This is preposterous!
The Imperial Academy truly has hidden talents!
However, when one thinks about it, the upper division of the Imperial Academy is indeed a fast track for the advancement of children of high-ranking officials.
It doesn't seem entirely improper for powerful figures to place their younger generations here!
After all, the Three Divisions system itself has many flaws, the most basic being that commoner scholars must progress step by step from the basics, from the prefecture schools and circuit schools, to get promoted.
Only then can they reach the inner division of the Imperial Academy, while the children of officials can directly enter the inner division without any examination.
In this era where even getting a meal is difficult for ordinary people, it is incredibly hard for commoner scholars to rise in status!
However, for Han Mo, this is truly good news.
What is a network? Isn't this a network?
"Thank you, Brother Zhong, for today's matter. I will treat Brother Zhong to a meal another day. Brother Zhong, you must give me a chance!"
Han Mo chuckled inwardly. He possessed thousands of years of drinking culture from his previous life. As long as he was determined, he wasn't afraid that this young man could still escape.
"Brother Han is too polite. This is merely a casual remark and amounts to nothing!"
As expected of someone from a prestigious family, he politely refused Han Mo's invitation without hurting his feelings.
"To my brother, it is but a casual remark, but to Han Mo, it is guidance. Please, Brother Zhong, do not refuse!"
Persistence!
Han Mo directly employed his ultimate skill. No matter what, this meal was unavoidable!
"This..."
"When Brother Zhong has free time, it will absolutely not delay Brother Zhong's studies! How about the upcoming rest day this month?" Han Mo added.
"Alright then!"
Since the other party was so polite, Zhong Yanchong could only agree.
"In that case, we shall talk another day!"
In such a short time, he had managed to connect with the grandson of Zhong Shidao. Han Mo felt quite pleased with himself.
Although the Zhong family's decline was also rapid, as the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. With him around, there would be many benefits for himself in the future.
After all, there were only a few true military families in the Great Song Dynasty.
The Zhong family and the Zhe family were definitely top-tier among the military families. With the chaotic times about to arrive, associating with them would give him more capital for self-preservation.
While he was establishing a connection with Zhong Yanchong, Cai Shu's expression grew even more unpleasant.
After all, Zhong Shidao and Cai Jing had been at odds for more than a day or two.
Who in the world didn't know that when Zhong Shidao was promoted to the Tongpan of Yuan Prefecture and the Director of Qin Feng's Granaries,
Even though he had displeased Cai Jing by speaking out about the drawbacks of the Exemption from Service Law,
Cai Jing had reassigned him as the Prefect of Imperial Estates and the Prefect of Deshun Army.
The so-called Prefect of Imperial Estates was a minor official responsible for managing the royal estates, a true humiliation for a civil official!
But even then, Cai Jing was not satisfied. Subsequently, Cai Jing's associates falsely accused him of "slandering the martyrs," leading to his dismissal and inclusion in the "Yuanyou Party Register."
Because of this, Zhong Shidao was forced into political obscurity for ten years during his prime.
Only after the Yuanyou Party Stele was destroyed and the old officials of Yuanyou were exonerated was he reinstated.
Even so, Cai Jing was unwilling to let him go. Zhong Shidao was forced to switch from civil to military affairs, though it was an unintended success.
Even Cai Jing had not expected that a scholar who had studied under Zhang Zai for decades would turn to military command and excel.
Within a few years, he proved his talent on the battlefield again. When he reappeared in Cai Jing's view, he was already a renowned general.
Emperor Huizong, in order to maintain balance and also to warn Cai Jing, bestowed upon him a ceremonial robe and a golden belt, appointing him as the Director of Qin Feng's Archers.
It is important to note that before this, there was no such official post in the entire Great Song Dynasty. He also issued a decree: "You were personally promoted by me, so no one else has the right to discipline you."
It was precisely because of this statement that he was able to escape Cai Jing's harassment.
With such a significant feud, how could Cai Shu, the young scion of the Cai family, tolerate Zhong Yanchong?
"The exam questions have been prepared. Everyone, please be seated!"
After all the fuss, Zhao Huan waved his hand with satisfaction, instructing the instructors of the upper division to prepare questions according to each student's declared area of expertise.
Whether it was due to deliberate resentment or some other reason, the questions for Cai Shu and Han Mo were personally prepared by him!
"Yuan, Heng, Li, Zhen!"
Staring at these four characters, Cai Shu's eyes went blank. He recognized each individual character.
But what on earth did they mean when put together?
No matter how bewildered he was at this moment, he was determined to write an essay on this topic.
Compared to Cai Shu's bewilderment, Han Mo's expression turned somewhat peculiar.
"Compose a poem with General Zhong's life as the theme..."
Damn it!
Han Mo looked at Zhao Huan and Qin Hui with complex eyes. This was clearly a major trap!
Everyone knew that Zhong Shidao and Cai Jing were at odds. Praising Zhong Shidao meant going against Cai Jing.
If he didn't perform well, he would surely be heavily criticized by Zhong Shidao's supporters.
In either case, Han Mo would be marginalized.
At that point, it seemed only Zhao Huan could protect him!
These were truly two cunning old schemers!
Although Han Mo didn't know if this was Zhao Huan's sudden impulse or Qin Hui's mischief, it was certain that neither of them had good intentions towards him!
Han Mo felt genuinely frustrated. Ultimately, he felt he had been tricked by Emperor Huizong. He was just a poor student, and he didn't understand why the old man insisted on using him as a pawn.
However, since things had come to this point, he had never intended to have any association with Cai Jing anyway.
As a transmigrator, would he stoop to flattering a traitor?
When he thought about it this way, the matter became simpler.
As for the poem, Han Mo's eyes gleamed, and he immediately thought of a suitable approach.
Glancing up at Zhao Huan, Han Mo picked up his brush, dipped it in thick ink, and without hesitation, began to write.
In just a few breaths, it was completed in one go.
"Your Highness, I am finished!"
Han Mo took a deep breath, stood up with his hands clasped behind his back.
"So quickly?"
It had been less than fifteen minutes since he received the exam paper. Even for just a poem, his speed was too astonishing...
"It was just a spontaneous inspiration, a stroke of luck!"
Looking at his head held high and the faint smile on his lips, Qin Hui's mouth twitched. Was this really luck?
"In that case, please submit it!"
Zhao Huan's expression showed a flicker of surprise but quickly returned to normal.
A young eunuch standing nearby immediately stepped forward, took the exam paper from Han Mo's hand, and placed it before Zhao Huan.