svetikya Chapter 86 Beijing News
Chapter 86 Beijing News
Linhua Palace
Three days after the palace examination, the examiners had finished reading all the papers and placed the papers of the top ten on the imperial desk for Emperor Shun'an to review.
The top three in the first class were personally selected by Emperor Shun'an, as well as the lists of the second and third classes.
This is a disciple of the Emperor!
The chief examiner for this imperial examination, Grand Secretary Han Shize, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please select the top three candidates in the first rank!"
Emperor Shun'an casually picked up an exam paper and asked, "Any surprises in this year's candidates?"
"have!"
Han Shize nodded.
Emperor Shun'an raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"
Han Shize stepped forward, picked up an examination paper, and presented it to Emperor Shun'an with both hands. After the emperor accepted it, he said, "This person's writing is not the best among all the candidates, but he has a deep understanding of the people's hearts. In his answer, he mentioned that the people are simple and honest but also foolish and easily misled. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The people are like water and boat to the court."
"With the support of the people, the Great Chu will prosper for ten thousand years!"
Emperor Shun'an nodded: "That's well said. Mencius said: 'The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important.' If we can win the hearts of the people and keep them loyal to the court, that can be considered the best policy for enriching the country."
Han Shize said, "This person did indeed give a suggestion."
Emperor Shun'an happened to see the suggestion given by this person, and his expression gradually became serious.
Han Shize remained silent, waiting for Emperor Shun'an to finish reading.
Emperor Shun'an read the answer sheet carefully, only putting it down after reading the very last word: "What do you think, my dear minister?"
"Your Majesty, I think this is feasible. The court has always treated the Imperial Gazette as a public bulletin of state affairs, containing the Emperor's edicts, memorials from the court, important military and political matters, etc., and it is only made public to local government offices and high-ranking officials."
"This person proposed that the existing official gazette be retained, and in addition, a new gazette be published, called the Capital Gazette, which is intended for all the people of the country."
"The capital gazette doesn't need to publish content related to important court affairs like the official gazette, but it can publish the vast rivers and mountains of our great Chu, as well as its civil and military achievements, so that the people know what kind of country they live in and what kind of monarch they have!"
Han Shize didn't need to be too blunt. As the emperor, no one understood the importance of this imperial gazette to the ruler better than Emperor Shun'an.
Emperor Shun'an handed the answer sheet to the Crown Prince, so that he could also take a look!
After the Crown Prince finished reading, Emperor Shun'an asked, "What do you think?"
The crown prince asserted, "This man has the talent to become the top scholar in the imperial examination!"
A flicker of emotion crossed the Crown Prince's usually composed face.
No wonder he did that.
For someone in his position, the Beijing Daily is the most powerful tool to win over the hearts and minds of the people!
Even though Emperor Shun'an was diligent in his duties and loved his people, and the people lived in peace and prosperity, how could they refuse the opportunity to further win over the hearts of the people?
Emperor Shun'an did not speak, but read through the ten answer sheets one by one.
Ultimately, three were selected!
The response sheet proposing to publish the Beijing Daily was prominently listed.
Emperor Shun'an looked at the three answer sheets that were still anonymous and said calmly, "Open them!"
In the final step, it was impossible for him to select the top three scholars (first, second, and third place) without knowing who they were.
Zhou Wangliang took the answer sheets and carefully covered the names on the three sheets. When he saw one of the names, his pupils contracted for a moment, then returned to normal.
When Emperor Shun'an saw the three answer sheets with names already revealed, he was also taken aback: "I really didn't expect that."
The crown prince's gaze fell on that name: "Wen Zongji?"
Emperor Shun'an picked up Wen Zongji's answer sheet, a smile appearing on his lips: "Anhe is no ordinary husband."
The crown prince nodded in agreement.
"What ranking does the Crown Prince think Wen Zongji should be placed in?"
The Crown Prince then looked at two other names—Wu Fengyuan and Lu Nian'an.
"Let's go for third place!"
"Didn't they say before that he had the talent to be the top scholar in the imperial examination?"
"Initially, the title of Tan Hua Lang was for a young and handsome man. Although it later became the fixed title for the third-ranked scholar in the first class, it is still used to praise a handsome man in folk culture today. These three men are equally talented, but Wen Zongji is more outstanding in appearance than the other two. It is most appropriate to name him Tan Hua Lang."
Emperor Shun'an looked at Han Shize: "What do you think, my dear minister?"
Han Shize cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, I think the Crown Prince is absolutely right."
Emperor Shun'an smiled and nodded: "Then so be it."
Emperor Shun'an then did not consult anyone's opinion and directly named Lu Nian'an as the top scholar and Wu Fengyuan as the second-ranked scholar.
After the top three names were decided, the rest of the process went much more smoothly. Once the lists for the second and third place were confirmed, Han Shize withdrew.
Emperor Shun'an put down his vermilion pen, rubbed his sore neck, and got up to walk around the hall: "The idea of the Capital Gazette is excellent. I intend to put you in charge of it."
The Crown Prince replied, "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."
Emperor Shun'an said, "This idea was proposed by Wen Zongji. He must have a more comprehensive plan. You might as well talk to him more in the future."
"Your subject understands."
This was the first time Emperor Shun'an had assigned a task to the Crown Prince. In order not to disappoint Emperor Shun'an, the Crown Prince would go to Wen Zongji even if Emperor Shun'an did not say so.
Emperor Shun'an looked up at the outside of the palace: "Anhe's husband is no ordinary man. I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing."
The crown prince was unusually puzzled: "Shouldn't it be a good thing that my cousin married a capable husband?"
"Men, having ability means having ambition, having ambition means being insatiable, and once a person is insatiable, he will have delusions."
Emperor Shun'an shook his head and patted his shoulder: "You are still young, you will understand in the future."
"My elder sister and I both hope that Anhe's future life will be peaceful and joyful. However, life is unpredictable. Even though I am the emperor, I cannot control fate. Let's take it one step at a time."
Emperor Shun'an then looked at the Crown Prince: "You and Anhe grew up together since childhood. Although you are younger than Anhe, you have always been calm and steady, more like her older brother. You also know your cousin's personality. She is simple and has no bad intentions. You should protect her well in the future."
The Crown Prince replied, "Your subject has always regarded my cousin as an elder sister."
Emperor Shun'an smiled with satisfaction: "Let's go to Fengyi Palace to dine with your mother and Changning. It's been a long time since our family has dined together."
After saying this, Emperor Shun'an took the lead and stepped out of the main hall, followed closely by the Crown Prince.
Zhou Wangliang followed behind with a group of palace servants.
……
Yunguangyuan
Pei Rujing rested her chin on her hand and stared at Wen Zongji: "The results are going out tomorrow, aren't you nervous?"
Wen Zongji said, "I'm extremely nervous."
Pei Rujing pouted: "I can't tell at all."
"I'm just keeping my emotions hidden. Do you expect me to show my nervousness and have the county magistrate rush into the palace to ask the Emperor about my ranking?"
Pei Rujing said seriously, "It's not that it's impossible."
Wen Zongji was afraid she would take it seriously: "Let's just forget it, we'll know tomorrow anyway."
"Oh well."