Assessment Failure

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Kaiyang County, inside the county yamen.

Many young men were queuing, wanting to join the county yamen and become constables.

Lin Feng wore a short shirt that had been mended multiple times and was clearly too small for him. His cloth shoes also had several patches.

He squatted in the corner with the rest of them, holding a number plate, waiting to be summoned by the constables in charge of the assessment.

His tall stature and bright, spirited eyes on his handsome face made him stand out like a crane in a flock of chickens.

He seemed rather conspicuous.

Since being reborn into this world, today marked his sixteenth birthday.

Several months ago, his father in this world, a small captain in the army, died in the mouths of monsters while resisting demons.

He left behind his mother, younger sister, and himself.

Without his father's income from the army, in this chaotic world overrun by monsters, not only did they face the constant threat of monster attacks, but they also lost the most stable source of income for the family.

The family struggled even more.

For the past three months, they had barely managed, relying on his mother doing laundry and needlework.

His sister was still young and skinny as a bean sprout from hunger.

Fortunately, a month ago, the county yamen constables suffered many casualties while out fighting demons.

They were now in urgent need of recruits.

Lin Feng had come to sign up.

After all, becoming a constable, although not a formal position, would at least provide one or two taels of silver and a bag of rice each month.

There were also some unofficial income streams.

This would allow his family to live a more human life in this chaotic world of monsters.

And they would also be exempt from taxes.

They wouldn't be easily bullied.

Although becoming a constable carried the risk of death at any moment due to the existence of monsters, if they didn't have this job, the three of them would quickly be unable to survive.

When winter arrived, even more people would starve to death.

"Number eleven!"

Just as Lin Feng was lost in thought, a voice came from inside the room.

Lin Feng stood up, tidied his clothes, trying to look as presentable as possible.

Then he walked towards the room.

At this moment, a young man of the same age as him walked out.

A smile on his face, he had clearly been accepted and would become a constable in a few days!

He knew this person; his father was also a soldier who had died in that same battle against monsters.

Seeing how easily the other person was accepted, Lin Feng felt a sense of relief.

There were rumors that descendants of soldiers like them would receive some preferential treatment.

Lin Feng entered the room and handed over his number plate.

"Greetings, sir! I am number eleven, Lin Feng!"

"Lin Feng? Son of Lin Shi?"

The constable picked up his teacup and took a sip, squinting as he looked at Lin Feng.

"Sir, I am indeed..."

Lin Feng heard the constable mention his father's name.

His heart was filled with certainty about his guess.

He couldn't help but rejoice!

Did I get a backdoor entry?

"Pick up that stone lock weighing about a hundred catties!"

At this moment, the constable pointed to one of the two identical pairs of stone locks by the wall, the pair closer to the wall.

"Yes, sir!"

Lin Feng knew the assessment standard required him to lift this hundred-catty stone lock.

He had also heard from rumors that if there was a backdoor or leniency, they would be asked to lift the lighter pair of stone locks.

Although the two pairs of stone locks looked identical on the outside, their insides were different.

One pair was hollow inside, making it significantly lighter.

Lin Feng was already thin, and although it was light, it still required considerable strength.

What if he wasn't careful and strained his back? That wouldn't be good.

The constable beside him was calmly drinking tea and watching Lin Feng. However, when Lin Feng was in his horse stance, his expression flickered slightly, and he spoke:

"Your horse stance is quite good!"

"You flatter me, sir. My late father taught me for a while."

As he spoke, Lin Feng reached out, bent down, and gripped the handles of the stone lock with both hands. Then, he exerted force.

The stone lock, which he thought he could easily handle, only moved a few inches!

"What! I didn't take any shortcuts!"

Lin Feng didn't let go, but looked at the other person, only to find him looking indifferent.

Damn it! The information was wrong!

But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

If he couldn't lift it, he would lose this precious opportunity!

Lin Feng's mind raced, and his body followed, moving closer to the stone lock. He stood in a horse stance directly above it, wanting to rely on his precociously developed body and the few moves his father had taught him to forcibly lift the stone lock!

After all, he was the only man in the family now. If he couldn't hold on, who would his mother and younger sister rely on?

"Hng!"

With a loud shout, power surged from his feet, coordinating with his waist and stance! Lin Feng, holding his breath, actually lifted the stone lock weighing over a hundred catties.

The constable beside him saw this. Although his face showed no expression, he spilled some of his tea.

Good kid, he actually managed to lift it.

But it's useless! This yamen has no place for you to earn a living!

Soon, the constable regained his cold demeanor and continued to watch Lin Feng.

Three seconds passed.

"Sir, it's been so long, haven't I met the standard yet?"

Lin Feng asked with difficulty, his face flushed red.

"Not yet!"

The constable leisurely blew away the foam from his teacup and took a sip.

Another three seconds passed.

"Sir..."

"Stop babbling, not yet! When I say it's met, it's met!"

Before Lin Feng could finish, the constable said impatiently!

Ultimately, Lin Feng did not pass the assessment!

He walked out the door, looking dejected.

He couldn't understand!

He was the son of a soldier, and others could easily take shortcuts.

But he, who had passed the assessment through legitimate means, still couldn't get the job!

After he couldn't hold on just now, Lin Feng even took out two taels of silver he had hidden in his bosom.

He wanted the official to be lenient and give him a way out.

But the other party didn't even look at it and kicked him out.

This was what he couldn't understand the most.

Clearly, he was being targeted! The other party wouldn't even accept money just to make sure he failed!

In this world, no one would refuse money, unless there was more money or power involved!

But he and his family had no grudges with anyone, and his deceased father was a kind and benevolent person.

What could be worth a powerful figure making a move against him?

What was going on?!

Why was it so difficult for someone at the very bottom like him to survive, to live with his family?

Lin Feng clenched his fists tightly, the strain from lifting the stone lock earlier stinging his nerves.

Unconsciously, he walked out of the yamen gates.

"Big brother, how did it go?"

At this moment, a voice called out, and his cousin Lin Yu rushed over, looking anxious.

He was a year younger than Lin Feng and had grown up together. His build was as tall and sturdy as Lin Feng's.

"It's gone, I can't get in!"

"What! How could that be? Is it not enough money? I'll go back to the gang and borrow some more!"

Lin Yu heard this news and felt sorry for Lin Feng. Then he suggested, "No need. It's not about money. Let's go back first! If we're late, your aunt will worry!"

Lin Feng said.

"Sigh! Brother, if you can't get in, you can't get in. I ordered a table of dishes at Fatty Wang's place. I originally wanted to celebrate for you in advance.

Now, let's go there and have a couple of drinks, brother!"

As Lin Yu spoke, he pulled Lin Feng along despite his objections.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Lin Feng looked at the four dishes and one soup, two meat and two vegetable dishes. They only ate this well during Chinese New Year!

This cousin of his was truly treating him well!

Since the outcome was already decided, he might as well eat and drink first.

"Brother, today is your birthday. I toast you!"

Lin Yu raised his wine cup and toasted Lin Feng.

Lin Feng clinked glasses heavily with him! Then he downed the drink in one gulp.

The spicy wine stimulated Lin Feng's taste buds and esophagus.

He felt a little tipsy.

Afterward, he drank several more cups. Unexpectedly, in his dazed state, a simulation panel appeared before him!