Chapter 222: In a Word: Once You’re Here, Don’t Even Think of Running

The two main subjects for this round of the imperial examinations were arithmetic and policy debate—basically, math and language arts.

The arithmetic exams were handed over to a group of accountants for grading.

However, the policy debate essays were graded by the Empress herself, and she did it in public. Candidates who passed both subjects advanced to the second round. Those who excelled in only one subject were set aside; if their performance in that one area was exceptional, they would undergo training and be re-examined the following month.

After reading two hundred exam papers in a row, Xiao Li felt like she was going to be sick.

She had no desire to invite those self-righteous Confucian scholars from the aristocratic families to act as judges. Tang Shuyu and the others were too young, and Song Junzhan himself was off taking the exam.

’A magnificent Emperor, reduced to having no one available. I’m forced to be a homeroom teacher grading my own papers.’

’This is such a miserable job, it’s not fit for a human. But this is a brand new court, and I have to choose people who suit my needs. If a bunch of idiots show up just to cause me trouble, it’s better to weed them out from the very beginning.’

Out of nine hundred and seventy candidates, only two hundred and five advanced to the second round. Two hundred others were singled out for specializing in one subject—one hundred and twenty for policy debate, and eighty for arithmetic.

All the candidates were grouped accordingly and sent to a designated area to wait. Food and drink were provided as they awaited the second round of examinations on the following day.

Xiao Li held the list of the two hundred and five names. Song Junzhan and Wang Yizhu were on it, but she was surprised to see Feng Yin’s name among them.

Feng Yin had only just come of age, placing him among the younger candidates. Yet, his policy essay was the most mature of all, and he had even scored perfectly in arithmetic.

He had even outshone Song Junzhan.

This was the kind of genius cultivated by the great aristocratic families—a prodigy built on a foundation of knowledge, resources, and ability. Not to mention, he had already served as a fourth-rank official for five full years.

Xiao Li hadn’t paid him much mind that day. She only recalled that when his name was called, he had kept his head down as he walked to the side.

He seemed much more somber now, but his essay faintly revealed a sharp edge and a hidden ambition.

This precious, jewel-encrusted sword had finally been unsheathed.

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The first day of exams concluded, and the second day began. This time, the test was on practical application.

The arithmetic candidates were tested with various account ledgers, while the policy candidates were presented with past court cases and asked to propose solutions.

Once again, the arithmetic tests went to the accountants for review, while the policy essays were delivered to Xiao Li.

The two hundred candidates took the exam in the morning. Xiao Li finished grading by noon, and the results were ready to be announced by evening.

It took Xiao Li a quarter of an hour to determine the top ten.

She had the names on the top ten exams covered, then sent the ten papers out to the other one hundred and ninety-five candidates for a blind vote.

Xiao Li herself held nine votes, which she could distribute among different candidates, whereas the others had only one vote each.

This system provided a measure of fairness while also granting the Emperor the privilege of choice.

Of course, the most important goal was to ensure that the hundreds of other candidates would accept the results without any complaints.

After a tense hour of deliberation, just as the sky turned completely dark, the voting concluded.

The names were uncovered, along with the recipients of the Empress’s votes. When the top three were revealed, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Most of the candidates had heard of the great Song Junzhan. They knew he was the one who had proposed reviving the imperial examinations to the Empress, and that he was considered the "uncrowned prime minister." Given his exceptional talent, it was only natural for him to participate and secure a high rank.

The Empress herself had given him five votes, and the other scholars had cast a staggering fifty-one votes for him, giving him a total of fifty-six. He was the undisputed champion.

The second-place winner, however, was a complete shock.

Wang Yizhu. It was an ordinary name, but what was extraordinary was that it belonged to a woman.

She received forty-six votes from the other candidates, and with the Empress’s four votes, her total came to fifty.

The third-place winner, Feng Yin, had forty-eight votes, while the fourth-place candidate had only thirty.

Even without the Empress’s four votes, she would have still placed in the top three—the top three they themselves had chosen through the blind vote.

Had the Empress simply appointed her, they might have raised objections. No matter how brilliant Wang Yizhu’s essay was, upon learning her name, their first reaction would not have been admiration, but a hunt for flaws.

But it had been a blind vote. They had chosen her themselves.

Everyone stared at the name in silence, unwilling to accept the result, yet forced to acknowledge it.

Xiao Li scanned the crowd, her expression calm and measured, as if everything was going exactly as planned.

’When dealing with a group of proud and arrogant people, you don’t try to reason with them. You don’t try to persuade them with facts.’

’Once a prejudice is formed, it’s indestructible.’

’The only solution is to make them fall apart from within.’

’The only ones who can defeat them are themselves.’

’They voted for her themselves. Even if they’re bitter, they have to accept it.’

Xiao Li did have a soft spot for Wang Yizhu and had high hopes for her, but she would have been satisfied just to see her make the top ten.

She could have perhaps secured a spot in the top five for her, but she never expected Wang Yizhu to break into the top three on her own.

’The Empress Dowager really is full of surprises.’

Without further ado, now that the rankings were decided, Xiao Li announced the top three on the spot.

Song Junzhan was the well-deserved Champion Scholar. Wang Yizhu was second place, and as the only woman, her brilliance shone no less brightly than the champion’s. Feng Yin was third place; with his handsome features, the title suited him perfectly.

Because Xiao Li was a newly enthroned Empress and was selecting talent in a hurry, the candidates were limited to scholars from a few surrounding cities. As such, this examination was not a comprehensive one.

However, Xiao Li was only concerned with efficiency, focusing on the essentials and selecting the talent she personally wanted.

As for the future, the people she was now cultivating would be the ones to perfect the examination system.

She had achieved absolute fairness and impartiality, compelling them to accept the results, and in doing so, had placed a woman in the public spotlight.

She had lit the spark. How it would grow into a fire was up to them. After all, this world was theirs to shape.

The rankings were out, but the official conferment of titles would take place the next day.

Xiao Li ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare a ceremonial procession. Early the next morning, the ministry would arrange for the top ten scholars to parade through the streets on horseback. The top three would wear red flowers pinned to their chests, but the Champion Scholar would have a special uniform and hat, both a very conspicuous, brilliant red.

After they completed a circuit of the city, they would proceed together to the Jinluan Hall to be officially invested with their titles.

There, in the Golden Hall, the Empress’s imperial edict would be read aloud. The Champion Scholar was to be appointed a Sixth-rank Editor. The second and third-place scholars would be appointed as seventh-rank compilers. The remaining top ten would be appointed to the Secondary Seventh Rank, receiving various positions such as Assistant, Chief, Secretary of the Secretariat, or Envoy.

These were only provisional appointments. They would need to undergo further training, and only those who passed would become fully-fledged officials, thereafter climbing the ranks based on their own merit.

Of course, it wasn’t Xiao Li’s style to let them settle comfortably into their new positions just like that.

As for the other candidates, those ranked eleventh through thirtieth would be organized into pairs. Each pair would shadow one of the top ten officials to learn from them and serve as alternates.

After one month, they would be assessed again, with the best among them being promoted.

The remaining one hundred and sixty-odd candidates would be sent to a dedicated academy for study and training. They would spend their time transcribing books and continuing their studies, with an examination every month. After three months, the top ten performers in the comprehensive assessments would get to challenge the thirty alternates for a chance to become an official candidate. And that didn’t even include the two hundred specialists. ’Don’t know how? Then you’re all going to learn!’

’In short, once you’re here, don’t even think about escaping.’

’And another thing—don’t think passing the exam means you’re set for life. There are plenty of replacements waiting in the wings. Now get out there and compete like your lives depend on it!’

’You think becoming an official means you’ve secured a job for life? That you can just coast? Corruption? Arrogance? Abusing your power to bully others?’

’Hah. If you can’t do the job, there are plenty of others who can.’

The officials in the court: "..."

’This familiar feeling... yup, this is the Empress, all right.’

’It’s fair, and it gives everyone a chance, but it’s also a little inhumane.’

’Even they, the first batch of officials who followed her, haven’t secured their footing yet, and now a second wave of competition is already crashing in.’

HISS! The air suddenly felt thin.

’This suffocating pressure... this isn’t what they imagined being an official would be like.’

The little devil in Xiao Li’s heart brandished a forty-meter-long broadsword. With one swing, it declared all beings equal. ’Think becoming an official means you’re no longer a workhorse? You think My rewards are that easy to get? Get back to the grind, all of you!’

The successful and unsuccessful candidates alike fell silent. ’...We were supposed to be entering the court to serve as officials. Why does it feel like we’ve been tricked onto a pirate ship?’