After Picking Up Five Brothers, No One Dares to Offend the Capital City

Chapter 403

From last year's fraud in the imperial examination to this year's struggle for first place, the two had long been at odds and would not rest until the other was destroyed.

At this moment, Fang Yuan smiled gently and amiably, something most people would be hard pressed to withstand.

Fortunately, after being ground down and crushed, Xu Mo's former righteousness and naivete were completely pulverized, allowing him to smile back calmly and neither humbly nor arrogantly.

To an outsider, it would seem these two were close friends and quite harmonious.

Those in the know, like third-place graduate Sun Xiaosheng standing between them, felt as if they were being burned and boiled alive, the soles of their shoes sprouting thorns.

It was not until the distant sound of a eunuch singing "The Emperor arrives!" that he felt as if he had received a great amnesty.

Everyone fell silent and stood at attention, bowing to greet the Imperial Court. "We greet the Emperor, may the Emperor live ten thousand years."

"Rise."

It was not clear if it was an illusion, but the Imperial Court today seemed especially different, his tone relaxed but excited.

His gaze swept approvingly over each pillar of the state, pausing for a long while before saying, "The last time We met you all, you were still unadorned examinees; today We meet again, and you are decorated graduates. We wonder if next time We meet, it will be in this court hall or in memorials to the throne."

The top three graduates were guaranteed promotions within three years to the Hanlin Academy, and some with good connections could even be promoted to second or third rank positions, possibly appearing in court.

The second class graduates could be appointed to vacant positions, either remaining in Fengjing or being sent out as county magistrates, depending on luck and connections.

The third class were guaranteed to be sent out for substitute positions, unlikely to ever set foot in Fengjing again for the rest of their lives.

But there was no remedy for this; in this world some stood at the peak while others leaned halfway up the mountainside, and still others groveled at its base.

Some were born royalty while others struggled their whole lives only to remain peasants.

Such was the inequality of life, as it had always been.

The Imperial Court continued to speak vigorously and inspirationally, easily finding encouraging words to rouse their spirits, while also instructing the graduates not to forget their original aspirations, and to gather students from all over the land under the Emperor's tutelage.

Taking advantage of the rare lull, Xu Mo scanned the room, but did not see any princes present.

Neither the Eldest Prince nor the Fifth Prince were there. Instead, Dou Weiming and several Ministers had gathered, seemingly discussing which vacant positions could be given to the graduates.

He frowned slightly, catching sight of the relaxed and genial Fang Yuan out of the corner of his left eye, and calmed down again.

No matter how deep one's city, after the disgrace the Fang family had suffered, it would be impossible to face one's enemy with such warmth and tranquility. Rather than explain it as depth of stratagem, it made more sense to consider whether the other party had found a key method of turning the tables.

By preparing for danger in times of safety, one could make far-reaching plans.

But Xu Mo did not understand noble families or the intricacies of court politics. He could not swiftly analyze the crux like Jiang Wu. At most, he could try to put himself in the Fang family's position and ponder deeply.

Spending 100,000 silver tales to buy the third place graduate spot, proposing the collection of wealth taxes that offended all the powerful families, the Fang family's reputation was precarious to say the least, and even their status among the nobility was no longer secure.

The only one they could possibly curry favor from was the endlessly prattling Imperial Court.

Yes, currying favor with the Imperial Court.

Xu Mo suddenly opened his eyes wide, a guess surfacing in his mind.

But before he could scrutinize it further, the conferral of awards had begun.

Naturally, the first to be conferred were the top three graduates with appointments as Compiler and Subcompiler, which did not seem significant as sixth and seventh rank positions but were actually jobs right beside the Emperor.

Their main duties were to compile the national history, the veritable records of the Emperor's deeds and words, deliver lectures on the classics and histories, and draft documents regarding ceremonies.

If one could gain the absolute trust of the Imperial Court, even grasping the end of a pole a hundred feet high would be a small matter.

As the champion graduate, Xu Mo stepped forward first to receive his reward, calmly kowtowing to give thanks.

In the distance, Dou Weiming watched on with fatherly love and admiration, even occasional helplessness and sighs.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your subject will surely fulfill this duty and not betray your grace."

The youth was still wearing the azure graduate's gown, not yet changed into his own official robes, but his whole body already exuded solemnity, as if what he had taken up was not some minor post but the Buddhist sutras from the Buddha's hands, the jade vase bestowed by Guanyin, a lifetime of determination.

He would surely transform into the blue sky, protecting the peace of this Great Yu Dynasty's realm, with tranquil seas and placid rivers, a prosperous country and content populace!

"Rise, beloved minister," the Imperial Court said gently. "You may change into your robes in the side hall."

Truly exceptional.

The difference between first and second tier graduates was evident.

Xu Mo slowly rose to his feet, walked to the side hall with his gaze fixed straight ahead. After changing into his official robes, he returned to his spot.

Now it was the second-place graduate's turn to change clothes while the third-place graduate received his appointment.

The Imperial Court's tone lightened up again, full of smiles. "Fang Yuan of the Fang family, come forward."

Xu Mo's heart plummeted.

"Not only did this child grow up before Our eyes, he has developed so exceptionally, achieving third place while still so young. He is truly outstanding." The Imperial Court even turned back to ask Steward Wu, "Do you still remember, esteemed one, how many years has it been since Great Yu produced a 14-year-old third place graduate?"

What a question to ask.

Wu Steward clicked his teeth. It took him quite a while to answer, "It must have been over a hundred years."

It hadn't been a hundred years, it had been five or six hundred years since there was a 14-year-old third place graduate!

At most there had been 14-year-old top graduates.

But of course he could not say that. With no fools beside the Emperor, Wu Steward carefully considered before giving an answer everyone could accept.

The Emperor laughed heartily while Fang Yuan smiled demurely.

"Talented youths are rare; outstanding talented youths are even rarer. The Hanlin Academy is fortunate to have you as Compiler. We are greatly comforted." The Imperial Court made the usual conferral but then suddenly paused.

As if leaving an opening for someone else to cut in.

Glancing out of the corner of his eye, Xu Mo was unsurprised to see Fang Yuan kneel down on one knee and cup his fists, ringing out, "Your subject has something to say!"

The Imperial Court responded genially, "Speak your mind, beloved."

"During the palace examination, Your Majesty raised the issue of how, after decades of ceaseless war with the Northern Nomads, the Great Yu Dynasty should resolve it. Your subject believes the top priority should be enriching the national treasury before eliminating the Northern Nomads. Ultimately, the root cause is that our nation lacks sufficient strength and our treasury lacks sufficient wealth."

"As someone born to a noble house, I deeply feel that Fengjing is prosperous beyond compare, and noble families lead extravagantly wasteful lives. The food and clothing one person consumes in a day could easily support dozens of frontier soldiers to eat their fill and dress warmly. I have tried going a day without food myself and it caused me no great trouble, but if dozens of frontier soldiers cannot eat their fill or dress warmly, it will be difficult for them to fight, border unrest will continue, and the country cannot be at peace if the people are not secure."

"My father and I reflected deeply and painfully on this and decided to contribute half our family property, 100,000 silver tales, to the frontier soldiers. We hope this will allow them to eat their fill and dress warmly, allow them sturdy spears in hand, allow them to wield blades against the foreign tribes, and allow this war to end swiftly!"

Fang Yuan spoke unhurriedly and fluently, even eloquently.

The 100,000 silver tales mocked by the commoners as having bought his graduate ranking were openly spoken of in Taihe Hall. Combined with sufficient ringing vigor and ardor, who could do anything but pound the table and acclaim it?

At least he donated money.

At least the frontier soldiers benefitted.

Who else, having donated nothing, had any right to mock?

Judging from the speechless hall, it was clear he had played this hand well.

But this was not enough.

Fang Yuan lightly tapped the floor with his little finger. A man in court robes emerged from a more distant spot, surprisingly the Zhu Family Patriarch.

He wore an expression of grave distress, pledging selflessly, "This subject also hopes the war will end swiftly. The Zhu family will tighten our belts and contribute 50,000 silver tales."

"The Tao Family is also willing to donate 30,000 silver tales."

"The Qiu Family will donate 20,000 silver tales."

"The Zhou Family will donate 20,000 silver tales."

"The Meng Family will donate 10,000 silver tales."

The more people spoke up, the wider the Imperial Court smiled.

Finally, the Eldest Prince slowly stepped forward, knelt on one knee and said, "Your unworthy son oversteps, but is also willing to tighten belts and live frugally, contributing 50,000 silver tales together with Imperial Concubine Mother."