When the first ray of sunshine in the morning shone into the dormitory, the clerk threw the test questions for the third session of the provincial examination in from the small window.
Wei Chen, who had closed his eyes for a long time, slowly opened his eyes, stretched himself, picked up the test questions, opened them and started reading.
The first test of the rural examination was on the Four Books and Five Classics, the second test was on commentaries and imperial edicts, and the third test was on policy questions.
The Five Ways Policy Questions are somewhat similar to Wei Chen's essays in his previous life. They focus on testing the candidates' ability to solve practical problems. They are a bit divergent in thinking, and there is no need to stick to a few scriptures.
Of course, this does not mean that candidates can write freely and freely. At least the general direction of the article's views must be consistent with the views of the court.
Wei Chen took the test questions and glanced at them. He already had a rough idea in his mind. After a brief draft, he started writing one by one in the order of the questions.
Cewen's articles are much more interesting to write than those of the Four Books and Five Classics. Although they need to be quoted from many sources, at least they are written in a lively and general way, and they are not all written in the same tone.
Even though Cewen is not as important as the Four Books and Five Classics in the provincial examination, its status will suddenly improve during the palace examination, because only Cewen is tested in the palace examination.
Wei Chen's ambition is not just to pass the exam, but his goal is to be a second-class or even first-class scholar, so he has never stopped practicing policy questions.
In just three hours, Wei Chen conveniently finished writing the five policy questions and transcribed them into the main volume. Then he knocked on the door and handed in the papers, left the dormitory, and walked along the bluestone path towards the gate of Gongyuan.
The moment he stepped out of the dragon gate, Wei Chen looked back and sighed with regret. The provincial examination that God had blessed for five years had finally come to an end for him.
After three exams, even Wei Chen, whose physical strength and endurance were far superior to ordinary people, was a little exhausted. When he returned to his residence, he didn't even eat anything and just lay down on the bed and fell asleep.
In the next day or two, several of Wei Chen's classmates and friends also left Gongyuan one after another after completing their exams.
Wang Yaochen, Chen Jun and others who were relatively weak fell ill as soon as they left the examination room, and they only recovered at home for a few days.
The results of the provincial examination were released on August 30. The scholars who had finished the examination were enjoying themselves by the Qinhuai River while waiting for the results to be released.
Wei Chen and the other seven were drinking tea, talking and laughing in Jiangning's mansion, and occasionally played Cuju.
After experiencing the provincial examination, everyone understood the importance of strengthening exercise, especially Wang Yaochen and Chen Jun, who were seriously ill after taking the examination, and were the most motivated.
Although everyone's faces were filled with joyful smiles when playing football, Wei Chen could see that everyone had a big stone hanging in their hearts, and this stone would not fall until the results were released.
As long as a person lives, grass grows in autumn.
For scholars, whether or not they win is a key turning point in life. It is impossible to say that they are not nervous.
Even if these seven people from Jingxi Society are all recognized talents in Jiangning, they are still not exempt from the commonplace.
Including Wei Chen, during the days when he was waiting for the announcement of the results, his heart felt like it was on fire. Everything he ate tasted tasteless, and he always had insomnia when sleeping. He just felt that the time that usually flies by was passing slowly now. , can make people anxious to death.
…
The day before the results are released.
In Hengjian Hall.
The marking officers were sitting in the hall chatting, and by the way, they talked about some of the proud papers that they had recommended.
In the hall, eighty successful examination papers were presented together on the eucalyptus. This was the result of the examiners' hard work for half a month.
The remaining work is to decide on the seats and fill in the list. According to the rules, the leader of the Five Classics must be decided first before discussing anything else.
The deputy examiner and six fellow examiners were holding a few red papers and were discussing, while the supervisor, academic administration, and promotion were supervising.
The examiner, Wang Wenqing, was sitting behind the big eucalyptus, his eyes were bloodshot. He was not too young, and even after reading the papers for several days, his energy was a little low.
Wang Wenqing saw that the deputy examiner and the six fellow examiners were still arguing, so he immediately asked: "The chief examiner of the Book of Songs room has not been decided yet?"
The deputy chief examiner took a step forward and saluted: "Reporting to the president, based on the three reviews, the Xinchen and Jihai volumes have their own merits. They are indistinguishable. I would like to ask the president to make a final decision."
Wang Wen had read these eighty papers early in the morning and knew the pros and cons of the articles very well. He took the two papers and glanced at them briefly before saying in a deep voice: "I think Xinchen is slightly better and can be chosen as the leader of the Book of Songs. The number Hai was chosen second."
"No!" The deputy examiner nodded, turned around and sang: "Xin Chen is the leader of the Book of Songs Room!"
The clerk immediately took the red scroll, checked the original scroll, opened the name of the lake on the original scroll, and then shouted loudly: "Xu Shihuang, the candidate from Wu County, is the leader of the Book of Songs room!"
After hearing what the clerk said, the marking officials below started talking a lot. Many of them had heard of Xu Shizheng's name, and someone immediately nodded and said, "I know this man. When he was ten years old, he got the first score in the imperial examination and became the academic qualification." Sheng is a well-known talent in Suzhou Prefecture, and he is worthy of his title as Chief Executive."
Someone else sighed: "I don't know who the second name is. His articles are loose and elegant, and his words are beautiful. They are only a hair's breadth different from Xu Shizheng's. It's really a pity."
Another person said: "Among the Five Classics, there are the most scholars who are responsible for the Book of Songs. Historically, most of the scholars who interpreted the Yuan Dynasty were the leaders of the Book of Songs. It seems that this person is probably the one who interprets the Yuan Dynasty this time."
Everyone in the hall was talking a lot, but Wang Wenqing in the hall continued to ask: "Has the leader of the Shangshu Sutra Room been decided?"
This time, the deputy examiner only exchanged a few words with the six fellow examiners briefly, and then walked up to Wang Wenqing with a smile on his face: "The volume of Shangshu Jingfang Gengyin, three rural examinations, and ranked first in each. This volume It should be the first volume!”
Wang Wenqing glanced at the Gengyin paper and recognized it at a glance which paper it was. He did not make a conclusion immediately, but turned to look at the six fellow examiners and asked: "Do you have any objections?"
The six fellow examiners looked at each other and said in unison: "We have no objections."
Seeing that Wang Wenqing was silent, the deputy examiner stepped forward and said: "President, I also think that this paper is outstanding, and it is not enough to show off his talent unless he is the chief examiner."
"It's surprising that this paper was recognized by seven examiners."
Wang Wenqing sat down with a smile, took a leisurely sip of tea, and then looked at an official sitting in the hall: "Hai Xuezheng, you have also read the paper, what do you think of this paper?"
Come and try it quickly. 】
Walrus twirled his beard and said with a smile: "Looking at the three scenes, this volume of articles can be ranked first, and Han Changli has someone to succeed him!"
After Walrus Gan finished speaking, Wang Wenqing was still hesitating. However, several marking officers and room officials in the hall who had read the paper could not sit still. They all stood up and said: "This paper is very talented and outstanding. Please give it to the president impartially!"
When the censors in charge saw this, they were secretly surprised. It seemed that this Gengyin volume was really popular. Even if Wang Wenqing insisted on rejecting such a good article, I am afraid that the examiners would not agree.
Finally, under the gaze of all the officials inside and outside the curtain, Wang Wenqing laughed and said: "Since everyone has made a public opinion, I have no objection. To be honest, I also love this volume very much."
Then what are you doing with your grinding?
When the deputy examiner and other examiners heard this, they couldn't help being shocked and puzzled by Wang Wenqing's hesitant behavior just now.
Only Walrus Gan seemed to have some understanding, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
Seeing this, a foreign official beside him couldn't help but asked curiously: "Master Xuezheng, do you know which scholar wrote this Gengyin scroll?"
The walrus smiled dryly and said nothing.
At this time, the seal on the scroll had been opened by the scribe. The scribe shouted loudly: "The leader of the Shangshu Jingfang..."
