The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 175 Master and Disciple Father and Son
Visits from relatives or younger generations are nothing, the important things that need to be done must be done well.

The Ming Dynasty is now slowly getting back on track. The imperial examination system set by Zhu Yuanzhang is to hold the examination every three years.

It is scheduled to be held in three sessions on the 9th, 12th and 15th day of the second month in the years of Chen, Xu, Chou and Wei.

All candidates who were admitted in the provincial examination could take the test, and the number of admitted places depended on the number of official vacancies in the court and the knowledge of the scholars who took the spring examination.

Ma Xun, dressed in court robes, stood at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, looking at the scholars carrying baskets and food boxes, and couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

These scholars are the best in their respective provinces, but now they are all extremely nervous because they are about to enter the Imperial Examination Hall. Whether they will pass the exam and become Jinshi or fail miserably depends on these three examinations.

The soldiers guarding the Imperial Examination Hall were very diligent and conscientious, carefully checking whether the scholars had brought any cheat sheets with them.

This is all based on experience. There are small pieces of paper stuck in clothes, secret compartments in food boxes, or even cheat sheets rolled up in steamed buns. These are all possible things.

Another scholar was invited to one side, which was a simple "changing room" made of straw mats.

The scholars had to take off all their clothes before going in, and soldiers would check whether they had any cheat sheets hidden in their private parts.

"How disgraceful!"

"It's really insulting!"

A white-haired scholar walked out of the "locker room", his face flushed with shame, complaining as he walked. He was even more furious when he saw the steamed buns in the lunch box, but he could only bear it.

Not to mention the current joint examinations, there are also similar examinations in the academy examinations and provincial examinations. These scholars also complain that it is an insult to etiquette, but they can only accept the examinations.

"Uncle of the Emperor," a soldier came running over and said, "We found a person with a cheat sheet hidden in his pen."

Ma Xun nodded and said directly, "Drag it over here."

The next moment, a pale-faced middle-aged man was dragged over, "Sir, please spare me this time!"

"Write down the names and revoke their honors." Ma Xun said expressionlessly, "Post a notice directly. Anyone who cheats will be stripped of their honors."

This time the middle-aged man was crying and yelling, he just brought cheat sheets, why was he punished so severely?
As for whether the punishment was too severe, Ma Xun really wouldn't care that much.

It would be fine if the crime was not discovered, but if it was discovered, the punishment would almost certainly be the most severe.

Don't say something like you were just confused for a moment. If you were confused for a moment, you wouldn't have taken so much trouble to stuff the notes into the pen tube.

He dared to cheat in the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty and thought of some crooked ways. What will happen if this doesn't serve as a warning to others?
The wailing scholars were dragged away, and among those scholars who were queuing to enter the venue, some looked down on him, some felt sad, and some naturally felt trembling with fear.

The people watching naturally had more topics to talk about. There was no shortage of interesting things happening in the capital, and now there was new stuff to talk about.

The young uncle of the emperor was standing at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall. The chief examiner of this year's examination attached great importance to this spring examination.

It's not just now that they've started to enforce discipline. Some time ago they've been severely cracking down on a series of things like scholars submitting articles.

Rumor has it that all the test-setters and examiners have been investigated by the King's Uncle. The test-setters have not left the palace yet. They are said to be locked up in the palace and will not be allowed out until the Spring Examination is over.

Covering names, transcribing, etc., these are some methods to prevent cheating that were perfected during the Song Dynasty. Since they are effective, they are still used today.

Seeing these students entering the venue one by one after passing the inspection, Ma Xun felt much more at ease.

Students entering the examination hall do not have to grab seats, but have to sit according to the seats assigned to them. Examination rooms have been allocated in advance.

Those who are luckier may sit facing the sun, while those who are less lucky may sit in the shade. There is nothing you can do about it, as seats are not always equal.

The exam was about to begin, so Ma Xun naturally couldn't forget to pay respect to Confucius, and immediately announced, "The exam will begin."

The test questions were set by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and others. Ma Xun was only responsible for the order in the examination room, and this chief examiner was not fully responsible for this spring examination.

But fortunately, there is no need to worry too much. Everyone just needs to do what they are supposed to do step by step.

As long as everyone does their part well, there is naturally nothing to complain about and things will go smoothly.

Ma Xun, with his hands behind his back, began to stroll around the Imperial Examination Hall. This was not him doing anything reckless by relying on his status.

During the imperial examinations, there would be officials or runners inspecting the examination rooms. Everything was reasonable and legal, and there were no problems.

When he got a test paper, Ma Xun immediately felt ashamed. As expected of a juren, his handwriting was really good and the paper was indeed neat and tidy.

No wonder teachers like to remind students to pay attention to the appearance of the papers, and even emphasized the score of the papers in the past. Looking at such a neat paper and neat handwriting, the examiners will have the patience to read it.

"The virtue of loving life pleases the people." Ma Xun nodded slightly, "This is a good article. I can't write it anymore."

It is true that the eight-legged essay was used to select scholars, but it was not just about rote memorization. It was about solving some practical political, economic, and military problems through the Four Books and Five Classics. Not only did one have a deep understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics, but one also had foresight and extraordinary talent.

The old man looked at Ma Xun nervously. When he first entered Yingtian Prefecture, he was interrogated by the eldest son of the Duke of Weiguo, which was also the first time he met Ma Xun.

It was a quick glimpse, and I felt the aura and power of the Ming Dynasty's top in-laws.

He is already fifty years old. He won the title of Jieyuan last year. This year he came to take the imperial examination with full confidence, hoping to get his name on the list of successful candidates.

"Ouyang Zhen? The first place winner in Jiangxi?"

Ma Xun took a look, then turned around and continued to see what other scholars had written.

It was difficult for Ma Xun to evaluate how good Ouyang Zhen's article was. He just thought that the article was profound and the handwriting was good. He would leave the evaluation of the content to the examiners.

Ouyang Zhen is now somewhat confident. He is already a top scholar in the provincial examination, and a top scholar in Jiangxi province at that. Naturally, he has some confidence in passing the imperial examination.

Although it may be a little late to enter the official career now, there is still time to accumulate experience. He was an official in the Yuan Dynasty, but he resigned because he was dissatisfied with the current situation.

"Loyalty and faithfulness are the means of improving one's virtue. Heaven and earth give and produce, and their benefits are limitless." Ouyang Zhen looked at the test paper, then at Ma Xun's back, "The Book of Changes is my forte, but my student Huang Zicheng is even better than me."

After expressing her feelings, Ouyang Zhen thought about writing an article that would please the Emperor, such as loyalty, benevolence, etc. His Majesty's uncle is the chief examiner and is well-known for his filial piety and kindness. His intention is very obvious!
The task of the chief examiner Ma Xun was relatively simple. Just bask in the sun and patrol the examination room, and that was enough.

The students still need to stay in the Imperial Examination Hall, where they need to take care of their food and accommodation. They can only leave after the exam is over, but they can go home as soon as they find the time.

As soon as he got home, Ma Xun felt a little surprised, "My son-in-law greets Taishan."

Liu Bowen, who was no longer an official, was in a different spirit. He smiled and said, "There's no need to be so polite. We are all family."

"The more polite you are, the less blame you will get." Ma Xun said with a smile, "Besides, if you really don't show politeness, it would seem very rude."

Liu Bowen looked at Ma Xun with some relief and said, "I originally didn't want my children to get too close to the nobles, let alone the relatives. Now that you and Shuning are in love and have children, I feel relieved."

Ma Xun said politely, "Shuning and I are unable to visit you during the holidays. Please forgive us."

Looking at the son-in-law in front of him, Liu Bowen was indeed very satisfied and felt that he could not have picked such a good son-in-law.

As a powerful official, he was not arrogant or domineering at all. His outstanding character made him almost an outlier among the nobles of the Ming Dynasty.

I used to think that apart from medical skills, I had just read a few books and my knowledge was not enough.

It was just when he heard the poem "Linjiangxian" on the way. Liu Bowen was so happy and proud. His literary attainments were outstanding.

When they arrived at the main hall, Liu Bowen asked with a smile, "What do you think of this Spring Examination?"

"It's hard to say." Ma Xun told the truth, "I went to the Imperial College to check it out. The students there are not talented enough. If there weren't some amazing students from other places, my first spring exam in the Ming Dynasty would have been like that."

It seems unlikely that there are talented people left in the wild. It is not an easy task to find some pillars of society.

Liu Bowen was not surprised by this. "Many people in the Imperial College were entrusted with important tasks only halfway through their studies. It is normal for them to lack talent."

This is really the case. When the Ming Dynasty was short of officials, the first thing it did was to select people from the Imperial College. This was not just a case of forcing things to happen, it was almost like overdrawing some of the Ming Dynasty's officials in advance.

It is similar in various provincial capitals. Those who are good at studying will be recommended to enter the Imperial Academy, which is a gathering place for talented people from all over the world.

Although there are talented people in every generation, studying and learning is a long-term process and cannot be achieved in just one or two years.

Liu Bowen looked at Ma Xun and said earnestly, "I know you don't like court battles, but why do you want to live in seclusion at such a young age?"

This is another example of "Linjiangxian". Sometimes a work can explain the author's inner world and character.

But everyone still thinks that "Linjiangxian" fits Ma Xun's state of mind. After all, many people know that he doesn't like court struggles, and they also know that he wandered around in his early years, so that even now his nature is hard to change and he still wants to travel around.

Ma Xun, who had something to say but didn't want to talk about it, changed the subject and asked, "How is Taishan's book repair going now?"

Liu Bowen was excited now. His main task after retirement was to organize books and manuscripts, which were indeed his interests.

Although my son-in-law's talent and learning are average, he is definitely not the kind of person who is illiterate. Now is the time to have a good discussion with him.

We are all scholars and have literary attainments, so we can definitely have a better conversation.

It’s a pity that Ma Xun is good at poetry, while Liu Bowen is good at prose, but at least they have some common topics.

(End of this chapter)