Zhao Jing’s desk was in good condition, but there were unswept cobwebs above his head.

Moreover, now that the sky was bright, a decent-sized hole was clearly visible in the roof of his examination stall.

It was certain to be a sunny day, so it might have seemed unnecessary to patch a hole if it wasn’t going to rain, but that wasn’t the case.

Zhao Jing gauged where the sunlight would shine down, then took an oilcloth, a hammer, and a few small wooden sticks from his exam basket and tilted his head back to patch the roof.

Around Noon, the sunlight would stream through the hole and fall directly on him.

Noon was already a time when people felt drowsy. With the warm sun falling on him, who would have the energy to focus on the exam paper? They’d likely be lulled straight to sleep by Zhou Gong.

Zhao Jing’s actions quickly attracted the attention of his neighbors in the adjacent stalls. Everyone peeked their heads out to see what on earth he was doing.

When they saw him nailing up the oilcloth, they all looked at him as if he were insane. Then they glanced up at the sky, as if to say, ’On a day like this, you think it’s going to rain? Is there something wrong with your eyes?’

Then they plopped back down in their seats and paid him no more mind.

What they were all thinking was, ’The exam papers haven’t been handed out yet, so he can mess around all he wants. If he’s still making a ruckus after the papers are distributed, we’ll report him then.’

A moment later, the sky was completely bright.

At that moment, a copper gong sounded, followed by a shout of "The exam has begun!" Then, someone loudly announced the exam questions three times, after which constables holding wooden boards with the questions posted on them paraded them around for all to see.

The first day of the county examination was also the first and most important session. In truth, however, the questions weren’t difficult, and the standards for passing were relatively lenient. As long as one’s writing was coherent, they could pass.

This session only tested two essays on the classics, as well as one five-character, six-rhyme regulated poem.

The two essay prompts were: a "Book Topic" from the Four Books—"He who has a steadfast heart without constant property"; and a "Classic Topic" from the Five Classics—"Therefore, the superior man, when secure, does not forget danger."

As for the five-character, six-rhyme poem, the topic was to compose one on "Precious Spring Rain."

Regarding the poem, Zhao Jing had correctly predicted this topic. He was well-prepared and felt a great sense of relief. This relief, however, did not show on his face. His handsome features remained cool and composed, revealing none of his true emotions.

As for the "Book Topic"—"He who has a steadfast heart without constant property."

The original line came from *Mencius*, "King Hui of Liang, Part I," spoken by Mencius during a discussion with King Xuan of Qi on the art of governance.

The full, original passage reads: "He who has a steadfast heart without constant property—only a scholar is capable of this."

What does this mean?

It means that to maintain a noble moral character and a firm will without a fixed income from property is something only a man of letters—a scholar—can achieve.

’On the surface, the question seems to want students to argue for the necessity of scholarship. But if I only approach it from that angle, wouldn’t the content be too simple and shallow?’

Mr. Zhao had once told Zhao Jing that to guess an examiner’s true intention, one must focus on understanding the examiner himself.

Who was the examiner for the county examination?

It was the County Magistrate of Qingshui County, Mr. Cheng.

’Could it be that Mr. Cheng had no other meaning in mind when he chose this topic?’

’When it comes to the necessity of scholarship, Mr. Cheng understands it better than anyone. But that’s just empty talk, with no practical application.’

And Mr. Cheng was a man who most detested empty rhetoric and pointless words.

He was a pragmatic man, down-to-earth in both his conduct and his work.

Since taking office, every action he had taken was rooted in two goals: improving public order in Qingshui County and increasing the income of its people.

’Thinking again about the line, "He who has a steadfast heart without constant property—only a scholar is capable of this"... what comes next?’

"As for the common people, if they have no constant property, they will have no steadfast heart. And if they have no steadfast heart, they will become licentious, deviant, and extravagant, stopping at nothing."

This means that for ordinary people, without a stable source of income, it is difficult to maintain lasting moral integrity and a stable mindset. If a person lacks a firm moral conviction and will, they will easily indulge themselves, commit wicked and extravagant deeds, and even do the unthinkable.

’From these one or two lines, can’t I begin to see Mr. Cheng’s purpose?’

’He is seeking a solution to break the deadlock!’

’A solution that will allow the people of Qingshui County to increase their production and income!’

’That is the true main point of this topic.’

’Only by connecting the preceding and following passages and elaborating on them in the context of transforming social customs can the answer to this question be truly elevated.’

With a plan fully formed in his mind, Zhao Jing began carefully grinding his ink while composing a draft of the essay in his head.

By the time the horn sounded, signaling that candidates could begin writing, Zhao Jing already had a complete outline in mind. He picked up his Wolf Hair brush and began to write earnestly on the draft paper beside him.

Essays for the county examination also had strict limits on character count. They could not be fewer than three hundred characters, nor more than seven hundred.

Zhao Jing wrote a little over six hundred and eighty characters, only putting down his Wolf Hair brush after finishing the very last sentence.

There was still an hour to go before Noon.

During this hour, Zhao Jing carefully polished his draft, replacing phrases that didn’t quite convey his meaning and rearranging the sequence of his arguments until he was certain the final manuscript not only read fluently but also had real substance. Only then did he rub his hands to warm them, pick up the official answer sheet, and meticulously transcribe the essay.