There are always a few strange people in this world who do not act in their own self-interest.” Chen Pingping seemed to have recalled something, and a rarely seen look of reverence appeared on his face. It was a look that Yan Ruohai had never seen on Chen Pingping’s face, not even when he had met with the Emperor. 

  “Sir, if I may ask, how high up does this exam scandal go?” 

  Chen Pingping lifted his head slightly. “His Majesty feels that the Guo family has been in charge of the Board of Rites long enough.” 

  “Understood.” 

  \r \r \r 

  “Currently there is no one at the First Bureau. Mu Tie is not clever enough, so I will put you in charge.” 

  “Yes, sir.” 

  The civil exams had reached the third round. Fan Xian dabbed at the corner of his eyes with a warm wet cloth, and found that the past few days had really left him feeling fatigued. The sleep in his eyes had increased, and he couldn’t help but laugh bitterly as he stood up and stretched. He took a scrutinizing look at the students who were bent over asleep at their desks. If he had found it this hard just to be their examiner, he felt even more pity for the students. 

  This was the last day of the civil service exams. Fan Xian had already spent several days inside the exam hall located in the second office of the Ministry of Rites. Although they had frequently sent food and other revitalizing things from home, his body and mind were both extremely fatigued. He yawned and walked up to where Yang Wanli was to take a close look. Over the next few days, he discovered that this Yang Wanli was a very committed student. The things that he had wedged into his clothes had not moved an inch. He couldn’t help but feel pleased. 

  What particularly surprised him was that Yang Wanli seemed to have a truly talented mind. Though his commentary were not completely without reproach, and his opinions did not fall on any overtly political line, they were conscientious, unadorned, and were very much in line with Fan Xian’s own temperament. The nameless official from the Overwatch Council returned with his report. Yang Wanli was from a poor family. As a child, he had studied at a clan school in Quanzhou. His performance in the provincial exams had been excellent, and Fan Xian had uncovered his cheating, so he was inevitably more careful. 

  Yang Wanli had now finished the final exam question, and with tiredness across his face, he was checking to make sure he had not made any slip-ups. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of young Master Fan once more coming toward him, and he couldn’t help but feel nervous. 

  Although he was in the exam hall, Fan Xian obviously could not talk to any of the students. But having gone through days of torment, Yang Wanli’s state of mind was somewhat distracted. Boldly, he took hold of his lapels, staring miserably at Fan Xian. It seemed that he was asking the young examiner a question: How had Fan Xian discovered the things he was hiding earlier in the exam hall? 

  Fan Xian couldn’t restrain his smile. Was this how he made the most of his scholarly talent? It was inappropriate to speak with him; he only used the forefinger of his right hand to gently point at Yang Wanli’s bedclothes. 

  Yang Wanli was confused and looked down. All he could see were the bedclothes lumped together behind him that looked like a big black jujube. Then he looked at the long satin gown he was wearing, which, while unwashed for several days, still projected an air of nobility. His heart skipped a beat as he realized how he had slipped up. How could an exam candidate wearing such a freshly washed silk gown carry such a dirty pile of bedclothes into the exam hall? 

  He couldn’t help but laugh at his foolishness. 

  Fan Xian smiled. He had made his decision. With his hands behind his back, he strolled away. 

  It was night time, and the students were gradually making their way out of the exam hall at the Ministry of Rites. After several grueling days, they were on the verge of fainting, yawning incessantly, their bodies stinking, and their faces heavy with a dazed expression. There were still a few students left over who wrote slowly, bent over their desks chewing on their writing brushes. Some others had fallen asleep in the lamplight; it was still not yet time, so none of the examiners had come to deal with them. 

  Suddenly, there was the sound of a gong in Tongtuo Alley by the side of the Ministry of Rites. It sounded crisp and clear, and was seemingly meant to awaken all of the nighttime city. 

  “Your time is up; students, please put down your writing brushes.” 

  Shouting loudly, the officials of the Ministry of Rites began to clear the hall, clearing out those students who had still yet to put down their writing brushes. There was one candidate in his forties, his hair already white, who had yet to finish the questions. He howled in despair as he refused to leave his writing desk, until eventually he was pitifully dragged out by some officers of the Overwatch Council. 

  They could still hear his sobbing some time later. It was not easy to listen to as it echoed all around outside the exam hall of the Ministry of Rites. 

  Fan Xian sighed. He had no sympathy. This world and that world were the same; whether you were able and suitable to do something depended entirely on your own effort, and nothing more. It was not that he was heartless, but as he saw it, their tests were finished, and his test…… well, that had only just begun. 

  On the night that the civil service exams concluded, the scrolls had to be sealed; this was Fan Xian’s job. The chief examiner, two examiners and two supervisors were all high-ranking court officials, and they did not dare leave. They all waited as Fan Xian led people in sealing the examinees’ names on their examination papers and making copies of the answers. Then they could seal the papers and signed them. 

  The candles shone bright and clear on the busy scene within the second office of the Ministry of Rites. Outside, dozens of functionaries separated the exam papers and arranged them. In another room, Fan Xian rubbed his temples as he watched the officials from the Ministry of Rites seal the names on the papers. 

  Before all the test papers had been sealed, they had to be sent over to Fan Xian. Fan Xian did not dare show the slightest neglect, and he carefully pored over the names on each test paper, affixing corresponding names to the four sheets of paper. Some time later, he had gone through dozens of test papers, inconspicuously placing them on his right hand side. 

  By his side, the two officials from the Ministry of Rites lowered their heads and looked at each other. They knew that these dozen or so papers had been called for specifically by higher-ups in the palace and the royal court. 

  Having finished this, Fan Xian beckoned them over and indicated that they were to begin sealing them. The two officials from the Ministry of Rites did not dare miss a thing, and they quickly began covering over the names and birthplaces of candidates on the sheets with paper. 

  Fan Xian also didn’t arouse suspicion, looking carefully to the side, eventually discovering how these officials of the Kingdom of Qing carried out such matters. It turned out that as they sealed the test papers he had gone through, the slips of paper they were using when pasting names were slightly shorter than the paper they used on the other exam sheets for the pasted names of the average sentence. 

  Watching the officials from the Ministry of Rites solemnly paste short slips of paper onto the exam papers he had gone through, Fan Xian couldn’t stop himself from smiling. If Guo You knew that not these papers were from candidates hand-picked by the palace – that some of them were talented students that he had chosen personally, such as that foolish Yang Wanli – how angry would old Guo be? 

  But he did not know that if his little trick fell into the hands of the Overwatch Council, Minister Guo would perhaps not even have the chance to get angry.