Chapter 6, Examination.

Fortune Altar

Wang Yue casually reached out, took a book, and flipped it open to glance at it, saying: "The Doctrine of the Mean, content on page 38"

If one remains obscure and unnoticed, the best outcome would be to die an old man in the palace. Even if it is for the purpose of gathering the power of fortune, he must strive to ascend.

Fan Heng let out a light hum and said: "Chu Yi, the reason I have summoned you here today is to assess your abilities. If you perform exceptionally well, I shall not hesitate to reward you generously"

Cao Shaoqin bowed respectfully and stepped towards Chu Yi. Upon reaching Chu Yi, he clasped his hands and said: "I am Cao Shaoqin, a common eunuch under the Wang family."

Thus, Fan Heng's words were half a joke and half a warning, indicating the need to identify those who engage in reckless gossip.

Wang Yue squinted his eyes and said to the young eunuch: "Shaoqin, why don't you compete with Chu Yi and see who among you is stronger or weaker"

Although they refer to each other as brothers, the open and covert struggles between them have never ceased

Chu Yi hurriedly paid his respects to Wang Yue

Fan Heng smiled and said: "You, Lord Wang, shall go first for the first question"

Therefore, Chu Yi could only place his hopes on the examination proposed by Wang Yue to turn the situation around

Adult, bring Chu Yi!

Fan Heng waved his hand and said to Chu Yi, "Chu Yi, come here, let me introduce you. This is Chief Steward Wang Yue, hurry up and pay your respects to the Chief Steward."

Fan Heng nodded slightly, while Wang Yue said to Fan Heng, "Brother Fan, since the one known as the 'Seed of Learning,' Chu Yi, has arrived, why not call him over to let everyone have a look."

Fan Heng took a deep breath and slowly said: "Since the noble officials are examining your knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics, then I shall test your skills in chess. You all know Go, right?"

A delicate-looking young eunuch stood respectfully beside Wang Yue, who was smiling as he addressed Fan Heng: "Brother Fan, our Office of Ceremonial Affairs has produced quite a few promising talents; in the future, we may overshadow your Imperial Horse Department!"

Not to mention Fan Heng, even Chu Yi and Cao Shaoqin appeared somewhat bewildered. Just by looking at their expressions, it is evident that they usually do not pay attention to the number of pages or such matters.

The grand hall is in sight, and faintly, a soft laughter can be heard. Chu Yi stands outside the hall, while the young eunuch enters the hall to report.

Fan Heng, with the appearance of a good-natured person, smiled slightly and said, "Brother Wang, your subordinates are truly talented, no wonder His Majesty relies on you so much"

The young eunuch standing beside Wang Yue was also sizing up Chu Yi at this moment. This young eunuch appeared to be of a similar age to Chu Yi, but his gaze seemed somewhat effeminate, making him look unlike an ordinary young eunuch

It must be said that Wang Yue's examination was somewhat unexpected and rather tricky

Wang Yue said to Fan Heng, "Please bring me the Four Books and the Five Classics."

However, relying on this method is clearly not very reliable. As for Go, Chu Yi questions his own talent, especially since he noticed the excitement that flashed in Cao Shaoqin's eyes when Fan Heng mentioned Go. It goes without saying that Cao Shaoqin is very likely to possess a high level of talent and skill in Go.

Seeing Chu Yi so calm, Cao Shaoqin couldn't help but raise his vigilance towards him. He was well aware that the contest between him and Chu Yi today was related to the face of Fan Heng and Wang Yue. Given his favored status in front of Wang Yue, losing was not terrifying; however, if he lost too embarrassingly, he might very well lose favor with Wang Yue.

Wang Yue nodded with a smile and said, "What Brother Fan said is true; for those who dare to speak recklessly, we must not show any mercy."

This time, Fan Heng's summons is undoubtedly an opportunity. As long as he performs outstandingly later and enhances Fan Heng's reputation in front of Wang Yue, it is likely that Fan Heng will place even greater importance on him

Since Fan Heng sent someone to bring Chu Yi here, it is naturally with the intention of not allowing Wang Yue to show off in front of him, so he is not afraid of Wang Yue knowing this

Wang Yue smiled as she looked at Chu Yi and Cao Shaoqin and said, "Let's begin"

Cao Shaoqin was well aware that Chu Yi could be defeated; even if he were to lose, at most he would only forfeit the opportunity valued by Fan Heng. However, he was different from Chu Yi, and therefore he had to give his all.

The Analects, page 62, content, The Great Learning, page 13, content, Mencius, page 21, content

Wang Yue glanced at the little eunuch who had leaned close to Fan Heng's ear, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth

As the two engaged in a verbal exchange, Chu Yi slowly walked into the hall

Fan Heng waved his hand and said: "Since that is the case, you two will play a game shortly. You must understand that there are profound principles contained within the game of Go"

Chu Yi pays his respects to the Chief Steward

Wang Yue merely pondered for a moment, then lightly chuckled and nodded, saying, "This is indeed very good"

I am Chu Yi

Although it is clear that Wang Yue has certainly placed his own personnel within the Imperial Horse Monitoring Office, just as he has done in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the fact that events occurring on his side have reached Wang Yue so quickly naturally leaves Fan Heng feeling rather displeased

In the living room, Fan Heng sat in the main seat, while Wang Yue occupied the guest seat. One of them held the position of the head of the Court of Rites, the foremost authority in the inner court, while the other was in charge of the Imperial Horse Bureau, commanding the Imperial Guard, wielding significant power.

Wang Yue's gaze swept over Chu Yi, and in that moment, Chu Yi felt as if he were being seen through by the other party. He then heard Wang Yue slightly nod and say: "Not bad, but I wonder if it is as rumored."

Wang Yue was not polite at all, and with a focused expression, he said to Chu Yi and Cao Shaoqin: "Today, I will assess your understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics."

Fan Heng, who was standing nearby, was taken aback when he saw that Wang Yue's method of examination was like this, and then he burst into laughter. If the examination were to focus on a specific passage from one of the Forty-Five Classics, it would not be difficult for Chu Yi and Cao Shaoqin. However, Wang Yue did not test the specific content but rather asked about the content on a particular page, which posed a challenge.

Fan Heng was someone he had encountered before. Not to mention the other individual sitting there, whose presence was no less imposing than that of Fan Heng, it was naturally Wang Yue, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Ceremonial Office.

Although it is unclear what Wang Yue intends to do with the Four Books and Five Classics, Fan Heng nonetheless nodded towards the young eunuch who was attending him. Soon, a complete set of the Four Books and Five Classics was brought over, looking brand new and exuding the fragrance of ink

Now that Wang Yue has taken the initiative to speak, Fan Heng naturally agrees with the flow, smiling as he says: "What reading seeds, just a little eunuch, merely possessing a bit of cleverness. It must be someone spreading rumors. Once I find those gossiping fellows, I will surely tear their mouths apart"

Fan Heng said to Wang Yue, "My lord Wang, why don't the two of us each propose a question?"

During weekdays, they did not pay attention to the content of page forty-five, so at this moment, they can only rely on their vague memories to infer that a certain passage they recited might be on a certain page

A young eunuch presented paper and pen to the two individuals, who each fell into deep contemplation

Upon hearing this, Chu Yi couldn't help but smile. Cao Shaoqin was indeed extraordinary; even before the examination had begun, he had already revealed his unusual thoughts through his words.

This individual is the Grand Minister of the Ming Dynasty, wielding significant power, and even the cabinet ministers must show him a degree of deference.

Chu Yi and Cao Shaoqin exchanged a glance and nodded in unison

Once fallen out of favor, without the protection of Wang Yue, those who secretly envy him will pounce like wolves and tigers, and at that time, it is likely that there will be no way out but death