My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 386 Number One Scholar
Mr. Sheng'an was none other than Yang Shen, one of the three great talents of the Ming Dynasty.

Xu Wei is also considered by later generations to be one of the three great talents.

Yang Shen was the son of the famous prime minister Yang Tinghe.

Yang Shen achieved the top rank in the imperial examination in the sixth year of the Zhengde reign, but no one questioned the possibility of cheating at the time because he was already famous throughout the country before becoming the top scholar.

Yang Shen was known as a genius from a young age. He passed the imperial examination with top honors at the age of twenty-three, but a major controversy led to his demotion to Yunnan.

Xu Wei and Yang Shen had no interaction. During the period when Yang Shen was active, Xu Wei was still studying. Yang Shen died in the thirty-eighth year of Jiajing's reign, at which time Xu Wei was still serving in Hu Zongxian's staff.

Xu Wei's decision to visit Yang Shen's former residence was probably a reflection of mutual appreciation between literary figures.

When Xu Wei was about to leave the capital, Su Ze did not try to persuade him to stay. He accepted the betrothal money Xu Wei gave him and also gave him a sum of money as a gift.

These days, every time Su Ze invests in a business, he also invests a share in Xu Wei.

This includes the Fangshan Railway, Woyin Company, Zhiwu Railway, and several dye houses in Taizi.

These dividends alone would have been enough for Xu Wei to live a wealthy life.

Since the two had a show together, Su Ze still saw Xu Wei off outside the capital city.

After seeing Xu Wei off, Su Ze met an acquaintance.

"Master Fang." After confirming that the man in the simple scholar's robe was indeed Su Ze, Zhang Yuanbian quickly stepped forward and bowed.

Su Ze was also somewhat surprised; he was dressed casually today and had unexpectedly run into Zhang Yuanbian.

He was Zhang Yuanbian's fellow examiner, so addressing him as "Master Fang" was not a problem. However, Su Ze looked at the respectful Zhang Yuanbian and thought, "It's only been a few years? And I already have a disciple?"
"The students were seeing off a fellow villager back to his hometown."

Looking at the bustling city gate, Su Ze realized how lively it was today, and then remembered that it was the day to send off the examinees returning home.

Of the scholars who failed the imperial examinations, only a portion would stay in the capital; the majority would choose to return to their hometowns.

Zhang Yuanbian, a fellow candidate in the imperial examinations, was disheartened after failing the exam and didn't know if he would take it again.

Zhang Yuanbian ranked second in the provincial examination. Although he has not yet taken the palace examination, according to custom, as long as he does not misbehave in the palace examination, he is guaranteed to be a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest rank) or above.

The future prospects of a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examination) who is guaranteed a second-class degree or above, and a Juren (successful candidate in the provincial level of the imperial examination) who fails the exam, are worlds apart.

The disheartened scholars who failed the imperial examinations and the monks preparing for the palace examinations—the imperial examinations were indeed a dragon gate; those who leaped over it became dragons, while those who failed could only drift along with the tide.

"Was it Master Fang who was seeing off Mr. Qing Teng just now? I didn't have time to come up and say goodbye."

Su Ze nodded. Before Xu Wei left the capital, he had also recommended this fellow townsman to him.

Xu Wei held Zhang Yuanbian in high regard, believing that he could become an asset to Su Ze in the court.

Zhang Yuanbian's exam paper was graded by Su Ze, but Su Ze could not judge a person's character based on his writing.

When Wang Anshi implemented his reforms, Cai Jing also gained Wang Anshi's favor through his talent and learning.

Whether Zhang Yuanbian truly harbored reformist ambitions or merely wrote that to curry favor with the examiners, Su Ze could not easily draw a conclusion.

Just then, Su Ze ran into an acquaintance.

It was Su Ze who recommended Sun Wenqi to study at the Imperial College's preparatory course.

Sun Wenqi returned to the nursing home today, bringing his old newspaper-selling brothers with him to sell willow branches in the suburbs.

There is an ancient tradition of breaking off willow branches as a farewell gesture, but last year so many willow trees around the capital were broken off that the government issued an order prohibiting the breaking of willow trees near the city gates for farewells.

Sun Wenqi was quick-witted; he saw a business opportunity, so he led his colleagues from the almshouse to break off willow branches in the outskirts of Beijing and then went to sell them outside the city gates.

As expected, sales were excellent.

The worthless willow twigs could be sold for a single brass coin to the scholars who were seeing them off.

Especially after the imperial examinations ended, scholars returned to their hometowns one after another, allowing Sun Wenqi to make a fortune.

Upon seeing Su Ze from afar, Sun Wenqi quickly handed the basket to his friend, tidied himself up, and ran to Su Ze.

"Teacher!"

Su Ze had already seen the children from the orphanage selling willow branches, and now he guessed that Sun Wenqi had organized it. He said to him:
"Did Wenqi bring everyone here to work and study?"

Sun Wenqi was even more grateful to Su Ze for giving him a way out, so he explained his business acumen.

Zhang Yuanbian was dumbfounded. He had just bought willow branches when he saw off his friend, but he never expected that this young man had come up with a way to make money.

Moreover, upon hearing Sun Wenqi address Su Ze as his mentor, Zhang Yuanbian felt a surge of envy.

He had to muster up the courage to call Su Zefang "Master," as he was not yet qualified to call Su Ze his mentor.

"Wenqi, this is Zhang Yuanbian, also known as Zhang Zijin, who came in second place in this year's imperial examination."

“Zijin, this is my student when I was teaching at the Imperial Academy. Sun Wenqi is now studying in the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy.”

After exchanging greetings, Zhang Yuanbian looked at Su Ze with some trepidation and asked:
"Does the fortune teller remember my courtesy name?"

Su Ze smiled and said:

"Your exam paper was recommended to Grand Secretary Zhang by me, and of course, your ranking in the imperial examination was personally determined by Grand Secretary Zhang."

Zhang Yuanbian's heart was pounding with excitement! Su Hanlin had actually memorized his courtesy name himself!
Moreover, it was he who took a liking to my exam paper!
Zhang Yuanbian said respectfully:

"I, Zhang, will certainly remember Master Fang's guidance!"

Su Ze pulled Zhang Yuanbian aside and said:
"There's no need for that. Your palace examination is the day after tomorrow. Are you all prepared?"

Normally, after the results of the provincial examination are announced, the palace examination will be held on March 10th.

However, due to public opinion surrounding the East and West examinations this year, the palace examination was postponed to March 12th.

Zhang Yuanbian honestly replied:

"After passing the provincial examination, the students felt their minds were blank, and they only hoped that they would not behave improperly in front of the palace!"

Su Ze laughed heartily, it seemed Zhang Yuanbian was an honest man.

It would be difficult for anyone to remain calm after obtaining fellowship.

The number of candidates for the highest degree (进士) was also four hundred.

In other words, unless you act recklessly or give up voluntarily, passing the provincial examination already makes you a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

The palace examination only affected the ranking of the successful candidates.

The Jinshi degree was equivalent to an official, so in modern terms, Zhang Yuanbian had already "gotten ashore" (a high-ranking official position).

Sun Wenyong looked at Zhang Yuanbian with envy.

He is currently studying in the preparatory course at the Imperial College, which is roughly equivalent to primary school level.

However, Zhang Yuanbian had already graduated with a doctorate.

Su Ze comforted him, saying:
"Don't be nervous. As long as Zijin performs well, she will definitely achieve good results."

Su Ze knew that the emperor had lost his voice. This time, the imperial examination focused on policy essays, which was actually equivalent to merging the palace examination with the imperial examination.

This palace examination is just a formality; in most cases, the rankings in the provincial examination will be the same as the rankings in the palace examination.

Su Ze felt a little sorry for Zhang Yuanbian. In the original timeline, he was the top scholar, but this time it seemed unlikely. As the three walked, a gust of wind blew by, and all three covered their noses with their sleeves as an unpleasant odor wafted over.

Su Ze looked into the distance and saw a factory chimney emitting black smoke.

Su Ze, on a sudden inspiration, asked:
"Zijin, Wenqi, what are your thoughts on the pollution problem caused by factories outside the capital?"

Although Sun Wenqi was only a preparatory student at the Imperial Academy, he was a former newspaper boy, quick-witted, and had his own set of opinions on things.

Sun Wenqi said:
"The thick smoke and sewage are indeed a nuisance to the people, and many residents of the capital region have complained. However, I believe that it is precisely these factories that have driven the prosperity of the capital. The lives of the people of the capital have greatly improved, all thanks to these factories."

Su Ze then looked at Zhang Yuanbian.

Zhang Yuanbian thought for a moment and said:
"The students believe that the government should intervene in the factory's emissions of smoke and wastewater, especially since the wastewater can pollute water sources and farmland, and if left unchecked, it will become a major disaster."

"The students heard that steel mills in Gyeonggi used to emit foul-smelling fumes, but after improvements and the addition of processes, not only was pollution reduced, but they also produced something called 'fertilizer powder'."

"If every factory could turn its emissions into valuable resources, just like a steel mill, that would be wonderful."

Su Ze was surprised that Zhang Yuanbian knew about the steel mill, and his opinion of him improved even more.

However, Su Ze also knew that there weren't many factories like steel mills.

Many early factories were not technologically capable of meeting the requirements for safe wastewater discharge, and acid and alkali factories were major contributors to environmental pollution.

Su Ze nodded and said:

“Zijin is right, but not all factories are like steel mills, which have ways to remove pollutants.”

"But if the factory discharges pollutants, the surrounding residents still need to be properly resettled, otherwise the workshop will become a means of plundering people's wealth."

"Wenqi, your idea is not wrong. Industry brings employment and jobs, which can make people live with more dignity."

Su Ze was very satisfied with Zhang Yuanbian. He was not the kind of bookish pedant who only knew how to read books, and he had his own opinions on new things.

And this is exactly the type of official the Ming Dynasty will need in the future.
-
On March 11, Su Ze, who was working in the Office of Transmission, suddenly received an imperial edict. The emperor asked him to serve as the examiner for the imperial examination the next day.

This even drew envious glances from Li Yiyuan, the Tongzheng Envoy.

There were also 400 examination papers in the palace examination. In theory, the emperor would personally examine all the examination papers. However, even an emperor in good health could not possibly read all 400 papers, let alone the ailing Longqing Emperor.

Historically, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was probably the only one who could read through all the palace examination papers by himself.

Since the emperor couldn't finish reading them all, the ministers had to do it for him.

The examiners of the imperial examination were civil officials specifically responsible for grading the examination papers.

Because the emperor was the only examiner for the palace examination, these civil officials could only be called "examination readers".

The palace examination only tested policy essays. After the examination, the examiners would determine a ranking. If the emperor had no objections, then that would be the ranking of the successful candidates.

The position of the examiner who read the examination papers was quite high.

Basically, those who could serve as examiners for the imperial examinations were high-ranking officials in the cabinet and some mid-level officials who were famous for their academic and literary achievements.

The examiners for this imperial examination, personally selected by the Longqing Emperor, were Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji, and Yin Shidan from the Grand Secretariat.

In addition, Yang Sizhong, Minister of Personnel, and Mao Kai, Minister of Justice, were also selected.

Even Li Yiyuan, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, was not selected as a candidate for the position of examiner, probably because the emperor was not very familiar with him.

However, the emperor appointed Su Ze as the examiner, which was quite an honor.

Li Yiyuan said with a sour tone:

"His Majesty personally appointed Zilin as the examiner; we must not tarnish the reputation of our Office of Transmission."

Su Ze said quickly:

"Thank you for your guidance, Da Yintai."

Xu Shuli, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Everyone felt it was only natural that Su Ze was appointed as the examiner. It seems that the emperor was envious of Su Ze's appointment. He had not thought of Su Ze at all.
-
March 12th.

During the Ming Dynasty, the imperial examination was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Tables and desks were set up inside the hall, and the emperor supervised the examination from his throne. Officials such as Su Ze were responsible for supervising the examination and grading the papers.

As the youngest examiner for the imperial examination, Su Ze could only take on the task of supervising the examination. Fortunately, it was unlikely that any scholar would cheat in the palace examination, so the symbolic significance outweighed the practical significance.

Su Ze also secretly glanced at Emperor Longqing on the throne.

The emperor's expression was somewhat better than at the grand court assembly on New Year's Day.

But perhaps due to the pressure of losing his voice, the Longqing Emperor lost his smile, and his brows were constantly furrowed.

During this imperial examination, all the imperial edicts were read aloud by Feng Bao. However, Emperor Longqing would manipulate Feng Bao with gestures, probably because he had prepared several sets of rhetoric to respond to different situations.

From this perspective, the emperor still had a strong control over the inner court, and Feng Bao could hardly interfere in state affairs.

Su Ze felt a little relieved; it seemed the emperor could hold on for a while longer.

There was no specific time limit for answering questions in the palace examination, but the time allotted for writing a policy essay was about half a day.

The topic this time is, "Although Zhou was an old state, its mandate was renewed!"
Su Ze had not expected that the Longqing Emperor would be so steadfast in his support for the reforms, even choosing such a topic for the palace examination during his illness.

Despite his weaknesses, this emperor was still very resolute in his support for the reforms.

Thinking of this, Su Ze also felt a little sad.

When Su Ze made his rounds, he also looked at Zhang Yuanbian's exam paper.

Compared to the previous imperial examination paper, Zhang Yuanbian's paper this time was much more moderate.

While advocating for reform, he also reminded the court to be wary of problems arising from the reform process, and to remain calm and patient, lest good laws become evil laws that harm the people.

The two essay questions were actually quite similar in theme, and half a day later, the candidates began to hand in their papers one after another.

The examiners then began grading the papers according to the candidates' rankings in the imperial examination.

This also shows that the rankings in this palace examination were probably not much different from those in the metropolitan examination.

Su Ze busied himself assisting several senior cabinet officials, and the review of the documents progressed rapidly.

However, in the end, the selection of the top scorer became controversial.

Deng Yizan ranked first in the provincial examination, and he still held a strong stance on reform in this palace examination.

However, he may have overdone it, as several senior officials judged him to be too hasty.

Zhang Yuanbian, on the other hand, was highly regarded by Gao Gong and others.

Zhang Juzheng argued with several ministers, and the final decision was to ask the emperor to make the final decision.

The Longqing Emperor was already very tired, so he ordered the examiner to read the two candidates' exam papers to him.

Su Ze read Zhang Yuanbian's exam paper aloud, and Su Ze's pronunciation was clear.

Deng Yizan was also read by Zhao Zhenji, who had a heavy Sichuan accent, which the emperor found very difficult to understand.

In the end, Zhang Yuanbian was named the top scholar by the emperor.

(End of this chapter)