prosperous age

In ancient times, how much silver did it cost to study for the imperial examinations and pass the county-level examination to become a scholar?
In the past, children were taught in private schools, usually in the private schools of scholars or students in the countryside, which cost about one or two taels of silver per year.

However, this is only the beginning. To truly prepare for the imperial examinations, one must begin studying the Four Books and Five Classics, which is impossible to complete in a low-level private school.

A scholar who has passed the county-level imperial examination can teach people the most basic Four Books and Five Classics. As for a student who has passed the county-level imperial examination, he himself may not have even understood the Four Books and Five Classics. How can he teach students?

In fact, "student of the first year of high school" is just a common term; the government would not recognize it.

When a student who has completed his studies meets with an official, he can barely refer to himself as a "student," since he is a junior in the education system, but he has no rights whatsoever.

Even to reach the level required to participate in the county and prefectural examinations, one would need to study for at least five years.

Buying books would cost more than ten taels of silver. Even if the first three years of the tuition were three taels for introductory courses, the remaining two years of studying the basic Four Books and Five Classics would cost at least five taels. Tuition alone would cost eight taels.

This algorithm only applies to "child prodigies." In reality, ordinary people need at least seven or eight years of schooling before they can take exams.

Therefore, a tuition fee of one or two taels of silver is considered relatively normal.

The annual expenses for writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones also amounted to a considerable sum, eventually reaching twenty taels over several years.

They hadn't even taken the exam yet, and had barely qualified, but they had already spent fifty taels of silver.

The subsequent registration for the county and prefectural examinations, the provision of guarantees, and especially the expenses for hiring a student as a guarantor, cost ten taels of silver.

The county examination alone cost sixty taels of silver. If you were from the countryside, you would have to stay in the county town for a few days, which would cost another tael of silver for food and lodging.

The subsequent prefectural examination involved transportation and accommodation expenses, which were only a few taels of silver more than the county examination.

Well, this hasn't even started the actual imperial examinations yet, which is the preliminary examinations. Eighty or ninety taels of silver have already been spent, not even counting the social obligations to classmates and friends.

Therefore, even if a student is a prodigy who passes the exam on his first try, his family has already spent at least a hundred taels of silver to obtain the title of Xiucai.

During this period, there was only effort and no reward.

In recent years, the imperial court has promoted public schools in various counties, and children's early education has been free. The cost of books has also been reduced because the imperial court centrally prints primers such as the "Three Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Surnames" in various provinces. These primers are cheaper than those sold in bookstores, but they still cost a few taels of silver.

In public schools, most of the professors for the introductory level were only hired from among the students who had passed the county-level imperial examinations. Even in advanced schools, when the Four Books and Five Classics were first taught, the professors were still only those who had passed the county-level imperial examinations. In fact, they were far from being qualified for the imperial examinations.

It would be better to transfer to a private school run by a scholar, but of course, it would be best to study at a private school run by a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, so that one would have a chance to pass the examinations.

For impoverished families who had high hopes for their children and had already spent several taels of silver, the registration fee of one tael of silver and the insurance premium of five taels of silver were astronomical figures. It is no wonder that many people were dissatisfied with the imperial examination system.

What was the income of ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty at this time?

In rural areas, land is generally rented out based on the number of able-bodied adults in the family. Therefore, if you can calculate the number of able-bodied adults, you can basically calculate the family income.

In rural areas, the income of young and middle-aged people is about eight taels of silver, while in cities it is ten taels.

Under the household registration system of the Ming Dynasty, most households had a relatively large population; it was quite normal for a family to have ten members.

There were about ten people in the family, but only three or four were able-bodied and able-bodied, and their annual income was only thirty or forty taels of silver.

After deducting living expenses, less than ten taels were actually left.

In the past, a large family could barely make ends meet by gritting their teeth and supporting one person's education.

This also led to a flourishing of literary culture in the Ming Dynasty, with a large number of scholars from all over the country participating in the imperial examinations.

Well, this family is actually considered well-off in the local area, with at least a surplus each year.

Now, each family supports several children's early education, but they can no longer afford to continue their schooling.

“In the past, there were not many requirements for the county examinations. As long as someone vouched for you and you paid the registration fee, you could take the exam.”

I can understand their desire for their family members to achieve great success.

We shared the same thoughts back then, but unfortunately, the imperial examinations were like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge; without a solid family fortune, one simply couldn't make it to the provincial examinations.

In the Ming Dynasty, the real elimination process only began with the provincial and prefectural examinations. Although the county and prefectural examinations also had quotas, they were still selection examinations.

Students can hardly understand the difficulty of the imperial examinations.

Many children from poor families are very good at studying, but most of them can only pass the preliminary examination. If they are lucky enough to become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination), they often find it difficult to continue taking the imperial examinations.

Clever people often use this time to open private schools as scholars to earn money and continue to support themselves in the provincial examinations.

Only those who are obsessed with studying to the point of stupidity will single-mindedly continue to try to pass the provincial examinations, hoping to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations), then a Gongshi (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the metropolitan examinations), and finally an official.

Wei Guangde gave a long speech in the cabinet, which was barely accepted by the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate, while Wang Guoguang and others from the Ministry of Personnel remained silent throughout.

Wang Guoguang had heard Zhang Juzheng mention this matter years ago. It was Wei Guangde who orchestrated it. Because the local authorities were worried that their subordinates might try to take advantage of the money when collecting the exchange fees, they found a way to use the money.

Enabling more people to learn to read, write, and understand right from wrong is certainly a good thing.

Unexpectedly, the number of students registering for the county-level exams has surged this year. These are likely the same group of students who started their education a couple of years ago. They think they've learned a few characters and want to give it a try.

Little did they know, they were simply handing over money.

"Actually, this isn't a bad thing. In two years, everyone will understand, and naturally, the things that happened this year won't happen again."

Wei Guangde said.

"At that time, most children would probably leave public school to make a living after their early education."

Xu Guo spoke up.

"Yes, that was our original intention in promoting public schools."

The goal was for them to be able to read the imperial gazettes and proclamations, so that the people would understand the orders issued by the court and not be misled by local officials.

The imperial court only selects two or three hundred scholars every three years. What's the point of having so many people study?

Wei Guangde laughed.

Xu Xuemo then spoke up again, saying, "Grand Secretary Wei, next year is the year of the imperial examination, and this incident has occurred this year."

"It doesn't matter."

Wei Guangde waved his hand, knowing what Xu Xuemo meant. It was nothing more than the strange things that happened in the county and prefectural examinations this year, which would affect the provincial examinations and thus the provincial examinations.

This situation is not conducive to the imperial court holding imperial examinations to select officials.

"After the document was issued, the county examinations were immediately started in July in the affected prefectures and counties, the prefectural examinations were held at the end of August, and the provincial examinations were postponed to the end of September."

As for the provincial examination, it will be in November.

As for the successful candidates in this year's provincial examinations, fearing the long journey would prevent them from making it to the capital to prepare for the metropolitan examination, their provincial examinations will also be postponed.

Although the local area was in turmoil due to the imperial examination, and the impact was actually quite bad, the imperial court could control the impact as long as it made proper remedies.

"As for the specific time, I have an idea: that is, all the prefectures and counties should gather the students who are participating in the imperial examination, and send them by post stations, with the Ministry of War sending personnel to escort them, prepare carriages and boats, and calculate the time to send them to the capital."

In fact, local governments would provide a subsidy of silver to students who participated in the imperial examinations.

For example, when Wei Guangde set off from Jiujiang to take the imperial examination in the capital, he could receive twenty taels of silver and a carriage from the Jiujiang Prefecture. He could simply return the carriage to the post station after arriving in the capital.

However, the Wei family prepared their own carriages and did not use the government's carriages, so they actually received thirty taels of silver.

Of course, this sum of money was not actually enough to cover the expenses of traveling to the capital, but it did indeed have this source.

Wei Guangde clearly intended to have the Ministry of War plan the routes for students from various regions to travel to the capital for the imperial examinations, and to have them provide unified transportation.

"Because the canal is frozen, many students from the south will find it difficult to travel by land."

Give them two options: by land or by sea.

Candidates from Yunnan and Guizhou can travel north by boat from Guangxi, while candidates from Sichuan, Chongqing, and Hubei can travel along the Yangtze River and take a sea voyage from Songjiang Prefecture to the capital. The Ministry of War will then make the necessary arrangements.

Once the route is planned, the examination will begin.

Wei Guangde then shared his thoughts at that moment.

In recent years, the imperial court has lifted the sea ban, but most scholars still travel to the capital by land and canal, with few taking the sea route.

In fact, even now, apart from a few students from coastal prefectures and counties, most people are still completely unaware of the imperial court's opening of the sea and the convenience of maritime transport.

This is a good opportunity for students from all over the world to take a ride on a sea voyage and get familiar with maritime transport.

"Go down and address the discussions among the officials in Beijing. The memorials arguing about this matter these past few days have almost overwhelmed the cabinet."

Wei Guangde shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Because students in many places in Jiangnan and Jiangbei blocked the gates to protest when they reported for the county and prefectural examinations, which affected the imperial examinations, officials in the capital were also discussing this matter extensively, and various opinions were expressed. Memorials on this matter were also sent to the cabinet in droves.

Well, this was only three days after the news broke, and Wei Guangde urgently convened a meeting of three government departments to discuss how to handle the situation.

In the past two days, Wei Guangde has roughly come up with an idea.

As mentioned earlier, the best way to quell the controversy is to maintain the original rules.

Otherwise, if things were changed according to those students' ideas, the entire court might be shaken.

"General Chen, you need to restrain the people in your courtyard. They send over dozens of memorials every day."

Wei Guangde continued.

"The censor wanted to submit a memorial. Although I could try to suppress it, the matter still came to light."

"I only hope that the Ministry of Rites will issue a document as soon as possible to quell the unrest in the localities."

Chen Kai nodded, acknowledging his agreement to go back and restrain the censors of the Censorate.

After finishing their business, none of the others lingered in Wei Guangde's duty room and all got up to say goodbye.

When Wei Guangde saw Xu Xuemo off, he told him that he would later have the Ministry of War send someone to contact the Ministry of Rites to arrange for the candidates to go to the capital for the imperial examinations next year.

Although Wei Guangde had spoken casually earlier, as if it were nothing to him.

However, in ancient times, the imperial examinations held every three years still had a great influence on the scholarly community.

Unless absolutely necessary, the imperial examinations should not be delayed.

Moreover, Wei is currently on probation as Grand Secretary. If something major happens during this period, it could affect his chances of replacing Zhang Juzheng.

To put it bluntly, if he fails to quell the turmoil and it affects next year's imperial examination, then Grand Secretary Wei will probably have no choice but to resign and retire.

Indeed, when he came up with the idea, he really didn't expect those students to be so lacking in self-awareness, thinking they could pass the imperial examinations after only learning a little bit.

But after his initial shock and anger, Wei Guangde also came to a realization.

The more rural the student, the more they yearn to achieve great things.

There's no way around it. Growing up watching my parents toil in the fields to make a living, and knowing that sitting at home reading books could lead to a bright future, I couldn't help but have some thoughts of not wanting to follow in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents and wanting a change.

In just a few years, they should be old enough to understand things.

The imperial examinations were not an easy path to success.

Once you understand, you'll give up on that idea and just honestly go back to farming and working.

After seeing the man off, Wei Guangde returned to his duty room and instructed Lu Bu at the door, "Send someone to invite Commander Liu over."

"Yes, sir."

Lu Bu bowed and accepted the order, then hurriedly went out to call the Zhongshu Xingren to fetch someone.

The Ministry of Rites' official document was merely a public show of the court's actions to quell the unrest. In reality, they could only hope that the Embroidered Uniform Guard would step in and coerce those who were more vocal.

One in the open, one in the shadows—as long as the task is accomplished, that's all that matters.

Lu Bu returned shortly after sitting down, followed by Liang Menglong, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

"Qianji, come and sit down."

Wei Guangde got up to greet him and led him to the reception area.

"Grand Secretary Wei, these are the documents regarding the handling of the Ningxia Incident in April. Please take a look."

Upon meeting, Liang Menglong took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to him.

On the seventh day of the fourth month, Ma Jing, a local general in Ningxia, killed Xu Ruji, a military officer. Jin Yinghuai, the governor and censor-in-chief, led troops to suppress and kill him. Naturally, he also investigated the whole story.

The Ministry of War had already investigated the facts, so it went directly to the Cabinet.

This is the second mutiny in the Ming Dynasty this year, following the Hangzhou mutiny, and its impact is even worse.

However, Ningxia handled the situation promptly. Governor Jin Yinghuai personally led his troops to surround the military camp the day after the incident, and the rebellion was quelled within a few days.

However, the investigation took much longer than this kind of siege operation. Many people were arrested and interrogated, and now the cause and effect have been basically figured out.

He was in arrears with his salary and was also dissatisfied with being punished by his superiors.

After reading the investigation report, Wei Guangde remained silent for a long time. The soldiers' pay was reduced by 20% from the Ministry of Revenue, by 40% when they left Beijing, and then another 20% was taken away in Ningxia. In the end, the soldiers could only get 40%.

Can this rule be broken?

"Now that the ringleader has been brought to justice, let's close the case like this."

Wei Guangde spoke up.

"However, judging from the reports from below, the soldiers only received 30% of their pay. I think this matter still needs to be discussed properly by the officials in charge of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War."

I hope that the soldiers guarding the border can at least receive 50% of their pay on time, and that the remaining 50% can be used to cover up losses.

Tell them directly that it's not a matter of unpaid wages, but rather losses.

Wei Guangde spoke up.

Paying 50% of the salary means receiving the same treatment as the Beijing Garrison.

Naturally, this meant that the share of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the local governors-general, governors, and military commissioners would need to be reduced.

Such a complex matter could only be handled by him.

However, getting involved in this matter will inevitably have some negative impact, but there's nothing that can be done about it.

Therefore, Wei Guangde planned to consult with officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to see if the accounts could be settled, and also to speak with local civil and military officials.

"Then I will go back and discuss it with Jinqing, and await the Grand Secretary's summons."

Liang Menglong replied.

"Any news from Liaodong?"

Wei Guangde suddenly asked.

When he saw Liang Menglong, he initially thought news had arrived from Liaodong. (End of Chapter)