Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chen Xuan felt happy when he saw this. Xiao Gao was aiming for the highest achievement as a scholar. Once those eight words came out, it was so unfair to other successful candidates in this imperial examination.

Although it is not a very brilliant strategy, no one thought of it or proposed it beforehand, and it wins in terms of universality and practicality.

"How much of the boasting I've told him does he remember? And it looks like he's going to actually put it into practice. Even if it wasn't my doing, I'll still have a hand in it, right? No, it's like I'm Xiao Gao's cheating grandfather, right?"

Smiling in his heart, Chen Xuan knew that Xiao Gao was on top of it.

When Gao Jingming said those eight words, the hall fell silent. Some people were surprised, some were in deep thought, some frowned, and some suddenly realized.

Even Emperor Shang Xuan, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was stunned for a moment. He had been watching from the sidelines, but he couldn't help but look at Gao Jingming and said, "Using work-for-relief to reassure the people, could you elaborate on this, Lord Gao?"

Pei Zhenlong, one of the examiners, looked at Gao Jingming with a look of satisfaction. In other circumstances, he would probably have a drink to celebrate.

And some people including Lord Zeng who targeted and suppressed Gao Jingming had a glint of unwillingness in their eyes. Things had come to this point and they could not stop Gao Jingming. They were not stupid and they could understand the weight and meaning of those eight words after a little thought. If they continued, it would be too deliberate and obvious and the gain would not outweigh the loss.

Since we can't stop it, let's just give up for now, and we can deal with it in the officialdom later. The officialdom is not the imperial examination, there is not so much tolerance, and any mistake will lead to irreparable consequences!
Gao Jingming bowed and organized his words to describe eloquently what work-for-relief meant. Everyone present was impressed, and even Emperor Shang Xuan couldn't help but nod his head.

Xiao Gao concluded, "...order is of the utmost importance in times of disaster. Disaster relief doesn't just mean handing supplies to the victims and leaving them to fend for themselves. Disaster victims are homeless and hopeless. If we give them supplies and leave them alone, some will resell them and demand excessive amounts in the name of disaster relief. No amount of money or grain from the court will be enough to feed them. Furthermore, without order, the victims will only be able to fill their stomachs with supplies and then become uneasy. Therefore, using work-for-relief can effectively solve these problems."

"Depending on the severity of the disaster, we organize the victims under the guise of recruiting workers. If it's a flood, we have them repair canals, build embankments, and clear silt. If it's a drought, we have them dig wells and prepare for farming. If it's an earthquake, we have them rescue people, repair houses, and build homes... We organize the victims and assign them jobs. The elderly can clean and prevent epidemics, women can light fires and cook, and children can collect firewood and weed... so everyone has something to do."

"When the victims are no longer idle and the court is well organized, they can see hope for the future. When they are busy, they will put aside their thoughts of rebellion. They provide labor and receive money and food to survive the disaster, and the court will also complete the post-disaster reconstruction work in advance. This will achieve multiple goals at one stroke, and the people will feel at ease."

After finishing speaking, Gao Jingming bowed again and faced everyone's gaze calmly.

After the voice fell, Zeng and the others who were targeting Gao Jingming looked at each other secretly, and sighed in their hearts, "The situation is over." This kid can't be suppressed anymore, and they all have a vague admiration for him in their hearts.

As for those who were already optimistic about Gao Jingming, like Pei Zhenlong, they applauded and said that everything was clear.

Emperor Shang Xuan thought to himself that he was lucky. According to Gao Jingming's description, he could directly draw up a disaster relief model, and at most make some adjustments to the details according to the different disaster situations.

But as an emperor, he would not easily show his emotions on his face. He gestured to the side to ring the palace bell. After everyone quieted down, he looked at the hall and smiled, "My dear ministers, you have all read the answers of Mr. Gao Aiqing. They are quite controversial. Are you satisfied with his answers? Are there any inappropriate points? He is here. If you have any questions, please raise them in person and let him clarify them."

The emperor had said so much, and anyone who jumped out to cause trouble would only be causing trouble. For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.

After a moment of silence, Pei Zhenlong, one of the examiners, said, "Your Majesty, we have wasted enough time. Please let Gao Jinshi go."

People like them naturally speak without making any mistakes. They don't talk about Gao Jingming himself or the answers, but end this farce by wasting time. Everyone can see the facts, so there is no need to say much. Those who are happy can be happy in secret, and those who are frustrated can keep it to themselves. They will not speak bluntly and biasedly or offend others easily.

As the examiner, since he said so, others naturally stopped arguing.

Nodding, Emperor Shang Xuan said, "Lord Gao, please sit down. Are there any other disputes? If so, then all the examiners and the ministers in charge of the imperial examinations in the Ministry of Personnel, please join me in the side hall to discuss the matter."

No one had any objection, and the relevant members stood up and went to the side hall, not where Chen Xuan and the others were.

The next step is to determine the candidates for the first, second and third places. Naturally, this matter will not be done in front of all the successful candidates of this year's imperial examination.

In fact, the lists for the second and third places have already been preliminarily drawn up, but the first place has not yet been determined and there will not be much change. What they are discussing this time are just the three candidates for the first place.

As the emperor and others left, everyone in the hall waited silently. The hearts of this year's Jinshi candidates were hanging in the air again. Who would achieve the highest achievement among the scholars in this imperial examination?

Many people looked at Gao Jingming, who was neither humble nor arrogant. People admired his previous performance from the bottom of their hearts.

On Chen Xuan's side, the little princess looked away and said, "Brother Xuan, Mr. Gao...Mr. Gao is amazing. He can speak eloquently in front of so many people, and his arguments are convincing. If it were me, I would probably stutter."

Of course she knew Gao Jingming, although they had never met. She understood the relationship between him and Chen Xuan, and used the appropriate title of Gao Jinshi. She couldn't just follow Chen Xuan and call him Young Master, and calling him by his name would be too disrespectful to Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Of course, it doesn't matter who your buddy is."

The little princess rolled her eyes and asked excitedly, "Brother Xuan, you grew up together. If you were in Gao Jinshi's position, could you be as calm and composed as he is?"

After a moment of silence, Chen Xuan shook his head and said, "Well, if I were facing that situation with him, what should I say? I would probably be standing and there would be people lying around me." "Ah? Brother Xuan, can you hit people?" The little princess was stunned.

Chen Xuan said frankly: "I'm not hitting anyone. I'm not good at talking. I can't convince people like the young master did. So I can only use my fists to shut them up. This is called convincing people with reason. Material force is also reason."

"Brother Xuan, you are so violent. No, I am looking forward to such a scene." The little princess said excitedly. He is also a lawless man, otherwise the two of them would be like-minded.

About half an hour later, Emperor Shang Xuan and his companions returned to the council hall. Everyone was shocked as the critical moment had arrived.

Chen Xuan was also looking forward to what the next result would be. Although he had the ability to witness the entire planning process directly, he did not do so. Anyway, it would be revealed soon, so why not leave himself some expectations?

After taking his seat, Emperor Shang Xuan nodded to Eunuch Wang and said, "Announce the decree."

Eunuch Wang stepped forward, facing the main hall, waved his whisk, and said in a clear voice: "This year's Jinshi, please accept the imperial edict."

"Students are here," a group of this year's successful candidates immediately stood up and bowed.

A eunuch behind him handed Eunuch Wang an imperial edict. He unfolded it, glanced quickly at it, and said aloud: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: There is a man surnamed Gao, Jingming, of brilliant literary talent, extraordinary learning, and superior wisdom... He is a model for scholars in this imperial examination. I have personally selected him as the first place winner, bestowed the title of Top Scholar, and appointed him to the rank of Sixth-Rank Hanlin Academy Compiler. I hope you will fulfill your duties conscientiously, apply your knowledge to help the country, and live up to your learning. This is my decree."

After saying this, he looked at Gao Jingming below and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Gao Zhuangyuan, a great talent who has won three prizes in a row. This has broken the decades of drought. Congratulations, please accept the order."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes were focused on Gao Jingming, with envy and jealousy all around. At this moment, he became the most handsome guy in the audience.

He has won the highest achievement among scholars in this imperial examination, and he has won three first places in a row. This honor will leave a deep mark in the history books, and it is an aura that is difficult to match with any power and wealth!

Although Gao Jingming has always been confident in himself, he has mixed emotions when it comes to this moment. He is definitely excited, but when he recalls the steps to this day, his nose feels a little sore. For more than ten years, he has been reading day and night, and finally he has got what he wanted, so much so that his head is a little dazed.

After being urged by Eunuch Wang, he took a deep breath, straightened his clothes and stepped forward under the gaze of everyone, saying, "I accept your command and thank you. I will definitely live up to your expectations."

At this time, he had been appointed as a sixth-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy, which was equivalent to the emperor's secretary. His future was limitless, so naturally he had to change his name and address himself as a subject.

After a eunuch handed him the imperial edict, Emperor Shang Xuan said, "My dear Gao, please excuse your formalities and stand."

Then, Eunuch Wang took another imperial edict and said aloud, "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: There is a man named Cao Xingkuan, a man of extraordinary literary talent and profound learning, a pillar of the nation. I have personally selected him as the second place winner of the first class, bestowed upon him the title of Second Place, and appointed him to the rank of Editor of the Hanlin Academy, seventh grade... I accept this decree and thank you for your grace."

As soon as he finished speaking, the young man who sat next to Gao Jingming during the palace examination stood up to receive the order, unable to hide his excitement. The second place winner, Cao Xingkuan, was twenty-three years old at the time. His martial arts skills were almost innate. He had a slender figure and a tough face, and there was an unyielding look between his brows. He was a tough guy as Chen Xuan said, and he actually won the honor of being the second place winner.

After he accepted the decree and expressed his gratitude, Eunuch Wang took out another imperial edict and said aloud, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: There is a man named Lin Yunfeng, handsome and intelligent, gentle and elegant, with a graceful demeanor. He is selected as the third place in the first class, and is awarded the title of Tanhua Lang and appointed as a seventh-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy. I decree this..."

As soon as the words fell, Lin Yunfeng stepped forward to receive the order. Standing at 1.85 meters tall, he was completely worthy of the description of being as handsome as jade. He was the most handsome general in the whole venue. Gao Jingming was a little inferior to him. The appearance of the third place winner was too outstanding.

From then on, the three people who won the first place were announced to have achieved their goals, and they really deserved it.

The praises in the imperial edict decreased gradually. The top scholar Gao Jingming was praised to the sky, while the third place scholar was praised as handsome and elegant. There were over 100 million people in Jing State, and it took three years to produce a top scholar, and he was the first place scholar three times in a row. You can imagine how valuable his reputation was.

In fact, the second place winner Cao Xingkuan is the most uncomfortable. His literary talent is not as good as Gao Jingming, and his manners are not as good as Lin Yunfeng. It is very uncomfortable to be neither up nor down.

Next was the list of the second class. They did not enjoy the treatment of a separate imperial edict. Eunuch Wang read out more than a hundred names in a row, and I don’t know if his mouth was dry.

The treatment of the second-class Jinshi is much worse than that of the three people in the first class. They are all seventh-rank candidates, which is a nominal position. It will be their turn only when there is a vacancy. As for their future, they can enter the Hanlin Academy for further studies. If they stand out, they will have the opportunity to be officially appointed as Hanlin Academy Shujishi. If they don't make the grade, they can go to the Six Ministries and relevant departments to observe politics and learn. When they go to the local area and there is a vacancy, they can be appointed as a seventh-rank county magistrate.

However, whether you go to the Hanlin Academy for further studies or go to the Six Ministries to observe government affairs, they will select you and you have no choice unless you have connections and background.

As for those who were admitted to the third rank and the same jinshi, that's awkward. They don't even have a rank to fill. Theoretically, they could go to the Hanlin Academy and study internal affairs with the second rank jinshi, but they also need to be looked up to. The next best thing is to learn the art of officialdom. They're not even qualified to enter the six ministries, so they can only go to lower-level yamen, which is where they have to accumulate experience. If they want to become a county magistrate, they have to arrange for the second rank jinshi before they can get a chance. However, there's only one position for each person, and how many second rank jinshi have been waiting for it over the years? You don't know when your turn will come, and those with connections are another matter.

Anyway, as long as you are a Jinshi, you have already entered the officialdom and everyone has a bright future. The only difference is the level.

In short, no matter whether they are in the first, second or third class, they are not directly granted real power. They have no experience in being an official and need a learning process.

However, for the three people in the first-class group, with such a high level of treatment, the learning process will not be too long. With just one opportunity, it is not impossible for them to soar to the top... (End of this chapter)