Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 8 Anti-text!

Officials such as Guo Chong were startled and quickly stood up, went to an empty space nearby, knelt on the ground, and respectfully welcomed the arrival of Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Soon, Zhu Biao, dressed in casual clothes, walked into the hall. Zhu Biao had a square face, a slightly thin complexion, and a gentle smile on the corner of his mouth.

Enter the temple.

Seeing all the ministers kneeling, Zhu Biao frowned and said unhappily, "Everyone, please stand up quickly. Since the fourth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, His Majesty has issued an edict, decreeing that officials and civilians should resume the ritual of bowing and kowtow."

"The barbarian customs of the old Yuan Dynasty have been abolished by the Ming Dynasty."

Li Shanchang raised his hand and signaled the officials in the hall to stand up quickly, and said: "Your Highness is right. Your Majesty expelled the Tartar humiliation and restored China. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he was determined to overthrow everything of the Yuan Dynasty."

"When the country was founded, the military and civilians in the world still followed the Hu customs in performing etiquette. When drinking at banquets, people often bowed and knelt as a courtesy. Therefore, our Ming Dynasty chose Chen Gang to establish the rules."

"But I think the reason why all the officials kneeled down to pay homage to Your Highness is not to follow the barbarian custom, but to follow another law of our Ming Dynasty."

"Any subordinate official whose rank is lower than that of his superior official shall kneel when reporting matters. Any attendant official whose rank is not restricted shall kneel and bow."

"Your Highness has been appointed by His Majesty as the chief examiner of the imperial examinations. You are my direct superior and you should be honored by my kneeling respect."

Li Shanchang pretended to salute Zhu Biao.

Guo Chong and others also followed Li Shanchang's words and bowed to Zhu Biao, with a hint of emotion in their eyes.

Zhu Biao shook his head and said nothing more.

Li Shanchang smiled slightly, with a hint of cunning and shrewdness in his eyes.

He knew that Zhu Biao did not really dislike the officials kneeling and bowing, but most of the officials who were reviewing the papers today were talented and eloquent, and Zhu Biao always valued these people, so he made a special remark to show his respect and closeness.

Li Shanchang naturally understood the reason, so he went out of his way to explain a few words on behalf of the officials and also gave Zhu Biao a reason that he could accept.

Both parties got away with it.

The Ming Dynasty did abolish the old system in name, but there is still a difference between what was written and what was actually happening. If you really believe in those things, you will only hurt yourself.

The officials who were summoned to examine the papers this time had all been working in the court for more than ten years, so how could they not know the rules?

Zhu Biao sat down on the main seat and said in a deep voice: "It has been thirteen years since the last imperial examination in our dynasty. Now the imperial examination is newly opened, and many candidates have participated in the examination. Now the examination papers have been sealed here."

"I won't waste any more time."

"I have only one request. Please do not have any thoughts of favoritism or fraud. Mark the papers impartially and treat all candidates' papers equally."

"If anyone harbors selfish motives, undermines the fairness of the imperial examination, and ruins the reputation of our Ming Dynasty, then don't blame me for being merciless."

Zhu Biao had a stern look on his face.

He would never allow anyone to cheat in the imperial examinations, and he would show no mercy to anyone who dared to undermine the fairness of the Ming Dynasty's imperial examinations.

Li Shanchang and other officials hurriedly said: "I have no selfish motives and will review the papers impartially. Please rest assured, Your Highness."

Zhu Biao nodded.

He waved his hand, signaling the clerk beside him to distribute the examination papers for the imperial examination.

After this little episode, Wenhua Hall became quiet again. The officials sat in their seats and reviewed the relevant test papers assigned to them.

During this period, if any test paper stands out, it will be informed to other officials and marked. After the preliminary review is completed, it will be handed over to other officials for review again.

The final ranking will then be determined.

It's approaching noon.

Wu Gongda has reviewed nearly a hundred test papers, but only a handful of them caught his eye. These test papers actually have some highlights, but they are not enough.

The introduction, continuation of the topic, beginning of the lecture, first section, second section, third section and so on to the conclusion cannot always give people a refreshing feeling.

In such a grand examination as the imperial examination, if one cannot always give brilliant answers, it means that the candidate is not good enough and will not be able to stand out.

When Wu Gongda opened a test paper, he just glanced at it, but his eyes lit up and he read it aloud.

"Your Highness, I saw a good test paper." "The first test of the imperial examination, the question is: If the people are satisfied, who is the king who is insufficient, and this candidate's answer and conclusion to the question are quite insightful."

"This candidate's point of view in solving the question is: Since the people are rich below, the ruler will be rich above."

"Then the title is: The wealth of the ruler is hidden in the people; since the people are rich, how can the ruler be poor alone? It is like telling Duke Ai that the ruler and the people are one."

"It is said that the public increases taxes because the expenditure is insufficient. If you want to make the expenditure sufficient, why not first make the people sufficient..."

"..."

Wu Gongda read out the answer with a serious face to solicit the opinions of other ministers. If more than half of the ministers agree, it will be included in the next review process.

Zhu Biao and others listened attentively.

The first question of the imperial examination was from "The Analects of Confucius - Yan Yuan", which examined the relationship between the people and the monarch, and the one that Wu Gongda recited was quite literary.

The arguments are all reasonable.

It's really outstanding.

Just when Wu Gongda was reciting the fifth or sixth part with a look of joy, there was a thud and Guo Chong next to him accidentally dropped his stool.

This scene also made everyone laugh.

Wu Gongda was interrupted and stopped subconsciously, but it didn't matter whether he finished reading or not. He had just noticed the expressions of Zhu Biao, Li Shanchang and others, and they were all very satisfied with the test paper.

There is actually no need to read this test paper again.

The standard has been met.

He put away the test paper and looked at Guo Chong. He also became interested and said jokingly, "Brother Zixiang, the content of this test paper is indeed good, but there is no need for you to be so surprised."

"The essay you wrote in the imperial examination was ranked first. It's not like you are so shocked now."

Wu Gongda joked to liven up the atmosphere. It was almost noon and time to eat, so there was no need to be so serious.

However, Guo Chong did not respond.

It was rare that he did not refute out loud. It seemed that he did not hear Wu Gongda's teasing at all. His eyes were fixed on the test paper in front of him, and his face turned pale without any warning.

His lips turned blue, his body trembled constantly, and his pupils were filled with fear. There was no trace of joy as Wu Gongda thought.

There is only fear.

He saw a counter-article!
Zhu Biao also smiled and said, "Minister Guo, I have heard of your talent. Your answer on this test paper is not bad, but after all, this is the reopening of the imperial examination after more than ten years of suspension. Naturally, many literati and patriots have accumulated over the years."

"Why did you lose your composure like this?"

Guo Chong seemed to have just woken up from a dream. He did not even bother to wipe the sweat off his forehead. He did not even stand up. He just knelt on the ground and said tremblingly, "Your Highness, I did not lose my composure because of the test paper that Brother Wu read. It was..."

"But I read this article myself."

"Oh." Zhu Biao's eyes were slightly different, and he was also interested. He smiled and said, "But another great talent has been discovered by you, my dear. Come on, read it to me."

Zhu Biao looked delighted.

What was the purpose of Ming Dynasty reopening the imperial examination?

Isn't it just to select talented people from all over the world to govern the country? Now a test paper can shock a role model, how can he not be surprised?

Guo Chong lowered his head, not daring to look up, and hesitant to speak. It was not until Zhu Biao asked him repeatedly that he spoke tremblingly.

"Return to your highness."

"What I saw was not a piece of writing by a great talent, but a piece of..."

"Anti-text!!!"

(End of this chapter)