Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 91 No need for either the provincial or palace examinations (Part 1)

A new year begins, and everything is renewed.

On the sixteenth day of the first month of the first year of Chongzhen's reign, around 7 a.m., while it was still freezing cold outside and the people of the capital were still immersed in the festive atmosphere of the New Year, Zhu Jue arrived on time at the main hall of the Yuxi Palace, which he had not visited in a long time.

Unless something truly extraordinary happens during the holidays, no one usually submits memorials to the emperor.

He hadn't reviewed the memorial for over half a month.

Looking at the memorials, which were noticeably thicker than usual, he said with great enthusiasm, "Everyone, let's work harder and try to finish reviewing these memorials within an hour."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruoyu and Wang Chengen immediately took their positions, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Jue stopped after glancing at the first memorial.

Minister of Rites He Ruchong submitted a memorial requesting the appointment of the chief examiner and co-examiners for the upcoming imperial examination of the Wuchen year.

The cabinet drafted a proposal, recommending that Grand Secretary Wen Tiren be the chief examiner and Grand Secretary Zhou Yanru be the co-examiner.

Could he really allow these two treacherous officials to preside over the imperial examination?

The cabinet's proposed vote also has a hidden meaning: the Donglin Party and the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party are joining forces to deal with him!
His cronies from the outer court came to disgust him right at the start of the year.

However, this didn't disgust him, because the imperial examinations were conducted by the reigning emperor, not by officials of the outer court. The chief examiner and co-examiner for the metropolitan examination were decided by him, the emperor. He could even choose two newly appointed scholars from three years ago to be the chief examiner and co-examiner.

Of course, he wouldn't be so casual.

The chief examiner and co-examiners of this imperial examination are very useful. All candidates who pass the examination must regard them as their mentors. Moreover, respecting teachers is highly valued in this era. Deceiving one's teacher and betraying one's ancestors will be despised by everyone.

In other words, serving as the chief examiner and co-examiner in the metropolitan examination was a good opportunity to train subordinate officials. Generally, the emperor would arrange for his important ministers to serve as the chief examiner and co-examiner in the metropolitan examination.

He wanted to give important positions to officials in the inner court, so he naturally reserved this opportunity for them.

The question is, who should preside over the imperial examination?

The brothers Song Yingxing and Song Yingsheng are out of the running, as they only hold the title of Juren (举人) and are not qualified to preside over the metropolitan examination.

The remaining ones are the Bi brothers, Bi Maokang and Bi Maoliang, and Xu Guangqi and Wang Zheng.

Bi Maokang didn't need to worry about it either, as he was busy developing artillery; Bi Maoliang also seemed to be a bit tied up, as the Ministry of Commerce of the Inner Court didn't have much to do at the moment, but the goods and accounts had to be kept under close watch every day to prevent anyone from embezzling public funds.

It seems that we can only send Xu Guangqi and Wang Zheng.

Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then decisively said, "Summon Xu Guangqi and Wang Zheng to come and pay their respects."

Xu Guangqi and Wang Zheng were busy in the greenhouse and dock south of Wanshou Palace; they arrived quite quickly.

A moment later, the two men strode in, cupped their hands, and bowed, saying, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then asked, "Zixian, have you been busy lately?"

How do you say this?

His Majesty's tone suggests he has something for me to do.

Xu Guangqi thought for a moment before carefully saying, "Your Majesty, it is not yet spring. I only need to keep an eye on the sweet potato and potato seedlings in the two greenhouses and fertilize them. It's not too busy yet."

Yes, you really can't get anything done before spring arrives; it's impossible to grow crops in the freezing cold outside.

Just right.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and then asked, "How about Liangfu? Has he been busy lately?"

Your Majesty, is there something very important?
One person alone is not enough.

Wang Zheng thought for a moment, then cautiously said, "Your Majesty, the waterways are still frozen solid. I can only lead the craftsmen to check the seals of the hull and sides of the ship and add some hull material. It's not too busy."

Then it's just the two of you.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then decisively said, "Then you two will have to work hard and go and preside over the imperial examination. Zixian, you will be the chief examiner, and Liangfu, you will be the co-examiner."

what?
So he was in charge of the imperial examination!
Xu Guangqi and Wang Zheng exchanged a glance and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, we are not officials of the outer court." Zhu Jue replied without hesitation, "What does that matter? Even if you are not in office, you can still preside over the imperial examinations."

That seems to be true. When the emperor was in power, he often selected people from the Hanlin Academy to preside over the imperial examinations. These people were usually compilers and editors from the Hanlin Academy, but it was also possible for those who were not serving as probationary officials.

It is said that the chief examiner and co-examiners of this imperial examination are quite important, because each imperial examination can produce two or three hundred more successful candidates.

His Majesty probably intended for them to select officials for the inner court.

I can't refuse this task.

Xu Guangqi thought for a moment, then quickly cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Wang Zhengna quickly followed suit, bowing and saying, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then solemnly said, "You should all be familiar with the concept of 'investigating things to acquire knowledge.' Choose more questions related to 'investigating things to acquire knowledge' for the provincial examination, and set the palace examination question on 'investigating things to acquire knowledge.'"

Uh, you've already given us all the questions for the palace examination!

Xu Guangqi thought about it carefully, and then said cautiously, "Your Majesty, it seems that the chief examiner for the imperial examination has never been one who investigates things and seeks knowledge. The chief examiners for the metropolitan examination and the palace examination are usually those who are sincere, upright, self-cultivating, family-managing, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world."

If we were to examine the investigation of things to acquire knowledge, it would probably attract criticism, since most scholars nowadays don't pay attention to this.

Nowadays, scholars are single-mindedly focused on becoming officials.

Zhu Jue shook his head slightly and said, "Zixian, you don't need to worry about any criticisms. We only need the officials we need."

Nowadays, scholars have put the cart before the horse. They only think about becoming officials, they are lazy and ignorant of basic agricultural knowledge. They can only talk about etiquette and morality, but they can't do any practical work. What use are they?

What we need are officials who can get things done. Those who only study to become officials will most likely become corrupt officials and parasites.

You must pay attention to this when grading exam papers. Those papers that are good at writing formulaic essays, full of quotations but lacking substance, are unacceptable.

Uh, this is how you grade papers!

Nowadays, scholars are all practicing the eight-legged essay style, thoroughly studying the classics and historical texts, hoping to produce ornate writings.

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangqi said with some concern, "Your Majesty, if we review the papers in this way, I'm afraid it will invite a barrage of criticism."

These scholars, they curse people when they fail the exam, right?

Okay, let's see who dares to criticize then!
Zhu Jue bluntly asked, "Are you afraid of being scolded?"

This isn't a question of whether I'm afraid or not.

Xu Guangqi shook his head slightly and said, "This humble subject is not afraid of being scolded, but the problem is that when scholars cause trouble, it's no small matter."

There was one more thing he didn't say.

That is, even the Hongwu Emperor was afraid of scholars causing trouble.

The North-South Examination Case during the Hongwu reign is clear evidence of this. In order to quell the situation, the Hongwu Emperor had to unjustly kill some officials to appease the scholars.

Zhu Jue calmly said, "As long as you're not afraid of being scolded, that's fine. As for those scholars causing trouble, you don't need to worry about it. I'll have Wei Zhongxian handle it."

Anyone who dares to cause trouble, I'll close the door, unleash the dogs, and bite you to death!
Wei Zhongxian was a scapegoat.

Scholars are most afraid of those who are unreasonable and devoid of any sense of morality or righteousness.

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangqi couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Majesty is wise. If Duke Wei were to take action, there would be no need to worry about scholars causing trouble."

That'll do.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and said, "You must remember that the provincial examination is not the main point, nor is the palace examination. Whether you can write a magnificent eight-legged essay is even less important. The main point is that we must select officials who can get things done."

Xu Guangqi repeatedly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

(End of this chapter)