Chapter 54: The Great Era

Dong, dong, dong…

After three melodious bell chimes, all the scholars heading to the examination hall took their seats, and the exam officially began.

At the entrance of the examination hall, which could hold over eight thousand people, stood a large group of armored guards. They held their heads high and chests out, staring straight ahead without glancing sideways. Once the exam started, no one was allowed to approach, or they would be executed on the spot.

These were the Scholastic Palace guards from the Xiangshan Academy in Jiangling Prefecture. Each of them wore heavy black armor and had no connection to the Jianning County Magistrate or Jianning Commandant. They took orders directly from the Scholar-Official who had traveled from Jiangling. This official held the third rank and was fully in charge of the scholar selection in Jianning City. Inside the ancient Shangling Terrace, he represented the law and authority of the Tongtian Dynasty.

Though located in a remote border area, Jianning City had a rich cultural atmosphere. The history of Shangling Terrace could be traced back over five thousand years.

The ancient stone walls and sturdy, weathered sandalwood tables and chairs in the examination hall all carried the weight of more than five millennia of history. The hard stone walls were carved with reliefs of ancient sages: some reading by lamplight, some pondering life’s philosophies under a large tree, some standing on high platforms explaining teachings to thousands of disciples. Legalism, Mohism, Neo-Confucianism… all the Hundred Schools of Thought were represented.

As soon as they stepped inside, every scholar felt the overwhelming dignity and solemnity, as well as a profound sacredness. This was a sacredness unique to scholars, filled with an enduring scholarly spirit—broad, all-embracing, and unyielding, embodying the demeanor a true scholar should possess. Only genuine scholars could perceive and appreciate it with their hearts. Some people, upon entering, couldn’t help but tear up and prostrate themselves before the reliefs on the walls.

At the command of the Scholar-Official on the high platform, rows of gray-clad yamen runners filed out with bowed heads. They bent over to present the exam papers to the scholars and then quickly departed. Apart from the rustling of opening papers and the footsteps of the runners, the vast examination hall was almost completely silent. Looking down from the high platform, one could see rows upon rows of neat heads as over eight thousand scholars from all corners picked up their brushes and opened their exam papers.

Outside Shangling Terrace, the atmosphere was boiling. News of the two notorious young masters—one crippled, the other disabled—had spread rapidly to every corner of Jianning City, and people swarmed to the scene. The Personal Guards of the two young masters were flustered, rescuing their masters and sending messages. Noises, cries for help, and the urgent clopping of horses’ hooves all mingled together.

Outside, the crowd was loud and chaotic, but inside Shangling Terrace, it was silent. All that could be heard were the nervous heartbeats of the scholars.

Ten years of hard study, all resting on this day!

For the scholars, today was the moment that would determine their life’s destiny. Especially for those from poor families without power or influence, and unable to cultivate, this was their only chance to leap over the dragon’s gate. The number of selection spots each year was limited—only eight hundred—meaning that out of every ten scholars present, nine would inevitably face elimination.

Passing the exam would transform them into Xiucai, scholars with official recognition, allowing them to go to the Xiangshan Academy in Jiangling City for quiet study and to take the provincial exam in two years. Failure meant the end of their path in learning. For most frail scholars, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow. Many would give up on themselves from then on, never to recover.

“Huh…”

After opening their exam papers, many scholars gasped in surprise.

“Scholarship to reach the heavens, talent selection without rigid rules.”

The words on the exam paper shocked everyone. They had expected this exam to be like previous ones, testing their knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics and requiring an eight-legged essay. To their surprise, this year’s topic had no restrictions on form, style, or word count, allowing free expression.

“No restrictions on form or word count? How can this be?”

“Exactly! Could they have given us the wrong exam papers?”

…

Unprepared, the scholars buzzed with discussion, some even becoming indignant. Accustomed to writing eight-legged essays, they felt completely out of their element when suddenly allowed free rein. As they talked, a few scholars, in a fit of anger, tore their exam papers to shreds in strong protest.

“Silence!”

The Scholar-Official on the high platform seemed to have anticipated this. He slammed his gavel down hard and pointed at the scholars who had torn their papers, ordering sternly, “Guards, take them out and behead them!”

“Yes!”

A team of Scholastic Palace guards bowed to accept the order. They marched into the examination hall and, without another word, seized the scholars who had torn their papers and pushed them outside. Soon, several blood-curdling screams were heard from outside, and a few bloody heads rolled on the ground. The scholars inside collectively gasped, their hair standing on end. Even Mu Feng, sitting silently at the very back of the hall, was shocked. He had not expected the elderly, thin Scholar-Official on the platform to act so decisively!

On the high platform, the Scholar-Official looked down at the scholars’ reactions and nodded with satisfaction. “By decree of the Tongtian Emperor, starting this year, we are reforming the assessment and selection of officials at all levels. Therefore, we are breaking conventions to recruit talent. All Scholastic Palaces will double their intake quotas, and all previous malpractices are abolished. Those who disobey will be executed!”

Double the quotas? Reform the assessment and selection of officials at all levels?

The scholars below brightened up, instinctively seeing greater hope than in past years. They rose from their seats and prostrated themselves in unison. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace! Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!”

The Tongtian Dynasty was founded on military might, conquering north and south to gain unprecedented territory. From south to north, even riding a fast horse day and night for ten years would not cover the distance. But after founding the dynasty, they governed through scholarship, and scholars’ status rose steadily. Though many generals who had achieved great military exploits still held high positions and power, the situation was not favorable, and their conflicts with the imperial authority grew. At this time, the Tongtian Emperor ordered reforms in the assessment and selection of officials and a massive expansion in scholar recruitment. What did this mean?

Looking at the exam papers in their hands, the scholars no longer had any complaints. Instead, they were overjoyed and excited. From this simple, blank exam paper, they saw a rare opportunity. They picked up their brushes and began writing fervently, expressing their grand ambitions.

“Scholarship to reach the heavens, Tongtian scholars…”

While others had been writing busily for some time, focused and anxious about the limited time, Mu Feng, sitting in the last row, had not yet put brush to paper. He remained silent, lost in thought.

Other scholars only saw a higher chance of admission and the prospect of high positions and wealth. But from the Scholar-Official’s speech, Mu Feng saw the dawn of a magnificent new era. This was destined to be a vibrant age, teeming with heroes. But whether the vast empire would disintegrate into regional factions or unite under the Tongtian Emperor’s control over the Great Thousand World, no one could predict.

A great era, great upheaval, great opportunities!

Those who adapted to the changing times had the chance to wield immense power and become legendary figures. Those who opposed the tide of the times, no matter how powerful or glorious, would eventually be cast aside by the era! Emperors, generals, and ministers were no exception!

Neigh, neigh, neigh…

Just as he was deep in thought, the distant whinny of warhorses suddenly rang out. Then, heavy, urgent hoofbeats followed, growing closer and louder. Eventually, the ground shook, and the heavy wooden exam tables in front of the people wobbled violently.

People stood up in surprise and looked out through the large, bright windows. They saw a vast, dark mass of cavalry surging forward. Behind them, endless rows of heavy infantry, carrying gleaming spears, surrounded the ancient Shangling Terrace.

Jianning border troops!

The border troops stationed in Jianning City, tasked with defending against the barbarians of the Southern Borderlands, had arrived in a menacing manner. Those with sharp eyes could even see a particularly fierce squad at the front, carrying the disabled young master Lin Zhengde, who was completely immobilized. In an instant, everyone understood what was happening and turned to look at Mu Feng sitting in the back row.