freenovelworld Chapter 318 The Imperial Examination Spreads Throughout the Qin Dynasty
Chapter 318 The Imperial Examination Spreads Throughout the Qin Dynasty
The shopkeeper, who had been tidying up the ledgers on the counter, suddenly felt a figure cast down in front of him. He slowly raised his head and saw a young man standing in front of the counter. The young man was somewhat thin, and although his clothes were a little worn, they were very clean and tidy. What was most striking were his bright and determined eyes, shining like stars in the night sky.
The shopkeeper glanced at the boy and said expressionlessly, "This one costs ten coins." Hearing the price, Su Jin's eyes widened in disbelief. He quickly reached for the books on the counter and carefully examined them. The text was clear and the layout was exceptionally neat and orderly, clearly indicating meticulous compilation and printing. Yet, such exquisite books were only selling for a mere ten coins each! The price was astonishingly low.
Su Jin looked up with delight, her eyes filled with surprise, and eagerly asked the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, are you serious?"
The shopkeeper calmly replied, "What I said is certainly true." Upon receiving confirmation, Su Jin felt a surge of excitement and quickly took out the copper coins he had prepared beforehand, handing them to the shopkeeper. After receiving the books he had long desired, he clutched them tightly to his chest as if they were precious treasures, then strode out of the bookstore.
Even though he had already left the bookstore, Su Jin still felt as if he were in a beautiful dream, finding it hard to believe that everything that had just happened was real. As he walked, he kept glancing down at the books he was carrying, as if afraid they would suddenly disappear. Finally, he carefully placed these precious books in the closest place to his body, as if only by doing so could he truly feel at ease and secure.
After returning home, Su Jin didn't even step out of the door again. Instead, she plunged into her room and began her daily life of diligent study.
The imperial edict regarding the imperial examinations was transmitted at lightning speed to every corner of the Qin Dynasty via fast horses. Wherever the news reached, it caused a sensation and sparked heated discussions.
In an instant, the entire Qin Dynasty became bustling with activity. In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, people were all talking about the upcoming grand event. And those students who had buried themselves in their studies for many years were even more overjoyed, their hearts filled with the flame of hope.
In a quiet courtyard in the remote and secluded Kuaiji County, the young scholar Chen Xuan was sitting at his desk, intently studying ancient texts. Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the door, followed by a commotion. Chen Xuan couldn't help but look up, puzzled, towards the doorway.
Just then, a servant rushed in and shouted, "Great news! Young master, the imperial court is holding the civil service examination!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan nearly dropped the bamboo slip in his hand. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the courier, his voice trembling as he asked, "This...this news is true?"
The servant nodded repeatedly with a smile: "It's absolutely true, young master! This is a decree personally issued by the King. I heard that special registration points will soon be set up in various counties. You must not miss such a good opportunity!"
Upon receiving the affirmative reply, Chen Xuan felt a surge of excitement, his face flushed crimson. All those years of diligent study, day and night of hard work—hadn't it all been for this moment? Now, his day of triumph had finally arrived!
As the news spread rapidly, students from all over rushed to register. They eagerly packed their bags, carefully placing their beloved books inside, and, filled with hope and enthusiasm for the future, embarked on their journeys to the registration points in various counties and prefectures. Although the journey was arduous, every face radiated excitement and anticipation.
When these students arrived at the registration points in various counties, the scene before them took them by surprise—the registration points were teeming with people, with long queues stretching as far as the eye could see. Some students anxiously stood on tiptoe to peer ahead, while others whispered to those around them about their exam preparation tips, and still others nervously flipped through their notebooks. Despite the bustling atmosphere, everyone's eyes remained fixed on the registration point, a symbol of changing their destiny, their eyes filled with fervent anticipation.
However, just as everyone was anxiously waiting in line, a sudden piece of news exploded in the crowd like a bolt from the blue, catching everyone off guard.
The application process for this imperial examination was extremely rigorous. Besides the usual completion of personal information forms, a thorough investigation of each applicant's past was conducted. Anyone with a criminal record was ruthlessly rejected, completely disqualifying them from participating in the examinations. Furthermore, the government not only conducted written investigations but also sent officials to interview the applicants' relatives, friends, and neighbors to thoroughly examine their daily conduct and moral character.
The announcement of this regulation immediately caused a huge uproar throughout the Qin Dynasty, catching everyone completely off guard. Even the usually calm and collected Chen Xuan felt a sudden tightness in his chest upon hearing the news. He recalled a time when he was young and ignorant, and had impulsively gotten into a fierce conflict with a boy from a neighboring village. At the time, that boy was bullying others, and although he claimed to have intervened to save them, he had indeed struck someone. The incident had even alarmed the village head, and since no serious consequences resulted, he only received a verbal reprimand. However, this incident could still be considered a shameful "dark history" from his youthful and impetuous days.
Faced with such a strict system for verifying nominations for the imperial examinations, Chen Xuan couldn't help but feel worried. He wondered if his past would hinder his long-cherished path to the imperial examinations.
Meanwhile, officials of all ranks in the imperial court also felt immense pressure. Prefects and magistrates received urgent notices from their superiors: if any of the students registered for the imperial examinations within their jurisdiction had criminal records or were of questionable character, they, as the local officials in charge, would be held accountable and implicated. This order made these officials feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy, daring not to be careless in the slightest.
Consequently, the prefects and magistrates issued strict orders to their subordinates at all levels to be extremely vigilant and conduct a thorough and rigorous review of all applicants, ensuring that absolutely no oversights or errors occurred. For a time, a tense and oppressive atmosphere permeated the entire officialdom.