The imperial examination was incredibly easy for Liaowang. As an Attendant Student at the City Lord’s Mansion, he was quite adept at handling the classics and sotis even managed to offer his own insights.
On this examination paper, he answered fluently, filling the pages with his responses.
After submitting his work, he followed the throng of students out of the examination hall, at which point Liaowang had fully transitioned into the character from an Illusionary Realm.
The result was, of course, self-evident. Several days later, a giant poster on the walls of Capital City listed the nas of the successful candidates. In the top left corner, the na of the top scholar was clearly written: Yuan Hua.
This was the young master’s na, and now, it was Liaowang’s na as well.
For ancient people, there were two great joys: the wedding night with lanterns and candles, and the mont of seeing one’s na on the golden list.
Having his na on the golden list did not bring joy to Liaowang. Instead, he thought of Su i’er, the servant girl with whom he had a romantic relationship.
He should go back to report the news. Ignoring the envious gazes of other students, Liaowang spurred his horse on, racing back to the City Lord’s Mansion in a carriage.
This ti, he was alone.
In those days, news spread faster than a virus. When Liaowang returned to the city, drums and gongs were resounding, and Yuan Hua’s na adorned the city walls as the whole place celebrated.
Within the clan’s ancestral hall, the family register had a new entry: Yuan Hua, the top scholar of the imperial examination.
As for Yuan Hua’s affairs, Liaowang used the excuse that he needed to appear before the emperor and could not return, keeping it a secret; naturally, no one within the City Lord’s Mansion suspected him. Indeed, becoming the top scholar usually ant an imdiate appointnt to an official position, leaving one no ti to return.
Liaowang searched the mansion for a familiar figure, but could not find Su i’er.
He asked the butler, “Where is Su i’er?”
As Attendant Student to the top scholar, Liaowang’s status had skyrocketed, and the butler did not dare to neglect him. With caution, he responded, “She was spotted by a madam from the brothel and was sold at a high price.”
A surge of naless rage welled up inside Liaowang, who involuntarily snapped, “Get out!”
But imdiately, cold sweat broke out on him; he was a servant, daring to insult the butler, which was a serious cri.
To Liaowang’s surprise, the butler involuntarily trembled, replied affirmatively, and ran off quickly.
He was stunned. He didn’t understand why he had the courage to lash out at the butler, nor did he understand why the butler didn’t hold it against him and instead ran off in what seed like fear.
Feeling that sothing had changed, that things were different now, Liaowang thought of the words the young master had once said to him.
“Do not follow the path that has been set for you by others. One’s life should be in one’s own hands and should reflect one’s true self!”
Liaowang ran out of the City Lord’s Mansion and went straight to the brothel to find the madam.
“Where is Su i’er?”
The madam’s eyes flickered with an unusual emotion: “She was taken away by an official.”
“From where?”
“From Capital City.”
“Why did you sell her?”
“That wench had so beauty and I originally bought her to be an Oiran. But the little wench was ungrateful and stubbornly uncooperative, so I had no choice but to sell her on. My lord, we still have plenty of fine girls here, none can compare to that wench. Would you like to choose one?”
The madam looked ingratiating, and a few girls approached, their hands involuntarily reaching for Liaowang’s waist.
“Whom did you call a wench?”
Liaowang’s eyes blazed with anger, and with a backhand slap, he knocked the madam to the ground.
The few girls were too afraid to speak, and the brothel’s thugs closed in around Liaowang, but the madam, quick on her feet, managed to stop them.
“Have so awareness. It is an honor for to be slapped by a lord. Do not cause trouble here!”
The old nurse stared at Liaowang’s shoes, adorned with tiger patterns. Only mbers of a marquis-creating family could wear tiger patterns. She dared not provoke the young man before her.
“Young Master, I am but lowly rchandise, deserving of death. Please, do not stoop to my level.”
Liaowang looked down at his shoes, given to him by the young noble, who said that clothes make the man. Dressed in his attire, one was less likely to be bullied when outside.
At that mont, he sowhat understood the young noble’s aning. These people feared his clothing, or rather, the power represented by what he was wearing.
Liaowang left, the old nurse unaware of where the noble resided, only that he was in Central Province.
The scene shifts.
Liaowang reappeared in the Capital City, this ti dressed in luxurious garnts specifically for the top scholar, a red robe with cloud patterns, kneeling before the throne, an official of the ninth rank.
He had found out that Su i’er was in the Pri Minister’s Mansion. A County Magistrate had purchased Su i’er and presented her to the Pri Minister, in exchange for an eighth rank position.
“Liaowang, as the top imperial examinee, what insights do you have regarding the current state of the nation?”
The Emperor spoke with a smile; he was in a good mood today, as Liaowang’s exam papers were very much to his liking.
“The grass on the plain cos to life, year in and year out; the prairie fires may burn it down, yet it flourishes again with the spring breeze.”
Liaowang offered a poem, leaving the officials confused, but the Emperor’s eyes shone with a sharp gleam.
“What an apt depiction with ‘prairie fires may not destroy it.’ Over the years, I have indeed neglected the frontier regions. Each year, I send troops to clear out the barbarians, yet this clearing is never thorough, and not a single official has advised otherwise. You, however, have seen through it with just a glance. Worthy indeed of the top scholar!”
It was clear that the Emperor was highly satisfied with Liaowang.
The Pri Minister slowly began, “Your Majesty, the frontier has always been a thorn that’s difficult to remove. This humble servant suggests dispatching the top scholar to eliminate this nace. With his virtuous character and abilities, I’m confident he will return victorious.”
“Good, Yuan Hua, heed my decree. I bestow upon you armor and weapons to exterminate the frontier barbarians. Should you return victorious, I will grant you the title ‘Marquis of Zhenyuan’ and an official ranking of third rank!”
So said the Emperor.
“Thank you for your great grace!”
Liaowang knelt in gratitude, his eyes flickering with cold light. The Pri Minister wished to send him to his death at their first eting.
But he did not refuse, nor could he. Assembling his troops, he waged war on the frontier, needing this opportunity. Only power could help him achieve his purpose.
On the battlefield, there was no romanticized carnage, only slaughter. He who survived was king.
Liaowang led his troops through relentless fights, employing poison, assassination, and city slaughters, gradually purging the frontier region and turning it into a blood-stained land.
Three years later.
Liaowang returned in triumph, with just three thousand iron cavalry remaining. However, at this mont, the frontier was devoid of living souls.
Upon hearing the war report, the Emperor was overjoyed.
“I was not mistaken about you; you possess the qualities of a general!”
“I fulfill my promise and grant you the title ‘Marquis of Zhenyuan’, a mansion, a thousand mu of fertile land, three hundred stones of gold, silver, and luxuries, and permission to maintain an army of three thousand troops.”
Liaowang knelt with thanks: “Thank you for your great grace!”
The Pri Minister’s face darkened; this was the first top scholar to survive under his watch. In this kingdom, he would not permit anyone who might threaten his position to exist, even if that person was a newcor.
Summoning several politicians, the Pri Minister delegated tasks: “Spread rumors that Yuan Hua is plotting a rebellion.”
Since ancient tis, vassal kings have been the most likely to beco severe threats to the Emperor. The reason is simple: after being entitled and given command of troops, they control military power, a force not under the direct control of the Emperor and one that is easily stirred up and suspicious.
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