Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 215 Disciples pay respects to their master and prepare for the palace examination!
"Haha! I've passed the imperial examination! I've passed the imperial examination! The Gu family of Jiangyin has finally been revived in my hands!"

Gu Zhimian was so overjoyed that he forgot himself.

Originally, he thought he would be content with simply passing the provincial examination and becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). This trip to the capital was merely a gamble to try his luck.

Who would have thought that he would pass the imperial examination with flying colors, far exceeding his expectations?

Upon closer examination, his barely passable poem was but a drop in the ocean among the more than nine hundred examination papers of the same rank from other candidates.

Only three hundred scholars were selected as successful candidates.

Apart from those fifty-odd excellent articles from Mingzhou that could be considered a sure thing, who among the rest wasn't trembling with fear?

The chance to be chosen from three options is nothing more than a pipe dream.

To my utter surprise, he actually won!
The highest rank a Juren (举人) could attain was a county magistrate, while a Jinshi (进士) could become a prefect of a prefecture!
The upper limit of their career paths is vastly different!

"Congratulations, Brother Han, Brother Cao, Brother Gu!"

"Congratulations, Brother Lu!"

Cao An, Lu Ming, and other fellow townsmen and classmates greeted each other with salutations, their faces beaming.

Jiang Xingzhou is the governor of Zhenguo, and Han Yugui is the governor of Mingzhou; their passing the exam is inevitable.

They knew perfectly well that they were just ordinary writers, and that their success was largely due to luck.

The connection between the chief examiner, Lord Tang Xiujin, and Old Master Lu of the Lu family is very likely the key reason why they were able to pass the exam.

Lu Ming even secretly suspected that Lord Tang might have intentionally selected some of Jiang Xingzhou's close classmates and fellow townsmen from Jiangyin to become Jinshi!

Officials need helpers, and classmates, fellow townsmen, and those who passed the imperial examination in the same year are undoubtedly the greatest helpers.

Otherwise, with over 1,500 counties in the Great Zhou Dynasty, only 300 scholars would be selected for the imperial examinations. Even three or five counties might not produce a single scholar.

This year, a total of five people from Jiangyin County passed the imperial examination and became Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). That's incredibly impressive! It can be called the strongest county in the imperial examination system of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Firecrackers boomed at the entrance of the examination hall. People decorated the hall with lanterns and colorful streamers to celebrate the successful candidates in the imperial examination.

"Brother Jiang, congratulations on achieving first place in the imperial examination and becoming the top scholar!"

"This is the top candidate for a vacancy in the Ministry of Personnel; his future is limitless!"

The scholars gathered around and offered their congratulations.

Even disregarding the outcome of the palace examination, Jiang Xingzhou's success in becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination has already guaranteed him a smooth career path.

When the Ministry of Personnel selects officials, all departments vie for the top scholar in the provincial examination, and he will definitely be the first to be chosen for a vacancy in one of the six ministries. He may also be directly appointed as a prefect of a major prefecture, gain experience for two or three years, and then be transferred back to the central government.

As for why the top three scholars (状元, 榜眼, 探花) weren't given priority in the selection of officials by the Ministry of Personnel?

They have a bright future as compilers in the Hanlin Academy, often directly serving the emperor by writing imperial edicts. They start as officials in the capital and are guaranteed to be sent to the ten circuits of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

They completely disdained the ordinary official positions arranged by the Ministry of Personnel.

"I am happy for all my brothers."

Tonight, all of us brothers will visit our esteemed teacher!

Jiang Xingzhou smiled calmly, appearing completely at ease.

Even though he was the top scorer in the imperial examinations and ranked first in the spring examinations, he remained calm and composed, treating it all as nothing.

After all, who in Luoyang didn't know that "Ten chapters that govern the country, unparalleled in the world"?
Moreover, even before the exam, the chief examiner, Tang Xiujin, had already regarded him as a "disciple".

Today's outcome is simply a natural consequence.

"Exactly! Exactly!"

The scholars, beaming with joy, congratulated each other with clasped hands.

Although the results of the imperial examinations have been released, there will be no grand celebrations. There won't even be a parade through the streets.

According to custom, after the imperial examination, the newly appointed candidates would first go to their mentor's residence to hold a small banquet for the other candidates who had passed the examination that year, in order to express their gratitude for their mentor's recognition and support.

After all, the real highlight is yet to come!
—Soon comes the even more prestigious palace examination, personally presided over by the emperor!
They still need to put a lot of effort into preparing for the palace examination.

Only those who passed the imperial examination, achieved the highest honors, and were granted the title of Jinshi (进士) could be considered true "disciples of the emperor."

At that time, the imperial court will hold a grand banquet—the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations, the imperial banquet, and a procession on horseback through the streets, displaying the utmost glory!

Not to mention, those high-ranking officials and nobles who had heard the news had already prepared a "burning-tail banquet," just waiting for the newly appointed Jinshi to come to their door so as to establish a good relationship—even to have their daughters discuss marriage and become in-laws with the newly appointed Jinshi!
While some are riding high on success, others stumble and fall into despair.

Beneath the examination hall's list of successful candidates, amidst the clamor of the crowd, only one person stood quietly in a corner, his face deathly pale.

Huang Chao!

He stared intently at the list, his body swaying slightly, and suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Ha... My essay on 'Mingzhou' has failed again?! How dare the examiner look down on me like this!"

Of the fifty-eight essays submitted by Mingzhou in this spring imperial examination, he was the only one who was rejected due to his extreme writing style.

Three years of hard study!

Three years after three years!
This was the fourth time—he ultimately failed to pass the imperial examination.

His reputation was ruined, and the entire Great Zhou court could not tolerate him.

A successful candidate in the imperial examinations?

People call him "Master," but anyone with eyes can see that without the title of Jinshi (进士), a Juren (举人) is at most a county magistrate, a nobody!

Even a minor official like him has to spend money in the Ministry of Personnel, wait in long lines, and wait for an "official vacancy" that seems to have no end in sight!
If one fails the imperial examination, there is no hope of becoming a prefect or governor.

As for entering the central government of the Six Ministries—they can't even touch the threshold!

Entering the central government's Six Ministries, becoming a Hanlin Academician was the minimum requirement for holding an official position in any of them!
If he fails the imperial examination, he will only be a minor official in the government and will be ostracized by others.

"If they won't keep me here, there are plenty of other places that will!" Huang Chao suddenly flung his sleeves, turned around and left, "I'm not taking the exam anymore!"

"The world is vast, I'll go wherever I want!"

Jiang Xingzhou's gaze swept casually across the crowd, when he suddenly caught sight of Huang Chao's dejected figure as he walked away.

The figure staggered through the noisy crowd and quickly disappeared around the street corner.

His lips curled slightly, but there was no hint of a smile in his eyes.

At this moment, Huang Chao was nothing more than a madman burned by the pain of failing the exam, and anyone who tried to comfort him would only be asking for trouble.

Of course, he didn't intend to try to persuade him!

The powerful clans within the imperial court were deeply entrenched and extremely difficult to break!
A dynasty that stirs up a storm outside the court is far more useful than a dynasty that follows the rules within the court.

Jiang Xingzhou turned around and chatted with the newly appointed scholars beside him, agreeing to go together to the residence of his mentor, Minister of War Tang Xiujin, that evening.

As night deepened, the residence of the Minister of War was brightly lit, and the newly appointed tribute students filed in, their brocade robes gleaming in the candlelight.

"Disciple greets Master!"

Jiang Xingzhou bowed deeply with the others, his posture respectful yet subtle, revealing a sense of composure.

Tang Xiujin stood before the steps, smiling and raising his hand: "My esteemed friends, there's no need for such formalities. Please come inside and have a chat." His gaze swept over the crowd, finally lingering briefly on Jiang Xingzhou.

The students who passed the imperial examinations this year are all capable talents who will serve in the imperial court in the future.

If they are properly cultivated, after ten or so years, three to five of them may rise to the rank of vice ministers of the six ministries or above, and thirty to fifty may be appointed as prefects. This would be a testament to the court's merit in selecting officials.

Jiang Xingzhou, standing before us, is calm, reserved, and knows how to advance and retreat with composure. He is the most likely candidate to rise to a high position in the three provinces.

He was also his most valued student.

Upon entering the main hall of the Tang residence, a hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Xingzhou's eyes.

This three-courtyard mansion of the Minister of War, though grand in scale, exudes an air of austerity—the beech beams and pillars are not painted with vermilion, the blue brick floor is devoid of carpet, and even the official kiln teacups used for entertaining guests show signs of repair.

The daughters of the three or five wives and concubines were all dressed in plain silk blouses and skirts. More than twenty servants ran around among the three hundred tribute students and guests, their linen clothes soaked with sweat.

In the capital city of Luoyang, even a very wealthy family would likely have thirty to fifty maids and servants.

Not to mention, the mansions of powerful clans, nobles, and feudal lords often had hundreds of retainers and servants.

"With such integrity and frugality, Tang Gong is truly a pillar of the court."

Jiang Xingzhou bowed, his fingertips brushing against the tiny cracks on the table.

All the attendees, men of the same rank, held their breath, filled with admiration. The prepared flattery now seemed frivolous.

The position of Minister of the Six Ministries was so high that only a few dozen people in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty could compare to it.

Minister of War Tang Xiujin stroked his beard and smiled: "I am used to using old things, which makes you all laugh."

The candlelight illuminated his worn indigo official robe, but the gold fish-shaped pouch at his waist was polished to a gleaming shine.

In the extravagant city of Luoyang, this was truly a rare sight.

Minister of War Tang Xiujin gently stroked the teacup on the table, the peeling glaze reflecting the candlelight: "His Majesty bestowed many rewards, all of which were spent when I was the governor of the northern frontier. In such a harsh land, every soldier and every grain of food was extremely costly."

He paused slightly on the words "Northern Frontier" with his fingertip, "The north wind in the northern frontier is like a knife. Transporting one shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain requires three people to travel a long distance, which is very expensive."

There were also his loyal veterans who had followed him for many years, fighting against the barbarians and demons on the northern border, leaving them with a body full of wounds.

He often helped them out, and even though he had some money left, he had very little left.

Gu Zhimian suddenly clapped his hands: "Student understands! No wonder the Master dared to use 'suppressing the powerful and wealthy' as the policy objective!"

He looked around at everyone, his voice suddenly rising, "If my master also owns vast fertile lands, why would he sever his own foundation?"

The room fell silent.

Some scholars from aristocratic families lowered their heads in shame, staring at the celadon wine cups, where ripples trembled slightly.

When answering policy questions, one dares not refuse to answer.

They all avoided the main issue by invoking the old system established by the founding emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, writing about the outdated policies of the Great Zhou court in the past, and expressing their support for cracking down on powerful clans.

"Know yourself and strive for improvement!"

Tang Xiujin's laughter startled Liang Chen, causing him to fall lightly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Jiang Xingzhou—and saw only this talented scholar from Jiangnan calmly pouring wine, his expression serene.

I don’t know what I’m thinking.

"Enough! Let's not talk about these things at tonight's banquet!"

Minister of War Tang Xiujin waved his hand, "The palace examination is in a few days. Are you all ready?"

A restrained, bitter smile immediately rose from the crowd.

ready?

How to prepare?

Unlike the Minister of War, His Majesty the Emperor had at least the "Selected Works of Tang Gong" and the "Secret Examination Papers of Tang Gong" to study and openly try to guess the examiner's thoughts.

Now that we are facing the Emperor directly, which bookstore in Luoyang would dare to publish a book that "speculates on the Emperor's intentions"? Even past exam questions have disappeared without a trace.

They want to prepare, but they don't know how to get started!
Moreover, the emperor's mind is unpredictable, and the palace examination has always been unpredictable and leaves no trace.

The imperial examination was always a closely guarded secret.

Nobody knew how to begin.

Fortunately, the palace examination did not disqualify candidates; it only determined the ranking of the top three successful candidates, which would determine their order of selection for official positions by the Ministry of Personnel.

This is reassuring – as long as these three hundred tribute students don't act recklessly, they will naturally all become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

Liu Chun, a tribute student from Sichuan, suddenly rose from his seat and bowed deeply: "My esteemed teacher is one of the Nine Ministers and is well aware of the Emperor's mind. I dare to ask for your advice on how to prepare for the palace examination?"

Tang Xiujin's hand, which was stroking his beard, suddenly paused, and the shadow of his finger cast on the sandalwood table trembled slightly.

After a long silence, he let out a sigh: "Your Majesty's talent is extraordinary, beyond the reach of ordinary people!" He abruptly stopped at the end of his sentence, as if cut off by something invisible.

As everyone held their breath, the Minister of War subconsciously straightened his clothes before continuing: "All students, remember this: when His Majesty inquires of you, treat him as if he were a deity."

To know is to know, not to know is to know.
The article should be simple and unadorned, with genuine content.

His Majesty cannot tolerate any flaws.

Remember, don't try to be clever; cleverness can backfire!

When the current emperor was mentioned, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his eyes surged with undisguised awe and fear.

This emperor, who could tame the four regional princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty with ease and silence the entire court, was no ordinary man!

The blood-stained paperweight before the dragon's desk and the newly appointed commander of the Imperial Guards outside the Golden Palace both spoke of swift and decisive measures.

Although, from time to time, there are always a few grasshoppers who, out of touch with reality, insist on fluttering about amidst the dazzling lights and fireworks of the Lantern Festival—

Before they could even splash a drop of water, the Imperial Guards' iron boots had already crushed all the restless sounds.

On the snow outside the palace walls, only a few dark red marks remained, which were quickly covered by the new snow.

"Yes, I will follow my teacher's teachings!"

The scholars stood with their heads bowed, firmly remembering their teacher's advice.

They came to visit their mentor and attend the banquet held at his home for fellow students from the same year, precisely to seek the "secret" to passing the imperial examination.

Although the tutor did not say much, he did not give any specific instructions on how to answer the questions in the palace examination.

But these few words were like a wake-up call, hitting the nail on the head.

If it weren't for their mentor's guidance, they might still be fixated on the idea that the essays for the palace examination must be simple, unadorned, and substantial, and should not show off their cleverness.

If that's the case, when they face the emperor's questions during the palace examination, they will inevitably be anxious to compete for the top three positions, and write a magnificent essay full of ornate language and allusions!

That's truly terrible!
Not only did he come in last place in the palace examination, but he was also disliked and treated coldly by the emperor, and could not make any further progress in the Great Zhou court!
The Tang Clan's thank-you banquet for their teachers continued until the moon was already setting in the west.

"Teacher, I would like to offer you a toast!"

"Brother Jiang, when you rise to great heights in the future, don't forget to help me out!"

"Brothers, today we are classmates, and in the future, when we are in the court, I hope we can look after each other!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled.

He will later enter the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, and it will be impossible for him to do everything personally.

One must have a group of trusted and reliable people around one's subordinates, with people in various departments of the government and even in local areas.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the scholars took turns toasting their master, exchanging drinks with each other until they were tipsy and unsteady on their feet, before finally bidding farewell in twos and threes.

Today I have passed the imperial examination and become a tribute student; this is a time of great joy and pride.

Some people were talking loudly, while others were drunk and smug. They went home in small groups under the moonlight.

When Jiang Xingzhou returned to the nearby Duke Xue's mansion, it was already late at night. He then bid farewell to everyone.

"Brother Jiang, farewell!"

Gu Zhimian and the others, slightly drunk, headed towards Zhuangyuanlou together, their laughter echoing through the quiet streets and gradually fading into the night.

(End of this chapter)