RWNEFE -Chapter 555 Liu Xian, First Place in the Top Tier

Liu Mingxin had always been troubled by the lack of an heir for his family legacy. He had spent his life in officialdom, cultivating students and protégés, expecting some to succeed him. There were several outstanding disciples in the court, yet unexpectedly, it was his daughter, long sheltered in the inner chambers, who claimed the top spot.

His emotions were complex, so when his sons returned, he didn’t greet them with a single pleasant expression.

“Look at your sister, and then look at yourselves. When did any of you ever have even half her brilliance?”

“Father, didn’t you say that a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent?” the eldest son retorted.

Liu Mingxin glared immediately, glancing left and right in alarm. Seeing no outsiders, he sternly scolded his son.

“Is this something you can say? The Emperor’s eyes and ears are everywhere in the court. Do you want our whole family to go tilling fields in Dongchuan?”

His sons fell silent in fear, and the tension lingered until Liu Xian returned, finally easing the atmosphere.

“Xian’er, why are you just coming back now?”

“Little sister, you’ve passed the exams—why are you only back now?”

Compared to their excitement, Liu Xian was calm and composed.

“Third tier is nothing to get excited about. I read extensively at the academy, studied diligently, and spent my spare time studying the laws. This result merely reflects my effort.”

Liu Mingxin and his sons stared at their daughter in disbelief.

Was this still the little girl who would blush at every word?

Soon, the day of the palace exam arrived.

Shen Lanxi personally set the questions and pointed out the top three candidates. Her question wasn’t random; it concerned the situation in Jinmen.

“Zhou Ruyuan, in order to secure Jinmen, rooted himself there, married Zhou Qiwou’s daughter, and took control of the Jinmen navy. How do you view this?”

“To fight, or not to fight?”

Even the officials found this question difficult, but Shen Lanxi used it to test the top three candidates, revealing her ambition.

Several senior ministers exchanged glances, noting her intention, and focused their eyes on the top three candidates.

The other two males among the top three came from Dongchuan and the Northwest.

The only “wild card” was Liu Mingxin’s daughter.

Given that Dongchuan and the Northwest had once been Shen Lanxi’s territories, the implications were chilling upon reflection.

The Northwestern student Zhang Ruchang said: “Your Majesty, the student believes Zhou Ruyuan and Zhou Qiwou had colluded long ago. Your Majesty must not show old sentiments and should publicly strip them of their titles.”

“Jinmen is but a tiny region; how could it compare to the vast Dazhou? Naturally, we must fight.”

Dongchuan’s Sun Daolin said: “Your Majesty, the student agrees with Zhang Ruchang. Zhou Ruyuan acted against the emperor, caused the previous emperor’s death, and colluded with foreign powers. Your Majesty’s continued leniency toward his family is already the utmost mercy.”

“Under Your Majesty’s rule, our Dazhou citizens live in peace, prosperity, and strength. Naturally, we must fight!”

Shen Lanxi didn’t comment but turned to Liu Xian.

“And you, Liu Xian, what do you think?”

Liu Xian’s answer leaned toward caution.

“Your Majesty, the previous students’ answers are correct, but I have a different view.”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Speak.”

“I believe that a few years ago, Dazhou suffered war, natural disasters, and human calamities. It took years to recover. Launching an army now would destroy the hard-earned vitality of the people, and I think that would be wasteful.”

Shen Lanxi’s interest grew. “Do you have another approach in mind?”

Liu Xian spoke with calm confidence.

“I believe we can proceed gradually.”

Shen Lanxi asked, “How would you do that?”

Liu Xian’s thoughts were clear, her eyes bright. She wasn’t speaking recklessly; she already had a plan.

“Jinmen is but a tiny region; Dazhou could reclaim it with ease. Yet raising an army would exhaust troops, waste resources, and ultimately harm our own people. I suggest a method of gradual division, slowly weakening Zhou’s forces.”

“Now that Dazhou’s rule is accepted by all, the people support it, and foreign states seek alliance, everyone sees this, including the people of Jinmen.”

“The region is coastal. Although maritime trade thrives, arable land is limited. Much of their food and cloth comes from neighboring regions. If trade is cut off, even imported grain is insufficient, and the effort would not be worth the cost.”

“Over time, the people of Jinmen will naturally flee, and the local economy will decline. Eventually, the region will fade on its own—Dazhou will win without a fight.”

Liu Xian’s brilliant argument echoed through the hall, proving many officials wrong and leaving them shocked.

Liu Mingxin was equally stunned, his gaze complex as he watched his daughter speak passionately.

Was this really his daughter?

There was no need for further comparison—the top scholar, first place in the top tier, was already decided.

If anyone dared to oppose, Liu Mingxin himself would step in before even considering Shen Lanxi’s authority.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes shone as she praised Liu Xian.

“You think exactly as I do. Liu, you’ve taught your daughter well. With Liu Xian and you as a father-daughter team in the court, I can rest easy.”

Liu Mingxin looked at his daughter again, emotions swirling.

They say a father and son fight together—here, it had become a father-daughter team.

“Announce my decree: Liu Mingxin’s daughter, Liu Xian, is first place in the top tier, the top scholar!”

The eunuch proclaimed loudly, spreading the news throughout the court.

Liu Mingxin, overjoyed, led his daughter in kneeling and shouted: “We thank Your Majesty for the imperial favor!”

After a moment’s thought, Shen Lanxi said to Liu Mingxin and his daughter: “I have two suitable arrangements: one is a post in the Ministry of Revenue, the other is a posting in Dongchuan. Consider carefully when you return home.”

“We obey the decree.”

Shen Lanxi then turned to the court: “Do any of you have objections?”

Who would?

Who dares?

Anyone daring to object would offend both the Emperor and the mountain of authority that is Liu Mingxin. Had it not been for the fact that the exams were overseen by the senior scholar, with all other examiners chosen for their clean records, and Shen Lanxi personally supervising, they might have suspected foul play.

“No objections!” The only reason Liu Mingxin could appear cooperative while secretly placing his daughter at the top—this was undoubtedly his plan.

Indeed, it was Liu Mingxin’s scheme.

~

Next came the second and third places.

“You two are equally talented. If I were to assign the ranks based on appearance, it would be an insult. Decide among yourselves.”

From ancient times, no ruler had ever let students choose their own ranking.

Shen Lanxi was once again setting a historical precedent.

Sun Daolin said: “Traditionally, the second and third places went to those with remarkable appearance. I know my looks are ordinary, so I will not compete for the second place.”