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

On the 27th of February, the results of the imperial examinations were announced.

Outside the examination hall, the noise of people was deafening, and the flow of people was constant.

"I passed! I passed!" One candidate laughed uncontrollably and knelt down to worship the heavens.

"How is that possible?" one of the candidates exclaimed in shock and anger. "There's something fishy going on in this imperial examination. How could I possibly fail?"

"With my talent, how could I fail the exam?" one candidate thought, rushing forward with resentment in his heart.

"Hahaha! I passed!" One candidate laughed with joy, praising the fairness of the imperial examination and the emperor's boundless grace.

Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu, and Zhang Heng watched this scene with great emotion.

Even though they had all passed the imperial examinations and achieved the titles of Jinshi or even Shujishi, they couldn't help but feel their blood boiling.

This was the imperial examination in spring, which almost determined a scholar's entire life.

Even as time goes by, it can still make people feel tense.

Even more extreme cases involve having a dream where one dreams of failing the imperial examination, which may wake one up in alarm.

In addition to Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu, and Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun also made a special trip to the examination hall.

Compared to Su Shi and others, he was the true protagonist of the list of those who were considered worthy of the title.

Of the seven sons of Jiayou, he was the only one who had not yet achieved official rank or fame.

"Let's look for it!" Zhang Dun bowed to the group with a composed demeanor.

His breathing was slightly rapid, revealing his inner turmoil.

"Let's go and look for it together," Su Shi said.

The remaining people nodded in agreement.

They might joke around occasionally, but when it comes to actually getting things done, they are all quite composed.

Even the usually carefree Su Zizhan became much more serious.

The group squeezed together toward the yellow notice board, then separated slightly, each person looking at one of the notice boards.

At this moment, an incense stick's time has passed since the results were announced, and at least 60% of the candidates know the outcome of the imperial examination, so the crowd is relatively smaller now.

"In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, the second-ranked official was Zhang Dun of Jianzhou, whose father was Zhang Yu."

Su Zhe, walking on the far left, saw Zhang Dun's name and couldn't help but shout, "Second place on the left list!"

"What? Second place on the left list?" Several other candidates made way for Su Shi and his companions to squeeze in.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the left side was considered superior, and the second-ranked person on the left was the second-ranked person in the Spring Imperial Examination.

Zhang Dun rushed over, glanced at the scene, and felt a slight sense of relief.

He ranked second on the left, so his future was no longer a problem.

Furthermore, this also proves that he is no less capable than his cousin Zhang Heng.

"Let's go!" Zhang Dun said, feigning indifference.

Su Shi and the others nodded in agreement and escorted Zhang Dun outside.

The six of them walked out for about seven or eight hundred meters before Zhang Dun stopped and let out a long sigh of relief.

His heart was not at peace.

Not long after he gave up his pursuit of the imperial examination, he married and started a family.

He's been under a lot of pressure these days.

Even the best of men make mistakes, and even the best of horses stumble.

I'm just afraid of making a mistake and not passing the exam!

Even though he knew the possibility was almost zero, it didn't stop him from getting nervous.

Even the most talented person will feel anxious before the results are officially announced.

"Three years of hard study have finally paid off." Zhang Dun glanced back and smiled faintly.

"Hiss~!" Su Shi looked up at Zhang Heng and Zhang Dun and exclaimed in surprise, "This time, it seems we're about to witness a remarkable story of two students from one family achieving the second-highest rank in the imperial examinations!"

Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances.

hiss~!

It's possible that this is indeed the case.

The brothers Su Shi and Su Zhe, two members of the same family who both became probationary officials, were famous throughout the world, thus creating the name "Three Sus".

If Zhang Heng and Zhang Dun were both among the top three scholars, and there was even a Zhang Dexiang who was the head of all officials, then they might not be inferior to the "Three Sus".

In fact, in terms of its gold content, it may be even higher.

With ancestors holding high-ranking positions and the two younger ones both ranking second in the imperial examinations, they might very well be praised for having "the style of their ancestors"!

"Do not indulge in vain thoughts."

Zhang Heng smiled with his hands behind his back, looking at the group: "Aren't you all nervous about either the final exam or the palace exam?"

Of the seven members of Jiayou, he's the only one who doesn't seem to be under much pressure lately.

"No rush, no rush." ​​Su Shi waved his hand dismissively. "It's just the final exam. If I succeed, I'm lucky; if I fail, it's fate."

Without a doubt, Su Shi was the most optimistic of the Seven Scholars of Jiayou.

"Let's go have a few drinks."

Compared to his older brother, Su Zhe was much more composed.

When the topic of the final exam came up, his expression became more serious.

"Walk."

The group left discreetly.

Early March, outside Donghua Gate.

The sheng and xiao played, and the chime bells sang a long song.

"Boom!"

A bell tolls, its long chime echoing, bringing stillness to the scene.

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang stepped forward and loudly proclaimed:

"Heaven blesses the Great Zhou, and talents shine like stars. You have devoted your lives to studying the classics, and now you have passed the imperial examination. Those who are named in the Eastern Palace should aspire to serve the emperor like Yao and Shun; those who are temporarily relegated should never Don't forget their original aspiration to investigate things. Respect this!"

"Long live the Emperor!" The cheers were deafening, and officials and scholars kowtowed three times and nine times, their voices resounding throughout the palace.

With three strikes of the clapper, Han Zhang, his hair white and beard gray, sang:

"In the fifth year of the Jiayou era, Wang Junmin from Laizhou ranked first in the first class!"

"In the fifth year of Jiayou, the first Jia..."

The names of the students were announced one by one, spreading throughout Donghua Gate.

"Zhang Dun? Could it be Zhang Zihou, one of the Seven Sons of Jiayou who gave up the title of Jinshi?" an official's relative exclaimed in surprise.

Giving up the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is a truly impressive act.

"It's him!" someone exclaimed. "True gold fears no fire!"

Three years later, Zhang Dun took the exam again and ranked among the top three.

Such a person is indeed exceptionally talented.

"Is he Zhang Heng's cousin?" someone exclaimed. "Both uncle and nephew are second-place scholars in the imperial examinations; they are truly extraordinary!"

"Two runners-up from one family, truly a rare and wonderful story!" someone sighed, deeply moved.

This level of skill is so high that it doesn't even inspire envy.

"The Seven Sons of Jiayou truly live up to their reputation!" an official praised.

The small circle of seven included one top scholar, two second-place scholars, and three junior scholars.

Even Zeng Gong, who was slightly less accomplished, still achieved the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

This small circle has both the famous story of Han Menli, the scholar from Huaizuo, and the story of the three Su brothers, who were equally famous.

In a few days, there might even be a story of "two runners-up from one family".

Such a combination would probably deserve a mention in history books.

It’s too much!

Each of the Seven Sons of Jiayou is a renowned figure, even famous throughout the world.

Named after the Jiayou reign title, it even received praise from the emperor, truly deserving of the title!

Chapter 73 The Emperor's Worries!

The scientific expedition lasted for more than a month.

With the names announced at Donghua Gate, the examiner's task was considered completely complete.

In the side hall, the dozen or so examiners exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

These days, I've been busy grading papers, which is truly exhausting.

"My lords, I would like to invite you to the Imperial Study for a discussion," a court official said as he entered the side hall.

The dozen or so examiners exchanged glances, and the chief examiner, Wang Yaochen, waved his hand: "Let's go to the Imperial Study."

After saying this, the dozen or so people hurried to the Imperial Study.

Being an examiner for scientific expeditions is certainly a good opportunity to accumulate experience, but it is also very time-consuming and arduous.

Scientific expeditions are a matter of social mobility and can alleviate class contradictions to a certain extent.

When examiners grade papers and rank them, they should give due consideration to students from families with a tradition of "cultivating the land and studying the land," and appropriately raise their rankings as role models.

Taking everything into consideration is no easy task.

Conventionally speaking, if a scientific expedition is completed smoothly, it is considered a great achievement.

The government would not only publicly commend the examiners to enhance their reputation in the officialdom, but also reward them with gold, silver, cloth, and other items as a token of appreciation.

Royal study room.

Emperor Zhao Zhen sat upright in the main seat, holding a vermilion brush.

A little further ahead, on a wooden chair, sat Pang Ji, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who appeared to be recommending someone.

"If there is no better candidate, this person is not necessarily unsuitable. Unfortunately, this position has already been filled, so let's discuss it again!" With a single sentence, the king's words rendered the recommendation futile.

"A candidate has been chosen?" Pang Ji asked, somewhat surprised. "What about the position of proofreader in the Imperial Library?"

Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment: "Perhaps we can observe it for a while."

As emperor, Zhao Zhen could not easily agree to anything.

Observing a few things already implies tacit approval.

If nothing unexpected happens, the person who is recommended will most likely have the opportunity to serve as a collator in the Imperial Academy.

Of course, this is all on the premise that nothing unexpected happens.

In the past, there have been many precedents where recommendations had been tacitly approved by the officials, but ultimately nothing came of it.

With the emperor's tacit approval, the recommendation was seventy percent secured. Pang Ji bowed and took his leave.

Before leaving, he glanced at Jiang Zhao one last time.

Jiang Zhao nodded quickly to show his politeness.

As someone who always moved among the elite, it was only natural that Grand Secretary Pang Ji would have some impression of him and take a glance at him.

After Pang Ji left, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but look up at the dozen or so examiners.

"Those selected in this imperial examination are all learned and virtuous, possessing broad vision and far-reaching knowledge, and whose contributions are to the nation," Zhao Zhen said, nodding occasionally to show his approval.

Wang Yaochen, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said respectfully, "This is our duty."

"Hmm." Zhao Zhen nodded and waved his hand: "Give him fifty taels of gold and twenty bolts of silk."