Chapter 153: On the List, Palace Examination (Major Chapter)

The Great Qian court's rules differ from those of the previous dynasty.

Although the previous dynasty had three tiers, it was not only three grades.

Rather, there were five grades.

First grade: three people; second grade: twenty-five people.

Third grade and fourth grade: roughly several dozen to a hundred people each, varying.

The number of fifth grade is similar to that of third and fourth grades.

Among them, first and second grades are collectively called the first class, usually awarded to those who passed the imperial examination as presented scholars.

Second class third and fourth grades are awarded to presented scholars; third class is fifth grade, merely awarded to those of presented scholar status.

However, the Great Qian court only has three classes and three grades.

First class remains twenty-eight people, while the number of presented scholars in second class has been greatly reduced, only slightly more than the number of presented scholars in first class, roughly over a hundred.

The number of presented scholars in third class is far greater than the previous dynasty's convention.

Whereas the previous dynasty was the opposite: first class had the fewest, then third class, and second class had the most people.

The top scorer resides within; many examinees are discussing in an uproar, most talking about the examination questions, a few discussing who is most likely to win the top honor this time.

However, after much discussion, Zhang Jian discovered that he was firmly on the list in the minds of many fellow examinees.

Although he rarely went out to participate in poetry societies or other activities, his talent and writings had already spread among many examinees.

Zhang Jian clearly understood this was likely due to the dragon patterns and phoenix appearance destiny.

This is also a good thing.

Fame to a certain extent is equivalent to a renowned instrument.

If one makes the list, especially with a high ranking, it is truly deserved and will not provoke many examinees to question or protest, thus avoiding much trouble.

……

After a gathering, many examinees dispersed one after another; at this moment, Shi Lun could not contain his excitement, quietly pulled Zhang Jian aside, and softly told him a piece of news.

"Zhang brother, my father's letter said that this time, Xianxian County could successfully suppress the infiltration and expansion of the Xuandu Sect; we two have great merit, and Wu Jun mentioned he will submit a memorial to His Majesty to report our achievements!"

At this moment, Shi Lun's handsome face bore a hint of smile; Zhang Jian glanced around, slightly furrowed his brow.

"Chengfeng brother, have you not mentioned this to anyone else?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Lun hurriedly waved his hands.

"Zhang brother, I naturally know the importance; I have not mentioned it to anyone outside Zhang brother, not even my family nearby!"

Zhang Jian warned: "Then it's good, Shi brother; the examination results announcement lasts only twelve or thirteen days; when the time comes, do not be overly elated prematurely—carelessness leads to disaster!"

Carelessness leads to loss of self; indiscretion leads to loss of ministers.

Zhang Jian recalled many examples: clearly, promotion was imminent, yet he boasted everywhere, letting opponents learn the news early, become vigilant, and in the end, just before promotion, opponents succeeded in stealing the opportunity—the duck in hand flew away, and he only got a mouthful of feathers.

If such matters spread widely and the current emperor learns of it, who knows what he might think? Perhaps he would deem the two reckless and ignorant, unaware of the way of a minister, and casually demote them—then wouldn't it be impossible to even cry?

"What Zhang brother says is indeed correct; I have taken note!"

Shi Lun nodded; this attitude, seen by other examinees in the distance, caused great astonishment.

That the renowned talent of the Shi family from Xianxian County would be so convinced by Zhang Jian was unexpected to many.

Of course, this also increased Zhang Jian's weight in the hearts of other examinees; being able to convince Shi Lun, who considers himself extraordinary, Zhang Jian must possess his abilities.

……

The announcement of results is on the morning of February twenty-eighth.

For over ten days, Zhang Jian still maintained his habits step by step.

Part of the time was used for cultivation, including tempering magical power, practicing techniques, and nurturing the Dragon Chant Sword with the 《Holy Virtue Sword Washing Art》.

Part of the time was used for extensive reading of ancient texts.

To the greatest extent, develop the divine power of the Seven Apertures Crystal Heart.

Ancient sages, possessing the Seven Apertures Crystal Heart, could comprehend the supreme principles of heaven and earth from ordinary classics, thus achieving transcendental transformation.

Zhang Jian is also striving toward this direction.

At the same time, he is letting the Iron Bone Jade Heart transform into the Benevolent Bone Cinnabar Heart.

If he can push the Seven Apertures Crystal Heart to the state of the Sage's Crystal Heart, he believes it will greatly assist him in achieving the Red Dust Dao Fruit.

The nourishment for the growth of the Seven Apertures Crystal Heart is also continuous reading, extensively studying poetry and books, comprehending the supreme principles of the universe.

It can be said that this is the same path as the one he walks.

……

On the twenty-eighth, the heavy snow in Haojing City gradually lightened, but the city still lay under a thick layer of white snow.

The government ordered the chiefs of each ward and neighborhood to mobilize many commoners to sweep snow on the streets, to prevent blockage of the official roads and affect normal travel within and outside the capital.

Of course, this is 'unpaid'.

However, the snow, half a person deep at this time, could not stop thousands of examinees, nor even the enthusiasm of officials and nobles in the city to view the list.

The place of announcement is not outside the Imperial Academy, but in front of the most famous avenue in Haojing.

It is a street called Yujing, where passersby are mostly officials of rank, and which many officials must pass through or pass by before morning court.

At this moment, the yellow list has already been posted on the eastern wall; Zhang Jian has already seen clearly the largest characters on it.

The sixth year of Jingwu, Ministry of Rites examination results announcement.

From afar, just a glance, Zhang Jian saw his own name.

First place: Wang Qingzhou of Nine Slope Ridge, Dongling County.

Second place: Zhang Jian of Zhang Family Slope, Fengxi County, Fengyang Prefecture.

Third place: Peng Yuan Shou of Three Yuan Li, West City Street, Yingwu Prefecture.

"Passed, my lord, do you see? Your name is second on the tribute list!"

At this moment, Zhang Jian had not yet spoken, but Zhang Lu beside him could no longer hold back and shouted loudly, his mouth nearly split to the horizon; however, as soon as he opened his mouth, the crowd erupted, with one examinee after another turning their gaze toward him, and many examinees around him cast envious looks, not lacking those who sighed with envy.

"How young he is, at such an age to rank second on the tribute list—what talent does he possess!"

But before his words had finished, examinees from the southern provinces spoke up.

"What talent? Brother Zhang is the exemplar of our southern provincial examinees, a youthful prodigy, his writings as splendid as brocade—how could ordinary examinees compare!"

"Indeed, how can one judge the depth of literary skill by age? This statement is utterly wrong! Which of us southern examinees does not know Brother Zhang's erudition!"

"Congratulations, Brother Zhang!"

Many examinees also spoke up, each with complex expressions, yet their faces showed conviction.

This is the power of a famed instrument.

With many examinees voicing support, the clamor of discussion quickly subsided, leaving only a vast expanse of envy and congratulations.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Jian smiled faintly, and at the same time glanced at Zhang Lu beside him, causing Zhang Lu's old face to flush slightly.

"My lord, I have been overly indiscreet!"

Zhang Jian smiled and waved his hand, he understood Zhang Lu's joy quite well.

How could he not be pleased?

Ranking second on the tribute list exceeded his expectations; this time he had not used imperial fortune to wish, relying purely on his genuine talent and learning.

Moreover, ranking second on the tribute list allows hope for a top-three finish in the palace examination—namely, zhuangyuan, bangyan, and tanhua, these three special positions.

At this moment, many examinees quickly shifted their attention, their gaze falling upon another vigorous young examinee.

That is the current huiyuan, Wang Qingzhou.

He is an extremely orthodox examinee, at this moment wearing an embroidered silk scholar's robe, wrapped tightly, appearing not to be from a prominent clan family, yet now he has become the focus beneath the yellow list.

Around them, many prepared wealthy households had already summoned their servants to come rushing over swiftly, while some directly fixed their gaze on Zhang Jian.

This is another splendid sight beneath the yellow list.

Snatching a groom beneath the list.

Zhang Jian already had a fiancée and did not wish to be 'seized' away, so he signaled Zhang Lu to step forward and block, while he himself smoothly entered the midst of the many examinees, vanishing instantly.

At this moment, within the crowd, Shi Lun was also rapidly scanning the list line by line.

In the sixth year of Jingwu, the Ministry of Rites' provincial examination admitted a full two hundred and eighty-five tribute students.

This number is not particularly large, but neither is it small.

Nearly one-tenth of the thousands of examinees.

In the icy snow, Shi Lun felt sweat all over his body—first, from the crowd pressing shoulder to shoulder and heel to heel, hot; second, from anxiety—until, at the one hundred and ninth position, he saw his name.

One hundred and ninth place: Shi Lun of the Shi Family Ward, Xianxian Commandery!

Seeing his name on the list, Shi Lun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But upon carefully browsing the entire list, his expression suddenly tightened; among the eight examinees who had traveled together to Haojing, only Zhang Jian and he had made the yellow list.

Exhibit Xiong also failed.

This made Shi Lun feel considerable regret for him; Xiong Xiong's foundational skills were very solid, his bearing outstanding, yet he had actually failed—he estimated it was due to the later policy discussion, or perhaps some other issue.

Shi Lun noticed Xiong Xiong not far away, his face showing disappointment, and many examinees around him were also silently distressed.

In the icy snow, some discomfited examinees wailed loudly, or directly cried out against injustice.

Shi Lun sensed the atmosphere gradually changing, and found an opportunity to slip away directly.

Afterward, Shi Lun ran straight back to the Zhuangyuan Residence in one breath.

Inside the Zhuangyuan Residence, it was no longer as lively as it had been ten or so days before.

Most examinees had already dispersed; for those who did not pass, what face would they have to return to the Zhuangyuan Residence to meet old friends? Most could only be cold and quiet, packing their belongings, preparing to leave the capital.

Only a portion of those who made the yellow list could still strive harder toward the zhuangyuan's direction.

Shi Lun saw Zhang Jian here.

Upon seeing Zhang Jian, Shi Lun's eyes lit up with joy, and he stepped forward first to congratulate.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhang, on ranking second on the yellow list—zhuangyuan is within reach!"

"Brother Chengfeng, we share the same joy!"

Zhang Jian slightly bowed his hands, his face also bearing a smile.

From this moment, their relationship actually rose to a higher level—not merely friends of shared interests, but now fellow graduates of the same year.

As fellow jinshi of the same examination and good friends, they are highly likely to become political allies who watch over and assist each other.

This is destined to be closer than ordinary friendship.

Shi Lun had also realized this early on, and he saw even more clearly the hierarchy: both from prominent clans, Zhang Jian surpasses him in wisdom and in conduct, and his future achievements will likely exceed his own by eight or nine parts.

Deep down, Shi Lun does not mind this at all—not only because Zhang Jian helped him resolve his inner turmoil, allowing him to participate smoothly in the Ministry of Rites' provincial examination, but also because he had long been captivated by Zhang Jian's talent.

A heartfelt admiration.

Afterward, a few more southern examinees who had made the list entered the Zhuangyuan Residence; after a few drinks, they gradually dispersed.

Everyone knew that making the tribute list was not the end.

The palace examination three days later is the true focus.

Although they will not be eliminated, it concerns their official titles and appointments.

On the road, Zhang Jian's expression at this moment carried a hint of surprise.

He sensed that after making the yellow list, his entire being seemed to suddenly receive a surge of spiritual essence from deep within the cosmos and the state, this spiritual essence continuously flowing into his body, causing the golden fluid mana in his inner spring to increase rapidly, revealing a round, luminous, and spirited glow.

"This is the spiritual essence of the state altars, invading the mysterious gate of creation?"

Zhang Jian silently thought to himself.

He knows that even ordinary people possess spiritual essence on their bodies—this is why those demons and ghosts prefer to consume the myriad spirits' essence and blood for cultivation.

And the operation of the court and state altars likewise conceals spiritual essence; if one could obtain the authority of the cosmos and state altars, it would be equivalent to obtaining the creation that governs the myriad spirits' operation.

This is the utmost profundity of cultivating well while serving in public office.

The 《Tongshan Qingjing Baolu》 itself can absorb all kinds of spiritual opportunities, and the spiritual opportunities of the state are also among them; at this moment he suddenly gained entry to the Golden List of the Great Qian Dynasty, which is of extremely high value, and naturally the spiritual opportunities of heaven and earth entered his body, increasing his magical power.

"No wonder the patriarch said, the mundane world of red dust is a blessed land of cave heavens that many cultivators dream of seeking, but only this blessed land's spiritual opportunities, ordinary cultivators cannot bear to receive!"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly.

The increase in magical power made him feel a few extra points of anticipation for the upcoming palace examination.

Although the value of being listed on the tribute list is high, it cannot compare to being named on the golden list.

To be named on the golden list, to enter the bridal chamber with flowers and candles.

This has been a beautiful thing in the human world since ancient times.

……

Zhang Jian remained secluded in the small courtyard for three days; during these three days, aside from seeing off some examinees leaving the capital, he stayed in the small courtyard tempering his magical power and doing practice questions.

Until three days later, when the auspicious time arrived.

The location of the palace examination is within the imperial city, not specifically limited to the Golden Throne Hall; usually, it is sufficient for the emperor to designate an empty palace hall.

But this time, Emperor Jingwu, to show the court's emphasis on talent, designated the palace examination to be held in the Chengtian Hall, where morning audiences are held.

……

At this moment, the dawn light was faint; early on, two hundred and eighty-five tribute scholars passed through Yujing Street, led by four chief examiners along the imperial streets, arriving outside a gate called Hengyuan Gate, where several officials of the Censorate had already been waiting, and simultaneously, officials of the Temple of Harmony came forward to inform the two hundred and eighty-five tribute scholars of part of the rituals to be observed upon entering the hall, while also warning everyone that when facing the court's senior ministers and the current emperor, they must not lose decorum before the throne.

Likewise, losing decorum before the throne carries the same risk of being dismissed.

This is one of the few ways one might be dismissed.

Of course, under normal circumstances, such an accident will not occur.

At this moment, Zhang Jian was listed second among the tribute scholars, just behind the top examinee Wang Qingzhou; he noticed that some examinees had already begun to feel nervous, and several examinees whose faces could not be called "upright" were being stared at by several censors, their faces turning ashen with nervousness.

Losing decorum before the throne also includes being ugly.