Chapter 88: Viewing the Rankings

For several days now, the sun had shone without pause, and the snow atop the mountains encircling Pucheng had begun to melt. Within the city, the first hints of spring could be felt. Such was the winter in the South—when the coldest days passed, warmth returned swiftly.

Within his study quarters at the county school, Instructor Hu paced back and forth. Today, the Pucheng post station was unusually lively—over five hundred soldiers and attendants under the command of Cai Xiang, the Transport Commissioner of the Fujian Circuit, had all taken up residence there. According to custom, the county magistrate, the registrar, and the county constable were required to pay their respects and host a banquet. Even Assistant Instructor Sun was included in the reception lineup, but Instructor Hu was not considered of high enough rank and could only remain in his quarters.

After a while, footsteps sounded outside. Instructor Hu hurried to the window, saw who it was, and with joy, opened the door, exclaiming, “Assistant Instructor Sun, at last you’ve come as I hoped!”

“Ha!” Sun laughed heartily. “And how did you know I would come?”

Instructor Hu thought to himself, If you hadn’t received directives, why would you leave the Commissioner’s side to come here? But aloud, he said, “With the results soon to be posted, my heart cannot rest without a word from the Commissioner.”

Sun replied, “Affairs of county and prefectural schools fall under the jurisdiction of the local supervisors. The Commissioner at most offers a remark or two.”

Instructor Hu silently cursed, That’s precisely what I want—those remarks.

He pressed further, “Then how does the Commissioner remark on our school?”

Sun answered, “Tonight the county is holding a welcoming banquet for the Commissioner. I’ll be standing aside—should the subject of the school arise, I’ll speak a few words. The Commissioner’s only comment was: ‘It is the duty of schools to nurture and instruct, to select the talented for the court, judging not only knowledge but also virtue. Yet, the Commissioner’s stay is brief; he will likely not meet with the school officials.’”

Instructor Hu felt a twinge of regret but still said, “The Commissioner is indeed practical and values talent.”

Sun continued, “However, the prefectural recorder passed me a newly issued court edict from the fifth day of the twelfth month, which pertains to both this year’s autumn exams and next year’s spring exams. Please, read it.”

Without delay, Instructor Hu read, “Henceforth, for each triennial examination, half the previous quotas for presented scholars and all other categories are abolished. The presented scholars must answer three practical policy questions, while all other categories will face ten questions on essential meanings. Additionally, a new Classic Studies category is established. Candidates proficient in two, three, or five classics must pass eight or six sections, and will also answer ten questions on the Analects and Classic of Filial Piety, as well as three policy questions, across eight sessions. Their status will be equal to that of the presented scholars.”

At this, Instructor Hu could not help but exclaim, “So the rumors are true—the court has reestablished the Classic Studies category.”

Sun replied, “Strictly speaking, the Classic Studies category is the former miscellaneous category, but now the miscellaneous exams focus on essential meanings.”

Instructor Hu observed, “So, the court’s purpose in establishing Classic Studies is to shift the miscellaneous category from word interpretation to textual analysis. To appease criticism, they’ve restored the Classic Studies category, which emphasizes interpretation.”

Their discussion touched upon an issue of great concern to Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and many other candidates for the miscellaneous exams. In the Song Dynasty, the miscellaneous exams, like the Tang’s Classic Studies, focused on rote memorization and interpretation—essentially, word-by-word explanation rather than overall meaning. Now, however, with the new Classic Studies category, the exam content mirrored that of the Tang. Meanwhile, the miscellaneous exams had formally added ten questions on essential meanings, favoring textual analysis.

The imperial edict stated: “The Classic Studies category revives the practices of former dynasties, adapting them for broader use.” Sun and Hu exchanged glances, uncertain whether this news was a blessing or a curse.

The addition of the Classic Studies category meant more opportunities for those who had studied the old syllabus. Yet, the changes to the miscellaneous exams would make success there more difficult.

Instructor Hu asked, “What do you advise, Assistant Instructor?”

Sun replied, “For the upcoming public examination, pay special attention to the questions on essential meanings to determine your ranking.”

“Now that this edict has been issued, the National Academy will certainly reestablish the Classic Studies category. Though most students gain entry through connections, those with humble backgrounds in our prefecture should at least get some benefit. This is also the Commissioner’s wish.”

“I plan to nominate two students for the new Classic Studies category from our prefecture to sit the exams at the National Academy.”

Instructor Hu frowned, “Will the National Academy accept them?”

Sun smiled, “Don’t forget, there are rumors that Commissioner Cai is to be appointed as an academician at the Hanlin Academy. Would the National Academy dare deny face to our prefecture?”

Instructor Hu nodded, “Then for the public exam…”

“Send me Zhuo Yi’s name. For the rest, we’ll await Supervisor Li’s decision.”

During the days awaiting the results, Zhang Yue remained at the county school, spending each day reading and practicing calligraphy. Sometimes he helped out at the family’s eatery.

Business at the Zhang family’s restaurant continued to thrive. Even without the sale of wine and in the depths of winter, plenty of townsfolk still came to dine. The two hundred strings of cash Zhang Yue had once borrowed from Peng Jingyi had long since been repaid. All was going smoothly, except for the anticipation of the results. Zhang Yue had heard that Commissioner Cai Xiang was to visit, and the timing of the results seemed to coincide suspiciously with his arrival.

Given the circumstances, Zhang Yue refrained from visiting Instructor Hu, but news continued to filter through. For instance, the court had indeed established the Classic Studies category, and from this year’s county and provincial exams onward, the miscellaneous category would include ten questions on essential meanings, while the Classic Studies category would follow the old format.

Thus, the prefectural school, in recommending students to the National Academy, would now consider both those outstanding in textual analysis and those strong in interpretation.

A dozen students from Yue’s study group were discussing the matter in their quarters.

Guo Lin, troubled, said, “I’ve always been poor at essential meanings. Most of my effort over the years has been on rote memorization; I’ve never studied textual analysis. What about you, brother?”

Zhang Yue replied, “No matter how tight the exam was, I answered all ten questions on essential meanings in each session. Still, many at the county school left those blank.”

The reason was simple—questions on essential meanings were always considered ‘stretch’ questions. Scoring full marks on memorization or on essential meanings made no difference, yet a memorization answer might be just a few words, while an answer on essential meaning could run to several hundred. After Fan Zhongyan’s failed reform, essential meanings were dropped from the exams, and only now were they being reinstated—no wonder few paid attention.

Seeing Guo Lin’s anxiety, Zhang Yue reassured him, “Now that the Classic Studies category has been established, we exam students have another path—surely that’s a good thing.”

Another student from their dorm laughed, “Indeed, Guo Lin, you’ve always stood out at the county school, and this time you’re among the thirty or so who took the five classics. If you place first, you might even be recommended to the prefecture.”

“According to the usual custom, you’d also be exempt from paying dormitory fees for three years.”

It was the county school’s tradition that those who excelled in the public exam would, in the third rank, be exempt for one year; in the second rank, recommended to the prefecture, exempt for three; and the top rank, if accepted by the prefecture, would be recommended to the National Academy and receive travel and settlement allowances, whether in Nanjing or Bianjing.

But even being recommended to the prefecture meant three years’ exemption, regardless of success at the National Academy.

Guo Lin shook his head, “In previous private exams I always ranked between fifth and tenth. How could I be recommended to the prefecture now?”

Zhang Yue said, “Brother, you ranked there before because you struggled with essential meanings. Now, with the Classic Studies category not testing them, isn’t this your chance?”

Guo Lin managed a wry smile, “Let’s hope so.”

Another asked, “It’s odd—the county school still hasn’t posted the results. In previous years, it was out within three to five days.”

As they chatted, the dorm leader strode in. “Sanlang, Guo, Instructor wants you both to see him tomorrow.”

Both asked, “What for?”

The dorm leader grinned, “Good news, of course. Your papers have been taken by Assistant Instructor Sun to the prefecture. Instructor wants you to write three essays each, pack your things, and after the New Year, go to the prefectural school.”

Guo Lin’s lips trembled, “Does this mean I’ve been recommended to the prefecture?”

The dorm leader smiled, “Exactly. One of you for the miscellaneous category, one for Classic Studies. If Supervisor Li at the prefecture is satisfied, you’ll be recommended to the National Academy for the exams.”

“Instructor also said, Sanlang, you truly deserve it. As for Guo, though your answers on essential meanings were poor, your interpretations were excellent. You’re quite lucky the court established the Classic Studies category now—if Supervisor Li selects you, you’ll have to treat us all to a feast!”

“My thanks, dorm leader,” Guo Lin stammered, clutching his head as tears streamed down his face.

The others patted his back or threw arms around his shoulders, congratulating him. The scene made Zhang Yue a little sour—he was ranked first, after all, so why was no one congratulating him?

At that moment, Guo Lin’s quiet weeping turned into open sobs. Zhang Yue heard him murmur, “Third Sister…”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue’s heart ached. Never mind stealing the spotlight—at least everyone was now exempt from three years of dormitory fees.

As they spoke, a shout came from outside: “The results are posted! Let’s go to the Hall of the Forebears!”

“Quick, let’s go!”

The students surged out, leaving only Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and the dorm leader behind.

The dorm leader grinned, “You two talk. I’ll be off.”

When he had left, Zhang Yue said, “How dull. We used to wait anxiously for the results, but what’s the point now?”

Guo Lin stood and replied, “No, brother, let’s still go see.”

Zhang Yue laughed, “Why? Want to show off?”

Guo Lin shook his head, “No, it’s just… I can’t quite believe it’s real. I have to see my name on the list, or I won’t sleep tonight. I’m afraid it’s a dream, and when I wake, it’ll all be gone.”

Zhang Yue nodded, “Alright, let’s go then!”

The two walked out together. Guo Lin whispered, “Sanlang, I’m glad you didn’t take my advice and leave the essential meanings blank.”

Zhang Yue smiled, “Brother, I’m off to check the list—let’s see who’s faster.”

In the past, when they’d gone to copy books at the Zhang clan school, they’d race through the hills, Zhang Yue always cheating for a head start. Now, Zhang Yue did the same.

Guo Lin watched him dash down the slope and felt the comfort of an old routine returning; he too set off at a run, calling, “Wait for me, brother!”

The two youths joined the stream of students heading to the Hall of the Forebears, swept up together in the rush to see the posted results.