The Day of the Rankings (Seeking Recommendations and Collections!)

"Worthy brother, tomorrow is the day the results are posted. To see you so calm, I am truly impressed!"

Inside the Taoist temple, Wu Que and Huang Shang sat opposite each other, sipping tea.

Looking at this future grandmaster, who possessed an elegance as refined as jade, Wu Que felt deeply gratified.

Environment nurtures the spirit, while surroundings nurture the body; although Huang Shang's status and environment had not yet undergone a massive shift, his bearing had already begun to take shape.

At this moment, as long as he stood in a crowd, he gave off the feeling of a crane standing among chickens.

It was not a sycophantic perspective; Huang Shang himself had also sensed this change.

Since the Provincial Examination, he felt that his Literary Qi had formed a connection with the Most Holy Sage.

Literary Qi was not like True Qi, which was a tangible force stored within the Dantian; it leaned more toward the ethereal.

To this day, Huang Shang could not accurately define it.

Because recently, it had been growing at a rapid pace.

In just over ten days, it had already doubled in volume!

Logically, if Literary Qi were equivalent to talent, it should be a matter of accumulation over time, unrelated to the imperial examinations.

After all, an examination is merely a means of assessment; a person's level of knowledge and their test scores cannot be directly equated.

Yet, facts proved that the amount of Literary Qi was closely tied to the imperial examinations.

This power came not only from within oneself but also from external recognition.

The imperial examination was that recognition.

Especially in the Great Song, where reading had become the prevailing trend, the blessing from the unseen was the most terrifying aspect.

Huang Shang contemplated this power, feeling that the reason he could receive such preferential treatment was because this was a low-martial world with thin heaven and earth vitality; apart from him, no one else could utilize this power.

A thousand-li horse is common, but a talent scout is not; now that it had finally encountered a "kindred spirit," the Literary Qi naturally provided the maximum support, surging toward him all at once.

This was the advantage of exclusive access!

Likewise, this also confirmed the results of the Provincial Examination.

He had the outcome well in hand.

In reality, Wu Que was not worried either.

Even without any external help, Huang Shang had been able to earn the title of top scholar purely through his own learning; now, with the successive assistance of the Reincarnators, he was destined to soar even higher!

Wu Que and Nightingale had been busy running around during this time, and it was not for nothing. Seeing Huang Shang successfully clear the Provincial Examination, they intended to contribute a grand performance as a celebration.

Now was the time for a prior warning: "Worthy brother, I have had many confrontations with the Ming Cult recently. This cult originates from Persia; they are not of our kind, and their hearts must be different. I fear they may harbor thoughts of revenge. When the results are posted tomorrow, you must be careful."

Huang Shang's expression darkened: "Do they dare to act against scholars?"

Wu Que said: "People of the Jianghu have always acted as they pleased, disregarding the law. The Ming Cult, in particular, is extremely vicious and will not show any regard for the scholarly community."

The power of scholars in the Song Dynasty was indeed immense, but that was only within the rules.

Outside the rules, who cared about your status as a scholar-official?

And what was the Ming Cult? They were professional rebels!

Peasant uprisings in the Song Dynasty were already numerous; I suspect that without looking at the data, no one could guess the frequency.

Over four hundred times!

In the mere hundred-plus years of the Northern Song, there were roughly two hundred recorded popular uprisings.

That is an average of once every six months.

Emperors of other dynasties: Damn, someone is rebelling!

Emperors of the Song Dynasty: Oh, someone is rebelling again...

That is the contrast.

However, although the frequency was high, the scale was generally small.

Most involved only a few hundred or a thousand people; exceeding ten thousand was considered extremely massive, so the rule remained relatively stable.

Among them, the Ming Cult contributed quite a bit of data.

Since they were rebelling all day long, why would they care about scholars?

Huang Shang asked again: "Then can we rely on the garrison?"

Wu Que gave a bitter smile: "Hard to count on them!"

The combat effectiveness of the garrisons in the various circuits and prefectures of the southern Great Song was truly difficult to describe; this was precisely why the Ming Cult targeted them, and why the Beggar Sect could grow strong there.

When the imperial court is strong, the Jianghu is weak.

When the imperial court is weak, the Jianghu is strong.

As one rises, the other falls.

Seeing Huang Shang's expression grow solemn, Wu Que gave him a reassurance: "Worthy brother, there is no need to worry. You only need to look after the other scholars; leave the rest to us."

Huang Shang immediately understood that Wu Que and Nightingale were paving the way for him.

The Song Dynasty suffered from too many rebellions; even if one had merit, it was like a military general expanding territory—it could not reverse their status, and those above were already numb to it.

But saving the scholars was a great achievement!

It could win him immense prestige within the scholarly circles, which would also be helpful for the upcoming Departmental Examination and Palace Examination.

Paving the way for the top scholar!

However, this was not necessarily a good thing.

Although having people attend to his every need and prepare everything saved him effort, in the long run, it also meant losing the initiative and becoming a puppet.

Moreover, being constantly entangled with Jianghu forces would not be easy to disentangle later.

Of course, Wu Que was only giving a warning now, so there was no fault to be found.

Huang Shang pondered in his heart, bowed in salute, and rose to leave.

He prepared to sleep early to rest and build up his energy.

Watching Huang Shang's retreating figure, a fragrant breeze drifted by as Nightingale appeared: "Do you think he understands our painstaking efforts?"

Wu Que said: "When parents love their children, they plan for them far into the future. We have taken such pains for Huang Shang's future; he will naturally be able to feel it!"

"Turning from a girlfriend fan into a mother fan? Ugh, how disgusting!"

Nightingale did not like fan culture, especially that kind of mother fan. She yawned and said: "Whatever, I'm going to get my beauty sleep. Fighting with the Ming Cult these days has been exhausting. See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow."

Wu Que replied, his eyes flickering.

The more he did for Huang Shang, the closer their relationship would become, and the more Huang Shang would be unable to do without him.

Whether it was his literary reputation or his official position.

This was the foundation of the contract.

Otherwise, with Huang Shang's strength increasing so rapidly, it wouldn't be long before he had no need for them.

Of course, just as a handful of rice can breed gratitude while a bushel can breed resentment, one must also plan for the future.

At certain times, past favors could all be turned into leverage.

"To control a plot character, one must have a sense of proportion; praise when it is time to praise, and suppress when it is time to suppress."

"Now that Nightingale and I are working in concert, without her checks and balances, I can go a step further and leave a heavy mark on Huang Shang's life!"

"By then, even if the Queen and the Prince make a comeback, they won't be able to snatch him away from us!"

Early the next morning, before the fifth watch, with the sky just beginning to brighten, the wall at the entrance of the Examination Hall where the results were posted was already packed with people.

Because today was the day the results were released.

Not to mention crowding over early in the morning, many people had not even slept all night.

Even those old veterans who had been calm and composed in the examination hall could not remain steady today, waiting with pale faces for the clerks of the Examination Hall to hang up the list that would decide their fate.

Huang Shang was also among them, waiting silently.

In the oppressive and agonizing atmosphere, time passed slowly.

Finally, the gates of the Examination Hall opened, and four clerks hung up a list together, then stood on either side and pulled back the curtain.

With a swish, every scholar's eyes looked toward the very first position.

That represented the Jieyuan!

The first place in the Provincial Examination!

The champion of Ao Mountain!

At the same time, in the Top Scholar Pavilion opposite the Examination Hall.

Cold gazes also fell upon these scholars.

Thanks to book friends "Heaven Crystal Hun Tian Treasure Mirror" and "Marvel Iron Man" for their tips.