Chapter 84
Entering the Ministry of Rites’ Examination Hall, Xu Ming carried his examination badge along with his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to his designated cubicle.
The cubicle was tiny—five feet long, four feet wide, and eight feet high. Inside, it contained only a desk, a bed, a lamp, and a covered chamber pot. Eating, drinking, sleeping, and relieving oneself all had to be done within this confined space.
The only consolation was that the chamber pot had a tightly sealing lid and was regularly emptied by designated staff.
With the ringing of the bell, the imperial examination officially began.
Test papers were distributed to each examinee in order, and when it came time to collect them, they would be retrieved in reverse order. Only after the next bell rang were the candidates allowed to open their papers and begin reading and writing their answers.
The examination comprised four subjects: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with each subject consisting of twenty questions. The exam spanned four full days.
During these four days, examinees not only had to craft perfect answers to the questions but also meticulously transcribe their responses onto clean sheets, ensuring not a single character was misspelled and the handwriting was immaculate.
The neatness of one’s exam papers greatly influenced the examiner’s first impression. Moreover, for those who succeeded in becoming tribute scholars, their papers would eventually be presented to the emperor himself.
Thus, the imperial examination was not merely a test of intellect but also one of endurance and diligence.