Spring Examination Turmoil
The spring examination in the eleventh year of the Yonghui era was much more lively than in previous years.
Outside the imperial examination hall, students from humble backgrounds and scions of prominent families formed separate groups, creating a subtle atmosphere.
Wu Zetian, holding Princess Taiping, watched from the teahouse across the street, her brows slightly furrowed.
(Inner monologue: It seems class conflict is more acute than I imagined...)
Li Zhi gently knocked on the window lattice: "Meiniang, look over there."
Several scions of wealthy families were seen shoving and jostling a scholar dressed in plain clothes, shouting, "A peasant like you doesn't deserve to take the exam!"
Wu Zetian immediately told her accompanying guards, "Go and tell those people that there are laws even outside the examination hall."
At this moment, Taiping in my arms suddenly babbled, her little hand pointing firmly at the group of troublemakers.
Strangely enough, those arrogant young masters from prominent families all slipped and fell at the same time.
(Inner monologue: Coincidence! This must be a coincidence!)
Three days later, the palace examination was held, and Wu Zetian specially brought Princess Taiping to watch the examination from the pavilion.
When the examiner read out the topic of "New Policies on the Grand Canal," many scions of wealthy families looked troubled, while students from humble backgrounds answered fluently.
Di Renjie's strategy was particularly brilliant: "...we should use the Grand Canal as the lifeblood to connect prefectures and counties; and use libraries as the framework to cultivate talent..."
Taiping danced and swayed in her mother's arms, and in her babbling, she could vaguely make out the character "善" (good).
Li Zhi was overjoyed: "This boy has won my heart! He is ranked first in the first class!"
On the day the results were announced, Wu Zetian received the newly appointed scholars in the palace.
She had Taiping sit on a specially made brocade cushion, watching these talented young men from humble backgrounds display their high spirits.
"Do you all know," she gently stroked her daughter's head, "that on the day Princess Taiping was born, grain ships were transporting new grain from Jiangnan."
Di Renjie understood and bowed, saying, "We will certainly not fail the princess's auspicious omen."
In late spring, Wu Zetian accompanied Princess Taiping on a tour of the newly completed library.
Watching the students diligently studying, she said softly to her daughter, "Taiping, these people will all be good ministers for you in governing the world."
Taiping opened her big, dark eyes and suddenly uttered the first word clearly: "Book..."
The accompanying officials were all amazed.
Wu Meiniang knew that this was the result of bringing her to the library every day.
(Inner monologue: The importance of early childhood education!)
That night, Li Zhi held his daughter while reviewing memorials.
Upon seeing a memorial from a powerful family impeaching officials from humble backgrounds for "lack of manners," he scoffed, "Taiping, what should be done?"
The little princess stretched out her chubby finger and pointed precisely at the word "rejected".
——
[Mini-drama: The Little Princess's Criteria for Choosing Talent]
(Anecdotes from the Hanlin Academy)
Princess Taiping has recently become an "unofficial examiner" for the imperial examinations.
This morning, when His Majesty was holding her while reviewing the papers, she scoffed at the flowery and impractical policy essay of a certain aristocratic scion, but was overjoyed by a simple and honest agricultural policy essay.
Even more miraculously, during yesterday's palace examination, one candidate was so nervous that he couldn't speak. The little princess actually smiled at him, and the candidate immediately answered fluently.
The candidates are now spreading the word: to pass the imperial examination, one must first get past Princess Taiping.
(This was probably the most unique "interview" ever conducted in the Tang Dynasty.)
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