Chapter 86 The Calamity of Words

On a certain day in March, in the Imperial Examination Hall of the Ministry of Rites in Song Dynasty's Eastern Capital

While scholars like Li Sanjian and others waited anxiously for the Ministry of Rites to announce the results—some drinking and making merry, others wandering mountains and rivers, visiting relatives and friends—the Imperial Examination Hall remained tightly sealed. The chief examiners, proctors, reviewers, script checkers, record keepers, gatekeepers, and patrol officers were still "confined" within the hall, well fed and cared for, but forbidden to leave.

This situation generally lasted between thirty and fifty days, depending on the difficulty of reviewing the papers, but never less than thirty days.

"Minister Lin, here is the finalized list of two hundred and eight ranked names. Please make your judgment," said one of the review officers, handing over the list of successful candidates to Lin Xi, one of the chief examiners for this round.

The provincial examination in Song typically proceeded as follows: after candidates submitted their papers, they were sent to the Sealing Office for recording and anonymizing, then forwarded to the Recording Bureau for transcription. At this stage, the examiners only saw the re-copied papers, making it impossible to identify candidates by handwriting or show favoritism.

Yet, no matter how rigorous the system, cheating could never be wholly eradicated. If collection or recording officials colluded with chief examiners, the situation would be different. However, such cases had been rare since the founding of Song.

After the chief examiner (also known as the Director of Examinations) reviewed the papers and ranked them, the results were sealed and sent to the Review Bureau for re-examination. After this, they passed through the Verification Office for further scrutiny—a process both complex and meticulous. Still, the final decision rested with the chief examiner.

Lin Xi, one of the chief examiners, an Academician of the Hanlin Academy and Minister of Rites, appointed by imperial decree as Acting Director of Examinations, nodded and carefully read through the list.

After a long moment, Lin Xi handed the list to the vice-chief examiner, Xu Duo, Deputy Minister of Justice and Censor-in-Chief, also appointed as Deputy Director of Examinations. Another vice-chief examiner, Shen Zhu, Imperial Chronicler, likewise reviewed the names.

Song Dynasty examiners were broadly divided into "within the screen" and "outside the screen" officials. The Director, Deputy Director, script checkers, and reviewers belonged to those "within the screen," meaning they operated behind bamboo screens, unseen by candidates, responsible only for reviewing papers.

Gatekeepers and patrol officers, on the other hand, belonged to "outside the screen," including imperial attendants and palace guards.

Initially, only one Director of Examinations was appointed by imperial decree. Later, it was found that this temporary appointment gave too much power to one person, leading to abuses. With the growing number of candidates, one examiner was overworked, sometimes to the point of coughing blood and barely able to review a few papers a day. Thus, beginning in the eighth year of the Kaibao era, in addition to appointing one Director, two or three Deputies were also named to provide mutual oversight.

For the examination in which Li Sanjian participated, Emperor Zhao Xu appointed Lin Xi as Director, Xu Duo and Shen Zhu as Deputies, with three chief examiners overseeing the process.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd! Such a rebellious person, completely lawless, should be handed over for severe punishment. How is his name on this ranked list?" Xu Duo exclaimed after reading the list, slapping it down in anger.

Xu Duo, around forty, had been the top scholar in the ninth year of Xining. Now, he served as Deputy Minister of Justice and Censor-in-Chief. He was a follower of Prime Minister Zhang Dun, and only looked to Zhang for guidance.

The examination was nearing its end, and by now, the examiners—especially the chief ones—were aware of the candidates' names and papers.

When Xu Duo came to his final review, he suddenly erupted in anger. Lin Xi, as Acting Director, knew exactly whom Xu referred to, yet remained calm and asked, "Who has so disturbed you, Deputy Minister Xu, to provoke such a loss of composure?"

You’re just feigning ignorance, Xu Duo thought, sensing the rebuke in Lin Xi’s words and wondering at Lin’s attitude.

"Li Sanjian of Guizhou," Xu Duo replied, steadying himself. "This person shamelessly spouts falsehoods, criticizes state affairs, sows division, and dares speak treasonous words, penning a rebellious essay, guilty as a conspirator."

He then turned to Liang Shicheng, the palace attendant who had delivered the list, and demanded, "Why is his name included? What are your intentions?"

Liang Shicheng, dispatched from the palace, was a supporting reviewer—his writing was adequate, but his main role was running errands.

Li Sanjian’s essay, at best, criticized government policy and slandered the current administration; at worst, it could be construed as slandering the emperor, tantamount to treason. If so, even the examiners could be implicated.

At the moment, Zhang Dun and his allies were indeed purging the old faction under the guise of reform, banishing figures like Su Shi and Su Zhe, destroying Sima Guang’s tombstone, and discarding the old party’s policies. Yet, despite this, who dared mention it? Who had the courage to speak out? Without imperial support, how could Zhang Dun and his circle act so boldly?

Li Sanjian, though young, was passionate and grieved over his mentor Su Shi’s misfortune, and thus, driven by righteous indignation, wrote such words.

Liang Shicheng immediately grasped Xu Duo’s meaning, turning pale and glancing at Lin Xi, stammering and unable to respond.

"You exaggerate, Deputy Minister Xu," Lin Xi said, slowly raising his cup of tea. "From what I know, this person is but seventeen, orphaned early, living only with his mother. His father was Han, his mother Li, making him half Li himself. How could one so insignificant be guilty of conspiracy? How could such a person, with neither faction nor power, plot rebellion? On what basis? By himself? A sixteen-year-old scholar, weak as a chicken?"

Lin Xi’s words elicited laughter from the officials. Liang Shicheng breathed a sigh of relief and glared fiercely at Xu Duo.

Indeed, Lin Xi made perfect sense. For a powerless scholar to plot rebellion was pure fantasy, harder than climbing to the heavens.

Historically, those with seditious intent were either powerful clans, carefully planning and exploiting every opportunity, with the right conditions. Sometimes, wandering heroes could stir the masses to revolt, but almost always ended in ruin, death, and torture.

If someone like Li Sanjian were to speak of rebellion, he’d be either mad or foolish; and if he truly attempted it, three prison guards could subdue him at once.

Damn it, nearly scared me to death, Liang Shicheng thought, glaring again at Xu Duo.

With laughter ringing out, Xu Duo’s face turned as red as a cloth. Yet he stubbornly replied, "From what I know, this person studied under Su Shi. How then can he be without faction? Surely Su Shi, an exiled official, incited him to treason."

Liang Shicheng, hearing this, took note: Li Sanjian was Su Shi’s disciple, and Xu Duo claimed Su had directed the essay. Liang was instantly displeased.

Before Lin Xi could respond, Liang Shicheng seized the chance, pointing at Xu Duo and scolding, "Master Dongpo’s integrity and talent are unparalleled, trusted in himself, famed for his literary brilliance, his loyalty shining as bright as the sun and moon. Even the wise Emperor praised him as a prime minister for peaceful times. How could such a man incite rebellion? You, sir, judge others by your own petty heart!"

Before Liang finished, Lin Xi interjected, "Deputy Minister Xu, how is it that you know so much about Li Sanjian’s background?"

Li Sanjian’s family record only listed his origin and household circumstances. Having been expelled by Su Shi, it made no mention of him being Su’s disciple.

"See!" Liang Shicheng snapped, "Guilty conscience leads to slandering others!"

Xu Duo’s words indeed violated the sealed hall regulations, and if pursued, he would face severe punishment.

With that, Liang Shicheng rolled up his sleeves, ready to slap Xu Duo.

Liang Shicheng was newly favored by the emperor, and if Xu’s words reached Zhao Xu’s ears, it could spell disaster—perhaps even threaten his life.

Liang Shicheng was furious enough to wish Xu Duo dead.

Xu Duo, tongue-tied, scrambled to avoid him, knocking over the brazier in his panic, sending coals rolling everywhere.

The officials rushed to extinguish the fire and restrain Liang Shicheng, turning the scene into utter chaos.

"Gentlemen, please, calm yourselves," Shen Zhu, the other Deputy Director, stood up to intervene. "Since this candidate is so controversial, why not retrieve his essay and review it again? If necessary, we can seek the emperor’s judgment."

Lin Xi nodded, "We are charged by imperial command to select talent for the nation, and must serve with integrity, true to our conscience."

He then addressed Liang Shicheng, "Attendant Liang, I’m afraid you must run another errand. Please bring this candidate’s essay."

"As you command, Minister Lin," Liang Shicheng replied respectfully, turning to leave.

"Wait," Shen Zhu said with a smile, "I’ve been confined here for days and should stretch my legs. Minister Lin, may I fetch it myself?"

Lin Xi glanced at Shen Zhu. "Then I leave it to you, Sir Shen."

Shen Zhu nodded, smiling, and hurried from the review hall.

Though Lin Xi spoke with high-minded words, beneath it all lay a struggle for power. Shen Zhu, already aged, had no desire to wade into this mess; soon, he would find an excuse and have someone else deliver Li Sanjian’s essay, leaving the outcome to others, no concern of his own.