Chapter 79 - 78: Rejection
Chapter 79: Chapter 78: Rejection
"You... you’re actually Martial Scholars?!"
"How could people like you pass the Martial Examination? It’s just not right! It’s completely unfair..."
A crowd of sour-smelling Scholars stared, their eyes wide and their faces a kaleidoscope of colors, as if a dye vat had been overturned on them.
They, the Civil Scholars, had put in so much effort to get this far.
Burning the midnight oil, rising before the crack of dawn, forgoing sleep and food.
Some of their families had even sold off so much land, all just to pave the way for their studies.
And in the end, they failed, while two gluttons who did nothing but feast in restaurants every day had both passed and become the even more distinguished Martial Scholars.
It was unfair. Simply and utterly unfair.
However, they certainly didn’t dare to curse Fang Yue and his companion anymore.
Those two were Martial Scholars, while they were mere Civil Scholars.
The difference in their status was immediately clear. To offend one’s superiors was a crime punishable by thirty lashes of the whip.
They were all delicate-skinned bookworms; how could they possibly dare to receive such a punishment?
They immediately hurried to apologize to Chubby and Fang Yue.
"Heh, they always say scholars have no spine—spineless dogs that bark madly. Seeing it today, I find it’s true after all."
Fang Yue had also been branded a glutton by these scholars just moments ago.
So he wasn’t about to show them any kindness.
’If these scholars actually had some grit and were willing to risk a whipping to stand against us, then I might have actually respected them a little.’
"Yes, yes! ’Spineless dogs.’ Fang, that description is truly fitting."
Chubby laughed heartily, then paid the scholars no more mind, turning his attention back to demolishing the feast before them with Fang Yue.
~~~~~~
The next day, the results for the Civil Scholars were posted.
It was said that on the day the list was revealed, many of the newly minted, unmarried young Scholars were snatched up by families seeking a groom right there beneath the announcement board.
This, of course, made the onlookers—the "melon-eating masses"—incredibly envious.
That evening, the County Magistrate, Lord Liu Zheng, held a banquet for the new Martial Scholars and Civil Scholars.
The banquet was held at a restaurant next to the Government Office.
"Heh, esteemed new Scholars, you are all the most Talented People of our Xiahe County. Whether you go on to the Prefecture City for the Prefecture Examination or stay here to serve as officials, you must all bring prosperity to the region."
"Today, I congratulate you all. Come, drain this cup with me."
Liu Zheng sat at the head of the table, his expression composed.
He was the chief examiner for these new Scholars and, in official circles, was known as their patron.
This created a student-teacher relationship between them.
Although it wasn’t a true master-disciple bond, it was still considered a very close connection.
If any of these Scholars, like Fang Yue, were to achieve high office in the future, it would bring him, their patron, great honor and be counted as one of his political achievements.
"As you command!"
The many Scholars raised their cups, and the banquet officially began.
However, due to the different levels of importance placed on civil and military officials, the ten Martial Scholars were seated at the same table as Lord Liu.
It was the centermost table in the grand hall.
Of course, the top three Civil Scholars were also seated at this table.
About an hour later, the banquet concluded.
The numerous Civil Scholars all departed, leaving only Fang Yue and the other Martial Scholars, who had been asked to stay by Liu Zheng.
"Gentlemen, you must be wondering why I’ve asked you to stay behind."
By this point, there were no unauthorized people around, and soldiers from the Government Office had sealed off the entire hall.
Liu Zheng looked at the ten Martial Scholars and spoke with a grave expression.
"We wouldn’t dare, Teacher. You must have your reasons for asking us to stay. This student is not confused."
The one who spoke was Lin Weizhong, the Martial Scholar who had placed first in this Martial Examination.
As soon as Lin Weizhong finished speaking, the other Martial Scholars also turned their gazes to Liu Zheng.
From the exchange between the two, the Martial Scholars present sensed that something was amiss.
It seemed this banquet was not as simple a celebration as it appeared.
"Heh, you are all indeed pillars of our dynasty. Excellent."
Liu Zheng first showed a look of relief, stroking his beard. He then swept his gaze over the crowd before continuing.
"Last year and this year, we levied extra land taxes due to the war in the Northwest. Among the farmers, some failed to appreciate the bigger picture and have instead defected to the Mo Mountain Tribe in the mountains."
Hearing this, Fang Yue couldn’t help but look at Liu Zheng. ’The Mo Mountain Tribe.’
He still remembered his first time coming to Xiahe County Town. Not far from the city gates, he had encountered the City Guard Army chasing a group of mountain people.
Those people were precisely the mountain people of the Mo Mountain Tribe.
Back then, he had heard from Mr. Fang Hu that these Mo Mountain Tribe people didn’t pay taxes or grain tithes, hiding deep in the mountains, resisting the imperial court, and were wanted by the authorities.
He never expected that two years later, the County Magistrate Liu Zheng would bring up the Mo Mountain Tribe.
Fang Yue had heard of the infamous Mo Mountain Tribe, and besides Chubby, the other Martial Scholars present had likely heard even more.
They certainly knew far more about the matter than Fang Yue did.
At this moment, just hearing the name, all of their previously relaxed expressions turned grave.
"Heh, gentlemen, no need to be nervous. I’ve asked you to stay because of a tremendous opportunity, one that is related to this very Mo Mountain Tribe. The Prefecture City intends to wipe them out and has already dispatched a large army."
"However, as the local hosts, we here in Xiahe County must also fulfill our duty. We need to map a route into the mountains for the Prefecture City’s army, leading to the Mo Mountain Tribe."
"Whoever can accomplish this task will be granted an official post directly. I cannot make grand promises, but I can guarantee a position as a Ninth Grade Captain.
Furthermore, the Prefecture City has promised that twenty percent of the spoils from this campaign will be given to our county. I am willing to give half of that share to the person who completes this mission."
After speaking, Liu Zheng showed no signs of hurry. He simply lifted his teacup and took a small sip.
The lure of an official position, plus a monetary reward.
The Mo Mountain Tribe had been entrenched in Mo Mountain for a hundred years. A tribe of several thousand, who knew how much wealth they had accumulated in those mountain forests.