My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

Chapter 139 After the Test

Chang An and Gu Li stayed at home all day except for eating. When they were sitting in the house, Chang An held Gu Li in his arms several times, and she wanted to break free. But Chang An refused to give in, saying "I won't hold you anymore", but he would put her in his arms every once in a while.

After going on for a while, Gu Li saw that he really didn't care, so he had no choice but to go along with him.

After dinner, Gu Li sat at the low table and drank medicine, while Chang An helped her choose clothes to change into for bathing in front of the wardrobe. At this time, there was a knock on the door, and the servant's voice came from outside:

"Master! Sanniang! The thing is ready!"

"Come in." Chang An put the selected clothes on his arm and said towards the door.

At this time, a servant came in with a plate, came to the low table with a respectful but happy look, put the plate on the table, and said, "Sir, it's done!"

Chang An also came over at this time and asked, "What's done? You are so excited."

"Chang Lang, the donkey-hide gelatin cake is ready." Gu Li pointed at the things on the plate and said.

On the plate was the donkey hide gelatin cake, about five or six pieces. The donkey hide gelatin cake was cut into small squares, looking like a piece of crystal clear amber. The donkey hide gelatin cake was dark brown, with a strong aroma, and a very smooth surface without any flaws or bubbles. Its edges were very neat, without any burrs or jagged edges.

Chang An also nodded with satisfaction and said, "It really worked! It's your reward!"

At this time, Gu Li also finished drinking the medicine and looked at Chang An eagerly, with two words clearly revealed in his eyes - "I want to eat". Chang An looked at the other person's eager look, and his doting heart surged instantly.

"Eat one piece and go wash up. You can eat another piece before going to bed at night." Chang An said with a smile.

"Chang Lang is the best!" Gu Li was particularly happy at this time. He reached out and picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. His face immediately turned rosy.

At this time, Chang An reminded her again: "But donkey-hide gelatin cake is a tonic. Gu Niang is weak and should not eat too much. Today is an exception and you are allowed to eat more. From tomorrow on, you can only eat three pieces a day, once in the morning, noon and evening."

Ejiao is a traditional Chinese medicine, and red dates and walnuts are also tonics. She knows that she can't eat too much, and she also knows the principle of merit and demerit. So she nodded obediently and said, "Okay!"

Chang An turned around and said to the servant, "Go to Huaiqin later and get some reward money, and distribute it to the servants in the kitchen."

The servant was overjoyed and bowed quickly, saying, "I would like to thank you on behalf of the servants in the kitchen."

"Go back and have a rest. We'll make some more tomorrow." Chang An said.

"Yes, sir, Sanniang." The servant backed away.

......

Compared to the Spring Examination, the Imperial Examination did not cause as much noise. Chang An did not notice anything different during the past two days of classes, as if the Imperial Examination had never happened.

It could be that the Ministry of Personnel and the Imperial College were not on the same route, or there were not that many people taking the exam. Chang An yawned while sitting in the carriage, then lifted the curtain and rested one arm on the window frame.

"Sir, did you not sleep well last night?" Huaiqin asked when she saw Chang'an looking sleepy.

"No, I just feel bored." Chang An said, "I walk this distance every day, so it seems a bit boring... It would be great if I could bring Gu Niang to school."

Huaiqin chuckled and said, "But if that's the case, how can other gentlemen study?"

"You are being disloyal and start caring about other men. Let's see what will happen next time..." Chang An glanced at Huaiqin. A strong sense of threat filled the car.

When Huaiqin saw the look in her master's eyes, she immediately felt something was wrong, then she shook her head fiercely and said, "Huaiqin won't marry! It's not good for Huaiqin to stop talking."

Chang An smiled faintly, then shifted his gaze back to outside the car.

The four aspects of the test are "body, speech, writing, and judgment". "Body" refers to the appearance of the candidates, who must be well-dressed. To put it bluntly, it depends on their faces. Whether it is Song Jing, Su Qian or Chang An's father Chang Wenmeng, they all have extraordinary looks and their appearance is excellent.

"Speech" refers to the examinee's speech. One must be good at speaking. If one cannot flatter, argue, or have no manners, he will not be an official for long. "Book" refers to the examinee's calligraphy. Officials often have to write official documents, so writing and calligraphy must be good. "Judgment" refers to judging the examinee's knowledge and opinions based on cases. Since the administrative and judicial systems were not separated in ancient times, local officials also had to handle lawsuits, so they needed to have judgment skills.

In short, the purpose of the imperial examination is to see whether you are qualified to be an official, so the content of the examination is naturally not as difficult as the spring imperial examination, and it can even be said to be just a process.

After the Minister of Personnel Su Shangshu collected all the examination papers and reports, he and several assistant ministers gathered together to discuss and study:

"We have no right to judge this number one scholar. We will leave it to the Prime Minister and the current emperor to handle." Minister Su directly put the answer sheet and report of this year's number one scholar aside, and then picked up the second test paper:

"Ya Yuan Zhao Qing, who is good at reading and lecturing, can be appointed as an assistant teacher in four subjects. What do you think?"

"can."

After getting the approval, Minister Su wrote the words "Assistant Teacher of Four Subjects" on the test paper. Then he took out the third test paper and report and read:

"Wang Wei, the top scholar, is good at ritual and music. He can be appointed as the Minister of Music. What do you think?"

"can."

So, Shangshu Su began to write "Participate in the Imperial Music Department" on the test paper.

......

The discussion lasted until the evening. Although most of the time they agreed, there were occasional arguments, such as Gao Shi's -

"He is a Jinshi with a high birth rate, good at military strategy, and appointed as the head of the Ministry of War. What do you think?"

"can."

"No."

Minister Su raised his head and asked, "Why not?"

"Gao Shi, although he is good at martial arts, he lacks literary talent. Why not make him deputy military commander?" a minister asked.

"It's also possible to be the military officer of the Shangfu, and be in charge of the troops of the Shangfu." Another assistant minister suggested.

"But just because his literary criticism is a little weak, he can also learn from the Ministry of War. This boy is also good at policy essays, and he can make great achievements in the Ministry of War. The method of policy essays is most suitable for the Ministry of War." Shangshu Su said.

At this time, the ministers also began to look at each other, and then thought for a while, and said: "The Ministry of War is often short of people, and this boy is a descendant of a general, so it is not a bad idea."

"So what do you mean, can you please consult the head of the Ministry of War?"

"can."

So, Shangshu Su wrote "Assistant to the Ministry of War" on Gao Shi's test paper.

It was around midnight when he finally finished grading all the papers. Then Shangshu Su wrapped up the papers and stamped them one by one with the official seal of the Ministry of Personnel.

As there was a curfew, all officials in the Ministry of Personnel could only rest in the Ministry of Personnel at this time.

The next day, Minister Su came to Xuanzheng Hall with the test papers and official documents. Apart from Minister Su, some assistant ministers and chancellors who needed to attend the court also came. The officials in the Ministry of Personnel, who had been reviewing papers for most of the night, were a little sleepy.

When all the officials arrived, the eunuch shouted:

"Your Majesty is here!"

At this time, all the officials lined up, knelt down and saluted, shouting: "Your Majesty, long live the emperor."

"Everyone is safe."

As soon as he entered the court, Li Longji glanced at the audience, and then saw the tired-looking Minister Su and the officials of the Ministry of Personnel, and then asked, "Where is the Minister of Personnel, Minister Su?"

"The minister is here."

"Are the results of the test out?"

"Your Majesty, except for the top scholar, the second place and the rest have already come down to take part in the examination."

"Present it." As soon as Li Longji finished speaking, the eunuch beside him walked down, took the test paper from Minister Su's hand, and returned to Li Longji's side.

Li Longji directly picked up the first test paper, which was the top scorer's test paper.

"This year's number one scholar is good at calligraphy, and his essays, writing styles, and poems are all excellent. He is appointed as the Left Censor-in-Chief. What do you think of him, Minister Su?" Li Longji said simply after looking at the report and test paper of the number one scholar.

"I think so," replied Minister Su.

"If that's the case, then let's do it." Li Longji looked at the rest of the report and said, "I've read a few of them and I think they can all be done."

"Send the order to the Secretariat! Draft the imperial edicts and make them according to what Minister Su wrote, and then issue them to grant official positions. Those who return home will be granted three to six months of leave to visit their families. If there is no need to visit your family, you can choose to come to the court early."

After giving the order, Li Longji looked at Minister Su and said, "Minister Su, yesterday you and other officials in the Ministry of Personnel worked hard to revise the papers. It was really hard work. Today, I will grant all officials in the Ministry of Personnel, except those on duty, a day off."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The officials from the Ministry of Personnel present saluted Li Longji and left the Xuanzheng Hall.

At this time, Li Longji continued to ask: "Some time ago, I ordered the medical officials of various places to investigate the diseases in spring and summer. Have the prefectures near the capital responded?"

Su Ke stood up and said, "Your Majesty, no information at the moment."

"As for the evil money matter, has Prime Minister Song made any arrangements?"

"Your Majesty, all the inspectors who have been sent out have already been dispatched. I have arranged for some of them to be patrol inspectors. When the matter is settled, they can start routine patrols."

Li Longji nodded and said, "Very good. If there is anything unusual, please come to the imperial city and report to me at any time."

"I obey your order." Song Jing bowed to Li Longji.

"Do you have anything else to report?" Li Longji glanced at the audience again. Seeing that no one else stood up to report, he waved his hand and said, "Since there is nothing else, let's adjourn the court!"

"Farewell, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

All the ministers knelt down and politely saw Li Longji off.