In this way, in a depressing and dull atmosphere, the palace examination came as scheduled.
Jiajing followed his past habits and left the entire matter to Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet. Yan Song had already formulated the exam questions a few days ago.
Before the exam started, Yan Song randomly selected a few test questions from those that had already been prepared as test questions for this exam.
In the Huangji Hall, there are dozens of tables neatly arranged. In order to ensure that the candidates can clearly read the questions on the test paper, all the candles are lit in the hall, and illiterate eunuchs are assigned to guard them at all times to prevent possible accidents. Accident.
And next, is the last test of this palace examination.
Seeing that it was almost time, Yan Song immediately gave the order to the official in charge of inspecting the examination room.
"It's almost time, let's get started!"
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
After the official responded respectfully, he whispered a few words to the subordinate beside him, and then the subordinate quickly left.
Not long after, the students who came to participate in the palace examination entered the Huangji Palace under the leadership of the guiding eunuch.
After taking their seats, many students present began to look at everything around them, perhaps to relieve their inner tension.
For some people, being able to reach the stage of the palace examination is already considered a success.
As long as you don't make too many mistakes and answer the exam papers safely, you can wait to become an official with peace of mind.
There are other students who are full of energy and look forward to it, pretending to be the number one scholar. For them, whether they can get a good ranking in the palace examination is extremely important!
If you rank high, you will have a high probability of being selected by the court as a Shujishi. A Shujishi is a close official of the emperor. He is responsible for drafting edicts and explaining scriptures to the emperor. But most importantly, a Shujishi is a senior official of the Ming Dynasty. Reserve talent for officials.
In the court, there is a saying: "Everyone who enters the court is from the common people!"
Being able to enter the cabinet was the lifelong dream of countless scholars in the Ming Dynasty. Countless students who read the classics were constantly striving for this ideal.
There is a saying that only by entering the cabinet can you be free from shackles and express your ambitions!
The test papers for this palace examination were quickly distributed, and many students who participated in the examination couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they saw the test questions above.
The question on the test paper is very simple, with only one short sentence: "The strategy adopted by the imperial court has always been to go from south to north. Now that the Japanese pirates in the south have been eliminated, how should we deal with the Tatars in the north?"
After Jiang Xiu saw this question, inspiration suddenly emerged in his mind, and he immediately put down his pen and paper and began to answer.
"The troubles in the world are the most unavoidable. It is called peace, but in fact there are unforeseen worries. Now that the Japanese pirates in the south have been eliminated, it should be..."
The exam usually lasts three hours, and soon it's time to hand in the paper.
All the students who can participate in this palace examination have gone through numerous selection processes. Therefore, there is no situation where the examination time is over and the answers have not been completed.
It was not until the corresponding officials collected the test papers that many students who participated in this palace examination breathed a sigh of relief.
Since rushing to the capital to take the imperial examination, these students have been in a state of high nervous tension every day and dare not relax at all.
Because once you relax, you will be caught up by competitors. If you work hard, others will work harder than you!
In order not to be caught up by others, these students invariably started the involution mode.
If you memorize the book for three hours today, fine, I will memorize it for five hours!
And along the way, no one knows how much hardship they suffered and how much they suffered. It was not until the moment the test papers were collected that the baggage in their hearts finally fell to the ground.
What's more, some students burst into tears on the spot. Some students were so sad when they saw this that they couldn't help but hide their faces and cry.
When the official who was responsible for inspecting the examination room saw this, he couldn't help but shook his head, then turned to his subordinates, sighed, and then boasted.
"Oh, these guys can't do it. I remember my time..."
…
When it comes to the stage of the palace examination, generally speaking, people will not be swiped. Even if it is not good, it will just be a little lower in the ranking.
The results of the palace examination will usually be announced two days later. After passing the palace examination, a series of activities such as roll call, thanksgiving, banquet, paying homage to the saints and teachers, setting up a monument with inscriptions, and compiling academic records will be held.
Those who can participate in the palace examination marking are all experienced officials, so the marking speed is very fast.
After Yan Song finished reviewing the test paper in front of him, he put it aside. The final ranking of the test paper reviewed by Yan Song was B-top.
Just as Yan Song was about to start reviewing the next test paper, a burst of exclamation came from not far away: "Ah... this, this, this..."
Yan Song looked around and saw an official responsible for reviewing the test papers suddenly stood up from his seat. His face was full of horror. He stretched out his hand and pointed at the test paper in front of him, trembling and speechless. .
When the colleagues on the side saw this, they couldn't help but move forward to check the situation. When they saw clearly what was written on the examination paper, they couldn't help but take a breath.
Then, these people turned their attention to Yan Song and said tremblingly: "Yan... Mr. Yan Ge, something... something big has happened!"
Seeing this, Yan Song couldn't help but frown, and immediately stood up from his seat, came to the previous official's desk, and looked at the contents of the examination paper particularly carefully.
"It is not advisable to integrate the government and gentry into paying grains..."
When Yan Song finished browsing all the contents of the examination paper, he immediately turned around and gave instructions in a deep voice to everyone.
"You continue to mark the papers, I will go to see His Majesty right away!"
Yan Song's words undoubtedly gave reassurance to many officials present.
After all, the chief minister of the cabinet is responsible for this matter. If the court investigates the responsibility by then, it will not be able to hold them accountable.
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
Seeing this situation, many officials present suppressed their inner panic and responded in unison.
"You, take this test paper and follow me!"
Seeing this, Yan Song nodded, immediately called his subordinates, and gave these instructions.
After explaining everything, Yan Song did not stay too long, but rushed to the Yangxin Hall without stopping.
After Yan Song left, the remaining officials couldn't help but start whispering.
"It's over now. Maybe all the students who participated in this palace examination will suffer!"
"Oh, yes, I don't know what this person is thinking..."
…
In the Yangxin Hall, when Jiajing heard the report from the guiding eunuch, his face was full of doubts.
"Yan Song, why is he looking for me at this time? Shouldn't he be grading papers?"
Afterwards, Jiajing suppressed his inner thoughts and gave instructions to the guiding eunuch.
"Forget it, let him in!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's specific instructions, the guiding eunuch left the Yangxin Hall respectfully.
After a while, Yan Song entered the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart under the guidance of the guiding eunuch.
Behind Yan Song, there was also a subordinate official. From the moment he entered the Yangxin Hall, this subordinate official had a look of panic on his face. Not only that, his body was shaking uncontrollably. stand up.
(End of chapter)
