Chapter 854: Some Rejoice, Others Sorrow

ng over."It's getting late, Your Highness. There is still much state business to attend to, but your health comes first. Please rest early."Zhao Rui held the bowl of soup to Li Chen and said softly, “...Chapter 854: Some Rejoice, Others Sorrow

Throughout history, the announcement of results (fangbang) was the final step in the entire imperial examination process.

After the announcement of the results, this year's imperial examination came to a successful conclusion.

And the whole process culminates in this announcement of the final rankings, unveiling the top three winners, which is the stage with the strongest sense of participation among the public and the most lively atmosphere.

The most crowded places on every street in the capital city were plastered with notices by guards. Each of these notices listed in detail the final ranking for this year's palace examination.

Although the guards set up more than ten notice boards in the capital city, they still couldn't stop the surging crowd.

Fumeng Qing is among them.

He was an out-of-town examinee, and his family wasn't particularly wealthy. Moreover, he had encountered a disastrous year. This imperial examination had already drained all the money from his family. Fu Minqing's funds were also long gone. He had to rely on credit at a boarding house to get by.

Relying on his status as a jinshi (scholar-official), the innkeeper, hoping to make a profit from the business, treated him to several days of free lodging.

After all, in case Fu Minqing is really a high school student, this investment would be worthwhile in exchange for a favor.

When Fu Minqing heard the news of the announcement, he rushed out in a panic, jostling through the crowd until he finally reached the imperial list.

At this time, the innkeeper also came running out.

After all, the list released today determines whether it's worthwhile for him to entertain Fu Minqing with good food and drink these days.

The innkeeper pulled Fu Minqing to the front of the crowd. Before they could get a good look, someone in the crowd cheered, “The new champion, Fu Minqing!”

Hearing this, Fu Minqing's heart pounded wildly. Overwhelmed with immense surprise and disbelief, he looked up at the top of the imperial list.

In the twenty-first year of Da Hing reign, during the imperial examinations, Fu Minqing came first in the top category, achieving the title of狀元 (Number one scholar)!

There is no one in the world who dares to forge the imperial list.

When Fu Minqing truly saw his name at the very top of the imperial list, he was instantly stunned.

Though he had dreamed about this moment countless times over countless nights, when it finally arrived, he couldn't believe it was real.

The top scholar, this was the highest peak a commoner and an ordinary student from a humble background could aspire to in feudal times.

And this peak, today has come upon Fuminqing.

When he was still there, the innkeeper had already been overjoyed.

He grabbed Fu Minqing tightly and shouted wildly, "Fu Minqing, it's you! It really is you!"

"I knew you weren't an ordinary person. The first time I saw you, I knew you would achieve great success! You are indeed the top scholar of this examination!"

The innkeeper's roar informed the surrounding commoners that the newly appointed top scholar was right beside them. A massive wave of cheers instantly engulfed Fu Minqing.

"Fu Minqing, my daughter is eighteen years old. What do you think"

Fo Minqing dazedly turned her head, looking at the innkeeper whose eyes were gleaming with excitement. Suddenly, she felt that her life had undergone a truly earth-shattering change in this very moment.

But at this moment, in front of another imperial list, Xu Junlou looked at his name ranked third, on the jinshi ranking, and felt a sense of disappointment.

He thought he would be either first or second, but he only got third.

At this very moment, the cinnabar brushstroke of destiny was being etched by Li Chen. This single stroke determined the fates of countless individuals and families—some to joy, some to sorrow. Li Chen, the man who held the power of life and death in his hand, was currently receiving a rather dim-witted intelligence chief from the Jin Dynasty, Gualja Aoqin.

Goodbye Guarjia Aoqin, his attitude had become much more respectful.

"Golden Horde emissary Guarjia Aoqin, greets Your Highness, the Prince of Qin."

"I have received news from within the country and hope to discuss it in detail with His Royal Highness."rror."Prince, it's time to leave."A guard reminded him.Yelü Shenxuan shook his head and said, "Don't rush, let's see.""Let me take a good look, this Yuya Pass has been blocking my Liao nation's iron c...