The examiners fought hard and brilliantly over the ranking of the last ten papers, with much verbal spitting and sharp arguing. Finally, the ranking of seven of the last ten papers was decided.
Only the test papers for the top three have not yet been determined.
These three examination papers were supported by several examiners respectively. Three out of the eight examiners preferred the examination paper pointed out by the deputy chief examiner Yan Maoqing; three examiners and the chief examiner Xu Jie stood on the same front and unanimously agreed with the examination paper recommended by the crazy chief examiner Gao. The eight-part essay was well written, and even the green ci was unique. Although the comment of "such a talented person is worthy of praise" was a bit too much, it was definitely the only candidate for the top prize this time; the remaining two examiners preferred another examination paper. The eight-part essay in that examination paper also had a solid foundation, and the green ci was also magnificent and an excellent work.
Yan Maoqing was very quiet during the final ranking. The three examiners behind him argued with each other with red faces and thick necks. These three were also members of Yan’s party circle.
Xu Jie is a good guy who doesn't talk much, but his status is clear.
Although the other two examiners also argued their case, they did not have as many family members as them and were also afraid.
Finally, the third place test paper was also determined, which was the one favored by the remaining two examiners.
Now only the test papers favored by Xu Jie and Yan Maoqing were left, and they were arguing endlessly over the first and second place.
Yan Maoqing was unusually quiet at this critical moment. He did not say a word even though the three examiners behind him were arguing with Xu Jie and others with red faces and thick necks.
"I wonder what Lord Yan thinks?" Xu Jie turned his gaze to Yan Maoqing and asked with a faint smile on his lips.
After Xu Jie finished asking questions, Yan Maoqing finally took action.
In the eyes of the examiners, Yan Maoqing stroked his hat with his hand to make it straight, then adjusted his clothes to spread out every fold of his clothes, and then put on a very formal expression... ...
What is Lord Yan doing? The examiners in the Zhigong Hall looked at Yan Maoqing, who was dressed in formal attire and wearing a hat, and were very puzzled.
After straightening his clothes and hat, Yan Maoqing moved. He walked to the long table where the last two test papers were placed and picked up one of them.
This test paper was exactly the one that Xu Jie liked.
The three examiners behind Yan Maoqing made surprised noises. What happened to Lord Yan? Why did the old man Xu Jie pick up the test paper he liked? Did Lord Yan forget Lord Yan's arrangement? !
Amid the surprise of the examiners, Yan Maoqing placed the test paper that Xu Jie liked neatly in the center of the long desk, and then Yan Maoqing did something that surprised the examiners even more.
Yan Maoqing placed his left hand on top of his right hand, hid his hands in his sleeves, raised his hands to his forehead, bowed ninety degrees, then stood up, while his hands were raised to his eyebrows again, and then he put his hands down.
Damn it
Why is Lord Yan paying homage to this test paper? !
The examiners in the Zhigong Hall were so surprised that their eyes almost popped out. Yan Maoqing bowed to the test paper that Xu Jie liked! This flattery is too exaggerated, isn't it? Xu Jie is only two ranks higher than you!
As for the three examiners behind Yan Maoqing, they were even more surprised, their hearts almost jumped out of their chests. Hey, hey, hey, Master Yan, you must have made a mistake! You can't play it like this. The code you told us at the beginning was Yu Xiuzai. If we decide this paper as the champion, it will be a great achievement in front of Lord Yan! Aren't we all Lord Yan's people, why did you run to that old guy Xu Jie's team? ! This is the credit I got! ! !
"This test paper..."
Under the surprised eyes of the crowd, Yan Maoqing finished his ceremony and spoke softly. His voice was a little hoarse, but it was indescribably solemn and serious.
How is this test paper? Tell me quickly! The examiners were very anxious.
"This test paper is very good..."
Yan Maoqing's voice came to the ears of the examiners, six words. Every word uttered from his thin lips, to the ears of the three examiners behind Yan Maoqing, was as if they were sitting on the ground in December with heavy snow, and the cold wind swept the blizzard and hit their bodies, chilling them to the heart.
Lord Yan, Lord Yan, how can you say that the paper is very good? Have you forgotten Lord Yan!!!
Except for the three examiners behind Yan Maoqing, the other examiners were also very surprised, not knowing why Yan Maoqing suddenly changed his tone... ...
"This paper is very good. However, in this paper..." Yan Maoqing pointed to a place in the paper with a solemn face and said, "These two words are my father's name; the three words in this place are my mother's name. In this place, the two words 'Yan Zhun' are the taboo name of Yan Ge's father..."
"My father, my mother, and Lord Yan's parents' names are all in this scroll, so you have no choice but to perform this great ceremony."
Yan Maoqing said this solemnly, then put the test paper that Xu Jie was fond of on the side of the long desk, and looked melancholy for a long time.
As soon as Yan Maoqing said this, all the examiners were whispering to each other. This matter was a little difficult to handle. In the Ming Dynasty, taboos were very important. There were four categories of taboos: the first category was the emperor, the second category was superiors, the third category was saints and sages, and the fourth category was elders, that is, avoiding the names of parents and grandparents.
For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, whose father's name was "Du Xian", wrote poems all his life to avoid the taboo of the word "Xian", but never used the word "Xian" in his poems. Du Fu's mother's name was Haitang, and there is no poem about Haitang in "Du Ji", so the mother's name is not mentioned.
For example, Su Shi's grandfather's name was "Xu", which was a taboo word, so Su Xun did not write the word "Xu". Whenever he saw the word "Xu", he changed it to "Yin". Su Shi also did not use the word "Xu", but used "Xu" instead.
Now, not only did the names of Yan Maoqing’s parents appear on this test paper, but even the name of Yan Song’s father was on this test paper.
When Yan Maoqing saw his parents’ names on the test paper, he was so grateful!
Fortunately, the emperor's name did not appear on this test paper. If the emperor's name appeared on the test paper, it would be a crime of disrespect! If you still want to be on the list, it's good enough if you don't go to jail!
Yes, the emperor’s name does not appear on this test paper, but the name of the father of Yan Song, the Prime Minister of this dynasty, is on it!
Then, can you mark this test paper as the top scorer
You let Lord Yan see that his father's name is on the exam paper, do you think it's okay?!
The two examiners who had originally held a neutral attitude also changed their minds and supported the test paper preferred by Yan Maoqing as Cao Yuan.
Several examiners behind Xu Jie were also hesitant. Although this test paper was very good and good enough to win the first prize, it would violate the taboo of Yan Song's father. Yan Song was the prime minister of this dynasty. After thinking about it, the two examiners also turned to support Yan Maoqing.
Remove the firewood from under the cauldron, Master Yan is so talented! I misunderstood you! The three examiners behind Yan Maoqing were very excited and admired Yan Maoqing very much!
"Sir Yan, this may seem far-fetched. We are selecting materials for His Majesty's country and society. Apart from His Majesty and the saints, there is no need to avoid mentioning anyone! This volume is very talented and far surpasses the others. This volume should be the first place!"
The examiner who had once highly recommended this test paper still insisted on his own opinion, and spoke with a red face and thick neck.
"What do you think, Lord Xu?"
Yan Maoqing looked at Xu Jie and asked in a gloomy voice, repeating to Xu Jie the same questions that Xu Jie had asked him before.
All the examiners turned their eyes to Xu Jie.
Xu Jie's expression remained calm, as if the huge rock dropped by Yan Maoqing did not cause any ripples in his heart.
"In that case, let's mark this test paper as Cao Yuan." Xu Jie said lightly and picked up the test paper that Yan Maoqing liked. The three words "Yu Xiuzai" could still be seen on this test paper.
The examiner who had recommended another test paper looked unwilling. He wanted to say something but another examiner behind him pulled him down by his clothes. He finally let out a long sigh.
"Master Xu, this is a very insightful opinion. We second it."
Hearing this, Yan Maoqing smiled triumphantly. The first prize of the eldest son of Yan Ge Lao's brother-in-law was saved! Yan Maoqing seemed to have seen Yan Ge Lao's approving smile, and seemed to have seen the four salt provinces of Liangzhe, Lianghuai, Changlu, and Hedong waving to him... ...
"Then fill in the list..." Yan Maoqing said with a smile.
"Yes, please fill in the list quickly. My old waist can't take it anymore after grading the papers for so long." Several examiners behind Yan Maoqing also echoed.
Everything seemed to be under tight control, and Yan Maoqing couldn't be in a better mood.
However
Just when they were busy filling out the list and thought that everything was settled, the chief examiner of this examination, Xu Jie, spoke again with a chuckle.
"No hurry, no hurry... Before this examination, His Majesty summoned me to the Western Garden and ordered me to send the papers of the top ten candidates to the Western Garden after I finished grading the papers and before I posted the list. After I had presented them to His Majesty for review, I would post the list."
Xu Jie chuckled, looked at Yan Maoqing and said, "You are one foot taller than me, but I am ten feet taller than you."
ah
Yan Maoqing's face turned pale, and the other examiners were all shocked and whispered to each other. This is a joint examination, not a palace examination. Why does the emperor also want to review the papers of the top ten? This has never happened before.
"Is there anything wrong with that? Your Majesty is also the one who sets the questions for this imperial examination..." Xu Jie looked at the examiners and said meaningfully.
Oh, yes, the Qingci for the second round of this imperial examination was written by His Majesty.
None of the examiners dared to raise any objections to His Majesty's opinion, and they all nodded. (To be continued.)