We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Lin Qingyuan had excellent hearing and instantly caught the shout coming from ahead.

He paused for a moment, then turned to look at Zhang Qian, who stood beside him with a blank expression, his eyes gleaming with surprise:

"Brother Zhang! It sounds like someone up ahead is calling your name?!"

Zhang Qian trembled upon hearing this, but his eyes were filled with blankness.

He thought Lin Qingyuan must have misheard him. The students in front of him didn't know him, so why were they calling his name?

Although he subconsciously thought this way, deep down in Zhang Qian's heart, a sense of vigilant expectation welled up, and he had a vague premonition.

However, a clearer and louder shout soon came from ahead, carrying obvious curiosity:

"Top of the list! The top person is Zhang Qian, the first place winner in the provincial examination!"

"Who is this extraordinary person, Brother Zhang? Come out and let everyone broaden their horizons!"

Immediately afterwards, some eager observers read out the more detailed footnotes next to the top of the list:

"Zhang Qian, a native of Fenzhou, is twenty-six years old."

"Evaluation: Scripture Reading - Excellent! Calligraphy Interpretation - Top-notch! Logic - Excellent! Policy Questions - Top-notch! My God, which sage has been reincarnated? He got perfect scores in all subjects!!"

The questions on the postscript and logic have fixed answers, with the highest score being 'superior'. The highest score for questions on the meaning of words and policy is 'superior'. Zhang Qian's score is truly a perfect score!

This time, the shouts were clear and distinct, leaving no room for error.

Lin Qingyuan heard it clearly, and a smile instantly bloomed on his face. He grabbed Zhang Qian's arm tightly and shook it excitedly:

"Brother Zhang! A native of Fenzhou! Twenty-six years old! So this is you!"

"Hahaha! I knew I hadn't misjudged you, you're number one! Number one in this year's imperial examination!!!"

"boom--"

Zhang Qian felt as if tens of thousands of thunderbolts had exploded in his mind at the same time, shattering all his thoughts.

His mind went blank, his pupils instantly lost focus, and everything in front of him became blurry.

All that could be heard was the frantic pounding of his own heart, a thunderous roar like the beating of a war drum.

The sound made his whole body go numb, and he almost couldn't stand up.

Top of the list?

Am I the top scorer in the provincial examination?

The thought, like a spell, echoed repeatedly in his blank mind, yet it could not produce any real meaning.

He simply couldn't understand it, let alone believe it!

I clearly wrote such a... treasonous piece, criticizing the court, officials, and even the imperial power, and even sullying the policy questions on the exam paper.

Not only was he not punished, but His Majesty... His Majesty personally selected him as the top candidate?!

Confusion, ecstasy, fear, shock...

Countless extreme emotions surged within him like a tsunami, yet none of them could truly surface on his face.

He stood frozen in place, his face expressionless, as if his soul had left his body.

Only one thought remained in my mind: Why should I?

What makes me, a peasant boy who has never even had a master, a mud-legged man who struggles to survive, a person who can't even step into the threshold of a wealthy family, so special?

What makes me stand out among tens of thousands of students and become the top student in the spotlight?!

Just as Zhang Qian was completely out of his mind, Lin Qingyuan looked at him and felt both amused and excited for him.

He knew all too well how arduous Zhang Qian's journey had been, and he also knew what this moment of glory meant to him.

A surge of heroic spirit welled up in Lin Qingyuan's heart, and he suddenly grabbed Zhang Qian's calloused hand and raised it high.

Then, gathering his inner strength, his clear and melodious voice, like the cry of a crane in the heavens, instantly drowned out the noise of the entire arena:

"Ladies and gentlemen! This is my dear friend—Zhang Qian, the top scorer in this year's imperial examination!!!"

boom--

This announcement, like a spark thrown into a pile of firewood, instantly ignited the city before the imperial palace.

Everyone's gaze was drawn as if by invisible threads, focusing entirely on Lin Qingyuan and the figure beside him.

Even the Ministry of Rites official who was calling out the names subconsciously paused and looked up in this direction.

Ma Zhong, who had been standing at attention with his hand on his sword to maintain order, couldn't help but cast a curious glance, wanting to see just who this student, personally selected as the top student by His Majesty, was.

Upon seeing Zhang Qian's peasant attire, Ma Zhong was initially taken aback, but then a knowing smile appeared on his face.

As expected, His Majesty is truly worthy of the title, always able to find the gems among mortals.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, all that could be seen was a handsome young man with a refined demeanor and dressed in white, raising the arm of another student.

And the one being held up... are you sure this is the top scorer of this year's imperial examination? Or just an ordinary citizen?

He wore a faded, patched coarse cloth garment, and his face was a dark reddish-brown from years of exposure to wind and sun.

He was thin, with dry hair, and his face was expressionless with empty eyes.

He seemed completely unaware of what had happened, forming a stark contrast with the radiant young man in white robes beside him.

But everyone heard Lin Qingyuan's shout just now and knew that this extraordinary young man in white robes was not the top of the list.

So, the top scorer in this year's imperial examination is actually this...farm boy who seems more like he's just there for the fun of it?!

Meanwhile, in another corner of the crowd.

Those impoverished scions of noble families finally got a clear look at Zhang Qian's face.

When they confirmed that the name at the top of the list belonged to the same person as the face they had once despised, they felt as if they had been struck by a heavy hammer. Their heads went blank, and their faces turned ashen instantly.

How can it be......

That peasant who can't even recite the Analects fluently... is the top scorer this year?!

Is Your Majesty perhaps...blind?!

And after doubt comes deep fear.

The top scorer in the first imperial examination, what rank will he become in the future?