The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Chapter 609: Posting a notice to the world

The capital is bustling with traffic and bustling with people.

Gongyuan's Qiu Wei answer sheet has finally entered the grading process.

Yan Chengjin saw Li Qing'e coming to see Li Dongyang off, and prepared a food box for him: "Master Yan, I made an extra serving."

"Thank you, Miss Qing'e." Yan Chengjin reached out and took it.

Li Dongyang looked at it maliciously, "Gongyuan has been locked up for the past few days. What do I want you to eat?"

After the marking officer entered the Gongyuan, the door closed with a bang.

Yan Chengjin followed the clerk who was reviewing the papers and walked inside.

In the narrow side room, there are five writing desks, and each writing desk can accommodate two marking officers. There are only three marking side rooms in the entire Gongyuan.

When the marking officer encounters a paper that can be designated as Jieyuan, it must be handed over to Li Dongyang and Yan Chengjin for evaluation.

During the inspection, Yan Chengjin saw a Hanlin grading paper very quickly. He glanced left and right and then put pen to paper to grade.

A grading machine without emotion!

Li Dongyang's eyes widened. This guy came in and did nothing.

"Stop reading and mark the papers quickly!"

"It's not that I don't want to read it, it's because I'm afraid of hurting others."

Li Dongyang visibly choked and looked furious. You clearly don't want to work!

Yan Chengjin is telling the truth.

I got the third grade by cramming into the exam by relying on the answers written by my father.

The lecture notes for Jingyan were kindly provided by Wang Yue and Cheng Minzheng.

Although he looks like an expert outside the world, in fact, his foundation of the Four Books and Five Classics is far inferior to that of Hanlin.

Even if you can’t understand the title, it’s like grading an essay, which requires very high literary literacy and evaluation standards.

Asking him to mark the exam is harming people.

Soon, the Hanlin stood up and came to Li Dongyang with the test paper in hand, and said happily: "Sir, Qiu Wei Jieyuan is out!"

Only half a day has passed, and most of the answer sheets have not been read yet. Do you dare to say that Jie Yuan has come out?

In the check-in room, all the examiners' eyes fell on the paper.

Li Dongyang read the full text carefully, stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Not bad, good answer!"

In order to prevent fraud, His Majesty ordered the answers to be copied on new test paper so that the handwriting could not be read.

But Yan Chengjin knew from the exposition style and sentence structure that it was not Yan Song's paper.

"How can you easily decide on Jieyuan in just half a day? What's your name? I'm going to deduct your salary!"

The Hanlin's face turned green and he was confident that the papers he read were correct: "Fei Hong, the minister of Zhan Shifu, is the one who leads the officials of the Ministry of Rites to grade the papers!" Yan Chengjin was slightly surprised, no wonder the papers were graded so quickly.

Fei Hong was the youngest Hanlin in the Ming Dynasty. Of course, this was without traveling through time.

This man passed the imperial examination and was extremely talented. However, because Emperor Hongzhi favored veterans, he was not reused for a long time. He has been on duty in James's Mansion and Hanyuan.

It was only after Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne that he was promoted to cabinet bachelor.

This guy hasn't reviewed a single paper, so what's the shame of slandering him? Li Dongyang said seriously: "The answers to this paper are excellent, and the writing and thinking are quite mature."

There is a sense of stability, comparable to the writing of a great scholar.

Several marking officers saw it and praised it.

The first, second, and third place are actually pretty much the same. Who is chosen as Jieyuan depends purely on appearance and the mood of the examiner.

As the examiner, Yan Chengjin had the power to nominate Jieyuan, and he wanted to nominate Yan Song as Jieyuan.

Yang Shen's reputation in history comes from his articles and poems. He is known as the first of the three great talents of the Ming Dynasty.

But he made no achievements in his official career. His talent is far inferior to that of Yan Song. Not everyone is suitable for officialdom.

"This candidate also gave an excellent answer! Mr. Li, please take a look." Another marking officer sent the paper.

"It's too early to decide who will be Jieyuan now. It's better to finish the examination and let Master Yan and Master Li decide." A Hanlin suggested.

"That's fine."

The Ministry of Rites sent five more reviewers than in previous years. In just five days, all the candidates who could make the list were placed on the desks of Yan Chengjin and Li Dongyang.

It’s time to fill in the exam!

There are three answers that can nominate Jieyuan. I wonder if Yan Song is included?

Yan Chengjin feels very comfortable and will be discharged from the hospital today.

Li Dongyang felt warm in his heart, and the marking officers gathered around the desk with smiles on their faces. Next, it was the moment to witness the miracle.

"Haha, please come and unblock me."

On the desk, there are three answer sheets that can nominate Jieyuan, and the wax seals are all unlocked.

Fei Hong's heart suddenly tightened in his throat. This was the paper he asked.

The first answer sheet, Yang Shen!

Li Dongyang had a slight smile on his face. Yang Shen was half of his disciple and had listened to his lectures at home.

The second answer sheet, Gu Dingchen!

The marking officials were slightly surprised, but quickly regained their composure. Apparently they had never heard of this scholar's name.

Yan Chengjin took a deep breath. This person is the top pick in next year's palace examination!

"I think Gu Dingchen is a son of a poor family, so it's not bad that he can write such an article." Li Dongyang nodded with a smile.

The marking officers' eyes turned around and there was a third answer sheet.

But when I saw the name on the answer sheet, my eyes straightened out. How could it be him?

Li Dongyang looked at the two words on the paper with a complex expression.

The third answer sheet, Yan Song!

Everyone knew Yan Song's name. Because of him, the examination was delayed for six days. Although the Ministry of Rites did not mention it, it complained about him.

Li Dongyang smiled and picked up the Langhao pen: "Then I will fill in the rankings. Yang Shen will be chosen as the winner, Gu Dingchen will be second, and Yan Song will be last."

The examiner nodded. Yang Shen was the son of Yang Tinghe. Yang Gong taught the prince, and his talents and learning were even equal to Li Dongyang's. He was well deserved!

At this moment, a discordant voice sounded: "I think Yan Song should be promoted as Jieyuan, Yang Shen is the last, and Gu Dingchen is the second."

There is no need to talk about the entanglement between Yan Chengjin and Yan Song. The examiner always feels that there is a desire to promote him.

Li Dongyang pulled his face, and this kid sang a different tune with him: "Why choose Yan Song?"

"Yan Song was detained for more than two hours in the autumn examination, but he was able to enter the top three red list." Yan Chengjin's meaning is self-evident.

…

After waiting for eleven days, today can finally post the list.

Early in the morning, there were crowds of people outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

The scholar was suppressed for eleven days, and came to the wall of the Imperial Examination Hall with tears of joy, waiting for the clerk to post the red list, and there were crowds of people.

"It's Yan Song, it was him who caused the answer sheets of the Imperial Examination Hall to be locked for six days!"

"You still have the face to see the list?"

The posting of the autumn examination list was postponed, and Yan Song did not dare to walk on the street for fear of being criticized.

But the list was posted today, so he had to come. If he failed, he would return home first.

"It's out! The first list."

"My name is Gu Dingchen, help me see if I'm on the list?" The slightly thin scholar stood on tiptoe, but was blocked by the people in front of him.

"Are you blind? Look for yourself!"

The scholars were busy with their own affairs, staring at the list on the wall with wide eyes.

This is the first list, from the 270th to the 150th, a total of 120 people.

Yan Song stared at the names on the list, no, no...

"I got it! The 180th is me!"

There were voices of tears of joy, and some people beat their chests and stamped their feet.

The yamen runners posted the second list, and the scholars cried and cried, and there was a heart-breaking sound outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

The second list, from the 149th to the 11th, a total of 138 people.

"No... not me!"

"I passed! No. 58!"

The scholars burst into tears, while others were overjoyed and in chaos.

Yang Shen was stunned, only the last list was left.

Yan Song looked a little uneasy, staring blankly at the wall. Did he fail?

The scholars held their breath and saw the yamen runners post the last list.

10th place, He Qingyuan

9th place, Wei Kexi

8th place, Chang Su

7th place, Tang Qi

...