Chapter 538: Chapter 538: Strong South, Weak North

“So it turns out that the civil service examination was reinstated at the request of Duke An.”

On the second floor of the tavern, Lin Zhong listened to the storytelling master and then listened to the surrounding people analyzing the narrative, clearly believing the storyteller’s words.

And not only Lin Zhong believed it, but almost everyone in the tavern believed it.

Chen Mo held a very high prestige in the Four States, deeply loved by the people, and after listening to everyone’s analysis, it was naturally believed that this was something Chen Mo would do.

The storyteller took a sip of tea and then said, “Duke An, serving the country and the people, is truly the pillar of our Great Song. Some time ago, the northern barbarians invaded south, seizing our territory, harming our people, plundering our wealth. The court issued a decree, ordering the dukes across the world to march north to resist the enemy, however, the grand dukes turned a blind eye and refused to send troops.

In this moment of crisis, only Duke An led troops north to fend off foreign enemies, slaughtering nearly eighty thousand enemies, recovering lost territory, elevating the prestige of our Great Song, and upholding the spirit of our Central State nation. To rescue Great Song citizens captured by Jin Nan Barbarians, Duke An boldly led troops into Haiyan Pass, saying that inspiring phrase — ’If the invaders can come, so can I…’”

As a storytelling master, his greatest skill is to draw his audience’s emotions into the storyline he is narrating, infecting them with emotion.

And now, the storyteller’s words have undoubtedly stirred up the blood of the audience, leading to applause and cheers.

“Duke An is a hero of our era.”

“Indeed, I am from Qingzhou. If it weren’t for Duke An, my family would have starved to death in that cold winter of the seventh year of Xuanhe. It was Duke An who supported us, gave my family of five food to eat, and provided us a place to live.”

“Not only that, Duke An also exempted us from taxes and gave us land, allowing me to feel the dignity of being human for the first time.”

“…”

Meanwhile, Ma Fu ordered the dishes, calling for the server, who brought up a pot of wine.

Guo Ning poured himself a glass, drank a sip, and looked down at the storyteller with a face full of admiration: “As scholars, we must follow in Duke An’s footsteps, save the nation in times of peril, and rescue the people from dire straits.”

Upon hearing Guo Ning’s words, Lin Zhong sighed with some guilt and said, “Previously, when I heard of Duke An’s reputation, I thought this person had the demeanor of a predator, was arrogant, greedy, lascivious, and not a good person. Now I realize that at that time I had a narrow view, Duke An is indeed a remarkable person of this era.”

“Brother Lin, your words are exactly my thoughts, it seems we can become confidants.” Guo Ning poured a glass for Lin Zhong and the two drank together.

Later, after the server served the dishes and taught the two how to eat the hotpot, Guo Ning exclaimed, “Duke An is truly an extraordinary person; not only exceptional in governance and martial arts, even in matters of cuisine he is a master. In this upcoming August regional exam, I will certainly excel, to meet such a hero as Duke An.”

Guo Ning’s words were full of confidence.

As scholars, naturally, a touch of madness should be present.

Afterward, Lin Zhong and Guo Ning conversed happily. Lin Zhong noticed Guo Ning’s remarkable talent far exceeding his own, thus they talked about deeper topics.

He learned that Guo Ning became a Child Student at the age of twelve and earned the title of Scholar by fifteen, and was himself an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist.

Lin Zhong smiled wryly, “Brother Guo previously mentioned having questions for me, I suppose it was only to avoid embarrassing me.”

Guo Ning’s smile slightly froze, then laughed heartily, “Brother Lin, don’t overthink it, there’s absolutely nothing.”

“Then what does Brother Guo want to ask me?”

“Didn’t Brother Lin already answer in our conversation earlier?” Guo Ning smiled.

Brother Lin paused, then drank a glass by himself, saying, “It is truly my fortune to know Brother Guo.”

Afterward, while eating hotpot, they met another person.

This person introduced himself as Dai Tu, also from Yan State, the same age as Lin Zhong, saying he heard the high-level discussions between Lin Zhong and Guo Ning at the table, he felt aligned in aspirations, hence came to make acquaintances.

Seeing Dai Tu was also a scholar, with an impressive appearance and eloquent speech, Lin Zhong and Guo Ning tacitly approved making his acquaintance.

Later, the three, accompanied by Ma Fu, headed toward the Huai Zhou City government office.

Seeing Guo Ning planning to apply the exam in Huai Zhou City’s government office, Dai Tu said, “Brother Guo, that’s inadmissible.”

Guo Ning was slightly surprised, “Why not?”

Dai Tu pulled Guo Ning aside and slowly explained, “Brother Guo might not be aware, there are a limited number of slots for the Four States regional exam. The scholars from Jiangnan, they all come to Huai Zhou to apply, whereas Jiangnan for nearly a thousand years has been the holy land for scholars, rich in literary air, with Jiangnan unmarred by war, the scholars there are exceptionally knowledgeable. If Brother Guo applies in Huai Zhou City, he would share a test site with them, how could he possibly compete.

Therefore, in my opinion, we should head to Qingzhou to apply. In recent years, Qingzhou has often faced wars, Qingzhou’s scholars have no heart for studying, their academics have fallen into disrepair for over five years, and they are certainly not our match. Plus, according to the notice, I guess those who go to Qingzhou to apply would also be crown princes from the North, truly not worth fearing. If we go to Qingzhou to apply, we would surely top the score.”

After Dai Tu’s explanation, Lin Zhong and Ma Fu’s expressions slightly changed.

Guo Ning was initially stunned, then laughed heartily, “Then I should certainly apply in Huai Zhou, sharing a test site with Jiangnan scholars, competing mutually, how could that not be exciting.”

Saying this, Guo Ning embraced Lin Zhong’s neck with one hand, and Dai Tu’s neck with the other, saying, “And Brother Lin has already applied in Yi County of Huai Zhou, us two as friends must naturally accompany Brother Lin.”

Dai Tu said, “Then we should indeed head to Qingzhou, thus reducing competition with Brother Lin.”

Brother Lin smiled sheepishly, “I’m fine.”

Ultimately, ignoring Dai Tu’s advice, Guo Ning still applied in Huai Zhou City.

Lin Zhong also confirmed that he indeed applied in Yi County, Huai Zhou City government office had records.

Dai Tu then bid farewell to the two and headed to Qingzhou.

…

End of February.

Linzhou, Xiangyang City.

Geng Songfu had already traveled from Huai State to Xiangyang, Chen Mo received him personally.

At the banquet, Geng Songfu discussed several issues regarding the civil service examination with Chen Mo, saying, “Duke An, now that the civil service examination is known nationwide, yet I haven’t heard about regional restrictions for the Four States regional exams.”

“Oh?”

Chen Mo was surprised; he hadn’t been concerned with the civil service examination lately, instead delegating everything to Chen Cultivator. Now, upon hearing this, he asked in confusion, “What does Mr. Geng mean by this?”

“In recent years, the South, particularly Jiangnan and Jiangdong, have not experienced war, while the North has been plagued with continuous wars, enjoying few days of peace. Hence, Northern scholars are certainly outmatched by those from the South. Duke An must prevent these Southern scholars from heading North to apply.” Geng Songfu said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo was shocked; it reminded him of the Ming Dynasty’s Southern-Northern list case. He immediately said, “Mr. Geng’s words are reasonable. I will immediately issue instructions, if regional restrictions are set, then the exam papers for the South and North must be different.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep