Rogue 06

Although the imperial examination system of the Western Shu Kingdom was complicated, it was relatively friendly to those who had not received systematic education, allowing them to participate in the provincial examinations. However, the first requirement was to find a scholar to act as a guarantor, proving that they had a clean background, were not an impostor, and were not of slave status.

Although Fang Zhiyi came from a background as a local ruffian, he happened to meet all these conditions.

Under the intimidation of Wang Ergou, the servant had no choice but to invite the old scholar out.

But upon hearing Fang Zhiyi's request, the old scholar burst into laughter. "Fang Zhiyi? You? Taking the imperial examination? My goodness... Do you think just any random cat or dog can participate in the imperial examinations of Western Shu?"

He cast a sidelong glance at Wang Ergou and let out a cold snort from his nose. "In the past, you were just idle, but now you are actually mixing with these reckless outlaws. For the sake of our past acquaintance, I won't scold you. Just finish your tea and leave."

Fang Zhiyi looked at the poor scholar in front of him and was not annoyed. He simply smiled and said, "Mr. Li, a single guarantee can earn you a much higher status and position in the future than you have now. Are you willing to give it a try?"

Scholar Li spat out a mouthful of tea, and the servant beside him hurriedly thumped his back. "You? An illiterate ruffian, yet so arrogant? Fang Zhiyi, you don't actually think you are the reincarnation of the God of Literature, do you?"

"Illiterate? If I write an essay right now, what will you say then, Mr. Li?"

Scholar Li waved his hand. "Impossible. I practically watched you grow up. I know exactly what you are capable of. It's absolutely impossible!"

Fang Zhiyi just smiled. "Then why don't we make a bet?"

Scholar Li just waved his hand again. "Scholars do not gamble at the drop of a hat. You'd better..."

"Could it be that you are afraid, sir?" Fang Zhiyi said lightly. "Well, that makes sense. After all, you have spent your whole life only to become a mere scholar. Let's go."

To Scholar Li, these words were a naked insult. If it had been anyone else, he might not have cared, but being insulted by a local ruffian was something he could not stomach.

"Fine! But let's be clear: if you can't write it, you will have to work as a short-term laborer for me for three months!"

"It's a deal." Fang Zhiyi turned around. In that instant, Scholar Li felt like he had been tricked, but looking at Fang Zhiyi, his heart was still full of disdain.

It wasn't until Fang Zhiyi actually started writing that Wang Ergou was completely lost. He knew a few words and was essentially semi-illiterate, but his eyes were filled with shock. His brother was simply too amazing.

Scholar Li's expression also gradually shifted from contempt to solemnity. When the essay was finally placed in front of him, Scholar Li cast an incredulous look at Fang Zhiyi and began to read it word by word.

Fang Zhiyi, on the other hand, didn't care. When he was the emperor, he had read many candidates' exam papers. Casually copying one was effortless, wasn't it? Moreover, the ones he copied were the essays of those top scholars who could enter the imperial throne room.

Scholar Liu's face turned flushed, and his hands began to tremble involuntarily.

"You, you, you..."

"Master?" The servant was a bit panicked.

"You... have you been hiding your true talents all along? Did you steal someone else's essay to fool me?"

Fang Zhiyi didn't blush and his heart didn't skip a beat. "Whose essay did I steal? Do you need me to write another one?"

Seeing his calm face, Scholar Li felt a bit dazed. Why didn't he know that this ruffian had such excellent scholarship?

"When... did you study?"

"Self-taught. Nowadays, martial artists run rampant, and the imperial court is extremely weak. I just want to seek justice for the common people of the world." Fang Zhiyi recalled those ordinary people who had died under Jiang Gucheng's sword.

These words made Scholar Li fall into silence.

After a long time.

"Bring me paper! I will personally act as a guarantor for Fang Zhiyi!" Scholar Li spoke with absolute certainty.

Wang Ergou looked bewildered throughout the whole process. He didn't understand these scholars' affairs, but it seemed like things had worked out, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Over the next few days, Fang Zhiyi didn't study hard. Instead, he first went to the government office to submit his application. Scholar Li, leaning on a cane, also submitted the guarantee for him. If there was any identity fraud or cheating in the examination, he would also be implicated.

Then Wang Ergou became Fang Zhiyi's money bag. He followed Fang Zhiyi as he began to roam the streets and alleys, which meant giving gifts to the neighbors and helping people with their chores. For a time, many people found it quite novel. Had this Fang Zhiyi turned over a new leaf?

Because of this, when the government office came to investigate, no one said anything bad about Fang Zhiyi. Let alone the fact that he had been working for everyone recently, just for the sake of their past friendship, they couldn't ruin his chances.

However, when they learned that Fang Zhiyi was going to take the imperial examination, everyone's face was full of question marks.

As a witness, Wang Ergou felt his worldview was shocked. Fang Zhiyi took three consecutive exams, from the county exam to the prefectural exam and then the college exam, and he was in the top three in almost every one.

Only after finishing the three exams did Fang Zhiyi officially obtain his examination qualification.

But Wang Ergou couldn't hold on anymore. He had only heard that taking exams cost money, but he didn't expect it to cost this much. Just to get an exam qualification, Fang Zhiyi had spent all his money. Wang Ergou had no choice but to go back and ask the branch master for money.

People in the martial arts world had no concept of imperial examinations. Listening to Wang Ergou recount every one of Fang Zhiyi's expenses, many of which were spent on gifts, the branch master, although disdainful, expressed understanding. Although the branch didn't have much money, he still had some personal savings. At this point, he could only grit his teeth and step up.

When Wang Ergou left excitedly, the branch master locked himself in his room, carefully pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper from under the table, and opened it to look.

"Heaven-Shrouding Sect Branch Planning Proposal."

He didn't understand what a planning proposal was. Looking at the steps and expected values described on it, the old man reached out his hand and stroked it word by word. It seemed he had made the right bet?

A piece of news also spread among the candidates: a self-taught guy had taken first place in the provincial examination.

Fang Zhiyi's name began to appear on people's lips, especially the neighbors on Yangcheng Main Street, who proudly puffed out their chests.

"See that? The provincial graduate who took first place in the provincial examination is from our area!"

"Back then, he even took my pears!"

"That's nothing, back then I even chased and beat him!"

When the news of Fang Zhiyi passing the examination arrived, Scholar Li burst into tears: "A genius, a genius!"

"You are truly shameless. With so many essays, which one did you write yourself? You copied them all from others," Little Hei mocked.

Fang Zhiyi chuckled, "What do you know? How can a scholar's affairs be called copying! That's called referencing!"

During the palace examination, Fang Zhiyi was even more outrageous. While other candidates were frowning in thought, he actually wrote down three essays from different perspectives. This maneuver shocked even the chief examiner.

Everything fell into place logically. Fang Zhiyi had given gifts in advance, was low-key and easy to get along with, and in that year's metropolitan examination, he achieved the top rank.