<h4>Chapter 391</h4>


    Wen Zhiyun studied under Imperial Physician Wu for several days, and it could be said that he gained great enlightenment.


    What he had guessed before was affirmed, and the blocked path gradually became smooth. Only then did he realize that the pulses he had diagnosed before were really simple, and were merely a drop in the vast ocean of medicine.


    He was like a piece of sun-dried mulberry paper that finally fell into a mountain spring, unfolding to draw sweet dew.


    This was a good thing, easing Jiang Wu and his siblings’ worries.


    But it was not good enough to set their minds at rest.


    Who exactly arranged for Imperial Physician Wu?


    Could it be...Jiang Wu?


    Unfortunately, time was pressing, and they didn''t even have time to investigate. The pce examination was upon them.


    The pce examination, as the name implies, was an exam held in the Golden Sacred Hall.


    It was the final process of the imperial examination, and also a crucial turning point.


    Some said the greatest fortune of the pce exam was that one would not fail, only be ranked.


    Others said the pce exam rankings were extremely important, determining whether your future would be smooth sailing or deste and bitter.


    Both views were very true.


    In the Dayu Dynasty, the pce exam no longer resulted in failing. This was thanks to the blood and tears shed in the previous dynasty.


    It was said that in thete previous dynasty, a candidate failed the pce exam several times. Out of resentment, he actually joined the enemy country''s army and devised many winning strategies, dealing the previous dynasty a huge blow.


    Think about it. Those who could be candidates were almost guaranteed to be talented.


    Rather than let talents fail the exam resentfully, it would be better to give them an official position directly. Even just going through the motions, they could contribute somewhat to the dynasty.


    Since then, the pce exam abolished the elimination system. All candidates could get a title, they were just divided into first, second, and third ss based on merit.


    The top three in first ss were called jinshi and were the most well-known rankings of zhuangyuan, bangyan, and tanhua.


    A few dozen in second ss were called jinshi chushen, and the top-ranked one had a nice name called chuanlu.


    The rest were ssified as third ss, also called tong jinshi.


    Although all could get an official position, first ss could ascend smoothly, second ss was average, and third ss was obviously mediocre.


    If it was judged purely on schrly talent and proper essay writing, that would be simple.


    But the pce exam also tested one''s agility, eloquence, and grace.


    There were those in history who were talented but stuttered and could only get third ss.


    There were also those who barely passed but were promoted to second or even first ss zhuangyuan because their handwriting was outstanding and neither humble nor arrogant.


    The pce exam, the finish line of the imperial exam and the starting point of an official career.


    It demonstrated that anything was possible, but also made countless candidates worried and anxious, hands sweating.


    From the announcement of the provincial exam results to the pce exam, it took a full half month. All candidates were making final efforts.


    Finally, they stood outside the imperial city gates.


    Xu Mo, Qi Huai, An Jun, Fang Yuan, acquaintances and strangers, friends and foes, all stood ramrod straight waiting.


    The sky had just lightened, an indistinct light filtering through the clouds andnding on people''s shoulders.


    Guards in embroidered robes grasped long des, standing at the gates waiting for the moment dawn broke to wee the schrs.


    This scene that should have been solemn and respectful, was actually somewhat chaotic due tock of control.


    The schrs chatted with each other, orined bitterly, or worried about what to do, or gossiped.


    Xu Mo stood among the crowd. With just a slight turn he could see his worried younger siblings. He waved to indicate everything was fine.


    The Fang residence had been too quiet recently. So quiet that they all knew the Fang family must make a big move during the pce exam.


    But what of it.


    The end of the exam was right before his eyes. Xu Mo could not give up. No matter how difficult, he had to press on.


    He closed his eyes, preparing forst minute review.


    Suddenly a hand pped his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw the hesitant Qi Huai.


    "Brother Qi?" Xu Mo was a little surprised.


    "Brother Xu." Qi Huai rubbed his nose and nced at the crowd of rtives. "Do you know the rules of the pce exam? As son of the Minister of Rites, I''m very familiar with the imperial exam which has always been administered by the Ministry of Rites. The exam rules are engraved in my heart."


    This was the difference between children of officials andmoners.


    Children of officials had powerful connections and were well informed. Even for the pce exam they could be calm and collected.


    Commoners were ignorant and poorly informed. Their knowledge of the exam system was limited to a few words from their teacher, or sporadic hearsay from books. Yet no one was willing to freely impart knowledge at this time.


    Because they werepeting, because the rankings were so important, because it involved their future official careers.


    It was rare for Qi Huai to be open-handed. Even though Xu Mo had already investigated in advance, he was still sincerely grateful.


    "History records that the pce exams were always presided over by the imperial family, but in reality the imperial family only picked the top three first ss candidates. Second and third ss were decided by officials like the Ministers of the Six Ministries and the Three Dukes and Three Lords.


    The exam had three parts. The first was policy questions. The imperial family would give essay prompts that candidates had to respond to in writing. The second was reading the exam papers. The officials in charge would check the candidates'' handwriting and literary style, which were very important. They would also exin the content expressed in the essays. The third was the pce exam proprieties. Various questions would be randomly selected, not limited to books, or even impromptu.


    For these three parts, each would be evaluated by at least six chief examiners. Different characters represented the grades, higher scores meant better rankings. There was still a chance of being spot-checked by the imperial family. If the imperial family expressed satisfaction, your exam would take off.


    Qi Huai said this all in one breath, parched. At the same time he nced at the crowd of rtives in the distance.


    "Brother Qi''s efforts are appreciated." Xu Mo saluted with his hands cupped. "All of Brother Xu''s inquiries do notpare to Brother Qi''s clear and thorough exnation."


    "No need to be polite. It''s a trivial matter." Qi Huai rubbed his nose again. "I only hope that when Brother Xu ascends in the future, do not forget that the Qi family was the one who helped."


    The Qi...family?


    Xu Mo was still puzzled when noise came from ahead. It seemed the imperial city gates had opened.


    All words were swallowed back. The noisy crowd instantly fell silent. All schrs and rtives looked ahead.


    They saw an old white-bearded man appear above the city wall, wearing a moon-white robe. He loudly dered, "Dawn has broken. The pce exam begins!"


    The well-trained guards in embroidered robes uniformly and slowly pushed open the imperial city gates.


    In the east floated wisps of yellow glow, thin but carrying the energy of new life.


    Batch by batch, the nation''s hopeful talents.


    Their ages were eager, bidding farewell to loved ones, striding bravely into the desired halls.


    The imperial city.


    Pinnacle of power, leader of desire.


    Voracious beast, gilded cage.


    But their strides were so resolute and just.


    Xu Mo took a deep breath. Together with Qi Huai and An Jun, the three walked side by side. Passing through the city gates, past the Golden Sacred Hall, through Taihe Pce, and finally arriving at Baohe Hall.


    Hundreds of schrs stood upright, looking up at the officials seated in the hall, eyes showing admiration and some anticipation.


    "I only hope that one day, I too can sit there and give all impoverished schrs a chance." An Jun''s face was full of longing. "At that time there will be no more press ganged soldiers, and impoverished schrs will not be bullied without recourse."


    What a beautiful wish.


    But not forgetting one''s original aspirations was the most difficult thing in the world.