Chapter 30: The Commissioner
Chapter 30: The Commissioner
After passing through the Academy's main gate, Chen Chuan followed the crowd and signs, with a guiding assistant teacher at every turn, accompanied by two students and closely monitored by the school's security.
He had been informed beforehand that the re-examination would take place at the same location as the previous test, in one of four adjacent old lecture halls, though he didn't know which specific venue he would be assigned to.
Soon enough, the candidates arrived at the entrance of the old building, where an assistant teacher asked each student to state their student ID number. After verification, they were assigned to different examination rooms according to a list.
Upon stating his number, Chen Chuan learned he was assigned to Examination Room 4 and was given a number plate with the handwritten digits "421" on it.
Chen Chuan had heard that this year's candidate pool might reach two thousand, which meant each examination room would likely accommodate around five hundred students. If the seating arrangement was based on individual rooms, his number suggested he would be among the last to be called.
The double doors of the examination room stood wide open, and candidates could enter without queuing. Inside, the air was filled with the scent of disinfectant, and the floor was spotlessly clean. The originally spacious training ground now held rows of back-to-back long benches, and the previously lowered curtains were drawn, providing a clear view of the outside.
A female teacher standing at the entrance said, "Male students, please sit on the green seats, and female students on the red ones. Choose your seats freely, and avoid arguing over them. The examination order does not follow the seating arrangement."
Chen Chuan chose a seat slightly further inside, estimating that it would be a while before his turn. The seats near the door were less convenient due to the constant flow of candidates entering and exiting.
As more candidates entered and took their seats, some began whispering to each other. Chen Chuan overheard various dialects from the surrounding counties and towns.
Regardless of whether they were from Yangzhi City or the surrounding counties, they shared a common trait—they were all students from humble backgrounds, each carrying the dream of transcending their social class.
A candidate of similar age sat down beside Chen Chuan, appearing slightly nervous. He leaned over, raised his hand, and greeted Chen Chuan, "Hello, I'm Fang Zhiming."
Chen Chuan nodded and introduced himself, "Chen Chuan."
"Chen Chuan, I'm number 398. What about you?"
Chen Chuan showed him his number plate, saying, "421."
Fang Zhiming's face lit up with delight, "Hey, we're not far apart!"
Chen Chuan nodded; it made sense for those with higher numbers to choose seats further inside.
By now, all candidates had entered, and the double doors were closed.
Chen Chuan scanned the room, and the seats were packed. Almost everyone who passed the initial examination was here, as the treatment after the re-examination was vastly different. Only by passing could one advance to greater heights, even if their abilities were lacking. It didn't stop candidates from trying their luck, hoping for a stroke of fortune that might see them through.
He scanned the room but didn't spot Wei Dong, likely assigned to another examination room.
At that moment, the female teacher who had been standing by the door stepped forward and stood before the crowd. Her skin was slightly tanned, her features ordinary, and her hair was braided. She wore a black imported suit, her hair gelled, and her hands donned a pair of deep gray gloves.
Master Gao said, "Commissioner Jiang, we've been waiting for you."
Commissioner Jiang replied, "Oh? Am I late?"
A teacher named Ning, responsible for communication, quickly interjected, "You're right on time, Commissioner Jiang. You're very punctual."
Commissioner Jiang said, "That's good. Shall we begin now?"
"Yes, please sign here, Commissioner Jiang."
Teacher Ning promptly handed over the prepared documents.
Jiang Weiban's assistant stepped forward and handed over the documents, then placed them in front of him.
Jiang Weiban was a third-party hired by the University Council to oversee the Academy's external admission examinations. His signature was required for re-examination proceedings, ensuring his presence. However, his role had gradually shifted towards that of a funding donor, representing the donor's interests and exercising their authority.
Jiang Weiban noticed two lists on the folder. The top one was a list of candidates for the entrance examination at the old lecture hall, and the bottom one was a list of recommended students for the Grand Hall.
Without even looking, he set aside the top list and picked up the list of recommended students. After carefully reviewing it, he asked, "Have all the candidates in the Grand Hall arrived?"
Teacher Ning replied, "They've all been here for five minutes."
Jiang Weiban said, "Then let's start with the recommended students. There should be an order to the order of their arrival, and there aren't many of them, and the examination won't take much time."
As he spoke, he took the pen passed by his assistant and swiftly signed the list, then immediately put the cap back on the pen, leaving the second list untouched.
Teacher Ning looked at him, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Master Gao didn't comment on this, only saying, "Then let's get started quickly."
"Okay," said Jiang Weiban, glancing at his watch. "It's ten-fifteen now. I ask the teachers and students assigned as examiners this time to be serious and responsible. We'll try to finish within an hour."
In the reception hall of the Grand Hall, dozens of recommended students waited in a well-lit room, sitting on sofas. White porcelain teacups on the table filled the air with invigorating tea fragrance. A phonograph played soothing music, and their assistants occasionally came to refill their tea and water.
A senior student assigned by the school was among them, naturally a recommended student himself.
After waiting for over ten minutes, the recommended students grew bored. One of them asked, "Jiang Xuezhang, I heard there are many students admitted to Wu Yi this year?"
Jiang Xuezhang replied, "With the expansion, of course, there are more and more each year."
"Then there should be many students receiving the Mutual Aid Society's sponsorship this year, right?"
Jiang Xuezhang laughed and said, "That depends on personal choice. We never force anyone."
One of the students raised an eyebrow and said, "Is there anyone who doesn't want it?"
Jiang Xuezhang smiled faintly and said, "That's quite normal. Those who don't want it show that they have confidence in passing the re-examination on their own. That's good. People should rely on themselves, but they shouldn't complain later."
At this moment, another candidate grew impatient and said, "Why is it so slow? Isn't it just a formality? What time is it now?"
Footsteps approached, and a senior official from the school entered the room. He looked at everyone and smiled, saying, "Candidates, the re-examination is about to begin. Please enter the examination station according to your numbers."
There were a total of six examination windows in the Grand Hall. After confirming the start of the examination, the assistant teacher began calling out the numbers.
One candidate was a bit distracted and didn't notice when his number was called. His assistant hurriedly reminded him, "Young Master, it's your turn."
The candidate complained, "Why make it so complicated?" He stood up from his seat and walked in, but within five minutes, he walked out again.
Someone curiously asked, "Xiao Ran, how was it?"
Xiao Ran shook his head and said disdainfully, "What else could it be? I didn't even warm up, and it was over."
Someone joked, "You look like you need to let off some steam. Why don't you go 'hunting' later?"
Xiao Ran's eyes lit up, and he said, "Sure."
The recommended students were soon called for the next batch. They went in one by one and quickly came out. In about three quarters of an hour, all the examinations were over, but the subsequent cleanup took another half-hour.
Seeing that it was almost over, Teacher Ning approached Jiang Weiban again and said, "Jiang Weiban, the examinations here are done. Can we start the admissions at the old lecture hall now?"
Jiang Weiban looked at his watch and said, "It's almost noon. Let's go eat first."
Teacher Ning said, "Jiang Weiban, look, there are so many candidates waiting over there. They've been here since early morning..."
"What?"
Jiang Weiban was surprised and said, "Have Wu Yi candidates lost this little patience? We're not just examining their combat ability."
"This..."
Master Gao decisively spoke up, "Ning, Yue Hong, you two accompany Jiang Weiban to eat."
"Alright."
Teacher Ning and Yue Hong had no choice but to agree.
After seeing Jiang Weiban leave with his group, a teacher said, "Master Gao, this..."
Master Gao said, "Don't come to me to complain. The commissioners are those guys sent to annoy us. Just do your job."
Bian Feng said, "But there are so many candidates waiting."
Master Gao glanced at him and said, "So what if they wait? He's right about one thing. Have Wu Yi candidates lost this little patience? If they can't wait, they can leave early. No one's stopping them."
...
(End of Chapter)
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