"Academic Administrator Ma Shuhan has sent word that all men in Shu State who hold scholarly honors must attend. Those who do not will be stripped of their honors and forever barred from the imperial examinations."
Chen Yunfan looked at Chen Yi and said gravely,
"You've missed the Annual Examination twice before. Even with Jinling Academy vouching for you, you were still demoted from a scholar to an apprentice student."
"If you miss it this time, you can imagine the consequences."
Seeing Chen Yi remain silent, he continued, "Furthermore, Ma Shuhan has also submitted a memorial to the Imperial Court, petitioning the Holy Emperor to change parts of the Sixth Rank Demotion Step."
"Oh? What did he change?"
Chen Yi knew of the Sixth Rank Demotion Step. It was essentially an evaluation system with grades, similar to "Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor," or "A, B, C, D."
Ranks ranged from "First" to "Sixth," with First being the highest and Sixth being the worst.
