Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Xu Yan followed County Magistrate Zhao into the yamen gate.
He followed County Magistrate Zhao through the hall and courtyard to the back court, and the two of them entered the study one after another.
County Magistrate Zhao sat down behind his desk and said with a gentle smile, "Xiansheng, there are no outsiders here. Please take a seat."
Xu Yan quickly bowed and said, "I dare not."
County Magistrate Zhao stroked his beard lightly, feeling very satisfied.
Xu Yan is not only talented, but also abides by the rules and knows when to advance and retreat. As the top scorer in the new county examination, he is not arrogant or conceited.
It is truly commendable that he is so calm at such a young age.
"This county chose you as the top candidate in the county examination not because of personal friendship, but because your essay is truly outstanding."
After a brief pause, Magistrate Zhao continued, "Yi Shi, it's good that you've managed to remain neither arrogant nor impatient. Remember, you still have the prefectural and academy examinations waiting for you. Only by passing these can you obtain the title of scholar."
"Thank you for the advice, Master."
Xu Yan stood with his hands behind his back and said respectfully.
"This prefectural exam has been moved up and will be held in half a month. Magistrate Ma is a humble and fair person who values talent the most. As long as you perform well, you will definitely pass."
There was something interesting in what County Magistrate Zhao said.
He knew Magistrate Ma so well, so they must have a good personal relationship. Xu Yan was personally selected by Magistrate Zhao as the top candidate, a true descendant of his own. Under these circumstances, as long as Xu Yan performed well in the prefectural exam, he would surely be recognized.
Of course, County Magistrate Zhao couldn't say these words too clearly, and Xu Yan needed to figure it out himself.
As for how it tastes, it depends on yourself.
"Teacher, I have something to say but I'm not sure if I should say it."
Xu Yan thought for a moment and then bowed to County Magistrate Zhao.
"It's okay to just talk about it now."
"According to Ming Dynasty regulations, the Imperial Examinations should traditionally be presided over by a Grand Master. However, since the resignation of Zhang Ao, the Provincial Governor of Zhejiang Province in the 21st year of the Jiajing reign, the imperial court has not appointed a new academic official to take over. The Imperial Examinations are held every three years and cannot be delayed. Without an academic official to preside over them, the examinations have to be handled by the prefectures and counties. In your opinion, will this examination be conducted in the same manner?"
Xu Yan's question was very tricky, and it was actually a test for County Magistrate Zhao.
The provincial education commissioner was in charge of education, so the academy examinations should naturally be presided over by him. However, Zhejiang was a somewhat unusual situation. In the past five years, the imperial court had not appointed an official to serve as the education commissioner. As a result, the power to administer the academy examinations was decentralized to the local prefectures and counties.
This, of course, has its pros and cons. If the examinations were conducted by the provincial education commissioner, candidates from all prefectures and counties would essentially be evaluated using the same standards. However, if power were decentralized to the local level, prefects, state governors, and county magistrates would undoubtedly want to see more talented scholars emerge under their jurisdiction. After all, cultural and educational achievements are also important criteria for evaluating the performance of local officials.
If Xu Yan remembered correctly, the imperial court would appoint Lei Li as the Supervisor of Education in the 27th year of the Jiajing reign. If the academy examination were held this year, it would likely still be presided over by a local official. If it were delayed until next year, the newly appointed Supervisor of Education, Lei Li, would likely be the chief examiner.
Although Xu Yan's question was obscure, how could County Magistrate Zhao not hear it?
He pondered for a moment, twirling his beard as he spoke, "At this time, culture and education are of paramount importance. How can we afford to delay? From the perspective of this county, the academy examination will not be postponed."
Xu Yan thought to himself, it seems that this time the examination should still be presided over by local officials.
In a way, this was a good thing for him; after all, he was the top candidate in the county examination, selected by County Magistrate Zhao. Officials also had to give each other face, and if his guess was correct, the chief examiner for the Ningbo Prefecture Examination would be replaced by the Ningbo Prefect.
"Thank you for the advice, Master."
Xu Yan was very grateful that County Magistrate Zhao could explain it so clearly.
"Yishi, I have something else to remind you of."
County Magistrate Zhao paused, then said, "Prefect Ma doesn't like people who show off their talents."
hiss!
Hearing this, Xu Yan couldn't help but take a breath in his heart.
Since arriving in the Ming Dynasty, he has always been very strong, whether in writing poetry or offering strategies.
Being strong certainly has its advantages. He can quickly leave an impression on others.
If it weren't for that anti-Japanese poem and the plan to strengthen coastal defense, he would not have won the favor of Governor Zhu Wan.
But not everyone likes young people who show off their talents, such as Magistrate Ma.
County Magistrate Zhao kindly reminded him that he probably guessed that with Xu Yan's personality, he would show all his edge, and it would be bad if he offended Prefect Ma.
"Yishi, you are still very young and have a long way to go. The most urgent thing right now is to concentrate on your studies and not worry about temporary gains or losses."
County Magistrate Zhao is really optimistic about Xu Yan. In his opinion, as long as this young man can improve his character, his future will be limitless.
"Thank you for your advice, Master. I will definitely keep it in mind."
"Oh, by the way, I heard that you went to Hangzhou a few days ago and became a disciple of Mr. Xushan Qian Hongfu?"
County Magistrate Zhao stared at Xu Yan with a half-smile, making Young Master Xu feel a little embarrassed.
After all, County Magistrate Zhao was his nominal teacher, and he had taken on a great scholar as his teacher without informing County Magistrate Zhao. Wouldn't County Magistrate Zhao be jealous?
"Reporting to the County Master, it is indeed so."
Seeing Xu Yan's face flush, County Magistrate Zhao laughed and said, "Haha, don't be nervous. I was just asking casually. Mr. Xushan is a great scholar of his time, knowledgeable and talented. You can learn a lot from him."
After this conversation, Xu Yan gained a new understanding of County Magistrate Zhao.
He originally thought that County Magistrate Zhao's control was limited to Dinghai County, but he didn't expect that he could even get the news from Hangzhou in a timely manner.
It seems that none of the officials are simple. They are all the most cunning among the cunning.
As if he could guess what Xu Yan was thinking, County Magistrate Zhao said slowly, "This county also had a Jinshi in the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign."
Hearing this, Xu Yan couldn't help but sweat on his back.
Oh my god, how can things in this world be so coincidental?
It turns out that my two teachers are both Jinshi in the same imperial examination?
So, County Magistrate Zhao and Mr. Qian are of the same age?
"To be honest, I have a very close personal relationship with Brother Hongfu. In the 20th year of the Jiajing reign, Brother Hongfu was imprisoned for his words. I even raised some money and gave it to my friends in the capital to help him get out of prison. Over the years, I have never stopped writing to Brother Hongfu. Not long ago, Brother Hongfu wrote a letter and asked someone to send it to Dinghai County, asking me to take good care of you."
Hearing this, Xu Yan's eyes were already red.
He is not an emotional person, but he was really moved by Mr. Qian in this matter.
Mr. Qian truly treated him like his own son or nephew, eager to pave the way for him. Of course, County Magistrate Zhao also treated him well. With two such mentors, what reason did he have not to work hard and devote himself to the imperial examination?
......
......
ps: Xu Yan is the group's favorite, isn't he? Such a group favorite deserves a wave of recommendation votes to celebrate~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
