Chapter 504: Science Test, Easy as Piece
But the gray-robed man's words successfully resonated with many students, and several of them came over to say:
"I strongly agree that the question is tricky and narrow-minded. Why give me a poem and ask me to analyze the social and people's livelihood at that time! God, the poet who wrote the poem may not understand the war situation at that time and is just writing nonsense."
"That's right! I was given a line of poetry and asked to analyze where the poet lived at the time. That would have been fine, but I was also asked to describe in detail what the war was like at the time. I've never even been in the kitchen, so I just gritted my teeth and wrote it down."
"Yes, yes! There is another question, which asks us to write about how to reasonably collect salt and iron taxes. This is a difficult question that may offend people. I know I dare not write too much."
"Wait, when did the "Salt and Iron Tax" come up on the test paper?"
“It’s the first question.”
"Ah? Aren't we analyzing the "well-field system, equal-field system and other land law reforms"? "
"……ah?"
…
At this time, the man in gray popped up again and said, "Future colleagues, look at these questions. Aren't they just asking us to analyze them nitpickingly? The scope of the questions is narrow, so it's fine. I have a friend who is not good at the Four Books and Five Classics, but he is very good at poetry and songs. He is a rare talent. Can you believe it? He doesn't even have the qualifications to enter the capital. Alas... the environment for being an official in Daxia is really not as good as that in Chen and Chu."
After hearing this, most of the students nodded and commented:
"Indeed, this non-recommendation system is not suitable for those talented people with great literary talent."
"The imperial examination system in Daxia has really narrowed the path, and it is unfair to those great talents."
"But I have one objection. It's fine if it's not as good as Chu, but Chen is almost being beaten to death by Daxia. We absolutely cannot go there."
…
The more Yuan Ruan listened, the more weird it seemed. The gray-clothed man's words seemed to be provocative. Could he be trying to stir up trouble?
Just when Yuan Ruan was wondering whether he should ask his brother to come over in advance to control the situation, Yu Tu, who had been silent since answering the question once, suddenly spoke.
"Would you rather join the Chu Kingdom?" Yu Tu's voice was filled with rejection. "Do you know how many of the 100 aides can be recommended for office? Do you know that the Chu Kingdom is caught up in a turmoil over the succession of the heir? Do you know that you will be sacrificed if you don't choose the right master? Most importantly, as foreigners, you have almost no chance of being accepted as a core aide by the nobles. The Chu Kingdom is much more xenophobic than the Xia Kingdom."
After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.
Yu Tu said slowly, "As for those who criticize the imperial examination system as unfair, they are either stupid or bad."
The students looked a little unhappy after hearing such ruthless words, but they just said a few words to save face and stopped talking.
Yuan Ruan couldn't help but look at Yu Tu again. Although he had ordinary features, he looked very handsome.
She pulled Qi Yue's hand and whispered, "Seventh sister, this is excellent."
Qi Yue narrowed her eyes, then nodded steadily: "Well, this one is a bit short and thin, I'll pick another one later."
Yuan Ruan's mouth twitched.
The system suddenly laughed out loud: [Haha, Ah Ruan... It feels like Qi Yue is picking on pigs! But this one is really good and can manage your Imperial Master's Mansion well.]
Yuanruan shook his head repeatedly: [That’s not necessary. Such excellent things should be handed over to the country. It’s a waste for me.]
The system responded seriously: [It won’t be wasted if it’s given to Ah Ruan! In fact, if it’s not given to Ah Ruan, he will be ruined. ]
Yuanruan: [Ah?]
Just at this moment, the emperor and his entourage walked in:?