I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 29 The Imperial Edict is Announced, Ma Su Resents It

Grain in Ear (芒种) is the third solar term of summer and marks the beginning of the fifth month in the Chinese sexagenary cycle.

Temperatures have been rising and rainfall has been plentiful in Yizhou recently, and farmers are busy with the last planting of grains this year.

A folk saying goes, "If you don't plant during the Grain in Ear season, it will be useless to plant later." This means that grains with awns can be planted, but after this time, they can no longer be planted.

Therefore, the entire Yizhou was engaged in a vigorous agricultural activity.

The fields were bustling with activity, and the city was not to be outdone.

The East Gate, the main gate on the east side of Chengdu, was bustling with countless vendors and ordinary people.

Not only because the East Gate is closest to the city's largest market, but also because it is the main gate for merchants from other places to enter and exit the city.

Not far from the East Gate is Guanfang, a place that is usually sparsely visited, but today it was packed with people, making it impossible to move around.

The government dispatched capable soldiers to maintain order, forming a semi-circle to separate the onlookers from the bluestone wall.

This bluestone wall is where the government office hangs imperial notices; even on market days in the past, there were never so many people gathered around.

No, a similar situation occurred half a month ago when the imperial court issued a proclamation to revive the Imperial Academy.

Today, the notice was once again displayed on this bluestone wall, and the number of onlookers was several times greater than last time.

In addition to merchants and ordinary people, many prominent gentry also appeared in the vicinity.

However, unlike the onlookers who rushed forward to block them, they sat in carriages or rode horses and stopped on the street not far away.

Others sat in nearby teahouses and restaurants, leisurely drinking tea, with servants and slaves watching over them.

As noon approached, the busiest time of the day, a troop of soldiers slowly approached.

The leading official, dressed in civil official's robes, walked with a composed and confident gait, a broad smile on his face.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Lord Dong Yun, the Imperial Attendant, has arrived!"

The Yellow Gate Attendant was a palace official within the palace gates. Although his official rank was not high, he was a close attendant of the emperor and held a prestigious position.

The proclamations he issued were practically imperial edicts.

After the soldiers parted the crowd to the left and right, Dong Yun walked to the bluestone wall, stood on the stone stool, and said loudly to the crowd: "Since Your Majesty revived the Imperial Academy, many learned scholars have flocked here, determined to serve the country. This is a blessing for the Han Dynasty."

"After seven days of examinations and recommendations, the Prime Minister's Office has carefully selected the following talented individuals and officials from among these ambitious people to enter the training program for further study."

"If any gems are missed, continue your efforts and come back in three years. The gates of the court will always be open to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheers and clamor for the announcement of the list of successful candidates.

Seeing the enthusiastic response from the people, Dong Yun immediately laughed and said, "Please don't be impatient, everyone. This imperial edict is made of two pieces of silk. Let me unveil them one by one."

"Quickly uncover it, quickly uncover it! My young master must be inside."

"My family member was approved by the examiner in both exams and will definitely be on the list."

"Lord Zhu is an honest and upright official who benefits the people, so he will definitely be on the list."

At this moment, more and more people gathered in front of the bluestone wall, and the soldiers on guard could only hold their halberds to keep everyone at bay.

Dong Yun ordered his civil servants to bring a scroll, which was then slowly unrolled and hung on the bluestone wall.

As the imperial edict was unfurled, the onlookers surged forward, pushing the soldiers blocking their way several steps.

"I got it! I got it! My young master is on it!"

"I passed too! Father and Mother, your son has finally brought honor to our ancestors."

"How could my adult's name be on this? This can't be right, is it a mistake?"

Among the crowd, besides the onlookers and vendors, those who were checking the list for their masters reacted very differently from some of the students who made the list.

The first group to be announced were selected from people from poor families and ordinary people.

They were absolutely ecstatic to be on the list.

However, there is a small group of people on the list who originally served in the imperial court or the military, but were eliminated because they failed the assessment.

If someone is too incompetent, or even lacks real talent, they will be dismissed from their post by the imperial court. If they wish to re-enter officialdom, they will have to wait three years for the imperial court to issue another application.

Therefore, they are very conflicted.

He didn't want his name to appear on this imperial edict, but he was also terrified that he wouldn't even have his name on another imperial edict.

"Don't rush, don't rush, let me have someone read it aloud."

Most of the onlookers were illiterate, but they still loved to get close and watch. To maintain discipline, Dong Yun shouted at the top of his lungs.

Another accompanying civil official cleared his throat and then read out the family backgrounds and names listed on the list.

Although the onlookers could not recognize all the people on the list, they applauded and cheered as long as they recognized or had heard of any of the names.

After the reading was finished, Dong Yun continued to announce another list.

This list was the real reason why these aristocratic families came to see it.

Without further ado, Dong Yun ordered his men to hang the list in a blank spot on the bluestone wall and then unfold it with a swipe.

Hey!

The crowd suddenly surged again, pushing the guarding soldiers back several steps.

Before long, many people broke away from the crowd and rushed to where their masters were to deliver the news.

On the street directly opposite the bluestone wall, Zhuge Liang was looking out through a second-floor window.

Today is the day the results are announced. Chengdu is the central hub of the imperial court, and every move it makes involves the interests of countless powerful families and clans, so it is of great importance.

"Guess who will be the first to stand up and object after the imperial edict is published?"

Zhuge Liang's words sounded like something an outsider would say, but everyone present understood the worries in the heart of this Shu Han prime minister.

If the opposition is not handled properly, it could trigger a series of chain reactions, causing turmoil in the imperial court and even affecting the plans of other counties in Yizhou to implement training programs.

"My elder brother is renowned for his literary talent, as everyone knows, so why isn't he on the list?"

"Lord Zhang has done nothing wrong in governing the country, yet he is no longer on the list. We are not satisfied!"

"The fact that a well-read person failed the exam while an illiterate person became famous must mean that someone is protecting him."

"This list even includes the son of a surrendered general. How could such disloyal and unjust individuals be listed?"

"The list is suspected of being manipulated, and we demand that the court provide a fair response."

At the urging of the servants of the aristocratic families who failed the exam, public opinion was in uproar, and the criticism was directed at the Prime Minister's residence, which was in charge of supervising the exam.

Dong Yun had long anticipated that the list would provoke dissatisfaction and opposition from some people, and he already had a plan in mind.

"Please be quiet and listen to me."

As this close advisor to the emperor spoke, the previously noisy officialdom gradually quieted down.

"Bring the carriage over here!"

Dong Yun did not answer directly, but instead ordered the carriage to be brought over.

Soon, several horse-drawn carriages slowly arrived.

Behind the carriage were mountains of bamboo slips.

"Lord Dong, what is the meaning of this?"

Dong Yun said, "His Majesty has decreed that, in order to ensure the fairness and transparency of the examination, the files of every student and official who participated in the examination have been sealed and are all on these carriages."

"Sir, do you mean that all the exam papers for this exam are on the carriage?"

"That's good. The bamboo slips not only contain their essays, but also the examiner's comments and signature at the end. If anyone has any doubts about their results, they can retrieve their own files under the supervision of the Prime Minister's office and review them themselves."

"If anyone suspects any fraudulent activity by the Prime Minister's office, they may freely select any case file for review. However, the Prime Minister's office must not disclose the identity of the person who answered the question in that case file."

Hey!

Everyone suddenly realized.

So that's how it works.

In this way, those who failed the exam would know how their essays were perceived by the examiners, and the common people could also learn about the knowledge and understanding of those who failed from the case files.

In this way, those who lack real talent and learning will certainly not dare to ask to check their own articles, for fear of losing face in front of the public.

After Dong Yun finished speaking, many of the dissenting voices among the people suddenly disappeared.

Zhuge Liang, who was observing from the shadows, nodded in approval of this move.

"The open review of the case files greatly reduced the opposition from the aristocratic families, while also saving face for them, putting them in a dilemma. Your Majesty is truly a divine being."

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone shouted, "Military Advisor Ma Su, if you have any questions, please consult Lord Dong Yun."

Zhuge Liang was taken aback upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, the first person to stand up and object was his favorite student, Ma Su.