Episode 24 recap: Corruption in the Imperial Examination led to Ding Bao Zhen being demoted.
Qi Songru arrived in Sichuan to meet his teacher, Ding Bao Zhen. Ding Bao Zhen, as his teacher, constantly reminded him about the way of being an official. Qi Songru advised Ding Bao Zhen to seize the opportunity to travel to the capital, as it would surely lead to an official position as a prime minister. Ding Bao Zhen felt that Qi Songru didn't understand him and instructed his wife to prepare food and wine. However, Qi Songru used the excuse of being busy with political matters to leave. Ding Bao Zhen immediately understood his attitude.
The autumn imperial examination began, and Ding Bao Zhen wished all the students good results and stated that they would be treated equally. He also warned that cheating would be severely punished. Ding Bao Zhen felt that the weather was getting colder, and with over a hundred candidates at the examination hall, there was not enough porridge to go around. He worried that the students wouldn't have enough to eat, so he personally cooked and sent porridge to the examination hall.
While preparing the porridge, Jin Xiaomei was visited by Qi Songru, who specifically came to see her. Jin Xiaomei expressed that she had figured things out and admitted that she couldn't let go of her feelings for him. She realized that avoiding certain matters was futile. Qi Songru was extremely excited and wanted to express his thoughts, but Jin Xiaomei told him to think it through and give her a clear answer. She didn't want him to keep beating around the bush.
When the results of the autumn examination were announced, Ma Qianli unexpectedly passed the exam. Other scholars questioned how a person with so many spelling mistakes could pass and suspected foul play. They united and presented the facts to Ding Bao Zhen, expressing their frustration after studying diligently in the cold room for more than ten years, only to be surpassed by such an opponent. Ding Bao Zhen, upon hearing this, revealed that he also passed the examination with the third rank and promised to investigate the matter to give the students a fair outcome.
Upon learning that the Sichuan officials had accused Ding Bao Zhen of corruption in the autumn examination, En Cheng prepared to go to Sichuan as soon as the Empress Dowager gave the order. Ding Bao Zhen insisted on personally reviewing the examination papers this time, and the other officials had no choice but to comply. Chen Yufei speculated that once the corruption was exposed, Ding Bao Zhen would undoubtedly be implicated. For the sake of the students, Ding Bao Zhen decided to risk it all.
Ding Bao Zhen discovered that Ma Qianli's examination paper had more than twenty spelling mistakes, while a revised version was written afterwards. However, Ding Bao Zhen never had the chance to review that particular paper, as it never reached him. Lao Song, as the chief examiner, informed Ding Bao Zhen that he personally delivered the examination papers and no one else took over.
Ding Bao Zhen handed Ma Qianli's paper to the other chief examiners, and two of them thought of En Cheng's orders. In the end, they gave the paper to Qi Songru, who then handed the modified version to another official. Ding Bao Zhen analyzed the situation and realized that the chief examiners coincidentally had red ink pens to modify the papers, and the paper that he hadn't seen happened to be the one that was altered. The situation was likely not as simple as it seemed.
At this time, En Cheng arrived with an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, demoting Ding Bao Zhen to the rank of fourth-grade official. The crowd of students mistakenly believed that Ding Bao Zhen was responsible for the cheating in this incident, and discussions were abound. Satisfied with what he heard, En Cheng left. Ding Bao Zhen took off his official hat at this moment, feeling greatly disappointed, unsure of the future of the Qing dynasty.
Ding Bao Zhen, in a drunken state, returned home. Lady Zhong said that Ding Bao Zhen had experienced many ups and downs in the past few years and didn't care about personal honor or disgrace. Though he may not care, he had seen the fickleness of human relationships and the deceitfulness of others. What he cared about were the common people. He should not have chilled the hearts of all the students in the name of the imperial examination. The students were the hope of the Qing dynasty.
Chen Yun Fei and Jin Xiaomei were outraged and stood up for Ding Bao Zhen. At this moment, everyone in the Ding residence felt heartbroken. Qi Songru, wearing a cloak, secretly met with En Cheng. En Cheng praised him for his contribution and admitted that he had intended to bring down Ding Bao Zhen, but the Empress Dowager had shown leniency.
En Cheng entrusted Qi Songru with an important task this time, which was to be in charge of donations. With En Cheng's help, he could navigate relationships and obtain any official position he desired. Qi Songru understood the meaning behind this and would act as a middleman. Seeing Qi Songru hesitate, En Cheng appointed him as the Chengdu Prefect. Qi Songru was overjoyed and would surely serve En Cheng diligently.
The next day, Qi Songru came to Ding Bao Zhen with his appointment letter. Ding Bao Zhen remarked that Qi Songru had become skilled and well-versed in etiquette. Ding Bao Zhen mentioned that not only was he not implicated due to their teacher-student relationship, but he also received a promotion by two ranks, which made him very pleased. Qi Songru used this opportunity to say that the Empress Dowager valued Ding Bao Zhen's contributions and appointed a trusted person to assist him.
Qi Songru officially took office and declared himself as the Chengdu Prefect. He stated that from now on, his decisions would be final, and it was understood that he had a close relationship with Ding Bao Zhen and would support him from behind. Upon hearing this, the other officials expressed their unwavering support for Qi Songru. Qi Songru's mother came to visit him, and he took the opportunity to express his desire to start a family. His mother also hoped that Jin Xiaomei would marry into the Qi family.
Ding Bao Zhen was not happy because of Qi Songru's promotion to Chengdu Prefect. He worried that Qi Songru's rapid advancement in the official career might make him restless.
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