White-robed Minister

Chapter 106 0104 [The Chief Examiners of the Song Dynasty Were All Amazing]

What is Feng Jing's style?

The writing is beautiful, the rhythm is harmonious, it skillfully uses allusions, and the structure is rigorous.

Ouyang Xiu had been promoting the Classical Prose Movement for the past few years, so if you wanted to get a high score, you also needed to add the requirement of "literature conveying the Way." In other words, it had to be intellectually stimulating.

But the topic Feng Jing provided didn't offer any new ideas to add.

In the past two years, the exams have reverted to testing poetry and prose in the first session. However, with the continuation of the four-session exam system, elimination will not be implemented in every single exam session.

Today's poem is titled: "The Mian River flows, flowing towards the sea."

The phrase "all rivers flow into the sea" is used to praise the unity and strength of the nation, the talented people of the world working together to assist the court, and also to praise the wisdom of the current emperor.

Today's poem is titled: "The Great Lu is the chariot of the Son of Heaven."

It means to write a poem using the image of the emperor's carriage.

How do I write something thought-provoking?

Then we can only start with the wording, allusions, and structure.

The Erya, which Xu Lai had only casually encountered and learned haphazardly in Guangzhou before his time travel, finally came in handy. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known the names of ancient mountains and rivers when writing this poem.

Open the reference book "Rhyme Scheme of the Ministry of Rites" and find the characters that belong to the correct rhyme group. Then list the mountains, rivers, and allusions that need to be used. Next, conceive the structure of the entire poem.

After revising and rewriting for a long time, Xu Lai finally finished writing the poem of praise.

That essay, however, was a bit of a headache.

Xu Lai felt nauseous after reading a poem praising someone, so he decided not to write this ode.

After thinking for a long time, he determined the key sentence: "The ruler of a great chariot is not defined by his position, but by his virtue and ability to bear the weight of the world."

As for whether a certain ruler was virtuous or not, Xu Lai didn't say it explicitly, since everyone already knew.

The theme of his essay directly became a discussion of the way to govern a country, implicitly advising the emperor to cultivate his own virtue.

Doesn't that bring out the intellectual content?

After racking his brains to finish writing the rhapsody, Xu Lai went back to look at the poem of praise. The more he looked at it, the more nauseating he became, so he simply revised it, reducing the lines of praise and adding two lines expressing his own aspirations.

Then I revised the details of the poems and carefully copied them onto the answer sheet.

They ate pancakes, drank tea, and lined up to use the restroom.

They slept on the floor at night, and the snoring was deafening. The usually pampered students couldn't sleep at all.

The next day, there was one essay question and several sutras were posted.

On the third day, three questions were asked, along with several questions on the meaning of words.

You can submit a blank paper for the "Painting Classics" and "Ink Meaning" sections; the examiners probably won't even bother to look at them. These two types of exam questions have long been defunct.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Xu Lai packed his bags and left.

When he walked out of the examination hall, he saw that many of the candidates had dark circles under their eyes, probably because they hadn't slept well in the past few days.

"Do it! Do it!"

Luo Dunxin and his group happened to run into Xu Lai.

Xu Lai asked, "How did you all do on the exam?"

"good."

The answers from the crowd were vague.

Don't assume that a 6% acceptance rate is high. The scholars from Kaifeng Prefecture, Imperial Academy students, and those who passed the preliminary examinations in the locked hall alone accounted for 4%. The remaining 2% were the local candidates, and they had to compete with those from Fujian, Jiangxi, and other provinces.

There are no strict rules regarding the above ratios, but they are roughly the same each time the test is conducted.

Therefore, hundreds of candidates from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hebei, Hubei and Hunan would often go to the capital, but not a single one could pass the imperial examination.

Xu Lai stood outside the examination hall, chatting with friends he met, as more and more candidates gathered around him.

The group began discussing the topic and recounting what articles they had written.

Actually, there's not much to compare; it's all about highly subjective things like poetry, essays, and policy discussions.

Before long, Yang Shu and Yu Shanyuan also came out, and the group decided to go out for a meal together.

They chatted as they walked.

"Can I not register for the National College Entrance Examination this year?"

"Even if you do very well in the Imperial Examination's 'Great Righteousness' test, it will only improve your ranking in the final palace examination. This year there's no palace examination, so what's the point of adding a 'Great Righteousness' test?"

"That's true."

"Sigh, I was born at the wrong time. This year I'm afraid of passing the exam, but I'm also afraid of failing."

"I heard that there might be a special examination this year. If we pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, we can participate in the special examination as long as we gain the favor of a certain high-ranking official."

"Your husband's appreciation? Don't even think about it."

"That's feasible."

Xu Lai just smiled when he heard this. Even if he passed the imperial examination, he would not participate in the special examination this year.

A few days ago, Xu Lai went to Ouyang Xiu's house to ask for his help in selling the Yu family's house in the capital. At that time, he also mentioned the imperial examination system.

Ouyang Xiu said directly, "You are too young. Serve as an official for a few years before considering the imperial examination."

Ouyang Xiu did not say it explicitly, nor could he bear to dampen Xu Lai's enthusiasm.

This year's college entrance exam was definitely a trap; who would get in was already decided long ago.

The first place definitely belongs to Li Qingchen, who is a relative of the emperor and the nephew-in-law of Han Qi!

How can you argue with others?

The special imperial examinations typically only select two candidates. The candidate recommended by the prime minister must take the exam with the highest score, while the candidate recommended by the Censorate must take the exam with the second highest score. Once all the spots are filled, all other candidates are simply there to make up the numbers!

When the Puyi Incident erupts, the system of science will become a tool for political struggle.

The candidates left the temple, but the examiners were still locked up there.

Feng Jing and other chief examiners for the imperial examinations will then organize the arrangement, anonymization, transcription, and grading of the examination papers. All of this will take place at Kaibao Temple, and Feng Jing will not be able to leave until the grading is completed.

Of course, occasionally officials might break the rules and, feeling restless, go home midway through their journey. Such cases would result in impeachment, and the consequence would often be a self-imposed punishment of drinking three cups of wine.

As for the examination venue, it was handed over to the examiners and candidates of various subjects. The second batch of candidates to enter the venue were the Mingjing candidates.

Several days later, the anonymous transcription was completed, and Feng Jing, Fan Zhen, and Shao Bi began to review the papers.

Before they even started grading the papers, other examiners had already reviewed them. Papers with serious errors in format or meter, or containing prohibited words, were immediately rejected and never even saw by Feng Jing.

Several days after grading the papers, the three examiners began a discussion on the two papers.

Although the anonymous transcription process does not reveal the candidate's identity, answer sheets from the same candidate will be grouped together because they share the same serial number.

"Which of these two candidates should be ranked first?" Shao Bi asked.

Fan Zhen said, "I believe 'A forty-eight' should be ranked first. The poem in 'B twenty-one' has one instance of incorrect tonal pattern."

Feng Jing picked up his brush and changed one word on the vermilion scroll: "Isn't this correct?"

Fan Zhen and Shao Bi were taken aback.

Feng Jingzhen is capable of doing something like this.

The chief examiners in the Song Dynasty were really something else!

For renowned scholars and officials, rules were meant to be broken, and could even become a celebrated story.

Since the names were copied anonymously anyway, they didn't know who the candidates were, so any unusual tactics could be explained as a way of valuing talent.

For example, Ouyang Xiu made an exception and admitted Su Shi, whose poetry and prose were not up to standard. Did anyone say anything? On the contrary, it was a topic of much discussion.

Feng Jing said, "Cheng Ershiyi is not only exceptionally well-written, but also full of insightful ideas. Whether in poetry or policy essays, it embodies the spirit of Ouyang Xiu's classical prose, with each piece conveying profound truths through literature. This is truly remarkable; even a single error in tone and rhyme is a minor flaw that does not detract from its overall excellence."

Since the chief examiner has said so, how could the two deputy examiners possibly object?

In fact, Fan Zhen and Shao Bi also liked the article "Cheng Ershiyi".

The essay in particular was exceptionally well-written.

Ode to the Emperor's Grand Carriage:

In ancient times, sages set an example, modeling their vehicles after the heavens. Wheels propelled the four directions, and canopies sheltered all things. The construction of the grand carriage was not merely for show; the wise ruler's use of it truly symbolized his governance. Its square shape resembled the earth, and its round canopy represented the heavens. The spokes converged at the hub, like stars surrounding the pole; the balance beams stretched across the shaft, like the nine virtues establishing power. Therefore, when a wise ruler rides in this carriage, he thinks of bringing peace and security to the people; when a king wields this carriage, he knows how to control this great instrument.

[For a chariot to travel, it must rely on oil and grease to smooth its axle; for a ruler to govern, he must rely on wise and virtuous men to correct its shortcomings. If the axle is not smooth, the ambition to travel a thousand miles will be thwarted; if wise and virtuous men are not appointed, the hearts of the people will be stifled. In the past, Xi Zhong of the Xia dynasty invented the chariot, the Yin people added decorations, and the Zhou people prepared elaborate rituals. This was not for the sake of extravagance, but for the purpose of carrying virtue and reaching far. Therefore it is said: The ruler of the great chariot is not defined by his position, but by his virtue that enables him to bear the weight of responsibility.]

This uses the various parts of the emperor's chariot as a metaphor for politics. Just as an oiled axle makes a chariot run faster, wise ministers help the ruler govern well. A ruler must cultivate virtue and appoint virtuous and capable officials.

And this passage, in particular, touched the hearts of the three examiners.

Do not let the grandeur of the imperial palace overshadow the barrenness of the surrounding fields; do not let the power of the emperor cause you to overlook the mistake of a single man. If you do this, then even a large carriage will not be burdened by its weight; even a high position will not cause you to worry about it tipping over. For those of great virtue will find their carriages secure; those of just governance will find their journeys swift.

This has transcended the realm of prose and is more like an essay discussing governance.

Of the more than two thousand essays submitted by candidates this year, none could compare to this. So what if there's a single error in tone and rhyme? It doesn't detract from the overall excellence!

That poem was also very well written.

The snow-capped peaks of Min and Emei melt into waves, flowing ten thousand miles to pay homage to the ancestral temple.

The Han and Mian rivers display autumn colors, while Jing and Xiang rivers connect with distant peaks.

Waves ripple across the Yunmeng Marsh, their reflections mirroring the towering Chu Mountains.

After the sacred sites were excavated, Yu Xian was relieved of his anger.

All rivers obey their duties, and all nine tributaries submit to their authority.

I wish to emulate the spirit of the emperor, and have a heart as vast as the ocean.

Not only is the scenery beautifully described, but the emperor is also compared to Yu and Shun, and the court officials are all loyal and devoted. Finally, the author declares his unwavering commitment to serving the country and his selfless dedication to assisting the wise ruler.

As for the policy essays, they were equally substantial.

However, due to the limitations of the questions, some of the discussions were somewhat general, but each article always had a novel and insightful point.

"Phew, it's finally over."

Feng Jing stood up and stretched. He was about to leave when he couldn't help but read the poem again, sighing, "What a pity! Such a talented scholar has encountered the 'Liang An List' (a list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations). He should have tried again in two years."

Feng Jing genuinely felt a sense of appreciation for talent.

Not only did Liang An not take the palace examination, but he also did not have a mentor in the Ministry of Rites examination. Feng Jing, as the chief examiner, should have been Xu Lai's mentor, but unfortunately missed the opportunity because of Liang An.

"Let's go, it's time to go home," Fan Zhen urged.

These people had been locked in the temple before the Lantern Festival and had not been home for more than a month.

I'm feeling irritable and restless.

After their rankings were determined, since there was no palace examination, the list was sent directly to the Ministry of Rites for posting and announcement.

The list, called the Golden List, was written on several sheets of yellow paper and posted on the east wall of the South Courtyard of the Ministry of Rites.

They would also write a golden flower sticker for each successful candidate in the imperial examination, notifying them in writing.

end of February.

More than two thousand candidates for the imperial examinations gathered early in the morning at the east wall of the South Courtyard of the Ministry of Rites.

Many ordinary people also came to watch the spectacle.

Some people also waited early with strong servants, those servants were all strong and powerful—to find a son-in-law from among the successful candidates!

(The update for tomorrow morning's 9 AM chapter is uncertain. But there will definitely be two updates tomorrow. Getting a tooth pulled really hurts, so don't think I'm trying to gain sympathy.)