The crowd, initially expectant, exclaimed in surprise, "Is that a Southern Barbarian Giant Elephant?"
Liang Xiao gazed at the distant elephant, marveling at its sheer scale.
This so-called Southern Barbarian Giant Elephant was impossibly large. It was directed by four elephant handlers, its limbs bound with thick ropes. Hundreds of strong men pulled these ropes from the front and back, ready to restrain the beast should it become unruly.
The Southern Barbarian Giant Elephant obediently followed the handlers to the edge of the arena. With a casual flick of its trunk, it uprooted a nearby tree, eliciting gasps from the palace attendants.
The scholars from various regions, seeing the Southern Barbarian Giant Elephant for the first time, were dumbfounded.
Such a colossal creature existed in this world!
Witnessing it, even Liang Xiao found himself pondering.
What kind of question would this lead to? Weighing the elephant?
If it were a question like that, it would be far too simple for Liang Xiao. He was certain Zhang Yang could answer it with ease.
"The King of the Southern Barbarians, having heard that General Tian led his forces to drive back the barbarians seven hundred li, has specially sent this ten-thousand-jin Giant Elephant King as a token of submission, to enhance the prestige of our Great Gan!"
Wang Canghai's voice boomed, stirring the crowd into a frenzy of excitement. Some were even moved to tears, like Lü Changhe.
This was proof of General Tian's formidable might and the fruitful results he had brought!
A moment later, Wang Canghai had the elephant handlers lead the Giant Elephant King away. He then turned to face the assembled scholars, a smile gracing his lips.
"The Emperor's fourth question is: What is the greatest thing in this world? You have a quarter of an hour to answer!"
As soon as the words fell, a collective gasp swept through the hall!
What is the greatest thing in this world?
The turn was too abrupt, and they were only given a mere quarter of an hour to answer!
The scholars, in their haste, bent their heads to write. Liang Xiao, after a brief moment of thought, penned his answer with a bold stroke.
When time was up, palace attendants collected all the scrolls and presented them to Xiao Qing.
Zhuo Zifang and Wang Canghai, standing by her side, began the evaluation.
In just a few breaths, both elders shook their heads in disappointment.
"An astonishing ten answers are 'Southern Barbarian Giant Elephant'? How pedantic!" Zhuo Zifang lamented with a wry smile.
"'The Emperor is greatest'… 'Imperial power is greatest'…"
"'The nation is greatest'… 'Heaven and Earth are greatest'…"
The three of them reviewed the other answers, finding that most pointed towards imperial power and the current Emperor. A few even included written arguments.
Xiao Qing observed this without any hint of joy, as it was all within her expectations.
"'The common people are greatest'?"
Zhuo Zifang highlighted four answers. A glimmer of hope finally appeared in the eyes of the three evaluators.
"If there are no unforeseen issues, these four answers can be considered joint top answers." Xiao Qing set these two scrolls aside with satisfaction and continued her search. Her gaze suddenly fell upon one particular answer.
[Reason is greatest.]
"Excellent!" Xiao Qing exclaimed, unable to contain her delight.
Behind the screen, Liang Xiao, hearing the joyous sound, felt his heart soar. "My little Shuangzi is so happy?"
Wang Canghai and Zhuo Zifang were also overjoyed. "This is simply marvelous! In the end, are not even 'the people are greatest' and the other ninety-nine answers, just forms of reason?"
Without a doubt, the answer "Reason is greatest" was designated the top answer.
A short while later, the officials came to view the preliminary ranking of answers.
"'Reason is greatest', how brilliant!" they all praised.
Lü Changhe, who had remained silent, could not help but express his admiration.
Even he, a mere martial artist, understood how exquisite this answer was!
Wang Canghai, in good spirits, went to retrieve the original scrolls, but as he passed Liang Xiao's desk, his pupils contracted.
"You again!!"
Wang Canghai's startled exclamation drew the attention of the entire hall.
"Could it be… again…?"
The officials behind the screen emerged one by one to see Wang Canghai holding Liang Xiao's original scroll, his hands trembling violently.
[Reason is greatest.]
"It's Liang Xiao again!" the whole assembly cried out in astonishment.
Zhuo Zifang was utterly bewildered, while Luo Changfeng and Liang Qing burst into laughter, only to quickly cover their chests, fearing their hearts might give out from sheer excitement.
Xiao Qing, behind her screen, was momentarily stunned. Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun also shuddered.
Four top answers?!
Regaining her composure, Xiao Qing chuckled, her eyes then clouding with a distant, dreamy look.
Du Guxiao and the other ninety-nine contestants stared at Liang Xiao in disbelief, feeling as if the world was spinning.
Unbelievable!
It was one thing for his two poems to win top honors, but now, even his fiscal policy…
And even if his fiscal policy won top honors, for this kind of brilliant and unexpected answer to also…
Zhang Yang applauded enthusiastically, while Li Xiuyun, Gu Shaoyan, and Mu Hong quickly regained their composure.
They understood that there was no hope of contending for the overall championship against Liang Xiao. Their priority now was to remain calm and tackle the final question!
The palace gates swung open, and the eunuch's voice trembled as he announced the question, finally declaring the results.
"The winner of the fourth question, contestant number one, Liang Xiao! His answer: Reason is greatest!"
"Contestant number three Mu Hong, number four Gu Shaoyan, number five Li Xiuyun, and number one hundred Zhang Yang, share the second place! Their answer: The common people are greatest!"
After a brief moment of silence, the assembled military and populace erupted into thunderous cheers.
"It's Second Young Master Liang again!!"
Luo Qingxue and her two companions were so overjoyed they didn't know what to do with themselves, itching to rush into the palace and congratulate Liang Xiao.
From the rear of the crowd, Qin Feng, the Marquis of Zhenguo of Great Liang, could not help but clap and laugh heartily, "Well said, 'Reason is greatest'!"
The Great Liang guards standing behind Qin Feng exchanged bewildered glances.
Their Marquis was a rare genius of Great Liang, unparalleled in his composure across the nation!
This was the first time they had ever seen him so uninhibited. For their Marquis, this was indeed a loss of composure!
However, Qin Feng's image did not diminish in their eyes; rather, it grew even more imposing.
The reason was simple: their Marquis had already dispatched Qin Xun back to the country to deliver the news.
If they had harbored any doubts earlier, they were now utterly convinced of their Marquis's foresight, their admiration reaching its zenith!
Great Gan had General Tian to inspire them, and in the future, such a capable individual would assist in governing and pacifying the nation. Indeed, they were not a force to be trifled with at this moment!
At this moment, Xiao Qing's hand trembled as she held her brush, her mind filled with the image of Liang Xiao's easy demeanor and his four winning answers.
"Considering the four top honors, I'll settle accounts with you later, and subtract just a little bit…"
Overcome with mirth, Xiao Qing muttered to herself, finally calming her emotions, and wrote down the fifth question.
However, Du Guxun, Du Guxiao, and the others had still not recovered from their shock.
This time, since there were four individuals in second place, Du Guxiao's third place would no longer be announced!
Du Guxiao glanced towards Du Guxun in the distance.
Seeing his father's anxious expression, Du Guxiao suddenly smiled and nodded at Du Guxun.
Aware that his son had accepted his fate, Du Guxun finally relaxed.
Zhuo Zifang and Wang Canghai exchanged glances, their eyes shining with unbridled joy.
Luo Changfeng and Liang Qing sat rooted to their spots, grinning foolishly.
Were it not for the fear of ruining their reputations and facing impeachment by their colleagues, the two elders would likely be slinging their arms around each other and roaring with laughter to the heavens.
Four top honors, victory was within their grasp!
After a long wait, everyone found it strange that Wang Canghai had not yet emerged to announce the question.
Wang Canghai, at this moment, had no words to express his predicament.
He and Zhuo Zifang were still trembling from sheer excitement!
Four top honors, what an unprecedented event!
Wang Canghai had initially assumed there would be one top answer per question, and perhaps a truly outstanding candidate might secure two…
But Liang Xiao had claimed four!
Xiao Qing looked at Wang Canghai, a hint of amusement in her eyes, and did not blame him.
After a while, Wang Canghai finally regained his composure and emerged with the question.