Chapter 586: Examination Appointment

The voice, broadcast through the loudspeaker, settled steadily in every corner of the courtyard, and at first the courtyard remained silent.

The students all froze in place, as if they hadn't yet reacted, their pupils slightly narrowed, their faces full of astonishment.

But after a moment, the Imperial Academy ranks were the first to erupt in a clamor, exclamations rising and falling, shattering the profound silence: "What?!"

Everyone's face showed incredulous shock, turning to look at those beside them, eyes filled with amazement and bewilderment, subconsciously repeating Chen Yan's words, tone full of disbelief: "After graduating from the Guozijian, examination appointment?!"

"To be able to compete based on ability and knowledge?!"

It should be known that previously, Great Zhou students, even after graduating from the Imperial Academy or Guozijian, still needed an official's recommendation to be recruited into office, a system that valued lineage and connections…

Ordinary middle‑size families and students from humble backgrounds, even if exceptionally talented, rarely had a chance to stand out.

Now Lord Chen Yan has announced that graduation can be achieved through examination appointment, competing on merit, which for all former Imperial Academy students is a tremendous surprise, so it's no wonder everyone is so shocked.

Song Tingwu was the first to regain his composure, as Chen Yan's words still echoed in his ears.

He blinked hard, unable to believe his ears, quickly turned to look at those around him—Shen Zaizhou, Lou Guanshu and others—and his tone was urgent and incredulous: "Hey, did you hear clearly what Lord Chen Yan just said?!"

"Did I mishear, or did the Lord really say that outstanding graduates in the exam can be appointed?"

"No mistake! The Lord indeed said it!" Tian Xihe had already recovered from his shock, his face brimming with excitement, his voice trembling slightly, and he quickly nodded in response: "Examination appointment!"

He paused, then continued: "From now on, after graduation we won't need recommendations; we can become officials by passing the exam on our own merit!"

As soon as the words fell, several Imperial Academy students nearby also echoed in agreement.

Their tones were full of excitement and ecstatic joy, each voice trembling.

They repeatedly chanted the four words "Examination appointment."

Their eyes involuntarily reddened, and even a few students of very low birth felt their noses tingle, hot tears already welling up.

To them, those four words meant that years of hard study finally had a clear prospect…

Birth would no longer be a barrier; knowledge and ability could secure a future, and this opportunity made them thrilled beyond measure.

Even though Shen Zaizhou heard Chen Yan's announcement with his own ears, he still found it unfathomable, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his chest.

He turned to look at Song Tingwu, Lou Guanshu and the others, his eyes full of astonishment and urgency, as if seeking confirmation from the crowd, and his tone, tinged with uncertainty, pleaded: "Does that mean we'll all have the chance to showcase our talents in the future?!"

"Regardless of birth, as long as we study well and rank among the top, we can enter office and fulfill our ambitions?!"

Lou Guanshu nodded vigorously, giving a firm affirmation, her eyes shining with an unmistakable brightness, her mouth unable to stop smiling, her whole body trembling slightly with excitement, and her voice full of exhilaration: "Exactly! That's it!"

She then took a deep breath, trying to calm her excitement, and continued: "Previously, recruitment by recommendation was monopolized by the offspring of top aristocratic families, leaving people like us with few chances…."

"Now Lord Chen Yan implements graduation through examination appointment, competing on merit and knowledge, which gives all of us a fair chance!"

"From now on, as long as we work diligently and study well, we can enter office by our own ability and realize the ambitions in our hearts!"

In the midst of speaking, his gaze grew ever more resolute, his fingertips clutching his robe, his heart full of gratitude and exhilaration.

He came from a declining noble family, had studied hard since childhood, always hoping one day to become an official and do real work for the people…

But previously, because of the recommendation system, he constantly worried about his future; now Lord Chen Yan's arrangement undoubtedly fulfills his longing and reveals a hopeful outlook.

If one fails the exam, it's simply a lack of skill, nothing to blame anyone for…

Duan Yixu stood in the ranks, gazing at the composed Chen Yan on the platform, his eyes full of admiration, unable to suppress a soft sigh, his tone full of respect: "His appointment is truly grand; worthy of Lord Chen Yan!"

"Integrating the academies was already a great undertaking; now, implementing examination appointment, breaking the old system, giving every student a fair chance to compete—such boldness and foresight truly have no equal!"

The surrounding students, hearing this, nodded in agreement, their tones full of praise.

Lord Chen Yan's move not only paves the way for the Guozijian's development, but also opens a new path for Great Zhou to select talent, breaking the aristocratic monopoly on official entry through the Nine‑rank System.

It gives more talented students from humble backgrounds a chance to rise, and this boldness and responsibility command everyone's respect.

Shen Zaizhou stared at Chen Yan on the platform, his eyes gradually reddening, his fists clenched hard, his nails nearly digging into his palms, his inner excitement and exhilaration beyond words.

He came from a local gentry family, and also because his elder brother earned merit on the battlefield…

Previously he constantly worried that even with academic success, an official post would be unattainable; now Lord Chen Yan's announcement gave him hope and further solidified his resolve to study.

He then inhaled deeply, straightened his chest, and loudly declared to those beside him: "If I, Shen Zaizhou, pass the exam and one day govern a region, I will follow Lord Chen Yan, keep the people in mind, fulfill my duties, and bring prosperity to the populace!"

"I will never betray the opportunity the Lord has given!"

In his words, his gaze was full of determination and sincerity, his voice loud and powerful, brimming with hope and responsibility for the future.

The surrounding students, hearing this, cast admiring glances, each feeling their blood boil, silently vowing to work diligently and study hard from now on…

They will strive to stand out in the graduation exam, become officials, realize their ambitions, and not disappoint Lord Chen Yan's cultivation and expectations.

Unlike the Imperial Academy students' fervor, the atmosphere at the Guozijian here was noticeably calmer.

It even bore a hint of the aristocratic nonchalance and pride, with little sign of excitement…

The Guozijian students present were mostly from top families of Chang'an, whose ancestors and parents were high‑ranking ministers, with deep family foundations, giving them natural pathways and advantages to officialdom.

For them, examination appointment was not a destiny‑changing opportunity, so it naturally lacked the strong impact felt by the Imperial Academy students.

In the crowd, Liu Chengye of the Hedong Liu Clan crossed his arms over his chest, his brows and eyes full of disdain, his gaze sweeping over the excited Imperial Academy students nearby, a scornful curl at his mouth.

He tilted his head slightly, whispering to a few fellow aristocratic youths beside him: "What are those Imperial Academy students getting so worked up about?"

"It's just an extra route of examination appointment; does it really merit such leaping about?"

"Even if the Guozijian switches to examination appointment, could they possibly pass it with their abilities?"

His contempt was unmasked in his words; in his view, Imperial Academy students mostly came from middle‑size families or humble backgrounds, and were offspring of low‑ranking officials…

Even after years of hard study, they could not match the generational family teachings of aristocratic heirs; the exam is merely a formality, and those who ultimately stand out will still be the aristocratic youths!

To him, the Imperial Academy students' excitement was nothing but over‑confident jubilation.

Standing nearby, Yang Zhao of the Hongnong Yang Clan immediately nodded in agreement, his face full of arrogance, a scornful smile curling his mouth, his tone brimming with self‑confidence: "Exactly! Brother Liu is absolutely right!"

"What is our background, and what is theirs?"

He lifted his chin, the superiority in his eyes impossible to hide, "Our great aristocratic clan has accumulated generations of family teachings, ten‑thousand‑volume libraries, renowned masters guiding us; from childhood we have been immersed in the classics, histories, and court strategies…"

"Can such a gap be bridged by their mere few years of ten‑plus years of hard study?"

"Examination appointment is an opportunity for them, but for us it is merely an additional, logical title for entering office, nothing to fear."

Several Guozijian students of aristocratic lineage nearby also nodded in agreement, their gazes full of acknowledgment and pride.

In their view, one's birth determines one's outlook and foundation; even a talented student from a humble background cannot make up the gap in a noble family's inheritance.

The examination for official appointment is merely a different format; the ultimate authority still rests in their hands, so there is no need to be as excited as the Imperial Academy students.

Unlike the disdain of Liu Chengye and Yang Zhao, the capital Wei clan youth Wei Jingming shows little emotional fluctuation, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes carrying a hint of contemplation.

After a moment of silence, he turned to the fellow Wei youth Wei Jingyuan beside him and, with a tone full of doubt, asked: "Why, you say, does the Grand Preceptor implement such a system, deliberately giving the Imperial Academy students this opportunity?"

"Previously, recommendation for officialdom already favored our noble families; now that it has shifted to an examination, it may not yet affect our prospects…"

"But it does introduce some variables; the Grand Preceptor, that old man, would not arrange this casually, would he?"

Another Wei youth, Wei Jingyuan, upon hearing this, lightly shook his head, a casual expression on his face, and said with a dismissive tone: "I don't know!"

"The Grand Preceptor's thoughts have always been deep and hard to gauge; perhaps he has seen too many humble scholars and wishes to give them some hope, to soothe people's hearts?"

"Or it could simply be a momentary whim, wanting to reform the academy's regulations."

"After all, Chen Zhuguo has always advocated selecting talent without regard to background; perhaps it was Chen Zhuguo's suggestion that the Grand Preceptor nodded to…"

Wei Jingyuan's temperament is relatively easygoing, and he does not delve deeply into the underlying scheme.

In his view, regardless of the Grand Preceptor's or Chen Yan's intentions, they cannot shake the advantage of noble offspring; the examination for official appointment has no substantive impact on them, so there is no need for excessive entanglement.

Standing a short distance away, Xue Ji listened to their conversation, a confident smile slowly forming on his face, his eyes full of composure and certainty; he turned to the surrounding noble youths and said calmly: "But that's fine!"

"Regardless of the Grand Preceptor's or Chen Zhuguo's motives, isn't this post‑graduation examination for official appointment an opportunity for us to showcase our family's scholarly depth?"

He hails from the He Dong Xue clan, one of the Six Surnames of Guanzhong, a top‑tier noble family.

His talent ranks among the best in the Guozijian; although he could previously secure official posts through recommendation, it always seemed to lack persuasive power…

Now, with the chance of an examination for official appointment, he can prove his strength through his own talent, letting everyone know that the status of noble offspring depends not only on birth but also on solid knowledge and ability.

Standing nearby, the Longxi Li family youth Li Xiuwen heard this and immediately lifted his head and chest, his face full of agreement as he echoed: "Exactly! Brother Xue is right!"

"I am indeed looking forward to it; this is a perfect chance to spar with those Imperial Academy students, to see who ultimately takes the top spot and let them know that a noble family's foundation is no empty name!"

Li Xiuwen has shown outstanding talent since childhood and is quite renowned in the Guozijian; he has always been proud and arrogant, and upon learning of the push for an examination for official appointment, he felt no dissatisfaction…

On the contrary, his anticipation grew, hoping to use the exam to display his abilities, crush the Imperial Academy students, and demonstrate the strength of noble youths.

Pei Shenyin, standing among the crowd, heard their conversation, straightened his chest, his face full of pride, and loudly declared: "Then it must be my He Dong Pei clan, steeped in poetry and books!"

"Our Pei clan has generations of literary tradition; the classics, histories, philosophical works, and military strategies are all inherited. In terms of talent, my Pei youth are unmatched; this top spot in the exam will surely be a piece of cake for the Pei clan!"

He said this, his eyes brimming with confidence.

Du Xunxiang, standing beside Pei Shenyin, gave him a half‑smile glance, and in a teasing tone said: "Brother Pei, you are indeed full of confidence, but Chen Zhuguo has always been just and strict, rewarding and punishing clearly; don't think you can rely on being Chen Zhuguo's brother‑in‑law—he might give you a back‑door opening!"

"When the time comes, the exam will rely entirely on genuine talent and learning; no one can help you cheat."

"Ha!" Pei Shenyin heard this, immediately let out a cold snort, his eyes full of resentment, glared fiercely at Du Xunxiang, and in an arrogant tone retorted: "Then we'll see!"

On the Gaotai, Chen Yan held a megaphone, his gaze slowly sweeping over the students below engaged in heated discussion; the Imperial Academy students flexing their fists, and the Guozijian students' steady confidence intertwined, filling the courtyard with vibrant vigor.

In everyday times, this Duke often comes to conduct random checks of the students' studies!

"I hope everyone studies diligently and does not waste time!"

His voice, transmitted through the megaphone, fell clearly into each student's ears.

The crowd, who had been whispering, fell silent at once, all raising their eyes toward the Gaotai, their gazes full of respect and seriousness.

The academic inspection means Lord Chen Yan will personally evaluate their learning outcomes; it is both pressure and a chance to showcase oneself.

Whether Imperial Academy or Guozijian students, none dare slack off; they immediately responded in unison, their voices orderly and resonant, full of resolve: "We will strictly follow the teachings of the Sacrificial Wine!"

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, pleased with their response; raising the megaphone, he spoke loudly again: "In my leisure, this Duke will also occasionally select a few students at random for private talks, to learn about their academic progress and any lingering doubts!"

Although a certain principal, also a micro‑management expert, is lacking in military ability, it is undeniable that his political maneuvering is maxed out…

His methods of cultivating confidants are still quite instructive!

【'The Founding Emperor, following the Grand Preceptor Yuwen Hu's command, merged the Guozijian and the Imperial Academy, further establishing the Guozijian as a supervisory body. The Founding Emperor personally took charge of the Sacrificial Wine, appointing Yuwen Ze as Director of Education.'】

Having set up the supervisory body, the Founding Emperor issued a new regulation: upon completing their studies, all students shall attend a unified examination, and the most outstanding among them will be granted official positions. This system truly serves as a forerunner to the imperial examinations.

The students within the college, upon hearing this, were all filled with joy and inspiration, praising the Founding Emperor's foresight, wholeheartedly admiring him, with no dissent.

—'Records of Wei'·Chronicle of the Founding Emperor Wen