HLnovel Chapter 1165 The Imperial Examination "Mock Test"
Chapter 1165 The Imperial Examination "Mock Test"
From Shen Zheng's perspective, the preliminary examination for candidates is like a "mock test" for taking a driver's license test in her previous life—it can help candidates relieve stress and familiarize them with the test venue and process, thereby improving their chances of passing the actual test.
However, since it is a "mock exam," a fee is unavoidable—the mock exam fee.
Just as driving tests required a simulation fee, the imperial examinations were no exception, and this expense was quite substantial. The entrance fee alone was equivalent to several months' worth of expenses for an average student, deterring many from even trying.
Students from well-off families rarely choose to watch the exams, for a simple reason—the prefectural exams are too grueling.
The Examination Yuan gates are closed for several days at a time. Students not only have to bury themselves in answering questions, but also have to take care of eating, drinking, and relieving themselves in the examination room. Actively participating in watching the exam is tantamount to asking for trouble and destroying their physical and mental health.
Moreover... the exam questions would be made public after the prefectural exam, so they weren't exactly a secret and there was no need to go through all that trouble.
As a result, over time, the practice of "children watching the performance" gradually faded from public view.
According to Shen Zheng, not a single student attended the examination in Liuyang Prefecture this year.
Thinking of this, Shen Zheng looked puzzled: "Lord Xin asked Young Master Xin to participate in the second round of examinations, could it be for...?"
How did it ravage Xinji's body and mind?
She didn't finish her sentence, but Liu Yumin understood her hesitation.
After an awkward moment, Liu Yumin coughed lightly and whispered about Xin Shunyun's family scandal: "Lord Shen, you said earlier that you saw Young Master Xin at Liuyang Post Station. With your discerning eye, you must have roughly seen through Young Master Xin's character. He is indeed somewhat...unruly."
Shen Zheng chuckled upon hearing this: "Liu Qianshi is quite tactful in his speech."
Xin Ji's temperament was not just unruly, it was downright arrogant.
“Liu Qianshi may not know what Xin Ji did at my Liuyang Post Station, right?” Shen Zheng said slowly under Liu Yumin’s curious yet fearful gaze, “That day, the post station’s fine feed happened to run out. He not only caused a scene at the station, but also threatened to make things difficult for the post station manager in front of Lord Xin when he got home.”
"Clang-"
Liu Yumin's hand trembled, and he knocked over the teacup in front of him.
The tea was spilled all over the table, making it wet and messy, just like his state of mind at that moment.
He had no interest in wiping up the mess of tea stains and anxiously stood up to explain, "Lord Shen, this must be a misunderstanding... Although Young Master Xin is a bit unruly, he never truly meant to say these things to you..."
As he spoke, Liu Yumin paused.
Clearly, he himself realized that his explanation was weak.
He froze for a moment, then looked back at the wet tabletop, slowly raising his sleeve to wipe the spilled tea clean.
“Lord Shen, I know my explanation is weak…” He wiped the table back and forth with his soaked sleeve and said in a low voice, “But please believe me, when I return, I will definitely report this matter to Lord Xin truthfully and give you and Liu Yang Postmaster an explanation.”
He thought that after Young Master Xin said those words that day, the person who was most angry was probably Lord Shen, but the person who was most afraid must be the postmaster of Liuyang Post Station.
Thinking of this, Liu Yumin felt too embarrassed to speak again.
Looking at his expression, Shen Zheng composed herself and said, "Liu Qianshi, you still haven't told me why Lord Xin wants Young Master Xin to participate in the re-examination?"
Liu Yumin paused, clearly not expecting Shen Zheng to relent and press for details. He immediately said, "Lord Shen, you may not know this, but Lord Xin, as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, is well aware that the imperial examination is the foundation for officialdom. He once said that even though Young Master Xin may benefit from his family's influence and could bypass the imperial examination to enter officialdom, he still needs to have reverence for it. Only by letting him personally experience the prefectural examination and the autumn examination can his arrogance be broken, and he can truly feel the hardships faced by scholars..."
Shen Zheng wholeheartedly agreed with this statement.
Having reverence for the imperial examination system is a basic quality that every official should possess.
What Shen Zheng couldn't understand was how such a "strict father" could have raised such a dissolute person as Xin Ji.
Although puzzled, Shen Zheng did not ask, but said, "I admire Lord Xin's foresight. But Lord Liu, can you and Lord Xin guarantee that Young Master Xin will not disrupt the examination or harass other candidates while observing the proceedings?"
Liu Yumin was even more embarrassed after hearing this.
Only Lord Shen dared to speak so bluntly... If it were any other official, they would probably say, "A small temple cannot contain a great Buddha."
He considered his words carefully, "Lord Shen, you may not know this, but Young Master Xin has been frequently visiting Liuyang Prefecture lately, and actually... it has something to do with you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng looked puzzled, while Xu Yunyan frowned slightly.
"Or rather...it's related to glass." Liu Yumin changed his wording and continued, "Since the invention of the glass mirror, Young Master Xin has come to Liuyang Prefecture several times, hoping to purchase a glass mirror at a high price. Unfortunately, you were not in the prefecture before, and Tong'an Cloth Shop did not sell them, so he missed his chance several times..."
"During your trip to the capital, he somehow heard rumors that you had not only created a glass mirror, but also another kind of mirror... capable of seeing minute details. This piqued his interest even more, and he has been waiting for your return to the mansion for the past few months."
A mirror that can see tiny things?
Shen Zheng understood; it was just a magnifying glass.
"So, Lord Xin, you want me to use a mirror that can 'observe minute details' as bait to lure Young Master Xin into agreeing to watch the event?" Shen Zheng asked bluntly.
It's just a magnifying glass; it's really nothing to her.
but......
"So, can you really keep Young Master Xin sitting quietly in the examination hall for a few days without affecting the other candidates?" Shen Zheng still didn't trust Xin Ji.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yumin knew that the deal was half done, and immediately declared, "Please rest assured, Lord Shen! I will maintain order in the examination hall. If Young Master Xin makes any unusual moves, I will immediately lead men to escort him out of the hall, ensuring that he does not affect the other candidates!"
Having said that, fearing that Shen Zheng might disagree, he raised his stakes even higher: "If you, Lord Shen, agree, I will immediately send someone to reply to Lord Xin. Within three days, all the officials on the list will receive a letter from Lord Xin, and within seven days, all of you will be able to gather at Liuyang Prefecture to begin preparing for the re-examination."
This bargaining chip was indeed somewhat attractive to Shen Zheng.
Although she could send letters to invite these officials herself, she might not be as efficient as Xin Shunyun, since Xin Shunyun knew those people better than she did.
Thinking of the golden rice in the field, Shen Zheng's mind had already tipped, but he still deliberately said, "Let me think about it some more. Assistant Commissioner Liu, please have a seat."
After saying that, she got up and took Xu Yunyan out.
Watching them leave, Liu Yumin hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.
After Shen Zheng and Xu Yunyan left the study, they stood at the corner to enjoy the breeze.
Xu Yunyan glanced towards the study and asked Shen Zheng in a low voice, "Does Your Excellency also believe that Lord Liu still has some bargaining chips to play?"
"You think so too?" Shen Zheng's eyes brightened slightly, and she lowered her voice, saying, "I think there might still be some left. Let's give it a try, we won't lose anything anyway."