Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

Ji Jiahui was ecstatic, but Nie Ziru, the headmaster of the provincial school, was so worried that her hair was about to fall out.

I really wasn't destined to be the chief examiner. Every time I do, there's trouble.

The previous troubles were all caused by candidates who failed the exams, but they were managed to be suppressed somehow.

But the leader of this chaos was the son of the prefect.

Nie Ziru was an upright official who didn't quite understand the twists and turns in officialdom. He didn't understand why the prefect's son wanted to take the lead.

The only thing that is clear is that in order to resolve this matter, the prefect must step in.

Nie Ziru's visit was completely within Ji Jiahui's expectations, or rather, Ji Jiahui was waiting for Nie Ziru to come and ask for help.

In the past, whenever Nie Ziru visited him, he always acted in an arrogant manner, because he felt that he was a clean official in Guangling Prefecture and had no conflicts of interest with other officials, so he did not have to consider the other officials' attitudes.

But when he came to visit today, he looked haggard, his steps were unsteady, and his temples were wet with sweat.

"I have seen you sir."

Ji Jiahui pretended to be surprised and asked, "Nie Xuezheng, what's wrong with you?"

"Sit down and talk."

"Someone, bring the tea."

Nie Ziru sat down carefully and thanked him repeatedly.

After the servants brought tea, Ji Jiahui pointed to the documents on the table and said, "Some time ago, I unfortunately contracted an illness, and the government affairs of the yamen are almost piling up like a mountain."

Next, Ji Jiahui talked about everything, but avoided the scientific examination.

The smile on Nie Ziru's lips became more bitter.

He understood that Ji Jiahui was warning him.

But now the only one he can rely on is Ji Jiahui, so even if he is beaten, he can only endure it.

"Sir, there's a group of examinees gathered at the entrance of the prefectural school..."

Ji Jiahui picked up his teacup and said calmly, "Oh, I just heard about it too. These candidates don't bother to lay a solid foundation. After failing the exam, they only know how to complain about the unfairness of the government. They really insult the ancient sages."

"But then again, the commotion this time was bigger than in previous years. The number of candidates sitting in front of the prefectural school gates must have exceeded a hundred, right? Many of them were candidates who made the list."

"This shows that there are indeed serious flaws in this provincial examination."

These words frightened Nie Ziru so much that his soul almost left his body and his mind was in a mess.

As Ji Jiahui spoke, he observed Nie Ziru's expression. Seeing him shivering like a sieve and sweating profusely, he felt that the situation was almost ripe. He immediately changed the subject and said, "Even if there was a mistake, I believe it has nothing to do with Nie Xuezheng."

"But Nie Xuezheng, I heard that you have a good relationship with Sheng Chuliang?"

Nie Ziru flatly denied it, saying, "Who is gossiping? Sheng Chuliang and I have no connection. Please understand!"

Ji Jiahui said with a half-smile, "Is that so? In that case, I'd like to trouble Nie Xuezheng to accompany me to the government office to investigate this case."

"If we get to the bottom of it, we can clear Nie Xuezheng's name, right?"

Nie Ziru covered his chest, feeling as if his heart was being cut by a knife.

Ji Jiahui keeps saying that he wants to clear his name, but in fact he wants to torture himself to death!

As the chief examiner of this provincial examination, he cannot be separated from any problems that arise in the examination. If the interrogation is only carried out by the officials below, it will not have much impact on him.

However, now Ji Jiahui has to conduct the interrogation personally, which means that no matter what the final result of the interrogation is, he will have to bear the crime of negligence.

Being over 70 years old, Nie Ziru no longer expects to achieve anything in official circles. He just wants to preserve the reputation he has built up over decades!

I came to see Ji Jiahui just to ask him to be flexible and not to get involved in this matter personally.

But Ji Jiahui simply ignored his plea.

A lifetime of good reputation, ruined in an instant!

Nie Ziru stood up tremblingly and wanted to say something, but it felt like a peach pit was stuck in his throat and he couldn't utter a word.

Ji Jiahui stepped forward, took Nie Ziru's hand, and comforted him, "Nie Xuezheng, don't panic. I'll take care of it for you."

"If it turns out that someone is behind this deliberate frame-up, I will not let them off lightly."

Nie Ziru smiled a smile uglier than crying and said, "Thank you... sir."

Ji Jiahui said, "Order all the students who led the riot to be brought to the government office. I will personally interrogate them!"

Half an hour later.

The main hall of the government office.

Ji Jiahui sat in the first seat and with a wave of his hand, the officers came in, leading a group of scholars led by Ning Wenxu.

The students bowed respectfully and shouted, "Students greet the lord."

Ji Jiahui's eyes swept across the faces of these people one by one, and he said indifferently: "I recognize many of you."

"They are all people with achievements in this government."

"Give me a seat."

Nie Ziru, who was listening to the trial, felt completely worried.

While waiting for the students to attend class, he was still fantasizing that Ji Jiahui would severely punish these students and completely suppress this incident.

However, Ji Jiahui's words "please take a seat" made Nie Ziru understand that the so-called trial was just a formality.

Ji Jiahui has a close relationship with this group of students, and it is even possible that he had communicated with them in advance.

Nie Ziru pondered for a moment and suddenly realized something.

For this provincial examination, Ji Jiahui appointed me as the chief examiner. However, because I was tired of this job, when admitting candidates, I did not communicate with Ji Jiahui in advance, but released the list directly.

This is undoubtedly a challenge to the authority of the prefect, so taking advantage of the students' unrest, Ji Jiahui wants to severely punish himself and make him understand that he, the prefect, still has the final say in Guangling Prefecture?

Nie Ziru was so confused that she could no longer hear the sounds around her.

At this time, several students also took their seats.

Ji Jiahui said: "Tell me your names."

The few students who had just sat down stood up again quickly, not daring to complain at all, and honestly said their names.

"Student Ning Wenxu."

"Wang Zheng."

"Kang Liang."

Ji Jiahui said calmly, "Why are you sitting quietly at the gate of the prefectural school?"

"You all know that without official permission, no one is allowed to sit in front of a government institution. You are challenging the authority of the court, which is a serious crime. Do you understand?"

Ning Wenxu bowed and said, "I dare not lie to you, sir. The students are sitting in silence at the entrance of the prefectural school to seek justice."

"What's justice?"

"Someone cheated in this provincial exam!"

Ji Jiahui sneered: "You are so sure, do you have any evidence?"

Ning Wenxu sighed inwardly and thought to himself, "Brother Chen, I'm sorry, I was forced to do this."

"I'm asking you a question, why are you in a daze?" Ji Jiahui slammed the gavel and scolded.

Ning Wenxu straightened his expression and said, "Sir, I don't have any evidence, but I can provide three points of doubt."

Ji Jiahui said: "Just tell me, I will figure it out."

"But if what you said is just groundless rumors, I will not let you off easily!"