We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 917 The First Imperial Examination in Daqing (4)

This question is no longer a simple test of classical texts, but a practical question that even subtly touches upon the principles of military strategy.

It has no standard answer, nor any sage's words to follow; it tests the students' ability to make decisions and their sense of responsibility in the face of danger.

For Zhang Qian, this was undoubtedly the most difficult type of question.

Although he had read a few basic military books, he could not be said to be an expert.

His resources are limited, and he cannot possibly be knowledgeable in any field.

After all, the best military treatises were closely guarded secrets in this era, passed down through the families of generals and commanders.

Not only Zhang Qian, but the vast majority of students present had never been exposed to military strategy.

But was this question beyond the scope of the curriculum? Upon closer examination, no.

If these students are fortunate enough to become officials in the future, even if they are only the lowest-ranking officials in a county, they will still be known as "Lord of a Hundred Miles" by the people, wielding the power of life, death, and education.

If banditry or border conflicts suddenly occur within its jurisdiction, can one expect a county magistrate who knows nothing about military affairs to protect the territory and its people?

Zhang Qian pondered deeply, and suddenly a dialogue between Zigong and Confucius in the Analects came to mind.

He immediately had an idea, picked up his pen, and wrote it down on the draft:

In the past, Zigong asked Confucius about governance.

Confucius said, “If there is sufficient food and sufficient military strength, the people will trust you.”

Zigong then asked, "If one must leave, which of these three should be prioritized?"

He said, "Remove the soldiers."

According to the teachings of the sages, when the granaries are full, people know etiquette and manners, for food is the most important thing for the people.

Without soldiers, one can still govern through virtue and unite through trust; without food, the people's hearts will crumble and the foundation of the nation will be shaken.

Therefore, the priority should be to save the granaries.

He paused here, his brows furrowing.

Although the answer was well-researched, he couldn't wholeheartedly agree with it because it seemed somewhat untenable.

Zhang Qian was originally a peasant, a person from the lowest rungs of society.

Although his hometown was not ravaged by war, he was able to empathize with the plight of ordinary people.

He tried to put himself in that war-torn scene:

If his village were attacked and his granary and armory were on fire at the same time, what would he prefer to preserve?

Having food but no soldiers means that when the enemy's iron hooves trample in, the food is nothing more than easy prey.

The villagers were unarmed and had no choice but to submit to slaughter or become lambs to the slaughter.

Even with soldiers but no food, though the situation is difficult, they can still organize able-bodied men to resist with weapons and hold out until reinforcements arrive.

If we can provide cover for the elderly and weak to escape and migrate, even if they have to flee famine or beg, there is always a glimmer of hope.

At this moment, weapons represent the minimum guarantee of survival and resistance.

The words of sages concern the great principles of governing a country, but when it comes to the actual critical moment of survival, simple wisdom for survival is often more direct.

With that in mind, Zhang Qian no longer hesitated.

Below the previous answer, on a new line, I wrote down my choice:

However, this is a grand theory of governing a country, not something to be applied in a hasty situation.

The specific situations vary greatly depending on the city and its defenses.

Even if the granary is burned down, people can still eat wild fruits, dig up grass roots, or migrate to other places to survive.

If the armory is lost, then the land will be unarmed, the enemy will be defenseless, and even if there is food, it will only serve to aid the enemy, and everyone will become fish and meat.

At that time, the people will be unable to be protected, the city will be unable to be defended, and the villages and communities will collapse in an instant.

Therefore, faced with this dilemma, we must save the armory first!

Only by maintaining armed forces can we protect the common people, preserve the seeds of resistance, and await the arrival of the royal army.

After writing the last word, Zhang Qian felt uneasy but had no regrets.

I did not blindly follow the words of the sage, but followed the judgment of my own heart.

Faced with this only chance that might change his fate, Zhang Qian did not want to fabricate falsehoods.

Since His Majesty prides himself on being pragmatic, then he will reveal his most genuine answer from the depths of his heart.

The subsequent discussions on current affairs either inquired about criminal law or water conservancy.

Zhang Qian calmed himself down and answered each question based on his own experience, no longer as flustered as he had been at the beginning.

Once the answer to the last question on ink was copied, the first half of the exam finally came to an end.

It was nearly noon, the sun was blazing, and the heat inside the examination hall was gradually rising.

According to the rules, there is a break in the middle, and the second half of the exam papers will be distributed after the summer heat subsides in the afternoon.

Zhang Qian breathed a sigh of relief, put down his pen, and stretched his slightly numb wrists before finally having a chance to look around.

Many candidates remained hunched over their desks, their faces filled with anxiety, their pens flying across the paper as they tried to make up for any mistakes at the last minute.

He dared not look at it too much, for fear of attracting the examiner's attention, so he lowered his head and carefully checked his exam paper, reading it silently to make sure he had made no mistakes.

clang--

Before long, a clear and melodious gong sounded throughout the square, signifying that it was time to stop writing and put away the papers.

"Everyone stop writing!"

The academic official stood solemnly before the platform, his voice authoritative.

Upon hearing this, most students, even if unwilling, had no choice but to put down their pens.

However, a dozen or so people seemed to turn a deaf ear, either because they were too engrossed in their work or because they were hoping for the best, and continued to write furiously.

Some even murmured pleadingly, "Sir, please give the students just a little more time, just a little more!"

The examiner merely glanced over coldly without reprimanding them, while the clerk beside him quickly noted down the seat numbers of the examinees.

Immediately, the examiner ignored them and announced loudly, "Now, all candidates, fold the top part of your exam paper, which contains your name, place of origin, and other information, along the dotted line!"

Zhang Qian was slightly taken aback, not realizing the purpose of this action, but he still did as instructed.

Then the examiner announced, "Examiners, begin collecting the papers!"

At a command, several examiners acted swiftly, collecting the exam papers of candidates who had stopped writing.

When they reached the candidates who had not stopped writing, they ignored them and walked right past them.

A student who was still writing furiously looked up in surprise and saw that the examiner had collected the papers from the row in front of him but had walked around him. He hurriedly called out:

"Sir! The students' papers haven't been collected yet!"

The examiner's gaze was fixed on him, his voice cold: "Since the gong sounded and the examinee did not immediately stop, according to the 'Regulations for the Imperial Examinations,' the results of this examination are invalid!"

The students turned pale instantly, as if all their strength had been drained away, and their calligraphy brushes fell to the ground with a 'clatter'.

He slumped in his seat, his eyes glazed over, looking as if he had lost his parents.

Strict discipline must be followed in the examination room, with no room for leniency; this was a rigid condition set by Li Che.

Perhaps some people still feel that the imperial examination system was unfair, and that's true; the world is inherently unfair.

But Li Che wanted to tell these students:

The imperial examination system was already the fairest thing in this unfair world.

After the examiners collected all the papers from the students who had finished writing, they then collected the papers from the eliminated students.

Two stacks of exam papers, one large and one small, were presented to the examiner. He picked up a red pen, drew an X on the small stack, and set it aside.

Then he took out a bottle of paste and pasted it onto the folded part of the rolls of another stack of rolls.

He then addressed the candidates, saying, "I have covered your names with paper. No one will be able to see your identities until the grading is finished."

"All students can rest assured that the imperial court's selection of talents is fair and there is absolutely no cheating!"