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

Chapter 26 The Imperial Examination Results are announced in the Golden Hall, making him the top scholar among all the successful candidates in the imperial examination!
March 11.

The administrative center of Huainan East Road.

An elderly man, around fifty or sixty years old with graying temples, leaned against his desk, holding a pen in one hand and pressing down on government documents with the other, immersed in government affairs.

This man was none other than Liu Jin, the Pacification Commissioner of Huainan East Circuit, the top official of Huainan East Circuit, and a true regional governor.

"Lead the way quickly, I need to see Pacification Commissioner Liu."

"Do you think you can just see Lord Liu whenever you want?"

"Move aside, I have urgent business."

A noisy sound came from behind, and Liu Jin frowned slightly.

"What's all the fuss about?" He waved his hand without looking up and said, "Zhiyan, go and take care of it."

Huainan East Road has been prosperous since ancient times, and therefore it is very easy to achieve political success.

As a military commissioner and a high-ranking official in charge of a region, Liu Jin was naturally an ambitious man who hoped to serve in the capital and govern the country during his lifetime.

Now, with a golden opportunity presented by heaven, having finally secured the position of a high-ranking official in Huainan East Circuit, he did not want to waste his time on unnecessary matters.

Since taking office in Huainan, there has only been one thing that truly matters to him: his political achievements!

"Yes, sir." Wu Zhiyan, an official under the Pacification Division, quickly got up and went out.

A moment later, the noise completely disappeared, and Wu Zhiyan walked into the government office with a joyful expression, saying, "My lord, good news, great news!"

"Oh?" Liu Jin was somewhat surprised, his pen pausing in his hand. "What do you mean?"

The so-called officials under the Pacification Commissioner were those who handled the daily affairs of the Pacification Commissioner, drafted documents, and coordinated affairs.

Their role is similar to that of a secretary; they are often very close to the pacification envoy, hence the term "fake pacification envoy."

Although their official rank was not high, perhaps only seventh or eighth grade, the power they wielded was extraordinary, comparable to that of some fourth or fifth grade prefectural officials.

All of this, of course, depends on gaining the trust of the pacification envoy and understanding his habits.

Therefore, Liu Jin knew that unless it was a truly joyous occasion, his subordinate Wu Zhiyan would certainly not disturb him.

“My lord, the one who just came was a messenger,” Wu Zhiyan said.

Liu Jin suddenly realized that it was good news from the imperial examination.

The messengers, also known as the minor officials of the Ministry of Rites who were specifically responsible for matters related to the imperial examinations, had to rush to the local areas to report the good news as soon as the results of the examinations were announced.

Announcing good news requires speed, involving travel all over the country and hard work, but fortunately there is often a generous reward. It's like having no business for three years, but then being able to live off the profits for three years.

As Wu Zhiyan spoke, he handed over the oiled paper in his hand.

Liu Jin held the oiled paper, glanced at it, and fixed his gaze on a single word.

No. !

The top scholar, Jiang Zhao, courtesy name Zichuan, was from Yangzhou. His father was Jiang Zhong.
"The top pick?"

Even as a high-ranking official in charge of a region, Liu Jin was still shocked.

Or rather, it was precisely because he held a high official position that he understood the true value of being a top scholar.

Since the founding of the nation, over the past eighty years, nearly thirty top scholars have emerged, and at least half of them have entered the cabinet.

Those top scholars who didn't make it into the cabinet could often eventually earn a third-rank official robe by accumulating seniority.

A guaranteed rank 3 purple robe, what does that even mean?

Not to mention, Jiang Zhao himself is a renowned figure, and his teacher Han Zhang has a deep-rooted influence in the court, so he cannot be compared with ordinary top scholars.

"Go! Quickly inform all officials in the academy to make a great show of it, so that everyone knows that a top scholar has emerged from Huainan East Road!"

Liu Jin is not affiliated with the Han faction, but that does not prevent him from showing goodwill towards Jiang Zhao.

Moreover, the fact that Huainan East Road produced a top scholar is definitely a political achievement.

"Furthermore, a stele commemorating the top scholar was erected on the banks of the Yangtze River in Yangzhou. Civil officials were required to dismount from their sedan chairs and military officials from their horses when passing by, to commemorate his literary virtues."

The top scholar is the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

Of the 347 prefectures and counties of the Great Kingdom, 54 were economically prosperous and academically thriving, yet since the founding of the kingdom, there have been fewer than 30 top scholars (Zhuangyuan).

Yangzhou has also produced some outstanding scholars in the imperial examinations, including several second and third place winners.

But whether it was bad luck or not, no one ever became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

In contrast, the Jiangning Prefecture, Hangzhou, and Chengdu Prefectures produced significantly more top scholars (Zhuangyuan).

Of course, it could also be because Yangzhou is a small city with a small population.

Yangzhou was indeed prosperous, and its population density was exceptionally high, but it only governed five counties. Compared to the fertile Jiangning Prefecture, Hangzhou Prefecture, and Chengdu Prefecture, its total population was undoubtedly much smaller.

With a smaller population, the base number is much smaller, so the probability of producing a top scholar is naturally difficult to compare with equally prosperous cities like Chengdu and Jiangnan.
As the first scholar to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations in Yangzhou, Jiang Zhao's existence was of extraordinary significance and deserved great celebration, with a monument erected in his honor.

During the reign of the Great Zhou Dynasty, literary culture flourished, and the erection of monuments was not uncommon.

In some prosperous places, steles were naturally erected for the three top scholars or the junior scholars.

In some small, barren areas, monuments are erected for those who passed the imperial examinations, and occasionally, in some villages, even monuments are erected for those who passed the provincial examinations.

On the one hand, erecting a monument can highlight the greatness of his cultural virtues; on the other hand, it also tells others that his hometown has powerful backers.

Liu Jin's arrangements were quite appropriate, and Wu Guanyan, an official under the Pacification Commissioner, nodded repeatedly. "By the way," Liu Jin remembered something and added, "Jiang Zhuangyuan's return home time must not be mistaken. I must go and congratulate him as soon as possible."

"Yes," Wu Guanyan replied repeatedly and went to make the arrangements.

"Xiao Si," Liu Jin called out.

"My lord." A servant in black approached quickly.

Liu Jin pondered for a moment and said, "I remember there is a painting called 'Spring Mountain Retreat' in the sandalwood box in the study. It is a painting by Tao Qian, a poet from the Jin Dynasty. Go find it and frame it."

If Wu Guanyan, an official under the Pacification Commissioner, is a "fake Pacification Commissioner," then the servant in black is "half a real Pacification Commissioner," and is also the only person in the Huainan East Circuit whose status is subtly higher than Wu Guanyan's.

There was no other reason than that the servant in black was Liu Jin's page, a mere retainer.

"Yes," the servant in black replied, stepping aside to stand in attendance.

Liu Jin gazed into the distance, calming his mind and spirit.

In the officialdom, where one's career is fraught with ups and downs, it's always good to maintain good relationships.

Yangzhou, Jiang Prefecture.

"The imperial examination results are announced in the Golden Hall, making him the top scholar among all the successful candidates in the imperial examinations."

"My son is actually the top scholar in the imperial examination?"

Hai Xirui's hand trembled as she looked at the letter.

"hiss"

"My son is the top scholar?"

Hai Xirui could hardly believe it, and she breathed a long sigh of relief while patting her chest.

As a mother, she naturally hoped that her son would become successful.

Because her eldest son was exceptionally talented, she always had high expectations for him.

But isn't this a bit too much?
"My God!" Hai Xirui exclaimed, "The ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!"

"Quickly, someone come here. Go find the lord; I need to go with him to offer sacrifices to our ancestors."

"We must never neglect our ancestors!"

The prefectural office and ancestral hall.

"I pray to our ancestors, the Daoist deities, Buddhas and Arhats, and the most holy teachers to bless Brother Zhao with success in his examinations, good fortune, and a bright future."

Sheng Hualan, dressed in a light blue brocade robe, with fair skin like jade, knelt on a small prayer mat, her face earnest in prayer.

She has been praying for blessings for more than a month, kneeling and praying every day since the beginning of February, asking for divine protection.

To achieve better results, she even worshipped Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, leaving none out, aiming for a complete approach.

"Mom!"

"Hua'er!"

"Great news! Absolutely fantastic news!"

Before she was seen, her voice preceded her. Madam Wang strode into the ancestral hall with a boisterous manner, her face beaming with joy.

"Mother."

Sheng Hualan stood up, stepped forward to take Wang's hand, and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

She was already used to her mother's impatient nature.

"Jiang Jiangzhao, that child, is doing well." Wang Ruofu was overjoyed and anxious as she rushed over to find her daughter. She was so tired that she could hardly breathe.

"Mother, how did the exam go?" Upon hearing the word "exam," Sheng Hualan guessed that it was about the imperial examination. Her calm heart suddenly became excited, and she quickly patted her mother's back.

"Number one!"

Wang Ruofu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly revealed the most important information.

"The top scholar?" Sheng Hualan exclaimed in surprise.

The title of "top scholar" represents something truly extraordinary.

Wang Ruofu took a few breaths and nodded, saying, "That child passed the imperial examination with top honors."

"The God of Literature has descended to earth!"

"Madam Hai has already spread the word that she will set up soup kitchens and distribute money to bring good fortune to Jiang Zhao."

Even Lord Jiang, who had already gone to the prefectures and counties to inspect the performance of officials, had to travel overnight to ask for a leave of absence!

Wang Ruofu finished speaking in one breath.

Sheng Hualan's mouth was slightly open.

After a long pause, he exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh my God!"

(End of this chapter)