Chapter 231: New Scholars' Selection

Not long after, the palace examination was held earlier than in the past.

The emperor personally held court in the main hall, and all he mentioned were matters related to military affairs, politics, and administration of officials.

However, most of them just talk in general terms and don't go into details.

Therefore, after the palace examination, there was not much change in the rankings.

Compared with the following candidates, Yang Wenyuan, whose answer seemed a bit mediocre, still stood in fourth place, first in the second class.

The first three people in the first class are the top scorer, the second scorer and the third scorer.

According to convention, they would be immediately appointed and enter the Hanlin Academy.

The top scholar was appointed as an editor in the Hanlin Academy (sixth rank).

The second and third place winners were appointed editors of the Hanlin Academy (seventh rank).

As for the other second- and third-class Jinshi, if they want to be appointed as officials in the Hanlin Academy, they have to go through another round of examinations. Based on the comprehensive results of the previous and subsequent examinations, the best ones will be selected to enter the Hanlin Academy as Shujishi, commonly known as "dian Hanlin".

If he fails to be appointed as a Hanlin, he will have to bid farewell to Bianliang, the center of the imperial court, and seek to be transferred to other places.

Sheng Hong is one of the best among them.

After wandering outside for decades, he would be evaluated and rated as an official, and if he had connections in the court, he would be promoted again, or he would be appointed as an official and transferred to Bianliang, where he would be given the title of a Beijing official, but he would still be a small fry in the court.

But more of them simply become ordinary people, with power only at the county level, and stay at the grassroots level their entire lives.

In contrast, the Shujishi who entered the Hanlin Academy were completely different.

Compared with the Jinshi who were sent out to study, they were more like royal families.

The people who taught them on weekdays were the assistant ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites.

They did not need to worry about administrative assessments, but only needed to concentrate on studying classics and history in the Hanlin Academy and compiling history books. They also had the right to participate in politics and were responsible for drafting imperial edicts and occasionally explaining classics to the emperor (of course, this was generally to serve the royal children, but it was obviously not necessary now). They were regarded as close ministers to the emperor.

After three years, or if the imperial examination is held in advance, there will be another examination when the old and new Shujishi take over, which is also called "Sanguan".

Those who excel in the examination can stay in the academy and become Hanlin officials such as editors and compilers.
The next level of Shujishi was sent to serve in the six ministries as chief officials and censors;
The rest will be sent to local areas to serve as important positions such as prefects.

In any case, the Shujishi were able to quickly become senior officials of the Great Zhou and enter the core of central rule more quickly.

Only Jinshi can enter the Hanlin Academy, and only Hanlin can enter the Cabinet.

Therefore, Shujishi was also called "Prime Minister".

It is said that the imperial examination is an opportunity for students to make a breakthrough, but the selection of candidates for the Hanlin Academy after the palace examination is equally important in the eyes of the new Jinshi.

Even worse.

After all, if you fail the imperial examination, you can still take it again, three years after three years, until you die.

But the opportunity to enter the Hanlin Academy is the only chance in the life of the new Jinshi.

Once you miss it, you can never make it up in your lifetime.

For any official who wants to realize his ambitions in the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Shujishi is their fastest channel.

Yang Wenyuan is naturally no exception.

If the emperor is in good health and enjoys eating, it doesn't matter if he is sent abroad. After all, with the background of the Yang family, he can be transferred back to Bianliang in a few years at most.

But Yang Wenyuan is a wall-hanger!

But it’s a little incomplete…

As we all know, all TV dramas will intentionally or unintentionally blur the time and story lines. Often, you will watch a drama carefully, but in the end you still don’t know how old the protagonists are, or how many years have passed from the beginning to the end.

Maybe in the blink of an eye, several months may pass.

The screen suddenly went black, and a year or two had passed.

When Yang Wenyuan watched TV series, he always liked to watch them at double the speed. He was nicknamed "I feel uncomfortable if I don't fast forward" and he couldn't remember many details clearly.

Naturally, Yang Wenyuan also forgot exactly how many years after the imperial examination the emperor passed away. At least it was not three years later, otherwise Qi Heng would not have been able to wait for the imperial examination.

But you never know.

After all, it was originally a stage play performed on the screen according to a script, but since Yang Wenyuan came, his every move has changed many people and many things.

Not to say that it is completely unrecognizable, but many things are in a mess.

But Yang Wenyuan doesn't regret it.

After all the trouble of coming here, if you can't express what's in your heart, what's the point of coming here?
After the results of the palace examination were announced, there was a flower-arranging parade through the streets.

The number one scholar Han Dehua, the second place Wang Jin, and the third place Xue Ren left the palace through the main gate, while the second and third place scholars Yang Wenyuan and Changbai could only leave the palace through the side gate.

Today's palace examination is just a formality, the flower arrangement and parade are the main focus.

Therefore, the Jinshi scholars had already bathed and changed their clothes before arriving. They wore dark blue silk robes with dark green edges, round collars and wide sleeves, and Jinshi scarves on their heads (with left and right corners, more than an inch wide and five inches long, with hanging black gauze ribbons and a pair of hairpin flowers). They were all in high spirits.

There were already guards clearing the way outside the palace gate, with tall horses ready.

When they saw the scholars coming out, someone came forward, each holding a red flower in his hand and put it on the scholar's chest.

After wearing red flowers on their chests, the successful candidates mounted their horses one by one.

Han Dehua, who had white hair on the front and looked to be in his forties but was actually only in his early thirties, had not yet had time to move when two black-clothed servants suddenly appeared from his side, holding whips and stirrups, and carefully helped Han Dehua to mount the horse.

Afterwards, he walked quickly forward, holding the horse reins, leading the horse for the way.

Han Dehua reined in his horse and walked slowly, looking very excited.

The filth of the past is not worth boasting about, but my unbridled thoughts today are limitless. The spring breeze is blowing and the horse's hooves are galloping, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day.

At this moment, Han Dehua was riding a horse holding a tablet and standing at the front of the Jinshi scholars. In front of him was a team of ceremonial guards holding up flags and carrying a plaque with the words "Jinshi Jidi". Musical instruments were playing, firecrackers and gongs and drums were blasting, and the surrounding imperial guards were clearing the way for guarding, followed by a group of Jinshi scholars with high spirits.

"To be the leader among all the successful candidates of the same year, there is nothing more satisfying in life than this!" Seeing the envious and respectful eyes of the people along the street, Han Dehua, the newly crowned champion, could not help but feel elated. The bitterness of his previous hard work turned into a burst of joy in his heart in an instant.

"This man has an ordinary and somewhat rustic appearance, but when he is generous, he becomes very handsome."

Similarly, at this moment, with the blessing of their Jinshi status, the Jinshi who were riding horses in the parade looked like gods to the people around them.

In the courtyards along the street, girls and women closed their doors and peeked in, while students and common people cast envious glances. Most of these Jinshi were reclusive people who never went out of the house, and when suddenly faced with this scene, many of them felt uncomfortable and the smiles on their faces began to stiffen.

Ever since Yang Wenyuan could remember, he was no longer surprised by this kind of looks. At the moment, he could only regard it as a small matter and naturally took it in stride.

Changbai, who is not far away, is also calm and composed after many experiences in polo clubs.

"Cousin, cousin, look here!"

Suddenly, Yang Wenyuan heard a familiar voice coming from the crowd. He looked in the direction of the voice and immediately saw an empty circle surrounded by a group of Marquis Mansion guards in front of him on the right. Inside was Yang Rujin who had just shouted loudly. Seeing that Yang Wenyuan noticed her shouting, the girl jumped up excitedly and waved her arms even faster.

Aunt Chen, who was standing by, was holding her forehead with her hand helplessly, and was at a loss as to what to do with Yang Rujin who was like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.

Seeing this, Yang Wenyuan chuckled and nodded.

Then Yang Wenyuan turned his head to look at Hua Lan, who was standing next to Yang Rujin with a graceful and elegant demeanor and a bun-like bun on her head. She looked so delicate and charming like a young girl with a hint of mature charm that Yang Wenyuan was stunned for a moment.

I don’t know if it was Yang Wenyuan’s illusion, but he seemed to feel that Hualan had gained some weight.

But that’s right. Yang Wenyuan reacted immediately and felt that he had found the answer.

After all, after such a long period of tireless work day and night to irrigate it, it is natural that it is plump and full.

The couple looked at each other across the crowd and immediately stuck to each other.

Hua Lan couldn't yell like Yang Rujin. She nodded her head slightly, revealing her crystal white forehead, and a gentle smile appeared on her creamy and smooth cheeks.

Smile at each other.

Yang Wenyuan took a quick taste and didn't look at it any further before retracting his gaze.

Seeing Changbai looking over at him, Yang Wenyuan apologized:

"My sister's personality is not as gentle as that of ordinary women. I'm sorry to make you laugh."

Changbai shook his head and said with a smile:
"Sister Rujin follows her own will and is easy to get along with."

At this moment, before the two could say anything more, the familiar shouts of the two were heard again in the front.

"Bai'er, Bai'er, mother is here!"

"..." Changbai smiled awkwardly.

Yang Wenyuan suppressed his smile and said:
"It seems that my mother-in-law is just like my sister, and she is easy to get along with."

Just like Yang Ruijin, Yang Ruijin, Sheng Jiafenjin, and Wang Ruofu, they also shouted loudly, making it hard for people not to notice.

Some people are proud of the light of success, while naturally some people are dejected in the quagmire of failure.

While parading along the streets, Yang Wenyuan saw many failed candidates.

They did not leave Bianjing, the sad place, immediately, but came to the victors' place of joy, gazing at the glory they had imagined with loneliness.

Their eyes were very complicated.

There was a mixture of shame, envy and jealousy, which made Yang Wenyuan wonder:
"There won't be any ruthless people here who want to replace me, right?"

After the flower arrangement parade, a banquet will be held.

This was a celebratory banquet arranged by officials from the Ministry of Rites for the successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

Because it was held in Qionglin Garden, it is also called "Qionglin Banquet".

Many ministers from the court attended the celebratory banquet, and they toasted with the new scholars, drank, admired the scenery, and talked about the future.

Being able to have a banquet with so many senior officials is the most glorious moment in the life of most of the newly-minted scholars here. In the future, most of them may not even be able to get the title of Beijing official, let alone have a drink and chat with so many bigwigs.

This is how these senior officials came here back then.

Seeing the newly-appointed scholars was like seeing the young and ignorant self back then, so it was rare that he did not put on too much official airs and appeared very approachable.

Just like the tolerance shown to students in later generations, the ministers in the court tonight were also tolerant and generous to the new scholars.

They had a great time during the dinner.

After the Jinshi celebration banquet.

The next step is the selection process for the Hanlin Academy.

The top three candidates do not need to participate in the selection process; they are directly granted the positions of compilers or editors and enter the Hanlin Academy as officials.

As for the second and third class Jinshi who wanted to enter the Hanlin Academy, they needed to submit a total of 15 poems, fu, essays and policies they had written to the Ministry of Rites within one month of observing politics.

Then it was sent to the Ministry of Rites for screening.

Finally, after being evaluated by the Hanlin Bachelor, the Attending Bachelor, the Attending Lecturer Bachelor and others, the candidates were selected to become Shujishi.

The academy selection will also refer to the results of the palace examination, so as long as Yang Wenyuan's essay is not too bad, the chances of passing the line are almost certain.

Unless those people are stubborn and want their family to be recorded in the Yang family's little notebook.

But the truth is the truth.

Facing this final blow, Yang Wenyuan did not relax at all.

Yang Wenyuan thought that after passing the imperial examination, he could throw away his books, but the result was beyond his expectations.

If you want to pass the library selection, you still have to study hard.

Not only did they have to report to the Hanlin Academy at Chenshi (8 a.m.) every day, but they could also leave at Shenshi (3 p.m.), and during that time there were lectures given by the Grand Secretary and regular tests.

And because there is a requirement to observe politics during the museum selection period.

Therefore, Yang Wenyuan and others had to attend the court meetings every other day.

At three o'clock in the morning (a little after four in the morning), the sky was gray.

Yang Wenyuan, the selected Jinshi who were striving for advancement, and all the officials were waiting in the square outside Duanli Gate, waiting for the emperor to pack up and issue an edict to go to court.

Of course, newbies have no human rights, and the newly-appointed scholars can only get positions in the marginal places. Only the top three, the No. 1, No. 2, and Han Dehua, are separated from the masses and stand among the officials.

If Yang Wenyuan relied on his title, he could have moved forward, but as the old saying goes, only those who have endured hardships can become successful. Yang Wenyuan decided to learn from his father-in-law Sheng Hong and follow his heart... and act prudently!
Although the emperor is now old and has no legitimate son to serve as the crown prince, it is obvious that the emperor's reputation for benevolence is not groundless. He is still a good emperor who is diligent in state affairs.

The officials in the square did not have to wait long. After a while, the eunuchs in the palace came to inform all officials to enter the palace to attend court.

After receiving the notice, the officials who were originally in a somewhat messy and low-voiced chattering no longer gathered into small groups. Instead, they each found their own seats in silence, and then, in order of priority, passed through the Duanli Gate one by one, holding their tablets, and entered the magnificent and majestic Golden Palace.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

"Everyone loves you!"

After a set of procedures, it is time for daily reporting.

One by one, the officials began to come out and speak, holding tablets in their hands. However, the newly-appointed Jinshi like Yang Wenyuan and Changbai, who were not even considered as Shujishi, were just silent extras like most of the middle and low-level officials. Unless they were specifically called out, they could not say a word.

The scholar of the Hanlin Academy in front, Han Ge Lao, began to speak.

"Your Majesty, the military examination will begin in a few days. I have discussed with the scholars of the Hanlin Academy and hope that Your Majesty will allow the new Jinshi to observe government affairs in the military examination."

(End of this chapter)