After Fang Zheng’s persuasion, Zhang Dongxiang calmed down considerably.

Especially when he heard him mention the words “great benefactor,” his heart inexplicably felt a hint of secret joy.

But his tone remained stern. “You make it sound easy, but things aren’t so simple to implement.”

Fang Zheng smiled. “Just trust me! I run a newspaper, would I deceive you?”

“The common people aren’t fools individually, but when they gather together, their brains disappear!”

“They’ll believe whatever the court says! If they don’t believe it once, say it twice! If others believe it, they’ll follow. Don’t you think people would drink cow urine if newspapers said it could cure diseases?”

Zhang Dongxiang fully relaxed and said tiredly. “Stop talking nonsense!”

“This is the only plan now. I’ll write a memorial to report to the court immediately. The seals need not be distributed again.”

“In two days, some candidates will leave. By then, those in the bottom cells can be moved to better locations. This matter… I will take full responsibility.”

“Please draft a list for me…”

Hmm… if you had just agreed earlier, there wouldn’t have been so much trouble. Old people just won’t listen to reason!

Fang Zheng approached Zhang Dongxiang with a grinning face and whispered in his ear. “Third Uncle, these are minor matters, no need for formalities.”

“Why are you getting so close to me!” Zhang Dongxiang eyed Fang Zheng warily.

He felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what exactly.

Fang Zheng rubbed his hands together and said sheepishly. “The two of us, aren’t we now in the same boat… you can’t impeach me anymore, right?”

“Get out, get out, get out!”

…

Zhang Dongxiang was extremely anxious, fearing the situation would escalate out of control.

He drafted a memorial immediately, naturally incorporating all of Fang Zheng’s suggestions.

After several revisions, he added a few more recommendations beneficial to the candidates, refined it, and quickly sent someone to deliver it to the palace.

Although the speed was fast, by the time it reached the palace, it was already afternoon.

Liu Er, the clerk on duty outside the Cabinet’s office, ran to Li Yansong as soon as he received the memorial.

At this moment, he respectfully presented the memorial to Li Yansong with both hands. “Sir Li… this is an urgent memorial from Sir Zhang!”

Others in the office all turned to look.

Li Yansong was startled and quickly took the memorial to read it carefully.

Zheng Qiao, not far away, got up and walked to the opposite side of Li Yansong, full of curiosity.

Soon, the memorial was read through.

Li Yansong raised his head, holding the memorial in his hands, with bewilderment in his eyes.

Seeing his expression, Zheng Qiao asked curiously. “Sir Li… what major incident has occurred?”

Li Yansong silently handed over the memorial, and Zheng Qiao read it carefully.

After reading, Zheng Qiao raised his head, still holding the memorial, with confusion in his eyes.

“Sir Li… I don’t quite understand. What’s written here sounds good, but the examination has already begun. Is there a need for such urgency? I thought it was some major incident.”

Li Yansong pinched his chin, knitting his brows. “Indeed… it doesn’t seem urgent, but what does he mean by the expanding influence of the Banshan Daily’s report?”

Zheng Qiao looked exasperated. “It seems the Banshan Daily… hasn’t reported on the imperial examination these days? Liu Er! What did today’s Banshan Daily write about?”

Throughout the Cabinet, almost everyone had the habit of reading newspapers.

Sometimes the ministers wouldn’t read the papers themselves. When busy, they would command others to read them aloud. Liu Er was skilled at this.

He was thoroughly familiar with the content of each newspaper every day.

Liu Er immediately shouted. “A couple in the southern city bought Number One Scholar tickets, dreaming of winning two thousand taels. The couple fought over the division of the spoils.”

“A beggar in Banshan District, begging with his entire family for three months, bought a house in Changming District yesterday. He has now been arrested.”

“A doctor in Longevity District publicly shared his ancestral secret remedy for bedwetting: mix hot rice with the bedwetting spot, don’t let the patient know, and feed it to them. A commoner laughed in his face, saying: ‘Human urine mixed with rice, it would be more effective if the patient knew.’ The doctor was furious and fought with this person. Both have now been taken to jail….”

After reading the entire piece, there was nothing related to the imperial examination, and the two were even more confused.

There’s nothing to do with the imperial examination… why is Master Zhang in such a hurry to adjust the examination rules? Can’t it wait until after the examination? It’s not a big deal, and he specifically wants to report it to His Majesty…

“Forget it! Since he’s inside the examination compound and especially instructed, it must be a special situation. Let’s quickly report to His Majesty!”

With that, the two hurried to Yangxin Hall.

…

In Yangxin Hall, Emperor Jing looked at the memorial, then at the two of them, hesitating. “This… is there anything special about this memorial? Why is it so urgent?”

Zheng Qiao and Zhang Dongxiang were both extremely embarrassed.

How should I know?!

Strangely wanting to abolish the excrement seals… abolish them if you must! It’s not a big deal, but did he need to elaborate so many disadvantages? Is that necessary?

Why is he so concerned about this now? He’s not a candidate… Could it be that during his own examination years ago, he couldn’t hold it, and returning to the scene reminded him of painful memories?

For a moment, neither knew how to respond. Finally, Li Yansong spoke first. “Your Majesty, we don’t understand either.”

“What Master Zhang says makes sense, but… it doesn’t seem that urgent….”

Emperor Jing lowered his head and scanned a few more lines, saying lightly. “I see it says the Banshan Daily published this matter, and there’s considerable dissatisfaction among the people.”

“But were there any news about the imperial examination in today’s Banshan Daily?”

“No!”

Emperor Jing paced back and forth, thinking carefully. “I understand. It must be that Teacher Zhang bought some kind of unofficial newspaper outside.”

“I’ve heard that many people privately print newspapers in society, with diverse content covering everything, and some even impersonate legitimate newspaper offices… perhaps he bought this kind of newspaper.”

“It’s truly absurd. The Bingma Department should strictly investigate this!”

“Your Majesty is wise!” Zheng Qiao and Li Yansong both bowed, now understanding.

It must be as His Majesty said, he read some random small newspaper… that makes sense!

“Then, Your Majesty, how should this memorial be handled?”

Emperor Jing tapped the memorial in his hand a couple of times and sighed. “Teacher Zhang, at his age, is still concerned about such matters! Truly passionate about public welfare and justice.”

“The admonitions within are well-considered, and there are indeed unreasonable aspects in the examination hall! This memorial should be slightly modified and then copied to the Court Gazette! The capital’s examination compound can be adjusted appropriately, and for the rest of the examination sites, starting from the next imperial examination, examiners should thoroughly read papers suspected of plagiarism without clear evidence, without relaxation!”

“Allocate a sum of silver from the local treasuries to renovate the latrines in the examination compounds, to avoid affecting the candidates.”

Emperor Jing paused here. “Eunuch Guo, go investigate those who manipulated candidates’ seating arrangements. Violators will be exiled to the frontier.”

“Draft an edict, bestow a hundred bolts of brocade on Zhang Dongxiang, and go to the examination compound to announce the edict first.”

With that, he looked at Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao. “Do the two teachers have any other matters?”

The two bowed again. “No more matters, Your Majesty is wise!”