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

Chapter 72 Two Second-Place Scholars from One Family! (3k)

The first day of the second month of the fifth year of the Jiayou era.

As dawn broke, the chill lingered.

A momentous event concerning the fate of countless hardworking students—the Spring Imperial Examination—is about to begin.

For this year's imperial examination, Wang Yaochen, the Minister of Rites, served as the chief examiner, while Hai Chengyan, a Hanlin Academician, served as the deputy chief examiner.

To coordinate the examination affairs, thirteen people were drawn from the Six Ministries, two from the Censorate, and two from the Hanlin Academy, for a total of seventeen examiners.

The major examination was divided into three sessions: the first session tested the interpretation of classical texts and calligraphy; the second session tested the application of policies and current affairs; and the third session tested essays, judgments, imperial edicts, proclamations, and memorials.

Three exams, taking nine days.

Thus, the candidates' task has come to a temporary end.

The seventeen examiners responsible for invigilating and grading the papers were extremely busy.

After burning incense and paying homage to the Sage Confucius, and making a solemn oath, the chief examiner and deputy chief examiner explained the requirements for grading the papers. The seventeen examiners responsible for grading the papers then began their intensive work.

Compared to the more than 10,000 candidates who entered the capital for the imperial examinations in the second year of the Jiayou reign, the number of candidates for the spring imperial examinations in the fifth year of the Jiayou reign was somewhat smaller.

Of course, there are millions of students in the world who take one step at a time to become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations.

Even with fewer test takers, there are still eight or nine thousand people.

Conventionally, it takes about fifteen days to grade the exam papers and rank them according to their quality.

Imperial Examination Hall.

Jiang Zhao held a vermilion brush and occasionally wrote characters such as "recommend", "accept", "rough" and "no" to give certain evaluations to the examination paper.

The vast majority of these papers failed to meet the examiners' standards and did not meet the level expected of a successful candidate in the imperial examinations.

These unqualified candidates were rejected and failed the exam before they even had a chance to be presented to the chief and deputy examiners.

Generally speaking, recommendation papers that are qualified to be submitted to the chief and deputy examiners must contain one or two "recommendation" characters, indicating that they are extremely difficult to obtain.

Occasionally, if you're unlucky and encounter an examiner who doesn't appreciate your paper, then no matter how well you answer, it will all be in vain.

Adhering to the principle of being responsible for others, Jiang Zhao always tries to find the good points in his evaluations.

During this scientific expedition, each paper had to be reviewed and evaluated by three examiners.

The stack of papers in Jiang Zhao's hand were all "Policy Questions on Current Affairs" papers that had passed the review of the two examiners.

The papers that pass through his hands are the ones that are graded for the last time. After grading, he will select dozens of recommended papers and submit them to the chief and deputy examiners.

"what?"

Jiang Zhao had just put down one exam paper when he picked up the next one, and he couldn't help but perk up a bit.

The fact that this exam paper contains the word "recommended" twice indicates that the first two examiners gave it high praise.

"Your subject replied: I have diligently studied the imperial edicts and policies, and their earnest and meticulous instruction reflects the mindset of Yao and Shun in their consultations and admonitions."

Jiang Zhao read a few sentences and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

The writing style feels somewhat familiar.

Zhang Dun's exam paper!
As members of the same group of seven disciples of the Jiayou family, the two had corresponded frequently and were very familiar with each other's writing styles.

Zhang Dun's writing style is pragmatic and vigorous, emphasizing practicality over ornate language, and his words subtly convey a sense of heroic spirit.

It's very distinctive!
荐！
Jiang Zhao calmly wrote down his thoughts and gave it high praise.

I casually placed this test paper at the top so I could easily take it out separately later.

Scientific expeditions require not only strong skills but also a bit of luck.

Generally speaking, the difference between the top three and the top five is negligible.

Ultimately, who will be at the top depends on whether they have the support of others.

Coincidentally, Jiang Zhao was one of the examiners.

On the 27th of February, the results of the imperial examinations were announced.

Outside the examination hall, the noise of people was deafening, and the flow of people was constant.

"I passed! I passed!" One candidate laughed uncontrollably and knelt down to worship the heavens.

"How is that possible?" one of the candidates exclaimed in shock and anger. "There's something fishy going on in this imperial examination. How could I possibly fail?"

"With my talent, how could I fail the exam?" one candidate thought, rushing forward with resentment in his heart.

"Hahaha! I passed!" One candidate laughed with joy, praising the fairness of the imperial examination and the emperor's boundless grace.

Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu, and Zhang Heng watched this scene with great emotion.

Even though they had all passed the imperial examinations and achieved the titles of Jinshi or even Shujishi, they couldn't help but feel their blood boiling.

This was the imperial examination in spring, which almost determined a scholar's entire life.

Even as time goes by, it can still make people feel tense.

Even more extreme cases involve having a dream where one dreams of failing the imperial examination, which may wake one up in alarm.

In addition to Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu, and Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun also made a special trip to the examination hall.

Compared to Su Shi and others, he was the true protagonist of the list of those who were considered worthy of the title.

Of the seven sons of Jiayou, he was the only one who had not yet achieved official rank or fame.

"Let's look for it!" Zhang Dun bowed to the group with a composed demeanor.

His breathing was slightly rapid, revealing his inner turmoil.

"Let's go and look for it together," Su Shi said.

The remaining people nodded in agreement.

They might joke around occasionally, but when it comes to actually getting things done, they are all quite composed.

Even the usually carefree Su Zizhan became much more serious.

The group squeezed together toward the yellow notice board, then separated slightly, each person looking at one of the notice boards.

At this moment, an incense stick's time has passed since the results were announced, and at least 60% of the candidates know the outcome of the imperial examination, so the crowd is relatively smaller now.

"In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, the second-ranked official was Zhang Dun of Jianzhou, whose father was Zhang Yu."

Su Zhe, walking on the far left, saw Zhang Dun's name and couldn't help but shout, "Second place on the left list!"

"What? Second place on the left list?" Several candidates made way for Su Shi and his companions to squeeze through. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the left was considered superior, so second place on the left list meant second place in the spring imperial examination.

Zhang Dun rushed over, glanced at the scene, and felt a slight sense of relief.

He ranked second on the left, so his future was no longer a problem.

Furthermore, this also proves that he is no less capable than his cousin Zhang Heng.

"Let's go!" Zhang Dun said, feigning indifference.

Su Shi and the others nodded in agreement and escorted Zhang Dun outside.

The six of them walked out for about seven or eight hundred meters before Zhang Dun stopped and let out a long sigh of relief.

His heart was not at peace.

Not long after he gave up his pursuit of the imperial examination, he married and started a family.

He's been under a lot of pressure these days.

Even the best of men make mistakes, and even the best of horses stumble.

I'm just afraid of making a mistake and not passing the exam!

Even though he knew the possibility was almost zero, it didn't stop him from getting nervous.

Even the most talented person will feel anxious before the results are officially announced.

"Three years of hard study have finally paid off." Zhang Dun glanced back and smiled faintly.

"Hiss~!" Su Shi looked up at Zhang Heng and Zhang Dun and exclaimed in surprise, "This time, it seems we're about to witness a remarkable story of two students from one family achieving the second-highest rank in the imperial examinations!"

Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances.

hiss~!

It's possible that this is indeed the case.

The brothers Su Shi and Su Zhe, two members of the same family who both became probationary officials, were famous throughout the world, thus creating the name "Three Sus".

If Zhang Heng and Zhang Dun were both among the top three scholars, and there was even a Zhang Dexiang who was the head of all officials, then they might not be inferior to the "Three Sus".

In fact, in terms of its gold content, it may be even higher.

With ancestors holding high-ranking positions and the two younger ones both ranking second in the imperial examinations, they might very well be praised for having "the style of their ancestors"!

"Do not indulge in vain thoughts."

Zhang Heng smiled with his hands behind his back, looking at the group: "Aren't you all nervous about either the final exam or the palace exam?"

Of the seven members of Jiayou, he's the only one who doesn't seem to be under much pressure lately.

"No rush, no rush." ​​Su Shi waved his hand dismissively. "It's just the final exam. If I succeed, I'm lucky; if I fail, it's fate."

Without a doubt, Su Shi was the most optimistic of the Seven Scholars of Jiayou.

"Let's go have a few drinks."

Compared to his older brother, Su Zhe was much more composed.

When the topic of the final exam came up, his expression became more serious.

"Walk."

The group left discreetly.

Early March, outside Donghua Gate.

The sheng and xiao played, and the chime bells sang a long song.

"Boom!"

A bell tolls, its long chime echoing, bringing stillness to the scene.

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang stepped forward and loudly proclaimed:

"Heaven blesses the Great Zhou, and talents shine like stars. You have devoted your lives to studying the classics, and now you have passed the imperial examination. Those who are named in the Eastern Palace should aspire to serve the emperor like Yao and Shun; those who are temporarily relegated should never Don't forget their original aspiration to investigate things. Respect this!"

"Long live the Emperor!" The cheers were deafening, and officials and scholars kowtowed three times and nine times, their voices resounding throughout the palace.

With three strikes of the clapper, Han Zhang, his hair white and beard gray, sang:

"In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, Wang Junmin from Laizhou ranked first in the first class!"

"In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, Zhang Dun from Jianzhou ranked second in the first class!"

The names of the students were announced one by one, spreading throughout Donghua Gate.

"Zhang Dun? Could it be Zhang Zihou, one of the Seven Sons of Jiayou who gave up the title of Jinshi?" an official's relative exclaimed in surprise.

Giving up the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is a truly impressive act.

"It's him!" someone exclaimed. "True gold fears no fire!"

Three years later, Zhang Dun took the exam again and ranked among the top three.

Such a person is indeed exceptionally talented.

"Is he Zhang Heng's cousin?" someone exclaimed. "Both uncle and nephew are second-place scholars in the imperial examinations; they are truly extraordinary!"

"Two runners-up from one family, truly a rare and wonderful story!" someone sighed, deeply moved.

This level of skill is so high that it doesn't even inspire envy.

"The Seven Sons of Jiayou truly live up to their reputation!" an official praised.

The small circle of seven included one top scholar, two second-place scholars, and three junior scholars.

Even Zeng Gong, who was slightly less accomplished, still achieved the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

This small circle has both the famous story of Han Menli, the scholar from Huaizuo, and the story of the three Su brothers, who were equally famous.

In a few days, there might even be a story of "two runners-up from one family".

Such a combination would probably deserve a mention in history books.

It’s too much!

Each of the Seven Sons of Jiayou is a renowned figure, even famous throughout the world.

Named after the Jiayou reign title, it even received praise from the emperor, truly deserving of the title!
(End of this chapter)