The two most important subjects in this imperial examination were arithmetic and policy essays, which are Chinese and mathematics.

The arithmetic test paper was given to a group of accountants to calculate.

However, the political policy essay test papers were corrected by the empress alone in public. Those who passed two subjects would be kept aside and enter the second round. Those who were particularly good in one subject would be kept aside and take the test again next month after training.

Xiao Li almost vomited after reading two hundred test papers in a row.

She didn't want to ask those self-righteous scholars from aristocratic families to be judges. Tang Shuyu and others were too young, and Song Junzhan had gone to take the exam.

The emperor was so powerful that he had no one to use and was forced to be the class teacher and correct the test papers himself.

This is a tough job that no human should do, but it's a brand new court, and she wants to choose someone she likes. If some idiots come to cause trouble for her, it would be better not to have them in the first place.

Of the 970 people, only 205 entered the second round, 200 of whom were weak in certain subjects, including 120 in policy essays and 80 in mathematics.

Everyone was divided into groups and waited in a special venue, where they were provided with food and drinks, waiting for the second round of exams the next day.

Xiao Li took the list of 205 people, and Song Junzhan and Wang Yizhuo were on it. What surprised her was that she saw Feng Yin among them.

Feng Yin had just come of age and was considered one of the younger candidates, but his policy essays were the most mature among all of them, and he even got full marks in math.

Even Song Junzhan was suppressed by him.

This is a genius raised by a prominent family, with knowledge, resources, and abilities, not to mention that he served as a fourth-rank official for five full years.

Xiao Li didn't pay attention to him today. He only remembered that when his name was called, he lowered his head and walked aside.

He seemed much more gloomy, but his policy proposals hinted at his sharpness and ambition.

This sword inlaid with precious gems has finally been sharpened.

-----

The first day of the exam is over and the second day continues, this time with a practical test.

Arithmetic subjects are assessed using different account books, while liberal arts subjects are assessed using previous cases and asked to provide solutions.

The calculation was still checked by the accountant, and the literary version was sent to Xiao Li.

Two hundred people took the exam in the morning. Xiao Li finished correcting the test papers at noon and gave out the answers in the evening.

Xiao Li took a quarter of an hour to determine the top ten.

She had the names of the top ten candidates covered up, sent out the ten test papers, and asked the remaining 195 candidates after the 11 unsuccessful candidates to cast their votes blindly.

Xiao Li has nine votes, which can be cast for different people, while they each have one vote.

It not only provides fairness but also gives the emperor the privilege of choice.

Of course, the most important thing is to make those more than one hundred people admit defeat with a sincere heart.

After an hour of intense selection, the voting ended when it was completely dark.

The names, along with the person the Empress voted for, were revealed, and the top three were announced, causing an uproar in the audience.

These young men had more or less heard of Song Junzhan's name. They knew that it was he who proposed to the empress to revive the imperial examination system, and that he was an uncrowned prime minister. As he himself was extremely talented, it was natural for him to take the imperial examination and get a good ranking.

Even the Empress gave him five votes, and the rest of the students gave him a full fifty-one votes, a total of fifty-six votes, making him the undisputed champion.

But this second place is really unexpected.

Wang Yizhuo, three very ordinary words, but the extraordinary one is the woman.

She received forty-six votes, and the Empress received four votes, for a total of fifty votes.

The third place Feng Yin received 48 votes, while the fourth place only received 30 votes.

Even without the four votes from the Empress, she would still be in the top three, the top three they voted for blindly.

If it was the Empress who personally chose her, they might still have doubts. No matter how good Wang Yizhuo's articles were, their first reaction after knowing her name would definitely not be appreciation, but finding fault.

It was a blind vote, and it was their own choice.

Everyone looked at the name quietly, unwilling to accept it, but had to admit it.

Xiao Li glanced at him, his eyes showing the calmness of planning and anticipation.

When dealing with a group of arrogant people, don't try to reason with them or convince them with facts.

Once prejudice is formed, it is indestructible.

The only way is to collapse from within.

The only one who can defeat them is themselves.

They voted for it themselves, so even if they are unwilling, they have to accept it.

Xiao Li is biased and is optimistic about Wang Yizhuo, but in her opinion, she would be satisfied if Wang Yizhuo could be in the top ten.

She can maintain her position in the top five, but I didn’t expect her to be in the top three.

The Queen's sister-in-law really surprised her.

Without further ado, the rankings were announced and Xiao Li announced the top three on the spot.

Song Junzhan is the well-deserved number one scholar, Wang Yizhuo is the second place, and she is the only woman, her brilliance is no less dazzling than that of the number one scholar, and the third place scholar is Feng Yin, with his appearance, he is extremely suitable to be the third place scholar.

Because Xiao Li was a female emperor who had just ascended the throne and hurriedly selected talents, the participants were only talented people from several surrounding cities, so the imperial examination was not perfect.

However, Xiao Li only pursues efficiency, grasps the key points, and selects the talents he wants.

As for the future, the people she trains will improve the imperial examination system.

She achieved absolute fairness and justice, which convinced them and allowed the woman to stand before the world.

She has already lit the fire, and how it will burn in the future depends on them. After all, this world belongs to them.

The rankings were announced, but the actual awarding of titles took place the next day.

Xiao Li asked the Ministry of Rites to prepare the ceremonial guard. The next morning, the Ministry of Rites would arrange for the top ten to ride horses in a parade, and the top three would wear red flowers on their chests. However, the top scholar would have special clothes and hats, which were bright red and very conspicuous.

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