Chapter 82: The Big Exam (Part 6)

In the center of the hall, several long tables were neatly arranged, covered with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The examiners sat behind the tables, their expressions solemn as they intently scrutinized each examinee entering the exam hall.

Just as Bai Fan was preparing to walk toward his seat, a familiar figure appeared in his line of sight.

"Bai Fan!"

The person tapped Bai Fan lightly on the shoulder; it was Li Feng, the companion with whom he had studied in the alley two days prior.

Li Feng was tall and cheerful, the kind of person who always brought joy to his companions.

"Li Feng, I didn't expect to see you here!" Bai Fan smiled, feeling a sense of warmth in his heart.

Li Feng scratched his head and said with a wry smile:

"Sigh, don't even mention it. We really couldn't stand the hardship of that alley, so in the end, we spent money to stay at an inn. But the environment there wasn't much better; drunkards were often making noise, and there was simply no way to study with peace of mind."

Bai Fan couldn't help but smile: "I almost went too, but I thought about it and decided to persevere in the alley."

"You really have perseverance, Bai Fan," Li Feng praised. "But I've steeled my resolve this time; I spent quite a bit of silver, and I'm looking forward to showing what I can do in the exam hall!"

"That's good. Seeing you here makes me feel much more at ease."

Bai Fan scanned his surroundings; the atmosphere in the exam hall was becoming increasingly tense.

Li Feng nodded, the smile on his face gradually fading, replaced by a trace of seriousness:

"Bai Fan, how prepared are you today? Did you review those difficult points?"

"I tried my best to memorize them, but the most important thing is one's mindset."

Bai Fan replied, silently pondering the practice he had done in the alley. He seemed to feel a trace of power from the past.

A flash of admiration crossed Li Feng's eyes: "Mindset is indeed important. Let's do our best together; no matter what we encounter today, don't give up!"

"Of course. Ten years of hard study have all been for this moment. Neither of us can give up."

"Examinees, please enter the examination rooms according to your exam numbers and begin the exam!"

As the examiner's voice fell, the examinees stood up one after another and walked toward the examination rooms.

In the crowd, Bai Fan couldn't help but feel nervous. He muttered to himself: "This is the proof of my ten years of hard work; I must not fail it."

He walked slowly toward his examination room. The examiner at the door pointed a finger: "Bai Fan, enter Examination Room No. 2."

"Thank you!" Bai Fan snapped back to reality, smiled slightly, and pushed the door open to enter.

Upon entering the examination room, the surrounding silence instantly enveloped him, with only the sound of his own heartbeat echoing in his ears.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and recited silently in his heart: "Relax, focus, give it your all."

He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. On the table lay a pristine white exam paper, with several brushes neatly placed to the side.

His fingers gently brushed across the tabletop, feeling the slight chill, which seemed to help him calm down.

"This is the critical moment; I cannot panic!"

Through the small window, Bai Fan looked at the exam question held high by the examiner: "How to govern a country."

Bai Fan took a deep breath, slowly raised his brush, and wrote the following content on the exam paper.

"The essence of governing a country lies in benevolent governance, the rule of law, and the people's livelihood." He wrote on the paper: 《On Several Strategies for Governing a Country》.

"Discussing benevolent governance as the foundation of statecraft: The ruler should respect and fear the people, governing the country through the Dao, not indulging in the pleasures of private desire, nor stifling the thoughts of the people. Only by practicing the Dao to strengthen the nation, with all the people as the body of the state, can the national power naturally flourish."

"Further discussing the path of the rule of law, one should implement methods of provision. The state should provide for all the people; even if they do not engage in production, they should have basic sustenance to pacify the people's hearts and cut off the source of rebellion. When the law is enforced, chaos does not arise; when the law is established, the world is naturally peaceful. Consequently, the common people can live and work in peace without worries, allowing everyone's potential to flourish. We should abandon the rigid adherence of Confucianism, uphold the naturalness of the Dao, the universal love of Mohism, and devote ourselves to the path of smelting and innovation to seek progress."

"Finally, discussing the essence of the people's livelihood: The people are truly the cornerstone of the country, and all citizens originate from this. We should abolish the system of Rank, and extinguish the distinction between noble and lowly. Furthermore, establish the Mohist Four Escape Techniques, so that everyone may immerse themselves in the sea of alchemy culture and scientific creation. Determine one's status by their achievements, not by hereditary nobility. Also, we must reform the old custom of having three wives and four concubines, remove the limitation of monogamy, advocate for the freedom of equal love, and permit the right to autonomous marriage, so that true human affection may flow freely and social harmony can be hoped for."

Bai Fan's brush moved like a flying Dragon and dancing Phoenix; before long, he had finished writing the exam. He knocked on the wall clock beside him.

"Clang!"

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng chuckled faintly.

"Young man, ponder carefully; do not seek speed. This question is asked every year, but those who can pass are few and far between."

Bai Fan smiled slightly, confident in his heart: "This student naturally knows, but I have confirmed that I can submit the paper; I will not make any more changes."

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng raised an eyebrow, developing some interest in Bai Fan's confidence.

Watching Bai Fan's composed demeanor, Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng withdrew his gaze and signaled for him to hand over the answer sheet.

Bai Fan steadily placed the exam paper before Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng; although he felt nervous, he was also calm.

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng took the exam paper and flipped through it gently. He would pause, then nod, then his eyes would widen in surprise, as if he were startled, or as if he had discovered some rare, peerless treasure.

He was secretly shocked. Medicine God Valley was a branch of the great Confucian scholars, yet this Bai Fan, having studied under Medicine God Valley, actually wrote about abandoning the rigid adherence of Confucianism and promoting both the Dao and Mohism. What a breadth of mind!

He had already made a decision about this year's top scholar of the imperial examination; it would inevitably be the person before him, Bai Fan. However, he still calmly stroked his beard, looking composed and indifferent.

"Hmm! Bai Fan, I am very satisfied with your answer sheet. Come with me; I have a few questions to test you!"

The exam hall was instantly in an uproar. Other examinees were indignant: "He just submitted his paper and is already being further examined? This is too unfair!"

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng shouted: "Quiet! Making noise in the exam hall is prohibited. Those who make noise will have their exam qualifications revoked!"

The examinees looked at each other, their faces as unpleasant as if they had eaten dead flies, but no one dared to make a sound.

"Bai Fan, come with me."

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng ordered, turning to walk out of the exam hall.

Bai Fan hesitated for a moment, then followed behind him, secretly pondering the intention of this examiner.

The two walked into Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng's study, and the door closed gently behind them. The surroundings instantly quieted down, as if even the air had frozen.

The furnishings in the study were simple; a desk was covered with files, and several paintings and calligraphies hung on the walls, emitting a faint scent of ink.

"Sit down."

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng pointed to a chair to the side, then sat down behind the desk, leaning forward slightly, looking at Bai Fan with burning eyes.

"I have already read the essay you wrote; it indeed has quite a few unique insights."

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng nodded slightly, though his eyes held a hint of contemplation.

"But what I want to ask you is, the path of governing a country lies not only in armchair strategy but also in actual implementation. How do you think these policies can truly be implemented?"

Bai Fan's lips curled up slightly, and he smiled faintly:

"Teacher, please look."

He opened his palm, and a golden, crystalline seed lay quietly in it, emitting a faint glow.

Bai Fan said softly: "This is a special grain seed that this student cultivated by combining the strengths of the Dao, Mohist, and Confucian schools. It only needs to be planted for one day to bloom and bear fruit. It is resistant to cold and drought, and the yield is more than ten times that of ordinary crops."

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng had originally only been slightly interested, but upon hearing this, his eyes immediately lit up, and his face showed a hint of astonishment: "There is such a wondrous thing!"

He impatiently took the seed from Bai Fan's hand, buried it in a flowerpot nearby, and gently sprinkled a few drops of water on it.

The next moment, the soil in the flowerpot vibrated slightly, and a green plant quickly broke through the soil.

Under the sunlight, the green plant grew at a speed visible to the naked eye. Its leaves unfurled, and a moment later, it actually burst through the flowerpot, took root in the ground, and stood tall and sturdy.

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng was stunned by the scene before him, involuntarily taking half a step back, his expression changing drastically: "This… how can such a miraculous crop exist in the world! If it can be promoted, why worry about the suffering of the people's livelihood? A bumper harvest of grain will surely be able to provide for all the people! Even if the Imperial Court were to provide for the commoners for free, it would be no problem!"

His tone carried undisguised excitement and agitation. He stared closely at Bai Fan and asked repeatedly: "Is this true? Can you really allow this crop to be planted on a large scale?"

Bai Fan nodded slowly, a flash of confidence in his eyes: "Teacher, this student never speaks empty words. If I can obtain the support of the Imperial Court, this item will surely benefit all the people and truly achieve a prosperous people and a strong nation."

Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng nodded excitedly and sighed deeply: "Good, good! You not only have strategies for governing the country but also the methods to implement them. I truly did not misjudge you! Bai Fan, you are the top scholar of my Wenlin Hall imperial examination. I will take you to meet the Benevolent Emperor right now."