Do You Know?: Rule the World

Gu Tingye gasped for breath, and after calming down for a moment, he bowed solemnly and said, "Brother Zhao, you will definitely win the first prize in this examination. In the future, we will work together to achieve great things, one in literature and one in martial arts."

"A word is settled!"

Zhao Han raised his hand and patted his shoulder, keeping this friendship firmly in his heart.

Only after his figure completely disappeared into the vermilion lacquer gate did Gu Tingye, Changqing, Sheng Wei and others leave.

After entering the Imperial Examination Hall, many candidates were faced with the following procedures: identity verification, undressing and inspection, and receiving their papers.

Thanks to Sheng Wei's financial resources, Zhao Han was indeed assigned to a relatively spacious and clean cell far away from the toilet.

He put down the exam basket, cleaned it up briefly, and then began to wait quietly for the examiner to give the questions.

The Spring Examination of the Great Zhou Dynasty consisted of three sessions lasting three days.

The first round tests the interpretation of classics, the second round tests poetry and prose, and the third round tests policy essays.

It was not until dawn that the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly closed.

Accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, the examiner finally began to give the questions, and the candidates had to finish answering the questions and hand in the papers before sunset.

When I opened the test paper, a question about the meaning of classics caught my eye: "The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least important" from "Mencius".

These short thirteen words reveal the fundamental principles of governing a country.

Throughout history, all prosperous times have prioritized people's livelihood. The reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing were characterized by light taxes and levies, the reign of Emperor Zhenguan used copper as mirrors, the reign of Emperor Hongwu enforced strict administration of officials, and the reigns of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong saw a surge in population.

Those dynasties that treated their people like grass eventually capsized under the law that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

Zhao Han took a deep breath, made a rough draft in his mind, then picked up the brush, and with his wrist lightly suspended, he wrote in a dragon-like manner, and his exquisite official script poured out on the paper like flowing clouds and water.

The Book of Documents says: The people are the foundation of the country; if the foundation is solid, the country will be peaceful.

……

"Zuo Zhuan" says: When a country is about to rise, it listens to the people; when it is about to perish, it listens to the gods.

……

I wrote for a long time and it was almost noon.

Zhao Han put down his pen, rubbed his sore wrist, opened the exam basket, and took out a food box carefully wrapped in thick cotton cloth.

The food box is divided into three layers. The first layer is soft steamed buns, which are still slightly steaming.

The second layer is a few slices of shiny ham, accompanied by some refreshing side dishes.

The bottom layer is glutinous rice porridge, which has the effect of warming the stomach and strengthening the spleen.

After taking a short rest after eating and drinking, he looked down at the bamboo green sachet tied around his waist and continued to write furiously.

Mencius said: If one can win the support of the people, he can become the emperor.

……

The Book of Changes says: When Heaven and Earth interact, there will be peace.

At the end, he did not forget to flatter the current government, and wrote: Today's holy government works hard to govern the country and puts the people first, which is in line with the heart of the ancient sage kings!

At noon, the sound of evening drums could be heard faintly from outside the Zigong Courtyard.

The examiner collected the papers on time. Some students were scratching their heads and had not finished answering, while others were confident, calm and composed as they sorted out their pens and inkstones.

At night, the cool night wind blew in through the gaps in the cell. After Zhao Han made the wooden bed, he did not forget to put on the knee pads given by Wei Xiaoniang.

At dawn the next day, after the sound of gongs and drums, the examiner gave out the questions again.

This test of poetry and prose covered a wide range of topics, which was not difficult for Zhao Han. Besides, everyone had their own preferences, so it could not reflect one's true talent and knowledge.

The title is: Write a poem on the theme of bamboo.

After pondering for a moment, he calmly picked up his pen and wrote: "Bamboo and Rock"

Hold on to the green mountains and never let go, roots are planted in the broken rocks. No matter how many times you are beaten, you will still be strong, no matter which direction the wind blows.

The third round of policy discussion is the most important one. Whether you can make the list depends on it.

The question is: Today, the Khitan and Xixia invade the northwest. The imperial court annually grants gold and silk, but the border troubles remain unresolved. To strengthen the borders and ease national expenditures, what strategy should be prioritized?

When Zhao Han saw the question, his eyes lit up and he felt that the person who set the question was really ingenious.

This is clearly forcing candidates to weigh the pros and cons between fighting and defending, which can not only test their knowledge but also select real talents.

Please vote for me, please read it~

Chapter 32: Not a long-term solution

Zhao Han concentrated on thinking, frowning slightly. After a moment, an idea gradually came to his mind, and he picked up his pen and wrote:

I hereby reply: At present, the Khitan and Western Xia are invading the two northwestern borders. The imperial court gives gold and silk every year, but the border troubles have not been resolved. This is truly a deep worry for the country.

I believe that if we want to consolidate our borders and ease national expenditures, we should prioritize improving domestic affairs, strengthening our military, eliminating waste, and selecting good generals, rather than relying solely on wealth and resources for complacency.

I would like to propose four strategies as follows.

1. Improve domestic affairs to consolidate the foundation. The insufficient national funds and the huge border expenses are actually due to the lack of improvement in domestic affairs.

At present, taxes are unevenly distributed among prefectures and counties, the powerful are annexing each other, the common people are displaced, and granaries are depleted. We should strictly examine and tax, eliminate redundant officials, and distribute land taxes equally, so that the people can work harder and the national treasury can be filled.

We should also open up channels for communication, promote talented people, and ensure clean and honest administration, so that financial resources can be self-sufficient and border supplies can be sustained.

Second: Strengthen military preparations to deter the enemy. Currently, most border troops are weak and their equipment is inadequate, so the enemy cavalry are easily attacked...

Three: Abandon the annual gift to stop greed...

Four: Choose the best generals to guard the key points...

Zhao Han's literary inspiration flowed like a spring, and he wrote more and more fluently, with his pen strokes turning as if with divine guidance.

In the blink of an eye, two hours passed and thousands of words were already on the paper.

Outside the dormitory, the sun was shining brightly, and a ray of golden light shone through the gap in the eaves and slanted onto the test paper.

Raising his hand to wipe away the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, Zhao Han continued writing:

"The Art of War" says: Do not rely on the enemy not coming, but rely on what we have to wait for it. In the past, Emperor Wen of Han accumulated strength to nourish the people and finally controlled the Huns. Emperor Taizong of Tang first strengthened domestic affairs and then subdued the four barbarians.

Now we should make improving internal affairs the foundation and being cautious in external military reforms as a supplement, so that the country becomes rich and the army becomes strong, then the two invaders will be deterred.

If you rely solely on money and silk, it will not bring long-term peace.

I humbly hope that the government will pay close attention and reflect on this, and the world will be blessed!

At the hour of You, the evening drum sounded as promised, echoing deeply inside and outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

The last day of the examination finally came to an end. Several examiners, holding gongs, walked along the halls, shouting "Submit the papers——"

The exhausted candidates put down their pens one after another, and the sealing officials skillfully covered the test papers with their names and stamped them, then locked the heavy boxes one by one and carried them into the transcription office.

In order to avoid the phenomenon of bribing examiners during the examination and marking process, the Zhou Dynasty implemented the lock-up system.

The chief examiner, the examiner, the reviewer, the transcriber, the sealing officer and other officials had to stay in the Imperial Examination Hall after receiving the order. They would not open the door of the Imperial Examination Hall and let the examiners go home until the rankings were determined and the results were posted.

As dusk fell, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened, and the candidates walked out in groups of three or five, following the setting sun.

Some people looked calm and confident of victory while chatting and laughing, some walked slowly, still pondering the opening sentence, and some were exhausted and weak, and needed help to walk.

Zhao Han looked back at his cell and let out a breath.

He picked up the exam basket and walked straight towards the gate.

As soon as I stepped out of the Imperial Examination Hall, several familiar voices penetrated the noisy crowd and floated into my ears.

"Brother Zhao!"

"Brother Zhao!"

"Good nephew!"

"brothers!"

Zhao Han glanced sideways and saw Chang Qing standing in the front dressed as a page boy, his face full of concern.

Shulan stood behind Sheng Wei gently and quietly, while Pinlan stood on tiptoe and kept waving to Zhao Han.

There were many girls around who came with their parents to pick up their brothers. Most of them were waiting quietly like Shulan, and occasionally whispered a few words to the maids beside them.

There are very few people as lively as Pinlan.

Gu Tingye leaned against the horse tethering stone with his arms folded and a smile on his face.

When she got closer, Pinlan narrowed her eyes, like a cunning little fox, and looked Zhao Han up and down carefully.

"It's only been three days since we last met, and you've lost so much weight, Brother Zhao."

Zhao Han had a smile on his face, but his voice was a little hoarse because he hadn't spoken for three days.

"Miss Pinlan, you don't know that time in the Imperial Examination Hall is truly unbearable. During the day, you have to copy thousands of words of policy essays, and at night you have to sleep on a hard wooden pillow. Even your meals are eaten in a hurry. It would be strange if you didn't lose weight."

"It's so hard, no wonder my elder brother and second brother don't want to study." Pinlan frowned and said, shaking her head.

Sheng Wei chuckled twice and then turned his attention to Zhao Han.

"My dear nephew, are you having a good time with this year's examination?"

Zhao Han looked calm and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you for your concern, uncle. It went quite smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, I think I should be able to make the list."

"That's good, that's good!"

"Brother Sheng sent me a letter yesterday saying they have already set out for Bianjing and will arrive around the time the results are announced."

Sheng Wei stroked his beard and smiled, but a subtle envy flashed in his eyes.

The second branch of the family was already thriving, and Changbai was a young and steady man, a true scholar.

His two legitimate sons were quite sensible, but in terms of future prospects, they were still far behind Changbai.

How great would it be if such a talented person could become your son-in-law?

What a pity...

"Calculating the time, if my father-in-law doesn't come soon, I'm afraid I'll miss the time to report to the Ministry of Personnel."

Sheng Wei nodded, "That's right."

Gu Tingye's eyes flickered slightly, he clenched his right fist to his lips and coughed softly, but with his left hand he tugged at Zhao Han's sleeve without a sound, took a step forward, and whispered, "Brother Zhao, Chief Wei asked me to bring you a message."