I'll Uphold Justice in the Examination Hall

Zhang Dongxiang was stunned speechless!

After all his eloquent explanations, he never expected Fang Zheng would respond with such crude language!

Tight backsides accomplish great things..

Was this something a human being would say? Had his education gone to the dogs?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became!

Zhang Dongxiang pointed furiously at Fang Zheng and said. "Silence! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Fang Zheng shrugged without answering.

When people are stubborn, reasoning is pointless. Better to save his breath than waste words.

"Do you have any more questions? If not, hurry back to monitoring!" Zhang Dongxiang scolded.

Fang Zheng took a deep breath, grabbed the teapot from the table, drank it dry with several loud gulps, then slammed it down firmly before turning to leave with a flourish, leaving Zhang Dongxiang behind fuming with anger.

Originally he had planned to eat a meal before returning to monitor, but thinking about the filthy business at the examination site killed his appetite.

Besides, he couldn't get used to the latrines in the examination compound. Better to go as little as possible.

With nothing to do, he could only continue wandering around the examination site.

By now, many candidates were hungry and had taken out dry provisions like flatbread from their exam baskets, breaking off small pieces and eating slowly.

When their mouths became dry, they would take tiny sips of water to moisten their throats. They didn't dare drink much, fearing they would need to relieve themselves. They struggled to suppress their natural bodily functions.

Fang Zheng shook his head at the sight.

Difficult, too difficult! The exam environment was already harsh enough without this added suffering.

With such perseverance, they should be working for him instead!

As he wandered, Fang Zheng returned to Shen Yi's area. Shen Yi had apparently just finished eating and was hunched over writing.

Empty bowls and dishes sat on his desk waiting to be collected. It seemed he had food prepared by kitchen staff in the back.

Sensing someone nearby, Shen Yi looked up and, seeing Fang Zheng approaching, his eyes lit up with delight. He immediately raised his hand!

Seeing this, Fang Zheng quickly walked over, and Shen Yi whispered. "Minister Fang... I need to use the latrine."

"Mm, hang up your sign and let's go," Fang Zheng replied.

Shen Yi immediately stood and hung the latrine sign on the wall, then stepped out of his examination cell.

Fang Zheng collected the answer paper from the desk and said. "Let's go.. look straight ahead."

The two walked side by side toward the latrine area.

Inside the latrine, wooden partitions separated individual stalls.

While Shen Yi relieved himself, Fang Zheng stood on the other side of the partition, sighing repeatedly. Not only was he monitoring exams, but he was also managing people's bathroom breaks. With over ten reporters to assist, how long would this continue? This assignment was truly miserable!

"Did you eat well at noon? Aren't you afraid of being marked?" Fang Zheng asked.

"Of course I'm afraid... but I knew Your Excellency would come by, so I dared to eat a bit more," Shen Yi's voice came through the partition. "Your Excellency... thanks to your care, I truly don't know what I would do otherwise. I've heard that in previous examinations, people would relieve themselves in their boots, or even in their socks."

"Sigh... we still have eight days ahead. I really don't know how to manage, and I can't trouble you every time."

"Tomorrow I plan to skip eating. Going without food for a day or two is nothing serious."

"Hmm... it's fine, eat what you need. Don't let it affect your exam," Fang Zheng replied automatically while internally conflicted.

Yes... there were still eight damn days left! If people really started defecating in their boots, how could anyone stand being in the examination compound?

Who would have thought that because of this unwritten rule, the magnificent examination site would become a place of filth... and elegant essays would be born in a place of stench.

"Thank you, Minister... This morning I heard the candidate next door cursing you! He was wishing death on your entire family! Does he have some feud with you? Should we investigate his home after the exam?"

Zhang Chang? This little bastard dares curse me behind my back! He needs a lesson!

"Don't mind him. That person is the son of the Minister of Revenue, Zhang Chang," Fang Zheng said flatly.

"Oh, I see... no wonder the officials spoke to him differently. And he's gone to the latrine twice already, seemingly unconcerned about getting marked... that's terribly unfair to other candidates," Shen Yi's voice sounded somewhat dejected.

Running into someone with connections was naturally disheartening, but thinking about it more carefully, wasn't he himself a sort of connection too?

If he were an ordinary candidate... he would surely never dare visit the latrine.

Fang Zheng calmly said. "There are many unfair things in this world. Isn't being an official or a reporter about resolving injustice? We solve one problem at a time."

At this point, Shen Yi pushed open the door and came out, looking at Fang Zheng with bright eyes. "Is there a solution for this?"

???

Meeting Shen Yi's gaze, Fang Zheng suddenly felt guilty!

I was just talking big, why are you taking me seriously?

But as a leader, he couldn't lose face! For the sake of his dignity, Fang Zheng forced himself to say. "Of course there is!"

"What's the solution?"

"Ah! That's not for you to worry about! Hurry back to your exam, don't waste time."

With that, Fang Zheng dragged Shen Yi back to his examination cell.

Alone again, he continued wandering, carefully considering the matter.

These "shit marks" were truly disgusting, bothering not just the candidates but him as well!

He couldn't possibly accompany each reporter to the latrine, but not helping felt wrong!

And trash like Zhang Chang with connections could do whatever they wanted, while other officials looked after them. That was truly infuriating.

This needed to be addressed!

As he walked, an exam official was about to pass by. Fang Zheng quickly stopped him.

The official paused, asking. "Minister Fang, what can I do for you?"

"Let me borrow your mark! I didn't bring mine!" Fang Zheng said.

The official relaxed, thinking it was just a small matter when he'd expected something important.

He pulled a small black seal from his sleeve and handed it over, adding. "Minister Fang, please return it when you're done. Just call it a 'mark'... adding the word 'shit' is vulgar!"

Hmph! Like urinating in cells is refined? Such pretension!

Fang Zheng nodded. "Do you have a spare?"

The official laughed. "This must be your first time monitoring, right? Who would have a spare? Everyone has just one, and they're self-prepared. Just don't forget to return it!"

"Thanks! You may go now!" Fang Zheng said.

After watching the official walk away, Fang Zheng grinned and quickened his pace!

Over the next half hour, he buzzed around the entire examination compound like a busy bee!

Every time he encountered an official, he borrowed their mark, while telling the reporters and candidates they could use the latrine without worry.

Soon, all the monitoring officials' marks were gathered in Fang Zheng's hands. For convenience, he found a piece of cloth and bundled them together.

Carefully considering whether he'd met all the officials, Fang Zheng turned and entered a latrine.

He shook out the bundle! The dozens of seals clattered into the toilet bucket, and for good measure, he added some "water" on top.

Then he dusted off his hands and left the latrine, extremely satisfied.