Who Will Win the Flower?

Cola Novels () Latest Update: Myriad Realms True Immortal

Yunzhou, the state government elected Yingsi.

It's almost midnight.

The lights were still on.

This was the busiest time for the Selection Office. The young civil officials had stacks of documents higher than a person on their desks, and their faces were haggard. They had been working several sleepless nights since the results were announced.

Even a martial artist's body couldn't withstand it.

Those who passed the imperial examinations and entered officialdom were referred to as "selected candidates" in the imperial court.

The candidates for the metropolitan examination were naturally selected by the Ministry of Personnel, but the candidates for the provincial examination were generally local officials. The Ministry of Personnel simply handed over the selection of outstanding talents to the local prefectural governments. However, in addition to the prefectural governor personally approving the selection, the candidates also needed to be submitted to the Ministry of Rites for record-keeping before they were considered valid.

"Who exactly is this Zhong Xuan?"

Two elderly men with white hair stared at the two slips of paper, looking at each other in bewilderment.

It was perfectly normal for officials from various government departments to be involved in the selection process.

Generally speaking, as long as it's not too against the rules, the Eiji will tacitly do a favor, especially when the person speaking has a high enough official rank.

However, this scholar named Zhong Xuan managed to get both the prefect of Yongning and the headmaster of the prefectural school to write secret letters at the same time.

This is not very common.

This also gave the two old officials of the Selection and Selection Division a headache.

This situation has occurred before, and it usually involves choosing the one with the higher official rank.

But this time, both the prefect and the school director were of the fifth rank.

It's not easy to offend anyone.

One of the thinner, older officials pondered for a moment: "The prefect of Yongning only wrote seven characters, which suggests it was a request from a subordinate or relative, indicating a rather distant relationship. But the head of the academy wrote a full three hundred characters, with sincere words, suggesting a rather good relationship with Zhong Xuan."

Those who can work in the Selection Division are all shrewd and capable individuals.

The few words on the two notes had already pieced together most of the story.

"The Yongning Prefectural School, which was selected first, will be designated as a junior school for Baisha County. As for where to go next, that will be decided by the Prefect."

Another slightly overweight older man chuckled:

"good."

"That's perfect."

They didn't offend either side, and since the final decision was made by the prefect, they couldn't be blamed.

Just after the two put the matter aside.

Suddenly, a rapid knocking sound came from the door.

"Who?"

"How rude!"

The thin old man frowned slightly.

It's the perfect time to pick and choose; who would dare to come knocking so brazenly?

Just as he was beginning to feel displeased, a young official from the Selection and Appointment Office rushed in.

"What happened? Who came?"

The young official, panting, pointed to the door and said, "It's the Deputy Commander of the Qinghe Commandery, Lord Deng."

"Deng Zizhong from the Qinghe Governor's Office?"

"Exactly."

The young official nodded.

The gaunt old man was startled, then his face showed even more confusion: "What brings Lord Deng here so late at night?"

"Lord Deng said he needs someone from our Selection of Heroes Division."

The slightly plump elderly man standing nearby became interested, curious as to who could have a high-ranking deputy river official so attentive: "Who?"

"Zhong Xuan".

The two of them: "???!!"

......

......

Seven days later.

The banquet hall behind the main hall of Baisha County Government was extremely lively, filled with prominent figures from the city.

Such a grand display.

It was the Deer Cry Banquet, one of the four banquets held during the imperial examinations.

Magistrate Zhou humbly declined the seat, so Zhong Xuan took the first place.

And in the corner.

Xu Mao, the village head of Xiahe Village, was also allowed to enter the back hall of the county government office. Looking at the room full of important figures, he felt somewhat reserved.

His presence at the Deer Cry Banquet was undoubtedly thanks to Zhong Xuan.

"Uncle Chung, I've known for a long time that you're no ordinary person."

Xu Mao seized an opportunity to step forward and offer a toast.

Xiahe Village produced a scholar who passed the imperial examination, and now it has become the place with the most flourishing literary atmosphere in the surrounding area. As a result, he, the village head, has become the most prominent person among all the villages in Baisha County.

"Nephew, there's no need for us to be so polite."

Xu Mao has not yet retreated.

A heroic figure appeared silently beside Xu Mao.

Upon seeing that person, Xu Mao's expression immediately changed.

Zijintang Danyun!

Apart from Shi Fengsha of the Sha Gang, who has been trapped in Langzi Bay and has not yet shown his face, the three strongest martial artists in Baisha County, including the two palm strikers and the three grappling masters, are already inside the house.

"Master Dan."

Zhong Xuan stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

In the Qing Kingdom, martial prowess is paramount. Although Dan Yun has no official rank, his status is in no way inferior to that of a seventh-rank official.

Dan Yun chuckled and said, "Brother Zhong, you've descended to earth with the power of literature; I'm incredibly envious."

"I've heard that in the previous dynasty, even if you passed the imperial examination, it could take anywhere from a year or two to ten years to enter officialdom."

"Now that Emperor Taizu is wise and has reformed the corrupt practices, I estimate that we will have news in a few days at most."

Zhong Xuan was somewhat surprised.

Dan Yun was neither a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations nor an official, but he was very knowledgeable about the affairs of the yamen (government office).

Jiang, the clerk standing nearby, chimed in: "Lord Zhou has personally written a letter to Yongning Prefecture, so it's possible that Brother Zhong will be able to take up his post in our Baisha County in a few days."

He has an extremely loud voice.

Clearly, this was not only addressed to Zhong Xuan, but also to Magistrate Zhou, who was not far away.

"I take your good wishes to heart."

Zhong Xuan smiled and raised the wine glass in his hand.

After passing the imperial examination, one could choose to enter officialdom or prepare for the metropolitan examination.

of course.

Even if one chooses to enter officialdom, officials with the title of Juren can still participate in the metropolitan examination.

Zhong Xuan heard that Zhang Linchun, who passed the imperial examination with him, did not choose to enter officialdom directly, but instead went to Yunzhou State School with his status as a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination).

In fact, not only Zhang Linchun, but also Cui Yi and He Siqi made the same choice.

But both Cui Yi and He Siqi came from prominent families, far more distinguished than Zhang Linchun.

Zhang Lie has been quite depressed about this lately.

After all, once one gives up on entering officialdom, if one wants to become an official again in the future, the ranking will be lower, and even if one wants to become a county magistrate, one can only go to another county.

Zhong Xuan was not the type to be overly ambitious.

The civil service examination candidates were not as good as the military examination candidates in terms of selection, so being able to serve as an official in their own county was already a good choice.

As for focusing solely on passing the imperial examination?

This is not in line with his character.

Passing the imperial examination now is something I dared not even dream of in the past, so how could I possibly covet more?

Upon hearing this, Dan Yun chimed in, "Then when Brother Zhong takes office, I will definitely send him a congratulatory gift."

Looking at the amiable Dan Yun in front of him.

Zhong Xuan couldn't help but sigh.

What does it mean to rise to the top in one step?

A month ago, would a top figure like Dan Yun in the county have spoken kindly to him?

Not far away.

Magistrate Zhou was surrounded by a group of people.

Although Zhong Xuan was the main character at this Deer Cry Banquet, as the Marquis of Baili, his glory could not be overshadowed by Zhong Xuan.

After several rounds of drinks...

Magistrate Zhou's smile grew wider and wider.

The clerk, who was originally greeting guests in the front hall, jogged up to Magistrate Zhou and whispered a few words in his ear.

Instantly.

Magistrate Zhou's drunkenness had mostly dissipated.

His gaze sharpened from unfocused to intense, and his official demeanor deepened.

He stared at the advisor:

"You mean, the people from the Qinghe Governor's Office are right outside the door right now?"