I studied in modern times

Chapter 1017 Results Announcement (3)

Li Changning's clamor quickly spurred dozens of scholars to join in.

They all had one thing in common—they repeatedly failed the imperial examinations.

Some took the test three or five times, while others, like Li Changning, took it more than ten times.

This is very common.

Otherwise, the imperial court wouldn't have held special examinations for those recommended for official appointment.

The clamor of these dozens of people quickly resonated with the group.

This year's reform of the imperial examination system caught countless people completely off guard.

The imperial court suddenly changed the method of selecting officials.

The original provincial examination focused on classical texts, but this year it has been changed to incorporate all exam scores.

Although the imperial court had a strong argument—that the selection of officials by the state should not be biased—

Are classical texts important, but historical commentary and current affairs strategies are not?
But for the scholars, this was a surprise attack!

So many people and so many years of preparation have vanished into thin air!
How many people can accept this?

Thus, the emotions of the scholars who failed the exam in an instant were stirred up.

Led by Li Changning, the crowd shouted: "The imperial examination system is unfair, treacherous officials are causing trouble, and the country will never be at peace!"

Jia Zhongmin coldly surveyed the entire room.

He looked at the scholars wrapped in blue turbans, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Then, he resolutely and angrily rebuked: "The imperial examination is a grand ceremony for selecting talent, a national event. How dare you people slander it so recklessly?!"

"Anyone who dares to make noise, shout, or slander the government again..." Jia Zhongmin warned loudly, "Don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The crimson uniform shone brightly in the sunlight.

Jia Zhongmin's face, blazing with anger, swept over everyone present.

More than a hundred imperial guards stood before him, swords drawn, and roared in unison, "Silence!"

Although, in ordinary times, scholars and intellectuals would look down on soldiers.

But in this situation, no one dared to confront these imperial guards directly.

Because they now represent imperial power!

The scholars' morale immediately dampened after being shouted at by the Imperial Guards.

But Li Changning was fearless.

Not just because he was a seasoned veteran of the imperial examinations—from the Jiayou era to now, what kind of situation hadn't he seen?

Moreover, Li Changning has a very powerful background!

His original residence was in Yanjin County, Kaifeng Prefecture, although Kaifeng Prefecture was known as the best in the country for its quota of officials.

But those who could consistently achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations for over thirty years, passing through more than a dozen examinations, were no ordinary people.

Otherwise, why would the Bianjing Academy sell so well?

Because, even money can't buy a spot at the prefectural school!
The truth is—Li Changning's family were powerful clans in Kaifeng Prefecture.

Li Changning's two cousins ​​both married women from the imperial clan.

Moreover, she wasn't a distant relative's daughter whom anyone with money could marry.

Instead, she was a princess who was more closely related to the current emperor by blood.

From this, one can understand the capabilities of the Li Changning family.

As for Li Changning himself?
To mention just one thing, he studied under Mr. Hu Yuan, a scholar named Anding, when he was young.

Among my classmates were renowned scholars like Wang Guan and Wang Di.

However, Wang Guan's fate is now unclear—in the fourth year of the Yuanfeng era, Wang Guan was punished for accepting bribes and perverting the law while serving as the magistrate of Jiangdu County. He was dismissed from his post, suspended from office, and exiled to Yongzhou for residence.

However, in the Song Dynasty, the crime of embezzlement, like the women in brothels, was a crime that could be committed at will.

Therefore, when Wang Guan was demoted, his friend Kong Pingzhong wrote a poem for him: "At that time, Sima wept while playing the pipa, but you alone played the palace tune with ease."

To put it bluntly, they don't believe Wang Guan was really demoted because of corruption.

The same is true.

Because Wang Guan was appointed magistrate of Jiangdu County, almost fifteen years had passed since he was demoted.

Investigate back 15 years!
When did the Song Dynasty's officialdom become so clean and efficient?

Therefore, Wang Guan is still regarded as a gentleman today.

A gentleman who was framed by a villain!
Moreover, last year, Wang Anshi, the retired prime minister, minister and duke of Jing, personally betrothed Wang Guan. Now, this gentleman is teaching at Jiangning Academy and is very popular among the students.

As for Wang Di?

He is Wang Guan's younger brother, and now holds the official position of Left Censor, making him a prominent figure among the upright officials in the court.

He was recognized as one of the few upright officials who could stand up to the treacherous minister Pu Zongmeng and not yield an inch.

Wang Guan and Wang Di were both good friends of the Three Confucius Sites.

All three Kongs were friends of Su Shi.

These people together constituted the core of the Shu faction in the imperial court.

Li Changning's relationship with the Shu faction goes beyond that—his wife was from the Qin family of Gaoyou.

I have a nephew named Qin Guan, who is a student of Su Shi and one of the four disciples of Su Shi. He is currently the magistrate of Muping County in Dengzhou.

With the support of the Shu faction, Li Changning's insight and courage were naturally extraordinary.

Upon seeing the scholars, they were intimidated by the Imperial Guards.

He immediately shouted into the crowd: "Jia Cangying, do you intend to suppress dissent and frame loyal and virtuous people?"

In the past, Jia Zhongmin might have been intimidated by Li Changning's words.

Scholars were not like farmers and merchants, who could be manipulated by others at will.

Every scholar, no matter how poor, has teachers and classmates.

One or two might not be of much importance.

However, if the number becomes too large, even a prime minister would find it difficult to handle.

But things are different now.

Because Jia Zhongmin had keenly realized that after this year's imperial examination, a brand-new political force was about to rise in the officialdom.

Civil service exam for civil servants!
Just like officials, who instinctively form small teams based on lineage or region.

Jia Zhongmin knew that the civil service examination for civil servants would inevitably become a team effort.

Moreover, because now the Emperor himself is in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Therefore, all civil servants who passed the imperial examinations could theoretically be considered members of the emperor's private government. Their political connection with the emperor was far closer than that of the officials personally selected by the emperor for the imperial examinations.

If we had to use an analogy, civil service exam candidates are like officials who emerged from Emperor Taizong's Tiance Mansion.

Just like the scholars who later emerged from the Hongwen Academy.

Even so, most people had never even seen the emperor's face.

However, when an official from the Tian Ce Prefecture is sent to a local area, he will be regarded as an ordinary official.
Will not!
Everyone would regard him as Emperor Taizong's eyes and ears and confidant.

He would see himself that way too.

Without needing to be told, they would proactively help Emperor Taizong of Tang monitor the local areas.

Even in the second and third generations of this person, the same thing will continue.

Even if this person had never met Emperor Taizong of Tang, even if this person was merely a minor official in the Tian Ce Mansion who did some copying work.

Nowadays, the civil service exam for civil servants is just average.

They naturally form a political faction.

Seeing this trend, Jia Zhongmin decisively chose to go all in!
Therefore, he resolutely accepted the task of posting the results, a task that everyone in Kaifeng Prefecture avoided like the plague.

Now, seeing Li Changning's provocation.

Jia Zhongmin cheered inwardly, "Heaven is on my side!"

He was just wondering how to offer his pledge of loyalty.

Li Changning's actions were like a pillow being delivered to someone who was about to fall asleep!

"Suppressing free speech? Framing loyal officials?" Jia Zhongmin sneered, "What arrogance!"

He surveyed the entire room: "According to your words, the court's failure to admit you is an act of injustice in the imperial examinations, and it is a case of treacherous officials in power!"

"Only by recording you can it be considered fair and just, and only then can one be considered a true gentleman?"

"Just like me..." Jia Zhongmin flicked his sleeves, "Only by allowing you lot to stir up public opinion, attack ministers, and slander the imperial court's talent rotation ceremony can one be considered to have opened up channels for free speech and be a truly upright and honest official..."

"Otherwise, would I be suppressing free speech and framing loyal officials?"

“However…” Jia Zhongmin raised his head: “My family has received the emperor’s favor for generations!”

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the imperial city, saying, "Today, I am hereby ordered to release the list of successful candidates!"

"How dare you distort the truth and slander national policies?!"

"Anyone who dares to make noise, shout, or attack the government's policies again..."

Jia Zhongmin's face was ashen: "Don't blame me for being ruthless. Arrest them all and send them to the Kaifeng Prefecture's Registrar's Office for questioning!"

Upon hearing Jia Zhongmin's words, a clamor arose among the scholars.

"How brave!"

"You dare!"

Countless people cursed and swore, but ultimately dared not attack again.

They were afraid, afraid that Jia Zhongmin would use them as a scapegoat and punish them.

Of course, if they can't criticize others, can't they criticize Jia Zhongmin?
Immediately, a torrent of foul language poured out at Jia Zhongmin.

In particular, those seasoned veterans of the imperial examinations brought up all sorts of old stories about Jia Zhongmin and the Jia family.

From Jia Changchao's flattery of Empress Wencheng Zhang in pursuit of wealth and status, to Jia Changheng's servitude as a slave to the Zhang family to rake in money.

Then there's Jia Zhongmin, who flattered Wang Anshi and curried favor with Cai Que and Zhang Dun.

Jia Zhongmin listened without his expression changing at all.

He was even a little proud of it!

why?
What these people are talking about is not the Jia family's shameful affairs.
These are clearly medals of honor belonging to the Jia family!
When Jia Changchao passed away, Emperor Yingzong suspended court to mourn him and personally inscribed the epitaph: "Epitaph for a Great Confucian Elder!"
The Ministry of Rites was ordered to bestow upon him the posthumous title: Wenyuan!
He also issued a special imperial edict ordering Wang Gui, a Hanlin Academician, to write the epitaph.

Why?

Yingmiao knew that all the things his ancestors had done were for the imperial family.

What a loyal subject!

Therefore, all the attacks and insults were nothing more than minor setbacks to Jia Zhongmin.

He even wanted to encourage them—if you can curse, then curse as much as you can!
The harsher your insults, the more favor I will bestow upon you!

do not stop!
At this moment, however, a different voice arose from the crowd.

"Lord Jia has been ordered to release the results, yet you all keep chattering away. Are you trying to use public opinion to hijack national policy and coerce the court?"

"Since the time of our ancestors, the selection of officials in this dynasty has always been based on impartiality. Your questioning of the imperial examination system is tantamount to questioning the methods used by our ancestors to select officials!"

"When Ouyang Xiu was in charge of the imperial examinations, he rejected obscure and difficult essays and instead selected honest, straightforward, and outstanding individuals. As a result, the atmosphere of the country changed, and talented people emerged one after another!"

"Do you intend to emulate the petty actions of those who acted in the past and ruin the nation's policies?"

Some even loudly recited the poem that Ouyang Xiu wrote after he became the examiner: "In the purple palace, incense burns warmly and the breeze is gentle; in the spacious courtyard, heroes gather at dawn..."

Even worse, some went so far as to openly recite an article that Su Shi wrote to Ouyang Xiu: "I believe that the affairs of the world are difficult to change. Since the Five Dynasties period, culture and education have declined, and customs have become decadent, leading to a daily decline in morals. His Majesty sighed deeply and thought of ways to purify the source and dredge the flow, and issued a clear edict to the world to explain his intentions..."

Jia Zhongmin looked in the direction of the sound and saw officials dressed in the special blue robes and black coats made by the Kaifeng Prefecture.

They are the biggest beneficiaries of this year's imperial examination.

After all, when it comes to the meaning of scriptures, they may not be as good as others.

But when it comes to their views on national affairs and their understanding of grassroots issues...

Then there aren't many people who are better than them.

The biggest change in this year's imperial examination was that the differences in importance between the various examinations were eliminated, and all candidates were treated equally. The results of all examinations were combined, and candidates were admitted based on their scores.

Those who rank in the top 703 are considered qualified.

And all those ranked 703rd were eliminated!

Therefore, even if one's interpretation of the classics is eloquent and one seems to be a saint in the world, if one fails the last two exams, or if the examiner does not offer any special guidance, one will still be rejected.

Upon seeing these people, Jia Zhongmin couldn't stop smiling.

The reason is simple—generally speaking, based on past experience.

After each imperial examination results were announced, the unsuccessful candidates would cause trouble.

Those who won have quietly disappeared, concealing their merits and fame.

Unless—the imperial court really intends to re-examine the exam, which would affect their interests.

But this is not possible.

But now, these people who should have quietly disappeared are taking the initiative to jump out and confront the failed scholars head-on.

This shows what?
His all-in bet, Jia Zhongmin, was correct!
The civil service examination for civil servants possesses strong political cohesion!

(End of this chapter)