When he had nothing to do, Li Qing often went to Yiqinglou to have a drink. Sometimes he would go to Yu Qian for a drink, and sometimes he would go to see Shi Heng's uncle and nephew.
It's so comfortable to live a small life.
When he is tired, he is really tired, but when he is free, he is also really leisurely. Li Qing has nothing to do, and he is leisurely and comfortable all day long.
Time passes quickly, and in a blink of an eye, it’s March.
On this day, Li Qing got up early. Today is the day when the results of the palace examination will be released. He promised to help Zhu Qiyu check it. Before going out, he tidied up in the mirror.
Then, he mounted his donkey and hurried to the palace.
On the way, Li Qing gave the donkey two slaps because he thought it was trying to make a fool of foreign workers. The donkey lost his temper and kept saying "Hmm~ah~" and its speed became even slower.
One person and one donkey were making a fuss all the way, almost losing time.
~
Royal Palace, nave.
"Sir, you are really good at timing. I thought you overslept again." Zhu Qiyu teased.
Li Qing smiled sheepishly, "In Jinshen Hall or Wenhua Hall?"
"Wenhua Hall," Zhu Qiyu stretched his limbs. There were still bloodshot eyes in his eyes. It was obvious that he had not slept well. "The candidates have been waiting for a long time. Let's go."
Li Qing nodded: "Your Majesty, please."
…
Candidates in this era are much harder than those in later generations. If nothing else, the long journey is not easy, and the exam is even more torturous. Squatting in a small house where it is difficult to move around, to pursue the dream of becoming a successful person.
However, there are only a few people who can make it to the palace examination.
The palace examination only tests policy questions. Candidates enter the examination room before dawn, go through roll call, three volumes, counselors, salutes... and then write vigorously under the restrictions of eight-part essay.
However, the palace examination was okay. It usually only lasted one day, and the paper was handed in at dusk. It was transcribed, sealed, and stored by officials such as the examiner, palm examiner, and sealer, and was finally handed over to the examiner for cross-review.
The examiner saw that it was an examination paper. There was no name and the handwriting was the same. It was completely separated from the invigilator and the system was strict.
The imperial examination system has gone through several dynasties and nearly a thousand years, and has become very mature. At least there are almost no loopholes in the process.
After careful review, the reviewers finally selected the ten papers that were recognized as the best and presented them to the emperor, who selected the number one, number two, and top pick.
In the entire Ming Dynasty, there were only ten candidates who could enter the Wenhua Hall to see Tianyan.
This difficulty is much greater than that of Qingbei in later generations.
But having said that, the birth of the top pick, the second pick, and the top pick usually have little to do with level. At this level, the level is almost the same.
To put it bluntly, it was just a matter of the emperor's words.
This is about eye-approval, but if you really want to talk about hard indicators... there are some, and that is appearance.
In layman's terms, it depends on your face!
The top picks in new subjects have always been handsome men.
With Li Qing's looks, as long as he breaks into the top ten, the number one pick will basically not escape.
——
In front of Wenhua Pavilion.
The readers of the Ministry of Etiquette and many students had been waiting for a long time. When the dragon chariot stopped, Li Qing and Zhu Qiyu came out and immediately bowed down and saluted.
Li Qing stepped aside and observed these students.
He saw the joy, fear, and longing of these people... all kinds of emotions were intertwined together, and finally turned into excitement, which was reflected on their faces.
These candidates were also looking at him casually, as if they were extremely envious that he could ride in the same sedan chair with the emperor.
They didn't dare to look too much and were cautious, fearing to offend the big shot.
Li Qingxin said: "The quality of this year's candidates seems to be good. At least these people don't come from rich and noble families."
This extremely cautious eye movement does not seem to be fake.
Zhu Qiyu only made some brief remarks before entering Wenyuan Pavilion.
Inside Wenyuan Pavilion.
The examiner knelt down to read the contents of the candidate's test paper. Li Qing and Zhu Qiyu listened quietly and made judgments in their hearts.
Half an hour later, the reader finished reading, bowed and left.
Zhu Qiyu closed his eyes and made a choice in his heart.
After a while, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Li Qing, "Sir, why don't we each write down the three names and see if they are the same?"
"Okay!" Li Qing nodded with a smile, walked to the desk and dipped his pen in ink, "Your Majesty, please don't peek."
"Don't worry, don't look at it." Zhu Qiyu said funny.
Li Qing quickly wrote three names on the paper, then picked up the paper and said, "Your Majesty, it's your turn."
Zhu Qiyu also quickly wrote down three names and said: "Okay, let's compare."
The two of them spread the papers in their hands on the imperial desk. Li Qing wrote: Liu Jian, Li Yongtong, Zheng Huan.
Zhu Qiyu wrote: Wang Yikui, Li Yongtong, Zheng Huan.
"Liu Jian?" Zhu Qiyu frowned as he recalled what the examiner had just read, "I don't think... this person has the qualifications to be the top scholar."
"It is true, but from the perspective of the content of the test paper, he is slightly worse." Li Qing nodded, "However, this person dares to speak, he is not as tactful as others, and his innocent heart is far better than others."
"Okay." Zhu Qiyu smiled bitterly, "I read the exam papers, but sir looks at people's hearts through the exam papers. The questions are different."
Li Qing smiled and said: "Actually, it doesn't matter if you want to say it. Even if you are second-class or third-class, there is not much difference in level. The test questions are not arithmetic, there is no absolute right or wrong, most of them are subjective;
And the top pick may not necessarily lead to success, and the top three may not necessarily lead to mediocrity. This is just a starting point, not the end. "
Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly, "Xiao Hengzi, let the candidates come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Li Qing saw this, he cupped his hands and said, "I'll leave first."
"I asked you to check, why are you retreating?" Zhu Qiyu rolled his eyes.
"Have you already handed in your papers?" Li Qing spread his hands, and then said: "Now that I have broken away from the civil service system, it is unreasonable to participate in the palace examination openly and honestly;
If I were still there when Your Majesty decided to be the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 overall pick, then I don’t know how many people would have to arrange for me. "
Zhu Qiyu said in surprise: "Are you still afraid of being arranged?"
"Huh? This is different. My status now belongs to the nobility, and I am in the semi-military general system. It is better not to start this." Li Qing said, "The influence will not be good."
"...Okay," Zhu Qiyu said with a smile, "When will we go to Jinling?"
"Tomorrow." Li Qing said, "I haven't been back for a long time, and I also want to take a look at the maritime affairs there and the situation of the Weaving Bureau."
Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Then I won't send you off. Sir, you have worked hard for so long and you deserve a good rest, but..."
"If the emperor has an edict, I will come back." Li Qing promised.
He knew Zhu Qiyu's character and would not break his promise again unless he encountered something big.
If that was the case, even if Zhu Qiyu didn't say anything, he would come back.
"Well, have a nice trip." Zhu Qiyu smiled.
"Haha... I would like to borrow the emperor's good words." Li Qing cupped his hands and said, "I'm leaving."
~
When he walked to the entrance of the hall, he happened to encounter ten candidates entering the hall. Li Qing stopped and let them pass first. Looking at these energetic faces, he felt very happy.
He didn't know if these people would become evil dragons in the future, but at least for now, they were still young dragon slayers.
…
