Civil and military officials stood by, waiting for His Majesty the Emperor to arrive and issue the imperial edict.
At this time, the sun had risen in the east, and the voice of the imperial decree finally came from the palace, "The civil and military candidates of the Tianqi Renxu special examination are here to see you."
Led by officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple, the civil and military candidates lined up in an orderly manner and entered the main hall with the eunuch who announced the imperial edict.
"Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Honglu Temple, and all the candidates performed a grand ceremony to the Emperor Tianqi sitting on the dragon throne - five bows and three kowtows, which was the etiquette that candidates should perform to the emperor during the palace examination.
"Gentlemen, please stand up!" A majestic but not deep voice sounded.
This was the voice of "Your Majesty, Long Live the Emperor". Many tribute students were so excited that their bodies were shaking. After a long while, they hurriedly stood up and stood respectfully in the hall.
My aura is still strong, right? Zhu Youxiao had a faint smile on his face. Just because you are kneeling while I am sitting, my aura must be strong.
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao said, "This is the first imperial examination since I ascended the throne. I have such talented people like you, both civil and military, and I am very pleased."
"The country is currently in a period of great turmoil. Promoting benefits, eliminating disadvantages, and invigorating the country through reform are the most urgent tasks. Militarily, the Eastern Tartars are rampant, the local chieftains are rebellious, and the Mongol tribes are also restless. Financially, revenues are decreasing, while expenses are increasing, leaving us in dire straits."
"In terms of officialdom, corruption among officials is rampant and urgently needs to be eradicated. In the court, factional strife continues, and the censors attack recklessly, like the barking of mad dogs, yet they have no practical plans to govern the country, strengthen the army, and enrich the people. What use is there for me in having officials like these?"
The emperor's sudden high tone startled everyone, and they were so frightened that they couldn't help but lower their heads even more.
Zhu Youxiao softened his tone and continued, "Stay true to the truth while also adapting to change, be brave enough to speak out directly without being lenient with reason, be strict with yourself while also benefiting the country and the people. This is what I expect of you and all the officials in the court. Remember this, remember it."
"We, the ministers, respectfully listen to the Holy Spirit's teachings and will faithfully follow His Majesty's instructions." The officials from the Ministry of Rites took the lead, and the tribute scholars echoed in unison.
Zhu Youxiao nodded, pointed at the military scholars, and said, "A military commander protects his country and his homeland, even at the cost of his life. This is his duty, and I will not elaborate further. I hope you will emulate Yue Wumu and Qi Lao Hu, become famous generals of our time, and bring eternal peace to the Ming Dynasty."
"We, your servants, dare not disobey your loyalty to our country and die for your majesty."
"For a military commander, to die on the battlefield and be buried in the green mountains is the greatest honor."
"To serve one's country on the battlefield is the duty of a military commander."
…………
Looking at the military scholars who were so excited that they were talking nonsense and expressing their loyalty, the civil scholars were a little confused.
Some people secretly complained: "You don't even care about court etiquette, you are in such a mess, you deserve to fail the exam." But it seems that the emperor is lenient and has not punished you.
Zhu Youxiao did not take it as an offense, but nodded repeatedly with a smile. After all, this was something he had secretly told someone beforehand, so he could say whatever he wanted, and I would not blame him.
Seeing that he had almost finished speaking, the emperor raised his hand and the hall immediately became quiet.
"The essays for the palace examination are written by me to test your knowledge of governing the country and managing the economy." After Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, he nodded to the chief examiner Sun Chengzong.
Sun Chengzong immediately bowed and stepped forward to read the imperial edict. The questions in the imperial edict were also included in the edict.
After the announcement, the candidates took their seats in turn. The desks for the examination had been set up by the officials of the Guanglu Temple the day before. After everything was ready, the deacon began to distribute the essay questions and answer sheets, and then they could start answering the questions.
The military scholars retreated to a side hall, took off their armor and answered the questions, but the topics were different.
Answering policy questions is like writing an argumentative essay. You must be able to explain the argument and use it as a center to expand your thinking, or analyze historical experiences and lessons, and then relate them to reality and express your own opinions and insights.
Zhu Youxiao posed three questions, and the candidates were asked to choose one of them. They were about lifting the ban on sea trade, collecting taxes, and rectifying the administration of officials.
Military scholars could only choose one of two questions: one was the battle and defense of Liaodong, and the other was military reform.
In fact, these are just simple descriptions. The test paper naturally contains some relevant information for reference. For example, regarding tax collection, the example of the "One Whip" system is given, and the advantages and disadvantages are also listed.
During the palace examination, the emperor usually stayed only a short while before leaving. After all, the exam lasted all day, and if someone was slow to answer, would the emperor be forced to wait until sunset?
Zhu Youxiao did the same, but he persisted until noon. During this time, he read the memorials one by one, and if there were some that were submitted early, he would ask someone to take them and read them first.
I personally supervised the exam, and some students were able to hand in their papers early. Their mental strength is pretty good.
It is said that when the imperial examination system first began in the Song Dynasty, there was no rule in the palace examination that only ranked candidates but did not eliminate them.
During the palace examination, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin may have seen that there were not many people, so he decided to determine the rankings on the spot.
There were two candidates in the first batch who submitted their papers, and their time was not much different.
After reviewing the papers, Emperor Taizu of Zhao felt that both of them were good and it was difficult to choose one, so he asked the two candidates to decide the winner in a martial arts competition. That is, they had to fight, and the one who won would be the top scorer.
Then, a strong scholar who often did farm work won. He knocked the weaker one to the ground, raised his rough hands high, looked down at his peers with panda eyes, and won the title of top scholar.
As for moral education, intelligence, physical education, aesthetics and labor, since the essays are similar, there is nothing wrong with adding points to physical education.
Those who made it to the palace examination were actually quite similar in their essays. Otherwise, let's not even bother with the questions anymore and just have a group fight. The last one standing will be the top scorer.
Well, Lu Xiangsheng, I have high hopes for you!
Zhu Youxiao's gaze lingered on the pale-faced scholar Lu Xiangsheng for a moment, and he pursed his lips in a malicious smile. He had never seen such bruised faces and noses as the top three scholars.
It was not until noon, after the Guanglu Temple had provided meals to the tribute scholars as per the routine, that Zhu Youxiao got up and left, so as not to add any more pressure to the tribute scholars. Many of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Entering officialdom through the imperial examination is a tradition that has lasted for thousands of years.
Even though Zhu Youxiao felt that there were many drawbacks, he had to admit that many famous officials and talents entered the court through the imperial examination.
For example, Wang Wencheng, whom Zhu Youxiao admired greatly, was a master of the School of Mind, a master of calligraphy, and a commander of armies. Could you say that reading the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood was useless?
Of course, the eight-legged essay must be abolished, and the channels and standards for recruiting talents must also be changed, but this form must be maintained.
Zhu Youxiao returned to the Qianqing Palace and had lunch. He then ordered the palace servants to deliver the memorial he had approved the previous night to the cabinet.
One of the two memorials was submitted by Xu Guangqi, requesting the abolition of the craftsman registration of the craftsmen in the Ordnance and Gunpowder Bureau and the implementation of employment management.
After Zhu You reviewed it, he waved his pen and abolished not only the Ordnance and Gunpowder Bureau but also the entire country, and exempted the Beijing craftsmen from paying the price.
In addition, Zhu Youxiao was reminded and inspired, and issued an order to remove the musicians in the capital, beggars in Henan, boatmen in the coastal areas, and hereditary servants in southern Anhui from the register of lowly people, and listed them as registered civilians.
Abolishing the "artisan registration" and prohibiting handicraftsmen from "serving as officials" can weaken the personal dependence of handicraftsmen, improve their social status and production enthusiasm, and promote the development of private handicrafts.
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