For the candidates, this year's imperial examination was so dramatic and unpredictable that it caught them off guard and left them feeling somewhat lost and disoriented.

The initial success in the imperial examinations made them feel like they had reached the pinnacle of their lives, and they all felt that their official careers were very promising.

What happened next took them by surprise. A large number of scholars were shouting that the imperial examinations were unfair and that the examiners were biased towards the southern scholars. While the northern scholars were making a scene, many southern scholars also joined in, each of them feeling unhappy.

Now, things are different. The examination papers of the successful candidates have been posted publicly, and everyone probably has a good idea of ​​what their essays are like. The court hasn't found any evidence of favoritism or cheating by the examiners, but a large number of the candidates who led the riots have been arrested and imprisoned, which is quite interesting.

However, all of this has become fodder for many people's conversations, or simply hearsay and rumors.

Zhu Yunying didn't care about those things at all; what he needed to do now was prepare for the palace examination. This could be considered a formal and successful conclusion to this imperial examination, and that was what he should be doing.

When Lian Zining and the others arrived at the Wuying Hall, they saw the young emperor reviewing memorials with a blank expression.

Zhu Yunying didn't put on airs; he was simply busy reviewing his own memorials and getting his tasks done. As for other matters, he was well aware that they didn't need to be a concern for the time being.

Setting down the memorial, Zhu Yunying asked, "What were the results of this joint trial?"

Ren Hengtai took the lead and immediately presented a memorial, stating, "We, your humble servants, have jointly investigated and found that Liu Yong and others, scholars from Beiping, harbored treacherous intentions after failing the imperial examinations and instigated other scholars to cause trouble. They are sons of wealthy and powerful families in Beiping and have a history of dissolute behavior."

Zhu Yunying remained noncommittal; he never believed that academic qualifications equated with character. He was also well aware that many highly educated individuals could be far more destructive when they committed evil deeds.

Even with a hint of disdain from a civil official, Song Zhong spoke up, saying, "Liu Yong's grandfather served as a clerk during the Yuan dynasty."

Zhu Yunying nodded slightly, then said, "That's it. Don't try to curry favor with them anymore. Liu Yong and the other main troublemakers should be stripped of their official titles and never be employed again."

Such punishments were by no means lenient. Zhu Yunying's words carried absolute weight, effectively ending the future of Liu Yong and his ilk. These people could only drink and grumble in vain.

Be a talented but unappreciated scholar; spending your days writing poetry and drinking wine isn't so bad. Perhaps your setbacks in your official career will bring a few more poets to the Ming Dynasty, or maybe even a few deadly great painters, and so on.

Zhu Yunying was in a fairly good mood. He felt that these things had been done well, and he was quite at ease.

Things need to be done one by one, and the imperial examination can be considered partly resolved. Next, naturally, comes a series of follow-up matters, all of which depend on Zhu Yunying's continued efforts.

It seems that the scholars' plans for the spring imperial examinations are now settled and won't affect many of their future plans. The provincial examinations are essentially over at this point, and the main event, the palace examination, will follow.

Good results in the imperial examinations naturally indicate a strong foundation, but ranking in the examinations doesn't represent everything. The top three positions, for example, are ranked in a sophisticated way. For those students about to embark on an official career, this is the starting point of their professional journey, and it can even directly influence how far they can go in the future.

Even the top scholar in the imperial examinations isn't guaranteed a great future, let alone the top scholar in the provincial examinations. We can't afford to slack off now.

Zhu Yunying was well aware of these matters. Although many people now believe that the Ming Dynasty began the rigid eight-legged essay system for selecting officials, confining scholars' knowledge to the Four Books and Five Classics.

This is indeed the norm, but it doesn't mean that all scholars are bookworms; many of them possess genuine talent and ability.

The newly appointed scholars were quite nervous at this time. They lined up and entered the imperial city, eagerly anticipating their first glimpse of the emperor.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial and the Ministry of Rites were also busy at this time, emphasizing various rules and regulations. Although these tribute students had probably been preparing quite a bit during this period, it wouldn't hurt to be a little cautious.

Zhu Yunying felt that meeting these newly appointed tribute students at Fengtian Hall was too formal, so he went to the Wenlou next to Fengtian Hall instead.

Led by officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial, the newly appointed tribute students entered the Wenlou (a hall for scholars). The hall was filled with civil and military officials dressed in scarlet, blue, and green robes embroidered with birds and beasts.

These tribute students, who aspire to be 'hypocrites in human clothing', will soon be able to fulfill their wish.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The rule of five bows and three kowtows was established long ago by Emperor Zhu. This was also the etiquette for officials when they met the emperor on relatively formal occasions, bowing five times and then kowtowing three times.

Zhu Yunying sat high on the dragon throne, and these tribute students basically dared not look him in the eye. "Rise."

The candidates hurriedly stood up, and some, perhaps a little too excited, made minor blunders. But basically, no one cared. Many had gone through this process, and similar things had happened in previous imperial examinations; it was nothing new.

"You are the first group I have trained since my ascension to the throne. I have high expectations for you, so do not disappoint me." Although most of the people below were older than Zhu Yunying, and there were even elderly people with gray hair, Zhu Yunying still began his admonition, "You should be conscientious and dutiful in your duties."

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