A Scroll to Settle the Hearts of Men

"Brother Qiu, how confident are you about your chances in this Provincial Examination?"

The next morning, Qiu Yan and his friends gathered at a restaurant to eat, drink, and chat. During the meal Zhou Guan would occasionally ask them questions.

Before Qiu Yan could answer, Zhang Zhen spoke up first, "With Shen Zhi's talent and learning, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination) would be a piece of cake for him."

"Brother Zhang, it's not like you're the one who's going to pass the imperial examination, so why are you so happy?" Zhou Guan couldn't help but tease. "Speaking of which, the questions this time weren't too difficult. I wonder how Brother Zhang did."

Zhang Zhen immediately said with a bitter face, "I can't say for sure, let's leave it to fate."

The rest of the group laughed, and even Luo Jiayun seemed much more relaxed.

To change the subject, Zhang Zhen immediately said, "By the way, Brother Luo, I heard from Shen Zhi that you're going home to get married after this provincial Provincial Examination?"

Luo Jiayun replied, "That's right. If it weren't for the Autumn Examination, we would probably be married long ago."

As he spoke, Luo Jiayun added with a hint of bitterness, "To be honest, I've been focused on my studies, and my mother and Yun Niang have taken care of all my needs, from food and clothing to weaving and selling shoes. If I can pass the imperial examination this time, I'll be able to repay them in the future."

Before the Imperial Examinations, the candidates were all worried and few could truly relax. Now that the Provincial Examinations were over, they all breathed a sigh of relief, let down their guard, and began to open up to each other.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Guan also sighed. Qiu Yan and the others knew about his background. He came from a scholarly family, but unfortunately, he was born out of wedlock and didn't have much status at home. However, since he passed the county-level Xiucai, his mother's situation had improved, which was why she was so eager to take the provincial- Provincial Examination. In fact, given Zhou Guan's age, it wouldn't be too late for him to study for three more years before taking the Provincial Examination.

Looking at the people in front of him, Qiu Yan sensed a variety of different auras and moods emanating from them.

"Different circumstances, but one can change them..." This realization was transmitted to the true self through the Black Hole in the soul, merging into the Humanistic Fire Seed.

The group chatted and ate, occasionally clinking glasses for drinks. They were all very happy.

Just then, a few words came from the stairs, followed by the creaking sound of footsteps on the wooden stairs.

The table where Qiu Yan and his group were sitting was on the second floor of the hotel, near the window, where they could see the outside view, and it wasn't far from the stairs.

Soon a group of Confucian scholars came up. The one leading them was Fang Ziyan.

Qiu Yan saw them, and the other party naturally noticed Qiu Yan's table as well. Fang Ziyan smiled, walked over, clasped his hands in greeting, and spoke politely. The other Confucian scholars greeted Qiu Yan in the same way.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Fang Ziyan and his group were led by the waiter to a table not far away.

After the group sat down, they inevitably started talking about the Provincial Examination. They were not far apart, and their voices could be heard by Qiu Yan and the others.

Everyone at the banquet praised Fang Ziyan, but Fang Ziyan naturally remained reserved.

"Hypocritical," Zhang Zhen muttered under his breath upon hearing this.

But soon, the conversation shifted at the next table, and they started talking about Qiu Yan. Fang Ziyan first praised Qiu Yan a few times, and then said, "Brother Qiu's calligraphy is truly extraordinary. Even during the exam, it caught the attention of the examiners. I saw three examiners stop to admire it. In the end, even the chief examiner, Lord Qi, went over to praise it."

"Hmm?" Qiu Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Zhou Guan's expression also changed slightly. As an illegitimate son, he was very sensitive to many things and could see through appearances to the true intentions. So, sensing something amiss, he whispered, "Brother Qiu, that Fang Ziyan probably has ill intentions."

"What do you mean?" Luo Jiayun asked, puzzled.

Zhang Zhen, having regained his senses, squinted and said, "This person is trying to spread rumors, making others believe that Shen Zhi has a close relationship with the examiners. That way, if Shen Zhi is on the list when the results are announced, he only needs to find a few students who failed to express their grievances, and he can cause quite a stir..."

He had barely finished speaking when two people at another table, next to Fang Ziyan, said, "We all saw what happened..."

Luo Jiayun was no fool. After hearing this and combining it with the words of Zhou Guan and Zhang Zhen, he immediately understood the mystery behind it. He was dissatisfied and was about to go over to argue, but Qiu Yan stopped him.

"Don't be impatient; there's no need to take such a minor conspiracy to heart."

Compared to the others, Qiu Yan was the calmest.

Luo Jiayun frowned and said, "This matter cannot be taken lightly. Public opinion is a powerful force. Don't forget what happened in Wuxin City."

Qiu Yan laughed and said, "If you go and argue with them now, you'll fall into their trap. Besides, even if you stop them this time, how will you stop them next time? They might have already spread rumors in other taverns."

At this point, he changed the subject. "However, I was able to quell the matter in Wuxin City, so even if some petty people are trying to sabotage things now, there's no need to worry. My exam paper can't be shaken by a few rumors."

"Um?"

The other three were puzzled, wondering why Qiu Yan was so confident in his exam paper.

Luo Jiayun was about to speak again when he was interrupted by a scream outside the window. The group turned their gazes and saw a fast horse galloping past, not slowing down as it passed through the bustling city, shouting urgent military news. This caused great distress to the people along the way, some of whom fell down and others cursed.

"Where did you get this military intelligence from?"

Seeing this scene, Zhou Guan, Zhang Zhen and the others were puzzled, while Qiu Yan seemed to be deep in thought. With a thought, the information on his Divine Sense became clear.

"I see. Pan Xiang has suffered a crushing defeat at Jiarong. It's probably time for him to take my policy question seriously."

Snap!

In the main hall of the Jiannan Circuit government office, all the officials were gathered together, yet there was not a sound, and they all seemed a little flustered and restless.

A crisp clattering sound came from the hall; it was Liu Jing, the observer, slamming his hand on the table.

"This Pan Xiang is more trouble than he's worth! He claims his plans are perfect, but all he does is lead his men in a charge, which disrupts their formation with the surprise attack of the Marshfolk, and they're then ambushed by the Barbarians, causing the Yongping Army's two thousand cavalry to suffer heavy losses! In the end, only five hundred escaped!"

Liu Jing was waiting for the results in the Examination Hall, but received an urgent military message and had to the Examination Hall. Even so, he still broke the established rules, so he wrote a letter of apology and submitted it.

Liu Jing roared for a while, but no one dared to respond. However, the military situation was urgent, and no one dared to delay. The soldier Luo Gan seized an opportunity and said with a forced smile, "Sir, things have come to this point, and there's no point in saying more. We still need to think of a solution and come up with a plan as soon as possible to prevent the situation from deteriorating further."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jing immediately glared at him, but remained silent, making Luo Gan's scalp tingle and feel as if each day was an eternity.

After the atmosphere grew heavy, Liu Jing said, "Pan Xiang, as the commander-in-chief, was ambushed, yet some of his men still managed to escape. Why did he flee without a fight? Even if he retreated, he should have waited for an opportunity to counterattack. Why did he wander aimlessly?"

"This..." Luo Gan hesitated for a moment, but finally told him everything, "The letter said that the Military Momentum powerful, Barbarians as many as 10,000, and the barbarians have come out in full force. When the commander saw that the situation was hopeless, he decisively retreated, hoping to preserve some troops so that they would not be completely lost."

"The situation is hopeless? I think they're just scared out of their wits! Ten thousand men? All out in force?" Liu Jing sneered. "This is the kind of young talent that Chancellor Wang values. He was arrogant before the campaign, but as soon as trouble comes his head down and hesitant, losing all his composure. With someone like this leading the army, how can we not be defeated? He's not even as good as a mere scholar!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Jing waved her hand, and several clerks immediately came forward to distribute the papers. Each official in the room received one.

"Take a look for yourself, see what it says here!"

"This is... a strategy question?"

Looking at the paper in their hands, the officials were all surprised. After reading it through, their expressions changed.

When was this written?

"The second deduction above is almost identical to the current situation!"

"Not only that, the higher-ups actually anticipated Pan Xiang's defeat. And they even have a corresponding plan!"

After a few exclamations, the officials began to speculate, and then they all looked up at Liu Jing.

Liu Jing then said, "This military strategy was copied by me. Logically, it shouldn't have been leaked before the results were announced, but the situation is critical right now. You might as well take a look and see if what's written on it makes sense."

"Your Honor..."

At this moment, an official stepped forward, shook his head, and said, "This article seems reasonable at first glance, and many of the previous predictions have come true, but it still has some shortcomings. Putting aside other things, the claim that these Barbarians would take the Western Jiannan and head north to Longyou is unrealistic. You should know..."

Before the man could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a shout—

"Report--"

However, a messenger rushed into the hall, his voice trailing off. Upon entering, without uttering a word, he clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, traces of Barbarians have been discovered in Weizhou County, Western Jiannan, and they seem to be heading north!"

"What!" The official who was still speaking immediately changed his expression.

The other officials were also surprised, and when they looked at the policy questions in their hands, even Liu Jing was no exception.

At this moment, they finally realized the value of this thin piece of paper, and their panic subsided somewhat.

Liu Jing's trusted advisor leaned closer and whispered, "My lord, this military strategy is of great value, practically classified. If it falls into the hands of spies, it could pose a significant threat. We shouldn't distribute it like this. Moreover, the Imperial Examinations are of utmost importance. If it leaks out prematurely and affects our chances of success, I'm afraid..."

The advisor hadn't taken the military strategy seriously at first, but now that the facts were right in front of him, his opinion changed, and he was filled with trepidation.

Liu Jing replied in a low voice, "I, along with the censor and several examiners, have already written a memorial to explain this matter to His Majesty. There are precedents for this, so there's no need to worry too much. The most urgent task now is to stabilize people's hearts and prevent chaos. The solution in this military strategy is to leverage external forces. Even if others find out, it will be difficult to change the overall situation. We can't have a countermeasure but not use it, can we? Also, have people strictly guard the government office, questioning anyone entering or leaving, and do not be negligent."

"Your subordinate obeys." The advisor acknowledged the order and withdrew.

After the advisors left, Liu Jing continued, "Victory cannot be won with a single mind, nor can defeat be lost without a single mind. This saying should be sent to Pan Xiang so he can learn from it. Before going out to war, he thought victory was certain, but after defeat, he didn't think about counterattacking. All he thought about was reforming the government, yet he couldn't even defend the border. If such a person gains power, Jiannan Circuit will be torn apart sooner or later!"

These words were spoken with great force, and even the official who questioned the military strategy, who was originally a subordinate of the censor, found it difficult to refute them.

Then, Liu Jing continued, "Since things have come to this, let's proceed according to this military strategy for now. By the way, didn't the strategy mention a few countermeasures? Discuss them, and then send out fast horses to Wuxin City for reinforcements!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m. qidian. com to read.)

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