Zhao Xing had intended to head off for a meal after handing in his paper, but since Chen Shijie had said so, he could only stand to one side and wait.
The examiners graded separately, each taking charge of a portion before passing the papers around for cross-review.
There were only a little over five hundred papers in total, not an overwhelming number.
But there could be no mistakes.
Xue Wenzhong was the first to see the question: "South of the city, there is wind, raging in its course."
Seeing that Zhao Xing had not fallen into the trap hidden in the question and had answered it perfectly, half the weight on his heart lifted.
"He remembered True Lord Cao Xi's method well. Then again, most of his techniques were taught by the True Lord."
He then saw the question: "The earth is yin and cold; spring wood is of no use. Summer yang steams, and locusts flourish."
After reading Zhao Xing's answer, Xue Wenzhong's worries vanished completely.
His gloomy expression cleared, and he even smiled.
"I wronged him. To answer this question so perfectly, his understanding of the Five Elements and Four Seasons is already profound. The remaining questions will pose no challenge to him."
Old Sima Nong was greatly pleased. His mood brightened, and his demeanor relaxed considerably.
He no longer worried that Zhao Xing would become arrogant because of his grades.
Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, and Pang Yuan were grading the section where Zhao Xing had copied out classic works from memory.
He got every easy point correct, without a single error or omission.
Having an extensive memory was nothing remarkable. What mattered was Zhao Xing's speed. There were thirty papers in all, yet after staying up through the night, he had not made a single mistake. That was truly rare.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!" Chen Shijie suddenly cried out three times.
He startled all the other examiners.
Chen Shijie's voice had been so loud that the examinees outside had surely heard him.
Some candidates outside had indeed heard it. They were not deaf.
Some had also seen Zhao Xing hand in his paper early and enter the hall.
But those who heard it were baffled. Just how wonderful had Zhao Xing's answer been for the chief examiner to start meowing like a cat?
"Of the Five Elements, none is more esteemed than earth. Earth occupies the center and governs the four directions, commanding all things without contending with fire for merit or fame."
What Chen Shijie was reading was Zhao Xing's answer to the final question.
The reason he was so delighted was simply because Chen Shijie himself belonged to the Earthly Advantage Faction.
Zhao Xing's answer had undoubtedly suited his tastes once again.
What was more, these words perfectly aligned with the Earthly Advantage Faction's principles. Any member of that faction would like them upon reading them.
They further elevated the earth element, even granting it the title of governing the four directions. Though it carried a hint of flattery, one had to consider how it was phrased.
Zhao Xing had hit the mark. This was not mindless praise, but something that scratched Chen Shijie right where he itched!
"Ahem, ahem. I have lost my composure somewhat." Seeing everyone's astonished gazes, Chen Shijie quickly realized something was amiss and could only cover it with a dry laugh. "It is nothing. Everyone, look over this paper carefully and review it impartially."
What are you trying to hide? The corners of your mouth are harder to suppress than a waterwheel. With the chief examiner making his attitude this obvious, how are we supposed to review it impartially? Gao Linong grumbled inwardly, feeling that this chief examiner was utterly unreliable.
He did not take the paper. He did not want to go against his conscience and give Zhao Xing high marks, even with Chen Shijie making his position so clear. No, he would not! Gao Linong's temperament was still somewhat straightforward.
The others were different. They immediately took the paper and studied it carefully.
"Hm? It truly is wonderful!" Tang Wanchun praised after reading it. Though he was not of the Earthly Advantage Faction, viewed objectively, this answer indeed deserved a high score.
Pang Yuan and the other reviewers felt the same. Regardless of Chen Shijie's attitude, Zhao Xing's answer to the final question was indeed striking. It was soundly reasoned, not fabricated nonsense.
Once they cross-reviewed the papers, the other officials also acknowledged Zhao Xing's intelligence.
"Reverse Celestial Timing, make up one seasonal phase in spring and reduce one in summer? Bing Fire regulates yin, while Ding Fire continues yang. This answer is actually more complete than what I had previously considered."
"Build a mountain south of the city using the earth veins to block the wind. Dig canals east of the city, divert water around the city, and construct a Return to Origin Waterwheel. Was that not something Lord Caozhen once did?"
"I wrote this question based precisely on Lord Caozhen and that ancient city. I never expected him to see through it at a glance."
Seeing so many colleagues begin to praise Zhao Xing, Gao Linong could not help examining the answers closely as well.
A moment later, his gaze toward Zhao Xing became complicated.
Why isn't this person my student? Old Sima Nong had to be the one to discover him!
"Hmph, at least his handwriting is terrible!" Gao Linong thought sourly. "Right, among the Grade A papers, his handwriting must be the worst!"
Without any suspense, all the participating examiners unanimously gave him a Grade A evaluation.
Even Gao Linong did not dishonestly give him Grade B, because the examiners' scores and comments had to be recorded and submitted.
Giving him Grade B because of ugly handwriting would leave a bad impression of bias with the higher-ups. In this era, ugly handwriting was not a major matter.
After formally entering the ranks, one's vital essence would be enough to precisely control one's body. Writing would be like block printing, so this was only a trivial detail. It could never be used as grounds to eliminate a candidate.
Ordinarily, Grade A placements could not have been decided so quickly. But since everyone's opinions were so unified, Zhao Xing, the first to hand in his paper, became the first to receive a Grade A rating.
Others still had to continue the examination, and the examiners could not keep him there to ask questions. Zhao Xing cupped his hands and silently left the examination hall.
The next day, people gradually began handing in their papers. The examination results for the more than five hundred clerks were released that afternoon.
Zhao Xing received Grade A once again. This theoretical examination had been rather difficult, and aside from him, only two others received Grade A.
They were Ding Shan and Liang Bai.
Everyone was fairly familiar with Ding Shan. He was the oldest clerk in Locust Willow Courtyard and had long assisted Xue Wenzhong, handling documents and classical texts.
His aptitude for techniques was ordinary. He had earned Grade A purely because he was old enough and had done enough questions.
This was Liang Bai's first Grade A. Such a theoretical examination did not test technique proficiency, only theoretical knowledge, so it was perfectly normal for someone of ordinary cultivation to receive Grade A.
Besides them, there were nine people on the Grade A List, including Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, and Xiao Ze.
Zong Shichang received Grade B. Young Master Zong was not particularly skilled in this area.
"He actually received Grade A again. Fine, his techniques are exquisite, but he is this proficient in theory too? Is he really suited to become an official?" Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze had been straining to surpass Zhao Xing in this examination.
When the results came out, they were immediately deeply disappointed.
How could he get Grade A again?
"Old Sima Nong must have played favorites and tipped off his Beloved Disciple, or given him special tutoring beforehand," Huang Tao said bitterly.
"Brother Huang did poorly himself, so he cannot stand seeing others do well?" someone shot back.
"Exactly. Old Sima Nong was not the only one setting the questions. Your teacher could see them too."
Madam Cai had not cooked so many meals for nothing. More and more people around them were speaking up for Zhao Xing.
"You lost to Brother Zhao before, but there is no need to hold such a grudge. You were the one who challenged him and tried to seize his territory first."
"Brother Huang, stop deceiving yourself. There is no point."
"..." Huang Tao felt as though he had been stabbed in the heart. But seeing more and more people speaking for Zhao Xing, he no longer dared argue stubbornly. Otherwise, only he would lose face, so he slunk away in disgrace.
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