The two chief examiners in Jukui Hall sat on the left and right sides, and according to the order in which the decree was originally appointed, Qian Xili should be the main examiner, and Ma Yu should be the deputy chief examiner.

However, there was a very outrageous problem in the Yichou Department examination, that is, the title of Waiter of the Ministry of Rites, which should have been added to Qian Xili, for some reason, had not been registered until the examination began.

Therefore, Qian Xili's current official title is still a five-grade bachelor of Hanlin Academy.

Although Ma Yu's Wenyuan Pavilion scholar is nominally of the fifth grade, once he is hung up with the title of bachelor of the four palaces and two pavilions, it means that he has been promoted to the rank of palace minister, which is one grade higher than that of ordinary civil officials.

Not to mention that Ma Yu is still a member of the cabinet, controlling the real power of the Ming Dynasty, Qian Xili is a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, which is really not enough compared to his subordinates.

The emergence of this outrageous situation has led to Qian Xili's lack of decision-making power in the ranking of the examination, and most of the other examiners will be biased towards Ma Yu's opinion.

In order to ensure fairness and avoid favoritism, the power of the examiner is greatly limited, and it needs to be jointly agreed with the examiner. Now even pulling people's heads to vote, Qian Xili can't compare to the other party, and there are signs of being set aside.

At this time, the placement of the answer sheet on the table is basically decided by Ma Yu, which is why Shen Yichen's test paper will be placed so far back.

Seeing that all the examiners had taken their seats, Qian Xili cleared his throat and spoke: "Colleagues, today is the last day of the Yichou Branch Examination to fill in the list, and it is also the time to decide the ranking of the Five Classics of the Examination. ”

"Learn from the scriptures and seek talents for the country. We are deeply blessed with God's grace and must repay it with fairness and justice, and we must not let the talents of any scholar be dusted! ”

Qian Xili's speech seems to be a polite remark, but in fact, what he said can be said to have profound meaning.

Because he had read all the eighteen answer sheets on the table, he had a rough idea of the quality of the articles. It is obvious that the position in this way is not determined by the level of knowledge, but by other reasons.

Although Qian Xili has always been in a "noble" place like the Hanlin Academy, he has not been involved in the court's deception too much. But he has served as the chief examiner of several township examinations and general examinations, how can the various doorways in this be unclear?

Therefore, the purpose of his remarks was to tell the forces present that it was too ugly to say goodbye, so that the truly talented candidates would have a chance to stand out.

"Yes, President."

When the eighteen fellow examiners heard Qian Xili's speech, they all nodded yes, as for how much they could listen to, only God knows.

"What Lord Qian said is very true, colleagues will work the last day, and prepare to discuss and fill in the list."

Ma Yu, who was beside him, echoed without pain, and then beckoned to the examiner to start working.

Compared with the righteous words of an old pedant like Qian Xili, Ma Yu's words are obviously more popular.

After all, the work of marking the papers in the past ten days can be called an all-nighter, and many people's mental and physical strength have reached a critical value, so there is no leisure time to listen to you talk about the big truth here.

According to the process of ranking the list, it is filled in from the sixth place, because the examiner has the right to decide, and the lower ranking is not as important as the five classics, so there is not much room for controversy.

Unless the answer sheet from which room comes out, the examiner is particularly optimistic and thinks that this candidate has the strength to compete for the top of the Five Classics, he will stand up and apply for re-reading.

In general, when this happens, the examiner will basically not force the decision to hold a one-word hall, but will convene all the examiners to discuss and then decide whether to be included in the list of candidates for the Five Classics.

"The three-room recommendation paper of "Yi" ranked sixth in the second ugly department examination."

Qian Xili filled in the list over and over again, and read out the articles recommended by which room were ranked.

Hearing this ranking, the examiner of the third room of "Yi" instantly had a look of chagrin on his face, as long as he was one step closer, he could become the answer sheet of the Five Classics, which was such a step away!

""Spring and Autumn" is a recommended paper, ranking seventh in the B Chou Department examination."

Compared with the same examiner in the third room of "Yi", the same examiner in the first room of "Spring and Autumn" looks much more indifferent, and he is very satisfied with the current ranking.

"The second room of the "Book of Rites" recommended paper, ranked eighth in the second class examination."

"The book is recommended in the fourth room, and it ranks ninth in the B-Chou Department examination."

……

Listening to the rankings go back one by one, Lai Rong felt a little restless, mixed with disobedience and anxiety in his heart.

He is fully sure of the gold content of the answer sheet he recommended. Even if there is no first article and no second martial arts, everyone has different preferences for the style of the article, and it will never be ranked outside the top ten.

can serve as the same examiner for the examination, Lai Rong naturally can't be a "stupid white sweet", he just never expected that the pool of Yichouke would be so deep, and he forced such a talented article out of the top ten.

"The first room of "Poetry" is recommended, and it ranks twelfth in the second and chou department examinations."

"The second room of the book is recommended, and it is ranked thirteenth in the second class examination."

When he finally heard the ranking of his recommended articles, Lai Rong couldn't sit still at all, he stood up and arched his hand and said: "Your Excellency, this answer sheet is thorough, clear and clear, and it expounds the way of Confucius and Mencius in depth, and I hope to take it as appropriate!" ”

Although Lai Rong didn't say the word re-reading clearly, his meaning has been clearly expressed, that is, this candidate's article level is definitely more than thirteenth!

Seeing Lai Rong standing up and asking for a review, Qian Xili's face faintly had a playful smile.

Because all the rankings so far are not according to his standards, but according to the order in which the answer sheets are placed on the table, they are filled in one by one.

How many cats are greasy in this, how can Qian Xili not know?

But he also knew in his heart that he was weak in this test, and it was impossible to ensure that all candidates were fair and just. can only do as much as possible, let the Five Classics answer the questionnaire and deserve it.

"Since Lord Lai praises it so much, how about you colleagues taste it together?"

After that, Qian Xili set his eyes on Ma Yu intentionally or unintentionally, and it was obvious that he was the behind-the-scenes leader of the test rankings.

"That's very good, according to what Lord Qian said."

Ma Yu, a palace minister, is naturally an old fox, and he immediately agreed to review it without saying a word, so that people can't find the slightest fault.

Soon, Shen Yichen's first answer sheet was selected and spread out on the table alone, and the twenty examiners present gathered around together, wanting to see what the strength of the candidates who applied for re-examination was that Lai Rong was willing to risk offending Shangguan and even the forces behind him.

As soon as he glanced at it twice, the examiner surnamed Fang Dou in the "Book" remembered that this was not the answer sheet that Lai Rong shouted to "recommend" the night before?

At that time, the quality of this candidate's essay was unanimously praised by the examiners in the room, especially the Five Classics questions were ridiculously strong. Even if it has been six or seven days, I have read almost thousands of test papers, and I still remember it vividly.

Such a talented answer sheet is only ranked thirteenth?

"I have an impression of this answer sheet, and it is indeed outstanding and talented."

"I also remember that after reading it that night, I felt that it was more than one level higher than the answer sheets of other exams."

"Your Excellency President, the lower officials agree with what Lord Lai said!"

Just glanced at it, and several fellow examiners who had corrected Shen Yichen's answer sheet together that night all stood up and supported Lai Rong with a clear banner.

After all, this candidate's answer sheet is so good that if he doesn't stand up and say a word of conscience today, it will simply violate the oath made to Confucius at the opening ceremony!

Facing all the fellow examiners standing up to support him, Ma Yu's face changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal, and even said with a faint smile: "Since all my colleagues think that this answer sheet is halal and elegant, then this official will put it aside for the time being and decide the winner together with the top five answer sheets." ”

"Lord Qian, what do you think?"

Ma Yu also asked Qian Xili for advice, and the surface work was full of work.

"As Madam said."

Hearing the test paper he recommended, there was a chance to enter the top five to compete for the top tense, Lai Rong couldn't help but clench his fists to vent his inner excitement.

Up to this moment, his argument for Shen Yichen's answer sheet was not only for the benefits brought by a higher ranking, but also for a kind of struggle.

Prove that your vision is right, prove that Shen Yichen's article is absolutely crushed, and prove that candidates with such talent should not be buried by external factors!

After the episode of Shen Yichen's answer sheet passed, the ranking continued. However, Lai Rong made a start, and soon another fellow examiner stood up and applied for a review.

Only this time, it was not recognized by most of the examiners, and the same examiner who applied for the review had to sit down stupidly.

Soon there were only six answer sheets left on the table, and then it was time to enter the real white-hot stage of the Yichou Branch Examination to decide who could become the leader of the much-anticipated Guild.

"Colleagues, when it comes to the ranking stage of the Five Classics and Huiyuan, I hope you can speak freely and discuss the answer sheet that everyone expects."

There is no need for Qian Xili to emphasize this, and the fellow examiners who have the opportunity to be shortlisted for the final selection at this moment will not be polite.

If you bring out a huiyuan in your hands, the benefits of the friendship between teachers and students will be immeasurable. After all, the same examiner is not as powerful as the chief examiner, most of them are small civil officials around the seventh grade, and they are more thinking about holding their thighs in reverse.

At this time, I saw a fellow examiner named Gu Tao take the lead in getting up and recommending himself: "The lower official thinks that the answer sheet he recommended can be used as a huiyuan." ”

"What's the reason?"

Qian Xili asked rhetorically.

"This sub-article is clear, reasonable, and kind, and it has achieved a straightforward expression of the heart, Jasic also."

Before Qian Xili could give an evaluation, another fellow examiner immediately stood up and said, "The lower officials have different opinions, I think it's ......."

If the previous six to eighteen were secret battles, then the competition for Huiyuan was equivalent to a clear battle, and several fellow examiners quickly quarreled!

For this scene, Ma Yu just had a faint smile on his face, as if he was watching a play, making them noisy.

The reason is very simple, that is, except for Shen Yichen's answer sheet, which can be called an outlier, the other five rankings have actually been decided!

There are many similarities between Huiyuan and the township examination, and there are many differences, but the biggest difference in the examiners is not the size of the number of examiners, but all the examiners are selected from Beijing!

In order to prevent the examiners from localizing and protecting each other, the township examination will send a scholar and a Beijing official to serve as the chief examiner, playing the role of mutual supervision and balance.

The people who will try all the fucking are their own people, and the high-ranking officials in Beijing are like clouds, and the interests of all factions are intertwined, so there is no way to guarantee the fairness of the ranking.

Even the vague name is like nothing to many examiners.

The ranking of the five classics is actually the result of the compromise between various forces.

Ma Yu's son, Ma Zheng, was placed fifth. It's not that he can't fight for a higher ranking, but for the exam, either he will win the huiyuan, otherwise there is not much difference between two, three, four, and five.

Considering the identity of "My Examiner Father" and avoiding suspicion, Ma Yu put his son in the fifth place, which is a more suitable ranking in all aspects.

Huichangbo's son Sun Shaozong was placed in the fourth place, as the uncle of the emperor of the Red Qi, Wujingkui naturally had a place for him.

It's just that for this Sun Shaozong, Ma Yu is unwilling to be the leader of the Five Classics in his heart, because his knowledge is too poor. Under normal circumstances, it is difficult to even get a middle jinshi, and it is also worthy of being selected as the leader of the Five Classics?

However, officialdom is like this, if you want to show favoritism for your son, then you must take out a part of the benefits in exchange, otherwise you will be impeached the next day after the list is released.

The top three are also a scholar named Yang Hongze, who has not had time to figure out what identity Ma Yu has, but the background is quite large.

He was elected by Hu Hui, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and his famous words must at least guarantee the top three rankings. Compared with Sun Shaozong's straw bag, Yang Hongze's answer Ma Yu agreed after reading it, even if this son does not go through the back door for favoritism, he still has the ability to win the Five Classics.

As for the title of Huiyuan, in fact, it has also been determined, and he is He Pingyan, the nephew of Wang Zhi, the secretary of the ministry.

He Pingyan himself was talented and sophisticated, and often visited various officials in Beijing, and also gathered a group of second ancestors to establish the Gongxing Society.

And this son is not obvious in front of ordinary people, and he does not bully men and women, it can be said that all aspects of the relationship are handled very properly and have been unanimously praised.

His election as the head of the Otchoko is an acceptable outcome for all parties, and it will not cause controversy among the broad group of scholars.

In addition, there is one place left in the Five Classics, which will be obtained by the scholars of the poor sect who really rely on their ability. After all, the upper echelons gave the top five round, and the food was too ugly, so I had to give others a little soup to drink.

But then again, the reason why the ranking dares to act so arrogantly is more because its ranking is like a transition. Soon the candidates will have to take the palace examination, and the first, second and third grades at that time are the moments that determine the prospects of their careers, and they don't dare to be so unscrupulous.

The only outlier in the ranking of the Five Classics this time is Shen Yichen. It does not mean that he became the sixth scholar to participate in the competition under the strong recommendation of Lai Rong.

But in the original plan, Shen Yichen himself was a member of the Five Classics, until Yang Hongze appeared and squeezed him out. However, in order to ensure that Cheng Guogong is not offended, and this sub-article is indeed too outstanding, he can only be ranked in the sixth to eighteenth ranking.

As a result, I never expected that it really confirmed that real gold is not afraid of fire, and Shen Yichen, this kid, actually came back by force!

In the face of the fight with this group of examiners, Qian Xili was also watching coldly, and waited until they were almost arguing before he spoke: "Since all your colleagues can't convince each other, then let's raise our hands to vote, what do you think?" ”

As soon as they heard this, several examiners who had been arguing about flying up before instantly fell silent.

Because they already know the ranking of their recommended answers, and even the benefits have been received. The argument is just a trick to play realistically, after all, it is impossible for all examiners to be in the same boat, just like Qian Xili.

Now that you're going to vote, how can you make sure it goes according to plan?

Ma Yu also sighed at the moment, these brothers really have no acting talent, and they are too deep in the play. It should have taken a step back a long time ago and pushed out He Pingyan's answer sheet, how could there be so many things.

Just when Ma Yu was about to open his mouth to clean up the mess, he didn't expect Qian Xili to preemptively say: "This official elected the second room recommendation of the "Book", which is the orthodox ten-year B Chou Ke will test the yuan, who is in favor and who is against!" ”

When the words fell, Qian Xili slowly but firmly raised his right hand.

He has been forbearance for a long time, and he has long been unaccustomed to this false performance of filling in the rankings, and it is time for the real genius to obtain the glory that belongs to him!

"The lower official agrees with the president's decision!"

Lai Rong did not hesitate, and raised his right hand as soon as possible to express his support for Shen Yichen's answer.

"The lower official seconded the proposal!"

Another fellow examiner raised his right hand, he was deeply impressed by Shen Yichen's article, this kind of talent will be well-deserved.

"The lower official seconded the proposal."

The examiner surnamed Dou also raised his right hand, and the joy of seeing a good article that night is still vivid, this is the power of words!

"The lower official seconded the proposal."

"Seconded."

Three, four, five...... Soon ten arms were raised on the field, and as long as there was one more person, more than half of them would be counted, and the battle for the Huiyuan would be settled.

Gone?

Qian Xili looked around, a little disappointed in his heart, if he couldn't win the title of Huiyuan in one go. I'm afraid that when I wait until the second round of voting by show of hands, I will no longer have a surprise advantage.

"The lower official seconded the proposal!"

Finally, in the corner at the end, another fellow examiner agreed with Qian Xili's selection.

More than half of the approval means that even if the remaining nine fellow examiners, all of whom support one candidate, they cannot change the outcome!

No one expected that the Huiyuan dispute in the orthodox ten years would be so thrilling, let alone that Shen Yichen would fight his way out on the battlefield where the interests of all parties were exchanged.

Huiyuan, well deserved!