Chapter 238

“Well then, let me first start by addressing your imperial exam performance. You were originally the son of Xu Zhoufu. You finally passed the provincial level exam at the age of 18 and became a local county magistrate, is that right?”

Han Pin shook fearfully as he replied in a low voice, “Yes, that’s correct.”

Mo Linyuan smirked. The eunuch by his side immediately took out some pen and paper and handed it to Han Pin.

The emperor stated in a chilling voice, “Then you must be talented in literature. Let me test you a little. Write a poem about the hunting event tonight. How does that sound?”

When Han Pin heard this, he almost dropped the pen in his hand! He was just barely literate, how could he possibly write a poem?

However, Han Pin was still very clever. After fiddling with the pen for a long time he finally spoke, “Your Majesty, writing a poem requires inspiration. Please forgive this official for speaking so bluntly, but I currently lack inspiration.”

“Oh? Then let’s have you write out Yue Xuezheng’s most favorite poem. He was your main examiner back then. He even said he was addicted to the poems you wrote. Assuming you are well versed in what he likes, this shouldn’t be difficult right?”

All the color drained from Han Pin’s face. He had someone else take the test for him. How could he possibly know what the examiner liked in the poems?

He clenched his teeth before he randomly wrote down a poem. He then offered it and said nervously, “Your Majesty, Yue Xuezheng is a man of great talent. This official feels he would really like a poem similar to this one.”

Who would’ve known this was a poem he made up on the spot. Zhou Gu, who stood in front of him abruptly felt an ominous feeling in his gut. Indeed, right away Ye Mu’s giggle could be heard as she cheerfully voiced, “It wasn’t Yue Xuezheng who proctored the exam back then, it was Zhang Xuezheng!

After she finished speaking, a man stood up among the officials who were sitting on the side. He quickly stated, “Reporting to Your Majesty, it was this official who supervised the exam that day, but this official has never received any bribes. At that time, I really did feel like Han Pin’s poem was well written and truly moved the hearts of those who read it!”

After the man finished talking, Han Pin’s face momentarily went rigid and gray. He rushed to say, “Yes, that’s right, it was Zhang Xuezheng. I simply have a faulty memory!”

After speaking, he tore the white paper to shreds in front of everyone as he trembled in fear.

Right then, Ye Mu gleefully replied, “Oh, actually, I was lying to you. It also wasn’t Zhang Xuezheng who proctored the exam either…”

After she said this, Han Pin’s face turned lifelessly gray in shame!

Mo Linyuan tried to hide his smile, “And he claims to have made political achievements…”

The emperor took out a notebook, and softly smiled, “Back then, your rise to becoming a government official was because you were able to predict and warn us about an incoming flood and built a dam that permitted local civilians to avoid the flood. Is that true?”

Han Pin didn’t dare to respond because he actually didn’t build any dam at all!

As expected, Ye Mu jumped out and exclaimed, “Back then, it was clearly me. I was passing through the embankment in Changfeng when I noticed how the local riverbed was too high and the terrain was too low. As a result, I decided to join the efforts to build the dam. In the beginning, there were governors who blocked this project. If I didn’t have the gold token in my hand, this dam would have never been repaired! But, why would the governors want to prevent the dam from being built, especially if you took credit for it?”

Right now, Han Pin was really speechless. Since the beginning, he was a dead man in the emperor’s eyes. He now had no other choice but to confess to his crimes!

Mo Linyuan narrowed his eyes, his voice sharply declared, “How dare you Han Pin! You still won’t confess the truth?! How did you receive your current official position? If you don’t speak now, everyone in your family, old and young, will be buried with you!”

With these words, Mo Linyuan was able to destroy the rest of Han Pin’s defenses. Han Pin lowered his head and cried, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty! I confess! I will confess! These were all under the support of Chief Zhou who recruited me. My government position was also something I bought from Chief Zhou!”