Chapter 743 Shocking Four Seats (4)_1
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The Grand Scholar paid no attention to the hushed whispers, his gaze fixed on the ten individuals before him who looked variously indifferent, joyful, or dejected. With a blank expression, he asked, "Regarding these results, do any of you have objections?"
The scores determined by a dozen learned Ministers could not possibly be mistaken. This procedure was far stricter than the imperial examinations, and even if there had been any errors, they would not admit it. Wouldn’t that be tantamount to questioning the competence of these Ministers? Consequently, all ten individuals chorused in unison, "We have no objections!"
The Grand Scholar nodded and, at Emperor Huian’s signal, handed the ten examination papers to Little Eunuchs who distributed them to the scholars to review for themselves.
The scholars were most eager to see Mo Qingze’s treatise. Yet, with so many people present, it was difficult for the paper to reach every person’s hands. Those who were fortunate enough to snatch it up were thoroughly convinced by Mo Qingze’s talent after careful reading, even if they had been slightly resentful of his exceptional honor, that feeling was now gone.
Examinations that had achieved rankings were reviewed by everyone in comparison with Mo Qingze’s. Without comparison, they had not realized, but now it became painfully clear, that their own so-called excellent treatises, which they had cherished and emulated, were incredibly superficial.
As for those ’witnesses’ who achieved Inferior rankings, their papers were scrutinized back and forth multiple times, only to be surprised that their level of proficiency was not only incomparable to Mo Qingze’s, but it was also questionable whether they could have passed any previous imperial examinations. And yet, they had secured top twenty rankings. What did this indicate?
Recalling the public trial two days prior, where Mo Qingze had accused these three men of bearing false witness against him in exchange for benefits, it had seemed preposterous at the time. Yet now, it appeared that Mo Qingze was the one with sharp eyes and a clear heart, right?