Step Down, Let Me Come!

Chapter 24: 024 Xiaocheng

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"Yes, of course I know him." Qi Shan was not surprised by the reaction of the Chief Censor, and still smiled faintly, "But it's a pity that we only met once, and I'm afraid Master Tian can't remember him. Eight years ago, Xin State held a special test, and Master Tian happened to be the Zhongzheng official at that time."

Eight years ago

Zhongzheng official

The two hints made the Chief Censor react.

I have some impression.

The so-called "special test" is a special test and assessment set up outside of the normal talent selection activities. The Zhongzheng official is the chief examiner, and scholars can enter the official career through this opportunity.

There are three aspects to the assessment: family background, character and ability, and the most important one, literary talent.

The first two items determine the lowest line, or the threshold to officialdom, while the last item determines the ceiling that can be reached in one's career.

The Chief Censor has a very good memory.

He remembered all the scholars who were selected that time, but he didn't remember Qishan being among them. So Qishan should be one of those who were not selected

As soon as this guess popped up in his mind, a look of unnaturalness flashed across the face of the Chief Censor - as a Zhongzheng official, he actually missed such a big fish, it was really his fault.

But on second thought, the Xin Kingdom no longer exists, and a large number of Xin’s former ministers were purged and poisoned by Zheng Qiao.

In just a few months, countless innocent souls were killed.

It is actually a good thing that Qishan did not enter the officialdom.

He patted his son's arm, and his son understood and helped him stand up. The father and son bowed solemnly to Qishan.

"May I ask your benefactor's name?"

Qishan returned the gifts one by one.

"My surname is Qi, my given name is Shan, and my courtesy name is Yuanliang."

The Chief Censor murmured, "Pray for Yuanliang...Pray?"

Qishan's surname was too rare. He had a vague impression that there was indeed a young scholar named "Qishan" on the list. He was only sixteen years old at that time and was the youngest among that group of scholars.

only-

The Chief Censor lowered his eyelids, his gaze sweeping inconspicuously towards the Wenxin seal on Qishan's waist - if I remember correctly, the Wenxin rank of that scholar seemed to be -

Before he could search out that memory, Qi Shan had already seen through the Chief Censor's little trick and took the initiative to speak.

"It's the lower middle level of the sixth rank."

The Chief Censor pursed his lips and remained silent. As more clues appeared, he slowly remembered some long-forgotten details.

At this time, his son looked at Qishan and then at his father, and interrupted: "Sixth-rank middle-level scholar? Why wasn't he recruited?"

Although the sixth-rank middle and lower-ranking Wenxin belongs to the middle and lower ranks, if nothing unexpected happens, it is impossible for him to climb to the top three dukes and nine ministers in his lifetime, but with real talent, it is not a problem to get a small official position.

In the few years before the fall of the Xin State, there was a shortage of talent everywhere and the standards were not high, so it was impossible not to hire Qishan.

The Chief Censor did not say anything, but glanced at his son, silently warning him to be quiet. His son was so startled by his glare that he immediately shut up.

Only after his son calmed down did he ask Qishan for confirmation.

"Did the benefactor offend anyone at that time?"

Qishan was demoted and couldn't even get a small official position in a remote place. Of course, it was not just because of his low literary talent.

"Well, I did offend."

Qi Shan's eyes curved into crescents as he admitted it happily.

"Father, who framed my benefactor?"

The son of the Chief Censor had the same temperament as his father, and was even more honest and simple than his father. When he heard that Qishan was punished because he offended someone and missed his official career, he immediately became furious. Unexpectedly, the Chief Censor not only did not answer, but also secretly pinched the flesh of his upper arm.

"Father—"

"Shut up!" The Chief Censor gave him a sidelong glance.

son:"… "

"That person didn't frame me, he just had something on me. It was better to lose the election than to go out and be blackmailed." Qi Shan was very open-minded, and there was no obvious emotion in his eyes, as if he was talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

"Handle?" The silly son remained honest.

Qi Shan suddenly smiled and said, "Well, forged background."

The foolish son of Zhongcheng: "..."

The Imperial Censor, who knew part of the truth, said: "…"

Compared with the real evidence, the "forged origin" is nothing. However, the Xin Kingdom was destroyed, and the "great witch" at that time was nothing. It was just that the lives of their father and son and several relatives and friends were saved by others, so why expose their shortcomings

Qi Shan asked, "Master Tian, do you know where that person is now?"

The Chief Censor looked gloomy, as if he was thinking of something.

"In Hyoseong..."

"Hyojo?"

"He is now the governor of Sibao County, whose capital is in Xiaocheng. As the Geng army was approaching, he secretly colluded with Zheng Qiao, and with the help of both inside and outside forces, he captured several fortresses of Xin State... If not for this, he could have at least held out for five months, and perhaps waited for a turnaround..."

Qi Shan said: "It's not surprising that a villain would be treacherous."

"Is your benefactor asking about his whereabouts... to seek revenge?"

At this time, Mr. Shen's malicious voice rolled into his ears: "I am fighting bravely, and you are here chatting and reminiscing about the past?"

Chen Tang was covered in blood, holding the Motherly Sword and asking people to deal with the body - to destroy the body and avoid other complications - but he saw Qi Shan chatting with someone from a distance, and his fists stiffened.

She felt that the one who needed the education of the Motherly Sword the most now was not the "filial sons" waiting in line to be reincarnated, but Qi Yuanliang, who was always on the edge of OB.

Seeing Chen Tang coming back, Qi Shan's eyes flashed with surprise - he knew that Chen Tang could deal with the dozen soldiers, but he didn't expect that even without the blessing of the Word Spirit, she could move so quickly.

"Of course I trust Young Master Shen's ability. How can those rabble be your enemy?" Facing the accusation, he dismissed it perfunctorily without any sincerity. His eyes passed over Shen Tang and fell behind her, "Are they all dead?"

She snorted coldly: "All dead."

Cut the weeds at their roots to avoid future troubles.

Chen Tang shook his wrist, and the blood on the sword was thrown onto the grass leaves, leaving red marks.

"What about those who were poisoned?"

"As a kind person like me, I will not let them continue to be tortured by the machine - a sword in the throat, a sword in the heart."

I guarantee you will never die again.

Qi Shan and Chen Tang asked and answered each other, and also used his peripheral vision to pay attention to the rescued prisoners. As the chief of the Censorate, the Chief Censor had a lot of contact with the Gong family of the Xin State. If Mr. Shen was "Gong Cheng", he should not be unable to recognize him.

However, the Chief Censor did not have the reaction he would have had to seeing an acquaintance when it came to Chen Tang's face. Instead, he felt a little curious and surprised.

A young man wearing the Wenxin seal can fight more fiercely than a ruffian wearing the Wudanhu seal. It is indeed worth watching out for curiosity.

Please reflect with a kind heart.

Is Chen Tang really not "Gong Cheng"

As soon as he frowned, Chen Tang guessed what was going on in his mind and resisted the urge to roll her eyes - she knew that Qi Shan's previous words "I understand" were just meaningless.

Instead of wasting time thinking about this, you might as well help her bury the body.

Who knows—

Qishan decisively refused.

The reason is also ridiculous.

"I am a coward and cannot stand seeing a bloody corpse."

Chen Tang: “…”

She could only roll up her sleeves and work by herself. Qishan couldn't be counted on, and the prisoners who were half dead and still relied on her cakes, green plums, and maltose to survive were even less counted on. While she was working, Qishan leaned against the tree trunk and asked her in the shade.

"Is Mr. Shen interested in going to Xiaocheng?"