Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 17 First Place in Both Subjects
Imperial Academy, Hall of Mirrors.

By the morning of the third day, almost all the exam papers had been graded, and the rankings were nearly complete.

However, because some specific rankings have not yet been determined, the information is currently completely sealed and the real names have not been confirmed.

In the category of poetry and prose, "Exhortation to Learning" was collectively passed as the first-class subject.

Although there are some controversies regarding the second to last places in Category A, they can still be determined by voting.

The key to the problem lies in policy analysis.

The discussion among the top three was the most intense, and the votes were almost evenly matched.

They are:
"Tax Ladder Law"

A tiered tax system was implemented, while heavy taxes were levied on merchants.

The more land one owns, the more taxes one can collect.

That was a very vicious strike.

However, because this piece was so well-written, these scholars could not ignore it under the supervision of the Prince of Jin.

However, everyone knew that even if the imperial court were to implement this law, it wouldn't necessarily cripple the powerful families.

why?
The reason is simple—you never know how much land some people own.

Does that mean this article is meaningless?
Not really.

Because the new policy will definitely be implemented with the most severe measures at the beginning.

With this policy in place, the amount of land tax collected in the coming years will certainly be substantial.

Regardless of what happens next, the immediate crisis can be resolved.

Article 2:
Ode to the Great River

This article is written in very beautiful language; the policy discussion is written like a rhapsody.

But it is not entirely flashy and impractical.

The article's core argument is to raise funds and grain to control the floods of the great river, build thousands of miles of canals, and transform the flood-prone areas into tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land.

What sets this article apart from others is that it proposes "open source" instead of "cost-cutting" when others are trying to solve the problem.

If there's no grain, then develop fertile land.

The costs are covered by fundraising.

The recipients of the donations were, of course, prominent and wealthy families.

In fact, fundraising is a very common activity.

In ancient times, emperors would usually launch fundraising campaigns when they were short of money for anything.

They even set up a merit plaque, engraving the names of the donors and the amount of their donations on it.

If certain high-ranking officials donate a lot, they might even be given an honorary title like one of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers before retirement, allowing them to retire with honor.

Tax tiers are a way of collecting money, and so are donations.

The difference is that the donations are for infrastructure development, which is a long-term investment with long-term returns.

Both the levy of taxes and the repair of dikes require the involvement of powerful families. One approach yields immediate results, while the other is a gradual and deliberate one.

Although it's a bit harsh, the country is in such a state, and if the powerful families don't make any more sacrifices, the emperor will be furious.

The last one,
It is the "Tuntian Strategy".

This is also the most controversial one.

Of course, the controversy should not be superficially understood as a debate over whether this article is good or bad.

All seven Grand Secretaries agreed that this was a good article.

The key is, to what position to elevate him.

The political considerations are right here.

"These three essays are all excellent in terms of both depth of thought and originality," said Zhang Zhaoye, the chief examiner of the policy essay section, with some uncertainty. "It's really hard to say who will be first, second, or third."

“But the ‘Ode to the Great River’ is the best in terms of literary style,” Sun Kang said.

"What's the point of judging policy essays by their literary style?" Zhang Zhao retorted.

“Their skill levels are about the same, so what else can we compare if not literary talent?” Sun Kang retorted.

“But policy theory emphasizes practicality, so it is naturally the most pragmatic and the best approach,” Zhang Zhao said.

"The writing in 'Ode to the Great River' is indeed the best, but what is most commendable is that the proposed solutions are not frivolous, but completely feasible." As the chief examiner of fu (a type of classical Chinese prose), Sun Kang naturally favored well-written works.

"Then may I ask," Zhang Zhaodao said, "that the river control efforts may fail?"

"...This is an essay for the imperial examination, not a memorial to the emperor. It's not like you're going to govern the country with an exam paper, so why be so harsh!" Sun Kang was a little angry.

But what he said is absolutely right. There's no reason to govern a country with policy essays.

Exams test a person's depth of thought and adaptability.

It can be said that none of the articles from the scientific expeditions could be directly adopted as government decrees.

Issuing a government decree requires discussion, experimentation, and promotion; there are far too many things to consider.

Taking a student's policy essay as a set of golden rules is far too frivolous.

While the two were arguing, Gu Yixin slowly turned to the side and looked at the Prince of Jin sitting next to him: "We believe that all three articles are very good. Please decide the top three, Your Highness."

"..." Upon being asked this question, the Prince of Jin immediately became nervous. "I would still like to ask Master Gu to make the decision."

How can you expect me to do something like this?
You are the most professional scholars.

“His Majesty has entrusted His Highness with overseeing the imperial examinations. When we are unsure of what to do, it is naturally His Highness who will make the decision,” Gu Yixin said.

"Is that so?"

The Prince of Jin looked at the other Grand Secretaries and asked uncertainly.

So everyone responded in unison, "Your Highness, yes."

After realizing that it was indeed his responsibility, the Prince of Jin began to re-examine the three articles.

His brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

I am indeed capable of making a decision and ranking first, second, and third place.

But this policy essay score is the same as the imperial examination score. If Father Emperor is not satisfied with the candidate for the top scholar in Sizhou, wouldn't it all be my fault?
The more he thought about it, the more pressure he felt.

Finally, he decided, "I must seek His Majesty's opinion."

"It's entirely up to Your Highness to decide," Gu Yixin said.

So the Prince of Jin got up and took the three test papers.

The seven Grand Secretaries rose to their feet, clasped their hands together, and bowed slowly to the departing Prince Jin.

After he left, the seven people returned to their positions.

“The Ode to the Yellow River should have been written by Sun Situ’s son,” someone said.

Upon hearing this, Sun Kang hurriedly said, "I am only judging based on the quality of the writing, and it has nothing to do with who wrote it. Besides, although my surname is Sun, I am not from the Sun family of Yangzhou!"

Just as he was getting so anxious he was almost blushing, Gu Yixin turned his head away and reminded him in a low voice, "Nobody said that."

Sun Kang pursed his lips and remained silent.

“The ‘Tuntian Strategy’ and the ‘Exhortation to Learning’ were written by the same person,” Zhang Zhaodao said.

All seven agreed with this.

The handwriting is the same.

In fact, they knew it all along.

The second-ranked author of the rhapsody is Sun Qian, the son of one of the Three Dukes and author of "Ode to the Great River".

In fact, according to social norms, it wouldn't be a problem to award him the title of Jieyuan directly.

But this year's situation is a little different.

"If the candidate who takes the 'Land Reclamation Strategy' comes in first place, then that top scholar is..."

"First place in both categories."

.........

Prince Jin rushed to Xuanyu Palace with three sets of examination papers.

This is not the place for holding court; it is the emperor's bedroom.

His Majesty usually rests and does some light work here.

"See Father."

When the Prince of Jin saw the emperor reviewing memorials at his desk, he slowly knelt down and bowed.

The emperor glanced at him, stopped what he was doing, and then looked at Eunuch Chen.

Then, Eunuch Chen moved a round stool to the side of Prince Jin and said with a smile, "Prince Jin, please sit down."

After Prince Jin sat down, he presented the examination papers to Eunuch Chen and explained, "These are the three policy essays that the Grand Secretaries have discussed and selected as the top three, but there is a dispute about how to rank them. So I have brought them here for Your Majesty to decide."

The emperor did not look at him, but took the three articles into his hands and began to read them without saying a word.

After reading all three papers, he put down the exam paper, looked at Prince Jin, the prince with an honest smile, and asked without any emotion, "What does Your Highness Prince Jin think?"

The Prince of Jin could no longer laugh.

(End of this chapter)