Chapter 35: When It Comes to Trash Talk, I’ve Never Lost!

"Unable to register?" Cheng An paused for a moment.

"Was it not said that age is no barrier?"

"What is it to you?" The petty official rolled his eyes at him, then ignored him entirely.

Cheng An felt helpless. He had no choice but to step aside and relay the situation to Du Xiu exactly as it happened.

"Age restrictions?" Du Xiu was instantly incensed. "Absurd!" He strode over to the registration desk, pushed aside the students waiting in line, and glared at the official. "Our Great Zhou Dynasty has always favored scholars; there has never been an age limit for the provincial examinations! How dare you set your own rules?"

"Nonsense!" The official stood up, his face cold. "Who set their own rules?" With many students watching, he could not possibly admit to such a thing. He sneered, "Are you two sick in the head? Asking an eight-year-old child to participate in the provincial exam—have you gone mad trying to chase fame?"

"You!" Du Xiu’s eyes widened in fury.

"What about me?" The official retorted with booming confidence, glancing around at the crowd. "An eight-year-old child who probably cannot even recognize all the characters—such behavior... what do you take these scholars in this courtyard for?"

*Swish!*

Countless gazes snapped toward them. The students waiting for the exam stared at the master and his pupil in unison. Contempt, disgust, and even cold mockery filled the air.

Scholars are often driven by fame and fortune. Few in this day and age could truly live up to the ideal of one "upon whom heaven bestows a great burden," and those driven by self-interest were all too common. Yet, while all people chase fame and fortune, it is usually not a shameful thing. But to bring an eight-year-old child to take the provincial exam... that was simply repulsive.

Regardless of whether Cheng An could pass, his mere participation would brand all the other candidates as "bullies picking on a child." It was like a college student competing against a primary schooler—losing or winning, both would be a disgrace.

That was exactly the official’s goal. He did not even need to speak; the students in the courtyard would not stand for it.

"Setting aside your grandstanding for a moment," Cheng An said, realizing he was becoming the target of public ire. He could no longer afford to play the innocent child. He said coldly, "When I first came to register, you remarked, 'So you really came.' What did you mean by that? Did you know I was coming?"

"I..." The official did not expect Cheng An to dare speak. He stammered, his mouth agape, before continuing, "Ridiculous! Why would I know you? Furthermore, I am ashamed to even associate with people like you who trade in fame and vanity!"

"Well said!"
"An eight-year-old child taking the exam? You really have the nerve!"
"Have you gone crazy wanting to be famous?"

Some of the onlookers, eager to see trouble, began to stir the pot.

Cheng An remained calm, though he cursed the Magistrate Zhou inwardly. That man was truly narrow-minded. An eight-year-old taking the exam—regardless of what others thought, for a magistrate, this should have been a wonderful story, a sign of excellent governance that could be touted as a triumph. Yet, Magistrate Zhou not only failed to encourage it but worked behind the scenes to sabotage them.

Cheng An glanced quietly at Du Xiu beside him. How deep was the grudge? The man was willing to sacrifice his own administrative achievements just to ruin them.

"Fine!" Cheng An stepped forward, staring at the official without a hint of fear. "Then tell us! Exactly what age must one be to take the provincial exam?"

"Since everyone is here, we can inform our village upon returning so that those who are underage can give up on the idea early, or perhaps go to another county to take the exam! That way, they can avoid being humiliated for nothing!"

"I..." The official was speechless. He stared at Cheng An, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of guilt. He had never expected to be rendered speechless by an eight-year-old.

The crowd looked at Cheng An. What a sharp tongue! He had backed the official into a corner. If the official dared to confirm the rule, then after today, Pinggu County would become the laughingstock of the entire Yao Prefecture’s literary circle, and the official would surely be held accountable by the prefectural government.

As mentioned before, the Great Zhou Dynasty favored scholars—especially those who were young but displayed talent. They were the key targets for cultivation by every prefecture and county, and were usually cherished. If this matter were to blow up, the following year’s provincial exam in Pinggu County would certainly suffer, perhaps even leading to a flight of talent. For a local official, that would be a fatal blow to his career!

"Come on!" Cheng An pressed, not yielding an inch. He lifted his head, meeting the official’s evasive gaze. "Who gave you the authority to set private rules for the provincial exam? Was it the Magistrate? The Prefect? Or the Imperial Court? If you have nothing to hide, then state your terms!"

A war of words? In his previous life, he had never lost one! If Du Xiu and Magistrate Zhou had no history, Cheng An might not have been so aggressive; after all, "when under someone else's roof," one should leave room for maneuver. But when facing an enemy, he never backed down. Especially now that the matter had escalated—if they wanted to play dirty, he was ready.

"Yao Liu'er," Du Xiu whispered, instinctively using Cheng An’s childhood name. He looked at him with astonishment, his mouth slightly open. "Where did you learn to speak like this? How come I never noticed before that you were so..."

Eloquently sharp? Tongue-tied in a way that cut deep? Du Xiu knew he hadn't taught him this. Besides, as a straightforward scholar who dared to confront the Magistrate directly, if he had such eloquence, why had he ended up in this state? He looked at Cheng An, this genius student he had pinned his hopes on. Would he become a blessing or a curse?

"Master, rest assured..." Cheng An pulled on Du Xiu’s sleeve and whispered, "That Magistrate Zhou mocked you time and again. Today, I want him to taste the feeling of being the one mocked."

"Do not act recklessly!" Du Xiu was startled. While moved, he was filled with worry. He pulled Cheng An back and said in a low, serious voice, "Zhou Heng is the Magistrate. Who in Pinggu County dares to disobey him? Do you know the consequences of offending him?"

"Didn't you offend him already?"

"I..." Du Xiu was stumped. He huffed angrily, "That is my business! What does it have to do with you?"

"To be a teacher for a day is to be a father for a lifetime!" Cheng An brushed off his hand and added, "Besides, don't you see? Today’s incident is clearly the work of Zhou Heng acting in the shadows! Even if we bow our heads, he won’t let us go."

Having said this, Cheng An walked back to the official. "What? Can't you say it? Or is it that you were incited by someone else, and are intentionally targeting me?"

The official was already panicking. He never imagined he would be outmaneuvered by an eight-year-old.

"So what if there is no age limit?" The official gritted his teeth, his face flushed red. "Are you even weaned yet? What talent do you have to dare to take the provincial exam? Can you deny that you are just chasing fame?"

He dared not admit to setting private rules, or his fate would be miserable. He could only resort to accusing them of "trading in vanity." The surrounding students were pulled back to the "main point," mocking the master and pupil, waiting to see them make fools of themselves.

"Then how about a wager?" Cheng An suddenly smiled.

The official stared blankly, then sneered, "A wager on what?"

"A wager on whether I have genuine talent!" Cheng An scanned the crowd and said calmly, "The scholars from all the villages and towns are here. Let the world judge whether I win or lose! Do you dare?"