When I Arrive, Rules Must Change

Righteousness often comes from butchers, while scholars are frequently heartless.

Not all butchers are truly righteous, most simply act from basic goodness, lacking multidimensional consideration, easily stirred up, hot-headed, and impulsive.

Nor are scholars necessarily heartless. It's often said that poverty breeds cunning while wealth nurtures goodness. Scholars naturally live better and encounter higher social strata. Some seemingly heartless decisions come from considering too many factors. Butchers might only see two steps ahead, while scholars can see ten steps beyond, naturally leading to vastly different decisions!

The examination officials were exactly like this. Though Fang Zheng's story was touching and inspiring, and they sympathized with the candidates!

But so what? This was, after all, a rule passed down through generations, even if it was an unwritten one!

A system that runs stably won't cause any problems if left untouched.

But once disturbed, it brings no benefits and might create numerous troubles. No one wants to do such things!

That evening, not long after Fang Zheng left, the officials sobered up from their emotional state.

About ten of them went together to demand their seals back.

The rest were a bit bolder, thinking that if trouble arose, they wouldn't panic too much. The sky might fall, but Fang Zheng would bear it.

Worst case, Zhang Dongxiang would take responsibility. What did it have to do with them? They were just examination supervisors. As long as they weren't personally affected, they didn't care.

Besides, giving candidates a hard time seemed beneath them. Fang Zheng's words had some truth to them. Whatever happens, happens!

After such a commotion, no one felt like working, and they all returned to their rooms to rest.

Meanwhile, about ten officials gathered at Fang Zheng's door. Several were wringing their hands, feeling somewhat awkward.

What he said was indeed righteous and principled, but they still needed their seals back. They couldn't afford to have problems.

After exchanging glances, someone began knocking on Fang Zheng's door.

Fang Zheng opened the door and carefully examined these ten or so officials.

He had anticipated this, knowing that a small story wouldn't convince everyone.

If attitudes could be changed with just a short tale and a few words, he would need to know magic. Everything has two or more perspectives. What he considered right, others might not.

These officials were scholars, true, but most were scholars with family backgrounds, not necessarily empathetic to struggling candidates.

But the story wasn't wasted. At least it had divided the officials into two camps. Those who hadn't come were clearly leaning toward his side.

As for these people before him, he needed to work on them gradually, mainly to reduce the likelihood of being impeached.

He wasn't afraid of impeachment, but Emperor Jing had often shielded him from trouble... and the imperial examination was a major matter that couldn't be hidden from the Cabinet.

Then wouldn't he just be causing trouble for his father-in-law? That would be bad for the textile factory he was building... and he hadn't seen the princess in quite a while..

Fang Zheng smiled slightly. "Gentlemen, have you come for your seals?"

The lead official said awkwardly. "Yes... thank you, Minister Fang. We've been thinking, there are indeed many struggling candidates, but rules can't be broken! Minister Fang... those seals?"

Fang Zheng bowed slightly. "Well said! But I've thrown away the seals! Tomorrow I'll have someone purchase a batch for you all! I'm truly sorry, please forgive me!"

"Today I've had too much to drink and my head is pounding. Excuse me for not entertaining you! Please go about your business!"

With that, the door slammed shut, leaving a group of dumbfounded officials.

"What should we do? He won't return them. Is he planning to not give them at all?"

"Nothing we can do. Let Master Zhang handle it tomorrow... sigh, to think such strange things could happen in the imperial examination. This Minister Fang is truly... warm-hearted."

"Let's go, let's go!"

Fang Zheng leaned against the door, waiting until everyone had left before returning to the table.

He picked up a brush and quietly wrote down a list of names...

...

The next day, the examination continued as usual.

The officials who had demanded their seals the previous night didn't bother Fang Zheng again. After all, it wasn't convenient to handle matters in the examination compound, and no one was in a rush.

These items were typically only needed in the afternoon.

Zhang Dongxiang had fainted and slept through the night. By the next day, his spirits had improved considerably.

After arranging the examination affairs, he immediately summoned Fang Zheng.

At this time, only the two of them remained in the officials' quarters.

Facing each other, Zhang Dongxiang's emotions were no longer agitated, but seeing Fang Zheng's carefree expression, his anger inexplicably flared up again!

With a grim face, he said. "Fang Zheng! Last night's matter isn't over. In my opinion, you shouldn't continue serving as an official for this examination!"

"Just stay here until the examination ends. I will report to His Majesty then!"

"Also, return those seals. Don't make me repeat myself!"

Fang Zheng poured him a cup of tea and consoled him. "Third Uncle, calm down, have some tea first!"

"I was wrong last night, and I apologize! I've already arranged for people to purchase new seals to replace the ones I threw away."

"You're a magnanimous man. Let's just forget about it."

Seeing Fang Zheng push the teacup toward him, Zhang Dongxiang responded with a cold smile.

"Ah, Third Uncle, let me tell you a story. I have a friend named Ko..." Fang Zheng prepared to use his old trick again.

Zhang Dongxiang interjected coldly. "Your friend is called Ko Be, isn't he? No need to make up more stories. Others might not know you, but I know exactly what kind of person you are! All those unspeakable things in Taoyuan County came from your hand!"

"???" Fang Zheng was stunned.

What the hell! The Four Great Classical Novels rewritten in that manner is my fault?

Damn! Who could have imagined that without supervision, Taoyuan County's people would think so freely?

I'll take the blame for the penicillin, but this pot can't be hung on my head! The stories I told were all proper!

"Ahem, Third Uncle, let me tell you about the Four Great Novels I wrote...."

Zhang Dongxiang's expression changed from a cold smile to contempt.

You wrote them? How dare you claim authorship? You wrote four books and dare call them the Four Great Novels?

Truly shameless to the extreme!

"Don't change the subject with me. This issue is absolutely not a minor one!"

"You think it's just a simple matter of seals, but many rules have been passed down for hundreds of years to prevent cheating in examinations. You want to change them at will! On what authority?"

Hearing his cold tone, Fang Zheng also felt increasingly annoyed.

I've been respectful because you're an old man, but why won't you let this go?

"Rules? I see it as tyranny!" Fang Zheng slammed the table hard. "What are rules!? Before Banshan District was reformed, people defecated everywhere! When I arrived, the rules had to change! Who would dare defecate then!"