The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

Chapter 101: On Imperial Examination, the Rich Servants Bullying Yucun

To avoid the Mid Autumn Festival, the custom of the Autumn Examination in the Great Zhou Dynasty began on August 19th and ended on August 27th.

During this period, there were three consecutive examinations, each lasting three days, for a total of nine days and seven nights.

Generally speaking, the examiner and associate examiner would be determined in mid-July, and the appointment of examiners in each room would not exceed late July at the latest.

Sun Shaozong only got the news today. He was already late in receiving the news than the others, not to mention that he was still a true "newcomer” to the Academy.

Therefore, he did not care about anything for a while. He first closed the door and instructed the servants not to attend to any guests as he studied the rules clearly and secretly.

"Master, as an Inspector, you do not need to take part in transcribing and marking papers. Therefore, there is no need for Master to worry too much about fraud. What Master should pay attention to are those scholars who have brought in cheats in secret."

"In previous years, the inspection was not lax. The dry grain steamed bread had to be broken into pieces. Even the nostrils, ears, and eyes were searched, but it was still difficult to stop cheating."

"To add a little hope, the people are showing what they have, each showing their ability to cheat!"

"Cheating on clothes, shoes, and hats, or the four treasures of study, has been a common practice since ancient times. In recent years, new tricks have emerged in an endless stream, such as swallowing wax pills, tattooing with pigeon blood, stuffing bamboo tubes in the anus and intestines, and asking people to make fake skin. They have thought of all kinds of tricks!"

"In the Taizu Dynasty, there was even a man who would sneak into the place where local Imperial Examinations were held half a year in advance and buried notebooks in the latrines, only to have them dug up for use during the examination!"

"There’s still something like that?"

Sun Shaozong couldn't help but wonder, "How was he discovered?"

"He buried too deep!"

Cheng Rixing sighed, "He squatted inside for half an hour. When he came out, he was covered with soil. As a result, he was found on the spot, which made a lot of noise. Later, when the exam was opened, the toilet was newly dug."

Sun Shaozong was speechless for a while, but he couldn't help asking, "What happened to the man who dug the pit?"

"What else?"

Cheng Rixing spread out his hands and said, "At that time, an adult suggested that since he liked to dig holes in the toilet, his merits and reputation should be removed, and he should be punished as a night waste messenger for three years."

The so-called "night waste messenger" was a laborer who went door to door along the street every morning and called people out to pour their poop and urine.

This should be considered asking for mercy, right?

After hearing about Cheng Rixing's many cheating methods, Sun Shaozong felt that he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Just as he was about to continue to ask, he heard that there was someone outside saying, "Lord Sun, the Governor asked me to send you the list of candidates for your perusal."

Sun Shaozong hurried out to greet the young official who was delivering the list. However, he suddenly saw four clerks with shoulder poles behind him, and he couldn't help taking a breath, "Are… Are everything inside here all the examinee's directories?!"

"Naturally."

The green-robed official arched his hand to the north and flattered him. "Thanks to the cultivation of the Governor, the literary style of the Central Judicial Office is becoming more and more popular. This year, there are more than 2300 candidates for the Autumn Examination, which is much more than in previous years!"

2300 people?

Even with a directory of 2300 people, there's no need for four people to come here with the handle pole, right?!

It's just that, with the calm appearances of the four clerks, Sun Shaozong couldn’t make a fuss about it.

When the green-robed official was sent away, he picked up a book and looked at it carefully.

Tch~

No wonder there’s so much. Besides the name and place of origin, address, age, height, whether they were fat or thin, who was the guarantor, and so on. The booklet also lists many details, such as whether they were married, whether they were a left-hander or a right-hander, whether there were birthmarks on their body, and whether they walked toe-in or toe-out.

This level of detail was almost like marking the size of their ”important part” on it!

In addition, each candidate also comes with a portrait.

In the past, Sun Shaozong always thought that the leisurely Yamen of the Ministry of Rites, having raised so many petty officials, was a waste of the country's grain. Now it seems that there were no free things in the world!

"Do I have to check all these details before I enter the examination room?"

Sun Shaozong threw the directory back into the box and said speechlessly, "If I am to be detailed about it, it's estimated that three days will not be enough for them to enter!"

"This is mainly because we are worried that someone will impersonate their identity."

Cheng Rixing said helplessly, "But Master doesn't have to worry too much. At that time, the military men from the Patrol Camp and the city Defense Camp will help verify their identity. Master just needs to guard the gate on one side."

No wonder there were always situations of cheating in this academic field. It's only surprising that the military ruffian men in the Patrol Camp would do their best to check!

"In these three years of tossing and turning, can't anyone think of a way to save time and effort?"

"Well..."

Cheng Rixing said, "When the Supreme Emperor was in power, someone thought of a way. He asked people to build a large pool in the place where local Imperial Examinations were held and ordered the candidates to take a collective bath before entering the court and then change into clothes prepared by the court."

Hearing this, Sun Shaozong suddenly saw a light in his eyes and said happily, "Since there is such a rule, why didn't you say it earlier?!”

Cheng Rixing quickly cried out, "It's not that I didn’t mention it, Master. It's really that this method has been banned. It's useless even if you know it."

"Why? This method should be very practical."

"At that time, after the completion of that subject examination, dozens of people were infected with venereal disease. The common people called that subject examination ”the subject of cutting off children and grandchildren,” which aroused scholars' enthusiasm, and this method was completely abolished."

Alright. This reason was really strong. If it were Sun Shaozong, he would definitely oppose it!

He called several scribes to arrange the directory into different categories, but Sun Shaozong was not interested in reading it. After a moment's hesitation, he simply proposed, "Saying with words with no practical movement is useless. Why don't we go to the place where the Imperial Examination is held first and investigate it on the spot? Then we can adapt measures to local conditions."

Cheng Rixing naturally has no opinion.

So Sun Shaozong ordered people to prepare a carriage, called Zhou Da and Zhao Wuwei to accompany him, and prepared to run to the examination hall.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they got out of the Criminal Department, they bumped into Jia Yucun’s subordinate officials. He said that Sun Shaozong had been invited to discuss the matter.

Although he’s unhappy with Jia Yucun's betrayal, he still had to go on the summons of his supervisor.

So Sun Shaozong asked Cheng Rixing and others to wait in the gatehouse and hurried to the yard of Jia Yucun.

He often went to this courtyard, and he didn't need people to tell him anything. He went directly into the living room and saw Jia Yucun walking back and forth with his hands on his back with a face of indignation.

Which big play was he going to sing?

Seeing the acting skills of this old fox, Sun Shaozong would not believe his exposed emotions.

So he just acted like he didn't see it. He bowed forward and said, "I wonder what I can do for you with your summon?"

Jia Yucun took a few more steps, then suddenly turned back and asked, "Do you know the steward of Rongguo Mansion?"

The steward of Rongguo Mansion?

"You mean Lai Da?"

"Yes, it's this guy!"

Jia Yucun gnashed his teeth and scolded, "He’s just a lowly bastard. How dare he come and threaten me just now. It's outrageous!"