Public Opinion in Uproar

By noon.

Zhang Dongxiang hurried back with a worried expression. He seemed to have noticed the irregularities in the examination seating arrangements and felt troubled.

Seeing Fang Zheng still lying motionless at his original position, he immediately scolded. "Why are you still here? Why aren't you supervising the exam?"

The examination compound was truly boring. It didn't take half a day to help the Six Ministries find reporters, and the rest of the time there was basically nothing to do.

Now the weather was hot, and Fang Zheng felt somewhat drowsy, so he lay on the table for a short rest.

Fang Zheng raised his head, forced his eyelids open to look at Zhang Dongxiang, and mumbled. "Didn't you tell me to stay here until the examination ends? I'm waiting for the examination to end..."

"Where are the seals?!" Zhang Dongxiang was exasperated.

I told you to stay, and you actually just stayed? You don't take your own position seriously at all!

Fang Zheng propped himself up with both arms, revealing a small box on the table.

Opening the box, it contained several rows of small seals arranged neatly.

Zhang Dongxiang relaxed upon seeing this and stepped forward to take them.

Just as his hand reached out, Fang Zheng picked up the box and handed it to him.

As soon as Zhang Dongxiang took it, he felt something was wrong. A paper slipped out from under the box, and he asked puzzledly. "What's this?"

"It's today's newspaper I asked someone to buy. Since we're idle anyway, why don't you sit down and read it slowly..." Fang Zheng stretched lazily and poured him a cup of cold tea.

Zhang Dongxiang didn't think much of it and unfolded the newspaper to read carefully.

But as soon as he started reading, his blood pressure shot up to the top of his head!

The entire newspaper page was reporting on matters related to the imperial examination, with introductions to this examination and interviews with candidates from previous years.

Of course, the highlighted point was that candidates couldn't freely relieve themselves for nine days, making this place worse than prison!

There were even eye-catching comments stating that these candidates were writing essays in a cesspool!

Countless failed candidates complained about the inhumane treatment in the examination hall, claiming that it was merely physical issues that prevented them from demonstrating their talents. Otherwise, they would certainly have been on the list!

This was simply an insult to the imperial examination, an insult to the sages, an insult to the classics!

After a while, Zhang Dongxiang put down the newspaper with trembling hands.

This is trouble! It's just an ordinary examination... how did it come to this?

At my age, this should be the last time I supervise an examination in my life. How could there be such a mishap...

Fang Zheng... it must be this bastard Fang Zheng! This scoundrel stirs up trouble wherever he goes.

Ever since he entered the court, there's been no peace! Now he's even brought trouble to my doorstep!

Having identified the culprit, Zhang Dongxiang's eyes were bloodshot when he looked at Fang Zheng again.

With a hoarse voice, he asked. "The Banshan Daily! Did you have reporters write this?!"

Fang Zheng hurriedly waved his hands. "No! No, this... before entering the examination compound, I discussed with the Crown Prince about having the Banshan Newspaper Office do a special feature on the imperial examination..."

"Crown Prince... Crown Prince..." Zhang Dongxiang muttered. "Has this newspaper already been distributed to the public?"

"Yes! Today's newspaper was prepared yesterday. New printing houses have been built in the east, west, south, and north of the capital. As soon as the manuscripts are delivered, they start typesetting and mass printing. By now, they should all be sold out!"

Hearing this, Zhang Dongxiang collapsed dejectedly into a chair, staring blankly.

Fang Zheng also remained quiet.

He originally didn't want to show him this thing, fearing it would be too much stimulation for the old man.

If reason could be spoken, then everything would be simplified.

But since reason couldn't be conveyed no matter what, he had to mobilize public opinion to exert some pressure.

The matter wasn't really big, nor was it small.

This unwritten rule had been followed by everyone without much thought, like a small tumor growing on a person's body.

Although usually not given much attention, it somehow hurt when touched in the examination hall.

He just wanted things to go smoothly and, by the way, help the newspaper reporters solve a problem. Now it had become more and more troublesome.

With this heavy blow... there should be some effect.

Seeing Zhang Dongxiang silent for a long time, Fang Zheng took the initiative. "What's wrong, Third Uncle? Should I distribute the seals to the examiners now?"

"Distribute... no! Don't distribute!" Zhang Dongxiang shuddered and came to his senses.

By now, there must be widespread discussions outside, with countless scholars expressing dissatisfaction.

But these were still manageable. After all, those people weren't participating in the examination, their emotions had already passed, and even if there was momentary public indignation, it wouldn't amount to much.

However, this batch of candidates was different!

Recently failed candidates simply couldn't bear such provocation. When newspapers from the capital spread throughout the country, countless failed candidates would harbor resentment over this matter, and might even incite civil unrest!

Originally, he was quite happy to supervise the examination. At his age, it was also considered the last time he would supervise an examination.

He never expected such a major mishap!

The pen of history is like iron! If something really went wrong, let alone being detrimental to the court, he himself might go down in history with eternal infamy!

"Fang Zheng! You've ruined me! How dare the Banshan Newspaper Office report on anything! Is this something that can be discussed?" Zhang Dongxiang fumed.

"You're using public resources for private gain!"

Fang Zheng immediately became displeased. "What are you saying? Our newspaper reports on all matters, big and small, related to people's lives!"

"The imperial examination concerns all common people in the world. How can it not be reported?!"

Zhang Dongxiang's forehead veins bulged. "Don't you have a brain? Look at what's written up there!"

"Countless failed candidates have expressed dissatisfaction with this matter, and with this batch of candidates, if trouble starts, the consequences will be beyond what you and I can bear!"

"How will it be resolved then? Tell me!"

Fang Zheng had a "sudden realization," his eyes suddenly straightened, and he said absently. "Oh!"

"I didn't think... I really didn't think it was so deep."

"A bunch of scoundrels... aren't some people just using this to slander the court! Third Uncle, what should we do?!"

Zhang Dongxiang was extremely regretful, but seeing his appearance, he couldn't say much more.

Fang Zheng was always one to report good news and not bad news in court meetings. There was no reason for him to use the newspaper to cause trouble.

This situation should be an accident...

"What to do? What can I do! Now the newspapers have already been distributed. Could I possibly collect them back one by one from the people's hands?"

"The examination compound in the capital is easy to handle. At worst, we don't use the seals and appease this batch of candidates. But what about other examination compounds? News from the capital still needs time to reach the local areas."

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment, then said calmly. "Don't worry! This matter may not be as difficult as you think!"

"With the spread of paper prices and sweet potato cultivation, there will be more and more scholars sooner or later!"

"Such discussions will happen sooner or later. Discovering it early allows us to nip it in the bud. It might be a good thing."

"Third Uncle, you are the chief examiner. Don't you still have the right to report directly to His Majesty in the examination hall? I think you should quickly draft a memorial to present to His Majesty."

"Immediately stop using the seals, and promptly change the seats for candidates who have received unfair treatment in the examination hall."

"Also, the latrines in the examination compound should be renovated as soon as the examination ends. They should be farther from the candidates. We can't just muddle through as if nothing happened!"

"This way, while the examination is not yet over and public opinion has not spread, if the imperial edict is transmitted to the people first, won't scholars throughout the land be grateful? The court is watching over them!"

"Won't you be a great benefactor to scholars throughout the land?!"