The hardworking examinees didn't eat breakfast this morning. They queued up.
They were arranged to take a bath. Their clothes were taken off and placed outside. They were wrapped up and hung their number plates on the package.
After bathing, they went out through another door. Her Majesty gave them a new set of clothes that were comfortable to wear.
From top to bottom, from inside to outside.
After putting on dry clothes, the examinees ate.
First, they asked if they had eaten eggs or if their bodies were itchy or if their stomachs were uncomfortable. Then, they asked if they could eat fried dumplings.
There were no problems. They were given two fried eggs and some fried dumplings. The fried dumplings were hot and the fried dumplings were made with dough.
The watery dumplings were cucumber soup and side dishes.
Those with problems had porridge. The porridge was thicker and could be used to hold chopsticks.
The examinees had no problems. They wanted to eat eggs, but unfortunately, they weren't boiled eggs.
The boiled eggs could be rolled up smoothly.
The side dishes were sweet and salty. For example, garlic, sweet garlic, and salty garlic. One was soy sauce colored and the other was white.
There were also some who didn't want to eat the salty and sweet ones. If they liked sour ones, they were given Laba sour ones.
As for those who didn't want any of the three and wanted to eat spicy ones, it was even simpler. They just had to serve raw garlic.
"Don't eat too much. You'll feel sleepy when you're full. If you're not in a hurry, you can take a walk in Fanglin Garden after eating."
The examiner ate with them and taught the examinees how to cook.
The examinees tried their best to control their appetite. It was very painful.
The food was provided by the Li Family Zhuangzi. Why were the pork and onion dumplings so delicious?
The cucumber soup was also fresh and the side dishes were delicious.
They were actually not allowed to eat their fill. What if they were hungry after taking a walk in Fanglin Garden?
Everyone chewed and swallowed slowly. Half an hour later, breakfast was finished.
It wasn't even 7: 30 yet. There were still two and a half hours before the exam at 10: 00.
There were fruit plates and watermelons in the greenhouse. Each person ate two pieces. After entering the examination hall, those who were willing to sit sat in their seats. Those who weren't willing to go for a walk.
They were asked to familiarize themselves with the examination hall and environment. The examination hall was the same as last year. There was floor heating.
It was spring outside the examination hall. The greenhouse was built in Fanglin Garden and vegetables were planted inside.
"The greenhouse is unsightly. Your Majesty, did you get tired of it?"
An examinee with a brandy nose thought that the greenhouse didn't match the surrounding scenery.
There were only eunuchs by his side, but no palace maids. The palace maids would not take a fancy to the examinees unless they passed the exam.
When the eunuch heard this, he interjected, "Your Majesty, when you see the greenhouses, you see the people's livelihood. The people in the north have vegetables to eat in winter, so you can see the scenery of the mountains and rivers in the greenhouses."
"I've misspoken." The examinee cupped his fists and bowed.
"It's fine. Actually, His Majesty won't be coming to visit. His Majesty is in the Li Family Zhuangzi. The scenery there is good." The eunuch returned the salute.
The examinees: "…"
The examinees at the side looked towards the east. Even though they couldn't see the Li Family Zhuangzi, they still glanced at the sun. "Normal people can't enter the Li Family Zhuangzi now. What a pity!"
"Not all of them. The third batch of students in the riverside residential area, those who are litigators of the people, can enter.
Officials who were not part of the First Tang Dynasty's inspection committee could also go there after their applications were approved.
However! Don't enter the important places. Don't get close to His Majesty. "
The eunuch revealed a little secret. Apply first, and once the investigation was done, there would be no problem.
"Supervisor, why are you so familiar with us?" The third examinee was skeptical.
"I'm the third generation Qing Song. Today, His Majesty ordered me to come and take a look." Qing Song smiled.
"Nice to meet you. I didn't expect that one of the four generations of palace maids and eunuchs in the Li Family Zhuangzi would come in person." The examinee with the brandy nose saluted again.
The other examinees in this group also showed a respectful expression and acknowledged the eunuch.
They had heard that there were four generations of palace maids and eunuchs in the Li Family Zhuangzi, a total of 32 people.
Every one of them was loyal and devoted. Not only were they good-looking, but they were also very talented.
No wonder they felt comfortable looking at them. They were good-looking.
"To be able to tour the forest with the future pillars of the Tang Dynasty, Qing Song's wish is fulfilled." Qing Song returned the salute again.
The examinees were in a good mood. Oh, they were praised. This was Qing Song. Normally, he could see His Majesty whenever he wanted, and he could see His Majesty whenever he wanted.
"Qing …" An examinee with a beard didn't know how to address him.
"Qing Song!" Qing Song reminded himself.
"Okay, Qing Song. I heard that Li Dongzhu is not in Zhuangzi. Did he go out to sea to look for the elixir of immortality?" The examinee looked expectant.
"Dongzhu said that when the false turns into the true, the true becomes false. Where there is nothing, there is nothing." Qing Song didn't answer directly. He wouldn't reveal the secret.
Before the other examinees could ask about Zhuangzi, Qing Song said again, "This year's imperial examination is on the fourth day. Do you know why?"
"Why?" Several examinees asked together.
"It's difficult. There are ten current affairs strategies. They test what you learned in Chang 'an. They also test your logic and self-consistency. The so-called self-consistency of logic …"
Qing Song began to lecture and asked everyone to forget about Dongzhu.
No matter what the ten current affairs strategies were, the examinees had to give their reasons. As long as they could arrange their arguments, arguments, and arguments well, they would be able to get a high score.
However, this was only the foundation. If they wanted to get a high score, the articles they wrote had to be more practical.
The test of logic was also the selection of materials.
If you asked whether the Department of Shipping should collect taxes, you would say that it was better not to collect taxes. You would say it was clear and logical.
In fact, if you guaranteed to collect taxes, you would only be able to make your logic and self-consistency. You would not be able to meet the requirements.
Your argument was not good for the Tang dynasty. The Tang dynasty needed money and needed to set the rules through tariffs.
If you could justify yourself, you could get a second grade. Don't expect to get a first grade.
Qing Song gave an example. The examinees in his team could at least get a full score in one of the ten current affairs strategies, unless someone insisted on not collecting taxes.
Of course, if any examinee said that the grain and rare seeds brought by the barbarians should not be taxed, they would definitely get extra points.
…
"I don't expect to get a high score this year. Brother Yi left a letter to let the examinees know what kind of talents the Tang dynasty needs so that they can spend more effort in the future."
Li Longji said to the officials around him while holding a telescope upstairs to look at the examinees wandering around the garden.
The officials who were qualified to stand next to him each had a telescope. They had to return it when they finished using it.
It was not that he did not trust them, but that he wanted to protect them. If they took it home, they might be ambushed.
Song Jing had two telescopes in his hands. One was made by the Li Family Zhuangzi, and the other was exchanged by Li Yi. It was the previous version.
He switched and finally realized the difference.
The one made by the Li Family Zhuangzi was much worse than the original one. Even so, outsiders could not get it.
"The soldiers at the border use this to find the enemy in advance and then hide or ambush. Whoever has more advanced technology will gain an advantage in the war."
Su Yi was next to Song Jing. He and Song Jing took turns to look.
As the Minister of War, he was very concerned about the war, even if he could not say anything when there was a real war.
Li Longji did not respond. It's not like you just found out. Haven't you used a telescope before?
Yao Chong did not take the telescope at all. There was nothing to see. He said, "Your Majesty, you still want to teach the examinees for a year?"
He did not say that he would raise them. At most, he would provide them with food and lodging. The lodging was not much, but the food was provided by Li Yi.
If the examinees did not pass the exam, most of them would not be willing to go back. They would not have the face to see their parents in their hometown.
But if His Majesty asked them to stay, eh! It was different. They would have face if they said it.
Look, it was His Majesty who said that he still wanted us to continue learning. His Majesty is really working hard for the sake of the world.
Since that is the case, why can't we, the examinees, learn for the sake of the common people?
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