TTTQF Chapter 138

Palace Examination

"…The topic for this palace examination is based on this. Once the incense burns out, you must stop writing and turn in your papers. Do you all understand?"

Beneath the resplendent hall, over two hundred students sit. In unison, they respond affirmatively. Once the examination is declared to begin, they pick up their brushes and carefully copy down the newly announced topic onto their papers.

This time’s examination topic is somewhat biased. After writing it down, most students frown in frustration. The reason is simple: the subject is military strategy.

These students, scholars who hold books in their hands and have received the teachings of sages, believe that military matters are clearly the duty of generals. Why are they being forced into such a difficult situation? Inwardly, they grumble, but none dare show any sign of discontent on their faces. To avoid revealing any clues, they all put on a facade of deep contemplation. The only things they can rely on are the historical accounts of great generals.

Of course, not everyone shares in this pessimism. Where some find difficulty, others find ease. Most of these are from families with a history of producing military officers, or those who have married into such families. They possess a certain understanding of the current military structure, and after a brief moment of thought, they begin writing.

Pei Che sits among them, one of the more fluent writers. Because he has practiced martial arts since childhood, he holds a certain admiration for military life. When his parents were still alive, he once even naively declared that he wanted to become a great general.

Emperor Liangping sits at the highest seat, his stern gaze sweeping over the students below. He takes note of every action and gesture. Seeing those completely at a loss, looking utterly confused, he can't help but sigh inwardly. Seeing those frowning deeply, struggling to think, brings him some comfort. But when he sees others writing quickly and without pause, he begins to suspect them of being careless and inattentive.

These conflicting thoughts swirl in his mind, causing Emperor Liangping to feel somewhat uneasy as he sits at the head. After a moment of hesitation, he stands up and walks down, beginning to pace between the rows of students.

For many, it is their first time being so close to the emperor. Some cannot control their excitement, nearly making mistakes in their writing. Others, hoping to leave a good impression on Emperor Liangping, sit up even straighter, their expressions full of righteousness as they write.

Pei Che, having previously had a private audience with the emperor, does not feel curious about him. Moreover, due to the entanglements involving his father, Pei Che hopes that Emperor Liangping will not pay any attention to him at all.

But things rarely go as one wishes. What you hope to avoid often finds you instead.

Before long, Pei Che senses a figure standing to his left, seemingly observing his answer sheet. He tries to act as though he hasn’t noticed, but the figure beside him remains, not moving forward even a step.

With no other choice, Pei Che simply shifts his paper slightly outward, allowing the curious Emperor Liangping to get a clearer view. Startled at first, Emperor Liangping then leans in a little closer, examining the paper more intently.

After reading it, Emperor Liangping’s expression changes subtly. Pei Che’s approach to military strategy does not interfere with the current structure of the military, nor does it criticize or make suggestions for it. Instead, he takes a different path, proposing an alternative method for conscription. The method of a militia system appears simple but would be challenging to implement. The primary difficulty is that the common people, unfamiliar with such a system, would be hard-pressed to cooperate. Of course, such matters could be addressed over time. Reforming the military and the conscription process would not be something achieved overnight.

Emperor Liangping feels conflicted toward Pei Che. On the one hand, Pei Che is the son of someone he despises. Just thinking of Pei Che’s origins in the Duke Zhongguo's family stirs irritation within him. On the other hand, Pei Che’s talent ignites the emperor’s appreciation for such ability. Truth be told, none of the scholars selected through the triennial exams have ever truly moved Emperor Liangping. However, this essay makes him understand why Pei Che has always been admired by others; he is indeed someone with grand ideas and vision.

Pei Che remains unaware of the impact his essay has on Emperor Liangping. The reason he writes such an essay is actually inspired by Jiang Miao.

When it comes to war, soldiers are needed. The court imposes military service on the common folk, and in the eyes of ordinary people, being conscripted into service is a tragic matter, often representing separation from their families and homes torn apart. Once conscripted, very few return whole.

Jiang Miao, being an ordinary citizen himself, is deeply resistant to the idea of military service. After returning to his hometown and witnessing the miserable sight of those who can't pay taxes being taken away, his sentiments grow even stronger.

Summarizing Jiang Miao’s thoughts, Pei Che writes: Instead of recruiting new soldiers every year, it would be better for the court to develop the military along the borders directly. The stationed troops could collaborate with the local populace—the military would teach them methods to strengthen their bodies, and the civilians would teach the soldiers how to farm. During peaceful times, they could work the fields together, ensuring a stable supply of food and easing the court’s burden. During times of war, the entire population would become soldiers, eliminating the risk of the enemy using civilians as hostages. Without that concern, they could fight with a clear mind and have a greater chance of victory. Perhaps they could even strike from both flanks and catch the enemy off guard.

At first, Pei Che finds Jiang Miao’s idea novel and interesting. But the more he thinks about it, the more reasonable it seems. Though there are inevitable issues to resolve, it doesn’t detract from the fact that it is a good idea.

When the incense burns out, Pei Che stops writing. The young eunuchs systematically collect the papers, which are then sent to the officials in the back for review.

Pei Che stands and stretches slightly before heading to the back to find He Chen. During the last provincial exam, all four of them had passed, but for this imperial exam, only He Chen and Pei Che made it through.

He Chen, being a pure scholar, now has a somewhat strange expression. In past imperial examinations, military strategy occasionally appears as a topic, but never as directly as this year, where everyone is required to provide their insights on it.

Pei Che pats He Chen’s shoulder to comfort him, saying it doesn’t matter if he ranks last in the palace examination.

He Chen forces a smile, thinking that since Pei Che gets married, he has become somewhat more easygoing. The old Pei Che is highly competitive, someone who always strives to be the best and never allows himself to fall behind others. He certainly wouldn’t embrace a more moderate path like he does now. But this change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The hardest challenge in life isn’t others making things difficult for you but making things difficult for yourself. Since all paths lead to the same final result, what does it matter whether you're at the front or back of the rankings?

After having lunch provided by the palace and sitting in the grand hall for nearly two more hours, Emperor Liangping finally returns. Everyone quickly returns to their seats and becomes very quiet.

Emperor Liangping doesn’t drag things out. After a few polite words, he orders the final results to be announced. The names are called from last to first, and Pei Che listens carefully. After some time, he finally hears his name in the eleventh position.

The rules for the imperial examination are as follows: the top three belong to the first tier, with several others in the second tier. However, the top ten hold special significance, as they are strong contenders for the first tier. Pei Che just happens to be placed at eleventh, and he finds it hard to believe that Emperor Liangping has no hand in this outcome.

However, this time Pei Che wrongly blames Emperor Liangping. The emperor does not interfere with the final results, as he actually favors Pei Che’s proposal. The reason Pei Che doesn’t make the top ten is that the reviewing ministers feel that, while his proposal looks excellent, it hasn’t been tested in practice. To them, it remains just a speculative idea, so they don’t rank him among the top ten.

When reviewing the results, Emperor Liangping wants to speak up, but then, recalling Pei Che’s family background, he suppresses the thought and lets things be.

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