NOVPUBLi Nuo had already made up his mind.
The requirements of the Law Code must have increased.
Han Zhuo’s painting skills were far from top-notch and not as dominant among students as Zhou Yu’s Horse Riding skill.
Not to mention the Music Department Top Scholar from the previous session.
A starving camel is still bigger than a horse; Liu Shang’s Qin Skill wouldn’t have degraded to the point where it wouldn’t meet the Law Code’s standards.
It was highly likely that, as he made his Breakthrough, the standards of the Law Code also elevated.
Fortunately, his Breakthrough was slow.
If he had achieved his Breakthrough earlier, he probably couldn’t have even obtained Han Zhuo’s painting skill.
This was both good and bad news.
The good news was that any skills he would acquire in the future would be of higher quality, ensuring a foolproof Imperial Examination.
The bad part was that the quality was so high it would be difficult to find someone who met the Law Code’s requirements.
Just like with Zhou Yu’s Horse Riding, in order to gain Liu Shang’s Qin Skill, Liu Shang himself would need to improve first.
But Zhou Yu had the incentive of the Imperial Examination; Liu Shang was already a Standard seventh-rank Director of Music and had no reason to be pushed to practice.
Moreover, after having neglected his specialty for so long, it was uncertain whether he could return to his former glory.
It would be more convenient to look for new candidates.
However, the matter at hand still needed to be explained to him.
Li Nuo looked towards Liu Shang, who was still in a state of confusion, smiled, and said, "Lord Liu, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Li Nuo, and I believe you’ve heard of me."
Liu Shang looked up, his face shocked.
Of course, he’d heard that name!
Son of the Minister of Justice, Li Xuanjing, who had recently killed the son of Marquis Yunyang, Li Yuan, and managed to come out unscathed despite the petitions from the nobles of the court; who in Chang’an hadn’t heard of it?
Li Nuo continued, "I’ve long heard of Lord Liu’s mastery in the way of Music, and I had asked you here originally to seek some guidance in music theory."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shang stood there, dumbstruck.
What?
The Ministry of Justice had nabbed him just to consult him on Music?
You should have said that earlier!
On the way here, he had even figured out where he’d be buried after death.
After all the panic, it turned out to be a false alarm.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he hastily said, "Not at all, not at all. It’s not so much guidance; but whatever questions the young master has, this subordinate will spare no effort in answering them fully."
Li Nuo didn’t really have any questions; he didn’t have a single bit of music theory background. Asking Liu Shang music-related questions would be like a kindergarten student asking the top scholar of a university entrance exam—could he really ask what the five musical notes are?
Asking such childish questions would only embarrass himself.
He began with an apologetic smile, saying, "I apologize for summoning Lord Liu in this manner, it was to avoid drawing connections. I hope Lord Liu will not take it to heart."
Liu Shang quickly replied, "Not at all, not at all..."
Having mingled in the officialdom for so long, he was no longer a greenhorn.
He was already halfway into the circle of nobles; if he were to be directly associated with the Minister of Justice, returning home might lead to endless troubles.
It had to be said; they had been very considerate of him. Taking him away on the charge of consorting with a prostitute wouldn’t lead anyone to suspect any collusion with Li Xuanjing.
Li Nuo spoke again, "For Lord Liu’s sake, we ask that you stay in the Ministry of Justice for the night and we’ll release you tomorrow. I hope Lord Liu understands."
Liu Shang immediately responded, "I understand, fully understand!"
The rooms here were quite comfortable; going home would only mean facing troubles anyway. Rather than going home to witness that harlot cheat on him, he’d prefer to stay here—certainly more comfortable than the government office at the Music Bureau.
Despite being brought to the Ministry of Justice, his impression of the Minister of Justice’s son was not bad.
Not only was the latter meticulous in his conduct,
But he also had a unique insight into people.
From the moment of his birth, no, even before his birth, he had been preparing to become the Music Department Top Scholar.
While carrying him in her womb, his mother had to listen to the "Six Musics" for several two-hour intervals every day.
Rather than "Shuo Wen," his literacy book was "Cloud Gate."
For twenty years, through heat and cold, he practiced ceaselessly day and night, only to one day become the Music Department Top Scholar.
The Minister of Justice had sought out the right person.
Liu Shang was organizing his thoughts, ready to share all his experiences regarding the Music Department examinations.
Li Nuo, however, turned and started walking away, asking Zhang Sizheng as he went, "Lord Zhang, do you know if there’s anyone in Chang’an who has an exceptional grasp of Music?"
Since Liu Shang’s skills had waned, Li Nuo had to seek another master.
As the most recent Music Department top scholar, those who earned the title before him had been in the officialdom for a longer period and were probably not as proficient as him.
There was no need to visit the Ministry of Personnel again; this Director seemed quite knowledgeable about music and might offer Li Nuo some advice.
Zhang Sizheng thought for a moment, then said, "The Music Department of the Imperial Examination differs from the way of Music. Lord Liu is the latest Music Department Top Scholar; when it comes to the Music Department of the examination, I’m afraid no one knows more than he does.
In addition, the music teachers from East Mountain Academy, who have taught the discipline all their lives, may not be as skillful as younger people due to their age, but their experience is unmatched by the youth..."
Li Nuo let out a sigh.
The Music Department was all about practical skill; even with rich theoretical experience, those old teachers were of little use if their hands-on performance wasn’t up to par.
He had thought that acquiring the skills of the Six Arts would be simple, but it turned out to be not as straightforward as he imagined.
It seems he would have to choose from the students who would participate in the next Imperial Examination.
Their level is undoubtedly at the peak of their life.
Liu Shang watched them leave, bewildered.
Was that it? They were leaving just like that?
What happened to his offer to give advice on Music?
Could it be that, after hearing his performance, they no longer valued his expertise?
He admitted his skills on the Qin had indeed fallen, but even a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. Even after neglecting his craft for years, there were few in Chang’an who knew the Music Department of the examinations better than him!
