Chapter 49: Circulation of Law (1)

On the stage, the men’s group was still choosing.

Confucian classics was chosen the most as it was a compulsory subject at school. As long as one had a good memory, performing well in this round wasn’t a big issue. In contrast, there were very few people who chose strategy.

Strategy was the most practical. Students were required to remark on the current state affairs. The people present were all young students. Apart from some who had already been receiving related knowledge from their parents who worked in the imperial court, most of them were still ignorant about the state affairs, let alone suggest any good strategies. Therefore, strategy was the most difficult one. However, if one was really outstanding at strategy, they would more likely become an official.

Shen Miao looked at the chessboard in front of her.

Back then, Pei Lang’s Circulation of Law was made in the third round, which was Challenge. Men could challenge women, women could challenge men, and students could pick their challenge as well.

One of the male students challenged Pei Lang. Pei Lang was also very talented. In just a few minutes on the stage, he finished a strategy essay. It was eloquently written and right to the point.

At that time, the princes all saw highly of him. Pei Lang was a smart person. He said he wanted to be a scholar in Guangwen Hall and did not think too much about anything else. His attitude was firm. If not for the fact that Fu Xiuyi treated him well and Shen Miao gave him advice, Pei Lang might never become an official.

The chessboard was crisscrossed, just like the life in her previous life. She brushed past the chessboard, pushing off the pieces.

Shen Miao said, “Let’s start again.”

Gao Yan adjusted his clothes and tidied his hair. He asked the servant beside him, “How do I look?”

“Young Master, you’re strikingly handsome and charismatic…” The servant blurted out praise.

Gao Yan curled his lips smugly and was about to get up and walk to the stage when Gao Jin grabbed him and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Go to choose,” Gao Yan said.

Gao Jin frowned. He knew his brother very well. Not only was he not capable, but he also liked to be in the limelight. Now that their family was prospering, he could not allow anyone to ruin it. Gao Jin asked, “What do you know?”

These words made Gao Yan uncomfortable. He and Gao Jin were biological brothers from the same mother, but when people mentioned their family, the first thing they praised was Gao Jin. Gao Jin was born with delicate features, but Gao Yan was rough and black. Gao Jin could work for his father at a young age, but every time Gao Yan wanted to talk to his father about court affairs, his father would shake his head and say no. They were brothers, but because of the remarks of outsiders, they became estranged. Gao Yan was already inferior when compared to his brother. Now that he heard what Gao Jin said, he flared up. At first, he was a little worried that he would attract too much attention with the essay. Now, he no longer cared.

He said in an unfriendly tone, “Brother, although I’m not as smart as you, I’m not completely stupid. You don’t have to stop me. After all, I can’t steal your thunder.”

Gao Jin could tell that there was something else in Gao Yan’s words. He paused for a moment. Before he could speak, Gao Yan pushed him away and walked up the stage. He shouted from afar, “I choose ‘strategy’!”

Strategy?

People in Guangwen Hall who knew Gao Yan instantly looked over. Gao Yan was not known for being talented, but he was not bad either. This was because his homework and essays were always written by others.