Chapter 127: The Provincial Exam Top Scholar Is Not Home

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Zhu Hao pondered this quietly, fully aware that there were powerful figures manipulating the political landscape behind the scenes in Zhejiang. Otherwise, how could Cai Xianchen, who had been left speechless when questioned by him before, now turn the tables so decisively? Such a drastic shift was abnormal—unless he had encountered some immortal or consumed some divine elixir that enlightened him.

Therefore, Zhu Hao refused to believe that Cai Xianchen had suddenly become enlightened on his own. He was convinced that someone was guiding Cai from behind the scenes. As for the excuse Cai had just given about being drunk, Zhu Hao found it even less credible. After all, on that day, Cai sat at the same table with him and had not touched a drop of alcohol. How could he have been drunk? Cai’s claim was merely an attempt to appease Zhu Hao.

Thinking through these matters, Zhu Hao realized it would be difficult to make any breakthrough with Cai Xianchen today. Still, he held on to a hopeful curiosity and asked again, “Since you claim your work was flawless, tell me, what is your explanation regarding the twenty-four scholars from Zhejiang who jointly accused the provincial exam of fraudulent conduct?”

Upon hearing this, Cai Xianchen replied, “Your Highness, each year there are always disappointed candidates who cause trouble out of dissatisfaction. This is a common occurrence and nothing unusual. There is no need to take it seriously.”

Zhu Hao snorted coldly, his expression darkening. “Common occurrence? Not to be taken seriously? Cai Xianchen, are you suggesting that the court’s decision to send me as the imperial commissioner is a case of making a mountain out of a molehill?”

Cai Xianchen hastened to explain, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. I mean no disrespect. The court sent Your Highness to investigate in order to clear the names of us Zhejiang officials. I am grateful for the court’s actions and bear no ill will. I humbly ask Your Highness for a fair assessment.”

Zhu Hao found no fault with Cai’s explanation and realized he would gain nothing from pressing him further today. Yet, he still emphasized, “Since you harbor no ill will toward the court, I am at ease. Just now, you implied that there was no fraud in this year’s provincial exam?”

Cai Xianchen nodded repeatedly, “I assure Your Highness, absolutely not!”

Zhu Hao nodded slightly, thinking to himself, “That is exactly what I wanted to hear. If I uncover any fraud in this year’s Zhejiang provincial exam, let’s see how you will deny it then.”

With that thought, Zhu Hao nodded and said to Cai Xianchen, “I have taken note of your words, Cai. I hope you remember them as well, so you won’t deny them to me later.”

Cai Xianchen suddenly felt he had been too quick to agree. But now it was too late to regret it. Moreover, he had no right to backtrack. Doing so would mean exposing what he knew, which would certainly lead to a dire end. Resolute, he kept his neck stiff and said, “Your Highness, you need not worry. Whatever I said, I remember perfectly well. I require no reminder from you.”

Zhu Hao nodded but his face remained as dark as a storm cloud. He then continued, “Sit down. Where is the chief examiner for this year’s provincial exam?”

Zhu Hao asked this because the chief examiner of the provincial exam held a low status and did not sit in the room but waited outside.

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As Zhu Hao’s voice rang out, a man entered the room. He appeared to be in his forties, with three strands of long beard, exuding the demeanor of a scholar. Without a doubt, Zhu Hao recognized him as Qian Qianyi, the chief examiner of this Zhejiang provincial exam and later a notorious traitor.

Zhu Hao’s instincts were correct. Upon entering, the man bowed to Zhu Hao and said, “I am Qian Qianyi, chief examiner of the Zhejiang provincial exam, paying respects to Your Highness, Prince Xin.”

Zhu Hao scrutinized Qian Qianyi and thought to himself, "This great traitor does have a respectable appearance. No wonder he managed to deceive Liu Rushi." Though these scandalous thoughts crossed his mind, Zhu Hao’s expression remained unchanged—dark and stern—as he asked, “Chief Examiner Qian, I ask you directly: was there any fraud in this year’s provincial exam?”

Qian Qianyi was caught off guard by the blunt question. He paused briefly before regaining composure and bowed again, “Your Highness, absolutely not!”

Zhu Hao frowned slightly and pressed further, “Why are you so certain?”

This question carried an underlying implication: “Your certainty must be hiding something suspicious.”

His reasoning was that a chief examiner, when asked about cheating, would either say they found no evidence or remain uncertain. It was rare to see such a quick, definitive denial without a moment’s thought, as if reciting a rehearsed line. Moreover, the chief examiner was not the proctor. Even if he personally supervised the exam, it would be impossible to monitor the entire venue. How could he be so certain that no cheating occurred?

Qian Qianyi sensed the subtle challenge in Zhu Hao’s words and answered cautiously after a moment’s hesitation, “As the chief examiner, I followed the court’s strict regulations at every step. Therefore, it is impossible for fraud to have occurred. Hence my certainty.”

Qian Qianyi was using the court’s system as a shield. If Zhu Hao insisted on fraud, it would appear as though he was attacking the imperial examination system itself.

Zhu Hao found no fault with this response, but inwardly he thought, “He’s using the tiger’s skin as a banner—an impeccably airtight answer. Truly a cunning old fox. But I don’t believe he won’t slip up eventually.”

With that, Zhu Hao asked again, “Since you are so certain, Chief Examiner Qian, what do you make of the twenty-four scholars who jointly petitioned the capital with their accusations?”

Not wanting to waste time with evasions, Zhu Hao pressed directly. Unexpectedly, Qian Qianyi responded simply with four words: “Utter nonsense!”

Zhu Hao frowned deeply, his expression growing even darker, as black as the sky before a storm. He understood that Qian’s remark was double-edged, dismissing the scholars’ petition as nonsense and subtly hinting at him as well. Though irritated, Zhu Hao knew he could not use this to corner Qian. If he pressed, Qian could claim he referred solely to the scholars, leaving Zhu Hao with no grounds for further argument.

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Therefore, Zhu Hao refrained from confronting Qian further. Instead, he took a deep breath, his face still grim, and asked, “Chief Examiner Qian, those twenty-four scholars claim that the top candidate you selected, Cheng Sanjin, is an unlearned scoundrel. How do you respond?”

Qian Qianyi replied with four words, “Malicious slander!”

Zhu Hao thought silently, “Good, you said that. Don’t cry later. I will personally test Cheng Sanjin’s knowledge and see who is truly slandering whom.”

Determined not to waste more words on Qian, Zhu Hao said sharply, “Very well! Chief Examiner Qian, since you are so sparing with your words, I will not waste mine. Today, I shall summon the top candidate Cheng Sanjin. I intend to question him personally before making any decisions.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hao noticed a slight change in Qian’s expression, but it quickly returned to normal. Qian stepped aside and remained silent.

Seeing this, Zhu Hao instructed his guards, “Go and bring Cheng Sanjin, the top candidate of this year’s Zhejiang provincial exam, here immediately!”

One of the guards acknowledged and left promptly. Zhu Hao waited in the council hall for Cheng Sanjin’s arrival.

Normally, Zhu Hao could have ordered the officials of the Provincial Administration Office to fetch Cheng Sanjin. However, after recent events, he had lost trust in Zhejiang’s officials. Therefore, he instructed his personal guards to carry out all orders today, refusing to entrust any tasks to local officials. Hence, his own guards were sent to summon Cheng Sanjin.

After the guards left, Zhu Hao sensed the atmosphere in the Provincial Administration Office’s council hall become tense and uneasy. From this subtle change, he realized that the Zhejiang officials knew something about the examination but were not telling him the truth. At this moment, Zhu Hao felt as though the entire Zhejiang bureaucracy was a solid, impenetrable block, leaving him no leverage.

As time passed, about the length of two incense sticks, the guard who had been sent to summon Cheng Sanjin returned alone. Zhu Hao immediately sensed trouble. The guard reported, “Your Highness, I just went to the Cheng residence, but was told that Cheng Sanjin has already left on a long journey and is not at home!”

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