An Unexpected Turn and Martial Scholars

The second round of trials ended soon after.

By this point, the top thirty had been selected.

Fang Yue had moved up and naturally remained in thirteenth place.

According to the assessment process, Xiahe County Town's first Martial Scholar Imperial Examination was, in fact, about to draw to a close.

"All of you have passed two rounds of assessments and become the first batch of Martial Scholars of our Great Wei Dynasty, of Xiahe County."

"However, there is no first in letters and no second in martial arts. If any of you are dissatisfied with your ranking, you may challenge any Martial Scholar ranked above you. If you win, you will take that person's place. If you lose, however, your results from this assessment will be voided."

Yet at this moment, the Military Officer in charge of the assessment spoke up.

As soon as his words fell,

the Martial Scholars around them, still immersed in their joy, immediately had battle intent flare in their eyes.

Clearly, quite a few of them were dissatisfied with their rankings this time.

But upon hearing that failure in a challenge meant losing their Martial Scholar status, not many truly took action and challenged Martial Scholars with better Stone Lifting results.

The benefits were almost the same anyway. Unless one could claim first place, there was little point, while the consequences were severe.

For a time, more than half of them backed down. In the end, only a few Martial Scholars truly intended to challenge those ranked above them.

So there was another move like this. That confirms it—someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. Fang Yue could not help looking toward the Gray-clad Youth in the distance.

Was this matter also part of that man's plan?

It seemed this man had considerable influence, enough to affect the authorities and have them add a new rule to the Martial Scholar assessment at the last minute.

If so, his background must be far from ordinary. He might even be able to influence the examiners.

Then this young man named Wang Teng likely possessed considerable power even in Xiahe County Town.

Fang Yue's expression turned slightly cold as he considered what to do if this man used the opportunity to challenge him.

When the time came, should he use seventy percent of his strength to injure him, or go all out and cripple him while he had the chance?

While Fang Yue was pondering this, six people had already chosen to challenge those ranked above them.

Wang Teng was among them!

And his target was none other than Fang Yue.

At that point, Fang Yue was completely certain that this was the man plotting against him.

"Lord Liu, there is something I must speak of."

Just then, a discordant voice rang out.

Chen Chengan stepped out from among the Martial Scholars and came to the center of the platform, his gaze resolute as he looked at Liu Zheng in the middle.

The latter's gaze sharpened slightly, his brow furrowing. There was a trace of curiosity, but far more sternness. He was clearly deeply displeased with Chen Chengan, who had suddenly stepped forward.

Still, this man was the eighth-ranked Martial Scholar. Though Liu Zheng disliked his lack of manners, he could not openly flare up.

"What is it? Speak freely," Liu Zheng asked.

"Lord Liu, taxes have been increased this year, and the people of Xiahe County are already suffering beyond endurance. Livelihoods have withered away. Worse, harsh officials deceive those above and below, arbitrarily levying additional taxes and forcing good citizens to become bandits! I only hope, my lord, that you will put the common people first and punish these lawless, harsh officials who deceive their superiors and oppress the people!"

Chen Chengan's voice was not particularly loud, but the moment his words fell, the somewhat lively atmosphere in the Xiahe County Martial Scholar examination grounds

abruptly fell silent.

Whether they were the Yamen's Military Officers or the several dozen Martial Scholars present, every one of them was stunned by Chen Chengan's words.

Perhaps some among them had come from poor backgrounds.

But having made it this far, whose family was not living far better than those mud-legged peasants?

After all, practicing martial arts cost money. Setting aside everything else, meat alone could eat countless families into poverty.

An ordinary small landowner, without other sources of income, would find it difficult to support even one martial artist.

Thus, they had in truth become a different class from the farmers at the very bottom.

Who among them did not keep his head raised, looking upward? Who would lower his head to look at those farmers?

It was already good enough if they did not bully them in daily life. Who would stand up for the farmers?

"Hmph, how dare you!"

"Outrageous! A yellow-mouthed brat spouting nonsense—why not have him beaten out with clubs at once!"

"Indeed, indeed! His assessment results should be revoked, and he should never again be allowed to take the Imperial Examination!"

The officials around them changed expression upon hearing this, then immediately began shouting rebukes.

Even Fang Yue was somewhat stunned. He had never expected this man to speak such words at a time like this.

Yet Chen Chengan's expression did not change. His gaze remained fixed on Liu Zheng at the center.

"The northern Barbarians are invading. If taxes are not raised, how will the Imperial Court wage war? Must we wait until the Barbarians breach our borders and blood flows for ten thousand li?"

"Hmph. How dare you recklessly discuss the Imperial Court's national policies! In consideration of your youth, I will take back what I just said. I shall act as though nothing happened."

Liu Zheng spoke, his tone calm, yet carrying an unchallengeable severity.

"The Great Ancestor's Edict states that students have the right to offer counsel and shall not be condemned for their words. If even students may do so, then I, a Martial Scholar, naturally may as well! I offer this remonstrance today and hope that my lord will think thrice!"

Chen Chengan refused to yield in the slightest. He immediately cupped his fists and spoke again.

As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions changed. Yet just as expected, no one around them dared to refute him again.

After a long while,

Liu Zheng's gaze turned icy. "Good. What a Martial Scholar! Since your remonstrance is so earnest, then for the next month, the three shifts of tax collectors will be under your command. I require only that the taxes be collected in full so that I may answer to the Imperial Court. Otherwise, you will make up the deficit with military service."

With that, Liu Zheng flicked his sleeve and immediately left the training grounds.

Leaving everyone staring at one another.

Fang Yue could not help sighing at Chen Chengan's audacity. He had actually invoked the Great Ancestor's Edict.

Back then, the Great Wei Founder had risen amid the chaotic wars of the Five Kingdoms, fending off the Barbarians in the north, conquering the Hu-Qiang in the west, pacifying the troubled age, and founding the Great Wei Dynasty.

At the time, the dynasty had only just been established, its decrees had not yet spread smoothly, and officials throughout the land often broke the law and violated discipline.

Thus, the Great Ancestor issued the Edict, using all under heaven's common people to supervise the officials.

As it was said: I issue this edict to make clear fortune and calamity. All people of every rank have the right to offer counsel and shall not be condemned for their words.

Though several centuries had passed and the Great Ancestor's Edict no longer held such great deterrent power, no one dared openly oppose it.

Because even now, rumors still circulated throughout the Two Capitals and Thirteen Prefectures that the Great Ancestor remained in this world!!!

After such a disturbance, even Liu Zheng had left.

Naturally, the Martial Scholar ranking challenges could not continue.

The Military Officers overseeing the examination told everyone to register their information at the Civil Service Office, have new identity registers prepared, and place themselves and their direct relatives on the Household Office's tax-exemption rolls.

By the time everything had been handled, it was already afternoon.

After the Martial Scholar assessment, the County Yamen had originally planned to hold a banquet. But after such an incident, the banquet was naturally canceled.

Fang Yue could only pay out of his own pocket for a bowl of mutton soup at a nearby stall before returning to his lodgings.