The main roads in Beijing were completed in May, while other smaller roads are still under construction. After all, Beijing is a large city, and this matter cannot be rushed. However, the smaller roads connecting the main roads to the bustling areas have all been paved with cement, and the quality is excellent.

They dared not have it.

The main road was funded by Empress Youqing, and the people she hired were all trustworthy. Given her favor with the emperor and the fact that it was built under her watchful eye, it could be inspected at any time after completion. Even if someone had ulterior motives, they wouldn't dare to carry them out, since such a thing would be too easily exposed.

Although the other paths were not funded by Youqing, they were all built by well-known local businesses. They needed them themselves and wouldn't dare to build substandard ones, so the quality was perfectly fine.

By this calculation, the cement roads in Beijing are now extensive and interconnected.

On Emperor Kangxi's side, the special imperial examination had ended, and the successful candidates for the jinshi degree had been selected. However, the remaining students who did not pass the exam did not leave.

Because the imperial court suddenly issued an edict that there would be another examination soon, but this examination would place more emphasis on mathematics and the investigation of things.

A scholar who can become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations by studying the Four Books and Five Classics is certainly not lacking in knowledge. However, even if they can understand the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly, they may not necessarily have a thorough understanding of mathematics or the content of investigating things.

After all, these are two different systems.

However, none of the students who stayed in the capital complained, because the imperial edict stated that this exam was the same as the metropolitan exam, and those who achieved excellent results could also become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination) and enter the court to serve as officials.

Being able to become a Juren (举人) means being one of the best in a province. But to become a Jinshi (进士), there are countless Juren in the country, yet only two or three hundred are selected. It takes three years for only two or three hundred to become a Jinshi. In other words, most Juren have no chance of becoming Jinshi.

Now, the imperial court has held a special imperial examination and then added another one. Even though the content is not their forte, they are still extremely grateful.

"These are some topics I found. See if they're suitable?"

Hearing that Emperor Kangxi was going to hold an additional test, which was related to science, Youqing volunteered. Putting aside other things, she could still answer some elementary and middle school math questions, as well as some simple engineering questions.

Emperor Kangxi was quite satisfied with the test questions, but he had one question: "Aren't they too difficult?"

Is it too difficult?

Youqing looked at the chicken and rabbit problem, the Pythagorean theorem, some simple geometry problems, and some analyses of natural phenomena. These didn't necessarily have to have the correct answers; they were more about testing a person's way of thinking. There were also some simple mechanical structures.

She searched for knowledge points available in this era based on the system's screening, although some of them were obscure.

Can you make it?

Kangxi was in a bit of a dilemma. How could he explain it? It wasn't that he didn't know how, but he couldn't guarantee that he knew everything. This was rather awkward.

Seeing Kangxi's expression, Youqing understood without him saying a word.

It seems that things are indeed quite difficult.

"Should I revise it again?"

Kangxi thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No need to change it. Just use this one. It's an additional test anyway, so it's only right that the questions are a bit more difficult."

This also helps to filter out truly talented individuals.

However, before taking the exam paper out, Kangxi needed to do one thing: he had to study it. At the very least, he had to be able to answer the questions on the paper.

Then Kangxi became very busy. He had to handle government affairs during the day and was not free at night either. He could not do happy "things" anymore. Every night he had to study with Youqing until midnight.

Kangxi was an extremely intelligent man, and Youqing felt as if his intelligence was being crushed during his time with him.

Youqing herself was a top student, but Kangxi's learning ability was at the level of a genius. You never knew what his next question would be, but the next question would always stump you. It's true that teaching a student like Kangxi was effortless, but it's also true that you felt your IQ wasn't high enough every day.

I'm so tired!

"That's enough for today, let's rest!"

Emperor Kangxi did not reject learning; on the contrary, he enjoyed it. Unlike modern times, there are no various entertainment activities in ancient times. People's spiritual life was relatively dull in ancient times. Even for Emperor Kangxi, his biggest entertainment activities were listening to operas, watching dances, and hunting.

This led to Emperor Kangxi's fondness for reading.

Whether it's the Four Books and Five Classics or the various science-related subjects he's learning now, he enjoys it all immensely.

So after the evening, he was still quite energetic. He was satisfied both mentally and physically, but Youqing really didn't want to cooperate with him. He wasn't tired, but she was.

He taught his apprentice, but exhausted himself.

Emperor Kangxi originally intended to do some exercise.

As soon as I lay down, I heard snoring coming from the person next to me, one after another.

With a sigh of relief, Kangxi pulled the person closer to him and fell asleep.

Kangxi studied for less than half a month. While he may not have fully grasped everything, he at least had no problem with the knowledge points on the exam paper that Youqing had prepared.

Youqing was also extremely surprised by this; this person was indeed too clever.

After Kangxi finished studying, the additional tests began.

On the very day the results of the provincial examination were announced, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict to hold an additional examination, separate from the provincial examination, to select one hundred people. Those who passed the examination would receive the title of Jinshi (a high-ranking scholar).

On the day of the supplementary examination, the number of people was only a few hundred fewer than that of the metropolitan examination. Most of the few hundred fewer people were those who had passed the imperial examination during the special examination, and a small number had left for other reasons. However, this was a very small minority, after all, this supplementary examination was a rare opportunity.

Although they didn't know what the specific questions would be, that didn't stop them from giving it a try. They all had the same thought in mind: what if they got it right?

They've studied for so many years, they wouldn't be satisfied without giving it a try.

In a private room of a restaurant near the Imperial Examination Hall in the capital, several young men who looked like scholars gathered, drinking tea and discussing the additional examination.

"It seems the imperial court is short of personnel this year. Not only did they hold an extra imperial examination, but they also added another one after the extra examination. This has given scholars many opportunities, which is fortunate for us."

The man speaking was named Hu Qingshan. He was a second-class Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in this special examination. He was not old and was now working in the Hanlin Academy. He was considered a well-known figure in this special examination.

After all, getting into the Hanlin Academy wasn't easy.

At this moment, another young man of about the same age spoke up: "Yes, His Majesty's move has indeed given us an opportunity."

Another person spoke up, but their tone was not as relaxed as the previous two; instead, they seemed quite worried.

"I wonder what the court is planning for our colleagues in this cohort. About ten of them have entered the Hanlin Academy, but the rest have nowhere to go! The results of the additional examination will be out soon, and with so many people, how are we going to arrange them all at once?"

The extra exam is good because it gives students an opportunity, but with so many people, there must be enough places to accommodate them. If there are too many people, the good places will all go to those with connections, and those without connections will not know where they will be assigned!