Chapter 82

The Chief Examiner, Luo Yewen, was sitting at the head of the table, reviewing the test papers that had been rejected by the other examiners. These rejected papers needed at least a cursory glance, primarily to prevent misjudgment and to ensure that the examiners remained cautious in their evaluations.

A slightly plump examiner approached the desk, presenting a test paper with both hands, "Sir, I am not wise enough; this paper requires your personal judgment."

Other examiners couldn't help but turn around to look upon hearing this.

Luo Yewen raised his eyes and responded with an "Oh," somewhat surprised.

As always, there is no absolute in literature, making it difficult to clearly distinguish the absolute superiority or inferiority. Judgments can only be made based on the level of proficiency.

The level is measured in 'cheng,' which means how full a bucket of water is. In the context of scholarship, a full bucket would be ten cheng.

A full score is ten, divided into four levels.

For a test paper, a score below five cheng is rated as 'poor' and is thus rejected.

Scores of five to six cheng are rated as 'average,' seven to eight cheng as 'good,' and nine and ten cheng as 'excellent.'

However, in most cases, when examiners give a 'excellent' rating, they usually give nine cheng, leaving a margin. It is rare to give a perfect ten, unless the candidate is exceptionally outstanding, in which case the rating can be widely accepted without much controversy. Otherwise, it would only invite trouble.

This was Luo Yewen's point of confusion. With so many levels to choose from, and the flexibility to rate slightly higher or lower, why couldn't the examiner make a decision? He immediately paused his review of the rejected papers and took the one presented to him.

As he read, his brows suddenly furrowed, then slowly relaxed, and then furrowed again, his expression fluctuating.

By the end, he seemed to have read it several times, and finally, he couldn't help but murmur the last few lines, "A land where people gather is a nation; when the people are in sorrow, the nation declines. Those who protect the people are true statesmen. The Emperor is appointed by Heaven! The Emperor is appointed by Heaven... The Emperor is appointed by Heaven..." He repeated the last line of the essay several times.

Only then did he realize what the essay was about.

The introduction was fine, discussing whether a statesman is made by the emperor, by fate, or by personal effort.

The main argument was a normal discussion of the relationship between a statesman and the three factors.

After the examination, he had read many such normal arguments, either saying that without the emperor there would be no statesman, or that the emperor is appointed by Heaven, or that all three factors are considered. But this particular paper was completely off-topic.

In simple terms, the candidate believed that there was no significant relationship between a statesman and the three factors.

The candidate's entire essay did not discuss the relationship between a statesman and the three factors but instead passionately explained what a statesman truly is.

Throughout history, the figures mentioned in the essay came to life, and the heroic deeds of the past seemed to float before his eyes, stirring his emotions. The essay concluded with a powerful statement: "A land where people gather is a nation; when the people are in sorrow, the nation declines. Those who protect the people are true statesmen!"

Upon reading this, any examiner would conclude that the candidate believed a statesman is one who serves the nation and the people, not for personal gain, and who criticizes those who are self-serving. The candidate denied any connection to fate and even to the emperor.

It was no wonder the examiner frowned, but the last line, "The Emperor is appointed by Heaven!" changed everything.

Without this line, the entire essay would have a different meaning. With this line, the entire essay was suddenly transformed, turning the world upside down.

Even Luo Yewen couldn't help but read it repeatedly to confirm.

"A land where people gather is a nation; when the people are in sorrow, the nation declines. Those who protect the people are true statesmen!"

Who is a true statesman? The candidate lightly added, "The Emperor is appointed by Heaven!"

Thus, the entire essay's meaning was that the candidate denied the relationship between a statesman and the three factors, explaining what a true statesman is. If there is a true statesman, it is one who protects the people. Who has the right to protect the people? The Emperor is appointed by Heaven!

If anyone is truly appointed by Heaven, it is the Emperor!

The Grand Scholar, after finally regaining his composure from the essay, couldn't help but shake his head.

He found that the candidate had gone off-topic in an outrageous yet acceptable way.

This was the first time he had seen such a thing, and today he had broadened his horizons.

Bang! Suddenly, a loud thump came from the adjacent room.

Another voice exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent 'Once entering the Emperor's hall, all past and future concerns are resolved,' excellent, excellent!"

The examiners, including Luo Yewen, were startled and looked at each other, realizing that someone in the adjacent room was praising the essay.

Luo Yewen smiled, "It seems that Li has encountered a good poem; otherwise, with his extensive knowledge, he wouldn't have lost his composure."

The slightly plump examiner bowed slightly, "Sir, you are wise; it must be so."

Luo Yewen took a deep breath and focused on the test paper in his hand, asking, "What do you think of this paper?"

The slightly plump examiner replied, "Please enlighten me, sir."

Luo Yewen said, "I'm asking you, speak freely."

The slightly plump examiner said, "To directly evaluate the Emperor, I dare not comment; please decide, sir!"

Luo Yewen smiled, as he had expected. The exam question involved the emperor, and the candidate inevitably had to touch on it, but did so directly, referring to the current emperor. Given the unusual nature of the essay, it was understandable that the examiner found it difficult to decide.

However, this also revealed the examiner's true thoughts. If the examiner didn't truly appreciate the essay, he would have rejected it outright. The fact that he brought it to Luo Yewen indicated that he was reluctant to let it go.

Luo Yewen nodded in approval, "Like the vicissitudes of the righteous path, like the vastness of the earth, yet suddenly like sitting on a cloud. More importantly, to write such a coherent essay in the examination is a rare feat. The words are elegant, the style is brilliant, and the emotions are stirring. Such a mindset must have produced excellent answers to other questions as well. I should give this candidate a chance!"

The slightly plump examiner was surprised by the Grand Scholar's high praise. Luo Yewen laid the paper on the table, picked up the red pen, and personally wrote a 'ten' on the paper, giving it the highest score.

Involving the current emperor, the lower examiners, who rarely saw the emperor, dared not make a decision. However, Luo Yewen, who often met the emperor, knew the emperor's thoughts. The phrase "appointed by Heaven" would likely please the emperor, who might want the world to see it.

Moreover, the essay would likely appeal to another group of people.

People tend to like what they want to see.

Thus, not only was it an unusual essay, but it also appealed to both sides, and he had no reason not to support it.

Of course, before supporting it, he had some hesitation, a shadow of doubt. He wondered if the essay was arranged by the person who suggested the exam question. If so, he would reduce the score from 'ten' to 'nine.'

In the government, to survive and maintain one's principles, one often has to compromise, like the essay that appealed to both sides, speaking freely but then turning the tide with a stroke of genius.

After further consideration, he concluded that it wasn't arranged by that person, as the essay contradicted the exam question. Thus, he confidently gave it a 'ten.'

After personally grading it, Luo Yewen handed the paper to the slightly plump examiner, who took it back to his desk to continue grading...

A few days later, when all the test papers had been graded and it was time to officially rank the candidates, the four chief examiners finally met in the courtyard.

Luo, Li, Chu, and Geng laughed heartily, having completed the most intense part of the grading. The remaining tasks were simpler.

Li asked, "The top candidates from each room must have been decided. Why don't we share the best essays and start with the top candidates from each room?"

Luo pointed at him and laughed, "You were so excited the other day that the whole courtyard heard you. You must have found something good, couldn't you contain yourself?"

Everyone laughed.

Laughing aside, they still had work to do. Following Li's suggestion was not a problem and was not against the rules. Moreover, everyone genuinely wanted to see the best.

Thus, the four rooms collaborated again, moving all the test papers to a large hall, preparing the necessary records, and gathering the staff to divide the tasks.

The four chief examiners gathered, each holding a test paper, and placed them on a desk. Li pointed to his and said, "Yours have more words and take longer to read. Come, let's start with mine." He then moved aside to give the others space.

The other three immediately crowded together, leaning in to read.

"Wow, Li gave a poem a perfect ten."

"Ha ha, don't criticize each other. Look, all four papers have a perfect ten."

"Unbelievable, in this examination, all four rooms gave perfect scores without reservation. Rare!"

"Ascending the Heavenly Gate... Hmm, interesting..."

"Once entering the Emperor's hall, all past and future concerns are resolved... Once entering the Emperor's hall, all past and future concerns are resolved..."

"Excellent 'Ascending the Heavenly Gate.' The topic is 'fame and fortune,' but it uses four lines to describe a lifetime, even including the afterlife, all within the topic. A great poem! A perfect ten is well-deserved!"

Hearing this, Li stroked his beard, looking pleased.

"Hey?" Luo Yewen suddenly looked shocked, pointing to the four papers laid out, "Look at the handwriting. Am I mistaken, or do these four papers seem to be written by the same person?"

Upon hearing this, the other three quickly examined the handwriting. The more they looked, the more similar it seemed.

Not just them, even the lower officials couldn't help but gather around.

Li couldn't resist picking up two papers, aligning the text, and muttering, "They are very similar, at least these two seem to be written by the same person."