Chapter Twelve: The Examination Questions
Qin Hao stood with Xiao Yu behind the back gate of the Grand Princess’s residence. He had assumed that possessing the princess’s personal jade pendant would grant him unhindered access. Unexpectedly, prior notification was still required.
Xiao Yu anxiously asked, “Young master, since you struck Young Master De Wu, do you think you might be imprisoned?”
Qin Hao smiled gently. “Who saw me hit anyone? Clearly, it was those lackeys urging Qin De Wu to improve; what does that have to do with me?”
“Don’t worry. Yang Suxin will definitely keep this matter confidential, not even informing the Duke of Kaiyang.”
“Besides, given Yang Suxin’s ruthless nature, those accomplices won’t live long.”
“So rest assured.”
Xiao Yu looked at her young master with admiration. He was truly formidable now.
The back gate of the Grand Princess’s residence creaked open. The butler Wu Tong appeared.
“Young Master Shen, please follow me.”
Qin Hao immediately expressed his intention to stay overnight on duty — in other words, to reside within the Grand Princess’s residence. Since he was now the Grand Princess’s chief aide, it was only fitting he live there, especially given Xiao Yu’s need for treatment.
“Young Master Shen, whether you may reside here is not for me to decide. Please wait for your audience with Her Highness and inquire yourself.”
“Also, a word of advice: Young Master Shen, because you responded with a couplet that caused Her Highness to lose a bet, she may not receive you warmly today.”
“Mind your words carefully.”
Wu Tong warned earnestly. He recalled the wager Shen Hao had made and felt uneasy on his behalf. If the princess grew angry and harmed Shen Hao, it would be his own fault.
Qin Hao nodded solemnly. “Thank you for the reminder, Butler Wu. Rest assured, I’ve always been cautious and measured since childhood.”
Wu Tong was speechless. If you were truly measured, I wouldn’t have to warn you.
As they neared the Grand Princess’s study, the butler instructed a maid to assist Xiao Yu.
“Young Master Shen, Her Highness has summoned you. Others should remain outside. This young lady appears seriously injured; I will arrange for her treatment.”
Qin Hao bowed to Wu Tong. “Thank you, Butler Wu. I will repay your kindness in due time.”
The butler smiled and nodded before leading Xiao Yu away. Qin Hao then proceeded to the study.
“Your servant Shen Hao pays respects to Her Highness.”
At the door, Shen Hao bowed in the scholar’s manner. Li Qingyao glanced at him and gestured him in, implicitly accepting his boldness.
Qin Hao entered quietly and stood before the desk, watching the Grand Princess write with her brush.
The calligraphy surprised him—it was the slender gold script.
She was writing the upper line he had given her: “Smoke locks the willow by the pond.”
After five characters, Li Qingyao spoke lightly, “It captures the form, but lacks the spirit.”
“Your handwriting is peculiar, possessing a refined and lean beauty. Even I have not seen its like before. Did you create it yourself?”
Qin Hao replied calmly, “The slender gold script was created by me in leisure.”
Li Qingyao set down her brush and examined him. “The name suits it well.”
“You are remarkably composed.”
“There are three main schools of Han calligraphy, two obscure, one mainstream.”
“The slender gold script you created is easy to learn, has the potential to spread widely, and could establish a new style, attracting literary enthusiasts across the realm.”
“Such a script alone could elevate you to literary prominence. Even at the Imperial Academy, the old scholars would chase after you.”
“Speaking of which, the senior scholar Zhu Qing at the Imperial Academy has inquired about you. He wishes you to assume a position there. What do you think?”
“If you wish to go, I can write a recommendation for you.”
Qin Hao declined immediately. “No.”
He was not foolish. When superiors lavish praise, it means they are pleased. To express a desire to change posts then would be unwise.
Li Qingyao calmly asked, “Why?”
“Firstly, I am already the chief aide to Her Highness the Grand Princess, and she has shown me great favor, allowing my impertinence.”
“Secondly, I am not a true scholar, only skilled in some literary tricks. The Imperial Academy is beyond my grasp.”
Li Qingyao nodded slightly. “You are indeed bold.”
With those two reasons, she wanted to scold him. He was clearly stating his audacity and lack of decorum, hoping for forgiveness, while also boasting—he had stumped the senior scholar with his couplet and created a new calligraphy style.
From Li Qingyao’s perspective, if the slender gold script spread, it would be widely acclaimed, raising Qin Hao’s literary status. Yet he insisted he was no scholar.
She could not tolerate his shameless modesty.
But she had a serious matter to discuss.
“Shen Hao, I have a test for you. Give me a proposal.”
“To be my chief aide requires more than literary flair.”
As she spoke, Xiao Zhao handed Qin Hao a paper detailing a question on optimizing disaster relief.
Qin Hao took it, feeling somewhat apprehensive. In his past life, he was only a university student specializing in engineering. Ancient exam questions were unfamiliar territory. Hopefully, it wasn’t too difficult.
He had not expected to be tested upon becoming the princess’s aide.
As he read the question, he was momentarily stunned.
Is that all?
He suspected the Grand Princess merely wanted to go through the motions.
Li Qingyao spoke calmly, “You have one day to consider. If it proves too difficult, tell me, and I will give you another question.”
Qin Hao did not hesitate. “No need for a day. I already have an answer. May I borrow Your Highness’s brush and ink?”
He disregarded the mention of difficulty, believing the princess’s words were merely procedural.
Li Qingyao’s gaze sharpened. She instructed Xiao Zhao to bring another set of brush and ink, placing them on a side desk.
Qin Hao sat and reread the question.
A flood had displaced 200,000 people; the treasury was insufficient; winter was approaching.
The state could only muster grain and coin aid, encourage local gentry to open porridge kitchens, and distribute relief.
The question: How to optimize disaster relief to rebuild homes and ensure survival until spring planting, minimizing cost and casualties?
After brief thought, Qin Hao combined current laws of the Great Capital Empire and began writing vigorously in his slender gold script.
His optimized plan had three main points:
First, implement labor-for-relief: the state funds infrastructure projects, organizing displaced persons to return home and work for wages, replacing direct aid. Projects like dike repairs and hometown reconstruction would accommodate 60% of refugees.
Second, encourage gentry-led relief: local nobles hire and shelter refugees, with tax exemptions and rewards post-disaster, setting a precedent for others. This would take in 20%.
Third, mobilize self-help among survivors: the remainder would be allocated uncultivated land to farm, sustaining themselves. With adequate treasury, the state would provide grain support. This expected to shelter 20%, with a 10% mortality rate.
Upon completion, Qin Hao detailed specific implementation methods and operational steps with clarity and thoroughness.
He was grateful for his prior reading of history, recalling well-known events that informed his plan.
Perhaps due to his soul’s transmigration, memories from a decade or more ago remained vivid.
His writing flowed smoothly without pause.
Two quarters of an hour later, Qin Hao had composed over a thousand characters and submitted the paper.
The Grand Princess narrowed her eyes, instructing Xiao Zhao to retrieve the densely written script.
At first glance, the neatness impressed her. The slender gold script danced on the paper, pleasing to the eye.
Reviewing Qin Hao’s answers—labor-for-relief, gentry relief encouragement, self-help among refugees—the outline alone stirred Li Qingyao’s heart.
Her prior disdain for Qin Hao’s rapid response vanished entirely.
She now read the proposal with utmost seriousness.