Chapter 604: First Review Reveals Outstanding Talent

The fifteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao, the second day of the fourth month.

The Rongguo Prefecture held a make-up coming-of-age birthday banquet for Jia Cong. The descendants of the merit families attending the banquet in the outer courtyard were drinking and chatting, while Jia Mu and Lady Wang in the inner courtyard wanted to borrow the east wind to set up a stage and perform a play.

It was just that Jia Mu's scheme was discovered by the wife of Marquis Cheng Yang, Xu, whose witty words instantly dissipated it into nothingness.

The wife of Marquis Cheng Yang, Xu, and the wife of Marquis Jingyang, Zhang, in order to clear Baoyu from the marriage of their children, threw out the saying of choosing a son-in-law, the man of culture.

This also turned the topic of the noble wives at the banquet to the metropolitan examination that attracted the attention of the world……

At the same time, a few miles away from the Rongguo Prefecture, the Divine Capital Examination Compound and the Great Zhou Ministry of Rites, two official agencies closely related to the spring examination, fell into an abnormally busy situation.

Since the spring metropolitan examination ended on the twenty-seventh of the third month, the grand and meticulous grand ceremony of reviewing the examination papers was being carried out in full swing.

On the night the metropolitan examination ended, the registration of test papers, the sealing of test papers, the copying of test papers, the initial screening, and the elimination began in an orderly and ruthless manner.

Among them, more than a hundred candidates were not involved in answering questions and grading, but because of reasons such as taboos in the language of the test papers, incorrect word counts, and self-narration of background, they became the first batch of failed candidates.

And the vast majority of the candidates who successfully entered the stage of red-ink copying of test papers were also destined to be eliminated.

The copied test papers were sealed and stored in the examination compound's document library, and the copied papers were transported continuously from the examination compound to the Ministry of Rites by the Forbidden Army throughout the process according to the order.

The reason for storing and reviewing the original papers and copied papers in two places was also to prevent the difficulty of pulling papers and replacing them for cheating between the procedures.

The copied papers of the metropolitan examination were transported out of the examination compound and directly transported to the Ministry of Rites' review hall, where three spring examination chief examiners sat in command, and eighteen co-examiners reviewed the papers in separate rooms.

In addition, review officials were also configured under each co-examiner in each room. These review officials were officials of the sixth grade and below in each agency, and they were also outstanding performers on the metropolitan examination list that year.

In addition, the personnel involved in the review affairs also included clerks responsible for document copying and organization, and miscellaneous servants responsible for running errands in the hall.

The entire Ministry of Rites review hall gathered more than two hundred people. Although the momentum was grand, because it involved the selection of talents in the world, apart from the low sound of chanting articles, there was little other noise.

And the entire Ministry of Rites review hall was surrounded and guarded by hundreds of elites mobilized from the Five Military Camps. Even the Minister of Rites, who was not the chief examiner, could not enter the review hall without authorization.

All officials and miscellaneous servants participating in the review, even the chief examiner of the metropolitan examination himself, had to be strictly checked when entering and leaving the review hall to ensure there was no private concealment or carrying.

Because, in previous dynasties, similar situations had occurred where candidates would immediately write down their answers after leaving the examination compound.

Then, through key connections and heavy bribes, they would pass the written answers to grassroots review officials, or even co-examiners and chief examiners.

Officials who received things passed secretly, even when facing copied papers that only had numbers and no names, could recognize people by their writing and engage in cheating.

Therefore, in order to prevent it, the strictness of the inspection of the entry and exit of review officials was no less than when candidates entered the examination compound for the examination.

The Han people had implemented the imperial examination system since the former Tang Dynasty, and it had been a thousand years. Candidates, in order to win the path to the blue clouds, had various kinds of desperate cheating, which were endless, one after another, not fearing life or death.

The thousand-year history of the imperial examination had always been a bloody battle between cheating and anti-cheating. There were many who stole the secrets of heaven through private means and passed by luck, and therefore there were countless who died and lost their names……

……

In the Ministry of Rites review hall, three rooms facing south sat the three chief examiners of the spring examination, to show the intention of selecting talents for the world on behalf of the Son of Heaven.

On the left and right sides of the hall were nine side rooms, housing eighteen co-examiners who shouldered the heavy responsibility of reviewing papers.

In the center of the review hall, desks were neatly arranged, and review officials and grassroots clerks of each room sat separately, reviewing and organizing the copied papers that were continuously transported into the hall.

The eighteen co-examiners reviewed the papers in separate rooms according to the candidates' specialized study of the "Book of Songs," "Book of History," "Book of Rites," "Book of Changes," and "Spring and Autumn Annals."

Although candidates in the first round of the metropolitan examination only tested seven questions, the metropolitan examination provided more than seven questions, and candidates chose questions according to the classics they specialized in.

Among the Five Classics, the number of candidates specializing in the "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," and "Book of History" was far greater than those specializing in the "Book of Rites" and "Spring and Autumn Annals."

Because the word count and difficulty of the latter two classics were far higher than the former three, studying and researching them was more time-consuming and laborious.

Especially the "Spring and Autumn Annals," with its subtle words and great meanings, often made students who studied it retreat in the face of difficulties.

Therefore, among the eighteen co-examiners, the majority reviewed the "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," and "Book of History," while the minority reviewed the "Book of Rites" and "Spring and Autumn Annals."

This metropolitan examination had more than three thousand candidates. Apart from the candidates who were eliminated during the copying stage.

In principle, each co-examiner needed to review more than two hundred test papers, totaling more than six hundred answer sheets.

But when the review officials under each co-examiner conducted the initial review of the test papers, they would screen out those with inferior eight-legged essay levels and confused principles in the first round of the classics test in advance.

If a student could not even reach the middle level in the basic classics eight-legged essay in the first round, based on the large base of candidates, they naturally did not have the qualification to continue to win a place on the list.

……

The second day of the fourth month, the first day of the first round of the classics test review for this metropolitan examination.

The first round of the classics test was to test the candidate's foundation of talent. The eight-legged essay used in the classics test not only required smooth principles but also had to follow strict writing specifications.

It had extremely high requirements for the candidate's attainments in the classics, logical rigor, and writing level.

Therefore, for co-examiners and review officials, the grading of the classics test was more mentally exhausting than the last two rounds of the metropolitan examination.

Similarly, for the candidates, whether the first round of the classics test was qualified determined whether they could enter the next two rounds of review.

The first round of the classics test review had only been going on for half a day, and the review officials under the co-examiners of each room had already accumulated more than eighty candidate answer sheets that were eliminated.

These candidates were all graded as inferior in essay style, but this inferiority was only aimed at the level of the metropolitan examination. Perhaps such answer sheets could easily be on the list in the provincial examination.

The spring metropolitan examination was originally at the upper level of the imperial examination pyramid, and it had always been the best of the best. As the review process progressed, such eliminations would become more and more frequent.

Although candidates were sadly eliminated from time to time in the first round of review, many candidates' articles stood out.

Often, review officials would see outstanding articles and could not help but chant them softly, enjoying them, and even pass them on to each other to discuss and compare.

Such scenes would occasionally reveal an academic style full of charm in the serious and oppressive review hall.

……

In the popular and orderly review hall, an official with a serious appearance was walking leisurely, his movements relaxed, and his expression solemn.

He occasionally checked the review situation of the review officials in each room and sometimes chatted with the co-examiners in the side rooms.

At this time, as the number of reviewed papers continued to increase, outstanding eight-legged articles emerged one after another, and the low chanting sounds in the review hall became somewhat undulating.

"The way of the Five Classics, the transmission of sages, covers heaven and man, maintaining the changes of the world, to the fiber and detail, inexhaustible……"

"The classics are used to carry the way, and history is used to weave the classics, nourishing the ambition of a common man, near can cultivate oneself and regulate the family, far can govern the country and pacify the world……"

"The deeds performed by the body are all things of effort, the gathering of the spirit, forging the work of attaining knowledge……"

This official who was walking leisurely in the review hall to check, hearing the chanting sounds in the hall, either showed a smile on his face or fell into deep thought, as if immersed in these beautiful articles.

This person was one of the chief examiners of this spring examination, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Wang Shilun.

Wang Shilun was also the question setter for the first round of the classics test, so he attached great importance to the review of the classics test.

It was only the first day of the first round of review, and the candidates' papers had not yet been screened by the co-examiners and submitted to his desk, but he had already gone down to inspect the review situation himself.

At this time, when he inadvertently passed by a desk, the chanting sound of a review official once again appeared in his ears.

"……Then, the nature of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom is not the beginning of man, and the qi of rigidity, softness, good, and evil is not the endowment of heaven.

Heaven is vast and clear, so the sun, moon, and stars follow its interior; the earth is wide and vast, so grass, trees, mountains, and rivers flourish in its glory.

How can a scholar condense the merits of entrusting orphans, entrusting life, and great integrity?

Nothing else, it comes from the hard study of the classics, inherited from the teachings of sages, felt from the examples of heroes, and polished by the hard grinding of years……"

If Wang Shilun had heard those essay chants just now, although there were outstanding articles, the language was smooth and the structure was uniform, they were good but not amazing.

But this chant, although the sound was slight, was like the lingering sound of a chime, making people feel enlightened. He could not help but stop his steps.

He muttered to himself: "Heaven is vast and clear, so the sun, moon, and stars follow its interior; the earth is wide and vast, so grass, trees, mountains, and rivers flourish in its glory……

Transforming the thoughts of the classics, metaphorizing the thoughts of heaven and earth, the meaning is profound, what a great spirit!"

……

Wang Shilun stopped his steps, turned around, and walked back a few steps, returning to the side of the review official's desk.

That review official seemed to be attracted by the literary talent of the copied paper in his hand and did not notice anyone standing by the desk.

He still shook his head and chanted softly:

"The classics are the words of predecessors, the classics are covered in dust and hung high, not for the words of decay, continuing for thousands of years, soaked in blood and fire, verifying life and death, shining on loyalty and treachery, it is elegant words, and also knives and swords!" "The green shirt scholar's career, the classics melt the heart, not thanking the courage of entrusting orphans and entrusting life, not abandoning the great righteousness of life and death."

"Stepping on the prosperity of the country, protecting the vicissitudes of the right way, alone can bear the wind and rain, dare to imitate the beheaded Xingtian……"

Hearing the last few sentences, Wang Shilun's scalp was already numb, and a sense of awe arose in his heart!

At this time, the review official finished reading the copied paper in his hand, his face full of admiration, and suddenly noticed someone beside him.

He looked up and saw that the person behind him was actually the chief examiner Wang Shilun, and he could not help but be startled.

He hurriedly stood up and saluted: "The subordinate is rude. Just now, while reviewing the paper, I did not notice the adult beside me. Please forgive me, Master Wang."

Wang Shilun's face was calm, his eyes swept over the red-ink copied paper on the desk, and he saw the number 97 of Yihai written on the corner of the paper.

He smiled slightly: "Don't mind it. This official is just passing by. Focus on reviewing the papers so as not to have the regret of missing a pearl."

After Wang Shilun finished speaking, he turned and left gracefully. The review official breathed a sigh of relief.

The review official looked at the copied paper on the desk again, and a happy look appeared on his face.

Whether it was a grassroots review official or a higher-level co-examiner, being able to review a copied paper with excellent articles was a great piece of luck.

!

Because although there were more than three thousand candidates participating in the metropolitan examination, those with high and outstanding talent were only a very small number.

And the candidate of this copied paper in his hand had an amazing literary pulse, and was such an outstanding person.

Being able to stand out like this in the first round of the classics test review, being outstanding, had already occupied a great advantage compared to other candidates.

And a candidate with such talent, as long as there were no mistakes in the second round of edicts and the third round of policy essay reviews, was almost certain to be on the list.

Although the copied papers selected by the review official and submitted, the candidate's final success on the Golden List, ordinary review officials could not be like the chief examiner, who could win the reputation of the candidate's teacher.

But once the list was released, the virtue of the review official's initial screening and selection was a real favor to the candidate, and the connection and friendship established between the two sides were unquestionable.

And these close connections in the examination field would become a solid force of mutual support in the officialdom, which was the greatest harvest for officials selected as spring examination subordinate officials.

Therefore, being able to encounter such a level of copied paper, this review official predicted that his appointment as a spring examination subordinate official this time had not been in vain.

He read this copied paper carefully two more times, becoming increasingly satisfied in his heart. After thinking carefully for a moment, he picked up his pen and wrote down his comments solemnly.

Whether it was a review official or a co-examiner, whenever they encountered a copied paper they highly valued, they would not stint on beautiful words in their comments and strongly recommend it. Once the candidate was selected, they would also have a sense of gratitude to them.

For ordinary selected copied papers, grassroots review officials usually only had comments of ten or so words, but this copied paper made the review official write comments of more than thirty words, and only then did he stop his pen.

……

Chief Examiner Wang Shilun left the review official's desk and returned to his room all the way, his heart unable to calm down, his mind constantly recalling the fragments of the essay just now.

Verifying life and death, shining on loyalty and treachery, it is elegant words, and also knives and swords……

Not thanking the courage of entrusting orphans and entrusting life, not abandoning the great righteousness of life and death……

Stepping on the prosperity of the country, protecting the vicissitudes of the right way, alone can bear the wind and rain, dare to imitate the beheaded Xingtian……

Wang Shilun's thoughts surged. The candidate's words and phrases seemed to have a strange power, hitting the bottom of his heart, making him think of many ups and downs in the past.

A weak scholar of the classics, starting from the principles of sages, with clear and upright language, vertical and horizontal, yet revealing a heroic spirit that looks down on the world, was truly rare.

Wang Shilun muttered the number of the copied paper in his heart: Yihai No. 97.

Just now, in front of that review official, he was calm and did not show any appreciation for that copied paper at all.

This was not only because he did not want his attitude to affect the review official's judgment.

It was more because the review procedure was the key link of the spring metropolitan examination, and also the most dangerous link. This Ministry of Rites review hall had more than two hundred people bustling about, who knew how many eyes were among them.

If he had shown his love for that copied paper just now, he would have left a handle for himself, and might even have harmed this talented candidate.

Wang Shilun became famous in his youth, and by the age of forty, he was already listed among the Grand Secretaries, reaching the pinnacle of the civil officialdom. His depth of character was beyond that of ordinary people, so naturally, he would not commit such a low-level error.

He would just watch coldly and see what rank the Yihai No. 97 copied paper could eventually be ranked by the co-examiner of this room……

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Cong's coming-of-age birthday banquet was noisy for half a day and then ended. The guests of the old merit families left one after another.

Jia Mu and Lady Wang were in low spirits, each sitting in the hall, feeling depressed and downcast.

Jia Mu looked at the empty hall, thinking that not long ago, it was full of noble wives and young ladies, which made the current desolation even more apparent.

Jia Mu said indignantly: "The old saying is really not wrong, seeing the wind and steering the rudder, climbing high and stepping low, the world is cold.

If my Baoyu hadn't had that incident in the Imperial Clan Court, would they still have this face? They would have been eager to come and marry.

They are all descendants of military blood. Originally, they all did the business of fighting on the battlefield. You just ask the descendants in their families, how many can read the Four Books and Five Classics completely?

Now in front of us, they actually talk about reading and imperial examinations without stopping. It is truly laughable.

Never mind, families of high-ranking officials of merit have always had many rules. The young ladies raised in these families are much more picky and particular than ordinary families.

Baoyu is an honest child. If he really married a young lady from such a family, with his temperament that does not like to be restrained, how could he live happily? I am afraid there will be more trouble in the future.

It is really better to find a family with an ordinary background. Young ladies from such families know how to be content. Entering a family like ours is climbing high, and life will be much smoother in the future."

……

Lady Wang's mood at this moment was ten times worse than Jia Mu's.

Originally, she did not pay as much attention to the status and decency of her son Baoyu's marriage as Jia Mu did.

Regarding her son's marriage, she had always had the idea of being practical and simple, so that she could hold the power of Rongguo for a long time. Otherwise, why would she be determined to marry her niece Baochai as a daughter-in-law?

It was just that now the eldest branch Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title, and the second branch became a genuine side branch. Where was there any Rongguo power for her to manipulate?

Jia Mu's calculation for Baoyu also made Lady Wang very moved. With the current situation of the second branch, being able to marry a family of merit and wealth was naturally a very good thing.

But today at the banquet in the hall, the words and faces of the noble wives made Lady Wang feel like dying and losing face again.

She only felt that ever since the second branch moved into the East Courtyard, everything had gone wrong and gone from bad to worse. It was all the evil done by that kid in the East Prefecture. God is truly too good at trampling on people.

Now, hearing Jia Mu's words, she knew that the Old Lady had also given up her original thoughts.

She said: "The Old Lady's words are also reasonable. The Jia family is a Duke's mansion. How can Baoyu's marriage look at people's faces?

The Old Lady's words about ordinary status are all reasonable. Last time I mentioned the matter of the Xia family's young lady to you……"

Jia Mu sighed: "Speaking of that Xia family of sweet-scented osmanthus, although it is not a family of officials, it is not an ordinary family either. The daughter is outstanding, and the family is wealthy. In such a status, it is considered very rare.

But it happens to be a fatherless one, which is somewhat unlucky. However, look at the world today, where is there anything perfect? This matter will not be counted.

However, the Xia family's young lady has an outstanding appearance and character, and she is the only seedling of the family, golden and jade-precious. She has also been eating and wearing well since she was a child, and she will not be worse than the young ladies of our family. Her vision must not be low.

Even if the two families want to discuss marriage, you must also probe the other party's tone, and it is better for both mother and daughter to be willing. Otherwise, if you speak rashly and are refused, Baoyu will be too faceless."

Lady Wang heard Jia Mu's words and also felt that it made a lot of sense. Although she and the Xia family mother and daughter moved frequently, every time she mentioned Baoyu, they only said polite words to each other.

It was really impossible to see the Xia family wife's thoughts in this regard, and that Xia family young lady was also an extremely polite person.

Although she had met Baoyu twice, every time she was extremely heavy on the etiquette between men and women, and she did not get close to Baoyu, and even somewhat deliberately distanced herself, looking disciplined and cautious, which was truly pleasing.

Since Jia Mu had already loosened her mouth, Lady Wang thought of finding an opportunity to handle this matter, or Baoyu's birthday next month, when there would be an excuse to invite the Xia family wife to probe her tone……

Jia Mu suddenly asked: "Last time you said about the eldest girl in the palace, the Xia family wife used the connections of her clan to do the imperial screening. What is the situation now?"

Lady Wang said: "Last time the Xia family wife said that now the war in the nine borders is frequent, and the Saint is worried about the country, so the matter of selecting beauties has been delayed.

But it is also a matter of two months, and most likely there will be news."

Jia Mu sighed: "It is best if this matter can be done. If it really cannot be done, it is the eldest girl's fate. Wait until the ten-year period is full next year, and let her come home cleanly.

Such a big family, can't we raise one girl? While I can still move, let her accompany me for a few more years……"(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 605 =====