Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

It is bordered by the Xia Dynasty to the southeast, the Liao Dynasty to the north, and the Uyghurs to the west, and is already sandwiched in the "center".

If we don't seize this opportunity to change our ways, we risk national ruin!

(As shown in the picture: Without the Hehuang region, the Western Xia was directly attacked from both sides)

This is one aspect of the consideration.

On the other hand, as a 21-year-old emperor, having only defeated his uncle a few years prior, and despite several major purges, it was inevitable that some of the remaining forces of the Muzang Epang within the country remained unpurged.

After all, that person had been in power for over a decade.

These people are hidden, making them destined to be difficult to completely eliminate.

To deal with the people of Meizang Epang, the only way is to go south, establish authority, and intimidate all.

"Old minister accepts the order."

Wei Mingman quickly bowed and went to make the arrangements.

A gentle breeze blew as Li Liangzuo walked to the door, put his hands behind his back, and gazed into the distance.

Jiang Zichuan?

My blade, Li Liangzuo's, has never been dull!

Jiang Mansion, Pavilion.

Stone table, clear tea, fruits, chessboard,

Jiang Zhao held a chess piece in his hand and placed it on the center point.

Right opposite him, a somewhat immature scholar also placed a piece.

Besides them, there was another person standing to the side, watching the two play chess.

Cai Jing, Sheng Changfeng!

One of them was Jiang Zhao's brother-in-law, and the other was Jiang Zhao's brother-in-law; both were relatives of the examiners.

This time, we must refer to "trying something else".

"Don't try it out on your first try. There's a 30% chance of passing. Are you confident?" Jiang Zhao asked slowly.

Compared to the highly competitive exams where only 3 out of 100 students are selected, the other exams select 3 out of 10 students, making the probability almost ten times greater.

Anyone who isn't stupid can pass the test and earn the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) if they study diligently.

"Don't worry, brother-in-law." Cai Jing nodded confidently.

When it comes to knowledge, he is never ambiguous.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to pass the county-level imperial examination at the age of sixteen and become a provincial-level scholar at the age of nineteen.

The saying goes, "Within three generations, a prosperous person will surely emerge." My brother-in-law is a prosperous person for the Jiang family, and he is also a prosperous person for the Cai family.

"Where is Changfeng?" Jiang Zhao asked.

"Quite confident," Sheng Changfeng said earnestly.

In terms of knowledge, he was a step behind his second brother, Sheng Changbai.

Don't try to get three out of ten; that's way too easy.

It's not difficult to pass the test by trying other methods!

Jiang Zhao nodded, placed a piece on the board, and stood up, saying, "Today is the day the Imperial Examination will be held in the 'locked courtyard'."

"I'm going now."

The two quickly stood up and said, "Respectfully seeing off my brother-in-law."

Jiang Zhao nodded, put his hands behind his back and left, his calm voice carrying back: "Reading more of the Book of Documents won't hurt."

The two were startled and became even more respectful.

Chapter 183 Chief Examiner Enke!

The Imperial Examination Hall, the inner courtyard.

This place has always been a common spot for examiners to set questions and grade papers.

Looking around, one could see numerous imperial guards stationed there, one every five steps, creating a very solemn atmosphere.

In terms of defense, it was not much worse than the Imperial Palace.

The reason for this is that the imperial examinations were related to the fate of the nation, and the confidentiality of the examination questions was of paramount importance.

If someone were to accidentally leak the topic and cause it to spread, it would surely incite resentment and anger among scholars.

One wrong move and the country could be shaken.

Therefore, it was naturally guarded strictly.

At this moment, the chief examiner Jiang Zhao, the deputy chief examiner Wang Gui, and seventeen others drawn from the Censorate, the Hanlin Academy, and the Six Ministries, a total of nineteen people, gathered together.

In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, Jiang Zhao served as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites and once represented the Ministry of Rites as an examiner.

At that time, Wang Yaochen and Hai Chengyan were the chief and deputy examiners.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

Time really flies.

Who would have thought that the then-unknown fifth-rank official would grow into a pillar of the state and become the Minister of Rites!

The remaining eighteen people all looked up and stared, their faces filled with curiosity.

Setting and grading exam papers is indeed a very important task that requires a high level of experience.

It's really rare for an ordinary person to have the opportunity to participate even once.

Apart from Jiang Zhao, none of the others, including the deputy chief examiner Wang Gui, actually had any experience as examiners.

Jiang Zhaoping glanced at him and said, "The imperial examinations will have three sessions: the first will test your knowledge of classical texts and calligraphy; the second will test your understanding of current affairs through policy questions; and the third will test your ability to write essays, judgments, imperial edicts, proclamations, and memorials. The questions will be based on the classics of poetry, history, rites, morality, the Spring and Autumn Annals, Mencius, and the Analects."

"Besides the chief and deputy examiners, the remaining seventeen people each set three questions, corresponding to three sessions."

Jiang Zhao slowly said, "At that time, we can select the better topic, combine its essence, and set it as a new topic."

After saying that, Jiang Zhao waved his hand: "Let's get paper and pen and start setting the topic."

More than ten people quickly agreed and stood up to bow.

Setting questions for scientific research exams is actually not a difficult task.

Firstly, it must be challenging enough to be selective.

Secondly, it must conform to the topic selection guidelines and not exceed the guidelines.

Thirdly, there should be no ambiguity or controversy.

If these three conditions are met, any question can be created.

As the chief and deputy examiners, Jiang Zhao and Wang Gui primarily played a coordinating role.

About three days later, the fifty-one questions set by the seventeen people fell into the hands of the two.

In this way, the chief and deputy examiners can control the difficulty of the questions and analyze their depth.

Break down complex exam questions, find ways to combine them into a new set of questions.

Another day has passed.

The three examination questions have already been prepared.

The first examination examined the meaning of the calligraphy and ink inscriptions.

The title quotes from the Book of Documents, "The Great Plan of Yu": "Virtue lies in good governance, and governance lies in nourishing the people."

Let us discuss taxation, water conservancy, and education using the concepts of "nurturing the people" and "good governance."

The second examination focused on current affairs.

The Hebei Imperial Guard was 30% vacant, and more than half of the Shaanxi garrison soldiers were old or weak; the annual tribute of one million taels of silver and silk to Liaodong and Xia was insufficient to cover even half a year's border reserves. Should we emulate Emperor Wen of Han's policy of "allowing the people to rest and recuperate" to gradually strengthen the army, or follow Shang Yang's approach of "driving agriculture into war" for immediate results?

The three examinations consist of deliberation, judgment, edict, proclamation, and memorial.

"This year, the Guanzhong Plain and the surrounding areas of Jingdong are experiencing a slight drought, resulting in a poor wheat harvest. Some local officials may be harassing the people with their taxes and delaying their duties. It is advisable to issue an edict to demonstrate my concern for the people and to admonish the officials."

The three exam questions were fairly standard.

If there's anything unusual about this, it's that the final exam tested "imperial edicts," whereas in the past, the exams mostly tested "discussions."

The topic was well-chosen and presented to the new emperor and the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet for their consideration.

Once submitted, there has been no response for nearly ten days.

Neither say yes nor no.

But in reality, not responding is the best option.

As expected, the imperial edict was issued in late July, almost exactly on time.

The first day of August.

Imperial Examination Hall.

The number of scholars who diligently studied for the imperial examinations continued uninterrupted.

It was bustling and crowded.

As the saying goes, "In books, you'll find beautiful women and riches," and "In the morning, you're a peasant; in the evening, you'll be in the emperor's court."

This is not a lie.

These fame and fortune indeed exist in the path of scientific examinations.

Once you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), you will at least become a county magistrate, in charge of the livelihood of more than 100,000 people.

Therefore, it's no wonder that the imperial examination system was so popular.

This truly has both a beautiful face and a golden house!

Nearly ten thousand candidates stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing into the distance.

After a while, the Imperial Guards arrived with guns, and with a "squeak," the examination hall was opened wide.

Inside, there is an incense table about ten feet long, with an incense burner on it.

Divided by the incense table, there were nine officials on each side, all dressed in red robes.

The remaining person, draped in a purple robe, with a goldfish-shaped talisman pouch swaying in the breeze, held an unlit incense stick in his hand, his expression solemn.

Nearly ten thousand candidates all looked up in that direction.

"What's going on here?" one of the candidates asked, puzzled.

He had taken the exam several times and was considered a veteran candidate, but he had never seen anything like this before.

"This is a 'prayer ceremony' for the imperial examinations, where the examiners and candidates offer their blessings together," an elderly candidate explained. "However, it hasn't been performed for many years."

"That must be Minister Jiang! He truly possesses extraordinary bearing!"

"In the future, he might become a political evergreen! It would be an honor to be able to take the young Grand Secretary as my mentor!"

"I'm not picky! I just want to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi."

"A twenty-nine-year-old official of the second rank, even the wealthy young master back then might not be able to compare with him!"

"All students, listen attentively."

The examiner and the candidate were nearly a hundred steps apart.

Even so, Jiang Zhao's strong voice still carried over.

Once those words were spoken, nearly ten thousand people fell silent.

Jiang Zhao waved his sleeve, lit a long incense stick, looked at the candidates, and said calmly, "This spring's imperial examination is the way for the court to seek out talented people, and the court places great hopes on you. You all have the ambition to serve the world and the talent to put your abilities to use, which is why you have gathered here."

"Within the examination hall, one must strictly abide by the rules and regulations, refrain from cheating, and not violate any regulations. One must answer with genuine talent and knowledge. If one has a good strategy or insightful argument, the court will select the best one for use."

"Now that the ceremony is over, the examination will begin. Everyone, return to your assigned cells and answer the questions diligently. Do not fail to live up to your original aspirations, nor fail to live up to the Emperor's grace."

After speaking, the long incense stick was placed into the incense burner, and the remaining eighteen examiners bowed in unison.

"We humbly thank the examiner for his guidance; we will certainly not fail His Majesty's grace!" said an elderly scholar who had taken the exam several times and was very familiar with the process.