The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 501 - 253 Abusing Scum_2

Chapter 501: 253 Abusing Scum_2

Chapter 501: 253 Abusing Scum_2

That scene was rather discomforting to even think about.

Once the elaborate series of ceremonial rituals were complete, the examination officially began. Officials from the Ministry of Rites distributed test papers to each scholar. The Ministry of Rites Minister, the Honglu Temple Minister, and four Grand Secretaries from the cabinet were seated on the benches on either side of the examination site, while a table and chairs intended for the emperor were positioned in the center.

Besides these few proctoring officials, the Imperial Guards and the duty eunuchs were also present. Although there were no separate examination rooms, cheating would have been extremely difficult under so many watchful eyes.

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Moreover, the Palace Examination was unlike scripture-based tests; cheating wouldn’t have made much sense.

Xiao Liulang received his test paper soon enough. The question — How can an emperor govern and ensure peace in his kingdom with his political wisdom and his heart? — was set by the emperor himself.

After surviving earlier examinations with fatal topics, this question appeared relatively mild. At the very least, there was no wrong answer; the most they could critique was the practical utility of his elaboration.

He could embellish with lofty ideas, as long as his writing was grandiose; he could also cut straight to the chase with clear intentions.

While the emperor was indeed selecting talent, these scholars had yet to hold any official posts. In plain speech, all their theorizing was untested. The emperor did not expect to solve unsolvable issues that even veterans in the government could not resolve after one Palace Examination. If that were the case, then what use were experienced government officials?

What the emperor was truly looking for was the potential within a candidate.

The saying goes that a prime minister’s stomach should be large enough to contain a boat; the larger one’s capacity, the broader one’s future path.

Most scholars hadn’t realised this, exhausting themselves to innovate ways to bring about a peaceful and prosperous reign.

Xiao Liulang did not rush to start writing. First, he drafted his essay.

He didn’t usually draft anything, but the draft was important evidence when test scores were evaluated.

He was thoughtful with his words, adding and trimming as needed. Approximately two hours later, he began to write his formal exam paper.

This was a policy question, and the answer needed to start with a declaration, indicating that he was replying to the emperor’s question.

“I, your humble servant, submit my answer:

I have heard that when a sovereign rules the realm, he must carry out practical policies to regulate his people and to ensure an intricately woven government that results in a harmonious and prosperous reign; he must also possess an actual determination to encourage diligent laborers and manage all affairs, in order to reach a perfect governance.

Establishing regulations and enforcing laws, his orders penetrate the hearts of his subjects, spreading from the corridors of the royal palace to the various offices and all the way to the corners of the kingdom, no exceptions allowed. There is no room for leakage. This is the practice.

What do we mean by actual determination? It encourages the lazy, incites the diligent; it originates from within, starting from the quietude of the royal chambers, influence resonates within the realm, pouring grace to the corners of the kingdom, permeating every spirit and thought, every fiber and bone, permitting nothing to hinder or obstruct. Indeed, this is what we must embody…”

Xiao Liulang mainly emphasized the importance of rule by law and the implementation of practical policies. The law and rules must be understood by all, and the voice of the people must always reach the emperor.

At the same time, he advocated for educating the populace with Confucian ideology and the importance of severely punishing corrupt officials to keep the national treasury full.

Of course, he also stressed that the emperor, as the son of heaven, carries out each action as mandated by heaven — assigning officials is to appoint virtuous scholars on behalf of heaven; eliminating the wicked is to punish those guilty on behalf of heaven. All actions are conformed to the righteous path.

Compared to his sharp words in the previous exams, Xiao Liulang’s diction was much milder this time.

After all, someone had bet his entire fortune on this; he couldn’t just indulge himself for the sake of fleeting joy.

As Xiao Liulang continued writing, he realized that this question was indeed a tough one. The initial ease with which everyone had picked up their test papers had disappeared; every scholar was engrossed in writing, none handed in their papers early.

Perhaps due to his deep concentration, Xiao Liulang did not notice the emperor standing behind him for quite some time.

From the emperor’s perspective, he could only see the back of Xiao Liulang’s head.

The emperor did not linger for too long, for he had no interest in creating additional pressure for the scholars during the examination. He had just entered and happened to pass by Xiao Liulang, where he noticed his clean and elegant handwriting.

He scanned quickly. The handwriting was good.

Then he looked at the candidate’s name — Xiao Liulang.

Ah, the commoner scholar who tied for first place with Prince An?

There’s a walking stick next to him. Is he injured or disabled?

Actually, the current dynasty did give some weight to physical appearance when selecting officials. The attractiveness of Marquis Xuanping had significantly raised the imperial aesthetic standard for all officials. Those deemed too unattractive were typically assigned to outlying posts after a few years.

The emperor was slightly disappointed after seeing the walking stick, fearing that Xiao Liulang might not be particularly good looking.

Not that the emperor was purely focused on physical attractiveness, the old libationer was not handsome, but he was still chosen by the emperor, largely due to his formidable abilities.