Outside the south gate of Xiyuan, the cabinet house is brightly lit, like daylight!
Marking started at four or five o'clock in the morning. Except for a short meal break in the middle, the rest of the time was spent on marking. Finally, at nearly 1 hour, all the test papers were evaluated according to the fifth-grade symbols.
The grading work has not yet been completed. After the review is completed, a comprehensive review is still required. The chief grading minister will serve as the overall reviewer and lead all the grading officers to conduct a comprehensive review. At this time, everyone can speak about the test paper. After the speech, the chief reader will determine the ranking of the test paper.
Yan Song is the chief test-reading minister, and he is leading the review this time. Basically, all test papers are ranked according to the order of the fifth-level symbols that everyone has reviewed, with only one exception.
When Yan Song, Yan Shoufu, comprehensively reviewed the test paper that contained the words "The relationship between officials and officials is the most important thing in the country. Respect the monarch's authority, select officials for appointment, teach officials their duties, supervise officials' conduct, and public rewards and punishments..." , carefully looked at the fifth-level symbols that everyone reviewed, there were six "○" and 2 "△" in total. Yan Shoufu paused with the test paper in his hand and put the test paper on the table.
"This test paper has a beautiful font and rich literary talent. The ratings are subject to discussion. What do you think?" Senior Yan Song Yange put the test paper on the table and looked at the readers.
"Master Yan is right. This is the best paper in the examination paper. It proposes the reform of official administration and is very thorough. It should be ranked first or second." As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, one of the examiners opened his mouth to express his praise for this examination paper. Absolutely.
"Um......."
Then several examiners nodded in agreement with what the first examiner said.
When Yan Song raised objections to the grading of the test paper, Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites was a little confused at first. He didn't understand why Mr. Yan Ge suddenly praised the test paper. He had already told Mr. Yan Ge that Zhu Ping'an was about the content of the test paper when he was invigilating the exam. The content of this test paper is completely the most popular choice for the No. 1 Scholar test paper. It must not be sent to the imperial examination. This can ensure that Ouyang Zhong is the No. 1 Scholar. But why did Mr. Yan Ge still praise this test paper? Could it be that Mr. Yan Ge didn't want his family to have it? Did my nephew Ouyang Zishi pass the exam?
The left minister of the Ministry of Rites fell into deep thinking.
"This test paper has excellent calligraphy and literary talent. It is like a jade from the East Mountain and a piano from the West Mountain. It is beautiful and joyful. However, the white jade has slight flaws and there are miscellaneous things around the beam. This test paper is very important to the administration of officials. It looks very beautiful, but When implemented, it is a formality and deviates from reality. Our dynasty adheres to the laws of our ancestors and governs officials in a free system. How can we change the regulations in a few words?"
"However, the intentions are always very good. As Mr. Yan said, the writing style is brilliant and full of literary talent. What I just thought is inevitably nitpicking. I would like to change my review to a higher level to show encouragement."
While Zuo Shilang was deep in thought, the cabinet minister next to him spoke.
What? He wants to adjust the test paper evaluation from second grade to first grade? So now there are six "○" and one "△", wouldn't it mean that we are going to be in the second class?
Why is this happening?
Could it be that he didn't explain clearly the contents of Zhu Ping'an's test paper at the Yan Mansion banquet last night?
Zuo Shilang began to fall into deep self-repentance.
"Well, that's the case. Let's review it again." Mr. Yan Song took a picture of the board after everyone finished speaking.
Review?
Master Yan, what are you doing!!!
Just when the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites was deeply puzzled, he suddenly saw Master Yan Song Yan making a gesture that seemed to be unintentional. He clenched his hands together and placed them on the test paper. He took the test paper in his hand and read it again. , and then Mr. Yan Ge reviewed it again and gave it a "○".
At this time, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites finally understood the good intentions of Mr. Yan Ge. At this time, Mr. Yan gave himself a gesture to give him "△" again when he reviewed. I have to say that Mr. Yan Ge is still far-sighted. This Zhu Ping'an is Huiyuan after all. It's normal for Huiyuan to be unable to enter the first division and not get the number one pick. In history, there were only a few people who won three yuan in a row. There is only one person in the entire Ming Dynasty until now. How can it be so easy to connect to the top spot and the top spot! But if Huiyuan can't even get into the second class, that's too unreasonable! Even the emperor would be suspicious after seeing it, right? Give yourself a "△", and everyone else will give a "○", so that you can ensure that this test paper will enter the second class.
After reviewing, this test paper finally got seven "○" and one "△".
More than half an hour of statistics passed. The rankings of this palace examination have basically come out. Of course, this is only calculated by the ministers who read the papers. In the end, the emperor will review and approve the rankings.
Under the impartiality, strictness and dedicated review and statistics of the ministers who read the papers, the first to tenth papers of this palace examination were also selected and prepared to be submitted to the emperor for personal ranking.
Theoretically speaking, because all the test papers are sealed, no one knows the names and other information of these ten test papers.
However, the first-place test paper contained the words "The world is for the common good, the holy king is unified, inherits the destiny from above, and the people's sentiments from below...".
Mr. Yan Song and Yan Ge were also full of praise for this test paper.
Uh, why use it?
Because there is another test paper that Mr. Yan Song is also full of praise for. This test paper contains "The feeling that the husband and officials govern the superiors and subordinates is the most important thing in the country. Respect the power of the king, select officials for appointment, teach officials their duties, supervise their actions, and reward and punish them..." ....”
But it is a pity that this test paper ranked eleventh in the final comprehensive review! It's just one spot short, which is a pity, otherwise I would have been able to submit a preview, and maybe there would still be some hope of getting the No. 1 pick, the No. 2 pick or something.
Mr. Yan Song and Mr. Yan Ge are also very sorry for this, but there is no way. This is the result. Mr. Yan Song and Yan Ge will review the papers impartially and cannot "follow" his own selfishness and list it in the top ten! Eleven is eleven, at least he is still at the forefront of the second-tier league.
It's already late at night!
It was too late, and we couldn't disturb Emperor Jiajing's rest at this time, so Mr. Yan Song gave up the idea of submitting the top ten test papers at this time, and instead went to Xiyuan early the next morning to ask Jiajing. The emperor presented the top ten test papers of this palace examination.
Everything is planned.
Early in the morning of the next day, Mr. Yan Song and Yan Ge led the other seven examination ministers and rushed to Xiyuan with the top ten examination papers.
When Mr. Yan Song and Yan Ge entered the Xiyuan Gate, they happened to meet Huang Jin who was leading the two young Huangmen out of the palace.
"Huang Gong, why are you in such a hurry?"
When Yan Song saw Huang Jin and others from a distance, he stopped in his tracks, smiled broadly, and said hello to Huang Jin from a distance.
"Sir Yan, you are here. Your Majesty has been reading for a whole day yesterday. I will be sent here early in the morning to see how your review is going, Mr. Yan." Huang Jin led two small Huangmen over and looked at Yan Song and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, that's a coincidence. I was just here to deliver the test papers to the Holy Emperor." Yan Song smiled when he heard this.
"What a coincidence, what a coincidence." Huang Jin was overjoyed.
"Then let's go." Yan Song said. Knowing that the emperor was waiting for the test papers, he naturally did not dare to neglect.
"Don't be in a hurry. May I ask how many test papers Mr. Yan will submit to the Holy Emperor this time?" Huang Jin shook his head and asked, looking at the test papers brought by Yan Song and the others.
"As usual, the top ten papers will be evaluated in this palace examination." Yan Song was a little confused by Huang Jin's words.
"Not enough, not enough. Add ten more." Huang Jin shook his head.
Ten more servings?
The ministers who read the papers looked at each other in confusion after hearing this, and then began to discuss in a low voice. According to the convention, the top ten are all chosen by the emperor. Why are the top twenty chosen for this palace examination?
"Why, do you have any objections to the Holy Majesty's decision?" Huang Jin narrowed his eyes slightly and asked softly with a smile on his face.
"Don't you dare..." The grading ministers shook their heads one after another, joking. In the whole world, could it be the king's land, and on the shore of the land, could it be the king's ministers? Who would dare to have any objection to what the emperor wants to do, let alone just too many I read ten test papers.
Theoretically speaking, all papers in the palace examination should be read by the emperor, and ten copies are just a convention. Not to mention that the emperor wants to read ten more copies, even ten more copies will be enough.
It's rare that Your Majesty is working hard to govern, so why wouldn't we do the same!
However, Yan Song, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the cabinet ministers all looked a little strange. Maybe they were a little surprised that Emperor Jiajing suddenly made great efforts to govern and pay attention to state affairs. In the eyes of everyone, they were a little surprised.
In fact, Emperor Jiajing didn't want to work hard for governance, but he felt guilty about Taizu in his dream last time.
In the ten years before he came to the throne, Emperor Jiajing still worked hard to govern and pay attention to state affairs, and the Ming Dynasty rarely showed signs of revival. However, Emperor Jiajing later practiced immortality and alchemy, and has not been in court for many years. He devoted himself to cultivating immortality, seeking immortality every day, and did not care about government affairs.
Dreaming about Taizu, especially when Taizu looked at me and said nothing!
How could Emperor Jiajing not feel guilty? He wanted to perform well, pay more attention to state affairs, and put more effort into the country, the country, and the country. The current imperial examination happened to be a major event that related to the country, the country, and the country. Emperor Jiajing wanted to use twice as much attention. The previous practice was to read ten copies. This time I read twenty copies, twice as hard as you! Show yourself well so that you can face Taizu in your dream next time. (To be continued.)
