Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 517 - 353 Imperial Examination (2)

The imperial examination was focused on strategy essays, typically consisting of four questions. Gu Chengyu looked at the first question, which was "On the Emperor’s Politics and Heart."

The second question was "The Way of National Security and Army," while the third and final questions were about "raising military funds" and "river defense strategies."

The imperial examination essays required not only insight but also courage, demanding straightforward opinions and critiquing current issues, inevitably requiring one’s genuine insights. Furthermore, one must be well-read in classics and historical texts, citing references when necessary.

After reading the questions, Gu Chengyu bowed his head in contemplation. With only one day for the examination, papers had to be submitted by sunset, leaving no room for delay. He needed to utilize his time effectively.

He unfolded the draft paper, dipped his brush generously in ink, and began writing. He had already outlined a rough framework and first wrote it down, intending to polish it afterward.

Picking up the brush, he wrote, "Minister’s response:

I have heard that when an emperor governs the world, he must have substantial politics, to constrain the masses, orchestrate myriad affairs, and achieve the prosperity of peace; he must have sincere heart to inspire the multitude..."

All around was silence, only Ministry of Rites officials supervising at the sidelines, while the examination students were either deep in thought or writing furiously. Gu Chengyu spent about an hour on the first question, writing approximately two thousand characters with eloquence.

After completing one question, Gu Chengyu didn’t immediately transcribe but promptly moved on to the next.

"The Way of National Security and Army" reminded Gu Chengyu of "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, who believed in grasping the big picture.

Firstly, "Cultivate righteousness and uphold law," refers to maintaining political clarity and ensuring the legal system to take control of war outcomes, thereby achieving the strategic goal of "national security and army."

The second aspect is "enrich the people," and "strengthen the nation." Naturally, Gu Chengyu couldn’t simply copy it verbatim but had to incorporate his understanding and suggestions, pointing out various shortcomings in the Dayan Dynasty’s implementation of national security and army strategies. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Examinees must be clear on practical matters and policies, otherwise, during the imperial examination strategy essays, there would be no way to respond effectively since no one knows the topics beforehand.

These questions were jointly devised by cabinet officials and presented to the Emperor, who finally pointed them out. Therefore, catering to the Emperor’s preferences was of utmost importance.

Gu Chengyu knew the Emperor liked florid yet practical writings. For most examinees, achieving this was not easy. Some didn’t understand real-world matters, rendering their writings superficially ornate, appearing to be splendid compositions at first glance.

But upon careful reading, it became evident that they lacked substance. And these were exactly the writings the Emperor most disliked. Even if your writing was plain, as long as it touched upon substance, the Emperor would assign a good rank.

By noon, Gu Chengyu received his lunch. His breakfast was also taken at Baohe Hall before the examination, consisting of four buns per person and a bowl of soup. By noon, the meals were similar to breakfast, only the buns had been replaced with pancakes, each person receiving four pancakes, two pears, and one round of tea.

Gu Chengyu lamented internally, daring not to drink the soup, fearing an urge to use the toilet. During the imperial examination, even if you couldn’t hold back, you had to endure. Impropriety was not tolerated in front of the hall.

So Gu Chengyu merely took a small sip of tea to moisten his throat, not daring to eat the pears, fearing their wateriness might lead to a sudden need for the toilet. Gu Chengyu surreptitiously glanced to the side and noticed that other examinees also weren’t eating the pears.

After a glance, Gu Chengyu withdrew his gaze. Sitting at the first table, he was highly visible. Any wandering glance would be instantly seen by supervising officials. In Baohe Hall, Gu Chengyu dared not be reckless; being accused of cheating would leave him nowhere to cry.

Being prominent already, the officials glancing at him each time they passed by, some even looked at his draft paper.

Of course, just a few glances as they feared being suspected of colluding with Gu Chengyu on cheating. After the previous cheating case, all officials related to the imperial examination were cautious, not daring to cross the line.

Gu Chengyu knew he was somewhat famous now, either due to his talents or because of Grand Secretary Xia Qing. He glanced to the right at Min Feng, who also attracted the attention of nearby officials because he was Xia Qing’s final disciple.

A figure in bright yellow entered Baohe Hall—it was Emperor Huiming. Seeing the Emperor, officials immediately saluted. The Emperor waved his hand to restrain their noise; it was the time of the imperial examination, naturally, no big sounds could disturb the examination students’ thoughts.

Upon entering Baohe Hall, the Emperor immediately spotted Gu Chengyu in the first row. He observed Gu Chengyu for a moment before moving to the rear, examining the test papers of nearby examination students as he walked.

It was already 3:00 PM, most had reached the third question, with the submission time fast approaching.

Some examinees, caught by the peripheral sight of the yellow clothing hem, were agitated, nearly writing wrong characters. The Emperor shook his head and proceeded forward.

Gu Chengyu had completed the fourth question and was about to begin transcribing. Unfolding the test paper, Gu Chengyu wrote carefully in elegant calligraphic script. The Emperor quietly paced to Gu Chengyu’s back to look at his test paper, his expression turning somewhat displeased upon seeing the start of writing.

Later, upon seeing his draft paper densely filled with the answers to the four strategy questions vividly written, the Emperor’s expression softened. Having been the top scorer in the examination, if he couldn’t write, wouldn’t he be slapping his own face?

Turning his gaze to Gu Chengyu’s draft paper, the graceful script arranged neatly with little evidence of revision showed it was written in one go, indicating confidence and preparation.

Then he looked at the content more closely, gradually becoming engrossed, spending nearly half a stick of incense time behind Gu Chengyu. Gu Chengyu was aware of the Emperor behind him, but he didn’t turn back; during the imperial examination, there was no need to stand and salute.

Moreover, having spent time on the last two strategy questions, to avoid unexpected events, it was better to quickly finish writing the test paper. Gu Chengyu wrote attentively, and the Emperor read with focused interest.

Nearby Ministry of Rites officials exchanged glances, knowing the hall must remain silent. They communicated through a mutual understanding before resuming their patrol. Minister of Rites Yu Zheng, glancing at the intently writing Gu Chengyu, reflected deeply.

He recognized Gu Chengyu; his wife nearly caused a great disaster for his second daughter, which he learned of later. Fortunately, his student discussed it with him, otherwise, he would have remained unaware. Attempting to cheat in the imperial examination was sheer folly.

There are countless ways to deal with someone, why choose the riskiest? The previous cheating case surprisingly let Gu Chengyu escape, considered his luck. Later, Yu Zheng subtly facilitated Tong Zhouyi’s incident of changing rankings, yet again saw Gu Chengyu escape.