Chapter 78 Little Three Yuan
Not long after Shen Yichen handed in his paper, other candidates also started handing in their papers one after another.
However, the leading candidates did not have the opportunity to be examined in class, so the candidates behind them naturally had no chance to get such an opportunity. Therefore, the examination papers were graded in accordance with the normal imperial examination process, and no one was selected in advance.
Inside the academic office at night , several examiners were reviewing the academy examination papers. This examination involved the imperial examination and fame, and to be able to make it to the academy examination, there were basically no sloppy answers.
Therefore, examiners have to take every test paper seriously, unless the questions are too biased.
Among them, the test papers of the dozen or so people who take the exam in class are the most important.
After reading it all, Sun Ding couldn't put Shen Yichen's article down. He especially liked the idea of emphasizing morality and behavior first in solving the Five Classics questions. If he hadn't considered that he hadn't finished reading the test paper yet, he would have wanted to pick the top answer in advance.
Of course, even though the chief examiner had the absolute right to select the winner, Sun Ding did not intend to have the final say. Instead, he asked the two examiners who were marking the papers if they had any favorite candidates for the first place.
When the other two heard this, it felt like a question that was asked despite knowing the answer. You, old man, have never let go of Shen Yichen's article. If you can't see through his little tricks, then you shouldn't be in the officialdom.
"Reporting to the Lord of Education, there are many excellent essays this year, and the essays submitted to the examination hall are the most outstanding. After careful consideration, I believe that the essay of Shen Yichen, the first in the Yingtian case, is unique and can be ranked first."
With someone taking the lead, the Imperial College Director simply agreed, "I second the motion. Shen Yichen is outstanding in literature and his writing is impeccable. He should be the first in the list."
After hearing what the two examiners said, Sun Ding felt that things were going too smoothly. Was his hint too obvious?
"My dear colleagues, we have only just finished the first round of the college entrance examination, and you have already chosen Shen Yichen as the first candidate. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
When the two examiners heard this, they felt that it was over the top. You, old man, actually tried to play hard to get.
Of course, even though I thought this in my heart, I couldn’t show it on my face.
The director of the Imperial College replied with a look of pity on his face: "Sir, as examiners, we are recruiting talents for the country. Should we turn a blind eye to the talented people?"
"Besides, the first exam has always been the most important in the imperial examination. Shen Yichen is an excellent writer, so he deserves to be the first!"
Another examiner, looking at the excited tone of the Director of the Imperial College, thought to himself, wow, I never knew he was such a good actor.
In that case, let’s compete with each other in acting skills.
"Master Siye is right. Shen Yichen is so talented that he should be chosen as the first place. This essay on the Five Classics puts morality and behavior first, which is very pleasing to me. Such a talent should not be buried..."
Sun Ding listened to the two examiners talking more and more outrageously, and his expression was a little embarrassed. He had been an official for many years, and although he was a student official and did not participate in some official disputes, it did not mean that he had not seen the world.
It was obvious that his relationship with Shen Yichen and his preference for this article had influenced the judging criteria of the two examiners, so they would flatter and second the proposal.
In fact, Sun Ding was right. His preferences did play a big role, but that was not the only factor.
Another big reason is that Shen Yichen's article is indeed impeccable, and there is nothing wrong with choosing him as the first choice.
Moreover, he had already won the first place in both the county and prefectural examinations. Given his talent, any examiner would be inclined to help him achieve his goal and create a reputation for him to win the first place in both the county and prefectural examinations.
This is also one of the differences between the primary and advanced examinations of the imperial examination. There is no system of covering up the names of the examinees, and knowing whose test paper belongs to you in advance will greatly affect your impression score.
"Since all my colleagues agree, we will select Shen Yichen as the first candidate for this year's college examination. We will wait until the end of the examination and announce the final case together."
"I will follow the instructions of the Master of Education."
…
Shen Yichen, who was in a sweet dream, naturally had no idea that he had been chosen as the first candidate in the case.
The next day, at night, he still went to the Xiajiang examination room as usual to prepare for the second entrance examination.
Just like the county and prefectural examinations, the academy examinations were divided into three parts. The first part was the main part, which was the most important. The second part was the recruitment part, which was the least important and just a bonus. There were no strict requirements for the content of the essays.
The third round is a review, which gives those candidates who have been eliminated a chance to revive.
Therefore, the requirements are much stricter. Not only do you have to write an article from the Four Books and Five Classics, but you also have to write a five-character, six-rhyme poem as a test poem, and finally copy from memory the more than 100-word "Inscription on the Monument to the Scholars".
After the three-day college entrance examination, Shen Yichen walked out of the dragon gate of the Xiajiang examination hall. The first thing he saw was the public notice board, but he still didn't see the list of successful candidates posted.
After thinking about it, this might be because it involves the title of scholar, and the examiners are more rigorous in marking the papers and will not easily point out the list of successful candidates, so the announcement is a little slower than previous exams.
But Shen Yichen had nothing to worry about. He was very confident about his first two essays. And as the first in the provincial examination, as long as there were no major problems in the essay, he would definitely be selected. It was nothing more than a matter of ranking.
Even if he didn't get the first place in the court case or the top three, Shen Yichen would at most feel a little regretful. After all, this was not like the top three, where ranking in the middle would have a significant impact on his career.
Other candidates also walked out of the Xiajiang examination hall one after another, but there were not many who were as calm as Shen Yichen. Each of them had a different expression on his face.
Some people cried loudly because they did not do well in the exam, some people planned to indulge themselves as much as they could, just like the college entrance examination in later generations. Some old students, with white hair, looked back at the dragon gate behind them, and I wonder if they were lamenting the wasted years.
The imperial examination hall is like all aspects of life; everyone can find their own past here.
Shen Yichen did not have the idea of partying after the exam, but returned to his home quietly. His mother, Shen, had experienced two cases of being the top scorer, so she was much calmer when she saw her son coming home.
"Chen'er, how are your results after the exam?"
"We don't know yet. We will have to wait until the case is reported to be reported."
"It's okay. You must have had a hard time taking the exam. Mom has already prepared the food. Put it down and eat first."
During this period, Shen also learned from others that her son would definitely be selected as a scholar if nothing unexpected happened. Without any worries, she did not focus on his grades.
After all, the Shen family never expected Shen Yichen to be the first in the exam every time and achieve such achievements as getting the top three in the middle and small exams consecutively. Now that he has been selected steadily, he is already extremely satisfied.
So after Shen Yichen returned home this time, a strange scene appeared. Both mother and son were extremely calm and composed, and they didn't look like they had just returned from the college entrance examination at all.
Even the joy of passing the examination for a scholar is not as great as that of a student before...
However, all this false illusion of calm was broken by the announcement of the good news.
"Congratulations to Mr. Shen Yichen from Jiangning for winning the first place in the Yingtianfu College Examination and being selected as the first place in the case by the Grand Master!"
At the same time, the sound of "clang clang clang" of gongs echoed throughout the street, and the neighbors who heard the sound all came out of their houses.
"Shen Yichen has been chosen as the first in the case again. If I remember correctly, this is the third time, right?"
"That's right, Shen Yichen won the top three prizes, he has great potential!"
"And now that he has achieved fame, Shen Yichen will be a scholar in the future!"
Aunt Yang, who lived next door to Shen Yichen, was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling, just like her son Zeng Aniu had passed the exam.
He replied cheerfully, "Of course not. I watched Shen Yichen grow up. This kid has been smart since he was young, and he is as smart as my Ah Niu!"
However, when others heard her words, they immediately met with contempt: "Your Zeng Aniu can't even read a few words, yet he is on par with the first place in the case. He is really good at flattering himself."
"You know nothing. Yi Chen is the Wen Qu Xing, and my Ah Niu is following the Wu Qu Xing path. How can that be called gilding?"
"Don't brag, wait until your Zeng Aniu passes the exam and becomes the top martial arts student."
With a burst of chatter, Shen Yichen and his mother Shen also arrived at the door. When the clerk who brought the good news saw Shen Yichen, he immediately bowed and saluted, saying, "Congratulations, Master Shen Yichen, you have won the first place in the Yingtian Prefecture Examination in the Jiazi Year, and the Grand Master has selected you as the top candidate!"
Originally, Shen had prepared herself mentally long ago, but when she heard her son's name being called out as the first in the provincial examination, she still felt dizzy.
Happiness came too suddenly. Just a year ago, my son was looked down upon by everyone, his academic performance was not very good, and he had no hope of passing the imperial examination.
Who would have thought that a year later, his son would win the top three prizes in the imperial examination and officially become the top scorer in the Yingtian case. This honor would bring glory to the family!
"Congratulations, Madam, for having such a wonderful child."
The clerk also congratulated Shen at the right time. After hearing this, Shen finally reacted and immediately took out a big red envelope and handed it over.
Now the official who reported the good news had an even brighter smile on his face.
However, after receiving the red envelope this time, the clerk did not leave immediately, but waited in the courtyard with a carefree attitude, ready to ask for a glass of wedding wine.
This is not only for celebration, but also for good luck. It has been a long time since Yingtian Prefecture has achieved the achievement of small and medium-sized top three. This is truly the reincarnation of Wenquxing.
And not only that, neighbors also came to Shen Yichen's house to congratulate him, carrying items such as eggs, steamed cakes, rice, flour, red envelopes and so on.
Anyone who is not stupid will understand that Shen Yichen's reputation as a scholar is just the beginning, and his future prospects will be limitless. And the fact that he is the son of Duke Chengguo does not mean that he has forgotten it. Now he is not far from recognizing his ancestors.
At the same time, when addressing Shen Yichen, many people added the word "Master" after him, which made him feel uncomfortable.
But this was the case in ancient times. Being a scholar was also a title, which meant that you had drawn a clear political line between yourself and ordinary people.
It's just like now when Shen Yichen meets Jiangning County Magistrate Zhou Shun again, he can politely call him " Father Official", if he is a stranger, he can call him "Mr. Zhou", and if they are familiar with each other, he can even call him "Brother Zhou".
If it were in the past, when I was a student, I would be terrified if someone called me "little friend", fearing that I would be retaliated against if I lowered my generation...
