Road to the Prize

“What do I mean? Hmph.” Wang Zhenyun sternly got to his feet. He twerked his neck side to side and blinked as if he was about to foam at the mouth.

As I grabbed my tummy and thumped the wall to stop myself laughing whilst imagining the intimating aura in the night, they continued their conversation.

“A scholar’s career is determined the moment he’s born. If born into wealth and influence, and he is innately clever, he’ll be able to succeed with two to three decades of dedication, but do you think you’re free of woes once you win? You’ll either be placed into a bottom-rung office or transferred to the outskirts, and you’ll have to rebuild yourself from scratch a second time. If everything goes smoothly, rising to sixth rank is the highest you’ll go in your lifetime.

“Had his son taken the exam route, it’d have been slightly smoother. Perhaps it would’ve taken only eighteen years, or fifteen if he was lucky. If no major problems occur for three generations and every generation productively inherits their predecessors’ intellect, perhaps he’ll finally be able to set foot into the imperial court. If the heavens protect the family and everything goes well for six generations, perhaps one will make it to Grand Secretariat, or even one head one of the ministries. This is the most optimistic outcome.

“Prime Minister Li is a branch family member of the imperial family. He was born a winner of the imperial exams. Did you honestly think he is an erudite gentleman? If it wasn’t for his family’s backing, he wouldn’t have been Prime Minister for three generations.

“Hmph, those muscle-bound dullards do climb the ranks fast. Little do they know it’s just His Majesty giving them a small treat to rope them in. How much authority can military officials possibly have even if they’re at the very top? Even if they’re a first rank official, how much influence do they have? The three offices watching over the martial world are limited to that – the martial world. Song Ou is the biggest joke among first-rank officials; he can’t even manage his own office.

“He Shi, tell this old one: how nice do you think your career will look considering your parents aren’t scholars, and you aren’t from an influential family? Can you accept being a commoner for life?”

He Shi found himself unable to argue otherwise. His internal turmoil was obvious from his visage.

“He Shi, this old one considers you the brightest star among all the stars, but you haven’t jumped to the conclusion that you’re different to other stars, have you? Stars are stars. No matter how bright they shine, they can never outshine the sun.

“Huang Yuzao’s introduction of numerous new scholars has changed Daren Academy. At the same time, howbeit, he has created too many young individuals who don’t understand how the world works. You know how many officials come from Daren Academy, but so what? How many do you think from Quanmu will get there? Those who enter the imperial court are those who were destined to from the very beginning. This old one can’t deny that you are a rare talent to come by and have maximised your potential. Based on anecdotes, this old one can confidently say that there are no more than five scholars who could rival you in the last twenty-odd years. Still, do you think that empowers you to do as you please? Do you truly believe that you can have an audience with His Majesty through placing first in the imperial exams and pursue your ambitions? That’s delusional.

“You will not win just because your papers reach His Majesty. Without this old one, your highest possible placing would be twelfth, and you will out of place more than anyone at the banquet. You’ll then be sentenced to the outskirts of oblivion, and you’ll be forced to deal with broke, nasty people if you manage to reach your post alive. Nobody in the capital will know who you are in a few years, and nobody will mention you, just like every other delusional young person before you. Remember those five scholars this old one mentioned? Not one of them placed first.”

“What… happened to them in the end?”

“One returned to his hometown to open a shop, never able to return to academics. That’s considered a decent end. Two of them refused to accept their fates and insisted on bringing it to His Majesty’s attention. One perished in the wild, while one lost his mind. Two retired to temples and have become quite the respected individuals. Do you know how the last two did that?” Wang Zhenyun leaned in and, in quiet voice continued, “They worked with this old one.”

Ignoring He Shi’s silence produced from astonishment, Wang Zheyun straightened up his torso as he returned to his cordial façade. “The top five have already been determined.”

“In that case, why do you want this one to write on a paper…?”

“Two reasons. First, it is your proof of allegiance. We can’t trust you unless you are part of us. Second, your paper will be brilliant for sure. It will be obvious there was foul play if His Majesty personally views the papers and notices the difference between yours and the top five. We need to circumvent any potential problems.”

I couldn’t help raising my head up. The old fart really lived up to the impression I had of him.

You ever heard of loyalty to the country, you shameless coot? I despise you from front to back, back to front, right to left, left to right, outside to inside, inside to outside and even your old finger and toe nails. After all that reading you supposedly do, you don’t even know what first come first serve is?!

Wang Zhenyun leaned in again with a smirk. “As long as you agree to cooperate, you will take sixth place. Since this old one can select the top five, he can select the top six. He can promise you a smooth-sailing journey henceforth and status you couldn’t imagine. It’ll only be a matter of time before you’re climbing to the top of the hierarchy. You’ll have any cap, robe, size gold bars and women you want when you want and how you want.”

He Shi’s blank look made Wang Zhenyun question if he said something wrong or if He Shi didn’t understand. Why? Because I already said the same thing!

Wang Zhenyun, I never expected someone like you to share the same thoughts as another great mind.

“Please give this one time to consider it.”

“Of course. This old one will visit again tomorrow night. That is enough time, isn’t it?” Wang Zhenyun patted He Shi on the shoulder. “Glory and wealth are within your reach. Don’t make a mistake.”

While it wasn’t a blatant threat, Wang Zhenyun’s constipated face and words were enough to realise he was saying, “You’re either with me or against me.”

Once the old fart was far gone, I crept out from the hole again.

“Hey, He Sh-”

“Hahahaha.”

Don’t lose your mind just yet! Do you still remember what you were going to write?!”

“I’ve been waiting for him,” coldly stated He Shi.

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