Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

The palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Chengtian Gate.

As the auspicious time for entering the palace had arrived, three hundred Jinshi scholars, led by Zhang Wenxu, Jia Cong, Chen Qirui and others, were guided by officials from the Ministry of Rites out of Chengtian Gate and through Rui Gate.

The procession of Jinshi scholars stopped temporarily before the Meridian Gate. Under the assignment of officials from the Ministry of Rites, the 300 Jinshi scholars were ranked in the top three categories. Those with odd numbers walked through the Zuoye Gate on the east side, and those with even numbers walked through the Youye Gate on the west side.

This kind of etiquette of walking into the palace is similar to the etiquette of entering the palace for an examination.

When the palace ceremony was over and the 300 scholars left the palace, the way they walked through the Meridian Gate was different from the etiquette. This is a story for later.

After the team of 300 Jinshi scholars passed through the Meridian Gate, they saw a wide and solemn corridor along the way, with palaces on both sides stacked up, red walls and green tiles, flying eaves and auspicious beasts, it was magnificent, as if it was a palace in heaven.

When they entered the palace for the exam, they had already seen this royal atmosphere, but at that time they were nervous and had their own aspirations, so it was difficult for them to appreciate the scenery along the way.

It is quite different nowadays. Everyone here has become a Jinshi. After years of hard study and tormenting struggle in the imperial examinations, they finally get a perfect result. They are so proud of themselves that naturally they see grandeur everywhere.

The three hundred Jinshi entered Chengtian Gate, and passed through Huiji Gate, Wenhua Hall, Wuying Hall, East and West Huamen along the way. It seemed as if they were stepping into the clouds and ascending to heaven.

A few of them may rise to high positions, wield tremendous power, and even go down in history.

But most of them can only go far away to other places in the end, serve the parents of a county, work diligently, devote their hearts and souls, cherish their reputation, and finally stop at the fifth rank in their whole life, living a life that was once glorious but mostly mediocre.

Although the imperial examination is the only way for students all over the world to climb to the top, but how many people can actually reach the top and enjoy the endless scenery?
……

When the 300 scholars arrived in front of the Fengtian Gate, they stopped again at the reminder of the officials from the Ministry of Rites.

The tall and majestic vermilion gate in front of me was covered with copper nails as big as bowls, flashing a cold golden light.

This is the gateway to the inner and outer palaces of the imperial city. Those who can frequently enter this gate are all people with successful official careers.

Among the three hundred Jinshi, most of them might be stepping into Fengtian Gate for the last time in their lives.

Behind these two huge vermilion doors will be their unpredictable career paths. Who can stir up the storm and stand at the top, and who will sink to be a lowly official and live a mediocre life?
At 2:02 am, cannon fire blasted behind the palace gate and bells rang out, sounding like heavenly music, giving people a sense of grandeur and solemnity.

The Fengtian Gate then slowly opened, and an awe-inspiring aura of majesty seemed to rush towards them, with a majestic and moving rhythm that lifted the spirits of every Jinshi.

Under the guidance of officials from the Ministry of Rites, the three hundred Jinshi scholars entered the square outside the Huangji Hall in front of the Danbi in shifts and took their positions.

More than 300 people stood in neat rows, with three top-class Jinshi standing in the front row, attracting great attention.

The top scholar Zhang Wenxu is first from the left, the second scholar Jia Cong is second from the left, and the third scholar Chen Qirui is last.

All the new Jinshi scholars wore the same standard Jinshi ceremonial robes, but as there were so many people on the list, the Ministry of Rites had to rush to make a new batch of ceremonial robes in addition to the ones in stock.

Although the clothes are made according to several standards, it is inevitable that some people will not be able to fit them. However, if you are among a hundred people, it will not be very conspicuous.

Only the formal dress of the first-class Jinshi was more exquisite and complicated in shape, surpassing that of other candidates. Because these three people were the faces of the ceremony, their formal dresses had been tried on several times in advance, so they all fit well.

However, Zhang Wenxu and Chen Qirui were both from other places who came to Beijing to take the imperial examinations. Unlike Jia Cong, who was very ostentatious, after getting a set of formal suits, several maids would wash and iron them overnight.

Qingwen was an expert at sewing and knew Jia Cong's body shape without even looking at him. She even altered a few stitches on the dress overnight to make it fit Jia Cong better.

Therefore, three people were ranked in the first class. Jia Cong's suit was extremely new and fitted, crisp and stretched, as if it was tailor-made. His shoulders were narrow, his back was straight, his sleeves were wide, and his waist was straight, which made him look more handsome, graceful and eye-catching.

Although Zhang Wenxu and Chen Qiduan's dresses were also clean and tidy, they still looked a bit old-fashioned in comparison, with many wrinkles on their shoulders, elbows, waists and backs, which was a bit of a flaw...

Just by looking at their attire, the three of them are already very different, just like the foil and the foiled, each with their own interesting...

……

In front of the steps of the Huangji Hall Square, the two chief examiners of this year's spring examination, Grand Secretary Wang Shilun, Minister of Personnel Chen Mo, and Minister of Rites Guo Youchang, were already standing and waiting.

Among the eighteen examiners in this spring examination, those who had not been implicated in the cheating case and official discipline violations were still ten left, and they were also standing solemnly in the next row, waiting to accompany the others.

After that came some of the officials in charge of this spring examination, including more than a dozen officials such as the examiner, the sealer, the holder, the sealer, and the supervisor.

The number of officials present at the Spring Examination was far less than the number of officials assigned by the court.

That was because more than thirty officials who had taken the imperial examinations in the spring were unable to attend the ceremony because they were involved in corruption or bribery.

In addition to these officials who were taking part in the Spring Examination, all officials of the fourth rank and above from various government offices in the capital city attended the ceremony as required by law. It was a grand and glorious occasion with a dignified demeanor.

At three quarters past three in the morning, the grand and melodious music of bells, chimes and drums faded slightly, and the gate of the Huangji Palace slowly opened.

The officials of each column of the Spring Examination and the officials observing the ceremony filed into the Huangji Hall according to their respective ranks.

Following the arrangements and guidance of officials from the Ministry of Rites, all the newly-appointed Jinshi scholars still lined up and stood solemnly in front of the steps outside the palace.

There was a yellow table set in the middle of the Danbi stone, with three officials from the Ministry of Rites standing on each side.

A nine-cauldron incense burner is placed on the yellow table, and three bright yellow incense sticks are lit. The smoke rises in the air, exuding a solemn and mysterious atmosphere.

In the Huangji Hall, to the east of the emperor's throne, there was also a yellow table, on which the list of successful candidates in this year's imperial examination was placed.

After the officials entering the hall took their positions, only a moment passed before the sound of bells, chimes and drums rang out again. Emperor Jiazhao, wearing a green-based bright yellow dragon crown and a 24-tassel crown on his head, walked slowly into the hall.

All the officials entering the hall, as well as more than 300 newly-appointed Jinshi outside the hall, knelt on the ground, performed the five bows and three kowtows, and shouted "Long live the emperor!"

……

After the officials had finished their greetings, the chief examiner of this year's spring examination, Wang Shilun, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, stepped out.

He said, "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived. The officials entering the palace and the scholars present are all in their seats. Please start the grand ceremony of announcing the names of the candidates!"

Emperor Jiazhao replied: "Approved!"

The eunuch in the palace sang loudly: "In the fifteenth year of Jia Zhao, the spring imperial examination ceremony begins..."

The voices of the eunuchs' reports were transmitted one by one from the deep and spacious Huangji Hall all the way to the Danbi Square outside the hall, echoing in the ears of all the successful candidates of this year's imperial examination. Everyone stood upright, their expressions becoming more solemn.

Wang Shilun, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, with a solemn expression, took out the golden list from the Huangji Hall, placed it on the yellow table set in the middle of the Danbi stone, and bowed and saluted in the midst of the smoke-filled incense.

Finally, he said to the six officials on both sides: "According to the imperial decree, the golden list is here, and the names are announced!"

The first official on the left walked to the yellow table, opened the golden list with both hands, and read out the top names:
"The Emperor of the Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven decrees that on the tenth day of the fifth month of the fifteenth year of Jiazhao, three hundred and five candidates from all over the country will be selected and announced to the world!"

"The first place in the class is awarded the title of Jinshi."

"First place, Zhang Wenxu, from Linzi, Qingzhou..."

"The second place is Jia Cong, from Yongzhou Shenjing..."

"The third place winner is Chen Qirui, from Yishan, Yuezhou..."

The name of every successful candidate on the gold list will be announced by the official in charge of the examination.

But the three people in Class One are different from the others. Each of their names will be repeated three times, and each time they are sung, they are accompanied by the roar of drums and music, which is brilliant, glorious, and heart-stirring.

Even though Jia Cong's mind was different from that of ordinary people, when he heard his name being sung back and forth and the melodious music of bells and drums reverberating as if echoing through heaven and earth, his heart was filled with infinite pride and joy.

……

After the three people in the first class were announced, the names of the second and third class Jinshi were called out.

However, when the names of the second and third class Jinshi were announced, they did not have the honor of being announced three times as the first class had. Instead, each person's name was announced once, and the music was also a little simpler.

But even so, it is the highest honor that thousands of students pursue and yearn for throughout their lives. Every Jinshi whose name is called out is excited, and many of them even shed tears of emotion.

After the yellow case was read out on the Danbi Stone, six officials from the Ministry of Rites took turns to call out the names of more than 300 successful candidates of the current imperial examination. They shouted at the top of their lungs and the ceremony lasted for more than half an hour before they completed it.

After the names of the 300 new Jinshi were announced, they, under the guidance of the officials of the Ministry of Rites, knelt and kowtowed again to thank the emperor for his great grace.

At this time, the eunuch who was passing the imperial edict came out of the Huangji Hall, stood in the middle of the Danbi stone, and loudly announced: "The first-class Jinshi of this year's imperial examination are summoned to the palace to be conferred titles. The top fifteen of the second class, and the top five of the third class, are summoned to the palace to watch the ceremony!"

Hundreds of Jinshi candidates in the square outside the palace were slightly agitated when they heard the summons, and many of them had excitement and envy on their faces.

Although there were more than 300 newly promoted Jinshi, only three people in the first class could be directly conferred official positions after the ceremony.

The rest of the Jinshi can only pass the imperial examinations, be sent to observe government affairs, and be evaluated by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel before they can finally be granted an official position.

In addition to the three people in the first class, the best new Jinshi are those who have passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy. As long as their career goes smoothly in the future, they will most likely be promoted to the fourth rank or above.

The next ones will enter the six ministries and other government offices in Shenjing to observe government affairs and practice. If they pass the evaluation by the Ministry of Personnel, they can be retained as low-level officials in the capital.

Thirdly, those who ranked at the bottom of the second class in the palace examination, as well as most of the third class Jinshi, would basically be sent out of the capital to various states and prefectures to serve as county magistrates, prosecutors, and other positions.

Moreover, the Ministry of Personnel does not always have vacancies for the opportunity to be assigned to an official position. Many Jinshi have to stay in Beijing for a year before they can be assigned an official position by the Ministry of Personnel. As for whether to go to a prosperous city or a remote and wild place, it all depends on your luck. Therefore, for all the new Jinshi, the top three are the pride of the same year. If they are on the list, they can be appointed as officials, and they will be the noble Hanlin. They can expect to become the head of a ministry or a cabinet minister in the future.

The top fifteen candidates in the second class who can accompany him into the palace to watch the ceremony are also outstanding people in this spring's imperial examination. Compared with other candidates of the same year, they have a greater chance of becoming officials in the Hanlin Academy, but they need to go through a round of imperial examinations.

As for the top five of the top three who entered the palace to watch the ceremony, they were just a foil, because there were many Jinshi in the top three, whether for the sake of morale or face, they had to take some consideration...

When the twenty-three new Jinshi candidates were led by the ceremonial officers of the Ministry of Rites into the magnificent Huangji Hall, they stood in three rows in the hall, which greatly increased the popularity of the entire hall.

……

There were many officials of the Spring Examination sitting in the hall, as well as a group of high-ranking officials above the fourth rank who were watching the ceremony. All their eyes were focused on these high-spirited new scholars in the center of the hall.

These newly promoted scholars will surely be the rising stars in the officialdom. Some of the most outstanding ones among them may even become the mainstays of the powerful government after several years...

Everyone's attention was finally focused on the three people in the first row. Some were paying attention to the top scorer Zhang Wenxu, while others were looking at the third place winner Chen Qirui.

But the runner-up attracted more attention, because although Jia Cong was a newly-minted Jinshi, he had a distinguished family background, a high official title, and brilliant achievements. Zhang Wenxu and Chen Qirui could not be compared with him.

As for his future career, it is almost self-evident. Among the more than 300 Jinshi candidates in the same year, few could go further and higher than him...

At this time, the Minister of Personnel Chen Mo came out and walked to the steps of the throne. After bowing to Emperor Jiazhao, he took the imperial edict of enthronement from the Deputy Chief Eunuch Guo Lin.

The court unrolled the bright yellow scroll and announced the imperial decree:
The Emperor of Heaven and Earth decrees.

During the prosperous imperial examination period, the country selected talented people regardless of their social status; there was a gathering of literati, whose poems and essays were at the top of the academic world; there emerged talented and wise people in the world, who were upright in mind and had strategies to serve the country.

The emperor's grace encouraged him, he worked hard and determinedly, and granted him the position of Hanlin to take charge of state affairs.

Zhang Wenxu, first place in the first class, was ranked first in the country and was appointed as the sixth-rank Hanlin editor.

The second place winner of the first class, Jia Cong, was a man of outstanding literary talent and hard work, and was awarded the title of fifth-rank Hanlin lecturer.

Chen Qirui, who ranked third in the first class, performed well in the examination and was humble and amiable. He was granted the title of seventh-rank Hanlin editor.

The rest of the newly promoted Jinshi of this year's exam, who have received great grace from the Emperor, have not abandoned their new glory, have not forgotten their integrity, have the country in their hearts, and are waiting for state affairs...

This is it.

……

Chen Mo read out the imperial edict of enthronement, but as soon as he finished speaking, all the officials watching the ceremony were shocked and couldn't help but make a commotion.

The ceremonial officer on duty in the hall quickly spoke out to stop them, and the officials' noisy whispers quickly subsided.

When Jia Cong heard the imperial edict, he was quite surprised by its content. He had thought that he would be appointed as a seventh-rank Hanlin editor like Chen Qirui, which would be a strange thing for him.

I didn't expect this to be the result. When I knelt down to thank the emperor for his grace, I shouted "Long live the emperor" very sincerely...

The fifteen people in the second class and the five people in the third class who entered the hall to watch the ceremony also knelt down like the first class Jinshi to thank the emperor for his grace.

Jia Cong’s classmate Cai Xiaoyu was also among them, ranking thirteenth in the second class.

Although he ranked behind his classmate Liu Xiaoping in the provincial examination, his answers to the essays in the palace examination were quite brilliant, which greatly advanced his ranking in the palace examination selection and he was even among the top two.

To sum up the reasons, the topic of the imperial examination essay is a natural advantage for Jia Cong's two close friends and classmates, because they are very familiar with Jia Cong's affairs...

In fact, Liu Xiaoping answered the essay questions in the palace examination quite smoothly.

But Cai Xiaoyu had a father who was a cabinet minister. He had been taught by his family and had a broad view of the government. His understanding of the government officials was better than that of his peers. Naturally, his answers to the questions in the palace examination were quite brilliant...

When he finished listening to the contents of the imperial edict, he felt a strange feeling in his heart, as heavy as a mountain. If his mind had not been clear and he had not considered the solemnity of the court, he would have burst out laughing.

I couldn't help but shout in my heart, Yu Zhang is still so magical, stealing the limelight and ruining people's interest, just like before...

Cai Xiaoyu suddenly thought, if he were Zhang Wenxu, what would he do at this moment? Just thinking about it made him shudder and cursed it, and he dared not think about it anymore.

……

Zhang Wenxu, the top scholar standing on the left side of the line of successful candidates, knelt down to express his gratitude and stood up. He felt as if his heart was in turmoil, as if some blood was poured into his head, and his knees became slightly weak.

He is the number one scholar in this spring's imperial examination, the best in the world. Among the three hundred Jinshi, only he can be honored with the crown.

Why did such a strange thing happen? The runner-up Jia Cong was actually appointed as a Hanlin Lecturer. This was unheard of in the past when the first-class candidates were appointed.

He is two levels higher than myself, the top scholar who was conferred the title of Hanlin Compiler. Can I still be considered the top scholar?

Not to mention that top scholar Zhang Wenxu was surprised and shocked, most of the officials watching the ceremony probably had the same thought.

They were all people who had served in the court for a long time, and many of them had even attended the ceremony more than once.

But today's announcement of the conferment of the title of first-class Jinshi was really too unusual and had never been heard of before. It was precisely because it was too bizarre that they couldn't help but make a commotion.

This time, the imperial court appointed the top scholar Zhang Wenxu and the third place scholar Chen Qirui as Hanlin compiler and editor respectively, which was in accordance with common practice and was not surprising.

But the act of conferring the title of No. 2 on Jia Cong was indeed somewhat surprising...

At this time, many officials could not help but look at the line-up of fourth-rank officials, and the head of the Hanlin Academy, Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy Ge Hongzheng, who was standing at the first place.

This was the only Hanlin scholar of the dynasty. Although he was only of the fifth rank, his status was extremely noble, equivalent to a mascot in the court.

According to the official system and etiquette of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Hanlin scholars had to sit above the fourth-rank officials in the capital to show respect.

Therefore, although Ge Hongzheng was only a fifth-rank official, he always stood at the head of the fourth-rank civil servants' ranks, whether at palace banquets or in daily court sessions, which was an unusual sight in the court.

After hearing the imperial edict, the chief official of the Hanlin Academy did not show the same surprise as the other officials, but looked calm and not surprised.

When many officials saw this scene, they understood in their hearts that the first-class Jinshi was awarded the Hanlin official position, and the chief official of the Hanlin Academy must have known about it in advance.

……

The officials were sharp-minded ones. After the initial shock, they thought about it for a while and probably understood the reason why Jia Cong was granted the title.

Jia Cong can be considered an outlier among the current imperial examination candidates. Not only does he come from a noble family and hold two titles, he is also the fifth-rank official in the Firearms Department of the Ministry of Works.

According to the regulations of the imperial examination, a first-class Jinshi must be appointed as a Hanlin official. This is an iron rule that cannot be broken, and it is also a measure to demonstrate the nobility of the imperial examination.

According to the regulations of the Great Zhou Dynasty's imperial examinations, the second and third place winners were routinely awarded the title of seventh-rank Hanlin editor.

But these regulations are completely inapplicable to Jia Cong, an outlier.

If the imperial court really wanted to stick to the old rules and confer the title of seventh-rank Hanlin to a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works, it would surely become a laughing stock in the officialdom of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The current Emperor Jiazhao and the Minister of Personnel Chen Mo are afraid that they can't afford to lose face like this...

However, in the officials of the Hanlin Academy of the Great Zhou Dynasty, only the chief officer, the Hanlin Bachelor, was of the fifth rank, and the second-in-commands were two each of the Imperial Lecturer Bachelor and the Imperial Reader Bachelor, both of whom were of the fifth rank.

Since Jia Cong, a fifth-rank official, could not be granted the title of a seventh-rank official, he naturally could not be granted the title of a fifth-rank official either. Therefore, he could only be promoted one level to become a special fifth-rank Hanlin lecturer.

This is also the only reason that many officials can understand, and it must be the only possible reason for the strange situation of enthroning the first-class Jinshi today.

But for people like Wang Shilun and Chen Mo, the reasons behind this are more complicated than those of other officials...

The current scene may be some kind of appropriate compensation from the current emperor to Jia Cong after he passed away due to various reasons.

Or maybe it was Emperor Jiazhao who wanted to show the world that the imperial examination system was used to select talents, and nobles and commoners could be included in the same category. However, the emperor's will was sole and the emperor's grace all came from above!
……

The officials present at the scene figured out the reasons behind this and felt overwhelmed with emotion.

There were many unexpected events in this spring's imperial examination. Originally, Jia Cong was blessed with great fortune. Not only was he the favorite disciple of Emperor Wenzong Liu Jing'an, but he was also the top scorer in this year's imperial examination. He should have been the best candidate for the top scorer.

However, the emperor did not select him as the top scholar, but instead selected him as the second place in the first class. The officials present could figure out the reasons and considerations behind this, and they were not surprised.

But the young earl seemed to have a precious destiny and could not give up.

Even though he failed to win the first prize in the whole country, he still became one of the 300 Jinshi in this exam with his extraordinary background and talent. He was the most glorious person and stole all the limelight, like an uncrowned king.

Moreover, an even more unique scene will appear in the court in the future. Jia Cong, a fifth-rank Hanlin lecturer, will be ranked above the fourth-rank Beijing minister together with Hanlin scholar Ge Hongzheng!
Hanlin scholar Ge Hongzheng is nearly forty years old, while Jia Cong is only fifteen years old. What a remarkable situation this will be...

At this time, many officials watching the ceremony looked at Zhang Wenxu, who was standing at the top of the new Jinshi, and couldn't help feeling strange and amused.

The Great Zhou Dynasty has been established for nearly a hundred years. Among all the top scholars in the imperial examinations, Zhang Wenxu is probably the most unfortunate, the most humble and the most frustrated one... (End of this chapter)