Chapter 303: Chapter 124: Prefectural Examination (Part 2)

Shortly after 7:00 AM, all the examinees had found their testing cells. Mr. Sheng, the Magistrate, then ascended Wangyuan Pavilion and, under the watchful eyes of all, wrote the examination questions on a paperboard set in a black-lacquered wooden frame.

Afterward, constables would either read the questions aloud or carry the paperboard around the entire examination ground. This was to ensure that every examinee knew what the questions for the prefecture-level exam were.

The prefecture-level exam consisted of three parts, testing classical transcription and commentary, miscellaneous essays, and policy essays.

The classical transcription and commentary section required copying original passages from the classics and adding one’s own annotations and explanations.

This section primarily tested a student’s memorization and calligraphy. As long as the questions weren’t too outrageous, most people could pass with ease.

As for the miscellaneous essays, these were compositions on unrestricted topics, which primarily tested a student’s breadth of knowledge and literary talent.

The policy essays, without a doubt, were designed to assess a student’s political potential and their aptitude for officialdom.

Today was the first part, which, according to regulations, tested classical transcription and commentary.

Just as the students had speculated, when the Lord Prefect set the questions, they were not exceptionally difficult, but they were certainly very particular.

Take today’s test, for example. The instructions required examinees to choose and answer three of the five provided questions.

First, let’s look at the instructions. Though they said to answer three of the five questions, if you actually chose only three, you would have already fallen into a trap.

This is because of an old saying about this part of the exam: "He who is versed in three classics is superior; he who is versed in five classics is most superior."

What does that mean?

The meaning becomes clear just by looking at the saying.

If you only answered three questions, you would certainly be far from "most superior." And if you couldn’t place yourself in the absolute top tier, how could you possibly hope to succeed in the end?

Next, consider the content of the questions. The *Classic of Filial Piety* and the *Analects* were mandatory subjects every year, as the broader context demanded.

Even emperors had to rule the realm "through filial piety." As a subject of His Majesty, how could you be anything but?

As for the mandatory inclusion of the *Analects*, it was because Confucian thought was the tool rulers used to maintain long-term peace and stability. Therefore, how could one not study the Sage Confucius?

Of the Major Classics, the *Zuo Zhuan* and the *Ritual Records*, a question was chosen from the *Zuo Zhuan* this year.

Of the Middling Classics, the *Classic of Poetry*, the *Rites of Zhou*, and the *Ritual*, the question was drawn from the *Rites of Zhou*.

And of the Minor Classics, the *Gongyang Zhuan*, *"The Book of Changes"*, the *Chief of Staff*, and *Gu Liang’s Commentaries*, this year’s question was taken from *"The Book of Changes"*.

Therefore, the five questions for transcription from memory were as follows:

First: Transcribe from memory *The Book of Filial Piety, Chapter 5*.

Second: Transcribe from memory *The Analects, Chapter 2*, from "The Master said, ’To rule with virtue...’" to "...Can this be considered filial piety?’"

Third: Transcribe from memory *Mr. Zang’s Advice on Watching Fish*.

Fourth: Transcribe from memory *Spring Rituals. Spring Officer. Four Masters*.

Fifth: Transcribe from memory the *Commentary on the Book of Changes, Chapter 12*, from "Help comes from Heaven, an auspicious sign..." to "...they drum and dance to fully express the divine."

At first glance, only the last of the five questions seemed a bit esoteric. But for the students who had made it this far by diligently studying the Four Books and Five Classics, surely more than eighty percent of them would be able to answer it.

In that case, the only things that could truly differentiate the students were the accuracy of their memorized transcription and whether their calligraphy was powerful, neat, and elegant.

But if one examined the questions more closely, could one not discern some other hidden meaning?

For example, what exactly was written in Chapter 5 of the *Classic of Filial Piety*?

This Chapter primarily elaborates on the principles of filial piety for the scholar-official class, extending family ethics into the political realm. It argues that the love and respect shown to one’s parents should be extended to serving one’s ruler and superiors. It emphasizes that "one serves a mother with love, a lord with respect, and a father with both," thus building a practical framework for "transforming filial piety into loyalty."

Next, let’s look at the excerpt from *The Analects, Chapter 2*, the section from "To rule with virtue..." to "...Can this be considered filial piety?"

This passage mentions an important concept: "the difficulty of countenance."

What does this mean?

It means that the most difficult part of serving one’s parents is maintaining a pleasant and cheerful expression.

Then consider the third question, *Mr. Zang’s Advice on Watching Fish*. This piece is primarily about how Mr. Zang used the social rites of the time to dissuade Mr. Lu from going to Tang to watch the fishing.

The fourth question, *Spring Rituals. Spring Officer. Four Masters*, primarily discusses the close connection between the path of ritual and the governance of the state. The Si Shi, as an important figure within this system, ensures with a rigorous attitude that every procedure conforms to ritual requirements.

The fifth question focuses on the words of Confucius. Confucius said that to bless is to help. Those whom Heaven helps are those who follow the way of Heaven; those whom people help are those who are sincere and trustworthy.

At first glance, these questions seem related, yet they also all appear to be simply about "ritual."

But what if one were to connect these questions to the current situation in the imperial court?

The Monarch has already come of age, yet true power remains in the hands of the Empress Dowager. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’The Empress Dowager has broken the promise she made to the court’s ministers and nobles by failing to return political power to the Monarch in a timely manner. Does this conform to ritual? Are the officials in the court all useless freeloaders? If this continues, what will become of the relationship between mother and son? In time, they are bound to become as incompatible as fire and water.’