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

After wandering around for a while, seemingly unable to find any more articles he liked, Zhao Zhen shook his head and walked back to his throne to review the memorials.

Jiang Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh of relief.

It’s stable!

In the imperial examination, there was only one question: policy questions. All the candidates answered the emperor's questions, presented their opinions, and offered good strategies.

The emperor assessed the students' answers and divided them into three ranks: the first rank was awarded the title of Jinshi Jidi, the second rank was awarded the title of Jinshi Chushen, and the third rank was awarded the title of Tong Jinshi Chushen.

In name only, the emperor was the sole examiner for the palace examination, and all decisions were made by him.

However, even if the emperor had the greatest ability, it would be impossible for him to review all the examination papers from three or four hundred candidates.

In order not to delay the important imperial examinations, the emperor would often select civil officials to assist in grading the papers.

From then on, a group of examiners with an absurdly high level of authority emerged.

For this imperial examination, six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet served as the examiners, with Grand Chancellor Fu Bi as the chief examiner and the other five Grand Secretaries as deputy examiners. In addition, twelve important officials, including the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Justice, the Hanlin Academician, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and the Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, also read the papers.

Nearly four hundred examination papers were reviewed by twelve high-ranking officials.

During this time, the emperor specially suspended court sessions to watch his ministers read their scrolls, so as not to regret missing any gems.

After about three days, the generally accepted rankings have been determined.

Outside Donghua Gate.

More than three hundred scholars gathered together, all standing solemnly.

Imperial guards stood solemnly on either side, holding golden maces and axes, with banners fluttering and the sounds of sheng and xiao playing the "Deer Cry" melody, or sometimes the "Guangling San" melody, all conveying a sense of solemnity.

Further out were members of the imperial family, female relatives of officials, and other members of the wealthy and powerful who had come specifically to watch the roll call outside the Donghua Gate.

"Boom!"

A bell tolled, its long chime fading away.

In an instant, the atmosphere shifted from lively to quiet, and the room became increasingly solemn, with everyone falling silent.

In the Chuigong Hall, civil and military officials held ivory tablets and bowed their heads, their demeanor solemn.

Emperor Zhao Zhen sat upright on the dragon throne, his hands clasped together with his sleeves, resting on the imperial desk.

At the opportune moment, the eunuch presented the imperial edict. Grand Chancellor Fu Bi turned, took the edict, and loudly proclaimed: "By imperial decree, the list of successful candidates is hereby announced. All successful candidates, stand in order to hear the announcement—"

All the hundreds of candidates were completely focused and attentive.

Even Jiang Zhao couldn't help but hold his breath.

Even a lion needs to exert its full strength to hunt a rabbit, let alone this is the first Dragon and Tiger Ranking in a thousand years, he may not even be a lion.

It would be such a pity if someone with great talent jumped out and snatched the title of top scholar after you finally passed the imperial examination.

"Heaven blesses our Zhou Dynasty, and talents abound. You have studied diligently for ten years, and today you have achieved your goal. Those whose names are announced at the Donghua Gate should aspire to serve the emperor like Yao and Shun; those who are temporarily relegated should not lose their initial ambition to reach the heavens. Respect this!"

"Long live my emperor!"

All the civil and military officials, as well as the newly appointed scholars, faced the direction of the Chui Gong Hall and performed the grand ceremony of three kowtows and nine prostrations.

The howling sound shook the mountains and seas.

The imperial edict was slowly unfurled, and the drummer struck the red lacquered bamboo flute three times.

"The Emperor's grace is boundless, regardless of background, and he has opened the imperial examinations to select talents for the country. Now, the palace examination of the second year of Jiayou has been completed. The Emperor has examined the candidates from all over the country and has bestowed upon the three first-class Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination), the seventy-three second-class Jinshi (successful candidates in the second imperial examination), and the three hundred and twelve third-class Tong Jinshi (successful candidates in the third imperial examination), totaling three hundred and eighty-eight people."

Although Fu Bi was nearly sixty years old, his voice was full of vigor when he proclaimed the imperial edict.

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Jiang Zhao of Yangzhou ranked first in the first class!"

As soon as the order was given, music began to play, and hundreds of officials from the Court of State Ceremonial announced in unison: "First place in the first class, Jiang Zhao from Yangzhou!"

The message traveled from the Chuigong Hall all the way to the Donghua Gate, its sound carrying far and wide.

Even Jiang Zhao couldn't help but feel his blood boil and his face turn red.

Even if you know that one of the examiners of the imperial examination will do his best to win the title of top scholar, the results are not yet out. Who can remain calm and not worry at all?

Now, as the names were called out outside Donghua Gate, a huge weight seemed to lift from Jiang Zhao's heart, and even her breathing became much easier.

He straightened his clothes, strode out, and walked alone with his head held high.

Every move he made exuded an air of grandeur and high spirits.

In the Chongzheng Hall, the moment Fu Bi announced the result, Jiang Zhi loosened his tightly clenched official robe and let out a long sigh of relief.

In just a short while, he was already sweating profusely.

He had never been so nervous about whether he would be promoted.

At the same time, Jiang Zhao's maternal grandfather, the Hanlin scholar Hai, also stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

With this grandson, the next generation of the Jiang, Hai, and Han families will at least be worry-free.

A top scholar in the imperial examinations truly has a bright future ahead of him.

Even when faced with political struggles, the top scholar would often wear a purple robe, just to avoid disgracing his status as the "top scholar".

In the hundred years since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there have been twenty or thirty top scholars in the imperial examinations. However, a few of them never reached the rank of third grade official, but almost all of them died of illness due to poor health.

What does it mean to have a bright future? This is a bright future!

On the other side, Han Zhang also looked delighted.

Even though he had participated in grading the papers and already knew his disciples' rankings, he was still overjoyed when the results were finally announced.

The top scholar!

The Wenquxing (a star in Chinese literature) is awarded every three years!

For Han Zhang, being the disciple of a top scholar has many advantages.

At least, there's no need to worry about the issue of succession.

I trust my apprentices who have been trained since childhood.

This matter could even help him stabilize his faction.

Outside Donghua Gate, officials and their families from Bianjing were already everywhere, and everyone was amazed, with endless discussions taking place.

"I wonder if Jiang Lang from Huaizuo is only eighteen years old and has not yet come of age? I wonder if he has any betrothal arrangements?"

"An eighteen-year-old top scholar, not yet of age but already the best in the world, his future is limitless!"

"The God of Literature has descended to earth!"

"The disciple whom Minister Han has taught since childhood is truly remarkable."

The sound of "Standing in the Snow at Han's Gate" still echoes today!

"In the second year of Jiayou, the first Jia..."

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Dou Bian from Caozhou ranked third in the first class!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, the first place in the second class was Luo Kai from Xunzhou!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Su Shi of Meizhou ranked sixty-third in the second class!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, the sixty-fourth place in the second class was held by Lü Huiqing from Quanzhou!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Su Zhe from Meizhou ranked seventy-second in the second class!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Zhang Zai from Fengxiang Prefecture ranked eleventh in the third class!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Cheng Hao of Huangzhou ranked thirty-seventh in the third class!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Zeng Bu of Jianchang ranked ninety-seventh in the third class!"

"In the second year of the Jiayou era, Zeng Gong of Jianchang ranked 260th in the third class!"

The names of the participants were announced, flowers were draped over their heads, they paraded through the streets, and the Qionglin Banquet was held.

Step by step, in perfect order.

This one is still hard to sort!

Chapter 25 The Tale of the Three Su's, A Cluster of Literary Stars!

Both banks of the Bian River.

In early spring, the river flows gently.

Jiang Zhao stood at the ferry crossing, his clothes fluttering in the cool river breeze.

"Zizhan, Ziyou, Ziping, Zihou, Zigu, Zixuan, please." Jiang Zhao took the wine and drank it all in one gulp.

Two steps away, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun, Zeng Gong, and Zeng Bu stood side by side, each holding a cup of wine.

"Please!" The six of them drank it all in one gulp.

Jiang Zhao smiled faintly, a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

Because of a chance encounter at Yuqing Temple, he successfully connected the other six people closely, with him at the core.

Since the spring imperial examinations, and through the announcement of the results and the examinations for junior scholars, the seven men have developed a considerable friendship.

Apart from Zeng Gong, the other six were all spirited and vigorous young people, all with the ambition to rectify the ills of the world and govern the country.

With shared aspirations and similar ages, barring unforeseen circumstances, the longer time passes, the deeper their friendship will grow, and they will gradually become political allies.

Among them, apart from Zeng Gong and Zhang Dun, Su Shi, Su Zhe, and Zeng Bu all passed the imperial examination and became Shujishi, with unlimited potential for the future.

Jiang Zhao and Zhang Heng were both top scholars, one being the first-place winner and the other the second-place winner.

Such a combination is truly astonishing; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's the most valuable combination among the younger generation.

After all, Zeng Gong, who never passed the imperial examination for the position of Shujishi, was quite capable in his studies and would definitely become one of the leading figures in the literary world in the future.

Zhang Dun had already passed the imperial examination, but he believed his talent far surpassed that of his nephew Zhang Heng and was ashamed to be inferior to him, so he refused to accept the pardon.

Two years later, Zhang Dun took the exam again and was at least a probationary official.

A small circle, including two top scholars, four junior scholars, and one great scholar.

Whether it's the gold content or the weight, it's definitely top-notch.

If their friendship could have lasted a long time, it would have been a story that history books would have written about extensively.

“Zichuan, this journey to Huaizuo is a thousand miles long, and it happens to be the day of your wedding.” Su Shi said with a regretful expression, “It is a great pity that Ziyou and I have to go to Meizhou in a few days.”

As he spoke, Su Shi solemnly took out two letters from his bosom.

"These are a few poems I specially wrote. They are just a small token of my respect, but consider them as an early congratulations on your marriage."

Jiang Zhao was somewhat surprised, but then delighted and presented the gift with both hands: "In that case, thank you so much for your trouble, Zizhan."

Literati and scholars have always valued elegance above all else.

When it comes to congratulations, gifts may include writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, or rare calligraphy and paintings, or poems and articles.

Su Shi sent his congratulatory gift in the form of a letter, which was essentially a gift of poems and essays.

Su Shi's poems!

Jiang Zhao was overjoyed, as if he had found a treasure.

Upon seeing this, Su Zhe laughed heartily and took out a brocade box from his sleeve. "This is a Huzhou brush, a specialty of Meizhou. It is as smooth and warm as grease, and is most suitable for writing wedding invitations. I present it to you as a gift, wishing Zichuan and his wife a long and happy marriage, and that their hearts are united through writing."

"Haha!" Jiang Zhao gladly accepted, laughing, "You two were both on the list for the Shujishi examination, your reputations resounding throughout the literary world. I imagine you'll return home in glory after this trip to Meizhou, so I won't stand on ceremony. In that case, thank you, Ziyou, for this treasure!"

This time, more than 380 candidates participated in the examination for probationary officials, and Su Shi and Su Zhe were both listed on the roster, which was quite astonishing.

For a time, Su Xun, the father of two, did not forget his desire to pursue his studies, and the three of them showed signs of becoming a celebrated story.

Su Shi and Su Zhe rose from obscurity to become rising stars in the officialdom, attracting considerable attention.

Jiang Zhao has also repeatedly praised the father and his two sons in public, which has brought them a lot of attention.

Su Shi and Su Zhe exchanged a glance and smiled at each other.

Returning home in glory is something no one can refuse. The two brothers had already planned their journey home, and the first thing they would do was to pay respects to their ancestors.

Zeng Gong had retreated at some point, bringing over a mahogany box. He shook his head and said, "Everyone else is sending fancy, literary gifts. I'll send something more practical!"

Jiang Zhao quickly took it, and upon opening it, he found a twelve-piece celadon tea set.

"The new Yue kiln porcelain is perfect for Zichuan to enjoy tea and admire the moon with his wife if he has nothing else to do!"