We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Li Che then shifted his focus and began compiling a treatise on ink.

The so-called "Mo Yi" (墨义) tests one's understanding and interpretation of the classics.

If the purpose of copying scriptures is to test whether students have 'read' them, then the purpose of writing calligraphy is to see whether they 'understand' it.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the examination of the meaning of words was extremely rigorous, requiring that every word and sentence be based on classical texts and strictly adhere to the annotations of the sages, allowing no personal opinions whatsoever, to the point of being almost rigid.

After all, scholars of that time all valued speaking on behalf of the sages.

However, since the imperial examinations had just begun in Daqing under Li Che's rule, there was no need to use such abnormal rules as the "eight-legged essay" to imprison the candidates' minds.

When selecting officials through imperial examinations, practical skills are of paramount importance.

In Li Che's view, being able to understand the basic spirit of the words of sages and be able to apply them in practice is sufficient.

If one can elaborate on this point, then that person is an exceptional talent.

He picked up his brush and wrote down the first question on the meaning of calligraphy: "'While parents are alive, one should not travel far; if one must travel, one should have a fixed destination.' What is the meaning of this question?"

This question is quite simple. As long as you can answer that "children should not travel far away while their parents are alive, and if they must travel far away, they should inform their parents of their destination so that they can rest assured," you have mastered the basics.

If we can go a step further and say that this act is an expression of 'filial piety' and aims to avoid worrying parents, then it can be classified as good.

Li Che's standards are quite lenient. As long as the answer is not something like, "Your parents are in my hands, you can't run away. Even if you do run away, I'll find a way to bring you back!", you can get points.

The first five questions on the meaning of ink all belong to this basic category, intended to filter out students who have truly understood the book.

However, Li Che's sincerity only went so far.

Starting from question six, the style changes abruptly.

The topics he wrote about began to transcend the confines of classical texts and directly address reality.

For example: "If the county you govern has four distinct seasons, but the soil is barren due to years of farming, what crops should you encourage farmers to plant to improve the soil's fertility?"

This question may seem ordinary, but it is actually a hidden common sense question.

Agriculture is the foundation of a nation. Daqing is still an agricultural country today. Even if Fengguo is separated out, it can only be considered a semi-industrial country at best.

Those students who only know how to recite "governing a large country is like cooking a small fish" but cannot distinguish between wheat seedlings and leeks will surely be stumped by this question.

Only those with a basic understanding of agriculture can answer the question correctly: plant soybeans and other legumes to utilize their properties to nourish the soil.

He then posed two situational questions:

"In your jurisdiction, both the granary and the armory are simultaneously attacked and set on fire by the enemy. With limited manpower, which would you choose to save first?"

"You've taken on a patricide case. The murderer killed his father and wife in a fit of rage because the father was having an affair. How should this case be judged?"

These types of questions have no standard answers, but they can act as a mirror, reflecting the candidate's talent and thinking patterns.

Is it the conservative faction that prioritizes logistical support, or the hardliners that prioritize military preparedness?

Is he a legal professional who strictly adheres to the law, or a capable administrator who knows how to consider human feelings and circumstances?

Li Che could then tailor his teaching to the students' individual abilities and place them in the most suitable positions when assigning official posts in the future.

Besides these practical questions, Li Che sketched out a few more 'inhuman' questions with a flick of his pen, a smile creeping onto his lips.

Just then, Huai En came to report that Wen Zaiyin was requesting an audience.

Li Che was overjoyed and immediately summoned him in.

Wen Zaiyin entered the hall and immediately saw the emperor writing furiously at his desk, with the format of the imperial examination papers spread out in front of him.

He asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, weren't the exam questions already prepared? What are you doing...?"

Li Che looked up and smiled, "Elder Wen, you've come at just the right time. The main volume has been sealed away; this is the supplementary volume."

"A supplementary volume?" Wen Zaiyin was even more puzzled. "What is a supplementary volume?"

"Just in case." Li Che put down his pen and explained, "If there is a problem with the main exam paper, such as the exam questions being leaked, this paper can be used immediately to replace it."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zaiyin's expression hardened, and his voice lowered several decibels: "Impossible... Who would have such audacity?"

Li Che smiled but said nothing.

He came from a later era and knew all too well that cheating in the imperial examinations was a persistent problem throughout ancient history.

After all, the imperial examination was related to the future and destiny of tens of thousands of students. Once they passed the exam, it was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate and ascending to the sky in one step!

In the era before anonymous grading and transcription systems, leaks of exam questions were commonplace.

Even with stricter precautions and the introduction of anonymous naming, there were still those who were willing to take the risk.

This is the first imperial examination of the new Daqing Dynasty, which has attracted worldwide attention. If a scandal of leaking the exam questions were to occur, wouldn't it become a laughing stock for all time?

Therefore, it is always good to be prepared for anything; better safe than sorry.

Li Che didn't dwell on that, but instead steered the conversation back on track, waving the manuscript in his hand: "Now that Elder Wen is here, please take a look at these questions for me and see how they are done?"

Wen Zaiyin quickly waved his hand to decline, saying, "Your Majesty, the examination questions are confidential, and this old minister dares not discuss them."

"It's alright." Li Che smiled and winked. "I trust Wen Lao. Besides, this is only the basic part of the Mohist theory. We haven't even started writing the essay questions yet. What's wrong with taking a look?"

Wen Zaiyin then took the exam paper with both hands and looked at it intently.

The first thing he saw was the title of the sutra. He nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty's method is excellent. It can test basic skills without being too difficult."

With his knowledge, answering such easy questions would naturally be effortless for him.

His gaze shifted to the section on the interpretation of the classics. The first five questions on interpreting the classics were also quite standard and posed no challenge for him.

The subsequent general knowledge and situational questions made him look much more serious, and he thought about them carefully before giving an answer in his mind.

Officials from Fengguo are generally pragmatic, and Wen Zaiyin was no exception; these things did not pose a challenge for him.

However, when his gaze fell on a question, the composure on his face instantly froze, and his expression became extremely interesting.

It seemed unbelievable, yet also made me feel both amused and exasperated.

Moon Jae-in looked up at Lee Cheol and said helplessly, "Your Majesty... are you serious about this question?"

On the exam paper, a line of small print read: "Light ten candles, blow out four of them, how many are left?"

Seeing this, Li Che's amused smile deepened, and he said leisurely, "Old Wen, why don't you answer first?"

Wen Zaiyin had no choice but to reply according to the question: "This... if four out of ten branches are destroyed, then naturally six branches will remain."

"Why does Your Majesty place such basic mathematical knowledge, which even children know, in the imperial examination hall?"

He simply couldn't understand how such a trivial question could be related to selecting capable rulers.

Upon hearing this, Li Che burst into laughter, shaking his head repeatedly: "Wrong! Wrong! Elder Wen, please think about it again?"