Pages 103-124

Pages 103-124

On pages 103-124, the examination grading process is described in detail. Shen Ding then comes back into the boarding house, drunk. Chen asks him if he put a bribe into his paper, to which he answers "No, of course not". He then excuses this action by saying he didn't have enough money to put in a bribe. Chen says he did not put a bribe into his because Confucius would not approve. The next day, there is also a list of people posted who are "blacklisted" from ever entering the provincial again, mainly because of attempted bribes. Shen Ding says he had no idea, but Chen is still suspicious. Finally, the list is posted, and Chen is not on it. He stands there in disbelief, wanting so badly to have passed. They then post the top five, and he is rank number five. While Chen is attending his banquet, Hong becomes a member of the White Lotus. One day, after Shen Ding rants to Chen and Hong, he leaves, leaving behind only a message of apology. When Hong and Chen start on their journey again, they make a poster, which Chen is not happy about. When they enter a village, a landlord asks Chen to marry his daughter. Chen refuses, and the man is furious. Chen then starts thinking about home, and the plague of locusts that is sure to have hit there. He decides to go with Hong in the end.

Competition for Places Shen Ding betrayed Chen to have a better chance.

Legalism Vendor warns Chen about the betrayals (People are inherently bad).

Symbols Blood of rooster represents every drop of blood spilled by the brotherhood.

Four Noble Truths Ye Pan asks which road Hong will take, and Hong says the middle way.

Opposites Landowners daughter and Daiyun are very different.

-- Alex Daichman