vstars Chapter 404: Entering the Imperial Academy
Chapter 404: Entering the Imperial Academy
Chapter 404 Entering the Hanlin Academy
All the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) have arrived in the capital to report for duty. In recent days, some of those who have passed the examinations to become Shujishi (probationary officials) have begun to travel around.
None of the Jiang family members passed the imperial examination for the position of Shujishi this time; most of them will have to wait for a vacancy to be filled.
Wang Jue was quite lucky; he passed the examination to become a probationary official, and even more fortunate, he entered the Ministry of Revenue, where landlord Jiang was located.
Now he's considered Landlord Jiang's assistant, helping him with various tasks.
Landlord Jiang didn't hold back on anything for his future grandson-in-law, basically revealing all his hidden talents.
Wang Jue was quick-witted, and he had managed many of the family's businesses, so he learned quickly.
Landlord Jiang gave Wang Jue, a math student, a score of 85.
Jiang Xiaoqi met Xiao Ming in front of the Hanlin Academy. The two of them officially started working at the Hanlin Academy today.
Jiang Xiaoqi was a compiler of the sixth rank, while Xiao Ming and Liu Peng were compilers of the seventh rank. Jiang Xiaoqi's rank was currently the highest among all the newly appointed Jinshi.
Xiao Ming seemed very happy to see Jiang Xiaoqi. He was wearing a blue official robe and exuded vigor and vitality.
Jiang Xiaoqi couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder he's a third-place scholar, his appearance is really striking."
Little did he know that Xiao Ming, upon seeing him, was also inwardly marveling, "No wonder he's the top scholar! He's handsome, elegant, and extraordinary!"
The two secretly praised each other a few times in their hearts before walking inside side by side.
Upon entering, they discovered that the two of them were not the first to arrive; many junior scholars were already waiting there.
However, we haven't seen Liu Peng, the runner-up, yet, probably because he lives nearby and isn't in a hurry.
Those who live far away are afraid of being late and missing their shift, so they leave early.
Several familiar scholars among the junior scholars were exchanging pleasantries when they saw the top scholar and the second-ranked scholar and came up to greet them.
After all, they are officials of a higher rank. They are currently sixth-rank compilers and seventh-rank editors, while they are just probationary scholars who do not yet have a rank.
He still had to endure a long period of hardship at the Hanlin Academy before he could be officially appointed, and finally, his final destination would be decided.
By the time you get to that point, they might have already been promoted. This isn't about currying favor; it's about expanding your network in official circles—just normal social interaction.
Jiang Xiaoqi and Xiao Ming didn't overstep their bounds. Anyway, the appointed time hadn't come yet, so there was no harm in chatting with everyone. They would see each other all the time, and they couldn't be completely unfamiliar with each other's names.
When the clerk in charge of roll call arrived, Liu Peng was the only one who hadn't arrived yet.
The clerk glanced at everyone present, said nothing, and slowly flipped through the register.
Not long after, Liu Peng arrived in a hurry.
His clothes were fairly neat, probably because he came out late and was wearing them in the carriage.
Liu Peng didn't say anything, nor did the minor official, but Jiang Xiaoqi knew that the two of them definitely knew each other.
According to rank, Jiang Xiaoqi was the first to check in, followed by Liu Peng and Xiao Ming.
After the three men reported for duty, the clerk was to take them to their offices and show them around the Hanlin Academy.
The group of junior scholars who had been left hanging wanted to say something but didn't dare to speak up; they decided it was best not to be the first to stick their necks out.
If he says the wrong thing, he'll be the only one left to suffer the consequences; if he says the right thing, he'll be helping the other scholars, but no one will appreciate his good deed.
Let's just forget about it. It's better to avoid trouble. They can't just be left unattended forever, can they?
Sure enough, after a short while, an official in red robes arrived, followed by two minor officials.
Red official robes were only worn by officials of the fifth rank, meaning that the person who came was at least a fifth-rank official.
The scholars paid their respects to their superior in a fairly orderly manner. The official didn't say much and had a junior clerk help them register and take attendance.
"Sir, everyone is here."
"Well, let's go."
Jiang Xiaoqi was led to a room that wasn't very big, with only a table inside.
This was clearly his "office," given his rank as a sixth-grade compiler.
Liu Peng, the runner-up, and his good friend Xiao Ming were arranged to share an "office," with two desks placed opposite each other, so they could see each other as soon as they looked up.
Liu Peng glanced at Jiang Xiaoqi's private office and walked straight to another one.
Xiao Ming really wanted to share a room with Jiang Xiaoqi, but it was arranged by the Hanlin Academy. According to rank, he had to share a room with the second-place scholar, whom he wasn't very familiar with. Sigh~
Jiang Xiaoqi didn't actually mind having a private office; she even wanted to swap offices with Liu Peng so she could keep Xiao Ming company and chat with him whenever they wanted.
Being alone in a room full of books and classic texts can indeed be quite boring.
But you can't say that out loud, otherwise people will think you're showing off or being smug, or even that you're making them look bad.
After all, this second-place scholar doesn't seem easy to get along with, and he's the prime minister's grandson. It's best not to provoke him if possible.
After arranging the office space, the clerk led the three to pay their respects to the highest official of the Hanlin Academy, the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Lord Zhang.
The head of the Hanlin Academy was a third-rank official, meaning that the highest rank one could achieve in the Hanlin Academy was third rank.
However, Jiang Xiaoqi didn't intend to stay in the Hanlin Academy forever; he would definitely have to leave in the future, so he was just doing this temporary work.
The main duties and functions of the Hanlin Academy were to draft imperial edicts, compile historical records, and write documents, among other textual work.
Below the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy were the Attendant Readers and Attendant Lecturers, who were also high-ranking officials in the Hanlin Academy. They were responsible for explaining classics and history to the emperor and drafting imperial edicts, and their ranks were fourth and fifth grade, respectively.
The headmaster merely offered a few words of encouragement to the three of them before sending them off to their own tasks.
For some reason, Jiang Xiaoqi saw the shadow of people from later generations in this Lord Zhang, who seemed to dislike interacting with others.
Such a personality is quite suitable for focusing on scholarship at the Hanlin Academy. I just wonder if this person is also socially awkward when interacting with other colleagues.
Back in her "office," Jiang Xiaoqi felt that there were quite a few things missing in the room.
When I go on duty tomorrow, I'll have to bring some things with me. I just asked the clerk who was showing me the way, and it's allowed. I can even bring my own tea set, tea snacks, and treats.
"Host, did you ask if I could bring the raccoon? The sunlight in your room is quite nice, you can let my nest out, I'll sunbathe here and get some calcium~"
"Don't even think about it, it's definitely impossible. The Hanlin Academy has many precious books. If anything goes wrong, you, the only outsider, will definitely be the first to be made the scapegoat."
"Are these bookworms really that bad?"
"Ok?"
"Ah! You're talking about someone else. My host is certainly not a bookworm; my host is a great talent!"