Chapter 364 [Guess the Big Question]

The palace gate slowly opened and the guards filed in, standing solemnly on both sides of the gate. Then, with the sound of solemn and magnificent drums, the emperor's guard of honor walked in from the palace gate.

Emperor Qingning was wearing a bright yellow robe with a five-clawed golden dragon. His square face was calm and majestic without anger. He was helped down from the sedan chair by Zhou Jushan. He walked steadily and looked energetic.

@Xue Wei (Study Committee Member): The dog emperor has come to ask questions about politics and current affairs. If you don't come to the palace examination, it will be over. @All members

@Deputy Class Leader Zhou Jushan: I don't know if they came, but I did.

Behind Emperor Qingning, Zhou Jushan wore a smoke-filled hat, walked with a restrained gait, and looked very energetic. It was obvious that he was a popular figure around the emperor.

Emperor Qingning entered the Golden Throne Hall with his honor guard, and then Xue Wei and others were summoned into the hall.

The process of the palace examination in Dasheng was slightly different from what Xue Wei and his classmates learned in their history textbooks.

During the emperor's questioning session, the top scorers in the imperial examinations from all over the country will meet with the emperor and be personally examined and questioned by him. This group of people consists of less than 30 people, and they are all the elites among the elites.

This part is equivalent to the emperor inspecting the top scorers in each province in advance and interviewing them. It not only tests their real talents and knowledge, but also examines the appearance, demeanor, behavior and on-the-spot reaction of each candidate, leaving an impression in his mind.

After all, the written answers are wonderful, but many candidates are so scared that their legs go weak and they can't stand steadily when they arrive at the scene.

After the emperor read out the questions, the provincial top scorers drew lots to decide the order in which they would be examined by the emperor.

After the drawing of lots, they had a quarter of an hour to think about the questions raised by the emperor.

A quarter of an hour later, they appeared before the emperor in the order in which they had drawn lots.

In addition to these provincial champions who participated in the "interview", the remaining candidates participating in the palace examination still stayed in the venue for writing policy essays. The examiners read out the questions asked by the emperor, and then the candidates wrote their answers on the examination paper and submitted them.

The answers Xue Wei drew were neither early nor late, and he was the eighteenth to be examined by Emperor Qingning.

The order of drawing lots is a great test of one's mentality. Candidates at the front may face multiple factors such as nervousness and lack of time to think, but candidates who answer later are not necessarily lucky either.

Although they have more time to think, if the previous candidates have almost repeated the solutions to the problem, they will have nothing to say in response to the emperor. They can only give repetitive answers, which are difficult to be original and cannot win the favor of the emperor.

In addition, the emperor may also ask follow-up questions to the candidates' answers.

After the drawing of lots, Emperor Qingning, sitting on the dragon throne, unfolded the scroll in his hand and announced the topics of this palace examination.

Emperor Qingning spoke, revealing the imperial aura accumulated over decades: "The northwestern border has suffered from years of drought, food and fodder are scarce, farmland is degrading, and farmland yields are meager. The people are struggling to make a living, the population is declining, and the northwest is gradually becoming desolate."

"On the other hand, the Bol grasslands on the northwest border are strong and expanding, and Khan Arunnadanzhuo is becoming increasingly arrogant. He even cut off ties with our Dasheng this year."

He frowned slightly and asked, "What good plans do you have, candidates? How can we deal with the menacing Boer and restore the glory of our Northwest?"

Emperor Qingning's voice was full of energy. Only Zhou Jushan and a few ministers knew that Emperor Qingning was in such good spirits because of the medicine he took.

After Emperor Qingning asked this question, the faces of all the candidates present became visibly ugly. This type of question had never been asked in the palace examinations in previous years, as it involved too many aspects.

A big question contains many aspects. If you want to answer it, you can answer it from many angles. It is extremely difficult to think of a perfect plan within a quarter of an hour. You can only make choices and answer the aspects you are good at to win the emperor's favor.

When Xue Wei heard the question read out by Emperor Qingning, his eyes opened slightly.

Not to mention how familiar he is with the northwest border of Dasheng because he often chats with Master Yan. When he was studying in college in modern times, his family was transferred to the northwest region for work to participate in poverty alleviation work, and he returned to the northwest during the winter and summer vacations.

In addition, I participated in the "Three Down to the Countryside" activities during each university holiday, serving in remote areas of the northwest, and was exposed to various response policies.

What’s the difference between this and predicting the essay topic in the college entrance examination?

When Emperor Qingning asked this question, the class group suddenly became lively.

@Jiang Lili: So we're supposed to see a bunch of people brainstorming how to deal with Master Yan? Interesting, interesting!

When Yan Chaoyue heard the name "Alenardanzhuo", he paused for a moment before realizing that this was his grassland name. He almost died of laughter.

@Yan Chaoyue (Grassland Khan): I didn't expect it, I've finally made it to the exam! Listening to a bunch of people teasing me right in front of me, how come it feels so good?

@Zhou Jushan (Grand Chamberlain): You don't even know what the Dasheng ministers are saying about you. They say you're ignorant of etiquette, arrogant, and reckless. They even say you're lucky to have that grassland Valkyrie. I almost died of laughter when I heard that.

@Hou Xiaoxiao (Princess of Jin): If these pissed-off people knew the Grassland Valkyrie was the Xin family's Third Daughter, would they vomit blood? After all, the Third Daughter was sent to the grasslands in marriage by the cannibal emperor's personal decree.

Everyone in the group was having a great time, and Xue Wei didn't feel nervous at all at this moment.

As time passed, Xue Wei had already organized his answers in his mind and had a rough outline, without any panic.

A quarter of an hour passed quickly.

With a "dong" sound, the bell placed in front of the palace examination venue was struck, causing ringing in people's ears.

The candidates' hearts were shaken by the bell.

Although he had rehearsed it countless times in his mind, it was a completely different experience when he actually stood in the hall and accepted the emperor's test. Sitting on the dragon throne was the emperor who held the highest power in the world.

Emperor Qingning's sharp gaze swept over His Highness's people.

There was a look of awe and trepidation on their faces.

Emperor Qingning was very satisfied, as what he wanted was absolute awe and respect for the imperial power.

Of course Xue Wei also had to show some respect, but he pretended to do so.

As a person who saved the emperor, he had to be low-key and cautious, and not be caught in any fault. After all, conjunctivitis has existed since ancient times.

After some knocking, the first candidate stepped forward to explain his response to Emperor Qingning.

"Your Majesty, the farmland in the five northwestern cities has degraded, and grain production is low, all due to drought and water shortages. I believe we can dig a canal to divert water from the Jing River to the five northwestern cities..."

His voice was a little shaky at first, but as he spoke his tone calmed down.

Digging a canal is a solution that can permanently cure the problem, but it requires huge financial resources and the effects are slow to show.

After all, it was the first answer, so it was not bad for him to keep calm and answer fluently. Emperor Qingning's face showed no emotion. He asked a few more questions and then announced the next candidate.

The following candidates either gave standard answers, or stumbled and fumbled, or even lost their composure in front of the hall...

When it was Xue Wei's turn, Emperor Qingning already had a look of fatigue between his brows.