Chapter 175: Posting the List, First Meeting of the Two Yangs

July 1st, before dawn, the area outside the Imperial Academy was already packed with people, buzzing with activity.

While Hu Jing, Wang Gen, Li Guan, Jin Youzi, and Yang Rong had arrived at the Imperial Academy, they didn’t join the crowd near the wall. Instead, they stood by the river not far away, looking calm and composed.

“I heard that the Emperor wants to build the Baoen Temple and the Heroes Monument, but the court only allocated one hundred thousand taels. I wonder how this project will be carried out,” Yang Rong said with some confusion.

“It will be done,” answered Hu Jing.

“Exactly.”

“That’s right.”

“Indeed.”

Hu Jing, Wang Gen, Li Guan, and Jin Youzi answered Yang Rong briefly.

Yang Rong furrowed his brow and said, “Summer has passed, autumn has arrived, but looking at this weather, it’s still hot.”

“Hot.”

“Exactly.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Hu Jing, Wang Gen, Li Guan, and Jin Youzi answered Yang Rong again.

Yang Rong felt annoyed. It seemed like these guys were pretending to be leisurely and carefree, but in reality, they were all eagerly waiting for the announcement of the exam results..

“Entering early autumn, wanting to wait until the scorching heat subsides may take some time,” a deep voice sounded in Yang Rong’s ears.

He turned and saw a man with a square face and half a foot of beard standing by the railing, looking at him seriously.

“I am Yang Rong, Yang Mianren of Jianning Prefecture.”

Yang Rong stepped forward and saluted.

“I am Yang Pu, Yang Hongji of Shishou, Huguang.”

Yang Pu returned the salute.

Yang Rong smiled and approached Yang Pu, saying, “It seems that we have some connection, both being of the Yang family. Observing Brother Hongji’s demeanor, you should be confident about making it to the top of the list, right?”

Yang Pu smiled faintly and said, “If I am certain, then Brother Mianren should be in the top ten, right?”

Yang Rong laughed heartily, “I was too reckless. Brother Hongji, please don’t mind.”

Yang Pu nodded slightly, watching Yang Rong, and asked, “Do you really think it’s impossible to build the Bao’en Temple and the Heroes Monument with one hundred thousand taels?”

Yang Rong’s pupils slightly contracted. Seeing Yang Pu’s seriousness, he firmly said, “One hundred thousand taels are absolutely insufficient.”

Yang Pu raised his head and looked towards the Imperial Academy. The gate of the Imperial Academy slowly opened, and someone walked out holding the list. Countless candidates swarmed towards it.

“It’s posted, it’s posted!”

Someone shouted loudly, their voice tinged with anxiety.

Seeing Yang Rong remain indifferent, Yang Pu looked at him and couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you planning to go take a look?”

Yang Rong spoke calmly and confidently, “The victory or defeat of the provincial examination is already determined, it’s a settled matter. Why rush to the announcement and create a commotion? Moreover, our debate has just begun. If I go to check the list now, wouldn’t that mean admitting defeat to you?”

Yang Pu burst into laughter and clapped his hands, saying, “Brother Mianren is indeed formidable. Speaking of the construction of the Bao’en Temple and Heroes Monument, the 100,000 taels allocated by the court are far from sufficient. However, the shortfall will be covered by someone else.”

“Oh? Who can accomplish such a miraculous feat?”

Yang Rong was somewhat surprised.

Hearing that the construction of the Bao’en Temple and the Heroes Monument was personally decreed by the emperor to commemorate the loyal soldiers and heroes who died for the country, how could others dare to get involved? Wouldn’t they fear attracting attention and face punishment, even execution?

Yang Pu slowly said, “What if it’s the Tianjie Temple?”

Yang Rong suddenly realized and shook his head with bitterness, saying, “I didn’t think of that. The Tianjie Temple is also a royal family temple; it can’t be considered an outsider. If they provide the funds, it can not only show royal favor but also promote Buddhism and attract the masses. It can be considered an excellent choice.”

“I have no fondness for Buddhism, but if the Tianjie Temple can accomplish this, it would indeed be a commendable achievement.”

Yang Pu pointed towards the crowd ahead, said.

Yang Rong followed Yang Pu’s gesture and looked towards Jin Youzi and the others, who were waving to him. He just waved back, then turned to Yang Pu and continued, “I heard that during the Hongwu era, the official historian completed the compilation of historical records of the previous dynasty inside the Tianjie Temple. Is this information true?”

Yang Pu nodded and said, “Certainly.”

Yang Rong was about to inquire further when he heard Jin Youzi shout, “You made it, you made it, Brother Yang! You passed!”

Yang Pu saluted, “Congratulations, Brother Mianren.”

Yang Rong returned the greeting and looked at Jin Youzi. Seeing Jin Youzi radiating happiness, he greeted him, “Congratulations, Brother Jin. Let me introduce, this is Yang Pu, Yang Hongji, brother Yang, this is Jin Youzi.”

Jin Youzi and Yang Pu exchanged greetings.

Jin Youzi frowned and said, “The name Yang Pu seems familiar. Oh, I remember now, Brother Hongji, you’re also on the list!”

“Oh? What’s the rank?”

Yang Rong quickly asked.

Squinting his eyes, Jin Youzi thought for a moment and said, “It seems to be around seventeen or eighteen, I didn’t pay much attention. But Brother Rong, you’re the fourth!”

“Remarkable.”

Yang Pu smiled.

Yang Rong smiled knowingly and asked, “Who is the top scorer?”

Although those who passed the provincial examination were essentially considered successful candidates, they couldn’t be called Jinshi, and the first place was referred to as Huiyuan.

Only after passing the palace examination could one be called Jinshi.

“Haha, it’s Brother Wang Gen.”

Hu Jing walked over energetically, and Li Guan was congratulating Wang Gen.

Yang Pu looked at Wang Gen, with prominent cheekbones, sunken cheeks, round eyes, and light eyebrows. Judging solely by his appearance, this person could be considered unattractive. However, his talents surpassed his looks. He was the top scorer, ranking first among over five thousand candidates in the assessment.

Those whose names appeared on the list were in high spirits. Although the imperial examination had not yet concluded, they had secured the qualification to enter the court and become officials.

However, the majority faced elimination, their heads hanging low in dejection. Some stood by the riverbank, unsure whether they intended to enjoy the scenery or contemplate a leap into the water.

“Dang dang!”

After a few chimes of the bronze gong, everyone turned their attention.

“For those who did not pass, there is no need for distress. You can continue to try next year. However, if anyone feels embarrassed about their financial situation, unable to stay in the capital for long, and unwilling to return to their hometown, enduring the hardships of travel, you can come to my China Bookstore. We are recruiting three hundred proofreaders, providing room and board, and a monthly salary of two taels of silver.”

“Dang dang!”

“For those who want to join China Bookstore, you can come to me. You only need to work for eight hours a day, and the rest of the time is up to your arrangement.”

Zhu Zhi shouted, trying to attract talent.

“Is it him?!”

Yang Pu exclaimed in surprise.

Yang Rong nodded and said, “I have seen this person before. He is a shrewd merchant selling examination papers outside the academy.”

Yang Pu looked somewhat strange and asked Yang Rong, “You don’t know his true identity?”

“What identity?”

Yang Rong was puzzled.

Yang Pu chuckled, shook his head, and said, “Brother Mianren, have you not heard about the Two Kings engaging in business when you came to the capital?”

A hint of surprise appeared on Yang Rong’s face, and he turned his head with difficulty, looking at Zhu Zhi. Anxiously, he said, “Don’t tell me this is one of the Two Kings?”

Yang Pu sighed, “He is the King of Liao. As for King of Min, I heard he is currently organizing the Heroic Merchants Association.”

“What is the Heroic Merchants Association?”

Wang Gen interjected, asking.

Yang Pu shook his head and said, “It is said that the news of the construction of the Baoen Temple and the Heroes Monument has attracted the attention of numerous merchants and commoners. Huizhou merchant Shen Yiyuan persuaded the Two Kings and has united various merchants in the capital to supply corresponding goods for the Bao’en Temple and the Heroes Monument. The organization responsible for coordinating and dispatching these goods is the Heroic Merchants Association.”

“How much power is involved in the construction of the Bao’en Temple and the Heroes Monument

Yang Rong asked in amazement.

Yang Pu replied, “From the current perspective, the court, vassal kings, Buddhist and Taoist temples, merchants, commoners, all have participated. Hehe, I also learned this information from the merchants. As for its accuracy, it’s hard to say.”

Yang Rong sensed that something unusual was happening.

According to Yang Pu, the Tianjie Temple was the main contributor in terms of funding. However, now there was also the emergence of the Heroic Merchants Association, which united various forces to participate. This would likely dilute the dominant position of the Buddhist temples.

Whether the Grand Bao’en Temple and the Heroes Monument are completed one day, the first thought for both merchants and commoners when they arrive at the Baoen Temple is likely:

My efforts are also part of this…

Rather than:

May the Buddha save all beings, Amitabha.

“Is the emperor suppressing Buddhism?”

Yang Rong keenly sensed this and turned his gaze to Yang Pu. He saw Yang Pu looking calm and solemn, as if he had already seen through everything.

It was now July, and the Spring Imperial Examination was still more than half a year away. If he left the capital now and went back home, it would take some time. By the time he arrived and celebrated the New Year with his parents, it would be time to return.

Because the interval between the two imperial examinations was not long, many who failed did not plan to return home.

Not going home was fine, but they still needed to eat, right?

If they had money, they could stay in an inn, shake their heads and study scriptures every day, and no one would bother them…

But if they had little money and it wasn’t enough to sustain them for half a year, they couldn’t just be a stay-at-home, could they?

There are not many options for the unsuccessful candidates:

Roll up your sleeves, stretch your ankles, and run to the National Academy to become a student.

Pros: Provided with meals and accommodations, can discuss academics with a group of people.

Cons: Must follow the National Academy’s arrangements regarding what books to read and which classes to attend. No freedom to address personal weaknesses, and discipline is enforced; lacking discipline might result in punishment.

Rub your face, go to your second aunt’s house, third cousin’s, fourth aunt’s, or fifth aunt’s.

Pros: Accommodation is provided and possibly meals. Freedom to study.

Cons: May face disdain from relatives, testing one’s psychological endurance. Those with thin skin often can’t endure.

Work.

Pros: Solves the issues of eating and living, and provides pocket money.

Cons: Tiring, embarrassing, and time-consuming.

In the eyes of scholars everything else is considered lowly, and only scholarly pursuits are esteemed. Going to work, in their view, would be engaging in a lowly occupation. It’s a loss of face.

So many people left; either they visited relatives or went to the Imperial Academy. However, Zhu Zhi still recruited people. After all, there were many scholars from humble backgrounds who needed a place to work, and it was still a job related to literature. It might be embarrassing, but where else could they go?

Furthermore, if one aspired to become an official, not cultivating black belly strategies would hinder their chances of becoming a prominent figure in the future.

“To celebrate the joy of making it to the list, I’ll treat you all. Let’s drink today and not return until we’re drunk, how about it?” suggested Hu Jing.

“The day after tomorrow is the palace examination; it might not be a good idea to get heavily drunk at this time,” Yang Rong declined politely.

Hu Jing confidently replied, “It’s just the palace examination, what’s there to be afraid of?”

Indeed, unlike the provincial examination and the metropolitan examination, the palace examination does not involve the elimination of candidates.

In other words, if you are listed among the successful candidates in the metropolitan examination, you have already passed the palace examination.

The palace examination merely selects the top three candidates and determines the ranking of the second and third places.

In fact, during the Tang and Song dynasties, the palace examination did eliminate candidates, and the elimination rate was very high, typically eliminating about one-third or two-thirds of the participants.

As for why the palace examination shifted from eliminating candidates to a unified acceptance of all, it is related to traitors colluding with foreign powers.

The incident occurred during the Song Dynasty, in the era of Emperor Renzong. At that time, the palace examination often eliminated people. They had worked hard and gone through many examinations. After passing the provincial examination and the metropolitan examination, in the palace examination, people were screened out.

To screened out once is acceptable, acknowledged. However, there are always a few unlucky ones. After participating in the palace examination several times, they get screened out each time.

Isn’t this bullying? At least change some people for to be screened out right?

Some people had been bullied enough, thinking that the Song court was blind to talent and not using them despite their clear abilities.

After being screened out once again, this person, gnashing their teeth, shouted, “You don’t need me, huh? Just wait and see, there will be a time when you regret it.”

So, with anger in his heart, he packed his bags and left.

I’m not serving the Emperor of the Song Dynasty anymore, I’m going to join Li Yuanhao in Western Xia.

The person who was bullied, named Zhang Yuan, was honored by Li Yuanhao as the Grand Tutor, Minister of Personnel, concurrently the Minister of the Central Secretariat, serving as the Prime Minister of Western Xia. This was also a thorn in the side for the Northern Song Dynasty.