Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 8: End of Scientific Expedition

The Imperial College Office.

"Although policy proposals are just that—proposals—they must be practical and feasible to be implemented in order to be considered superior."

Regarding the tone of the grading of policy essays, after someone said something like this, the rest of the people basically nodded in agreement.

“Even if the article is good, it’s just empty talk if it can’t be implemented or is difficult to implement,” one person added with a slightly assertive tone.

"Whether it is possible or not is not something we can decide."

At this moment, Gu Yixin reminded him, "When the Second Prince is in charge of the imperial examinations, all outstanding articles should be discussed and debated with him."

The chief scholar constantly reminded the meeting to stay on track.

In name, the imperial examinations were for the emperor's benefit.

“The Prince of Jin is humble and studious, and Gu Shi is his teacher.” Upon hearing this, someone said, “Since the task of grading the imperial examinations has been entrusted to us, we cannot be without our own opinions. We must fulfill our duties and recruit truly talented individuals for the emperor.”

"Yes, yes, Master Gu is indeed more talkative."

Then someone chimed in, "Since we eat the king's food, we should relieve his worries. How can those empty, contradictory, and utterly useless articles be worthy of the king's attention?"

This policy essay is generally known to everyone, because its tone is quite sensitive and often leads to extreme opinions.

The proctors were all from prominent families, while the candidates came from all walks of life.

It is impossible to control everyone's words and thoughts.

Moreover, some people, even those from prominent families, may still offer insightful and thought-provoking arguments in order to enhance the depth and intellectual content of their writing.

Among the seven, a trend gradually emerged regarding the tone.

Gu Yixin sensed that a certain consensus was about to form, driven by collective discourse.

At this moment, Zhang Zhao, who came from the lowest social class, suddenly spoke up: "But since it is a policy essay, those who avoid the important and focus on the trivial, those who avoid the real and focus on the superficial, and those who curry favor with the powerful should not be praised."

After these words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment.

The atmosphere was subtly off.

His words were so simple and straightforward that there should be no controversy; they were nothing more than empty talk.

However, if someone really thinks that way...

Then this statement is no longer nonsense.

This is a slap in the face to some people.

Those who insist that unrealistic policies are unacceptable are the ones who obstruct policy implementation.

"Master Gu, please enlighten me."

No one spoke, so Zhang Zhaosui looked at Gu Yixin.

Gu Yixin examined the pottery pot in his hand, slowly raised his head, and decided: "Those who do not have outstanding writing skills and whose policy essays avoid the important issues should not be admitted to the examinations."

One sentence shattered the dreams of countless candidates to become successful scholars.

Somber and solemn.

Given the state of the nation, how can one not think of serving the country at this critical juncture, and instead act as a traitor to oneself? How selfish!

If someone who's not even willing to admit how beautiful he is were to become an official, what would happen?

That set the tone.

Everyone nodded, without objection.

But some people were clearly dissatisfied, giving Zhang Zhao a disdainful look and showing their displeasure.

.........

We cannot avoid the important issues and focus on the trivial ones.

Avoiding the important issues and focusing on the trivial ones is the solution.

As Song Shi'an pondered this, he became increasingly convinced of it.

why?
Look at the question.

Our dynasty has had no major wars for several years, yet the national treasury is empty of grain.

'actually'.

In a normal question, if it were free of subjective emotion, would the word "竟" be used?

It would say that our dynasty has had no major wars for several years, yet the national treasury has no surplus grain.

Right.

The use of this word indicates anger.

His Majesty the Emperor is unhappy.

Since we've come this far, what are you still saying? If the national treasury is empty, then everyone should eat less. Or, the number of people eating grain should decrease.

If you're short on money, just spend less?
If you're broke, you should make money.

So the core of this question is: if there's no food, we should produce more food!
Damn it, this is ancient times after all; even taking an exam feels like being in Shatou.

I understand now, I understand completely.

Having studied extensively throughout history and drawn upon the strengths of various schools of thought, Song Shi'an, faced with the predicament of Dayu, picked up his pen and began to work.

The Strategy of Military Colonization.

The key to governing a country lies in having a strong army and sufficient food.

Agriculture is the foundation of a nation.

...After finishing this policy essay, Song Ce gripped his pen, feeling extremely uneasy.

After trying to figure out what the examiner was thinking, he realized that he was constrained at every turn.

Even expressing oneself has become difficult.

Several of the Grand Secretaries of the Imperial Academy were tutors to the princes, holding high positions and wielding great power. As scholars, they were all well-known to everyone.

Song Ce had met several of them, and he heard that the chief Grand Secretary Gu Yixin had even held him when he was a child...

What are they thinking?
But can a country be governed well if everything is done according to their wishes?

With two sharp, resounding chimes, accompanied by the tolling of the examination hall bells, the examination came to an end.

Officials from the capital came down to collect the papers.

After collecting the exam papers, the candidates got up and left.

Suddenly, as one of the examinees stood up, he stumbled, fell to the ground, and fainted.

"Send him to the clinic."

The chief examiner remained calm and directly instructed the officials and guards to carry the man out of the examination hall.

This is so normal.

Many people faint during every exam.

This is the most important national civil service exam, a turning point that can change one's life. Those who have no background, no other way out, and have taken the exam many times are under particularly heavy psychological pressure.

Apart from a very few who fainted, many of the other students were also shaking and were quite nervous.

Song Ce, however, is in a different state.

His steps were light, and his thoughts were still somewhat wandering.

"I've met Mr. Song."

"I hope you are well, Young Master Song."

"Mr. Song."

As he walked out of the examination hall, people greeted him with bows and salutations.

But he acted as if he hadn't heard and continued walking.

"Jingming."

It wasn't until Song Shi'an, holding a pancake in his hand and eating it with an air of gentlemanly elegance right there on the street, spoke that he was brought back to reality.

Song Shi'an broke the cake in half and handed it to him.

"No need," Song Ce refused.

"I forgot, you have a home to go back to." Song Shi'an put the phone back.

You boy.

Although Song Ce wasn't angry, he felt that if his parents heard him address Song Shi'an like that, they might beat him to death.

"Your literary talent is outstanding. Even if we only consider that one subject, you could easily pass the imperial examination. I'm so envious," Song Shi'an said casually.

"..."

After being told this, Song Ce's uneasy heart calmed down a bit.

True.

Even if I don't perform well in the policy essay, I can still pass the imperial examination based on my poetry alone.

Song Shi'an realized that his younger brother probably hadn't performed well.

That's perfectly normal, really.

My younger brother's talent is indeed at the level of a sub-professional, no less than that of our father, Song Jing.

But he's only fifteen. It's fine for a fifteen-year-old boy to indulge in romantic musings, but it's really too difficult for him to understand 'national affairs'.

If he could understand the political situation at court at the age of fifteen, that would be extraordinary.

After all, not everyone is Itachi Uchiha, possessing the mindset of a Hokage at such a young age.

"I'm leaving."

After calming down his younger brother, whose mindset had been shaken by the exam, Song Shi'an said goodbye and prepared to leave.

"Aren't you going back to the manor?" Song Ce asked.

He overheard Song Shi'an telling his servants that he had made an appointment with the son of the Northern Commandant.

Honestly, that's very bold.

After what happened, he still hangs out with that group of people. Doesn't he have any remorse at all?
"Going back to which residence?"

In response, Song Shi'an laughed heartily and said, "I broke through the main gate this morning. If I dared to go back today, I would have been beaten to death."

Song Ce: "..."

After a long silence, he finally understood what was going on with this person.

He's not being unreasonable.

On the contrary, he knows everything.

But he was determined to do it.

Is this... an addiction to getting beaten up?
(End of this chapter)