Time passed, and by noon, other candidates were still deep in thought.
With such a perverse question, you finally broke through the topic, thought of the supporting sentences, established the theme, and constructed a rigorous structure. A four to five hundred character "Gu Hong" was finally completed.
But as soon as they thought of the two subsequent essays, "Gu Yan" and "Gu Mi," all their inspiration vanished. Their abundant literary talent was exhausted on the first essay, "Gu Hong," leaving them with nothing for the rest...
Unlike writing at home, speed was not important in the imperial examinations as long as the papers were submitted on time; the quality of the essays was paramount. Zhan Feiyu put down her brush and stretched her stiff body.
Could Chen Xue zheng have deliberately set such an obscure and fragmented question to make things difficult for her?
Thinking that she might have caused trouble for the candidates from Nanxuan Prefecture and the three neighboring prefectures, Zhan Feiyu felt inexplicably guilty. She really feared being ambushed and decided she must bring He Sheng with her when she went out in the future.
Upon hearing the soldiers announce the time, Zhan Feiyu opened her exam basket and took out the food prepared by He Nuan.
The beef jerky was cut into thin strips, with a light salty aroma. A few pieces were enough to satisfy her hunger.
Next were the rice cakes, steamed from a mixture of rice flour and glutinous rice flour. They were soft and chewy, unsweetened, and had a bland flavor. Each piece was only about the size of a little finger and square. A small bowl was equivalent to a bowl of rice.
After a few sips of water, lunch was hastily finished.
Feeling drowsy after eating and drinking, Zhan Feiyu paid no mind to the surprised glances of the patrolling soldiers. After tidying up her belongings, she lay down on the table for a short nap.
Despite the presence of thousands of candidates, it was still very quiet. The heat at noon was perfect for a midday nap.
Chen Xue zheng, who had also finished his meal and was resting, put down his teacup and asked, "You're saying she's sleeping?"
"Yes." The clerk was extremely respectful, reporting to Chen Xue zheng not only when Zhan Feiyu rested and ate, but also what she ate.
If it weren't for the inconvenience of the patrolling soldiers looking at the exam papers, it was likely that every detail of how Zhan Feiyu answered the questions would have been reported.
With half-closed eyes, Chen Xue zheng tapped rhythmically on the table. He detested Zhan Feiyu the most, but as the head of the Chen family, Chen Xue zheng did not underestimate Zhan Feiyu. Her title as the top scholar in the prefectural examination was not merely for show.
Could it be that this time the exam questions would not stump Zhan Feiyu? With this thought, Chen Xue zheng's eyes darkened instantly. However, thinking of the plan he had already put in place, he regained his usual serious and stern demeanor. "Have someone keep an eye on her, but do not disturb Zhan Feiyu."
The three Four Books questions were enough to drive the candidates present mad, and with the final addition of the trial poem, this prefectural examination was simply unbearable. By the end of the exam, a small half of the candidates had not finished writing.
"I still have one Four Books essay left, let me write..." A candidate cried out, but upon seeing the fierce faces of the soldiers, he immediately slumped to the ground as if he had lost his parents.
"I only have one sentence left, I'm finishing up, don't snatch my brush!"
"I'm not taking the exam anymore, I'll never take it again!"
A younger candidate shouted angrily, and with a whoosh, he tore up his exam paper. Before the exam, they were all full of confidence, but now they were like stray dogs, wishing they could beat the chief examiner to death.
It was estimated that they had all performed so poorly that no one paid attention to Zhan Feiyu anymore. They all hung their heads, their faces dusty and dejected. If one didn't know better, one would think they had returned from a battle on the frontier, not from their examination cells.
"Xiao Yu." Qi Heng's voice was a little choked when he spoke.
After the kidnapping, Qi Heng also realized the importance of power and status. Upon returning from Fengzhou, he buried himself in his studies, hoping to achieve fame in the prefectural examination, but now...
The little fatty's eyes reddened as he thought of his own essays.
Standing in the corner, Zhan Feiyu patted Qi Heng on the shoulder, "Look around, whose face shows any joy? Everyone performed poorly. As long as you don't do worse than others, it's fine."
Qi Heng looked around. All the faces were resentful. Fortunately, it was still light, otherwise, if it were night, one would think they were seeing a group of resentful ghosts who died with their eyes open.
"This is like a group of people encountering wolves on a mountain. You don't need to run very fast; you just need to run faster than the last person." Zhan Feiyu decided that after they returned, she would definitely write to her teacher. With this level of question setting, it would be a disservice to the Censorate if they did not impeach Chen Xue zheng.
Qi Heng thought about it and nodded in agreement, but because he had performed so poorly, he still couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
Three days later, Gu Qingzhou, who was far away in the capital, received a letter from Nanxuan Prefecture as soon as he left his home. He knew it was from his little disciple without even looking.
After the morning court, he was still kept behind by the Emperor alone.
In the imperial study, the Emperor, seated on the dragon throne, suddenly asked, "The prefectural examinations in Jiangnan Dao are almost over. How did your little disciple perform?"
Gu Qingzhou smiled at this and stood up to reply, "The prefectural examination has already concluded, but this time four prefectures took the exam together. The grading will take at least half a month."
The Emperor couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Zhan Feiyu's remark about the great鲲 not fitting into one pot, and his majestic demeanor lessened a bit. "Does that little girl have a chance to achieve a triple crown?"
If any of the princes saw the Emperor speaking so kindly about Zhan Feiyu, they would likely become jealous and then think about how to win her over.
The adult princes were all married, but he was not yet of age. However, he had suitable cousins on his mother's side. If a marriage alliance were successful, why would Gu Xue shi and those scholars not support him?
"Although I sent Bing zhi over, Chen Xue zheng is the chief examiner. The triple crown is uncertain." Gu Qingzhou did not hesitate to speak ill of Chen Xue zheng.
Not to mention anything else, but when they were in Fengzhou, the Chen family did not dare to kidnap Zhan Feiyu, but they could not swallow their anger and ended up retaliating by kidnapping Qi Heng. Gu Xue shi was too lazy to comment on this; no one with a brain would do something like that.
The Emperor thought of his eldest son, who had a somewhat volatile temperament. Well, it seemed the Chen family's bloodline was like this, lacking a sense of stability and prone to impulsive anger.
Gu Qingzhou took out the unopened letter. "I received this just before the morning court. The little girl must have written it as soon as the prefectural examination ended. I suspect she didn't do well. If the girl says anything rebellious, please forgive her."
Eunuch Liu was slightly surprised. Was Gu Xue shi going to let the Emperor review the letter first? Wasn't he worried that Zhan Feiyu might have written something inappropriate in the letter?
But looking at the smiling Gu Xue shi, Eunuch Liu had to admire his methods. This seemingly casual gesture not only showed Gu Xue shi's loyalty to the Emperor but also conveyed his loyalty to Zhan Feiyu in Nanxuan Prefecture.
The master and disciple had nothing to hide from the Emperor, so even private letters could be shown to the Emperor.
As the chief eunuch serving the Emperor, Eunuch Liu opened the letter and handed it to the Emperor, who was seated on the dragon throne. The wax seal was still intact, indicating that Gu Xue shi had indeed not opened the letter.
"Perhaps the little girl is writing to report good news to you." The Emperor smiled. This was not the first time he had read Zhan Feiyu's letters to Gu Xue shi. Her handwriting was indeed pleasing to the eye, and the young girl was diligent.
As he read, the Emperor couldn't help but laugh heartily, pointing at Gu Qingzhou, who was leisurely drinking tea below. "Your little disciple is mischievous. She's complaining to you."
"I only have this one disciple, and the little girl only has me as her teacher. We are master and disciple who depend on each other." Gu Xue shi feigned a sorrowful expression, but with a smile on his face, it was clear he was enjoying Zhan Feiyu's closeness and dependence.
Although Zhan Feiyu was young, she was sensible. Most of her letters were about everyday matters and did not involve political affairs, so Gu Qingzhou had no worries about her letters being inappropriate.
"Eunuch Liu, give the letter to Master Gu and let him make the decision for his little disciple." The Emperor had many princes and princesses, but the children in the palace grew up early and lacked the joy of family life.
Reading Zhan Feiyu's letters to Gu Qingzhou always made the Emperor feel happier. The young girl studied diligently, but she was also fond of acting spoiled in private. Her letters were full of dependence, which made the Emperor want to issue an imperial decree to summon Zhan Feiyu to the capital.
Eunuch Liu handed the letter back to Gu Qingzhou again and then quietly retreated to a corner to stand.
Zhan Feiyu's letter was still somewhat childish: Teacher, I want to tell you something. Around October, Ming San's Vocational Skills Academy will begin enrollment. However, the academy has just been built, and weeds have grown all around the front and back of the building.
Ming San told me that this year the students of Guangye Hall will be tasked with weeding for half a month. Next year, the students of Chengxin Tang will do it, and in the third year, the students of Shuai Xing Tang will do it. It will be fair and just, with no deception.
Ming San modeled the system of the Vocational Skills Academy after the Imperial College. Those who enroll in the first year will enter Guangye Hall. After one year, they will be promoted to Chengxin Tang, and in the third year, they will be promoted to Shuai Xing Tang. Within three years, as long as they study diligently, they can master a skill and be considered to have graduated.
Gu Qingzhou put away the letter and shook his head helplessly. "The little girl is not focusing on her studies, but at least she is working for the welfare of the people."
"Alright, this girl is complaining to you. This year's prefectural examination was presided over by Chen Minzhong, and the provincial examination three years from now will also be presided over by Chen Minzhong. The little girl is dissatisfied." The Emperor shamelessly exposed Zhan Feiyu's small personal intention. "She is worried that when she takes the metropolitan examination, I will again appoint Min Zhong as the chief examiner."
Chen Xue zheng's six years as the academic administrator of Jiangnan Dao was definitely a grace from the Emperor. After his term ended, the Emperor would certainly transfer Chen Xue zheng back to the capital, perhaps bestowing him the title of Grand Scholar with little real power. When Zhan Feiyu took the metropolitan examination, Chen Minzhong might indeed be the chief examiner.
"If her supervising scholar were Chen Minzhong, I would be the first to object." Gu Xue shi showed a look of disgust. Zhan Feiyu had taken a disciple early, so even though her supervising scholar only held an honorary title, the thought of it was repulsive.
The Emperor couldn't help but laugh. Although he didn't say anything, he had already noted this matter. At least he would not let Chen Xue zheng preside over Zhan Feiyu's prefectural, provincial, and metropolitan examinations.
...
Nanxuan Prefecture.
After the first official round of the prefectural examination, a group of dejected young scholars returned to their respective residences. If they hadn't been worried about eavesdropping, they would have cursed the chief examiner, Chen Xue zheng, to the heavens.
What kind of hatred or grievance was this? Had the candidates of this cohort dug up the Chen family's ancestral graves in their past lives, otherwise, how could Chen Xue zheng have set such perverse exam questions?
Meanwhile, in the prefectural office, the anonymizing official folded the exam papers, concealed the candidates' names, assigned them red numbers, and then handed them over to the scribes responsible for copying.
The scribes would then copy the exam papers in vermilion ink, which was also known as "vermilion scrolls." All vermilion scrolls were then sent to the grading officials for review.
When the results were posted, the original black scrolls would be retrieved based on the red numbers of the selected vermilion scrolls, and then the names would be called out and posted.
The room was brightly lit. At the desks, the scribes responsible for copying were writing furiously. To prevent cheating, these scribes were also drawn from various prefectures to avoid collusion between candidates and scribes, and to prevent them from leaving special marks on the papers.
"Lord Hu." A stack of vermilion scrolls, fifty in total, was presented to the supervising official, Lord Hu, after being copied.
"Put them down." Hu Bing zhi was also a Jinshi graduate, but he was pedantic and inflexible. Even in the Hanlin Academy, he had offended people and narrowly escaped imprisonment.
Gu Xue shi, as the head of the Hanlin Academy, naturally protected his subordinates in the academy. After some maneuvering, Hu Bing zhi was appointed to the prefectural school of Qing'an Prefecture.
This time, Chen Xue zheng arranged for the prefectural examinations of Qing'an Prefecture to be held together in Nanxuan Prefecture, and Hu Bing zhi was one of the grading officials.
If it were other officials, they would generally check the vermilion scrolls by randomly selecting a few. However, Hu Bing zhi was different. He checked them one by one, ensuring that all fifty vermilion scrolls had no problems before stacking them with the previous vermilion scrolls. After all the papers were copied, he personally delivered them to the grading room to be given to the chief examiner, Chen Xue zheng.
Late at night, not only were the scribes tired from copying, but Hu Bing zhi was also feeling weary.
The junior clerk beside him quickly brewed a cup of strong tea and handed it over. "My lord, please have some tea, ah..."
The junior clerk's exclamation broke the silence in the room.
The ten scribes who were copying looked up. The junior clerk's legs were probably numb from standing for so long. He stumbled and spilled half of the hot tea onto Hu Bing zhi's long robe.
"My lord, would you like to change your clothes in the inner room?" The junior clerk looked terrified. Not only was a higher rank able to suppress a lower rank, but Hu Bing zhi was also stern and unsmiling, appearing to be a solitary and indifferent person.
Looking at his robe stained with tea and tea leaves, any ordinary, particular official would have changed his clothes at this moment. However, Hu Bing zhi said in a deep voice, "It's alright. Just get a cloth to wipe it."
"Yes." Seeing that Lord Hu was not going to pursue the matter, the junior clerk's pale face finally relaxed a little.
After the anonymizing, copying, and cross-referencing were completed, three days had passed since the first round of the prefectural examination. Nearly a thousand vermilion scrolls were sent to the grading room. In addition to the chief examiner Chen Xue zheng, Zhang Cheng li and Hu Bing zhi were also present as grading officials.
There were also several grading officials whom Chen Xue zheng had transferred from the prefectural schools, and the last few were the heads of several academies in Jiangnan Dao. Two of them were renowned great scholars in the literary world.
As for the second round of re-examination, Chen Xue zheng had not yet decided whether to hold it or not. It was likely to depend on the results of the first round.