PNB Chapter 589: Candidates who have read the random replies
Chapter 589: Candidates who have read the random replies
The marking of the Spring Examination papers is still in full swing.
Whether it was the Jinshi exam, agricultural exam, or science and engineering exam, the chief examiner and accompanying examiners were marking the exam papers day and night and evaluating the candidates' performance.
As a qualified hands-off boss, Zhang Shikang also worked day and night, but he did it at home.
He left the task of marking examination papers for science, engineering and agricultural subjects to Song Yingxing, Bi Maokang and others.
Fortunately, the examination papers for science, engineering and agriculture were much simpler to mark than the eight-part essay for the Jinshi examination. For subjects like science and engineering, right is right and wrong is wrong. It did not require several examiners to consider whether the wording was accurate, as in the case of essays.
However, when the marking work reached the sixth day, Zhang Shikang, as the chief examiner, still participated in the marking for two days.
However, he only participated in the marking of the third exam, and he was still very interested in the candidates' answers to the questions he set.
However, after two days and reading hundreds of test papers, he was still somewhat disappointed.
Most of the candidates' answers were mediocre. Under the feudal ideology, not everyone dared to question the gods.
As for flying, the sun and stars, they are all too mysterious and far away, and the answers are all kinds of strange.
What's more, quite a number of people directly answered that they didn't know, which is worthy of the straightforwardness of science and engineering men.
Of course, there are also some interesting answers, such as making a big enough kite, or a big enough Kongming lantern, and tying a person underneath it to ascend to heaven.
Some people also cite flying birds as an example, believing that as long as a device that flaps fast enough can be designed, humans can also fly like birds.
Anyway, just for fun.
On April 15th, the court posted the notice as scheduled.
There were 265 people who passed the Jinshi examination, 112 people who passed the science and engineering examination, and 46 people who passed the agriculture examination.
Candidates who failed the exam naturally left the capital and returned to their homes. As for the candidates who passed the exam, they continued to stay in the capital and wait for the palace examination half a month later.
In ancient times, the emperor himself set the questions for the palace examination, and the ranking of the candidates was determined by the results.
The candidates who passed the palace examination were divided into three classes, and the top three in the first class were awarded the title of Jinshi, namely Zhuangyuan, Bangyan and Tanhua.
A number of candidates in the second class were granted the title of Jinshi, and a number of candidates in the third class were granted the title of Tong Jinshi.
The science and engineering and agricultural sciences also followed this system, but Emperor Chongzhen handed over the science and engineering palace examinations to Zhang Shikang on the grounds that he did not understand science and engineering.
On the contrary, when it came to agricultural science, Emperor Chongzhen did not say a word, because he was quite interested in agricultural science at that time.
All the successful candidates in the agricultural science examination were good at farming. He planned to find a few talented people through this palace examination to discuss how to grow vegetables more scientifically.
Although the palace examination was set by the emperor, in reality he was just going through the motions. The palace examination did not eliminate the candidates anyway, it was just a ranking. The candidates were also more relaxed than during the metropolitan examination.
The palace examination for the Jinshi degree was arranged in the Jianji Hall according to the old system, the agricultural subject was arranged by Emperor Chongzhen in the Zhongji Hall, and the science and engineering subject that Zhang Shikang was in charge of was arranged in the Wuying Hall.
Speaking of which, Zhang Shikang was still the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace, but this was his first time in this palace.
The 112 successful candidates had already arrived. The discipline of the palace examination was relatively relaxed, and the candidates did not have to cover their names on the test papers. They could even see the chief examiner in person.
Most people did not know Zhang Shikang, but two of them looked somewhat excited.
One of them was naturally the eldest brother. With his excellent smelting skills, the eldest brother easily won the first place. Thinking of the fact that he had spent several days with the president some time ago, he was happy to see him again in the imperial city.
The other person was one of the farmers that Zhang Shikang had visited when he led his army through Zhengzhou. If Zhang Shikang remembered correctly, the young man was the son of Old Xing.
Old Xing was also a capable man. He made a small fortune by being the first to plant new crops. At that time, he even insisted that his son take the imperial examination.
Zhang Shikang saw that the child was more interested in science and engineering, so he persuaded Old Xing and promised that if he encountered any difficulties in the capital, he could come to him for help.
I didn't expect that this young man also won the first place.
Zhang Shikang nodded calmly to the two of them, then looked around at the 112 candidates and raised his voice:
“First of all, I, the president, would like to congratulate you all for standing out in the examination.
But don't be happy too soon. I have looked at the test papers of the third examination. Most people just read them randomly and answered them terribly.
But it is understandable that the questions asked by this president are indeed beyond your understanding. "
According to the rules, there is no speech before the palace examination, but the emperor is not here, so he is the boss here.
Some of the candidates looked ashamed, while others were puzzled and felt that the questions asked by the president were also confusing.
Zhang Shikang ignored these people and continued:
“The questions for this palace examination were also set by this president. In order to reduce the difficulty for you, this president really put in a lot of effort.
There are six questions in total. Each candidate only needs to choose one question from the six to answer. The time limit is two hours, and there is no limit on the number of words. "
The candidates present looked at each other in bewilderment, but after a little thought they could understand why. Although all of them were majoring in science and engineering, some were engaged in smelting, some were engaged in civil engineering, some were blacksmiths, some were making firearms, etc., so the questions were indeed a difficult one.
They just hoped that this seemingly unreliable president would stop being so abstract and give some normal questions.
Song Yingxing and Bi Maokang on the side were all frowning, hoping that Zhang Shikang would quickly order the papers to be distributed. However, Zhang Shikang said:
“In fact, those who pass the science and engineering and agricultural science exams don’t necessarily have to become officials.
What's good about being an official? It's not as comfortable as working in our Manufacturing Bureau.
To be honest with you, I am not only the chief examiner for science, engineering and agriculture, but also the chief leader of our Ming Dynasty Royal Manufacturing Bureau.
The General Administration of Manufacturing needs talents like you!
This president promises that if you go to the General Manufacturing Bureau, you will be paid the salary of a seventh-rank official in the imperial court. You should think about it carefully. Being an official is so tiring!"
Song Yingxing and Bi Maokang finally couldn't bear it anymore and kept coughing to remind Zhang Shikang not to talk nonsense.
This is damned, poaching from the imperial court during the palace examination, only their chief leader could do such a thing.
Those who can stand out from so many candidates and become Jinshi must have very high technical level. Song Yingxing naturally hopes that some of them can enter the General Administration of Manufacturing.
After the court increased the salaries of officials, the monthly salary of a seventh-rank official was twenty taels, which was indeed not low, at least higher than most high-level craftsmen in the Manufacturing General Administration.
But Song Yingxing was not panicked. Anyway, no matter whether he was an official or worked in the Manufacturing Bureau, his monthly salary would be paid by the Ministry of Revenue. He just felt that the chief leader was too straightforward.
Bi Maokang even wondered in his heart what expression the emperor would have if he were present at this moment. He was really a little curious.
After Zhang Shikang finished placing an advertisement for the General Administration of Manufacturing, he waved his hand and ordered people to start distributing the test papers.
After receiving the test paper, most candidates prayed in their hearts that the questions were not too outrageous, while they couldn't wait to look at the test questions.
After just a glance, many candidates saluted the president again.
As expected, they were disappointed again.
If the president doesn't engage in abstraction, is he still the president?
PS: My vacation is over, and I will resume normal updates from tomorrow. I would like to wish you all a happy new year and hope you will have good luck in the Year of the Snake, and may you be happy, healthy and prosperous in the new year.
……