After Qiao Juze gave some general information about the Ten-Nation Competition, he talked about what he knew, and the others followed suit by telling about the related matters they had heard.
Fang Yun didn't know much about the Ten-Nation Competition, so he took note of what they said carefully and gained a better understanding of it.
During this period, people kept sending letters to Fang Yun, most of which were congratulating him on his successful lectures.
The five major families of Jing State all sent letters of congratulations, and all the wealthy families were no exception, even if some of them had close relations with King Kang or the Left Prime Minister.
After everyone finished talking about the Ten Nations Competition, Qiao Juze looked solemn and said, "Everyone, the Ten Nations are divided into three groups, and my Jing Nation has always been in the third place. This year's Ten Nations Competition may be my Jing Nation's only chance to enter the second place in decades."
"Willn't it be a better chance to win the Ten Kingdoms Exam next year when Fang Yun becomes a Jinshi?"
"The problem is that by the time of the Ten Nations Competition next year, Fang Yun might have already entered the Holy Academy." Qiao Juze said.
"makes sense."
Qiao Juze continued, "Ten people compete at the same time. Each person can get a maximum of ten points in each round, and ten people can get a maximum of a hundred points. Even if Fang Yun has natural talent and the ability of a semi-saint, he can only get ten points, which has a very small impact on the whole. So, what we have to do is not to hold Fang Yun back."
Fang Yun asked: "What is the approximate score of each game of the ten countries?"
Qiao Juze said: "Generally speaking, the top five countries can get more than 80 points in total per game, the second-tier countries can get more than 70 points, and the third-tier countries can barely get 60 points, and sometimes they can't even reach 60 points. Jingguo has failed to reach 70 points for many years and has never been able to enter the ranks of the second-tier countries. Fang Yun, it's a pity for you. If you were in other academies..."
Fang Yunyi extended his hand to stop Qiao Juze and said, "Brother Qiao, there is no need to say more. Since I am a Jing countryman, I will naturally stand together with you. But my strength is limited. If I cannot lead you to the ranks of the second-class countries, I hope you will forgive me."
"We all understand. If Ji Zhibai hadn't suddenly quit the academy... Forget it, let's not talk about him!" A hint of hatred flashed in Qiao Juze's eyes.
Cui Wang raised his glass and said: "You all are my predecessors, but I am not talented and learned enough. If Ji Zhibai had not withdrawn from the academy, I would not have replaced him as the Shangshe Jinshi. I even thought last night that maybe if I don't join the competition, it might be better if you nine people come forward. If I have held you back, I hope you will forgive me!" After that, he raised his head and drank the wine.
The atmosphere in the room became even more depressing. Qiao Juze said, "Don't underestimate yourself. In the Ten Nations Competition, your companions can help you. But there is only one chance, and it is not applicable to all literary competitions. The difference between having you and not having you is too big. Remember, you are not a sham. You, like Fang Yun, are real Shangshe people!"
You Nian said: "It's difficult to compete for the eighth place, but with Fang Yun, there is a great chance to compete for the ninth place."
"What's the difference between ninth and tenth? We are still third-class countries! If we don't make it into the top eight, or the second-class, we will definitely be attacked by some people. In which year was the Shangshe Jinshi not criticized after the Ten-Nation Competition?"
"But... Take last year's first literary competition for example. My Jing Kingdom scored 63 points. It ranks tenth among the eleven academies, while the eighth-ranked Yue Kingdom scored 72 points! Even if we had Fang Yun last year, even if Fang Yun replaced the worst person and scored 10 points, he could only increase his score by 5 points in the end. We are still four points away from the eighth place! There is no hope for us." Zhang Chengyu said.
The room was silent.
Fang Yun glanced at everyone and found that everyone was aware of this fact. The so-called competition for the eighth place was just an unrealistic hope of everyone.
Ye Shoumo said: "Brother Zhang is right. It is a foolish dream for us to fight for the eighth place. However, with Fang Wenhou here, we have a great chance to fight for the ninth place! Shen State mocked our Jing State last year, and this year we will pay back last year's hatred!"
Fang Yun knew what happened last year. Last year, the Jing National Academy defeated the Gu National Academy, but later failed in the competition with the Shen State for the ninth place and was ridiculed by the people of the Shen State. He had to leave angrily.
Qiao Juze said slowly: "In the Ten Nations Competition, we can lose, but we cannot retreat! This is not about the face of one person or one family, but the honor and disgrace of a country! Anyone who obstructs my Jing country from participating in the competition must be my enemy, Qiao Juze! Some things can be tolerated, but some sins are unforgivable!"
"Hmph, Ji Zhibai and Zuo Xiang colluded with the Lei family. It is simply a shame for Jing State!" Chen Lile said.
Yan Zewei of Liufeng Society said angrily: "Brother Chen, please be careful with your words! Is there any evidence to prove that Ji Zhibai deserted the battlefield? If not, please do not slander our former head of the society and the left prime minister!"
"Ridiculous. Even a fool can see that..."
Fang Yun's face darkened, and he said, "With the Ten Nations Competition approaching, we must not engage in internal strife!"
Chen Lile closed his mouth and looked at Yan Zewei with dissatisfaction, while Yan Zewei did not dare to speak and kept his head down in silence.
Fang Yun added: "Then our goal has been set, to compete for the ninth place."
Qiao Juze suddenly smiled and said, "Fang Yun, if my guess is correct, Yueguo, who ranked eighth last year, will definitely be grateful to you."
"Why?" Fang Yun asked.
"Last year, Qing was ranked seventh and Yue was ranked eighth. This year, three of Qing's top scholars were defeated by 'Heaven's Will's Recitation', and these three were the best among the ten. If nothing unexpected happens this year, Qing and Yue will swap their rankings."
Fang Yun said: "Then what are our chances of defeating Qing?"
Qiao Juze replied: "To be honest, the chance is as small as last year. I am ranked second among the ten top Jinshi in Jingguo, but if I go to Qingguo Academy, I can only rank sixth. And Brother Chengyu, who is ranked third, can only rank twelfth at most in Qingguo."
"Thirteenth." Zhang Chengyu said.
"So, even if the number of Shangshe Jinshi of Qing Kingdom this year is not as good as last year, we still have no chance of winning."
"Is there really no way to compete for eighth place?" Fang Yun asked.
Everyone was silent.
As evening approached, the ten people left Lingyun Tower and returned to the upper dormitory of the academy together.
Before the carriage got close to the first house, Fang Daniu, who was at the door, ran over in a hurry, leaned against the window and said in a low voice: "Master, it's bad, the left prime minister just came."
"What? Left Prime Minister? Left Prime Minister Liu Shan?"
"it's him!"
Fang Yun was even more surprised and asked, "Is it someone else impersonating me or did you see it wrong? It's impossible for the Left Prime Minister to come to visit in person!"
Fang Daniu said hurriedly, "It's definitely Liu Shan! He's wearing a blue academic robe, and he's followed by a team of private soldiers. There are students nearby as witnesses. Besides, even if I'm wrong, the servants that the Queen Mother arranged for the family can't be wrong!"
Fang Yun said: "It is true that no one dares to wear the robe of a university scholar. The last case of using the robe to defraud people has been a hundred years ago. Can he explain his purpose?"
Fang Daniu said: "He didn't say what he came for, he just said he came to visit you, and when he saw you weren't there, he left and said he was waiting for your news!"
"What a Left Prime Minister! He is forcing me to go to his Left Prime Minister's Mansion to meet him!"
"Ah? He didn't force you to do anything. He's a very friendly person." Fang Daniu said.
Fang Yun smiled slightly and said, "If a great university scholar and the left prime minister of a country come to visit me personally and I don't go to the left prime minister's residence to return the gift, it will be a typical violation of etiquette. Once the censors start to attack, if the crime of violation of etiquette is established, I will be punished to delay the imperial examination for at least two years!" (To be continued...)