To the scholars in the capital, there were many things to deal with in the Imperial Court. First was the introduction of the Civil Service System, then the construction of the Zhongzheng Shrine.
Although there were many people paying attention to these two matters, it was obvious that these two matters were not a group of people.
There were more officials paying attention to the Zhongzheng Shrine, or there were more families of officials. Then there were the High Scholars.
Most of the people paying attention to the Civil Service System were Elementary Scholars and below.
Among those who were concerned about the Civil Service System, most of them were poor scholars.
Those who came from rich and powerful families were not interested in the Civil Service System. It was not their goal and not their dream.
They were not in a hurry to enter the Imperial Court. Their goal was to become a Jinshi. Anyway, they did not have to worry about their families.
Even though there was a small group of people paying attention to the Civil Service System, it was still a small number. Most of these people had no hopes of taking the Imperial Examinations and wanted to become an official.
There was a smaller group of people who were really ambitious but had no hopes of taking the Imperial Examinations and did not want to waste their time.
For example, Sun Chengzong felt that he had no hopes of taking the Imperial Examinations and did not want to waste his time.
Ever since he passed the Elementary Scholar examination at the age of 16, Sun Chengzong had taken the High Scholar examination three times in a row.
Sun Chengzong felt that he was good at studying, but he did not know why he could not take the Imperial Examinations.
This misconception made Sun Chengzong feel that it was pointless to stay at home and study. Hence, he started traveling.
After arriving in the capital, Sun Chengzong started his teaching career. After all, the capital was under the control of the Emperor and he did not want to leave.
Through his good friend, Sun Chengzong found a teaching job.
He was a teacher in the family of the Right Minister of the Supreme Court, Jiang Bi. After hearing about the Civil Service System, Sun Chengzong could not sit still.
In fact, Sun Chengzong, who was sensitive to politics, had long realized that this was a changing era. He could tell from the new policies implemented by Zhang Juzheng.
However, like most of the scholars, Sun Chengzong was skeptical of Zhang Juzheng's reforms.
Many people's evaluation of Zhang Juzheng could be summed up in two words: Too much power!
However, after Zhang Juzheng's death, the expected settlement did not come. The Emperor was exceptionally generous to Zhang Juzheng. It was said that the Zhongzheng Shrine was built for Zhang Juzheng and was later expanded to be built for loyal officials.
Thinking of the Emperor's policies and his age, Sun Chengzong realized that this was an opportunity.
Thinking of the Emperor's policies and the Emperor's age, Sun Chengzong realized that this was an opportunity.
A black-faced man in his thirties looked at Sun Chengzong and asked, "This isn't a small matter. You're still young, there's no need to be so anxious!
If he takes the exam a few more times, he might be able to pass the exam! "
Sun Chengzong looked at the man who had spoken and put down the wine cup in his hand. He smiled and said, "I am twenty-four years old this year, and became an Elementary Scholar at the age of sixteen. Many people say that I am a genius, that I am gifted and can be considered a child prodigy."
"But he took the examinations three times in a row and didn't even get a single High Scholar. What's there to talk about?"
"Brother Zhi Sheng, you must not make such a decision. There are many late bloomers in this world. Moreover, you are only twenty-four years old. You will be a scholar at thirty and a scholar at fifty. The Imperial Examinations are hard to come by. You should work even harder!"
"Brother Zhi Sheng, you must not make such a decision. There are many late bloomers in this world. Moreover, you are only twenty-four years old. You will be a scholar at thirty and a scholar at fifty. The Imperial Examinations are hard to come by. You should work even harder!"
Sun Chengzong looked at the man and knew that he was doing this for his own good. He smiled and said, "Brother Zhong Yuan, do you think that I have lost my confidence because I failed the three examinations?"
Zhang Zhongyuan looked at Sun Chengzong and did not speak. However, his facial expression showed that this was exactly what he was thinking.
"Studying and serving the country, this is what I have always been diligently pursuing. This civil servant has just graduated, don't tell me this is not a shortcut to success?
I can continue to take the examinations, but when will I become a High Scholar? "
"Even if I become a High Scholar in the next examination, how many High Scholars do I need?"
"If I really become a High Scholar at fifty, how many years do I have left to become an official?"
Sun Chengzong said this calmly. However, Zhang Zhongyuan did not know how to refute him. He knew that Sun Chengzong was speaking the truth.
Becoming a High Scholar in the next examination, becoming a High Scholar in the next examination. Even he did not believe it.
If Sun Chengzong had this ability, he would have passed the Imperial Examinations long ago. He would not have failed the examinations three times in a row.
"Everything is unpredictable. Who knows what will happen in a few years? Since there is a chance now, why not do it?
I am willing to do it. Furthermore, I believe that this is a good opportunity. "
Sun Chengzong said firmly as he drank the wine in his cup. His gaze drifted out of the window and towards the Daming Imperial Palace.
"The Emperor needs to have his ministers. To be a minister, one must be bold and decisive. How can one succeed?"
Sun Chengzong did not say this out loud, but this was what he told himself in his heart.
Rather than betting on the seemingly impossible path of the Imperial Examinations, he was more willing to bet on the young emperor in the Imperial Palace to fight for his future.
"Brother Zhongyuan, I will be taking the Civil Service Examinations tomorrow. I hope that I will pass!"
After saying this, Sun Chengzong took out a copper coin and placed it on the table. He smiled and said, "Waiter, the bill!"
Looking at Sun Chengzong striding away, Zhang Zhongyuan sighed and shook his head helplessly.
Forbidden City, Wenhua Palace.
At this time, Zhu Yijun was also paying attention to the Civil Service Examinations. This examination was very important and it was also one that he valued greatly. This was a spark!
A single spark could start a prairie fire. What Zhu Yijun needed to do now was to cultivate this spark.
Zhu Yijun did not know that Sun Chengzong, a famous minister at the end of the Ming Dynasty, was ready to throw himself into the fire and become the spark.
In fact, Sun Chengzong's path of the Imperial Examinations had never been smooth. In his previous life, he only became a Jinshi in his forties. Although he was not yet fifty, he was only a few years away.
However, what Sun Chengzong did not know was that he had lived long enough.
In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the Qing army attacked Gaoyang in November.
Sun Chengzong, who was unemployed at home, led the army to defend the city. When the city was breached, he was captured and hanged himself.
His five sons, six grandsons, two nephews, and eight grandnephews died in the battle. More than a hundred people in the Sun family were killed. Sun Chengzong was 76 years old when he died.
If Zhu Yijun knew that Sun Chengzong was taking the Civil Service Examinations, he would be very happy. Just because of this name, he needed to focus on cultivating him.
"Are the preparations for tomorrow's examinations almost done?" Zhu Yijun looked at the few people standing below and asked with a smile.
This time, there were a total of three organizers for the Civil Service Examinations. One was Hai Rui, and the other was Xu Wenchang.
These civil servants would be working under them in the future, so they naturally had to participate.
The third organizer was Lu Shenxing.
As the son of Daming's former Second Assistant, Lu Diaoyang, Lu Shenxing had always been in the Daming Royal Academy.
Compared to the battles in the imperial court, he preferred the atmosphere in the academy. However, this time, Zhu Yijun had transferred him out of the academy.
As a civil official nurtured by the Imperial Academy, Zhu Yijun valued Lu Shenxing very much.
As for his status and cultivation, Zhu Yijun already had a plan. In the future, there would be more and more civil servants, and Lu Shenxing was the person Zhu Yijun had prepared.
All civil servants who passed the Civil Service Examinations had to come here for training.
Zhu Yijun had even thought of the name of the academy. It would be called the Daming Civil Service Academy.
Although it was very tacky and not creative, it was simple and clear.
When the three of them heard Zhu Yijun's question, Hai Rui and Xu Wenchang all looked at Lu Shenxing.
As the grandson of Lu Diaoyang, Hai Rui and Xu Wenchang were naturally very surprised. However, what made them even more surprised was Lu Shenxing's ability.
The entire recruitment and examination process was in his hands. Everything was done in an orderly manner, and he handled it with ease.
"Replying to Your Majesty, everything has been prepared. The venue has already been arranged."
"This time, there are a total of 167 people applying for the Civil Service Examinations. I don't think there will be that many people coming for the examinations.
However, I have already prepared according to the requirements of the 167 people. There will not be any mistakes. "
"As for the examination questions, I have also followed Your Majesty's instructions to test the people's livelihood."
"Out of the five questions, those who answer three questions correctly are considered inferior, those who answer four questions correctly are considered intermediate, and those who answer all five questions correctly are considered superior.
According to His Majesty's instructions, this time, we will recruit 30 civil servants. They will be selected based on merit. "
"However, I feel that it is better not to recruit the inferior ones!"
Zhu Yijun was taken aback. Lu Shenxing would rather have nothing than a shoddy selection. After thinking for a while, Zhu Yijun nodded his head and said, "Alright, we will follow you's instructions!
I will also be there for the examinations tomorrow to encourage them. "
Although he said it was to encourage them, it was actually to support them and promote them.
On one hand, it was to show how much he valued the Civil Service Examinations. On the other hand, it was for publicity.
The next time they recruit civil servants, they would definitely set a new benchmark. At that time, they would be recruiting on a large scale.
The three of them were taken aback, but soon understood Zhu Yijun's intention. They replied in unison, "We accept Your Majesty's orders!"
The venue for the Civil Service Examinations was the Academic Courtyard of Shun Tian Prefecture. In the morning, there were already many people gathered there. However, compared to the Imperial Examinations, the crowd was much smaller.
Of course, most of them were there to watch the excitement.
Among the crowd, there were those who were carrying the examination baskets. Those who were dressed well and held paper fans in their hands, waving them constantly. It was obvious that they were there to watch the excitement.
From time to time, they would point at others with disdain. Some people couldn't stand being stared at and covered their faces as they walked away.
In front of the crowd, Sun Chengzong calmly carried his basket and looked around from time to time.
He noticed that the person beside him was also calm. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "I am Sun Chengzong, courtesy name Zhisheng, from Gaoyang. How should I address you, brother?"
That person looked at Sun Chengzong, smiled and cupped his hands, "Li Yiqi, courtesy name Jie Fu, from Shun Tian Prefecture!"
Just as the two of them were about to chat, the crowd suddenly became restless. Then, there was a huge uproar.
Pairs of Imperial Guards rushed over and separated the crowd. Then, the Imperial Bodyguards also rushed over, followed by Dongchang's foreigners.