My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 387 The First Lecture by the Newly Appointed Top Scholar

Ultimately, Zhang Yuanbian was determined to be the top scholar of this imperial examination, while Deng Yizan, who was originally the top scholar in the provincial examination, was demoted to the second-highest scorer.

The remaining rankings were similar to the original list of candidates drafted by Zhang Juzheng, with only a few candidates who did not perform well having their rankings lowered.

After a long day, Emperor Longqing was exhausted. He returned to the inner palace to rest with the help of eunuchs, but he still had to work the next day.

The next day was the ceremony for announcing the results of the palace examination, also known as "Chuanlu".

All the examiners from yesterday were also present.

The examiners arrived at the Zhongji Hall, where Grand Secretary Gao Gong opened the papers in order of the first, second, and third place appointed by the Emperor.

After opening the first volume, Gao Gong reported to the emperor: "Zhang Yuanbian is the first-place winner in the first class!"

The emperor on the throne nodded weakly.

After Gao Gong finished reading the names of the three top-ranking officials, the officials of the Imperial Seal Office affixed their seals to the yellow list.

The emperor only needed to nod at the list of candidates to complete the ceremonial work, and then the emperor would proceed to the Fengtian Hall.

The emperor ascended the throne in the Fengtian Hall, and the civil and military officials stood in attendance as usual. Music was played in the hall, firecrackers were set off, and the announcement of the emperor's name began.

Those who passed the palace examination became Jinshi, also known as Gongshi.

The scholars had already lined up on their prayer seats on both sides of the steps outside the hall. Shen Yiguan, as an official of the Court of State Ceremonial, went out through the left gate of the Fengtian Hall after requesting permission and stood facing west on the steps.

Shen Yiguan was also somewhat excited.

Four years ago, he was one of the successful candidates in the imperial examinations. Now, he has risen to the rank of a fifth-grade official and is announcing the imperial decree to his juniors.

However, Shen Yiguan quickly focused his mind and shouted, "There is order!"

After all the candidates knelt down, Shen Yiguan loudly proclaimed:
"The examination will be held to select the best candidates from across the land. The first-ranked candidates will be awarded the title of Jinshi Jidi, the second-ranked candidates will be awarded the title of Jinshi Chushen, and the third-ranked candidates will be awarded the title of Tong Jinshi Chushen."

Then, Shen Yiguan called out the first place winner of the second class and the first place winner of the third class.

The top two candidates in the second and third ranks were also called "Chuanlu," and they were the ones who would announce the rankings of the imperial examinations.

After the two announcers took turns reading out the rankings of the first and second class.

The scholars bowed, rose, and kowtowed four times in response to the command. Shen Yiguan, accompanied by two announcers, carried the yellow list out of the left gate of Fengtian Gate and hung it outside the left gate of Chang'an. The scholars followed to view the list, and officials from Shuntian Prefecture escorted the new top scholar home with parasols and ceremonial entourage.

Inside the palace, civil and military officials took their places in turn.

Gao Gong, who was in charge of the imperial examinations, knelt on the steps of the palace and delivered his speech:
"The heavens have opened up a new era for literature, and talented individuals have been promoted to high positions; this is a cause for celebration!"

Then firecrackers were set off. This time, the Longqing Emperor finally managed to hold on and complete his first political activity after the New Year's Day Grand Court Assembly.

Although the Longqing Emperor did not speak throughout the entire event, he greatly stabilized the court situation.

The rumors about the emperor's health also stopped.

The emperor's appearance was more important than the palace examination.
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The following day, there was also a ceremony in which the newly appointed top scholar led a group of successful candidates into the palace to express their gratitude.

However, Emperor Longqing was probably exhausted, so he simply had the scholars stand outside Zuoshun Gate to express their gratitude, and that was considered the ceremony complete.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Yuanbian led the scholars to the Imperial Academy to pay homage to their revered teacher, Confucius.

After the ceremony, the scholars changed into their official robes and hats, which marked their final "release from the coarse cloth," meaning they were no longer commoners but officials.

The Imperial College would then erect a monument and inscribe the names of the successful candidates, thus completing the formal process.

At this point, the newly appointed scholars can begin to celebrate.

For these newly appointed scholars, this was probably the most triumphant moment of their lives.

The joy of passing the imperial examination, coupled with the anticipation of entering officialdom and the expectation of making great achievements, all these newcomers, who have not yet experienced the treacherous nature of officialdom, see a bright future.

In the newspaper office, Shen Yiguan also remarked with emotion, "It's so good to be young."

Luo Wanhua couldn't help but say:

"Brother Jianwu isn't old, is he? Why are you suddenly making such a remark!"

Shen Yiguan sighed:
"New people have entered the officialdom; you and I are both old-timers."

Faced with Shen Yiguan's sentiments, Luo Wanhua was speechless. He didn't understand why Shen Yiguan suddenly became so sentimental.

After finishing his reflections, Shen Yiguan started gossiping again:
"I heard that Deng Yizan, the second-place scholar in this imperial examination, said at a banquet that it was said that Grand Secretary Zhao deliberately misread the exam paper and took away his position as the top scholar."

Luo Wanhua gasped and said:
"Deng Yizan has some nerve!"

Having just passed the imperial examination, he dared to discuss the Grand Secretaries of the court. Luo Wanhua was also a top scholar in the imperial examination, but he wasn't this arrogant.

Su Ze suddenly interrupted and asked:

Is this official news?

Shen Yiguan said, "I heard it from the newly appointed scholars who were observing the government affairs at the Court of State Ceremonies, but they probably weren't at the banquet either, so they probably just heard it from others."

“A tabloid in the capital that specializes in publishing gossip about scholars published it, but there is no clear evidence.”

Su Ze asked again:
"What did Deng Yizan himself say?"

Shen Yiguan said:
"What did he say? I heard that Deng Yizan didn't express his opinion. All the top-ranking scholars are given positions in the Hanlin Academy. Deng Yizan is currently studying at the Hanlin Academy."

Shen Yiguan suddenly asked:
"Brother Zilin, do you mean this is a test?"

Su Ze nodded.

Luo Wanhua couldn't understand what the two were saying, so Shen Yiguan explained to him:

"Deng Yizan, a newly appointed Jinshi, dared to complain like this probably because someone was backing him up, or he thought someone would back him up, which is why he dared to be so unscrupulous."

"Who?"

"Of course, he was Deng Yizan's mentor."

"Grand Secretary Zhang?"

Shen Yiguan began to explain to Luo Wanhua:

"Given this rumor about Deng Yizan, shouldn't he, as a newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), respond and apologize to Grand Secretary Zhao?"

"But Deng Yizan did not respond at all, showing no fear of the Grand Secretary's retaliation, which means he was fearless."

"The fact that such damaging news could spread so widely indicates that someone is fanning the flames."

"Judging from this, it seems that Grand Secretary Zhang has also taken action against Grand Secretary Zhao."

This made Luo Wanhua even more confused.

he asked:
"Isn't Grand Secretary Zhang at odds with Grand Secretary Gao? Grand Secretary Zhao has always been neutral."

Su Ze sighed and said:

"It is precisely because Grand Secretary Zhao's stance is neutral that he has become the biggest destabilizing factor. Only by expelling him from the cabinet can we unleash our full power in the struggle." Luo Wanhua was completely unable to keep up with the thought processes of these political animals.

Su Ze sighed; this is how political sentiment becomes so polarized.

Once everyone is forced to take sides, there is no room for centrists.

There could even be instances where both sides view the centrists as opportunists and join forces to drive them out.

In the original timeline, Zhao Zhenji retired and returned to his hometown during the Gao-Zhang conflict. Now, given his current state, it's uncertain how long Zhao, the Grand Secretary, can remain in the cabinet.

Just as the three were chatting, someone announced that someone wanted to see Su Ze.

Su Ze asked someone to lead the visitor into the newspaper office, but to his surprise, the visitor turned out to be Zhang Yuanbian, the top scholar of this year's imperial examination, whom the three of them had just been talking about.

After Zhang Yuanbian joined the Hanlin Academy, he heard that Su Ze often went to the office of the Yuefu Xinbao newspaper, so he came to the newspaper office to ask for an audience with a try-it-out mentality.

Unexpectedly, I was lucky today and met Su Ze on my first try.

"This student greets the Preceptor and the two esteemed gentlemen."

After hearing Su Ze introduce their identities, Zhang Yuanbian quickly bowed to Luo Wanhua.

Luo Wanhua and Shen Yiguan were both prominent figures among their colleagues at the Hanlin Academy.

Luo Wanhua was the top scholar in the previous imperial examination. Now he is in charge of the largest newspaper, "Yuefu Xinbao," and has been recognized by both the court and the public, who all believe that he has done a very good job in running the newspaper.

Shen Yiguan is also a legendary figure among his colleagues in the Hanlin Academy. In the four years since he entered officialdom, he has accompanied Wang Shizhen, the Grand Herald, on missions to the grasslands and Korea. He is now a fifth-rank official in the capital and is expected to join the cabinet in the future.

Luo Wanhua and Shen Yiguan were also very interested in Zhang Yuanbian.

Although not every top scholar in the Ming Dynasty could become a Grand Secretary, the starting point for a top scholar was very high.

Second-class Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) still needed to be selected by the Imperial Academy before they could become official Hanlin officials. First-class officials, on the other hand, were appointed to the Hanlin Academy as soon as they entered officialdom, which put them at a much faster start than others.

Moreover, the top scholar has an academic aura. No matter where Zhang Yuanbian works in the future, his superiors, subordinates and colleagues will look at him with more respect when they hear that he is the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Shen Yiguan gave Su Ze a meaningful look.

Logically speaking, Zhang Yuanbian's mentor was Zhang Juzheng, so he should have been close to Zhang Juzheng.

Judging from this, he seems closer to his tutor, Su Ze? And he even took the initiative to come and find Su Zilin?

Is the name Su Zilin really that powerful? Could he really snatch a disciple from Zhang Juzheng?
Zhang Yuanbian said respectfully:

"Master Fang, I have come here to ask for your help. I want to do some practical work and do not want to waste my time in the Hanlin Academy."

Su Ze frowned and looked at Zhang Yuanbian.

Zhang Yuanbian met Su Ze's gaze and said:

“These days, I have been working at the Hanlin Academy and have been proofreading classics. The thought of not knowing how much longer I will have to stay at the Hanlin Academy makes me feel like I am wasting my time.”

“I come from a poor family and do not know any ministers in the court. Later, I heard about Master Fang’s “Memorial Requesting the Cessation of Early Morning Court Sessions”, and I followed Master Fang’s example and wrote a memorial. I would like to ask Master Fang for his guidance.

After saying this, Zhang Yuanbian took out a memorial to the throne.

Luo Wanhua and Shen Yiguan couldn't help but chuckle.

They also recalled that when Su Ze first entered officialdom, his first memorial was groundbreaking and was actually approved by the emperor, thus beginning his legendary official career.

After receiving Zhang Yuanbian's memorial, Su Ze began to read it carefully.

Zhang Yuanbian also studied at the Hanlin Academy.

The Hanlin Academy contains memorials from court officials. Zhang Yuanbian specifically studied Su Ze's memorials, and this memorial was written in imitation of Su Ze's style.

"I was born of humble origin, but I was fortunate to receive the Emperor's grace and pass the imperial examination with top honors, and was appointed to the Hanlin Academy. Since taking up my post, I have been diligent and cautious day and night, fearing that I may fail to live up to Your Majesty's favor. However, while I am working with other officials to proofread books and compile documents, I have some thoughts that I dare not fail to express before Your Majesty."

"According to the established system of our dynasty, the top three newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination) are appointed to the Hanlin Academy, and the second-ranked candidates are selected as Shujishi (probationary officials). The rest of the Jinshi are assigned to various ministries and government offices to observe the administration of the government."

"This is a great move! It allows newcomers to witness firsthand the operation of the government, understand the practical matters of finance, criminal law, etiquette, music, and border defense, to comprehend the people's sentiments, and to understand the origins of government orders, thus laying a foundation for their future service in local or central government positions. A few months of observing government affairs is far better than ten years of studying behind closed doors. It is truly an excellent method for cultivating capable individuals."

"However, looking at the Hanlin Academy and the Shujishi, although their names are prestigious, their duties are actually very heavy on paperwork."

“We spend our days at our desks, either collating ancient books or recording daily life, mostly deliberating over words and phrases and researching allusions. As for important matters concerning the national economy and people’s livelihood, such as how to collect taxes, how to adjudicate criminal cases, how to carry out river works, how to raise funds for border defense, we are like watching a fire from across the river, completely clueless.”

"If this continues, it will likely be all talk and no action."

Immediately afterward, Su Ze's eyes lit up as he saw that Zhang Yuanbian had written:

"After ten years of proofreading, I knew nothing of official matters; after three months of observing the government, I understood the people's livelihood."

"If Hanlin officials and probationary officials could also have the same opportunity as the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to observe and practice governance, understand the practical application of systems, know the deduction of government orders, and be well aware of the responsibilities of various ministries and departments, then in the future, whether they are appointed as Hanlin officials to compile history and answer questions, or as censors to offer advice and suggestions, or as prefects and counties to govern and bring peace to the people, they will all be able to achieve more practical results and avoid empty talk."

After reading it, Su Ze asked Zhang Yuanbian:
"Zijin, your writing is superb. This memorial is much better than mine back then."

Zhang Yuanbian quickly replied, "Master Fang, you're too kind!"

Su Ze said:

"Since you address me as Master, I shall say a few words today."

Su Ze looked at Zhang Yuanbian and said:
"The Hanlin Academy is the place where the future prime minister of our Great Ming Dynasty is born. Why is that?"

"All the official documents of our Great Ming Dynasty are stored in the Hanlin Academy. When Grand Secretary Gao and Grand Secretary Zhang were in the Hanlin Academy, they read through the memorials of famous officials of the previous dynasty and learned the secrets of the court's operation. Only then did they accumulate knowledge and then unleash their talents."

"Not to mention the two Grand Secretaries, when I was in the Hanlin Academy, I often spent time in the library. My two classmates can attest to that."

Luo Wanhua and Shen Yiguan nodded repeatedly.

When Su Ze was in the Hanlin Academy, he indeed immersed himself in the library, reading through the memorials of famous officials throughout history and the memorials of the six ministries of the cabinet.

Even Luo Wanhua, the top scholar who loved reading the most, had to admit that Su Ze had accumulated a lot of knowledge in the Hanlin Academy.

Zhang Yuanbian lowered his head in shame.

Su Ze said again:
“But Zijin, I can understand your desire to get closer to practical matters. What you said in your memorial is also correct. Many Hanlin scholars are immersed in their documents all day long, thinking that this is what scholarship is. They also often complain that the court is unfair and does not give them a chance to stand out.”

"But when it comes to politics and practical matters, they can't say anything, and in the end they can only use the old system of their ancestors to suppress people."

"In addition, the system of observing government affairs is good, as it allows newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to become familiar with the operation of various government offices. However, the observation period is relatively short, only a little over half a year. Moreover, the Jinshi prefer to observe government affairs in government offices such as the Six Ministries and the Censorate, and regard going to the Court of State Ceremonial and the Office of Transmission as having no future. This is also a bad trend."

Su Ze said, "I would suggest that Zi Jin, you could be bolder in your memorial and propose to change the system of observing government affairs!"

"First of all, newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) are allowed to participate in observing government affairs. You Jinshi of the first and second classes can also choose to observe government affairs in government offices."

"The observation period should be extended to a full year, and it should not be limited to one government office. Instead, the observation period should be rotated among several government offices, with each office requiring three to six months of observation depending on the complexity of the situation."

"When Hanlin officials and probationary scholars observe government affairs, they remain in the Hanlin Academy and can detach themselves from their Hanlin duties. In particular, probationary scholars should not be forced to observe government affairs if they do not wish to; they should be allowed to study in the Hanlin Academy to prepare for the selection of scholars."

"However, the selection of junior scholars in the future should also include more practical content in order to select talents who can fit the national policy."

"What does Zijin think?"

(End of this chapter)