Outside Da'an Gate, one hundred and thirty tributes were lined up in two rows, walking towards the palace.
The imperial examination is held today. After passing this level, this scientific examination is over.
One hundred and thirty-eight tribute scholars were originally admitted, but after a month of changes in public opinion, eight tribute scholars gave up their qualifications for the palace examination.
Giving up the imperial examination meant giving up the qualification to become the emperor's disciple, which undoubtedly slapped Zhao Yanxun in the face.
Zhao Yanxun was extremely angry with these eight people and even wanted to kill them for a time.
Killing these people quietly was not difficult for Zhao Yanxun.
However, after he calmed down, he was not so courageous, and finally managed to bypass these people.
Of course, even if a person is punished with death, he will not be able to escape life. If these people are not punished, others will think that they are easy to bully.
Therefore, a royal official wrote a memorial to impeach these eight students for drinking during the national mourning period.
Then... they were exiled to the northwest.
Students are very particular about enjoying themselves, and drinking some wine in private is quite normal, but it just happens to be during the national mourning period.
If you don't pursue the case on a daily basis, it's just a big deal. Once you pursue it, it's a serious crime.
Through legitimate means, Zhao Yanxun easily dealt with these people and maintained his strong image.
The South wanted to secession but was surrounded and suppressed by his army. Tens of thousands of people were exiled by him for tax evasion. Officials who dared to coerce him were punished with a cane. Students who failed him were severely punished...
From beginning to end, Zhao Yanxun acted very tough.
As for the tributes, under the guidance of the ceremony officer, they first passed through Da'an Gate and then entered Huangji Gate.
He raised his head slightly and looked at the majestic Huangji Palace in front of him. The faces of the tributes were full of awe.
Passing through the square, everyone walked up the imperial steps from left to right, and then entered the main hall under the guidance of the ceremony officer.
The hall is very large. Not only are there tables and chairs, but lights are also installed to make the hall as bright as the outside.
Entering the hall, the officials of the Ministry of Rites shouted: "Everyone, take your seats according to your nameplates!"
"No noise, no whispering!"
The tributes naturally knew what was appropriate, so under the watchful eyes of the eunuchs and etiquette officers in the palace, they all found their places in the palace.
Of course, their eyes couldn't help but glance towards the emperor's throne.
However, at this moment, except for the eunuch on duty, there was no emperor on the throne.
After a few minutes, all the tributes were seated, and their excitement gradually calmed down.
Everyone waited for about half an hour before hearing a large number of footsteps coming from the back of the hall, and soon a large number of eunuchs appeared.
The emperor Zhao Yanxun also appeared in the public eye, supported by eunuchs and officials from the Ministry of Rites.
When the emperor arrived, the tributes still dared to sit down, so they all got up and walked aside and paid homage to the emperor.
"Kowtow to the emperor, long live my emperor!"
At this moment, Zhao Yanxun has stepped onto the throne.
Standing on the imperial steps, looking at the students kneeling below, Zhao Yanxun said calmly: "No courtesy!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Although they were very curious about the emperor's appearance, everyone did not dare to look up and take a peek, so they could only return to their seats obediently.
When Zhao Yanxun sat on the dragon chair, Pan Qifeng, the Minister of Rites, came to the imperial steps and said in a high voice: "The emperor is here in person for this palace examination. All candidates must be sincere in order to live up to the emperor's expectations!"
"Exam time, one hour!"
The candidates in the hall were not surprised when they heard that the exam time was only one hour.
"Exam question: Our dynasty has long-standing shortcomings. If we don't reform and reform, the country will be destroyed!"
"How to reform, please try to provide suggestions to the court and discuss them in detail!"
After hearing the question, Wang Xin, who was sitting at the back, had a smile on his face, and it was exactly what he expected.
But when he looked to the left and right, he found that the people on both sides were smiling, and he knew that these people were also prepared in advance.
Thinking of this, Wang Xin couldn't stop laughing.
If you don't show your true skills next time, I'm afraid it will be difficult to get the first-level position.
"Now...the imperial examination begins!"
Following Pan Qifeng's order, all the students present picked up their pens, obviously having a well-thought-out plan.
In the main hall, only the sound of writing could be heard.
After sitting on the dragon chair for a while, Zhao Yanxun became a little restless, so he got up and walked down the imperial steps.
One hour to answer questions is not enough time to explain all the points clearly.
When Zhao Yanxun was walking around the hall, he did not attract the attention of the students because they had too many things on their hands.
Of course, Zhao Yanxun was also watching the answers while walking around the hall.
Generally speaking, the general direction of these people is correct, and they are all talents that can be used.
Of course, it is really difficult to find novel and sharp insights from these answer sheets.
Until Zhao Yanxun appeared behind Wang Xin and saw the opening introduction, Zhao Yanxun's interest was aroused.
Wang Xin's views are surprisingly consistent with Zhao Yanxun's.
The emperor stopped behind him, which made Wang Xin excited, but he did not show any signs of it on the outside and continued to write the answer sheet seriously.
When this scene fell into the eyes of others, they knew that the content of Wang Xin's answer exceeded the level of others.
Among them, the one who feels the most anxious is Yang An. After all, he is the first in the test, and Wang Xin will challenge him for the top spot.
Time gradually passed, and soon one hour came, when Zhao Yanxun had left the hall.
When the bell in the hall rang, the question-answering time was over.
In fact, everyone completed the answer sheet about ten minutes ago, and the rest of the time was spent checking.
"Candidates stand up!"
Upon hearing the official's voice, everyone present stood up.
"Candidates come out of the hall!"
Everyone immediately walked out of the hall.
When they all left the palace, the officials in the palace ordered the papers to be collected, and then the papers would be sent directly to Qian'an Palace.
That's right, in this palace examination, all answer sheets will be reviewed by Zhao Yanxun personally.
On the other side, the candidates were led out of the palace by the etiquette officer.
After walking out of Chengtianmen, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what the result was after the palace examination, they were already very relaxed.
Everyone left in groups of twos and threes, while Wang Xin and Chen Hongqing were together.
"Brother Wang, congratulations!" Chen Hongqing said extremely sincerely.
"I know that you are definitely not a creature in the pool. The emperor has a favor for you. It will be no problem for you to rise to the top in the future!"
After hearing Chen Hongqing's compliments, Wang Xin himself was not at all disappointed.
Wang Xin said calmly: "The result is still unknown, so don't be too happy for me too early!"
Chen Hongqing admired you more and more and said: "That's why I admire you, and you are not surprised by favors or humiliations. This is not something that everyone can do!"
In Qian'an Palace, all one hundred and thirty test papers were delivered, and Zhao Yanxun was looking through them at the moment.
In the Huangji Palace just now, he only looked at it briefly, and only looked at the judgments of a few people a few more times.
But now, in order to rank these people, he had to read them all.
Among these one hundred and thirty people, there are three quotas for the first class, thirty people for the second class, and the rest are all for the third class.
"This, top three..."
After saying this, Zhao Yanxun threw out an answer sheet.
"yes!"
Wu Hong picked up the answer sheet and placed it in a wooden box with the words "Top Three" written on it.
"This is a second-class job..."
"yes!"
"This is a top three..."
To see them all, Zhao Yanxun only took a rough look and allocated the first, second and third places. A special examiner will be responsible for the specific ranking.
Two hours passed quickly, and there were three answer sheets left on Zhao Yanxun's desk. These were the top three people he selected.
After reading the three answer sheets carefully and balancing other factors, Zhao Yanxun read: "First place in Class A...Wang Xin!"
