Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Jiang Zhao nodded.

The bustling and vibrant city of Bianjing, where the imperial examinations were held in the spring, was undoubtedly a hidden allure for the test.

Having fun is easy, but getting back into the swing of things is hard.

Some candidates, seeing the grand scene of the capital for the first time, might have played around until the day they entered the examination hall if no one had pulled them back from the brink.

This is not a good thing!

Jiang Zhi nodded and said, "I trust you to handle things."

Chapter 18 Jia You Dragon and Tiger List!

In early January, Jiang Zhao gathered the scholars from Huaizuo and solemnly explained the purpose of his trip to the capital.

From then on, few people entered and exited Zhegui Residence.

The scholars from Huaizuo no longer went out to play, but instead spent long hours studying books, discussing knowledge with each other, striving to achieve their goal of passing the imperial examination.

Even Jiang Zhao, who had a photographic memory since childhood and had observed politics for five years, was immersed in studying policy theories.

He has a photographic memory since childhood, and when it comes to the amount of knowledge in his mind, even his teacher Han Zhang may not be able to match it.

However, there are too many heroes and outstanding figures in the world, so we must not let our guard down.

In particular, the reign title "Jiayou" made him dare not be negligent or slack in the slightest.

Although one is the Great Zhou Dynasty and the other is the Great Song Dynasty, no one dares to say for sure whether this is an alternative "Millennium Dragon and Tiger List".

Therefore, Jiang Zhao devoted himself wholeheartedly to policy analysis.

The imperial examinations mainly tested knowledge of poetry, current affairs, classical texts, and policy essays, while calligraphy was a more subtle aspect.

Among them, policy essays are of particular importance.

A student's level of policy writing is often a comprehensive one.

When it comes to policy proposals, everyone has their own reasons, making it extremely difficult to differentiate between them.

Therefore, once the gap widens, they will at least be among the top two.

This is also Jiang Zhao's strongest subject.

Having observed politics for five years, his policy proposals possess both depth and breadth.

As the saying goes, "fair skin covers a hundred flaws," and Jiang Zhao was determined to improve his strategy and try his best to win a top-ranking position.

Aim for the highest level, aiming for the top rank. Even if you can't get into the top rank, at least you'll have a chance to pass the imperial examination and obtain the title of Jinshi.

The atmosphere of studying gradually rose in Zhegui Residence. Jiang Zhi, who was now wearing a purple robe, would occasionally take the time to visit, and would sometimes reveal some past exam questions that he knew, to his fellow townsmen for reference, and to do them some favors.

On February 28th, the scholar from Huaizuo, who had been studying diligently for nearly a month, went out for a stroll again and visited Yuqing Temple.

The purpose was to make a wish, hoping for the blessings of the Three Pure Ones and good fortune before the exam.

Yuqing Temple enshrines the Three Pure Ones and Confucius. If a scholar visits to burn incense, he can ring the temple bell and make a sincere wish.

In a few days, the candidates will officially enter the examination hall to take the imperial examination. It is common for them to pray to the Three Pure Ones and pay homage to Confucius before the exam.

Yuqing Temple.

Beneath the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, scattered silver fragments were found, and scholars held three sticks of incense, inserting them into the incense burner as they flickered in and out of sight.

"Boom!"

As the evening bell rang, Jiang Zhao lit incense and silently prayed, "I hope that my ten years of hard study will not have been in vain."

He didn't take any shortcuts in his studies over the past ten years; he truly studied diligently.

Even observing politics for five years was a difficult experience.

After all, when it comes to the realities of life, the frontier regions, whether it's food, clothing, housing, or transportation, can never be as comfortable as the Huai River region.

When things get busy and there's fighting, it's even more exhausting.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, come quickly and make a wish!" A scholar with slightly graying temples waved and called to the two young men with a smile.

His two sons, one dressed in a bamboo-patterned robe, looked to be about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with an excited expression and a seemingly outgoing and optimistic personality; the other looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in a gray robe, and appeared much more composed in comparison.

Jiang Zhao politely took a step back.

Chen Fu and Zhang Ci, who were traveling with them, also lit incense and made wishes.

Zhang Ci said, "Zichuan, let's go!"

Jiang Zhao nodded.

Zichuan? !

Upon hearing this, the composed eighteen or nineteen-year-old scholar in a gray robe suddenly turned around, his eyes filled with surprise.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "May I ask if you are Jiang Lang from Huaizuo? My name is Su."

Before he could utter a word, another shout rang out: "Zixuan, come and offer incense."

As he spoke, a scholar in his forties walked in, followed by a seventeen or eighteen-year-old scholar in a brocade robe.

Jiang Zhao unexpectedly stopped in his tracks. The composed eighteen or nineteen-year-old scholar, who was bowing, seemed to be calling out to him intentionally so that they could get to know each other.

During the imperial examinations, those who made a special trip to the Daxiangguo Temple to burn incense were all candidates for the imperial examinations.

However, most of the candidates were in their thirties or forties. How come a bunch of candidates in their twenties suddenly appeared this time?

Su?

Jiang Zhao narrowed his eyes and bowed, saying, "My name is Jiang Zhao, courtesy name Zichuan. May I ask if you wish to stop me, brother?"

A hint of undisguised joy flashed in the eyes of the composed scholar, and he quickly nodded and said, "I am Su Zhe, courtesy name Ziyou. Just now, when I saw your friend call out 'Zichuan,' I was secretly surprised. In the world, a scholar who enters the capital for the imperial examination before the age of twenty, and whose courtesy name is Zichuan, must be the famous Jiang Lang of Huaizuo. I was overjoyed and quickly called out to you, brother."

Su Zhe!

Jiang Zhao's heart sank suddenly.

Su Shi and Su Zhe, in the second year of Jiayou, things got really intense!

Sure enough, no matter which world it is, in every year of Jiayou 2, there will be a Millennium Dragon and Tiger Ranking.

If I'm not mistaken, the scholar with slightly graying temples is Su Xun, and the twenty-one or twenty-two-year-old scholar in the bamboo-patterned robe is Su Shi.

The Three Sus!

“If there is no other Jiang Lang of Huaizuo in the world, then you must have mistaken me for someone else.” Jiang Zhao was surprised, but his face remained gentle and his demeanor was proper, displaying the demeanor of a gentleman.

Maintaining composure and composure is a basic requirement for an official.

However, some people develop this skill after decades of service in government, while others are naturally gifted and can easily control their facial expressions.

The two had barely exchanged a few words when the middle-aged scholar who had just entered walked in looked astonished. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I never expected to find the 'Kirin of Huainan' here in person. I am Zeng Gong, courtesy name Zigu, and this is my younger brother Zeng Bu, courtesy name Zixuan."

Two more impressive figures!

Jiang Zhao was secretly surprised, but his face remained calm: "I have long admired Mr. Nanfeng's name."

Zeng Gong, at the age of forty, had not yet passed the imperial examination, but he was already quite famous, simply because his mentor was Ouyang Xiu, a leading figure in the literary world.

Of course, Zeng Gong's reputation was still far inferior to Jiang Zhao's.

After all, Jiang Zhao is a figure whose story has been passed down through generations, and he is one of the protagonists of that story.

Zeng Gong, on the other hand, seemed to have benefited from the legacy of Ouyang Xiu.

Regardless of how famous he becomes in the future, at the age of forty, having not yet passed the imperial examination, his reputation is not very strong, and he has not demonstrated the level expected of a disciple of a literary leader.

At least, that's how it is now.

A literary leader needs more than just talent; he also needs power.

Jiang Zhao's fame resounded throughout the land. A compliment from Jiang Zhao made Zeng Gong very happy, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "It's just a small reputation, I dare not accept it."

"My name is Zhang Ci, courtesy name Zian, a native of Huaizuo."

"My name is Chen Fu, courtesy name Bofu, and I am also from Huaizuo."

With more people around, the conversation was no longer limited to Su Zhe and Jiang Zhao. Chen Fu and Zhang Ci, at Jiang Zhao's behest, immediately introduced themselves.

The imperial examinations in spring are essentially about two things that deserve our attention.

Exams, making friends!

In fact, this is the period when the younger generation makes the most valuable friends; any unknown friend may be a scholar.

"My name is Su Shi, courtesy name Zizhan." Su Shi, dressed in a bamboo-patterned robe, walked over with a smile after offering incense.

“Su Xun, courtesy name Mingyun.” Su Xun, dressed in a rupao (a type of traditional Chinese robe), also walked over.

The group returned the greetings one after another.

Just then, someone else walked in.

Jiang Zhao raised his eyelids slightly. Who else?

"Brother Zigu, it's been a long time." A scholar in his thirties approached and bowed to Zeng Gong.

Because he knew Zeng Gong, this man seized the opportunity to join the group.

The scholar then bowed to the crowd and said, "My name is Zhang Heng, courtesy name Ziping."

Behind Zhang Heng, a younger scholar, about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, approached and said, "My name is Zhang Dun, courtesy name Zihou."

The fourth of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties!

The top scholar on the Millennium Dragon and Tiger List!

Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world!

They're all ruthless!

Jiang Zhao glanced around.

Wow, there are so many celebrities here!

Fortunately, Jiang Zichuan is famous throughout the world and is also a remarkable person!

After talking, the group got to know each other.

However, with the imperial examinations approaching, it was impossible for them to drink and have fun together.

After talking for a short while, they said goodbye and agreed to play together again after leaving the examination room, and then they parted ways.

As Jiang Zhao walked out of Yuqing Temple, he looked up at the sky and sighed softly.

At this moment, I have only one thought in my mind.

Cramming at the last minute!

Chapter 19 The Imperial Examination!

On the first day of the second month of the second year of the Jiayou era, a very auspicious day was observed.

As the sun first peeks through the sky, its warm rays fall, yet an unusual sense of oppression pervades the air.

There's no other reason than that there were simply too many candidates!

At the entrance to the examination hall, all the students in sight were outstanding individuals who had passed the four major examinations: the county examination, the prefectural examination, the academy examination, and the provincial examination.

These people are the most outstanding talents in their hometown, rare and exceptional.

However, they are everywhere at this moment.

People often say: Gold will always shine!

Unfortunately, Bianjing was bathed in the emperor's glory, and the land was filled with golden light.

For those who passed the imperial examinations, it was merely an admission ticket.

One after another, highly respected scholars from various counties traveled thousands of miles to Bianjing to take the imperial examination, only to become insignificant figures in the crowd.

This change is quite unsettling.

Without going to Bianjing (Kaifeng) and participating in the imperial examinations, it's truly difficult to appreciate the overwhelming impact of the sheer number of learned scholars.

The scholar was naturally learned and a rare talent in the county.

Unfortunately, this was the imperial examination held in the spring.