Eternal Life as False Emperor-Chapter 62 - 57: Wang Anshi

"A renowned and righteous sect, huh..."

Zheng Yi asked, "How many people passed the initial selection?"

"Seventy-six people!"

Prince Xian said, "Among them are fifty-four Third-grade Martial Artists, eighteen Second-grade Martial Artists, and only four First-grade Martial Artists!"

"As for those above the Grandmaster Realm... not a single one."

"Four First-grade Martial Artists..."

Zheng Yi asked, "What are their backgrounds, is there anyone the Imperial Uncle favors?"

"Yes."

Prince Xian succinctly said, "The first person, Cui Xiawu, from the Qinghe Cui Family, aged twenty-eight, has been cultivating the Cui Family Martial Art ’Ice and Fire Dragon Palm,’ and has been in the First-grade Martial Artist Realm for seven years with a high likelihood of breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm."

"Although he belongs to the Qinghe Cui Family, he is from a very distant branch and has little contact with the main family, making him someone who can be recruited."

"Moreover, he is a distant cousin of Noble Consort Cui, Your Majesty should take note."

"Noble Consort Cui?"

Zheng Yi slightly frowned, having not met this woman yet.

It seems I’ll have to find some time to meet her.

After all, she is a Noble Consort, a position only beneath the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

No one knows why the Emperor Zhengyong appointed her as Noble Consort back then!

"The second person, Zhao Tieshan, an ordinary decurion in the Imperial Guard, was implicated in Yang Xuansu’s conspiracy but was eventually found to have only injured some people while drunk and was released after a few days in custody."

"He has practiced a variety of techniques, including the Five Tigers Breaking Gate Saber, Cloak and Dagger Technique, Vajra Palm, and Iron Armor Skin."

"His main cultivation technique is still the ’Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber,’ a simplified version distributed by the military."

"However, he possesses innate divine power, is eight feet tall, and ordinary horizontal refining techniques are quite powerful on him."

"The third person, Tian Yiguang."

Prince Xian suddenly laughed, "I quite admire this person; he somewhat resembles me in my younger days."

"Oh? How so?"

"This man has achieved the First-grade Realm in martial arts but isn’t particularly devoted to it; his cultivation techniques are only the ’Gale Saber Technique’ and a lightweight body technique he created himself."

"Even so, his exceptional talent brought him into the First-grade Realm."

"He spends his days in brothels and composing poetry and reportedly has ties with several renowned female knights in the Martial World, truly a fascinating person."

Zheng Yi frowned and said, "A lover of women? Could he be a notorious thief?"

Prince Xian shook his head, "I have investigated, and he is not."

"Though he likes beautiful women, he doesn’t trouble virtuous women; rather, quite a few virtuous women and female knights pursue him instead."

"If I were twenty years younger, I’d definitely want to have a drink with him, hahaha..."

Zheng Yi also laughed: "Since the Imperial Uncle put it that way, I too wish to meet this person."

"And who is the last one?"

Prince Xian’s expression suddenly turned a bit peculiar, "The fourth person is a woman."

"A woman?"

"Yes, indeed."

Chen Hongxiu, aged thirty-one, daughter of the former Brave Cavalry Camp Captain Chen Dao!"

Prince Xian said, "Nine years ago, the Brave Cavalry Camp Captain Chen Dao was imprisoned and executed on charges of ’mutiny and treason’ led by Yang Xuansu, with the rest of his family exiled."

"It wasn’t until Your Majesty ascended the throne and pardoned everyone that the Chen family was cleared of their accusations. The Brave Cavalry Camp was gradually divided and weakened by Yang Xuansu, leaving only a shell today."

"Later investigations revealed it was merely a tactic by Yang Xuansu to court the military and suppress dissent."

"Back then, Chen Hongxiu was only twenty-one and already a Third-grade Martial Artist. With her family executed and clan enslaved, she harbored thoughts of revenge."

"After Your Majesty ascended the throne and pardoned the world, she returned to the Capital City and attempted to assassinate Yang Xuansu seven times in four years!"

"One of those attempts almost succeeded, but unfortunately, it ultimately failed."

"After Your Majesty eradicated Yang Xuansu’s conspiracy, she disappeared, only to reappear in this military examination, defeating over ten competitors and successfully passing the test!"

"It seems she wishes to follow in her father’s footsteps?"

Prince Xian praised, "This woman despises evil with a passion, lives boldly, and has avenged her father for over a decade. She is a true exemplar in the military!"

Zheng Yi showed interest, "Chen Hongxiu, huh? She truly is an extraordinary woman. I also wish to meet her."

"Your Majesty, the imperial examination is in three days, and you may personally observe."

After Prince Xian left, Zheng Yi summoned Lu Lian.

"Investigate these participants in the military examination. Get detailed backgrounds on everyone!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"I won’t use anyone with unclear backgrounds or gaps in their history!"

Three days later, at the Baohe Hall, during the imperial examination.

Zheng Yi’s exam topic was simple: "Assure the People."

Although it seems simple, its scope is vast.

Over a hundred scholars began writing, while Zheng Yi sat on the Dragon Throne, reviewing the responses with interest.

This civil service exam produced quite a few talents.

There were those from noble families, as well as some from humble backgrounds.

Of course, ordinary people from poor families were absent!

For them, survival is difficult enough, let alone pursuing scholarly examinations?

On his table were over ten exam papers.

The Cabinet had selected these outstanding papers from over five thousand submissions, and after reviewing them, Zheng Yi was impressed.

Several names had already stuck in his mind.

Soon, the examination ended, and many candidates left the hall to rest.

As for Zheng Yi, he picked out their papers for further review.

Cui Xiazhao, another member of the Qinghe Cui Family.

However, he is the legitimate son of the Cui family and the eldest grandson of Cui Jinghao, one of the current Cabinet Ministers.