Chapter 176: The palace examination questions is stepping stone to open the door.

This thorn is life-threatening.

In the fourth year of the Tian Shou ritual of the Western Xia (1041 AD), Zhang Yuan instigated and assisted Li Yuanhao in invading the Song Dynasty, leading to the outbreak of the Battle of Haoshui River, where the Song army suffered casualties of over ten thousand.

Looking at the bodies of the Song army scattered across Haoshui River, Zhang Yuan proudly wrote the poem: ‘Xia is not afraid to be arrogant, and Han Qi is not surprising enough. The dragon and tiger chariots fill the river, still boasting of military strategy.’ This verse was full of mockery towards the courtiers of the Song court.

It can be imagined that at that time, Zhang Yuan was venting his extreme anger. He probably gritted his teeth and silently thought: ‘I must overthrow the Song Dynasty, and let you know how big a mistake it was to repeatedly eliminate me in the palace examination!’

With Zhang Yuan as an example, those eliminated in the Song court’s palace examination also understood a simple truth: ‘If they don’t keep you here, there will be a place that values you.’

You keep screening, eliminate us, and we’ll go to Western Xia. They’re also recruiting people there, and the pay is higher.

Loyalty?

For the loyalty to your Song court, what we get is repeated elimination!

Life is limited. With bad luck, it’s three or four decades. With good luck, it’s five or six decades. If eliminated from the palace examination once, it means wasting three years. How many three-year periods can we afford to be delayed by you in our lifetime?

I’m done. I’m leaving.

The people of the Song Dynasty were not fools. Seeing one after another person leaving, especially those with the ability to cross borders illegally, coupled with the dark thoughts and strong revenge desires, aiming to destroy the Song became their lifelong goal.

Over the long term, how would this situation end?

Therefore, in the second year of Jiayou (1057), Emperor Renzong of Song personally presided over the palace examination. He spoke to everyone with a friendly and gentle tone:

“Take it easy, take your time during the exam, don’t feel pressured. Even if you can’t answer the questions, I still consider you a talented individual. It’s just a formality. After it’s over, all of you can stay and become officials.”

No one was expelled from the palace examination from this year onwards, and this practice continued as a precedent. In the Southern Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, they basically followed this system.

Therefore, Hu Jing and others can be spirited, with cheerful moods, without any worries.

Although Yang Rong did not want to drink, he couldn’t resist the urging of Hu Jing and Li Guan, and even Yang Pu was dragged along to the Qinhuai River’s Wenhong Pavillion.

Wuying Hall.

Fang Xiaoru finished reading Jin Youzhi’s test paper and handed it to Shuangxi. Then he took out another scroll and said, “Your Majesty, this scroll was written by Yang Rong, who ranked fourth in the examination. It’s titled ‘The Righteous Achievements for the World, the Great Benevolence.'”

“Read it.”

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head to review the articles of Wang Gen, Hu Jing, and Jin Youzhi.

Fang Xiaoru cleared his throat and read with fluctuating tones: “To assist a hegemon is to contribute to the world, as recognized by the sages… Considering the achievements of Guan Zhong in governing the world, Confucius praised him. Does this not indicate the recognition of virtue by others? Observing the present, when is it similar to the times of the Spring and Autumn Period?”

“Worried about the decline of the royal family, there was the gathering at Kuiqiu, swearing with the seriousness of five oaths, affirming it with trustworthy writings. Those who go against it shall be punished; those who follow it shall know the fear. Concerned about the invasion of the Yi and Di tribes, there was the calling of Ling, uniting eight countries to crush their edge. Making treaties with humility to win their goodwill, strategizing for the Xia, this is the beginning of being vigilant…”

“So, this is the achievement of Guan Zhong in governing the world. Bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders, he faced the north to request imprisonment without feeling ashamed; harboring ambitions for the world, he forgot about personal grievances against enemies. What objections could be raised against the kindness of Zigong…”

Zhu Yunwen raised his head, looking at Fang Xiaoru. This article provided an excellent explanation for “rectifying the world,” praising Guan Zhong while not avoiding his mistakes.

Taking a dialectical approach to problems demonstrated Yang Rong’s wisdom.

“Your Majesty, this paper is written by the fifth-place scholar in the provincial examination, Li Guan…”

Fang Xiaoru finished reading, preparing to continue.

Zhu Yunwen gently waved his hand, saying, “No need to continue. Minister Fang, for the essay question in the final examination, what topic do you suggest?”

Fang Xiaoru returned the papers and said, “This matter depends entirely on Your Majesty’s decision.”

Zhu Yunwen shook his head and said, “This is my first time presiding over the final examination, and my experience may be insufficient. Minister Fang, please speak frankly. It will help me consider the matter. How should the topic be decided?”

Fang Xiaoru looked at Zhu Yunwen, who was sincerely seeking advice, with a hint of a smile on his face. “Your Majesty, according to the decree of the third year of Hongwu, only one contemporary policy question is given in the final examination. Scholars are required to express their opinions directly, with the essay exceeding a thousand words. As for the content, it is somewhat broad.”

“Subjects may include the profound aspects of life and morality, the mechanisms of education and customs, the balance and relaxation of principles, the evolution of rituals and literature, the advancement and retreat of talent, the successes and failures of governance, as well as military affairs, land taxes, legal systems, and water conservancy, etc. All the major aspects of the state and the urgent matters of the time, the things that should be heard at the top and done at the bottom, can serve as the basis for the essay.”

Zhu Yunwen furrowed his brows slightly; the scope of this examination seemed a bit too broad.

Multiple options, one choice.

The palace examination, also known as the imperial examination, court examination, royal examination, or palace-front examination, is an examination presided over by the emperor in the imperial court.

The examination question is a contemporary policy question.

For those who wish to study the national policies and governance trends of a dynasty, a useful research tool is the contemporary policy question.

The key to the contemporary policy question lies not only in the policy itself but also in the two words “contemporary affairs.”

For example, in the fourth year of Hongwu, when Zhu Yuanzhang presided over the palace examination, the question was “Respect for Heaven, Diligence in Serving the People, Understanding Ethics, and Cultivating Customs.” Students must remember this well. For anyone who becomes an official later and submits memorials or reports, as long as it aligns with “Respect for Heaven, Diligence in Serving the People, Understanding Ethics, and Cultivating Customs,” congratulations, Emperor Zhu will appreciate you.

If you, on the other hand, want to provoke trouble and discuss why “someone” who has achieved merits should not be executed, then Old Zhu will send you to find that “someone.”

Another example is in the eighteenth year of Hongwu, when Zhu Yuanzhang set the question as “Selecting Officials and Rectifying Governance.” You scholars must be careful. Don’t emulate the predecessors who got their heads chopped off. It’s best to be an honest person, not corrupt, not causing trouble, not insulting others, not borrowing money, not making enemies…

Also, in the thirtieth year of Hongwu, feeling that his days were numbered, Zhu Yuanzhang, to help Zhu Yunwen ascend the throne, presided over the palace examination with the question “Assisting the Monarch and Daring to Offer Advice.” The meaning is clear: I, Zhu Yuanzhang, am about to leave. My grandson is taking over. All of you must assist him well and courageously offer advice, correcting his mistakes…

Regardless of the time, the contemporary policy question in the palace examination is always an interesting thing. It is not a simple question; within it, there is a reflection of the current court’s dilemmas, urgent problems that need solving, or issues that are about to be addressed.

For example, in history, the palace examination question during the reign of Emperor Jianwen was “Implement benevolent governance, punish the wicked and stubborn.” The implication was: Zhu Di is a scoundrel, an extremely wicked and evil person, stubborn and unwise. You tell me, how can we get rid of Zhu Di…

In that year’s palace examination, whoever cursed Zhu Di the most, whoever proposed the most ideal method to eliminate Zhu Di, whoever could boast the most and comfort Zhu Yunwen’s wounded soul the best, their ranking would undoubtedly be at the forefront.

However, it’s lamentable that many of those who once contemplated how to get rid of Zhu Di later kneeled before Zhu Di.

In a sense, the palace examination question is, in fact, a magical tool for promotion.

If you have a good grasp of the emperor’s pulse, isn’t it easy to prescribe the right medicine?

To combat corrupt officials, after passing the examination, you could submit memorials daily, pinpointing the harm caused by corrupt officials and demanding the restoration of Legalist policies to severely punish corrupt officials. How could Zhu Yuanzhang not be pleased?

To assist a wise monarch, after passing the examination, praise Zhu Yuanzhang’s Crown Prince, envision the future prospects. How could Zhu Yuanzhang not keep you around to serve the Crown Prince?

To eliminate Zhu Di, just criticize Zhu Di every day, speak ill of him, provide suggestions on how to deal with Zhu Di—how can the emperor not think:

This fellow suits my taste. Promote him, and let him accomplish great things.

It’s unclear what those officials who haven’t been promoted for ten years did after getting into office. Such a good path for advancement, the bridge is already laid out. Why insist on standing on the bank and waiting for the boat to come?

Sometimes the boat just won’t come…

Now Zhu Yunwen also needs to consider the issue of selecting the subject for the current affairs policy. This not only concerns the direction of the next governance but also determines whether Zhu Yunwen can find suitable talents to control the court.

After contemplating for a long time, Zhu Yunwen finally picked up the brush and wrote:

“Imperial Edict:

In the past, the successive sages achieved great unification and governed the world, establishing principles, expounding regulations, and illuminating propriety and music. The people were prosperous, and the nation flourished.

Surveying the vast land of China, although there is smoke rising from cooking fires and the population is gradually increasing, peace reigns in all directions, and the people cultivate their fields in safety. Merchants thrive in their businesses, the military guards the frontiers, and craftsmen contribute to the prosperity of the nation. Scholars enlighten the common people.

However, the Great Ming still faces external threats, such as the northern nomads, the Dada and the Wala, who are vigilant and militarized, ready for any disturbance. In the southwest, the mountainous regions are in constant turmoil, and along the coastal areas, there are frequent disturbances…”

“I desire to govern the country on a grand scale, reviving the achievements of the Han and Tang dynasties, leaving a flourishing age for the myriad people. However, the internal affairs are not well-maintained, the guard posts are difficult to revive, the literati are uneasy, corruption and abuse of power are rampant, and the government is plagued by complexities, restraining me.

How to pacify the nation, how to prosper the country, and how to govern the country on a grand scale? You, scholars, express your opinions in writing, and I will personally review them.”

Zhu Yunwen put down the brush and looked at Fang Xiaoru, saying, “Come, let’s see how it is.”

Fang Xiaoru walked forward, carefully examined it, and took two steps back to bow, saying, “Choosing the governance of the country as the subject for the current affairs policy shows Your Majesty’s broad vision, encompassing myriad concerns. This policy, in my opinion, is quite appropriate.”

Zhu Yunwen smiled lightly and said, “So be it. Tomorrow evening, entrust the printing office to engrave and print it.”

“”I have seen this proposal, and it is not appropriate to leave. I request go to the printing office to rest.”

Fang Xiaoru had a strong sense of confidentiality.

Zhu Yunwen shook his head slightly and said, “The Printing office has imposed too much hardship on you. How about this, you take a break in the grand secretariat for two days. After the palace examination starts, I still need you to be the chief examiner for reading the papers.”

Fang Xiaoru expressed his gratitude repeatedly. Seeing that Zhu Yunwen had no other matters, he withdrew.

Zhu Yunwen drafted a list and handed it to Shuangxi, saying, “This is the list of examiners and officials. Notify them. No delays are allowed during the palace examination.”

Shuangxi took the list and quickly left.

The palace examination is not just a matter of bringing in 320 scholars, asking a few questions, and then finishing. This is an examination that requires a temporary organization similar to the one during the provincial examination. However, the provincial examination organization is relatively stable, with personnel drawn from the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Hanlin Academy.

But the organization for the palace examination is not stable. It is only a temporary department, but it also needs officials such as the superintendent, chief examiner, supervisor, recipient, sealer, recorder, inspector, engraver, and supplier.

However, the selection of these personnel will not be restricted to a specific department, especially the chief examiner, which needs to be personally designated by the emperor. It can be someone with the rank of a deputy minister from the Six Ministries, or it can be someone with the rank of a minister, or even handed over to the grand secretaries.

For confidentiality, all personnel who have seen the palace examination questions are not allowed to contact the outside world and cannot move freely.

The printing of the palace examination questions will only be completed in the six hours before the palace examination begins, i.e., the evening before the palace examination starts.

While the scholars were sleeping and resting, the people at the Printing office engraving workshop were busy engraving the blocks. With only two hundred characters, it didn’t take long to engrave a few blocks. After that, they worked overnight to print the 320 copies, which wouldn’t take much time.

By the time it was bright, the palace examination questions were already prepared with ink and paper, ready to be sealed in the box. They would only be sent into the imperial hall before the palace examination began, waiting for the emperor’s decree to take out the examination papers for the palace examination.

On the third day of July, Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yunwen personally presided over the palace examination. The 320 scholars lined up in eight rows, kneeling and bowing as they entered the hall.

After the ceremonial music, Zhu Yunwen swept his expectant gaze over the crowd and solemnly said, “You are the elites of our Great Ming, the pillars of the future court, and you will write extensive essays on the world, speak straightforwardly, do not hesitate even if you make mistakes, and have no reservations. Since you are all prepared, let us begin the examination.”