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Chapter 225: Let Me See—Who’s the Unlucky Fool Chosen This Time? (2 / 2)
Chapter 225: Let Me See—Who’s the Unlucky Fool Chosen This Time? (2 / 2)
Suddenly burdened with the task of serving as the chief examiner for the imperial examination, Xu Yanmiao outwardly expressed gratitude and delight, thanking the emperor for his grace. Internally, however, he was lamenting, [I just want to be a salted fish.]
On top of his current responsibilities—editing historical records and selecting suitable candidates to fill vacant positions—he now had the Spring Examination to deal with.
[Might as well work me to death. QAQ.]
Xu Yanmiao rubbed his face vigorously, then began poring over past imperial exam questions.
[The emperor must be out of his mind. I’m only nineteen, and he’s asking me to write exam questions for scholars—many of whom are older than I am. Does he really trust me?]
[This is like asking a nineteen-year-old to write the national college entrance exam!]
The Deputy Chief Examiner for the Spring Examination, who was also the Minister of War and a Grand Academician of the Huagai Hall, had similar thoughts.
While Xu Yanmiao might be capable in other matters, having him craft the exam questions seemed like a risky gamble. After all, wasn’t he someone who hadn’t even fully studied The Analects of Confucius?
As the minister mulled over these concerns, a hesitant voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Minister Li, regarding the imperial examination, I’d like to seek your guidance on the intricacies of setting the questions.”Looking up, he saw Xu Yanmiao gazing at him with focused determination.
The Minister of War suddenly realized something.
No matter how much Xu Yanmiao inwardly complained about the difficulty of his tasks, he would still grit his teeth and see them through. Whether he did well or not was another matter, but he was undeniably unafraid of stepping into uncharted territory.
This tenacity, coupled with the emperor’s clear intention to nurture him, suggested that Xu Yanmiao was destined for greatness. In time, he would undoubtedly ascend to the highest ranks of the imperial court.
Another thought struck the minister like a lightning bolt—was the emperor deliberately accelerating Xu Yanmiao’s training, knowing his own time might be limited? Was he trying to ensure that even if something went awry, the founding emperor’s capabilities would be enough to shield Xu Yanmiao?
Snapping out of his reflections, the minister refocused and invited Xu Yanmiao to sit down. Patiently, he began explaining the nuances of setting the imperial examination questions.
“The Spring Examination follows certain conventions. For the first session, there are three questions on the Four Books and four on the Five Classics. The second session includes one essay, five case judgments, and a question on decrees, proclamations, or petitions. The third session features five policy questions based on history and current affairs.”
“The first and second sessions are not as critical. You can estimate the scope of the questions. The third session, however, is the most important…”
Leaving the government office and walking home, Xu Yanmiao was deep in thought about the Minister of War’s explanations.
The third session, with its five policy questions, was crucial. It assessed the candidates’ understanding of current events, national policies, and legal statutes.
At the same time, the examination was also a test of the examiners, as the content of the questions revealed their political stance and ideological leanings.
The Minister of War explained this further with two examples:
“Take the Zhou Emperor Wen of the previous dynasty, who seized the throne from his nephew. In the first imperial examination after his ascension, one of the inner examiners subtly flattered him. That year, the policy essay question essentially boiled down to: ‘Removing corrupt influences from the emperor’s side is a noble and saintly act. When the nation is on the brink of collapse, only the emergence of a wise and virtuous ruler can save it and stabilize the empire.’ The chief examiner that year was promoted directly from Assistant Minister of Personnel to Minister of Rites.”
“Then there was the time during the reign of Emperor Jing of Zhou when the empress dowager had an affair with a court official, throwing the palace into disarray. The chief examiner that year crafted a question mocking the scandal, framing it around ‘propriety, justice, integrity, and honor.’“
Hearing this, Xu Yanmiao had a revelation.
[Got it! The exam questions have to target specific people!]
[I know exactly how to write the questions now!]
He quickly dismissed the idea of targeting the emperor, as self-preservation was still a priority.
But if the emperor was off-limits, there were always the Spring Examination candidates!
By now, many candidates had already arrived in the capital to prepare for the exam, scheduled three months away. Government officials’ residences saw a steady stream of visitors, and the inns near the examination halls were fully booked.
Xu Yanmiao didn’t bother being selective. Whoever he happened to encounter, he’d dig into their gossip.
If someone was unfilial to their parents, he’d set a question on “filial piety.”
If someone bullied others at school or oppressed weaker students, the question would be about “great revenge.”
If someone had concealed a marriage, abandoned a wife and children, or married into a wealthy family for the exam only to plan on inheriting everything, the question would focus on “criminal law.”
[Perfect! Let’s do this!]
With excitement, Xu Yanmiao headed toward the street where most of the scholars resided. Along the way, he bought a freshly fried meat pie and ate as he walked.
[Now let’s see which unlucky soul gets picked first!]
By the Luo River’s edge, a ferry had just docked.
Three passengers disembarked—a middle-aged man and two young adults, one male and one female.
The man, around fifty, had a dignified appearance. He was impeccably dressed, his clothes unwrinkled.
The young man, in his early twenties, looked refined and handsome but carried an air of arrogance in his expression.
The young woman, with her hair styled in a maiden’s bun, exuded a serene demeanor. However, her bright eyes betrayed a sharp and spirited nature.
Before they stepped off the boat, several strong men approached, carrying three sedan chairs with them. They quickly set the chairs down and bowed respectfully.
“Master Ji, young sir, young lady, please board the sedan chairs.”
These sedan chairs were simple contraptions: bamboo chairs suspended between two poles, carried by two bearers—one at the front and one at the back. The thick calluses on their shoulders ensured the ride would be steady.
The young lady shook her head and walked away instead.
Master Ji opened his mouth slightly, then silently closed it. Watching the young lady’s departing figure, he gestured for several servants to follow her closely.
The young man seemed stunned, swallowing hard before cautiously asking, “Foster Father, what is Ah Zheng doing…?”
Master Ji—more formally known as Ji Sui—didn’t respond. Lowering his thick lashes, he asked coolly, “Do you feel confident about the upcoming Spring Examination?”
The young man straightened up, clearing his throat before declaring proudly, “The top scorer’s position is undoubtedly mine!”
Ji Sui nodded slightly. “If so, you will achieve top honors in all three stages of the imperial examination.”
The young man responded with a confident smile.
The two of them boarded their sedan chairs.
In addition to the sedan chair bearers, about ten strong servants rushed down from the boat, running ahead to clear the way and ensure no people or animals obstructed the path.
Behind the sedan chairs, seven or eight more servants carried luggage and book boxes, creating an impressive entourage.
While seated in the sedan chair, Ji Sui spoke again, “Shortly, I will take you to meet a few of my friends. They can review your essays and discuss the political landscape of the capital with you.”
The young man remained composed, showing neither joy nor anxiety. He simply cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Foster Father.”
Ji Sui grew increasingly pleased as he observed the young man.
This youth was once a child scholar in the region under Ji Sui’s administration. Intelligent and studious, he had been dealt a harsh fate when his parents passed away, forcing him to abandon his studies and return to the countryside to farm.
Despite his poverty, he had a kind heart. West of his village, some 10 or 20 miles away, lay a graveyard where unclaimed bodies were left exposed to the elements and scavenging animals. Moved by compassion, the youth would visit the graveyard after finishing his farm work, gathering the remains to bury them.
While farming, he continued to study the classics, and his diligence paid off when he eventually passed the exam to become a licentiate.
Ji Sui admired his character and talent, so he took him in as an adopted son. For one, this ensured that Ji Sui’s scholarly legacy would have a successor, and for another, he hoped that the young man would care for Qin Zheng after Ji Sui’s passing.
This trip to the capital was primarily to secure the young man’s future.
As Ji Sui contemplated which high-ranking officials to introduce his adopted son to, he turned his head and saw Xu Yanmiao standing by the roadside, waiting for the sedan chair procession to pass.
Xu Yanmiao held a meat pie in his hand, eating slowly.
Their eyes met.
Instinctively, Ji Sui pinched the bridge of his nose.
[Why is it…]
[…him again?]
Xu Yanmiao looked at Ji Sui’s adopted son, then back at Ji Sui. No one could tell what he was thinking, but his eyes revealed a faint trace of pity.
Ji Sui: “…”
For some reason, Ji Sui felt a familiar sense of foreboding creeping over him.
He couldn’t help but wonder if he should find a fortune teller to see if his destiny was somehow at odds with Xu Yanmiao’s.
The structure of the imperial examination:
- First Stage: Three questions on the Four Books, four questions on the Five Classics.
- Second Stage: One essay, five short verdicts, and one official document (edict, decree, or memorial).
- Third Stage: Five questions on classics, history, and current affairs.
Reference: “An Analysis of the Relationship Between Ming Dynasty Imperial Examination Policy Questions and Examiners.”