Chapter 96

Xu Hao's question seemed to carry deep meaning in Jie Jin's eyes. Since Emperor Wu of Han promoted the "abolishment of all schools of thought except Confucianism," the principles of Confucianism gradually became accepted by all scholars and became the sole belief of the scholarly world, with almost every scholar claiming to be a disciple of the sage.

However, nothing is absolute. Even though the other schools of thought that once stood on equal footing had declined, they did not completely disappear. Instead, they were hidden in studies, waiting for those with the right connections to study and appreciate them.

Successive emperors claimed to follow the teachings of the sages and the ways of Confucius and Mencius, but in reality, most were emulators of the Legalists. From a young age, besides the Four Books and Five Classics, they studied the most practical doctrines of the Legalists, such as emphasizing agriculture over commerce, rewarding farming and warfare, abolishing feudal enfeoffment and establishing commanderies and counties, or playing the balance game and practicing the higher-level imperial arts. Many famous ministers who implemented reforms, skilled administrators, and harsh officials who enforced the law often privately considered themselves disciples of the Legalists.

As for the Daoists, medical scholars, alchemists, logicians, Yin-Yang scholars, agriculturalists, military strategists, miscellaneous scholars, and even novelists, they had long merged with Confucianism, becoming indistinguishable.

Since ancient times, each profession has had its own traditions and venerated ancestors. Except for scholars, no other profession would venerate Confucius and Mencius, even if they had all fallen to the lower ranks, the tradition remained unchanged.

Therefore, in Jie Jin's view, Xu Hao's words pointed out his beliefs, just like the medical and astronomical families, which were not affected by dynastic changes. Xu Hao might be a proponent of another school of thought. Since Xu Hao did not consider himself a Confucian disciple, it didn't matter whether he was proficient in the eight-part essay or not.

The imperial examinations were not limited to the Mingjing (Mingjing) category; there were also the Jinshi, Mingfa, and Mingzi categories. Being an official was not the only path through the imperial examinations. Although practical subjects like mathematics and engineering were no longer included, those skilled in these areas could still be recommended for office.

However, Xu Hao's words were too bold, too presumptuous, and too impulsive. If they spread, it would certainly affect his future, and even a slight misstep could lead to a collective attack from the court. Even if you did not follow Confucianism, you still had to claim to be a Confucian disciple; this was the reality.

But as a noble's son, how could Xu Hao care about the hostility of the scholars? Even if he passed the Jinshi, he might still choose a military path. Attacks from the court would not have a significant impact on him.

Thus, Jie Jin looked deeply at Xu Hao, understanding somewhat. After a long pause, he exhaled and said, "Indeed, you came prepared. Since you are proficient in one of the Hundred Schools of Thought, I will not say more. The court is eager for talent and welcomes all kinds of people to contribute their strengths. Even if you are not recommended through the imperial examinations, it is still a good path. Even if we debate for three days and three nights, we cannot resolve this. With your extensive reading, you are still a scholar. Since you are not a disciple of Confucius and Mencius, I will appoint you."

Are you a noble Confucian disciple, and I am a lowly scholar? Xu Hao was somewhat angry. Jie Jin, you mean well, but I do not want your favor. Confucianism, representing the spiritual faith of the entire nation, is respected but also hated.

Xu Hao, suddenly moved, clasped his hands and said, "My knowledge is average, and I dare not claim to have read extensively. But I do enjoy history, geography, economics, diplomacy, military strategy, philosophy, art, civil construction, and any useful knowledge. I have never considered myself a disciple of Confucius and disdain dealing with pedantic officials who claim to be of proper lineage.

Our great Ming dynasty, under the wise leadership of the sage emperor and the united support of the civil and military officials, as well as the efforts of the people from all walks of life, has achieved today's success! The soldiers who fought on the battlefield, the farmers who supplied food and weapons, and the people from all industries who supported the country, were not just Confucian scholars. The establishment of the Ming dynasty was not solely due to the teachings of one school of thought. If Confucianism continues to dominate and control the government, and if it does not seek progress but instead engages in factionalism and self-destruction, it will eventually become a千古罪人 (thousand-year sinner) of the nation."

Before Jie Jin could recover, Xu Hao calmly said, "I know the scholarly world and the court will not tolerate my rash words. I will take my leave. After passing the child examination, I will never step into the examination hall again. Different paths, different choices!"

Jie Jin was stunned, watching Xu Hao's departing back, speechless.

After leaving, Xu Hao felt relieved, having vented the years of pent-up frustration. He felt very refreshed but also blamed himself for being too impulsive. He always reminded himself to be low-key, but when faced with situations, his reactions were often too high-profile. Looking back at the things he had done over the past year, which one was really low-key?

In the end, he couldn't control his temper, always feeling superior to others, thinking he was the only one awake in a world of drunkards. This was not good! Xu Hao tilted his head, feeling resigned. Character determines fate; his future would be as it was.

Xu Hao was an ordinary person, and ordinary people have their own laziness. Even when he knew something was wrong, he still did it out of habit.

For example, everyone knows they should study hard, endure for a dozen years, and then achieve success, get into college, find a stable job, and live happily ever after. Regardless of whether this analogy is correct, many people, when studying, often think of taking a break when they are tired. Over time, this becomes a habit, and when the exam comes, they regret not working harder. When their work is unsatisfactory, they always lament why they didn't try harder in school.

Xu Hao was just like that. He knew it was wrong but couldn't control his mouth, venting all his thoughts. Fortunately, he didn't say anything treasonous, which was a stroke of luck.

Meeting the particularly excited Mu Ang, they had to wait a few days for the results to be posted. With the county magistrate's nod, Mu Ang was sure to pass, and there should be no surprises.

This was just one-third of the success. Since the county was close to the capital, the next step, the复试 (retest) and the 院试 (yuan examination) to obtain the identity of a scholar, would be held at the capital's supervisory college.

At this point, the identity of a child scholar was very prestigious and rare. Later, it gradually evolved to the point where any scholar could be called a child scholar. Of course, there were differences. The scholarly world wanted to make the identity of a scholar seem the most noble, not just anyone who read a few books, but at least those who had passed several local exams.

Xu Hao and Mu Ang were now waiting for the results to be posted, then preparing to go to the capital. They had to pass two exams to become a child scholar.

The Ming dynasty's imperial examinations were more difficult and complex than those of the Qing dynasty. The next step was to pass the scholar examination, or obtain the status of a student, which required passing three exams. Xu Ji, as a noble's son, entered the Imperial College as a supervisor. Today, he was taking the examination at the Imperial College, and the annual exam was already over. Based on the results, students were divided into six ranks, with the first and second ranks directly obtaining the status of a scholar. This was another way to obtain the status of a student, known as a scholar through the imperial examinations.

Xu Ji's annual exam results were first-class, so he was very confident today, taking the exam in a familiar environment and having a good chance of getting a good score.

After becoming a child scholar, Mu Ang could study at home, or choose to enter the state-established prefectural, county, or provincial schools for free, or choose to study at the Imperial College. He could then take the provincial examination to become a juren (scholar) or xiaolian (filial and honest), and then go to the capital for the metropolitan examination.

The provincial examination was usually held in August, also known as the autumn examination. The metropolitan examination was held in February, known as the spring examination. Both the provincial and metropolitan examinations had three sessions. Don't worry, there was also the palace examination presided over by the emperor.

As mentioned earlier, this year, due to the Lan Yu case, the provincial and metropolitan examinations were both set for August. At this moment, scholars across the country were taking the exams in their respective regions. Xu Hao and Mu Ang were taking the exam at the county office to become child scholars. Feng Quan was taking the exam at the capital's college, and Xu Ji was taking the exam at the Imperial College, all striving for the status of a scholar.

Zhou Peng, as a local scholar, naturally had to go to the capital, and Zhao Hesong and the other four were sent to the capital as tribute scholars due to their excellent results. They could have stayed at the Imperial College, but they all found the expenses too high and moved out.

In the early Ming dynasty, there were no separate northern and southern examination halls, so the northern tribute scholars had to come to Nanjing. These scholars were currently staying in the cramped rooms of the provincial administration, while the larger rooms in the examination hall were reserved for the higher-ranking juren.

Xu Hao had a fit of complaining, seemingly cutting off his future in the imperial examinations, but in reality, he was simply impatient with the major trouble that came every three years.

It was from the Ming dynasty that the originally well-developed imperial examination system began to go astray. The advantages and disadvantages are clear to later generations, and there is no need to elaborate here.

In short, studying the eight-part essay for too long gradually makes one's mind rigid and pedantic. Many talented people, unable to excel in the eight-part essay, could not achieve their ambitions or apply their knowledge. The system of heaven, earth, ruler, kin, and teacher produced generation after generation of officials, fostering nepotism and official collusion. The most critical issue was that from then on, the court increasingly valued rhetoric over technology, going against the tide of history.

Xu Hao wanted to reform the entire imperial examination system, making it equally important for the arts and sciences. It seemed that capable people from various dimensions had already tried, while the vast majority of unlucky ones could only die before achieving their goals.

Xu Hao looked up at the sky, thinking he should hurry home and go to bed.

PS: I felt unwell today and lay in bed all day. I managed to write two chapters starting at seven o'clock in the evening. It is now 2:13 AM.