Chapter 112.2 - I Became the Legendary Emperor Throughout the Ages After I Started Giving Away My Territory

At this moment, the atmosphere of the imperial examination was gradually thickening, and many unfamiliar faces of scholars had appeared in the capital city.

They came from all over the world, hoping to make a name for themselves in this imperial examination.

In various taverns throughout the capital city, their figures could be found everywhere, engaged in animated discussions.

“The Great Xia is holding the imperial examination! I heard that they are planning to recruit 300 people this time to fill positions in the Six Ministries and the Nine High Offices, as well as in local government offices! That’s a considerable number, truly great news for us scholars!”

“Indeed! With so many official positions, the probability of passing is high! I have already failed the examination three times, and I hope this time I will succeed!”

“Although there are fewer competitors, I have heard that His Majesty always acts unconventionally! Last year, when His Majesty was recruiting talents, the questions he asked were so bizarre and varied that I don’t know how many people were stumped! Therefore, I am uncertain about how smoothly this imperial examination will go!”

“I’ve heard about it too, I just hope there won’t be any mishaps!”

In a private room of the restaurant, a few young men were sipping tea and discussing matters.

They were dressed in fine clothes and had an extraordinary demeanor. Listening to the scholars outside speaking with great eloquence, their eyes revealed a hint of disdain.

“To think that they also aspire to pass the imperial examination? It’s utterly wishful thinking!”

“Exactly! Our noble family will ultimately dominate this imperial examination. Let the others settle for the scraps!”

“The lower class is just that, the lower class; they should never dream of rising above their league!”

“Alright, there’s no need to stoop to the level of those inferiors outside!”

One of the young men, who appeared to be the leader, snapped open his fan with a flick and laughed, “Our true rivals have always been the scions of other noble families! By the way, how many noble families have sent representatives now?”

“Reporting to the young master, so far, representatives from the Ding, Qian, Sun, Zhou… 22 noble families have arrived to participate!”

The young man tilted his head thoughtfully, “Seems like the Liu, Zhao, and Zhu families haven’t sent anyone?”

The others burst into laughter.

“They wouldn’t dare to come! They’ve completely offended Great Xia; if they came, they might not be able to leave!”

“They thought Great Xia was easy to bully, but every time they made a move, they broke their teeth and lost several Innates! Now, they’ve become the laughingstock of the noble families!”

“Let’s not talk about them, who would have thought Great Xia was so fierce? In just one year, they’ve developed from a small kingdom into a great kingdom that terrifies all around, showing terrifying potential!”

“They paid the price for their arrogance! Haha…”

“The Liu, Zhao, and Zhu families…”

The young master said with disdain, “It can only be said that they overstepped their bounds, wanting to bite off more than they could chew, and that’s why they got their retribution! As noble families, they should prioritize their legacy, and it’s only right to develop in the shadows!”

“Just like us now, earnestly passing the examinations to obtain official titles, then entering the bureaucracy, gradually seizing great power! In a few decades, won’t this Great Xia slowly become ours?”

“Young master speaks the truth!” everyone nodded in agreement.

At this moment, the young master, while fanning himself, turned to a person beside him and asked, “By the way, how did it go when I sent you to visit Li Linfu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites?”

“Reporting to the young master, I went with generous gifts, but he was unmoved and even had me thrown out! Young master, this path may not be viable, perhaps we should consider an alternative.”

“No, we must continue!”

The young master said with a cold smile, proudly declaring, “That Li Linfu is a man with honeyed words but a heart of a scorpion, flattering those above and deceiving those below. The reason he was unmoved is that our offer wasn’t substantial enough! Therefore, continue to send gifts for me, generous gifts, significant gifts! I refuse to believe that we can’t break through his defenses!”

“As you command, young master!”

Then, another substantial gift was prepared to be sent to the Li residence.

Meanwhile, many people were preparing gifts to visit Li Linfu.

However, he was not at home, as he was in the imperial palace reporting to Lin Beifan.

“Report to Your Majesty, the number of people who have registered for the imperial examination has reached 1,242! Due to the hasty preparation for this imperial examination, the number of registrants did not meet expectations, so your humble servant has relaxed some restrictions, allowing even those with the title of ‘scholar’ to register. Only in this way can we select the best from the good and choose suitable talents!”

Lin Beifan nodded in satisfaction: “Good! Sometimes, being well-read does not necessarily mean one can do a good job! Therefore, it is appropriate to relax some conditions and allow more talented individuals to serve the country!”

“Your Majesty speaks very truly; that is exactly what your humble servant had in mind!” Li Linfu bowed.

Lin Beifan tapped on the table and asked, “Minister Li, I have heard that many people have recently visited your residence?”

A bead of sweat appeared on Li Linfu’s forehead: “Your Majesty, it is indeed so!”

Lin Beifan smiled: “I have also heard that they have prepared quite a few gifts!”

Another bead of sweat emerged on Li Linfu’s forehead: “Yes… Yes, Your Majesty!”

Lin Beifan narrowed his eyes and smiled: “Do they want you to leak the exam questions to them?”

Li Linfu fell to his knees with a thud: “I report to Your Majesty, it is indeed so! However, this humble servant is aware of the importance of the imperial examination and does not wish to betray Your Majesty’s grace, so I have not leaked the exam questions. Please, Your Majesty, discern the truth!”

He was telling the truth!

This was the first and most important task he had been responsible for since he came to the Ministry of Rites as an official!

Everyone knows the importance of the imperial examination; if managed well, it can lead to promotions and nobility, but if not, it can result in not only losing one’s position but even one’s head!

He would certainly not joke about his own future and life!

Therefore, he sternly refused all the sugar-coated bullets from others!

As for the examination questions, he wouldn’t leak a single word!

“Minister Li, rest assured, I trust you! However, you may reveal some trivial matters, and I will pardon you for that!”

Li Linfu was bewildered: “Your Majesty, what do you mean?”

“My intention is, since they’ve sent the money over, why not take it!”

Lin Beifan said with a smile, “Those who can afford to give generous gifts are basically all from noble families! And I, for one, have never liked noble families! So, you know what I mean…”

Li Linfu broke out in a cold sweat; the emperor was planning to set a trap for the noble families!

“Your Majesty… is that really okay?”

Li Linfu wiped the sweat from his face: “According to your humble servant’s knowledge, there are already more than 200 descendants of noble families who have signed up to participate in the imperial examination, involving over 20 noble families! If we offend them all…”

Lin Beifan waved his hand indifferently: “So what if we offend them? What’s there to be afraid of? Do you think they would dare to storm into the palace and kill me?”

Li Linfu gave a wry smile. Indeed, they wouldn’t dare; even if they had a hundred times the courage, they wouldn’t dare!

But while they might not dare to kill you, they would dare to kill me!!!

An enraged noble family is truly terrifying!

Even with a hundred lives, one couldn’t withstand their fury!

“Minister, I entrust this matter to you! You must go all out, do everything possible to swindle their money away!”

Lin Beifan patted Li Linfu’s shoulder, encouraging him: “If this matter is handled well, I shall reward you handsomely!”

Li Linfu hesitated: “…Your Majesty, shall we discuss this further?”

Lin Beifan’s expression changed immediately: “Minister Li, it seems you do not wish to alleviate my worries! It appears I must consider finding you a different position!”

Li Linfu’s complexion changed at once: “Your Majesty, that’s not the case at all! I am your most loyal servant, ready to face any danger or hardship at your command without any hesitation!”

Lin Beifan was immensely gratified: “Excellent! Our Great Xia needs loyal and devoted pillars of society like you!”

“However, Your Majesty, this matter is somewhat dangerous, so I implore you to assign someone to ensure the humble servant’s safety!”

Lin Beifan: “…”

Lin Beifan assured loudly: “Minister, when you are serving me, how could I bear to let you come to harm? As long as you are within the borders of Great Xia, I can fully guarantee your safety. Go ahead and do it with confidence!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! With your words, your servant can rest easy!” Li Linfu bowed.

***