After the morning court session, the military dispatch concerning the war in Northern Liang had already spread throughout the entire capital.
The city's common people were all filled with grief and fear.
Toward that Ji Yuan, they felt nothing but extre terror.
And the military intelligence that the Sixth Prince would personally lead troops to rescue Shuofeng County was the only news that lifted people's spirits.
"Zhao Xiang suffered defeat and lost his army—tens of thousands of elite soldiers killed or captured. Now the Qi rebels are powerful... can Shuofeng City hold?"
"It definitely can't hold! With Wuwei fallen, the Northern Liang valley has no natural defenses left—it's completely flat terrain now."
"That damned Zhao Xiang, he's truly useless!"
"But the Sixth Prince has never led troops before—how can he resist Ji Yuan?"
"Even if he's no match, he's still His Majesty's own son... which ans the front lines absolutely won't abandon the city and flee!"
"Exactly. With an imperial prince going to defend the city, it looks like we're going to fight that Qi rebel to the end."
"If Northern Liang is lost, all of Great Yu is in danger. We absolutely must hold it. Even if we can't hold it, we must kill as many enemies as possible and make the Qi rebels suffer catastrophic losses!"
Now, everyone was discussing the war.
But Song Jing's thoughts were completely elsewhere.
In his study, his fingers drumd against his desk, producing a series of "dong dong dong" sounds. His expression was frighteningly stern.
The provincial examination was different from the tropolitan examination, let alone the Special Examinations opened for major occasions and celebrations—the imperial court's level of attention simply couldn't be that high.
Although the provincial examination's massive scale, combined with its far greater importance than the children's examination, made it generate the most discussion among the common people—with model answers like "Strategy for Military Farming" being collectively studied by scholars across the realm—its prestige was far inferior to the tropolitan examination.
The tropolitan and provincial examinations were, in certain respects, like the national civil service exam compared to the college entrance exam.
Or perhaps more accurately, the central selection examination compared to the regular national exam.
Since this was rely a provincial examination, the Emperor wouldn't host a banquet for the scholars, nor would he personally appoint officials.
After all, across the realm's six prefectures, there were far too many jieyuan and sub-yuan candidates.
Therefore, this matter was nominally decided entirely by the Secretariat.
In reality, if the "birthday incident" hadn't occurred, those from prestigious families could have paved the way for their descendants.
The Cui clan and the Song clan had planned to have Song Shi'an restrain himself and serve as a county magistrate in so safe location, earning rit for a year or two before working for the Emperor.
But now, they suspected Minister Sun would interfere.
No—Minister Sun would definitely interfere and communicate with the Secretariat.
If there were no directives from the palace, where Song Shi'an went would simply be at that Ouyang Ke's whim.
No, that wasn't right either.
It also depended on Song Shi'an himself.
So that little bastard...
Clenching his fist, Song Jing grew anxious.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. The movent was sowhat hesitant—one could even sense the person's unease.
"Enter," Song Jing said.
Then Jiang-shi ca in.
Head lowered, face dejected, she looked particularly fearful.
This imdiately sent Song Jing into a towering rage: "Don't tell he's still not coming back!"
"..." In an instant, Jiang-shi burst into tears. Looking at Song Jing, she said uneasily, "Laoye, can you tell what exactly happened... Shi'an must have sothing troubling him."
That's right, he had sothing troubling him.
He was wondering whether doing this would implicate the family.
Because he hadn't consulted with Song Jing, he didn't dare face him, didn't dare co ho.
He wanted to seek wealth and glory.
But he wanted to obtain that wealth and glory entirely through his own "ability."
But did this fool really think that by simply not coming ho, he could sever ties with the family?
Why would Minister Sun's fury burn a insignificant little jieyuan like him?
The Song clan, and even the Cui clan, would have to shield him from disaster.
Two families would have no choice but to devote their full strength to supporting him.
Did he really think becoming this "controversial figure" was due to his talent and ability alone?
"If he doesn't co back, tell him to get lost!"
Song Jing was completely fed up.
Today, he had planned to discuss things properly with Song Shi'an without showing any displeasure.
Truly, at this critical juncture, he had to be of one mind with Song Shi'an.
But the boy was still playing clever gas.
That little bastard was still playing clever gas!
"Laoye!"
Jiang-shi imdiately knelt before Song Jing, pleading: "Shi'an said he would definitely co back. Very soon, he'll co back."
Would definitely co back.
But not now.
Which ant, after the appointnt ceremony.
He wanted to make the decision on his own first.
Then co inform Song Jing afterward.
"No need. He never needs to co back again."
His face darkening, revealing eyes of extre disappointnt, Song Jing said coldly: "Send Master Song's official robes to him. Let him seek his wealth and glory."
---
The agarwood-scented Hangzhou silk brushed against skin, like ice silkworm threads being drawn in late spring morning dew.
The brand-new Rank 7 official robe went on, secured by a white jade belt.
The copper-threaded black gauze hat glead with lustrous light.
Song Shi'an had told his friends that rural nights weren't pitch black—the bright moon could illuminate the earth transparently—but none of them believed him.
The breeze from midnight to dawn gently brushed his face, invading the skin beneath his wide sleeves, bringing a wave of coolness.
At this mont, Sheng'an was completely silent.
Following the central axis of Imperial Avenue, he walked to the wide-open main gate of the Palace City.
Two forbidden guard armored soldiers crossed their long halberds, blocking the entrance to power.
As he stood quietly beneath the gate, a guard officer quickly walked to Song Shi'an and politely said: "Daren, there's still one shichen before the gate restriction is lifted."
"I have business at the Secretariat."
Song Shi'an replied peacefully.
Hearing this, the gatekeeper officer thought briefly before asking: "Then daren, do you have an official seal or proof of identity?"
The Palace City was Sheng'an's inner city, where nurous governnt offices and institutions were located.
But not all officials could make their hos within the Palace City. Even so "high officials" of Ranks 5 and 6, if they ca from humble families without foundation or financial resources, could only live in the outer city like common citizens.
These officials needed to enter the city early to report for duty.
So at tis like this, they needed their official seal as proof.
Of course, if one's face was familiar and you greeted the guards, you could enter directly.
It was just that this young Rank 7 official was completely unfamiliar.
Never seen before.
However, impersonating a court official was impossible.
How many heads would soone have to dare do such a thing in the Palace City?
"I'm the jieyuan, here for the appointnt ceremony at the Secretariat. So currently, I don't yet have an official seal," Song Shi'an explained.
"Oh, oh!" The officer imdiately understood. He raised his hand, having the two halberd-wielding soldiers separate and make way, then said with a smile, "So it's Master Song."
"Thank you."
Nodding, Song Shi'an gave a slight bow to the other party: "You've worked hard."
"This is this humble official's duty."
The officer showed an enthusiastic smile, then asked curiously: "But Master Song, the Secretariat is quite far from here. Won't you take a carriage?"
"No need."
Song Shi'an smiled, then strode toward the road illuminated by moonlight: "All along this path, I've been walking."
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