In the county school, Hai Rui was giving an unexpected lecture to three people.
The day for the county examination is out, it's the tenth day of February.
In fact, at the county level, the imperial examination is not that serious.
The reason is also very simple. There are three exams for boys. The county exam is just a qualification exam. If you pass the county exam, you only get the qualification for the government exam.
Hai Rui did not teach the Four Books and Five Classics today, but taught the three people the rules of the county examination.
"You can go to the ceremony room to sign up in the next few days. After signing up, you will have to hand in 20 check papers and 20 pieces of plain paper."
The answer sheets and draft papers for the county examination must be prepared by the candidates themselves. However, in order to prevent cheating in the examination, these papers must be handed over to the county government office in advance. After the inspection is completed, they will be distributed to all candidates.
In fact, only three answer sheets and nine manuscript papers are used when taking the actual answer sheet. The remaining papers will naturally not be returned to the candidates, but will be used as county government office paper.
Su Ze couldn't help but complain, these people don't let go of anything.
Hai Rui continued: "You all know the process of the county examination, right? Let me explain the precautions again."
"There are three county examinations. The first test is about the meaning of the classics, one each from "The Meanings of the Four Books" and "The Meanings of the Five Classics", and one poem in the style of writing."
"The most important thing in this dynasty is the classics and meanings, and candidates are mainly tested on the first day of the exam. As long as the classics and meanings are clear, as long as the pronunciation and rhyme of the personal poems are correct, it is enough. After that, the candidates will basically not be kicked out in the second two tests."
People at that time attached great importance to the eight-part essay, and some private schools didn't even bother to teach the latter two exam contents. Anyway, as long as you pass the classics and meaning, you can pass the exam, so why waste time on other things.
Hai Rui continued: "In the second examination of Zhaohao's Expression Judgment Theory, as long as there are no problems with the format and don't say anything rebellious, it will not depose anyone."
After saying this, Hai Rui glanced at Su Ze. He already recognized Su Ze's ability in classics and meanings, but he was afraid that he would become overheated and write some reactionary content in the paper.
Regarding the theory of imperial edicts and judgments, imperial edicts are official documents from the yamen, imperial edicts are commendation documents, and judgments are judgments. These are the writing of official documents, as long as the format is correct.
"The last step is policy analysis. In the past, deposing people was mostly a taboo issue. The county examination is not the palace examination, so it's all right."
Since the birth of the imperial examination, the focus of the examination has also undergone many changes.
The general trend is from the Tang Dynasty where the most emphasis was on "literary", to the Song Dynasty where the most emphasis was on "Lun", and then on to the Ming Dynasty where the most emphasis was on "Classics".
The poetry that was valued in the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty was personal literary quality.
In the Tang Dynasty, the imperial examination was not the only way to become an official. In the Tang Dynasty, there were also wealthy families with five surnames and seven hopes, and becoming a non-commissioned officer was far less valuable than in the Ming Dynasty.
In the imperial examinations of the Tang Dynasty, poems were used to select scholars, which also led to serious fraud in the entire imperial examination. It was common to write papers before the examination. Many literati would give poems to powerful people to gain literary fame, or rely on powerful people to get recommendations.
The Song Dynasty learned from the lessons of the Tang Dynasty and began to place less emphasis on poetry and prose. Instead, it focused on practical policy, that is, the writing of policy essays.
However, there is another problem with the writing of practical policy papers, and that is unfairness to children from poor families.
Of course everyone knows that policy essays are used to recruit talents who are useful to the country, but can ordinary people write about policy essays?
Children from poor families may not even be able to afford the Four Books and Five Classics, let alone Qin and Han prose and history books.
The policy theory of the Song Dynasty should have both literary talent and arguments, and the arguments were naturally accumulated from daily reading.
Scholars from poor families are naturally at a disadvantage in the policy exam. This is similar to if the college entrance examination not only tests language and mathematics, but also tests music, art and scientific research results, this thing is not for ordinary people.
Another shortcoming of the policy theory results is that they are too directional.
All important officials in the Song Dynasty must know that Gongju means presiding over an imperial examination.
The ministers who know the Gongju can admit candidates according to their own preferences and political stances based on their opinions. The political leanings of the admitted candidates will definitely be the same as those of the examiners who know the Gongju.
Therefore, in the Song Dynasty, the old and new party members fought for several generations, and the imperial examination became a tool of party struggle.
In the Ming Dynasty, the previous lessons were learned again. Although poems and policy discussions were still there, they were no longer the main content of the examination.
The test is on the "Four Books and Five Classics". The imperial court has determined the scope of the test and the test teaching aids for you. The poor and the rich will take the test according to this!
Therefore, although the eight-part essay examination was regarded as a symbol of backwardness by later generations due to its perverted examination content and strict examination format.
But if we put it now, between a college entrance examination that only tests written examinations and a college entrance examination that requires "quality education" and admission through letters of recommendation, which one would ordinary people choose?
In the final analysis, the imperial examination is a selective examination.
No matter what the exam content is, as long as it is a selective exam, the top talents will definitely be selected.
After hearing Hai Rui finish speaking, he said, "I want to avoid suspicion this time and will not participate in the invigilation of the county examination. You guys should work hard."
Even before the exam, there were rumors in the county. All three of them were students of Hai Rui, and they all said that Hai Rui would favor his own students in the county exam.
Hai Rui directly applied to Baizhi County to avoid suspicion, and the rumors became much quieter.
After saying some more words of encouragement, Hai Rui left this time.
Chen Chaoyuan, the oldest among the three, said:
"There are still some details in this county examination. Let me tell Brother Su about it."
Chen Chaoyuan said:
"Brother Su needs to prepare some food. Each of the three exams takes one day. You can bring food in."
"But it's best not to bring things like steamed buns and pastries. Eggs and duck eggs also need to be cut."
Su Ze asked doubtfully: "Is there any taboo about this?"
Chen Chaoyuan shook his head and said: "This is not a taboo. In order to prevent entrapment, the soldiers will break open pastries and steamed buns for inspection, and they will also pinch open eggs and duck eggs."
Su Ze thought about the hygiene level of soldiers in this era, and thought about the way they pinched the food with their fingers, and suddenly lost his appetite.
Su Ze quickly said: "I understand, Brother Chen!"
Chen Chaoyuan said: "No one told me this in my first county exam. The steamed buns I brought in were crushed into pieces."
"Needless to mention the four treasures of the study, oil paper and sachets also need to be prepared."
Now even Lin Qingcai looked at Chen Chaoyuan. He had also participated in the county examination, but he had not prepared these things.
Chen Chaoyuan said: "This is also based on experience. The examination booth is simple and leaks wind and rain. After entering, it should be sealed with oil paper so that it can be covered if it rains."
"I once took an exam. It was raining lightly outside and it was raining heavily in the exam booth. I had to cover the exam papers with my clothes on my head to complete the answers. In the end, I was dismissed because the ink stains were smeared."
So miserable.
Su Ze asked again: "What about the sachet?"
Chen Chaoyuan said: "There are some exam booths with good locations, and some with bad locations. The worst location is the one next to the hut. Moreover, there is a lot of odor in the exam booths. The sachet is used to cover the smell."
Chen Chaoyuan sighed and said: "The examination room is called a 'cell', and the environment is not much better than the county prison. Fortunately, the county examination does not lock the courtyard. It only takes three days and you can return after each examination." At home, those who are weak will be seriously ill after taking the provincial examination."
Su Ze also fell silent. It seemed that he was not in good health and could not take part in the imperial examination.
These are Chen Chaoyuan's valuable experiences from participating in the county examination many times. Su Ze and Lin Qingcai quickly expressed their gratitude to him.
After Chen Chaoyuan finished speaking, he said a little depressed: "This year is the last time I take the exam. If I fail the exam again, I will become a lawyer with my brother."
When this topic was mentioned, the atmosphere became much more solemn.
The Chen family was not wealthy and could not support Chen Chaoyuan's endless imperial examinations.
Most scholars will also set a deadline for themselves, and there are still very few old students who have gray hair after passing the exam.
Chen Chaoyuan is almost thirty years old, and his son is about to start studying. It is impossible for the family to support two scholars.
Chen Chaoyuan smiled and said: "Thank you Rulin for finding me a job. If I don't win again this year, I will work hard in the editorial department."
Su Ze didn't know how to answer. Chen Chaoyuan and Lin Qingcai's imperial examination level would be L4 if they were scored using the system.
Whether they can pass the exam depends on luck, or the personal preference of the examiner, and even the location of the exam room seats and whether it rains or not may affect their results.
After talking about the imperial examination, the three of them went to the ceremony room to register. Before they arrived at the county government office, they saw a crowd of people.
Su Ze was also shocked. He didn't expect that there were so many scholars in Nanping County.
Chen Chaoyuan said: "Last year, more than 400 people took part in the county examination in Nanping County. This year, there are only a lot more."
Su Ze said in surprise: "So many?"
Chen Chaoyuan said: "Is this still too much? There are more than a thousand people in the county examination in Fuzhou Prefecture, and we are already much less."
Well, Fujian is indeed a province with a large number of candidates for imperial examinations.
Chen Chaoyuan said: "Actually, Brother Su, you don't have to worry. Most of these people are here to experience it, to get familiar with the examination room and examination process, and to set goals for future studies."
Su Ze understood what he meant. Just like later generations who took the civil service exam as freshmen, most people came to the county exam to practice.
After queuing for a long time, the three of them finally entered the county government office. As soon as they entered the county government office, they met an acquaintance.
Lin Xianda saw Su Ze and immediately greeted him.
"Brother Aze, I have been waiting for you for a long time. I will take you to the ceremony room to register."
The scholars around him glared at Su Ze, but after a few people recognized Su Ze, everyone looked away.
Lin Xianda works in the Chengfa Department and has contact with all departments of the county government. He is a popular person in Baizhi County because of his smart work.
Su Ze smiled and said, "We're almost there, thank you brother Xianda."
Lin Xianda thought for a moment and said, "Then I will accompany Brother Aze in lining up."
Su Ze handed over Zhou Xiucai's letter of guarantee and certification documents when he first came to the county government office. If all the scholars in the county submitted supporting documents for review at this time, the people in the government office would be too busy working overtime.
Most scholars have already confirmed their qualifications for the exam. Registration is just a process of determining the reference.
So the queue was very fast. After entering the ceremony room, Su Ze saw rows of tables with five officials sitting at the back. Su Ze was quickly called to the table at the end.
Isn't this old official the same old official who learned that skill when Su Ze first came to the county government?
When he saw Su Ze's name, the old official raised his eyes. After seeing Su Ze, he immediately said enthusiastically: "Mr. Su, wait a moment, I'll be fine soon!"
Su Ze thought of the way he looked when he saw this old official for the first time and asked him to go back and rewrite it in his scrawled handwriting. He was totally different from now.
How dare this old official in the ceremonial room dare to offend Su Ze now? He is a scholar favored by all the government and county offices, a ruthless person who can even drive Cai Yuanwai to death, and he is also the editor-in-chief of the most famous "Surprise" in Yanping Prefecture.
After a while, the old official registered the "Examination Book", asked Su Ze to sign and post it, and then quickly took out a wooden sign from the back.
A six.
The county exam had already started to be anonymous. This number was Su Ze's admission ticket number. He couldn't write his own name on the county exam paper, so he could only write the number Jialiu.
The county exams are held for three days, but they are not taken consecutively. One exam must be taken after two days of rest.
After passing one test, the results will be released once, and only candidates who pass can take the next test.
Except for the last official release of results, only the test numbers of successful candidates will be included in the first two releases.
Su Ze took the wooden sign, and the old official said flatteringly: "Jia Liu was the exam number of the head of the case last year. I wish Mr. Su good luck in the exam!"
Well, isn’t this the uniform number of a retired star? Can this be given as a favor?
Chen Chaoyuan and Lin Qingcai have also completed registration.
Chen Chaoyuan is Jia Shiba and Lin Qingcai is Bing Qi.
Chen Chaoyuan saw Su Ze's number plate: "Congratulations, Brother Su. Jia Liu is the number plate that led to the case last year."
Chen Chaoyuan whispered: "If it were in the past, this number plate would cost at least five taels of silver."
Su Ze is no longer the poor man he used to be, but he was still shocked by the five taels of silver.
Such a number costs five taels of silver?
Chen Chaoyuan said in a low voice: "Last year, the number plate of the head of the case was worth 5 taels of silver, the number plate of Tongsheng was 4 taels of silver, the number plate of those who passed the government examination was only 3 taels of silver, and the number plate of those who passed the county examination was only 2 taels of silver. "
"If you come late and can't buy it with money, it seems someone has said hello."
Su Ze was also speechless. As expected, the yamen of the Ming Dynasty had clearly marked prices. As expected, "the yamen have been open to the south since ancient times. If you have reason, don't enter without money."
Sure enough, before reaching the door, Chen Bofei, the county government official, was standing at the door. He smiled and said to Su Ze:
"Ms. Su, did you get your number plate?"
Only then did Su Ze realize that this was Chen Bofei's greeting. Chen Bofei raised his hands and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Su for his high school case!"
In the next few days, Su Ze studied hard and wrote the questions. Lin Deqing sent the latest "Selected Issues of Shi Wen", which was a collection of eight-legged essays written by Jinshi from the North and South Zhili when they participated in the imperial examination. Su Ze wrote several articles according to the topics. After reading the article, I carefully figured out the true meaning of the question, and gained a lot of skills and experience in the imperial examination.
[Copy eight-part essay, imperial examination skill +30, Lv6, 993/3000]
Level 6 imperial examination skills are more than enough to participate in the county examination, but Su Ze's goal is the Qiuwei Township Examination in August. According to the current progress, he can barely reach Level 10 in the imperial examination before the township examination.
Su Ze looked at the panel:
Su Ze, male, 25 years old.
Intelligence: 12
Strength: 11 (Correction of previous article, it is 11)
Agility: 6
Charisma: 6
Remaining attribute points: 0
It seems that the rest will need to add intelligence attribute points.
On February 5th, Huang Tiju from Huimin Pharmacy delivered a sachet, and in a blink of an eye it was the day before the county examination.
Errata in the previous article, the power is 11, the previous article has been changed.
Sorry sorry.
(End of chapter)
