Chapter 63 Top Scorer of the Provincial Examination

Around the provincial examination notice board, scholars were packed shoulder to shoulder. Outside the crowd, Lin Tingkai smiled and teased Lin Ting'ang, "Second Brother, aren't you going to step forward and take a look?"

Lin Tingang replied with a confident expression, "Why bother? We just need to wait here for the roll call."

Lin Tingkai smiled and said, "Second Brother, your biggest rival for the top spot on this provincial examination list is Lin Pingzhi of Min County. I've read his examination essays; they are nothing short of the pinnacle of perfection, neck and neck with your own."

For this provincial examination, the Lin family had pinned high hopes on Lin Tingang. He could actually have taken the examination three times ago, but the family elders held him back for three years, intending for him to make a stunning debut with this single examination.

Lin Tingang said, "Lin Pingzhi is indeed a formidable rival. I once heard at a family meeting that his great-grandfather, Lin Yuantu, also belonged to a branch of our Lianjiang Lin Family. Speaking of seniority, he is actually our junior clan brother."

Lin Tingkai asked with curiosity, "Oh? Is that so? Which household branch?"

"The family elders said it was the Yu-character branch, of the same generation as our great-grandfather Lin Miao. Legend has it that due to some dispute, he became a monk and took up Zen. Even after returning to secular life, he never rejoined the family; instead, he carved out a formidable reputation for himself in the pugilistic world. The head of the Yu-character branch from that generation saw that he had abandoned scholarly pursuits for martial arts, so they gave up the idea of recalling him to the family."

"I never imagined this young Master Xiaosanyuan would have such deep ties with us! Second Brother, does the family have any plans to bring him back to trace our roots and acknowledge our ancestors? This young man is only thirteen this year—his future is boundless!"

Lin Tingang said, "After the last clan meeting, I heard Eldest Brother say that the current head of the Yu-character branch wants to recall him to the family. After all, the talents of the Yu-character branch have withered in recent years; our generation in that branch is suffering from a generational fault line."

"I hope that day comes. With his joining, it would be like adding wings to a tiger for our Lianjiang Lin Family."

As the two conversed, the yamen runners posted to put up the lists walked over to the spirit wall and began posting the notices. First came the main list, starting from the sixth place all the way down to the last. The top five classic masters were listed separately on a single board, whose names were first chanted by the Scripture-Singing Tower before the runners posted them.

Watching the notices unfold bit by bit on the spirit wall, the examinees below wore various expressions—some wept with joy, while others shed tears of sorrow.

An elderly Confucian scholar spotted his name on the list and wept tears of emotional exhaustion, crying out, "I've passed! I've passed! Thirty winters of bitter study have finally paid off! With my name on the laurel list, I finally have the dignity to face my ancestors after death!"

With that, he burst into laughter, as if releasing all the frustration and bitterness of those long years.

This scholar was quite famous locally, though not for prestigious reasons. When he earned his生员 (shengxuan) degree at the age of fourteen, his fame filled the countryside. However, in every subsequent provincial examination, he repeatedly failed to make the list. His family had owned hundreds of acres of fine farmland, but because studying cost so much, he had gradually sold them off over thirty years to fund his continued imperial examinations. This provincial examination was his last, as his family had no surplus wealth left to support his studies. Yet heaven does not abandon the determined soul, and at last, his wish was fulfilled.

At this moment, the crowd was filled mostly with disappointed scholars. Among three thousand candidates, only ninety were chosen as provincial graduates. The vast majority of examinees could only return home with regret. Cries echoed before the notice board, and many onlookers sighed deeply; the difficulty of the imperial examinations surpassed even the Roads of Shu.

As the posting concluded, Lin Tingkai cupped his hands and congratulated Lin Tingang, "Congratulations, Second Brother, for ranking among the top five classic masters!"

Lin Tingang waved his hand and said, "The roll call hasn't even started yet."

Yet the smile on his face betrayed him, clearly revealing a sense of smug delight.

Bang!

A ceremonial firecracker went off, and the surroundings instantly grew silent, for the roll call by the Scripture-Singing Tower was about to begin, leaving countless people standing on tiptoe in anticipation.

Zhang Yuanzhen stepped forward and proclaimed loudly to the surroundings, "For this Jiyou year's Fujian provincial examination, a total of ninety scholars have been selected for the nation. Monitored by all sides, the selection process for this provincial examination has been entirely fair and flawless. Appointed by the court to serve as chief examiner, this official is overjoyed to witness so many brilliant talents. Fujian Province truly deserves its reputation as a powerhouse of the imperial examinations since ancient times!"

After offering words of encouragement, scribes stepped forward to prepare for the roll call, announcing the candidates' rankings, native places, and addresses in order.

"Fifth place in the Fujian provincial examination of the Jiyou year: Lun Wenxu from Daohua Village, Longxi County, Zhangzhou Prefecture, head of the Poetry branch!"

...

"Second place (Yayuan) in the Fujian provincial examination of the Jiyou year: Lin Tingang from Linpu, Min County, Fuzhou Prefecture, head of the Spring and Autumn branch!"

Hearing that he placed second, Lin Tingang felt both joy and loss. He was happy to have secured second place, but disappointed that he was only second and failed to capture the very top laurel.

Hearing that Lin Tingang was the Yayuan, the people around sighed with admiration at the profound scholarly heritage of the Lianjiang Lin Family, with Lin Tinggui first and now Lin Tingang, brothers who achieved consecutive success in the examinations.

"First place (Jieyuan) in the Fujian provincial examination of the Jiyou year: Lin Pingzhi from Fengchi Lane, Min County, Fuzhou Prefecture, head of the Book of Documents branch!"

"It really is him! What a true prodigy!"

"A peerless bearing! A model for our generation!"

...

The crowd chattered endlessly about the new Jieyuan, Lin Pingzhi. Some enthusiastic scholars rushed toward Fengchi Lane, eager to catch a glimpse of the top scholar's demeanor.

Li Jie was practicing martial arts according to his daily routine, while Lin Zhennan rambled on beside the training field.

"Pingzhi, aren't you going to check the list? The results are posted today. It's one thing that you refuse to go, but why won't you let your mother and me go either?"

Hearing this, Li Jie halted his movements and said to Lin Zhennan, "Father, the area in front of the notice board must be packed like a sea of people today. Even if you went, you wouldn't be able to push your way to the front. There have been many stampedes in past years; it's better not to go. The announcers will come to our door with the good news soon enough!"

With a twitch of his ear, Li Jie heard the sound of firecrackers echoing from outside, drawing closer and closer to their house. By the sound alone, he knew it was the fanfare of the announcement team, though he wondered what rank he had secured. Seeing that Lin Zhennan remained completely oblivious to the commotion outside, Li Jie prepared to inform him that the announcers had arrived.

At that moment, a servant's high-pitched cry rang out: "Master! Young Master! The provincial examination announcers have arrived! The Young Master has passed the provincial examination!"

Hearing this, Lin Zhennan's expression lit up with joy. He grabbed Li Jie's hand and said, "Pingzhi, quick! Quick! Come with me to the front gate!"

When they reached the front gate, they saw the streets completely surrounded by people. Neighbors had gathered outside Li Jie's house, and the announcers drew closer amidst the beating of gongs, drums, and firecrackers. Their voices arrived before their bodies did.

"Announcing! Congratulations to Master Lin Pingzhi of Fuzhou Prefecture for ranking as the Jieyuan of the Fujian provincial examination for the Jiyou year! Announcing! Congratulations to Fuzhou Prefecture..."

With a loud roar, the surrounding crowd instantly boiled over.

"Jieyuan! Our Fengchi Lane has produced a Jieyuan!"

"I heard the top scholar is still unmarried! Matchmakers are going to trample the threshold flat this time!"

"Indeed! A thirteen-year-old Jieyuan—even matching him with the daughter of a high-ranking official in the capital would be more than enough!"

The announcers walked up to the gate and asked Lin Zhennan, "May I ask if this is the honorable residence of Master Lin Pingzhi from Fengchi Lane?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Pingzhi, step forward quickly!"

Seeing Lin Pingzhi and confirming his identity, the announcer offered a loud congratulation: "Heartfelt congratulations to your esteemed household as Master Lin Pingzhi claims the top spot of Jieyuan in the Fujian provincial examination of the Jiyou year, destined for continuous advancement in the imperial examinations!"

At this moment, Lin Zhennan felt that his life had reached its absolute peak. He thought to himself: *My son is the Jieyuan! He is the Jieyuan!* Madam Wang also shed tears of emotional warmth from the corners of her eyes, blooming with joy as she looked at Li Jie's face.

Fang Yi's eyes were likewise swimming with tears, gazing with infatuated devotion at Li Jie as he conversed with the announcers. At this moment, nothing else existed in her eyes except this thirteen-year-old youth. Fang Kun looked at his sister's expression with a hint of jealousy; the fact that his sister had completely lost her heart to Li Jie made him quite unhappy, yet unfortunately, he could neither outtalk nor defeat him.