Chapter 63 What do you think of the Prefectural Academy...

Chen Zhijing slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "A sovereign accepting advice like a flowing stream and thirsting for wise talents is the foundation of good governance! Putting aside oneself to follow others, and never abandoning the impoverished scholars, is the essence of good governance. Excellent!"

He immediately flipped to the very last page of the examination paper. After examining the mathematics problem clearly, he smiled and said, "The entire test paper has been answered."

"Even the mathematics problem was solved correctly?" Zhang Tan asked, somewhat surprised.

He had witnessed the Provincial Education Commissioner personally draft this very question. At the time, he had wondered if it might be a bit too difficult for the examinees.

After all, such a test came without warning, and many students were likely unprepared.

However, Commissioner Chen had argued that this was already considered a simple mathematics question. Candidates selected through the imperial examinations were meant to prepare for official posts in the future; if they could not even calculate these basics, how could they govern a region as local parents to the people?

After pondering this, Zhang Tan had dropped the matter.

Besides, this was the prefectural examination; they could hardly pose simplistic questions like calculating the depreciation of accumulated commercial goods—wouldn't that make them a laughingstock?

"Indeed! Not only has it been answered, but the solution is exceptionally well-presented. Judging by the less-than-deep brushstrokes, the examinee should be quite young. Truly, the younger generation is formidable, and his talent is exceptional!"

Upon hearing such high praise from Commissioner Chen, several proctors could no longer restrain themselves and stepped forward to inspect the paper.

"Oh? This mathematics problem even includes all the steps. Could this student have previously specialized in mathematics? His luck is quite good to have stumbled upon this."

"The classical interpretations are also fully addressed, and the explanations are extremely well-grounded; his fundamental skills are very solid."

"This essay possesses a fine perspective, fits the theme closely, and is remarkably mature. This student must have practiced numerous prompts; he might even be a seasoned veteran of the child scholar examinations."

Holding the examination paper, several men stroked their beards and nodded in appreciation from time to time.

Chen Zhijing smiled heartily and said, "Since you gentlemen have all perused the paper, let us proceed directly to grading it."

Understanding the implication, the proctors exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

Under their watchful eyes, the slip of paper concealing the candidate's name was torn open. Wang Xuezhou, aged nine years old...

"Nine years old?!" Zhang Tan gasped in involuntary astonishment.

Hearing this exclamation, the nearby bailiffs, whose expressions had remained impassive throughout, could not help but reveal traces of utter bewilderment.

"Go and summon this scholar."

Chen Zhijing spoke in a steady voice, and the bailiff hurriedly departed to fetch him after receiving the order.

***

Standing before the main hall, Wang Xuezhou realized he was the first to arrive.

The doors could not be opened until ten candidates had gathered, leaving him with no choice but to wait here.

Just as he stood facing the examination hall, gazing expectantly at the crowd within, a bailiff walked over and said, "The Education Commissioner wishes to see you. Please come with me."

The chief proctor wanted to see him?

Uncomprehending, Wang Xuezhou straightened his robes, ascended the steps, and crossed the threshold. Standing outside the door curtain, the bailiff announced, "Reporting to your honor, the examinee has been brought here."

Hearing the voices inside abruptly cease, Wang Xuezhou caught a deep, resonant voice calling out, "Enter!"

As the bailiff led him inside, the gazes of everyone present converged upon him.

"This student pays his respects to your honors!" Wang Xuezhou did not dare to look around closely; he steadied his mind, lowered his head, and bowed.

"What is your place of origin?"

"Replying to your honor, this student is from Xilang Village, Sanshitou Town, Baishan County, Huaiqing Prefecture..."

With a solemn expression, Chen Zhijing ran through a series of questions regarding all his personal details, and Wang Xuezhou answered every single one without the slightest hesitation.

The commissioner's expression softened slightly. "I shall pose a few questions; you are to answer them."

"What is meant by loyalty and integrity?"

Wang Xuezhou replied, "To spare no effort in pursuing the public good is loyalty. To treat the departed and the living with equal sincerity and without mutual suspicion is integrity."

"What you dislike in your superiors, do not use to deal with your inferiors; what you dislike in your inferiors, do not use to serve your superiors. How is this saying interpreted?"

...

Seeing Wang Xuezhou respond to the contents of the Four Books and Five Classics with effortless fluency, the proctors all nodded inwardly.

Possessing such solid scholarship at this tender age demonstrated that the boy was a steadfast and grounded individual.

Changing the subject, Chen Zhijing stroked his beard and posed another problem:

"One hundred monks and one hundred steamed buns,
The senior monks eat three without any fuss.
Three junior monks share a single one,
How many of each sort are there, old and young?"

Pointing to a desk nearby, Chen Zhijing said, "There is draft paper, a brush, and ink over there. You may help yourself if needed."

Another mathematics problem!

However, this was not particularly difficult; the principle was much like the one on the examination paper.

After a brief moment of thought, he replied, "There are twenty-five senior monks and seventy-five junior monks."

Zhang Tan had his head lowered and had not yet finished calculating when he heard the answer, causing his eyes to widen slightly.

The others were similarly calculating with lowered heads before drawing sharp breaths of cold air.

Correct! The answer was correct!

Carelessly, Chen Zhijing tugged out a few strands of his own beard, his tone growing somewhat more solemn.

"Nine hundred and ninety-nine cash in hand,
Buying pears and fruits to make one thousand grand.
Eleven cash for nine pears we see,
While seven fruits cost four cash, agreed.
How many of each fruit are bought,
And at what price?"

Good grief!

Linear equations had made an appearance?

It was not exceptionally difficult, but this problem could no longer be solved purely by mental arithmetic.

Suppressing his inner complaints, Wang Xuezhou wore a mildly embarrassed expression as he said, "This student requires a writing brush and a sheet of draft paper. Will your honors please wait a moment."

Relenting slightly, Chen Zhijing lowered his hand from his beard and said with reserved dignity, "You may."

The problem meant this: with 999 cash, a total of 1,000 pears and fruits were purchased. Nine pears cost 11 cash, and 7 fruits cost 4 cash.

Question: How many pears and fruits were bought respectively, and how much was paid for each?

Wang Xuezhou performed the calculations at the draft desk, and within three minutes, he arrived at the solution:

657 pears, costing 803 cash.
343 fruits, costing 196 cash.

When he stood up to present his work to Chen Zhijing, the surrounding proctors all crowded around.

Upon seeing the answer, they all fell silent.

After two silent seconds, Zhang Tan looked at him with burning eyes and asked, "I wonder how much you know about the Prefectural Academy..."

"Ahem." Chen Zhijing coughed twice, causing Zhang Tan to snap back to his senses swiftly and rein in his expression and gaze.

"Your scholarship is good. There are no issues; you may return." Chen Zhijing waved his hand dismissively.

Sensibly, Wang Xuezhou withdrew.

Outside the door, the bailiff was bringing in another batch of examination papers.

Just as his foot crossed the threshold, he caught the sound of the officials behind the curtain speaking in heated tones: "This lad possesses..."

Having heard only the opening, the speakers inside deliberately lowered their voices.

If only you had continued speaking!

Anxious to the point of wanting to turn back and press his ear against the door curtain to eavesdrop, Wang Xuezhou was nonetheless deterred by the fierce glares of the bailiffs and dared not act presumptuously, forcing him to shuffle outward slowly.

Arriving at the main hall, he found that several others were already waiting there.

With a face full of delight, Zhu An struck him a blow on the shoulder and exclaimed, "You rascal, you've finally come out!"

Wang Xuezhou laughed heartily. "You didn't do badly yourself!"

"Naturally! Both of us are among the first batch of people to emerge!"

Tugging him by the shoulder with some excitement, Zhu An said, "Before the examination, my family kept watch over me and wouldn't let me out. I wanted to come look for you both but couldn't find the chance. Where are you staying?"

"Tongfu Inn."

"That's so expensive! Why don't you move over to my place after we head out?"

Wang Xuezhou shook his head. "There's no need. We've already paid the room rent, it would be a waste not to stay."

In light of previous events, he had decided that while he could associate with Zhu An, he needed to maintain a distance.

It was best if the two of them did not become entangled in any financial or material interests.

Although Zhu An looked somewhat disappointed, he quickly forgot about it.

For the bailiff had called out two more names, and he was one of them.