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

Chapter 938 Imperial City Ranking (Part 1)

Three days later.

The sun had just peeked over the east, casting its golden rays upon the capital.

Outside the imperial city gates, the crowds were already bustling, even more so than when the results were announced a few days earlier.

Given the grand occasion of the previous announcement of the results, this time the crowd consisted not only of students and the six hundred successful candidates and their relatives.

Many more onlookers gathered, and vendors selling snacks mingled among them. Even some officials who weren't on duty changed into civilian clothes and mingled in the crowd to watch the spectacle.

The Chinese people love watching excitement, and it's the same in any other world.

When Zhang Qian arrived, the road leading to the imperial city gate was already completely blocked. It was extremely difficult to even move forward a few steps, let alone squeeze to the front.

Just as he was worrying, he heard a clear voice calling out, "Brother, over here!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw that Lin Qingyuan and several fellow disciples had already taken up a spot and were waving at him.

What's even stranger is that when these white-clad youths casually stepped forward, the surrounding crowd was pushed aside by a gentle yet irresistible force, naturally creating a barely passable gap.

Zhang Qian finally managed to squeeze to their side and asked in surprise in a low voice, "Brother, what's going on here?"

Lin Qingyuan waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "The little bit of Qi cultivation technique taught by my master is just a minor skill. It's fine for strengthening the body, but it's useless in life-or-death battles."

Although he spoke of it casually, Zhang Qian knew in his heart that the minor path passed down by Guigu was by no means ordinary.

Although Zhang Qian came from a poor background, he was ambitious and had no desire to covet the secrets of others.

With the Yunmeng Mountain group clearing the way, Zhang Qian successfully arrived at the front of the crowd and found a relatively spacious corner with a good view.

Looking around, all I could see were dark, dense crowds of people.

The noise was deafening, but there were hardly any students who had participated in the palace examination; most of them were probably still struggling at the back of the crowd.

General Ma, the official in charge of protecting the list, was already standing in front of the city gate with his hand on his sword, a hint of helplessness on his face.

Dozens of Imperial Guards, fully armed and clad in helmets, stood silently by his side, their menacing aura clashing with the surrounding noise.

"We've finally arrived." The youngest junior brother, Zhu Mo, breathed a long sigh of relief, his face flushed slightly with excitement. "These past few days of waiting have been even more agonizing than when I first joined the sect."

Another disciple from Yunmeng Mountain exclaimed, "Today's scene is even bigger than the day the results of the imperial examination were announced. I'm afraid half of the capital has come!"

Someone else spoke up: "Look at the city wall, there's a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. The Imperial Guards are even carrying muskets."

Lin Qingyuan's gaze swept across the city wall, and he smiled calmly, "That's natural... Those who have passed the imperial examination today are all pillars of our Great Qing's future. If a few of them were assassinated by spies from the Southern Dynasty under the spotlight, wouldn't that be a huge loss to the country?"

Zhang Qian was already used to the boldness of these Guigu disciples' words, but he had no time to echo them at this moment.

He simply stared intently at the tightly closed gate of the imperial city, remaining silent.

Just then, a series of heavy and orderly footsteps came from inside the city gate.

"It's coming!" someone shouted.

In an instant, the crowd surged forward like a flood bursting its banks.

Ma Zhong's expression turned serious, and he immediately ordered his soldiers to erect large wooden shields to form a shield wall.

At the same time, he shouted: "Silence! Silence! Everyone, stand three meters away! An official will call out your names shortly, and you will hear it clearly!"

However, the restless crowd did not listen, or perhaps they simply couldn't hear it.

Ma Zhong frowned, said no more, and immediately ordered: "Royal Guard!"

"drink!"

The Imperial Guards responded in unison, their voices echoing across the fields.

At the same time, they slammed their shields into the ground in unison, producing a loud, synchronized thud.

The murderous and bloody aura was so palpable that the surging crowd paused, its forward momentum slowing down.

Before long, the gates of the imperial city slowly opened a crack.

An elderly official, dressed in a scarlet robe and with white hair and beard, walked out with steady steps.

Behind him, several eunuchs struggled to carry a large golden scroll, which shimmered brilliantly in the morning light.

"The list of successful candidates!" Someone gasped in surprise.

This list could not possibly be made of pure gold; gold is so heavy that it cannot be lifted by human hands.

Its interior is made of high-quality wood, and its exterior is simply coated with a layer of gold leaf.

But ordinary people had no idea about these things; they only thought that His Majesty was truly wealthy and powerful, valuing these poor scholars so much.

Just as everyone was marveling at the list of successful candidates, the elderly official turned to the crowd, smiled, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. His voice was loud yet gentle:

"I am Qian Bin, and I have served as Grand Tutor of the Imperial Court. I am old and frail, and my strength is not what it used to be."

The crowd gradually quieted down and listened attentively.

"If it were more than ten years ago, I wouldn't say my singing reputation would be known throughout the heavens, but it would certainly have reached the outer city gates."

The people were immediately impressed by the high-ranking official's unpretentious manner and humorous speech, and they responded with a good-natured chuckle.

However, the few officials and students present were inwardly turbulent.

Qian Bin! Grand Tutor! The head of the Three Dukes! And the mentor who enlightened His Majesty when he was still a prince!

Even this person came in person?

His Majesty truly dotes on these students from humble backgrounds!