Chapter 495
Chapter 495
The first assistant examiner from the Hanlin Academy spoke with such intensity that he startled those around him. Just then, the gongs outside sounded, announcing the third watch.
Clang— Clang, clang.
The gongs rang once slowly, then twice in quick succession.
“The weather is dry, be wary of fire!”
The third watch was a time when everyone should have been asleep. The examiners frowned.
‘Isn’t first place already set for Zhu Hongbing? We can’t believe another candidate’s policy essay and poetry surpassed his.’
Even if the two papers were neck and neck, everyone would still choose Zhu Hongbing for first place. This was because he had built a reputation for being the top candidate for many years. The chief examiner frowned and said.
“It is already the third watch. Why not look at it again tomorrow?”
The first assistant examiner said.
“No. If you do not look at it now, you will all regret it.”
Everyone inwardly grumbled at him even more, but they still stepped forward to inspect the examination paper. This time, however, the first assistant examiner did not voluntarily place the paper before the chief examiner. The examiners, who had been eager to sleep, read the paper with sharp eyes. Soon, they were startled, all sleepiness vanishing in an instant.
‘Impossible! How is this possible? He answered all ninety questions on Scriptural Exegesis correctly. Is he mad?’
Zhu Hongbing had just set a record, only for it to be broken a few hours later. When they saw that the thirty questions on Classic Interpretations were also all correct, they were completely dumbfounded.
‘Has there ever been anyone in the history of the imperial examinations who answered all the Scriptural Exegesis and Classic Interpretations questions correctly? Has there not been a single one? Has this candidate set a record that will never be broken?’
“This is an unprecedented record. Answering both the Scriptural Exegesis and Classic Interpretations sections perfectly is simply insane. An unheard-of event! Today is truly a strange day. I have seen something remarkable.”
Hearing this, the chief examiner let his hands fall from the shelf and came over to look at the paper.
“But even if he answered all the Scriptural Exegesis and Classic Interpretations questions correctly, is it not of little use? The policy essay and poetry are what matter most in the imperial examination.”
The first assistant examiner said.
“Everyone, please continue reading his policy essay and poetry.”
The examiners read on. As soon as they read the policy essay written by Madman Lan, “A Discourse on the Enfeoffment System,” they held their breath, exchanging looks of awe. When they read the “Autumn River Poem,” a chill ran down their spines. And by the time they finished the “Prose-Poem on the Great Roc,” their hair was standing on end, and their hearts trembled. All desire for sleep had vanished, and a profound silence fell over the room.
‘This is… this is terrifying. How did such a monster appear in this examination? A masterpiece that will echo through the ages. No wonder it was said that Zhu Hongbing might not take first place.’
The chief examiner picked up Zhu Hongbing’s paper and compared it with Madman Lan’s. The difference in quality was immediately apparent. Zhu Hongbing’s writing was, at best, a fine piece that might appear once every few years. But the policy essay on the unknown candidate’s paper was a literary gem that appeared perhaps once a century, and his poetry was, without a doubt, a work destined to be passed down through generations. It perfectly embodied the saying, “Writing is a gift from the heavens; a brilliant talent merely chances upon a masterpiece.”
The chief examiner silently mourned for Zhu Hongbing. The Prime Minister had prevented Zhu Hongbing from taking the examination twice, so he was only now participating at seventeen, only to have first place snatched away. It was nothing short of a tragedy. Then, an examiner suddenly spoke in a low voice.
“Who is this candidate? Should we uncover the name?”
The examiners were greatly tempted. They, too, were desperate to know the candidate’s name. They wanted to know what kind of prodigy could be so formidable, but the rules had to be followed. The name could only be revealed at the very end, after the rankings were decided. There was even talk in the court that for future provincial and metropolitan examinations, not only would names be sealed, but all papers would have to be transcribed to prevent recognition of handwriting.
“Could it be that the examination questions were leaked?”
An examiner whispered, and instantly, the others shot him cold glares.
‘Do you have a death wish, saying something like that? The imperial examination is of utmost importance. If the questions were leaked, all the examiners here would be implicated and finished.’
Besides, how could the questions have been leaked? The topics for the policy essay and poetry were personally set by the King and sealed in wax until just before the exam; even the examiners here did not know them beforehand. The questions for the Scriptural Exegesis and Classic Interpretations were created jointly by six examiners, none of whom had left the examination grounds since. There was simply no opportunity for a leak.
Cheating in the imperial examinations was not unheard of, but it usually involved the sons of high-ranking officials. However, with Zhu Hongbing participating in this year’s capital examination, Prime Minister Zhu Hongzhu had taken great pains to select only the most upright officials in the court as examiners. Under such circumstances, who would dare to cheat, courting death?
“Of course, the questions were not leaked on our end, but it is true that this paper is exceedingly strange. Answering all the Scriptural Exegesis and Classic Interpretations questions correctly is unheard of. And to produce such a policy essay, such poetry… it does not seem like something written on the spot in an examination hall. In short, he seems less like a mortal and more like an immortal descended to earth!”
“Indeed. That is what I meant.”
“The important thing is, we have no idea who this person is. We have never heard of such a monstrous genius among the candidates in the capital. Furthermore, Zhu Hongbing was determined to take first place this time. If we rank him second, it will cause a great stir.”
The first assistant examiner bristled at those words.
“What are you all implying? Are you suggesting we turn a blind eye and name Zhu Hongbing first? I will never agree. If you insist, I will immediately resign from my post as an examiner for this examination and formally petition His Majesty.”
Hearing this, the other examiners cursed him inwardly.
‘Damn it, what are you trying to do? Acting like you’re the only one with unbending integrity.’
One of them said.
“His Majesty is extremely fond of Zhu Hongbing, often saying, ‘Our family has a thousand-li horse.’ I fear it would startle His Majesty if Zhu Hongbing were to miss first place. Therefore…”
The chief examiner said.
“Continue.”
The examiner went on, “According to the rules, we can leave the names sealed and present both of these examination papers to His Majesty in their entirety. Then, how about we let His Majesty decide which one is superior?”
Hearing this, everyone looked at him with appreciative eyes.
‘That would be best.’
Soon, the first assistant examiner transcribed Madman Lan’s paper, while the youngest assistant examiner transcribed Zhu Hongbing’s. A full hour later, both papers were finally copied. By then, it was already two or three in the morning. The examiners lamented their fate. They would only get two hours of sleep before having to wake up early the next morning to continue grading the remaining papers—over two thousand of them.
According to the rules, the entire grading process would take three consecutive days. On the fourth day, the list of successful candidates would be compiled and the rankings decided. Then, the list would be written on paper and posted for public announcement. Since the martial examination was set to begin officially the next day, the lists of successful candidates for the Grace Examination and the martial examination would be posted at nearly the same time. The results of the martial examination were immediate and required no separate grading.
Previously, the provincial martial examination had included a section on military strategy called the policy paper. However, after being held only twice, it was abolished. Martial candidates were appointed as White Tiger Officials and were not required to study military strategy. However, for the metropolitan and palace martial examinations, military strategy was required, and the policy paper section carried significant weight, as all martial jinshis were considered elite talents destined to become generals.
Around three in the morning, the examiners finally went to bed. They were still confined within the examination grounds, unable to take a single step outside. But as they lay on their beds, their minds raced, and they tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
‘Who is that monster? It’s terrifying. To appear out of nowhere and suppress the capital’s foremost talent, Zhu Hongbing. Truly bizarre.’
* * *
Early the next morning, young Eunuch Lü returned to the examination grounds. The King was growing impatient, leaving him no choice.
“Sirs, have you found a blank examination paper?”
“We have not.”
Then, the chief examiner spoke up.
“Young Eunuch Lü, we have here two exceptionally brilliant examination papers. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will be the first and second place winners of this Grace Examination. However, we cannot decide which of them is first and which is second. We humbly request that His Majesty make the final decision.”
Lü Yin frowned slightly.
‘This isn’t the palace examination. Why must His Majesty decide this?’
Then, Lü Yin remembered that Zhu Hongbing was also a candidate in this examination.
‘Could it be that he performed poorly, and another genius has emerged?’
After a moment’s hesitation, Lü Yin accepted the two newly transcribed papers. He then asked again.
“Have you finished grading, sirs?”
The chief examiner replied.
“How could we be finished so quickly? There are still over two thousand papers left.”
“Then how can you be so certain that these two will be first and second?”
The chief examiner said.
“Then I misspoke. We are simply unable to judge which of these two papers is superior and wish for His Majesty to examine them with his discerning eye.”
Lü Yin nodded and left for the royal palace with the two papers.
* * *
In times of adversity, King Ning Yuanxian’s mind was filled with many concerns. In times of prosperity, his mind was like a blank sheet, holding nothing and seeking immediate answers. He had slept late last night, yet he had risen early for the sake of a single answer. He needed to know if Madman Lan had truly submitted a blank paper, thereby disrespecting the monarch. In truth, Ning Yuanxian did not care about Madman Lan; he cared about Shen Lang, and whether Shen Lang had done something to make him lose face.
‘If you, Shen Lang, are of the same mind as me, you would not put me in such an awkward position.’
Ning Yuanxian intended to have Madman Lan executed immediately upon confirming the blank paper, then drag Shen Lang in to demand the truth.
‘Shen Lang, if you cannot give me a satisfactory reason for your actions, do not blame me for being ruthless.’
Just then, Eunuch Lü Yin’s voice came from outside. The King said coldly.
“Enter. Lü Yin, did they find Madman Lan’s blank paper at the examination grounds?”
Lü Yin entered and reported.
“They did not. However, the examiners found two exceptionally brilliant papers. They are certain the first and second place winners will come from these two, but for the moment, they are unable to judge which is of a higher standard. They request that Your Majesty make the final decision.”
Ning Yuanxian replied coldly at once.
“I have no time for that. This isn’t the palace examination. What are they doing, not even earning their keep? Asking me to decide the rankings.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lü Yin prepared to withdraw with the two papers. But the King quickly considered a possibility.
‘Could it be that the boy, Zhu Hongbing, made a mistake? I haven’t heard anything of the sort. The Queen even said her nephew performed well this time.’
“Bring them here.”