72 The Dark Side of the Imperial Examinations: Buying and Selling Official Positions
The Ghost Festival arrived quietly, and no more ghosts or monsters were seen causing trouble in the city.
Time flies, and it's already August. The exam is scheduled for the 10th of August, with three sessions in total, each lasting three days. All eating, drinking, and relieving oneself will take place inside the exam hall.
Early morning.
Emperor Jing led Jing to listen to the ministers' ramblings, the focus of the day being the imperial examinations.
"Lord Ning, I entrust this imperial examination to you all. Do not disappoint me this time."
Emperor Jing looked at Ning Pengtao, the Minister of Rites in the capital, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I will obey your decree and will certainly not fail in your trust."
The Minister of Rites bowed and answered, his forehead beaded with sweat from nervousness.
Ever since the Prime Minister's faction fell from power and became involved with the Ministry of Rites, he had been living in constant fear that the Emperor would dislike him.
Unexpectedly, the addition of the imperial examination system gave him an opportunity to express his loyalty.
He will definitely get things done this time, and no one will be able to interfere.
Lord Ning is indeed loyal. This time, Father Emperor has increased the number of imperial examinations to select talent. I wonder if those scoundrels who sell official positions will show up in a few years?
Jing Le glanced at the Minister of Rites, then at the other officials, his eyes flashing slightly.
Emperor Jing had only heard Jing Le mention it briefly before, but hadn't heard much in detail. Now he wanted Jing Le to say more.
And then, nothing more was heard from it...
"Supervisor of the Imperial Academy's Chancellor".
Emperor Jing still attached great importance to this imperial examination selection. Since the position of prime minister was vacant, Emperor Jing directly appointed officials from the previous dynasty and reactivated the cabinet to help handle national affairs.
However, the decision-making power still rested with Emperor Jing, which can be considered as integrating imperial power and the power of the prime minister.
State affairs truly became Emperor Jing's sole domain.
"I obey the order."
The Chancellor of the Imperial Academy was named Li Huai-ren. He was in charge of the Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the Great Yong Dynasty, and was in charge of university regulations, teaching, and examinations.
Letting him supervise is a good fit for his expertise.
However, this is contingent on him not making any mistakes.
The plot has unfolded as predicted: Li Huai-ren is the biggest culprit behind the imperial examination system.
Jing Le inwardly complained.
Emperor Jing narrowed his eyes slightly. Was this Li Huai-ren?
Let me see what he actually did.
Jing Le flipped through the plot book in her mind.
So that's how it is. No wonder Li Huai-ren did that; it's all because of her...
Because of whom? You tell me, is it really okay to keep me in suspense like this?
Emperor Jing glanced at Jing Le, utterly frustrated.
The third and fourth princes, who were seated below, had both been required by Emperor Jing to attend court for study, and were now also intrigued by Jing Le's words.
The third prince was alright, but the fourth prince was practically gaping in astonishment.
Since the Emperor's birthday celebration, he had barely had any contact with Jing Le. At the time, he was far away and only vaguely heard a few sounds, but he didn't take it seriously.
Over time, you'll forget about it.
Today, Jing Le was brought to the morning court again, and his innermost thoughts were overheard by him.
The fourth prince glanced at the others, found nothing amiss, and thought:
So, am I the only one who can hear my sister's true feelings?
So, what exactly did the chief priest do?
How did my sister know? Could she possibly predict the future?
"If you have something to report, then report it; otherwise, you may leave the court."
After Emperor Jing saw that there was nothing else to report, he waved his hand and left the court.
He carried Jing Le away, leaving only the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince slowly walking out. They hadn't heard anything more about this drama yet, and they were really getting impatient.
After leaving the Golden Palace, Jing Le said:
Li Huai-ren's daughter married his wife's nephew, who was also a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations.
[If Father hadn't added the imperial examination system this time, this event would have happened several years later.]
Emperor Jing: How can you blame me for this?
Jing Le continued to observe the situation.
[That title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) was also bought. Upon hearing that his father-in-law was supervising the examinations, he naturally had ulterior motives, but Lord Li firmly refused.]
Emperor Jing: It's good that you refused, but why did you help later?
However, his rival, Headmaster Liu, learned of this and informed his cousin.
His cousin was Liu Hongyi, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture.
Headmaster Liu is the head of Wen'an Academy, a privately-run academy.
Over the years, many students have emerged from this field, showing signs of surpassing the Imperial Academy.
The Liu brothers are all scoundrels; their cousin, Liu Hongyi, is the mastermind behind the buying and selling of official positions.
[As for whether there were any other people in the story, that wasn't mentioned.]
[Liu Shanzhang Academy specifically recruits wealthy and powerful students who secretly facilitate the buying and selling of official positions for candidates taking the imperial examinations, impersonating others to profit from it.]
This time, the Liu brothers have taken control of Lord Li's daughter and son-in-law, using this to coerce Lord Li into joining their gang.
Jing Le grew angrier the more she looked; these people were simply too dark.
The Ministry of Rites has been infiltrated again; I must tell my father about this.
Emperor Jing's face darkened further. The buying and selling of officials was causing real talent to be lost to outsiders; no wonder he found that there were no capable people in the court.
It seems that we have been too lenient with them in recent years, which has emboldened them to act thuggishly.
"Father, this imperial examination is to select useful talents for the Great Yong Dynasty. In order to prevent unscrupulous people from taking advantage of it, I have sent Xiaobai to help."
[Little White has already advanced to the fourth rank a few days ago, which is enough to keep an eye on the Examination Hall. No one can escape its eyes if it makes a mistake.]
Jing Le said.
"Hmm, that's a good idea. Let Xiaobai help me check it out."
Emperor Jing readily agreed, as having the White Tiger's help would be ideal.
...
Outside the palace, with the imperial examination approaching, the number of successful candidates in the capital city was increasing.
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