Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 720: Why the Imperial Court Conducts the Imperial Examination
Outside Hanyuan Hall,

Everyone talked.
Soon, personal soldiers stood beside the big cauldron, constantly turning the roasted lamb, occasionally applying a handful of spices and brushing it with a layer of oil!

In the big cauldron,
In the flickering firelight, the yellow sheep was being roasted. As the flames jumped, the sheepskin bulged slightly and expanded a lot, and a unique fragrance gradually wafted out.

Gradually, the sheepskin turned golden, as if it had been soaked in honey, and the grease dripped, making a faint crackling sound.
See here,

The soldier in charge of roasting turned the sheep over and smeared ghee on it. Instantly, the fragrance burst out.
People not far away also smelled the fragrance. This fragrance was so delicious that everyone couldn't help but sniff.

Emperor Wu followed the scent and looked over, only to see that the yellow sheep used for offering sacrifices to the heavens was almost cooked.
My goodness, that kid Luo Yunhou was actually using the big cauldron used for offering sacrifices to the heaven to roast a lamb. How could this make sense? It is not used for offering sacrifices to the heaven. It needs to be left for a day before it can be eaten.

"You are such a jerk. The cauldron and offerings used for offering sacrifices to the heavens haven't even been there for a day, and you've already used them to roast a sheep. Didn't you just use them to offer sacrifices to the heavens?"

Zhang Jinyu looked at the color of the lamb, which was golden and crispy, and should be almost done. He smiled awkwardly.
"Your Majesty, I used it to offer sacrifice to the heavens, but I had already done the sacrifice. Besides, the tributes had to be shared after the sacrifice, so I just roasted it there. When it was cooked, didn't the heavens eat it first because they smelled the flavor?"

After he finished his quibbling, he waved his hand and asked his personal guards to bring a table and chairs. Zhang Jinyu personally poured a bowl of tea for His Majesty.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea and rest. It will be ready soon. Your Majesty, please try it first. It is definitely as good as the one made by the imperial kitchen."

"You kid, you have a lot of crooked ideas. Just now you said the dishes made by the imperial kitchen were worthless. Now you are being modest. Forget it today, but don't do it next time."

Emperor Wu scolded him again in a bad mood, then took the tea bowl and took a sip of the tea. He drank it down and felt a little hungry, not knowing whether it was because he was not full or because of the smell.
Seeing that His Majesty did not punish them, Zhang Jinyu reached out and pulled Chu Nian and Xiangyang Hou to sit down directly. He also moved the jar of wine on the altar over.

"Your Majesty, as the saying goes, happiness is better shared than happiness alone. I will drink a cup of wine with Your Majesty to relieve your worries."

Without waiting for the two people sitting next to him to look nervous, Zhang Jinyu asked his personal soldiers to cut a portion of the roasted mutton and bring it up on the table. The large plate of mutton exuded an enticing aroma.
Seeing this, Zhou Shihong, who suddenly felt relaxed, was obviously in a good mood. He picked up a small piece with chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed it gently. The fragrance of ghee mixed with spices and the mellow aroma of mutton were indeed not inferior to those in the imperial kitchen of the palace. It was worth the effort of Marquis Luo Yun.

"It is indeed unique. My lords, today, regardless of the distinction between the ruler and the subject, we are all enjoying the glory of Marquis Luo Yun. Let's enjoy it together."

"Thank you, Your Majesty,"

The two of them then carefully moved their chopsticks and picked up a piece of meat like gentlemen. When the mutton entered their mouths, they were both a little surprised. It was really delicious. It seemed that what the Marquis said was right. This method of cooking was a unique one outside the Great Wall.
Only Zhang Jinyu did not move his chopsticks. He directly reached out and took a large piece, tore it into two pieces, stood up and passed it to the internal minister Dai Quan and the imperial guard general Yu, asking them to have a taste. How could the two dare to take it casually? Finally, at the signal of Emperor Wu, they took it and took a bite. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the taste was very delicious. They praised it endlessly.
"It's worthy of the Marquis's craftsmanship. The taste is amazing."

Yu Dingzhi swallowed it almost in one gulp. The captain Sun Shan beside him was so greedy that he tilted his head back and sniffed hard. Only Dai Quan ate it calmly and swallowed it, then stood behind His Majesty again to serve.

"General Yu has praised me. Someone is coming. Serve General Yu and his men a plate of mutton."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

When he heard that there was more food to eat, Yu Dingzhi's face suddenly lit up with joy.

Time is fast,

After a while, everyone had eaten a large plate of food. When they were full, Zhang Jinyu asked someone to clear the plates, clean the table, and make some tea for everyone to drink to help digest the food.

Especially Emperor Wu, he never thought that he could eat so well just by coming out tonight. He even made an exception and drank a bowl of wine. The others did not dare to drink more and only drank one bowl with His Majesty.

Just at this time,

It seems that he asked out of emotion.

Emperor Wu suddenly asked;

"Lord Luo Yun, do you know why the court must hold the imperial examination?"

Zhang Jinyu, who had just finished his meal, was sitting there drinking tea. When he was asked by His Majesty, he paused for a moment. The imperial examination was to select officials, wasn't it?

Otherwise, what is the point of the imperial examination? He was about to open his mouth to ask, but he felt something was wrong. His Majesty's question must have a deep meaning. He glanced at Chu Nian and Xiangyang Hou. The two of them also looked suspicious and stood there without saying a word. Zhang Jinyu could not see the clues, so he had to reply;

"Your Majesty, the imperial court holds the Enke to select talents for the imperial court. Most of those who take the imperial examination want to become officials, that should be it."

"Haha, that's true and it's not true, what do you two think?"

Emperor Wu picked up the tea bowl and suddenly laughed, without saying whether it was right or wrong. He then asked Bai Guangju and Chu Nian.

The two looked at each other, with questions in their eyes, why did His Majesty ask this? Chu Nian thought about it first, and then followed Marquis Luo Yun's words, saying that it is better to be careful than not to do anything wrong.
"Your Majesty, I think what Marquis Luo Yun said is absolutely correct. The imperial examination has been established since the Sui and Tang dynasties. The selection of talents is more eclectic. The people available to the court have been expanded to include children from poor families. This makes scholars all over the world grateful."

"Well, that's a good point. This is one of the advantages. What do you think, Marquis of Xiangyang?"

Emperor Wu was smiling and in a good mood, but as Chu Nian said, the imperial examination had been gradually improved since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and now it had formed an inherent model, using eight-part essays to determine the world's talents, and its content usually includes the introduction, continuation of the topic, the beginning of the lecture, the introduction, the beginning, the middle, the end and the conclusion, which are also the essence of the eight-part essay. The beginning, the middle, the end and the conclusion are the main part of the formal discussion. Among these four parts, each has two parallel and antithetical texts, a total of eight parts, so it is called eight-part essay.

Those who could write these were all outstanding scholars. He turned around and looked at the Marquis of Xiangyang who was sitting there without saying a word, wanting to hear his opinion.

How could Bai Guangju understand the imperial examination? He had always heard other people talk about it. When he was studying in the Imperial College, his teacher also said that the fate of scholars was just like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. However, for noble families, these were of no use. However, he had the words of Marquis Luo Yun and Lord Chu Nian before him, so he had a reference.

"Your Majesty, I don't know much about the imperial examination, but I do know that those who can enter the examination hall are all outstanding people. They come to take the imperial examination after they have studied hard and are confident in their studies. So I think that the court's move is to select officials for the court."

This statement was reasonable and true, but because it was true, Emperor Wu waved his hand.
"Everyone says that the Marquis of Xiangyang is smart. In my opinion, you are too smart. What you said is equivalent to saying nothing. The court selects officials from those who participate in the imperial examination. Otherwise, how can you govern the world for me if you can't even understand the court's reports and letters? Marquis Luo Yun, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhang Jinyu was a little full at this time. His Majesty and the others didn't eat much of the big plate of meat just now, and most of it went into his stomach. When he saw the emperor asking again, he didn't think about it anymore. Examinations to select talents are not something that has existed in ancient times. They will be more strict in the future. It's just that now, transportation is inconvenient and the journey is long. If you are not careful, you will die on the road. Therefore, only one in ten thousand can come to take the exam. Of course, the importance is the same for everyone.

"Your Majesty, I have nothing to add. I hope this imperial examination will bring some treasures to the court."

"Haha, you can't ask for too many treasures, as long as you have capable people. After all, the first purpose of the imperial examination is not to select talents, nor to educate the world. Educating people is something that the scholars and academies have to do."

Emperor Wu reached out his hand from the tea bowl, tapped a little tea with his finger, and drew a circle on the table, which confused the three people. Zhang Jinyu didn't understand anyway. Did he draw a circle to curse you?

"Your Majesty, I don't understand. If it's not to transform the world, then why?" The two people beside him were also confused and didn't understand.

Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong, after drawing the circle, picked up the tea bowl and poured water into the circle, but there was only water inside the circle, and no extra water leaked out from outside the circle.

"Of course, it is to imprison the patriots, to put all the smart people in the world into the cage of eight-legged essays, to let them study the chapters and sentences, and study the classics until they are old. In this way, these people will have something to do, and will not have wild ideas, nor will they be easily bewitched by evil cults. Then the scholars will be stable, and even if there are still people in the world who want to rebel, they are just bandits and will not be able to accomplish anything big, and the court will be stable."

As soon as the words fell,
Wan Lai is quiet,

Even Zhang Jinyu blinked his eyes when he heard it, as if what His Majesty said was right. There is also a truth in the later generations that they are not afraid of anything, but they are afraid of people with culture who are difficult to deal with. This is obviously a truth, but it is not right. The Taiping Sect is so rampant now, there should be many scholars. The court is almost losing Jingnan, and it seems that it has nothing to do with the scholars. I have been holding it in my heart for a long time, but I can't say it out now.
The three of them could only clasp their fists at the same time.
"Your Majesty is wise."

"Okay, now that I've had enough, I should go back. Marquis Luo Yun, tomorrow, um, tonight, the three princes will also come to supervise the exam. Don't worry about their identities, just arrange it as you see fit."

Emperor Wu stood up and led Dai Quan to go back. Before leaving, he said something else. Zhang Jinyu was overwhelmed. Those three princes came to the examination hall, which was causing trouble. He did not dare to refute. What else could he do after hearing what he said? He replied;
"I accept your order,"

"Let's go back to the palace,"

"Get started!"

Following Dai Quan's loud shout, the emperor's sedan chair left Hanyuan Hall.

After people leave,
The three of them looked at each other and wiped their sweat. Marquis Xiangyang couldn't help but hold the wine jar, poured another bowl of wine, and drank it all in one gulp, as if to quench his thirst.
"Master Chu, Lord Marquis, everything is difficult at the beginning. Some things are even more difficult than others. Since the three princes are coming, we must be strict in Hanyuan Hall. Whether it is the inspectors or the candidates, they must be strictly supervised and the rules of the Enke must not be violated."

Xiangyang Hou now realized the pressure on Luo Yun Hou and Chu Nian. There were too many people, and most of the examiners were relatively young censors. Add in the three princes, and Hanyuan Hall would be very lively.
Chu Nian was sitting beside him with a sad face. He had never thought that His Majesty would ask the three princes to come. Did this mean that he did not trust them, or did His Majesty have other intentions?
"My Lord, what Brother Bai said is a safe method. If you want to maintain the rules of the imperial examination, you must implement strict policies in extraordinary times. Otherwise, if you slack off a little, you will make a big mistake. My Lord, please be careful."

Listening to the two people's serious words, Zhang Jinyu came back to his senses. It was really weird. How come there were so many problems in this year's imperial examination? Everyone wanted to take a chance. I wonder what's going on in the "Gongyuan" in the capital, and what's going on with Master Nan. The pressure there is no less than here. Also, is Master Nan also staying in the examination room tonight?
"I'll leave this to you. I also want to see who dares to cause trouble in the examination room. He will be punished severely, no one will be exempted. As for the three princes, Brother Bai, those who are capable should do more work. They will stay by your side and follow you on patrols. If there is anything, you can take the three princes for a walk to relax. I brought a lot of snacks, so don't be stingy."

Zhang Jinyu had made it very clear in what he said. He wanted Marquis of Xiangyang to stop doing other things and just keep an eye on the three princes. He could not rely on them for internal affairs.

Xiangyang Hou understood and agreed with a wry smile.
"Don't worry about this matter, my lord. I know how powerful it is and there will be no mistakes. It's just that Lord Chu, please take care of the examination room."

"Of course, everything has been arranged long ago. We are just waiting for all the officials to enter the palace tomorrow, and the candidates to enter the examination hall. The examination will start on time the day after tomorrow."

Chu Nian answered with a firm look,
Only Marquis Luo Yun was stunned. Tomorrow all officials will enter the palace and candidates will enter the examination room. Shouldn’t the candidates take the exam the day after tomorrow? Why would they enter the examination room tomorrow?
"Master Chu, you just said something wrong, didn't you? It's not that all the officials will enter the palace tomorrow, and the candidates will start the exam the day after tomorrow, so how can they enter the palace tomorrow?"

"My Lord, who told you that only officials can enter the palace tomorrow? The exam will start the day after tomorrow. Examiners will enter the palace one day in advance in the morning, and candidates will enter the palace in the afternoon and end the next morning. The exam will start the day after tomorrow, which means the papers will be distributed the day after tomorrow. Candidates who come late will only waste their time. Therefore, the day before the exam, the inspection of students entering the palace will be held overnight."

Chu Nian was still a little confused. These were the traditional rules. Didn’t the Marquis know about them?
Zhang Jinyu just understood after hearing Lord Chunian's explanation, but when he thought about it, the time was too tight. How could he check so many people in one day, especially in the Imperial Examination Hall? Lord Nan had many officials and they were experienced, so it might be faster. On his side, although there were many people, they were all novices. The time was too tight, and he would definitely be in a mess. This wouldn't work. He had to think of a way and ask;

"Master Chu, since it all takes time, how long will it take for the examinee to enter the palace and verify his identity?"

"My Lord, the inspection is very detailed. Clothing, food, and health are all checked. There are three types of cheating in the imperial examinations: one is bribing the examiner, the second is smuggling, and the third is pretending to be someone else. So these three are the focus of the inspection. Our main focus is to check for smuggling and pretending to be someone else, so it takes time."

Chu Nian did not shy away from mentioning the cheating methods commonly used by candidates. The most important one was smuggling in papers, because bribing officials still existed, but it was much less common. After all, there were so many people, and it was impossible to stop them from talking. Therefore, smuggling in papers and bribery were top priorities.

Some were hidden in the lining of clothes, the four treasures of the study, the clothes, shoes and socks they were wearing, and later even the dry food they ate had to be opened and checked. The last type was impersonation, which was rare, after all, the candidates had to be guaranteed by a letter of recommendation, and if they were wrong, they would be punished collectively.

When I heard this,

Don't even think about sleeping that night. This won't work. It's too slow. If the examiners come in a day earlier, the students from Beijing can be examined a morning earlier. Maybe they can rest a little longer.
Thinking of this,
Zhang Jinyu sat up and instructed Ning Bian;
"Ningbian, immediately send someone to the Marquis' Mansion and inform them according to the list of inspectors that all examiners must be in place tonight. I am waiting for them in Hanyuan Hall. In addition, post notices in various places in the capital that all candidates holding red slips can enter the hall starting tomorrow morning. The examination papers will be distributed and the examination will begin the day after tomorrow. In addition, "

Zhang Jinyu immediately spoke much more quietly. Ning Bian understood, walked to his side, bent down and whispered,
Zhang Jinyu whispered,
"Go to Rongguo Mansion and inform Jia Lan to come over early tomorrow morning after dinner and be careful."

"Yes, Lord Marquis, I will send someone back to the Marquis' Mansion to inform the censors of various ministries."

Ning Bian nodded in response, keeping the Marquis' instructions in mind.

After a while,
From the palace, fast horses galloped all the way back to the marquis' mansion. In less than a moment, no less than a hundred personal soldiers of the marquis' mansion all rode their horses and scattered around, posting notices all over the capital. After finishing their work, they quickly rushed to various mansions in the capital, knocking on doors to convey Marquis Luo Yun's orders. For a while, the sound of horse hooves was endless in the capital.

Many people were still wondering if something had happened in the palace, and they sent people to inquire around.

Emperor Wu, who had just returned to the Yangxin Palace to wash up, had not yet had a chance to catch his breath when a soldier from the Imperial Guard came to report and passed on the message. The eunuchs on duty outside the door did not dare to neglect it and hurried in to ask for an audience behind the screen.

"Your Majesty, the Chongwen Gate Guards just reported that after Your Majesty left, Marquis Luo Yun sent a messenger back to the Marquis's mansion, and then a large number of cavalrymen posted notices everywhere."

"Oh, posting notices everywhere, what's that for?"

"Your Majesty, the notice says that the examinees will enter the hall tomorrow morning. Tonight, all examiners from Hanyuan Hall will enter the hall overnight. Those soldiers are leaving in a hurry."

Emperor Wu turned around, changed his clothes with the help of Dai Quan, and smiled.

"Look, isn't this just speeding up? Dai Quan, send someone to the three princes' residences to tell them to pack their bags tonight and go to Hanyuan Palace overnight. Listen to Marquis Luo Yun's arrangements and don't be negligent. Tell them to watch more and talk less."

"this,"

Dai Quan hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was too late, but seeing the emperor's expression, it was obvious that he was not joking, so he responded;

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will arrange for someone to pass the message right away, but it should be a little later. After all, it is a bit sudden and the food has not been prepared for the three princes yet."

"Those things, prepare them and send them over later. With Luo Yunhou carrying so many things, how can he let the three of them starve? Go quickly."

"Here!"

(End of this chapter)