Along with the army in charge of clearing the field, there is also the officer who received the census.
Xue Tingxiang was just waiting for this person.
In the past, because there were too many people who submitted documents, they were all collected by the number army and handed over to the official who received the documents. But when the clearance was approaching, the examiner personally came forward to collect the papers. Xue Tingxiang didn't want his papers to be manipulated.
"The manuscripts I made before got wet with water, which is why the students turned in the exam papers so late." He said respectfully.
The examiner glanced at him: "Finally caught up, it's not too late."
Xue Tingxiang saluted again, and Fang walked out of the Gongyuan with No. 13 Huozi. Two soldiers of the No. 1 had been following behind them to make sure that they had to leave the Gongyuan.
The two soldiers did not leave until they left the Dragon Gate.
The gate of the Gongyuan was closed behind the two of them, and the fire character No. 13 said to Xue Tingxiang: "I see that you seem to delay the time deliberately, is there something unspeakable?"
Xue Tingxiang smiled: "I didn't hide it from Xiongtai, and it was a last resort for my brother."
"Actually, it's not an exaggeration to be careful. These numbered soldiers are really despicable and shameless. It's really abhorrent to use such a sinister method." Speaking of this, the fire character number 13 was quite gnashing.
Xue Tingxiang felt ashamed, but did not intend to tell the truth. On the one hand, the explanation is not clear, and on the other hand, I do not want to implicate each other.
"It's just that you deliberately waited for me today, and I'm afraid that those horned troops will resent it and make things difficult for you in the next two games."
"Aren't you implicated because of me?" Huozi No. 13 laughed and patted Xue Tingxiang's shoulder: "Seeing that you are young, it is probably the first time you have come to the hometown for the test, and you will know it if you come more often. , These people are paper tigers. As long as you don't cheat, don't make taboos, and have a thick skin, they won't dare to do anything to you. Those people who suffer and suffer humiliation are nothing more than not thick-skinned."
Xue Tingxiang thought about it for a second, but it wasn't the case, because the cavalry troops were all illiterate rude people, so naturally they didn't pay much attention to decency. But scholars are on the contrary, starving to death is a small breach of discipline and a big one, and will be at a disadvantage.
He smiled and said, "Even if you say that, it's better to guard against one or two. You can guard against the gentleman, but not against the villain."
No! Huo Zi No. 13 thought about what happened to Xue Tingxiang, and pondered: "What you said is true. It seems that more attention should be paid to the next two games. But it's not that I despise them, these people are just playing with us who have read books. In the heart, a hundred is not an opponent."
As he was talking, Lin Miao and others who had been waiting in front of the door for a long time had already seen Xue Tingxiang and hurried towards here.
Xue Tingxiang smiled at the other side, and then said to Huozi No. 13: "My teacher and friends are here."
Huozi No. 13 nodded: "Then see you tomorrow? By the way, my surname is Yue, and I am called Budian."
"My surname is Xue, my given name is taboo Tingyan, and my first name is the same as my first name."
The two nodded to each other, and Yue Budian strode away.
Mao Badou came over and looked curiously at the middle-aged man who had gone away and looked rather wild and unruly, and asked, "Ting Yan, who is this?"
"A friend I met in the Gongyuan." Xue Tingxiang looked at Yue Budian's back and said.
He knew this person, and he heard the name taboo of the other party, and then he knew that No. 13 Huozi was Yue Budian, who was known as Master Budian.
The outside world commented that he was unrestrained by nature, with high righteousness and thin clouds, but he was arrogant and arrogant. However, this person does have arrogant capital. He is literate at the age of three, can recite poetry and write poems at the age of five, and has passed the exam as a scholar at the age of fourteen. The exquisite brushwork of Danqing has attracted countless people who are fond of painting, and he is quite accomplished in poetry.
It is probably because the sky is jealous of talents, or it is impossible to have all the four corners of life. Compared with his great reputation, this person has failed many times since he passed the exam, and died young.
The reason why Xue Tingxiang knew him was because after Yue Budian's death, his paintings suddenly became popular in the north and south of the Yangtze River, and even his people became famous. It's a pity that people are already dead, so I can't see this scenery.
At this time, Yue Budian was just a down-and-out scholar who was ridiculed by others as a model for hurting Zhongyong.
"By the way, Ting Yan, why did you appear so late today, but what happened in the Gongyuan?" Chen Jian asked.
Xue Tingxiang looked at the concerned people in front of him, and his heart suddenly warmed: "I'm also unlucky, I finally typed the draft, but it was suddenly destroyed by accident, so I had to rewrite it, and naturally the appearance was delayed, I will keep you all for a long time. waited."
Lin Miao and others immediately breathed a sigh of relief, reassuring Xue Tingxiang not to care. However, Chen Jian frowned. Others didn't know it, but he knew that Ting Yan had the ability to never forget it. Even if the draft was destroyed, it would never be so late. Could it be that Ting Yan has something to hide
He subconsciously asked why it was ruined, Xue Tingxiang sighed inwardly, and did not hide it from him, and told the matter. However, he concealed that he found out that he was being watched, and even deliberately destroyed his draft, as well as all the speculations in his heart.
"Fortunately, it was only the draft that got wet. If the roll paper is also wet, you will be miserable." Mao Badou said with lingering fears.
Xue Tingxiang smiled, not to say that he did it on purpose, so he forgot to put the manuscript paper in the question bag, just to seduce the other party.
Because the question bag is waterproof, the roll paper is not wet, but the draft is ruined.
He would do this, but he deliberately paralyzed the other party. Seeing that the other party hurt him, he would naturally not do it again. Although he is not afraid of these people, he has not forgotten that the top priority now is the township examination.
Like Chen Jian, there is Hou Si, who is in charge of the peripheral affairs of Beilu Academy. But he didn't think too much that Xue Tingxiang deliberately deceived them, he just thought he was still young and didn't understand Ji Feng.
Afterwards, the group returned to the inn, had a big meal and then rested, no need to elaborate.
The next day was still before dawn, and the group went to the Gongyuan again like the first one.
Because they are familiar with the road, and those who want to cheat and be entrained have been cleared out in the first game, this time the entry is much faster than before. When Xue Tingxiang came to his house, it was just too late.
As usual, he put things away first, and took advantage of the gap to scan the entire house, and found that there were several small holes on the top.
At first glance, it does not appear to be obvious, but today because of the overcast sky, the house is cramped, and it is particularly obvious from the inside to the top. He pursed the corners of his mouth, not sure whether it was the Army No. 1 who did it on purpose because of personal grudges, or was instructed by the above.
But no matter what, it's obvious that this is a soft nail, which makes you suffer, but it's hard to say. The houses in the Gongyuan are all uneven, and the front houses are better. Not only are they spacious, but they must not leak rain.
As for the further back, the house was built more and more cut corners. Not to mention the shit number, there are countless rain numbers that people can only bend over to go in, or even leak. You can't just go to someone to reason with you just because the house has broken two tiles.
To be fair, you can choose not to take the test.
Now Xue Tingxiang can only hope that it will never rain. If it rains, the remaining two days will be difficult.
The papers for the second round were issued earlier, and were issued in the afternoon.
In this trial, there is one trial and five sentences, one each for the imperial edict, the gao, the table, and the internal medicine.
These questions are not difficult to do, the test is a matter of time. Not to mention that Xue Tingxiang has read many books about two or three games before, just relying on Xue Tingxiang's many years of experience in his dream is enough for him.
It is a bit time-consuming, you have to make a draft first, and after confirming it is correct, you can transcribe it on the paper.
During the writing of the title, Xue Tingxiang had been observing the number army outside, intentionally or unintentionally. Although they have changed their faces, these trumpet troops seem to have taken a fancy to the position of No. 8 Fire, and everyone is so persistent. It really makes people sigh that their spirit is commendable.
Towards evening, it rained.
It's already autumn, and once it starts to rain, the coolness goes straight to the hut. Many candidates couldn't bear it anymore, they got up and put on some clothes, and then they sat down and continued to answer the questions.
Only Xue Tingxiang was not so good. It rained moderately outside and lightly rained inside. He was in a hurry for a while, and took out the oilcloth that he had prepared before. Fortunately, he had plenty of preparations. He had a hammer and a hammer. He stood on the brick support and hammered several times, with the oilcloth as the top, so he was not afraid of rain.
As for the outside, open the umbrella and put it outside the blue curtain, so that you are not afraid of the rain outside.
It's just that the temperature has come down, and it's a little cold in the house. But this is not to be afraid of, he brought charcoal, as long as he persists through the night and is the first to appear tomorrow morning, it will be fine. As long as they don't appear in groups, the more forward they are, the more conspicuous they will be. When it is time to rewind, it is the shou-juan, not the numbered army.
This time Xue Tingxiang was not as slow as the first one, but took the time to write the question.
Because of the charcoal fire in the house, it was very warm, and Xue Tingxiang didn't feel that his hands and feet were cold anymore. At this time, he had a kind of heroism of Yue Bu Dian. !
While the candidates were concentrating on writing the exam questions, the first exam papers had already been sorted out.
Some damaged or stained test papers were all picked out and sent to the Grand Court. The rest are sent to the Sealing Office and Transcription Office, where names are obscured and transcribed.
The workload of the transcription office is the most heavy, and it is necessary to use a red pen to transcribe the test paper word for word. This is also the so-called vermilion scroll. The candidate's handwriting is the ink scroll, and the transcript is the vermilion scroll. This also prevents the examiner from recognizing the handwriting, and the handwriting chooses whether to take it or not.
After the transcription is completed, it needs to be sent to the counterpart reading office, and the counterpart reading student will check the two volumes of Zhu Mo to confirm whether they are consistent. Since the outer curtain has processed the test paper, the test paper will be sent to the inner curtain closing officer.
The outer curtain officer and the inner curtain officer are not allowed to talk and contact. The inner curtain officer will go there together with the other room examiners when the inner curtain officer receives the notice to send the paper. The two sides are facing each other from a distance, and the two teams of troops are handed over to each other, and then they are presented to the inner curtain officer. This is also to prevent the inner and outer curtain officers from colluding and cheating.
After that, these inner curtain officers will divide the test paper into several unequal parts according to how many room examiners there are, and these room examiners will draw lots together. When the number of draws is drawn, whoever takes the right seat will be responsible for reviewing the batch of examination papers.
The examination papers cannot be carried behind the backs of others, but in Hengjian Hall. The two examiners, the chief and deputy examiners, as well as the other examiners are present, and the supervisor is accompanied by a group of supervisors. If you can't complete the approval in one day, you will review it the next day. When you leave, everyone needs to be present to watch the door lock.
After the third test, the Gongyuan began to mark papers here.
Candidates can go back to rest and wait for the results, while the examiners are just getting started.
Seriously speaking, being an examiner is extremely hard work, but many people are rushing to do this kind of hard work. Without him, the fact that peach and plum are all over the world is enough to add bricks and bricks to his career.
The examiners have been reviewing the test papers for more than ten days in a row, and everyone is exhausted. By this time, most of them had read too many exam papers, and everyone was a little numb. Maybe the articles that could have inspired people in the previous days, let them read at this time, but it will be able to catch their eyes.
But the more it gets to the end, the more cautious everyone becomes.
As an examiner, while the scenery is beautiful, the responsibilities on the shoulders are also greater. The imperial court has always attached great importance to the two township exams. After each ranking is released, candidates are allowed to check the exam papers. If there are candidates who have doubts, and something happens because of it, whoever is responsible for marking the batch of examination papers will be held accountable.
Therefore, even though it seems that it is no more than such a test paper, the examiners will put it aside for the time being and read it again later.
Of course, if they come across a test paper that makes them feel good, they will directly draw a circle on it, paste a comment on it, stamp it with their official seal, and give it to the deputy examiner. If the deputy examiner also thinks it can, he will also draw a circle on it, and paste a comment to the main examiner.
This is the so-called recommendation roll.
When he arrives at the chief examiner, if he is satisfied, he will write a word on it, which is the representative selection. If you are not satisfied, you will be fired.
Generally, the test papers that are typed down are processed as dropped papers. Of course, there are exceptions, that is, the room examiner or deputy examiner really thinks the article is good and recommends the paper again, which is also called 'lifting the sedan chair'.
However, this situation is rare. In the end, the examiner is only here to accompany the prince to study, and the two examiners are the main and deputy examiners.
Su Youjian threw a test paper at his feet, and there were many others who were dropped like this at his feet. He has been approving papers for a whole day, and by this time he is extremely tired. After drinking half a cup of hot tea, he picked up the next paper and looked at it. He thought there would be no accident, but whoever thought it would be shocked.
This is the first exam paper, and it is written with four book questions.
Historically, the first major question in the imperial examinations has always adhered to the rules. Although it is the township test, it also focuses on the last two games, and it may not be possible to see the large proportion of the first test.
Let's put it this way, if the three games are divided into ten points, the first game will account for six points, and the last two games will each account for three points. The first article is well written, even if the next two games are not in, at most, the ranking is a little worse, and in the end, it will still be in. But if the first game is not good, and the next two games are played again, I am afraid that the chance of winning is very small.
Su Youjian has read countless articles about the article "The Son of Heaven has the Way, the Ritual and Music Conquest comes from the Son of Heaven". Not only did he look at the candidates for this subject, but also when he was a candidate many years ago, he also studied the Cheng Wen ink scrolls of the previous dynasty.
This question is a very famous question. It has been tested many times in the previous dynasty. When the late emperor was there, he had also done a question for the general test, which is commonly known as the big question that was badly tested.
The reason why Su Youjian was shocked was not how surprising his article was written, but because his article was bright and upright, giving people a sense of seeing Cheng Wen.
Su Youjian almost subconsciously felt that this article alone was enough to cite this person.
Without him, who dares to dismiss an article that extols the virtues of the present day at will, this is not to say that what others say is wrong, but also to say that it is wrong to say that "from the Son of Heaven".
No one wants to trouble themselves because of an article. Anyway, everyone is in the middle, and who can't be in the middle
Su Youjian continued to read the second and third chapters, and the more he read, the more satisfied he became.
This person's article can not be called extraordinary, but the victory is stable and bright. As an examiner, there is probably no one who dislikes this kind of article. Qijun's article is too strong to be a Chengwen. Although it is unique and eye-catching, if you like it, you will like it, and if you don't like it, it will be very disgusting.
But this kind of article that can't go wrong in everything is very pleasing.
Thinking of how unlucky she was today, after reading the waste scrolls for a day, and not recommending scrolls for a day, Su Youjian took a pen and drew a circle on the scroll's brow, and wrote a small line on a small piece of paper—
The style is Hongzheng, and the equipment bureau is Gaochun.
After thinking about it, he added two words to it: high recommendation.
That is strongly recommended.
Then I took it and gave it to Ye Ju.
Ye Ju saw the words "high recommendation" above, glanced at Su Youjian, and took over the test paper.
After reading them one by one, he pondered and wrote on the note: He is sullen and graceful, and he can see the spirit of the foundation in the article. Later, the author could not go beyond the scope. The power is within a short range, which is beyond the reach of the ancients.
Su Youjian was shocked that the evaluation was so high.
Ye Ju said again: "This person can be listed as the leader of the scriptures."
Jingkui is the top five in the township examination, also known as Wujingkui. The township examination has always been based on the four books to determine the middle, and the five classics to determine the ranking.
At this moment, Huang Mingzhong, who was sitting in the first place, coughed twice, Ye Ju and Su Youjian looked at each other, and the two came to Huang Mingzhong together.
"Master Examiner, take a look."
Huang Mingzhong took the test paper, and his eyes first fell on the seat number directly above the test paper.
Fire number seven.
Huang Mingzhong's eyes narrowed, and he continued to look down.
After flipping through it hastily, he handed it back: "Too moderate."
Is this what was shot down
Su Youjian couldn't help but look at Ye Ju, but Ye Ju did not speak.
He was in his forties, with a thin body, calm eyes, and a bookish air all over his body, just like a scribe. In fact, this is indeed the case. Guozijian's business is not a high-ranking, but also an idle job.
He took the paper and went back to his seat.
Although Su Youjian was a little unconvinced in his heart, he was not one of the main and assistant exams, and there was no need to offend the minister of etiquette for an irrelevant person.
In fact, Su Youjian was not afraid of Huang Mingzhong, but he felt that it was not worth it. Being an official in the dynasty is not a matter of interest, but it is better not to offend people.
He went back and continued to mark papers.
It was getting dark outside, and candles were added to the hall, illuminating the whole room. Someone was sleepy and couldn't help yawning, but when he looked at the few test papers left, he was refreshed and felt that it would be over soon.
Suddenly someone moved, but it was Ye Ju.
He came to Huang Mingzhong again with a test paper, Su Youjian's eyes narrowed, thinking that it was the test paper just now
He soon knew, and he heard Ye Ju say, "Sir, let's take a look."
The movement here made the other room examiners raise their heads, and Zhu Zhi, the supervisor, also looked over, and all the eyes of the room were fixed there.
Because of the orientation, only Ye Ju's thin and straight spine could be seen, as for Huang Mingzhong's face, he couldn't see clearly.
In fact, Huang Mingzhong was quite displeased, and looked at Ye Ju with impatient eyes.
Ye Ju didn't seem to notice, and said again: "Sir, let's take a look."
Huang Mingzhong suddenly chuckled, picked up the tea cup on the table, and took a sip: "Master Ye seems to be very persistent."
Ye Ju said frankly: "Ten years of hard work, I can't bear to spend it in vain."
This is a bit stinging. It means that Huang Mingzhong's random actions have made ten years of hard work in vain
As an examiner, there are only two fears, one is afraid of fraud in the field, and the other is afraid of being told not to seriously review the papers, because this is tainted, lest it will ruin his reputation.
Huang Mingzhong scolded a nerd in his heart, but said in his mouth: "Since Lord Ye is so persistent, this official will take a look."
He flipped through the exam paper again, this time at a much slower pace than before. After reading it, he said: "Actually, this article is not badly written, but it is too moderate and tasteless."
Originally a fairly decent sentence, but because the latter sentence has no taste, it seems a bit random. Huang Mingzhong didn't say anything to Ye Ju anymore, but asked Zhu Zhi, the superintendent, "Master Zhu, how many names have you taken?"
"Master Huang later, this officer will order someone to investigate."
Not long after, someone reported: "Seventy people have been taken."
No need for Zhu Zhi to say more, everyone in the field heard it, and everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief, with a relaxed look on their faces.
The reason for this is that there is a fixed number of candidates for the rural examinations. In a province like Shanxi, the number of candidates for each rural examination is between 50 and 70.
In other words, more than 50 people are optional, but they must not exceed 70, otherwise they will be held accountable by the Ministry of Rites.
Huang Mingzhong glanced at Ye Ju with a regretful look on his face, stood up and said, "Alas, it can only be said that this person has bad luck."
Before Ye Ju spoke, Zhu Zhi said, "We've been tired for so many days, and we can finally take a break. I think it's better to decide the ranking tomorrow and fill the list, my lords?"
The other room examiners nodded again and again: "It's very good."
No one cares about this regretted test paper. After many days of tension, now they can finally relax. Everyone has the urge to leave the Gongyuan immediately and go home to take a bath and take a good night’s rest.
Everyone even left their seats and planned to leave together, and there were still dozens of exam papers that they didn't plan to read.
Ye Ju was standing there motionless.
"Master Ye?"
"Don't forget the hard work of the past ten years, and don't forget the purpose of the imperial court to recruit scholars. If all the adults took the test back then, the test papers happened to be among those, presumably today. I can't see you adults." Ye Ju said, pointing to the dozen or so forgotten exam papers.
There was silence in the hall, and everyone couldn't help showing a bit of shame on their faces.
It's also because Zhu Zhi's words were too inductive. They forgot that if there were any amazing and talented people in the remaining test papers, no matter how serious the other party was, I'm afraid everyone would be held accountable.
For a while, cold sweat broke out, and someone had returned to their seat.
"What the deputy examiner said is very true, but there are only more than ten copies. We each have one, and we will finish reading it soon."
"Almost neglected."
After everyone made a round, they sat down and planned to read the rest of the exam papers.
"There is also this test paper, which this official thinks can be ranked first in the classics, but the examiner thinks it is only moderate, and because the number of places is already seventy, it can only be dropped. Please read it again later, and write If you post your own comments, it is time for this official to report the reasons to the Ministry of Rites, so that if this candidate is really held accountable, this official will bear the responsibility innocently.”
"This… "
Everyone looked at each other in dismay, and Huang Mingzhong couldn't keep his composure, and his face became very embarrassed.
"Master Ye, are you accusing this official?"
Ye Ju turned around and saluted: "I don't dare. I'm just a small secretary in the Imperial College. I don't have a high position or heavy power. I'm just afraid of being involved, and I can't even do it."
Huang Mingzhong was so angry that he fell on his back. He said with a livid face: "Continue to approve the papers. After the approval, the seventy-one papers will be re-examined. I want to see if the No. 7 fire character can be admitted."
…
It was not until Kaizi Shi that the total of seventy-two papers was re-examined.
The reason why there is one more copy is because among the dozen or so copies that follow, another outstanding person has been judged.
In the end, the seventy-second copy has risen by two places, and it has been classified into the seventy copies. There are only two papers that make everyone feel embarrassed. One is naturally the last one among the seventy, and the other is the No. 7 Fire Character.
Now all the examiners have a deep memory of the number seven of the fire character, and they can't wait to tear down the Mifeng to see who is so powerful that the two examiners, the main and deputy examiners, can't stand each other.
The chief examiner obviously disliked the number seven, but the deputy examiner attached great importance to it. Now it is a question, whether or not to offend the chief examiner.
Seeing that everyone hesitated, Ye Ju said: "Since there is still no result, you still write a comment, and the official will hand it over to the Ministry of Rites for investigation."
After the examination paper is reviewed, it is to be handed over to the Ministry of Rites for final review, but generally it is just a passing scene to check whether the candidate's handwriting is neat or not, and most of them will not be surprised.
However, if the main and deputy examiners have different opinions because of a test paper, the Ministry of Rites will need to organize a re-examination of all the examination papers that have been entered. Not to mention the main and deputy examiners, what are you fellow examiners doing to eat, and you have to make trouble to this point
Su Youjian stood up first and said, "This official is the one who recommended the book, so there is no need to write it again."
This is an attitude.
Afterwards, Fang Jin, Zhou Zuoxin, and others stood up one after another, and each wrote a comment. A total of eleven comments filled the first page of the paper.
Ye Ju glanced at the comments and took it to Huang Mingzhong: "Master Huang..."
Huang Mingzhong's rude grabbing action interrupted his words. Huang Mingzhong took a look at the paper and found eleven comments, almost all of which were extremely praiseworthy.
Good, you Shen family, you are so close to this official. Such a test paper was really handed over to the Ministry of Rites, and he was laughing at it.
He smiled stiffly and said: "Since all of you adults have such a high evaluation of this volume, it seems that this official has to reflect and reflect on whether it is because of reading too many volumes for several days, and aesthetic fatigue. Everyone has worked hard for many days, We don't have to worry about this anymore, everyone says it's good, it's good, so let's take it."
He quickly wrote a word on the front of the scroll, as if he was afraid that he would write slower, and the scroll was handed over to the Ministry of Rites.
"That name?"
"Be the leader!"
This kind of paper with so many comments can no longer win the top spot. This year's township examination will become a joke. As the chief examiner, I still have to laugh and be generous.
Huang Mingzhong wrote again: "Dignified and elegant, it should be the first text."