Chapter 37: How about I personally act as matchmaker and arrange your engagement?

Shiqiao Village, Xiao Mo's courtyard.

Xiao Mo, having returned from the provincial examinations, was brewing tea with the village chief.

After returning to the village, Bai Ruxue had first gone up the mountain to visit her younger sister. However, she still came down the mountain every noon and evening to cook and wash clothes for Xiao Mo.

"You say the final question of the essay was about the regional princes?" The village chief asked, his tone tinged with surprise after taking a sip of tea.

"Yes," Xiao Mo nodded.

"The regional princes indeed hold immense power today, including military authority. Although I am merely an old scholar, I have heard that the voices calling for the reduction of their power in the imperial court are very loud. Even though the final question was framed as a discussion on the princes, everyone knows that the politically correct stance is to strip them of their power. By making the final question about the princes, they have essentially laid their cards on the table. It seems His Majesty truly intends to take action."

Xiao Mo smiled. "Among the scholars participating in this provincial exam, who would dare not write about reducing the princes' power? I suspect the Emperor is using the 'public outcry' of these scholars to deliberately exert pressure on those princes."

The village chief also smiled. "A year ago, His Majesty led his troops in person to suppress the Rebellion of the Seven Kings, significantly weakening the princes' strength. Coupled with the fact that His Majesty's imperial authority is currently at its peak and the military morale of the imperial court is overwhelmingly superior to that of the regional princes, this is indeed the best time to curb their power."

"That is correct," Xiao Mo nodded.

The reason Xiao Mo ultimately decided to write about the "Decree of Expanding Favor" was his realization that although the princes held military power, the imperial court possessed a massive military advantage following the suppression of the Seven Kings' Rebellion, and the princes feared the court. The fact that the provincial exam openly presented "reducing the princes' power" as a topic meant the imperial court was prepared to confront them head-on. Otherwise, the court would never have allowed scholars to discuss the princes so explicitly.

In truth, in Xiao Mo's view, even if the court did not dare to provoke the princes, or even if the court's strength was at a stalemate with them, writing about the "Decree of Expanding Favor" would still not be a mistake. If central authority were not strong, anyone with eyes could see that the decree would be impossible to implement, but the examiners would not criticize him for it. He would simply be seen as providing a different perspective. The examiners would only think, "He has ideas, and they are novel, but perhaps not fully considered."

But even if your considerations were deemed incomplete, the examiners' impression of you would not be low. After all, did they truly want a scholar who had only read books and never spent a single day in officialdom to govern the world?

"Xiao Mo, how did you answer that final question?" The village chief was genuinely curious. If nothing unexpected happened, the quality of the answer to this final question would greatly influence the examiners' impression of a candidate.

"I wrote..."

"Chief! Chief!"

Just as Xiao Mo was about to explain his "Decree of Expanding Favor," Hu Hansan from the village came running over.

"Chief... outside... outside... there's..." Hu Hansan was gasping for breath, unable to finish a single sentence.

"Don't rush, speak clearly. What's happening outside?" Seeing Hu Hansan's state, the village chief also grew nervous.

"Chief! Outside, the County Magistrate! The County Magistrate is here!" Hu Hansan shouted excitedly.

"The County Magistrate?" The village chief was startled. "What is the County Magistrate doing in our village?"

*Clang! Boom! Crash!*

*Thump, thump, thump!*

*Thump, thump, thump!*

At that moment, the sound of gongs and drums drifted from nearby. A dragon and lion dance procession began to approach.

Leading the way was the County Magistrate of Qingshan County, his face beaming with joy. He fanned himself incessantly, shouting happily to those around him, "Don't stop! Keep playing, keep dancing! Louder! Make it more lively!"

"Could it be...!"

Suddenly, the village chief's heart began to race as a bold thought struck him. Tomorrow afternoon was the day the results would be posted. However, today, the magistrates of all counties in Jiangnan Prefecture would receive the lists. In the State of Qi, once the lists left the examination hall, they were no longer a secret; local magistrates could learn the names of the successful candidates a day in advance.

And in Shiqiao Village, the only one who had taken the imperial examinations was Xiao Mo. For the magistrate to arrive in Shiqiao Village at this time with such a festive celebration—gongs, drums, dragons, and lions—there could only be one reason: Xiao Mo.

"The Magistrate, that's Brother Mo! And right next to Brother Mo is our village chief!" a man pointed at Xiao Mo, speaking excitedly.

Magistrate Sun hurried toward Xiao Mo. Being tactful, Xiao Mo and the village chief also stepped out of the courtyard and bowed with respect. "Greetings, official."

"Hahaha, there is no need for such formalities!" Magistrate Sun immediately helped Xiao Mo up. "Scholar Xiao! No! Top Scholar Xiao! From this day forward, this official shall have to bask in your glory!"

"What? Top Scholar?" The village chief was momentarily dazed, even doubting his own hearing. He had originally thought that if Xiao Mo passed the exam, it would be a monumental blessing. But it turned out Xiao Mo was... the first place winner of the Jiangnan Prefecture provincial exam!

"Magistrate Sun, you flatter me. If it weren't for your support, I fear I would have struggled even to pass," Xiao Mo said, having not expected to claim the top spot.

"Hahaha! Scholar Xiao's achievement is entirely due to his true talent and erudition. This official is merely adding flowers to a brocade!"

Despite his words, Magistrate Sun was feeling incredibly proud. When he first arrived, he had only intended to win the favor of local scholars and boost his own reputation. He hadn't truly expected that the scholars he supported this year would pass, let alone that one would take first place!

This was political achievement! Pure, shining political achievement! Barring any accidents, Xiao Mo would surely pass the metropolitan exam next, and perhaps even the title of Imperial Scholar was within reach!

Still, he noted that this young man remained so calm upon learning he was the top scholar. As expected of a top scholar, his mental fortitude was extraordinary. He had heard that Scholar Fan from the neighboring county had nearly gone mad with joy upon learning he had passed at the age of sixty.

Magistrate Sun treated Xiao Mo like a long-lost brother, and the conversation grew more spirited. The village chief, being very worldly, led the other villagers away to allow the magistrate and Xiao Mo to talk privately.

Magistrate Sun chatted with Xiao Mo about daily life, his parents, and his hobbies. When the magistrate learned that Xiao Mo had no parents and had survived by herding cattle and gathering herbs, braving both heat and cold, and traveling hundreds of miles to seek a mentor, his admiration for this student—who wasn't even from a scholarly family—grew even deeper.

"Xiao Mo," Magistrate Sun said, holding Xiao Mo's hand, his voice filled with emotion. "To see you achieve such success today, this official is truly gratified for you, and I know you have endured much hardship. I have a daughter, eighteen years old, who is currently unbetrothed. If you do not find her beneath you, as her father, I would like to personally act as matchmaker and arrange a betrothal for you. What do you say?"

(End of Chapter)