Top Scholar

Chapter 486 Reading the Scroll (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The following morning, the Chinese candidates for the imperial examinations traveled from all over the capital to the Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty.

However, their trip was not to seek knowledge, but to collect the formal attire for the imperial examination ceremony the next day—the ceremonial robe for the successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations.

Su Lu and his fellow students from Sichuan were also among them, and they frequently encountered fellow students from other provinces along the way. Everyone was in high spirits, and they greeted each other loudly from afar with clasped hands, before heading together to the Imperial College.

These past two days have been the most carefree and joyful time of their lives. A bright future lies ahead, and they bear no academic burden whatsoever. It's all about one thing—play! A proper reward for years of hard work! A hearty treat to themselves…

"Why did you leave early yesterday?" The group of prospective scholars, who had been chatting and laughing all the way, asked a fellow candidate who looked pale.

"I really can't hold my liquor. I was thinking of going back to the inn to avoid it, but my fellow Shandong classmate dragged me out for another round," the man said with a wry smile.

"Let's disperse!" Several Shandong natives laughed and teased, "This guy fell asleep as soon as he arrived. We kindly found him a pretty girl, but he just slept soundly all night!"

"Others sleep with girls, he sleeps with girls!"

"Hahaha, in this situation, shouldn't we ask the madam for a refund?" The group of fellow students laughed so hard they almost fell over.

"Refund? Don't even mention it!" the man said sheepishly. "I threw up on someone's bed last night, and I had to pay an extra tael of silver this morning!"

"Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter again.

Amidst their laughter and chatter, the vermilion gates of the Imperial Academy came into view. The group immediately fell silent, quietly reminding each other to be quiet—the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty allowed no room for frivolity.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting in front of the Imperial Academy. Once all the candidates had arrived, they led them inside to receive their official robes and caps, and then to an empty room to try them on.

The scholar's cap was similar in design to the black gauze hat, except that the top was slightly flatter. A pair of wings, about an inch wide and more than five inches long, hung down from the back of the cap. The ends were tied with black gauze ribbons, which would flutter when walking fast, making it truly eye-catching.

The Jinshi robe was much more dignified. It had a dark blue round collar and wide sleeves, with the cuffs wide and the edges of the collar, sleeves, and hem trimmed with blue silk. A blue belt was tied around the waist, adorned with black horn buckles, with the tail hanging down behind; there was also a locust wood tablet to hold in one's hand, which was quite official.

There's a saying: "I love the officials in the capital with their official tablets, I love the officials in the provinces with their ceremonial court." The moment you pick up the tablet, the feeling of being a court official instantly comes to mind.

Many of you here will be sent to local prefectures or counties, and this may be the only time in your life you'll ever touch the imperial tablet...

At this moment, an official from the Ministry of Rites called out from outside the door: "If any of these are not the right size, you may exchange them with your fellow graduates. These headscarves and robes are provided by the government and must be returned after the announcement of the candidates for the imperial examinations and the offering of vegetables tomorrow, once you have changed into your regular clothes. Do not cut or alter them on your own!"

Since it wasn't theirs, everyone immediately lost interest in showing off and focused their attention on whether the crown and robe fit properly.

"My towel is a bit tight. Does any gentleman have a slightly wider one?"

"My robe is a bit long, is yours too short, sir? How about we exchange them?"

Fortunately, the Ministry of Rites had prepared a full range of sizes of headscarves and robes, and since most of the candidates were slender, after some adjustments, most of them changed into well-fitting headscarves and robes for the imperial examinations.

When they came out of their rooms, they saw Fei Hong already waiting outside.

Seeing everyone dressed in their new COVID-19 uniforms and looking radiant, Vice Minister Fei couldn't help but laugh and say, "You guys are really lucky to be in the first imperial examination of the new dynasty and get to wear these uniforms. I was the top scholar in the last imperial examination of the Chenghua era, and back then I was wearing a robe that was over twenty years old!"

For a moment, no one could tell whether Vice Minister Fei was showing off or complaining; it was probably more likely the former.

After the banter, Fei Hong led everyone to the Pan Pool of the Imperial College to rehearse the rituals for tomorrow's grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations.

As they were leaving after the drill, classes at the Imperial Academy were ending, and the students were emerging from their classrooms. These men, who usually considered themselves the pride of heaven, suddenly felt their own Imperial Academy robes were less appealing upon seeing the scholars in their official robes and caps…

The students stepped aside, bowed, and watched with envy as their seniors, who had been the first to "land," calmly departed.

~~
It was almost noon when the prospective graduates left the Imperial Academy.

At this moment, the emperor's imperial carriage arrived at the Wenhua Hall.

According to the rules, the emperor should have arrived early, but it was already good enough that Zhu Houzhao came at all, and no one dared to criticize him.

The examiners, including Li Dongyang, were even quite moved, feeling incredibly fortunate to have seen the emperor twice in such a short period of time!

For some reason, the emperor's mustache is gone again today...

After Emperor Zhengde ascended the throne in the Wenhua Hall, the Great Han General stood solemnly under the corridor with a golden mace, and the Director of Ceremonial Affairs stood on both sides of the throne with his seal and pen. Li Dongyang then led all the officials who were reading the examination papers to perform the proper rites.

After Liu Jin told Zhu Houzhao to rise, Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands expectantly and said, "Let's begin reading the papers."

"As you command!" the examiners responded, and then began reading the papers in order of rank.

"Your subject, Li Dongyang, has carefully read the first volume..." Li Dongyang began, unfolding the folded page in his hand and reading aloud in a steady voice.

Your subject replied:
Your Majesty has heard that Heaven's favor lies in the hearts of the people; the stability of a nation depends on the foundation of its people. The greatest virtue of an emperor lies in emulating Heaven and his ancestors. However, emulating Heaven does not mean merely mimicking the empty forms of the stars, nor does emulating his ancestors mean adhering to outdated rules and regulations…”

Li Dongyang's voice was clear and resonant in the Golden Hall, allowing the emperor to hear it clearly.

Zhu Houzhao was initially indifferent... This was his consistent problem; whenever he heard classical Chinese phrases, his eyes would glaze over and his mind would wander.

But this time it's very different; this essay has him firmly in his grasp right from the very beginning!
His two ears suddenly stood up, and with the two on his winged crown, it looked like he had four ears from a distance... In short, Zhu Houzhao listened very carefully. Yang Tinghe had taught him for so many years, and he had never seen him so attentive.

"The heavens are not mere omens of disasters and warnings, but the real principle of the unity of the people's hearts. The Book of Documents says: 'Heaven sees as the people see, Heaven hears as the people hear.' It also says: 'Heaven has no favorites, but only assists the virtuous.' The ancient sage rulers all regarded the people's hearts as the hearts of Heaven, and the people's will as the will of Heaven. Yao consulted the Four Mountains, Shun inquired of the common people, Yu controlled the floods to bring peace to the people, and Tang banished Jie to please the people. All of them regarded the people as the foundation of the state. When the foundation is firm, the state is at peace."

"Good!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but applaud and cheer; half of his question had already been answered.

Li Dongyang then stopped reading the scroll and waited for the emperor to deliver his insightful remarks.

"Those old scholars always tell me that hail and blizzards are signs of divine wrath, and that we must burn incense and pray to appease them. But I think that's all nonsense!" Zhu Houzhao exclaimed happily.

"For example, the year before last, when hailstorms destroyed the crops in Tongzhou, Liu Jian and his gang clamored for me to fast for three days and burn incense to worship Heaven. But I didn't listen to them at all; I ate and drank as usual for those three days. Guess what happened?"

"Later, Shuntian Prefecture distributed grain seeds, allowing the people to quickly replant, and the harvest wasn't delayed. So you see—why pray when Heaven is angry? Solve the people's difficulties, and Heaven will naturally be compliant!"

The emperor stood up excitedly and said, "Just like this policy essay says—when the people's hearts are at peace, Heaven is pleased; when the people's hearts are not at peace, Heaven is in a bad mood. That's the truth!"

"Your Majesty is wise," Li Dongyang hurriedly said respectfully. "This is the principle of 'Heaven sees as the people see.'"

Below the steps, Jiao Fang snorted and whispered to Yang Tinghe beside her, "The old master was talking about you."

“…” Yang Tinghe ignored him.

"Just let that little beast run wild. He'll regret it sooner or later," Jiao Fang said again.

"..." Yang Tinghe still ignored him.

~~
After Zhu Houzhao finished his insightful remarks, he said to Li Dongyang, "Please continue, sir."

"Yes." Li Dongyang continued, reciting in his own deep voice:

"Furthermore, it is said that... if laws and regulations are outdated, they should be changed. If the changes are in line with the will of the people and benefit the nation, then this is following the ancestral laws; if systems hinder the people's livelihood, they should be reformed. If the reforms bring peace to the world and happiness to all people, this is also following the ancestral laws. This is what is meant by 'following the ancestral laws'—it is not about being bound by old systems, but about following their original intentions.' This is the principle!"

"Very well, very well said, 'If laws and regulations are outdated, then change them... that is the way of the ancestors!'" Zhu Houzhao jumped up again as if he had a thorn in his side. "That's exactly what I want!"

“Your Majesty,” Li Dongyang hurriedly reminded him, “the premise is that the change must be in line with the will of the people and benefit the country; only then can it be in accordance with the ancestral laws.”

"Ah, I never said it was against the will of the people or detrimental to the country!" Zhu Houzhao replied casually, laughing heartily as he stepped down from the throne, his face beaming with delight.

"Haha, I am very satisfied with the answers to both questions! As expected of the first volume that I have favored... that Chief Minister Li has favored!"

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty," Li Dongyang quickly replied to the emperor.

Zhu Houzhao took the article from his hand, tore off the anonymous label, and then loudly proclaimed:

"I have made my decision. My first top scholar will be this boy named Su Lu!"

After saying this, the emperor took Su Lu's exam paper, happily returned to his throne, and began reading it from the beginning again.

Seeing this, Li Dongyang quietly stepped aside, and then it was Jiao Fang's turn to read the paper...

But the emperor remained completely engrossed in the first policy essay, leaving Jiao Fang in a dilemma—whether to read it or not. He could only wait there awkwardly…

"You do yours, we won't interfere with each other." Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, without even looking away.

"Yes." Jiao Fang reluctantly began to read:
Your subject replied:
Your Majesty, I have heard that for an emperor to govern the entire realm, he must have practical policies for the benefit of the people, so that he can grasp the essentials, rectify all affairs, and achieve a peaceful and prosperous reign; he must also have a sincere heart for the nation, so that he can eliminate corruption and promote integrity, revitalize the decadent, and achieve a harmonious and prosperous society. What are these practical policies?

"Hmm, very good, very good." Zhu Houzhao then said, "Next."

"Your Majesty, I have only read one section," Jiao Fang said helplessly.

"It's all the same old stuff anyway, what difference does it make if we read a few more paragraphs?" Zhu Houzhao sneered.

"Yes." Jiao Fang had no choice but to present the exam paper. Gao Feng stepped forward to take the paper and gently placed it on the left side of the imperial desk.

Then Wang Ao went forward in turn to read the third volume.

Zhu Houzhao listened to him for a while longer, then told him to stop. Gao Feng took the document and presented it to the emperor.

The first three papers read aloud were the examination papers that the Grand Secretaries had prepared in advance for the top rank.

After reading the three volumes, the hall fell silent. Zhu Houzhao did not issue an order to continue reading.

Seeing this, Li Dongyang signaled to the other officials who were reading the papers that they no longer needed to read them. The officials then handed their papers to the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, who presented them to the emperor in turn.

Afterwards, Li Dongyang led all the examiners in bowing and slowly withdrew from the Wenhua Hall, waiting for the emperor's judgment in the outer corridor.

P.S. I posted this first and edited it later. Are you satisfied now? You won't scold me, will you? Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!!!
(End of this chapter)