novelraw Chapter 223: Difficulties and Obstacles
Chapter 223: Difficulties and Obstacles
Surprise was not the sole preserve of Xin Lin; the faces of all the others who came to participate in the Zixiao Palace Exam were filled with astonishment.
"Silence, the examiners have arrived."
Captain Yang gave Xin Lin and Little Xinzhuo a meaningful glance, and as the Imperial Guards lined up in a row, two figures resembling court officials made their way over.
"These two are Mr. Wei and Mr. Huang, Assistant Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel. They will explain the relevant assessments of this Zixiao Palace Exam to everyone."
Captain Yang’s voice boomed, echoing to every corner of the square.
Due to the unprecedented number of participants in this Zixiao Palace Exam, even North Square could not accommodate everyone all at once, therefore, it was said the assessments were to be held in three separate batches of people.
Xin Lin and Little Xinzhuo had arrived early and were grouped in the first batch, along with the son of the Grand Tutor, Jin Chen, and others.
Mr. Wei and Mr. Huang stepped forward.
"Presumably, all of you have heard that this year’s Zixiao Palace Exam differs from previous years. Longteng Country is thriving, and the Emperor is broadly recruiting talents. All present are the most gifted individuals of our nation. Since this examination round concerns the exemption of Qingtian Academy students from the tests, this year’s examination format will also vary from the norm."
Mr. Wei of the Ministry of Personnel spoke first, and as soon as he finished, Mr. Huang beside him took out the examination papers.
"This year’s Imperial Exam consists of both Written and Martial Arts Examinations. The Written Exam questions are personally set by Empress Feng, and they are on the examination paper in front of each participant. Each of you has a quarter of an hour to answer, and the results of the Written Exam count for half. Those who do not pass the Written Exam will be directly disqualified from the second round Martial Arts Examination."
A Written Examination as well?
Xin Lin and Little Xinzhuo were both stunned.
Especially Xin Lin, she sensed something amiss.
That Empress Feng, a femme fatale, had always been inactive, and it was strange to suddenly concoct a set of questions—there must be a catch.
Xin Lin pondered briefly before communicating with Little Xinzhuo.
Little Xinzhuo nodded obediently.
In contrast to Xin Lin and Little Xinzhuo, many of the children present showed signs of difficulty.
Murong Ziyue glanced around and sighed softly.
Empress Feng’s move was clearly aimed at suppressing the descendants of poor families.
Ever since General Shi’s battle several years ago and the subsequent veneration of Taichang Temple by the populace, Longteng Country had been peaceful and the people secure, yet due to the early years of war, many civilians were still very impoverished.
Many poor family descendants eagerly practiced martial arts to earn some money to support their families.
But among these people, how many had the knowledge of writing and the art of letters?
Indeed, as soon as the examination papers were unfolded, many were dumbstruck.
On the paper, there was only one sentence.
"Between two clashing countries, which is stronger, the army of Martial Artists or the army of Spiritual Practitioners?"
Those who were illiterate from poor families could not even recognize the words; they could only stare blankly at the white paper with black text, some even bursting into tears on the spot. One had only one opportunity in a lifetime to participate in the Zixiao Palace Exam; missing this chance meant they would never be able to leap over the dragon’s gate, so how could they be reconciled?
"A bunch of lowlifes, not even knowing their letters, yet dreaming of joining Qingtian Academy, dream on."
Jin Chen among the scions of privileged families glanced around with a smug expression.
Empress Feng had always emphasized etiquette, and the Emperor Longteng had, for some unknown reason, been fervent on broad talent recruitment, treating poor and official families without distinction, which Empress Feng and the faction led by the Grandmaster had strongly opposed.
But at the last moment, a voice from Taichang Temple spoke up, stating that Emperor’s talent selection should not discriminate against the poor, and thus this Zixiao Palace Exam came to be.