Chapter 256 - 254: Discernment
Twilight began to fall.
Chen Shouheng was sitting quietly in an open area of the encampment. When he saw Li Jiyan, a flicker of confusion crossed his face.
Li Jiyan suppressed the doubt and reluctance in his heart and strode to Academic Administrator Lu Zhongping’s desk. He bowed with his hands clasped. "This student, Li Jiyan, has completed the examination task. I request that the Lord Academic Administrator verify it."
"Bai Dayu, number thirty-seven, guilty of murder... Hmm?"
Lu Zhongping had a clerk retrieve the register. After confirming the details according to procedure, he did not immediately dismiss Li Jiyan.
The surprise he felt because of Chen Shouheng deepened, but his expression remained calm. He inquired, "The person you found? How did you confirm his identity, and how did you determine his crime?"
’One might be luck, but two?’
’And at such an astonishing speed?’
This stage, "Discerning the Wicked," was a test he had meticulously designed.
He was confident that even he, without any special advantages on this hostile island, would find it impossible to succeed in just one or two hours.
Li Jiyan answered calmly, "In response to your question, my lord, this student drew the name Bai Dayu. But after I went in, I discovered that Bai Dayu was not the prisoner’s real name. So why would you, my lord, name him Bai Dayu?
"Upon reflection, I realized ’Dayu’ sounds like the word for ’fishing.’ However, the criminals on this island are not permitted to fish. Therefore, I speculated that this person might be connected to fishing equipment and specifically sought out individuals involved in that trade. That is how I found him."
Lu Zhongping nodded slightly.
’A homophonic clue. Just as I designed.’
’If a candidate could figure that out, the search area would be drastically reduced.’
But he was more interested in what came next. "Your method for finding him is sound. But how did you get him to confess his crime? Surely he didn’t admit to a capital offense like murder so easily?"
A self-assured smile touched the corners of Li Jiyan’s lips. "Through my questioning, I learned his real name is Bai Zhengyong, which has no connection to the words for ’great rain.’ But since you, my lord, used ’Dayu’ on the slip, I knew it must have a deeper meaning.
"So I surmised that perhaps his crime was related to heavy rain. My Master at Guangye Hall once taught us about criminal cases, explaining that crimes committed during heavy rainstorms are often violent ones like revenge killings or robbery-homicides, because the rain can conceal tracks and wash away evidence.
"Therefore, I boldly theorized that his crime was murder. The man looked fierce, but he was simple-minded. After a little questioning from me, he stopped denying it and confessed to robbing and murdering a passing merchant."
After listening, Lu Zhongping’s expression remained unchanged, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes and was gone.
’A homophonic clue, followed by criminal deduction.’
’This Li Jiyan not only figured out the homophonic clue instantly but was also able to apply his studies to make a logical deduction about the crime and successfully extract a confession from the prisoner.’
’That level of astuteness is far beyond that of an ordinary candidate.’
’Judging by his description of the timeline, he must have figured out the key points almost immediately after receiving the slip.’
’How could he be so fast?’
’Even I couldn’t do that.’
’Could it be... the exam questions were leaked?’
The thought shot through Lu Zhongping’s mind, making his heart clench.
But he forced it down the very next moment.
’Absolutely not!’
’In all of Jiangzhou, besides myself, only one other person knew the design of this test.’
’Given that person’s status and position, there was no reason they would ever leak it.’
’The other Officials involved only knew about the preparations; they were completely ignorant of the specific content of the examination questions.’
’Perhaps... I’m just being too suspicious.’
’This young man before me... perhaps... perhaps he truly is exceptionally gifted?’
Lu Zhongping took a deep breath, suppressed his doubts, and nodded slightly. "Your reasoning is meticulous, and you’ve applied your learning well. Excellent. The verification is correct. Your grade is Superior-A. You may go rest to the side."
"Thank you, my lord."
A pleased expression appeared on Li Jiyan’s face as he bowed his thanks.
He turned and headed for the rest area where tents had already been pitched, walking straight over to Chen Shouheng, who was resting with his eyes closed.
"Junior Brother Chen, congratulations. Taking first place is truly admirable. I’m afraid you have a good chance of winning the title of Jieyuan in this Provincial Examination."
Li Jiyan’s smile was warm, as if his congratulations were sincere. "I wonder how you found your person, Junior Brother? I am truly very curious."
"Senior Brother, you flatter me. I was just lucky. The second person I met after going in happened to be the one I was looking for, which saved me a lot of trouble."
Chen Shouheng shook his head.
He had heard every word of Lu Zhongping’s questioning of Li Jiyan just now.
’I’m certain I never would have thought that deeply,’ he mused.
’If it weren’t for the power of A Dream of the South, I’d probably still be up there looking for the man.’
He had also attended lectures on criminal law from the Master at Guangye Hall.
But for one, he wasn’t particularly interested, and for another, he and Song Zilian took turns ringing the bell, so he had fallen behind on many of his studies. He had only learned the basics on this subject.
Li Jiyan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
’Was he really just lucky, or is that an excuse?’
His smile didn’t waver as he tried a few more indirect questions, attempting to pry out the truth.
However, Chen Shouheng’s defense was watertight. He vaguely attributed everything to luck.
Li Jiyan was secretly annoyed, but he couldn’t force the issue. He could only give a dry laugh and awkwardly drop the subject.
No one else emerged that night.
It wasn’t until dawn the next day that candidates began to return in twos and threes, their faces etched with exhaustion.
After their results were verified, they walked silently to the tent area, accepted hot water and rations from the soldiers, and ate in silence.
「Afternoon approached, and the sun began to set in the west.」
Time was up.
The results were in.
Lu Zhongping scanned the list in his hand, then raised his eyes. His gaze swept like lightning over the candidates below, some sitting and some standing, all with different expressions.
With a wave of his hand, a soldier forcefully struck the large, prepared bell.
"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"
The sound of the bell echoed over the island, and in the hearts of many.
It meant that anyone who had not yet returned was now disqualified.
Soon, more dejected candidates emerged one after another from the forest.
Their faces were filled with frustration, resentment, exhaustion, and even some confusion.
"How could it be so hard? This year’s exam is just unreasonable!"
"In previous years, this stage just involved identifying prisoners brought to the Imperial Examination Hall. But this year, they just threw us onto this deserted island."
"Exactly! I wandered this forest for a whole day and night. I asked so many people, and I either got cursed out or almost got into a fight. I couldn’t find out anything at all."
"Tell me about it! I couldn’t even figure out who I was supposed to be looking for!"
The failed candidates gathered together, their discussions turning into a rising tide of complaints.
"After verification, for the first stage of this Provincial Examination, ’Discerning the Wicked,’ there were three hundred and thirty-seven participants. Eighty-six returned on time.
"Of those, six recorded an identity that did not match their slip, and eleven recorded a crime inconsistent with the case files. By strict count, sixty-four people have passed this stage."
He paused slightly, his voice carrying clearly across the entire area. "Next, I will announce the list of those who passed the first stage...
"Chen Shouheng, Li Jiyan, Zhou Chaoheng... The rest of you may rest for a moment, then board the boats to return. You may try again next year."
When Lu Zhongping finished his announcement, an uproar erupted from below.
Although they had anticipated it, an irrepressible commotion still swept through the crowd when the number was officially announced.
Over three hundred participants, and only sixty-four passed.
The elimination rate was over seventy percent!
And this was only the first stage.
The Provincial Examination has three levels, after all.
After passing all three levels, how many people would be left?
It was simply appalling!
Among the failed candidates, a tide of doubt, dissatisfaction, and frustration surged forth.
"On what grounds did you change the test? Why make it so difficult for us this year?"
"Exactly! And what’s the point of bringing us to this godforsaken place?"
"I heard some people came out yesterday before it even got dark! Did someone cheat?"
"Yes! Something is suspicious!"
"Lord Academic Administrator! We refuse to accept this! We demand to stay and observe the next stage of the examination."
The sounds of questioning, complaining, and demanding mingled together, growing louder and louder until the scene was on the verge of chaos.
Lu Zhongping’s expression turned cold. The public outcry was making him, the Academic Administrator of an entire state, lose face.
The aura of a Grandmaster suddenly emanated from him, silencing the cacophony.
"Silence!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority. "As for your doubts, I will give you all a clear explanation today."
"First, why change the test?"
Lu Zhongping swept his gaze over the agitated crowd and said coldly, "It is precisely because the old system of previous years was riddled with loopholes and bred countless corrupt practices. How many opportunistic people, instead of focusing on diligent study, have specialized in collecting past exam questions?
"Even worse, some have bribed clerks from the Government Office to meticulously copy the names, origins, physical features, and even the crimes of prisoners, compiling them into so-called ’question banks.’ These are then openly sold on the market for people to memorize and predict questions, profiting from this scheme.
"This year alone, the State Magistrate’s Office has investigated and punished thirteen people involved in such collusion. Among you, how many have paid a hefty price for these question banks? Does this have anything to do with your complaints?"
As soon as he said this, many of the indignant candidates were rendered speechless, their expressions turning awkward as their voices died down.
"Second, does finishing quickly mean someone cheated?"
His tone was level, but laden with meaning. "This is precisely your own problem. You must understand that geniuses in this world are as numerous as carp crossing a river. In your past, were you not all the best of the best in your own counties and prefectures? But here, in this one state, there are three hundred and thirty-seven of you this year alone.
"The best among you will one day take the metropolitan examination in Kyoto, and you will fill an entire hall. Do not be like a frog in a well, underestimating the heroes of this world."
His words left many speechless, their faces burning with shame.
Finally, he looked at the candidates demanding to stay and his tone softened slightly. "Third, if you truly wish to remain and observe the examination, I can make an exception. However, I will permit ten people at most. As for which ten..."
His gaze swept over the crowd. "It will be decided by drawing lots! Those who are chosen must strictly abide by the rules. You will observe quietly and silently. No loud discussions, and certainly no disruption of the examination. Any violators will be immediately expelled from the island, without mercy."
His three responses were clear, logical, and well-reasoned. A combination of authority and leniency, they instantly suppressed all the doubt and commotion.
Below the platform, there was dead silence. No one dared to object any longer.
"Bring the lot-drawing cylinder!"
Lu Zhongping ordered immediately.
Soon, the cylinder was ready.
In the end, ten people drew the slips that allowed them to stay and observe.
The rest, urged on by the soldiers, could only board the returning boats with reluctance and dejection.
Once the last group of failed candidates had left, the island suddenly felt much more spacious.
Lu Zhongping surveyed the remaining group and announced, "The first stage, ’Discerning the Wicked,’ tested your eye for criminal justice, your ability to adapt to circumstances, and your powers of observation. As for this next stage, the Second Level..."
He paused briefly. "It tests the merit of edification."