Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Power to Save Ten Thousand Lives?

”Young friend, you should know that our dynasty not only has the imperial examination system, but also the system of official recommendation, correct?”

Chu Ming nodded.

The Great Qin Dynasty governed by counties, with the imperial examination consisting of the academy test, then county test, then advancing to Xirong County for a year of study, followed by official appointments based on ability.

Above the counties lies the Great Qin Capital, which cannot be achieved through imperial examinations alone; only by making great contributions within the county is there any possibility.

Outside the imperial examination, there is the recommendation system.

As the name implies, it is being recommended to become an official.

But not everyone can recommend, nor can recommendations be made at will.

Each county has only one or two slots every two years, and it requires a Senior Seventh Grade official, plus two officials of at least Senior Eighth Grade to jointly recommend, and the recommended post cannot be above Senior Ninth Grade.

Yet in Baiyuan County, there is only one Senior Seventh Grade civil official, and that is the Baiyuan County Magistrate.

In other words, before him, Lord Liuu and Lord Feng are not eligible to recommend.

”Since you know this, young friend, I will not belabor the point. I can assure you, as long as you are willing to stay in Baiyuan County, there is certainly a place for you here.”

Chu Ming’s puzzlement deepened in his eyes.

Could it be that just because he painted the Five Kui Oxen Painting, this Lord Liuu would recommend him?

What does the Five Kui Oxen Painting represent?

The Classic of Mountains and Seas, could it truly be?

In the previous life, there was mention in the Classic of Mountains and Seas of the Kui Ox, that mythological creature.

This world contains supernatural powers—perhaps the Kui Ox truly exists here.

”May I ask, my lord, what is the reason?”

Being able to become an official without the long academy study is naturally good, but Chu Ming thought it over and felt he ought to ask clearly first.

”Young friend, your passing the Five Eyes Map test set by Lord Feng is enough to prove your ability—the ability to save countless lives!” Liu Sitong’s expression suddenly turned grave.

The ability to save countless lives?

The more Chu Ming listened, the more perplexed he became. Wasn’t this a bit exaggerated?

What on earth is hidden in the Five Kui Oxen Painting?

He seemed to have unwittingly stumbled onto something out of the ordinary.

”My lords, could you allow me a few days to consider it?”

Five Eyes Map, Five Kui Oxen Painting, saving countless lives...

The water runs deep—after much thought, Chu Ming did not immediately accept.

Behind great benefits, there are often even greater prices to pay.

The temptation is great and he is moved, but he must first get to the bottom of it.

A few days—if he can investigate, all the better; if not, he can come to the magistrate afterwards.

”Very well. You have three days,” Liu Sitong did not refuse and drew a jade token from his waist, saying, ”If you make up your mind in three days, you may use this token to find me at the county yamen.”

Pausing, he then turned to Feng Yuan, his tone low: ”Lord Feng, may I trouble you to copy me a section from the Mountain Scripture?”

Mountain Scripture?

Chu Ming’s eyes flashed, his heart a mix of shock and doubt—could it really be the Classic of Mountains and Seas?!

The very first volume of the Classic is the Mountain Scripture!

”Lord Liuu...” Feng Yuan hesitated visibly.

The Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture·Mountain Scripture was known only to a handful. To give it to one whose identity was yet unconfirmed...

”The Criminal Defense Bureau covers all of Baiyuan County; there is no need for concern, Lord Feng.”

On the surface, Liu Sitong was reassuring Feng Yuan. In truth, he was warning the scholar Chu Ming not to try leaving Baiyuan County.

Hearing this, Feng Yuan immediately understood Liu Sitong’s meaning.

This was to tie the man to their side first. Having seen the Mountain Scripture excerpt, the scholar could either agree to stay in Baiyuan County as an official—or... die!

He reached into his robe, drew out a sheet of paper, upon which was the opening passage of the Mountain Scripture.

This sheet had been prepared for tomorrow’s Political Book lesson, as a test for Chu Ming.

Yet what he did not know was that this scholar before him was Chu Ming himself.

”Young friend, you must be curious what is special about the Five Kui Oxen Painting. There is not much on this page, but if you can understand it, your doubts may be resolved.” Liu Sitong handed him the paper.

Chu Ming accepted the paper, suppressed his curiosity, put it away carefully, and did not linger. He bowed to Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan, then turned and left.

After he left, Feng Yuan could not help but speak up: ”Lord Liuu, this man claims to be a traveler from Taihang County. His words are vague—how can we...”

The more accusatory words after that, as a subordinate, were truly hard to say aloud.

”You mean, we ought not recommend him rashly?” Liu Sitong seated himself on a stone bench, took up his teacup, and replied steadily, ”Does it matter where he’s from? Isn’t it his talent that we value?”

”Besides, he is but a scholar, with a guard and a young attendant. Lord Feng, do you think Baiyuan County cannot control the situation?”

He put down his cup, waved a hand toward the depths of the courtyard, and two people in tuxedos emerged.

”Lord Liuu, Lord Feng.”

The two bowed to Liu Sitong, but only cupped their hands slightly to Feng Yuan.

”Judicial Officer Shao, Captain Tan!” Feng Yuan paused, then followed with a cupped-hands salute.

Regarding the Blood Evil Sect case in Liuu Town, Shao Pengshu was promoted from Captain to Senior Eighth Grade Judicial Officer, now equal in rank to Feng Yuan, while Tan Hong could drop the ”vice” from his title.

Their task today was to protect the county magistrate.

”Please, Judicial Officer Shao, Captain Tan—follow that scholar. If he dares try to leave the city...” Liu Sitong tapped his fingers upon the stone table, face calm. ”Then bring him back and lock him up in the Criminal Defense Bureau dungeon.”

”Yes.”

...

Art gallery.

Yuan Zhong emerged from the inner courtyard, and under the watchful eyes of all, hung Chu Ming’s Five Kui Oxen Painting where the Five Eyes Map had hung before.

Scholar-like Liang Yuan and the brawny Ning Hao stared wide-eyed, their faces full of disbelief.

Brother Chu’s painting is actually hanging in the painting workshop—and in the place of the Five Eyes Map, no less?

Liang Yuan recalled what he had said when entering the gallery earlier: If one day my work can be displayed in the gallery...

My painting was not chosen, but Yunqi Courtyard’s painting—Brother Chu’s painting—overcame the Five Eyes Map and now hangs in the gallery.

Brother Chu learned painting from me, so... hmm, yes, the Five Kui Oxen Painting is half mine... well, let’s say a tenth my contribution.

Liang Yuan stared at the painting on the wall—the more he looked, the more it seemed in his style...

After the initial shock, brawny Ning Hao immediately sensed Liang Yuan’s shifting mood, and shot him a look only the two could understand—Stop looking, you’ll never learn it.

Liang Yuan: I taught him!

”...”

After hanging up the painting, Yuan Zhong glanced at Su Zhe, who was still dazed before the table, and sighed inwardly.

But when the corner of his eye caught Su Qian standing behind Su Zhe, a hint of suspicion flickered in his brows.

Hadn’t her real brother taken such a blow? Rather than comforting him, why did this lass simply stare at the Five Kui Oxen Painting?

Is now the time to be appreciating art?

And yet, after all, in your appreciation, why do your eyes betray such a lovestruck obsession?

This lass likes Kui Oxen?

Yuan Zhong walked over and patted Su Zhe’s shoulder, lowering his voice: ”Lord Liuu withdrawing the challenge is actually a blessing for you. You have less than a year before the county exam. Settle your heart and focus on your studies.”

”A single painting doesn’t mean much—the scholar only happened to paint what Lord Liuu and Lord Feng wanted.”

”Your skill far surpasses his, you are an Upper Academy student at Baiyuan Academy, and your future achievements will surely surpass his as well. There’s no need to dwell on this.”

Su Zhe gazed at the painting already blotched with ink, his five fingers around the brush slowly releasing.

He looked at the Five Kui Oxen Painting now hanging in the gallery, then at his own scroll, and ultimately put down the brush.

Yuan Zhong’s words were nothing more than consolation for him.