I studied in modern times

Chapter 974: Cheating and Anti-cheating in the Imperial Examination
Zhao Xu handed the written instructions to Tong Guan, then looked at Zhang Heng and others leisurely.

He knew that if he was beaten with a stick, he would be rewarded with a date.

Otherwise, the ministers would only be beaten without any rewards.

Then who will work for him in the future?
So, we must give these people a chance to leave their names in history!

Then he said, "My three beloved ministers, let's talk about cheating in the imperial examinations!"

"Mr. Zhang!" He looked at Zhang Heng and said, "Since our ancestors, what rules have been established to prevent fraud?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty..." Zhang Heng bowed and replied, "Nowadays, the examination hall has systems such as locking the aisle, sealing, copying, editing, mixing the lists, and printing the questions..."

Then he briefly introduced these systems to Zhao Xu.

The so-called "locking the court" means that the officials in charge of the local examinations and the central imperial examinations should enter the Imperial Court as soon as they are appointed and cut off contact with other people.

Their diet is taken care of by a special person.

To ensure that there will be no leakage of questions, collusion in cheating, etc.

Mifeng, also known as Huming, means that the candidates' names will be covered up.

All the test papers were copied by people hired by the court.

And all transcribers are only allowed to use the same font to transcribe.

The arrangement is a reinforcement of the sealing - covering up the information such as the candidate's place of origin at the beginning of the test paper, and then giving it a random serial number, such as A1.

Its sealing and arrangement should be carried out by two different teams.

Seal first and then arrange.

The mixed list means that the seats for everyone are arranged in advance before the candidates enter the examination room.

Ensure that candidates from the same military state do not sit together.

The printed paper was used for the imperial examinations, which was provided by the palace and stamped with the imperial seal to prevent counterfeiting.

Before the examination, whether it was a local examination or a central imperial examination, all questions and papers were kept in the Imperial Examination Hall and guarded by the imperial guards.

Overall, it's pretty detailed.

Moreover, these systems basically appeared and were perfected during the Zhenmiao period.

From this perspective, the real temple is not as terrible as later generations say.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that there were several serious cheating cases in the imperial examinations during the Zhenmiao period.

However, as the saying goes, the higher the virtue, the higher the devil.

Since the establishment of the imperial examination system, cheating and anti-cheating have always been an important part of the examination.

After listening to Zhang Heng's introduction, Zhao Xu pursed his lips and asked, "Since the system of our ancestors is so complete, why do I often hear people talk about fraud in the imperial examinations?"

"For example, after the imperial examination in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, people in the capital have been saying that there were hundreds of cheaters in the examination hall that year... What's going on, Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Heng smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, you don't know..."

"Although our ancestors established various systems for the imperial examinations, cheating has never ceased to be heard of..."

As he said this, he counted on his fingers: "The current malpractices in the imperial examinations include using false household registration, accommodating the military service system, increasing or decreasing the age of the examiner, using false names, carrying documents, designing the questions, replacing family papers, changing the examination papers, etc...."

As he said this, Zhang Heng lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly.

After all, scholars and officials all claim to be gentlemen.

However, every time there is an imperial examination, there is always a large number of people who use various methods to cheat.

In the past, during every imperial examination, there would be as few as a dozen and as many as dozens of cheaters caught.

There are so many that have been caught, how many that have not been caught?

Anyway, after each imperial examination, there would be a situation in the Gongyuan where "the examination was over but the remaining papers were rotten and almost piled up."

This caused great embarrassment to everyone in the Imperial Examination Hall.

Zhao Xu was naturally clear about this.

Because in his previous life, every time the imperial examination results were posted, the failed scholars would cause trouble.

The prime ministers during the Shaosheng and Yuanfu periods were each scolded more than three times.

Zhang Dun was even suspected of "cheating" many times.

This was because the failed scholars were unwilling to accept failure and wanted to make a big deal out of it, forcing the court to re-examine or even take the exam again.

But it is also true that there was serious fraud in the imperial examinations.

And these people saw it with their own eyes.

So, I hate the injustice!

So often one call gets a hundred responses!
Thinking of this, Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion and said, "Please tell me about the disadvantages..."

Zhang Heng's ears turned red and he bowed in response.

Then he began to introduce the cheating methods that are popular in examinations nowadays.

In fact, there is no technical content.

In fact, many cheating methods already existed in the Tang Dynasty.

Moreover, these methods have basically been passed down to the modern day.

It is still a common cheating method in modern exams.

For example, these methods, such as using false household registration, accommodating the military service system, adding or subtracting age, and forging a false name, were all used before the imperial examination.

Even in modern times, there are reports in the news every now and then about people going to school or taking exams under false names.

What about now?
In the Middle Ages when there was no photography technology or ID cards, the so-called identity verification procedure was mostly just a decoration.

After all, most people’s identity information only consists of a few sentences describing their appearance and height.

This gives a lot of people room to maneuver.

For example, every time there is an imperial examination, there are tribute students who are kidnapped halfway through, and then the plot of "Let the Bullets Fly" begins...

What's more, there are people who would sell their status as tribute students!
Other cheating methods can also be found in modern times.

To carry documents means to carry cheat sheets.

The test questions were leaked.

Changing the test papers and swapping the test papers meant finding a ghostwriter and a cheater to enter the examination room together, and at the end of the exam, with the help of the Gongyuan Xu who had been bribed in advance, swapping the test papers of the two.

There have even been cases where candidates did not enter the examination room, but instead had someone else take the exam on their behalf.

Of course, this strategy includes asking for questions, changing the test papers, or replacing the test papers.

It's not something ordinary people can afford.

This is a method that only the young masters, and the top young masters at that, can use.

Above these cheating methods, there is another method that is more basic, but Zhang Heng was too embarrassed to mention it - using secret codes!

This is a method that only those with real connections can use.

For example, Yang Danian, a Hanlin scholar during the reign of Emperor Zhen, was in charge of the imperial examinations.

Before the imperial examination that year, Yang Danian had not yet been officially appointed as the director of the examination.

The tribute students from his hometown came to ask for advice. When they asked about the imperial examination that year, Yang Danian pretended to get angry, walked away in anger, leaving behind one sentence: "Just rest!"
When it was time to mark the papers, all those who had "Yu Xiuzai" on their essays passed the exam!

In addition, there was a case in Zhao Xu's previous life that occurred in this year's imperial examination - Su Shi was in charge of the imperial examination, and his student Li Qi, who was later known as one of the "Six Gentlemen of Su's School", was in this year's examination.

Li Qi was very proud both before and after the exam, and even made a bold statement - If Su Gong knows about the selection, my essay will definitely not be behind the top three!
As a result, when the results were announced.

Li Qi failed the exam!

Because of this, Li Di's wet nurse committed suicide.

Su Shi felt guilty about this and wrote a poem to Li Qi: I have been with you for a long time, and your writing style is so graceful that I can recognize it. I have always talked about ancient battlefields, but I am confused by the five colors of the sun.

To put it simply, I was blind and I mistook other people's papers as yours, and I mistook your papers as other people's!
So whose paper did Su Shi mistaken for Li Di's?

The answer is Zhang Chi, the son of Zhang Dun.

Because before the exam, Zhang Chi had been in mourning with Zhang Dun in his hometown. During the mourning period, he was said to be studying Su Shi's articles with his old father every day.

As a result, the article he wrote made Su Shi mistakenly believe that it was written by Li Shi, who was deeply influenced by him.

In order to avoid suspicion, Li Di deliberately deviated from his own style.

The article that was written was believed by Su Shi to be written by a scholar of the New Party - people said it was Zhang Chi.

Now that Zhang Heng is in charge of the imperial examinations, this case is destined not to happen.

Because Zhang Chi needs to avoid suspicion.

He has given up on this year's imperial examination.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu subconsciously rubbed his hands, then looked at Zhang Heng and asked, "Mr. Zhang, what is the most prevalent malpractice in the imperial examinations nowadays?"

"Of course it's hostage!" Zhang Heng answered without thinking.

This is easy to understand.

Other cheating methods either require a background, connections, or a lot of money.

Or, all three are required.

Only with this cheat sheet, everyone is equal, everyone can learn, and they will master it once they learn.

"Since the time of the Zhen Temple, candidates have openly carried documents with them, all written on small pieces of paper, with complete excerpts..."

Wang Zishao chimed in, "I've heard that in Bianjing, there are copyists who are good at copying small characters. They charge more than a hundred strings of cash for each copy! And there are endless buyers!"

Fan Bailu added: "I heard that there is a Jianyang Bookstore in Fujian Province. The books in the bookstore are sold all over the country. Now there are merchants in the bookstore who specialize in printing the imperial examination items, which are summarized in small pamphlets. So scholars all over the world buy their books to fill their pockets!"

Zhao Xu listened, but he was not angry but happy.

why?
Because in his opinion, this was a sign that capitalism was beginning to take root in the Song Dynasty!

You see - there are capitalists who dare to risk their lives to provide customers with special cheat sheets.

This is capitalist behavior!
I can only say that he is worthy of being a Fujianese.

It means being bold, unconventional, and daring!

It is no wonder that after its opening, Quanzhou Port was able to quickly catch up and replace Mingzhou, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, becoming the number one port in the world and even the world during the Southern Song Dynasty!
Of course, he just smiled slightly and then quickly restrained himself.

In order to cover up, Zhao Xu looked at Zhang Heng and asked in a serious tone, "Did our ancestors have any rules to control those who harbor hostages?"

Zhang Heng lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, when we were in the temple, we had the plan to strip and search the body..."

"However, during the Dazhong Xiangfu period, the Zhen Temple valued scholars and officials and issued an edict to abolish this technique!"

"What's the reason?"

"Strip and search, you are unqualified to be a scholar!"

The scholars and officials are all gentlemen.

How can we make everyone take off their clothes and submit to body searches by the clerks just because a small number of people brought cheat sheets?
This is so disgraceful!
It is also not in line with the court's national policy of respecting scholars and officials.

This was also a result of the deformity and awkwardness of the Song Dynasty.

The legitimacy of the country was shaken by the fact that it was not acquired in a legitimate way, and the double blow of Emperor Taizong's failure in the Northern Expedition and the Treaty of Chanyuan.

Therefore, they could only compromise and make concessions with the literati.

Therefore, the only way to consolidate the ruling foundation and establish new legitimacy is to cede power to the scholar-official class - to control the military with culture and rule the world together with the scholar-officials.

Naturally, the status and personality of the scholar-officials must be respected.

Therefore, bringing cheat sheets to the imperial examinations had become a custom and tradition in the Song Dynasty.

It would be abnormal if you don’t bring cheat sheets!

If you don't bring cheat sheets, you will definitely not do as well as others in the exam.

Naturally, Zhao Xu could not deny Zhen Miao's "wise policy".

But it doesn’t matter!

Zhao Xu has his own way!

He hesitated for a moment, then asked Zhang Heng, "Mr. Zhang, what books are allowed to be brought into the imperial examinations?"

Zhang Heng replied, "Your Majesty, according to the request of the capital, the books that can be taken in the imperial examination this year are "The Yuanyou Imperial Decree", "Zi Shuo" and "The New Meaning of the Three Classics"!"

Zhao Xu nodded and continued rubbing his hands.

Of course, you were not prohibited from bringing any books to the imperial examination.

If this is the case, what should the candidates do if they use the wrong classics, violate taboos, or offend the name of a previous emperor or a prime minister (In the Northern Song Dynasty, not only did the emperor and previous emperors need to be avoided, but also the prime ministers, and sometimes even the prime minister's father and grandfather needed to be avoided!).

Therefore, the imperial court would always announce the words and phrases that needed to be avoided and paid attention to.

It is called a certain decree.

This year, after petitioning Empress Dowager Xiang, Du Tang announced the Yuanyou Edict, which stipulated the things that should be avoided and paid attention to.

Naturally, it is impossible for candidates to remember everything.

Therefore, they were only allowed to make a copy and bring it into the examination room.

In addition, both the selection of candidates based on poetry and prose in the past and the selection of candidates based on the interpretation of classics today require the use of reference books.

When writing poetry and prose, one must have a rhyme book as a reference.

As for the interpretation of the classics, the imperial examination now uses Wang Anshi's "Explanation of Characters" and "New Interpretations of the Three Classics" as reference books to select candidates.

But not all scholars in the world are new students.

There are also a lot of old scholars!
These people, let alone learning new things, feel sick just by looking at the three words "Wang Anshi"!

However, the questions in the imperial examinations were all based on the new learning.

then what should we do?

There was no other choice but to allow everyone to bring "Zi Shuo" and "New Meanings of the Three Classics" into the examination room as reference books.

These are all loopholes that can be exploited.

Many people bring cheat sheets into the examination room by sandwiching them between their books.

In addition, robes, sleeves, and food brought in are also natural cheating tools.

In modern times, Zhao Xu wrote a paper specifically about cheating in the imperial examinations in the Song Dynasty.

I naturally have a clear understanding of these things.

Of course, there are ways to break the impasse.

He looked at Zhang Heng and the other two and said, "Mr. Zhang, Mr. Fan, Mr. Wen..."

"So, after you three return, please make a suggestion to the imperial court in the name of the Imperial Examination Hall..."

All three of them lowered their heads and pricked up their ears to listen.

"First, the imperial court sympathized with the students' hardship in copying books..."

"I beg the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy to print the Yuanyou Imperial Decree, Zishuo, Sanjing Xinyi and other books that are allowed to be brought, and to grant them according to the number of tribute students this year!"

"The second one... The court treats scholars and officials with courtesy, but it is unfair to those who harbor hostility. I beg the officials to designate examination clothes for tribute students. Everyone who enters the examination hall will be given clothes, and they must change their clothes before being allowed to enter!"

Zhang Heng and the other two listened and swallowed their saliva.

They all know that this is holy government!

No one can find fault with either of these methods.

Therefore, scholars all over the world will praise them for proposing these two methods.

The reason is simple - they didn't do anything, but they got a new set of clothes and three books for free.

For most people, this is profitable.

With these two strategies, this year's imperial examination will surely be the one with the least cheating.

(End of this chapter)