Phi-Fic Chapter 944 One Day to See All the Flowers of the Capital
Chapter 944 One Day to See All the Flowers of the Capital
Everyone was quite surprised to see that Zhang Qian spoke with such sincerity, as if he were truly discussing something with a partner who could understand human speech.
One of the scholars chuckled and nudged the person next to him, jokingly saying, "Is the top scholar perhaps confused with joy? How can a horse understand human speech?"
Zhang Qian had good hearing and heard these words, but he just smiled and remained silent.
But then, as if it understood, the black wind opened its piercing horse eyes and stared at Zhang Qian for a moment.
Then she flicked her thick ponytail and let out a whimper.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, it slowly lowered its proud neck and even moved its head closer to Zhang Qian's hand.
Zhang Qian smiled and gently stroked Hei Feng's smooth neck: "I have heard that all things have a spirit, let alone Brother Hei Feng, who is His Majesty's beloved horse."
In the countryside, Zhang Qian had personally witnessed the scene of an old ox kneeling before its owner when it was slaughtered.
It is for this reason that scholars believe in keeping away from the kitchen. It is not that a gentleman cannot cook, but that he should not go near the kitchen where livestock are slaughtered.
Although Zhang Qian had never ridden a horse, if even oxen are like this, how could horses that fight alongside humans on the battlefield be dull?
This scene not only left the surrounding scholars dumbfounded, but also surprised the horse officials.
When had they ever seen this proud and aloof imperial horse so docile towards anyone other than His Majesty?
He truly deserves the title of top scholar; he is indeed extraordinary, even the imperial horseman is willing to give him face.
With the assistance of the master of ceremonies, Zhang Qian nimbly mounted his horse.
He had never ridden a horse, but being from a farming family, he had excellent physical coordination.
Sitting atop the tall Black Wind, Zhang Qian held the reins, feeling a subtle sense of harmony.
It was as if he was born to ride a divine steed and enjoy boundless glory.
The second-place scholar, Zhang Han, rode a strong chestnut horse, while the third-place scholar, Lin Qingyuan, rode an elegant white horse.
Behind them were the Jinshi graduates from the second and third classes.
Since they were all scholars, it was impossible for everyone to know how to ride a horse.
But it's not a big deal; those who can ride can ride themselves, and those who can't ride will have someone lead the horse in front.
Apart from Black Wind, the horses selected by the Ministry of Rites were all very docile.
Three cannon salutes were fired, and bells and drums sounded in unison.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites chanted loudly: "The newly appointed scholars, parading through the streets in boastful praise—"
Zhang Qian took a deep breath and gently shook the reins.
Black Wind let out a loud neigh, leading the vast cavalry behind it as it slowly walked out of the Imperial City Square.
Qian Bin personally guided the gatekeeper to open the gate and nodded to Zhang Qian in front of him.
Facing this veteran official, Zhang Qian naturally wouldn't be presumptuous and respectfully returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
The procession marched out of the imperial city gates in a grand procession, and the scene outside the gates was even more spectacular.
On both sides of the street, two rows of gleaming armored cavalrymen stood solemnly, exuding a murderous aura.
These knights were dressed in black iron armor, with blood-red tassels on their helmets, and carried muskets and crossbows on their backs, with swords at their waists.
Everyone had a stern expression and sharp, eagle-like eyes.
The mounts were warhorses selected from among the best, and the riders were as still as statues, with only the horses occasionally snorting.
This was originally the Imperial Guard Battalion. After Li Che ascended the throne, he reorganized the Imperial Guard Battalion into the Imperial Guard.
The Imperial Guards were truly elite warriors, each one a fierce soldier who had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and their loyalty to Li Che was beyond question.
Because of their merits and status, the Imperial Guards enjoy exceptional treatment within the military; even ordinary battalion-level officers must treat them with utmost respect.
It can be described as the army with the best treatment and the most special status in the Great Qing Empire.
Today, these sharpest swords of the empire are willing to serve as the vanguard of the imperial examination procession, responsible for clearing the way and protecting the soldiers.
They silently merged into the two sides of the procession, the black-armored cavalry forming a striking yet harmonious contrast with the scholars' scarlet robes and white horses.
Li Che wanted to use this method to tell everyone that if they wanted to gain the Emperor's respect and favor, they should study hard and strive for fame and success!
With the addition of the Imperial Guards, the entire formation's atmosphere changed dramatically, a blend of solemnity and glory that made it even more dignified and grand.
The procession slowly moved along the widest main road in the capital, and the real parade officially began!
By this time, the main road was already packed with people, a sea of heads.
The people of the capital city almost turned out in droves, crowding both sides of the streets, craning their necks to witness this rare spectacle.
The cries of vendors, the laughter of children, and the chatter of the crowd mingled together, creating a deafening cacophony.
Daring teenagers climbed all over the street-facing windows, balconies, and even the big trees along the roadside, all in search of the best viewing spot.
If it weren't for the Imperial Guards soldiers, radiating an invisible aura of menace, wielding long halberds and forming a human wall to maintain order, the enthusiasm of the people would probably have overwhelmed this group of scholars in an instant.
The sharp-eyed person was the first to shout:
"They're here! They're here! The scholars have arrived!"
"Can Wu Dalang see clearly? Come sit on my neck."
"Why is this so embarrassing?"
"It's nothing. Your wife has always taken good care of me... cough cough cough... this little thing is nothing."
"Is that the top scholar riding the black horse at the very front? He looks so spirited and dashing!"
"Look at the third one, that scholar in white robes on a white horse! Is there really such a handsome man in the world? He's truly like a banished immortal descended to earth!"
"Uh... that second-place scholar... is also... well, very imposing and majestic, clearly no ordinary person!"
Cheers and exclamations surged in from all directions like a tsunami, almost overturning and drowning Zhang Qian and his men on horseback.
Flowers, colorful silks, and even sachets and handkerchiefs were scattered like raindrops from both sides of the road, landing on them and in front of their horses.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites were also very adept at creating an atmosphere, and they displayed ceremonial guards and banners at just the right time.
Embroidered on it are large golden characters such as "Top Scholar", "Second Scholar", "Third Scholar", and "Disciple of the Emperor".
The accompanying court musicians played drums and zithers, performing "The Music of Serving the King and Breaking the Enemy's Formation," while the officials in charge of ceremonies loudly announced the names and hometowns of the newly appointed scholars, pushing the atmosphere to a climax time and time again.
When the procession reached the very center of the imperial city, where the crowds were densest, the head official raised his arm high, and the entire procession slowly came to a stop.
The noisy crowd gradually quieted down, curiously awaiting the next step of the ceremony.
The official in charge of ceremonies gathered his strength, and his voice resounded like a great bell:
"By imperial decree! A poem has been composed to praise the top scholar—"
"His Majesty composed a poem?"
The people stared wide-eyed and pricked up their ears.
They didn't understand the rules of classical Chinese poetry, but those were poems written by the emperor himself! They were poems specifically written for the top scholar!
This honor and deep affection are enough to stir one's heart.
You still need to study. If you study well, even the emperor will pamper you.
Amidst the expectant gazes of all the successful candidates and the people, the official in charge of rites stood tall and recited the verses with deep emotion.