Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 189 The Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examination, His Mentor and His Students!
The night breeze caressed the railing, and the moonlight was like water.

Nangong Wan'er held the sword in her fair hand, the blade reflecting the candlelight like flowing frost and jade.

Her figure was graceful, and her swordplay was sometimes as fleeting as a startled swan and sometimes as swift as a dragon returning to its source. Wherever her sword light passed, it caused the wine in the celadon cup on the table to move without wind, creating tiny ripples.

Jiang Xingzhou leaned against the railing, his knuckles lightly tapping the jade pot. The clear wine in the pot rose and fell with the sword's movements, faintly echoing the sound of clashing swords.

"Excellent swordsmanship."

He chuckled softly, tilted his head back, and finished the last of the wine in his cup, the liquid burning hot in his throat. "Does this sword have a name?"

Nangong Wan'er suddenly withdrew her sword, twirled it with her backhand, and with a light flick of her sword tip, took the wine pot from Jiang Xingzhou's hand and poured it out.

The wine liquid hung in the air like a silver ribbon.
With a flick of her wrist, the sword blade sliced ​​the stream of wine in two—one half fell to her lips, the other splashed onto the sword, meandering down the blade and dripping onto the blue bricks, blooming into clusters of wine bubbles.

"The sword is named 'Drunken Moon'."

Her eyes reflected the candlelight, her smile sharp as a blade. "What a pity... there's no moon tonight to intoxicate me."

Jiang Xingzhou laughed loudly, threw down his cup, and stood up: "What does it matter if there's no moon?!"

Before he finished speaking, he rolled up his wide sleeves, and a dozen candles on the table suddenly flew up and hung in mid-air.

The flickering firelight resembled an inverted Milky Way.

Nangong Wan'er's swordplay resumed, the sword light intertwining with the candlelight, casting chaotic shadows on the vermilion pillars of Mingxin Pavilion.

Her slightly tipsy face made her even more stunningly beautiful.

A night of revelry.

The east is white.

As dawn broke, golden rays of light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick floor.

Nangong Wan'er's eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly awoke at the table in Mingxin Pavilion.

A ray of warm sunlight slanted across her jade-like face, gilding her smooth, creamy skin with a thin layer of gold.

She subconsciously reached out, her fingertips touching a snow fur coat that had slipped off her shoulder—the tips of the white fox fur were still covered with morning dew, its crisp scent mixed with Jiang Xingzhou's unique faint fragrance.

The candle on the table had long since burned to ashes, leaving only a half-cup of cold wine reflecting the sunlight.

But Jiang Xingzhou had already left.

The breathtaking sword dance of last night is now just an empty space, leaving me with a profound sense of loss.

It's time to return to the palace and report!

She suddenly gripped the snow-white fur coat tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and frost clung to the stone steps of Baima Temple.

Three hundred armored guards stood solemnly, their black battle robes motionless in the north wind.

Meng Zhan stood at the front of the formation, his hand on his sword. His gaze, hidden beneath his iron mask, was like a knife, silently cutting through the chill before dawn.

The vermilion-lacquered pavilion doors were wide open, and snow-white fur brushed against the blue stone steps.

As Nangong Wan'er descended the steps, the unrestrained spirit of her sword dance from the previous night was completely concealed in her expression as her robes fluttered.

"Go back to the palace."

The two characters fell to the ground, and metal clashed.

The gilded bells of the seven-jeweled carriage trembled slightly, crushing a thin layer of frost on the ground.

"Yes!"

Meng Zhan mounted his horse, his black armor casting a chilling silhouette against the rising sun in front of the White Horse Temple gate.

As dawn broke, the seven-jeweled carriage drove into the palace and came to a stop. The bluestone path inside the high palace walls was still damp with the night dew.

Nangong Wan'er got out of the carriage, wearing a snow-white fur coat, and walked slowly, the wide sleeves of her official robe swaying gently with her steps.

My conversation with Jiang Xingzhou last night is still lingering in my mind.

"Buddhism should not be trusted too easily. Even if a thousand temples are built, will the Buddha of the Western Paradise show even the slightest gratitude?"

She gently touched the jade pendant at her waist, a cold smile playing on her lips.
As her thoughts wandered, she looked up towards the direction of Taiji Palace.

Has the current emperor ever believed in Buddhism?

The Supreme One never needs anyone's gratitude.

In Your Majesty's game of chess, Buddhism is merely a pawn.

"To win over Buddhists"

Nangong Wan'er unconsciously stroked the gold thread on her cuff with her fingertips. "It's just to let all the philosophers and noble families understand that even if they outwardly comply but inwardly disobey, His Majesty still has people he can use."

Thinking of this, she suddenly recalled Jiang Xingzhou's cheerful demeanor last night and couldn't help but smile: "This Jiang Jieyuan is quite a remarkable person."

If His Majesty were to see him, he would surely be pleased!

The morning breeze ruffled the stray hairs at her temples, and Nangong Wan'er quickened her pace, her golden boots making a crisp sound on the bluestone slabs.

When Nangong Wan'er stepped into the Taiji Hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of ambergris.

The emperor was reviewing memorials at his desk.

A screen as thin as a cicada's wing separated them, making them appear and disappear intermittently.

She curtsied and recounted in detail the "Confucian-Buddhist debate" at Baima Temple. Her words were impartial yet subtly commented on the performances of all parties involved—the eminent monks of Baima Temple, the scholars of the Imperial Academy, the top-ranking candidates in the provincial examinations, and even the onlookers.

As for Jiang Xingzhou, he only mentioned the three poems he had written on the theme of "Protecting the Nation".

However, she dared not elaborate or reveal her true feelings.

The emperor's heart is unfathomable!

"Ok!"

After hearing this, the emperor lightly tapped his knuckles on the imperial desk, his gaze deep and unfathomable, but he did not utter a single word.

"With the imperial examinations approaching, the Minister of War, Tang Xiujin, is hereby appointed as the chief examiner."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Nangong Wan'er was slightly surprised.

With only a few months left until next year's imperial examination, the position of chief examiner has yet to be determined, causing discussion in the court.

Now, the emperor has finally made a decision—to Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War.

This Minister Tang is quite upright and has been in charge of the Ministry of War for many years. It is an intriguing choice for him to preside over next year's imperial examination...

In the afternoon,

Nangong Wan'er stepped into the Secretariat, where writing brush, ink, and imperial edicts were already prepared before her.

She dipped her brush in ink, suspended her wrist, and concentrated her mind to draft the imperial edict for His Majesty to be the chief examiner of the spring imperial examination.

He paused slightly, and the ink spread a little on the paper.

[敕

Disciples:

I have heard that opening the gates to recruit talented individuals is the foundation of a king's rule; selecting virtuous and capable officials is a grand ceremony of the dynasty. Next year's spring imperial examinations will begin, and the nation's brightest talents will gather in the capital. It is fitting that a minister with profound knowledge of both ancient and modern times and a proven track record of literary excellence be chosen to oversee the examinations and ensure the success of this momentous event.

Minister of War Tang Xiujin possesses broad vision and elegant writing skills. He has repeatedly held high positions in imperial edicts and is worthy of the court's expectations. He is appointed to oversee the imperial examinations and preside over the examinations for candidates from across the empire. He must be diligent in selecting talented individuals, ensuring impartiality in choosing candidates, without favoritism, and without failing the Emperor's expectations.

The Lord administers it.

[The 4th day of the 10th month of the 15th year of the Tian Shou reign]
This edict, drafted by the Imperial Secretary, was annotated and written in vermilion ink by the Emperor. After being reviewed and approved by the Secretariat, it was finally promulgated by the Ministry of Personnel.

Within the Ministry of Personnel.

All the ministers stepped forward, cupped their hands in congratulations, and said, "Congratulations, Lord Tang! You have won the imperial examination!"

The triennial spring imperial examination is a time when candidates from all over the country gather.

The position of chief examiner of the imperial examination was a highly prestigious and influential post that attracted much attention from both the court and the public.

Who wouldn't want to take this opportunity to select the best talents in the world and cultivate their own disciples and confidants?

If we can gather a group of outstanding scholars and officials, our influence in the imperial court will greatly increase, laying the foundation for our path to becoming prime minister.

Once you miss it, you might not get your turn again even after decades.

The top officials of the three provinces and six ministries had been secretly vying for the position of chief examiner for a long time.

Who would have thought that His Majesty would personally appoint Tang Xiujin, a relatively unknown Minister of War, to take on this important task.

"The first two sessions were held by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites!"

Tang Xiujin excitedly accepted the imperial edict, stroked his beard and smiled: "After so many years, it's finally the Ministry of War's turn to preside over the imperial examinations."

As dusk settled, Tang Xiujin's carriage rolled along the bluestone streets of Luoyang, slowly departing from the Ministry of Works.

With the carriage curtains drawn low, the newly appointed chief examiner of the imperial examination closed his eyes and concentrated, his fingertips lightly tapping the rhythm on his knees.

Although the position of chief examiner is an excellent opportunity to cultivate the influence of one's protégés,

The chief examiners gained substantial factional support by admitting candidates for the imperial examinations, while the candidates gained opportunities to enter officialdom through the chief examiners.

However, selecting promising talents from among thousands of candidates is no easy task. The intricacies involved are quite sophisticated.

Tang Xiujin opened her eyes, a meaningful look appearing on her face.

First of all
He had to convey his will—the direction of the examination questions—in the most subtle way possible.

What is the general direction of the imperial examination questions?
Frontier strategy?

The policy of land reclamation and military settlement?
Those clever test-takers need some clues about the exam questions to stand out.

After all, only candidates who know how to understand the superiors' intentions can write answers that cater to their preferences.

These intelligent people who can understand intuitively are the disciples he truly wants to take on.

When the results were announced, the successful candidates would come to pay homage to the chief examiner, addressing him as their "master" and referring to themselves as their "disciples."

This bow not only forged a lifelong bond of teacher-student affection, but also an unbreakable political alliance in the imperial court.

But this is ultimately a game of strategy—it requires both the "master" to be willing to accept and the "disciples" to be willing to invest.

He needs to find an opportunity to test the waters first.

As the carriage curtain swayed slightly, Tang Xiujin's fingertips paused on her knee.

To avoid taking in some unruly "troublemakers" as students, which could bring trouble upon oneself.

"That arrogant guy Huang Chao with a criminal record."

Tang Xiujin gave a soft snort.

Although that fellow is highly talented, he is arrogant and conceited, which makes him unpleasant to be around.

After failing the exam, he even wrote a poem in the street that was laced with sarcasm, causing the official in the Ministry of Rites to lose face.

Even if such a rebellious person is exceptionally talented, who would dare to take him under their wing?
The carriage rolled over the snow and turned into Xuanyangfang.

The lights of Luoyang City lit up one after another in the distance, making Tang Xiu's golden eyes gleam.

He suddenly clapped his hands and chuckled: "In a few days, the [Major Snow] solar term will arrive. Why not hold a Major Snow literary gathering? That would be quite fitting for the occasion."

The depth of those scholars' learning and their manners in dealing with people were revealed during the banquet.

If we can find a few wise individuals among them who know when to advance and when to retreat, we can award them the top honors and first-class honors!
Amidst the creaking of the cart shafts, Tang Xiujin had already begun to plan the matter and release the news.

This literary gathering during the heavy snowfall is not only meant to showcase their poetry and prose, but also to test their character and conduct.

After all, students are like trees; how can one not first observe their roots and seedlings?

Inside the Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant on Tianjie Street, the air is filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

The candidates from various provinces were either writing furiously at their desks or discussing in hushed tones in small groups.

The gilded candlesticks illuminated the splendid room, and even the shadows cast by the window frames carried a scholarly air.

"Snapped!"

Gu Zhimian rushed into the building, the official gazette in his hand rustling.

He looked around, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Brothers! The chief examiner for the imperial examination has been decided!"

The whole house was in an uproar.

Amidst the crisp clinking of teacups, dozens of gazes turned towards them.

"Oh, which sir is it?"

Some people couldn't wait to get up, and didn't even notice that their clothes had flipped up their inkstones.

Li Pan and the other candidates immediately rushed to read the Luoyang Gazette.

"The chief examiner for the imperial examination is none other than Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War!"

Gu Zhimian pointed at the name in the official gazette with his fingertip, his eyes gleaming.

He knew all too well what this meant—this Minister of War, known for his expertise in border affairs, was likely going to make a big deal out of his policies.

"God help me too!"

Li Pan was overjoyed and suddenly gripped the official gazette so tightly that his knuckles turned bluish-white.

The Minister of War was the chief examiner!

This means that in next year's spring imperial examinations, many scholars who specialize in the philosophies of the classics and military strategy will stand out.

"Very good!

The examiners have finally been chosen!

The eyes of all the candidates gleamed, and their exchanged glances revealed unspoken elation.

It's important to understand that the difficulty of the imperial examinations lies in the extremely broad scope of the questions.

The vast sea of ​​classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections makes it even more difficult to predict the examiner's unpredictable question-setting trends.

Agricultural administration, officialdom, rites... each subject is like a vast ocean, with dozens of schools of thought on the interpretation and commentary of the classics alone.

Policy essays can draw upon hundreds of historical allusions.

If you have no clue, even if you study diligently for a lifetime, you may not be able to guess half of the exam questions.

But now that the chief examiner has been chosen, the winds of change have suddenly become clear—Tang Xiujin, as the Vice Minister of War, is in charge of the spring examinations, focusing on border affairs, land reclamation, and horse administration, a fact known to everyone in the court and among the people.

The exam preparation path, which was originally as shrouded in mist, has now become clear and traceable, as if the clouds have parted and the sun has shone through.

"I heard that Lord Tang was vehemently criticizing the flaws of the reform of the grain transport system at the court meeting last month!"

"When he reviewed the military examination essays last year, he valued practical matters most and despised empty talk!"

The candidates' eyes were fixed intently, as if they could already see the ink marks on the exam papers.

Those mountains of classic texts finally had a sense of priority—which ones should be studied carefully, which ones could be skipped, and which ones must be memorized by heart…

This single official gazette saved more than just months of hard work.

"Lord Tang served as the Governor of Jibei for many years, so the nine border regions must be of utmost importance!"

"His phrase 'mutual assistance between soldiers and farmers' in his memorial on land reclamation last year will likely be used extensively in his policy arguments!"

Suddenly, someone gasped, "Oh no! All the major bookstores will be sold out of Master Tang's collected works!"

"Hurry and buy it, or you might miss out!"

Some people had already impatiently opened their purses, the copper coins clinking together.

Before he could finish speaking, seven or eight figures in blue robes rushed out the door.

Chaos erupted in the corridor; some people rushed out without even fastening their outer robes, slipping on their cloth shoes.

The crisp sound of teacups overturning echoed repeatedly.

The inkstone overturned, and ink splattered onto the snow-white Xuan paper, much like the anxiety surging in everyone's hearts at that moment.

Gu Zhimian stood still, his fingertips lightly tapping the official gazette.

He suddenly remembered the "Border Patrol Map" he had glimpsed in the official gazette a few days ago—this future mentor probably had his own insights into "horse administration".

Gu Zhimian slammed the official gazette on the table. "Go to Moxianzhai in the south of the city immediately. That bookstore is far away, so it shouldn't be sold out yet!"

Outside the window, the city lights of Luoyang were just coming on in the twilight.

One by one, the lanterns in the bookstores lit up, as if igniting the flames of this silent battle for exam questions.

In Chongwenfang, west of Luoyang, the lights of several time-honored bookstores remained on all night.

"Quickly! Compile all of Lord Tang's memorials from over the years into a book!"

"That memorial, 'On the Provisions for Border Garrisons,' should be placed at the beginning of the volume and highlighted in red ink!"

The elderly scholars, their hair and beards white, were writing furiously at their desks, which were piled high with official gazettes, copies, and memorials collected from various places.

They were experts in this area—every year during the imperial examinations, these seasoned scholars, who had been immersed in the examination system for decades, could always glean some clues from the examiners' words.

"Add another copy of 'The Essentials of Tang Gong's Art of War'!"

"Include the policy essays he reviewed when he was in the Ministry of War!"

The shopkeepers of major bookstores in the city raised paper prices overnight, but this still couldn't stop the scholars' buying frenzy.

Even more remarkably, some bookstores have already begun pre-selling "Tang Gong's Secret Scrolls" and "Tang Gong's Exam Prediction Treasure Trove," priced at several tens of taels of silver per book, yet they are still in short supply.

The candidates, who held the new book as if it were a priceless treasure, were overjoyed.

These old scholars were well-versed in the ways of the imperial examinations—what they were selling was not ink and paper, but the ambitions of tens of thousands of candidates to pass the imperial examinations with flying colors.

However, these "Collected Works of Tang Gong", "Essentials of the Ministry of War", and "Secret Scrolls of the Imperial Examination" are all publicly available materials that can be found in Luoyang bookstores, and almost everyone can have a copy.

To talk in generalities is ultimately just scratching the surface.

To truly grasp the mysteries of the imperial examinations, one must find an opportunity to personally pay homage to the chief examiner—Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War—before the examinations take place.

Even obtaining just a few words is far better than buying a whole collection of writings from a bookstore.

However, such opportunities are extremely rare; out of tens of thousands of candidates, there may be no more than a hundred!

(End of this chapter)