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

Ning Wenxu said, "The first suspicious point is that Chen Lang has a very bad reputation in Nanhe County. Before he passed the examination to become a Tongsheng, he was a complete hooligan. He spent his days either wandering the streets, stealing, or beating women and children. No one has ever seen him read a single page of a book."

"Later, he passed the examination for a Tongsheng (a student) and set his sights on becoming a son-in-law of a wealthy family. This was known to everyone in Nanhe County. After failing to become a son-in-law, Chen Lang returned to business and still barely read."

"But here's the amazing part. He only needed a dozen days to get on the top of the county exam, and less than a month later, he was on the top of the prefectural exam."

"Sir, which student in the world has not studied hard for decades to achieve academic success? How is it that only Chen Lang can pass the imperial examination twice in just a few months?"

Nie Ziru wanted to refute. After all, there are people called "geniuses" in this world, and Chen Lang might be a genius.

However, before Nie Ziru could open her mouth, Ji Jiahui coughed lightly, scaring Nie Ziru back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

Ning Wenxu continued, "Secondly, Chen Lang had never shown his talent in public, yet overnight, he began producing numerous masterpieces. And then, with two poems presented at the poetry gathering, he successfully became a disciple of Sheng Chuliang."

"Sheng Chuliang, the Juren, is known for being old-fashioned and conservative. Why would he accept Chen Lang, a student born into a merchant family, as his apprentice?"

"As for the Peach Blossom Temple Song, although the inscription was written by Tang Bohu, many people have also seen that this poem was carved by Chen Lang on the wall of the Xiao family courtyard."

"Anyone who has read the poem 'Song of Peach Blossom Cottage' should be able to see that this poem could only have been written by someone who was down and out. How could Chen Lang, who is only in his twenties, have such profound insights?"

"It was Chen Lang's teacher, Sheng Chuliang, who had a difficult career after passing the imperial examination and retired to his hometown in his forties. He was able to write this poem."

"So I have reason to suspect that Chen Lang is just a tool used by Sheng Chuliang to complain about the court."

In fact, this argument is untenable, because for literati, it is unlikely to give a good poem to others, especially a poem like "Song of Peach Blossom Cottage" that is enough to be passed down through the ages. Not to mention master and disciple, even father and son would not give it to each other.

But Ning Wenxu has always emphasized that Cheng Lang is uneducated and unskilled, so at first glance this point of view seems to make sense.

Before everyone could react, Ning Wenxu went on to state his third doubt.

"The provincial examination papers have been published, and students have discovered that Chen Lang's handwriting, the perspectives he adopted in his policy essays, and his writing style are all extremely similar to Nie Xuezheng's."

"No one knew before that Nie Xuezheng was the chief examiner. Why did Chen Lang's essay so perfectly suit Nie Xuezheng's preferences? Was there some shady deal going on? Or did Chen Lang bribe the guards guarding the exam papers and get them in advance?"

The third doubt is extremely speculative, but its lethality is extremely terrifying.

This is also the reason why censors have been hated throughout the dynasties.

Their "reporting of affairs upon hearing anything" can easily destroy a good official.

Even if they are wrong in the end, they will never apologize, because it is their right to make groundless accusations and report them.

As for the damage done to good officials, what does it have to do with them?

What Ning Wenxu is doing now is about 70% similar to what the censors are doing.

He doesn't care about the evidence, he just points out the doubts he thinks. Even if Chen Lang can clear the suspicion in the end, this stain will still follow Chen Lang for the rest of his life and can be used to make a fuss at any time.

Nie Ziru had to express his opinion, even if Ji Jiahui stopped him with a look, he had to speak up!

Because Ning Wenxu's last doubt was directed at him!

Leaking exam questions is cheating, and cheating is a serious crime!

"That's nonsense!" Nie Ziru stood up and shouted, "None of your so-called doubts are supported by evidence. They are all just speculation."

"Just based on these nonsense remarks, you dare to gather so many people to cause trouble in front of the government school!"

"You are the one who should be held accountable!"

Ning Wenxu felt a little panicked, but when he thought of the promise made to him by the person behind him, he straightened his back again and faced Nie Ziru fearlessly, saying, "Nie Xuezheng, I said from the beginning that these are doubtful points. There is no solid evidence yet."

"However, the imperial examination was not only used to select talents for the imperial court, but was also the only way for poor students to serve the imperial court."

"If the imperial examinations are unfair, the world will be in chaos!"

"Students raise these doubts to safeguard the fairness of the imperial examination system and the image of the imperial court. Students do not feel they have done anything wrong!"

Ji Jiahui nodded slightly and said, "Well, that makes sense."

"Although these suspicions have no evidence to support them, they all sound suspicious."

"Nie Xuezheng, don't panic. If it is ultimately proven that this matter has nothing to do with you, I will severely punish this student and restore justice to you."

Nie Ziru said, "Sir, this boy has evil intentions and is absolutely untrustworthy."

Ji Jiahui waved his hand and said, "Nie Xuezheng, please sit down. This government will investigate whether it is credible. Don't worry."

"Someone, call Chen Lang!"

"For the sake of fairness and justice, this government has decided to move the interrogation location to the entrance of the government office so that students outside can witness it with their own eyes."

Several officers immediately went to summon Chen Lang, while other officers were busy moving the trial table to the gate of the government office.

When the students outside the government office learned that the prefect was going to interrogate Chen Lang in public, they all shouted "Great Judge".

In less than half an hour, Chen Lang was escorted to the gate of the government office by several officers.

Most of the students looked at him with eyes full of gloating.

Ning Wenxu, on the other hand, lowered his head silently, not daring to look at Chen Lang.

Chen Lang didn't expect to meet Ning Wenxu in such an occasion.

Seeing the accusation cloth in Ning Wenxu's hand, Chen Lang sighed and said, "Brother Ning, you still regard me as your opponent after all."

Ning Wenxu clenched his fists fiercely.

After a moment, he raised his head and said, "Brother Chen, I did this without any selfish motives. I just wanted to restore justice to the imperial examination system."

Chen Lang curled his lips: "Fair? Haha, it's not fair that you can take the exam."

Ning Wenxu was speechless.

The officer pushed Chen Lang and asked him to continue moving forward. Finally, he stopped two meters away from Ji Jiahui.

However, Chen Lang did not bow to Ji Jiahui. Instead, he gave Nie Ziru a student's greeting and said, "Student Chen Lang, greetings to the Master of School."

Nie Ziru was feeling uneasy. It was not right to respond, and it was not right not to respond either.

Ji Jiahui's face darkened, and he scolded coldly: "Who are you in the hall? Why don't you show respect when you see me?"

Chen Lang made an impassioned resignation: "Students respect good and honest officials and despise corrupt and incompetent officials."

"In the former case, students saluted respectfully, but in the latter case, they scoffed at it."

"Unfortunately, the prefect is the latter."

Nie Ziru's eyes went dark and he almost fainted.

It's over, completely over.

This guy is a big idiot. He actually openly accused the prefect of being a corrupt official!

Even if he didn't cheat, the prefect would never forgive him!

Moreover, you will have to suffer the consequences, and your entire reputation will be ruined!