Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 137

Chapter 137

While Cui Xie’s status did not formally change when he became an outside study companion for the Crown Prince, his treatment certainly rose in prestige. In the evenings, when he went for supplementary lessons with Teaching Assistant Xie, his notes were a full third more pages thicker than usual. It seemed like 《Abundant Meanings of the Great Learning》was morphing into a blend of 《The Book of Documents》and 《The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government》.

Teaching Assistant Xie said kindly, “Today’s exam paper for the Crown Prince was prepared by our Imperial College, hence it was sent back for Chancellor Qiu to review. In the future, the Hanlin Academy will take over the question-making and your exams will likely go to the academicians and senior compilers for grading. Since no other companions have been selected yet, I am solely responsible for you and must teach you until you are able to produce a flawless examination with not a single mistake.”

With the Imperial examinations looming, Cui Xie felt a bit uneasy about spending so much time on material not directly relevant to his own upcoming test. He could not help asking, “I’ve heard that the examination announcement has already been posted outside the Shuntian Prefecture, set for next month. This student fears that working only on these types of papers may not be enough. Could Teacher possibly assign this student more essays?”

Nearby, Teaching Assistant Wang, who was reading a travelogue, clicked his tongue and remarked, “Such humbleness and diligence, no wonder he was a little tertiary examination scorer before. Lingtai, you mustn’t let him down. Do not just focus on assisting him, you should prepare even more questions and practice exams. If you are too busy, I would be glad to help draft questions about the Four Books?”

Teaching Assistant Xie waved his hand, “Many thanks for Wang-xiong’s kind offer, but I can still handle it. I am just concerned that there might be too many assignments for this student to complete.”

Cui Xie smiled and said, “Writing essays is a student’s main duty, how can it not be managed? If it does become too much, this student will be sure to ask for Teacher’s mercy and a bit more time to finish.”

Recently, he did not have to prepare for a Romance of the Three Kingdoms exhibit and Teacher Lu was still busy promoting pencils, so he was not closely monitoring Cui Xie’s poetry writing. However, with Cui Xie’s studies so packed, he would have less time to help his younger brother, Cui Heng, with all those tricky and laborious cloze tests, reading comprehension exercises and case studies…he would have to limit Cui Heng to some short and long essays instead.

Quietly reflecting with some guilt as his shortcomings as an older brother, Cui Xie decided he’d bring back some of Teaching Assistant Xie’s assignments to share with Cui Heng.

With no prepared questions on hand, Teaching Assistant Xie casually pointed to a line, “When good government prevails in the empire, ceremonies, music and punitive military expeditions proceed from the Son of Heaven”, instructing Cui Xie to write an essay on it. He then reassured Cui Xie, “It is just a regular exam, there is no pressure if you do not take them. Since you are studying at the Imperial College, you will easily qualify for the examinations through regular channels later. No need to rush into this particular round, you can take a small qualifying test at the prefectural office closer to the main examination period next year.”

Yet, a scholar’s future ultimately comes from his writings. So many people were diligently preparing for the exams, all hoping for the chance to have their essays reviewed by a Hanlin Academy academician. Isn’t that pursuit driven by the desire to gain wisdom under the guidance of a master?

At its core, it was all about passing those three rounds of the metropolitan examinations and securing a name for oneself.

Although Teaching Assistant Xie comforted him by saying not to worry too much about the exam, the man actually valued and attached great importance to it. While speaking, he got up and began searching through his bookshelf, saying, “This year, the examiner for Northern Zhili is Imperial Censor Cheng Ji. I believe I have one of his essays stored here, I will find it so you can ponder over it later.”

This year, the responsibility of supervising the exams had shifted to Imperial Censor Chen, replacing Imperial Censor Dai, who once chose Cui Xie as the anshou for the entry level examinations.

Hearing this news, Cui Xie suddenly recalled the encouragement and look of expectation on Dai Ren’s face when he bestowed Cui Xie his courtesy name. Almost reflexively, he asked, “Wonder where Educational Commissioner Dai from last year has been reassigned?”

Teaching Assistant Xie thought for a moment before giving a vague answer, “I haven’t heard of Imperial Censor Dai returning to the capital. Given that he produced several accomplished scholars under his supervision, including you as the little tertiary winner, his performance evaluations should be favorable. According to common sense, perhaps he was promoted to a role such as Pacification Commissioner or Right Provincial Administration Commissioner somewhere.”

Officials from the Imperial Censorate often had promising careers and after completing a term as an Educational Commissioner, they would be, at least, promoted to Vice Pacification Commissioner. Since they, as teaching assistants, were mostly confined to the Imperial College with little interaction with the central ministries, and it was rare to have any close connections, let alone hearing any news. Xie Jing’s response was more of a reasonable deduction rather than based on confirmed information.

Cui Xie did not necessarily need to meet Imperial Censor Dai, but simply hearing that the man might have been promoted was a comfort—if he wanted more details, he could always ask Colonel Xie.

He copied down his assignments and before the night curfew, Cui Xie rode his little white horse back home at a quick trot.

As soon as he stopped into the main hall, he saw Cui Liangdong and Cui Qi waiting for him in the courtyard. Cui Liangdong rushed up to him with a mysterious expression and said, “Young Master, something strange happened at home today! Someone came to deliver a gift—guess what it is?”

Cui Qi handed over a warm cup of almond tea to him and nodded earnestly, adding, “It truly is something strange. Shopkeeper Ji had a clerk come by during the day to tell me that someone had retrieved the Xiao Qiao painting that had been hanging in the shop for days and by evening…”

Cui Liangdong interrupted with a ‘hai’ sound, waving his hand, “Little Qi-ge, now that you’ve said it, what is left for the Young Master to guess? There goes half the fun! He has been working so hard at the Imperial College—when he comes home, we should tell him something fresh and interesting.”

Cui Qi pouted, “What’s so interesting about it? I don’t care for all this guessing around. Does he not have enough of that outside? At home, it is better to not waste such energy and much better to say things straightforwardly.”

These two were like a pair of comedic performers, though their banter was not particularly hilarious. Still, with one setting up and the other chiming in, it had the feel of a little skit. Cui Xie humored them with a smile and set down the now-empty cup of almond tea that he had drunk till he saw the bottom, “I don’t mind a bit of guessing. Did the ‘Master of the Western Waters’ send someone to retrieve the Xiao Qiao painting and then have it delivered back to our residence?”

Cui Liangdong shot a reproachful glance at Cui Qi, then gave a flattering smile to Cui Xie. “No wonder both the Emperor and the Crown Prince are so fond of the Young Master. Young Master is able to grasp things with half a hint—we had not even started explaining and Young Master has already figured it out.”

Cui Xie asked, “How did he come to retrieve it? Bring me the poem and seal he left behind—we will store them carefully. In a few years, they will become treasures people across the land will scramble for.”

Cui Qi inquired, “Da-ge knows this ‘Master of the Western Waters’? He has not come to collect your painting all this time. Why did he suddenly send someone to fetch it and then return it to our residence? Could it be that he heard of your favor with the Emperor and Crown Prince and has something he needs from you?” 

No, no–now he(Li Dongyang) was truly favored in front of the Crown Prince and future Emperor, with a status far above Cui Xie’s. What could he possibly want from him?

Cui Xie shook his head, a hint of pride in his smile. “This painting was something I won from the Master of the Western Waters. You don’t need to worry—just keep it.”

Won? Cui Qi exclaimed in astonishment. “Isn’t he the foremost scholar of the capital? How could da-ge win against him? If you did, doesn’t that mean your talent surpasses his?”

Cui Xie laughed. “Of course, my talent is nowhere near his. It was merely a wager—he posed some questions, and I answered them all correctly. That’s why he gave me the painting as a reward.”

This wager, strictly speaking, wasn’t a contest of true scholarship; it was more a test of memory.

Cui Xie silently recalled the questions from the previous day. Though he had answered all the Hanlin Academy’s scholars’ questions correctly, he couldn’t deny that none were particularly difficult. The answers all fell within the scope of two lecture outlines.

The scholars were aware that Cui Xie specialized in the《Classic of Poetry》, so when they asked about the《Book of Documents》, they intentionally lowered the difficulty. Most of the questions—multiple-choice, true or false, and fill-in-the-blank—tested memorization and recitation. As someone who practically carried an open-book exam advantage, no number of tricky or similar-sounding distractors in the options could trip him up, since he always had the correct answers in mind.

The 《Great Learning》, however, posed a slightly different challenge. Instead of testing the content from 《Extended Meaning of the Great Learning》, the questions primarily focused on the original text. Cui Xie, proficient in the Four Books and author of the《Compilation of Antithetical Couplets from the Four Books》, navigated the material effortlessly. He even found answers buried within the lecture text itself:

• When asked about the relationship between the three principles of ‘illustrating illustrious virtue’, ‘renovating the people’, and “resting in the highest excellence’ he replied: ‘Both ‘illustrating illustrious virtue’ and ‘renovating the people’ ultimately lead to the highest excellence’.
• When asked how to achieve these principles, he answered: ‘The practice of  ‘illustrating illustrious virtue’ lies in the steps of investigating things, extending knowledge, making thoughts sincere, and rectifying the heart. The means to ‘renovate the people’ include governing the family, managing the state, and pacifying the realm. The correct path to the highest excellence includes knowing one’s goals, setting priorities, achieving calm, reflection, and capability’.
• When asked why《Great Learning》 speaks of ‘pacifying the world’ rather than ‘governing the world’, he answered: ‘The world is ungoverned because people’s hearts are unsettled. If people’s hearts are at peace, the world will naturally be governed’.

…

When it came to Li Dongyang’s turn, perhaps to test Cui Xie further, he deliberately asked, “Why does 《Great Learning》 speak of creating wealth?”

The CCTV program 《Ways to Prosper》actually owes its name to this very passage: ‘There is a great course also for the production of wealth’, and the program would talk about the country’s fiscal policies of increasing revenue and reducing expenditure through frugality and efficiency.

While practical and popular today, among the scholarly elite, discussing ‘creating wealth’ was seen as politically incorrect. 

Wang Anshi’s fiscal policies were famously mocked by Zhu Xi, and even during the Chenghua era of the Ming dynasty, all scholars had to follow suit and ridicule him. If Cui Xie earnestly emphasized the importance of wealth creation, he risked appearing vulgar in front of these Hanlin scholars. Yet, if he adopted an air of moral superiority and dismissed the state’s financial benefits, he’d fail to answer the question well…

Just as the others were preparing to pool money to treat the future Senior Grand Secretary Li Dongyang to a meal, inspiration struck Cui Xie. He recalled a point from Li Dongyang’s lecture outline on《The Great Plan·Nine Categories》, the ‘Eight Policies’ in The Great Plan, with ‘food’ and ‘goods’ leading the way as essential to people’s well-being. Borrowing from the《Book of Documents》to answer a question about 《The Great Learning》 he effectively let Li Dongyang’s own teachings defend him.

The examiners, having also studied both outlines extensively, recognized the source of his response within moments. Sharing a knowing smile, they turned to Li Dongyang and said, “This is truly using one’s own spear to attack one’s own shield—his answer must count! Indeed, Binzhi-xiong, this has superior reasoning; his answer to this question is indeed one that leaves no room for rebuttal.”

Li Dongyang chuckled. “Not bad, this Cui prodigy is clever. Consider this question passed! Whether or not we manage to stump him later, I’ve decided—I’ll give him that painting.”

Scholar Li Zhan shook his head, smiling. “I see no need for further questions. Cui Xie’s learning is solid—he doesn’t merely rely on quick wit. His response to your question was flawless. If it were this old one, I’d have also drawn from the ‘food’ and ‘goods’ policies in The Great Plan and the principles of well-being in《The Counsels of Yu the Great》. What he lacks is only due to his focus not being on 《Book of Documents》, resulting in some gaps.”

Li Dongyang could no longer joke with his teacher and replied with a changed expression,  “Teacher is right. Disciple meant no jest at his expense and genuinely felt he had passed my test.”

That day, however, the painting wasn’t immediately sent to Cui Xie’s residence—perhaps the seal of ‘Master of Western Waters’ had not yet been carved. The next day, the painting arrived, complete with inscriptions and a new poem. Cui Xie instructed Cui Qi to bring out the Xiao Qiao painting. Unrolling it, he immediately noticed a new inscription in the upper-right corner, written in the same handwriting as the poems on the original postcard stamps. While the poem still eulogized Xiao Qiao, its latter half shifted to a reflective tone, revealing a meaning of using the past to criticize the present, encouraging people to cherish time.

The inscription was signed, A gift from Li Binzhi to Student Cui of Qian’an, sealed with several fresh red stamps: one reading ‘Binzhi (courtesy name)’, another ‘Xiya (penname)’, but conspicuously absent was the seal of ‘Master of Western Waters’. It seemed the artist still wasn’t ready to claim that pseudonym publicly.

Everyone has their masks they’d prefer not to lift.

Cui Xie smiled in understanding, instructing Cui Qi to store the painting safely in his study. Rising to pay his respects in the main hall, he was intercepted by Cui Liangdong, who handed him a letter with a mysterious look. “This was left by the servant who delivered the painting,” he said. “The servant was very arrogant and spoke grandly, claiming it was a priceless item. He told us servants not to pry and to leave it for you to open.”

Having previously received Imperial plaques from the Emperor, silver, and paper banknotes from the Crown Prince, this had broadened the perspectives of the people at home, making them think of everything in grand terms. When Cui Xie finally broke the seal, all six pairs of eyes—from Cui Liangdong, Cui Qi, and the servant boy Little Songyan—were locked onto the envelope, wanting to know what was inside. 

Opening it delicately, Cui Xie found a crimson invitation lying quietly inside. The front bore three bold characters: Li Dongyang, with smaller script beside them listing his titles: Hanlin Academician Lecturer and Attendant of the Eastern Palace.

At this, all three onlookers sighed in disappointment—merely an invitation from a scholar? But only Cui Xie understood the gravity of this token. He read it carefully, and then carefully sealed the envelope again, holding it with both hands.

Though it couldn’t yet secure favors from high officials at the Shuntian Prefecture, it was a stepping stone to squeeze into the circles of renowned literati and the Chaling Poet Group. When the new Emperor ascended the throne and Li Dongyang became a Grand Secretary, it went without saying…. Cui Xie’s heart pounded as he took the letter back to his study and tucked it inside a thick volume of《 A Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government》, and secured the book inside its case. He placed it on a discreet yet safe spot on the  edge shelf.

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TN: Have a good rest of your week everyone and enjoy the chapter! Happy New Year! Some of my resolutions for the next year include releasing some new translations of some new novels (so be tuned for that 🙂 they will be still historically based. Assuming I release those translations, one novel will be centered on a famous female figure in history (less romance and more politics) and another one will be located in the western regions (focusing on romance).

Update 12/23/24: I just updated it so that all my advance chapters for TMD are up on patreon! Sorry for being so lazy with it and apologies for taking so long to do so. I had to organize a lot of my random documents after a long hiatus last year.

Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a grad student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!

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