Chapter 107: The Falcon King’s Letter (Please Subscribe)

The protagonist, Fang Xian, who was connected to all these events, still spent his days in the medical clinic treating patients—he cured Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao’s illness, tended to his seventh uncle’s health, and played table tennis with the Princess Royal at night. Yet, he never shut himself away to study, leaving many to wonder where his confidence to become the top scholar in the imperial examination came from.

Ten days later, on the eve of the palace examination, Fang Xian administered a final treatment to Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao, completely curing his consumption and restoring his health.

“Your Highness, as long as you rest quietly and avoid overexertion, you can expect more than ten years of peaceful life,” Fang Xian advised.

“Thank you, Divine Physician Fang, for your great kindness. I will remember it always. If there is anything you desire, I will wholeheartedly fulfill it; if I cannot, I will petition the Emperor on your behalf,” the prince said, both moved and excited.

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness, but the Princess Royal has already paid the consultation fee. I ask for nothing more,” Fang Xian thought to himself, knowing that the princess herself was the true fee, though the prince had yet to realize it. If he ever learned that Fang Xian would one day become his uncle-in-law, he might find it awkward.

After the prince’s recovery, he moved back to the Eastern Palace that very day, and naturally, Princess Wu Qingluan left the clinic to return to her residence. However, she and Fang Xian had already made arrangements for the future.

“Rest assured, when I achieve the title of top scholar, that will be the moment I petition His Majesty to marry the Princess Royal,” Fang Xian promised.

Once they left, the clinic fell silent. Fang Xian received a notification from the system: “Host cured the Crown Prince’s illness. Reward: Strategy Volume Two.”

Fang Xian was surprised. The first reward had been Strategy Volume One, a comprehensive treatise on the art of strategy and tactics in the world, granting him the knowledge and talent of a master strategist.

Now, the second volume was a military classic, encompassing all the great military treatises and war strategies, including the Thirty-Six Stratagems he was familiar with.

With this Volume Two, Fang Xian became a grandmaster of military strategy, possessing the richest knowledge of warfare. If he could master this knowledge, he would become a master tactician.

“Half a month after the palace examination is the military exam. Do I have to try for the martial top scholar as well?” Fang Xian mused wryly. Without taking the military exam, it would be difficult to command troops and display his strategic talents.

“Never mind that for now; first, I must secure the top scholar title in the palace exam,” he resolved. If he managed to become the top scholar in both the civil and military exams, his fame would surely spread far and wide.

“Son-in-law, are you really going to take the top scholar exam? Don’t you want to return to Qingyun Village?” Li Daqi and the others, worried about Fang Xian’s ambitions, urged him, until finally Zhou Dadan, egged on by the group, came to ask directly.

“The ancients said, ‘Those who master the literary and martial arts become the wealth of the emperor’s house.’ I seek the top scholar title not only to prove my talent but also to make a name for myself across the land. This will benefit the great cause we have ahead of us.

“Of course, I have a small personal motive. You all know I have a relationship with the Princess Royal, and to marry her, I must first earn the top scholar title.

“I have no family now, so Qingyun Village will be my forever home. But staying there forever offers no future. What I must do is find a bright path for all my brothers and kin in Qingyun Village,” Fang Xian explained.

“Hmm, as long as you don’t ruin Qingyun Village or the young chief, we won’t interfere in your personal affairs,” the burly men nodded in approval.

Suddenly, a sharp cry pierced the night sky. Fang Xian whistled, and a black dot descended rapidly from the heights, landing on his shoulder with joyful cries. It was the Falcon King, who had found him in Wudu.

Fang Xian noticed the falcon had grown heavier—once about ten pounds, now nearly thirty.

“Little one, you’ve worked hard,” Fang Xian said, stroking the falcon’s head and channeling a mysterious energy into it. The falcon half-closed its eyes in comfort, aware this energy was beneficial.

Fang Xian had been in Wudu for about a month and a half. The falcon had left Qingyun Village half a month earlier, traveling thousands of miles to find him and bring news.

“Brother Fang, all is well. The village is stable; during the quiet winter months, everyone has been training, and many have improved their skills. The large city over there is nearly finished. After discussions with Father, Chief Zhu, and Sister Feng, plans are underway to relocate some elders before spring planting.

“In the past month, we have taken in over ten thousand refugees from various places, settling them across three villages. But to outsiders, Qingyun Village and Nanli Village remain at war, and Marshal Hong has supplied Nanli Village with abundant resources.

“I miss you terribly, especially at night, often wondering when we can be together,” read the short letter from Ye Hongxiu, containing village news and her yearning for Fang Xian.

This filled Fang Xian with guilt. Since leaving, though he had moved the village away from danger, he had not considered the feelings of Ye Hongxiu, Feng Ling, and Zhu Shimei. Although Zhu Shimei had returned to the sect to seek advancement, they all missed him.

That night, he replied immediately, sharing his situation in Wudu and his plans to return to the village in about a month. He had no intention of remaining an official in Wudu.

Finally, the day of the palace examination arrived. Early in the morning, Fang Xian donned simple scholar’s robes and a square cap, traveling modestly to the gates of the Imperial Academy.

“Go back for now. Come pick me up later in the afternoon,” Fang Xian told Li Daqi as they reached a street away from the academy.

“Good luck on the exam, Son-in-law,” Li Daqi nodded, knowing the test would last from morning until evening.

Fang Xian walked slowly toward the entrance, seeing two lines of candidates already formed outside—the aspirants for the palace examination. He quietly took his place at the end of the line.

The imperial examination consisted of two parts, and today was the first—the policy essay. Candidates had to analyze and respond to questions posed by the Imperial Academy, crafting a policy essay.

In fact, this policy essay was much like a modern civil service application, presenting specific issues for candidates to analyze and propose solutions for.