Chapter 177: Relying on Looks and Occultism to Secure Top Honors

The palace examination questioning, it should be the emperor asking while the candidates respond. This is used to assess the candidates’ abilities.

During the Tang Dynasty, Little Wu^[1]Empress Wuzetian did it this way, questioning for several consecutive days.

Later emperors found this method too tiring and preferred to sit there, drink tea, and enjoy a comfortable nap with half-closed eyes. Therefore, they delegated the task of questioning in the palace examination to the ministers.

The ministers also found it difficult because what if the emperor disliked the candidates i support, wouldn’t it bring misfortune to themselves as well?

In order not to offend the emperor and still get things done, the ministers unanimously agreed: let’s have an examination. Take a question, determine the outcome based on the results… That’s how, many times during the palace examination, the direct questioning stage was often skipped.

Of course, there were also emperors with abundant energy, a curious mind, sufficient sleep at night, and a well-developed salivary system. They would scrutinize each candidate, skipping those they found unattractive and asking more questions to those they found handsome—this was also normal.

Everyone took their seats, examination papers were distributed, the candidates answered the questions, and the emperor observed.

Yang Rong lifted his head slightly, glanced at Zhu Yunwen sitting above, and suddenly froze. How come he looked so familiar as if he had seen him somewhere?

Then it hit him – Tang’s Bookstore!

Yang Rong hadn’t expected that the man calmly reading a book nearby during his conversation with Tang Run was none other than the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

No wonder shortly after he left, the entrance of Tang’s Bookstore was marked with Xie Jin’s calligraphy.

It seems that even if he didn’t take action that day, the emperor would have intervened.

Seeing Zhu Yunhwen’s gaze sweeping over, Yang Rong quickly lowered his head, scrutinizing the examination paper, taking a deep breath involuntarily.

This question was a comprehensive inquiry into the governance of the empire, encompassing a myriad of topics. It not only involved various internal affairs such as scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, and the military but also touched upon the policies of the Jianwen era, including Single whip method, restrictions on land consolidation, new commercial policy, abolishing the garrison system, and surprisingly, even matters concerning the border regions!

With this single question, it covered all aspects of the world!

To answer this question well, one must identify the fundamental essence of governing the world.

What is the fundamental foundation of this world?

Is it the officials?

The military?

The merchants?

The artisans?

Or perhaps the farmers?

Among the 60 million subjects of the Great Ming, officials, military personnel, merchants, and artisans are all crucial, but when you add them up, their numbers only amount to three or four million. The vast majority of the population consists of farmers.

Taking farmers as the foundation is the key to achieving governance over the entire realm.

Encouraging agriculture, ensuring abundant granaries – this is the foundation for stabilizing the country and constructing a cornerstone for good governance!

Yang Rong’s gaze wavered. The traditional classification of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants was well-established. If he emphasized farmers, wouldn’t it become farmers, scholars, artisans, and merchants?^[2]Tl’s note: during ancient china scholars is the top caste.

Did the status and dignity of a scholar still matter?

Yang Rong remembered Zhu Yunhuan’s words, “Speak boldly, even if you make mistakes, do not hesitate,” and became resolute. He began to write: “In response: Governing the world comprehensively involves myriad aspects. It should be divided into priorities, distinguishing between primary and secondary matters, with the primary taking precedence and the secondary following gradually…”

“What is the foundation? It is the people. If the people are destitute, the world will be in chaos, and the prosperity will be an illusion. If the people are content and wealthy, the country will be secure, and the people will be devoted. Good governance is not far away…”

“The strategy to uplift the people lies in land ownership. Although the Single whip method protects the farmland of the common people and reduces taxes on them, it is only a partial solution. I believe that beyond agriculture, we can encourage the people to accumulate wealth, engage in animal husbandry, and cultivate various resources…”

Yang Rong wielded his brush with vigor, the words flowing smoothly like a swift current. In less than half an hour, he had completed his response.

Pausing to review his writing, Yang Rong felt a bit nervous.

Although the article focused solely on the livelihood of the people without touching on political matters and military systems, Yang Rong wondered if the examiners might disapprove. Despite having plenty of time left, he was not inclined to revise or write another essay.

His perspective was established, and the outcome would now be in the hands of the court.

Zhu Yunwen observed the various candidates – some wrote energetically, others contemplated deeply, and there were a few who appeared clueless, even having a taste of ink. What pleased Zhu Yunwen was the absence of any elderly candidates.

Most of the candidates fell within the age range of twenty-eight to thirty-nine.

This is a positive phenomenon. The younger generation is energetic, resilient, can endure hardship, and stay up late when needed – convenient for utilization.

Even if someone makes a mistake one day, they won’t be beaten to death…

The palace examination only lasts for a day, from morning till evening. Of course, the emperor can go back for meals, but you… well, have a bit of ink as a snack first. You can leave whenever you submit your paper.

As the top scholar, Wang Gen naturally couldn’t afford to be weak. He was the first to stand up, walked to the front of the hall, paid respects to Zhu Yunwen, took three steps back with lowered head, turned around, and left the Fengtian Hall

With leaders setting the example, Yang Rong also stood up. Before he could take a couple of steps, he noticed Yang Pu rising as well. The two of them bowed and exited together.

Zhu Yunwen just nodded calmly.

Officials responsible for collecting the examination papers promptly gathered and processed them. Once sorted, the papers would be sent directly to the sealing office, and from there, they would be forwarded to the grand secretariat’s examiners.

To enhance the efficiency of the examination process, Zhu Yunwen adopted a strategy of handling one paper at a time rather than waiting for all the papers to be collected before sending them for sealing and evaluation.

This approach not only improved the efficiency of reviewing the papers but also added ample pressure on the remaining candidates.

Before the middle of the day, all the candidates had submitted their papers and exited the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

Zhu Yunhuan returned to the harem.

Inside the Grand Secretariat Hall, the main officials from the Grand Secretariat, Hanlin Academy, the Six Ministries, and the Censorate gathered. They began evaluating each paper, assigning rankings such as first-class, second-class, and third-class. Then, through collective deliberation, they pre-selected the top three candidates for the palace examination.

All these tasks needed to be completed on the same night as the palace examination.

Early the next morning, Zhu Yunwen personally visited the Grand Secretariat. Fang Xiaoru led the examiners and reported the results of their evaluations to Zhu Yunwen.

Seated atop, Zhu Yunwen remained composed as Fang Xiaoru respectfully approached, bowed, and then unfolded the paper for the top candidate. With a clear voice, Fang Xiaoru began reading: “In response…”

After finishing the reading, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonials took the examination paper and placed it on the imperial desk. After Zhu Yunwen reviewed it, Fang Xiaoru bowed and stepped back. The next examiner took over, presenting the paper for the second-place candidate, and similarly knelt to read aloud…

The process of reading the papers adhered to strict ceremonial etiquette, dignified and solemn.

After the initial reading of the top three candidates’ papers, the process paused.

Upon hearing the summaries of the top three, Zhu Yunwen couldn’t help but feel that they didn’t quite align with his expectations. He then said, “Read three more.”

The subsequent examiners presented the papers for the next three candidates in the second tier, reading them in sequence.

Upon hearing the words “The strategy to uplift the people lies in land ownership… I believe that beyond agriculture, we can encourage the people to accumulate wealth, engage in animal husbandry, and cultivate various resources,” Zhu Yunwen’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected that there were talents in the Ming Dynasty who understood the importance of diversifying economic activities. Such talent was rare, and he decided these should be included in the top three.

After hearing all six papers, Zhu Yunwen pondered for a moment and then waved his hand, saying, “Allow me some time for consideration.”

Fang Xiaoru, Xie Jin, and other examiners bowed and withdrew from the Grand Secretariat, leaving to wait outside the Wenhua Gate.

In the entire imperial examination, the Emperor only directly decided on the top three candidates: the champion, second place, and third place. Occasionally, he might extend his decision to include the top three or top seven of the second-tier candidates. The rest of the second-tier and third-tier candidates were left to the discretion of the examiners.

Zhu Yunwen gazed at the six examination papers before him. These papers, after the preliminary selection, had already been unsealed, revealing the names written on them.

If Zhu Yunwen found a particular essay favorable, he could immediately decree for that candidate to enter the hall for further questioning. If the response was satisfactory, he could designate that candidate as the top scholar. If not, he would move on to the next candidate.

Choosing the top scholar for Zhu Yuanzhang wasn’t merely an academic decision but also involved considerations of appearance and metaphysical factors.

For instance, in the provincial examination of the fourth year of Hongwu during the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty, which garnered nationwide attention, there was much excitement about who would become the top scholar.

When Wu Bozong, an examinee from Xintian in Jiangxi Province, was declared the top scholar of Jiangxi. Upon learning that Wu Bozong would be heading to the capital for the imperial examination, all people, including officials, came to see him off.

Unfortunately for Wu Bozong, while he excelled in the local examination, performing well enough to secure the top spot, he struggled with the nationwide examination. His performance in the palace examination was also lackluster, earning him only the twenty-fourth position—a nearly confirmed second-tier status.

However, fate took a surprising turn.

Zhu Yuanzhang presided over the palace examination, and the top candidate pre-selected by the ministers was Guo Chong. Zhu Yuanzhang, upon examining the paper, was pleased—excellent, truly excellent! He will be the top scholar, that’s right, let him enter, I want to take a closer look at who it is.

Guo Chong entered the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback. So, it was this guy.

At over forty years old, with a long upper body and short lower body. His facial features were also less than attractive. If he were designated as the top scholar, it would not only be a subject of mockery among the people of the Ming Dynasty but might also become a source of ridicule from foreigners.

Zhu Yuanzhang found Guo Chong too unsightly and unsatisfactory. He then called the first ten candidates into the hall but was still dissatisfied. He called another twenty candidates, and scrutinized them, Oh, this young man looks quite handsome! What’s your name?

Wu Bozong?

“Bo” means big or great.

In the palace examination, what is considered big, it was being the top scholar…

Well, even if you ranked in the twenties, no problem! Let’s manipulate things a bit, and you can be the top scholar.

And so, the handsome Wu Bozong became the first top scholar of the Ming Dynasty.

If it were only among high-achieving students, pulling a few strings for looks might not be considered a great injustice. After all, if you’re not good-looking, you can’t blame the emperor…

But what baffled people the most was Zhu Yuanzhang’s use of occult in selecting the top scholar.

In the examination of the eighteenth year of Hongwu, the top three were Huang Zicheng, Lian Zining, and Hua Lun.

After Zhu Yuanzhang conducted the palace examination, he arranged for Hua Lun to be the top scholar, Lian Zining as the second, and Huang Zicheng as the third.

Before the list was officially announced, the news had already leaked.

Hua Lun was overjoyed. Being the top scholar brought honor and glory, and the ancestral graves at home must be emitting green smoke…

Celebrations were in full swing, but on the next day when the list was released, Hua Lun, wide-eyed, searched through the top three, then continued to scan the entire first-tier list. To his dismay, he couldn’t find his name. He was utterly perplexed. Where was his top scholar status?

None of the three names at the top of the list were his. Well, let’s continue looking at the second tier then. Oh no, with over a hundred names in the second tier, his name was still nowhere to be found.

I’m not the top scholar? How can I not even make it to the second tier?

Finally, he found it: Fifth place in the third tier.

Hua Lun felt not only sorrow but also shame, humiliation, darkness… His ancestral graves at home must be on fire.

Not only Hua Lun was dumbfounded but also another guy named Ding Xian. Yes, he was the actual top scholar, having achieved the fifth place in the third tier in the palace examination.

Ding Xian found it hard to believe. He hadn’t even completed the palace examination, and his paper was only half-finished. How could he be chosen as the top scholar?

It must be a dream, and that would explain everything…

Indeed, it was all a dream.

Hua Lun was the top scholar; that was settled. However, on the night before the list was released, Zhu Yuanzhang had a dream. In the dream, there was a prominent nail on the main hall.

So, since he dreamt about a nail, it must be a sign from heaven.

Upon waking up, Old Zhu flipped through the list of palace examination candidates, meticulously searching for each name. Ah, there it was—Ding Xian, Ding Xian. It was indeed a conspicuous nail!

Alright, even though this young man didn’t perform well, ranking over a hundred, if the heavens had chosen him, Old Zhu had to go along with it. So, be it! You’re the top scholar. As for Hua Lun, let him go to hell.

Thus, the names of the top scholar Hua Lun and the 118th-ranked Ding Xian were swapped.

It’s unknown if this penchant for looks or occult considerations ran in Old Zhu’s family, but during the reign of Emperor Jianwen, a similar incident occurred. The original top scholar, Wang Gen, was deemed too ugly by Emperor Jianwen, awarded the top scholar position to Hu Jing, citing “Unattractive, easily replaced by Hu Jing.”

Zhu Yunwen is not the Emperor Jianwen in history, and he doesn’t care much about looks. In later times, good looks can be monetized, like becoming a live streamer, attracting fans, and receiving gifts. However, in the Ming Dynasty, good looks wouldn’t guarantee a livelihood.

Don’t think just because you’re handsome, I’ll appoint you as the top scholar…