Chapter 1

Jinluan Hall.

Jiang Chen sat in the highest seat, taking in the expressions of everyone below.

He knew very well what those ministers were thinking.

However, the results of this palace examination would definitely surprise them!

A smile of pleasure tugged at the corner of his mouth, and Jiang Chen's gaze fell on Song Xun in the corner.

Seemingly because he had hit Zhang Yongsi, he was being ostracized by the noble children and pushed to the outermost edge.

But that didn't matter.

Today, no, in just a little while, the situation would completely change!

As a rising star favored by him, the emperor, the commoner Song Xun would soar to the sky!

Forcing all the nobles present to look up to him!

Feng Jin had served Jiang Chen for many years and could naturally sense his joy at this moment.

He also smiled and said in a high voice, "By the decree of the Emperor, who is blessed by Heaven, in the Yongle year of the Great Wei Dynasty, the special imperial examination has selected a total of 361 scholars, three of whom are in the first tier..."

"First place in the first tier, Song Xun from Yunzhou, Zhuangyuan (first place in the imperial examination)! Granted the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, with the official rank of fourth grade, and also bestowed a mansion..."

"Second place in the first tier, Zhao Kuo from Tongzhou, Bangyan (second place in the imperial examination)! Granted the position of Sili of the Ministry of War, with the official rank of fifth grade..."

"Third place in the first tier, Li Si from the imperial capital, Tanhua (third place in the imperial examination)! Granted the position of Compiler of the Hanlin Academy..."

"One hundred and twenty in the second tier..."

"In addition, Zhao Ming, Zhang Tong, Tian Wen, He Tong and more than twenty others are selected and appointed as supervisors of the four battalions of the imperial capital. They shall take office tomorrow. In case of emergency, some procedures can be completed later. The Ministry of Personnel must pay attention to this matter!"

"..."

One imperial decree after another was issued, becoming a foregone conclusion in the eyes of the incredulous crowd.

All the rankings were arranged by them, without any external interference. Even if they didn't want to accept it, they couldn't find a reason.

Moreover, after learning about the Zhuangyuan's identity, Jiang Chen had specially given a second chance, allowing these ministers to review it again, giving them a chance to go back on their decision.

However, after some discussion, these ministers still insisted on the original ranking and even euphemistically reminded Jiang Chen to be fair and not to engage in these petty actions.

For the sake of his own reputation, and out of respect for his subordinates, Jiang Chen could only 'reluctantly' agree to finalize the ranking.

After all, he was a wise emperor who would 'appropriately and flexibly' listen to the opinions of his ministers.

As for how to be flexible, it was very simple, mainly depending on his mood.

With a bright smile on his face, Jiang Chen looked at Shi Ping, who was rushing into the hall.

The latter respectfully bowed to him, indicating that the mission had been completed, and those poor scholars who were wandering in the capital had all been gathered.

Although they were not qualified to participate in the imperial examination, they were also familiar with writing and could be competent for some minor official positions. This was much better than those noble side branches who were just waiting to die and did not deserve their positions. It could also expand Jiang Chen's control over the grassroots level, so naturally it could not be wasted.

"Minister Mei, Minister Zhang, how can you not say a word at such a joyous moment?"

"Could it be that you are thinking about when to fulfill your bet?"

Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze and looked at his side with a bright smile.

Mei Wenshi and Zhang Liming sat on their chairs, their faces stiff, like stone sculptures.

"Cough, Your Majesty, Minister Mei and Minister Zhang are, after all, important officials in the court. If they were to serve Song Xun, a commoner...it would be unseemly! At that time, the entire court would lose face!" A minister spoke out to mediate, wanting to gloss over the matter.

But Jiang Chen stopped smiling the moment he spoke, his eyes cold. "Did I allow you to speak?"

The extremely oppressive gaze frightened the official.

He immediately knelt down to apologize, not daring to interrupt again.

Seeing this, Mei Wenshi understood that Jiang Chen was determined to humiliate him.

A fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he immediately gritted his teeth and stood up, cupping his hands and saying, "A gentleman's word is as fast as a galloping horse. Although this old minister dares not call himself a gentleman, he can still be trusted to keep his word!"

As he spoke, his expression gradually calmed down, and he said, "Please make preparations, Your Majesty. This humble minister will put on boots for Song Xun."

"Good! Straightforward!" Jiang Chen laughed loudly, thinking highly of the old man in his heart.

"What about Minister Zhang?"

Feeling his scalp tingling under Jiang Chen's gaze, Zhang Liping suppressed his humiliation and said with difficulty, "This humble minister admits defeat."

While the few of them were confronting each other, Feng Jin had already arranged everything.

Boots, pens, ink, and Song Xun, who had changed into the Zhuangyuan robe, were all waiting under the imperial steps.

After making his decision, Mei Wenshi acted quickly.

He straightened his back, strode down the high platform, and took the 'high-top cloud-pattern boots' from the hands of the eunuch. They were specially prepared for the new Zhuangyuan, because they had to ride horses down the imperial steps and tour the inner city of the imperial capital, so naturally they had to dress up well.

"Zhuangyuan Song, this old man was blind and lost the bet with the Emperor. I will put on boots for you."

Hearing this, a trace of embarrassment and awkwardness flashed across Song Xun's face.

He was a scholar, and the idea of respecting elders was already engraved in his bones.

Mei Wenshi was old and also the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, so to have such a 'big figure' who was both older and more respected put on boots for him...it was really absurd! It violated the rites!

He subconsciously wanted to refuse, but Jiang Chen's threatening gaze made him shut his mouth.

The Emperor's command could not be disobeyed!

He was now a subject, so naturally he had to put Jiang Chen's will first.

Zhang Liming also came down.

But his posture was not so calm.

Not only were his steps slow, but the expression on his face was also very ugly, as if he had eaten a mouthful of dead flies.

He moved slowly to Song Xun's side, took the other boot, and squatted down to change it.

In this way, under the gaze of all the civil and military officials and all the scholars, the two of them served the commoner they looked down on like slaves.

"After this, all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue will lose face! The boss puts on boots for a commoner. I'm afraid they won't be able to hold their heads up when they see officials from other departments in the future!"

"Who says not! Mei Wenshi has been in the limelight for so many years, but I didn't expect him to be squatting on the ground now, putting on boots for someone in public...it's really a disgrace in his old age!"

"Alas, it's a pity for Song Xun. I'm afraid he will be targeted by the Mei family to death in the future!"

"Hehe, you're worrying about nothing. It's obvious that Song Xun has won the favor of His Majesty. With him backing him up, Song Xun will probably be able to walk sideways in the court in the future. How can he be afraid of the Mei family!"

Looking at the two people who were grinding ink for Song Xun with gloomy faces, Jiang Chen felt unprecedentedly comfortable in his heart.

After today, Mei Wenshi and Zhang Liping would definitely become the laughingstock of the entire city.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, feeling a little dissatisfied.

Such an interesting thing should be spread throughout Great Wei and even recorded in the history books!

So that future generations can also understand these two old geezers.

Jiang Chen smiled, stood up from the dragon chair, walked to Song Xun, and said loudly:

"Minister Song, it is not easy for you to come to this day as a commoner!"

"I have decided to use your deeds to write a poem to encourage all the poor scholars of Great Wei. Are you willing?"

Song Xun knelt down gratefully, choked with sobs, and said, "Your Majesty, this is the blessing that this commoner has cultivated for three lifetimes!"

Jiang Chen nodded and said, "Good, I will say it, and you will write it, using the ink that Minister Mei personally ground!"

Jiang Chen's special instructions made Mei Wenshi's eyelids twitch, and a bad feeling welled up in his heart.

After thinking about it carefully, he couldn't find anything unusual, so he couldn't help but be more cautious.

But Jiang Chen put on a heroic attitude and said forcefully:

"In the morning, a farmer,"

"In the evening, ascends to the Emperor's hall."

"Generals and ministers are not born into nobility,"

"A man should be self-reliant."