Chapter 148: Chapter 148: An Heirloom for Generations, Red Book Iron Certificate

Xiao He looked at the excited Shen Yu, and his gaze fell on Chu Ming.

He initially thought the young man before him had some talent, and Shen Yu’s appreciation was more about the youth’s recognition of his simple text; he only agreed to step in to avoid embarrassing his old friend.

But he didn’t expect that this sixteen-year-old youth would possess such high talent.

A full twelve complex characters of Ancient Shell Script, even for him, deciphering them would take at least a part of an hour, even with the assistance of some radicals and explanatory text.

Especially the character ’Imperial’, which took him half a month to decipher; its difficulty level exceeded his imagination.

Xiao He believed that even with the help of radicals, it would take at least one to two hours.

But Chu Ming did it in just half an hour.

He suddenly understood why Shen Yu would disregard his pride to ask him for help, even at the risk of offending the Seventh Prince. It wasn’t just because of the simple text but because of Chu Ming’s talent!

Xiao He adjusted his tone, restraining any unusual expressions, and solemnly spoke: "According to the previous rules, Chen Yi and Wang Wenmo, you two recognized seven and eight characters, and are therefore appointed as Junior Eighth-Grade Secretaries."

"Thank you, Lord!" The two of them gratefully saluted.

Although their brilliance was overshadowed by Chu Ming, their goal had always been to rise to Junior Eighth Grade.

In their eyes, even if this youth recognized twelve characters, it didn’t matter; he couldn’t be promoted more, and would ultimately be the same as them, promoted to Junior Eighth Grade.

Xiao He then turned his gaze to Chu Ming: "Chu Ming, for recognizing twelve characters, you are appointed as Senior Eighth-Grade Imperial Scholar."

Senior Eighth-Grade Imperial Scholar?

Chu Ming remained expressionless, bowing saluting: "Thank you, Lord."

Just moments ago, Chen Yi and Wang Wenmo had been immersed in the joy of being promoted to Junior Eighth Grade Secretaries, but now they stood frozen on the spot.

This young man got a two-grade promotion?

This unfairness... seems quite fair, after all, recognizing twelve characters, and being much younger.

After some self-reassurance, they quickly calmed their hearts.

"Senior Eighth-Grade Imperial Scholar?" Shen Yu raised an eyebrow: "Chu Ming, your current position is higher than mine."

He was an Instructor in Baiyuan County, a Junior Eighth Grade, just like the Secretaries.

Chu Ming bowed again to Shen Yu.

Their friendship, he noted in his heart and promised to repay one day.

"Alright," Xiao He waved at Chen Yi and Wang Wenmo: "You two may leave now."

"Yes." The two left respectfully.

"Chu Ming, follow me."

Xiao He led Chu Ming and Shen Yu towards the inner sanctum.

Chu Ming’s heart stirred, under the perception of the Sword Gourd Spirit, the person referred to as Highness was seated inside.

After a short walk, they arrived at an elegant courtyard.

The courtyard was vast, with rock gardens and water pavilions on the left, and a small lake rippling on the right.

Beside the lake stood an elegant pavilion, with a person in a gold robe seated inside.

"Chu Ming, that is the Qin Dynasty’s Prince, ranked as Old Seventh." Shen Yu reminded.

Chu Ming nodded and followed Xiao He and Shen Yu to the front of the pavilion.

"Your Highness." Xiao He and Shen Yu bowed, and Chu Ming followed suit.

"Serve tea." The Seventh Prince smiled warmly, his tone gentle, like a spring breeze.

The attendants immediately served tea to the three of them; the Sword Gourd Spirit subtly checked, the tea was fine.

After drinking the tea, the Seventh Prince’s calm eyes looked at Chu Ming with deep curiosity.

The Seventh Prince knew, since Xiao He brought Chu Ming to face him, it implied the youth met the nine-character requirement, which meant being eligible for the Yellow Armor reward.

"Grand Tutor Xiao." The Seventh Prince looked at Xiao He, asking: "How many characters deciphered?"

"Your Highness, Chu Ming recognized twelve characters." Xiao He hadn’t yet answered when Shen Yu spoke out excitedly first.

"How many characters?!" Even the usually composed Seventh Prince showed a subtle change in expression upon hearing this.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Chu Ming deciphered twelve characters, including the ’Imperial’ character." Xiao He respectfully supplemented.

Chu Ming maintained a bowed posture, while Shen Yu’s mouth brimmed with a smile.

Xiao He’s answer made the Seventh Prince’s gazed focused instantly.

He put down his teacup and slowly walked to Chu Ming: "How old are you this year?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, this servant is not yet seventeen."

"Not yet seventeen, so sixteen." The Seventh Prince’s eyes flashed, "At sixteen, recommended by the County Magistrate, County Clerk, and Classical Officers."

"Held the Senior Ninth-Grade Librarian position for one month, now passed Grand Tutor Xiao’s test, reaching Senior Eighth-Grade Imperial Scholar."

"This rate of promotion is rare even in the thirteen prefectures of our Great Qin Dynasty."

"Your talent surpasses even Mr. Shen’s, which this prince originally did not believe, but now..."

With a light wave of his golden robe, two attendants presented items.

Upon closer inspection, one was an inner armor woven entirely of golden threads, and the other, a black item shaped like a scroll.

Xiao He and Shen Yu’s faces showed slight fluctuations at the sight of the yellow inner armor, as they already knew of the immunity Yellow Armor reward.

However, their eyes instantly focused on the black scroll-like item brought forward.

A Red Book Iron Certificate!

The second black scroll was precisely a Red Book Iron Certificate.

Like the Yellow Armor, it could grant immunity, but unlike the Yellow Armor, it could be passed down through generations.

The Yellow Armor could forgive one capital offense, but not all crimes.

The Red Book Iron Certificate could absolve the death penalty of exterminating nine clans, only granted by the Great Qin Dynasty to those with great merit.

In other words, this Red Book Iron Certificate presented by the Seventh Prince was a gift from His Majesty.

And now, the Seventh Prince seemed about to present the Red Book Iron Certificate to Chu Ming?

Xiao He and Shen Yu looked on in shock and speculation about the Seventh Prince’s intentions.

Was it really to bestow the Red Book Iron Certificate on Chu Ming?!

"Chu Ming." The Seventh Prince smiled.

"This servant is present."

"This prince promised Grand Tutor Xiao and Mr. Shen, as long as you could recognize nine characters, you would be rewarded with a piece of Yellow Armor."

Yellow Armor?

"Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Ming remained expressionless.

Upon seeing the yellow inner armor, he had his suspicions.

"Don’t be hasty," the Seventh Prince bypassed the Yellow Armor, picked up the Red Book Iron Certificate, and gently smiled: "Yellow Armor is the reward for nine characters, but you recognized all twelve..."

The Seventh Prince stared at the item in his hand, as his smile gradually faded, and his tone turned authoritative: "This item, named the Red Book Iron Certificate, isn’t of much use to me, so let’s treat it as the reward for twelve characters."

The Red Book Iron Certificate, not much use?

Xiao He and Shen Yu’s mouths twitched, surprised by how much the Seventh Prince valued Chu Ming.

Shen Yu, at first, committed the capital crime of insulting His Majesty. He was saved by the Crown Prince’s intervention, who brought out the Red Book Iron Certificate.

Now, the Seventh Prince voluntarily bestowed the Red Book Iron Certificate!

As long as Chu Ming refrained from actual rebellion, not even the Imperial Examination Hall of Xirong County nor the Qin Capital could casually convict him.

It was truly a Red Book Iron Certificate!

A sharp light flashed in Chu Ming’s eyes, and he hastily thanked: "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Seventh Prince waved his hand: "Since you’re someone esteemed by Grand Tutor Xiao and Mr. Shen, you are thus someone cherished by this prince."

This statement carried another layer of meaning, urging Xiao He and Shen Yu to choose sides.

He first promoted Shen Yu to Senior Fifth-Grade Chief Historian and then presented the Red Book Iron Certificate, aiming to win over Xiao He, Shen Yu, and Chu Ming.

In the Seventh Prince’s view, Chu Ming’s talent would soon surpass Xiao He and Shen Yu, potentially becoming a significant ally in the future.

"Your Highness is wise."

Xiao He naturally understood the Seventh Prince’s intentions.

"Haha, the weather is nice today, Grand Tutor Xiao, have someone prepare some dishes, this prince wishes to dine with Grand Tutor Xiao, Chief Clerk Shen, and Imperial Scribe Chu."

"Understood."

"..."

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