kvmb Chapter 139 Parade
Chapter 139 Parade
The sound from inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony was repeated three times from the inside out, and the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices outside the hall relayed it down in turn.
Before a group of astonished scholars, the official in charge of conveying the imperial decree solemnly announced: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Scholar Zheng Hao is hereby granted the title of Jinshi (进士) and ranked as the top scholar in the first class. This is the imperial decree!"
After the imperial decree was read, all the candidates present cast envious and admiring glances at the young man standing at the front.
To pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar in the first class—what a glorious achievement!
As Zheng Hao stepped out from the procession of tribute scholars, his expression calm and composed, he knelt and bowed towards the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, saying in a deep voice, "Your subject Zheng Hao thanks Your Majesty for your grace. Long live the Emperor!"
Standing behind him, He Yanzhi lowered his head slightly, his face filled with disbelief. After a moment, as Zheng Hao knelt down to pay his respects, a deep sense of resentment appeared in his eyes.
He closed his eyes tightly, thinking of the other person again!
From the debates at the prefectural school to the metropolitan examination, and then to the palace examination, wherever his opponent was, he was always just one step behind the top scorer.
Is he really inferior to Zheng Hao?
Opening his eyes, He Yanzhi looked at the figure getting up in front of him with a complicated expression.
Returning to his original position, Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly, seemingly unaware of the various reactions of the other candidates after hearing that he had become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Or rather, even if he discovered it, he wouldn't care.
However, Zheng Hao was genuinely surprised by his ranking in this imperial examination.
A thoughtful look crossed Zheng Hao's dark eyes as he recalled his conversation with Mr. Zhou in Yueming Prefecture before he came to the capital.
Based on his scholarship and abilities, the two analyzed the talents of his formidable rivals, such as He Yanzhi and Du Yuan, and predicted his ranking in the upcoming provincial and palace examinations.
Regarding the upcoming imperial examination, Zhou Zicheng pondered for a moment and then said to him, "With your knowledge, you have a good chance of winning the top spot in this imperial examination."
However, Zhou Zicheng remained silent for a long time before the palace examination.
Zheng Hao raised his eyes and looked at Mr. Zhou, saying, "Please speak freely, sir."
Zhou Zicheng looked up at him and said, "The examination papers have always been reviewed by ministers appointed by the emperor. However, the current emperor has been neglecting state affairs for many years. I'm afraid he will hand over the examination papers to the ministers of the six ministries and other ministers for review."
Among the candidates, He Yanzhi, Du Yuanzhi, came from a prominent family. Their writing style was familiar to many high-ranking officials, so the ministers reviewing the papers should be able to recognize their writings.
At this point, Zhou Zicheng's expression became complicated, and his gaze towards Zheng Hao revealed regret and pity: "At that time, even if you are exceptionally talented, your ranking will not be very high. You may be able to enter the top rank, but you are destined to miss out on the top scholar position and can only become the second or third scholar."
Although winning the top prize was somewhat unexpected, it was well-deserved. A hint of deep emotion flashed across Zheng Hao's eyes.
Aside from some overly radical strategies and statements that he didn't write down, the other policy questions on the exam were all strategies suitable for the court to implement and that wouldn't shake the interests of powerful families.
The ministers who reviewed the strategy, especially the one on how to deal with the Red-Clad Army, should have been very satisfied.
The Southern Red Army was formed from a peasant uprising, but as the rebels have grown, many local gentry and clans have joined them, resulting in a chaotic and diverse power structure. The army is not a one-man show.
The generals of the Great Qian Dynasty only needed to send a letter to one faction within the Red-Clad Army, sowing discord among them and offering amnesty to the Red-Clad Army. This would cause them to become suspicious and fight amongst themselves. In the end, the imperial court only needed to watch from the sidelines and fan the flames appropriately, and it would be able to suppress the Red-Clad Army without losing a single soldier.
However, the prerequisite for this plan to succeed is that the person sent by the court to carry it out is not an arrogant general who doesn't take the Red-Clad Army seriously; otherwise, it will backfire and strengthen the cohesion of the Red-Clad Army.
Even so, considering Uncle Gu's goodwill towards the Red-Clad Army, he wrote down the plan to suppress the Red-Clad Army in the exam questions, as well as the other two policy questions, which were his plans to avoid harming the interests of the aristocratic families.
"To blend in with the world," Zheng Hao murmured this phrase.
Before he had secured power and a stable position, he would not risk offending the interests of powerful clans, but he also could not completely side with them. Emperor Jian'an was wary of the powerful clans, and as a newcomer to officialdom, he could neither offend any faction nor completely side with one. Otherwise, he would either become cannon fodder as Uncle Gu described, or the scapegoat as Uncle Gu mentioned.
Now, just before the imperial examination, he has to weigh so many things, but Zheng Hao doesn't feel tired. He is a man born for power, and he enjoys the ambition and pleasure that comes with pursuing power.
But if Uncle Gu finds out about such behavior, he will probably be disappointed in him.
Zheng Hao lifted his eyelids, his dark eyes flashing with a unique sharpness.
He won't let Uncle Gu know.
After the rankings of the newly appointed top scholars were announced, a sound rang out again from the Hall of Supreme Harmony. However, this time it was only said once. The official in charge of the Imperial Secretariat outside the hall announced loudly: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the tribute scholar He Yanzhi is hereby granted the title of Jinshi (进士) and ranked as the second-highest scorer in the first class. This is the imperial decree!"
He Yanzhi stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed: "Your subject He Yanzhi thanks Your Majesty for your grace. Long live the Emperor!"
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Du Yuan, a tribute student, is hereby granted the title of Jinshi (进士) and ranked as the Tan Hua (探花) of the first class. This is the imperial decree!"
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhen Cheng, the tribute student, is hereby granted the title of Jinshi (进士) and appointed as a second-class scholar. This is the imperial decree!"
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"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhen Yuan, a tribute student, is hereby granted the title of Jinshi (进士) and ranked fifth in the second class. This is the imperial decree!"
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"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Peng Zhizhi, a tribute student, is hereby granted the title of Jinshi, ranking seventieth in the second class. This is the imperial decree!"
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After the rankings of all the successful candidates were announced, some of the successful candidates were happy, some were disappointed, but most were joyful, especially those from humble backgrounds. After this day, they would be able to achieve a class leap, truly becoming "scholars" from the "farmers" in the traditional Chinese social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, instead of the awkward status of being half scholar and half commoner with the titles of Xiucai and Juren.
Some scholars, past forty and having wasted many years in the imperial examinations, shed tears. These poor students had studied diligently for ten years, and the hopes of their entire families and clans were pinned on them. Now, they could finally return home in glory and give an account to the elders and villagers who had supported their education for so many years.
Looking at the newly appointed top scholar standing not far in front of him, the official from the Court of State Ceremonies smiled slightly and said, "Top scholar, hurry up and enter the palace with your fellow graduates to express your gratitude."
Zheng Hao bowed and thanked him. Then, he stepped onto the towering steps leading up to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, followed by a group of scholars.
He was tall and stood out among the other scholars, but in front of the majestic hall, amidst the guards in armor standing on both sides, he and the other scholars appeared extremely small.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Emperor Jian'an sat high in his bright yellow imperial robes, with the Crown Prince, a host of princes, nobles, and court officials lined up on either side of the hall.
As the handsome and distinguished young man stepped into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the officials were all surprised and astonished.
Zheng Hao stopped and knelt down before the dragon throne to pay his respects.
"Your subject Zheng Hao pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Behind him, the newly appointed top scholar knelt down and paid their respects to Emperor Jian'an.
A dignified yet gentle voice descended from above: "My beloved subjects, rise."
Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly, stood up, and the group of scholars stood up one after another and remained in place.
Where is the newly appointed top scorer?
The majestic male voice rang out again. Emperor Jian'an lowered his eyes to look at the figure standing at the front below. Although he knew that the other party was the new top scholar, due to his old age and failing eyesight, and because the other party lowered his head and dared not look directly at the emperor's face, Emperor Jian'an could not see the appearance of the new top scholar.
"Your Majesty, I, Zheng Hao, am here."
Zheng Hao remained expressionless, stepped forward, and knelt down again. From the moment the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices announced the results of the palace examination, Zheng Hao made up for all the times he had not knelt before his elders and ancestors in the previous ten years.
The figure below was blurry, but Emperor Jian'an could sense the extraordinary temperament of the young man from his posture. He said, "Don't kneel, get up and come forward to answer."
"Yes." Zheng Hao stood up and stepped forward, then slightly raised his head, finally stopping at a height where he was not directly facing the emperor's face, but Emperor Jian'an could still see his face clearly.
The newly appointed top scholar took a few steps forward in his direction, and Emperor Jian'an finally saw the other person's face clearly.
Seeing the other party's incomparably handsome face, Emperor Jian'an revealed a satisfied expression and said, "A gentleman of noble character, as fine as gold and tin, as precious as jade and precious stone."
Upon hearing this, apart from Zheng Hao, whose expression remained unchanged, the faces of the scholars and ministers below all varied.
The ministers thought to themselves that Emperor Jian'an was quite satisfied with this year's top scholar.
On a whim, Emperor Jian'an asked the young man below, "Do you have any writing skills?"
After asking, Emperor Jian'an realized he had asked too many questions. Judging from the other person's stature and the fact that he could become the top scholar in the imperial examination, he must have been well past the age of twenty. Even if his elders were illiterate and did not give him a courtesy name, his teachers would have bestowed one upon him.
Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly and replied, "I am only eighteen years old and have not yet reached adulthood. My elders and teachers at the prefectural school have not yet given me a courtesy name."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jian'an's face lit up with joy. "How about I bestow upon you a single word?"
Zheng Hao, naturally grateful for the emperor's words, bowed and expressed his gratitude.
Emperor Jian'an was obsessed with alchemy for many years. The names and courtesy names of the princes and princesses in the palace were all chosen by the Ministry of Rites or great Confucian scholars. Now, when he was in high spirits, he felt that the new top scholar was particularly pleasing to his eye. As a Taoist, he naturally did what he pleased, completely disregarding the surprise of the officials below.
To be ranked first in the first class and to receive a calligraphy bestowed by the Emperor—what an honor! All the other scholars couldn't help but raise their eyes and cast envious glances at the young man in front of them.
This scene stung He Yanzhi deeply. He wondered if all the glory and honor he had today would have belonged to him if it weren't for Zheng Hao.
All the princes and ministers turned their attention to the newly appointed top scholar. They scrutinized him with wide eyes, but Zheng Hao remained calm and composed in the face of their scrutiny, standing tall and unmoved.
The young man's generous, open, and composed demeanor impressed some ministers, and when he mentioned that he was not yet of legal age, some ministers began to have their own ideas.
Although the newly appointed top scholar came from a humble background, he was able to surpass a group of scions from aristocratic families to become the top scholar, and he even gained the special attention of Emperor Jian'an. Perhaps, they could arrange a marriage between them.
When Emperor Jian'an was to bestow a name upon the young man, he did not choose one randomly. He pondered for a moment and then said, "Hao means bright and vast. Ming is in harmony with the bright meaning in Hao. Moreover, you are not yet twenty years old but your literary talent is outstanding, which is just right for the character 'Zhang'. So I will bestow upon you the name Mingzhang."
Mingzhang means brilliant and talented. The ministers looked at each other in surprise. It seemed that the emperor had an extraordinary fondness for this newly appointed top scholar.
Zheng Hao bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Mingzhang thanks Your Majesty for bestowing upon me the courtesy name."
Emperor Jian'an nodded in satisfaction, but there were still a group of scholars behind him. He said to Zheng Hao, "The Qionglin Banquet will be held in a few days. When you do, write poems and essays. Do not fail to live up to the name Mingzhang."
Zheng Hao cupped his hands in agreement and then returned to his original position.
Then, Emperor Jian'an asked, "Where is the second-place scholar?"
He Yan stepped forward and bowed.
Upon seeing him, Emperor Jian'an's imposing expression faded, and he chuckled, "The prodigy of Minister He's family has finally returned. He has lived up to the He family's reputation for scholarship, passing the palace examination in one fell swoop and ranking second."
Emperor Jian'an's face showed a look of nostalgia as he said to He Yanzhi, "Back then, your father participated in the palace examination just like you and was commended by the late emperor. Two members of the same family were ranked second in the imperial examination. No wonder the He family of Xuzhou is worthy of this title."
Grandfather He, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Father He, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, stepped forward to pay their respects. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had a serious expression, but said to Emperor Jian'an, "The reputation of being a child prodigy is just a popular exaggeration. Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state, yet you still remember the children and grandchildren of this old minister. I thank Your Majesty!"
The father of the Vice Minister of Rites was also deeply moved.
Emperor Jian'an shook his head slightly and smiled helplessly, "Three Jinshi from one family, Minister He's family reputation is truly beyond our reach."
Grandfather He and Father He looked even more respectful and repeatedly said they dared not.
After asking the questions, Emperor Jian'an dismissed He Yanzhi.
Thinking of Zheng Hao, who had been the center of attention and the focus of everyone's gaze, and how Emperor Jian'an only remembered him because of his father's influence, He Yanzhi retreated with resentment.
After asking Du Yuan a few routine questions, Emperor Jian'an showed no further interest in speaking to the second-class and third-class graduates.
Emperor Jian'an said, "It's getting late. Let the newly appointed scholars parade through the streets on horseback. Otherwise, it will be too late for the people of the capital to see these talented young men!"
The assembled scholars and ministers bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise and benevolent; we thank you for your great favor!"
Leading a group of scholars behind him, Zheng Hao stepped out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The officials of the Imperial Secretariat were already prepared. They changed into the bright red robes worn by the top scholar and rode the horses they rode in the parade. Zheng Hao leaped onto his horse and headed towards the main gate of the palace.
Unlike the morning examination, where candidates could only enter the palace through the side gates, after the palace examination, the newly appointed top scholar rode out of the palace in a procession. As the top scholar in the first rank, he could enjoy the emperor's honors and leave through the main gate of the palace. Even the second and third-ranked scholars, who were also top scholars in the first rank, did not have this privilege.
Emerging from the main gate of the palace, Zheng Hao, riding a tall and handsome horse, led the way as the top scholar, second-place scholar, and third-place scholar, immediately attracting the attention of the people on both sides of the street.
They all turned their gaze to the newly appointed scholars parading through the streets, shouting, "The palace examination is over?! The newly appointed scholars are parading through the streets?!"
"My goodness! This year's new Jinshi are so handsome! In the past, only the Tan Hua Lang (third-ranked scholar) was the most handsome, but this year's Zhuangyuan (top scholar) is even more handsome than Pan An!" a young lady exclaimed in surprise, whispering to her friend beside her.
The handsome and distinguished new scholars immediately attracted everyone's attention, and the crowds on the street surged toward them.