You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 312 Failing the exam means execution!

The imperial examination proceeded as scheduled.

The location was changed to the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, and it was presided over by Huang Zongxi, the Minister of Rites.

More than 4100 successful candidates entered the Meridian Gate with excitement and trepidation. The glory was beyond words.

Zhou Peigong was stunned by a major question as soon as he opened the exam paper.

"To govern a country, one must first..."

Fill in the content freely, and then freely write a policy essay of no less than 1000 words.

In an instant, he realized that this question was the most important one in the imperial examination. If he did not answer it well, the consequences would be severe; failing the exam would mean execution.

He pondered for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote: "To govern a country, one must first govern its officials."

He could have been more conservative, but he chose the most radical of all the conservative answers.

In the southeast corner of the square~
Yao Qisheng picked up his pen and wrote: "To govern a country, one must first govern its rivers."

This is a rather moderate answer: managing the Yellow River is absolutely politically correct! No matter what kind of official the prime minister is, one cannot hold him accountable.

After careful consideration, he decided to take the exam first and then visit the person in person, respecting the procedures and the law, creating a perfect persona, and improving his survival rate in the 10 years after entering officialdom.

Jiang Qingyun stood with his back to the window of the small building of the Imperial Medical Academy, looking at the crowd in the square who were engrossed in answering questions from the side.

"Chief assistant?"

"Ah."

He left the window and sat down, where his good nephew Wu Guo took his pulse.

Wu Guo's eyes were clear, and his expression was confident and slightly arrogant, just like Jiang Qingyun before he was beaten down by society.

"How about it?"

"You are in relatively good health. Your vital energy has recovered somewhat, but you still need to be careful. It is best for you to stay away from military campaigns, especially long marches that last for several days in a row. Prolonged horseback riding will damage your vital energy, and if this continues, it will eventually dry up."

Wu Guo spoke very seriously and earnestly.

Jiang Qingyun nodded solemnly, knowing that Wu Guo was telling the truth.

Before his time travel, a good friend of his went to the urology department. The doctor's first question was, "Young man, do you ride a motorcycle?" "Young man, do you ride a bicycle?"

Cycling is the number one killer of men's health.

Ride a bike less, drive a car more.

Those who ride bicycles are unlikely to have many children.

Driving a car ensures a long line of offspring.

Before us, let this serve as a warning!
You! Must! Believe!
……

"Wu Guo, what is your wish? Whatever it is, just say it."

"I want to compile a medical book."

"Great! Compiling medical books is a wonderful thing that benefits the country and its people. What do you need?"

"Funding and manpower."

"You submit the report, and I'll approve it. I'll fully support you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Chief Minister."

"Wu Guo, you are a good doctor. You will definitely surpass your father."

Jiang Qingyun patted Wu Guo on the shoulder, smiled, got up and left the Imperial Hospital. He first inspected the inner city, and then summoned the missionary Ferdinand Verbiest.

At the beginning of the year~
When the Dutch missionary Ferdinand Verbiest arrived in Guangzhou by ship, Prince Pingnan Shang Kexi did not make things difficult for him and even provided him with some travel expenses.

Afterwards, Ferdinand Verbiest traveled through Jiangxi, the Yangtze River, and the Grand Canal, finally arriving in Beijing, but instead of receiving a courteous welcome, he was placed under house arrest.

Qin Tianjian.

With great excitement, Ferdinand Verbiest entered an office and called out in broken but understandable Chinese: "Netherlandish missionary Ferdinand Verbiest pays his respects to the esteemed Grand Secretary of the Great Qing Empire."

Three prostrations and nine bows.

Meticulous.

"sit."

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

“This room used to be Johann Adam Schall von Bell’s office. For some reason, I ordered him to be killed.”

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, it's all in the past."

Do you think Johann Adam Schall von Bell died unjustly?

"It does not matter."

"Ok?"

"Missionary work is an extremely dangerous job. When leaving the Jesuits, everyone was prepared to die at any moment. I think Johann Adam Schall von Bell must have died peacefully."

"Ah."

Jiang Qingyun nodded. He remembered that scene clearly; Tang Ruowang and Li Qiubai were indeed very calm before they died.

Nan Huairen said solemnly: "He died for the cause he loved and left his name behind. He was a successful missionary. He will go to heaven. He is happy."

puff~
Zhou Cang, standing behind him, couldn't help but laugh, then quickly fell silent. ...

"What is your purpose here?"

"I will dedicate my life to serving the Grand Secretary and, incidentally, spreading the gospel of God."

What are you good at?

"Mathematics, architecture, cannon casting, landscaping, astronomy, philosophy—if these subjects are not enough to satisfy your needs, I will strive to delve into any subject that interests you."

"Have you witnessed the Southern War?"

"Yes, I was almost killed by a group of rebel soldiers while I was on a boat on the Gan River."

"So, God saved you from surviving?"

"No, I produced the letter from the Prince of Pingnan, and only then did the soldiers let me go, but they stole the gold, silver, and clock I was carrying. I'm sorry, I had to come empty-handed."

"Do you know how to forge cannons?"

"I swear to God, I will forge the best lightweight field artillery for you. Besides artillery, I can also design exquisite buildings, transparent glass, and fine oil paintings for you. As long as you allow me to preach, I am willing to do anything."

Jiang Qingyun stood up and looked at this "missionary who claimed to be willing to do anything".

"Then offer your loyalty."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Soldiers then took Ferdinand Verbiest to a cannon-casting workshop outside the city, ordering him to atone for his crimes through meritorious service.

……

The results of the imperial examination came out quickly.

There are only two possible outcomes: one person will be among the top three, and the other will fail to make the cut.

The day the results were announced.

There was complete silence outside the Meridian Gate.

More than 4000 scholars eagerly awaited Huang Zongxi's arrival at the Meridian Gate amidst excited chatter.

"The list of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination) includes 800 people in the top tier."

"There are 1200 people in the second tier."

"The top three have a total of 1000 people."

After reading out a long list.

"All newly appointed scholars, please step forward and stand on the left."

A commotion broke out at the scene, and Huang Zongxi stood solemnly with his hands behind his back.

Today's task was one he volunteered for. It should be noted that the rarest quality among adults is trust. Since Xiao Jiang has put him in such a crucial position, he must offer a weighty pledge of loyalty.

First, get your hands covered in the enemy's blood.

……

1100 students who failed the exam stood alone on the right, looking somewhat disappointed.

But thinking about it, it doesn't matter. Even if you're a scholar who passed the imperial examination, you'll still be very prestigious back in your hometown. Not passing the imperial examination doesn't mean there's no hope in life.

Someone jokingly comforted their companion:

"It's nothing, just failing the exam. There's no article in the Qing Dynasty law that says a failed candidate should be beheaded."

next second~
Thousands of Manchu soldiers slowly surrounded them from both sides, drawing their swords and spears, forming skirmish lines, like a fishing net that caught all the failed candidates.

Everyone panicked instantly.

Huang Zongxi shouted:
"Arrest all the students who failed the exam and escort them to the Imperial Academy."

……

The Imperial College was bustling with people.

The Eight Banners soldiers surrounded them completely. They didn't care about the God of Literature; they only obeyed the orders of one man.

"The successful candidates are on the left, and the unsuccessful candidates are on the right."

"Sit down, everyone!"

The Eight Banners soldiers drew their steel swords in unison, and the crowd was so frightened that their legs went weak, and they obediently filled the open space in the courtyard of the Imperial College.

Huang Zongxi:
"Please beseech the Great Sage and Teacher!"

Obviously, the only thing that could be invited to the scene was a wooden statue, not Confucius himself.

"Please, Second Saint."

So, a statue of Mencius was also moved here.

"Please, wise men."

Another group of smaller statues arrived, including Yan Hui, Lao Tzu, Zhuangzi, Mozi, Zhu Xi, and others.

"Please provide the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Please refer to the Thirteen Classics."

Looking at the statues of all sizes and the Confucian classics lined up on the table, Yao Qisheng exclaimed inwardly, "God, I finally see what kind of person he is!"
(End of this chapter)