Chapter 56: The End of the Metropolitan Examination

In the third month of spring, Jiangnan was already a riot of flowers, with grass growing and orioles flying, yet Beijing had only just stepped into spring.

The willows by the riverbank sprouted new buds, the elm seeds turned green, and the melted snow water gathered in the river, transforming into rolling spring waves.

Spring had arrived, and it was once again the season for animals to breed.

Beijing also became extraordinarily lively with the commencement of the Metropolitan Examination.

Thousands of scholars from all over, bringing friends and companions, made the already bustling Beijing even more clamorous.

Inside the Metropolitan Examination hall, Zhang Yunxiu sat upright in his small cubicle, writing furiously.

Those who passed the Metropolitan Examination were called "tribute students," which was almost the final hurdle of the Great Ming Imperial Examination.

Although there was still the Palace Examination afterward, that was merely to rank the candidates; in other words, once one passed the Metropolitan Examination, one was a metropolitan graduate.

The top three of the First Rank: metropolitan graduate with honors.

Several of the Second Rank: metropolitan graduate by regular path.

Several of the Third Rank: equivalent to metropolitan graduate by regular path.

It was almost a fixed-quota admission; as long as one did not curse the Emperor during the Palace Examination or say anything treasonous.

The Emperor would grant the status of metropolitan graduate and send them on their way.

After all, failed candidates were a terrifying existence throughout every dynasty.

Huang Chao of the Tang Dynasty, having nothing to do after failing the exam, nearly overturned the entire table.

Zhang Yuan of the Northern Song Dynasty, because he failed the exam, fled to Western Xia and ended up causing the Great Song immense trouble.

Oh, and there was also that little mustache from the West.

"Hoo."

Having written for over two hours, sweat beaded on Zhang Yunxiu's forehead, and his wrists ached.

He had wanted to stand up and stretch, but this small cubicle was too cramped; and this was even a VIP room—it wasn't as if there weren't worse exam cells than this.

Taking a few deep breaths, Zhang Yunxiu gathered his strength and finished in one go.

After writing, he immediately signaled the patrolling examiner.

The patrolling official hurriedly gathered his robes and strode over.

"Handing in the paper," Zhang Yunxiu said, pointing to the filled answer sheet.

The examiner signaled for Zhang Yunxiu to stand up and walk outside the cubicle, then walked inside to take a look. He saw that the rice paper was filled with dense, small characters written in neat regular script.

Regardless of the content, at least the calligraphy was a pleasure to behold.

"That will do, but there isn't much time left before the exam ends, and I dare not let you leave easily." The patrolling examiner collected the test paper and looked at Zhang Yunxiu with a hint of pleading, "Young Master Zhang, could I trouble you to continue staying inside for a while?"

"Very well."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded in agreement and sat back down in the small cubicle.

The examiner felt relieved and hurriedly signaled the soldiers to bring food and water for Zhang Yunxiu.

Perhaps sensing that Zhang Yunxiu had handed in his paper, the candidates who had not yet finished became nervous. Many had dense, fine sweat on their foreheads, and the hands holding their brushes could not stop trembling.

Three hours passed this way, the sun gradually slanting westward, the blood-red sun struggling, unwilling to set.

The invigilating official stood up and ordered someone to strike the bell to signal the end of the exam.

"Dang, dang, dang..."

A commotion instantly erupted within the examination area.

"I—I haven't finished answering yet, wait for me to finish..."

"What were you doing earlier? If you don't let go now, you will be treated as cheating!"

"Get lost, get lost! Wait until I finish answering, otherwise, once I pass, I will certainly punish you Junior Officials properly."

"Men, seize him! Drag this madman who defies the law and discipline out!"

Zhang Yunxiu ignored this farce; looking relaxed, he slowly walked out of the examination hall gate. Outside, Zhang Fu had been waiting for a long time, and then he led Zhang Yunxiu to a secluded spot.

A short while later, Zhang Fu smiled and handed over a towel to wipe his face, saying, "Gongzi, you've finally finished the exam today; it's time to get some good rest."

"Indeed." Zhang Yunxiu nodded and added, "By the way, the residence I asked you to help buy, have you bought it?"

"It's bought, right by the edge of East Street. It's a large residence with three courtyards. Although it's not as bustling as Dengshi Street or the wealthy streets, it's still quite decent," Zhang Fu replied respectfully.

"How much did it cost in total?"

"Fifty taels."

"Fifty taels?!" Zhang Yunxiu was filled with disbelief. He thought he had misheard, widened his eyes, and looked at Zhang Fu again to ask: "Are you sure it's fifty taels of silver, not fifty taels of gold?"

Zhang Fu nodded, then his face flushed red, and he muttered, "The owner of that house was originally an official at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Because he committed an offense, he was thrown into the Eastern Depot prison, and the residence became vacant."

"Are you trying to plead for them?" Zhang Yunxiu caught the subtext, stared into Zhang Fu's eyes, and pressed, "Or is it that you took a bribe from them?"

Zhang Fu's eyes darted away, and he told the whole story.

It turned out that after the master of the house was thrown into the Eastern Depot, his family had been running around trying to find ways to help.

It just so happened that Zhang Fu was helping Zhang Yunxiu buy a residence, so the family simply sold the house at a low price and wrapped up one hundred taels of silver to give to Zhang Fu.

All just so the head of the family could get out of prison sooner.

"You are quite bold, daring to take any money," Zhang Yunxiu said with displeasure, unable to help but mock him.

Stung by this "prick," Zhang Fu felt uneasy. His eyes darted around craftily, and he tentatively said, "If you don't like it, Gongzi, I will return the house and the silver right now and find another residence."

"No need, let's just keep this one." Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and asked, "What exactly did the master of that house do? If it was a heinous crime, then don't blame me for not helping."

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu relent, Zhang Fu hurriedly leaned in and whispered, "It wasn't anything major. It was just that he lost his decorum while drunk and frequented prostitutes. He was impeached by a censor, and the Emperor ordered Eunuch Feng to arrest him and take him to the Eastern Depot."

"You even took money for this?" Zhang Yunxiu was filled with anger and kicked out at Zhang Fu.

Zhang Fu let out an "Ah," lost his balance, and stumbled to the ground.

He hurriedly struggled to climb up and explained, "The Emperor... the Emperor only said to punish him slightly. Besides, besides, he's such a small official, how could the Emperor remember him?"

"Whether to release him or not, and when to release him—isn't that all just a matter of one word from Eunuch Feng?"

Zhang Yunxiu realized that patronizing prostitutes was not really a crime to begin with.

However, Zhang Fu had made decisions behind his back and dared to do such a major thing without consulting him, which left him feeling quite displeased.

After a few seconds of silence, he glared at Zhang Fu and barked, "After we go back, go to You Qi and take fifty strokes of the board yourself."

"Yes."

Zhang Fu lowered his head and replied.

"Hand it over." Zhang Yunxiu reached out a hand.

"What?" Zhang Fu asked.

"You made a promise to someone else, you took the money, and yet I have to be the one to shamelessly go and handle the matter for you; where in the world is there such a good deal?" Zhang Yunxiu gestured with his palm and shouted.

Zhang Fu looked full of grievances, biting his jaw as two hot tears welled up in his eyes.

Tell me, who was he running around for? Not only did he not get a single cent of benefit, but he also had to be beaten with the board.

Where could he go to reason this out? As he thought this, he reached for the silver, but his tears had already dripped onto his hands.

Zhang Yunxiu's heart softened, and he opened his mouth to tease, "Are you angry?"

"This servant wouldn't dare." Zhang Fu wiped his tears with the back of his hand and replied with his head lowered.

Zhang Yunxiu patted Zhang Fu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Uncle Fu, I know you want to save money for me. I don't want to play that game of 'water too clear has no fish' either. However, working by my side, you must distinguish clearly what money can be taken and what money cannot."

"This servant knows his mistake; next time I encounter such a matter, I will certainly consult with the young master." Zhang Fu's cheeks flushed with shame.

"That's right. Since you already know, the board strokes are waived." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and took out half of the silver, slapping it into Zhang Fu's hand, "Take it, buy something for your new wife to nourish herself."

(End of chapter)