Chapter 118 Dreams Adrift upon Qinghua (II)

　　When warmth returns yet chill still lingers, it is hardest to find repose.　　Three cups, two bowls of weak wine—how can they withstand the sharp evening wind?　　It is said that the affairs of the world are largely changeable. Not long after, the imperial examinations drew near. Li Linfu concurrently held the post of Minister of Personnel, but he was occupied daily with court affairs and could not spare attention; he therefore entrusted the selection and administration of the examinations entirely to the ministry’s deputy ministers, Song Yao and Miao Jinqing. Although these two held important posts, their hearts were not necessarily upright. They saw that the Censor-in-Chief Zhang Yi had lately won the emperor’s favor and therefore became Li Linfu’s confidant; they too wished to ingratiate themselves and allowed private designs to grow in their minds.　　The following year, when the examination results were announced, millions of candidates across the realm had competed, yet only sixty-four were admitted—and Zhang Yi’s son, Zhang Ming, astonishingly ranked first on the list.　　When the list appeared, uproar filled court and country; many suspected foul play, but none dared speak openly. Su Xiaoyun, the former magistrate of Ji Prefecture, was upright by nature and could not tolerate the injustice; he secretly reported the affair to An Lushan. Though a military man, An Lushan understood that when one tooth is lost the lips grow cold; he took the matter to court and reported it in full to Emperor Xuanzong.　　Xuanzong, upon hearing the memorial, was incensed. “The imperial examinations are the foundation of the state—how can anyone be allowed to practice favoritism or fraud? Issue an edict at once: summon these sixty-four successful candidates t