Yinzhen was still not entirely at ease with Jia Hui's situation. One reason he kept her around was that it would be too easy for her to die.
Yinzhen knew all too well what it meant for a proud and privileged woman to marry a man of low status and no ambition. Since she was so scheming, he wouldn't blame her for making her life miserable.
While busy punishing Jia Hui, Yinzhen also had to prepare for this year's imperial examination. This year, new mathematics would be included in the examination for the first time, and he had to keep an eye on it to ensure there were no mistakes.
Yinzhen originally wanted to prepare a test paper himself, but he was too busy, so Yunrong took over the task.
Yunrong also knew that this was the first time the arithmetic exam was being held, so it couldn't be too difficult, but it also couldn't be something that everyone could do.
After careful consideration, Yunrong created a test paper.
The questions consisted of 40% basic questions, which anyone willing to read the book could answer. The remaining 40% were slightly more difficult, and the 20% were the truly challenging questions used to select talent.
For example, a pool is 18 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet high. It takes two and a half hours for the water to drain completely, and one hour to fill it. If water is poured in while the pool is still draining, can it be filled? If so, how many hours will it take? If not, why?
For example, the chicken and rabbit problem...
For example, using the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the area of some geometric figures...
Yunrong set the questions very carefully, and after she finished, she even made Yinzhen do them himself. Then... then Yinzhen started to have a headache. These questions were really quite a lot of work.
However, Yinzhen was quick-witted. He did it once, and although he couldn't get it all right, it wasn't bad either. He was basically right, and Yunrong was satisfied.
Yinzhen also agreed to the test paper set by Yunrong. The difficulty level was moderate, so as not to scare people away, and to let some arrogant people know their own abilities and not think that they know everything.
Looking at the exam paper she had prepared, Yunrong said to Yinzhen, "Candidates, don't even think about hitting me when you get the exam paper."
Yinzhen: "No, these questions will only inspire their respect."
Yunrong didn't believe it. She had been through her student days. Although she was smart enough not to have thoughts like "Why are the exam questions so difficult?" or "The person who set these questions is inhuman," her classmates did, and more than one of them did.
Yunrong: "That's not necessarily true."
Yinzhen: "Don't worry, they won't." Nor would they dare.
In ancient times, the social hierarchy was very strict, and there would be no scholars who would insult the person who set the exam questions. Of course, they might not think that way in their hearts, but no one would dare to do so openly.
Yunrong: "By the way, when I was making the test, I realized that I hadn't checked on Bobo's studies for a long time, so I also made two test papers. I'll give them to him later so he can do them and test his level."
Yinzhen usually took care of Bobo's studies, while Yunrong was only responsible for his food, clothing and daily necessities. It wasn't that she didn't want to take care of other things, but that her education was different. Although Yunrong had enough knowledge, she couldn't teach her how to manage a country.
Furthermore, Yunrong trusted Yinzhen and believed he would provide Bobo with the education best suited to him.
As for why she still wanted to create exam papers, it was naturally out of overflowing maternal love. She wanted to give her son something so that he would think of his mother while he was studying.
Yinzhen had no objection to this; his son was quick-witted, so it wouldn't hurt for him to do a couple more exam papers.
"I'll give it to his teacher later."
I wonder how Bobo will feel about receiving this gift full of maternal love.
Holding the exam paper, Yunrong couldn't help but sigh, "It's said that Jiangnan produces talented scholars, I wonder if that applies to mathematics as well?"
Yunrong had always known that there was a difference between arts and sciences. The term "talented scholar from Jiangnan" sounded like an arts student. It was said that those who were good at literature were rarely good at science. Of course, there were also people who were good at both, but she didn't know what the situation was like in Jiangnan.
Yinzhen didn't know anything about literature and science, but he did know one thing: the reason why so many talented and famous people emerged in Jiangnan was twofold. First, it was because of the academic tradition that had existed in Jiangnan since ancient times. Second, Jiangnan was wealthy. Since ancient times, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants have all had money. Naturally, people with money wanted status and fame, so they naturally established schools.
"Wait until the imperial examination is over, and you'll see," Yinzhen said instead of answering directly.
...
A month after the talent show ended, Su and Tai returned to Beijing.
After returning, Suhetai did not go directly to his residence, but first went to the palace to report back.
Su Hetai knelt before the imperial study, holding a document in his hand, and said, "Your Majesty, I have not failed Your Majesty's trust. All the disaster victims have been settled. This is the detailed information about the disaster that I have found. Please take a look."
"Bring it here," Yinzhen said to Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong took the document from Su Hetai and presented it to Yinzhen.
Yinzhen glanced at it, showing no surprise or anger. He said to Su Hetai, "My dear minister, you have had a long and arduous journey. You must be exhausted. Please return to your residence and rest. We will reward you when you attend court tomorrow."
Suhetai was indeed quite tired, but he had no objection to it: "This servant thanks Your Majesty, this servant takes his leave."
After Su Hetai left, Yinzhen carefully examined the documents he had presented, sighed indifferently, and said to Liang Jiugong, "You say I have never mistreated them, so why do they deceive their superiors, exploit the people, and leave them no way to survive?"
Liang Jiugong thought to himself: It's simply that people's desires are insatiable! Blinded by greed, they no longer care about the lives of ordinary people.
However, Liang Jiugong dared not say such a thing.
Liang Jiugong: "Perhaps he was temporarily bewitched and went astray."
Yinzhen didn't know why, but... it's better not to say.
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