Striving in the Red Mansion.

Summary

In the Northern Zhili provincial examination, 135 candidates were admitted, with Jia Huan, a ten-year-old scholar, gaining significant attention for his promising future in officialdom. As the Lu Ming Banquet commenced, he was celebrated for his achievements, overshadowing older candidates like Xu Xuan, the top scorer. The atmosphere was lively as scholars mingled, recited poems, and acknowledged their mentor-student relationships. Fang Wang, the Chief Examiner, praised Jia Huan's talent, urging him to remain humble and diligent despite his early success. The banquet highlighted the shift in the examination system, prioritizing talent over age.

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