Zhang Shiyu wholeheartedly agreed.
How can you be sure you've lost without even having a chance to compete? That's completely unreasonable.
He's a proud man, and he won't give up so easily. He needs to have a real contest to determine who's stronger.
And tomorrow's palace examination will be an even greater contest to see who is the strongest.
Even the usually unconventional man couldn't help but gleam with a fire in his eyes, clenching his fist as he said, "Tomorrow is the palace examination. I want to see just how strong Huang Longsi and Zhang Zizai really are!"
No one would admit to being inferior to others, let alone Zhang Shiyu.
"Let's give it a try!"
A glint flashed in Zhang Fengfan's eyes, and his fighting spirit soared. He was only fourth place, and there were only a few people ahead of him. There was definitely a chance for him to turn things around.
Those around them, listening to their conversation, were pleasantly surprised; they hadn't expected there to be two such talented individuals here.
Zhang Mansion!
Zhang Wanhao's residence was now filled with guests, all of whom were leaders of prominent families, who had come specifically for the upcoming Imperial Examination examination.
As the heads of their respective families, they knew perfectly well that the Imperial Examination were aimed at their own aristocratic families, so they had no choice but to pay close attention to Imperial Examination situation and even have to keep a close eye on it.
"Gentlemen, with the opening of the Imperial Examination, our Great Liang will have many avenues for advancement, and our aristocratic families will no longer have much of an advantage," Liu Kun said with a bitter face.
Why!
These words drew gasps of admiration from everyone present.
In the past, aristocratic families could easily secure a position simply through a recommendation. Now that the Imperial Examination has been introduced, it seems that such recommendations will truly become obsolete.
Moreover, it provides a stepping stone for those from poor families to advance their careers, which means there will be many more people competing for jobs in the future, which is really not good news.
In that case, wouldn't the aristocratic families be doomed?
Zhang Wanhao frowned and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be pessimistic. This Imperial Examination is an opportunity for those from humble backgrounds, but for aristocratic families in their current situation, isn't it also an opportunity for us?"
"What's the meaning?"
Everyone was slightly taken aback. What did he mean by that? It seemed like there was some benefit to be gained.
Zhang Wanhao clapped his hands toward the door, and immediately a butler brought him a stack of documents, which turned out to be a statistic on the current state of the Imperial Examination.
"The top ten candidates for this Imperial Examination have been announced. The first place goes to Huang Longsi in Qin Province..."
"The names of the top one hundred have been recorded in the Ministry of Rites' register. Among them, nearly forty are from prominent families, ten are from local powerful clans, twenty are sons of merchants, and only thirty are truly from humble backgrounds."
"The top ten are the most important, but two of them are from aristocratic families. This is our opportunity."
"Although those from humble backgrounds receive subsidies from the Emperor, aristocratic families have far more resources than those from humble backgrounds. There's no reason why they should be inferior to those from humble backgrounds; that's our advantage."
Zhang Wanhao handed the roster to everyone and then began to explain.
Let's look at the real data. On the surface, it seems the powerful families benefited, so this result is perfectly acceptable.
Moreover, Zhang Shiyu was a distant relative of his, and if his own relative could rise to power, the Zhang Clan would certainly not lose out.
Huh!
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, and they exclaimed excitedly, "So that's how it is! In that case, the Imperial Examination has absolutely no impact on us, and it might even allow us to avoid the Emperor's suppression!"
The emperor suppressed aristocratic families, depriving them of the power to recommend candidates. However, if the sons of these families passed the exams on their own, there would be no problem.
After realizing this, everyone's hearts began to pound, as if they saw an opportunity for the aristocratic families to rise again.
Given time, these powerful families may well be able to turn things around and perhaps regain their superior status.
"Hiss hiss hiss!"
Upon hearing them mention the Emperor, Wang Hui gasped, his face instantly darkening, and he instinctively glanced out the window.
The Net covers the entire Great Liang. If this were to reach the Emperor's ears, the powerful families would be implicated and wiped out in no time—that would be tantamount to suicide.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shout angrily:
"Shut up! Don't mention the name of any prestigious family again, unless you're tired of living."
"We must forget about the so-called aristocratic family title. From now on, we'll just be an ordinary family in the Great Liang, and we can live a peaceful life by taking the imperial Imperial Examination and doing business."
"Let's try to avoid gathering together in the future. If the Emperor misunderstands, we might..."
He looked serious, without the slightest hint of joking.
The title of a prestigious family used to be a symbol of honor, but now, if one were to take it upon oneself, it would be a death sentence.
Everyone knows that the emperor dislikes aristocratic families. Except for a few aristocratic families that escaped this calamity, most of the other aristocratic families had their power cut in half.
To cling to the name of a prestigious family now is tantamount to courting death.
"This..."
Upon hearing this, everyone shuddered, instantly realizing what had happened, and broke out in a cold sweat.
Although Wang Hui didn't finish his sentence, it didn't affect their understanding. If the emperor thought that he had joined forces against the Great Liang, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The Net!
The emperor's henchmen monitor the All Under Heaven; there's no way we can escape their surveillance.
In other words, now that their own people have gathered again, the Net) probably already knows about it.
In an instant, everyone realized what was happening.
"Yes, yes, we're not a prestigious family, we're just an ordinary family, just a bit big."
"Anyone who mentions 'aristocratic families' again, I'll kill them!"
"We are all people of Great Liang, just ordinary people of Great Liang!"
This guy doesn't even want to be a dog of a powerful family. It's bad enough that he's constantly being watched by the Net, but he also has to be watched by Cao Cao. It's just too difficult.
If the Emperor misunderstands again, there probably won't be a next time.
Zhang Wanhao's heart skipped a beat, but he nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice, "Brother Wang is right. It would be best to avoid gatherings unless there is serious business involved. Take care, everyone!"
He knew very well that the aristocratic families had a very bad impression on the emperor. Once the emperor completely lost confidence in them, then the aristocratic families would truly be doomed, with no way to recover.
Rather than doing that, it would be better to let go voluntarily and sever ties with the title of "aristocratic family."
Even if the powerful families unite, they are still too weak in the face of the Great Liang. The emperor can easily cripple them with a wave of his hand.
Just like when we plotted against Cao Cao, we didn't dare to kill him in the end, which was ultimately because of the Emperor.
The powerful families can no longer afford to offend the emperor.
Everyone sighed, knowing that this was the only way; their remaining chances of survival would depend on the Imperial Examination.
After all, so many members of my family have made the list, which can at least give us some prestige. I just hope the Emperor won't discriminate against us.