Di Ming

Chapter 176 Auspicious Omens of the Ming Dynasty
"Zhihu is truly the top scholar!" Everyone looked at Zhu Yin with shock and envy.

Liu Sheng bowed respectfully to Zhu Yin, who was ten years younger than him, and said, "Brother Zhihu! The messenger who brought the good news must have arrived at your residence by now! Please go back and receive the good news!"

Only then did Zhu Yin believe that he was indeed the top scholar in the provincial examination.

This is truly...a delightful surprise!
While I was pleasantly surprised, I also had some doubts.

He felt great after the exam. Not only did he know that the most important first question was on the Doctrine of the Mean, but he was also confident that he would excel in the second part, which covered strategy and historical theory.

But he was only confident of passing the imperial examination, estimating his ranking would be relatively low. Even with this expectation, he still considered that the Imperial Academy students took the exams, which had a higher acceptance rate.

After all, this is the autumn imperial examination with an extremely low acceptance rate. It's like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge; who doesn't have the ability?

He had been in the Ming Dynasty for less than two years. Although he had Zhuang Tingjian's guidance and Shen Yiguan's instruction, he had only been learning the eight-legged essay for a little over a year.

Even though he was already very familiar with the classics, history, philosophy, and literature, and was actually thirty years old, he couldn't imagine that he could become the top scholar in the provincial examination, let alone the top scholar from Southern Zhili!
Zhu Yin was self-aware. He knew he had mastered the eight-legged essay style, but it was certainly not the best. How could he possibly become the top scholar in the provincial examination? He didn't even dare to dream of second or third place.

So when the top three were not announced and his name was not on the previous list, he subconsciously assumed that he had failed to make the list and never expected that he would be in the top three.

Ning Caiwei thought so too.

Although the little tiger felt good about himself, the provincial examination was an essay test, which was a subjective question with no standard answer and a rather vague upper and lower limit. Many factors could affect the score, so how could he dare to say that he would definitely pass?
Who knew that the little tiger would actually be the top scholar in the imperial examination!
But how could a little tiger become the top scholar? Ning Caiwei was very puzzled.

Isn't it said that the top scholar in the provincial examination from Southern Zhili has the highest prestige?

Did the little tiger underestimate itself?
What Ning Caiwei didn't know was that Zhu Yin's success in becoming the top scholar this time was not only due to his excellent (impeccable) writing, but also largely due to luck.

Luck accounts for at least half of it.

This is the paradox of history.

Looking back in later generations, the provincial examination of Yingtian (Southern Zhili) in the sixteenth year of the Wanli reign (1588) was actually a relatively weak one.

No outstanding figures like Gu Xiancheng (the top scholar in the provincial examination) in the tenth year of the Wanli reign or Zhou Jichang (the top scholar in the provincial examination) in the thirteenth year of the Wanli reign emerged.

Dong Qichang and Xu Guangqi took the exam in Beijing's Shuntian Prefecture, not in Nanjing.

Gu Qiyuan, a man of great talent, was so engrossed in epigraphy that he didn't focus on the imperial examinations and thus didn't exert his full effort this time.

The candidates who passed the provincial examination in Yingtian were always very strong. However, the candidates for this year's provincial examination in Yingtian were relatively weak.

Of course, there are other reasons that Ning Caiwei is unaware of.

Liu Sheng continued, "Brother Zhihu, you don't know, but when Master Qiao (the Imperial Inspector) left the examination hall, he said you were an auspicious sign for the country. Since ancient times, there has never been an eleven-year-old who became a top scholar in the provincial examination!"

"The Grand Minister of Rites said, 'A prodigy has been born, and the world will be well-governed.'"

Auspicious omen for the nation!

The fact that these words came from the Imperial Censor and the Minister of Rites carries significant weight.
Everyone, including Hao Yunlai from the same high school, was at a loss for words.

Awe, jealousy, and admiration... a mix of emotions, too complex to describe.

How sensitive was Zhu Yin's political sense? He immediately detected an inexplicable political motive in Qiao Bixing and Wang Honghui's words!

What kind of auspicious omens signify a nation's prosperity, or the emergence of a child prodigy bringing peace and order to the world? There must be an ulterior motive!
Qiao Bixing, Wang Honghui, chief examiner Liu Yuanzhen, and other officials of the Qingliu faction were making a fuss about this!
What do they want to do?
Whether or not someone is admitted in the provincial examination mainly depends on their essay in the first round, leaving little room for the examiners to influence the decision. However, the ranking is where the examiners have considerable discretion.

Calligraphy, policy essays, historical essays, and poetry have little impact on the selection of candidates, but they have a significant impact on the ranking.

Although his understanding of the classics wasn't the best, his other skills were truly remarkable. Take his calligraphy, for example; under Xu Wei's guidance, it improved rapidly, making him one of the top candidates.

Moreover, Qiao Bixing admired him greatly, and he was also an examiner, participating in grading papers and determining rankings.

Although the chief examiners Liu Yuanzhen and Wang Zudi did not recognize him, they were both ministers of the Qingliu faction. At present, the struggle over the succession was intensifying, and the seven-year-old eldest prince had not yet left the palace to study.

Emperor Bai Jin had only one excuse: his eldest son was too young.

The ministers tried to persuade him again and again, but to no avail; he was simply "too young."

Then the intentions of Qiao Bixing, Liu Yuanzhen, and others become obvious.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the eldest prince is seven years old and has not yet left home to study, yet the nation already has an eleven-year-old top scholar in the provincial examination!

Your Majesty, the common people's son passed the provincial examination at the age of eleven, while your son is seven and has not yet started school. Aren't you ashamed?

Zhu Yin passed the provincial examination at the age of eleven, so why can't the eldest son of the emperor become the crown prince? Is he still too young? Is it too early?

Zhu Yin was speechless when he thought about this.

These ministers are too cunning. They actually used their status as child prodigies to their advantage, making themselves the target of the power struggle, aiming at Emperor Baijin and Consort Zheng!

The greater his reputation as a child prodigy, the more embarrassed the emperor, who had refused to name his eldest son as heir apparent on the grounds of his young age, felt.

So they took the opportunity to create hype, claiming themselves to be a national omens and child prodigies for all time.

Of course, their intention was very subtle, and most people wouldn't think of it.

Since ancient times, child prodigies have indeed been regarded as an auspicious omen. However, the problem is that the current situation involves a struggle for the very foundation of the nation, and it is a very sensitive time. For me to appear in the political arena of the Ming Dynasty as an auspicious omen would bring both immense benefits and immense risks.

This is a double-edged sword.

If handled well, it can make your career much smoother, acting as an accelerator for promotion. If handled poorly, it can turn you into a political sacrifice, a pawn or a discarded piece!

Many thoughts raced through Zhu Yin's mind. He knew very well that he, the newly appointed top scholar and child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, had become a member of the civil service.

From this day forward, he must adhere to the political correctness befitting a civil servant: "To make the ruler like Yao and Shun!"

In plain terms: you have to make the emperor listen to you and not be "willful".

According to the political ecology of the Ming Dynasty, the essence was that one had to stand on the opposite side of imperial power!
While Ning Caiwei was pleasantly surprised, she also felt something was off about Liu Sheng's words. It just didn't seem right.

Suddenly, she remembered the struggle over the succession that Zhu Yin had mentioned. She also remembered Zhu Yin saying that when Wanli ascended the throne at the age of ten, Gao Gong looked down on the young emperor and arrogantly said, "How can a ten-year-old crown prince govern the country?"

Emperor Wanli held a grudge against this statement. Could it be that the examiners, in choosing the tiger cub as the top scholar to create an auspicious omen of a child prodigy, also had this consideration in mind?

"Brother Zhihu!" Hao Yunlai was the first to react. He poured himself a glass of wine, raised it with both hands, and said, "I toast to Brother Zhihu, wishing you fame throughout the land and that you will once again be listed on the imperial edict!"

He was jealous of Zhu Yin's victory and frustrated that Zhu Yin had stolen his thunder, but on the surface he had no choice but to concede defeat and offer a toast.

Everyone rushed to offer toasts, and some even spilled their wine cups in their haste.

"A prodigy has appeared, bringing great peace to the world! Brother Zhihu, I raise a toast to celebrate!"

"Today, the young tiger is famous throughout Jiangdong; tomorrow, he will be renowned throughout the world! There is no greater auspicious sign for our Great Ming Dynasty! I am so fortunate!"

"As the saying goes, 'The accomplished are my teachers,' and my brother, though only eleven years old, is certainly worthy of being my teacher! I am at a loss for words, but I only wish that my brother will rank among the top three in next year's imperial examination!"

“Since Emperor Wen of Sui established the imperial examination system, there has been no one like Brother Zhihu in the past thousand years!”

"Indeed! Indeed! These words resonate deeply with me! Young Tiger's talent is unparalleled among child prodigies throughout history!"

A large group of scholars raised their wine cups and toasted Zhu Yin, who was younger than them, addressing him as "brother."

Although they were initially arrogant but later became obsequious and opportunistic, it wouldn't be entirely accurate to say that they showered you with flattery; many of them genuinely admired you.

"Thank you all for your congratulations!" Zhu Yin returned the toast without any arrogance. "I was just lucky to get the top score in the undergraduate exam. I don't know if I will pass the imperial examination next spring. I'll take your good wishes with me!"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. Putting aside Zhu Yin's status as a child prodigy, his composure and equanimity at such a young age were enough to earn him the title of prodigy!
Compared to Hao Yunlai, the difference in their abilities is immediately apparent.

Hao Huaji displayed the arrogance of a petty person who had achieved success, while Zhu Zhihu possessed the demeanor of a great general.

Standing next to Zhu Yin, Ning Caiwei couldn't help but puff out her chest. Feeling the admiration everyone had for the little tiger, she felt triumphant and radiant.

This feeling is so good!

Liu Sheng said, "Brother Zhihu, please go back quickly. Your residence must be full of guests. How can you leave it unattended?"

Zhu Yin cupped his hands and said, "Very well! Brother Huaji, fellow brothers, I'll take my leave now. Until we meet again!"

His main purpose for this trip was to visit the famous Moling ruins, but the results were announced earlier than expected, so he had to go home.

Liu Sheng flattered, "Brother Zhihu, it is truly a blessing for the court and the people that you will soon be able to take up an official post."

Hao Yunlai thought to himself, "What about the court and the people? Do you think this little tiger became an official for the sake of the court and the people? Are tigers vegetarians? I became an official only for wealth and honor, so that my family could live a good life. Isn't he the same?"

Everyone saw Zhu Yin off at the door and waited until he got into the car before waving goodbye.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they had a very good relationship with Zhu Yin.

Even after Zhu Yin had gone far away, they remained as if in a dream.

Even a fool knows what an eleven-year-old top scholar in the imperial examinations means.

Hao Yunlai watched Zhu Yin's carriage drive away, feeling utterly disgusted.

He was ranked fifth in high school, and he'd only been happy for a short while before this little tiger had to be eliminated, forcibly suppressing his own brilliance.

Hao Yunlai was extremely frustrated and cursed the little tiger under his breath. He raised his head, his gaze gloomy as he looked at a grand mansion in the distance, and gave a cold smile.

Dai Kun, I will make sure your family is destroyed and your loved ones die.

Is having money a big deal?

You humiliated my wife, blinded her, and even tried to take advantage of my sister. I will make you and your son pay with your lives!

Remember this in your next life: a poor scholar should never be humiliated.

.........

When Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei were still living at the Hao family's residence, the entire Qingqiao neighborhood was abuzz with excitement. The young master of the Zhu family had become the top scholar in the imperial examinations! An eleven-year-old top scholar—it was as if the God of Literature had descended from heaven!

Zhu Yin's door was surrounded by villagers, a dense, dark mass of people. Even the eight hundred employees of the sugar factory, upon hearing the news, lost their focus on work and came out to see what was happening.

The head of the family actually passed the imperial examination with top honors, and he's only eleven years old!
There were seven or eight messengers, some carrying flags and banners, some beating gongs and drums, and others playing suonas, making it a very lively scene.

Firecrackers were set off in front of the Zhu family's house.

Inside the inner courtyard, Jin Yunniang nearly tripped over the threshold in her excitement. She rushed into the master's residence and shouted:

"Second Mistress! Good news has arrived! Our lord has passed the imperial examination with top honors! There are so many people gathered outside!"

Now that Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei are both away, only the second mistress is left at home. Naturally, she's the one in charge.

Now, everyone in the Zhu family, from guards to students and servants, knows that they cannot treat the Second Madam as an ordinary child.

Although the second daughter is only two years old, she is already very talkative and extremely clever for her age.

The kind of person described in ancient books who is "born to speak and born with knowledge" must be someone like Er Niangzi.

The family of three are all child prodigies!
In reality, even the most gifted child prodigies in ancient times were not considered monsters, but rather as beings of innate wisdom, admired and recognized.

"Huh? You passed the exam?" Ning Qingchen's face lit up with joy, and she quickly ran out. "What is a Jieyuan?"

She actually knew, but she asked on purpose.

"First place!" Jin Yunniang exclaimed with a radiant smile. "Amitabha! My lord has won the championship!"

Overjoyed, Ning Qingchen's little face also showed a look of adorable surprise.

Is Little Tiger really that amazing? He got first place on his first exam? Isn't the top scholar from Southern Zhili (Nanzhili) incredibly impressive? I think Tang Bohu (Tang Bohu) was once a top scholar in that field.

"Let's go! Let's go get the good news!" Ning Qingchen ran out happily.

Jin Yunniang and the others quickly followed her.

In the front courtyard of the Zhu family, a group of officials who came to deliver the good news were somewhat embarrassed, their expressions bitter.

I thought this trip was a great opportunity, since I was going to be the top scholar in the provincial examination, and the Zhu family was rich, so they would definitely give me a lot of money as a reward.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Jieyuan was not there, nor was his wife. He had no parents or siblings; where could he collect the reward?
While the group hesitated, a commotion suddenly broke out in the courtyard, and a group of people came out, surrounding a little girl who was not yet three years old.

The little girl was beautiful and delicate, just like the little girl in a New Year's painting, and she was very endearing.

This is…

Before the group could ask any questions, the little girl said in a childish voice:
"You officials have come a long way and have worked hard. Where's the good news? Give it to me!"

After saying that, she stretched out her little hand.

What? The reporters looked at each other, then stared at the little one in disbelief.

Could this chubby-cheeked young woman be Zhu Jieyuan's sister? Definitely not his daughter.

"Good! Good!" A constable quickly stepped forward, presenting the invitation with both hands in a fawning manner, and said with a smile:
"Young lady, this is the invitation from the top scholar. Please accept it on his behalf."

Ning Qingchen glanced at it and saw it read: "List of Top Performers in the Nanjing Provincial Examination of the Wuzi Year of the Wanli Reign..."

Following this is Zhu Yin's name, place of origin, age, and the signatures and fingerprints of the chief and deputy examiners.

A genuine admission letter!
"Okay!" Ning Qingchen exclaimed in her childish voice, "Yunniang, give us a reward! One tael of silver for each of us!"

"Alright!" Jin Yunniang immediately prepared the silver as a reward.

Ning Qingchen added, "Where are the firecrackers? Where are the fireworks? Set them all off! Hang up the red ribbons and red lanterns!"

The little girl was giving orders when a large group of people, numbering in the hundreds, suddenly appeared from not far away. They were all members of the Propaganda Society.

Leading the group were Gu Qiyuan, Shang Yang, and others.

Upon seeing this, Ning Qingchen immediately exclaimed, "Congratulations! The gift-giver has arrived! Quickly instruct the kitchen to prepare a banquet; we're having a grand feast for hundreds of people!"

"Go and buy more if you don't have enough food and drinks!"

At his command, the Zhu family immediately sprang into action.

"My little darling!" Zhao Chan'er rushed over and picked up Ning Qingchen in her arms. "Leave him to me! There are too many people and too many eyes outside, you go inside and play!"

She was Ning Qingchen's wet nurse, so she was practically family. She immediately took the initiative to arrange things.

Gu Hongxiu, the younger sister-in-law, also brought a group of female employees from the sugar factory to help.

Soon, hundreds of scholars from the Xuan Society arrived at the Zhu family's gate, laughing and saying, "Young Tiger! Scholar Zhu! Come and welcome us into the courtyard for a drink!"

Zhao Chan'er came out and said, "Little Tiger and Caiwei have both gone to Moling, saying they went to see the ruins and release their falcons. They should be back soon!"

Gu Qiyuan had no idea that it was his own wife who was in charge of the Zhu family.

Hundreds of people entered the front yard together, all beaming with joy.

Zhu Yin not only passed the provincial examination but also became the top scholar in the provincial examination, which was a great joy for Xuan She.

The propaganda machine will inevitably gain more recognition and acceptance, and its influence will greatly increase.

Many tables and chairs were set up, and even the garden was used. Yet, guests continued to arrive in droves.

After that came other students from the Imperial Academy, gentry and wealthy merchants in the city... all prominent figures.

The name cards collected by the gatekeeper filled an entire table.

The front yard, the central courtyard, and the garden are all gathered together.

When Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei returned, a whopping six or seven hundred people came to congratulate them! Many of them were complete strangers.

It's only been half a day.

"The top scholar is back!" As soon as Zhu Yin appeared, he immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.

"Excellent! Auspicious signs have arrived for the Ming Dynasty! A child prodigy has been born, and the world will be at peace!"

"Young Tiger, let us share in your good fortune!"

As they spoke, everyone stood up, cupped their hands in greeting, and said, "Congratulations!"

A stream of bright eyes looked over, gazing at Zhu Yin as if he were a precious treasure.

Facing so many people, Zhu Yin remained completely calm, bowing gracefully around the crowd and saying loudly:

"I am deeply grateful for your presence! My success in passing the provincial examination is entirely due to the Emperor's good fortune, the literary atmosphere of Jiangdong, and the examiners' favor. It is pure luck! Pure luck!"

Gu Qiyuan laughed and said, "With the results of the exam approaching, Zhihu still wants to go out for a trip. This shows his great general's demeanor."

Although he did not pass the exam, he was not disappointed.

He himself knew that he had been so engrossed in epigraphy these past few years that he had neglected his studies, and his chances of getting into university were very slim.

Shang Yang laughed and said, "Zhihu, from now on, who in the world doesn't know you? If you don't know Zhu Zhihu after studying, you might as well abandon literature and learn martial arts."

Mo Shao said, "Child Tiger may not know, but you have now gained two more titles. You are no longer the Prodigy of Nanyong, but the Prodigy of the Great Ming and the Young Man of Jiangzuo."

"You will become famous throughout the world within a month."

Everyone agreed with his words, feeling both admiration and envy.

Being the top scholar in the imperial examination is already a great honor, let alone an unprecedented eleven-year-old top scholar?
When Ning Caiwei saw Zhu Yin talking to the others, she gracefully withdrew and went directly to Gu Hongxiu, who was in charge of keeping track of the gifts.

"Hongxiu, how much is the wedding gift?"

Gu Hongxiu smiled and said, "More than 680 people have given congratulatory gifts, ranging from one or two taels of silver to as much as three hundred taels! We have already collected more than 12,400 taels."

Ning Caiwei couldn't help but smile, her dimples showing. "So many! This top scholar immediately received over ten thousand taels of silver as congratulatory gifts. Tsk tsk."

"By the way, the Grand Fortune Casino in the city, I bet three thousand taels of silver there before, and the profit was nine times! That's a huge profit of twenty-seven thousand taels!"

"Adding this gift of over ten thousand taels, that makes forty thousand taels!"

Ning Caiwei was stunned as she spoke.

The little tiger won the top prize and made 40,000 taels of silver in a single day!

Whether it was an auspicious omen for the Ming Dynasty is unknown, but it was certainly an auspicious omen for her, and for the Zhu family.

Even though she comes from a wealthy family, she still felt that this way of making money was a bit too extravagant.

As she was speaking, Gu Hongxiu added, "I just had something to report to the president. The Liu family has finally given in."

"As soon as the results were announced in the city today, the Liu family sent someone to apologize, saying they were willing to sell 3,000 acres of fertile land, two brothels, and two pawnshops at a low price of 30%... They only offered 30,000 taels, which is about 70% of the Liu family's assets."

Ning Caiwei sneered: "They're quite sensible. Then let them keep 30%. You go there yourself and take over those properties. Especially those two brothels, have them close for a while, I have arrangements."

As soon as the young tiger became the top scholar in the imperial examination, the Liu family immediately agreed to his hostile takeover bid.

Another tens of thousands of taels of profit!
As the two were discussing business matters, another voice came from outside:

"My name is Xiong Tingbi! My gift is only half a tael; may I have the honor of joining you for a cup of wedding wine?"

P.S.: I caught a cold today, headache, and I'm very tired. My health is really bad right now. That's all for now, thanks. Goodnight. To all my book lovers, please set up an auto-subscribe, thank you! Your support is what keeps me going. Take care!
(End of this chapter)