manynovel Chapter 279 Reporting to the Official
Chapter 279 Reporting to the Official
"The imperial examination is not a joke. What evidence do you have to prove that I, Jiang, cheated? You deserve to be punished for slandering officials and people with great achievements."
Jiang Youzhen glanced at everyone present with a cold face. His eyes were so sharp that everyone avoided his gaze wherever he passed, not daring to meet their gaze.
"You, in fact, everyone just heard it from others. It's useless for you to come to us! Whoever spread the news, then who should you go to?" A slightly guilty voice came from the crowd.
Everyone heard it and said, yes!
"Then you go find the person who first delivered the message. Can't we reasonably doubt it after hearing this? The imperial examination should be taken with caution. You have taken the first place in the county case, so we can't doubt it?"
Now that someone has taken the lead, others have begun to question.
"You have to have a basis for your suspicion. Isn't it an insult to the court and me to slander you out of thin air? Show me the evidence."
Jiang Youzhen shook her head. It was impossible to tell that these people were being used as pawns! She looked at the first person who spoke. He was dressed in silver-gray brocade, had a slightly dark skin, looked around, had shifty eyebrows and rat eyes, and did not look like a scholar at all.
"You said that Wen Ruyu and Ke Zhenqiu won the first place in the case, then we are convinced, but you are not well-known. Aren't you just a little famous in Yang'an Town? How many articles have you written that are praised by people?" One of them pointed at Jiang Youzhen and said disdainfully.
"Oh? I didn't know that the exam ranking is based on reputation. What does the imperial examination have to do with reputation? Could it be that the court selects talented people based on who is more famous?"
As soon as Jiang Youzhen finished speaking, Wen Ruyu couldn't help but speak.
"My fellow students, I have been reading the articles of my junior fellow student Jiang Youzhen and have benefited a lot from them. Her articles have won the Master's praise. If the Master had not forbidden her to participate in literary competitions and distract her, how could her reputation be inferior to mine?
Besides, the exam is not about these empty names, writing well is the real ability. After the exam, the top essay may be posted on the list, and you are welcome to watch and discuss it with your classmates. "
Ke Zhenqiu, who was sitting under a tree not far away, looked at the farce in front of him thoughtfully. Jiang Youzhen seemed very calm and composed, and did not feel guilty at all.
He knew that the magistrate had a past relationship with Jiang Youzhen, but there was absolutely no way the magistrate would help her commit fraud, because why would someone who was about to be promoted ruin his own future?
It is also very strange that the cheating was reported at this time. Shouldn't it be reported after the first test? Jiang Youzhen had already obtained the official photo and documents by then!
"Asshole! Who is here to slander the county magistrate?" A loud shout was heard, and everyone turned around and saw that it was the county magistrate, Lord Liu.
Everyone bowed, "Students greet Master Liu!"
County Magistrate Liu glanced at everyone present, and then his eyes fell on Jiang Youzhen.
He looked at Jiang Youzhen, who was tall and slender, and had a handsome appearance.
"Just now, I heard someone questioning the magistrate and the teachers for favoritism and fraud. The imperial examination is an important way for the country to select talents.
Jiang Youzhen was personally nominated by Lord Lin and the three examiners. The files have been sent to the government office. Please review them. The officials from the Hanlin Academy and the Ministry of Rites will send people to check. How could he be corrupt for personal gain? "
County Magistrate Liu had sharp eyes, and wherever his gaze fell, the candidates dared not speak.
"But if anyone questions it, I cannot sit idly by. Even if it is just a rumor, I will not allow anyone to slander the court and your innocence."
"Your Excellency is absolutely right! I think that this matter must be someone trying to fish in troubled waters, maliciously slandering the court, Lord Lin, and my reputation, in order to achieve an ulterior motive. I will never let this go, lest this villain succeed."
Jiang Youzhen stepped forward and bowed deeply to County Magistrate Liu.
"Therefore, I will go to the county government office and beat the drum to report to the authorities to prove my innocence."
As soon as Jiang Youzhen finished speaking, everyone present was shocked. They didn't expect Jiang Youzhen to be so tough.
"Junior brother, don't be impulsive!" Wen Ruyu stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Youzhen's sleeve, and hurriedly dissuaded him.
"Originally, we just needed to clarify the matter, but now it has become a big deal." Wen Ruyu whispered in Jiang Youzhen's ear.
Imperial examination fraud is no small matter. Once the news spreads to the court, Jiang Youzhen's reputation will be further damaged. Even if she is cleared of all charges, she will still be criticized and the court will inevitably be unhappy.
Jiang Youzhen responded with a soothing look, and then said: "Although the innocent are innocent, this involves the reputation of Lord Lin and the examiners. How can I be a coward just to keep things quiet? This matter must be thoroughly investigated, otherwise I will be suspected of cheating for no reason."
Jiang Youzhen certainly couldn't be impulsive. There were two possibilities for this incident. The first was that she was being targeted by someone, simply because of the dock reform, but this possibility was not high at the moment.
The second reason was to target Lin Jiuan, who would be promoted when his term of office expired this year. Those people might be targeting Lin Jiuan, or the fourth prince behind him.
Jiang Youzhen is just a small shrimp, but she wants to let those people know that small shrimps are not easy to control. She has no power, but she has courage and strategy. If the people behind her want to use her, she will use them in return.
Why not take this opportunity to make a splash and embark on a road to success? Of course, she must seize the opportunity that comes to her door.
"Okay! Since Jiang Youzhen is so courageous, let's go to the yamen." County Magistrate Liu's words stunned everyone. He just said that it would affect Lord Lin's reputation, and now he wants Jiang Youzhen to make a big deal out of it. What does this mean?
Ke Zhenqiu, who was not far away, was also stunned at first, then he curled his lips and smiled. There was an inexplicable light in his eyes when he looked at Jiang Youzhen, "Interesting!"
"Junior brother? Alas!" Wen Ruyu looked at Jiang Youzhen asking others to borrow pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and immediately sighed and hurried to follow.
Jiang Youzhen immediately wrote a statement and asked for the names of those people who had raised questions just now. When everyone saw this, they thought, is this serious?
"Oh my! Zhang San and Chen Si are in trouble. Jiang Youzhen wants to make an example of them!"
"Isn't it? I didn't expect that she would take it so seriously just a few idle words."
"Hey~ You can't say that. If someone suspects me of cheating, I can't stand it! Besides, this matter has caused a lot of uproar. If she doesn't fight back, even if there is no evidence, she won't be punished, but her reputation will still be damaged."
"Yes! With such a reputation, there might be twists and turns when the imperial examination in the capital is held to select the Jinshi."
"In fact, once the test papers are posted, everyone will be able to see what the essays are like! Why bother to get angry? It won't sound good if it gets out."
"Then I admire her fearless spirit. Well done, that's how she should be. Why should she be slandered? I think she is open and honest, and has no guilt at all. I'm just afraid that the rumor is not true."
"That's hard to say. Or is there anything you can rely on?"
"We are waiting to watch the play. We must go to the class later to listen in."