Joy of Life: I am Li Chengze, and I have mastered the Eight Wonders

Chapter 15 How can a scholar do this?

Shi Chanli was delighted and temporarily put aside his doubts about Brother Li. However, a mystery lingered in his mind:
"I really don't understand. Since the Ministry of Rites has already started to repair the examination hall, why are the materials they replaced worse than before?"

Fan Xian raised his eyebrows slightly and exchanged a meaningful look with Li Chengze. Both of them were alert, knowing that this spring examination was an important chess game set up by the eldest prince and the eldest princess to consolidate the financial power of the inner treasury, and it contained many challenges.

As for the strangeness of the building materials of the examination room, there may be a conspiracy more complicated than corruption hidden behind it, or it may be a time bomb planted for the future.

Seeing this, Hou Jichang's eyes widened. He quickly pulled Shi Chanli aside and warned him in a low voice: "That's wrong. Don't mention it again!"

"Why not?" Shi Chanli looked confused.

"The renovation of the examination hall was personally supervised by Minister Guo..."

Hou Jichang explained further.

"That's why we should tell Minister Guo the truth, so that he won't be kept in the dark!"

Shi Chanli retorted.

"Brother Shi, it is not appropriate for you and me to interfere in this matter. Please believe me." Hou Jichang insisted on his opinion.

On the side, Li Chengze and Fan Xian watched coldly, silently observing everyone's reactions and personalities.

Yang Wanli angrily threw down the wood in his hand and was furious:

"How can we tolerate such acts of passing off inferior goods as good ones? There must be corrupt officials behind this. As scholars, how can we sit back and watch?"

"Keep your voice down!" Hou Jichang hurriedly covered his mouth, fearing that it would cause unnecessary trouble.

After being pulled aside, Yang Wanli was still indignant and said incoherently:
"You can silence me, but you can't silence the world. I'm going to beat the drum to protest my injustice!"

Hou Jichang was worried about his future being blocked, and he blamed:
"You should read less! Even if we report it, who will believe us?"

Yang Wanli looked up at the sky and said firmly: "I heard that Lord Lai and Lord Fan are jointly presiding over this spring examination. They will definitely be able to do justice for us!"

"Then do you know them?" Hou Jichang asked back.

"Although we don't know each other, I can always find an opportunity to get to know each other." Yang Wanli answered firmly.

Fan Xian and Li Chengze smiled at each other, feeling slightly relieved by Yang Wanli's determination.

Hou Jichang lowered his voice again and reminded:

"Didn't Minister Guo have a long-standing friendship with the two adults? Do you think we are closer to them, or Minister Guo?"

"What if they have already been involved in this crime?"

Yang Wanli's words were so shocking that Shi Chanli almost lost his composure, and Hou Jichang was so anxious that he jumped to his feet.

“That’s not my intention, it’s just that now is not the best time to report it.

As scholars, we come here only to accumulate experience and prepare for future official career.

If we really want to make a difference, it won’t be too late to wait until we actually enter the officialdom.” Hou Jichang explained anxiously.

After hearing this, Yang Wanli shook his head helplessly, slammed the table angrily, and left angrily, leaving behind a sentence "How can a scholar do this!"

Looking at Yang Wanli's departing back, Li Chengze and Fan Xian each had their own thoughts in their minds.

Shi Chanli tried to persuade him to stay but failed, while Hou Jichang murmured in dissatisfaction: "Scholars are so impulsive, they will suffer sooner or later..."

If Fan Wujiu were present, he would definitely agree with this and think to himself:

"Indeed, he has suffered a lot."

Li Chengze, on the other hand, had a favorable impression of Yang Wanli, thinking that he and Censor Lai had similar personalities, and even if they could not become close friends, he could be cultivated into a confidant in the future, and use him to convey words that he was not convenient to say directly. "Brother Hou, what is your intention in coming here to help in order to become an official?"

Fan Xian asked at the right time, leading the topic in another direction.

Fan Xian asked in a probing tone. Hou Jichang tried to cover up with a bit of embarrassment, but Shi Chanli was as frank as ever:
"Brother Hou revealed the subtleties to us. We come to work not only for a living, but also to show our faces in front of everyone."

“It turns out that every student who comes to help will be recorded in the book, and Minister Guo is here in person. If we can perform well in front of him, maybe our names will leave a mark in his mind.

This way, perhaps more attention can be paid when marking the papers..." Shi Chanli explained seriously.

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian could not help but admire Hou Jichang's strategy: "Brother Hou is really far-sighted. It really opened my eyes."

Hou Jichang shook his head modestly:
"This is also a helpless move. For students like us who don't have a prominent background, if we want to stand out, we can only rely on these insignificant efforts."

Li Chengze curiously asked: "What does this mean?"

Hou Jichang sighed and spoke of the cruel reality of the imperial examination: "Although the Spring Examination recruits many talented people, only a few pass the exam.

There have long been rumors that the imperial court has already decided on the quota, leaving very few opportunities for common students."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian looked at Li Chengze. They both knew that in the past, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince would take this opportunity to place their cronies, but this year seemed to be different.

"It's just a power game in the palace."

Yang Wanli passed by while carrying wood and complained disdainfully,
"Without fairness, the Spring Examination is nothing but a farce."

Although his words were carried away by the wind, they remained in everyone's heart.

Hou Jichang looked at Yang Wanli's back and sighed helplessly:
"Perhaps, only when we truly step into officialdom can we gradually change all this."

Li Chengze felt mixed emotions and clasped his fists to everyone, saying, "Everyone, let's encourage each other."

······
After parting with everyone, Fan Xian asked Li Chengze, "Your Highness, what do you think of what I just said?"

Li Chengze smiled bitterly: "If the Spring Examination loses its fairness, it will become an absurd drama."

The two continued to inspect the examination room, only to see that the poor candidates were suffering under the scorching sun, while Minister Guo was alone enjoying the spacious awning, cooling down with ice and eating fruits to relieve the heat, which formed a sharp contrast.

Li Chengze saw this and said sarcastically:
"They try in vain to find a chance in this injustice."

Fan Xian was puzzled: "Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

"Follow me and you will understand." Li Chengze led Fan Xian to Minister Guo's shed.

It was ridiculous to see that Minister Guo was not only greedy for pleasure, but also ordered the painter to record his "tireless" appearance for the purpose of reporting on his work.

Fan Xian could no longer hold back and stepped forward to question, "Minister Guo is so elegant that he even invited a painter."

When Minister Guo saw that it was Fan Xian, he was shocked in his heart, but he pretended to be calm on the surface:

"This is to report to your majesty the need for the construction of the examination hall, and it is also a record of my diligence."

Fan Xian sneered: "Diligent in recording? I'm afraid you are exaggerating!"

Li Chengze took a step forward, blocking the painter's view. Upon seeing this, Minister Guo's face suddenly changed, and he hurriedly saluted:

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Second Prince!"

"Little Master Fan"

(End of this chapter)