Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 124

The imperial examination system that Ye Zhou introduces to Chen Hou is the one improved by Wu Zetian.

Before Wu Zetian’s reforms, the system places more emphasis on the Mingjing (a classical text-based exam) over the Shijing (poetry exam). The Mingjing exam is not competitive for poor children from aristocratic families, as these children lack the financial means to purchase the necessary books. This creates a significant gap between the aristocracy and poor families.

It isn’t until Wu Zetian’s improvements that the Shijing gains importance, which begins to level the playing field.

Compared to the Mingjing, the Shijing requires inspiration and talent. Even a child from a poor family with talent can excel by composing good poems.

Wu Zetian also promotes the idea of “not sticking to one type of talent,” which means that as long as someone believes they have ability, they can become an official. If they perform well, they are rewarded; if they fail, they are dismissed, and others are ready to take their place.

She establishes a talent pool that contributes to the discovery of many important officials during the reign of Li Longji. Countless talented poets also emerge during her time.

During Wu Zetian’s reign, being a scholar becomes a highly respected and fulfilling path. Even if one cannot become an official, they can still support their family by teaching.

She also institutes the palace examination system. Before Wu Zetian, though Li Shimin participates in palace exams, they are not systematic. Historians believe it is Wu Zetian who truly establishes the system of palace examinations with formal rules.

This examination system proves so effective that even into the Ming and Qing dynasties, her version is still in use.

Though the eight-part essay eventually becomes the main format for the exams, the system itself remains unchanged—it is simply too effective to discard.

A system that stands the test of time across multiple dynasties becomes nothing short of overwhelming when introduced to this land. Though it still needs to be localized, it is enough to make Chen State’s reputation explode overnight.

Except for the aristocratic families, no one pays much attention to the “harshness” Chen Hou shows toward the aristocracy. Scholars from all over flock to Chen. Even those who had been preparing to retreat after the Prime Minister “ascends” and stops recommending talents go wild again. Scholars from other countries even bring their entire families, planning to settle permanently in Chen.

Chen State, previously an obscure and pitiful little country among the vassal states, suddenly becomes the center of attention.

However, apart from the scholars, the monarchs and aristocratic families of other countries dismiss the imperial examination system.

They believe that traditional aristocratic governance, where noble families assist the monarch, is the true path, and they see the imperial examination as a misguided approach. Since they view it this way, they feel no need to pay attention to it.

Apart from the scholars and common people, almost everyone waits to see the downfall of Chen State.

Despite the skepticism and opposition from the aristocracy, Chen Hou remains unwavering. He begins the first imperial examination.

However, this first exam is not exactly what Ye Zhou envisions, nor does it resemble the system as Wu Zetian once establishes.

There is no standard examination hall. The examiners include Zhao Xue and two other scholars recommended by Ye Zhou. The exam questions are traditional ones that Chen Hou has to rack his brains to come up with.

The exam takes place in the open air. Scholars sit for it while the public watches from the sides.

The exam is completed in just one morning, so the candidates can even rush home for lunch.

At this time, paper is still scarce, so many candidates’ writings are not very neat. Some words are so faint they’re barely legible, while others bleed through the paper, creating ink spots where a word should be.

Despite the imperfections, Chen Hou smiles as he grades the papers.

Soon, the first group of scholars who pass the imperial examination appears. While they don’t immediately enter the court, they become officials. These officials, though minor, hold positions like grain officers.

What no one can deny is that their positions come from royal authority, not from aristocratic families. Over time, these new officials gain influence in Linzi City, but their reach is still confined to the city. Other regions remain under the control of the royal and noble families.

Chen Hou, however, is not in a hurry. These things cannot be rushed. He waits for the royal family and noble families to lower their guard before seizing the right opportunity.

He takes it step by step. Patience is key.

Perhaps because Chen Hou doesn’t take any further moves, and the matter with the Zhang family has blown over, peace returns once again to Chen.

In the autumn of that year, Chen State experiences another bumper harvest.

However, before the news of the harvest reaches Chen Hou’s ears, envoys from Zhao and Lu already arrive in Linzi. They bring a long retinue but no gifts for Chen Hou.

Instead, they bring plenty of offerings for the “celestial being.”

There are certainly clever people among them. The rulers of Zhao and Lu believe in the existence of immortals—but they don’t believe one would appear in Chen. Rather than seeing Ye Zhou as a true immortal, they see him as an extraordinary man.

And if he’s a man, then he can be bribed, courted, and recruited.

The envoys from Zhao and Lu don’t immediately visit Chen Hou upon arriving in Linzi but instead go directly to Ye Zhou’s house with their servants.

The two envoys know each other well and have studied at the same academy, so they chat at the door before it is opened.

“Brother Zhao, are you here to search for immortals as well?” the man in blue asks, smiling as he tosses the whip to his servant.

“Brother Zhao” nods with a slight smile. With his long beard and scholarly appearance, he replies, “Brother Jiang, I didn’t expect it to be you who came.”

Jiang Hui pats Zhao Xian’s shoulder, glances at the closed door, and points toward it. “See? They’re turning us away.”

Zhao Xian doesn’t mind. “Maybe it’s just an initial show of authority? Extraordinary people often have a bit of a temper. Even if they don’t, they must at least act like they do. Give it a few days—it’ll be fine.”

Jiang Hui shakes his head and whispers, “I don’t think so. When I came here, I asked around, and they all say this person is a true immortal.”

“They speak in such detail, it doesn’t seem like something made up.” Jiang Hui knows well how difficult it is for common folk to fabricate convincing stories. Yet the tales about this immortal are vivid and consistent.

As they pass through a village, the villagers mention they have seen the immortal.

Though the immortal hasn’t left his tent, they all say they’ve received blessings from the fairies and maidens who serve beneath him.

At first, Jiang Hui doubts the villagers’ stories, but the strange foods they introduce to him make him curious. They give him potatoes and sweet potatoes, which are unknown to him. He tastes them, and though the potatoes are bland, he likes the sweet potatoes very much.

After eating sweet potatoes for several days, Jiang Hui grows fond of them. He even buys some to take with him for the journey.

“If Chen State now has an immortal,” Zhao Xian says thoughtfully, “I wonder if they’ll still be willing to sell grain to us.”

Jiang Hui dismisses the concern. “If the immortal avoids worldly affairs, it’ll be hard, but if he doesn’t…”

Both of them are used to negotiating as envoys and don’t think twice about using money as a tool.

As long as their goals are achieved, they are willing to offer more than just gifts to the immortal.