I

In the imperial examinations and palace examinations, except for the officials of the Ministry of Rites, everyone can participate in reviewing the examination papers.

"Your Majesty, the first ten papers for this palace examination are all here." Pang Chunlai squinted his eyes, hung a pair of glasses on his chest, and handed the answer sheet to the female officer tremblingly.

The female officer forwarded it to Zhao Han and gave it to the emperor to see in person.

The imperial examination paper is an ink paper, which is the original paper that the examinee answers, and is not copied into an ink paper like the general examination. If a candidate's handwriting is recognized and an elder is responsible for marking, he can easily cheat.

Therefore, in traditional palace examinations, those with nepotism need to avoid suspicion.

Yang Tinghe did not avoid suspicion back then and participated in the evaluation as the chief assistant. As a result, his son Yang Shen won the first prize and has been criticized and questioned for hundreds of years.

Zhao Han only scanned a few lines of the first-place paper and knew it must be a scholar from the old list.

The articles written by scholars from the new list are more straightforward and often have an unconcealable spirit. However, the writing style of the scholars in the old list was more complicated, focusing on principles, and they were more calm than aggressive.

The policy theory before me is mature and prudent, citing classics. From ancient times to the present day, I probably read newspapers and discuss the situation in overseas countries. Its core point is the Hua-Yi debate, which states that while opening up sea trade, it cannot be influenced by foreign barbarians, and European religions should be completely banned. Moreover, in overseas Han-populated areas, local Han people should be encouraged to open schools.

He has literary talent, a stance, a vision, and his principles are correct. No wonder he was rated number one by the cabinet ministers.

The second-placed paper is probably from a scholar from the new list.

Let’s talk about the importance of finance first. It is because of the lack of money that Ming Dynasty fell into an endless cycle of more and more peasant uprisings. Also talking about past dynasties, the collapse of a dynasty was often accompanied by financial collapse.

Let’s talk about the European colonists again. It is said that Spain, the Netherlands and other countries were driven by profit to colonize across the sea.

Therefore, this candidate emphasized that we must not be closed to the outside world. The benefits of trade across the seas, if the European barbarians increase by one point, the unified China will decrease by one point. The emperor has sent troops to control Ryukyu, Taiwan, Luzon and Guangnan. Next, Batavia and Malacca must be captured.

He also said that when focusing on maritime trade, we cannot ignore the Silk Road. When the population in the north is sufficient, they should follow the example of the Han and Tang Dynasties and seize control of the Western Regions. Once you control the Western Region, you will not only be able to gain profits from overland trade, but you will also be able to cut off the foreign trade routes of the Mongolian grasslands, which will also be beneficial to the control of the Mongols.

This candidate also delineated the sphere of influence for China in the future, that is, the east of Malacca and the east of the Seven Rivers Basin must be under the control of the Chinese court.

"Okay, discerning!"

Zhao Han was very happy and drew a circle on the answer sheet.

The third answer sheet is written with great momentum and the writing style can be called majestic. It's a pity that Zhao Han just threw it aside because they were all correct nonsense.

The first paper about keeping a promise in the meeting was not ranked in the top ten. Zhao Han quickly browsed to the twenty-first paper before encountering it.

All the ministers were a little uneasy because the emperor did not give them any face.

According to the Ming Dynasty's palace examination rules, the emperor generally will not change the rankings recommended by cabinet ministers. Even if there are changes, it will still be from the top three, top five, or top ten, and the one you like will be selected as the top pick.

The emperor himself expressed his distrust of his ministers by reading dozens of answer sheets.

Two hundred papers are too many.

Zhao Han basically browsed quickly and read carefully when he found something he liked. He read more than 80 of the previous ones himself.

He put the best articles together and compared them repeatedly. Finally, Yubi circled the top three and said happily: "Let's break down the list of famous articles here."

This is the errand of the Imperial House.

In addition to being familiar with politics, the imperial edict officials must also have excellent calligraphy and excellent writing skills. After all, they are the ones who usually write the imperial edicts.

Today, the chief official of the Imperial House is Yuan Jixian, a native of Yichun, Jiangxi. In the Ming Dynasty, he served as the highest academic envoy to Shanxi, and Fu Qingzhu was his student. He also helped Wang Tiaoding escort Chongzhen's children south.

Yuan Jixian opened the blank names on the answer sheet and announced to the ministers at the same time——

Number One Scholar: Li Kaiji, a native of Luling, Jiangxi Province.

Second place: Zhang Shouyue, from Nanhai, Guangdong.

Tanhua: Shen Wei, a native of Yiyang, Hunan.

They were all southern scholars who had received both traditional education and new education. Their average age was only twenty-one years old. Two graduated from Jinling University and one graduated from Guangzhou University.

The imperial examination is not a test of knowledge, but a test of vision and thinking. It is a test of their compatibility with the emperor or ministers. It is not just about studying well that will lead to the top spot.

The cabinet ministers were speechless, but at the same time they were mentally prepared for this.

Immediately afterwards, Yuan Jixian picked up the ink pen and wrote the names of the three people on the framed yellow list.

After writing the yellow list, Yuan Jixian began to write biographies again.

Female officer Shang Bao brought the emperor's seal and asked Zhao Han to stamp it on the yellow list. Song Yingxing took the yellow list to Fengtian Hall and handed it to Chen Maosheng who was already waiting there. Yuan Jixian handed the biography to Zhang Dai, the minister of Honglu Temple.

That morning, the imperial list was posted.

The list of the top three Jinshi was announced first. Cui Wenxiu, a North Korean student studying abroad, stood under the list and kept silently chanting: "Don't have me, don't have me!"

Scholars who have been admitted to the general examination will not be eliminated by the palace examination, and of course they do not want to appear on the third list.

Li Jixiu, a scholar from Hebei Province, also held this idea, but unfortunately he was disappointed in the end. He only ranked seventh in the third list.

Most of these results will be thrown directly into the local government, and you will be promoted from the ninth rank to a sesame official, and then slowly rise up based on your political performance and qualifications. Fortunately, the promotion paths in the new dynasty are different. As long as you are a Jinshi, a ninth-rank official can always climb up, unlike in the Ming Dynasty, when you can only be promoted to the seventh rank at most.

Then the second list is posted.

Wang Zunxun and Sun Chengen were historically the two champions of the Shunzhi Dynasty. Now, one is number one on the second list, and the other is number 19 on the second list.

Among them, Wang Zunxun's paper was judged by the cabinet minister to be the first, but it was passed down by Zhao Han.

"First place!"

The central civil servant shouted, took out the yellow list and posted it.

"Tanhua, Shen Gongwei, is from Yiyang, Hunan, and graduated from Jinling University!"

Shen Wei stood in the crowd, with a naive smile on his face.

He was just an ordinary farmer. Before the Datong Army regained Hunan, his family was a self-cultivated farmer. He couldn't even afford to study in the village school, so he could only sit outside the class and listen.

Then households were divided into households, and Shen Wei also attended a new-style primary school, and was promoted to Jinling University at public expense.

Moreover, when Shen Wei was in college, he went to the imperial court through his teachers and changed some of Hunan's policy policies.

"Congratulations to Brother Shen, congratulations to Brother Shen!"

"Same joy, same joy!"

Suddenly, a wealthy businessman rushed over, grabbed Shen Wei's sleeve and asked, "Has Mr. Shen ever been married?"

Shen Wei said: "There is an engagement."

The wealthy businessman was immediately disappointed, and those around him who were eager to try also sighed and left.

Shen Wei was also lamenting that the female classmate with whom he fell in love was the only daughter of a wealthy businessman, and her parents had to find a wife before they agreed to the marriage.

"Second place on the list is Mr. Zhang, a native of Nanhai, Guangdong, and a graduate of Guangzhou University!"

The scholars in Guangdong suddenly burst into cheers and cheered and celebrated around Zhang Shouyue.

A group of merchants rushed to Zhang Shouyue again and asked about the marriage. Zhang Shouyue smiled and said, "To be honest, the dog is one and a half years old."

Well, this one has a son.

"The number one scholar, Li Gong's successor, was from Luling, Jiangxi, and graduated from Jinling University."

Suddenly, a scholar yelled like a prank: "The number one scholar is not married yet, and he has no engagement contract. Anyone who wants to catch your son-in-law, hurry up and grab him!"

Li Kaiji was so frightened that he ran away and ran all the way back to the inn before giving up.

Standing in the guest room, Li Kaiji straightened his clothes, raised three fingers and said: "I swear today that I will devote all my energy to your Majesty Yao and Shun!"

Shen Wei, who was second on the list, used to be a farmer. Tanhua Zhang Shouyu, her family has always been a wealthy businessman.

As for the number one scholar, Li Kaiji, his parents were military households in the suburbs of Luling County. To put it bluntly, they worked as serfs for the military attachés. For as long as he could remember, he had never had enough to eat. Both his eldest brother and his third sister starved to death.

It wasn't until Zhao Han led the Datong army to kill, occupied Luling County, and divided the fields among the military households that Li Kaiji finally turned around.

His father and eldest brother are dead, and the second brother has become the backbone of the family. Although it is still very hard, cultivating the family's fields every day is indescribably enjoyable.

The eldest brother-in-law is also a soldier. He joined the army to fight with His Majesty and is now the commander of the 7th Division of the Datong Army. If it weren't for his poor cultural background and his inability to write a few words, he might have already become a brigade commander. After all, the qualifications for joining the army are there.

Life at home is getting better day by day.

There have been no major disasters in Luling County, and there is simply not enough food to be eaten. The old mother occasionally cooks food and asks the second sister-in-law to sell it in the city. The second sister-in-law can also make money by spinning yarn herself. The family also raised chickens and ducks, and the second brother was good at farming. He used the extra money to buy pens, ink, paper and inkstones for Li Kaiji.

His Majesty the Emperor is still alive, and the family dare not consecrate the Emperor to a god. On the first day of every month, the old mother would go to the mountains on the outskirts of the county to offer incense to the martyrs at the Yinghun Temple, and at the same time thank the Emperor for his kindness in rebuilding.

My old mother often said: "Third son, how can our family afford His Majesty's kindness? You must study hard, become an official in the future, and do good work for Your Majesty."

Just as Li Kaiji was reminiscing about the past, his classmates shouted from downstairs: "Old Li, Old Li, come down to pick up the guests!"

"Bang bang bang bang!"

Then came the crackling sound of firecrackers.

The innkeeper held up firecrackers and set off, while the shopkeeper shouted with a smile on his face: "Today's room rate and food are all 20% off! The new top scholar will live in our hotel! Whoever comes to stay in the hotel in the future will be able to get the star of Wenquxing Such joy. Children stay in the inn, all of them are smart. Scholars stay in the inn, all of them are high school champions! I will give the owner a suggestion to change the name of the inn to Zhuangyuan Building! Throw some money!"

"good!"

The store clerk scattered copper coins all over the floor, and passersby scrambled for them.

It's not to grab money, after all, no matter how nimble your hands and feet are, you will still grab an extra three to five cents, just to take advantage of Wen Quxing's nobility.

Form is important.

The significance of restoring the imperial examination is not only to regulate the selection of officials, but also has another symbol in the hearts of the people.