Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 152 The top scholar has been chosen, but who is the second-place scholar?
late.

Prince Jin realized that now that the exams were over and Song Shi'an was a shoo-in for the top scholar, going there now would inevitably seem like a deliberate attempt to curry favor.

There's no problem with offering words of encouragement before the exam.

At the time, what he cared about was that those behind him would waver and feel that they were 'pro-Song'.

But now it seems that one's stance sometimes really doesn't determine everything.

Even if these high-ranking scholars all intended to feed the 'top scholar' to Sun Qian, weren't they completely convinced by the actual examination process?
Moreover, the Prince of Jin was slow to realize this.

When he went to Dali Temple to offer condolences, he could have openly claimed that the emperor had sent him.

There's no way around it; one wrong step leads to another.

If you go astray on a path, you can correct it.

But if you go the wrong way, any adjustments are meaningless except for turning back.

Because no matter whether they turn around or go in a big circle, they cannot catch up with the King of Wu, who chose the right path from the very beginning.

"The Wealth of Nations is groundbreaking, feasible, and excellent in terms of depth," commented Zhang Zhao, the chief examiner for the policy essay. "To surpass it, one must propose even more sophisticated measures."

“Yes, and these standards must be tailored to the realities of Dayu, but they cannot be too ordinary.” Someone else said, “At the very least, they cannot be simply previous measures in a different guise.”

Are there any new measures for governing a country?
So many things in the past and present are just a joke.

That basically covers everything.

Therefore, micro-innovations that align with the times are a national policy.

"That's fine, let's put it in first place for now," Gu Yixin said.

The ranking methods differ between policy essays and other approaches.

On a shelf resembling a bookshelf, the sections are arranged in order, with wooden plaques bearing names attached. The first item is designated as "first," and any subsequent items that surpass it take its place, and so on.

To compete in a ring.

This method is quite fair.

"Then, let's move on to the second one."

Continuing, let's start ranking.

"Let Master Gu do it," said the Prince of Jin humbly.

“Then I will obey,” Gu Yixin said after making his choice. “Let’s choose this Tax Reduction Law.”

The scholar began to read aloud.

As everyone listened, they all thought it was very good.

After all, it's a top-tier product.

“This is a very novel perspective,” Sun Kang commented. “Tax reduction is not about reducing taxes, but about simplifying them, separating people’s household registration from their taxes, and allowing them to offset taxes by increasing corvée labor.”

It's somewhat similar to the "Tian Ding Ru Mu" system.

But it hasn't reached that point yet.

The goal is to free up labor.

There are many reasons why people are living in misery, but one of the most important is that taxes are too complicated.

The burden of poll tax, land tax, and corvée labor on the people led to a decline in their enthusiasm and productivity for production, and even extreme cases of people turning to banditry to evade the heavy taxes.

In ancient times, we shouldn't think too badly of bandits.

Don't say that other ordinary people are being oppressed, so why can't they tolerate it and insist on becoming social destabilizers?

If the political system is clean and the people have some human rights, no one would want to become a bandit.

“Yes, this method is really good.” Zhang Zhao rarely affirmed Sun Kang, and continued his words, “This can also be considered a way to clarify the population. If the court collects taxes according to the number of people, some county officials will be afraid of taking responsibility and will deliberately underreport the population.”

"If the poll tax is abolished, then there is no point in underreporting the population."

That's right. Besides aristocratic families, some local governments also hide their populations.

But it wasn't that I wanted to steal it for my own use; it was simply because I couldn't meet the KPIs I was supposed to meet, and I was afraid.

If there is no need for it, then why does he hide people?

If we can clarify some of the population information, it will be of great help to the imperial court in increasing troops, immigration, and development.

"Indeed, this is also a kind of open source. The burden on the people is not so heavy, the number of people is more accurate, and the tax revenue will inevitably increase gradually."

This is a fairly positive innovation.

If it weren't for the masterpiece "The Wealth of Nations" preceding him, he could have truly won first place in the policy essay category.

After discussion, everyone felt that he should be ranked second, below Song Shi'an.

Continuing to grade the papers, three more papers appeared below the two previous ones, although the order of the papers was being adjusted.

Finally, we reached the seventh portion.

A New Compilation of Discourses on Salt and Iron

As they read on, everyone realized that this was the top scholar they had imagined, Sun Qian.

Unfortunately, his article is far from outstanding in the current top-tier category.

Only average level.

However, an average level is feasible.

"The salt and iron monopoly is the main source of tax revenue for our Great Yu. The reason why Zhang County was able to collect so much tax before was not only because of the influence of Minister Sun, but also because of the methods used," Gu Yixin said.

Since the eldest brother had made the matter of "saving face for Sun Situ" clear, no one else bothered to hide it anymore.

The prerequisite for free speech is that the bottom line is very low.

Very low sensitivity.

“This one is the most relevant and direct,” Zhang Kang echoed. “By cutting out some intermediate steps, they can collect more money. This student certainly knows how to be an official.”

Zhang Kang explained it very clearly: This is anti-corruption.

But we can't just say directly that there's corruption in Dayu.

"The methods are all novel and highly feasible."

"Yes, it's deep enough."

"In these chapters, his writing skills are also stronger, even though policy essays are not primarily based on writing."

As everyone praised it, the Prince of Jin couldn't help but realize that this piece might have been written by Sun Qian.
Because it clearly carries a biased connotation.

"How about the third one?" Zhang Zhao asked. "The second one is fine too, they're all taxes, and this one directly addresses finance and taxation, which fits the topic better."

"That makes sense. This is the most insightful and innovative piece among all the discussions on salt and iron taxes."

Everyone is focused on getting the tax cut law implemented, and that's why there's been this trend in the conversation.

Until Gu Yixin said, "Let's go for third place."

In fact, Gu Yixin felt that even getting fifth place was a stretch.

He had no choice but to reluctantly move up to third place.

"Yes, Master Gu is absolutely right."

Everyone nodded in approval.

But now, Sun Qian not only lost the title of top scholar.

He finished second in both subjects, thus losing his chance to be considered one of the two best students alongside Song Shi'an.

But there's no way around it; we can't make it too obvious.

Faced with this outcome, all the Grand Secretaries, as well as the Prince of Jin, couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Times create heroes."

But this hero is Sun Qian.

Because of political needs, he was forced to become an opponent comparable to Song Shi'an.

Anyone with a brain knows that it's completely incomparable.

The difference between an ordinary person and Sun Qian is the difference between Sun Qian and Song Shi'an.

The next two articles were also ranked below Sun Qian.

From this point on, the rankings were essentially finalized.

Whether or not someone is named doesn't matter anymore.

.........

Before the final list was presented, Chen Bao had the other eunuchs report to him before going to convey the message to the emperor.

"Your Majesty," Chen Bao said earnestly, "Song Shi'an achieved the highest rank in both the imperial examinations."

The emperor had already guessed this outcome without him having to say it.

Even when the questions were deliberately designed to target his lack of literary talent, it did not prevent him from winning first place in the poetry and prose category.

Who can stop Song Shi'an now?

"Where is Sun Qian?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, my poetry ranked second, and my policy essay ranked third... but my third place in the policy essay was a bit of a stretch. According to that Grand Secretary, my ranking should be around sixth."

"One second and one sixth, can they be the runner-up?" the emperor asked.

“He should be the third-ranked scholar,” Chen Bao said. “Ge Zhao, a scholar from Huaizhou, ranked fourth in prose and second in policy essays.”

"So that means even without Song Shi'an, Sun Qian still wouldn't have gotten the top scholar title?"

“If not, it’s hard to say…” Chen Bao said. “Without him, Sun Qian would be number one in poetry. If poetry is the most important factor, and considering his status, he could still be the top scholar.”

"What I mean is talent without any prerequisites."

"Your Majesty, he is not as good as Ge Zhao."

“That third-place scholar is excellent enough,” the emperor suddenly said.

Chen Bao paused for a moment, then slowly raised his head.

Then, the emperor said, "Adjust Sun Qian's essay to fourth place, and then, on the grounds that the essay subject is more important, give the second place to Ge Zhao."

Sun Qian's original ranking was 2nd and 3rd, but now it's 2nd and 4th.

Ge Zhao's answer is 4, 2.

The two people then have room for comparison.

Furthermore, by citing the higher weight given to policy discussions, Sun Qian was conveniently suppressed.

The emperor is deliberately trying to annoy Minister Sun.

Originally, it was a competition between two people to become the top scholar. If Song Shi'an lost, then he would have to give up his dignity.

But now, Sun Qian was never going to be the top scorer anyway, so is there a big difference between the second and third place?

It meant nothing to Sun Qian.

But for the people of the world, there will be no more of this meaningless forced pairing of two heroes.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After receiving the order, Chen Bao added: "After the names were revealed, it was discovered that Wang Shuishan's essay was ranked in the lower half of the second tier. The scholars understood that this was someone personally selected by His Majesty, so the ranking was revised to the fortieth tier of the first tier."

"Is Wangshui Mountain really no good?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty," Chen Bao replied, "according to that Grand Secretary, Wang Shuishan's policy essay was worth forty in the first rank, but it contained a lot of talk about census. And since the examiner was Grand Secretary Zhang Zhao, it was judged lower."

Upon hearing this, the emperor couldn't help but sigh: "Back then, he rose from humble beginnings, and I personally selected him as the top scholar in the imperial examination. I never imagined he would end up like this."

"That's enough, that's enough."

The emperor no longer wanted to discuss this issue.

"Your Majesty, once the rankings are finalized, will Your Majesty personally select a few papers to review?"

Chen Bao asked cautiously.

"No need." The emperor had already accepted the fact that Song Shi'an was a traitor who appeared in the dream. "I only ask that my son be better at using people than I am."

.........

Wang Chen was extremely anxious at the Dali Temple because the results of the imperial examinations would be announced tomorrow, and all the successful candidates had probably already been selected, while Song Shi'an was still in prison!

Are you suggesting that the title of Jinshi be bestowed while the person is in prison?

Come soon!

"Sir! An urgent message has arrived in the city!"

Just then, one of his subordinates reported this.

Wang Chen quickly stood up, picked up a stack of case files, and handed them to the Dali Zheng beside him: "Just stuff Zhu Qin's confession into these files and send them to the palace now. Try to get the Song father and son out before the results are announced!"

(End of this chapter)