Chapter 414: Retreat For Advancement
Su Bin’s initial rank had been 11th in their assessment, and it was someone among them who had argued for raising Su Bin’s ranking by one spot, granting him the opportunity to partake in the Palace Examination.
Now, with the Emperor’s palpable interest in Su Bin’s answer sheet, the individual who had advocated for his improved ranking saw the potential for a unique insight to emerge.
For the four examiners who had initially been less inclined to favor Su Bin, a sense of unease began to creep in. The prospect of Su Bin capturing the Emperor’s attention and the Emperor eventually discovering their deliberate suppression and manipulation of his ranking weighed heavily on their minds. The consequences of such a revelation were difficult to fathom.
The Emperor finally resettled into his throne, his expression inscrutable.
The time for responses had arrived, and Su Bin was the first to submit his answer sheet. It was a bold move on his part, as both his suggestions had a clear bias toward the welfare of the common people. They also included criticism of the Imperial Court, alleging that it favored the rich at the expense of the commoners.
As the ultimate decision-maker, the Emperor was naturally averse to hearing any criticism or dissent against his regime. If his proposals didn’t resonate with the Emperor and weren’t accepted, it could result in dire consequences. Even if he was not blacklisted, his prospects in the capital would be severely compromised.
Yet, as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. Su Bin was willing to accept the risks, as his wife had reminded him: the mountains were high, and the Emperor was distant. They could lead a carefree life.
The Emperor diligently perused Su Bin’s answer sheet from beginning to end. Subsequently, he allowed the Crown Prince and the Third Prince to review it, and he instructed the five examiners to continue their duties.
Subsequently, the Emperor examined the responses of the other nine individuals, but none displayed the same level of earnestness and depth as Su Bin.