Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

This suited Zhao Yuan's taste perfectly.

"Your Majesty, please review this."

Zhao Yuan handed the exam paper back.

Zhao Yuan took the answer sheet without hesitation.

He didn't even bother to look at it, and gave the order.

“Write the imperial edict according to the emperor’s ranking.”

"According to the order!"

The ministers were extremely shocked.

The ranking of candidates in the palace examination was also decided by the emperor.

After writing the yellow list,

People left the palace one after another.

Hu Anguo invited Xiao Chu into his carriage and said in a low voice,

“As a subject, one should not discuss the emperor or the crown prince.”

"But the state of the court today is truly worrying,"

"Military power is entirely in the emperor's hands; what if one day..."

"One or two years should be no problem,"

"But His Majesty is in good health,"

"What about ten or twenty years from now?"

"Who cares about things that far away?"

Xiao Chu laughed.

"Brother, don't you understand yet? Everything should be done according to the Emperor's wishes."

.....

The rites and systems of the Ming Dynasty

It was decided last year.

The ceremony of announcing the imperial examinations was held very high.

Second only to the emperor's ascension to the throne and his wedding,

It belongs to the same level as the triumphant return of military generals.

Therefore, all officials were required to wear court robes.

Her entire body was crimson.

There were no birds or beasts either.

Highlighting uniformity, composure, and solemnity—official uniforms are distinguished by color.

Clothing worn at that time was embroidered with birds and animals.

They all wore the Jinxian crown.

There are three types of cap beams: seven beams, six beams, and five beams.

Princes, the Three Masters, the Three Dukes, and the Chancellor (including the Privy Councilor, etc.)

When wearing the seven-beam Jinxian crown,

They also had to wear a Diaochan crown (cage scarf).

The censors of the Censorate,

Then a xiezhi horn was added to the Jinxian crown.

With the change of official rank

They also hang jade swords, jade pendants, brocade ribbons, and the like with different patterns.

It's not yet dawn,

The officials were already waiting.

Zhao Yuan was sitting in the Wende Hall, yawning repeatedly.

The usual court sessions have been postponed.

But such large ceremonies require getting up early.

"Your Majesty, it's time to ascend the throne."

The eunuch came in and gave a reminder.

"Ha~~~"

Zhao Yuan yawned again.

Stand up and stretch to relieve fatigue.

Then he walked towards the Hall of Heroes.

"The Emperor ascends the throne!"

"The Emperor ascends the throne!"

“…”

A cacophony of sounds rose and fell.

The band also started playing music.

The sound of whips could still be heard in front of the Hall of Heroes.

Several more shouts rang out.

Officials lined up to enter the Hall of Gathering Heroes.

The newly appointed Jinshi

He was still wearing simple cloth clothes.

They stood outside the hall, waiting for the announcement of the results.

The entire imperial examination process of the Ming Dynasty

New etiquette rules were established last year.

It integrates the ritual systems of the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

And they are all different.

It all depends on Zhao Yuan's preferences.

Fearing that the scholars wouldn't understand,

A special official from the Court of State Ceremonial was assigned to guide them.

The chaotic state of the imperial examination system in the Northern Song Dynasty

It was also unified by the new Ming Dynasty.

Five people in the first rank.

Ninety-five people in the second class.

The rest were all in the top three.

The yellow list has been filled out.

The names of the top five were written down by Zhao Yuan himself.

After organizing the examination, Meng Zhao, the Minister of Rites,

No one may participate in setting questions, invigilating, or grading the exam throughout the entire process.

Now, however, we can arrange the announcement of the results.

He walked out of the Hall of Heroes.

Standing between the palace gate and the steps.

The announcer followed behind.

And several guards responsible for carrying the yellow list.

Meng Zhao opened the imperial edict and read it aloud.

"The Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty decreed: March 5th, the second year of Hongwu,"

"Test the talents of the nation."

"The first-ranked scholar was granted the title of Jinshi (进士)."

"Second-class scholar granted the title of Jinshi."

"Third-class scholars are granted the title of Jinshi (进士)..."

The announcement was completed.

Meng Zhao stood to the side.

The announcer stepped forward.

He personally opened the first-class yellow list.

"Hu Quan, the first-place winner of the first class,"

"First place in Class A, Hu Quan..."

The song was sung three times amidst the music.

Hu Quan was so excited that he trembled all over.

They were led by the officials to the top of the imperial steps.

Chapter 1859 Selection System

This was a privilege that the old Song dynasty did not offer.

The new Ming Dynasty established a system of rites and rituals.

The newly crowned champion can "stand out from the crowd".

Hundreds of scholars watched Hu Quan's retreating figure.

Everyone cast envious glances their way.

This is unprecedented since the Tang and Song dynasties' imperial examination system.

The first scholar to be allowed to stand at the head of the dragon's head!

The other four people in the first class,

After hearing the solfège syllables

They stood behind the top scholar.

The names of the second and third place winners were announced one after another.

But only the top ten from each group.

Only then can they step out of the line and stand alone.

The rest remained in their original positions.

"kneel!"

Three hundred and fifty newly appointed scholars

They all knelt down in unison before the Hall of Heroes.

Kneeling was extremely rare in the new Ming Dynasty.

It only appears on a few important occasions.