Exam

[Weicheng's POV ]

[Monday]

Today is the examination day. After I went home last Friday and gave the herbs, I was punished and they made me apologize for it. Yao said that if I fail the exams, he will never let me off the hook ever again, which I just laughed at. of course, nervously.

"I'm not supposed to fail this" contrary to anyone I did not receive proper guidance for this, all I know is that we have three parts of the exam. Martial arts, Political Discourse and, Philosophy and history.

Martial Arts is easy, written exams are booked based, but political discourse, I doubt the essay questions will be my disadvantage.

The exam will be held for a day, each result will be made right after, and the announcement of the 25 passers will be made right away.

====

Martial Arts is divided into categories, since I'm an archer, I competed with archery and gained the top. It was easy for me. Laohu, on the other hand, competed in agility tests which of course made him the top also.

after the martial arts, the hundreds of examiners were down to the last 80. The written exam is composed of primary and general knowledge. Only 40 will make it to the cut.

The exam lasted for an hour, some of us are also at a disadvantage as we had previously undergone the physical challenge, some are exhausted; which I think is a huge part of the capability test.

during the exams, my head also started to feel groggy, my eyes are sleepy too. Although I have not reviewed, the books that are mentioned here are part of my childhood, as well as Laohu's too. We may not be of the same advantage as the young adults of the town, we were taught by the Hill leader himself.

"here's the result of the second exam, we will be calling each name and you can enter the last stage"

30 students have already been called and we're still almost 50 here.

"10 remaining students will be able to make the cut, let's start with Dan Laohu" Laohu stood up and went to the front to bow and receive his token as he makes it to the second round, he smiled at me.

2 students are called again as I heard my name.

"Dan Weicheng" I also went forward as I received the second token.

"He's so good with archery, he's also the nephew of teacher Dan"

"Ohh so they're cousins? the one who topped the agility?"

I heard them gossip before I left the scene.

We were directed to the hall of politics as the last part of the exam, it will be an essay exam. We were welcomed by the imperial ministers, as the Emperor entered the hall.

"The last 25 of you will be admitted to the Hill Academy, one question for all, as you answer the question in not more than 100 characters. Tomorrow will be the start of your new life, make everything and the best you can to pass it and your future will be guaranteed"

The gong was signaled that we should start.

A minister went in the front as he rolls the scroll for the one question.

"At fifteen I set my heart upon learning.

At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground.

At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities.

At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven.

At sixty, I heard them with docile ear.

At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right."

I read it carefully, if I am not mistaken it is taken from the Analects of Confucious.

"Read the analect, and give your opinion based on it and how this will make an empire stronger. Your one hour starts now"

I opened my paper and ready my ink, everyone started writing as I analyzed the meaning and how it will affect the empire.

According to Confucious, a life devoted to knowledge and learning brings the greatest satisfaction. He also made a point that learning is a lifelong process to which one must be devoted. The reward for such faithfulness, other than knowledge itself, is that one will be able to follow their heart's desires without worrying about any moral implications as a result of the learning process creating innate goodness in people.

But, does a well-rooted education system will make an empire strong, or knowledge will eventually lead to rebellion and citizens having their own will to do things? It made strong emphasis that education is well-intended for the protection and abundance.

For sure everyone will affirm, that continuous learning and submission will lead to prosperity.

"Time is up"

The ministers took our test paper as they were all checked by them. Papers that are accepted and rejected are being stamped, they stopped and ministers gathered when a paper was suddenly discussed.

Emperor Wang Long, stood up as he was trying to decode the paper he is holding. He walked and went down the throne as he reached the last step of the ladder. He opened the paper again and read it out loud.

"When we have intelligence resulting from sincerity, this condition is to be ascribed to nature; when we have sincerity resulting from intelligence, this condition is to be ascribed to instruction. But given the sincerity, and there shall be the intelligence; given the intelligence, and there shall be the sincerity."

Everyone looked at each other, I can guarantee that Laohu's eyes were directed at me, he knows me too well. As the emperor called my name.

"Step forward, Dan Weicheng" I just looked at them calmly as I bowed my head.

The ministers were looking at me as if I made a huge mistake. Also, Teacher Pu's gaze suddenly went lower.

"Do you have an explanation for your answer?"

"Yes, your highness"

He seriously waited for me to start explaining.

"The education system was offered to everyone, no matter the rank, the family, and the state they're in. The law states that it will help build the nation. The root of greatness is the proper education, but it is also the root of the veil. Education is set to teach and not to change the innate nature of a person. If one's roots and sincerity are bound to fail from the beginning, the knowledge will be washed away by insincerity. Knowledge can build an empire, but without sincerity, it can break its walls and promote massive destruction, aside from education, the subjects of the empire should be able to unite in one goal, to protect it without any hidden reasons, without asking anything in return."

I smiled

"If a rotten apple is put to good apples, the rest will immediately turn into a rotten one, and that is the beginning of the failure of the system. It is not the education system alone that provides security but by removing the rotten apple will it promotes prosperity."

A moment later the Empress arrived as I bowed my head and return to my seat. The empress looked so much alike with the Queen of the North. But with more soft features.

We were already put separately as for the conclusion of the exams are about to announce.

We were seating in a lounge area, as Laohu started nagging me "Why did you answer that? Emperor Long is a Confucian, you're really begging to be executed right now"

"He's a Confucian he will know what I meant by that, your answers are all affirmative, why would I even conform? I know you'll pass the exam Laohu"

"You too if you just stayed with the right answer"

"my answer is also in the analects, I am not even disqualified, stop being so nosy"

The door immediately opened as other students started looking at me in disagreement. Emperor Long was the one who will announce the 25 passers, by cumulative scores, including our first three exams.

"The Top 25 are as follows"

they were called one after another as they received their official scroll.

"Garnering a total point of 274.9 out of 300, Dan Laohu"

Laohu even made it to the top 6 as one of the fastest students and he even got 10 mistakes on the written exam.

"down to our top 3, Wang Tae Hua with a score of 287 out of 300 and won the swordsmanship award"

annoyingly, he brushed his shoulder blades as he passed by my direction, he took his scroll, his wearing a black robe which made me crease my head, he has the same hairpin as the First Prince. My confusion was answered the moment he reached the Emperor.

"My pleasure to receive the scroll, Father Emperor" he went in the front, he is really the third prince.

His eyes are different from Master Ji wok who have hazel eyes, his are black orbs, he does not have the same calm features as Ji wok too, as he is more aggressive and serious.

I shook my head, Yao will definitely shred me to pieces. As I saw Ji Wok looking at me, I smiled a little which he just averted my gaze.

"The top 2, please step forward"

we already lost count, since 22 students are on the front, 24 students are only admitted?

"Yun Ji Wok with a score of 295 out of 300, second place in swordsmanship"

My eyes darted at the man walking at the aisle, he- he was the one who saved me at the brothel. I was just talking about him. He's fond of wearing blue robes. "2nd state minister's son is always his pride"

"But, his older brother topped the previous exam, he must be feeling all the pressure" I heard people clamoring

While I am here ready to leave after this.

"The first place is Bai Ku Ji of Bai Family who garnered 297 out of 300 and aced the tactical and strategy exam"

We were about to return and go home when we were halted.

"Last, but not the least, the 25th examiner who garnered the top spot too, come up here, Dan Weicheng"

My eyes were almost going out of their socket as I was really stuck on my feet.

"what" I whispered

Laohu went down to take me to his highness, everyone gasped as his highness smiled.

"You aced the archery in a mili-second, you topped the written exam and exceed your scores in discourse, your tenacity and sincerity is the utmost support needed by the academy, I hope to hear more of you soon"

everyone congratulated us as we were about to leave, I saw Ji Wok and was eager to approach him to thank him, when Laohu pulled me out of the scene.

"Let's go see uncle Pu"

I gritted my teeth in annoyance as we left the hall.

Uncle Pu congratulated us as he also said that Mu Lin passed her exams, and her efforts will not go in vain because I passed too. He promised to treat us to dinner when there's a holiday. We went home and saw Mu Lin's letter in her drawer. She was about to be trained starting tomorrow, which will also be our admission.