Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Then I’ll Have a Reason to Betroth the Princess to Him!
The news of Xu Ming claiming the top spot in the imperial examination spread like wildfire throughout the capital. Compared to the previous time when Xu Pangda achieved the same honor, this time Xu Ming's accomplishment was truly unparalleled in significance.
The number of participants in this year's tongshi (children's examination) set a new record in Wu Kingdom's history. Many of the contenders were already renowned for their talents but had previously been unable to participate in the imperial exams. For Xu Ming to emerge victorious under such circumstances was an extraordinary feat.
Fearing potential criticism from the public, the officials overseeing the examination requested that Xu Ming's answer sheets be published. Emperor Wu readily agreed, ordering Xu Ming's work to appear in the weekly gazette. Furthermore, he rewarded Xu Ming with a prized Golden Hao Calligraphy Set.
The Golden Hao Calligraphy Set had once belonged to the first scholar from Wu Kingdom to enter the prestigious Bailu (White Deer) Academy. While not a rare treasure in itself, its symbolic significance far outweighed its material value.
It was clear to everyone that, despite never having met Xu Ming, Emperor Wu held him in exceptional favor. However, due to Xu Ming's status as the son of a concubine, prior rewards had been measured and restrained. Now that the stigma of his birth had been lifted, the emperor's reward of the Golden Hao Calligraphy Set was seen as a way to make up for past limitations, leaving little room for dissent.
To Xu Ming, the reward carried undertones of imperial favor and an attempt to win his loyalty—an entirely reasonable move. After all, Xu Ming was still young, unaffiliated with any faction, and likely, in the emperor's eyes, had yet to form a solid worldview. Befriending him now was a low-cost, high-reward strategy.
A year later, Xu Ming turned ten.
By this point, Xu Ming had spent ten years in this world. Together with Xu Pangda, he participated in the xiangshi (provincial examination).
Xu Ming found it surreal to be taking part in the same kind of examination that had famously tormented characters like Fan Jin. Unlike Fan Jin, however, Xu Ming felt confident that he would succeed on his first attempt.
During this time, Xu Ming had noticed one of the effects of his haoran qi (Righteous Qi): it enabled him to write with divine inspiration, making it easier to absorb the wisdom of ancient texts and even develop the ability to infer and apply knowledge flexibly. Yet Xu Ming suspected the true potential of haoran qi extended far beyond this and simply awaited further discovery.
Still, many doubted Xu Ming's chances of becoming a juren (successful candidate of the provincial examination). Although his talent and child prodigy status were undeniable, countless other prodigies had faltered at this stage. The path to juren was littered with tales of lifelong failure.
But when the results of the xiangshi were posted, everyone stood frozen in disbelief before the announcement board. At the very top of the list was a name that shocked the entire capital:
"Top Scholar (Jieyuan) – Xu Ming"
And directly below Xu Ming's name? Another from the same household:
Xu Pangda, Third Son of the Xu Family.
The Xu household had claimed both the first and second places in the xiangshi, leaving onlookers questioning their senses. How could the once-decadent Xu family—known for its indulgence and luxury—suddenly produce so many geniuses?
Furthermore, Xu Ming had become the youngest juren in 250 years of Wu Kingdom history.
As Xu Ming and Xu Pangda were playing a leisurely game of Go in their courtyard, they were interrupted by Chunyan rushing in to inform them that an envoy from the palace had arrived with an imperial decree. Only then did they learn that they had passed the examination—and with the top two ranks, no less.
This time, Emperor Wu's rewards for Xu Ming adhered to established protocols, carefully avoiding excessive favor. After all, while breaking tradition once might seem like magnanimity, doing so repeatedly could risk alienating others or be seen as a form of harmful flattery.
That day, as Xu Ming celebrated his success, a string of words once again surfaced in his mind:
[You emerged victorious amidst thousands of competitors, achieving the title of Jieyuan. Haoran Qi +5000, Literary Qi +2000, Affinity with the Qi of Mountains and Rivers +50. Achievement Unlocked: Xu Ming Becomes a Juren.]
[Achievement Unlocked: Xu Ming Becomes a Juren. Effect: When you enter court as an official, the impact of the dynasty's fate on your lifespan will decrease by 50%.]
Staring at the words in his mind, Xu Ming felt a bit surprised.
Back when he topped the tongshi, there had been no such reward. Yet now, achieving the title of jieyuan (provincial top scorer) had brought benefits. Then again, the difficulty of the two accomplishments was on entirely different levels.
The excitement surrounding Xu Ming's achievement as jieyuan continued to stir up fervor across the capital.
Unlike Qi Kingdom, where examination schedules were more flexible, Wu Kingdom followed a strict timeline: the tongshi was held annually, the xiangshi every three years, and the huishi (metropolitan examination) and dianshi (palace examination) every four years.
The year after the xiangshi was when the huishi and dianshi took place, and everyone naturally assumed Xu Ming would participate.
After all, Xu Ming had already claimed the title of jieyuan. If he were to compete in the upcoming huishi and dianshi and claim the top spots in both, he would achieve the legendary "triple crown" (lian zhong san yuan). Such an accomplishment would make him only the third scholar in Wu Kingdom's 300-year history to do so—and by far the youngest.
But just as officials arrived at the Xu residence to record Xu Ming and Xu Pangda's profiles in preparation for next year's huishi, startling news spread:
Xu Ming had delayed his registration and would not be participating in the huishi next year.
The reason? Xu Ming was joining the military.
The news exploded across the capital, leaving everyone doubting their ears.
Xu Ming? Joining the military?
A jieyuan! Someone with the potential to achieve the triple crown!
And he was going to enlist?!
Though Wu Kingdom was a martial state, this was utterly unprecedented.
Lady Xu, the matriarch of the family, and Xu Zheng both tried persuading Xu Ming to reconsider and focus on the huishi. They gently expressed:
"If there's something troubling you, just tell us. We'll do everything in our power to resolve it!"
"Yes, we may have been distant before, but that was then, and this is now."
"You are the pride of the Xu family now, and we'll grant you anything you want!"
Even Emperor Wu sent Eunuch Wei to the Xu residence in secret to inquire if Xu Ming was facing any difficulties.
"If there's anything bothering you," Eunuch Wei urged, "just say the word. We'll help you sort it out."
"Could you at least get into Qinghua first?" (A euphemism for the imperial court's top ranks.)
"No, better yet—could you at least pass the jinshi (final degree) first?"
"All of Wu Kingdom's literary history could hinge on you! You might well become our nation's literary icon in the years to come!"
Despite all this, Xu Ming politely but firmly refused. He expressed his unwavering commitment to joining the army and pursuing a dual path of martial and literary cultivation.
Xu Ming provided a lofty and noble reason: "Wu Kingdom was built on martial strength. Duke Xu devoted his life to the battlefield, and I wish to follow in his footsteps."
He did, however, promise to participate in the next huishi five years later.
Eunuch Wei's expression was complicated as he left, unsure of what to say. In the end, he could only return to report to Emperor Wu.
When Emperor Wu heard Eunuch Wei's report, he felt a mix of regret and admiration—but admiration ultimately won out.
"The emperor truly likes Xu Ming," said Empress Xiao, who stood behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.
"How could I not like him?" Emperor Wu said with satisfaction as he set down the report. "But this is good too. A man should have courage and ambition. Let him enter the Blood Asura Battalion."
[T/N: Blood Asura sounds better than Blood Butchers, right?]
Empress Xiao froze for a moment. "Your Majesty, but... what if something happens to Xu Ming?"
The emperor waved his hand dismissively. "If he's joining the army, I must give him a stage worthy of his talents. I want him to excel!"
"If, five years later, he emerges from the Blood Asura Battalion and passes the jinshi..."
The emperor trailed off, rubbing his fingers thoughtfully, but his gaze lingered on the words "Xu Ming" in the report.
Then I'll have a reason to betroth the princess to him!
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