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I heard you're a follower of the School of Mind?
Zhao Su was startled.
Xu Shixing’s response to becoming Zhuangyuan just now had made him laugh secretly, but when it was really his turn, he wasn’t able to stay calm.
“Shao Yong!” Xu Shixing gave him a nudge in a low voice.
He took a deep breath, walked out, and bowed to greet the Emperor.
“You are Zhao Su?”
“In response to your Majesty, this official is Zhao Su.”
“I1 heard that you are a follower of the School of Mind?” he heard the Emperor casually ask, but everyone in the hall was taken aback.
Usually during the announcement ceremony, the Emperor’s questioning was usually just a mere formality. Like just before with Xu Shixing and Wang Xijue, it was simply a few words of encouragement, but when it came to Tanhua-lang2, Jiajing’s question seemed to be a little tricky, making the others mind’s run wild.
Thoughts flew rapidly in Zhao Su’s mind, he took a moment to calm down, and then replied respectfully: “In response to your Majesty, when Yang Ming-gong founded the School of Mind, he regarded the inner knowledge and the exterior action as one3 all his life, displaying utter loyalty to his country，because of this, he was also loyal to your Majesty. If to be loyal to one’s country is to be a follower of the School of Mind so therefore this official is a follower of the School of Mind.
Yan Song’s white eyebrows twitched lightly, and the corner of his eyes glanced over at the speaker.
The young man standing in the middle of the hall had barely reached adulthood, but his demeanour was graceful and calm, calmer than many people in their twenties and thirties. What was even more rare was that he was able to pull Wang Yangming out into the conversation, saying that if being loyal to one’s country like Yang Ming-gong4 is being a follower of the School of Mind, then he is indeed a follower of the School of Mind. This not only demonstrated his own position, he was also able to adequately respond to the Emperor without speaking discourteously.
All eyes in the hall were focused on him at once, Zhao Su felt as if they were burning a hole into his back, but before the Emperor had spoken, he had to maintain composure and remain in the bowing position.
Jiajing didn’t seem to expect that he would reply in this way. After a long silence, the Emperor finally said, “I hope that you will remember what you have said here today.”
The voice was harmonious and there was no hint of displeasure, Zhao Su secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Next was the announcement of the name of the first place of the second rank, his name was Yu Youding5.
Zhao Su had never heard of this person, but if he can be bestowed the title of Chuanlu, he must also be an outstanding scholar.
After the announcement of the honours list, the Ministry of Rites would set up a Qionglin banquet6 on behalf of the Emperor to reward the Examining Officials and the new Jinshi. At this time, Zhao Su and the other three top candidates would wear red robes and follow the drums and ride through the streets. They had to head over towards the banquet under the eyes and cheers of the entire city of Beijing. This was the benefit one had of being in the four top places in the Imperial Exams, but as Zhao Su sat upon his horse, he felt more like an animal in the circus that had been surrounded by the audience, but he still had to put a smile on his face and wave left and right to the people in the street. Unlike Chen Zhu, who got second place of the second rank, so he could just follow the others to the Ministry of Rites office first, without having to be paraded about in the streets like Zhao Su and others.
The banquet was naturally very lively.
Even at his age, Yan Song also personally came to the banquet on behalf of the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat to congratulate the new jinshi. Although he was a corrupt official, his reputation in painting and calligraphy was very well-known. Many people had wished for one of his masterpieces but never got it. So during this event, there were some people who were secretly cursing him under their breath, others acting proud, and some others were thinking about finding a chance to go to Yan’s Manor later to curry favour, so that their careers would take a meteoric rise in the future.
The others from the Grand Secretariat who were also present included Xu Jie, Guo Pu, Yuan Wei and others who congratulated everyone and then warmly encouraged them all with some kind words such as to be loyal to the country in the future. Especially Xu Jie, who was not arrogant at all, whether it was to Zhao Su, his old acquaintance, or to another jinshi who ranked lower than in the top three, Xu Jie’s attitude was always amiable. He was more approachable than other Grand Secretaries, and naturally gained countless favours. If Zhao Su hadn’t dealt with him before, and knew that he was not as friendly and outgoing as he seemed, he would probably have been like the others, believing Xu Jie just to be kind with his words.
Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin, who were the Chief Examining Officers of the Metropolitan Examinations were also required to be present. The previous cheating scandal made them suffer unspeakable misery. Although they knew it was the Yan faction behind it all, but because of the latter’s overbearing power and authority and the fact that they did not have any evidence to prove otherwise, the two of them just had to pinch their noses and admit that they were unlucky. But naturally at that moment, seeing Yan Song and Yuan Wei in front of them, they were naturally not in a great mood.
Gao Gong pulled Zhao Su and other new jinshi over to talk, but didn’t bother to greet the Grand Secretaries in passing. Such favouritism made Zhao Su sigh secretly.
A Qionglin banquet which included officials from all walks of life, and from this moment forward, he would also step into the ring and become one of these countless Ming officials.
He had already been there for six years. In just six years, he had started off from a humble son of a concubine who could barely afford to eat three meals a day to a new jinshi, ranked third place in the first rank. He didn’t even want to think about what it would have been like for the former occupant of this body. And his mother, Lady Chen and even many people in Changle County would never have expected him to achieve such an achievement. Once the news got back, it would probably cause quite a stir across the county.
But Zhao Su knew that this is only the first step along a very long road. A good ranking only meant that he had a higher starting point, but it did not guarantee that the future would be smooth sailing. Although some people were ranked in the second rank, they could also climb to the top, it all depended on the individual’s hard work and luck.
In the years to come, what he would face would not only be attacks by overt and covert means7 from all sides, but also many unspoken rules8.
If your official position was low-ranking and you want to be promoted, you’d need to fawn over a high-ranking official above you to strike water right and left9. If your official position was high-ranking, you must prevent others from stabbing you in the back, if you accidentally offend the wrong people, what you have waiting for you, would be the loss of your official position, and even exile, which may even affect your family.
During this season, many flowers were already in full bloom. Where Zhao Su was sitting, there was a pear tree behind him. When the wind blew, the pear blossoms would fly onto his red robes, with the mix of red and white, he was the embodiment of an elegant young scholar, and a truly exceptional sight.
Looking at the wine rippling in the cup, he took a deep breath and reminded himself not to be overwhelmed by this short-lived glory. Many people often get stuck on the step ahead.
“What are you thinking about, looking so serious?” Wang Xijue leaned over and asked.
He raised his head and happened to see Chen Zhu, who was on the opposite table, also looking at him. Their eyes met, and the other person smiled at him, with concern and inquiry in his smile. Zhao Su’s heart was warmed, and he smiled back, saying that he was okay, and replied to Wang Xijue: “It’s nothing, just thinking about where we will be assigned to serve.”
Wang Xijue said, “I don’t know about the others, but usually the top three ranking jinshi must enter Hanlin Academy.” There was a sense of superiority that couldn’t be concealed in his tone of voice.
He had the right to be arrogant. The Hanlin Academy, to put it plainly, was actually equivalent to the Emperor’s administrative department. It took care of all sorts of work including sorting out documents and historical records. It was impossible to do anything of substance there, so the people who work at the Hanlin Academy were also very low-ranking.
However, in the Ming Dynasty, the words “Hanlin Academy” should not be underestimated, because the outstanding new jinshi every three years would be selected as Shu-jishi, and they would be directly thrown into the Hanlin Academy to take up their posts. It was also a preparatory step for the Grand Secretariat.
The current Grand Secretaries in the Grand Secretariat now all went through the Hanlin Academy in their early years and were promoted step by step. So those who were able to enter attracted envy and hate when this place was mentioned, because they couldn’t get in even if they wanted to.
Zhao Su had spoken casually. Hearing Wang Xijue’s answer, he looked at his expression and reminded him kindly: “Yuanyu-xiong, don’t blame me for being discourteous. Not all the new jinshi here can enter Hanlin Academy. Even if they can, their ranking and positions will also be different. It is inevitable that some people will not be able to accept this, so it is better to speak carefully.”
Wang Xijue objected a little, he laughed and said mockingly: “You are the youngest, but you overthink, and you are overly careful. This is originally how the institution works. So why can’t we speak freely?”
Before Zhao Su spoke, Xu Shixing leaned in to help him out: “Shao Yong is right, there are many different people here and even the Grand Secretaries are present. You have to be more cautious when you speak, so as to not offend others lightly.”
Two against one, Wang Xijue had to silence his mouth angrily, expressing surrender.
Since the people who attended were relatively well-known, everyone had to greet each other and pay their respects, as well as meeting the new jinshi. The new jinshi could not be sure which of them could have been their future superior, so they did not dare to neglect greeting each one of them, making sure that they gave them their full focus and enthusiam. A banquet took place but there was almost no one who could actually eat. Everyone came hungry and returned home hungry.
Zhao Su also didn’t eat much. Before leaving, Zhao Su, Xu Shixing and the others decided to meet up again tomorrow for a celebration between them at Zui Xian Pavilion10 and then he went home with Chen Zhu. By the time the two got home, it was almost sishi, which was very late for ancient times.
Who knew there was someone standing there holding a lantern at the door, it seemed that they had been waiting for a long time. Zhao Su got out of the carriage and saw the person clearly.
“Little shixiong, what are you doing here?”
Yuan Shu said lazily: “I can’t sleep anyway, so I decided to just wait for you both to come back.”
Chen Zhu smiled and said, “Tongjia-xiong must have just been waiting for Shao Yong, why pull me into it.”
He was making a joke. Yuan Shu glanced at him and said surprising the other two: “Are you jealous?”
It made Chen Zhu almost choked on his sip of water: “I, *cough cough*…!”
How old are they, still acting like children, Zhao Su ignored them, patted his belly, and asked Zhao Xiang, “Is there anything good to eat at home?”
Zhao Xiang stuck his tongue out: “At this hour, if I need to buy food, I am afraid that I will have to go to the night market on Chang’an Street.” He was originally Zhao Nuan’s pageboy. After Zhao Nuan was imprisoned, the shop was sublet out again, and he had nothing to do so he just followed Zhao Su around.
Yuan Shu snorted: “I knew that you’d never be able to eat at the Qionglin banquet. There are two bowls of noodles in the kitchen.” Zhao Su quickly smiled, “Shixiong is wise.” Chen Zhu couldn’t stop himself from smiling and accidentally let out a little laugh.
After eating the noodles, Chen Zhu returned to the room to rest first, and Yuan Shu stayed in Zhao Su’s room but did not leave, as if he had something to say.
Zhao Su smiled and said: “Why don’t us two shixiong and shidi spend tonight just talking and reminiscing?”
Yuan Shu was quite mysophobic, and he hesitated after hearing this, but then slowly agreed.
Tonight’s moonlight was bright, the candles were blown out, but the room was not completely dark.
When the two youths were studying, they used to share a bed, but now as they lay side by side, recalling the scenes from their day, they couldn’t help but feel even more comforted.
Zhao Su said nothing. He knew that Yuan Shu had something to tell him, so he kept waiting for him to speak again. It took a long while before he heard Yuan Shu say: “I’ve received my official post, it’s the Qujing Prefecture Assistant Prefect11”