After the preliminary and supplementary exams, the announcement of the successful candidates took place five days later. Near Gwanghwamun, the candidates who had taken the exam gathered, waiting for the results to be posted.
"Has the list not been put up yet?"
"Hey, move your head a bit!"
Amid the light commotion among the nervous candidates, the side gate of Gwanghwamun opened, and officials and palace attendants came out.
As the officials emerged from Gwanghwamun, the commotion among the candidates subsided. The candidates swallowed hard, their eyes darting around.
The official pasted a large notice board on the wall next to Gwanghwamun and affixed the announcement.
"It's the list of successful candidates!"
As soon as the list was posted, the candidates rushed to the notice board to check if their names were on it.
"It's here!"
"Mine too!"
"Hahaha! I passed!"
While some rejoiced upon finding their names, others expressed their frustration at failing.
"Failed again!"
"What will I tell my parents...?"
Amid those who were happy, angry, and sad, the palace attendants reappeared and set up a small platform.
As the platform was set up, an official in a dark blue official robe climbed up and shouted into a funnel-like device.
"Lee Soon-ji! Is Lee Soon-ji here? Lee Soon-ji from Yangseong, Gyeonggi Province!"
At the official's call, a young man, who looked to be just about twenty, ran forward.
"It's me!"
"Are you Lee Soon-ji from Yangseong, Gyeonggi Province?"
"Yes."
"What is your birth year?"
"It's the year of Eulryu."
The official checked the records in response to Lee Soon-ji's answer.
"Lee Soon-ji... Yangseong... Eulryu... That's correct. Stand over there."
"Yes? Yes."
After placing Lee Soon-ji to the side, the official called out nine more names.
Thus, in a state of confusion, Lee Soon-ji and the nine other successful candidates followed the official into Gyeongbokgung Palace.
"What are those people? Hey, Hyangjang. Do you know anything about them?"
"I don't know either."
As the candidates were murmuring, an official in a blue robe climbed up the platform.
"Quiet! Quiet! Be quiet!"
At the official's call, the gathered candidates fell silent.
The official shouted into the funnel-like device.
"Successful candidates, move to the right for the verification process! And those who failed, prepare for the next opportunity!"
Following the official's orders, the candidates split into two groups. The successful candidates moved to a place on the right side of Gwanghwamun to undergo the verification process, while those who failed turned away, their faces filled with disappointment.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the main hall, a conversation between King Sejong and his ministers about the preliminary exam was ongoing.
"How many candidates passed this time?"
"A total of 185."
"185? The number of successful candidates has decreased?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee answered.
"Those who passed the classics exam but failed the mathematics exam were all disqualified."
"What is the standard for failing the mathematics exam?"
"Those who scored 20 points below the average."
"Hmm... It's a bit unfortunate, isn't it, considering they are talents who passed the preliminary exam?"
Sejong's question prompted Hwang Hee to explain the reason.
"That's true, but it would take too much time and money to educate them in mathematics from the basics and then deploy them in official duties."
"Is that so? I understand. Since they are carefully selected talents for the country, we must make the best use of them."
In response to Sejong's instructions, the ministers bowed their heads in unison.
"Understood!"
"Assuming the selection process is settled, what will be done with those who have completed their education? What rank will they be given?"
"Like the previous Sungkyunkwan students, they will be graded based on their mathematics scores, undergo a three-month probationary period, and then be appropriately distributed among the six ministries."
"That sounds good. But what if someone insists on going to Sungkyunkwan?"
"Even if they pass the higher exam through Sungkyunkwan, they will start at the 9th rank unless they are the top scorer. They will realize it's more advantageous to be here than at Sungkyunkwan."
"I see."
Hwang Hee's answer made Sejong nod.
Seeing Sejong's reaction, Hwang Hee continued.
"Moreover, Sungkyunkwan will change its role, and all students will be discharged this time."
Sejong chuckled at Hwang Hee's words.
"Hehe! They might end up like a dog chasing chickens."
* * *
A similar conversation took place where the successful candidates were being briefed.
"... So, after completing the process, you will be deployed to your duties."
As soon as the official finished explaining, one of the successful candidates raised his hand.
"I am aiming for the higher exam! Can I enter Sungkyunkwan?"
The official answered briefly.
"No. Sungkyunkwan's role has changed this year. It will only handle rituals at the Confucian shrine and the education of candidates for high-ranking officials. Also, the eligibility for the higher exam will change. In short, to become a high-ranking official, you must first become an official."
The official's explanation was simple, but the reality was far from it.
To become a high-ranking official, one had to pass another civil service exam, and to take that exam, one had to prove their ability in their duties.
However, the official did not explain this in detail for a simple reason.
'The yellow sprout needs to be weeded out from the start!'
The people in front of him and those who would come in the future were his subordinates and potential competitors. To make things easier for now, he needed to select the capable ones.
As the official finished explaining, the same successful candidate raised his hand again.
"Can't I just return home, study, and then challenge the higher exam?"
The official, who was explaining, suddenly shouted.
"You fool! Did you hear what I said or did you eat it? I said the nature of the higher exam has changed, didn't I? What are you babbling about now? You, out!"
"Out?"
"Disqualified! You fool!"
The official's words made the problematic successful candidate shout.
"But, this guy! Do you know who I am!"
"Who are you?"
"My great-uncle was a former Minister of Personnel, and my cousin is currently a Left Secretary in the Ministry of Justice!"
The official sneered at his words.
"Hmph! In the end, you're just a nobody."
"What did you say!"
Suddenly treated as a nobody, the man burst into anger, but the official ordered another official standing nearby.
"Go to the Office of Censors and bring Song Jib. If they ask who sent you, say it was Captain Kang from the Ministry of Personnel."
At Captain Kang's words, the official nodded and stood up. The official who stood up glared at the problematic successful candidate and left.
Meanwhile, the successful candidate, who had been boasting about his connections, turned pale as soon as the word "Office of Censors" was mentioned.
Seeing this, Captain Kang raised his voice.
"Where are you boasting about your connections, you nobody! Do you think I can disqualify you at will? It's all by imperial decree! Got it? My connection is His Majesty! Where are you boasting about your connections, you nobody!"
In the end, the successful candidate who caused the commotion was disqualified and failed.
"Please, just once, forgive me!"
Even as he was being dragged away, the disqualified successful candidate begged for forgiveness, but the officials remained unmoved. After a brief commotion, Captain Kang warned the frozen successful candidates.
"If you have any misconduct during the mathematics education period or the internship period, or if you cause any trouble, you will be immediately disqualified. Remember that. Got it?"
"Yes!"
The successful candidates answered in loud voices.
Meanwhile, the Office of Censors immediately wrote a memorial and submitted it to Sejong. Upon reading the memorial, Sejong immediately ordered punishment.
"A newly passed candidate showing such arrogance must have firmly believed in his connections. Reading the memorial, I am reminded of the incident with Ryu Jeong-hyun, which is truly disheartening."
"Your Majesty, we are deeply ashamed!"
In response to Sejong's words, the ministers bowed their heads. Sejong's voice continued over their bowed heads.
"Given that he dared to act arrogantly towards a court official, it's clear what kind of evil his connections have committed. The Prime Minister, order the Office of Special Inspection to investigate the relatives he mentioned and uncover their crimes."
"Understood!"
As a result of the investigation by the Office of Special Inspection, the former Minister of Personnel had all his merit records confiscated, and the person working in the Ministry of Justice was demoted to a low-ranking official and sentenced to document organization.
* * *
While this was happening outside, Lee Soon-ji and his group were also in a state of confusion.
"Where are we going now?"
After passing through the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace and heading deeper into the palace, Lee Soon-ji, with a voice full of fear, asked the official walking in front of them. The official walking in front answered briefly.