Chapter 73 Preparing for the Imperial Examination
Because the addition of honey perfectly neutralized the sourness of the mountain red, and it was very chewy when pressed into slices and dried, this novel snack was unexpectedly popular. They hired many people on a daily basis to pick the mountain red outside Hanyun City, and then sold the snacks to merchants and wealthy families in nearby cities. This sweet and sour taste was especially popular among pregnant women, and it became popular for a while.
Recruiting people by paying them on a daily basis increased their income.
The secret letter also said that because the jobs they were recruiting were all small ones, and the most tiring part was just pounding the fruits into a fine paste over and over again, the people who first came were skeptical, but in the end they actually got copper coins after completing these jobs!
This season's mountain sorrel season has passed, but there are still many people coming to inquire about it every day. The government had to post a notice that it would no longer recruit people for work, and only then did the people stop coming.
Yan Xuanyu watched with great interest. Isn’t this snack the ancient version of Guodanpi?
In addition, the three of them were not idle in the city. They personally led people to level the roads in Hanyun City and replanned the sewage facilities in the city. Although these were only minor changes, they brought significant changes to Hanyun City.
Yan Xuanyu smiled after reading it. These three people were quite smart. They imitated what he did in the capital.
They deserved the first place ranking in this practical exam.
Yan Xuanyu had an impression of these three people. Ming Chengyu seemed to be a steady young man who could think about a problem comprehensively. Although Kong Yan's performance in the military academy was not outstanding, he was very thoughtful. An Yuliang played the role of execution.
He then looked at the thick collection of secret letters in his hand. Not every group of students was as bold and daring as those three. Some did nothing every day and wanted to get by - the idea of these people was that doing nothing was not a bad thing; some wanted to do something but achieved the opposite effect - they were stopped in time by the people who were assessing them and did not suffer any loss, but their grades were heavily deducted.
Of course, there were many smart students among them, and they accurately guessed Yan Xuanyu's intention. Some of them participated in the local road construction and city wall reinforcement, working every day like other people; some went into the farmland to ask farmers about farming. Generally speaking, most of them gained a lot from this practical exam.
...
Hanyun City.
Ming Chengyu and the other two were walking on the streets of Hanyun City. Kong Yan couldn't help but sigh, "So this is what it feels like to be an official."
Now they understood how much power the emperor had given to these students who graduated from the military academy, and they had used this power to do many things in Hanyun City.
"I remember when we first arrived here, the road would be flooded whenever it rained, and passersby would get their shoes and socks wet. Now that there is a secret passage, the road is much cleaner, and even when it rains, it won't be like before."
Ming Chengyu also recalled: "Yes, it has clearly been several months, but now it seems like yesterday. This morning the governor said we would be returning to the capital soon."
After saying this, the three of them felt a little sad. The experiences here were something they would never be able to experience in the capital.
The different folk customs and interactions with local people have allowed them to gain a lot and see things beyond the prosperity of the capital.
"Do you think we can take part in the imperial examination?" Kong Yan suddenly asked. "After all, we are just 'hostages' handed to His Majesty by aristocratic families. Tell me, after we return to the capital... where will we go?"
"There's no point in overthinking." Ming Chengyu patted him. "Your Majesty must have a purpose for keeping us here. Otherwise, there would be no need to waste so much energy sending over a hundred of us students to various places for training."
An Yuliang thought about it briefly and said, "I think Cheng Yu is right!"
The three of them walked until they arrived at the study and saw Tang Xing's figure from the window.
The three of them all felt that Tang Xing was a friend worth making. Over the past few months, the four of them often talked together, and their feelings for each other grew stronger and stronger.
Tang Xing did not feel inferior because of his peasant family background. The three people who came from the capital said that Tang Xing's conversation was even more polite than some so-called young masters of aristocratic families!
In addition, when Ming Chengyu and the others talked about something but Tang Xing didn't know, he would ask about it in a calm and confident manner, and occasionally put forward his own unique insights. The four of them got along very easily and happily.
"Tang Xing!" Kong Yan waved and said in a low voice.
When Tang Xing noticed them, he put the books back to their original place and walked out of the study.
"Why are you here today?" Tang Xing was very surprised.
Kong Yan said, "Let's go to Xiangmanlou for a meal. I'll treat you!"
The sweet and sour mountain red rolls that Kong Yan made - they called it that name for now - made him a lot of money. The three of them originally wanted to give the money to the people who worked on it and hand over the rest to the government. After all, it was Kong Yan who worked hard from making to selling it, so the prefect gave him a share of his hard work money. Now he has become the richest among the three.
Tang Xing looked at Kong Yan in surprise.
An Yuliang laughed, "Then I won't be polite!"
Tang Xing wanted to refuse, but An Yuliang leaned close to him and sighed, "We'll be back in Beijing in a few days, and we won't be able to see each other again then!"
Tang Xing had no reason to refuse.
The four of them came to Xiangmanlou, which was the largest restaurant in Hanyun City. Kong Yan did not spend lavishly and ordered a medium-sized meal at Xiangmanlou. The four of them enjoyed the meal very much.
But there was a hint of loss in their words. Ming Chengyu and the other two had developed feelings for Hanyun City during their time here, and they would be reluctant to leave suddenly.
As they were talking, the four of them somehow started talking about the imperial examination.
"That's almost certain." Kong Yan took a sip of wine, smacked his lips and said, "Brother Tang, you can give it a try when the time comes!"
Tang Xing sighed and said with a helpless smile, "How can it be so simple? I only know a few words."
He didn't say the rest. He still had parents, brothers and sisters at home. How could he ask for money to take the exam? Moreover, he was not being modest. He really felt that he only knew a few words and was far behind those scholars. He never complained or hated himself for it. Being able to read and write was already a great honor in their village.
That was great, and he could do some bookkeeping and copying work in the city to earn some money for his family.
A few days later, Ming Chengyu and the other two were about to leave Hanyun City. Tang Xing went to see them off. Kong Yan actually gave him a small bundle, saying it was a parting gift. The three of them didn't give Tang Xing a chance to react. Before they got on the carriage, they took out the bundle and stuffed it into Tang Xing's hands, then waved goodbye and left.
After returning, Tang Xing opened the package they gave each other and found a very simple wooden box inside. After opening it, Tang Xing stared at the box in a daze.
The three men left him most of the silver and money they had on them, as well as a set of paper and pen.
The wind was howling outside, and the flimsy house seemed to tremble. Only in the darkness, Tang Xing was holding his pen tightly, lost in thought.
...
As the rumors in the secretive Zhou Dynasty had indeed proven, the emperor officially issued an edict in April to abolish the original official selection system of the Zhou Dynasty and to implement the imperial examination system the next year.
After this decree was issued, there was a slight voice of opposition. Some conservatives believed that the emperor's actions would disrupt the order of the Great Zhou and bring crisis to the Great Zhou.
However, before he could utter these words, others retorted by citing a series of imperial decrees issued after the emperor ascended the throne that benefited the country and the people, and listed all the ills that had arisen in the Great Zhou due to the recommendation of the aristocratic families. Now that the aristocratic families of the Great Zhou were weakened under the suppression of Yan Xuanyu, the conservatives naturally had no ability to fight against the court.
The people all stared blankly at the imperial edict posted by the government.
At this time, they were still not quite clear about what kind of huge changes this decree would bring to the Great Zhou.
There are no commoners in the upper class, and no gentry in the lower class - from now on, they will never appear again.
...
Yan Xuanyu could not decide on his own what the content of the imperial examination would be, as it was a matter that concerned the future of the entire Great Zhou.
There was an endless debate in the court about what should be tested in the imperial examination.
Some people say that we should examine ancient classics and writings, some think that arithmetic should be included, and some think that we should get rid of flashy behaviors and instead examine current people's livelihood issues.
Among them, the pragmatists who proposed to examine people's livelihood and current affairs mostly entered the court with the promotion of Yan Xuanyu. The result was as Yan Xuanyu hoped. After removing those officials from aristocratic families who were full of corruption, greedy for power and wealth, and the Jiang Party, the court was completely renewed. It was not as chaotic as some people thought, but presented a new atmosphere.
Yan Xuanyu sat there and listened carefully to the officials expressing their opinions, and listened carefully to the new officials and the conservative old officials who still remained arguing with each other with their own reasons.
"Okay." After a long time, Yan Xuanyu asked them to stop.
The throne room fell silent in an instant.
Yan Xuanyu continued, "My dear ministers, you all have a point. The ancient classics need to be studied."
The eyes of the old officials in the court lit up, and then they looked provocatively at the officials who refuted their views. The latter looked at each other in confusion. They had been with the emperor in private and knew very well what he was thinking.
But the next second Yan Xuanyu added: "We will also test you on calligraphy, arithmetic, law, and people's livelihood."
Everyone in the court was stunned.
Han Yuan, who had been granted the special honor of sitting beneath the jade steps by the emperor, had remained silent during the officials' argument, quietly listening to their arguments like Yan Xuanyu. Now, he slowly stood up, holding his tablet, and said, "Your Majesty, your opinion that incorporating ancient classics, calligraphy, arithmetic, law, and livelihood into the examination papers is a good thing, as it will help us select true talents for our Great Zhou. However, in my opinion, it is still too early for the imperial examination system to be implemented, and I am afraid that some talented people may not understand the content of the examination. Therefore, the examination should not be too difficult in the early stages of its implementation."
Several people also stepped forward and said, "I think what Mr. Han said is very true."
Yan Xuanyu smiled and said, "I know what you mean."
After all, they were in the Imperial Palace, so everyone was very reserved. Han Yuan's point was that the imperial examination system was originally intended to prevent aristocratic families from monopolizing the court, but the educational resources available to common people were minimal, practically nonexistent. How could they compare with the aristocratic families? Not to mention answering the same exam paper in the same examination room! They were afraid that if the exam paper was set according to Yan Xuanyu's suggestion, the children of aristocratic families with access to abundant educational resources would monopolize the imperial examination quota, effectively dominating the rankings. How could that be fair? How could common people even change their fate through education?
"So, my dear ministers, listen carefully. I want you to do two things," Yan Xuanyu said slowly. "First, select several officials and gather them again at Wenyuan Pavilion to formulate the scope of the imperial examination questions and determine an outline. Lord Lin will explain what the outline is later. Second, organize the source of the examination content."
I wonder if you have ever heard of textbooks and mock exams?
...
A few months later, a large number of new books suddenly appeared in study rooms across the Great Zhou. Each book was as thick as a brick, bound into a volume and placed in the most conspicuous place in the study, waiting for visitors to read.
"Hey? What is this?" A young man in plain clothes walked up to the newly-added bookshelf in the study and stopped.
He took a casual look and was so frightened that he almost dropped the book!
It was clearly written on it——
"Textbook for the Imperial Examination in the Fourth Year of Yong'an".
This year is the second year of Yong'an, and the first imperial examination was held in the fourth year of Yong'an!
The man couldn't believe it. Could this be something used by the people in the study or someone else to fool others?
He swallowed hard and turned to the first page. It was labeled "Table of Contents" and below it were divided into sections: "Chapter on Mingzi," "Chapter on Ancient Classics," "Chapter on Mathematics," and "Chapter on Law."
The man couldn't help but let out a short cry, closed the book and didn't dare to look at it anymore. He hurried to the study manager to inquire about the origin of the book.
The study manager smiled and replied, "Yes, that's exactly what the imperial examination tests... Yes, absolutely."
Seeing his confused and shocked expression, the steward took out the sample book from behind him and said, "What you have now is the textbook. This means it contains all the content of the exam for you to memorize. You have the first volume."
He gestured to the man with the sample booklet in his hand. "This volume in my hand is called the 'Mock Exam'. It contains mock exam questions—so-called mock exam questions, meaning they're similar in format to the exam, but with different content. Since the books in the study are only for reading and not for marking, you can take a blank sheet of paper over there and write your answers on it."
This scene took place in many places in Da Zhou.
Everyone who heard about this didn't believe it at first and didn't dare to believe it.
...
There is a palace examination after the imperial examination, so Yan Xuanyu is not worried that someone will rely on luck to get in. After all, one's true talent and knowledge will be revealed once they come to the palace.
In fact, it is not just the palace examination. Yan Xuanyu has also carefully prepared many "small programs". That is to say, it is not all over for the scholars after taking the imperial examination. The top few who can enter the palace examination will probably start to be "examined" as soon as the carriage arrives in the capital.
The more Yan Xuanyu thought about it, the more inspiration came to him. He could not help but take a pen and paper and quickly wrote it down, such as money was stolen, encountered a bad person, met someone who needed help...
Yan Xuanyu wrote with great pleasure, but Han Yuan and others were all speechless after reading it!
What on earth is going on in the mind of their emperor every day? Perhaps he has become mentally ill from watching so much drama. This is an imperial examination that concerns the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, so why did they come up with a drama where he is favored by a young lady from an official family after entering the capital?
In this regard, Yan Xuanyu said that relying solely on talent and knowledge will not be enough to screen out all the scum!
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