Chapter 111 A Circle
"Your Highness, I accidentally learned that someone was selling the imperial examination essay questions. I asked someone to investigate and found out... it seemed that the test questions were leaked by your study partner Sheng Changbai. Because he was your study partner, quite a few people bought them." Yin Hanzhang said hesitantly.
Zhao Xing was stunned when he heard this. He was silent for a while and then said, "Let's find out the truth about this as soon as possible."
It is simply nonsense that Sheng Changbai leaked the test questions. He didn't even know what the test questions were.
However, this matter not only concerns Sheng Changbai, but also him.
When the imperial examination results come out, some of those who failed will definitely be unwilling to accept the result.
Once someone makes a fuss about this, accusing him of nepotism and deliberately leaking the test questions to his close confidants, it will be troublesome if the matter becomes a big deal.
Now we must get to the bottom of the matter and severely punish those who spread rumors.
"Yes!" Yin Hanzhang bowed and left in a hurry.
After sending Yin Hanzhang away, Zhao Xing showed a cold expression.
Although he did not deliberately distance himself from his companions in the Eastern Palace over the years, it was no secret that he valued and trusted Sheng Changbai and others the most.
Since Gu Tingye joined the army, he will not take part in the imperial examination. So only Qi Heng and Sheng Changbai will take part in this imperial examination.
It was common to sell predicted examination questions in every imperial examination, but this time someone used Sheng Changbai's name to do this. Zhao Xing even suspected that it was aimed at him.
However, the final outcome will depend on the results of the investigation.
……
Before Yin Hanzhang reported to Zhao Xing, he had actually found some clues.
After receiving Zhao Xing's instructions, they quickly investigated the whole matter.
He went to report this to Zhao Xing, who was speechless after hearing it.
He had thought of so many conspiracies, but he never expected that Sheng Changfeng was the one who did it.
The incident started when Sheng Changfeng was drinking with a few young masters. After getting drunk, he told them that the policy topic this time should be related to salt and iron.
Those young masters didn't believe it and asked him why he was so sure. Sheng Changfeng said that his brother read Salt and Iron Theory every day after he returned, and also specially looked for records related to salt and iron in historical books of all dynasties.
These young masters all knew that Sheng Changfeng's brother was a tutor in the East Palace, and asked him if his brother knew something from the prince.
Sheng Changfeng smiled but said nothing. He was not yet confused and knew that such things should not be said carelessly.
Those young masters also knew the seriousness of the matter and did not spread the matter around.
However, two servants were delivering wine and heard their conversation.
One of the servants was cautious and sold the news to a bookstore.
Before each imperial examination, major bookstores in Bianjing would take into account the situation of the chief examiner and the current political situation in recent years and then predict some questions to sell to civilian scholars.
When the bookstore learned that it was Donggong's younger brother who said it, they didn't take it seriously, but it was a good gimmick, so they bought the news.
The owner of the bookstore was not stupid, so he naturally wouldn't tell others that this was the exam question. What he told others was the question that his bookstore had predicted.
However, for the sake of sales, the source of the students' questions was still hinted.
As the rumor spread, it turned out to be that the test questions were leaked, and it was Donggong's tutor who leaked it.
However, this matter was only spread in a small range. Those scholars were not stupid. If the news was true, they would have the upper hand, so they naturally did not want more people to know.
If the information becomes known to everyone, the test questions may even be changed.
When Yin Hanzhang set up an intelligence system, Bian Jing was naturally the top priority. He had spies in crowded places like teahouses and inns in Bian Jing, so he was able to get the information.
After Zhao Xing learned the result, he was relieved as long as there was no conspiracy behind it.
However, this matter is a bit difficult to handle. There are always some gossips about the test questions in every examination. Speaking of which, Sheng Changfeng did not say that this was the test question, and the rumors that spread later were also rumors. However, this matter was caused by Sheng Changfeng. With Sheng Changfeng's personality, if he is not dealt with, who knows what trouble he will cause in the future.
Zhao Xing doesn't care about Sheng Changfeng's life or death, but the Sheng family is different now. Sheng Changbai is his study partner, and Sheng Rulan is the future prince's concubine.
Sheng Hong usually does not make friends or curry favor with others. In the eyes of many people, the Sheng family is his.
Sheng Changfeng's nonsense outside would naturally affect him.
After sending Yin Hanzhang away, Zhao Xing was just thinking about how to deal with Sheng Changfeng when a eunuch walked in and reported, "Your Highness, Master Hai wants to see you."
"Please come in." Zhao Xing said.
The eunuch bowed and retreated, and soon led Hai Wenyou in.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Hai Wenyou bowed.
"Master Hai, please don't be polite." Zhao Xing waved his hand, gave Hai Wenyou a seat, and asked, "Master Hai, what is the matter with you to see me?"
"Your Highness!" Hai Wenyou pulled out a folder from his sleeve and said, "I and the officials from the Ministry of Rites have already drafted the examination questions. Please review them, Your Highness."
Sanshui stepped forward, took the bundle and handed it to Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing took it and read it, finding it quite standard.
There were only three subjects in the imperial examination, namely classics, poetry and essays, and policy essays.
The meaning of the classics tests the scholars' understanding of the books, and also examines the students' core ideas and thinking abilities.
It doesn't mean that you just need to memorize the book thoroughly. What is tested more is your ability, character, and thinking.
Many great Confucian scholars are called great Confucian scholars not only because of their profound knowledge, but most importantly, they have a deeper understanding of classics such as the Four Books and Five Classics.
Poetry and prose test one’s literary skills. As for policy essays, I have mentioned them before, so I will not elaborate on them here.
Combined with what Zhao Xing knew about the exam questions from previous times, this time's exam questions were considered to be pretty standard.
"The questions are acceptable. The Navy Master and the officials from the Ministry of Rites are all experienced and prudent people. I have no objection." Zhao Xing said.
Hai Wenyou felt relieved after hearing this. Although Zhao Xing was only responsible for setting policy questions, he was the chief examiner and the rest of the questions had to be reviewed by him.
"Your Highness, the imperial examination will begin in more than a month. I wonder if the essay topic has been decided yet?"
"I'm already out."
Zhao Xing rummaged on the table for a while, found a piece of paper and handed it to Sanshui.
"Master Hai, please correct me."
Sanshui handed the paper to Hai Wenyou. He took it and unfolded it. He was stunned. He looked at Zhao Xing and asked, "Your Highness, did you take the wrong one?"
"You're right. This is the question I asked." Zhao Xing said with a smile.
“But how are the scholars supposed to answer the questions with just a circle like this?” Hai Wenyou said.
That’s right, there was only a circle on the paper Zhao Xing gave him.
It was the first time that Hai Wenyou saw this kind of exam question. Not to mention the other students taking the exam, even he was a little confused when he saw it.
"Master Hai, what is the purpose of the imperial examination?" Zhao Xing asked.
"It's for selecting talents for the imperial court." Hai Wenyou said.
Zhao Xing nodded slightly and said, "As the saying goes, every inch has its strengths and every foot has its weaknesses. No one can be proficient in everything. Ordinary questions have their own emphases. Some scholars have made achievements in other aspects, but the essay questions in the imperial examination are not their strengths, so they fail to pass the exam. Wouldn't that mean that many talents will be eliminated? This goes against the original purpose of the imperial examination."
(End of this chapter)