Chapter 391

Wen Zhiyun studied under Imperial Physician Wu for several days, and it could be said that he gained great enlightenment.

What he had guessed before was affirmed, and the blocked path gradually became smooth. Only then did he realize that the pulses he had diagnosed before were really simple, and were merely a drop in the vast ocean of medicine.

He was like a piece of sun-dried mulberry paper that finally fell into a mountain spring, unfolding to draw sweet dew.

This was a good thing, easing Jiang Wu and his siblings’ worries.

But it was not good enough to set their minds at rest.

Who exactly arranged for Imperial Physician Wu?

Could it be...Jiang Wu?

Unfortunately, time was pressing, and they didn't even have time to investigate. The palace examination was upon them.

The palace examination, as the name implies, was an exam held in the Golden Sacred Hall.

It was the final process of the imperial examination, and also a crucial turning point.

Some said the greatest fortune of the palace exam was that one would not fail, only be ranked. Others said the palace exam rankings were extremely important, determining whether your future would be smooth sailing or desolate and bitter.

Both views were very true.

In the Dayu Dynasty, the palace exam no longer resulted in failing. This was thanks to the blood and tears shed in the previous dynasty.

It was said that in the late previous dynasty, a candidate failed the palace exam several times. Out of resentment, he actually joined the enemy country's army and devised many winning strategies, dealing the previous dynasty a huge blow.

Think about it. Those who could become candidates were almost guaranteed to be talented.

Rather than let talents fail the exam resentfully, it would be better to give them an official position directly. Even just going through the motions, they could contribute somewhat to the dynasty.

Since then, the palace exam abolished the elimination system. All candidates could get a title, they were just divided into first, second, and third class based on merit.

The top three in first class were called jinshi and were the most well-known rankings of zhuangyuan, bangyan, and tanhua.

A few dozen in second class were called jinshi chushen, and the top-ranked one had a nice name called chuanlu.

The rest were classified as third class, also called tong jinshi. Although all could get an official position, first class could ascend smoothly, second class was average, and third class was obviously mediocre.

If it was judged purely on scholarly talent and proper essay writing, that would be simple.

But the palace exam also tested one's agility, eloquence, and grace.

There were those in history who were talented but stuttered and could only get third class.

There were also those who barely passed but were promoted to second or even first class zhuangyuan because their handwriting was outstanding and neither humble nor arrogant.

The palace exam, the finish line of the imperial exam and the starting point of an official career.

It demonstrated that anything was possible, but also made countless candidates worried and anxious, hands sweating.

From the announcement of the provincial exam results to the palace exam, it took a full half month. All candidates were making final efforts.

Finally, they stood outside the imperial city gates.

Xu Mo, Qi Huai, An Jun, Fang Yuan, acquaintances and strangers, friends and foes, all stood ramrod straight waiting.

The sky had just lightened, an indistinct light filtering through the clouds and landing on people's shoulders.

Guards in embroidered robes grasped long blades, standing at the gates waiting for the moment dawn broke to welcome the scholars.

This scene that should have been solemn and respectful, was actually somewhat chaotic due to lack of control.

The scholars chatted with each other, or complained bitterly, or worried about what to do, or gossiped.

Xu Mo stood among the crowd. With just a slight turn he could see his worried younger siblings. He waved to indicate everything was fine.

The Fang residence had been too quiet recently. So quiet that they all knew the Fang family must make a big move during the palace exam.

But what of it.

The end of the exam was right before his eyes. Xu Mo could not give up. No matter how difficult, he had to press on.

He closed his eyes, preparing for last minute review.

Suddenly a hand clapped his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw the hesitant Qi Huai.

"Brother Qi?" Xu Mo was a little surprised.

"Brother Xu." Qi Huai rubbed his nose and glanced at the crowd of relatives. "Do you know the rules of the palace exam? As son of the Minister of Rites, I'm very familiar with the imperial exam which has always been administered by the Ministry of Rites. The exam rules are engraved in my heart."

This was the difference between children of officials and commoners.

Children of officials had powerful connections and were well informed. Even for the palace exam they could be calm and collected. Commoners were ignorant and poorly informed. Their knowledge of the exam system was limited to a few words from their teacher, or sporadic hearsay from books. Yet no one was willing to freely impart knowledge at this time.

Because they were competing, because the rankings were so important, because it involved their future official careers.

It was rare for Qi Huai to be open-handed. Even though Xu Mo had already investigated in advance, he was still sincerely grateful.

"History records that the palace exams were always presided over by the imperial family, but in reality the imperial family only picked the top three first class candidates. Second and third class were decided by officials like the Ministers of the Six Ministries and the Three Dukes and Three Lords.

The exam had three parts. The first was policy questions. The imperial family would give essay prompts that candidates had to respond to in writing. The second was reading the exam papers. The officials in charge would check the candidates' handwriting and literary style, which were very important. They would also explain the content expressed in the essays. The third was the palace exam proprieties. Various questions would be randomly selected, not limited to books, or even impromptu.

For these three parts, each would be evaluated by at least six chief examiners. Different characters represented the grades, higher scores meant better rankings. There was still a chance of being spot-checked by the imperial family. If the imperial family expressed satisfaction, your exam would take off.

Qi Huai said this all in one breath, parched. At the same time he glanced at the crowd of relatives in the distance.

"Brother Qi's efforts are appreciated." Xu Mo saluted with his hands cupped. "All of Brother Xu's inquiries do not compare to Brother Qi's clear and thorough explanation."

"No need to be polite. It's a trivial matter." Qi Huai rubbed his nose again. "I only hope that when Brother Xu ascends in the future, do not forget that the Qi family was the one who helped."

The Qi...family?

Xu Mo was still puzzled when noise came from ahead. It seemed the imperial city gates had opened.

All words were swallowed back. The noisy crowd instantly fell silent. All scholars and relatives looked ahead.

They saw an old white-bearded man appear above the city wall, wearing a moon-white robe. He loudly declared, "Dawn has broken. The palace exam begins!"

The well-trained guards in embroidered robes uniformly and slowly pushed open the imperial city gates.

In the east floated wisps of yellow glow, thin but carrying the energy of new life.

Batch by batch, the nation's hopeful talents.

Their ages were eager, bidding farewell to loved ones, striding bravely into the desired halls.

The imperial city.

Pinnacle of power, leader of desire.

Voracious beast, gilded cage.

But their strides were so resolute and just.

Xu Mo took a deep breath. Together with Qi Huai and An Jun, the three walked side by side. Passing through the city gates, past the Golden Sacred Hall, through Taihe Palace, and finally arriving at Baohe Hall.

Hundreds of scholars stood upright, looking up at the officials seated in the hall, eyes showing admiration and some anticipation.

"I only hope that one day, I too can sit there and give all impoverished scholars a chance." An Jun's face was full of longing. "At that time there will be no more press ganged soldiers, and impoverished scholars will not be bullied without recourse."

What a beautiful wish.

But not forgetting one's original aspirations was the most difficult thing in the world.