Taking Reporters to the Exam

After this guidance session, complemented by the pork knuckle meal, Li Yuanzhao's mood recovered significantly.

The next day, he threw himself back into work with renewed enthusiasm.

The Sanitation Team's actions were published in the newspaper in full.

The reporters had actually prepared their articles long ago, but due to Li Yuanzhao's intimidation, they had locked them in drawers, with no one daring to publish.

They only needed some polishing before being published.

After publication, there was naturally an uproar!

Those who needed dismissal were dismissed, those who needed to be sent to officials were sent, and the efficiency was so high that many commoners were astounded, praising the government's impressive speed.

Many of the previous restrictions on restaurants were also abolished, though some were retained on Fang Zheng's advice.

Although some regulations were maintained, private orders had already been given to the Sanitation Team to stop participating in any inspections.

The reason for keeping regulations was that Fang Zheng wanted to leave himself a backup plan.

As the saying goes, when actions are unpredictable, authority remains formidable. In the future, if merchants didn't behave, he could directly inspect them!

This would give him grounds to discipline those who didn't follow the rules.

After this incident, Li Yuanzhao's trust in the Sanitation Team completely collapsed. He specially recruited the Inferno Gang to monitor them.

With these measures, the matter was mostly settled. As the provincial examination approached and only some minor work remained, Fang Zheng left Li Yuanzhao to handle things himself without further involvement.

On this day, the provincial examination was about to begin. Fang Zheng led a group of reporters on horseback, heading majestically toward the examination hall, chatting as they traveled.

Although the court had provided carriages, Fang Zheng declined on their behalf. Taking his large group on the road allowed them to chat and relax, preventing the candidates from becoming too nervous by being cooped up in carriages.

The provincial examination was extremely significant. Passing it was equivalent to a carp leaping over the dragon gate, instantly becoming an elite among elites.

Of course, the difficulty was also extremely high. The acceptance rate for prefecture and county examinations was only about ten percent, but for the provincial examination, it dropped sharply to between three and four percent.

Although becoming a juren^[1] only qualified one as a candidate for official positions, with good luck, one could actually become an official.

The fortunate ones could even be dispatched as seventh-rank county magistrates, just as Fang Zheng had been initially.

Less fortunate ones could still become assistant officials like county deputies or secretaries, thus transforming from the ruled class to the ruling class. Though their status in officialdom would still be tiny as a sesame seed, the significance was completely different!

But more importantly, the welfare benefits were so high that the status of scholars immediately underwent a qualitative leap!

Besides inheriting all the benefits of a xiucai^[2], in economic terms, they also had tax exemption rights, which was extremely important and practical. With tax exemption, they could be free from the pressure of paying imperial grain taxes, and countless commoners, landlords, and gentry would voluntarily place themselves under their names for this tax exemption right.

Thus, successful examination candidates could instantly become local landlords!

Fan Jin from "Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam" was like this. Although he went mad, after regaining clarity, his life was completely transformed – mansion, delicious food, surrounded by beautiful wives and concubines, a splendid life!

This was every scholar's dream and the real reason everyone pursued it so eagerly.

Although everyone talked about ideals, about serving the country and the people, only a very small portion could maintain their original intentions. For most scholars, tangible benefits were what truly mattered.

Passing the provincial examination was already considered a great success, while the next metropolitan examination was even more brutal...

This was precisely what concerned Fang Zheng.

The temptation of benefits was too great! Although the success rate for the examination wasn't high, those eligible to take it from the newspaper were the elite employees.

If one or two passed, wouldn't he lose his core talent?

However, having come this far, he didn't plan to do anything more.

He could only help the candidates prepare with peace of mind.

Before departure, he treated all candidates to an auspicious meal. The reporters ate fried dough sticks and two eggs each with puzzled expressions.

He also prepared excellent writing brushes, ink, and inkstones for them.

Finally, he put twenty boiled eggs, beef jerky, dried fruits, and various snacks in a basket, along with bamboo containers of milk and water.

There was water in the examination hall, but it was drawn from a well used only once every three years, so its quality was questionable. Although alum would be added to the water tank to ensure safety, in terms of both taste and safety, the examination hall's water wasn't good!

So after drinking the examination hall's water, the probability of getting diarrhea was extremely high. Most people preferred to drink their own water, which was experience passed down through generations of candidates.

When they arrived at the entrance of the examination hall, candidates had already begun to enter.

Fang Zheng pulled his reins, stopping nearby.

The group of reporters followed suit and stopped behind him.

Fang Zheng watched candidates being stripped for inspection at the entrance and strangely felt nervous, reminiscing about his college entrance examination years ago.

If he hadn't cheated back then... he probably wouldn't have gotten into even a third-tier college! Damn, lucky they didn't check so strictly!

Then he swallowed and faced the reporters, cupping his hands and saying loudly: "Everyone! I'll see you off here!"

"Remember to drink the milk early! Throw it away if it's left overnight, don't drink it to avoid spoilage and diarrhea!"

"I'll be going in to proctor the exam shortly. With me accompanying you, you shouldn't be nervous. Just perform normally!"

"There's nothing difficult about exams, don't create anxiety. I passed the metropolitan examination and became a jinshi^[3] at fifteen, so this mere provincial examination is nothing, it's very simple!!"

The reporters' faces looked somewhat uncomfortable, feeling internally wounded.

You became a jinshi at fifteen, that would make you a legend in the examination world!

Of course the provincial examination seems like nothing to you, but we're not prodigies!

Fang Zheng completely ignored their expressions and continued rambling: "From my perspective, you're all much smarter than me! Go ahead and take the exam confidently. Even if you don't pass, the newspaper has your back! Being a reporter might not be worse than passing the exam in the future! After you finish the exam, I'll host a three-day feast at the newspaper office to celebrate! Alright, I won't say more. Off you go!"

The reporters bowed in unison: "Thank you, Minister Fang!"

With heavy packages in their hands, their hearts felt warm.

The newspaper's benefits were really good... Minister Fang was truly kind!

...