That man, with the demeanor of a wandering knight-errant, said: “If you dare to beat the petition drum… I’ll help you scholars from humble families take the beating! Let those nobles see that we poor families also have backbone!”

Xue Renyi, already drunk, smashed the wine cup in his hand: “I, Xue Renyi, have at least read the books of sages – how could I bow before nobles?! I’m going to beat the petition drum! Even if I sacrifice this life of mine, I must seek justice for us scholars from humble families!”

After speaking, Xue Renyi picked up the wine pot on the table and drained it in one gulp.

Xue Renyi’s classmates quickly stood up to dissuade him, saying at worst they could try again next year.

But Xue Renyi said, “The nobles cover the sky with one hand. Favoritism, fraud, corruption, and dereliction of duty are commonplace and have become increasingly severe in recent years. Look for yourselves… It’s becoming harder and harder for sons of humble families to advance! If we don’t act as pioneers and all bow and submit to the nobles, this vast Jin Kingdom… will no longer have room for scholars from humble families! If you still have any backbone, come with me!”

With that, filled with righteous anger and fervor, Xue Renyi headed toward the palace gates.

At this time, Hanlin Scholar Wen Zhenkang, completely unaware that the list of seven names was already spreading like wildfire throughout the capital, was with the deputy examiners ranking the palace examination policy essays and bringing the top ten before the Emperor and Crown Prince.

After reading one essay, the Emperor passed it to the Crown Prince for comment.

Although the Crown Prince’s talent was rather mediocre, through constant exposure, he could still understand the quality of policy essays to some degree.

After reading Dong Changyuan’s paper, the Crown Prince’s eyes lit up, and he respectfully handed it to the Emperor: “Your son believes… this policy essay has a clear structure and unique insights. Although the wording isn’t particularly ornate, it excels in its penetrating reasoning and sharp writing.”

The Emperor nodded and placed Dong Changyuan’s paper to one side.

When he saw Qin Lang’s paper, the Emperor seemed to become interested and read Qin Lang’s essay carefully…

Qin Lang was someone the Emperor had personally praised as a model among noble family sons. The Emperor still held hope for Qin Lang, hoping he would bring him honor.

After reading Qin Lang’s paper, there was a smile in the Emperor’s eyes. He nodded and placed Qin Lang’s paper together with Dong Changyuan’s.

The Emperor also read the papers of Chancellor Lu’s two grandsons, holding them for comparison… Wen Zhenkang chuckled and said: “These two papers are not only brilliant in literary talent, but their analysis of current affairs often hits the nail on the head – very impressive! If I had two children with such broad learning, I would certainly have them take the imperial examinations separately. Chancellor Lu, having the brothers take the examination together – isn’t this having family members compete against each other for rankings!”

Hearing this, the Emperor couldn’t help but laugh, looking at the Crown Prince: “The principle of not putting all eggs in one basket – it seems Chancellor Lu, who has maneuvered in court for a lifetime, has forgotten…”

Speaking thus, the Emperor placed Lu Yuanqing and Lu Yuanbao’s papers together with Qin Lang’s and Dong Changyuan’s.

The Emperor then picked up Chen Zhaolu’s policy essay and read it carefully: “These words carry much of Grand Tutor Chen’s style. Chen Zhaolu… could this be Grand Tutor Chen’s grandson?”

“Your Majesty has keen eyes!” Wen Zhenkang smiled and bowed to the Emperor. “Grand Tutor Chen was the top scholar in his time, and Grand Tutor Chen’s son, Secretariat Attendant Chen Pingxing, was also the top scholar in his year. The common people in the capital are all guessing… whether this grandson of Grand Tutor Chen can also claim the top scholar position. If he truly could… it would make for a wonderful story in our Jin Kingdom.”

Hearing this, the Emperor thought for a moment and picked up Dong Changyuan’s paper again: “I feel… among these ten papers, this one by… Dong Changyuan has the most outstanding policy essay.”

In truth, all things considered, the Emperor felt that the standard of candidates in this imperial examination wasn’t as good as before.

Wen Zhenkang quickly echoed the Emperor: “Your Majesty has a discerning eye! Exactly right! However, the ten policy essays that could be brought before Your Majesty are all the most outstanding in this imperial examination. No matter how Your Majesty decides, these ten young talents will naturally all serve Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded, feeling that Wen Zhenkang spoke correctly.

In the Emperor’s study, the sovereign and ministers deliberated for several hours and finally settled on the rankings for this golden list.

To continue the wonderful story of Grand Tutor Chen’s family having three generations of top scholars, the Emperor appointed Grand Tutor Chen’s grandson Chen Zhaolu as a top scholar.

Chancellor Lu’s face couldn’t be ignored, so he appointed Lu Yuanqing as second place.

Dong Changyuan’s policy essay was truly outstanding, and the Emperor had also heard from Gao Demao that Dong Changyuan was a young gentleman with gentle, jade-like appearance and very striking looks, so he appointed him third place. Qin Lang received first place in the second rank.

The Crown Prince ranked the remaining six people and assigned their positions: Lu Yuanbao in second place in the second rank.

Third place in the second rank went to a scholar from a humble family, Wu Anbang fourth place in the second rank, Zhang Ruohuai fifth place in the second rank, Lin Chaodong sixth place in the second rank, Wang Chengyu seventh place in the second rank.

Just as they had finalized the golden list rankings and Wen Zhenkang was leading the deputy examiners out of the great hall with a long sigh of relief, they heard thunderous drumbeats coming from the direction of Wude Gate in the distance.

Wen Zhenkang’s heart immediately sank. What was happening this year? The petition drum, which had been silent for hundreds of years, kept being beaten. Could it be County Princess Zhenguo again?!

No matter who it was, when the petition drum sounded, it certainly wasn’t good news.

Wen Zhenkang looked back toward the great hall, fearing the Emperor would have another headache.

The Emperor, who had just picked up his teacup to drink tea while sitting on the dragon throne, suddenly heard the petition drum. Startled, his hand holding the teacup trembled, spilling some tea.

The Emperor’s heart immediately became extremely irritated, wishing he could have that petition drum removed.

With a petition drum placed there, probably not even several generations of emperors had heard it ring more than a few times. But when it came to him… starting from last year, it had been restless, not giving anyone a moment’s peace!

The Crown Prince was also startled and instinctively thought of Bai Qingyan, but then felt that since Bai Qingyan had now aligned herself with him, if she had matters, she should come to seek his help rather than beat the drum to displease the Father Emperor.

The Emperor heavily placed the teacup on the desk and angrily shouted: “Gao Demao, go see!”

Gao Demao quickly clutched his whisk and ran out of the hall with hurried steps.

“Beating and beating all day long! What earth-shaking matter requires beating the petition drum – won’t you let me have any peace!” The Emperor thought of Bai Qingyan’s previous forcing the death of Prince Xin, becoming even more furious, and picked up the teacup to smash it hard on the ground.

All the eunuchs in the great hall knelt in a huddle, trembling.

Even the Crown Prince was frightened into kneeling and pleading for the Emperor to calm his anger.

“If it’s that Bai Qingyan again this time, I… truly cannot tolerate her anymore!” When the Emperor said this, he was gritting his teeth with murderous intent.

The Crown Prince had originally wanted to plead for Bai Qingyan, but looking up and seeing the Emperor’s face full of malevolence, he quickly lowered his head and said in muffled tones: “It definitely won’t be the County Princess. Father Emperor has already given the County Princess tremendous favor – the County Princess wouldn’t be ignorant of propriety.”

The Emperor let out a cold laugh without comment.