Chapter 366: Chapter 241: Autumn Letter to My Wife

"Academic Administrator Ma Shuhan has sent word that all men in Shu State who hold scholarly honors must attend. Those who do not will be stripped of their honors and forever barred from the imperial examinations."

Chen Yunfan looked at Chen Yi and said gravely,

"You’ve missed the Annual Examination twice before. Even with Jinling Academy vouching for you, you were still demoted from a scholar to an apprentice student."

"If you miss it this time, you can imagine the consequences."

Seeing Chen Yi remain silent, he continued, "Furthermore, Ma Shuhan has also submitted a memorial to the Imperial Court, petitioning the Holy Emperor to change parts of the Sixth Rank Demotion Step."

"Oh? What did he change?"

Chen Yi knew of the Sixth Rank Demotion Step. It was essentially an evaluation system with grades, similar to "Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor," or "A, B, C, D."

Ranks ranged from "First" to "Sixth," with First being the highest and Sixth being the worst.

First and Second Rank scholars received rewards, while Third Rank was considered a pass, with neither reward nor punishment.

But for the Fourth Rank, punishment was administered—usually a rap on the knuckles from an Academy Master.

Fifth and Sixth Ranks were even more severe. In lesser cases, the student was expelled from the academy. In more serious cases, they were stripped of their scholarly honors, demoted to a basic student, and forced to start over.

Chen Yunfan’s expression was unusually serious as he said, "For anyone below Third Rank, their scholarly honors may be revoked, subject to review."

"Subject to review?"

"Yes. Besides the Academic Administrator’s evaluation, they will also consult the Shu State Governor’s Office, the Academy Masters, and respected elders for their recommendations. That’s what ’subject to review’ means."

’So there’s some room to maneuver,’ Chen Yi realized.

’The evaluations from the Government Office, the masters, and so on... it all came down to the people involved.’

’If the right people are chosen, the Shu State scholars can expect results similar to previous years.’

’But if the wrong people are chosen... who knows what will happen.’

Suddenly, Chen Yi thought of the conversation he had overheard between Li Huai’gu and Mr. Yue Ming at Guiyun Academy.

He recalled how Ma Shuhan, the Academic Administrator of Shu State, had invited Mr. Yue Ming to be the Vice Examiner for the upcoming Annual Examination.

He remembered Mr. Yue Ming saying that he and Ma Shuhan didn’t get along, and that the invitation was likely a deliberate attempt to cause trouble for him.

As these thoughts passed through his mind, Chen Yi asked nonchalantly, "When did Academic Administrator Ma make this decision?"

"He came to the Governor’s Office yesterday to announce it."

"From his tone, it’s clear he wants to teach the Shu State scholars a good lesson."

"I have no idea what he gets out of this. It’s ridiculous."

Seeing Chen Yunfan grumbling, Chen Yi inwardly understood and asked with a smile, "Did the two Governors not object?"

He knew that in the Great Wei Dynasty, the post of a state’s Academic Administrator was not a high one—Junior Fourth Grade at most.

It was a far cry from Liu Hong and Yang Ye’s ranks.

However, an Academic Administrator wasn’t a local official. The position was more like that of an imperial envoy, typically appointed directly by the Holy Emperor to assess the performance of a state’s scholars.

This gave the position its unique nature—they could report directly to the emperor.

’So even if Liu Hong and Yang Ye were unhappy with Ma Shuhan’s methods, they probably wouldn’t show it too openly,’ Chen Yi thought.

Chen Yunfan took a drink of wine and said disdainfully, "Of course Lord Yang is dissatisfied. He’s in charge of Shu State’s academic affairs, so how could he let that fellow Ma run amok?"

"But what could he do? Liu Hong agreed to it."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Lord Liu supported it?"

He pieced it together in his mind.

’By now, Mr. Yue Ming should have already met with Yang Ye and politely declined the Vice Examiner position.’

’Did Ma Shuhan tell Liu Hong about his plan to petition for changes to the Sixth Rank Demotion Step ahead of time?’

’But why would he agree?’

’After all, if the scholars of Shu State failed the Annual Examination en masse, it would only reflect poorly on a high official like Liu Hong, who was in charge of the region. There was no benefit for him.’

’Unless... the two of them planned it together.’

Chen Yunfan grunted in agreement, put down his wine cup, and continued his persuasion. "I’m guessing that Ma fellow is up to no good."

"You should just go ahead and take it this time. With your talent, passing the Annual Examination will be a piece of cake."

A smile touched Chen Yi’s lips as he nodded. "You have a point, Brother."

’I had already decided to take the exam, especially now, given these bizarre circumstances.’

’I’m curious to see what Ma Shuhan... or rather, Governor Liu Hong, is planning.’

Chen Yunfan glanced at him and snorted, "You’ve been as stubborn as a mule since you were a kid. It’s rare to see you so agreeable."

’But,’ he also thought, ’if it hadn’t been for the ’accident’ five years ago, Chen Yi would have likely already passed the higher examinations and become an official. He never would have ended up in this situation.’

’Ultimately, I’ll have to ask Mother, Cui Yu, to find out the real story.’

They continued to eat, drink, and chat.

Chen Yunfan did most of the talking, complaining about how busy the Governor’s Office was and how he, an Assistant Governor, had really drawn the short straw.

"With Xiao Dongchen’s death, I’m the only Assistant Governor left in the Government Office. Not only do I have to handle my own duties, I have to take over his as well."

"If Li Huai’gu didn’t help out, I’d never have a moment to spare."

When Chen Yunfan mentioned Xiao Dongchen, Chen Yi, who knew the full story, understood that the man’s death was no great loss. Nevertheless, Xiao Wan’er’s expression grew a little unnatural.

Seeing this, Cui Qingwu, who was sitting nearby, changed the subject. She smiled and said, "All this hard work must come with great rewards, Brother Yunfan."

Chen Yunfan raised his eyebrows at her words, then turned to Chen Yi with a smug look.

"Qingwu is right. After all the work I’ve done, I should at least get a First Class rating on my year-end performance review."

’He’s showing off again,’ Chen Yi thought with a private smile, but he still offered a few words of praise.

"Right after you passed the highest examinations, Brother, you were held in high regard by the Holy Emperor and appointed Assistant Governor of the Governor’s Office for Shu State. Your official career should be smooth sailing from here on out."

But the smile on Chen Yunfan’s face faded. He pursed his lips and said, "That man is not so benevolent."

"Oh? There’s more to it?"

"It’s not apparent yet, but based on what I saw and heard in the Capital Prefecture, that man is a brilliant and ambitious strategist. He never does anything without a reason."

"His posting me and Li Huai’gu to Shu State... I reckon he has other plans down the line."

Chen Yi had suspected as much himself. At first, he’d guessed that Chen Yunfan was sent to Shu State to succeed Yang Ye as the Right Governor.

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