Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Flourishing Calligraphy—Soaring Like Floating Clouds, Twisting Like a Flying Dragon!

Not only Xiao He, but he also wanted to win over Shen Yu, who had been demoted to Eighth-Grade Instructor but was once a Second-Grade Imperial Censor.

The Seventh Prince knew of the talents of both men. Xiao He’s capabilities need no further mention, as Xirong County had flourished gradually under his management.

Although Shen Yu had a poor temperament, his proficiency in the Mountain Scripture and poetry was remarkable. Even after all these years, the Seventh Prince occasionally heard his father and eldest brother mention it.

The Seventh Prince lowered his gaze, his expression calm: "Our Great Qin Dynasty promotes virtue and capability. Since Mr. Shen said Chu Ming’s talent surpasses yours, I shall give him a chance. Well, how about this..."

The Seventh Prince assumed a thoughtful pose and pondered: "Recognize nine characters, and I will personally supervise Chu Ming’s situation."

"If he recognizes ten characters, I will not only personally supervise but also grant him a piece of Yellow Armor, which can absolve one death penalty."

As soon as these words fell, Shen Yu raised his head abruptly, his expression excited: "Your Highness..."

In the Great Qin Dynasty, a prince possesses the authority to grant Yellow Armor. As long as one does not commit an atrocious crime, Yellow Armor can absolve one from a death penalty.

The Seventh Prince’s intention was quite equivalent to telling Shen Yu that as long as Chu Ming recognizes ten characters, the so-called charge of treason can be directly lifted.

The charge of treason is substantial, but for someone like Chu Ming, who had long been cast out from the Chu Family as an illegitimate son, the severity isn’t that great, and it could be either light or heavy.

As a prince, the Seventh Prince also understood that someone deliberately framed Chu Ming.

But after all, he was just a ninth-grade official, not worth too much of his concern.

"Mr. Shen, I have another condition."

"Please speak, Your Highness."

"After this matter, I hope Mr. Shen can remain in Xirong County to assist Grand Tutor Xiao in interpreting the Mountain Scripture."

The Seventh Prince looked at Xiao He: "Grand Tutor Xiao, as far as I remember, the position of Chief Historian in Xirong County has always been vacant, hasn’t it?"

Xiao He could immediately discern the Seventh Prince’s intention and his face instantly showed joy as he hurriedly bowed and said: "Report, Your Highness, the position of Chief Historian has indeed been vacant."

Chief Historian, a fifth-Grade official, mainly responsible for the administrative management and paperwork of the county, assists the County Magistrate in governing the County City.

"Your Highness..." Shen Yu’s expression was complicated, seemingly not expecting the Seventh Prince to extend such an offer.

"Mr. Shen, can you rise now?" The Seventh Prince said with a smile: "The Chief Historian is, after all, a fifth-Grade official. I can only make a suggestion, and it still requires Grand Tutor Xiao’s consent."

Actually, the Seventh Prince did not have the right to recommend fifth-Grade officials. Shen Yu’s appointment as Chief Historian could only be a recommendation.

Xiao He seemed respectful, as his authority in recommending officials in Xirong County was limited to proposals, not decisions.

The appointment of officials above sixth grade requires discussion within the Commandery Mansion, followed by submission to the Qin Capital for approval, and then the issuance of appointment documents.

But now, with the Seventh Prince’s approval, the appointment documents could be omitted.

Shen Yu’s expression was not as tense as before, but his heart was still anxious. He remained seated and instead beseeched once more: 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Your Highness, I have seen those twelve characters. They are very complex, and Chu Ming has only been studying Ancient Armor Characters for a little over a month. Can he really recognize ten characters..."

Although Shen Yu had circled many Ancient Armor Characters in advance for Chu Ming, none of them included these twelve characters. Even he could only recognize seven or eight of them; how could Chu Ming recognize nine, let alone ten?

"Just a little over a month...?" The Seventh Prince pondered: "Then nine characters will do. Grant him a piece of Yellow Armor."

Shen Yu still wanted to speak further, but the Seventh Prince’s expression suddenly became authoritative: "The two hours are almost up. Let’s go and see."

"..."

...

Inner hall.

Three ninth-grade officials with exceptional talent in the Mountain Scripture were deciphering the text.

Wang Wenmo and Chen Yi sometimes pondered, sometimes rejoiced.

Under their pens, each had deduced five and six characters respectively.

Conversely, Chu Ming’s paper was blank as if new, as if he hadn’t even dipped his brush in ink.

Currently, Chu Ming was restraining his Heart Spirit, deducing the Inference Technique, waiting for the half-period to end.

As for the test of twelve characters, it was too easy for him; there was no question of recognition or deduction.

Suddenly, his eyebrows twitched, the Sword Gourd Spirit sensed Shen Yu and the County Magistrate returning.

That person...

Next to them, he sensed another presence.

"Your Highness, up ahead it is." The County Magistrate’s voice sounded.

Your Highness?

Could it be...which prince?

Chu Ming’s heart stirred slightly, guessing something.

Today’s test amendment might be related to this prince.

Under the Sword Gourd Spirit, he sensed Shen Yu’s nervous and uneasy emotions.

Given this...

Chu Ming allocated his Heart Spirit, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and quickly wrote down twelve characters on the blank paper.

He initially intended to only write ten characters.

But the appearance of this prince caused him to change his mind.

Both for himself and Shen Yu.

Xiao He, Shen Yu, and the Seventh Prince didn’t enter the inner hall directly, but observed from outside.

When the half-period was up, Shen Yu and Xiao He entered the inner hall, while the Seventh Prince, due to his status, didn’t show himself.

"Time’s up, put down the pen."

Chen Yi and Wang Wenmo obediently put down the brush and ink.

Xiao He first walked towards Wang Wenmo, picked up his exam paper to inspect, and immediately his face showed a smile: "Not bad, recognized seven characters."

"Thank you, Lord Xie, for your praise."

Recognizing seven characters enables a promotion from Senior Ninth Grade to Junior Eighth-Grade, Wang Wenmo inevitably felt excited.

Xiao He then proceeded to inspect Chen Yi’s paper, his brows raised instantly: "Actually recognized eight characters."

"Thank you, Lord Xie, for your praise."

Chen Yi’s smile was composed, his eyes reflecting confidence, as if recognizing eight characters couldn’t stir too much psychological fluctuation within him.

Xiao He nodded with satisfaction, preparing to approach Chu Ming, when he saw Shen Yu standing there, motionless.

At that moment, Shen Yu’s gaze was fixed on the paper, his facial expression dull, as if he had seen something inconceivable.

Xiao He slightly furrowed his brow, concern flashed through his mind.

Could it be that Chu Ming didn’t recognize many characters?

He hurriedly walked over and took the paper from Shen Yu’s hand.

On the paper were twelve characters, neatly written.

These twelve characters, with strokes like dragons and snakes and floating like clouds, gracefully like startled dragons!

Such penmanship seemed as if it belonged to a renowned master.

All twelve characters, fully interpreted, correct without error!

Xiao He stood in place, his eyes wholly absorbed by the twelve characters, especially the ’Imperial’ character in Imperial Book, which seemed to carry a majestic portent.

"Exceeding talent! Penmanship with the strength of a thousand pounds! Luan floats like a phoenix! Unrivaled momentum!"

He couldn’t help but praise.

His admiration was for both the mind-blowing interpretation of the twelve characters and the formidable momentum of those twelve characters.

With these words, Chen Yi and Wang Wenmo simultaneously cast their gaze.

When the two saw the twelve vigorous and powerful characters on the paper, they instantly felt as if Thunder bolted through their bodies.

This teenager, who appeared to be sixteen or seventeen, actually interpreted all twelve Ancient Armor Characters, and the font...

Both lowered their heads again to look at their papers, as if the light in their eyes was suddenly dimmed, losing luster.

Shen Yu finally snapped back to reality, his speech rapid: "Old Xiao, how many did he get right?"

He couldn’t recognize all twelve characters, thus couldn’t judge their accuracy.

How many right?

Xiao He gazed at the paper in his hand, taking a deep breath: "All twelve characters, completely correct!"

"All correct, all correct!" Shen Yu grabbed the paper excitedly and suddenly laughed heartily: "Haha, Old Xiao, see, I was right, Chu Ming’s talent far outstrips mine!"

Since learning of Chu Ming being charged with treason in Baiyuan County, he couldn’t eat or sleep well, especially after the Seventh Prince’s sudden intervention, his heart felt ablaze.

But now, not only did Chu Ming meet the Seventh Prince’s requirement of nine recognized characters, but he also surprised everyone by correctly identifying all twelve characters.