On the day of the imperial examination, Song Chi arrived early at the examination venue, the Ministry of Rites and Taichang Temple.
Taichang Temple was the official office of the Ministry of Rites. It was chosen as the examination venue mainly because it was large enough to accommodate many candidates.
Judging from the size of the land, it is probably equivalent to three Jiangzhou Imperial Examination Halls.
The streets outside the Taichang Temple were already filled with people, surrounding the entrance so tightly that no one could get in. They were all candidates from all over the country who had come to the capital to take the imperial examinations. They were all well-educated people.
Song Chi was wearing an ordinary green robe. Although he was well-known, he didn't really know many people in the capital, so he was not very eye-catching.
Before the time came, the waiting candidates gathered in groups of three or four to chat.
"Hey, have you all heard? Jiangzhou has produced another remarkable figure. It's said that he took the imperial examination at the age of sixteen and passed the provincial examination that same year, always taking first place in every exam!"
Under the green trees, a slightly fat young man with a few pockmarks on his face started talking.
"Everyone knows the reputation of Wenqu Song Chi of the Great Zhou." Someone immediately echoed.
"His name is Song Chi?"
Another student spoke up, "The Prime Minister's son is named Song Ming. Could it be that he is related to the Prime Minister? Could it be through connections?"
"No."
"This Song Chi has nothing to do with the Prime Minister. It's just a coincidence. Song Chi is the head of the Donglin Academy in Jiangzhou Nandu Academy, and he was ostracized and suppressed."
"You all know about the downfall of the Han family in Ji County and the major shakeup in the Ning'an Prefecture officialdom. That was his doing."
Apparently someone had heard about Song Chi's deeds and told it.
"At the Jiangzhou Literary Conference, Song Chi composed dozens of poems. They were originally going to select the four great talents of Jiangzhou, but he ended up becoming the Jiangzhou Poet Sage."
The fat man from earlier exclaimed in admiration, "He's been at the top of the list since he started taking the county exam. Many people say he can truly win three prizes in a row."
The first place in the provincial examination is called Jieyuan, the first place in the metropolitan examination is called Huiyuan, and the first place in the palace examination is called Zhuangyuan. This is the true meaning of winning three prizes in a row.
"That's an exaggeration. The Imperial Examination is a test for candidates from all provinces. Anyone who can make it here is a genius, and Shangjing City is a place where hidden talents are hidden."
"You may have forgotten that there is another person who won the first place, and that is the son of the Prime Minister, Song Ming."
"Speaking of which, ever since the Jiangzhou County Examination ended, Song Chi seems to have disappeared. There has been no news for a long time."
Song Chi also found it quite interesting to listen to people around him talking about himself.
At this time, a group of people came over, there were more than forty of them, led by a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He looked around and saw Song Chi under the shade of trees. His eyes suddenly lit up and he walked straight over.
Seeing this scene, the people around were also surprised.
What is this for?
"Is he here to see you?"
"No."
"They seem to be from Jiangzhou. The one leading them is called Li Yi. I met him at a party a few days ago."
Under everyone's gaze, Li Yi brought everyone to Song Chi.
"Head of the club."
"Head of the club."
They bowed.
These people were all successful candidates in the Donglin Academy, and most of them were brought by Song Chi to take part in the imperial examination, so they followed Song Chi's lead.
Gu Ronghua was also among them.
Gu Fu originally thought that it would be a great honor for the family if his son could become a scholar, but he did not expect that he would become a juren. After hearing the reason from Gu Ronghua, he immediately agreed to the marriage between Song Chi and Gu Rongshan.
But Song Chi didn't know these things.
"Head of the club?"
"He is the leader of the Donglin Society?"
"So he is Song Chi?"
Everyone was shocked; they had just been discussing this for a long time in front of him.
"You all got together."
Song Chi looked at everyone. He came to Beijing alone after the provincial examination, and this was the first time they were together.
"Do your best in the examination. I'm waiting for the good news that you've passed."
When he talked with Song Shiwen and Lu Taiyuan, he put forward conditions, one of which was to let these people pass the imperial examination.
This time Song Chi did not teach the exam questions, he relied entirely on his connections.
Both of them agreed.
They all thought that Song Chi was theirs, so the people Song Chi brought were also theirs.
Both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister agreed, so passing the imperial examination was nothing.
"yes."
Everyone responded in unison.
This scene is shocking. Song Chi, as the head of the society, is really impressive.
As they were chatting, the gate of the Taichang Temple slowly opened, and more than ten officials in court robes walked out, followed by a group of yamen runners.
The originally bustling scene suddenly became quiet.
Standing in the middle was an official in his fifties, wearing a red robe. He saluted the person in front of him with his hands clasped together, and then spoke in a deep voice.
"I am Pang Shichang, the Minister of Rites. Under the order of Your Majesty, I am presiding over the triennial Spring Examination. I am also the Chief Examiner for this examination. Due to the large number of candidates, it will be divided into three sessions, each lasting three days."
"Then someone will call out the names, and the candidates who are called will take the first exam."
"The first day will test you on the Four Books, and the second day will test you on..."
He loudly stated the qualifications for the imperial examination, and then someone called out the name. The person who called out the name was Shen Qi, the chief examiner of the Jiangzhou provincial examination and the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites.
"The Qingzhou scholar, Liu Wannian."
Shen Qi took out a notebook and shouted.
Soon, a neatly dressed and handsome student squeezed through the crowd to the front. He was holding a basket with some common items such as pens, ink, paperweights, and several large white steamed buns in it.
He took out his credentials and handed them to the official beside him, saying respectfully, "Qingzhou student Liu Wannian greets you, Your Excellency."
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