sjar Chapter 135 The National Competition Begins!
Chapter 135 The National Competition Begins!
Chapter 135 The National Competition Begins!
With the appearance of the three pillars of the Yanhuang Kingdom, people around Ye Ru cast strange glances at him.
Moreover, Ye Ru's position was quite awkward, as he was standing in the middle of the three pillars of the state.
This has led many people to speculate about Ye Ru's identity.
"Who is this person? Why does he look so familiar?"
"Yes, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before. But he's just a poor student. It's interesting. This National Children's Competition, it seems like any Tom, Dick, or Harry can get in?"
Some students from wealthy families frowned. Their families were different from aristocratic families. Aristocratic families had a better understanding of the classics and the vast majority of them knew how to be gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest. Wealthy families, on the other hand, were born arrogant.
"Chief Ye, I hope you will achieve great results. I will personally host a banquet to celebrate with you then."
The Left Prime Minister smiled slightly, ignoring Chen Tianjian and the Minister of Literature, and then walked towards the podium.
These words made everyone shudder, and some who aspired to enter officialdom looked at Ye Ru with envy.
The Left Prime Minister's words were an olive branch extended to Ye Ru.
Some people looked at Ye Ru with more hostility and disdain.
Chen Tianjian and Wen Xiang looked rather displeased. Firstly, these words were meant to force Ye Ru to choose a side, and secondly, they were setting a trap. Ye Ru's appearance had already made these powerful families somewhat uncomfortable, and the Left Prime Minister's words undoubtedly stirred up their hostility towards Ye Ru.
After all, wealthy families are much more precious than poor families.
"The Prime Minister is busy with countless affairs every day. I am just a commoner, so I don't want others to gossip. Besides, there are many capable people here, so I dare not put myself in the first position."
Ye Ru bowed to him and said calmly.
"No, the gates of the Left Prime Minister's residence are always open to you."
A cold glint flashed in the Left Prime Minister's eyes as he gave a forced smile.
"Alright, the National Children's Competition is about to begin. I hope everyone can achieve excellent results."
Wen Xiang stood between the two men and then addressed the crowd.
Ye Ru nodded and left with Kong Hexuan and the others, heading into the distance.
"This National Examination for Young Scholars is divided into three rounds. Each round will select some young scholars, and it is basically a promotion system. Moreover, the questions are set by the people of the Academy of Saints. The questions are extremely tricky, but without a doubt, whoever wins the final championship will have their name published in the official gazette. Someone may even write a book about it. Look, that's the Shi family. They will record this competition."
Kong Hexuan pointed to the solemn-looking old man on the platform, dressed in a black scholar's robe, and said enviously.
"It's such a grand affair."
Upon hearing this, a burning desire flashed in Ye Ru's eyes. He then clenched his fist. A thousand people holding pens, composing poems and couplets—this scale must be grand and awe-inspiring.
He was, after all, a young man, and even after living two lives, he still possessed the passion of a youth.
"Even after this national competition ends, wealthy families will propose marriage to you."
Kong Hexuan said with a wicked smile.
"That won't be necessary. I already have a good man, and I will never have a second thought."
Ye Ru shook his head and smiled.
As they chatted, they reached their seats. Ye Ru's gaze swept over the audience below. He saw a large crowd of young ladies from scholarly families, who kept glancing at Kong Hexuan and the others. However, when they saw Ye Ru dressed in clothes from a humble background, they all involuntarily walked past him.
"A clown, incapable of shouldering any responsibility. Does someone from a poor family think they can rise to the top overnight? Don't be ridiculous."
At that moment, a disdainful voice came softly from behind Ye Ru, causing Ye Ru to turn around. He saw Fan Ziling and Han Lu together, the latter looking at Ye Ru with resentment.
"I never expected that Han Lu would be with Fan Ziling."
Kong Hexuan frowned, finally understanding why Fan Ziling had targeted Ye Ru at Hongbaolou that day.
Ye Ru turned his head and met Fan Ziling's gaze. The latter didn't try to hide it; instead, she gave Ye Ru a mocking look, raising her thumb before slowly turning it down.
"In this national competition for children, I will show you the difference between those from humble backgrounds and those from noble families!"
Ye Ru smiled slightly at him, parted his lips slightly, then turned around and said something that made Fan Ziling's face darken considerably.
"I am waiting."
"Ugh, what a bastard!"
Han Lu said in a cold voice.
"Don't worry, he definitely won't make it past the first round."
After the representatives from the other holy families arrived one after another, the sun slowly moved to its zenith. The stands and the dais were already packed with people. The noise and shouts echoed throughout the land, making everyone's blood boil with excitement.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Three extremely loud bell tolls echoed throughout the land, gradually fading everyone's voices until finally, silence fell.
At the same time, an elderly man slowly walked to the top of the platform. He was dressed in Confucian attire and seemed to be a very important figure in the Confucian family.
Who is that?
Ye Ru looked at the old man who seemed to be on his deathbed and asked in confusion.
"That is an elder of our Confucian family, the great Confucian scholar Kong Delin."
Kong Hexuan said in a low voice.
"cough!"
Kong Delin glanced around, then coughed, drawing everyone's attention to him. He closed his eyes briefly, then suddenly opened them wide.
"I am Kong Delin, the 35th generation descendant of Confucius and an elder of the Kong family. Today, I hereby declare the 8th National Children's Examination to begin!"
boom!
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in cheers. All the students stood tall and straight as pines, and the cheers from the audience below resounded throughout the land, reaching the heavens.
"Now, all contestants, please proceed to the venue for the competition!"
Kong Delin smiled as he looked at Ye Ru and the others, who, filled with fervor and excitement, walked toward the competition venue.
Ye Ru held the number plate in his hand, and when he saw his position, he was stunned.
There, a dozen or so slightly elevated platforms stood out, making the other contestants appear as if they were surrounded by stars.
This is undoubtedly the focus of the entire area.
Kong Hexuan, Fan Ziling, and the others were all delighted. Being able to participate in the competition here, regardless of whether they won or not, would at least enhance their literary reputation.
Ye Ru, however, felt somewhat uncomfortable. Zhuge Liang once said, "Without tranquility, one cannot achieve far-reaching goals; without detachment, one cannot clarify one's ambitions." This focus of attention was not what he wanted.
"Brother Ye, I'll take my leave now."
Kong Hexuan strode over and arrived at his seat. In front of him were pen and ink, indicating that he was well prepared.
"You ignorant country bumpkin, just wait to make a fool of yourself in the children's national examination."
Fan Ziling sneered, brushed past Ye Ru, and finally went to her seat.
Ye Ru sighed helplessly and slowly walked onto the stage. His unassuming appearance naturally attracted the attention of countless viewers, who were seeing for the first time that a student from a poor family could actually grace such a grand stage.
Once everyone was in position, Kong Delin nodded, then raised his hand high, and finally brought it down sharply:
"All young men are ready. Now I hereby declare the competition officially open!"
boom!
Countless talents emerged, and all sorts of brilliance swept across the scene, creating a spectacular spectacle that instantly ignited everyone's passion!