readsfreenovel Chapter 319 Reporting the Crime
Chapter 319 Reporting the Crime
Wang Zhong, the magistrate of Kuaiji County, has been extremely busy and overwhelmed these past few days. He is well aware that this imperial examination is no small matter, and its importance is self-evident. If any mishap or oversight occurs at this crucial juncture, he will likely lose his official position.
Wang Zhong dared not slacken in the slightest. He personally led his group of yamen runners, tirelessly traversing the streets and alleys, visiting and investigating the true situation of every student who had registered for the imperial examinations. When they arrived at the door of Chen Xuan's neighbor—the respected and virtuous Old Man Zhang, known for his integrity—Wang Zhong hurriedly stepped forward to greet him and inquired in detail about Chen Xuan from Old Man Zhang.
Grandpa Zhang patted his chest forcefully without hesitation and said loudly, "Speaking of Chen Xuan, although he made some mistakes when he was young, those are all things of the past! Over the years, this boy has been single-mindedly focused on his studies, and he is always polite to others. He is truly a promising and ambitious young man!" After hearing Grandpa Zhang's words, Wang Zhong nodded thoughtfully, and then went to ask several other neighbors. To his relief, the evaluations of Chen Xuan from everyone were almost identical.
After this comprehensive and in-depth investigation, Wang Zhong finally had a clearer understanding of Chen Xuan. While Chen Xuan had indeed acted impulsively and rashly in the past, there were reasons behind it. More importantly, since that incident, Chen Xuan had genuinely reformed and turned over a new leaf, never again engaging in any inappropriate or unethical behavior. Thinking of this, Wang Zhong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and finally decided to give Chen Xuan this rare opportunity. He then meticulously compiled Chen Xuan's actual situation into a detailed report, preparing to submit it truthfully.
Meanwhile, those burdened with various blemishes and negative records could not escape the verification process during the application review stage. Whether they had committed past mistakes, misconduct, or had other questionable conduct, all candidates were exposed before this rigorous screening network. The officials responsible for the review, adhering to a fair and impartial attitude, conducted meticulous investigations and verifications of the background information of each applicant, leaving no stone unturned.
These individuals with tainted pasts gradually revealed their flaws during this rigorous investigation and were eventually exposed one by one. Take, for example, the small village near Xianyang City, where a scholar named Li Ming lived. He spent his days idly, loafing around and relying on his family's meager wealth to bully and bully his neighbors. This time, Li Ming also hoped to seize the opportunity of the imperial examination to secure a bright future. However, the government's investigation of the imperial examinations was far more stringent and meticulous! Before long, his past misdeeds were exposed, like fire that could not be hidden forever. Ultimately, he not only suffered the punishment of being disqualified from the examination but was also brought to justice and severely punished by the government.
As the registration and review process proceeded smoothly, many students with problems were screened out one by one. Conversely, those who were truly virtuous, talented, and exceptionally gifted passed the registration review smoothly and successfully obtained the precious qualification to participate in the imperial examination. Chen Xuan was undoubtedly one of these outstanding students. When he learned that he had passed the review, he was overjoyed and burst into tears. After successfully registering, he devoted himself even more diligently to his preparation for the exam, making the most of every second and daring not to slack off in the slightest.
Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, lists of candidates from all over the country were sent to Xianyang City. These lists passed through layers of bureaucracy and finally ended up in Ying Wuyou's hands.
Ying Wuyou gently flipped through the thick stack of names, her gaze quickly scanning the names and related information. However, as she flipped further, her previously relaxed brows gradually furrowed. Gazing at the rather thin list of applicants before her, she couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
What could be the reason for such a low number of applicants for this imperial examination? Was it because there were simply very few scholars who wanted to participate? Or was it because truly talented individuals capable of taking the exam were extremely rare? Or was it because the application process was too rigorous, causing many applicants to fail at this hurdle? Countless questions flooded Ying Wuyou's mind, making him feel somewhat agitated.
She raised her head, looked at Zhou Xun who was standing respectfully to the side not far away, and asked softly, "Have the personnel I sent to various places to investigate the reports of whistleblowers arrived in Xianyang?"
Zhou Xun bowed slightly, and after a moment's thought, replied, "Your Highness, as far as I know, they should have all arrived."
Ying Wuyou then pressed on, "Has any news come from them?"
Zhou Xun shook his head and reported truthfully: "We have not yet received any relevant information."
Just as Ying Wuyou was about to say something, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. Then, a servant walked in, bowed to Ying Wuyou, and said, "Your Highness, there is an urgent letter from outside!"
Ying Wuyou sat up straight, her spirits instantly lifted. She reached out her delicate hand and took the tightly sealed letter from the servant, then eagerly tore open the envelope and carefully read its contents.
The letter was delivered by the guards responsible for monitoring the registration process for the imperial examinations. As Ying Wuyou read through the letter word by word, her delicate brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and a hint of anger gradually appeared on her pretty face. The letter detailed many serious problems that had arisen during the registration process, such as the fact that some prefects and magistrates had completely neglected the imperial examinations, failing not only to neglect related publicity but also to fail to even provide the most basic notifications. As a result, many poor people were completely unaware of the imperial examinations.
How could this not enrage Ying Wuyou, who was determined to select talent and reform the government through the imperial examinations? She suddenly stood up abruptly, the movement so sudden that the teacup on the table in front of her nearly tipped over. At this moment, Ying Wuyou's face was as cold as frost, radiating an aura of chilling authority. Her beautiful eyes burned with fierce anger as she said, "Zhou Xun, immediately convey my decree! Order those negligent and perfunctory prefects and magistrates to be dismissed and investigated immediately, without any leniency!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun, who was standing to the side, dared not be negligent in the slightest and quickly bowed and replied, "Your subordinate obeys!" Then he turned around and hurriedly left to carry out the task assigned by the princess.