Chapter 478 - 305: Golden List Honors, The Focus of All

"You are not to leave the Diligent Study Hall until the results are announced."

The poems are collected, and the ministers critique them.

"Luu Xi truly lives up to being favored by the Left Minister, his wording is concise, the meaning profound, truly a pillar of talent."

"Though Liao Huai, Shangguan Jinxiao, Lu Zhen, and Huangfu Cheng may not have the depth of Luu Xi, their poetic flavor is lingering, making them rare good poems."

"The poems of common scholars Xuu Mu and Zhuge Chen are relatively simple but evoke the imagery of a great snow covering the capital."

"It’s difficult to judge," the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Qi Nankai, sighed, "All seven possess the qualities of a top contender."

"Left Minister, Lord Lu, what do you think?"

"Minister Qi is right; it is indeed difficult to determine the best among the seven’s poems."

Zuo Yuan said this while holding poems outside the seven’s.

"Left Minister, are you looking at the poems of Attendant Reader Chu?" asked Grand Scholar Lu Jin.

Zuo Yuan nodded, "Attendant Reader Chu’s poems are also quite good."

"Oh?"

Both Grand Scholar Lu Jin and Minister of the Ministry of Rites Qi Nankai looked over.

But after reading, disappointment flickered in their eyes.

"They’re good, surely in the top ten."

The two thought Zuo Yuan meant his assessment was comparable to the seven’s poetry.

In reality, they believed that in terms of word choice, meaning, or imagery, it was somewhat lacking.

Making it into the top ten was barely acceptable.

"Since you two gentlemen cannot determine a ranking, as per usual, let’s hand over the poems of the seven to Lord Liao, Lord Shangguan, and Lord Tang."

"That works."

Soon, the poems of the seven were sent to Tang Bai and other ministers.

The senior officials gave their judgments, and the final results soon followed.

"Congratulations to the Left Minister, the evaluations of the ministers have placed Luu Xi as first," Qi Nankai said, offering congratulations.

"Luu Xi is first?" Upon hearing this, Lu Jin slightly frowned, "What about the others?"

Qi Nankai understood that Lu Jin was inquiring about his own son, Lu Zhen, so he responded with a smile:

"Lu Zhen is second, Huangfu Cheng third, Liao Huai fourth, Shangguan Jinxiao fifth, Zhuge Chen sixth, Chu Ming seventh, and Xuu Mu eighth."

"Second?" Lu Jin appeared satisfied.

During the initial evaluations by the three judges, this Grand Scholar already knew Luu Xi’s position as first was unchallenged.

And Lu Zhen, Huangfu Cheng, Liao Huai, and Shangguan Jinxiao had minimal differences, all could be ranked second.

As for First-Grade Cold Scholars Zhuge Chen, Chu Ming, Xuu Mu...

Some things are determined by birth.

Without backing from the Crown Prince, Zhuge Chen, Chu Ming, and Xuu Mu might not even secure a position in the top ten.

"Now that it’s settled, let’s present it to His Majesty," Zuo Yuan seemed hopeful.

Presenting it to His Majesty marked the golden list nomination.

Luu Xi being first, naturally had the highest possibility of being named on the golden list.

The results of the poetic competition were quickly sent to Jinluan Hall.

Just at that moment, not far from Diligent Study Hall, in another palace, there was a golden light looming, vaguely revealing a mysterious golden list.

Zuo Yuan, Qi Nankai, and Lu Jin all looked over.

"It’s the Golden Artifact Hall, where the Golden Spear competition is held," Qi Nankai said in a serious tone.

The golden light illuminating the hall indicated the conclusion of the competition, reflecting the final golden list.

"I wonder if any golden light will descend," Lu Jin’s eyes were fervent.

If the golden light fell, it would be a golden list nomination not seen in three hundred years in the Qin Dynasty.

After a moment, the golden light receded, and no expected golden light descended upon the hall.

"Nothing..." Lu Jin felt somewhat disappointed.

"Let’s go, the hundred contenders in Golden Artifact Hall were not remarkable; this year, the highest hope for a golden list nomination lies in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and martial arts."

"Indeed, quickly present the results of the poetic competition to His Majesty."

"..."

...

Deep within the Imperial City.

Two people stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the golden light over the Golden Spear Hall in the Imperial City.

As the golden light faded, disappointment flickered across their faces.

"Eldest Brother, this is the thirty-fifth Golden Competition," the woman beside said softly.

"Yes, the thirty-fifth," the other person lowered their eyelids, "Gaining recognition from the Star Golden List is exceedingly difficult."

"Alas... three hundred years have passed, and still, it’s only you, Eldest Brother. This year, I’m afraid it will again..."

"With a millennium calamity looming, who knows if the Great Qin Dynasty will endure."

"..."

...

Back in the Imperial City.

Zuo Yuan and the other two delivered the results of the poetic competition to Jinluan Hall.

Soon.

Jinluan Hall issued the imperial decree, and Zuo Yuan and the other two, carrying the decree, returned to Diligent Study Hall.

"Luu Xi is first in the poetic competition, promoted to Third Grade, awarded ten thousand taels, and honored with a commendation and poem engraving."

"Lu Zhen is the second in the poetic competition, promoted to Third Grade, awarded eight thousand taels, and honored with a commendation."

"Huangfu Cheng is the third in the poetic competition, promoted to Third Grade, awarded seven thousand taels."

"..."

The top ten are all rewarded and honored.

"First, I’m first..." Luu Xi’s heart surged with emotion, though he maintained an outward composure.

"Congratulations, Brother Luu," Lu Zhen was first to extend congratulations.

"Congratulations, Brother Lu,"

"..."

For a moment, the top ten became the focus of everyone’s admiration and envy, especially Luu Xi, Lu Zhen, and Huangfu Cheng, who drew almost all eyes.

Luu Xi glanced back unintentionally, his eyes full of disdain.

Chu Ming stood at the back, his expression calm.

Seventh, it’s enough to enter the Celestial Book Garden.

But what is with the scroll in the Sea of Consciousness?

Why does it move on its own?

From the moment he entered the hall for the competition, Chu Ming’s mind wasn’t on the contest but in his Sea of Consciousness.

Since its formation, the scroll in the Sea of Consciousness seldom moves unless during a breakthrough or special insight.

Yet today, it was unusually restless, rippling like waves since he entered the hall, truly strange.

"Silence, though the competition is over, the golden list has yet to illuminate the hall," Lu Jin’s expression was stern, "Wait here, do not make noise."