Di Ming

Chapter 178 Chief of the Chui Mountain Guard!
Early the next morning, Zhu Yin brought gifts and went into the city to pay respects to his master and his tutor.

Many newly appointed candidates also went to the examination hall to perform the apprenticeship ceremony.

When everyone saw Zhu Yin, they all elected him as their leader and went into the examination hall to pay their respects.

Just as the newly appointed candidates entered the academy to pay their respects, the chief examiner Liu Yuanzhen and others were writing a memorial to the throne:
"...In the grand ceremony of selecting talents for the nation, we, your humble servants, have been diligent and cautious, as if walking on thin ice, and have remained humble and self-disciplined, for even in the darkest of times, we cannot overlook the most outstanding talents in the world. We have only adhered to the principle of impartiality in selecting talents for the nation, yet we still fear that we might infringe upon Your Majesty's wisdom or violate the laws of the court. How could we dare to indulge in personal desires and abandon our sincere intentions? When the government is efficient and the people are harmonious, the world is clear and bright; when the world is clear and bright, the spirits of nature are nurtured, and thus, talents emerge. Are not prodigies a product of destiny? And with the flourishing of culture and education, auspicious omens appear in the world..."

"...Zhu Yin of Jiangning was born into poverty. Orphaned at a young age, he began reading at three and understood principles at five. His innate talent was exceptional; at eleven, he understood the Nine Thoughts, and before he could even play with a spoon, he knew the Nine Classics. His knowledge of the classics, calligraphy, history, and poetry was all remarkable. While innate intelligence is common, few possess the extraordinary talent of Zhu Yin… Even a hundred-acre garden will have its precious mushrooms; even a mountain forest will have its outstanding trees, let alone the whole world. We, your humble servants, dare not judge his talent based on his youth, thus failing in our principles of talent selection and harboring bias… Therefore, the public consensus selected him as the top scholar, declaring him the 'Jieyuan' (top scholar in the provincial examination). The announcement was without question, as it seemed to be the will of the people… The people of Wu all knew of his talent, praising him as the 'Prodigy of Nanyong' and 'Zhu Lang of Jiangzuo,' so there was no surprise…"

"Yin, at a young age, passed the imperial examination with distinction, winning the title of 'Jieyuan' (top scholar in the provincial examination). Had he passed the provincial examination in the spring, he would have been holding an official's tablet at the palace by the age of twelve. Although Yin's achievement is unprecedented in the founding of the dynasty, he ultimately came from a humble family, and compared to the imperial family's noble lineage, he is truly insignificant. The eldest son of the Emperor, Your Majesty's closest kin, the foundation of the nation, is naturally intelligent... yet he is still not studying at the age of seven. Why is that? We, your subjects, do not know that the eldest son of the imperial family is inferior to a child from a poor family..."

"...Your Majesty, I humbly request that you heed wise counsel and reassure the hearts of those both inside and outside the palace. The rites for the eldest prince to begin his studies upon leaving the palace must not be abandoned. Although Your Majesty loves him dearly, it is inappropriate to disregard ancestral laws and lose the support of the court and the people simply because of his youth..."

After the draft was completed, the group looked at it together, wrote it again, sealed it, and sent it to the capital.

These memorials, once sent to the capital, will inevitably reignite the struggle over the succession to the throne.

Everyone knew that the name Zhu Yin would surely be "impressed in the Emperor's mind".

As for whether Zhu Yin will be blessed or cursed in the future, does that even matter? What matters is... the emperor must establish the eldest son as the crown prince!
Even if the emperor disliked "Du Renzi" and liked Zhu Changxun, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty still had to be "Du Renzi"!
Their selection of Zhu Yin as the top scholar was merely a pawn in their game. Of course, other candidates, even if they wanted to be that pawn, couldn't obtain it.

When Zhu Yin and other newly appointed scholars arrived, they presented gifts and kowtowed to become his students, thus establishing their teacher-student relationship.

Liu Yuanzhen and others offered a few words of encouragement, urging their students to avoid arrogance and impetuosity, to study hard and prepare for the exam, and to strive to pass the imperial examination again next spring.

The probability of a top-ranking scholar passing the provincial examination and becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examination) is 50%, while the probability of a regular provincial graduate passing the provincial examination and becoming a Jinshi is only 40%.

However, the proportion of top scholars from Zhejiang and Southern Zhili who passed the imperial examinations was as high as 70%!

Therefore, Liu Yuanzhen and others gave Zhu Yin, the top scholar in the provincial examination, extra encouragement, urging him to continue his efforts and become a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) at the age of twelve.

His earnest instructions suggested that he placed great importance on Zhu Yin, this auspicious omen for the Ming Dynasty.

Liu Yuanzhen even gifted Zhu Yin a set of examination materials. The most famous of these was the collection of essays titled "Jinghua Richao".

Zhu Yin knew perfectly well what was going on. If he failed the imperial examination next year, Liu Yuanzhen and the others would lose face, and people might even bring up past grievances, saying that he was unworthy of being the top scholar and that Liu Yuanzhen, Wang Zudi, and the others were suspected of cheating.

If they passed the imperial examination and became Jinshi, no one would have anything to say; they would even praise Liu Yuanzhen and others for their discerning eye and their impartiality.

The other candidates, of course, couldn't fathom these unspoken, subtle implications. They weren't time travelers, and lacked historical understanding of the current struggle for the very foundation of the nation.

Zhu Yin, standing on the shoulders of history, naturally had a clear understanding of the situation.

Then, the examiners took Zhu Yin and others to the Confucius Temple.

After the ceremony at the Confucius Temple, Zhu Yin and his entourage went to the office of the Imperial Inspector to pay their respects to Qiao Bixing, the Imperial Inspector. The Imperial Inspector was in charge of supervising the provincial examinations and was essentially the chief examiner, so the newly appointed scholars were also required to pay him a visit.

To everyone's surprise, Qiao Bixing was not in Nanjing; he had already gone to other places for inspections.

The imperial inspector toured the prefectures and counties of the province, without having a fixed official residence.

It doesn't mean there were no official offices, but rather that the Imperial Inspector had many official offices.

How many are there exactly?

According to the system, each prefectural city, state city, and county city must set up an yamen (government office): the Censorate.

The local censorate offices were the residences and government offices of the imperial inspectors.

If the imperial inspector doesn't come, the local censorate is closed. When the imperial inspector arrives for his inspection, the censorate is opened. When the imperial inspector leaves, the censorate is vacant again.

Therefore, Qiao Bixing had dozens of government offices in Southern Zhili, so how could they find him? The newly appointed candidates had no choice but to give up.

.........

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yin went to pay respects to his master according to custom, while Ning Caiwei took Ning Qingchen to the garrison commander's residence to tell her aunt and uncle the good news.

Tian Yi, of course, already knew this good news. But he also knew how delicate Zhu Yin's status as the top scholar was.

Those civil officials really did stop at nothing.

Overall, however, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for Zhu Yin. He will handle the matter with the Emperor himself, and the Emperor will not be angered by Zhu Yin.

He had already prepared a gift: two hundred young female slaves from the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution)!
This gift is undeniably valuable.

The Nanjing Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) had long since declined, but it still had tens of thousands of hereditary government slaves who were bound by the slave system for generations, serving the government and never being free.

They were born without celebration, and died without proper funerals. Even their graves were in mass graves outside the city, buried alongside prostitutes who died of illness.

Many of the government slaves were relatives of the so-called "rebellious officials of Jianwen" after Zhu Di usurped the throne, as well as relatives of many criminal officials during the Yongle reign.

Their fate was actually in the hands of the eunuchs who guarded Nanjing throughout the ages.

Because of their family's low social status, being sold into private slavery was a relatively good way out, something many government slaves longed for but could not obtain.

Tian Yi was about to return to Beijing. He knew that the Zhu family was not short of money or land, but they lacked good servants.

There are no better government slaves than those from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau). Even if you have money, you might not be able to buy them.

So, while he was still serving as the eunuch in charge of the garrison, he selected two hundred young female slaves, converted them from government slaves to private slaves, shrugged them off in the accounts, and sent them to Ning Caiwei as a congratulatory gift for Zhu Yin's passing the imperial examination.

Ning Caiwei received a large stack of slave contracts and didn't know what to say.

Ning laughed and said, "Amitabha! Caiwei, the official slaves of the Jiaofangsi have always been pitiful. Now that they have become your private slaves, it is truly your uncle who has done a good deed. With slaves in your household, their lives will be much better, knowing that you are a kind-hearted person."

Tian Yi said, "These servants were all carefully selected by my men from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau). There are musicians, grooms, cooks, singers, gardeners, and all sorts of people. They have been slaves for generations and are the most observant of the rules for servants, so they are the easiest to manage."

“I’m going back to Beijing at the end of the month, so I’m doing this for you before I leave.”

"Uncle is returning to the capital?" Ning Caiwei was a little surprised that Tian Yi had returned to the capital ahead of schedule.

Tian Yi nodded, "We'll set off in a few days. Your aunt was worried about you, but now that Zhihu has become a provincial governor, he has gained official prestige and is able to protect himself. We can go to Beijing with peace of mind."

Ning Caiwei couldn't help but feel a little reluctant. "Little Tiger passed the imperial examination, and things at home have just started to improve. I haven't even had a chance to show my filial piety, and now you two are leaving Nanjing. I really..."

Ning Shi held her hand, "Isn't Little Tiger going to Beijing to take the exam? You should come along too, so we can see each other again in Beijing. When Little Tiger passes the imperial examination, you can accompany me back to Guanzhong for a visit." After saying that, she pulled Ning Qingchen closer, "Qingchen, how about going to Beijing with your aunt? Your aunt really can't bear to part with you, you poor little thing."

Ning Qingchen looked adorable and said, "I can't bear to part with my auntie duck either."

"Oh!" Ning picked her up in one scoop. "You have such a sweet mouth. I'm even more reluctant to part with you."

She teased Ning Qingchen for a while, then suddenly looked up at Ning Caiwei and said seriously:

"Caiwei, there's something I need to remind you. Little Tiger is now the top scholar in the provincial examination and a child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty. Countless people are eyeing him with envy. Many of them have daughters at home."

“You and he have been betrothed since childhood, but you haven’t gotten married yet. If you don’t get married on this day, without the proper formalities of marriage, you are not a real couple yet, and things could easily go wrong.”

"Although you are both still young and it is difficult to get married right now, you should try to do it as soon as possible. Delaying it for too long will not do you any good."

Ning Caiwei chuckled inwardly, but said obediently, "I remember, I will keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get hooked."

Tian Yi said, "That child, Zhihu, is loyal and righteous, and exceptionally intelligent. Caiwei is a woman you couldn't find even with a lantern; how could he possibly change his mind? Madam, you're overthinking it."

Ning smiled and said, "Amitabha, I hope I'm overthinking it. Little Tiger is someone I can trust."

After chatting for a while and having lunch together, Ning Caiwei left the garrison with her younger sister and went to Zhuang Tingjian's house in Wuyi Lane to express her gratitude.

Zhuang Tingjian was very polite to Ning Caiwei, his attitude remained unchanged, except that he sighed a little more.

I feel sorry for my daughter.

Zhuang Shu's expression was very complicated when she saw Ning Caiwei.

"Caiwei, I want to speak to you alone." Zhuang Shuhua's face was aloof, and her complexion was slightly thin.

Ning Caiwei walked to the grapevines in the courtyard and said calmly, "Fourth Miss, please speak your mind."

Zhuang Shu's expression was somewhat desolate, and she said in a low, melancholy tone:
“We’re fairly good friends, and you know I’m a competitive person. I did have my eye on Little Tiger before, and I felt you weren’t good enough for him.”

"Looking back now, it was all destined. What is not mine I cannot fight for, and what is yours will not run away. But you don't need to worry. I am already engaged. My fiancé is from Suzhou and his name is Feng Menglong. He failed the imperial examination this time. But I cannot go back on my word and break off the engagement. That would be against the virtues of a woman, and I would not stoop to it."

"Feng Menglong?" Ning Caiwei was surprised to find that Zhuang Shu was engaged to Feng Menglong.

A great writer indeed.

Tang Rong is engaged to Mao Wenlong.

Ning Caiwei sensed the strangeness of fate and history.

"Do you know Feng Menglong?" Zhuang Shu couldn't help but ask, sensing something was off about Ning Caiwei's tone.

Ning Caiwei shook her head: "I don't know him, but I've heard that he's a child prodigy, very talented, and from a distinguished family."

Zhuang Shu's expression softened slightly upon hearing her praise Feng Menglong, but she said with a forlorn look:
"From now on, I shouldn't see the little tiger anymore. Since you're his childhood sweetheart, you should take good care of him."

Ning Caiwei chuckled, "Isn't it obvious that Fourth Sister needs to remind me? Of course I'll take good care of my own husband. But you, Fourth Sister, should take good care of Feng Menglong. Don't push him too hard if you want him to succeed."

Zhuang Shu looked bitter, but could only force a smile and say, "Is that so? Then consider it unnecessary. Tell Little Tiger that the officialdom is treacherous, and tell him to be very careful."

"Thanks." Ning Caiwei smiled gently, a hint of languor in her eyes. "Is there anything else?"

Seeing Ning Caiwei's appearance, Zhuang Shu gritted her teeth and said, "No, that's all. Take care of yourself too."

Ning Caiwei nodded. "Okay, take care too. I'm leaving now."

Having said that, he was too lazy to argue with this loser who had never been a match for him, and turned to leave leisurely.

Zhuang Shu watched Ning Caiwei's retreating figure, her two small pink fists clenched tightly.

Ning Dajiao, do you really think you're the wife of a top scholar?
Don't be so smug. When the little tiger passes the imperial examination and a powerful person marries his daughter to him, what do you think the little tiger will choose?
This is nothing! You're getting too excited.

With your big feet, you'll never be presentable. I hope you can still laugh then.

.........

Three days later, Xiong Tingbi, who was staying at the Zhu family's residence, finally couldn't resist taking the initiative to find Zhu Yin.

"Brother Zhihu," he addressed Zhu Yin as brother, "I have been fortunate enough to pass the provincial military examination in Huguang for over a year now, and I am eager to serve my country, but I have no way to do so. To this day, I have not even managed to secure a ninth-rank patrol inspector position. I am truly ashamed before my family and have no face to return to my elders in Jiangdong..."

Zhu Yin scolded, "Brother Feibai, why didn't you say so sooner! We became friends at first sight, and we've known each other for ages. Why should we be so formal?"

"If you want to get a military position, I'm willing to risk my old...young face to give Brother Feibai the opportunity to serve the country!"

He wasn't exaggerating when he said that. Now that he's the top scholar in the provincial examination, he has the power to elevate someone like Xiong Tingbi.

Seeing Zhu Yin agree so readily, Xiong Tingbi was overjoyed and felt a deep sense of kinship, his eyes filled with tears as he said:
"I cannot express my gratitude enough. In that case, I will leave it to Brother Zhihu. I will never forget your kindness and support."

Zhu Yin immediately wrote a letter to Xu Xiaobai, strongly recommending Xiong Tingbi and praising him lavishly. He also vouched for Xiong Tingbi with his own reputation, saying that Xiong Tingbi was a rare talent, skilled in both literature and military affairs.

Xiong Tingbi felt even more grateful when he read Zhu Yin's praise of him in the letter.

Although Mr. Zhihu is young, he is truly a great man!

He was my mentor, Xiong Tingbi.

Whether this matter succeeds or not, we will still owe Mr. Zhihu a favor.

Zhu Yin had considerable influence. Less than three days after the letter was sent out, the imperial edict from the Ministry of War in Nanjing arrived.

The imperial edicts of the Ming Dynasty were not imperial decrees (royal edicts). Rather, they were official documents appointing officials of the sixth rank or below.

The imperial edict reads:
"Xiong Tingbi, the top military graduate from Huguang, is hereby appointed as the commander of Chuishan, stationed in Zhenjiang. He shall immediately proceed to the ministry to collect the official seal and authorization. This order is hereby issued!"

Upon seeing the term "Ba Zong" (a military rank), Xiong Tingbi could not contain his excitement.

A seventh-rank military officer! Two ranks higher than the patrol inspector I had expected!
P.S.: I'm not feeling well today, that's all for now. Goodnight. Thanks... Can book readers automatically subscribe? Sigh...

(End of this chapter)