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

The examiners, expressionless, deftly collected the still-wet ink test papers.

Immediately, the prepared clerk stepped forward and used specially made thick paper to carefully cover the area at the front of the exam paper where the candidate's name, place of origin, and other information were written, and then sealed it with vermilion lacquer.

This measure aims to 'anonymize' the names of examiners, ensuring that examiners cannot know the identities of the candidates and thus maximizing fairness.

Those papers, with names and identities concealed, stripped of all external labels, left only with pure words and thoughts.

Historically, before the advent of the anonymous grading system, it was common for examiners to pre-compile lists of admitted students through a "public announcement" process.

It wasn't until the Song Dynasty, when the imperial court fully implemented the anonymous grading system, which immediately became the standardized procedure for the imperial examinations, that the relative fairness of the examination system was guaranteed.

Having learned from past mistakes, Li Che naturally wouldn't make such a basic error. He went straight to the final form of the imperial examination system.

The most important aspect of the imperial examination system was fairness, which reflected the credibility of the state.

If even fairness cannot be achieved, what reason will future students in Daqing have to study hard for years just to achieve academic success?

After the papers were collected, the candidates were allowed to leave the examination room in batches.

In an instant, the huge square was freed from its constraints, and the crowd began to surge outwards.

Some students looked dejected, their eyes vacant, clearly aware that they had failed the exam. They staggered, as if their souls had been ripped out.

Some people chatted excitedly in hushed tones with acquaintances, their faces filled with anticipation, clearly believing they had done well on the exam.

Others looked indignant, muttering to themselves, seemingly extremely dissatisfied with the questions or rules, yet helpless.

The myriad aspects of human nature were vividly displayed in the departing crowd.

A mix of emotions converged into a silent torrent that surged out of the imperial city.

Zhang Qian moved slowly with the flow of people, his eyes searching through the crowd, and soon spotted those few white-clad figures with unique temperaments.

He quickened his pace, caught up with Lin Qingyuan, and greeted him with a cupped-hand salute:

"Brother Lin."

Lin Qingyuan turned around and saw Zhang Qian. A smile appeared on his handsome face: "Brother Zhang, how did the exam go?"

Zhang Qian told the truth in a calm and frank tone: "I dare not say whether it is good or bad, but I have simply written down all my thoughts. As for what ranking I will receive, that is entirely up to His Majesty and the academic officials to decide."

He neither exaggerated nor was he overly modest; he was simply stating the facts.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyuan's eyes flashed with admiration, and he nodded: "Me too."

The two exchanged a knowing smile and walked out with the flow of people.

The first half of the first imperial examination in Daqing has officially come to a close.

. . . . . .

Meanwhile, deep within the palace, in the Xuanzheng Hall.

The palace doors were tightly closed, isolating it from the outside noise, but the atmosphere inside was even more solemn than in the examination hall.

The examination papers, after being anonymized and copied, were continuously delivered into the palace under the strict guard of the Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes, and neatly piled up below the imperial steps.

The scrolls piled higher and higher, gradually forming a rather magnificent small mountain, exuding the fragrance of ink and the unique aroma of paper and ink.

Li Che sat on the dragon throne, surrounded by a group of important officials including Qian Bin, Tao Qian, Wen Zaiyin, Du Fuchen, Huo Duanxiao, and Zhuge Zhe.

Looking at the small mountain of exam papers, everyone felt a sense of excitement.

That place carries the heavy hopes of tens of thousands of students; it also carries the seeds of Daqing's future cultural development.

From the moment Li Che proposed the imperial examination system, everyone realized that among these candidates, there would inevitably emerge important officials for the future of the Great Qing Dynasty.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the hall, the exam papers of candidates who were eliminated due to cheating, disciplinary violations, or failure to submit their papers on time were collected separately.

Huai En was holding a candle and lighting them one by one.

The flickering flames illuminated the paper turning to ashes, symbolizing the end of those students' journey in the imperial examinations.

Tao Qian looked at the leaping flames, a hint of reluctance on his face.

He stepped forward and bowed to Li Che, saying, "Your Majesty, many have been eliminated this time, including some who violated the rules because they were taking the exam for the first time and were unfamiliar with them."

"Won't such strictness cause us to miss out on a number of promising talents? I think we should consider being lenient this time, and take a look at their papers first. If any of them are exceptionally learned, they might be treated more leniently."

Li Che shifted his gaze from the mountain of exam papers to Tao Qian, and slowly shook his head, saying, "Old Tao, you are mistaken."

"Those who violated the examination rules, I have only disqualified them this time, but have not blocked their future paths."

“If they have tempered their character better next time, they can come again.”

"What the court needs are officials who understand and abide by the rules, not those who are arrogant and disregard the law."

"Letting them suffer this setback and temper their character is not a loss of talent."

Li Che paused, his tone turning cold: "As for those cheaters, their character is fundamentally flawed, and their intentions are wicked!"

"I have no need for such corrupt and morally corrupt individuals to serve me! Therefore, I will never employ them again, as a warning to others!"

Tao Qian carefully considered Li Che's words. Although he still felt they were somewhat harsh, he understood that Li Che intended to establish the absolute authority of the imperial examination system at the very beginning of his reign.

In the end, he could only nod silently and retreat.

At this moment, Wen Zaiyin, who was in charge of coordinating the statistics, stepped forward and reported the list:

"Your Majesty, a total of 13,821 students took the imperial examination this time."

"Among them, 930 people were found to have cheated during body searches and examinations. They have been expelled according to the law and will never be employed again."

"Two hundred and ninety-three people voluntarily withdrew midway due to reasons such as tension or illness."

"The scores of 1,930 students who committed disciplinary violations such as talking, peeping, or delaying the end of their writing during the exam will be invalidated."

"2,846 people who failed to complete the questionnaire after the gong was sounded will also be counted as not having completed it."

"In the end, a total of 7,822 valid examination papers were collected and have now been gathered in the Xuanzheng Hall for Your Majesty's perusal."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers sighed in dismay.

Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-two copies seem like a lot, but they are far less than they had originally planned.

Of the nearly 14,000 people who participated in the imperial examination, only 7,000 valid papers remained after the first round. The examiners hadn't even seen the papers before half of the candidates were eliminated.

Li Che, however, was not surprised by this at all. This was nothing; there would only be more people eliminated when the papers were graded later.

The imperial examination system was for selecting talented individuals, not for selecting the mediocre.

If they don't even understand the rules, how can we expect them to be good officials?

Moreover, at least 6,000 of these 7,000 people will be eliminated.

In Li Che's plan, only a few hundred people would be selected to enter the palace examination.

"Alright." Li Che stood up with a smile. "You are all chief examiners. Take your exam papers and begin grading."