Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 266 The Customization of the Imperial Examination

Chen Xing's declaration of "opening seats to the talents of the world" was like a decisive boulder thrown into the seemingly calm lake of the imperial court, stirring up not just ripples, but a wave with a clear direction. The overall framework of the new imperial examination system was established amidst controversy, but transforming it from a "good law and good intention" on paper into a feasible national system, and even a social practice that truly affects the fate of countless people, required filling in the details, balancing interests, and overcoming obstacles that were no less than, and perhaps even more than, the implementation of the equal-field system.

After the court assembly, the real "customized" work began in the Wenhua Hall and related ministries and offices. With Jia Wen in charge, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel as the main bodies, and the Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy as co-organizers, Lin Wan'er continued to participate deeply in her capacity as "Advisor on the Civil Service Examinations." A highly efficient "customized examination preparation team" quickly got into operation.

The primary task is to formulate specific regulations, syllabi, and question-setting guidelines for each subject's examination. This is by no means an easy task.

What does the "classical interpretation" section of the imperial examinations test? How can we balance mainstream interpretations of the classics with tolerance for academic differences? How should policy essay questions be designed to examine strategies for governing the country without being vague or involving political secrets? How can we strike a balance between literary style and prosody in the evaluation criteria for poetry and prose?

The Mingjing subject needs to define the specific scope of the classics and the commentaries.

The legal department needs to determine the scope of laws and regulations to be examined and the depth of case analysis.

The Ming Suan Ke (明算科) and Ming Yi Ke (明医科) were groundbreaking, requiring the gathering of renowned mathematicians and authorities from the Imperial Medical Bureau to jointly formulate examination questions and formats that were both in line with the forefront of academic research and could effectively select capable talents.

Lin Wan'er played a crucial role in this process. She not only used her erudition and literary talent to help polish various regulations and proclamations, making them elegant and clear, but also, with her understanding of the mentality and academic traditions of the Jiangnan literati, offered many suggestions that bridged the North-South divide on sensitive issues such as the scope of classical studies and the evaluation of poetry and prose, combining principle with flexibility. She proposed that the classical studies examination could include an elective section on "extended classics" in addition to the prescribed core texts, allowing candidates to choose one classic such as the *Zhou Li*, *Yi Li*, and the three commentaries on the *Spring and Autumn Annals* for in-depth analysis, ensuring uniformity while granting a degree of academic freedom. Regarding policy essays, she suggested that questions should draw on historical allusions and classical governance concepts, connecting them to universal social governance issues, avoiding direct attacks on current policies or specific figures to reduce controversy and speculation.

These meticulous suggestions were recognized by Jia Wen and most pragmatic officials, which reduced unnecessary factional disputes in the formulation of the imperial examination regulations and allowed them to focus more on how to select talents fairly and effectively.

At the same time, detailed rules regarding exam organization and cheating prevention were also introduced, and they were even stricter.

The systems of "anonymous marking" and "copying" were formally written into the "Regulations for the Imperial Examinations." After all the candidates' papers were submitted, a special scribe would immediately seal the "anonymous" section containing the candidates' names, places of origin, and family backgrounds. Then, another group of scribes would rewrite all the answer sheets. The examiners would review these "copies," thus minimizing the possibility of handwriting identification and requests for favors.

The selection of examiners followed the principles of "regional avoidance" and "temporary assignment." The chief examiner, deputy chief examiner, and key officials in the provincial examinations were all selected by the imperial court from officials outside their respective regions, either from the capital or from other provinces. Upon receiving their appointments, they were to take up their posts immediately, were not allowed to bring their families, and were forbidden from privately entertaining or associating with local officials. They could not leave until the examinations were completed and the results were announced. The provincial examination examiners were of a higher rank, and their identities were kept even more strictly confidential.

The examination rules were extremely strict. Candidates underwent rigorous searches upon entry, and bringing in even a single piece of paper was strictly prohibited. Uniform food and candles were provided, and soldiers patrolled the examination halls. The punishments for cheating were unprecedented: candidates found guilty of cheating were banned from taking the exam for life, and depending on the severity of the offense, their academic titles could be revoked or they could be exiled; examiners and related officials found guilty of cheating or dereliction of duty would be dismissed, investigated, exiled, and their families might even be implicated. The Censorate and the Ministry of Justice would send members to form a "Supervisory Censorate" to oversee the entire examination process at each examination site.

Behind these cold, hard rules lies Chen Xing's determination to completely break down the old channels of vested interests and establish a relatively fair competitive environment. When the news spread, some people applauded, believing that children from poor families finally had hope; others secretly cursed, feeling that it had ruined the "future" of many people.

The most intense reactions were still in the Jiangnan region.

Before the resistance to the equal-field system in Suzhou and other places had been completely quelled, detailed regulations for the new imperial examination system followed one after another. For many Jiangnan gentry who relied on family reputation, local connections, and literary exchanges to maintain their social status and obtain political resources, this new system of selecting officials by subject, anonymous copying, and strict prevention of corruption was simply another, more thorough "catastrophe".

"The imperial examination for the Jinshi degree actually requires testing on policy essays and knowledge of the classics? We, the sons of Suzhou, have always been known for our poetry, prose, and refined conversation. Policy essays are the work of scribes, and practical knowledge is the skill of craftsmen. How can we judge heroes based on these?"

"Anonymous transcription, examiners in different locations? How...how can we 'communicate' with each other now? Aren't the friendships with former mentors and classmates rendered meaningless?"

"To list scholars who are knowledgeable in law, mathematics, and medicine alongside those who passed the imperial examinations? This is a disgrace to scholarship! Does the court intend to equate us scholars with clerks, craftsmen, and doctors?"

Disappointment, anger, and fear spread among the scholars of Jiangnan. Some radical scholars even openly criticized the new system in literary societies and poetry clubs, writing poems and essays to mock the court for "selecting officials based on skill rather than literary talent, and on craftsmanship rather than reputation." Even more extreme, some began to secretly plot against the court, discussing whether to use methods such as "feigning illness to avoid the exam" or "collective boycott" to pressure the court, express their dissatisfaction, and attempt to force the court to amend the regulations, at least restoring the absolute central position of poetry and prose, and relaxing anti-corruption measures.

These developments were quickly relayed to Chang'an through the Suzhou mission and through Lin Wan'er's old acquaintances in Jiangnan.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, Chen Xing calmly reviewed the secret reports. Jia Wen stood beside him, a hint of worry in his eyes: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan is a hub of literary talent, and its scholars wield immense influence. If a large-scale strike were to erupt, not only would the first imperial examination be disgraced, but it would also damage the new dynasty's reputation for civil administration, and could even affect the stability of Jiangnan. Perhaps... we could make some compromises on the weighting of poetry and prose, or on details to prevent cheating, to appease them?"

Lin Wan'er also said softly, "Your Majesty, scholars from Jiangnan value poetry and prose, which is indeed their strength. A sudden downgrade would easily create resentment. Perhaps we could appropriately increase the score for poetry and prose in the first imperial examination, clearly demonstrating that the court's emphasis on literary talent remains unchanged, but it must be given equal importance to practical skills. At the same time, could I... or perhaps Her Majesty the Empress, in the name of the court, summon some influential literary figures or their families from Jiangnan to appease them and show that the court does not disregard literary talent?"

Chen Xing tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head.

"Compromise?" he said slowly. "The core of this new imperial examination system is 'breaking the old and establishing the new.' If we back down because of the backlash from the gentry in Jiangnan, will the equal-field system also be abolished because of the resistance from powerful families? The authority of a system lies in its rigidity. If we back down an inch today, we may back down a foot tomorrow."

His gaze sharpened: "I am aware of the discontent among the scholars of Jiangnan. But they also need to understand that times have changed. What Xingqi needs are practical talents who can assist me in governing this vast empire, not mere literati who only know how to compose poems and engage in empty philosophical discussions. Poetry and prose are certainly important for cultivating character and showcasing literary talent, but if they cannot be transformed into practical abilities to govern the country, what good are they to the nation?"

He looked at Jia Wen and Lin Wan'er: "However, Wan'er's words about 'appeasement' and 'guidance' also make sense. It's better to guide cleverly than to block it out directly."

He made a decision: "First, the core provisions of the imperial examination regulations, such as the division of subjects, anonymous grading, transcription, and the recusal of examiners, will remain unchanged. The world must see the court's unwavering determination to implement the new system. Second, the weighting of poetry and policy essays in the first imperial examination can be adjusted slightly—a minor adjustment, not a concession of principle, but rather to provide a transitional step for scholars from Jiangnan. At the same time, the edict can clearly emphasize that the court established special examinations such as the 'Erudite and Eloquent Scholar' precisely to reserve a special channel for selecting those with outstanding literary talent, not to neglect literary ability. Third…"

He paused, then continued, "In the Empress's name, host a 'Dragon Boat Festival Literary Banquet' in the palace, inviting renowned scholars from Jiangnan who are currently staying in Chang'an or nearby areas, as well as representatives of scholars from both the North and South who are expected to participate in this year's imperial examinations. During the banquet, we will not discuss politics, but only poetry and classical texts, demonstrating the court's respect and tolerance for culture. The Empress may personally receive them as a sign of her magnanimity. Wan'er, you will assist her from the side; with your talent and background, you should be able to communicate better with the scholars from Jiangnan."

"As for those who attempt to organize a strike," Chen Xing's tone turned cold, "the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate shall issue official documents to solemnly warn: the imperial examination is a grand ceremony for selecting talent for the nation. Whether or not one complies with it concerns the individual's future and attitude towards the court. Anyone who fails to participate in the regular national examination without a valid reason shall be deemed to have forfeited their path to advancement and shall not be allowed to request a make-up examination or special recruitment for any reason in the future. Anyone who spreads rumors, incites a strike, or interferes with the implementation of the imperial examination will be punished severely for undermining national policy once verified!"

A combination of firmness and leniency, kindness and severity, was employed. This approach maintained the rigidity of the system while providing appropriate buffer space and humanistic care, and drew a clear red line that could not be crossed.

Imperial edicts and measures were issued one after another. The uproar in Jiangnan, under the court's firm stance and divisive strategy, did not escalate into a unified act of resistance. Most scholars, especially those from lower and middle classes who yearned to change their fate, began to calm down and re-examine the new system. They discovered that although the status of poetry and prose had relatively declined, the separate examinations actually offered more possibilities; the strict anti-corruption measures might break the monopoly of aristocratic families on upward mobility, giving truly talented scholars from humble backgrounds opportunities. Furthermore, the court's apparent respect for culture and clear lines of punishment also made the radicals hesitant.

Some astute prominent families in Jiangnan began to adjust their strategies, encouraging their children not only to study poetry and literature, but also to delve into classics and history, pay attention to current affairs, and even explore law and mathematics, in order to cope with the new examination format. After all, the continuation of a family requires the ability to adapt to change, not to cling to old dreams.