Ming politicians

There are four examiners in the township examination, among which the governor of each province is the first examiner, responsible for the final decision, and the other three are selected by the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Rites. , four people are in charge of the township examination. As for Yingtian Mansion and Shuntian Mansion, the Lord Fu Yin is the first examiner.

The provinces are responsible for all the specific organization of the township examination, but the chief examiners selected by the Metropolitan Procuratorate participated from the beginning to the end. Before departure, Fan Jingwen and Xu Eryi called all the selected officials and put forward strict requirements. No matter whether it is a banquet arranged by candidates or local officials, they are not allowed to participate in the dinner invitation. Second, they are not allowed to have too much contact with the academic administration in the province. Put forward opinions independently, and dare to speak up if you find any inappropriate measures. If necessary, you can directly report to the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Lu Shanji, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Zhou Yanru, Minister of Rites, also summoned the chief examiners and put forward strict requirements. This was the first time the imperial court held an imperial examination, and those who wanted to recruit officials for the imperial court must not be negligent.

On the fifth day of September in the second year of the Great Jin Dynasty, the rural examinations in various places began, and the rural examinations still lasted for three days.

This time, due to the relaxation of the restrictions, there are a lot of candidates participating in the rural examination. Corresponding adjustments have been made regarding the marking of papers. The number of people marking papers has increased, and the time has also been extended, from the original ten days to 20 days. The time mainly increases the re-examination procedure. At the same time, the final determination of the admitted Juren requires four examiners to discuss together. Of course, the final decision-making power lies with the governors of each province.

At first glance, such an arrangement gave the governor great power. In fact, it was an arrangement after careful consideration by the emperor and the court, and the governor had a good grasp of the situation in the province.They also have a certain understanding of the outstanding talents in this province, and if they are asked to pass the provincial examination, they will definitely make full preparations, at least to ensure that all the outstanding talents in this province can be admitted.You must know that the admitted Juren will have to go to the capital to take part in a more stringent general examination. If the province fails to pass a few tributes after the general examination, then the governor will be ashamed and his reputation will not be good, so he will Such a heavy burden is overwhelming the governor, and the governor must think clearly.

Everything has advantages and disadvantages, and we can only make choices from the most favorable angle.

The court is not completely laissez-faire.An inspection team was formed, and Fan Jingwen was fully responsible for the inspection. Xu Eryi, Lu Shanji, Zhou Yanru and others were all members of the inspection team. During the rural examination period, the inspection team formed many teams and went to various places to conduct inspections , to see if there is any abnormal situation.

The results of the provincial examination were very good.The main reason is that the candidates are very satisfied.

In fact, candidates are concerned about their own abilities, including the abilities of others.They have some basic understanding of who has high knowledge and who has strong ability. They basically know that after the results of this rural examination, those candidates with strong ability and high knowledge.Most of them were admitted, which fully shows that the rural examination is very fair.

What the candidates don't know is that the governors of the provinces are the prefects of Yingtian Mansion and Shuntian Mansion.It also adopted an extraordinary method, mobilizing many people from various universities to participate in the work of marking the papers, and there is a special team beside the governor, responsible for reviewing the circled test papers, and finally the chief examiner determined When recruiting people, the governor must be able to tell the brilliance of the test paper and why he was admitted. The other three chief examiners also have to express their opinions. All these opinions have been recorded and prepared for inspection. Such a strict procedure, Even if anyone wants to cheat from it, it will take a lot of energy.

Because the governors from all over the country know that the candidates admitted by the province represent the level of the province and whether the governor is doing his best. If these candidates enter the capital, they will fall too much during the examination. , it's not good looking.

The imperial court is also very satisfied with the results of the rural examination. Zhu Shenxuan even suggested that the imperial court can sum up the experience from this, and that the future rural examinations will be conducted in accordance with this method, so as to guarantee to the greatest extent that the imperial court can recruit truly outstanding people. , into the court to do things.

The exams in Shandong, Fujian, Yingtianfu, and Shuntianfu are more difficult, because there are many candidates from vassal states, Japan, and the Western Regions in the examination rooms in these places. The imperial court has different considerations for the admission of these candidates. Mainly to enter business management, and directly face foreign merchants, their knowledge level is still somewhat different from that of candidates from the north and the south, and it is impossible to compare with the candidates in terms of basic skills, so the marking of these people is separate, The admission standards are also different. Of course, this is the imperial court's first imperial examination, and there can be different standards, but this situation will not exist in the next imperial examination.

At the end of September, the rural examinations were all over, and the list of admissions came out. People from all over the country kept announcing the good news, but the candidates who passed the examination did not have time to celebrate. They got ready and got up and rushed to the capital to participate in the general examination in more than a month.

Since the beginning of October, the capital has become extremely lively. Nearly two thousand people rushed to the capital, and the inns, large and small, were full. After the Guozijian was disbanded, it became a special training place for tribute and Jinshi. That is to say, after passing the general examination and palace examination, all of them have to enter here for a two-month training, and then go to the imperial court or It is the local government that takes office, even if it is the top pick, the second place, and the third flower, it still needs to be trained.

What the examinees didn't expect was that the Imperial College actually set up a special class to provide special training for the candidates who took the exam. In addition, there are some places in the capital that also specially provide tutoring for candidates to prepare for the exam. .

This was advocated by Su Tiancheng. He had participated in the imperial examinations, and he knew that after the candidates entered the capital, they often like to make friends with each other. The business of restaurants in various parts of the capital is surprisingly good, and a lot of time is wasted in this kind of chatting. In fact, The ethos is very bad, and it is completely okay to make friends with each other, but there is no need to eat and drink. After all, you are still a scholar, and you have not officially entered the court. If you develop the habit of eating and drinking, it must not be good. In addition, the economic conditions of the candidates are also different. Some candidates’ family conditions are not good, and they often spend a lot of money in order to make their faces swollen and fat, which eventually increases the burden on the family. Such candidates are admitted to Jinshi and enter the officialdom Yes, isn't it because he has a greedy mind for ink.

Therefore, it is necessary to train candidates before the exam, which can change the atmosphere before the exam.

This move really had a huge effect.

For a while, candidates from all over the world didn't even have time to get to know each other. After arriving in the capital, the first thing that came to mind was to participate in the training, and to be proud of being able to enter the school where the former Guozijian was located. As for making friends, it is better to make friends in the school. , The deeper reason here is that the candidates want to be able to pass the Gongshi exam and finally take the palace exam.

Those candidates who were planning to enter the capital later, after receiving such news, could not stay at home or take time to travel, and immediately rushed to the capital to participate in the training.

For a while, the style of study in the capital flourished.

Zhu Shenxuan, Yang Sichang, Fan Jingwen and others were all in admiration. They really couldn't imagine why the emperor could have so many whimsical ideas, and they could often turn stones into gold.

The examination is directly under the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Officials, with the Ministry of Rites as the main one.

Among the prime ministers, Yang Sichang, who was in charge of the Ministry of Rites, became the first examiner. Xu Eryi, Lu Shanji, and Zhou Yanru were all examiners, and Zhou Yanru was the second examiner. The left and right servants of the Ministry of Rites are also the chief examiners who are doing their part. As for the marking staff, a large number of people have been transferred from the school, and the imperial court has also transferred two people from each province (prefecture) to join the ranks of the marking team.

On the fifth day of November, the test will be held in the Gongyuan in the capital.

After the renovation, the area of ​​the Gongyuan has more than doubled. The original birdcage has undergone large-scale changes, and the area has more than doubled. The height is about the same as that of an ordinary house. It is divided into three floors. There is a table and a wooden bed for resting next to it. Paper, ink, brush and inkstone are all prepared, and meals are arranged by the government. That is to say, candidates only need to go in, and they are not allowed to bring anything.

The conditions of the examination rooms in the provinces are definitely not as good as those in the capital, so the candidates are very emotional after entering the examination room.

The test will also take three days.

The inspection system has been thoroughly implemented. During the three days of the exam, there will be inspections throughout the day. During the exam, no one is allowed to enter the exam room, including the prime minister.Of course Su Tiancheng would not go to see it, if he showed his majesty at this time, it would be too petty.

The admission ratio of the general examination is very large. Of the nearly [-] candidates who took the examination, four out of five will be admitted, and one fifth will be eliminated. The one fifth of the eliminated candidates can stay in the capital and participate in the long-term competition. Half a year of training, and then take the re-examination held in June of the next year. If you pass, you will be awarded the status of Jinshi, participate in the training, and enter the court as an official. As for those who still fail to pass the examination, you will have to participate in the next one. The country test.

At the end of October, the results of the test came out.

After the general examination, almost none of the candidates left the capital. The tributes who passed the examination will soon take part in the palace examination. There is not much time for preparation. At this time, there is no time for training. The tributes who pass the exam can relax. Make friends, eat and drink all over the capital, those who fail the exam must also prepare well, attend the training courses held by the government, and prepare for the make-up exam. (To be continued..)