Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 911 Exam Time!

As the sun rose, the open square in front of the outer wall of the East Palace was already packed with a sea of ​​people.

Today marks the official start of the selection process for the Crown Prince's study companion, personally overseen by Commander Xia. Unlike any previous imperial examination or selection, this one is open not only to all eligible children in Chang'an, but also attracts countless eyes due to the already widely discussed exam questions.

The area around the square was already packed with servants and onlookers from various mansions. The Northern Imperial Guards, holding long halberds and expressionless, formed a human wall to maintain order, keeping the surging crowd at bay.

Near the palace gates, a completely different scene unfolded. A line of ornately decorated carriages pulled up, and ladies of the house, along with their respected stewards and maids, eagerly awaited their arrival. Maids carried food boxes, handkerchiefs, and some even brought ice chests, in preparation for their young masters and ladies to cool off after their exams.

The curtains of the Cui family's carriage were drawn low. Madam Cui kept fiddling with the prayer beads in her hand, her eyes anxiously fixed on the tightly closed palace gates. Madam Pei, who sat calmly beside her in the carriage, had slightly white fingertips as she tightly gripped the hem of her skirt.

"I wonder how Lin'er is preparing..." Madam Cui couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Madam Pei said calmly, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate. How can you expect to answer Marshal Xia's questions by cramming at the last minute?"

Not far away, several women dressed in coarse cloth huddled together. They were ordinary people from the city, and their child, driven by a stubborn streak, had also signed up. One woman shielded her eyes with her hand, squinting at the towering palace walls, and murmured, "I wonder if that little rascal is afraid..."

Another woman nearby comforted him, saying, "What's there to be afraid of? Just being able to go in and see for yourself is like your ancestors' graves emitting auspicious smoke!"

There were also some people who looked like merchants, standing in the shade of the trees at a distance, whispering among themselves. Their children and nephews may not have been well-educated, but they had been exposed to economic affairs for many years and had a good understanding of them. They also wanted to take this opportunity to make a name for themselves.

As the sun rose higher, it scorched the bluestone pavement, sending up distorted waves of heat. The waiting crowd began to stir, a murmur of discussion rising in unison.

Just then, the palace gates creaked open slowly with a heavy thud.

A palace eunuch stood atop the high steps, his clear voice carrying across the square with the aid of his inner strength: "The time has come! All examinees, enter in order according to your number! No unauthorized persons are permitted to make noise or cross the restricted area!"

The crowd instantly erupted like a boiling pot.

The elegantly dressed young men straightened their clothes, striving to appear composed, and walked towards the palace gates under the expectant gazes of their servants. The scholars from humble backgrounds took a deep breath, clenched their fists, and their eyes were resolute. Even the sons of artisans and merchants, though their steps were slightly hesitant, still stood tall and straight.

Two figures stood out in the crowd.

Tuoba Shang was oblivious to the stares around him. He stretched and grinned at Xia Lin beside him, "Uncle, I'm going in to have some fun!" Without waiting for Li Zhi's response, he strode into the crowd, looking more like he was going to a banquet than to take an exam.

On the other side, Dugu Jiaye, dressed in a simple Hu-style outfit that allowed for easy movement, with her hair tied up high, looked spirited and dashing. She waved to Douyazi on the carriage not far away, then winked mischievously in Xia Lin's direction before lightly following the group.

Li Zhi, along with Li Chengqian, Xiao Wu, Zhang Jianzhi, and a few others, stood in the shadows inside the palace gate, silently watching the scene of the crowd entering.

"Second brother...is he really going to take the exam?" Zhang Jianzhi still found it unbelievable.

Li Chengqian's lips curved slightly: "Since he has registered, he will naturally have to take the test. With his personality, he might be able to give some shocking answers."

Xiao Wu said softly, "Sister Jiaye must be well prepared as well."

Li Zhi's gaze swept over the young faces, some tense, some excited, and some trying to remain calm, and he said slowly, "I hope they will not disappoint their father's expectations."

The examination hall was set up in a very spacious hall on the west side of the East Palace. The original screens and tables had been removed and replaced with rows of neat low tables and cushions. The examinees took their seats according to their numbers, and there was complete silence except for the rustling of papers and the occasional suppressed cough.

Huge ice chests were placed in the four corners of the hall, wisps of cool air escaping from them, slightly dispelling the summer heat. Dozens of officials and eunuchs borrowed from the Ministry of Personnel stood solemnly around the hall, their eyes sharp, supervising the discipline of the examination hall.

Neatly arranged low tables and cushions, the examinees sat upright, so still you could hear a pin drop. A giant ice chest in the corner of the hall emitted white steam, attempting to counteract the summer heat seeping in through the carved windows. Crown Prince Li Zhi sat in the main seat, flanked by Li Chengqian, Xiao Wu, and Zhang Jianzhi, their gazes calmly sweeping across the room.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the bell tolled three times.

"The exam begins. First section: People's Livelihood. Time limit: one hour." Li Zhi's voice echoed among the beams and pillars of the palace.

The exam papers were handed out, and the soft rustling of paper filled the air. Almost everyone immediately lowered their heads to read the questions, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly tensed.

People's Livelihood Volume:
I. Imagine you are the newly appointed magistrate of Chang'an County. On your first day in office, you encounter a brawl involving over a hundred canal workers and dockworkers. The cause is a reform of the canal transport regulations by the canal guild, which the dockworkers fear will lead to their unemployment. Three people are already dead, dozens are injured, and the crowd is enraged, blocking the canal transport route. The county constable claims illness, and there are insufficient constables to quell the unrest. You arrive at the scene with two clerks and four guards. How would you handle the situation?
Second, the spring floods breached the dikes of a tributary of the Wei River, inundating three villages and their farmhouses. Hundreds of refugees flocked to the county town to beg for food, but the town's food reserves were limited, and wealthy households refused to give alms. As the registrar, how would you settle the refugees, raise funds and food, and prevent a peasant uprising?
3. A widow accuses a local bully of seizing her land and assaulting her son. You are a judicial assistant, and you discover that the bully is related by marriage to the county clerk, and the widow's evidence is insufficient. How can you uncover the truth and uphold justice?
Major Question: Over ten thousand refugees have fled from Hedong to the capital region to escape the war. They have gathered in the wasteland outside Kunming Pool, building makeshift shelters and surviving by begging and odd jobs. Theft and robbery are frequent, and conflicts with surrounding villagers are constant. If you were ordered to handle this matter, you would need to devise a long-term strategy to appease the refugees, protect the local populace, and consider the imperial treasury's resources and the local capacity to bear the burden. Please elaborate on your strategy.

This exam paper was a wake-up call, leaving many pampered young men, accustomed to classical texts, bewildered. Talking strategy on paper is easy, but experiencing chaos firsthand is difficult! Some turned pale, others' fingertips trembled, their pens hovering in mid-air, unable to fall.

Tuoba Shang scratched his spiky short hair and muttered, "A group fight... a flood... bullying orphans and widows..."

Dugu Jiaye's bright eyes swept over the question, but he didn't rush to write. He first took out some draft paper to outline the main points, his thoughts clear. Pei Wan recalled Xia Lin's admonition to "be down-to-earth," abandoning flowery language and striving to advance the discussion step by step from a practical perspective, such as "isolating both sides, treating the wounded, capturing the ringleader, promising to investigate Yun Zhang, and dispersing the onlookers." Seeing the main question, she remembered what she had learned from consulting the old county magistrate, and her writing became even more steady.

Cui Lin forced herself to remain calm, recalling the cases analyzed by her family's advisors, and attempted to apply the strategy of "divide and conquer, and explain the advantages and disadvantages." Although her writing was neat, it was somewhat vague. When faced with a more challenging topic, she racked her brains, combining her family's observations and experiences, and proposed three strategies: "clarify accounts, promote primary education, and encourage agriculture and sericulture."

Di Ying, a scholar from a humble background, had a glint in his eyes. Having spent his youth in the marketplace and witnessed similar situations firsthand, his answer was simple yet incisive: "First, order the guards to loudly proclaim the imperial laws, stating that a report has been sent to the Prefect of the Capital and the Northern Army, and that the army will arrive immediately, to intimidate them. Second, order the clerks to immediately find the dock managers and canal gang leaders, and, regardless of coercion or bribery, make them restrain their respective men. Third, personally intervene, promising to thoroughly investigate the reasons for the canal reforms, provide an explanation to everyone, and immediately summon nearby doctors to treat the wounded and provide compensation to the dead. Fourth, quickly send people to dredge the canal, explaining that obstruction is a serious crime and outlining the consequences." For this major issue, drawing on his own experience, he proposed a three-step approach: "First, thoroughly survey the land; second, repair the irrigation system; and third, establish free schools."

An hour later, the gong sounded, followed by the examiner's shout: "Time's up, stop writing!"

After the proctors collected all the exam papers, they immediately began distributing the second set of papers. Then Li Zhi continued to announce loudly, "Second paper, Economics. Time limit: one hour."

Economics Volume:
I. A wealthy merchant from Jiangnan now seeks to monopolize the fur trade between Chang'an and Longyou. With substantial capital, he has secretly acquired 70% of the warehouses along the route and is dumping his wares at 30% lower prices, pushing small and medium-sized businesses to the brink of bankruptcy. If you were the supervisor of the Maritime Trade Office, how would you respond, given that you cannot openly violate the law to suppress him, yet you must protect the vitality of commerce and safeguard the livelihoods of ordinary people?

II. The imperial court intends to increase the tea tax, with an estimated increase of five wen per jin. Analyze the specific impact of this measure on tea farmers, tea merchants, border trade, and ordinary tea drinkers.

Thirdly, a foreign merchant in the West Market wants to purchase a large quantity of raw silk at a price 30% lower than the market price, but requires a six-month credit period. As the head of the silk guild, how would you draft a contract that would facilitate the transaction while mitigating risks and protecting the interests of all merchants?

Major Topic: In recent years, Guanzhong has enjoyed consecutive bumper harvests, leading to low grain prices and hardship for farmers. However, last year's floods in Jiangnan caused rice prices to soar. Some have suggested that the imperial court establish "Ever-Normal Granaries" at key points along the Grand Canal to purchase surplus grain from Guanzhong when prices are low and transport it to Jiangnan when prices are high to stabilize prices, thereby replenishing the national treasury. If you were in charge of this matter, please detail the operational procedures and anticipate potential difficulties and solutions.

This question directly addresses the core contradictions of monopolies, taxes, and commerce, requiring a balance between law and human sentiment. Many sons of merchants frowned, deep in thought.

When Tuoba Shang saw the word "monopoly," his eyes lit up, and he began to write furiously, no one knowing what kind of crazy ideas were popping into his head.

Influenced by her mother's business acumen, Dugu Jiaye proposed a combination of strategies, including "uniting small and medium-sized businesses to form a guild, seeking low-interest loans from the government, opening up new trade routes, and secretly supporting struggling businesses in suing them for unfair competition." For a more significant project, she boldly proposed "issuing 'Kunming Pool renovation lottery tickets,' using a portion of the future revenue from the water palace as repayment, allowing ordinary people to subscribe in small amounts, thus both accumulating wealth and sharing the joy with the people."

The second volume is difficult, but most of the readers are knowledgeable. However, by the third volume, there are many more people who are completely lost.

War Volume:
1. Our army has 3,000 cavalry, while the enemy has 5,000 infantry defending the city. The city's food reserves can last for half a month, and reinforcements will not arrive for more than a month. As the general, would you choose to besiege, launch a direct attack, or lure the enemy? Please explain your reasoning and formulate a brief strategy.

2. During the march, you encounter a large river blocking your path. The bridges are destroyed, and there are not enough boats and rafts. The entire army must cross the river within one day. What are your best strategies? You need to consider supplies and horses.

Third, report back to the enemy general, whose birthday is in three days; his army will surely be lax. If you intend to launch a night attack, please develop a detailed action plan, including the route, timing, troop allocation, and retreat plan.

Major Question: The military governor of Hexi secretly reports that Tibet is simultaneously deploying troops on the border to demonstrate its strength and sending a secret envoy to request a marriage alliance with a member of the Tibetan royal family, as well as the opening of more border trading posts. This has sparked considerable debate within the court. Proponents of war believe it harbors malicious intentions, while advocates of peace believe it can temporarily alleviate the border troubles. As the Director of the Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of War, you are tasked with comprehensively analyzing the situation, determining Tibet's true intentions, and drafting a response strategy for the court, taking into account military, diplomatic, economic, and long-term stability considerations.

This scroll is magnificent in its scale, and its final thesis directly addresses the core of national policy. The air inside the hall seemed to freeze, with gasps rising and falling. Many people were pale, large beads of sweat sliding down their foreheads.

Li Chengqian glanced over and saw Tuoba Shang rubbing his hands together, writing swiftly on the large topic, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly. Dugu Jiaye concentrated and tried to approach the matter with a complex strategy, including "verifying the authenticity of intelligence, analyzing the internal political situation of Tubo, assessing its military and economic needs, proposing to 'allow the opening of small border markets to observe the effects, strengthen border patrols, secretly order the Hexi army to prepare for war, and select a distant relative's daughter to feign compliance."

Despite having little contact with such important military and national affairs, Di Ying did not give up. Combining historical records and battle examples with his rudimentary understanding of border trade, he put forward directional suggestions such as "strengthening reconnaissance, consolidating border defenses, and using trade markets to divide the various Tibetan tribes."

Time slipped away with the scratching of the pen. The ice chest melted, and the eunuch quietly replaced it. Only the sound of writing, sighs, and murmurs of frustration remained in the hall.

When the final exam bell rang, many people collapsed as if exhausted. As the exam papers were collected, many people still stared intently at them.

The palace gates opened again, and a wave of heat and voices rushed in.

The crowd waiting outside erupted in excitement once more, with servants from various households swarming forward.

Cui Lin was practically helped into the carriage by her maid, her face deathly pale. Pei Wan staggered unsteadily, yet still managed to comfort her mother. Most of the noble ladies were in the same state; after all, these women didn't have the agility of Xiao Hei Pi, who could leap and bound across the city walls. The morning's ordeal had truly exhausted them.

Di Ying and other scholars from humble backgrounds silently merged into the crowd, their tightly pursed lips betraying the turmoil in their hearts.

Tuoba Shang stretched and complained of being hungry, while Dugu Jiaye followed behind him, chattering away to his second brother.

Li Zhi stood on the steps, watching the crowd gradually disperse under the setting sun. Those answer sheets, their ink still wet, were about to determine the fate of many. The candles in the Eastern Palace were destined to burn brightly tonight.

In fact, many people have realized that the so-called selection of companions for the Crown Prince is very likely a way to select talents by bypassing the imperial examination system. This not only avoids the monopoly brought about by the outdated imperial examination system, but also allows for the separation of the two methods of selecting talents, just like the Tian Wei dynasty.

This method was much less stressful when implemented by the Li Tang dynasty. It should be noted that when it was implemented by the Tian Wei dynasty, Xia Lin launched one upheaval after another to oppress the court, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands.

(End of this chapter)