Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 206 Spring Examination, the first question of the imperial examination: The Ten Questions of the Great Zhou Dynasty!
February is the month when the dragon raises its head, and afterwards...

Spring thunder rumbled.

The triennial imperial examination of the Great Zhou Dynasty officially commenced today at Chenshi (7-9 AM).

Outside the Imperial Examination Hall in Luoyang, nearly ten thousand candidates stood solemnly. A forest of blue robes stretched as far as the eye could see, their talent radiating from them.

As the morning light pierced through the clouds, it shone on the vermilion-lacquered, copper-studded gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, making the four gilded characters "Seeking Talented Individuals for the Nation" shine brilliantly.

The Empress stood atop the Guanzheng Hall, her black phoenix robe billowing in the wind, the nine phoenixes in gold shimmering in the morning sun.

Nangong Wan'er stood three steps behind with her head bowed, her gaze passing over the palace and looking toward the direction of the examination hall—tens of thousands of scholars in green robes were entering the hall in single file, their magnificent talent causing the copper bells on the eaves to ring without wind.

"I have heard that among the candidates taking the imperial examination this year, there is a person of extraordinary talent."

The Empress's fingertips lightly traced the white marble railing, the cool touch seeping into her skin. "The palace eunuchs and maids are all whispering that this man's poetry and prose seem to surpass even the talent of Chen Shaoqing of Yingchuan back then."
Back then, Chen Shaoqing achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations, a feat rarely seen in centuries!
I have read his poems, essays, and prose, and I also approve of them!

"Your Majesty, shall we summon him for an audience?"

Nangong Wan'er responded at the opportune moment.

Being able to meet the emperor before the imperial examinations is an excellent opportunity to "win the emperor's favor," which is very beneficial for the upcoming palace examinations.

"No need! The imperial examination is just around the corner; there's no need to distract him!"

The Empress suddenly chuckled, her wide sleeves fluttering and carrying a delicate fragrance: "If you want to become the Emperor's disciple, why rush things?"

She turned around, her gold-embroidered phoenix-tail skirt trailing behind her. "Since he is so extraordinary, he will naturally stand on the throne and appear before me."

The third quarter of the hour of Mao (5:45 AM).

The Duke of Xue's Mansion.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, Jiang Xingzhou was already standing before the bronze mirror.

He changed into a newly tailored moon-white scholar's robe, which shimmered with a faint silky sheen. A gentleman's pendant at his waist tapped lightly, producing a clear and melodious sound.

Finally, I examined my examination basket—the tail feathers of the Phoenix Seeking Phoenix Brush were still shimmering, the ink in the Yin-Yang Fish Inkstone was not yet dry, and the wax seal on a name card for the examination still carried the scent of pine resin.

In addition, the sweet spring water in the blue bottle and the osmanthus pastry wrapped in oil paper were both items needed for the imperial examinations.

"Sir, it's time to set off."

The old steward, holding a green gauze hat, waited outside the door. "The Imperial Examination Hall will open at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

The Xue family's carriage rolled over the remaining frost on Zhuque Street and stopped a few hundred paces outside the examination hall.

Jiang Xingzhou lifted the curtain and looked out. Nearly ten thousand scholars in blue robes surged toward the examination hall like a tide, forming a long, winding line in the morning light.

The soldiers and constables who were searching people shouted loudly, startling the magpies on the eaves.

Jiang Xingzhou alighted from the carriage, straightened his clothes, and looked around at the candidates—all he could see were a group of haggard-looking candidates.

Some people had dark circles under their eyes, some had lamp oil still stuck to their knuckles from last night, and some were pale and unsteady.

During their two-month preparation for the imperial examinations in Luoyang, they forced themselves to study late into the night in order to obtain the title of Jinshi, and their eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion.

"Brother Jiang has arrived!"

A clear voice broke the noise.

Han Yugui stood at attention like a pine tree, while Cao An and Lu Ming smiled and bowed. Gu Zhimian, Li Pan, and other scholars—more than sixty Jiangzhou students gathered around Jiang Xingzhou like scattered stars returning to their places.

Everyone was already waiting outside the examination hall, eagerly awaiting Jiang Xingzhou's arrival.

The fellow scholars from Jiangzhou Prefecture tacitly understood that if they could be nominated for the imperial examination today, they would become fellow scholars from the same hometown in the future.

In the imperial court and in the ups and downs of officialdom, they need each other's support.

Among the crowd, Jiang Xingzhou stood out, dressed in a moon-white robe, with a handsome face.

All the candidates gathered together without prior arrangement—this renowned scholar, the top scholar of Jiangnan, was destined to become the leader of their cohort of successful candidates.

"I wish to ascend to the clouds with my brothers!"

Jiang Xingzhou cupped his hands and smiled, his brows furrowed with high spirits.

"Together on the honor roll!"

"May you achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations!"

The candidates encouraged each other, and blessings filled the air.

In the morning light, the young faces were filled with an eager and ready spirit.

"Ten years of hard study, whether you can pass the imperial examination or not, it all depends on this one exam!"

Gu Zhimian looked extremely nervous, his knuckles were white from gripping his fists so tightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Before the Dragon Gate of the Imperial Examination, tens of thousands of candidates scrambled to cross the river like carp crossing a river, but only three hundred of the luckiest koi carp were able to leap over this insurmountable threshold of the Imperial Examination.

The imperial examination will determine one's fate, and one will become a tribute student of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Although there is a final palace examination in the Golden Palace after the provincial examination, only then can one be promoted to a formal Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).

However, the Zichen Hall only ranked the tribute scholars according to their merits; no one was dismissed.

this means,

Anyone who can cross the threshold of today's spring imperial examination and become a tribute student will have leaped over the dragon gate, officially joining the ranks of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Therefore, those who passed the imperial examinations were often respectfully addressed as "Master Jinshi" by the common people!

Imagine the scene after the imperial examinations, the banquet at the Imperial Academy, where people would parade through the streets adorned with flowers, and the selection of officials by the Ministry of Personnel, where they would exchange their green robes for scarlet ones.

Not to mention that obtaining a county magistrate's seal is easy, even becoming a candidate for the Six Ministries or the Hanlin Academy is not out of reach.

Within the confines of the examination hall, countless scholars dreamed of changing their social standing and achieving great success!

A large crowd gathered outside the examination hall.

The candidates lined up in a long queue and were inspected one by one under the cold gaze of the soldiers.

The yamen runners' rough hands searched through the robes, sleeves, and even the hair buns, for fear of smuggling in even a single piece of paper or a few words.

"Next!"

Jiang Xingzhou stepped forward slowly and handed over his identity card.

The head constable did not recognize Jiang Xingzhou and intended to reprimand and warn him as usual, forbidding him from carrying any smuggled goods.

But his gaze suddenly froze when he looked at the name card and the guarantor—

Wei Guanlan, Prefect of Jiangnan Circuit
Du Jingchen, the Taoist Academic Commissioner of Jiangnan
Xue Chonghu, Duke of Xue
The three names, rendered in deep black ink, seemed to carry an invisible pressure.

The head constable's throat bobbed, and cold sweat had already seeped out of his back.

The governor was a high-ranking official in charge of the border regions of the Great Zhou Dynasty, while the education commissioner was in charge of the cultural heritage of a province.

Not to mention the hereditary nobles of the Great Zhou Dynasty, such as the Duke of Xue!
In the event of cheating in the imperial examinations, the guarantors would be implicated! Who exactly is this person who could get these three important figures to jointly vouch for him?
The head constable finally saw the name of the scholar below the name card—Jiang Xingzhou!

For the past few months, the top scholar in the Jiangnan provincial examination has been a household name in Luoyang.

Although I have never seen him, I have heard of his name.

"Young Master Jiang, please!"

The head constable's voice unconsciously lowered by three points, he hastily brushed his clothes and took half a step back, his expression instantly becoming extremely respectful.

After a brief body search and a quick look through the test basket, he was allowed to pass.

Jiang Xingzhou straightened his disheveled collar and, amidst the complex gazes of the surrounding scholars, stepped into the Dragon Gate of the Examination Hall, a place that determined the fate of countless candidates.

The blue brick floor inside the examination hall gleamed with a cold light.

Ten thousand examination cells, arranged like a chessboard, stood solemnly within the examination hall, each holding the hopes of candidates who had studied diligently for ten years.

Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War, stood in front of the Minglun Hall in a crimson official robe, the gold plaque on his rhinoceros belt gleaming coldly in the morning sun.

The stern-faced examiner was now scanning the candidates who were filing in with piercing eyes.

He will determine the path to success for countless scholars, and will also cause the dreams of many to be shattered.

Minister of Rites Wei Shili served as the deputy examiner, with Vice Ministers Xu Shiheng and Zhao Wen on his right and behind him.

The numerous officials from the Ministry of Rites, dressed in blue robes and black boots, stood solemnly in a row like geese in flight, the air filled with a dignified atmosphere of ink and sandalwood.

What was most breathtaking were the five examiners dressed in dark blue Hanlin scholar robes.

They stood silently by the pillars, like five unsheathed swords—these close advisors of the emperor would ensure the solemnity of this imperial examination!

Hanlin Academician Zhao Mingcheng was the chief examiner, standing in front of the Minglun Hall, his black official robe draped over his shoulders.

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze like an icy blade, piercing straight at Tang Xiujin, the chief examiner sitting in the main seat.

"Master Tang."

He spoke, his voice cold and stern, causing the candlelight in the hall to flicker. "As the chief examiner, you have the authority to set questions and grade papers."

We, the invigilators, have no right to comment.

but--"

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone suddenly sharp: "As examiners appointed by the Emperor himself, how can we tolerate even the slightest imperfection? This examination must be conducted fairly, and we will defend it to the death!"

These words were like knives, and the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites remained silent—they were merely assisting Tang Xiujin in presiding over the examination and handling some specific matters; they did not have much decision-making power in this imperial examination.

The real authority rests with the chief examiner and the chief invigilator responsible for ensuring the fairness of the examination.

The scholars unconsciously gripped their teacups tighter.

These words were not unfounded.

To know,
Tang Xiujin once privately visited the residence of former Right Chancellor Lu to celebrate his mentor's birthday. At that literary gathering, he had a pleasant conversation with more than a hundred candidates.

Rumors had been circulating that Tang Xiujin had already decided on the top scholar for this year's competition and had secretly recruited more than ten disciples.

Although it is baseless rumor,

However, this was enough to make the five proctors, all of whom were Hanlin scholars, feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy and become vigilant—worried that Tang Xiujin might show favoritism towards certain people in the examination questions and papers.

These proctors have no right to set the questions!

However, they have the right to question whether the exam questions are fair to all candidates!

They would never allow Tang Xiujin to hide any tricks in the exam questions, nor would they allow him to cheat or engage in favoritism when grading papers!

Zhao Mingcheng glanced at the tense faces of his colleagues in the Hanlin Academy—these upright scholars were all like fully drawn bowstrings at this moment.

Moreover, Tang Xiujin's appointment as the chief examiner for this year's imperial examination has already drawn criticism within the court.

But the emperor's mind was made up, and no one dared to object.

Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War, was one of the six ministries, but he was weak and powerless, almost like a lone minister.

He neither attached himself to powerful clans nor sought patronage from aristocratic families, nor did he form factions with other powerful figures. In the imperial court, he was like a lone tree, isolated and helpless.

The scholars of the Hanlin Academy did not hold real power; they considered themselves to be of the "pure and upright" class and had always looked down on the powerful and influential officials.

They held the power of public opinion and had no fear even when facing the Minister of War.

As the proctor today, I will not tolerate him showing any favoritism!

Minister of War Tang Xiujin slightly raised his eyes, glancing lightly at the tense face of chief examiner Zhao Mingcheng, a barely perceptible cold smile appearing on his lips.

As the chief examiner, how could he possibly give anyone a handle to use against him?
Then all those decades of ups and downs in officialdom must have been for nothing!
"Lord Zhao is overthinking it."

He lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, his voice as calm as a still well, "Since I have the power to set the questions and grade the papers, I should naturally keep the word 'fairness' in mind and treat all candidates equally."

Having said that, he looked up at the assembled Hanlin scholars and said, "I will set the exam questions, and you, the examiners, will then give your opinions—it's not too late."

After the candidates entered the examination hall.

Before an altar, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War and chief examiner, stood solemnly before the incense table, dressed in a crimson official robe and holding a jade tablet.

Behind him, the deputy examiners from the Ministry of Rites lined up on the left and right according to their ranks, while five Hanlin Academy scholars served as invigilators, holding classical texts and looking solemn.

Inside the examination hall, ten thousand candidates, dressed in blue robes, stood solemnly like pine and cypress trees, completely silent.

"We humbly acknowledge that the virtues of sages and worthies are worthy of heaven and earth."

Tang Xiujin's voice was as loud as a bell, and his eulogy resounded in the morning light.

Ten thousand scholars bowed their heads, watching the blue smoke from the incense burner rise straight into the sky, seemingly echoing the direction of the Confucian Temple.

After the eulogy was read, the bailiffs rang the gong three times.

The candidates filed into the vermilion-lacquered examination rooms, placed their inkstones, and tapped the desks lightly, the sound like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

Tang Xiujin stood with his hands behind his back on the steps, watching the doors of the examination rooms gradually close, and couldn't help but stroke his long beard.

"The spring imperial examinations are about to begin!"

Inside the Minglun Hall, candlelight flickered.

Tang Xiujin sat upright at the desk, her fingertips lightly stroking the plain paper. The wolf-hair brush was fully dipped in thick ink, and the tip of the brush hovered three inches above the paper, yet it did not fall for a long time.

A gentle breeze rustled outside the window, lifting a wisp of sandalwood incense from the corner of the desk, its fragrance lingering in the air.

The imperial examination of the Great Zhou Dynasty placed the first emphasis on poetry and prose, followed by policy essays, both of which had to be closely related to current affairs.

He pondered for a moment, his gaze sharpening, and finally picked up his brush and wrote—

[In the sixteenth year of the Tian Shou reign, the first question of the spring imperial examination:]
"How can one govern a country if one does not understand it?"

Please choose one to ten of the ten regions of the Great Zhou Dynasty as your theme and write a poem or essay!

The grading rules are as follows:

I. Determining quality based on the grade of the poem/lyric —

Zhenguo is A, Mingzhou is B, Dafu is C, and Chuxian is D.

The higher the rating, the higher the ranking.

Second, if the grades are the same, then quantity will prevail.

One article that can protect the nation is ranked in the first class; ten articles that can protect the nation are ranked in the tenth class.

The more numbers, the higher the ranking. (Do not repeat answers to the same question!)

In this imperial examination, out of ten thousand candidates, only the top three thousand will be selected; the rest will be rejected!

The brush touches the paper, and the ink gradually dries.

Tang Xiujin stared at the paper, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

He smiled coldly.

"Here is the first question of the imperial examination. Does Lord Zhao think this question is fair?"

The moment this question was posed, everyone in the room was astonished!

Wei Shili, the Minister of Rites, who had been in charge of the imperial examinations for many years, stood frozen in place, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Left Vice Minister Xu Shiheng and Right Vice Minister Zhao Wen looked at each other, their faces pale, and for a moment they were speechless.

The rules of the imperial examinations have always been to seek stability, with questions either drawing from classical texts or limiting rhymes. Never before have there been questions so grand and magnificent.

Using the names of the ten circuits of the Great Zhou Dynasty as the framework, candidates were free to use their brushes and ink—testing both their talent and their breadth of vision!

Who dares to say this question is unfair?
Who dares to say that this system is not permissible?

Could it be that Tang Xiujin, the Minister of War and chief examiner, truly had no personal biases? Did he not show favoritism towards his chosen protégé?!
Inside the Minglun Hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated the various expressions on everyone's faces.

Hanlin Academician Zhao Mingcheng stared at the exam question, his pupils slightly contracted, his lips almost parting but then tightly pursed.

As a Hanlin scholar, he had taken countless exams throughout his life and knew all too well how to cheat in the imperial examinations—either by setting various restrictions on the exam questions or by secretly hiding tricks and tricks to give those who knew the questions in advance an advantage.

But today, Tang Xiujin's test question left him speechless!

"Choose any one of the ten names from the Great Zhou Dynasty, numbered one to ten, and compose your own poem or essay!"

—No restrictions!
No difficulties whatsoever!

Leaked exam questions in advance?

"Central Plains, Jiangnan, and the Northern Frontier"—these are well-known topics that candidates often used for practicing poetry and prose!

Even if someone prepares in advance, it's only one out of ten.

Who can guarantee that the choice they make will be better than others?

Behind the scenes?

Students from Jiangnan are skilled at writing about misty rain.

Scholars from the northern frontier are accustomed to the wind and sand.

The writings of the talented scholars of Sichuan and Chongqing are magnificent.

The poems and prose of Lingnan literati are elegant and refined... each has its own strengths!
You can!

Others can do it too!

It all comes down to genuine talent and skill!

This exam is destined to be a tough battle with no tricks up its sleeve!

Even if this test question were presented to the Empress, she would surely applaud it with praise—"Excellent! Truly worthy of selecting talent for the country!"

As for the rules for grading,
That makes it even more unquestionable! The exam papers are ranked purely by grade and quantity!

As for the grade and quantity, everyone present was a Hanlin scholar, and they could clearly see the grade of the articles. No one could show favoritism!
"The exam questions set by Lord Tang are indeed fair and impartial!"

Chief examiner Zhao Mingcheng clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves, and in the end, he only snorted coldly and said nothing more.

(End of this chapter)