A good article must not only have a novel idea, clear arguments, and relevance to the topic, but also must arouse resonance among readers.
This article contains both, and several people have speculated who has such talent.
Seeing that Kong Yingda and several other scholars were full of praise, the other marking officials beside him couldn't sit still.
"Master Jijiu, this article is really..."
Kong Yingda knew what everyone was thinking and handed the exam paper over: "Everyone, take it and read it for yourself and pass it around to each other. This is a rare and good article."
After the other marking officers read it, some even read it carefully again.
Let’s not talk about the argument of this article for now, just from the calligraphy, conception, content...
That kind of impassioned and enterprising spirit cannot be written by ordinary people.
After everyone circulated it to each other, they were all amazed.
"Irrespective of whether this examinee's intentions are correct or not, I have only seen such a sophisticated article in my life. Especially one of the lines, "The wisdom of a young man is the wisdom of the country," which fully reflects the profound impact of the imperial examination reform on the empire..."
"Yes! This article is really good. No wonder several adults praised it so much. After reading it, I felt that this is a rare and good article in the world. It is beyond the imagination of ordinary talents..."
A marking official with a white beard even squirmed nervously and said: "If a young man is strong in the world, the empire will be strong in the world... What a sentence! What a heroic words. I am lucky enough to see the greatness of the empire and see its successors.
There are people who will die without regrets!"
Everyone nodded and agreed.
Young people are the future of a country. Only when young people are strong can a country be strong.
The people here have all experienced dynasty changes and wars.
You can better understand the benefits of a stable and powerful empire. Who in the world doesn’t want their country to be strong?
Even Kong Yingda, Yan Shigu, Sima Caizhang and others were aroused by this article.
Everyone also knows that such an article must be written by a passionate person!
Such people should serve the imperial court, otherwise the imperial examination would lose its significance in selecting talents.
Most of the marking officers present admitted that this article was very good.
Even if some marking officers conflict with the argument of the article, they cannot deny the candidate's writing style.
Seeing everyone's admiration, Kong Yingda stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Everyone, since everyone thinks this paper is the most outstanding among all the examination papers so far, why not rate it as the top one for now?"
"After the marking is completed, we will submit it together. The specific ranking will be decided by His Majesty. What do you think?"
Yan Shigu, Sima Caizhang and others all expressed their opinions: "This test paper is indeed extraordinary, we think it can be ranked first!"
With the support of these people, of course no one else dares to object, and everything will follow normal procedures.
As everyone thinks, this article has undoubtedly been ranked at the top of the list, and the rest is just a matter of course.
Zhuyu is in front, and the following test papers pale in comparison, and the scores are actually lower than the previous ones.
Of course, there are some talented people who have figured out His Majesty Li Er's intention in setting the questions, but they are always a few points behind Yang Fan's test paper.
Many of the selected good articles were only read once and then thrown aside when Kong Yingda and others discussed it.
After the marking was completed, Kong Yingda and others selected some good articles for ranking.
Because they are all anonymous examination papers, these examination papers must be delivered to Li Er before they can be opened, to show fairness and impartiality.
Originally, the grading time took several days, due to the impact of the Xu Zhang case.
His Majesty Li Er asked them to speed up the process just to prevent unnecessary complications.
Of course, Kong Yingda and others also understood His Majesty Li Er's difficulties. They worked hard these two days and did not dare to be careless. Only then did they select good examination papers.
As things came to an end, Yan Shigu said with a smile, "Everyone has been tired for two days. Why don't we take a day off and then we send these examination papers to the palace. What do you think?"
Sima Caizhang shook his head: "Everyone knows His Majesty's consideration, it is better to send him to the palace as soon as possible!"
"Besides, everyone understands the mood of the candidates, so it's better to do it sooner rather than later."
The other marking officers also agreed.
Kong Yingda thought for a while, picked up the article and made a mark, and then began to write the memorial.
Kong Yingda is still very satisfied with Yang Fan's article.
As a pure scholar, he would never allow such a talented person to be buried.
Although it is not known that it is Yang Fan's work due to anonymity, it does not affect Kong Yingda's favor for talented candidates.
Because Kong Yingda knows that only with the addition of new blood will the empire become stronger and more powerful, and the future of Datang will be brighter.
You know, talent is very rare.
It would be a big difference if a talented young man had a certain status and influence in the court and fought with aristocratic families.
Although this article is probably 80% or 90% written by Yang Fan, it does not affect Kong Yingda's preference for this article.
What's more, as a pioneer in the reform of the imperial examination, Yang Fan was surrounded by enemies on all sides and faced hostility from aristocratic families everywhere.
Although the first place in the imperial examination did not have much effect on Yang Fan, it was still an honor and would make the family fearful.
His Majesty Li Er wanted to weaken the power of the aristocratic family. The reformed imperial examination was the best way, and Yang Fan was the emperor's sharp blade to cut through thorns.
If this article is really Yang Fan's, it would be good for Kong Yingda to add an extra layer of protection to Yang Fan.
As a result, with the support of the vast majority of people, the examination papers were immediately sent to the political hall for review.
Because Kong Yingda and others jointly requested the performance, a list was quickly compiled.
At this moment, many candidates and people watching the excitement were already waiting at the announcement office.
These people come here every day to try their luck, hoping that they can see the rankings of the scientific examination as soon as possible.
Since the previous dynasty, scientific examinations have been a major concern for all ordinary people and children from poor families!
Whoever fails the exam will be depressed in life, and whoever rises to great heights in high school will all depend on the day the exam is announced!
Yang Fan was carrying Wu Meiniang, who was sitting with Di Renjie and Qin Huaidao in a private room not far away.
Of course, Yang Fan came here not to wait for test results, but to investigate Xu Zhang's case.
According to the evidence obtained by Qin Huaidao and Di Renjie, there are several suspects who are most likely to commit the crime.
Yang Fan and the others came here to investigate one of the suspects.
After taking a sip of tea out of boredom, Yang Fan said, "Renjie, please explain the circumstances of the case and the investigation results again in detail."
Di Renjie couldn't wait any longer and nodded quickly.
His Majesty Li Er only gave them three days to investigate. Today is already the second day, so why not be impatient?
What's more, Yang Fan brought them here to drink tea without even arresting the suspect for questioning, which was really weird.
Di Renjie suppressed the restlessness in his heart and said: "The case is like this..."
"The imperial examination was over, and Xu Zhang was found dead in his examination seat."
"According to the autopsy results, Xu Zhang actually died on the first day of the exam."
"What's strange is that Xu Zhang actually answered all the content of the three-day imperial examination. This is really strange!"
"Because the exam content for the second and third days was released later. Since Xu Zhang died during the first day of the exam, how could he answer the answer sheets for the next two days?"
"According to handwriting verification, these examination papers are indeed Xu Zhang's own handwriting, so some people rumored that this was the work of ghosts and gods."
"Through an overnight investigation, Renjie believes that three candidates are the most suspect in Xu Zhang's death."
"Two of the candidates are located next to Xu Zhang, and the other suspect is a roommate with Xu Zhang, named Wang Dachui."
"According to Wang Dachui, after the first day of the exam, Xu Zhang slept in the dormitory until dawn. On the second day, he was still vaguely visible when there was lightning and thunder. Xu Zhang ran to the exam room in the heavy rain, but this timeline was inconsistent with
The autopsy results were completely different."
"The most important thing is that none of the suspects had any motive for committing the crime..."
Yang Fan nodded slightly, constantly filtering useful information in his mind.
This situation was indeed a bit strange, so he frowned and asked, "Can I have Xu Zhang's test papers?"
Qin Huaidao nodded and waved for a Baiqi who was standing not far away to come over.
After whispering for a while, the soldier quickly took Xu Zhang's test paper.
Looking at the meticulous, neat and clean handwriting on the test paper, Yang Fan frowned slightly.
He could tell that these test papers were written by the same person, but this test paper was really strange.
Although I can't see any clues yet, I always feel that something is wrong.
Where is it?
Yang Fan fell into deep thought.
Di Renjie looked at Yang Fan nervously, thinking that Yang Fan should have seen something.
Could it be that...the Marquis found the clue so quickly?
Di Renjie's heart moved slightly and he looked at Yang Fan again. At this time, a glimmer of understanding flashed in Yang Fan's eyes.
Di Renjie sat upright and continued: "According to the confessions of the two suspects who sat in the exam positions before and after Xu Zhang, Xu Zhang sat in his seat the whole time on the second and third days of the exam."
"Due to the partition, I couldn't see the faces clearly, but looking at them I'm sure there is someone in Xu Zhang's position."
"Because the rainstorm the next day was so heavy that all the candidates who came to take the exam got wet. The candidates in front of Xu Zhang heard a slight cough in the cubicle where Xu Zhang was."
"Through questioning the examinee behind Xu Zhang, this examinee also heard the sound. At that time, Xu Zhang said he had a cold and covered his face with a scarf."
"The invigilator at the time also confirmed that there was someone in Xu Zhang's seat at that time. Because he was suffering from the cold, he was not allowed to take off his headscarf."
A flash of lightning flashed across Yang Fan's mind, as if he had caught something, and asked with a chuckle: "Does that mean at least four people proved that Xu Zhang is still alive for the next day's exam? Is that what you mean?"
Di Renjie nodded quickly: "Indeed, there is no flaw in what they said."
Yang Fan gently clasped his thumb on the table, squinted his eyes, raised the corners of his mouth, and smiled deep in his eyes, obviously seeing something.
Di Renjie asked impatiently: "Did Mr. Hou discover anything?"
Yang Fan smiled: "I did find something. As for whether it will be helpful to your investigation, I don't know."
Di Renjie said hurriedly: "Please give me some advice from Marquis Zhongyi."
Qin Huaidao also stared at Yang Fan closely, looking so incredible.
Yesterday he saw Di Renjie's reasoning and was completely convinced by this little fat man.
I thought that Yang Fan was inferior to Di Renjie in investigating cases, but I didn't expect that Yang Fan would discover new clues so quickly.
Looking at the anxious two people, Yang Fan took a sip of tea and said slowly: "Among these four people, someone is lying...and this person left several flaws."
"Is someone lying? How many flaws are there?" Qin Huaidao and Di Renjie looked at each other and were still confused after hearing this.
They couldn't see anyone lying at all, and there was no way to talk about any flaws.
Di Renjie quickly looked at Yang Fan and asked: "Zhongyihou, who is this person? If someone really lies, that means this person is definitely the murderer? Even if he is not the murderer, he is inseparable from the case."
Qin Huaidao's eyes also flickered.
If he could know who was lying, he could immediately arrest that person and bring the truth to light.
If the case can be solved within three days, His Majesty Li Er will definitely look at it differently.
Di Renjie also looked happy, even though he was only a student at the Imperial College at this time.
As long as you can get a name with His Majesty Li Er, why worry about the official career going wrong in the future?
So both of them looked at Yang Fan with bright eyes, with surprise and surprise in their eyes.
Yang Fan smiled, looked at Di Renjie, and said, "Actually, this liar is very obvious. With your intelligence, I believe you can guess it."
"You just look at this from the perspective of a bystander, and you don't really involve yourself in it. Otherwise, who is lying and what are the flaws can be seen at a glance."
Di Renjie frowned, his face full of doubts, and murmured to himself: "Do you want to put yourself in it?"
Yang Fan picked up Xu Zhang's exam paper and said thoughtfully: "This is Xu Zhang's exam paper. You can take a look and think about it. Before the exam the next day, the heavy rain made the candidates soaked. But Xu Zhang's exam paper... …”
Di Renjie subconsciously looked at the test paper: "The test paper is spotless, so clean..."
"There was a violent storm the next day, and the clothes were soaked. The ink stains should have stained them. How could they be so clean?"
Seeing Di Renjie's thoughtful look, Yang Fan nodded happily and continued: "Think about it again, if you were Xu Zhang, you would be covered with a wet scarf if you got wet all over and had a cold. Face?"
"What's more, if a person's sleeves are already soaked, how can the test paper not get wet? This is simply impossible."
"Yes!" Di Renjie frowned and thought seriously.
When Qin Huaidao on the side saw this scene, his eyes couldn't help but sparkle.
How could he not see that Yang Fan in front of him was obviously teaching Di Renjie.
Because Yang Fan did not directly tell Di Renjie what the problem was, but directly told Di Renjie how to think.
It is better to teach a man to fish than to teach him to fish!
At this time, Yang Fan was like a responsible teacher, teaching his students in Chunchun.
Qin Huaidao felt a little envious, but he also knew how much he weighed.
However, I still admire what Yang Fan has done. In this era, many people are selfish.
Many masters are afraid that their apprentices will learn their skills and they will have no food to eat.
Therefore, except for their children, even students will not impart all their experiences and secrets.
But Yang Fan was so selfless to Di Renjie, which was simply incredible.
To guide people to think about solving crimes in a systematic way and guide them to think like their own children, this is tantamount to a mentor who teaches and teaches.