On the Sky Canopy, after Yin Yi finished his accusing words against Emperor Jingwu, Emperor Jingwu turned to look at him coldly:
"Do you think I wronged Cui Jianming?"
Yin Yi did not directly answer Emperor Jingwu's question, but instead said:
"As far as I know, Scholar Cui has long been renowned for his erudition, and in poetry, he is especially outstanding, known throughout the Nine Provinces."
Cui Jianming, from the moment he saw Prince Chu Yin Yi appear, had calmed down considerably. Hearing Yin Yi praise him so highly, a hint of pride and complacency appeared on his face.
Clearly, he was very dissatisfied with Emperor Jingwu's assessment of him. Like Yin Yi, he believed that Emperor Jingwu was deliberately belittling him to protect Li Zeyuan.
So he even dared to look up directly at Emperor Jingwu, wanting to see how she would respond to Yin Yi's challenge.
"What the people of the world yearn for today are officials who can govern effectively, not those who merely excel at embellishing words!"
Emperor Jingwu looked around at the scholars and the commoners of the capital who had followed them to watch the excitement.
"'The outcome of war ultimately depends on governance. If governance overcomes the people, and the people obey their superiors, then the army is strong; if the people overcome governance, and the people rebel against their superiors, then the army is weak.'* There is no need for me to tell you that this was the policy essay topic of this spring examination."
"Li Zeyuan told me that he set this question to test your thoughts on statecraft and your ability to solve practical problems!"
"You think my assessment of Cui Jianming was unfair. Then how about you act as examiners right now and review Cui Jianming's policy essay?"
When Emperor Jingwu said this, the expressions of everyone, including Yin Yi, instantly became puzzled and confused.
And what Emperor Jingwu did next shocked everyone, filling their eyes with astonishment.
Emperor Jingwu recited Cui Jianming's entire policy essay from memory.
As she recited, some scholars gradually showed complex expressions.
Because they themselves felt that Cui Jianming's essay, as Emperor Jingwu had judged, appeared flowery but was actually empty and devoid of substance, bearing only a superficial form.
After reciting Cui Jianming's policy essay, Emperor Jingwu directly looked at Cui Jianming and said:
"Cui Jianming, I noticed you were quite dissatisfied with Song Changqing being the top candidate, thinking he is unworthy of his position. Since that's the case, let's put both the mule and the horse to the test!"
"Is Song Changqing present here?"
Hearing Emperor Jingwu's question, from behind the crowd, a young scholar in a washed-out old cotton-padded jacket immediately answered: "Your Majesty, I am here."
"Step forward and recite your policy essay for those who look down on you to hear."
Although Song Changqing's clothes were shabby, his eyes shone like bright stars. Upon hearing Emperor Jingwu's request, he responded with a loud and clear voice: "Yes."
Although the video on the Sky Canopy used editing techniques and did not fully display the content of Song Changqing's essay, the reactions of those present clearly showed that his policy essay was extremely brilliant—so outstanding that even those who had originally held prejudice against him had to admit defeat.
Yin Yi noticed that many scholars were gradually looking at Song Changqing with admiration. His brows furrowed instantly, and he felt he could not let the situation continue like this. So, as soon as Song Changqing finished reciting his policy essay, Yin Yi quickly spoke up:
"Top Scholar Song, I do not deny that your essay is exquisite. However, this still does not explain the current result of this spring examination."
Originally, the scholars were still savoring the content of Song Changqing's essay, but Yin Yi's words immediately drew their attention back to the issue of unfairness in the examination.
"If the result of this spring examination must be blamed on someone, I am not without fault!"
When Emperor Jingwu suddenly said this, Yin Yi's face was full of astonishment, but then his eyes were filled with ecstasy.
They had originally targeted Li Zeyuan to indirectly damage Emperor Jingwu's reputation. Now Emperor Jingwu was taking the blame on herself—this was completely unexpected for Yin Yi.
Yin Yi looked very excited, clearly thinking he had caught Emperor Jingwu.
However, just as he opened his mouth to press his advantage, Emperor Jingwu continued speaking:
"Top Scholar Song, as far as I know, this is your first time coming to the capital for the examination. From your hometown of Xinyang County to Jingshi, have you calculated how much travel expenses you spent along the way?"
Song Changqing obviously did not expect Emperor Jingwu to ask him such a question. But after being stunned for a moment, he quickly blurted out:
"Your Majesty, on this journey to the capital, I spent a total of fifteen taels and seventy coins."
"And what about your food and lodging expenses in the capital for the past two months?"
"Six taels and thirteen coins," Song Changqing replied quickly.
"Then how much money did you bring from home for this trip?"
"Your Majesty, a total of twenty-three taels."
Although Song Changqing answered as quickly as before, his voice was noticeably lower when he said "twenty-three taels."
"Fifteen taels seventy coins, plus six taels thirteen coins, that adds up to nearly twenty-three taels."
"Your Majesty, it is indeed so. However, in the days after the metropolitan examination, I have been selling calligraphy and paintings on the street, so I have managed to get by."
The reactions of the scholars around to this conversation between Emperor Jingwu and Song Changqing were quite interesting. Some were indifferent, some were shocked, and others had complex expressions, as if seeing themselves in Song Changqing.
After questioning Song Changqing, Emperor Jingwu turned to the blue-robed scholar she had first called out earlier:
"After the metropolitan examination, did you go to sell calligraphy and paintings on the street?"
The blue-robed scholar looked surprised when he first heard Emperor Jingwu's question, obviously not expecting her to ask him such a thing.
"Your Majesty, I still have travel money left, so there is no need for me to do such a thing."
His tone carried an undisguised contempt, clearly feeling that selling calligraphy and paintings on the street was beneath him and a disgrace to scholars.
Emperor Jingwu ignored his reaction and simply asked another question: "How much is left?"
"About... about a hundred taels," the blue-robed scholar said uncertainly.