A Journey Through the Worlds of Film and Television.

Chapter 884 High School Champion

The examination was named after the fact that scholars from all over the country gathered in Kyoto to take the examination. Because it was held by the Ministry of Rites in spring, it was also called "Spring Examination" or "Rites Examination". Those who passed the examination were called Gongshi, and the first place was called "Huiyuan".

After the three nine-day exams were over, the process of waiting began. The sealing, transcription, proofreading, marking, and filling in the list took about a month.

After the three exams were over, the students in Kyoto were talking about the test questions and all the answers. When they heard someone answered better than them, they flattered on the surface, but they were nervous inside.

In the Lu family courtyard, Xiangling, who had just returned from buying cloth, couldn't help but talk about the scene on the street: "Brother, many people outside are talking about this exam now."

"So what? No matter how much they talk, they can't change my answers. It's better to calm down and prepare for the next palace examination."

"As expected, brother is still confident. Today when I went to the street to buy cloth, I happened to meet Xueyan who came out of the Heguo Mansion. She said that Sister Lin has been worried about brother these days, and wondered if brother could rest well in the examination room."

"Then you can go to the Duke Rong's Mansion again later."

"Okay, then brother, do you want to make some more food? The cat ears last time were pretty good."

"Are you greedy too?"

"Hehe, brother's cooking is delicious. I have tried to imitate it several times, but I can never make it taste the same. Last time, I brought my own cooking and brother's cooking together, and Xueyan could taste the difference at one bite. Brother, can you teach me again, please?"

"Okay, okay, go get ready first."

Lu Cheng is a good cook and has spoiled Daiyu and Xiangling's tastes.

Of course, they all knew that Lu Cheng was busy and would not always pester him to cook for them.

Lu Cheng also tries to make as much as possible every time, and everything he makes can stand the test of time.

"By the way, Daiyu seems to have a big appetite recently. You should go back and say a few words to her. She can't always eat snacks."

"In my opinion, it's not that her appetite is big, but someone is going there to eat for free. Last time I went there, I saw Tanchun and Xichun from the Duke's Mansion, as well as Shi Xiangyun from the Shi family, all waiting in Sister Lin's room."

Lu Cheng couldn't help but smile: "So there are a few more little foodies. Then make more this time."

Feeding one is also feeding, feeding a group is also feeding.

When the servants in the courtyard heard that Lu Cheng was going to cook, they all went to help happily. They were also able to get some of the fried, pan-fried or baked snacks every time.

For Lu Cheng, it is also a pleasure to occasionally cook and turn various ingredients into delicious snacks and dishes.

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye it was already March, and it was time to announce the results of the imperial examination.

On this day, before dawn, students from all over Kyoto city flocked to the place where the results were announced, crowded in the front early, and eagerly waited for the list.

It was not until dawn, when people were coming and going on the streets, that gongs and drums suddenly sounded, and guards cleared the way. A group of guards led by officials from the Ministry of Rites escorted the list to the place where the results were posted and began to hang them up.

As the list was opened and hung on the wall, all the scholars present immediately cast their eyes on the list, anxiously searching for their own names.

Someone quickly saw his name and immediately cheered: "I won! I won!"

Some people looked at it again and again, but still couldn't find their own names. In the end, they could only squat on the ground dejectedly: "There is no me, no me..."

There was an old man with white hair and beard. After seeing his name on the list, he looked up to the sky and sighed, "I got the win, I got the win, God is watching over me." Then he fainted on the ground with excitement.

There was also an old man whose front teeth had all fallen out. After failing to find his own name, he cried out in despair: "It's all over, it's all over. After decades of studying, it's all over, it's all over!"

At this time, in the small courtyard of the Lu family in the south of the city, Lu Cheng was still reading a book calmly.

Xiangling and the other two servants were waiting anxiously at the door, looking around. It was not until Lai Wang and Lai Shun came running back from a distance with happy faces that Xiangling could not wait to ask, "How is it? How is it? Did my brother pass the exam?"

"Our young master's name is at the top of the list, the first one!"

"Isn't that the champion?"

"Yes, yes, it is Huiyuan."

Xiangling screamed and immediately ran back into the house to inform Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng didn't even raise his head: "Why are you panicking? It's just a first prize, right? Go prepare some silver and money, so that when the official who comes to announce the good news comes to your house, don't lose your manners. And prepare some more copper coins..."

"Yes, yes, we'll get ready right away. By the way, should we send someone to the Duke's Mansion to inform Sister Lin?"

"The Jia family should know about this by now."

At the same time, in the Forbidden City, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Changtai put down the test paper in his hand and nodded with satisfaction: "This year's champion is indeed good. Whether it is the classics or the current affairs, they are all very pleasing to me. Even the handwriting is beautiful. Dai Quan, do you know the details of this champion?"

"Reporting to your Majesty, the champion of this year's exam is from Jinling, and he is a young genius. He is only fifteen years old this year. He has won first place in the county exam, prefectural exam, academy exam, provincial exam, and metropolitan exam. He has won five first place in a row. Moreover, he is the Yangzhou Salt Inspector and the disciple of Lin Tanhua. I heard that he is engaged to Lin Tanhua's only daughter."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Changtai immediately became interested: "Lin Ruhai's disciple? Or the prospective son-in-law? Not bad, not bad. I heard that the old lady of the Jia family is also thinking about arranging a marriage between her granddaughter and grandson?"

"That should be the case."

Emperor Changtai put down the article in his hand, thought for a moment, and then said casually: "I remember that since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there has only been one champion in the imperial examination, and that was during the reign of Emperor Taizu. If Lu Cheng performs well in the palace examination, I will select him as the champion."

It is no wonder that Emperor Changtai had such an idea. The six top-ranking scholars were definitely rare talents that only appear once in a century. The emergence of such people, to some extent, also implies that the country's culture and education are flourishing and talents are emerging in large numbers.

Especially nowadays, Guanzhong and the Central Plains have been suffering from drought for years, the local area is in turmoil, and the border is in turmoil.

The emergence of such a genius can even be considered an auspicious sign.

Emperor Changtai was already thinking that as long as Lu Cheng could rank among the top ten in the palace examination, he would personally select these six top-ranked poems, which might even leave behind a good story of harmony between the monarch and his subjects.

Thinking of this, Emperor Changtai picked up Lu Cheng's examination paper again. Looking at the logically rigorous, well-reasoned, yet courageous and far-sighted essay, he couldn't help but look up and ask again, "Is Lu Cheng really only 15 years old?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Lu Cheng is indeed fifteen years old. Speaking of which, Lu Cheng lost his mother at a young age, and then his father. When he was ten years old, he was kidnapped by a kidnapper and taken to Yangzhou Prefecture. Fortunately, he escaped and met Lin Tanhua..."

"This child has had a rough life. Those kidnappers are really despicable. They almost ruined a talented young man."

At this time, Emperor Changtai became more and more curious about Lu Cheng.

On the other side, in the mansion of Duke Rong.

Lin Daiyu was very happy when she heard the news that Lu Cheng had won the first place in the imperial examination. She placed various snacks made by Lu Cheng in her room, and asked people to buy some food. She warmly entertained the sisters who came to join in the fun.

"Congratulations, Sister Lin may soon become the wife of the top scholar."

"Yes, yes, a fifteen-year-old champion is really amazing."

"Those of us who come to congratulate, shouldn't we ask for some money?"

"Yes, yes, yes. I heard that Sister Lin is very generous."

"Alas, food can't stop you from eating. Besides, you won't be allowed to eat."

"That won't do. This is a pastry made by the future number one scholar himself. You may not be able to eat it in the future..."

"Hurry, give me some more..."