Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

The examiner was struck dumb, his face turned deathly pale, and his legs went weak, almost causing him to kneel on the ground.

He was well-read, yet he never noticed the subtle plagiarism.

Gu Yannian only glanced at it, yet he could pinpoint the exact source!

Such terrifying speed of grading and such profound knowledge are simply like those of a demon or a god!

Gu Yannian casually tossed the exam paper aside and continued flipping through the next one.

"This document is full of empty talk about natural principles and human desires. The writing is passable, but if he were to govern a local area and encounter locust plagues or floods, would he be expected to recite the Analects to starving people while providing disaster relief?"

"Dismissed."

"This document is written in a frivolous hand, and uses many obscure words to show off one's erudition, but in reality it is utter nonsense, all show and no substance. It is rejected."

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Gu Yannian thoroughly criticized the dozen or so excellent works submitted by the examiners.

They were all thrown into the wastepaper basket.

The entire Minglun Hall was deathly silent.

Those eighteen Hanlin officials, each harboring their own ulterior motives, were now all drenched in cold sweat.

They were then horrified to discover that this prime minister, who was rumored to be "uneducated and incompetent," was actually a fraud.

His profound knowledge of traditional Chinese culture and his keen insight far surpass those of these so-called leaders of the "pure stream."

Those articles that attempt to deceive with flowery language or plagiarize obscure ancient texts.

Under Gu Yannian's gaze, there was nowhere to hide.

Gu Yannian found the grading process too slow.

He simply had all the collected papers piled up in front of his desk.

He read through the papers with lightning speed, turning the pages with his left hand and writing annotations with a vermilion pen in his right.

He graded thousands of papers by himself in just two days.

Articles that merely discussed the meaning of scriptures were largely rejected.

Those practical works that were substantial in their policy proposals, demonstrated their knowledge of agriculture, sericulture, border defense, and water conservancy, were promoted by him without regard to precedent.

The day the results were released.

The imperial edict was posted outside the gate of the examination hall.

The world was in uproar.

Many of the talented scholars who had already made a name for themselves in Jiangnan and the capital failed the imperial examinations.

Meanwhile, some students from impoverished backgrounds, whose writings were simple yet insightful, achieved top honors in the imperial examinations.

In the imperial court, the long-suppressed undercurrents finally erupted completely.

The morning court session at Fengtian Gate.

The Minister of Personnel, Jian Yi, led dozens of censors to kneel down beneath the imperial steps, weeping bitterly.

It's as if the cultural lineage of the Ming Dynasty has been severed today.

"Your Majesty! Gu Yannian has cheated in the imperial examinations, turning black into white! The students admitted in this special examination are mostly low-class people who know nothing of the teachings of the sages and only talk about vulgar and mundane matters!"

"Those brilliant writers, whose essays were eloquent and whose knowledge of the classics was profound, were all dismissed by him!"

"If this continues, the Ming court will degenerate into a marketplace for scoundrels! We implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate the imperial examinations, re-examine the examination papers, and dismiss Gu Yannian from his position as Grand Secretary!"

Jian Yi kowtowed repeatedly, his voice harsh and stern.

Most of the civil and military officials in the court came from the imperial examination system.

Seeing this, many people felt compassion and echoed the sentiment, requesting a rereading.

Zhu Zhanji sat on the dragon throne, his face gloomy.

The imperial examination system was a major national undertaking, and if he did not investigate the matter, it would indeed be difficult to convince the public.

He looked at Gu Yannian, who stood to the side with a calm expression, and said in a deep voice:

"Prime Minister Gu, the officials are accusing you of unfair review of the examination papers. Do you have anything to say?"

Gu Yannian stepped out of the queue with composure, shaking his purplish-red python robe.

"Your Majesty, I have nothing to say."

Gu Yannian made a startling statement.

"Since Your Majesty wishes to investigate, please read aloud the exquisite essays that I rejected, as well as the crude works I selected, in front of all the civil and military officials."

Zhu Zhanji granted the request and ordered the eunuchs to bring several of the most controversial examination papers.

The eunuch unfolded the first document, which was the work of a talented scholar from Jiangnan, highly praised by Jian Yi and others, but rejected by Gu Yannian.

The article, when read aloud, was indeed beautifully written, full of allusions, and with perfectly balanced parallelism.

They praised the virtues of the saints to the skies.

Jian Yi, a smug look on his face, said, "Your Majesty, please listen. Such exquisite writing, every word a gem, is it not worthy of the Chinese style?"

Gu Yannian sneered and stood with his hands behind his back.

"This article appears beautiful, but it is actually empty and devoid of substance. It quotes Mencius at the beginning, but misinterprets the original meaning of 'the people are more important than the ruler.' The third paragraph is even a complete plagiarism of Zhu Xi's 'Letter to a Friend' from the Southern Song Dynasty."

"What kind of pedantic copyists, who cobble together bits and pieces without any original insights and only know how to whitewash the truth, could possibly achieve anything if they entered the court as officials, besides being good at flattery?"

Jian Yi was shocked. He couldn't believe that Gu Yannian could remember such obscure letters, so he quickly sent someone to check the historical records.

Half an hour later, the little eunuch returned carrying a yellowed ancient book.

This confirms that Gu Yannian's statement was absolutely correct.

The assembled officials all gasped in shock.

Next, the eunuch read out another exam paper that Gu Yannian had selected as the top scorer in the imperial examination.

This policy essay is written in a mediocre and even somewhat stiff style.

However, the article elaborates on the causes of the Yellow River floods and proposes a strategy of "constraining the water to attack the sand" to control the river.

It also detailed the budget for the stones, labor, and silver needed to build the dam.

"This...this is outrageous!"

Jian Yi angrily rebuked.

"The imperial examination system tests one's ability to speak on behalf of the sages! This book, full of muddy and vulgar writings, is utterly unworthy of being presented in a refined setting! How can such a peasant be a disciple of the emperor!"

Gu Yannian suddenly turned around, a chilling glint flashing in his deep eyes as he stared directly at Jian Yi.

"A peasant?"

Gu Yannian took a step forward, and the immense pressure emanating from him caused Jian Yi to involuntarily take a half step back.

"Minister Jian, the Yellow River breached its banks twice in three years, causing people on both banks to be displaced and resort to cannibalism."

"While you sit in this warm imperial court, savoring the pre-Qingming Longjing tea from Jiangnan, those peasants you speak of are retrieving the bodies of their loved ones from the icy river!"

Gu Yannian's voice was like a grand bell, resonating throughout the entire Fengtian Hall.

"Does the imperial court hold these civil service examinations merely to select a group of scholars who only know how to compose poems and flatter each other? What His Majesty desires are capable individuals who can share the emperor's burdens and save the people from suffering!"

"Although this article is poorly written, every word is a good solution to save the people! With such pragmatic talent, the Yellow River floods will eventually be quelled."

"If we don't use him, are we supposed to use those useless bastards under your command who only know how to copy the letters of their predecessors?!"

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Jian Yi's face turned ashen, and he trembled all over, but he could no longer utter a single word.

Zhu Zhanji sat on the dragon throne, listening with fervor.

He slammed his hand on the imperial desk and stood up abruptly.

"What Prime Minister Gu said is truly insightful! I wholeheartedly agree!"

The emperor surveyed his ministers, his tone icy.

"The imperial examination system should focus on practical skills, not empty titles."

"The candidates selected by Prime Minister Gu are all capable individuals. This list of candidates for the special imperial examination shall remain unchanged!"

"From this day forward, anyone who dares to prioritize flowery language over practical matters will be severely punished by me!"

A meticulously planned coup attempt crumbled under Gu Yannian's overwhelming knowledge and resounding questioning.

The backbone of the Qingliu faction was forcibly broken.

The morning court session has ended.

Gu Yannian walked steadily along the long alleyway leading out of the palace.

The warm winter sun shone on his purplish-red python robe, giving it a faint glow.

The young eunuch named Wang Zhen followed at a distance.

He looked at Gu Yannian's seemingly perpetually calm back, his eyes filled with boundless awe.

Wang Zhen knew that as long as Prime Minister Gu was still alive, the Ming Dynasty would remain so.

The power in this world is like an iron plate; no one can even dream of touching it.

Back to the duty room in Jianji Hall.

Gu Yannian took off his heavy python robe and changed into casual clothes.

He picked up the tea, which was already warm from the small red clay stove, and took a small sip.

For him, the power struggles in the imperial court were nothing more than a small ripple in the long course of life, something to pass the time.

As the sun sets and dusk approaches, the sky grows dark.

"Thump, thump, thump,"

The sound of the evening drum from the distant Drum Tower penetrated the heavy walls of the Forbidden City and rang out precisely on time.

Gu Yannian put down his teacup, skillfully tucked the sandalwood abacus on the table into his sleeve, and straightened his clothes.

He walked out of the Jianji Hall, facing the swirling snowflakes, and headed towards the palace gate.

"On this snowy day, it would be perfect to go to Qianmen Street and have a hot pot of mutton."

A relaxed smile appeared on Gu Yannian's lips as he walked lightly and disappeared into the twilight of the capital.

Today, it's time to rest.