A century-old family that runs through the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 48
Outside the Meridian Gate, 120 scholars were waiting eagerly.

It was exactly the same as the scene outside the Gongyuan that day, the only difference was that there was no noise.

After all, the shining blades of the Imperial Guards next to them are no joke. Do you want to lose your head if you make a noise here?

So you can see a very funny scene. Although the Gongsheng students kept crowding forward, trying to find a position closest to the Meridian Gate, there was a rush of people for a while, but there was silence. Even if someone had their feet stepped on and their clothes torn off, I also forced myself to endure it.

Finally, the red cinnabar door opened in the attention of the scholars, and several palace servants walked out quickly. The leading palace servant held an imperial list with both hands.Some sharp-eyed scholars recognized that it was the eunuch beside the emperor.

He waved gently, and several followers lined up and stood on both sides. After posing, two people slowly opened the yellow list from both sides, and the palace man stood in the middle and said loudly with a high-pitched voice:
"In the fourth year of Hongwu's reign, the imperial examination will be held!"

"Yu Youren, Wang Tong..., these hundred people are ranked among the top three, and they have the same background as Jinshi!"

Every time the palace man read a name, the attendants on both sides repeated it, so that everyone present could hear it clearly.Some people's faces showed joy, obviously they were excited to become Jinshi, while others looked disappointed, as being in the top three did not satisfy them.

After reading the quota for the top three, the palace official cleared his throat and then shouted:

"Wang Hui, Hong Qi..., these 17 people are ranked second, and they are given the title of Jinshi!"

Yan Shiqin and Yan Xincheng are also ranked among the top two, No. 15 and No. 3 respectively, which is not low.Although Yan Shiqin has an honest character, his writing skills are not bad, and Yan Xincheng is even more intelligent. Although his article did not answer the point, it was still close to the point.

However, the two of them were able to achieve such results thanks to the work of Eight-legged Gu.

It can be said that these two people were all influenced by the eight-part essay.The articles written by Yan Shiqin and Yan Xincheng were not necessarily that good. Some of the second-class writers had better literary talent, but not many people knew about the Eight-Part Writing in the Yuan Dynasty. It was not long after Zhu Yuanzhang announced that Eight-legged Writing would be used to select scholars, although all the candidates had done it. Assault training, but inevitably a bit raw and stiff.

The Yan family is different. They started practicing Bagu a long time ago.The two people's articles were very colorful. Although Zhu Yuanzhang did not comment on their strategies, at least the application of stereotypes was a breath of fresh air among many candidates.

Next, there are the first and third people who attract the most attention.

At this time, there were only three people left whose names had not been called. They squeezed to the front, while the rest of the Gongsheng students consciously stepped back and gave up the stage to them.

Not surprisingly, they will have to make the same concessions on the political stage in the future.

Yan Ji's heart was beating fast. He knew that he had made the right bet. His Majesty's intention was indeed not that simple.

No matter how many first-class players he has, this is enough for him. After all, he has to compete with talented people from all over the country.

The other two people also looked nervous.If they were in the second or third A, that would be better, but they were all in the first A. Although they were all in the top few, the competition among them was more intense than in the second and third A.

The palace man seemed to know the importance of Yijia, and he deliberately prolonged his voice:

"First grade, three persons, grant the title of Jinshi! Tanhua——"

"Zhang Wei!"

One of them sighed in frustration. He was Huiyuan who had taken the previous examination. He was ambitious and wanted to win first place in the palace examination, but he was overpowered by the latter two.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for him to cheer up. After all, he was ranked third in the country, which was good enough.

"Second place——"

All the scholars pricked up their ears, and all eyes were focused on the two men.

At this time, the two of them were also staring at the palace man with burning eyes, and they even wanted to grab the yellow list and see for themselves what their ranking was.

"Wu Bozong!"

A layer of gloom appeared on the face of the young man next to Yan Ji.He was conceited and talented, and even guessed Zhu Yuanzhang's intention during the palace examination. Just after listening to the discussion among the Gongsheng students, they all talked about commonplaces, and he thought he was unique and could win the first place.

Unexpectedly, there are people who think more profoundly than myself.

This feeling of disparity is very uncomfortable. Although the second place in the country is already at the ceiling level, it is still not as good as the glory of the number one pick.

Yan Ji didn't notice the expression of the person next to him.

He had fallen into a sluggish state at this time.

Everyone present has been called, so the candidate for the top pick is already obvious.

As the palace man shouted:
"Number One Scholar—Yan Ji!" He felt a surge of great joy rising from the bottom of his heart.

First place in the first class, first in the country, number one scholar!This will be recorded in history books and remembered for thousands of years!
In an instant, the soles of my feet became light and airy.

Wu Bozong looked at him jealously. When the title of the champion was called out, he suddenly felt a huge sense of loss in his heart, as if something that should belong to him had been taken away.

But second place is also very good.

As for the Yan family, celebrations have begun. Although they still dare not speak out, Yan Shiqin and Yan Xincheng put Yan Ji on their shoulders, towering over all the candidates and overlooking all living beings.

This is what he deserves.

The four-year imperial examination in Hongwu was officially over.

The only good thing is that no one fails.

There was a huge shortage of officials in the new dynasty. Not to mention them, even those who had failed in the previous provincial examinations were granted official positions, let alone these tribute students.

Of course, different rankings confer different official positions.

Just when the candidates were about to leave, the palace man took out a second piece of yellow silk, this time it was an imperial edict.

Everyone present hurriedly knelt down to listen to the announcement, but it turned out that it was an appointment for everyone.

Yan Ji, the number one scholar, was awarded the title of Wai Lang, a member of the Ministry of Ceremonies. He could be said to have reached the sky in one step. In the blink of an eye, he went from a commoner to a high-ranking official.

The rest of the Gongsheng students also received official positions, in descending order according to their performance. For example, the second-placed student was the seventh-rank official of the Ministry of Works.

The emperor was extremely kind to these scholars. He also selected some young and dignified ones to enter the Hanlin Academy as editors, and hosted banquets for them in Zhongshu Province, which was the center of imperial power.

The scholars were in high spirits and left under the guidance of the palace officials.

What they didn't notice was that not far from the Meridian Gate, a man in official robes was quietly watching this scene.

"Is anyone from the Yan family the number one scholar? Ha." A sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, and there seemed to be some sarcasm in his voice:

"That's fine. The higher you climb, the less your Majesty will trust you. It just so happens that there is a Duke in the Zhongshu Province, but it's still too much of an eyesore..."

　Thanks to "Ubololos" for the tip, thank you!
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(End of this chapter)