The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 134 What Jinshi Examination?
When Zhang Zhou came out of the official office, Zhu Houzhao had already waited impatiently.

"Is it over? Is it time to take me to a fun place?" Seeing Zhang Zhou coming out, Zhu Houzhao immediately jumped off the carriage with a look of expectation.

The last time he came out, he made trouble in Zhang Zhou's laboratory all afternoon. This time he had a clear goal, to follow Zhang Zhou out to see.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I'm going to the Imperial College."

Zhu Houzhao yelled: "Why did you go to that kind of place again? Didn't you say there was a speech book? It was agreed to make money. Take me to see it!"

For Zhu Houzhao, after finally leaving the palace, and then going to the school and other places where scholars gather, there will be a feeling that he has just stepped out of the tiger's mouth and into the wolf's den.

Zhang Zhou said: "Whether you go or not is up to you, Prince, please do as you please!"

For Zhang Zhou, if you don't come out to coax the children, you insist on following along. The emperor said that the kid doesn't count, so wouldn't it be useless to be restricted by you?
"Don't go, let's discuss it, let's find a good place to play the head office after we come out of the Imperial College?"

……

……

Zhang Zhou took Zhu Houzhao to the Imperial College.

At this moment, Tang Yin and the others came out of the official office, and their carriages were all ordered to the corner by Jin Yiwei. They were still wondering why their carriages had been moved.

"Master, I heard that someone from the official family came before, we can only go aside first, the background is very big."

The domestic servants of the Tang family still drove Xu Jing's carriage.

By this time Tang Yin was actually in the middle of nowhere, and it was only thanks to Xu Jing's appreciation that he was able to enjoy extraordinary treatment.

Tang Yin was still immersed in the atmosphere of the previous bet with Zhang Zhou, and he didn't recover for a while.

"Is that Jin Yiwei?"

Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao left, and Jin Yiwei would naturally also leave.

Some Juren had never seen Jin Yiwei before, and when they saw groups of people passing by, they still stopped and watched.

Xu Jing was waiting for the news at the nearest place, and when he heard that the show was over, he also hurried over: "Bohu, how are you?"

Tang Yin told about his bet with Zhang Zhou.

Xu Jingdao: "I just heard that there is a selection for tribute in the Imperial College this year. Guess what? That Zhang Bingkuan actually participated."

"really?"

Tang Yin was quite surprised.

Zhang Zhou actually followed his word, so he bet with him here that he thought Zhang Zhou was too arrogant and might renege on his debt later.

Hearing Xu Jing say this now, he knew that Zhang Zhou was serious.

"I didn't even think about it. You said that at his age, he took the exam for the first time, and he hadn't even passed the exam yet. He was going to be selected and released from office. What was he planning? Bohu, you don't have to worry. , in his condition, he must not be able to pass the Jinshi examination."

Seeing Tang Yin's worried face, Xu Jing was afraid that Tang Yin was worrying about his bet with Zhang Zhou.

Tang Yin said: "Not necessarily."

Xu Jing encouraged him with a smile: "It's better to take the imperial examinations without leaving behind. How can he take part in the selection of the tribute while taking part in the general examination? To pass the exam, I think he just found a way out for his own incompetence."

Just as he was talking, a carriage stopped beside him.

Tang Yin looked over and saw that the other party was an official's carriage.

Wang Kai lifted the curtain of the car and waved, Tang Yin hurried forward to salute.

"Bohu, I heard about your bet with Bingkuan. I have something to tell you. The prince's car just left." Wang Jia said.

"Prince?"

Tang Yin didn't understand the situation for a moment.

Wang Ji said bluntly: "Although no one has said it clearly, as far as I know, Bingkuan entered the East Palace to give lectures as early as when he arrived in Beijing, and then went in and out of the palace many times. You shouldn't compete with him for a moment of loyalty!"

After all, Wang Jia is a bachelor's student and occupies an important seat in the Eastern Palace Daily Lecture. He knows a lot of news, but he just didn't mention it to others in the past.

When Tang Yin heard this, he stood there dumbly, as if his soul had been taken away for a moment, and he became a puppet walking dead.

"Bohu, I've thought about it, he may not be out of malice, he fights with you, or he may inspire you, and he does not mean to make things difficult." But when he heard about the betting process between Zhang Zhou and Tang Yin, he seemed to understand Zhang Zhou's "deep meaning" best.

Tang Yin said: "The students don't understand."

Wang Jia smiled bitterly.

Some things cannot be explained to Tang Yin.

Can you tell him that even if you lose, it is your honor to worship Zhang Zhou?I'm afraid you don't know how much that His Majesty admires Zhang Zhou now!
I'm afraid that if someone else wants to have a relationship with him, it's useless.

As for why Zhang Zhou won’t take part in the examination after losing... even Wang Jia seems to think that, based on Zhang Zhou’s experience, this examination is probably the only chance for Zhang Zhou to take the imperial examination on the right track, just as Zhang Zhou was worried about. If he fails the exam this time, it will be difficult for him to settle down to take the exam in the future.

Just because the emperor came to look for him when he had nothing to do, can this still make people feel at ease to prepare for the exam?

Wang Jia left without answering.

After Wang Jia left, Xu Jing came forward and asked, "Who is that?"

"Master, I am a Bachelor of Attendant of the Imperial Academy, and a Bachelor of Zhan Shiwang, a young master of Zhan Shifu." Tang Yin replied.

Xu Jing said pleasantly: "Bohu, it seems that you are lucky. Even Bachelor Wang admires you so much. If you can be ranked in high school, it will be easier for someone in the court to enter Hanyuan. You have a bright future in the future."

Tang Yin suddenly lost his mind and said, "Can I really get a high school ranking?"

This also surprised Xu Jing.

Tang Yin, who is wild, unrestrained and extremely confident, actually became distorted psychologically after meeting Zhang Zhou, and even doubted whether he could pass the Jinshi examination?

"Bohu, others may not have confidence in you, but as far as I can see, your talent is comparable to those of Hanlin who have been in Hanyuan for a long time. With this list, you will definitely go to high school!"

Xu Jing's friendship with Tang Yin is more of an investment.

He himself didn't have much confidence in the test, but he had full confidence in Tang Yin.

……

……

Inside the Imperial Prison.

An "interview" is taking place at this time.

The Imperial Academy dispatched a five-person team headed by Liu Chun, the editor of the History Museum of the Imperial Academy, to conduct interviews and assessments for more than 50 candidates who had previously been shortlisted. In the Imperial Academy, Lin Han, the Jijiu of the Imperial Academy, and Jia Yong, the Secretary of the Imperial Academy, were also on the list.

The seven examiners were all from the Hanlin Academy, and Lin Han had the highest official position, so Lin Han was very confident. He felt that with his own prestige, it would be too easy to kill Zhang Zhou in the final round.

The content of the examination is the same as that of ordinary imperial examinations.

On the spot, everyone sits behind the desk, writes an article within one hour, and submits the paper.

Before Zhang Zhou came in, he noticed that the average age of the Jugongs who came to participate in the selection this time was over 50 years old... They were all the kind who had been a Juren for half their life, felt that there was no hope of being admitted to the Jinshi, and had worked in the Imperial College for many years. People who have some experience in educating people.

Most of them will stay in the Imperial College or be sent to local county schools with the status of "xuezheng" or "education".

Of course, excellent people may be promoted after working for a few years. Generally, they are mainly local magistrates and county magistrates. Special talents, otherwise it is basically useless.

When Zhang Zhou came out, the people present were actually very tired.

They didn't even know why there was this selection test, they only knew that it was temporarily added by the emperor.

Zhang Zhou came last and sat in the corner. He was different from others, at least he didn't need to bear too much pressure. The group of old Gong students seemed to regard this selection as their last chance in life.

……

The previous selection was based on writing essays after the questions were given, not on-the-spot answers, so it could not reflect the level of knowledge, so the last round needed to answer the questions on the spot like the imperial examination, but there was no need to seal and transcribe the papers.

The topic was chosen by Lin Han himself.

It is a matter of policy.

After the opening, Zhang Zhou sat in a corner and wrote with a pen.

Lin Han patrolled the field and found that most of the students were thinking, but the person he cared about most in the corner was already writing furiously.

Lin Han walked over and didn't know what Zhang Zhou was writing, so he said coldly, "Don't be too impatient to write!"

Zhang Zhou raised his head and grinned at him.

Seeing Zhang Zhou's smile, Lin Han became angry, went around the field and returned to his seat to sit down.

After less than half an hour, Zhang Zhou came over to hand in the paper.

"You!" Lin Han raised his head and stared at Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou shrugged his shoulders, probably meaning that I'm done, so I'll hand in the paper and leave!
Liu Chun next to him took Zhang Zhou's examination paper with a smile. After seeing Zhang Zhou's title, his expression froze a little, and then he just pressed the paper under the white paper.

After Zhang Zhou turned around and went out.

Lin Han wanted to take a look at Zhang Zhou's paper, but was stopped by Liu Chun.

Liu Chun said in a low voice: "Old Lin, you are the chief examiner for today's exam, but the selection is done by the Imperial Academy, as you know."

It means that although you wrote the questions, the quality of the test papers has nothing to do with you. That is the business of the five members of our Imperial Academy, and you should not participate in it.

Lin Han said coldly, "Could it be that the old man can't even look at it?"

"No!" Liu Chun seemed very principled.

Lin Han sighed and said nothing more.

……

……

After Zhang Zhou left the examination room, he went out of the Guozijian to listen to storytelling with Zhu Houzhao.

After collecting the papers at this end, Liu Chun and others will take the papers back to the Hanlin Academy for review.

Lin Han grabbed Liu Chun and said, "That paper by Zhang Bingkuan..."

"We will be impartial! And the decision-making power is not up to me, and we have to report it to Bachelor Cheng."

It means that although the five of us are examiners, the decision-making power seems to be on Cheng Minzheng, and maybe Cheng Minzheng has no right to make a decision. Whoever proposes this matter will be responsible, and it may be heard by Datian.

Lin Han almost said that I also want to participate in the marking.

But Liu Chun didn't give him any face, he seemed to be doing business.

……

……

in the afternoon.

Cheng Minzheng received more than 50 examination papers that were evaluated by five examiners.

He opened the wooden box containing the examination papers, and looked sideways at Xiao Jing who was sitting beside him with a smile on his face, and he knew what was going on.

Then he took out the test paper.

The most important one is Zhang Zhou's.

"Eunuch Xiao, you want Zhang Bingkuan's paper." Cheng Minzheng said.

"Really?" Xiao Jing raised his interest and moved his head to take a look.

But seeing the blank space on the side of the paper, the five reviewers of the Hanlin Academy all gave comments.

Because this paper is the most appreciated, so that the evaluation of the five examiners is very high, otherwise it will not be placed in the top position.

Cheng Minzheng said: "First."

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Let's just say, Mr. Zhang is very talented and learned, Ying Tianfu Township Examination Xie Yuan was tested by his ability, if he just competes with a few who have not been awarded Jinshi all the year round, how can he not win the first prize? Cheng Xueshi knows how to write this memorial, right?"

Cheng Minzheng nodded helplessly and said, "I know. But I don't know how many people should be selected besides the first?"

"It's enough to choose four or five people, don't treat them too badly, report back to the official department, or release an official who knows the prefecture or the county, just treat him kindly! I didn't expect it to be so easy. It seems that His Majesty and our family are overwhelmed!"

Originally, he wanted to teach and accept privately, but Zhang Zhou easily won the first place in the exam among a group of old tribute students.

The matter was resolved satisfactorily, Xiao Jing was very satisfied.

The next step is to report the matter, and if Zhang Zhou fails the next year's meeting, he can be appointed to an official position.

Cheng Minzheng sighed: "With this way, why does he still take the Jinshi exam? If he doesn't win the Dingjia, he might as well be selected as a reviewer in the Imperial Academy. It's better than being selected by the imperial court for three years, and he has to pass the test of staying in the embassy... well!"

(End of this chapter)