GBP Chapter 630 Examination of Officials from 6 Countries 2
Chapter 630 Examination of Officials from 6 Countries 2
The heavy gates of the examination hall creaked as they were pushed open. Inside, rows of newly made elmwood desks and straw mats were neatly arranged, extending deep into the main hall, resembling a formidable military formation. The air was filled with the scent of new wood and tung oil, mingled with the morning dew, creating a strangely somber yet refreshing atmosphere.
On each desk lay a uniform sheet of blank paper, along with an inkstone, a brush, and an ink stick. Armored guards stood around, their postures ramrod straight, their gazes fixed ahead beneath their visors, solemn and silent. Only the occasional, extremely faint rustling of their armor plates from their breathing echoed coldly in the vast, empty hall, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
Zhao Bo found the seat corresponding to his name tag and sat down, his palms slightly sweaty. He looked around and saw many familiar and unfamiliar faces: the Qi official who had spoken eloquently at the banquet in Handan was now pale, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of his clothes; the young county magistrate known for his competence in Chu had a furrowed brow and nervousness in his eyes; and the old scholar who was said to be quite popular in Yan was resting with his eyes closed, but the prayer beads in his hand were spinning rapidly, revealing his inner unease.
At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the sound of drums came from the direction of the palace walls, heavy and slow, each beat striking the hearts of those waiting. The drumbeats seemed to penetrate the walls of the examination hall, vibrating directly in everyone's chest. Many people involuntarily straightened their backs and clenched their fists.
The side door opened, and a group of people entered with steady steps. The one in the lead was none other than the Left Chancellor, Kui Zhuang, who was dressed in a deep purple court robe, his hat and headdress were neat, his face was thin and refined, and his gaze was as calm as an ancient well. Behind him were several officials from the Ministry of Personnel, including Yao Jia, who had a serious expression and piercing eyes, as well as several clerks carrying boxes of examination papers.
The boxes containing the examination papers were black lacquered wooden boxes, with the seal of the Ministry of Personnel stamped on the lids, and the locks were secure.
The air in the examination hall froze instantly, and all eyes were focused on Wei Zhuang, filled with curiosity, awe, and also a barely perceptible resistance and probing.
When Wei Zhuang arrived at the chief examiner's desk, he did not immediately sit down. His gaze calmly swept across the entire room. His gaze was not sharp, but it seemed to carry weight as it slowly swept over each face, making everyone feel that his gaze lingered on them for a moment—not scrutiny, but more like confirmation, confirming that those sitting here were living, breathing people, not a group of "former officials" awaiting punishment.
He spoke, his voice clear and not loud, yet it was exceptionally clear due to the spaciousness of the hall, enough for everyone in every corner to hear him:
"By His Majesty's decree, the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of this nationwide examination of officials. I, the Prime Minister, have been appointed to preside over the examination." He paused, his tone steady yet each word clear, "Today, all those present here, regardless of their origins or past positions, are citizens of Great Qin, taking the examination together under the same standards. Selecting the best for office and choosing the virtuous and capable is the foundation of Great Qin's new policies, and also an opportunity His Majesty has bestowed upon you all after unifying the world."
He paused slightly, keenly noticing that many people in the audience tensed their shoulders and backs, while others had a glimmer of hope in their eyes—a faint but undeniable spark of hope. "This assessment will be divided into three sessions. Today is the first session, testing practical policy analysis."
As soon as he finished speaking, the clerks behind him sprang into action, working in pairs to carry heavy boxes and begin distributing the exam questions by region. Instead of one set per person, each group of five students shared a set, and they had to copy the questions themselves before answering.
The thick scrolls of paper were passed from hand to hand by the examiners, and then from the front row to the back. The rustling sound of the papers unfolding as the exam questions were passed around echoed intermittently in the silent examination hall.
Soon, the person who received the exam questions changed their expression.
There was no expected interpretation of the classics, no poetry or prose, and not even a direct inquiry into a particular chapter or article of the Qin law.
On the paper, three questions were written in clear and neat Qin clerical script:
"Firstly, the region has suffered from locusts and droughts for years, and the granaries are about to be empty. The number of refugees is gradually increasing. How should we deal with this so that the people do not disperse and the national treasury is not lacking? Please describe the steps in detail and propose feasible methods."
"Secondly, there is a case where a widow sues her son for being unfilial, seizing her land, and beating and humiliating her; the son argues that his mother favors his younger brother and that the land was privately bequeathed to him by his father on his deathbed. How should such trivial disputes in the community be investigated and adjudicated to settle disputes and rectify social customs? The order of investigation and the basis for judgment must be listed."
"Thirdly, the main rivers in the territory overflowed during the spring floods, destroying fields and houses and damaging roads. According to the old officials, there may be another major flood this autumn. Please describe in detail the strategies for flood prevention and dike reinforcement, disaster relief and resettlement, and restoration of production, and estimate the amount of manpower, money and grain required."
The exam questions were slowly passed around the examination hall, leaving behind only astonished and incredulous faces. Some rubbed their eyes repeatedly, thinking they were seeing things; others pointed at the words on the questions, their fingertips trembling, and whispered to their neighbors for confirmation: "This...this is really an exam question?" Their voices were filled with a sense of absurdity.
Zhao Bo held the examination questions handed to him, his hands trembling slightly. He was well-versed in literature and could compose excellent prose in his youth, never falling behind in the performance evaluations of the ancient Chu state. But these three questions were so straightforward, so crude. Instead of the fragrance of ink, they evoked the smell of earth and the stench of everyday life; they brought to mind the wailing of disaster victims, the entanglement of litigants, and the roar of a flood that seemed almost audible.
The ornate phrases and profound meanings he was familiar with, the lengthy discourses on benevolent governance that could be written in thousands of words, were all useless here.
He opened his mouth, his throat dry, his chest tight with a jumble of emotions. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and, facing the examiner, asked in heavily accented, slightly trembling Mandarin the question that filled many with bewilderment and a hint of discontent: "Your Excellency... this... this question... how should it be answered?"
The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet examination hall where you could hear a pin drop.
Countless gazes once again fell upon Wei Zhuang, filled with the same question, and even a hint of anger at being mocked. Was this the Qin state's so-called assessment, such a farce? Testing these lowly clerks and servants?
Kui Zhuang looked at Zhao Bo, his expression unchanged, then slowly surveyed the entire room, his gaze clear and firm, as if he had already anticipated this question:
"Gentlemen, there is no need for doubt. Today's examination does not require elaborate writing or extravagant language."
He raised his hand, pointing to the exam questions being passed around, speaking each word clearly and distinctly, his voice echoing throughout the hall:
"As long as you write down practical solutions that can solve these problems—how to procure grain, how to verify the authenticity of land deeds, how to organize laborers to build dikes—you have all served as local officials in the past, governing a region. Even if your positions were not high, you must not be entirely unfamiliar with similar problems. Now, write down your thoughts, concerns, and solutions that you have done or believe are feasible. This is the 'talent' that the court wants to test and the 'ability' that it wants to select."
The examination hall was deathly silent. Only his words echoed softly among the massive beams and pillars, then sank into the hearts of everyone present.
"How to procure grain... how to conduct an inspection..." someone murmured repeatedly, their eyes gradually becoming focused from confusion.