Chapter 178: Announcing the Names, Bestowing a Banquet, and Conferring Official Positions

On the early morning of the fifth day, outside the Fengtian Gate, civil and military officials stood in formation on the left, while the three hundred and twenty successful candidates (jinshi) stood in formation on the right.

All the jinshi had changed into the attire befitting their newly acquired status – the attire of a jinshi, complete with a black square academic cap adorned with a hairpin and a black silk gown. Though their expressions were stern and deliberately serious, the joy in their eyes couldn’t be concealed.

Today, the ceremony of announcing the names began!

Announcing the names is a ritual during the palace examination, and it is the most solemn and grand ceremony of the entire process. This tradition originated in the second year of Emperor Taizong of the Northern Song Dynasty during the Yongxi era.

In a more straightforward sense, it’s like shouting at the top of your lungs:

Who, who, who, what’s your rank?

As the Fengtian Gate slowly opens, the newly minted jinshi can’t help but feel excited. The opening of this gate seems to symbolize the opening of their future. After ten years, no, twenty years of arduous studying behind closed doors, even decades of enduring the rigors of intense education, they have finally made it!

Stepping through this gate and hearing their own names means they have officially entered the imperial bureaucracy of the Ming Empire. Although they may not know what official position awaits them in the future, their lives have already undergone a profound transformation!

Who is the top scholar?

Who is the second-ranked scholar?

And who is the third-ranked scholar?

Could it be me?

Could it be him?

Excitement, nervousness, anticipation— as the Fengtian Gate opens, the breath of many becomes heavier.

As the Fengtian Gate fully opens, the drumming outside the Fengtian Gate begins.

Officials and jinshi alike adjust their attire. After the drumming subsides, officials enter the gate first, followed closely by the newly successful candidates stepping through the Fengtian Gate.

On the square outside the Fengtian Gate, officials stand solemnly waiting.

On both sides of the square, there are various processions, musicians, and hundreds of guards, imposing with long spears and adorned in bright armor, presenting a dignified atmosphere.

With the start of the ceremony, officials of fifth rank and above enter the hall as others, including the successful candidates, wait outside.

Zhu Yunwen, wearing ceremonial attire, ascends to his seat in the hall, and the officials and candidates all kneel, shouting long live.

“You may rise.”

Zhu Yunwen, with a warm smile, asks, “Where is Fang Xiaoru?”

“Here, Your Majesty.”

Fang Xiaoru steps forward.

“Is the yellow list prepared?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, it’s ready. Just awaiting the announcement, and then it can be posted outside the Wu Gate for everyone to see.”

Fang Xiaoru reports solemnly.

Zhu Yunwen nods slightly and says, “Very well, let’s begin.”

Fang Xiaoru respectfully withdraws.

Yang Shiqi, as the official in charge of the palace examination, holds the “Imperial Edict for Selecting Scholars” and walks to the left side of the main hall’s entrance. He loudly announces, “On the third day of the seventh month, Emperor Jianwen conducts the palace examination for scholars across the empire. The first-ranked candidates in the top three groups are granted the title of Jinshi and the corresponding official rank. The second-ranked candidates in the top three groups are granted the title of Jinshi but without an official position. The third-ranked candidates in the top three groups are also granted the title of Jinshi without an official position.”

His resonant voice echoes throughout the Fengtian Hall and beyond.

Hu Jing, Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, Yang Pu, and others stand behind the officials, feeling a sense of tension at this moment.

Yang Shiqi pauses and looks towards the young scholars. A faint smile appears on his lips, but he quickly assumes a solemn expression and begins announcing the names: “In the first group of the palace examination in the first year of the Jianwen era, the first-ranked candidate is Yang Rong!”

Four heralds outside the hall simultaneously declare, “In the first group of the palace examination in the first year of the Jianwen era, the first-ranked candidate is Yang Rong!”

Further back, another group of heralds repeats, “In the first group of the palace examination in the first year of the Jianwen era, the first-ranked candidate is Yang Rong!”

The name is proclaimed three times, making it known throughout the realm!

Yang Rong, feeling a surge of excitement, follows the guidance of the Ministry of Rites officials, steps forward, and kneels before the imperial road outside the hall. He expresses his gratitude, “I, Yang Rong, thank His Majesty for the great favor. Long live, long live, long live for countless ages!”

Yang Shiqi continues announcing names, “In the first group of the palace examination in the first year of the Jianwen era, the second-ranked candidate is Yang Pu!”

The heralds repeat the announcement.

Yang Pu steps forward and kneels to express his gratitude.

Yang Shiqi continues, “In the first group of the palace examination in the first year of the Jianwen era, the third-ranked candidate is Jin Youzi!”

…

Jin Youzi steps forward and kneels to express his gratitude.

Yang Rong, Yang Pu, and Jin Youzi, respectively crowned as the first, second place, and third place!

Sitting on the throne, Zhu Yunwen looks at the three kneeling figures in the distance, his eyes filled with delight.

This glory befits their talent and wisdom.

After announcing the names of the first tier, it’s the turn of the second tier, with Wang Gen as the first, Hu Jing as the second, Wu Pu as the third…

Unlike the first group, the second tier’s names are announced only once, and they don’t enjoy the privilege of being led out. They must walk out on their own and kneel to express their gratitude.

The second tier comprises 117 candidates, while the remaining 200 are in the third tier.

After the announcement, the scholars rise and perform the Three Kneel and Nine Kowtows to the Emperor, signifying their status as the Emperor’s scholars at that moment.

The announcement of the names doesn’t concern Zhu Yunwen much; he just comes out to make a show. Today’s protagonists are these scholars. After the announcement, officials and scholars exit with the Yellow List.

Outside the Wu Gate, Chang’an Street is already bustling, crowded with people. Countless merchants and commoners eagerly await.

As the Yellow List is posted, Yang Rong, Yang Pu, and Jin Youzi, along with other scholars, go to see their rankings. After checking the list, they go on a ceremonial stroll through the streets, a custom known as “walking the streets.”

The Ministry of Rites presents red robes and palace flowers. The first, second place, and third place, mounted on noble steeds and accompanied by a procession, advance with the beat of gongs, reveling in glory.

Spectators gaze in awe. Some parents press their sons’ heads, sternly shouting, “See, see! Study seriously! If you can achieve such honors in the future, your old man can rest in peace!”

For young boys who don’t fully understand, the glory seems enticing, and they can’t help but think, “If I could achieve such a feat, wouldn’t that be great?”

Rich merchants are more straightforward. Seeing the first place Yang Rong, one of them shouts, “Top scholar! Are you looking for a marriage partner? My daughter is unparalleled in beauty. If you’re willing, she’s yours, plus a dowry of a thousand taels!”

Yang Rong almost falls off his horse. This is getting out of hand.

Yang Pu, watching Yang Rong’s embarrassment, can’t help but burst into laughter.

“Second-ranked scholar, my family is a prominent merchant in Shanxi, and I also have a daughter, her age…”

Yang Pu was speechless.

Merchants are well aware that achieving the status of champion, second place, or third place is not easy. Instead, they focus on observing and wooing those who ranked in the second tier. Many offer money, properties, and even marriage proposals.

A vulgar man is unfit to boast,

But revelry now knows no coast.

Spring winds bring joy, horse hooves quick,

In a day, you witness all of Chang’an’s flowers.

Meng Jiao’s poem vividly depicts the triumphant feeling of those whose names have been inscribed on the golden list.

For the majority of scholars, the only way to make a name for themselves in this world is through the imperial examinations. The endless bitterness and prolonged struggles are transformed into a sense of pride and ease after being listed on the golden rolls. Laughing at Jinling, they enjoy the respect of the world.

The day after the list is posted, Zhu Yunwen holds a “Feast of Grace and Honor” with ministry of rites. Xie Jin and Yang Shiqi are assigned to serve at the feast, while Murong Jing’er and the members of the Arts Troupe perform.

After the feast, the top scholar, along with all the newly appointed scholars, proceeds to the Honglu Temple to learn about official etiquette.

After all, to be an official, one must learn to speak the official language. When someone asks if you spoke ill of them, you need to practice Tai Chi, saying a bunch of useful and useless things without admitting to anything negative.

The art of Taiji conversation requires skill and precision. One must also learn the fundamentals of etiquette, such as how to address someone when they are alive and what terms to use when they have passed away.

For instance, when encountering an ordinary official, how to greet them and what kind of salutations are appropriate. When facing a superior, the proper way to show respect and perform the appropriate gestures. And when dealing with someone of extremely high rank or status, how to conduct oneself in their presence.

After three days of learning etiquette, the top scorer needs to lead the other successful candidates to present a thanksgiving memorial.

Zhu Yunwen accepts their memorial with praise.

Minister of Rites Chen Di reported, “Your Majesty, I earnestly request the Ministry of Works to erect a monument for inscribing the names of the successful candidates.”

Zhu Yunwen readily agreed.

Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to preserving the list of successful candidates and was concerned that the list, if on paper, might be lost in a fire one day, resulting in significant loss. Therefore, he issued an order: for all candidates who passed the palace examination, to engrave their names on a monument.

These names would be inscribed on a stone monument at the Imperial Academy to convey two messages: one, to inform Confucius that his teachings have successors, and two, to advise future generations that to leave an eternal mark, they must study diligently.

Has the palace examination ended at this point?

Not yet.

The final stage of the palace examination system is the assignment of official positions.

According to the Ming Dynasty’s imperial regulations:

– The top scorer is appointed as a Senior Historiography Compiler, a position in charge of compiling and editing historical records.

– The second-place and the third-place are appointed as Junior Historiography Compiler responsible for editing and compilation.

These three individuals have secured their official positions.

But for the second and third-tier successful candidates, they still have to take another examination. After the examination, a number of outstanding candidates are selected to become Hanlin Bachelor, a position in the Hanlin Academy.

The remaining second and third-tier successful candidates can be appointed as Censors, secretaries, Palace Attendants, messengers, Reviewers, ministers, and Professors at the Imperial Academy. These positions are generally lower-ranking officials in the capital.

Of course, if you want to go to the countryside, and engage in poverty alleviation, you can also be appointed as Prefectural Judge, Prefect, or County Magistrate.

In other words, as long as you pass the imperial examination, at the very least, you can become a county magistrate.

To pass the palace examination, sing praises to officials, attend banquets of grace and honor, inscribe names on monument, and be granted official positions – these are all honors for civil officials.

Zhu Yunwen deeply disliked such excessive honors from the bottom of his heart because the collective glory of civil officials implied the weakening of military officials.

Emphasizing civil over military, letting civil dominate military, would create a certain situation, eventually evolving into a chronic ailment for the empire.

“Jiao Yong has military achievements, a good lad.”

“The one who sings outside Donghua Gate and becomes the top scholar is a good lad; how can this be considered a good lad!”

With a single stroke, Han Qi beheaded the renowned general Jiao Yong, and his head rolled onto the ground.

Only literary men are good lads!

This is the Song Dynasty dominated by literary men!

Although literary men cannot go to the battlefield or kill enemies, the ruthlessness of civil officials towards military officials far exceeds that of the Western Xia iron cavalry!

A significant portion of the courage of Song Dynasty literati is not because of external enemies but because of the military commanders who they killed.

Zhu Yunwen did not want the Ming Dynasty to face such a problem.

In Zhu Yunwen’s view, civil and military officials are like a person’s two legs; if one is missing, it becomes crippled.

Even with a crutch, a person cannot run fast.

When the wolves come, they will die.

It can be expected that if there is no intervention and the prosperity of civil rule continues for thirty years, when the old generals and soldiers of the Hongwu era die out, the new military commanders will only tremble in front of this group of powerful civil officials.

During the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, although the Five Army Commandery was on par with the Ministry of War, what is the Ministry of War? The Five Army Commandery was the boss.

After eliminating the Northern Yuan, the status of the Five Army Commandery began to decline, while the status of the Ministry of War rose, achieving a balance between the two.

But in the mid-Ming Dynasty, civil officials gained more power, and the strong were numerous. On the other hand, there were few who had been on the battlefield and could fight among the Five Army Commandery. At this time, what was the Five Army Commandery, the Ministry of War was the boss…

Prospering in civil matters while neglecting military affairs is a great taboo.

Zhu Yunwen sighed, realizing that it was necessary to revive the military examination system and give the military a redefined position.

In the early Ming Dynasty, there was no military examination system.

The military examination system in the Ming Dynasty was established by the “War God”^[1]Tl’s note: This is sarcasm Zhu Qizhen, probably because he was afraid of going hunting again and wanted to have bodyguards.

Zhu Yunwen speculated that this War God would not appear again, and the military examination system would have to rely on himself…

Just as Zhu Yunwen was contemplating the balance between civil and military, how to walk on two legs, Zhang Xianzong had already left Huai’an, sailed north, and was preparing to inspect the Sui River in Suzhou.

At this moment, a gust of wind swept open the curtains, and Zhang Xianzong walked out of the cabin. Before he could enjoy the cool breeze, his face was filled with panic.

The sky seemed to collapse, dark clouds gathered, and a lightning bolt had not yet escaped the black clouds before being swallowed.

The muffled thunder was like the sudden beating of war drums, the sound suddenly exploding and spreading over the canal, on both sides of the Yellow River…

Author PS:

The Yellow River channel in the Ming Dynasty is different from the current Yellow River channel, just to clarify…

The imperial examination is an unavoidable issue for feudal dynasties. Although I have read many historical novels, the descriptions of the imperial examination are often about rushing, exam halls, posting of results, passing the exam, and entering officialdom. This is actually inappropriate.

Behind the imperial examination, there are too many details and rules, which many books do not cover. After collecting materials and studying for several days, I boldly incorporated them into the text, explaining the rules, processes, and content of the imperial examination.

However, due to limitations in historical materials and personal proficiency in classical Chinese, there may be shortcomings. I hope everyone can understand and that it brings some different insights.

Please support with more encouragement, monthly votes, and recommendations. Thank you all.