Di Ming

Chapter 201 Three consecutive hits
"The tribute has been paid! The tribute has been paid!"

Amid cheers from the crowd in front of the Imperial Examination Hall, the list of successful candidates was finally posted on the archway at the entrance of the hall.

The list of successful candidates in the metropolitan examination, also known as the Apricot List, was more important than the List of Successful Candidates in the provincial examination and the List of Successful Candidates in the palace examination. This was because as long as one passed the metropolitan examination, one was guaranteed to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examinations). The subsequent palace examination was only for ranking, not for eliminating candidates.

Obtaining the title of Gongshi is essentially equivalent to obtaining the Jinshi degree. If you achieve the top rank in the provincial examination, you will at least be ranked in the top two classes after the palace examination.

On the list of names, three hundred and forty-seven names were neatly written.

The top spot, the first place, the position of the top scholar, was surprisingly occupied by two characters: Zhu Yin!

Zhu Yin passed the imperial examination, and he was even the top scholar!
How is this possible? Wasn't he seriously ill and about to pass the exam? How could he possibly pass, let alone become the top scholar?
Many people find Zhu Yin's name both unexpected and perfectly reasonable.

"First he became the top scholar in the provincial examination, then he became the top scholar in the metropolitan examination. He has already achieved two top honors in a row. He truly deserves to be called an unprecedented child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty and an auspicious omen for the nation!"

"A twelve-year-old champion! Unprecedented!"

"That's true, it's not surprising that the top scholar from the Southern Zhili region passed both the provincial and metropolitan examinations."

"A twelve-year-old who becomes a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), a twelve-year-old who becomes the top scholar in the provincial examination, could he possibly become the top scholar or the third-ranked scholar at the same age?"

"You never know, it's quite possible!"

"He truly is a child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, with extraordinary literary talent."

While everyone was discussing Zhu Yin, many more were distraught.

I failed! Out of 347 people, I wasn't one of them!
I failed the exam and have to wait another three years.

A few people, however, were overjoyed, exclaiming, "We won! What a stroke of luck!"

"Great! Great! You're on the list!"

Hao Yunlai, standing in the crowd, was only briefly shocked to see Zhu Yin as the top scholar in the imperial examination before he saw his own name.

I passed! Ranked 49th, that's quite high! I have a good chance of getting into the second tier of the imperial examination!

This ranking is actually quite high, and Hao Yunlai should have been very happy. However, when he saw that Zhu Yin was actually the top scholar, he suddenly felt that his own results were not so impressive.

Young Tiger, you can actually do this? Are you faking illness?

Thinking back to his previous visit to Zhu Yin, Hao Yunlai felt like he had been deceived.

"Fourth Master has won!" a voice shouted from the crowd; it was a servant of the Zheng family.

"Fourth Master took the exam despite being ill, and still managed to rank 324th! Go and spread the good news!"

……

As the results of the imperial examinations were announced, Zhu Yin's name once again resounded throughout Beijing.

To take the exam at the age of twelve while ill and still win the top prize, surpassing all the heroes in the world—what else could this be but an auspicious omen?
The courtiers, eager to promote the child prodigy, immediately cheered. "Alright, alright! A twelve-year-old scholar who has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations! Your Majesty, why aren't you getting the eldest prince into school yet!"
People can become top scholars at the age of twelve, and your son is eight years old and still not in school? How dare you use his young age as an excuse?

Shen Yiguan, Hai Rui, and Tian Yi breathed a sigh of relief, all happy for Zhu Yin. The young tiger, naturally gifted, certainly wouldn't disappoint. Even if the top scholar in the provincial examination didn't make it into the first rank in the palace examination, he would still be placed among the top few in the second rank.

However, since the palace examination has not yet been held, they need to avoid suspicion and should not meet with Zhu Yin, the examinee.

Zheng's faction, however, gritted their teeth in anger.

Upon hearing the news, Zheng Guowang, unusually, lost his temper and angrily cursed Zhu Yin as cunning as a fox.

Even her own joy at being on the list was overshadowed by Zhu Yin's disappointment at winning first place.

Those who bet on Zhu Yin's failure at the Wanfu Casino were also incredibly frustrated. They lost!
The gambler from the south who had previously bet 300 taels of gold on Zhu Yin's inclusion on the list of successful gamblers suddenly earned more than 3,000 taels of gold, equivalent to tens of thousands of taels of silver!

Half of the money lost by the losers in this gambling game was swept away by the gamblers from the south!

...

At this time, several groups of messengers arrived at Yunxiang Inn with good news.

Zhu Yin was overjoyed to learn that he had passed the imperial examination with top honors.

Exceeded expectations, the best result yet!

He stopped pretending and got out of bed to say to the reporter:
"Hearing the good news today is like a miracle cure; my condition has improved immediately. You are my best doctors!"

They immediately gave tips to the newspaper reporters.

Soon it became known that Zhu Yin's condition had greatly improved after receiving the good news.

Many people are wondering if Zhu Yin will become the top scholar, achieving the "Triple Crown" at the age of twelve!
……

The palace examination will be held on the fifteenth of the third month, and the examination will take place in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The emperor would personally preside over the examination and announce the questions; this was called "examining the examiners from the imperial palace." However, in reality, the emperor might not necessarily be present.

For example, Emperor Wanli.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony was originally called the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices. In the early Ming Dynasty, it served as the examination hall for the imperial examinations. During the Jiajing era, it was renamed the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

On March 14th, the Court of State Ceremonies and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, acting on imperial orders, jointly dispatched officials to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to prepare the examination venue for the palace examination. Everything, from the examination itself to the food supply, was completed by this day.

Ironically, the palace examination was the highest-level examination, with the emperor himself serving as the chief examiner, yet candidates had to bring their own pens, ink, and inkstones, as well as twenty-four sheets of paper.

On the morning of March 15th, the Vice Minister of Rites, along with his colleagues and assistant ministers, led the 347 candidates who were participating in the palace examination into the Hall of Supreme Harmony through the Meridian Gate. They were divided into two lines and stood solemnly facing north on both sides of the steps.

Zhu Yin was alright; he had seen the Hall of Supreme Harmony (formerly known as the Hall of Imperial Sacrifice), which the Qing Dynasty renamed the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and felt no awe at all.

However, all the other candidates, especially those who had not long ago been from farming families, felt a sense of solemnity and sanctity upon seeing the magnificent and resplendent Hall of Supreme Harmony. They were so captivated by it that they wanted to prostrate themselves in worship.

The Huangji Hall, described as "tall and majestic," is a top-ranking double-eaved hall with nine bays and five frames, featuring vermilion walls, golden glazed tiles, and as many as ten different kinds of mythical beasts on its ridge.

It's truly magnificent, like royalty! It's an eye-opener.

This is understandable. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the foremost of the three main halls and the most important palace in the Forbidden City. It is generally only used for major ceremonies and the New Year's Day court ceremony, making it different from other halls.

At this time, the civil and military officials participating in the palace examination ceremony also took their places in accordance with the court assembly etiquette, with civil officials on the left and military officials on the right.

Once the candidates and officials were in place, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies personally petitioned: "The ceremony for the Wanli Emperor's imperial examination in the year of Ji Chou is complete. We respectfully request His Majesty the Emperor to personally preside over the examination!"

The general and the eunuch relayed the message in turn, all the way to the Hall of Literary Glory behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

At this time, Emperor Wanli was supposed to be waiting in the Zhongji Hall (Huagai Hall) behind the Huangji Hall, and the imperial procession was already prepared.

But after the whip cracked for quite some time, the emperor still didn't appear. Instead, Chen Ju, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, arrived.

"His Majesty has decreed that the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Grand Secretariat shall preside over the palace examination. His Majesty has already prepared the examination questions..."

The officials who had been prepared were greatly disappointed upon hearing this. The emperor, the chief examiner, was not even present for the palace examination held once every three years.

Although they were very dissatisfied with the emperor, the officials were powerless to do anything about it.

The courtiers who came to participate in the ceremony all shook their heads with wry smiles.

With the emperor absent, the palace examination ceremony had to be simplified and omitted. The court officials dispersed, leaving only the assistant ministers and the Directorate of Ceremonial to oversee the proceedings in the main hall.

The candidates were all baffled to learn that the emperor wouldn't be coming. Of course, the emperor himself set the exam questions, so even without his presence, he was still the chief examiner. Those who passed the imperial examination remained disciples of the emperor.

The palace examination was not actually held inside the palace, but rather on both sides of the imperial road outside the palace. Moreover, the palace examination only tested policy essays and lasted only one day, making it much easier than the provincial examination.

When the strategy exam questions set by Emperor Wanli were announced, Zhu Yin breathed a sigh of relief.

Indeed, it is true: "Establishing rites and laws is not difficult; respecting rites and abiding by laws is difficult. How can laws be enacted and orders be enforced?"

Emperor Wanli set this exam question because the Ming Dynasty was in a state of moral decay and decline, entering its final days. The law was becoming increasingly difficult to enforce, and government orders were becoming less effective, threatening the ruling order of the court.

Jiao Hong, the top scholar in the imperial examination in history, proposed in his policy essay to improve the national legal system and strengthen the rites and etiquette.

Zhu Yin had long been prepared, proposing the idea of ​​strengthening the legal foundation, advocating for improvements to national identity registration, private property division, tripartite supervision, and reform of bad habits, etc.

Without these fundamental improvements, laws will be difficult to enforce effectively, and social morality will only continue to deteriorate.

Compared to Jiao Hong's strategy, Zhu Yin's arguments were more substantial and better suited to Wanli's personality.

By noon, Zhu Yin had almost finished writing. It was also time for lunch.

As for the candidates' lunch... although the exam was held in the palace, there were only two steamed buns and a bowl of clear soup.

The scholars were somewhat incredulous when they received steamed buns and clear soup.

In reality, given the meager diet of the candidates for the palace examination, it's unclear what exactly was needed for the so-called food supply preparations.

Is it difficult to prepare 700 steamed buns?

It turns out that the so-called food supply was actually provided to the officials in charge of the examination, such as the supervisors, invigilators, examiners, those who received the papers, those who sealed the papers, those who managed the papers, those who patrolled the examination hall, and those who printed the papers.

The officials were the ones who ate the food and drink; the examinees didn't get any.

The fact that the candidates' lunch was so simple was not because the imperial court was stingy. Rather, it was because they had to continue taking exams after lunch, and time was of the essence, so a simple lunch was naturally the best option.

If there's wine and meat to enjoy, why bother taking the exam?
After the palace examination, all candidates handed in their papers at the East Corner Gate and then left through the East Corner Gate, just as recorded in the Ming Dynasty's Collected Statutes.

The following procedures were unclear to many candidates, but Zhu Yin was familiar with them.

The examiner guarding the east corner gate carefully collected the examination papers and handed them over to the sealing official for sealing. There was no need to copy them; the examiner in charge of the papers sent them directly to the east pavilion.

The examiners had been waiting in the East Pavilion all night. According to the "Memorial to the Emperor" in the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty - Examination Paper Reading Ceremony", everyone read the papers together, and then the papers were divided into three grades.

Then the examiners brought the best exam papers (those they considered the best) to the Wenhua Hall and presented them to the emperor.

They read the first three exam papers in turn before the emperor, and then handed them to the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. The Grand Eunuch then placed the three best exam papers in front of the emperor for his perusal and to determine the top three scholars: the first, second, and third.

This was the rule in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty. In other words, when determining the top three candidates, the emperor could neither see their names nor their appearances.

At this moment, the emperor could only see the candidates' essays and calligraphy.

That's right, he didn't even know who he would choose as the top scholar, the second-place scholar, or the third-place scholar.

Nowadays, when people select a top scholar, they don't actually select a particular person, but rather a specific article.

The idea that emperors would select the most handsome person as the top scholar, or that they would appoint the top scholar based on their own preferences for a particular candidate, is actually an outdated notion from the early Ming Dynasty and earlier periods.

The rules have long since changed. In order to be as fair and just as possible, the emperor can no longer select the top scholar based on the candidate's name or appearance.

Zhu Yin knew that it wasn't until the Qing Dynasty, when the domineering Emperor Qianlong created a "small imperial examination" system, requiring the emperor to know the candidates' appearance and names before announcing the top scholar, that the rule was broken.

In other words, if Emperor Wanli had chosen an ordinary-looking old man as the top scholar this time, he would have had no choice but to accept it later.

If Emperor Wanli had chosen someone he didn't like as the top scholar, like himself, then he would have had no choice but to accept it.

As for the second and third class of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination), the examiners directly determined and ranked them, and the sealed names were opened and filled in on the yellow list that afternoon. Only the names of the top three in the first class were left blank.

After the names of the second and third-ranked Jinshi are unsealed, the candidates who ranked higher in the provincial examination will be seen. The provincial examination rankings will be combined to rank the candidates in the second and third tiers.

The names of the top three scholars were revealed in public the following day at the Zhongji Hall during the announcement ceremony. The ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers, officials from the Court of State Ceremonies and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, all the examiners, and eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial. Only then did everyone know who the top three scholars were.

Then the officials in charge of imperial edicts filled in the names and hometowns of the top three scholars on the yellow list, thus completing the list of the top three scholars.

Once completed, officials from the Imperial Seal Office presented the imperial seal and affixed it to the yellow notice, officially making the notice effective. The notice was then handed over to officials from the Hanlin Academy, who in turn forwarded it to the Ministry of Rites.

Only then were all the preparations for the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the announcement completed.

Zhu Yin knew these procedures, so he wasn't in a hurry and just waited.

……

March 18th, the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations!
The triennial grand ceremony for announcing the success of the imperial examinations was an important national ceremony, attended by civil and military officials in the capital, newly appointed scholars, and envoys from foreign vassal states.

Early in the morning, the Bell and Drum Bureau rang the morning bell and drum at the Meridian Gate's Five Phoenix Tower, the solemn and grand sound of the bell and drum resounding throughout the entire capital.

"Thump—thump—clang—clang—"

Civil and military officials, newly appointed scholars, and envoys from foreign territories entered the Meridian Gate in turn, guided by the officials in charge of rites. Civil officials and newly appointed scholars entered through the Left Side Gate, while military officials and foreign envoys entered through the Right Side Gate.

Today, the officials are wearing court robes and hats, not their everyday attire. At the head of the civil officials is the white-bearded Grand Secretary Shin Si-haeng, and at the head of the military officials is the Duke of England, adorned in a magnificent crown and sash. At the head of the foreign officials' procession is the Korean envoy.

Zhu Yin and other newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) wore the uniform robes of tribute scholars.

Zhu Yin, only twelve years old, stood prominently at the forefront of the newly appointed scholars, leading them forward, which attracted much attention.

The group entered the magnificent Forbidden City and first lined up in the square south of the Golden Water Bridge.

The imperial road was lined with ceremonial guards and soldiers, which inspired awe.

"Clap! Clap!"

As the whip cracked, the group crossed the Golden Water Bridge one by one and arrived outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. They then split into two groups, bypassed the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and headed to the Central Hall (Hall of Canopy) behind it.

Then, all three thousand people gathered in front of the Zhongji Hall. One by one, the censors, holding books and brushes, coldly inspected discipline, and restored order to the ranks.

The crowd was divided into two long lines, one on the east and one on the west, standing on both sides of the imperial road.

Inside the palace gate's upper corridor, the golden platform (throne) where the emperor would hold court had already been set up, with the bell and drum ensemble and the music and dance ensemble's bands positioned on either side of the imperial steps.

Between the palace steps and gates stood burly Han generals in bright armor, holding ceremonial weapons such as axes, maces, and hammers.

In front of the side corridors of the square on both sides, there are cranes, horses, white elephants, lions and tigers, and other ceremonial wild animals.

At that moment, the bands alone included Zhonghe Shaoyue and Danbi Dayue.

Under the clear blue sky of Beijing in March, the Zhongji Hall appears exceptionally magnificent, its grand scene resembling a magnificent historical scroll.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial stood below the steps and announced loudly, "The grand ceremony of announcing the imperial examinations is ready. Officials from both inside and outside the court, please enter the hall and respectfully invite His Majesty the Emperor to ascend the throne!"

"Crack! Crack!" As soon as the whip cracked, the Han general shouted loudly:
"Your Majesty, please ascend the throne!"

"We respectfully request His Majesty the Emperor to ascend the throne..."

The cheers grew louder and louder, reaching the Hall of Diligent Governance behind it. The emperor was in the Hall of Diligent Governance at that moment.

Ancient musical instruments such as chimes, chimes, bells, clappers, bamboo flutes, and jars played under the two corridors, their sounds resonating like metal and jade, creating a harmonious blend of eight tones.

From the direction of the Hall of Diligent Conduct, the grand music of the emperor's procession began to play, growing ever closer until the emperor's imperial procession finally arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The procession of the imperial entourage consists of hundreds of people, including over a hundred musicians for the grand music performance.

The emperor's jade carriage came to a steady stop below the imperial steps along the imperial road.

This time, the emperor finally gave him face and came.

Then, dressed in a crown and ceremonial robes, the square-faced and large-eared Wanli Emperor stepped out of the imperial carriage with the help of eunuchs. Amidst elegant and solemn drum music, he was surrounded by a crowd of people as he walked onto the imperial road.

The Imperial Guards and female officials, carrying umbrellas and fans, escorted the procession.

At this moment, as the emperor ascended the throne, the grand music of the imperial steps was played again, "Long Live the Emperor." It was extremely elegant and simple.

The singers of the Imperial Music Bureau, following proper etiquette, sang the following lyrics together:
"...The Holy Emperor ascends to the throne, the Nine Provinces and Four Seas rejoice in glory, the Great Ming Dynasty lasts for ten thousand generations, the heavens return to the North Pole and clouds bring auspicious omens... The Nine Realms and Eight Extremes are filled with joy and peace... The Bright Hall is opened, our Emperor is virtuous..."

To the sound of music, the emperor ascended the steps to the palace, slowly taking his seat on the golden platform above the palace gate, facing south, looking down upon the entire crowd from his high vantage point.

After the emperor had finished taking his seat, the whip cracked again, and the official of the Court of State Ceremonial announced loudly:

"All officials, take your places!"

"Bow! One kowtow!"

Everyone faced the emperor and prostrated themselves in worship.

The official from the Court of State Ceremonial chanted again: "Rise...dance...bow...kowtow again..."

The courtiers knelt and danced as directed, and the music on the imperial steps changed to "The Emperor's Court".

Although Zhu Yin was extremely unwilling, he had no choice but to kneel and dance along with the crowd, following the etiquette taught by the Ministry of Rites.

Anyway, Wanli Emperor hardly ever attended court assemblies after that, so he didn't kneel down many times.

Only after the kneeling ceremony ended did Zhu Yin finally see the Wanli Emperor.

Is she really this fat before she's even thirty?

Although they were quite far apart, Zhu Yin had excellent eyesight, better than most people, and was able to barely make out Wanli's appearance behind the crown.

To be fair, Wanli's appearance was quite respectable, with a dignified and benevolent face, but he looked a bit like a wealthy old woman, which is why Consort Zheng jokingly called him "Old Granny".

Like Li Yuan, a face resembling that of an old woman is actually a sign of nobility for a man.

Zhu Yin suddenly recalled that in the seventeenth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, the Wanli Emperor refused to participate in the grand ceremony of announcing the success of the imperial examinations, causing the ceremony to end abruptly.

But today, Emperor Wanli actually appeared at the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations.

It's not easy for him; it's commendable that he was so diligent today.

Is this the butterfly effect starting to take effect?
When the emperor arrived at the Zhongji Hall, officials from the Ministry of Rites placed the yellow edict on the emperor's desk for him to read.

It was only at this moment that Emperor Wanli realized who the three top scholars he had previously selected were.

Today is the grand ceremony for announcing the top scholar's name. He is dressed in a solemn and elegant crown and sits upright on the golden platform, where he is not allowed to move. However, when he sees the name of the top scholar, he still leans forward exaggeratedly, and the twelve tassels of his crown sway violently.

This action seems to be an attempt to see the name of the top scholar.

Clearly, Emperor Wanli was somewhat surprised to see the name of the top scholar.

Zhu Yin clearly noticed the change in the emperor's expression. But soon, the emperor sat up straight again, remaining solemn and motionless.

Zhu Yin knew that Wanli's relationship with his civil officials was deteriorating, and that he was becoming increasingly lazy in his governance. He refused to attend the grand court assembly on New Year's Day this year, and had originally planned to refuse to attend the ceremony for announcing the results of the imperial examinations as well. From then on, for thirty years he would not attend court, perform sacrifices to Heaven, offer sacrifices at temples, or hold banquets or lectures…

At this moment, Wanli sat on the golden platform, like a puppet, neither speaking nor making any other movements.

It seems that his appearance was merely a formality in this grand ceremony of announcing the success of the imperial examinations.

Zhu Yin knew that it wasn't that the procedure had to be this way, but that Wanli didn't want to talk, or was too lazy to talk.

Soon after the Ministry of Rites announced the decree, the announcer began to formally announce the results.

Immediately, everyone's eyes turned to the announcement card in the announcer's hand. The first to be announced, of course, was the highly anticipated top scholar.

As the announcer opened the post, all three hundred-plus newly appointed scholars got goosebumps and their hearts raced.

Who? Who is the top scorer? Could it be me?
But then the announcer declared, "First place, the top scholar, Zhu Yin from Jiangning!"

"Zhu Yin of Jiangning!"

"Jiangning Zhu Yin—!"

The name of the top scholar must be shouted three times by the Han general, each shout louder than the last.

When the name "Zhu Yin of Jiangning" was called out for the third time, the entire Zhongji Hall resounded with a buzzing echo, "Zhu Yin of Jiangning..."

All three thousand people present turned to look at the young, innocent-looking boy at the front of the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).

The top scholar was Zhu Yin from Jiangning!
Triple crowned!

He achieved the highest honors in all three imperial examinations at the age of twelve!
(End of this chapter)