Chapter 58 Wang Anshi (First Order)
November 15th, the fourth year of the Shoei era.

The special examination of Dayu was officially held, and more than 5,400 scholars from all of Dayu gathered in the capital to take part in the special examination.

The chief examiner of this test was nominally Emperor Zhengyong, but the actual executor was the newly appointed Minister of Rites Kong Xiangsi.

The contents of this special examination were all listed by many officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel, and were personally selected and set by Zheng Yi.

It was learned from the investigation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard that many aristocratic families and party forces in the court were competing for many places in this special examination.

However, because of Yang Xuansu's treason case, Zheng Yi killed many officials and their entire families, and his prestige shook the world for a while.

Therefore, no one in the court dared to act recklessly in this imperial examination.

There was no cheating in the imperial examination. At most, a few jinshi and juren places were sought.

However, Zheng Yi made some changes to the content of the imperial examination.

The content is mostly about the war with the Wu State, how to suppress rioters, and the decision-making to stabilize civilians.

Three days later, the exam was over.

Among the more than 5,000 candidates who participated in the special examination, only 112 passed the test and became tribute scholars!
On the day the results were announced, the entire capital was bustling with activity.

Outside the Imperial Examination Hall, at least tens of thousands of candidates, their relatives, and local people from the capital gathered here to participate. The place was crowded with people, all pushing their way towards the Imperial Examination Hall.

"The results are released! The results are released!"

"Hahaha! I won! I won!"

"Tang Baihu! There's my name, Tang Baihu! Hahaha..."

"No! I have taken the exam for more than 30 years and still haven't passed. God bless you..."

"One hundred and twelve people, there are still so few candidates for the imperial examination. It seems hopeless in this life..."

"No, Master also didn't get it..."

"King Anshi of Northern Jiangsu! He is 24 years old and still unmarried. Hurry and get married~!"

"Among these 112 people, less than one-third are from aristocratic families..."

"Your Majesty is so kind! Execute the traitor Yang and seize Beiwu. Who in the court dares to disobey your Majesty's orders now?"

"Alas, Your Majesty is good in everything except looking for that elusive immortal!"

"Humph! I have already passed the imperial examination. During the palace examination, I will personally submit a petition to His Majesty, requesting that His Majesty revoke the Immortal Seeking Order!"

Countless people crowded outside the Imperial Examination Hall, some were there to watch the fun, some were there to check the results, and some were wealthy businessmen from the capital who were trying to find a son-in-law.

Despite the excitement, Zheng Yi did not attend in person, but was paying attention to the martial arts examination.

This military examination was the first one held by the Dayu court.

Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for the ministers in the court to agree to this.

However, due to the rebellion of King Tang and Prime Minister Yang Xuansu, too many officials and nine clans were killed, making the imperial power highly centralized.

The martial arts examination was also held smoothly.

In the Qiankun Hall, Zheng Yi was listening to Prince Xian’s report on the martial arts examination.

Prince Xian is a martial artist at the Xiantian realm and the emperor's uncle, so he is the most suitable person to be the examiner of this martial arts examination.

As for Zheng Yi, he did not take either the civil or military examination.

What if someone wants to assassinate you? What if something unexpected happens?
He should just stay deep in the palace and remotely command his men to do their work.

The virtuous prince sat at the bottom and said, "Your Majesty, the martial arts examination went smoothly, but..."

"But what?" Zheng Yi asked, "Uncle, please tell me. I have already been mentally prepared."

The virtuous prince said: "This martial arts examination is the first of its kind in our dynasty. In the past, not many people came to participate in the examination."

"There are more than 5,000 candidates for the civil examination, but only more than 1,500 candidates for the military examination."

"Most of them are still low-level warriors who have only practiced a few tricks of kung fu, or have trained their strength for a few years and have a few tricks of the dealer..."

"These people cannot be called warriors at all."

Zheng Yi said: "These people can all be eliminated, what about the rest?"

The virtuous prince continued, “Most of the remaining people came from four directions.”

"The first type is the military, which are all the troops involved in the rebellion of King Tang and Yang Xuansu."

"For example, the Imperial Guards, who were released because they were close to the criminals who plotted treason and were not suspected after screening."

"This group of people have been in the army for many years, so they are very good at fighting. Maybe they want to use this opportunity to make a comeback."

"The second type is the children of aristocratic families."

The wise prince said: "Nowadays, most of the noble families have lasted for hundreds of years, and their clan power is extremely strong."

"Under the system of primogeniture, many illegitimate or illegitimate children were kicked out of the house."

"Most of these people can only be shopkeepers on the fringes of the family, or be assigned to a few shops."

"There is also a small number of people who can only enter the military by practicing martial arts, or by opening a martial arts school."

"The third type is the many martial arts schools opened in the capital."

"Most of these people practice the art of horizontal training, and very few of them have advanced internal skills."

"This group of people has strong combat capabilities and is very suitable for joining the army."

"But these people are immature and like to gather together to cause trouble. It will take a lot of time to discipline them."

When Prince Xian said this, Zheng Yi also remembered something.

On the night when Yang Xuansu plotted rebellion, he bribed a large number of martial artists from martial arts schools in the capital to join the rebel army and attack the palace.

For this group of people, whoever gives them milk is their mother.

Although Zheng Yi had vigorously wiped out a wave of them, there were still quite a few people left.

"The fourth type is the many sects that have friendly relations with our Great Yu Dynasty."

Prince Xian said: "Disciples from the Taiyi Dao, Zhenwu Sect, Longhu Mountain, Shushan Sword Sect and other sects, this group of people came to participate in the martial arts examination with the intention of training, but there are also people who are enthusiastic about fame."

"These are the people that my court can vigorously win over."

"A reputable and upright sect?"

Zheng Yi asked: "How many people can pass the initial screening?"

"Seventy-six people!"

The wise prince said: "Among them, there are fifty-four third-grade warriors, eighteen second-grade warriors, and only four first-grade warriors!"

"As for those above Grandmaster level...there is no one."

"Four first-rank warriors..."

Zheng Yi asked: "What are their identities? Is there anyone that the Emperor's uncle values?"

"Have."

The virtuous prince said succinctly: "The first person is Cui Xiawu, from the Cui family in Qinghe, 28 years old, practicing the Cui family martial arts "Ice Fire Dragon Palm", and has been a first-class warrior for seven years. There is a great probability that he will break through to the Grandmaster level."

"Although this person is from the Qinghe Cui family, he is a branch of the branch and has almost no connection with the main family. He is someone who can be won over."

"Also, this person and Concubine Cui are distant cousins, Your Majesty, please pay attention."

"Empress Cui?"

Zheng Yi frowned slightly. He had never met this woman before.

Looks like I have to take some time to go and have a look.

After all, she was a royal concubine, and her status was only second to that of the empress dowager and the queen.

I don’t know why she was made a noble concubine by Emperor Zhengyong!

"The second person is Zhao Tieshan, a former squad leader of the Imperial Guards. He was implicated in Yang Xuansu's conspiracy. It was eventually found out that he had drunk too much and injured several people. He was detained for a few days and then released."

"This person has practiced a wide variety of techniques, including the Five Tigers Breaking Gate Blade, Pi Gu Sword Technique, Vajra Palm, and Iron Shirt."

"The main training method is still the "Hundred Battles Blood Blade", which is a simplified version issued by the military."

"However, this person is born with supernatural power, and his physique is eight feet tall. Ordinary horizontal training techniques seem to be very powerful on him."

"The third person is Tian Yiguang."

The virtuous prince suddenly smiled and said, "I admire this man very much. He has a lot of my style in the past."

"Oh? What do you say?"

"This person's martial arts cultivation is at the first level, but he is not very passionate about martial arts. The only skills he has practiced are the "Wild Wind Sword Technique" and his own light body technique."

“But even so, this person has entered the first level with his superb talent.”

"He spends his days hanging out in brothels, reciting poems and composing couplets. It is also rumored that he has some connections with several famous female heroes in the martial arts world. He is truly an amazing person."

Zheng Yi frowned and said, "He likes women? Could he be a flower thief?"

The virtuous prince shook his head and said, "I have checked and it is not the case."

"Although this man likes beautiful women, he doesn't mess with decent women. On the contrary, many decent women and female knights chase him~"

"If I were twenty years younger, I would definitely have a few drinks with this guy, hahahaha..."

Zheng Yi also smiled: "Since the emperor's uncle said so, then I also want to meet this person."

"Where is the other person?"

The virtuous prince's expression suddenly became a little strange, and he said, "The fourth person is a woman."

"woman?"

"good."

"Chen Hongxiu, 31 years old, daughter of Chen Dao, former lieutenant of the Cavalry Battalion!"

The virtuous prince said, "Nine years ago, Chen Dao, the captain of the Cavalry Battalion, was imprisoned by Yang Xuansu for 'mutiny against the chief officer and suspected of treason', and was beheaded in public. The rest of his family members were confiscated and exiled."

"It was not until His Majesty ascended the throne and issued a general amnesty that the Chen family was pardoned of their crimes. The entire Xiaoqi business was gradually won over and divided by Yang Xuansu, and now only an empty shell remains."

"After further investigation, it was found that this was just a means for Yang Xuansu to win over the military and crack down on dissidents."

"Chen Hongxiu was only 21 years old at the time, and she was already a third-rank warrior. Her family was killed, and her entire clan was banished as slaves. She had long been thinking of death."

"After His Majesty ascended the throne and issued a general amnesty, this man returned to the capital and launched seven assassination attempts on Yang Xuansu in four years!"

"One of them was almost successful, but unfortunately it fell short."

"After Your Majesty crushed Yang Xuansu's rebellion and exterminated his family, Chen Hongxiu suddenly disappeared. Unexpectedly, she appeared again in this martial arts examination and defeated more than ten competitors in one fell swoop, successfully completing the martial arts examination!"

"It seems that she wants to inherit her father's legacy?"

The virtuous prince praised: "This girl hates evil and is heroic by nature. She has been avenging her father for more than ten years without a day's delay. She is truly a model in the army!"

Zheng Yi also became interested: "Chen Hongxiu? She is really an extraordinary woman. I want to meet her too." "Your Majesty, the palace examination will be held in three days. Your Majesty can come and see it in person."

After Prince Xian left, Zheng Yi called Lu Lian again.

"Take your people to check on those who participated in the martial arts exam. Check the background of everyone involved!"

"promise!"

"As long as someone's background is vague, or they have disappeared for a few years, I will not use them at all!"

Three days later, in Baohe Hall, the palace examination for civil servants was held.

The question Zheng Yi asked was very simple, just two words: "An Min".

This topic seems simple, but it has a very wide scope.

In the entire examination room, more than a hundred candidates began to write their answers. Zheng Yi was also sitting on the dragon throne, watching with great interest.

This imperial examination did produce quite a few talented people.

There are children from wealthy families and there are children from poor families.

Of course, there is not a single poor person from an ordinary family!

It is very difficult for poor people to survive, let alone study for the imperial examinations?
At this time, there were more than ten test papers on his chopping board.

This is an excellent test paper selected by the cabinet from more than 5,000 test papers. After Zheng Yi took a look, he found it was indeed good.

Zheng Yi has already remembered the names of several of them.

Soon, the palace examination ended and many candidates left the palace to rest.

Zheng Yi picked out the test papers of those people and began to check them.

Cui Xiazhao is also from the Cui family of Qinghe.

However, this person is the legitimate son of the Cui family, one of the current cabinet ministers, and the eldest grandson of Cui Jinghao.

He was well-known for his literary talent and was known as a "child prodigy" since childhood.

The topic of his test paper was "Securing the People". Every sentence was explaining what the people are and why they should be the people. The people should settle down and exercise self-discipline, and not be greedy for more.

In short, the 3,000-plus words can be summed up in four words: "Restrain yourself and return to propriety"!
According to Cui Xia Zhaozhi, if farmers can farm with peace of mind, soldiers can guard their homes with peace of mind, and officials can manage the people with peace of mind, the effect of "pacifying the people" can be achieved.

The words are gorgeous, and there is also a hint of flattery towards Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi smiled indifferently and put the man's test paper aside.

As expected of someone who comes from a noble family, his test papers are all well-balanced and written with flowery words. Unfortunately, they are all empty and false, without any substance.

After flipping through a few papers, he quickly found the test paper of the person he was looking for.

Wang Anshi.

This person was born in the Wang family of Taiyuan, but they were already a branch of a branch and should be almost ignored.

According to the investigation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, when this person was born, his family's land had already been sold out, and he was raised by his mother through chores such as washing clothes and weaving.

This person studied by eavesdropping outside the private school. Later, he was accepted as a disciple by the private school teacher and was able to study openly.

This special examination is already his fourth scientific examination.

"Wang Anshi..."

Zheng Yi muttered the name and checked the man's test paper.

The content of the test paper... is shocking.

Although there was not much content, Zheng Yi could see a few words between the lines.

Land annexation and disaster for aristocratic families.

He took a deep breath. It seemed that this person was determined to sacrifice himself for the country?

After looking at a few more papers, Zheng Yi immediately said, "Summon Cui Xiazhao, Li Ziyang, and Wang Anshi to the audience!"

Soon, the three scholars came to the main hall under the guidance of the eunuchs.

"Students Cui Xiazhao/Li Ziyang/Wang Anshi greet His Majesty!"

Cui Xiazhao and Li Ziyang are both from aristocratic families, so it goes without saying that they have great bearing and demeanor.

As for Wang Anshi, he was indeed from a poor family, and even his clothes were a little worn out, but they were washed very clean.

"I am most satisfied with the test papers of the three of you. I have three questions for you."

"First question, do you three know how much a pound of wheat costs locally?"

When such a simple question was asked, Cui Xiazhao and Li Ziyang were dumbfounded.

How much is a pound of wheat?
How do they know!

Not to mention them, even the ministers around them looked at each other in bewilderment.

Why ask such a simple question in the palace examination?

Not to mention these three students, even they didn’t know how much a pound of wheat cost!
Cui Xiazhao hesitated for a moment and said, "About... one tael of silver per pound?"

Li Ziyang also thought about it and said, "Your Majesty, I only know how to study and I don't know about this kind of business."

Among the three, only Wang Anshi said calmly: "Your Majesty, the market price of wheat ranges from five to seven cents."

“But it may change due to different environments and different regions.”

"In cheap places, it's five cents a pound. In expensive places, ordinary people can only buy more than ten pounds by selling their children."

"How can it be!"

Cui Xiazhao next to him asked subconsciously: "Since wheat is so cheap, why do people have to sell their children to buy more than ten kilograms?"

“Natural disasters, man-made disasters, land annexation, plus rampant illegal merchants, hoarding and dominating the market.”

"Isn't it up to them to decide the price?"

"This……"

Cui Xiazhao hesitated for a moment. He had never encountered such a situation before, so he could only remain silent.

Zheng Yi continued to ask: "Second question, have you three ever been to the fields to plant crops?"

Cui Xiazhao and Li Ziyang laughed bitterly and shook their heads, saying, "Your Majesty, we have never farmed before."

But Wang Anshi said calmly: "Your Majesty, I did farm the land, but most of the time it was done by my mother and Lian Niang."

"Who is Lian Niang?"

"My wife."

"Third question, how did you three come to the capital to participate in the imperial examination? How many days did it take you to get here?"

The three looked at each other, and Cui Xiazhao said, "Your Majesty, I live in the suburbs of Beijing. I came to Beijing to participate in the imperial examination by carriage, which took two days."

Li Ziyang said: "Your Majesty, my family is in Longxi, but I grew up in the capital."

"It also takes a day to go to the Imperial Examination Hall by carriage."

When it was Wang Anshi's turn, he looked a little strange.

"Your Majesty, my family is far away in Fuzhou. I traveled here by boat, horse carriage, donkey cart, and on foot. It took me 21 days to reach the capital."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "The discussion is over. You three can leave now."

"promise!"

The three were confused, but they still retreated respectfully.

"My lords!"

Zheng Yi stood up and said, "This year's imperial examination is over, and I have officially selected the first-class candidates."

Many ministers hurriedly calmed down. The palace examination was over? So soon?

The three people in the first class must be the three people that His Majesty just asked for advice personally.

According to those three strange questions, the top scholar of this year must be Wang Anshi!

Zheng Yi said calmly: "The first place in the special examination, the third place winner, is Wang Anshi!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers present were stunned.

"Wang Anshi is the third place in the imperial examination?"

"What the hell is going on, Your Majesty? When you asked me three questions just now, only Wang Anshi answered them perfectly!"

"Wang Anshi is the third place winner, and the first and second place winners..."

A group of ministers were discussing in low voices, but Lu Xiangqing and Cui Jinghao, who were at the front of the group, remained quiet with steady eyes.

Your Majesty did this... to protect Wang Anshi?
"Second place winner Li Ziyang, first place winner Cui Xiazhao."

"Let's announce the results!"

"promise!"

The eunuch went to convey the order, and soon there was a burst of noise and excited shouts from outside the hall.

The top three candidates in the first class have been determined and will be awarded the title of Jinshi.

The second class was awarded the title of Jinshi, and the first place was generally called Chuanlu.

The top three were granted the same Jinshi status and had their own arrangements.

The top scholar, Cui Xiazhao, was appointed as an editor in the Hanlin Academy.

The second place winner Li Ziyang and the third place winner Wang Anshi were appointed editors of the Hanlin Academy.

Everyone else has their own arrangements.

After the civil examination, the next is the military examination.

At this time, Liu Chengen suddenly reported that an unexpected person wanted to see him.

"Zhao Suling?"

Zheng Yi was surprised. Several months ago, he had asked Zhao Suling to return to Taiyi Dao to look for the ancestor of Taiyi Dao. He did not expect that several months had passed before the news came.

"Quickly pass the message to Zhao Suling!"

Soon, Zhao Suling, who was exhausted from the journey, strode into the Qiankun Hall. After bowing, he said, "Your Majesty! The ancestor has finished his retreat. I am very happy to hear that Your Majesty wants to see him."

"I have specially arranged a small banquet at Taiyi Dao Jinhuang Mountain, and invite Your Majesty to have a chat."

"Go to Jinhuang Mountain?"

Zheng Yi subconsciously said: "Can't we let him come to the palace?"

(End of this chapter)