Chapter 163: Selling the Examination Questions

I, the humble monk, am not poor at all.

Surrounded by opulence, even the ritual implements are adorned with gold; it’s hard to believe they are poor.

Although Ming Dynasty temples are not as wealthy as those in the early Tang Dynasty, accumulating assets in the hundreds of thousands, and borrowing high-interest loans without even striking a wooden fish, it’s not like that for Tianjie Temple. Setting aside forty thousand taels a year won’t hurt their bones.

Zhu Yunwen accepted Tianjie Temple’s goodwill as a form of taxation. He said, “Since Tianjie Temple has the intention, I agree. However, if officials from the Central Daoist Registry, merchants, or the common people want to participate in the construction of the Bao’en Temple and the Heroes’ Monument, I will also agree.”

Upon hearing this, Dao Yuan frowned. It seems that the Emperor is not inclined to agree to exclusive benefits.

Zhu Yunwen calmly stated, “Tianjie Temple will be the main contributor, with others assisting. In the future, I will entrust Bao’en Temple to Tianjie Temple for overall management, while the Heroes’ monument will be entrusted to the court, Central Daoist Registry, and others. What do you think?”

Dao Yuan’s eyes suddenly brightened, and he quickly agreed, “Wonderful.”

Although the Heroes’ monument and Tianjie Temple are two separate projects, it’s important to note that the Heroes’ monument is located within Tianjie Temple. If people want to pay their respects and admire the Heroes’ monument, they must first enter Tianjie Temple.

Even if these people don’t believe in Buddhism and only want to visit the Heroes’ Monument for reflection and remembrance, they will inevitably walk around Tianjie Temple, contributing to the temple’s incense and reputation.

As long as the Heroes’ monument stands, Tianjie Temple will not fall.

Dao Yuan calculated this account very clearly. Compared to silver coins, he cares more about the rise and fall, as well as the inheritance, of Buddhism.

Fuzi Temple^[1]Confucius Temple.

Jin Youzi and Hu Jing walked onto Pan Bridge, looking at the semi-circular pool in front of them, their faces showing a faint smile.

Hu Jing pointed to the pool in front of them and said, “Brother Jin, you should be very familiar with the origin of this Pan Pool, right?”

Jin Youzi nodded confidently and said, “Pan Pool, also known as Pan Palace. In ancient times, it was said that feudal lords were not allowed to observe in all directions, so the lack was in the east to the south, creating a semi-imperial academy called Pan Palace. According to ancient rituals, the emperor’s academy is in the center, with a palace named Biyong, surrounded by water. The feudal lords can only observe the water from the south, hence the name Pan Palace.”

Hu Jing admired Jin Youzi and said, “In the Book of Songs, there is a verse about Pan Water, ‘Thinking joyfully by Pan Water, lightly plucking its celery.’ We don’t know if we can pluck celery and sing during this exam.”

In ancient times, scholars at the Imperial Academy would often pick water celery from the Pan Pool and insert it into the brim of their hats to show others that they were cultured individuals.

Hu Jing’s implicit meaning was whether they could succeed in the imperial examination this time.

Jin Youzi looked at the Lingxing Gate in front of him and solemnly said, “Entering Pan is not the same as entering officialdom. If you want to enter officialdom, you need real abilities. But with Brother Hu’s talent, you are sure to enjoy the favor and feast of honor.”

Hu Jing shook his head bitterly. The two walked past Pan Bridge and said, “Nowadays, it’s not the same as before. Both you and I have been to the Imperial Academy, where there are many new and miscellaneous studies. It can be seen that the court’s approach to selecting scholars is no longer the same as in the past.”

The layout of the Fuzi Temple is that the front is the Temple of Confucius, the back is the academy, and the east side is the Gongyuan, the examination hall for the provincial examination.

Looking at the Great Cheng Hall in front of them, Jin Youzi and Hu Jing stopped talking and walked solemnly into the hall.

In the center of the hall, there is an altar dedicated to “Great Accomplishment, the Supreme Sage Confucius,” with the Four Subsidiary Sages — Yan Hui, Zeng Can, Meng Ke, and Kong Ji — from the left to right.

Looking at the sages, Jin Youzi and Hu Jing solemnly paid their respects.

After paying respects, the two entered the academy through the small east gate, continuing their previous conversation.

“If that’s the case, can we change the traditional eight-legged essay that represents the words of the sages?” Jin Youzi asked with some concern.

Hu Jing thought for a moment, shook his head slightly, and said, “The risk is too great. Currently, the court has no explicit instructions, and it’s difficult to guess the true intentions of the court just by changing it through the Imperial Academy. If we go against the words of the sages, all our years of effort might be in vain.”

Jin Youzi also understood this. Writing articles following the thoughts of the sages felt constrained, but if they expressed their own views, they might face severe consequences.

After years of hard work, who would take such a risk in such an important examination?

Leaving the academy, they intended to visit the examination hall early to familiarize themselves with the test site.

Suddenly, a shout rang out: “Selling exam questions! Selling the questions for the imperial examination! Come and buy!”

Jin Youzi and Hu Jing were startled. Selling exam questions?

Is this some kind of benefit?

No, is this insanity?

Even if you have exam questions, you can’t openly sell them, right?

Selling test questions could lead to execution.

And there are people actually buying exam questions? Have they gone mad?

“Excuse me, don’t you know that buying exam questions is a serious crime?” Jin Youzi stopped one of the candidates buying exam questions and asked sternly.

The candidate looked at Jin Youzi, shook his sleeves, and said, “What crime is it to buy a set of exam questions? Mind your own business.”

Jin Youzi was extremely frustrated. What’s wrong with the current state of affairs? The ones buying the exam question are audacious and the ones selling exam questions are more audacious, and even the constables are here, yet they neither run nor hide, still shouting.

Hu Jing rubbed his eyes, and Jin Youzi was bewildered. The constable was even smiling, saluted, and then walked away?

What is this?

In the imperial capital of the empire, how could there be such a dark side?

As scholars, they should share the worries of the emperor!

Jin Youzi approached angrily and sternly warned the seller of exam questions: “Selling exam questions is a capital offense! I have remembered your appearance; trying to escape is useless. I advise you to go to the Ministry of Justice’s prison and await the imperial decision!”

The Prince of Liao, Zhu Zhi, hearing Jin Youzi’s words, didn’t mind. He took out a set of questions and handed it over, saying, “How about you take a set too? One or two silvers, fair and square.”

“You!”

Jin Youzi had never seen someone so audacious, showing no fear of the court!

Hu Jing pulled Jin Youzi and said, “Brother Jin, these are indeed questions for the imperial examination, but they belong to the previous dynasty…”

“The previous dynasty?”

Jin Youzi was confused and quickly lowered his head to examine the questions.

Indeed, these exam questions were from the Song and Yuan dynasties, not from the Ming dynasty.

Selling questions from the previous dynasty was naturally unrestricted…

Looking at these two men, Zhu Zhi solemnly said, “Who dares to sell the current imperial examination questions? Even if they are leaked, it would result in severe punishment. Who doesn’t know this?”

“However, the path of the imperial examination always has similarities. By studying the works of the ancients and comparing them to the present, you can distinguish the superior from the inferior. Why not buy a few sets of exam questions and study them? Perhaps you can gain some insights from the masterpieces of the past.”

Jin Youzi and Hu Jing exchanged glances and simultaneously reached for their sleeves.

Although these were not questions for the current examination, the court wouldn’t repeat questions from previous exams. However, studying the works of past scholars might still be beneficial.

Zhu Zhi watched the departing Jin Youzi and Hu Jing, weighed the silver in his hand, smiled slightly, and shouted again, “Selling exam questions for the imperial examination!”

It wasn’t just the daring Zhu Zhi who wanted to take advantage of the exam season; there were also numerous booksellers and small traders.

Around the Confucius Temple and the examination hall, the streets were crowded with people until the evening of June 5th. On June 6th, the imperial examination began.