ushernet Chapter 325 Imperial Examination Questions
Chapter 325 Imperial Examination Questions
There were many outstanding doctors like Sun Bo. Whether they were ordinary doctors who were unknown and worked quietly in the city, or medical elites from other countries such as the Imperial Physician and Imperial Physician Assistant, they all went to Xianyang with great enthusiasm to participate in this grand medical exchange meeting.
These doctors carried bags filled with prescriptions they had accumulated over the years. They came from all directions, gradually converging on Xianyang City.
During this time, Ying Wuyou took a break from his busy schedule and made a special trip to inspect the examination hall. Previously, the hall had been dilapidated, overgrown with weeds and utterly desolate. However, after renovation and reconstruction, it had been completely transformed into a grand and spacious examination hall.
Stepping inside, one is greeted by a clean and spotless environment. The examination booths are arranged in a well-organized manner, not only exceptionally spacious but also brightly lit and inviting. Rows of neatly arranged desks and chairs are placed in a comfortable, orderly fashion. This arrangement ensures that each candidate has sufficient personal space, avoiding crowding and interference, while also allowing them to focus wholeheartedly on answering the questions.
In addition, to ensure the safety and order of the examination, high walls were built around the examination room, with only one entrance and exit for passage. A quiet rest area was specially set up in a corner of the examination room, specifically for examiners to take a short break after completing an invigilation session.
As students from all over the country flocked to Xianyang, the sales of books at Daqin Bookstore gradually entered a relatively stable period. Those who originally lacked books had already purchased all kinds of books sold by Daqin Bookstore; while most people who already had ample book collections at home did not blindly follow the trend of buying more. Nowadays, Daqin Bookstore is deserted, with only a handful of customers coming and going.
Ying Wuyou had actually anticipated this situation. Her initial intention in opening the bookstore was not purely for profit, so he did not pay much attention to the bookstore's current operating status.
In contrast, Kong Jia and others were filled with resentment. They had always regarded knowledge as their unique wealth and a symbol of power, but now, seeing that knowledge was no longer solely controlled by a minority of them, they felt extremely helpless.
Meanwhile, as the date of the imperial examination drew closer, the debate over whether mathematics and law should be added to the examinations gradually subsided. Although some people still held differing opinions on such an examination, the fact was that, whether they liked it or not, the examinations would test knowledge of classics, history, philosophy, literature, mathematics, and law, and their opposition could not change this fait accompli.
As the date of the imperial examination drew ever closer, Ying Wuyou knew the importance of this examination for the numerous scholars and for the Qin Dynasty to select talent. To ensure the entire examination process went smoothly, she discovered an extremely secluded and tranquil courtyard deep in the mountains outside Xianyang. This courtyard was like a paradise, quietly hidden among the lush trees. The verdant trees on all sides formed a natural barrier, tightly embracing it, leaving only a winding path leading to the outside world. It seemed completely isolated from the world, undisturbed by any noise or disturbance.
After successfully finding this auspicious location, Ying Wuyou displayed her decisive and swift approach, rapidly gathering all those involved in setting the exam questions. These chosen individuals were no ordinary people; they were all learned scholars, highly accomplished in literature and renowned in official circles. They bore the heavy responsibility of drafting the exam questions for the upcoming imperial examinations.
Once everyone had arrived, Ying Wuyou didn't delay and immediately announced a series of stringent supervisory measures. With a serious expression, she emphasized, "It is a great honor for you all to be invited here to participate in the question-setting process, a high recognition of your abilities and talents. However, from now until the successful conclusion of the examination, no one is allowed to step out of this courtyard!" This order immediately silenced the entire room.
Some officials, accustomed to a life of luxury and freedom, immediately felt dissatisfied and began to protest. An older official stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Princess, we serve the court and dare not slacken in the slightest. But to confine us in this courtyard like prisoners is truly undignified. I have an elderly mother at home who needs care; how can I leave her for months on end?”
Ying Wuyou's expression was calm, but his tone left no room for doubt: "My lords, I am well aware that this move is inconvenient, but the imperial examination is a matter of national importance, concerning the future of countless scholars and the future of the court. In order to prevent the examination questions from being leaked, we have no choice but to take this measure. I hope that you will put the overall situation first. I will definitely send someone to make proper arrangements for my family matters."
However, some people still harbored resentment and muttered under their breath in a corner. Ying Wuyou ignored them; she knew that at this crucial time, she had to adhere to her principles and not waver in the slightest.
Li Si and Wang Wan had been secretly whispering and plotting for a long time, plotting how to manipulate the upcoming imperial examination. They harbored ill intentions, attempting to secretly control the exam questions to install their cronies in official positions, thereby expanding their own sphere of influence.
However, just when they thought their plan was foolproof, they suddenly heard that Ying Wuyou had used extremely harsh methods to imprison the person who set the questions in a very secluded courtyard and imposed extremely strict monitoring measures on him.
Upon hearing this news, Li Si and Wang Wan were dumbfounded. Their initial confidence vanished, and no matter how hard they racked their brains, they couldn't find any loopholes or opportunities they could exploit.
Li Si's brows furrowed deeply, forming a deep furrow, and his usually gloomy face was now filled with even more gloom. He gritted his teeth and said, "I never expected this! This Princess Jiayang is so young, yet her methods are so formidable. She managed to handle this matter so flawlessly! It's truly impossible to guard against her!"
Wang Wan, standing to the side, also looked helpless and sighed heavily, saying, "Alas... things have come to this point, it seems we can only hold back for now and wait for the right opportunity to make further plans."
Once all the question setters had been invited into the courtyard, it instantly became heavily guarded. Ying Wuyou's personally selected elite guards surrounded the courtyard, making it impossible to move. These guards were all from the group she had carefully trained; each one was loyal and highly skilled in martial arts. Every day, they patrolled the courtyard, their eyes vigilantly scanning every corner, not missing a single sign of anything amiss.