The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 508

"The results are out! The results are out!"

Two days have passed since the imperial examination ended, and both ordinary people in the capital and merchants from other places have been paying close attention to the release of the results.

The list of successful candidates in the provincial examination determines who can advance to the next round of the palace examination. If a candidate's name is not on the provincial examination list, the imperial examination process ends there.

Therefore, countless students felt extremely anxious when they learned that the results would be released. For many, this imperial examination might determine their fate for the rest of their lives.

For older scholars, this might very well be their last chance to take the imperial examination; their fate rested entirely on this one attempt.

Many people achieve great things late in life. For example, Zhang Cong passed the provincial examination at the age of 23, but then went through eight more metropolitan examinations before finally passing the imperial examination at the age of 46 and becoming an official in the court.

The imperial examination was never just an entry ticket, not the final destination. How far one could rise in the officialdom depended entirely on the individual, and Zhang Cong is the best example of this.

"Weighing instrument, I'm a little nervous. Why don't you come with me to see the results?"

Wen Zhengming looked at Zhou Chu with a pleading expression.

Zhou Chu nodded upon hearing this.

"Teacher, there's no need to be nervous. The students will go with you."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he followed Wen Zhengming out of the Zhou residence and headed straight for the entrance of the examination hall.

At this time, countless scholars who wanted to see the results of the imperial examinations and ordinary people from the capital who wanted to watch the excitement had gathered at the entrance of the examination hall.

Upon seeing Zhou Chu arrive, the officials on duty on both sides of the examination hall hurriedly ran to him.

"Lord Zhou, what brings you here?"

The two officials on duty approached Zhou Chu, their faces full of flattery.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding scholars and common people immediately began to discuss it.

"Who is this person? Why are the officials of the Imperial Examination Hall so respectful?"

A scholar looked at his friend, puzzled.

"Commander Zhou of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a favorite of His Majesty with immense power and influence, don't you recognize him?"

His friend said with a disdainful look.

Upon hearing this, the others around lowered their heads, afraid of offending Zhou Chu by looking directly at him.

"I came with my teacher to check the list together."

Zhou Chu looked at Wen Zhengming beside him and smiled.

The two officials on duty at the examination hall looked at Wen Zhengming and immediately understood.

"Mr. Zhengming has passed the imperial examination and ranked fifty-third. Congratulations, Mr. Zhengming."

The two officials had obviously done their homework beforehand. They generally didn't care much about the ranking of scholars, but Wen Zhengming had a special status; he was the teacher of Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Such a status naturally warranted their attention, and as it turned out, their preparations were not superfluous. They came in handy at this moment, subtly flattering Zhou Chu.

Congratulations, Mr. Zhengming.

The surrounding scholars all offered their congratulations to Wen Zhengming.

Wen Zhengming's calligraphy was extremely famous throughout the Ming Dynasty. He was a person who could leave his name in history through his calligraphy, and his calligraphy was almost overwhelming in the same era.

For many years, Wen Zhengming was only a scholar, but countless high-ranking officials sought his calligraphy. In fact, in the sixteenth year of the Zhengde reign, Wen Zhengming even wrote a postscript on Emperor Huizong's "Preface to the Imperial Collection of Emperor Huizong".

It's important to understand that today's literati are not like Emperor Qianlong later, who had to stamp and inscribe their works regardless of their qualifications. Wen Zhengming's ability to inscribe on numerous famous works was a testament to the widespread expectation.

Therefore, many scholars felt resentful about Wen Zhengming's repeated failures in the imperial examinations. Many even regarded Wen Zhengming as their teacher and imitated his calligraphy. So when Wen Zhengming passed the examinations, most scholars felt no jealousy, only joy, and were genuinely happy for this literary giant of the Ming Dynasty.

"Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you very much."

Wen Zhengming couldn't stop smiling. He had taken the imperial examinations many times but failed each time. However, after taking Zhou Chu as his disciple, his luck seemed to have turned around. Last year, he passed the provincial examination in Southern Zhili and became a Juren. Now, he passed the metropolitan examination and became a Jinshi.

Although it was only in the fifties, it was already a luxury for Wen Zhengming. He originally thought he might not pass the imperial examination this time, and he was even prepared to be ridiculed by Tang Bohu.

As expected, the results were just as the scale had predicted; changing the examiner really made a difference.

"Student Xu Jie greets Lord Zhou."

As everyone was immersed in joy, Xu Jie came before Zhou Chu and bowed.

Zhou Chu looked at Xu Jie and understood that with Xu Jie's abilities, he would definitely pass the imperial examination.

"It's Zisheng. It's been more than a year since we last met in Jiangnan last year."

Zhou Chu looked at Xu Jie and smiled.

"It's been a year and a half since we last met."

Xu Jie said.

"I wonder how Zisheng did in the imperial examination this time?"

Zhou Chu looked at Xu Jie and said.

"The students were lucky to get into high school."

Xu Jie said with a humble expression.

Zhou Chu nodded upon hearing this.

In fact, Zhou Chu had already looked at the list.

Xu Jie High School ranked second!

Although this is not the final ranking, which will depend on the final imperial examination, given Xu Jie's appearance, his ranking will likely be similar to historical records, and he is highly likely to achieve the third-highest rank.

"Zisheng is already in high school at such a young age; his future is limitless."

Zhou Chu patted Xu Jie on the shoulder and said.

"You flatter me, sir. Compared to you, I am but a firefly."

Xu Jie bowed and said.

"Teacher, we've seen the list, let's go back."

Zhou Chu looked at Wen Zhengming beside him and asked for his opinion.

"Okay, go back."

At this moment, Wen Zhengming was full of vigor and looked much younger.

Zhou Chu knew very well that this was only the ranking of the provincial examination; the final ranking would be based on the palace examination.

With my own status and the fact that the teacher is indeed very talented, my ranking in the palace examination should not be too low.

In any case, compared to the other officials, the teacher was practically one of their own, so the emperor would certainly be happy to promote him.

As long as he passed the provincial examination, with Zhou Chu by his side, Wen Zhengming's future career would be smooth sailing.

"Teacher, please focus on preparing for the imperial examination. I will celebrate with you when the results are released."

Zhou Chu looked at Wen Zhengming and smiled.

"How can I let you worry about everything? To be honest, I haven't taught you much, but I've troubled you with everything."

Wen Zhengming said with a face full of guilt.

"Whatever the teacher says is what students should do. The teacher should just focus on preparing for the exam."

Zhou Chu smiled.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhengming had no time to think further. He was thinking that he would help his student properly after he entered the court as an official. He immediately returned to his room and began to prepare for the palace examination.