Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 183 Chief Examiner Enke!

The Imperial Examination Hall, the inner courtyard.

This place has always been a common spot for examiners to set questions and grade papers.

Looking around, one could see numerous imperial guards stationed there, one every five steps, creating a very solemn atmosphere.

In terms of defense, it was not much worse than the Imperial Palace.

The reason for this is that the imperial examinations were related to the fate of the nation, and the confidentiality of the examination questions was of paramount importance.

If someone were to accidentally leak the topic and cause it to spread, it would surely incite resentment and anger among scholars.

One wrong move and the country could be shaken.

Therefore, it was naturally guarded strictly.

At this moment, the chief examiner Jiang Zhao, the deputy chief examiner Wang Gui, and seventeen others drawn from the Censorate, the Hanlin Academy, and the Six Ministries, a total of nineteen people, gathered together.

In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, Jiang Zhao served as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites and once represented the Ministry of Rites as an examiner.

At that time, Wang Yaochen and Hai Chengyan were the chief and deputy examiners.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

Time really flies.

Who would have thought that the then-unknown fifth-rank official would grow into a pillar of the state and become the Minister of Rites!

The remaining eighteen people all looked up and stared, their faces filled with curiosity.

Setting and grading exam papers is indeed a very important task that requires a high level of experience.

It's really rare for an ordinary person to have the opportunity to participate even once.

Apart from Jiang Zhao, none of the others, including the deputy chief examiner Wang Gui, actually had any experience as examiners.

Jiang Zhaoping glanced at him and said, "The imperial examinations will have three sessions: the first will test your knowledge of classical texts and calligraphy; the second will test your understanding of current affairs through policy questions; and the third will test your ability to write essays, judgments, imperial edicts, proclamations, and memorials. The questions will be based on the classics of poetry, history, rites, morality, the Spring and Autumn Annals, Mencius, and the Analects."

"Besides the chief and deputy examiners, the remaining seventeen people each set three questions, corresponding to three sessions."

Jiang Zhao slowly said, "At that time, we can select the better topic, combine its essence, and set it as a new topic."

After saying that, Jiang Zhao waved his hand: "Let's get paper and pen and start setting the topic."

More than ten people quickly agreed and stood up to bow.

Setting questions for scientific research exams is actually not a difficult task.

Firstly, it must be challenging enough to be selective.

Secondly, it must conform to the topic selection guidelines and not exceed the guidelines.

Thirdly, there should be no ambiguity or controversy.

If these three conditions are met, any question can be created.

As the chief and deputy examiners, Jiang Zhao and Wang Gui primarily played a coordinating role.

About three days later, the fifty-one questions set by the seventeen people fell into the hands of the two.

In this way, the chief and deputy examiners can control the difficulty of the questions and analyze their depth.

Break down complex exam questions, find ways to combine them into a new set of questions.

Another day has passed.
The three examination questions have already been prepared.

The first examination examined the meaning of the calligraphy and ink inscriptions.

The title quotes from the Book of Documents, "The Great Plan of Yu": "Virtue lies in good governance, and governance lies in nourishing the people."

Let us discuss taxation, water conservancy, and education using the concepts of "nurturing the people" and "good governance."

The second examination focused on current affairs.

The Hebei Imperial Guard was 30% vacant, and more than half of the Shaanxi garrison soldiers were old or weak; the annual tribute of one million taels of silver and silk to Liaodong and Xia was insufficient to cover even half a year's border reserves. Should we emulate Emperor Wen of Han's policy of "allowing the people to rest and recuperate" to gradually strengthen the army, or follow Shang Yang's approach of "driving agriculture into war" for immediate results?
The three examinations consist of deliberation, judgment, edict, proclamation, and memorial.

"This year, the Guanzhong Plain and the surrounding areas of Jingdong are experiencing a slight drought, resulting in a poor wheat harvest. Some local officials may be harassing the people with their taxes and delaying their duties. It is advisable to issue an edict to demonstrate my concern for the people and to admonish the officials."

The three exam questions were fairly standard.

If there's anything unusual about this, it's that the final exam tested "imperial edicts," whereas in the past, the exams mostly tested "discussions."

The topic was well-chosen and presented to the new emperor and the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet for their consideration.

Once submitted, there has been no response for nearly ten days.

Neither say yes nor no.

But in reality, not responding is the best option.

As expected, the imperial edict was issued in late July, almost exactly on time.

The first day of August.

Imperial Examination Hall.

The number of scholars who diligently studied for the imperial examinations continued uninterrupted.

It was bustling and crowded.

As the saying goes, "In books, you'll find beautiful women and riches," and "In the morning, you're a peasant; in the evening, you'll be in the emperor's court."

This is not a lie.

These fame and fortune indeed exist in the path of scientific examinations.

Once one passed the imperial examination and obtained the title of Jinshi, one would at least become a county magistrate, in charge of the livelihood of over 100,000 people. It's no wonder that the imperial examination was so highly sought after.

This truly has both a beautiful face and a golden house!
Nearly ten thousand candidates stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing into the distance.

After a while, the Imperial Guards arrived with guns, and with a "squeak," the examination hall was opened wide.

Inside, there is an incense table about ten feet long, with an incense burner on it.

Divided by the incense table, there were nine officials on each side, all dressed in red robes.

The remaining person, draped in a purple robe, with a goldfish-shaped talisman pouch swaying in the breeze, held an unlit incense stick in his hand, his expression solemn.

Nearly ten thousand candidates all looked up in that direction.

"What's going on here?" one of the candidates asked, puzzled.

He had taken the exam several times and was considered a veteran candidate, but he had never seen anything like this before.

"This is a 'prayer ceremony' for the imperial examinations, where the examiners and candidates offer their blessings together," an elderly candidate explained. "However, it hasn't been performed for many years."

"That must be Minister Jiang! He truly possesses extraordinary bearing!"

"In the future, he might become a political evergreen! It would be an honor to be able to take the young Grand Secretary as my mentor!"

"I'm not picky! I just want to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi."

"A twenty-nine-year-old official of the second rank, even the wealthy young master back then might not be able to compare with him!"

"All students, listen attentively."

The examiner and the candidate were nearly a hundred steps apart.

Even so, Jiang Zhao's strong voice still carried over.

Once those words were spoken, nearly ten thousand people fell silent.

Jiang Zhao waved his sleeve, lit a long incense stick, looked at the candidates, and said calmly, "This spring's imperial examination is the way for the court to seek out talented people, and the court places great hopes on you. You all have the ambition to serve the world and the talent to put your abilities to use, which is why you have gathered here."

"Within the examination hall, one must strictly abide by the rules and regulations, refrain from cheating, and not violate any regulations. One must answer with genuine talent and knowledge. If one has a good strategy or insightful argument, the court will select the best one for use."

"Now that the ceremony is over, the examination will begin. Everyone, return to your assigned cells and answer the questions diligently. Do not fail to live up to your original aspirations, nor fail to live up to the Emperor's grace."

After speaking, the long incense stick was placed into the incense burner, and the remaining eighteen examiners bowed in unison.

"We humbly thank the examiner for his guidance; we will certainly not fail His Majesty's grace!" said an elderly scholar who had taken the exam several times and was very familiar with the process.

"We sincerely thank the examiner for his guidance, and we will certainly live up to his kindness!"

"We sincerely thank the examiner for his guidance, and we will certainly live up to his kindness!"

"We sincerely thank the examiner for his guidance, and we will certainly live up to his kindness!"

Nearly ten thousand test takers echoed this sentiment.

Jiang Zhao nodded, addressing the nearly ten thousand examinees.

This "bowing ceremony" was quite popular in the early years of the late emperor's reign, and it happened almost every year.

Later, in order to prevent fraud, the worship ceremony became less and less frequent, and it might not happen even once every ten years.

Even on the rare occasion when the examiner and the candidate were a hundred paces apart, just like he was.

The reason for holding the "mutual worship ceremony" is that this examination is the first imperial examination since the new emperor ascended the throne.

We will not fail Your Majesty's grace!

The pronunciation is the same, but the meaning has changed drastically.

Because the emperor has changed.

This ceremony was specially arranged to serve as a "reminder".

In any case, a document was submitted asking the new emperor whether he wanted to hold a mutual worship ceremony, and the new emperor did not object.

The absence of opposition is itself an attitude.

The bowing ceremony was also the first meeting between the examiners and the candidates.

After the mutual bowing ceremony, the next meeting would be after the results were announced, when the candidates would visit the chief examiner's residence to express their gratitude.

The examiner will accept the candidate as the "master," and the candidate will perform the apprenticeship ceremony.

It was often at this time that some poor scholars without any background would express their support to their "master" and seek a patron.

"Let's verify their identities and conduct a thorough search to prevent any misconduct," Jiang Zhao waved his hand and instructed General Zheng.

This young General Zheng had crossed paths with him during the opening of the border in Xihe, and was the love interest of Zhang Guifen, the only daughter of the Duke of Ying.

"Yes, sir." General Zheng quickly bowed.

Jiang Zhao nodded, and the dozen or so people walked towards the inner courtyard.

This is the first imperial examination held in spring since the new emperor ascended the throne, and efforts must be made to ensure "absolute fairness".

There should be no possibility of contact with the test takers, so as to minimize the possibility of rumors of "insider dealings".

About a quarter of an hour after the figures of more than ten people disappeared, General Zheng roared.

"Line up and verify your identity!"

Enko, let's begin!
……

(End of this chapter)