Early the next morning, Xiao Chen changed into court clothes, entered the palace, and came to the East Pavilion of the Wenhua Hall, where the papers were scored.
"Master Xiaohou, just come and take charge. It will save me from feeling uneasy. After all, this is my first time doing this errand, so I'm worried that something might go wrong." Liu Qiheng, Jiang Tiansheng and other file readers have all arrived. , see him coming, welcome him happily.
"Isn't this my first time? The emperor made a sudden appointment yesterday, which caught me off guard. I haven't figured out the procedures yet, so I came here a little early and wanted to ask you for advice first." Xiao Chen said.
"Actually, there is nothing wrong with the procedure." Jiang Tiansheng said, "It's just that it's difficult to rank first. Since ancient times, there has been no first-class essay. When I first marked the papers, I felt that all the papers were good, but I could only choose from them. Three hundred people have come, which has almost exhausted our energy and energy, and now we have to select the first, second and third, which is really not easy."
"In short, everyone just needs to handle it impartially." Xiao Chen said, "The emperor sent us to do this errand, which is his trust in us. Everyone needs to be careful and not let down the emperor's favor."
After a while, Gong Shouli arrived, surrounded by a group of people, holding the test papers. Under everyone's supervision, he opened the sealed test papers and distributed them to thirty readers.
There are a total of 300 articles. Each reader reviews ten articles and selects the best one to hand over to the chief reader. Then several chief readers select three articles from among them and submit them to the emperor. It is up to the emperor to decide whether to win, and then personally rank the Dingjia.
Of the 2,000-word article, the readers actually read ten articles each very quickly. They each selected one article in the morning, reviewed it again after dinner, and then submitted it all together, leaving the rest The next time is to separate the second-class and third-class teams.
Several chief examiners read ten papers and each selected the three papers they thought were the best, and then everyone held a public discussion.
"Master Marquis, my lords, although the intention of this paper is good, it is just too exciting and unruly, right?" Feng Shi, a student at the Hanlin Academy, picked up a paper selected by Liu Qiheng and expressed doubts, "The writing is also very ordinary. , and there are so many biased words, it seems inappropriate to go up to heaven to listen."
"The questions in the Emperor's Palace Examination mainly focus on policy theory, and writing is secondary." Liu Qiheng said.
"Master Feng said that the intention was good, but the lower officials felt that the intention was too big." Zhang Wuzheng, the minister of Honglu Temple, said, "In addition, many of the meanings discussed in this paper exceed the limit of the examination questions, and there are many comments that criticize current affairs. , it is indeed inconvenient to submit it to the emperor."
"When discussing policy, it is natural to express your opinions independently. It is better to speak in a big way than in a limited way." Liu Qiheng said, "If it is too restrictive, it will go against our emperor's way of selecting scholars. What do you think, Mr. Xiaohou? "
"Oh... I think what Mr. Liu Qiheng said is reasonable." Xiao Chen took the test paper and took a look at it, "This paper is really different. Every word is full of atmosphere. Although the words are a little exciting and bold, But the principle is right, and it would be a pity not to take it... If you follow my opinion, just put it at the bottom."
Xiao Chen and Liu Qiheng both said so, and Zhang Zhengwu and Feng Shi were speechless.
There is basically no controversy over the other two articles. Everyone here has been admitted to the imperial examination and has been a member of the Hanlin Academy. They have a very sophisticated eye when reading articles. They can basically tell which one is better and which one is worse at a glance.
Seeing that the time was almost up, he immediately agreed on three articles, took the remaining seven unsuccessful ones with him, and headed straight for the Wenhua Hall.
Emperor Li Wanjiang has been waiting here for a long time.
Xiao Chen, Liu Qiheng, and Feng Shi read three papers aloud respectively, and then handed the papers to Gong Shouli, the eunuch in charge of the ceremonial department. Gong Shouli then sent the papers to the emperor's imperial case for the emperor to review in person.
"This article is the best!" Li Wanjiang picked up the first test paper and glanced at it twice, then he said, "It's good to listen to it, and it's even better to read it. Our top pick in the Great Zhou Dynasty should be so good." !”
"Your Majesty, please don't be busy. There are two more articles left. Let's read them first." Xiao Chen said with a smile.
"Haha, I've heard them all, but I don't even need to read them." Li Wanjiang smiled and picked up the second copy, "This one is also quite good. If I didn't have the first prize, it would be really difficult for me to choose, so I would give it the second place. ."
Li Wanjiang said this to praise the two articles for being well written, but it also showed his trust in the examiner. Otherwise, it would be impossible to directly determine the ranking, because as usual, he would have to read the remaining seven articles before doing it. He has made up his mind now without looking at it, which shows that he is very sure about the eyesight of his beloved ladies.
Everyone is happy in their hearts. After working for so long, it is finally over and they can all breathe a sigh of relief.
"This article...huh?" Li Wanjiang glanced at the paper and his expression suddenly changed.
The hearts of the few lovers below felt a little thump in their hearts, and their expressions also changed.
Feng Shi and Zhang Zhengwu thought they were cheating on Lou Zi, right? I told you that this article is not suitable for the emperor to read, but you, the Marquis and Mr. Liu, just don’t listen and insist on being stubborn! Now, it’s obvious that the emperor is not happy... He read quickly just now, and the emperor may not have heard some words clearly, but now he understands it clearly, it’s our turn to be unlucky, what the hell, the last one, it’s still messed up. !
"Is this Li Xilu from Jingzhou?" Li Wanjiang finished reading the article attentively, touched his chin and pondered for a long time before suddenly asking.
"Replying to the emperor, it is Jingzhou's son." Liu Qiheng said hurriedly.
"How old are you?" Li Wanjiang didn't ask such detailed questions about the No. 2 pick.
"Seventeen years old." Liu Qiheng said.
"Li Xilu, from Jingzhou, seventeen years old? Hahaha, can you write such sharp articles at such a young age?" Li Wanjiang suddenly raised his head and laughed, "And this tone is too arrogant!"
Feng Shi was reading this paper just now. Feng Shi was over sixty years old and had a chronic problem of asthma. He also had a strong local accent and had to pronounce the paper with pauses, so he spoke intermittently and in a high-pitched voice. His speech was low and his words were unclear, so when he read the paper just now, Li Wanjiang really didn't hear clearly, but he saw it clearly just now.
But Feng Shi was also a veteran minister and a famous person today. Although Li Wanjiang didn't hear the truth, he didn't say anything.
"I'm guilty!" Xiao Chen and others didn't know whether Li Wanjiang was really happy, or whether he was angry and laughing. No matter what, it was the most reliable thing to bow his head and admit his guilt first.
"What crime are you guilty of?" Li Wanjiang laughed to himself, "Although the language in this article is a little a little agitated and bold, the truth is still correct and it is full of atmosphere. It is true that a young man can have such insight. It’s not easy...but I can’t give him this Tanhua.”
"Your Majesty, why is this?" Xiao Chen asked, "Since the article is Chinese, he should be chosen!"
"Hmph, this is what you, Xiao Chen, got, right?" Although Li Wanjiang's tone was not pleasant, the smile on his face was extremely bright.
