The ruling officials left one after another, and Zhao Hong went for a walk in the back garden. He heard the orioles and exotic flowers along the willow paths, and it was quiet under his feet on the bluestones. He heard the gurgling water, but it was hard for Zhao Hong to smile.
The morale of scholars is flagging, and external affairs are approaching, but Lin'an City is still singing and dancing, as if everything is an external matter.
He has been worried all day long. Is it really unfounded?
"His Majesty."
Xue Ji, who was in charge of the imperial examination, came over and was cautious.
Perhaps noticing Zhao Hong's frown, Xue Ji followed him all the way but didn't say a word.
"Xue Qing, during the palace examination, I saw clearly that there seemed to be no old people among the Jinshi, and there were only a few who were not confused even in their forties. Why is this? Could it be said that the quality of studying is also divided by age?"
Finally, Zhao Hong spoke, still frowning and worried.
"Your Majesty does not know something. In addition to the imperial examinations, this dynasty also has a special name of Enke. This is because there are very few senior candidates. The Enke will be held in three days. Your Majesty will see if you want to personally preside over it."
The emperor asked, and Xue Ji quickly replied. In fact, it was precisely for the purpose of special examination.
In the early Northern Song Dynasty, those who received the title of special performance could be granted birth status without having to pass the palace examination. As the number of special performers continued to increase, in order to distinguish the merits of performance and as a basis for distinguishing the level of official positions, it was only in the eighth year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1015) in the Northern Song Dynasty that special performers were required to take the palace examination. , the time is usually set on the day after the official imperial examination.
For example, this time it was set three days later, because Zhao Hong's "care" process for the newly-named Jinshi increased and the time was lengthened.
"Special name Enke? Three days from now?"
Zhao Hong reacted and nodded slightly.
He had been busy with everything all day long and was worried about the Mongolian army's invasion of Xixia, but he actually forgot about it.
"Back to Your Majesty, the special title is also called Enke and Enbang. There are also the special title of Jinshi and the title of various subjects. Since the Jinshi who received the special title were all old people, people at that time also called it Laobang. Those who are born with special names are a blessing bestowed upon them by the imperial court.”
Seeing that Zhao Hong seemed to be in a daze and confused, Xue Ji quickly introduced him in detail.
Jinshi of various disciplines who have failed to pass the imperial examination eight times and are over forty years old; those who have failed to pass the imperial examination five times and are over fifty years old are allowed to take the special imperial examination. Those in their forties or fifty are quite old.
Zhao Hong stopped, calmed down, and asked seriously.
"How many people have been awarded the title of Jinshi by Ben Ke? What official positions have they been awarded?"
National affairs, no matter how big or small, related to people's livelihood, must be taken seriously.
"Your Majesty, the number of Jinshi who have been admitted through special examinations is so large that it is almost equal to the number of scholars who have been admitted through the imperial examination. Taking this imperial examination as an example, the imperial court has 386 candidates through official examinations and 342 who have been admitted through special examinations, accounting for 10% of the number of imperial examinations. As much as four and a half percent.”
As if to relieve Zhao Hong, Xue Ji hurriedly explained:
"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry too much. The official positions awarded to specially-named Jinshi are mostly elected officials and false titles, and they do not grant actual duties."
In the imperial examinations of the Song Dynasty, special examinations were carried out, and the number of candidates for each list was different, ranging from dozens to thousands. Historically, a total of about 110,000 Jinshi were admitted to the imperial examinations in the Song and Song Dynasties. Among them, about 60,000 were Zongzou-named Jinshi and Zhuke, and about 50,000 were special-zou-named Jinshi and Zhuke. The special test accounted for all Approximately 45% of the number of entrants. This is evident from the large number of famous people who performed special performances.
"Xue Qing, please tell me more about the special name."
Xue Ji introduced it carefully, and Zhao Hongcai roughly understood the mystery.
Although there are a large number of people admitted to the special-playing program, the number of official awards is very low, and some of the special-playing scholars even have empty titles. No actual employment.
The imperial court selects scholars through regular imperial examinations. The first-class Jinshi in the imperial examination will be awarded to Xuanyi Lang (from the eighth rank of Beijing official), and he will be the official magistrate of most of the autographs. Pinjingguan (pinjingguan), county magistrate; the fourth and fifth of the first A are awarded two envoys (selected from the eighth rank); the rest of the first A are Wen Linlang (selected from the eighth rank).
The official name is the second-grade Jinshi, and two envoys are awarded (people are selected from the eighth grade), the third-grade is awarded junior officials (people are chosen from the ninth grade), and the fourth and fifth-grade are awarded trial-level officials (no one is transferred) , but basically they can get official positions after one year and get promoted quickly.
Compared with the imperial examination selection for official titles, the first-class upper, middle and lower special titles can generally only be awarded to judges, divisions, bookkeepers, captains (selected from the ninth rank) and even trial-level officials; the second-class upper, middle and lower grades In the middle and lower grades, generally only the trial title of Beijing Normal University Assistant can be awarded. Although they are allowed to serve as officials, the total number of people in the second class is limited to twenty-three. The official positions awarded to the third and fourth special players are even lower, and it is difficult to get an official position, and the total number of people is limited to eighty. The vast majority of special-player Jinshi can only be awarded to minor officials with trial titles such as assistant teachers in Xiazhou, who are prohibited from serving as officials for life.
As for the number of people specializing in various subjects, the number of officials awarded is also lower. And even if special-named Jinshi can be awarded actual positions, they can only serve as selectors (low-level civil servants) at most. It is even more difficult for special-selected candidates to become Beijing officials and embark on the path to normal promotion. . Therefore, for the vast majority of people with special backgrounds, being able to become a candidate is a blessing, but their future career prospects are basically hopeless.
"Have you prepared all the questions for the special examination?"
Think about it, the special performance test is easier and simpler than the regular performance test.
"Your Majesty, for the special test name Enke, it is still the same as the pre-faculty palace examination. One essay and one poem are tried, and the five subjects are related to each other. The elderly who are in the special test name are specially exempted from the examination."
Seeing Zhao Hong's careful questioning, Xue Ji also cheered up.
In the examination for imperial officials, many famous Jinshi also participated in it, and there seemed to be some hope for further advancement in official career.
"For the imperial examination for special titles, it is the same as for the imperial examinations for formal exams. The exam strategy is changed. The questions are easier to write than for regular exams. Poetry and lyrics are abolished. Older people are all on their own volition."
Although the special title system seemed to be a backdoor and involution, breaking the principle of fair competition, it gave opportunities to talents who were not selected in the imperial examination. In addition, with regard to the treatment and opportunities for entering the officialdom of Jinshi with the special title, the special title does not mean that they are helpful, but reflects the court's humanistic care and humanitarian care.
With the reform of official administration, officials were incorporated into the civil service system, and officials could also become officials. In less than ten or twenty years, the special title should exist in name only.
"Your Majesty, do you really want to cancel the special name Enke?"
Xue Ji was shocked. The emperor was independent, so he wanted to cancel the special memorial.
"What? Are you also afraid that I will ban the special name?"
Sure enough, Zhao Hong shook his head and asked with a smile.
"No need to make a fuss, let's maintain the status quo. I will also personally preside over the special examination of Ming Enke, which also shows the court's grace and consideration for the scholars."
Those who came from special families were all scholars, which was completely different from the scholar-bureaucrat class, and they were not those with vested interests. These scholars are a widespread class among the scholar-bureaucrats, and their number can rival that of official Jinshi.
"Send the message to the specially-named Jinshi. I will personally preside over the palace examination and have a chat with them over wine. In addition, I will choose some tea, wine, meat, etc. as rewards."
Although the specially-named Jinshi did not have much say in the central government, they were very active in rural society. They played an important role in many aspects such as local education, water conservancy construction, social security, rural rules and regulations, sacrificial activities, compilation of chronicles and genealogies, etc. huge influence.
Reusing these people, through them to maintain grassroots governance at the township level, can also accurately convey the decrees implemented by the court, and not be fooled by the rumors of people with ulterior motives.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Xue Ji let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that the emperor was also a man of good temper, and he finally didn't have to worry about the emperor using the knife on Te Zuoming.
"Is it possible that Your Majesty is worried about the "fly camp and dog dog" incident?"
Observing his words and expressions, Zhao Hong frowned and Xue Ji spoke in a low voice.
"A sluggish scholarly style will lead to a decline in the world's moral standards, which will not be of any benefit to our new policy in the Song Dynasty. If a newly promoted scholar is incompetent in general affairs and relies on subordinate officials, isn't that going backwards?"
"Your Majesty, for the new Jinshi, why not let them first experience the affairs of the six ministries and five temples of the imperial court, and then familiarize themselves with the practice in the local prefectures and counties, and then award them to officials based on their merits..."
Xue Ji came slowly, and Zhao Hong suddenly became enlightened.
Isn’t this the system of supervising births in later generations? It's a good reference.
