"Slaves greet the invigilators!" With a shout everyone in the room bowed in greeting as the group of invigilators got on the small stage. The head invigilator waved his hand allowing them to stand straight.
"Have a seat," He said while looking at them. Everyone quickly sat and adjusted their clothes.
"Now everyone knows the rules so I won't repeat them, let's just get straight into the exam." He said before stepping to the side as one of the invigilator's hung today's prompt up. He then stepped forward to read out the prompt.
"A flood has ruined the harvest, and famine has struck the land. Many villagers leave in search of food. Some propose strict travel restrictions to maintain order, while others support free movement. According to the philosophy of either Mencius or Xunzi, what is the righteous course of action? Discuss the official's duty to the people, the nature of human morality, and the practical measures that should be taken." After saying this all the invigilator's started the water clock, then spread out and started walking through the pathways watching everyone.
Bai Chun stared at the prompt without picking up his brush just thinking. He slowly thought of his position in life and the struggles of the poor. The thought flash in his mind that if he was still in this position or worse during a flood or famine what he would do. He then thought of what he would like the officials to do to help.
After thinking for a while he slowly and gently picked up his brush before he started writing his answer to this question.
Time slowly passed with everyone writing without anyone getting kicked out. At about the same time as yesterday the second day of exams finished.
"Place your brushes down, testing is done for today." The invigilator called out. Everyone put their brushes down and rubbed their wrist with a sigh.
Outside the building Bai Chun looked around trying to find Huang Hao knowing he would find him since testing is done for today. After looking around for a while his eyes locked onto Huang Hao who stood talking to someone who looked like an official.
Huang Hao and the man laughed as they chatted before Bai Chun caught him subtly passing a small pouch to the man who quickly hid it without changing his expression.
They spoke a little longer before parting, Huang Hao quickly saw Bai Chun who stood staring at him and approached him with a smile.
"Brother Bai Chun," Huang Hao said with a smile.
"Brother Huang Hao," Bai Chun gave a casual bow in response, he then gave Huang Hao a curious expression.
"I hear that Min Qiang was found with the daughter of the magistrate?" He subtly asked what happened.
"Yes, a lot happened last night while you were out." Huang Hao a smile then indicated his carriage parked a bit farther away from the magistrates office. They started walking towards his carriage while changing the topic.
"Today's prompt made me think of my place in life." Bai Chun said, making Huang Hao nod in agreement.
"I had to think a bit before writing since it's such a sensitive question." Huang Hao said with a frown.
"What did you focus on for the prompt?" Bai Chun asked curiously.
"I focused on allowing people to travel and just put restrictions on allowing people into town. Since it's an officials duty to do what they can for the people though it might not be well received." Huang Hao said remembering his response. Bai Chun nodded his head before he told him what he wrote.
"Well I focused on putting restrictions on travel to keep order and as an official to send relief to the people so they don't starve." Bai Chun told him. Hearing this Huang Hao nodded in appreciation.
"That is a good response," He said, making Bai Chun smile.
"Thank you, I tried."
They reached the carriage and after Huang Hao spoke with the driver, got on one by one. Then sat in silence as the carriage drove before Huang Hao spoke.
"I was bribing one of the scribes to make sure they don't mess up your exam papers." He started with that. Bai Chun just listened without saying anything.
"Do you remember my eighth sister that we agreed you would take as a concubine?" Huang Hao asked, Bai Chun nodded his head.
"Well, she is the one who made what happened to Min Qiang last night happen smoothly." Bai Chun raised his eyebrow in response.
"Oh? How?"
"Well, on my way home I passed the red light district and I saw Min Qiang there along with my second brother. So it gave me the idea to use a beauty trap to drug him and slip the daughter of the magistrate in there."
Bai Chun slowly nodded his head indicating him to continue.
"Now, my eighth sister is unfavored at home and is regularly bullied by our half siblings. Our mother won't help her since she is a daughter and she didn't want a daughter when she was born. Because of all this she is eighteen and still unmarried or even engaged." Huang Hao explained trying to get Bai Chun to sympathize with her before he explained what he did.
"What did she have to do with the plan?" Bai Chun asked with a frown wanting him to hurry up.
"Well, I had her go in and seduce Min Qiang without going too far to get him to drink a drugged tea with the promise she would be a secondary wife instead of just a concubine." Huang Hao quickly said. Hearing this, Bai Chun's expression hardened while staring at him.
"I consider you a friend. I hope such things won't happen again." He said annoyed that Huang Hao felt so comfortable enough to make plans in his own backyard.
"I did this with you and my sister in mind." Huang Hao said with a frown not expecting Bai Chun to get so angry.
"I understand that but again I wish to stay on good terms with you. It's inappropriate for you to reach so far into someone's house matters. Look at fathers who marry their daughters off; they don't even do such things." Bai Chun with a slightly angry expression while trying to sound nice. Huang Hao took in what Bai Chun said and his expression with a pause before he put on a wide smile.
"Of course. I went too far this time and will avoid doing such things again in the future without speaking to you." Hearing this, Bai Chun calmed down and smiled in response, though he still felt annoyed inside. Huang Hao then changed the subject.
"I told the driver to go to your village to give us time to talk. We should be there soon."
Bai Chun lifted the curtain and looked out the window. He saw them pulling to a stop outside the village. The villagers who saw them stopped looking curious why someone who rides in a carriage came here. They then caught sight of Bai Chun looking out and started whispering.
"Young master this is as far as I can drive since the roads are too small in the village." The driver called out.