Chapter 83 The Imperial Examination Begins
Before dawn, lamps were already lit and stoves were being burned in the Fengtian Hall.
The huge hall, which had previously felt empty despite the presence of civil and military officials, was now unusually full.
The dragon throne on the three-tiered platform, as well as the Prince Ning's seat on the two tiers below, remained unchanged.
But further down in the hall, closer to the platform, were nine wide mahogany chairs.
There are four photos on the left, five on the right, and a wide aisle in the middle.
The chairs were covered with cushions, prepared for the seven vassal kings and the Prince of Jiannan who were present today, as well as Grand Tutor Chu Jiubian, who was the chief examiner.
Logically speaking, Chu Jiubian and the six ministers were all of the first rank, so it was somewhat inappropriate for him to be ranked alongside a prince in such a special way, but no one in the court felt there was a problem.
Unconsciously, everyone began to distinguish Chu Jiubian from ordinary officials, believing that his status should be higher than theirs.
Further on, the area where the officials had previously stood was now filled with tables and chairs, a total of sixty-five, arranged in an orderly fashion, for the students.
On both sides of these 65 tables and chairs, there is an aisle that is more than one meter wide.
Outside the aisles on both sides, there were three rows of high-backed, wide chairs, which were seats prepared for the ministers.
Unlike the morning court session, everyone was standing for an unknown period of time, so Chu Jiubian ordered chairs to be prepared.
However, only chairs were provided; tea and snacks were not offered.
While other students are taking exams, in such a serious setting, these people shouldn't be so carefree.
Besides these, there were other changes in the hall.
For example, when the officials and the emperor were present, the palace servants were not allowed to enter the Fengtian Hall; they could only enter to clean after everyone had left.
But today, in the shadows on both sides of the palace, not only were many palace servants standing, but also two rows of imperial guards.
Unlike usual, this occasion was solemn and grand, making people realize how much Chu Jiubian and his group valued this palace examination.
==
At the palace gate, the carriages of the officials gradually approached.
Those of lower rank arrived later to make way for the carriages of the higher-ranking officials.
After they got off the train and settled down, the high-ranking officials in front of them got out of their cars and stood in front of the crowd.
Today is a rare sunny day. Although the weather was still chilly early in the morning, there was no biting wind, which made it much more comfortable.
The officials stood in neat rows, all dressed in thick clothing.
Baili Hong was a benevolent emperor. Fearing that his ministers would catch a cold in the dead of winter, he ordered them to wear thicker clothes to court.
If you are wearing a cloak, you can take it off after entering the hall.
Therefore, the officials were all dressed warmly enough and were holding hand warmers, so they weren't particularly cold and even had the leisure to chat quietly.
However, the lower-ranking officials behind them did not dare to talk too openly, while the higher-ranking officials at the front were more unrestrained, but they only talked about today's palace examination and did not say anything bad about it.
At the forefront of the group, none of the six ministers spoke; they simply held hand warmers and stared at the tightly closed vermilion gate before them.
Wang Zhiyuan, the Minister of Rites, already looked young. Recently, after recognizing the abilities of the young master Wang Qichen and the potential of his own grandson Wang Pengyi, he felt much less burdened and appeared even more energetic.
In contrast, Xiao Huaiguan, the Minister of Personnel standing beside him, had an already hunched back that was even more bent. His cheeks were sunken, his eyes were swollen and dull. To call him old and decrepit would be an understatement.
If some ignorant children saw him like this, they might think they had seen a ghost.
As Wang Zhiyuan observed the changes in the other party day by day, and listened to the reports from his spies, the veracity of which was uncertain, he began to form some suspicions.
It seems this old man really doesn't have long to live.
It's just unknown how long the other side can hold out. Right now, in the court, the Xiao family's power of speech rests entirely in the hands of Xiao Huaiguan.
If he had been able to find a better job for Cai Peng, the Assistant Minister of Rites, by taking advantage of the matter of "escorting military funds," then Cai Peng, who was a student of Xiao Huaiguan, would have been a member of the Xiao family.
The Xiao family was able to regain some influence in the court.
But unfortunately, Xiao Huaiguan made a mistake that day, his mind wandering the whole time, and he failed to seize this excellent opportunity.
Wang Zhiyuan glanced at Xiao Huaiguan beside him, his expression unreadable.
If the current Minister of Personnel were to suddenly die, the political landscape of the court would become even more complex.
But this might be exactly the result that Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao wanted.
So rather than saying that Xiao Huaiguan doesn't know when he will die, it's more accurate to say that Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian need each other to die at a certain time.
Wang Zhiyuan gazed intently at the vermilion palace gate.
The palace gates slowly opened.
That day must be coming soon, he thought.
At the same time, a convoy slowly drove out of Jinxiufang.
Knowing that today was the day of the imperial examination, many people got up early and waited in the West Market and near Qingyun Tower to watch the excitement.
Upon closer inspection, it was truly impressive. The long procession of carriages and horses, along with the Imperial Guards, made for an exceptionally grand and imposing sight.
The students had all changed into the Imperial Academy student robes that Chu Jiubian had previously ordered made.
The sky-blue brocade is embroidered with subtle silver patterns, and the words "Guozijian" (Imperial College) are embroidered in sky-blue silk thread at the white collar.
The men wore long robes with belts around their waists, while the women wore long skirts with belts of the same material and style as the male students. Everyone also received thick cloaks stuffed with cotton from Chu Jiubian, which they were allowed to wear every day.
So the only difference between these students is probably their hairstyle.
Without exception, all the male students, whether they had reached adulthood or not, tied their long hair up with jade-colored hair ornaments, looking clean and neat.
The female students all wore the simplest hairstyles, adorned with jade hairpins, making them appear even more graceful, aloof, and elegant.
The onlookers were overwhelmed when they saw the students dressed in the same clothes coming out of the building.
They had met these students before, but never before had they felt as if there was an insurmountable gap between them as they did now.
It was only at this point that they vaguely realized what an opportunity the "Imperial Examination" truly was.
It gave these ordinary students from poor and remote areas the opportunity to come to the capital, the opportunity to get close to the emperor and those powerful and wealthy people, and even more so, the opportunity to gain greater power and status in the future!
As everyone watched the long procession of carriages and horses being escorted away by the Imperial Guards, a single thought flashed through their minds—
After this journey, these people became completely different from them.
Lu Yao, who ranked first in the imperial examination, sat in the front carriage.
He had his eyes closed and was breathing evenly; he was clearly asleep.
Qin Chuan sat opposite him with his arms crossed, unsure of what expression to make.
Because the high priest had told him to get enough sleep, Lu Yao got up early today and tried to sleep as much as possible.
Qin Chuan thought he was just saying it, but he didn't expect the other person to actually be able to sleep.
However, Qin Chuan was not too surprised. He could understand anything outrageous happening to Lu Yao, after all, the other party was testing how long a person could go without normal sleep, and he was a ruthless person who hadn't slept for several months.
I wonder how the other side performed in today's palace examination.
Qin Chuan glanced out of the car and smiled.
Fortunately, he was familiar with the palace and had asked Qin Chaoyang to reserve a place for him among the palace servants in Fengtian Hall.
So after the students disembarked from the carriage, Qin Chuan swayed and entered the palace.
They entered Fengtian Hall from the rear hall, changed their clothes, and then followed the other palace servants into the main hall in a grand manner, standing in the shadows on one side of the hall.
His position was perfect; there were no pillars to block his view, so he could see the scene inside the hall at a glance.
The officials had already greeted the emperor on the high seat and retreated to their respective positions, but did not sit down.
Standing on a high place, Eunuch Hongfu announced loudly, "Your Highness, enter the palace!"
After he finished speaking, a message was relayed from outside the hall.
Then eight figures entered the hall one after another, bypassed the table and chairs in the center of the hall, and went to the front to bow to the emperor.
Baili Hong called out in his tender voice, and the eight princes stood up.
"Please sit down," Baili Hong said again.
Everyone expressed their gratitude, and then the princes took their seats. Chu Jiubian, who was in the same row as them, also took his seat, and then the officials sat down in turn.
Chu Jiubian was positioned on the side closest to Qin Xiao, so when he looked up, his eyes met Qin Xiao's.
The two looked at each other, then looked away.
Although neither of them deliberately showed anything, those who paid attention could immediately see the subtle feeling between them.
Besides Qin Chuan, who was watching the spectacle from the shadows, the people with ulterior motives included Baili Hai, the Prince of Jiannan, who was closest to Chu Jiubian, and Baili Yu, the Prince of Dingbei, who was one step behind the Prince of Anhuai.
Ever since Baili Hai first met Chu Jiubian at the morning court session, he couldn't suppress his little schemes.
He would often find excuses to go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager, ostensibly to keep his grandmother company, but in reality, he spent most of his time loitering in the palace near the former court.
Several times, he successfully encountered Chu Jiubian, who came out of Yaotai Residence.
However, Chu Jiubian was always very distant, never showing a smile.
However, the more he acted this way, the more Baili Hai wanted to see him show other expressions. Even anger would make him seem more alive and make Chu Jiubian look less like a god.
But things didn't go as planned. King Jiannan felt that he couldn't stir even the slightest ripple of the gods' hearts.
He was unwilling to accept it.
I tried several times to get closer to him.
However, he was shocked to learn that Chu Jiubian had not returned to Yaotai for a long time, but instead had been living in Yangxin Hall, and was always accompanied by Qin Xiao.
Coupled with the rumors circulating in the capital about a "love tribulation," Baili Hai was almost certain that Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had developed an unusual relationship.
Now that he has returned to this hall, Baili Hai was initially thrilled to be able to sit with Chu Jiubian, but at this moment he noticed the ambiguous atmosphere between Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao.
Those involved are often blinded by their own feelings; they may not even realize it themselves, but bystanders see things more clearly.
Baili Hai lowered his eyes, concealing the darkness within them.
Why Qin Xiao?
What makes him deserving of divine favor? What makes him capable of possessing divine power?
Baili Hai knew that his feelings for Chu Jiubian were not liking, much less love.
He just really liked Chu Jiubian's face.
Moreover, the mere thought of conquering a god sent shivers down his spine.
What Qin Xiao could do, he could do too. He was determined to get Chu Jiubian!
Contrary to his expectations, Prince Dingbei, Baili Yu, sat in his seat, his gaze sweeping over Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao with interest before turning away.
These two were indeed as rumored.
Baili Yudu had observed them carefully on his previous occasions, but had not noticed anything amiss.
Today, however, is quite different.
It's as if nothing had happened between Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian before, and they were able to control their emotions. But now something must have happened between them to make their ambiguous relationship so impossible to hide.
What is it?
Did they consummate their marriage?
The image of the young man's tall figure and his beautiful silver hair reappeared before Baili Yu's eyes.
Gods can actually have relations with mortals.
This is really...intriguing.
Qin Xiao's indifferent gaze swept over the vassal kings below the stage, finally lingering on Baili Hai and Baili Yu.
Sitting between the two of them, Prince Anhuai, Baili Ming, was already timid, and now he didn't dare to lift his head. His whole body was stiff, and he thought that Prince Ning disliked him.
Even he could feel Qin Xiao's obvious gaze, let alone Baili Hai and Baili Yu.
Baili Hai looked up and met Qin Xiao's gaze for a moment, then lowered his eyes again, his face showing panic, as if he had been frightened.
But his gloomy eyes showed no trace of fear.
Baili Yu looked at Qin Xiao with a smile, neither dodging nor avoiding him.
The students had not yet arrived, so the hall was quiet at the moment, and everyone was subtly observing each other.
In this situation, Qin Xiao suddenly spoke up: "What was the Prince of Dingbei thinking just now?"
Chu Jiubian paused, then looked up at him.
Others were naturally drawn to his words, their gazes drifting towards him subtly.
Baili Yu was visibly taken aback when Qin Xiao asked the question directly.
"Is it hard to say?" Qin Xiao smiled and looked at Baili Haidao. "It seems to be in line with what Jiannan King is thinking."
Baili Hai frowned, and the helpless expression on his face twisted for a moment.
Qin Xiao wore a smile, but whoever his gaze fell upon could clearly feel an overbearing killing intent.
"What are you saying, Prince Ning?" Baili Yu smiled again. "I don't understand."
Qin Xiao then looked at Baili Hai: "And you?"
Baili Hai looked at him with gloomy eyes, curled his lips slightly, and said, "Even I don't know..."
"In that case, you should go see a royal physician to see if you've lost your mind," Qin Xiao said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. "And while you're at it, take your eyes out so you don't keep thinking about things you shouldn't be thinking about."
Baili Hai gritted his teeth, but could only manage a forced smile; he couldn't utter a single word.
Baili Yu looked at Qin Xiao in disbelief.
How could Prince Ning utter such vulgar words?
The other vassal kings were also shocked, but the civil and military officials were not surprised at all.
This isn't the first time Qin Xiao has acted so recklessly; you'll get used to it.
"You—" Baili Yu finally found his voice and was about to say something when Qin Xiao interrupted him with a "Your Majesty," showing no manners whatsoever.
"Your Majesty," Qin Xiao said, "the students have arrived."
Baili Hong didn't know why his uncle was suddenly talking about these things with those two princes, but he unconditionally stood by his uncle's side. Seeing that the two princes looked unhappy, the little boy was almost waving his little hand to cheer his uncle on.
Now that Qin Xiao had spoken, Baili Hong knew that his uncle was deliberately silencing the two of them, preventing them from refuting him.
The feeling of being silenced halfway through an argument, with your opponent getting all fired up and you barely having a chance to speak, is absolutely frustrating.
Baili Hong immediately said, "Then let the students enter the hall."
Hong Fu smiled and announced loudly, "Summon the students of the Imperial Academy to enter the hall!"
At this first imperial examination, people are not yet used to terms like "xiucai" and "juren," so Hongfu still refers to them as "xuezi" (student).
As soon as he finished speaking, the students who had just arrived outside the hall immediately straightened their robes and lined up in five rows and thirteen columns before entering the hall.
A group of students dressed in sky-blue robes stepped through the door, drawing everyone's attention.
It's not because these people are all good-looking, but because their spirit and energy are exceptionally different.
Their upright posture, with their heads held high and their eyes shining, resembled clusters of burning flames.
Many ministers were momentarily dazed, as if they were just like themselves when they first entered officialdom in their youth, full of enthusiasm and ambition.
But as time went by, they were swept away by the waves of power and lost sight of their original aspirations.
Some people had somber expressions.
They hadn't actually seen the original imperial examination papers, but they had heard various rumors and knew that these students were indeed capable, but they didn't take them too seriously.
But now, seeing these students who should have been wasting their lives in poor, remote areas appearing in such a spirit, many people feel an unspeakable sense of crisis.
It all depends on how these people perform in the palace examination.
Even the six ministers and vice ministers sitting at the front had different feelings when they looked at these people.
They all knew what Chu Jiubian's purpose in setting up this palace examination was: to showcase the talents of these students and to use this opportunity to make them famous.
In this way, when there are any vacancies in the court, these students can naturally fill the positions.
It's just a question of how many of these scholars selected through the imperial examination system are actually useful.
The princes each had their own agendas.
After the imperial examination system was introduced, they, like the aristocratic families, expanded the channels and number of talents they recruited, poaching many from those who originally applied for the examination.
Those standing here now are basically the ones they didn't choose.
Of course, there were also those who did not want to be associated with the families of princes and noble families, such as the two great Confucian scholars, Tan and Yan.
Today, they are naturally paying more attention to these two.
Chu Jiubian looked at these students, but had no complicated thoughts.
These are the talents they will cultivate in the future. Look at them one by one. Not to mention the young Lu Yao and Tan Yuzhu, even the older Tan Ji and the others look much younger and full of vigor.
The group of students, led by Lu Yao, Tan Yuzhu, Zhang Er, and three others who were ranked at the top, walked to the front and bowed to the emperor above them.
Chu Jiubian turned his gaze back to the front and saw Qin Xiao also looking at the students.
Seemingly noticing his gaze, Qin Xiao looked at him, but Chu Jiubian subconsciously looked away and didn't look at him.
Chu Jiubian clearly understood why Qin Xiao had suddenly acted out, picking a fight with Jiannan King and Dingbei King.
But it was precisely because he understood this that he didn't know how to view Qin Xiao.
However, his occasional awkwardness and aloofness, as well as his occasional displays of closeness to Qin Xiao, and even his occasional indulgence of the man's transgressions, actually appeared to outsiders as a pushover, as if he were toying with Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao looked at the young man's slightly tense jaw and gently tapped the armrest of the seat with his fingertips.
On the throne, Baili Hong told everyone to rise.
The students rose with impeccable manners, some even with trembling hands from nervousness and excitement, yet their composure remained impeccable.
These were all rules they had learned from the palace servants who served them at Qingyun Tower.
Many of them were unaware of the situation in the court, but after chatting and exchanging ideas with each other for so long, they naturally learned some inside information.
For example, the emperor, Prince Ning, and the Chu Grand Tutor who was a reincarnation of an immortal were the "Imperial Power Party." They were in a three-way confrontation with the aristocratic families who controlled the court and the local vassal kings.
The emperor established the imperial examination system in order to cultivate these scholars to replace the powerful and influential families in the court.
Some of them knew the dangers involved, but having already come this far, and having previously refused offers from vassal kings and aristocratic families, they naturally wanted to serve the emperor and the Great Ning.
Many others, however, were completely unaware of the dangers involved, but they were already naturally inclined to side with the emperor who was giving them the opportunity to change their fate, and thus wanted to perform better so as not to embarrass the emperor.
The students took their seats, and the palace examination began.
Then, palace servants, who had been hiding in the shadows, filed out one after another, carrying brand-new writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and placed them on the tables in front of the students.
Of course, only students majoring in five subjects—classical studies, mathematics, criminal law, engineering, and women's medicine—received these four treasures of the study.
Needless to say, the first three require answering questions normally, and one must also be literate and able to write.
Bai Lihong had already prepared the questions that the students in these three subjects would need to answer during the first round of the palace examination.
At that moment, he took three slips of paper from his sleeve and handed them to Hong Fu, who then took the slips of paper and read their contents aloud.
The arithmetic problems used Hexi County as an example, providing specific data on a piece of farmland. Students were asked to calculate the taxes to be paid, how many parts of the land should be divided fairly, and, according to the Da Ning Law, how many people should own such a large amount of land, etc.
The criminal case section consists of a real case and a hypothetical case.
A real-life example is that two wealthy young men used datura despite the imperial court's order prohibiting its use, and even boasted that no one could control them. How should they be judged?
The hypothetical case is about a high-ranking official who has been embezzling and accepting bribes for many years, but he has also made some contributions to the court. However, he has also harmed loyal officials, and the evidence has been hidden so well that it has not been discovered. How should he be sentenced?
When these two questions were read aloud, the expressions of most people in the hall changed.
The mathematical problem, titled "Calculating Tax Items," actually directly addresses the issue of powerful families annexing land and concealing taxes.
The criminal case directly exposed and trampled on the reputation of the Xiao and Lu families, and then referred to them as "those in high positions of power" to accuse them of embezzlement and bribery.
These were all explicit hints from Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian; they were telling everyone that they were about to begin settling accounts.
Hongfu continued, reciting the title of the scripture.
This question is simple in some ways, and difficult in others.
The goal was to get students to think about how to improve the living standards of the people of Daning, primarily from an economic perspective.
The economic development of Daning can be described as a particularly contradictory one.
While agriculture was prioritized over commerce, powerful families, local magnates, and even the imperial family all engaged in business. Merchants had a low social status, but their businesses were not affected.
Even in Daning, the curfew was very late, and in the capital, morning and night markets were even open.
Therefore, the commodity economy in Daning is actually developing quite well, but it has not yet formed a certain model, so everything seems very chaotic.
Students who have passed the exams in the classical studies section already know how to write "policy essays".
After careful consideration, they understood what the question was asking, and soon began to organize their thoughts.
The exams for these three subjects, which require paper and pen, have already begun.
Hong Fu then read the exam content for the engineering subject—they were required to improve the plow used for farming, or draw a large, sturdy bridge that could be built and spanned a canal.
Choose one of the two.
After the reading was finished, palace servants carried the plow, which was commonly used in Da Ning, into the hall, and students who needed it could go over and examine it closely.
There were ten engineering students, but only two of them, including Yan Rui, had actually studied. The remaining eight could only write. The reason they were given paper was so that they could draw design plans.
These students are now either studying plows or sketching on paper, their brows furrowed in worry.
All three female doctors were literate; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to learn medical books.
Chu Jiubian, considering that their skill level was not very high, only tested them to identify ten relatively uncommon herbs. Then he invited three nannies to come out and asked a female doctor to take their pulses, diagnose their symptoms, and prescribe medicine accordingly.
All of the above are subjects that require the use of paper and pen.
The remaining thirteen students majoring in needlework received brand-new silk handkerchiefs from the Southern Xinjiang Silk Shop, along with a wealth of needlework and thread.
Several more patterns were provided, and the students were required to embroider a specific pattern from the pattern within a specified time. The only requirement was that they modify the pattern and add their own creative touches.
The last ten agricultural students were all farmers who came from the fields.
Perhaps it's because older people are unwilling to take risks, but these agricultural students are all young and middle-aged. They've been covered up all winter and are a bit fairer than before, but they still look dark-skinned, healthy, and energetic.
Because they were illiterate, the examiners would ask them questions about agricultural knowledge, and they would answer verbally. Then, someone would record what they said and present it to Chu Jiubian.
Right now, they still need to be asked before they can give a verbal answer.
The one who asked them the questions this time was neither the examiner nor the emperor, but Chu Jiubian.
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