Chapter 306: Policy Paper (1/2)
Chapter 306: Policy Paper
Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations
”Nangong Hao?!”
When the ragtags heard Nangong Hao’s name, their expressions all changed, all of them becoming silent almost instantly.
”Nangong Hao... is participating in the court examination?”
”If Nangong Hao participates, then it will be very difficult. Even though Fang Zhengzhi is powerful, I doubt he can defeat Nangong Hao?”
”Aish... it would be good if he can get a decent ranking, why must he defeat Nangong Hao?”
”That’s true.”
Even though Nangong Hao’s participation in the court examination was no secret in the capital, some of those in the outskirts had yet to hear the news.
Four years ago, he was already the top talent of his generation. Four years later...
How powerful would he be?
Naturally, Fang Zhengzhi ignored the chatter around him. He was now rather experienced with all these examinations having been through three of them.
He felt that he needed to calm down.
It was just an examination on the Law of Dao, it couldn’t get much easier.
Yan Xiu wore a green robe as he stood next to Fang Zhengzhi. They looked quite matching as they walked through the doors.
Once they entered the palace, a few armored soldiers stopped Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu. After checking their identities and a thorough pat down, they directed both of them to the side.
Fang Zhengzhi did not say anything. After all, this was the court examinations. Everything had to go by the book.
At this point, there were hundreds of candidates waiting inside the palace. They were all huddled around anxiously.
”Young Master Yan, Young Master Fang!”
Before Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu could walk into the crowd, a smiling youth walked towards them. Behind him was a group of impeccably dressed youths.
It was Wu Feng.
”Mm.” Yan Xiu nodded icily without a second word.
Fang Zhengzhi’s gaze once again fell on the jade green flute in Wu Feng’s hand. He felt a strange feeling just looking at the clouds inscribed on it.
”Young Master Fang, how did you prepare for the court examinations?” Wu Feng smiled. He walked closer towards Fang Zhengzhi.
”Is there a need to prepare?” Fang Zhengzhi replied flatly.
”Haha... you’re right. I heard that Young Master Fang finished all six scripts in the theory examination. You have set a record.” Wu Feng nodded.
”It is true. If the court examination was testing the Book of Dao again, we will definitely have to concede to you.” One of the youths behind Wu Feng nodded.
”If we were to compare understanding of the Law of Dao, I think that only Nangong Hao and Chi Guyan are your match. It is a pity...” Yet another youth hesitated.
”What is a pity?” Fang Zhengzhi grew increasingly suspicious as he looked at the two of them.
”Do you not know?” The two youths looked at each other, smirking as they did so.
Fang Zhengzhi did not probe further. He knew that they would tell him anyways, even if he did not ask.
Just as he expected, the two youths could not hold back their excitement.
Just as they were about to speak, Wu Feng stopped them.
”It is normal that Young Master Fang does not know. However, I would have thought that you would have known a little after spending so much time with Yan Xiu.”
Yan Xiu’s expression changed. Then, almost as if he thought of something, he turned to look at Fang Zhengzhi.
”I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you that the court examination does not test the Law of Dao!” Yan Xiu looked on apologetically.
”It doesn’t test the Law of Dao?!” Fang Zhengzhi’s expression froze.
Yan Xiu had been recuperating from his injuries before this. As such, Fang Zhengzhi did not disturb him. After Yan Xiu recovered, he had focused all his energy on partying.
He had paid little attention to the court examinations.
After all, he had thought that the court examinations would be similar to all the previous ones. He had expected to be tested on the Law of Dao.
As such, he did not probe.
”Hahaha... do you really not know? There is still an hour before the examinations begin. You should really use this time to prepare.” The two youths behind Wu Feng chuckled when they heard this.
All of the other candidates also chuckled when they heard this.
”Fang Zhengzhi doesn’t know that the Law of Dao is not tested at the court examinations?”
”This is interesting. We prepared for two years just for this exam. He did not even prepare at all? Hahaha...”
”I haven’t seen someone enter the court examinations unprepared.”
”I would like to see how he will even begin to answer the questions!”
All of the candidates looked like they had just saw the most unbelievable thing ever. They looked at Fang Zhengzhi mockingly.
”Since Young Master Fang doesn’t know, we shall not disturb you any further. We will go off first. You should prepare a little.” Wu Feng smirked as he left.
Fang Zhengzhi did not say anything.
Yan Xiu looked at Fang Zhengzhi apologetically, ”About this, I...”
”Why do you think Wu Feng said those words to me just now?” Fang Zhengzhi looked at Yan Xiu. He knew that Yan Xiu did not withhold the information from him on purpose.
Wu Feng had pointed the finger at Yan Xiu on purpose to cause a rift between them.
He did not even attempt to mask it.
”I understand.” Yan Xiu nodded but did not explain further. He whispered, ”The court examination questions have always been set by the Emperor. As such, they have never been questions about the Law of Dao.”
”Then what does it test?” Fang Zhengzhi began to understand. Even though there were many theories encompassed by the Law of Dao, the Emperor could not possibly come up with the questions on the spot.
It was impossible for him to set six scripts beforehand.
Furthermore...
More importantly, the Emperor could not possibly set so many questions. The maximum number of questions he could set was two.
This was easier to understand.
If the questions had come from the Law of Dao, then they would have hundreds of scripts with the same answer.
How would they find the best of the best?
”Policy!” Yan Xiu replied.
”I see.” Fang Zhengzhi had guessed as much.
He had never expected to be back where he started. In his previous world, they were frequently examined on policy issues.