The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 032 Son Of Heaven
Compared to the previous dynasty, the Song Dynasty's imperial examination system was stricter. Starting from the xiangshi exams, they implemented an anonymized naming system. After each exam, the examiners would immediately cover the candidates' names with paper, so the grading was done anonymously. Therefore, if Wang Zhen really wanted to be the chief examiner and give Tang Shen an unfair advantage, he could only recognize Tang Shen by his handwriting.
During the reign of the previous emperor, there was an incident of cheating in the imperial examinations. At that time, a candidate bribed an examiner, and the poem he wrote for the exam had specific characters at the end of every two lines to identify his paper. Unfortunately, this method did not succeed. Trying to subtly find a specific paper among ten thousand in three days using cheating marks or handwriting recognition was equally difficult and not much different.
Tang Shen, mimicking Wang Zhen's actions, threw all the fish food into the pond.
Wang Zhen: "I've heard that a fish's memory only lasts a few moments."
Tang Shen was stunned: "?"
Wang Zhen gazed at the dozen or so koi in the pond for a long time and suddenly pointed to one that had overeaten and was floating belly up, "Look, you've almost fed it to death."
Tang Shen: "..."
What do you mean I fed the fish to death! You're feeding them the same way!!!
Having been in the ancient times for so long, Tang Shen had the urge to give someone the middle finger for the first time. But he held back, lowered his head, and dared not look at Wang Zhen again, afraid that one more glance would make him want to punch his handsome and elegant face.
Wang Zhen seemed completely oblivious. He clapped his hands and said, "Being the chief examiner for you might be a way out. Little Junior Brother, have you guessed who the chief examiner for this year's autumn exam is?"
Tang Shen had composed himself and replied, "I haven't. I just arrived in Shengjing and know very little about things here. When I was in Gusu, I heard that Grand Secretary Luo Zhen was originally set to be the chief examiner for this year's xiangshi exam in Jiangnan Academy. Unfortunately, he committed suicide, and now no one knows who the chief examiner is."
Wang Zhen: "Currently, the Hanlin Academy has fifteen academicians and four grand secretaries. The xiangshi exams across various regions, unless otherwise noted, are conducted by academicians dispatched to serve as chief examiners. Shengjing and Jiangnan Academy are exceptions, where the grand secretaries set the exam questions. These four are Grand Secretary Li, Grand Secretary Yang, Grand Secretary Zhou, and Grand Secretary Pan."
A servant quickly entered the garden, serving tea and snacks to Wang Zhen and Tang Shen at the pavilion by the pond. The two walked into the pavilion, and Tang Shen looked at the white rice cakes on the stone table with a peculiar feeling. He looked up at Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen said, "Among the four, Grand Secretary Li is elderly. The xiangshi exams consist of three sessions, each lasting an entire day. It's a torment for the candidates and equally so for the examiners. Grand Secretary Li hasn't served as a chief examiner for eight years. Grand Secretary Yang is from Jinling. If nothing changes, the rule of not having examiners from the same region as the candidates means he likely won't go to Jiangnan Academy." Pausing, Wang Zhen smiled and asked, "Little Junior Brother, don't you like pastries?"
Tang Shen silently took a piece of rice cake and ate it. "So, Senior Brother is saying that if Grand Secretary Yang doesn't go to Jiangnan Academy, he is likely to be the chief examiner for this year's xiangshi exam in Shengjing?"
Wang Zhen didn't answer but instead said, "Everyone knows that Grand Secretary Yang is skilled in the 'Book of Changes' and loves the 'Miscellaneous Hexagrams Commentary.' Grand Secretary Zhou is skilled in 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' and Grand Secretary Pan is skilled in the 'Book of Changes.'"
Tang Shen was suddenly taken aback and looked at Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen's voice was gentle: “Studying the 'Book of Changes' more is always beneficial."
Tang Shen was greatly surprised.
Wang Zifeng had just told him in a few words who the chief examiner for this year's provincial exam in Shengjing would be!
Tang Shen's mind was in turmoil, but he showed no reaction on the surface and respectfully said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for the information. I will go back and study the 'Book of Changes' more."
With more than four months until the autumn exam, it was customary to know the list of chief examiners for the xiangshi exam after the Qingming Festival next month, when the emperor would finalize and place the list in the Hanlin Academy's Jade Hall. No one knew who the chief examiner for the Shengjing xiangshi exam was, but Wang Zhen dared to say to read the 'Book of Changes' more. Tang Shen suddenly felt that even if the originally intended chief examiner was not Grand Secretary Yang or Grand Secretary Pan, Wang Zhen would ensure it was one of them.
With a tacit understanding, the two drank tea and ate pastries.
Wang Zhen looked at the essay and poem Tang Shen had written, asked a page boy to fetch some ink and brush from the study, and made some minor corrections. "Take these back and review them. Rewrite them tomorrow and submit them to me." He also asked the page boy to bring a copy of "Famen Temple Stele" for Tang Shen.
Tang Shen did not open the copy of "Famen Temple Stele," thinking it was Wang Zhen's calligraphy. Two years ago, before he apprenticed under Liang Song, he had seen Wang Zhen's calligraphy. The brushstrokes were vigorous and majestic, and no words could do it justice.
Tang Shen: "Thank you, Senior Brother Zi Feng, for the calligraphy. I will practice it more."
"This is not my calligraphy."
Tang Shen looked at him in surprise.
Wang Zhen took a sip of tea and said casually, "It's Zhong Taisheng's 'Famen Temple Stele.'"
Zhong Wei, Zhong Taisheng!
Tang Shen's eyes dilated slightly, and he softly responded, “En."
When Tang Shen left the Minister Residence, he not only took back his essay and poem but also received a copy of the calligraphy and a box of pastries. Who knew where Wang Zhen got so many pastries from; Tang Shen had not seen Wang Zhen eat any while talking. These pastries seemed to have been specially prepared by Wang Zhen to entertain him.
Tang Shen couldn't help but feel something was off: "Wang Zifeng can't possibly be treating me like a child to be spoiled, right?"
"…That can't be."
"It definitely can't be!"
When he returned home, Shopkeeper Lu had already bought a few capable servants from the middleman agency.
Shopkeeper Lu: "Little boss, see if any of them are suitable to stay by your side."
Tang Shen observed the four newly acquired servants for a while. The servant he needed was different from other servants; this was his personal servant. He would go to Wang Zhen's residence for lessons every day, so the servant would be half a page boy and needed to follow along. If he chose poorly and Wang Zhen saw it, Tang Shen would feel uncomfortable.
After thinking for a while, Tang Shen asked, "Do any of you know how to read?"
The four servants looked at each other.
Shopkeeper Lu said, "Little boss, you need one who can read? I didn't ask for that when I bought them. Literate servants are valuable and need to be specifically reserved to purchase."
Suddenly, a small servant stepped forward: "I can read a bit."
Tang Shen made an "oh" sound and asked, "What books have you read?"
The servant looked ashamed and said, "I only listened outside the private school window with my cousin when I was a child. I haven't read any books, but I can recognize words."
Tang Shen asked a few more questions and found that this servant indeed could read, though he hadn't read the Four Books and Five Classics, having only read about half of the 'Analects.'
“It is decided then. Do you have a name?”
“I'm called Liu Shunzhu.”
Tang Shen: “...” After a moment of silence, he said, “From now on, you'll be called Fang Huan.”
“Yes.”
After a while, Tang Shen felt it was inappropriate and said, “Wait a minute, you can't be called Fang Huan. You'll be called... Feng Bi instead.”
Feng Bi was confused, but whatever Tang Shen said was fine with him: “Yes, from now on, I'll be called Feng Bi.”
Fu Wei had a page boy who assisted with his reading and another who played the qin. Tang Shen, following his example, found someone to assist with writing.
After Shopkeeper Lu and Feng Bi left, Tang Shen returned to his room. He placed Zhong Taisheng's "Famen Temple Stele" on his desk and picked up the essay and test poem Wang Zhen had personally revised. Tang Shen looked at the circles drawn on the rice paper and the few lines of small annotations, and after a long while, he chuckled and said, “Why did I almost give the servant that name!”
The Rivers Zhen and Wei, overflow on their way. The lovely lad and lass, hold in hand fragrant grass. (TN: Wang Zhen's name is the same character used in the River Zhen)
When naming Feng Bi, the first poem that came to Tang Shen's mind was "The Book of Poetry: Zhen Wei."
“...It's better to stay away from Wang Zifeng in the future.”
Even though he said this, the next day Tang Shen still took the revised essay to the Minister Residence to find Wang Zhen. Unfortunately, Wang Zhen was not home this time; he was working at the Ministry of Revenue. Wang Zhen had ordered the steward to entertain Tang Shen and to have Tang Shen leave the revised essay. When Tang Shen left the Minister Residence, he had in hand another box of new pastries.
And so, a month passed.
During the Qingming Festival, Tang Shen gazed south from his home, burning incense to commemorate Liang Song and to honor his grave from afar.
After completing these tasks, Tang Shen wrote a letter and called Feng Bi: “Deliver this letter to the Minister of Revenue's residence, to the hands of the Wang family's steward. My senior brother once said he sends things to Jinling Prefecture every month, and if there's anything to be delivered, it can be given to the steward. Go to the Minister Residence early today.”
Feng Bi took the letter and ran to the Minister Residence, handing it to the steward.
When Feng Bi returned, Tang Shen saw that he was carrying another box of pastries.
Tang Shen: “...”
This is really unbearable!
As June approached, the weather grew hotter. Shengjing's winters were much colder than those in Jiangnan, but the summers were just as hot. The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and the Imperial College housed hundreds of students and dozens of scholars. However, they had no right to enjoy ice basins. The lecture halls were sweltering, and the students sweated profusely while diligently studying.
“...The meaning of writing the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' is to await a sage; there is also joy for a gentleman in this.”
After the students finished reading in unison, the lecturer, a scholar sitting in a wide chair, couldn't bear it anymore and shouted, “Today's lesson ends here.”
The students rejoiced, each eager to rush out of the lecture hall. Tang Shen was among them, but he was not in a hurry. At first, too many students tried to rush out, blocking the door. Everyone squeezed together, making them even sweatier. It was better for him to wait in the back.
“Jing Ze, are you going to join me for a lesson at the Zhengyi Hall this afternoon?”
Tang Shen looked up to see a slender, gentle young man in his twenties smiling at him. Seeing who it was, Tang Shen's expression brightened, and he smiled, “I took the afternoon off; I have some things to do. Let's go together tomorrow.”
Mei Shengze smiled, “Alright.”
The two took their books and were about to leave the lecture hall when a rough voice suddenly shouted, “Everyone, go back. Why are you in such a hurry? You are students of the Imperial College, the pillars of the nation, and you're so eager to leave this place of sages?”
The students hurried back to the lecture hall. Tang Shen and Mei Shengze exchanged a glance and returned to their seats.
Tang Shen was startled to see that it was Liu Siye who had come in.
The dean of the Imperial College was Lin Jijiu, with the official rank of third grade. Below him were two deputies, ranked fourth grade.
Liu Siye stroked his graying beard and, seeing all the students back in the lecture hall, snorted angrily and said, “Class has just ended, and you all are rushing to leave as if escaping. Mengzi said, 'When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve, exhausts their muscles.' You can't even endure a bit of heat?”
The students dared not argue, lowering their heads in submission.
Liu Siye was satisfied and said, “I came today to inform you that you must prepare well for the test at the beginning of June. Each month, based on your essays and test poems, you will be graded into four levels: A, B, C, and D. Usually, it’s just routine, but you must take next month's test seriously.”
A student curiously asked, “Daren, is there something unusual about it?”
Liu Siye smiled, “Unusual? You guessed right! In June, the military readies its chariots and horses for battle. That’s the way of warriors, wielding swords and spears. But we scholars wield pens. For the test at the beginning of June, those who score in the A and B levels can attend a lecture at the Biyong Palace of the Imperial College in mid-June.”
Some students still didn't understand, and Tang Shen was also puzzled.
However, Mei Shengze gripped his book tightly, his face glowing with excitement and his eyes burning with anticipation.
Tang Shen quietly asked, “Brother Sheng Ze, what is the Biyong Palace? I’ve been at the Imperial College for two months but haven’t been there.”
Mei Shengze excitedly explained, “The Biyong Palace is usually closed. As you know, our Imperial College is the Imperial College of the Great Song Dynasty in Shengjing. Every month, scholars from the Hanlin Academy come to lecture. You attended the lecture by Grand Secretary Li, right?”
Tang Shen: “Yes, that was at Zhengyi Hall.”
“Biyong Palace is only opened for lectures by distinguished guests. And there is only one such distinguished guest in the entire realm.”
Tang Shen instantly understood. He tightened his fingers, staring intently at Mei Shengze.
Mei Shengze spoke each word slowly and clearly, "A sage descends to the world, bringing blessings to the Imperial College. Only when the emperor arrives will the Biyong Palace be open. This is the legendary 'The Son of Heaven Comes to Biyong'!"
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Revenue.
Wang Zhen sat in the main seat, with the left and right vice ministers seated on either side of him. The left vice minister was a middle-aged man with a goatee and a thin build. He sighed deeply and said, "The Son of Heaven Comes to Biyong, why did His Majesty suddenly decide to lecture at the Imperial College during this morning's court session? Since His Majesty ascended to the throne twenty-six years ago, he has never been to the Biyong Palace."
The right vice minister was much younger, but he also had a full beard, looking more like a fierce general than a scholar. He glanced at Wang Zhen, who was drinking tea, before saying, "The Son of Hewaven Comes to Biyong is a good thing. Xu daren, we should prepare early."
Xu Linghou, the left vice minister, said, "Qin daren is right. What does Wang daren think?"
Both vice ministers turned to look at Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen gently blew away the steam rising from his hot tea, took a sip, and said, "This year's Mingqian Longjing tea?"
Xu Linghou: "Yes."
Wang Zhen: "Excellent. What did Xu daren just say?"
Xu Linghou and Qin Si exchanged glances, remaining silent.
Wang Zhen put down his teacup and sincerely praised, "The emperor is diligent in learning. The Son of Heaven Comes to Biyong. This year, the students of the Imperial College are truly fortunate."
AN: Neighbor Wang: Hmm, don't you like eating snacks?
Little Tang: ╭∩╮（︶皿︶）╭∩╮！！！