Chapter 138: Testing, Birth of Madness

Because of this small unforeseen turn of events, countless people in the building, who were spectating, all beat their chest and stamped their feet. How to put it, in the past, it’s not that this kind of thing has never happened before, but don’t know whether it was because this prestigious family’s noble young master just pretended to not see, or was just aloof and felt it beneath himself to bother with them, or perhaps just completely didn’t understand the ways of the world. Once or twice, perhaps there were still people that held hope, but three or four times, it was inevitable that people would feel discouraged. As a result, those that yielded their seats to him later on, majority were all people that genuinely admired him.

The person that went out just now was the same as Chen Zheng Min, a successful candidate of the provincial exam that had long entered the capital. Just, he didn’t have any background nor backing, and moreover his talent and learning were average. He was very self aware that his place in the spring civil service examination this time afraid will fall very far back, and in the final court examination^[1], one mishap and he’ll probably sink into the third class^[2]. Similarly a person with ‘ulterior motives’, so he wasn’t necessarily not thinking of trying to benefit, although it was very possible that it would end up the same as with those in the past, and furthermore, he would lose his seat in the Unnamed Building that he’d obtained with great difficulty this time. The closer it got to the spring civil service exam, the harder it was to obtain a seat in the Unnamed Building. But he still just got up, as if possessed, and exited the building. However, he instead received a completely different response afterwards.

Sun Yi Lin’s servant boy collected the name card, and then watched his own young master enter the Unnamed Building. There was nothing he could do about it. Normally, they, as servants, could still sneak in, and the people of the Unnamed Building also just turned a blind eye to it. They although were of the lowly class, their learning was still at least much stronger than many ordinary students. But when the Unnamed Building’s seats were scarce, there definitely wasn’t any room for them.

Even among the candidates that had just entered the capital not long ago, there weren’t anyone that didn’t recognize Sun Yi Lin.

The distinguished four of the capital referred to the four people that had the highest scholarly learning among the younger generation of the capital. Looking at these four people’s scholarly learning, for the most part, one could tell whether or not the students of the capital were worthy of their attention. If there was someone among them that could forcibly suppress these four, then naturally there was nothing to be afraid of, but if they were completely not their opponent, then they needed to pay attention. Even someone such as Sun Yi Lin, who basically won’t be participating in the preliminary round of the imperial examination, they still needed to be wary of. Only by having the candidates in the capital regarded just as highly as the four of them, not underestimating any one opponent, can one finally have the determination to ‘break the cauldron and sink the boat’^[3].

(T/N: Sorry if the above section reads really confusing, I just translated as is; the author wrote it really weird with broken grammar, so I’m not fully sure what the author is actually trying to say. It’s supposed to be read in the perspective of the candidates coming from outside the capital.)

Even the preliminary round of the imperial exam also had the different regions pitted against one another, affecting the teaching assessment of the various regions’ officials. There was a very big difference between having one successful candidate and having ten successful candidates, between the first class ranks and the second class ranks, and furthermore between being a palace graduate (candidates who successfully pass the court exam) and a candidate who only passed the first level of exams but failed the court exam. And the regions that perform really well would naturally obtain even better education resources. However, the capital was different. At the foot of the Emperor, everything was all the best. That’s why, for the sake of oneself, for the sake of one’s brothers back home, for the sake of one’s close friends, and even for the sake of one’s descendants, they all needed to go all out.

Sun Yi Lin was the youngest one among the four distinguished scholars of the capital. One has to know, among the people participating in the preliminary exam, there were no lack of people that were already over forty. In their eyes, Sun Yi Lin was basically someone who was still wet behind the ears, despite only those under thirty were qualified to be elected by consensus as one of the distinguished four.

During this period, Sun Yi Lin never once appeared. But, towards his achievements, everyone all knew in full detail, becoming the inner court scribe, the Emperor’s close attendant. Don’t know how many people’s eyes reddened with envy, all saying that it was merely due to having a good family background, and perhaps he himself didn’t have any abilities. Someone even arrogantly proclaimed that if he was to participate in the preliminary exams, would he even be able to pass the county level exam?

Have to say, when a scholar cursed, they never carry a single vulgar word, but the level of maliciousness was definitely even more piercing than the most shameless shrew, so much so that it could kill someone.

“Look at that handsome appearance, no wonder he’s able to receive the wangyes good favor. He indeed had that ability, no?”

The person who spoke didn’t hide it in the slightest, even deliberately raising his voice. The recent matter that has been raised into an uproar in the past few days, how many wouldn’t know? Thus, everyone all understood what these words meant immediately. Although there were quite a few among them that all thought like this, they still didn’t expect someone to actually dare say it out loud so brazenly like this. The inside of the building instantly turned dead silent.

And thus Sun Yi Lin, who was standing alone at the entrance, just appeared all the more conspicuous and striking. His clothes appeared simple, but in actuality, were also luxurious brocade. Every single accessory were all rare and valuable and fitted perfectly on him. His movements all reflected his extremely high bearing and upbringing without fail, and although his eyes were somewhat cold, it still displayed that evaluation the people had towards him: ‘Noble like jade, peerless in the world.’

Have to say, because of this line, although the people that wanted to see his joke weren’t in the minority, even more people instead furrowed their brows. This person was clearly just using obscene gossip to please the crowd, not having the least bit of character and cultivation that a scholar should have, truly beyond embarrassing. Especially those who have resided in the capital for a long time and have witnessed Sun Yi Lin’s abilities before, they were very much displeased. But, even they were unsure whether the rumors in the last few days were true or false, only worrying that opening their mouths would instead cause him even more trouble. Thus, in the moment, they didn’t say anything to help either.

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Rather, it was Chen Zheng Min who disregarded his good friend’s attempt to stop him and opened his mouth, “Asking this older brother to please watch one’s tongue. It’s nothing more than just the spread of false rumors. As scholars, one should be sensible and upright, and not believe in rumors, causing misunderstandings.

“Yo, another immature beansprout. Since you’re this defensive of Gentleman Lin, could it be that you and him also have a leg, hahahha………..” As he spoke, he began arrogantly laughing. And because he attracted everyone’s eyes, he became even more conceited.

“You……” Chen Zheng Min was quite angered.

Sun Yi Lin was long accustomed to being the focus of attention. Regardless whether it was kindness or malice, he never once batted an eye. He has always believed, if one was upright, there was nothing to fear. Instead, he glanced at Chen Zheng Min, yet didn’t say anything either.

If it was in the past, Sun Yi Lin probably would’ve just ignored him. Of course, in the past, even with the people that were jealous and skeptical of him, he at most would just say a few sour words, and not act insolently like this person. However, really sorry, Sun Yi Lin’s mood today wasn’t good. Originally, he wasn’t someone that liked taking his anger out on someone else, but someone just had to throw themselves at him, so don’t blame him for being impolite. Sun Yi Lin nonchalantly tidied his cuffs, a verse at every step, and in less than four steps, it already became a poem.

Not one wasn’t shocked with their mouths agape. Even those that doubted him, all put away their contempt. Wasn’t this a little too impressive? Although the core content of the poem was simple and straightforward, ‘a dancing clown, playing the crowd for favor, lamentable and laughable’, but the verses were magnificent, the content copious, and the implicit charm in the rhyme lasting. Looking at it from no matter which angle, it was all an excellent masterpiece. Aside from a certain deathly pale looking person, the rest all clapped with praises. And those that were from the capital were furthermore ecstatic.

They all knew that Sun Yi Lin’s scholarly knowledge was good, but he was truly too low-key. On normal days, very rarely would one see him engage in scholarly discussions under the public eye. Yet, they never thought that this extremely well tempered person, once provoked, really didn’t leave any leeway when striking back, capable of having the other person directly stomped to death. If nothing else, as soon as this poem came out, that person just now, even if he was able to get a decent ranking in the preliminary round of the imperial exam, afraid in the end, he still wouldn’t be able to get any benefits.

People that previously still had the heart to mock Sun Yi Lin, at this time, had no choice but to shrink back. To painstakingly come this far only to make a blunder in this crucial moment, wasn’t that losing too much, and moreover merely because of one’s mouth.

Besides, Sun Yi Lin was a popular person by his Majesty’s side. Offending him definitely wasn’t a wise move.

Perhaps having imagined what he might experience in the future someday, he momentarily felt unusually grief-stricken and angry. He didn’t think to make amends and apologize to win Sun Yi Lin’s forgiveness. Instead, he lost that last bit of integrity as a scholar, and irresponsibly erupted in cursing. Not just towards Sun Yi Lin, but also towards the big and small officials, the imperial family and relatives, noble descendants, and even the Emperor, relying on birth for everything, not giving anyone a means to survive, suppressing the commoners, eating but not working, the people in power not performing their proper duties, and so on. This time, everyone all sucked in a cold breath. And the people that were originally urging him to stop, all withdrew three foot back, fearing they would get implicated if they got involved with him. This no longer was as simple as just feeling vexed; this was purely losing one’s mind. It was no different from asking for death.

[1] The imperial exam is actually broken up into different parts or levels, so roughly provincial/prefectural exam –> spring metropolitan civil service exam –> court exam (highest grade of the imperial exam); you have to pass each exam to move on to the next one. They are collectively referred to as the imperial exam.

[2] First class is the top 3 ranks, second class is 4th place to an unknown rank, and third class is below second class, premise being that you actually pass the exam to actually rank.

[3] Figuratively means to cut off one’s means of retreat; basically forcing one to push forward till the end and rise above the mass.

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